Shifitng Shadows

The morning mist poured into the forest as it always did, looming from the unsettled territories of Fukachi and through Shifting Shadows like a wandering spirit. Hyugan knelt on a thin mat in his room, facing the lush foliage from the open door of his balcony. A prayer to the deities was said every morning, a force of habit the Yamabushi Monks of his past had drilled into him, relentlessly. Izanagi, the forefather of the gods was always mentioned before his beloved wife, Izanami, the goddess of creation and death.

His thoughts in reflection to her were always of guilt. Never was it toward the pitiful he had slain with his own hands; The riling filth of Akusho or corrupted officials of Empire City. Always to the innocent Yamabushi of his childhood and to Uesugi Konda, the high priest that looked after him with fatherly care. Had he been the man he is now, the bandits would've never had a chance to light their torches onto the temple grounds. Uesugi Konda would still be in the Shinto shrine, preaching the selfless ways of their religion with a bright smile.

Hyugan cooled himself from the thoughts of his vengeful blood-lust, the violent acts he committed to earn the Blood Moon rank still fresh in his mind. The path of the Shifting Shadows is one that never treads backwards... The grim words of the Master flickered into his head, droning out dark memories that sought to unease him. He had done terrible things and Hyugan believed his evolution as a ninja stripped away whatever qualities Konda had hoped to give him.

The high priest would be ashamed, this much Hyugan concluded long ago, yet he never understood why a pious monk would raise a child knowing he would undergo training as an assassin. For twenty years the questions of his past continue to haunt him, but his role in the Shifting Shadows belayed any search for answers. He is a Blood Moon now, a heartless shinobi under the Shifting Shadows. Nothing else should matter anymore...

Such intangible complexities made Hyugan uncomfortable and he needed to feel control again. He rose from the mat and slid the balcony door shut. He turned to face the casual garments he hung on an apple branch stemming from a giant oak that took up the left wall of his room; One of many great trees that held the village of Shifting Shadows 100 feet into the air. Changing into a comfortable cloth jacket and trousers, he exited his living quarters and proceeded toward the training grounds.

Deacon Frost, notorious and murderous, known to many, stood in his room at Shifting Shadows before a dummy. It was made to resemble the upper-body of a well-built man, but legs were not included.

"Ah, how the quiet are lovely company." He mused, putting on a black kimono with a red oni printed on the black. He slipped into some sandals and left to the courtyard.

The fresh air hit him pleasantly as Deacon approached the centerpiece; a large branch, covered in fine leaves. He sat himself down, leaning his back against the tree and reached into his kimono to withdraw a small notebook bound in leather. Deacon opened the book and began to read in his head the words before him.

A thousand sparrows eat decedantly at the stars, as wolves below hungrily stare, envious and angry.
Should the wind blow wrong, a sparrow may fall, and the jaws of a wolf shall open to welcome it.
The grass waves to the sight, and is rubbed gently by the cold wind. Leaves spray and dance across to the wolve's many feet.
A sparrow notices below, and calls but is unheard, its faint whisper lost amongst feathers.
A wrong wing blows, and a sparrow falls. Leaves rise, and leaves fall... A choking wolf distracts.


His book had been with him for as long as he could remember, and as far as Deacon knew, it was the only thing he owned when he came to the school. It held many secrets, to many things. Understanding every word, lead one closer to understanding the secrets they held. Some poems and brief stories would teach powerful techniques, and some would teach how to make certain items: Explosives and poisons. Deacon had deciphered many such techniques, but a few were completely useless to him. He fought with a kusarigama, and this book held hand-to-hand moves, too. Still, he knew he may need them.

What he had just read, he had just understood completely. What everything symbolised, and what it ordered. On close inspection it gave very precise directions, and it seemed being off only slightly could destroy the entire technique. They were always as fascinating.

"My, my... It is nice today." He said, before closing the book and hiding it within his kimono. When he had, Deacon saw a person making his way to the training grounds. Hyugan... Interesting...

Hyugan passed through the barrack corridors with a confident stride, his eyes shifting between two newly recruited ninja that fumbled out of their living quarters. As soon as they saw Hyugan, they immediately lined up to greet the superior with a deep bow. He stopped and faced the two kyu members. The taller one stared into Hyugan's cold, brown eyes but couldn't lock his gaze for long. The smaller one didn't bother, staring at the wooden planks of the floor as beads of sweat formed above his brow.

"Look at me!!!" Hyugan roared, the pair flinching like scared pups. They shot glances at each other before taking deep breaths, gathering enough courage to finally meet the Blood Moon Assassin's gaze. Hyugan glared at them like a demon lion from the underworld, peering into their vulnerable souls and ready to inflict cruel punishment at the slightest hint of disobedience. After seconds passed like years for the two recruits, Hyugan finally spoke.

"The look of fear you two just gave me," He turned away and resumed his pace toward the training grounds, "Let that be the last expression your victims will make."

The corridors eventually gave way to an open space, draped with thick leaves from the great oaks that were the architectural support beams of the village. A man with prominent features leaned against the centerpiece branch of the courtyard. Hyugan watched as he carefully slid a book into the folds of his black kimono. Deacon Frost, Hyugan recalled, remembering Deacon's Sacred Star coronation for saving a fellow ninja. Such a noble act, yet he bore something in him that Hyugan couldn't quite fathom. There was an airiness about the man that in some shape or form bore a striking resemblance of himself. Such is the way of the ninja; Draped in their own mysteries, concealed like a blade in a riddling sheath. The only true way to know a man is through combat, and with his Taijutsu teachers away on a mission, the opportunity that presented itself was too good to pass up.

He stepped onto the courtyard grounds, taking note of Deacon's watchful eyes. Hyugan approached the man, face-to-face, and greeted him with a slight nod.

"Pardon my intrusion," Hyugan began, "But the day is early and I've no sparring partner...interested?"

The cool Morning Mist drifted lazily about Master Yamamoto as he sat on his balcony, looking into the grey, shifting expanse upon his straw mat.He was clad in a white robe and breeches, with cloth shoes upon his feet. His legs folded under him, his back straight, one hand resting on his knee while another held a long, wooden pipe to his lips, its smoke twisting and twirling before disappearing into the greyness about him. It was a fine morning, the temperature perfect, even at the elevated height.

He could hear the faint voices drift from the village around him, though it was all hidden in the fog. He could smell the smoke of fires and that of various foodstuffs as they cooked, some of which came from inside his own quarters. The sound of soft, padded footsteps reached his ears moments before a delicate, white hand touched his shoulders and a pair of soft lips kissed the top of his head "Good Morning, Father." came Shurin's sweet voice, a curtain of silver hair appearing right beside him. Oda turned, removing the smoking pipe from his lips "You're up early today." he said "I've always been a early riser." replied his daughter. Oda placed his pipe back in his mouth with a grunt, crossing his arms "What have you planned for today ?" he asked, through clenched teeth.

Shuurin rose to her full height, standing behind her shorter father "You should know that better then I, What do you have planned for today." she asked. Oda smiled "Ask me after Breakfast."he said "Which is getting cold, by the way." replied Shuurin "Come, I have your place set already." she added. Oda rose with a small grunt, rolling one of his shoulders as he turned and entered the house, shutting the screen behind him.

Oda's quarters were a plain affair, every piece of furniture was carefully chosen, the only decorations in the rooms were ink paintings and scrolls and simple vases with fresh flowers. In one corner, sat a urn with a small tombstone of black marble with the name "Aoi Yamaoto" carved and inlaid with gold. Sticks of incense burned on either side and a small dish of oil, with a wick burned modestly. The table was set for three, but only two sat, eating baked apples and fresh bread. Oda was a bit more thoughtful then usual this morning. Shuurin noticed that he glanced at her every now and then, but she said nothing, he would speak his mind soon enough.

Hoshika noticed the small figure on the wall long before she threw the water. The small girl, looking about sixteen in age, played with the element like it was a toy. She laughed and threw the balls of water at the two warriors, and Hoshika frowned slightly. Had the girl no respect for her elders? She made a mental note to keep an eye on the child, the one that if she remembered right was called Siiki. Then the one called Deacon was launching himself into the air splitting the water into tiny bullets that were sent flying towards her. In an instant she had launched herself into a dive roll out of the way, making it just in time before the water hit the wall with hundreds of tiny 'pops'

"Whew." She sighed silently, keeping the dark on her as she crept through the shadows towards the exit, her muscles burning as the result of a sudden movement after so much stillness. Deacon made a comment on hating kids, then they began to walk out of the courtyard in the direction of the training grounds. She watched, waiting until the girl dropped back down off the wall, before stepping into the light. She wasnt doing anything wrong, but people in general didnt like finding out someone had been watching them. Hoshika sighed softly, taking quick steps towards the eating area. She needed nutrition to make it through the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I frown slightly as Deacon deflects my shot in the expert way he always does to any blow. He is such a good fighter, he kind of scares me at times. He dosnt even look at me, only comment on hating kids and leaves. I frown to myself. Im not a kid! Im just not a robot with no humor, like some of the older ninjas here. They just need to stop being so serious all the time. I sigh, calming myself. I carefully slide down the wall, dropping the ten feet to the ground and rolling with the momentum. I stand up and realize I left the bucket up there. I move the wind with my mind, and the bucket blows down, breaking with the fall. I sigh, picking up the pieces and tossing them into the woods. Im outside the compound now, where Im free of the watchful eye of the older ninjas. I run out into the woods until I come to a small clearing. I go down on my knees there, closing my eyes and beginning to meditate.

((Sorry..accidental double post))

Hyugan watched as Deacon neutralized then repelled the orbs of water in piercing droplets from a young prankster, neither surprised or dissatisfied. At least he'll be a better warm up then yesterday.

They entered the training grounds where several students practiced all forms of katas, armed and unarmed. He lead Deacon to the center, mildly stretching and loosening his joints in the process.

"Unarmed combat. Three rounds." Hyugan said aloud, paying no mind to the students who stopped their training and swarmed around them. He closed his eyes, taking slow breaths as he briefly went into a meditative state. Remember, this is a sparring match, Hyugan mentally noted, check-listing all the things his teachers would instruct him to do. No Koppojutsu and only secondary Koshijutsu. I don't want to be responsible for another crippled ninja.

He turned to face Deacon in a casual stance, calm with a slight grin. "Ready when you are."

"Very well. Each round ends when an attack successfully lands. Non-lethal strikes, throws, pins and locks are all acceptable."

Hyugan observed as his sparring partner remained locked in the defensive stance of the north. He knew it all too well and was eager to put it to the test. Within a split-second, he closed the distance between Deacon, watching for any costly reactions. He brought out a jutting fist aimed for Deacon's chest but feigned the follow through. He hoped it would cause him to flinch and break guard, but to no avail. Good...

Hyugan pivoted off to the right and ducked low to strike at his opponent's ribs but it was swatted away by Deacon's left elbow. Rotating with the block, Deacon shot a piercing right toward Hyugan's jaw putting his whole body into it to generate full power. Had the blow connected, Hyugan would be laying on the mat unconscious. To his fortune, he read the move well. The Blood Moon ninja spun out of danger as Deacon's blow hit air then countered with a swinging right fist that hammered onto his shoulder blade, knocking Deacon off balance. Hyugan wanted to continue the next chain of moves but to dart straight under him and unleash a jolting elbow from below, aimed at the throat, would be an instant kill strike.

Instead, he watched as Deacon momentarily stumbled before spinning back to his defensive style. He's not bad, considering unarmed combat isn't his forte. Since I took this round, I am sure he'll come at me more aggressively in the second.

Hyugan widened his stance. He stretched his legs to keep his center of gravity in place and brought his right fist tucked to his chest and his left palm extended forward.

"Let's see what you got."

Kazuki Amaya
"Concentrate now Zuki" said the voice behind him. Kazuki was kneeling calmly, a wooden sword across his lap and his eyes closed. The Speaker walked around him in a circle.

"I am going to strike at you again Zuki" he said in a calm tone that unnerved Kazuki. "Try to deflect it this time" he said sighing. "Concentrate"

Kazuki tried to pin point the position of the Speaker as he walked around him. He tried blocking everything out, the birds, outside the room, the wind moving through the great tree that was the shifting shadows, and his own heartbeat.

He turned and raised his weapon behind him, colliding with the attackers. "Good, again" said the speaker who slashed at Kazuki again, faster and stronger. The sword was knocked out of Kazuki's hand as he tried to deflect his attack and Kazuki cursed and held his bruised hand. The speaker sighed as Kazuki stood and rushed at him. He threw a punch at the speaker only to be hardly prodded on his forehead stopping his movement completely.

Kazuki scowled and rubbed his forehead. "Its not fair" he whined, "Your bigger than me". The speaker laughed "Well Zuki, your height is only an obstacle in your mind"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kazuki asked angrily as he picked up the forgotten wooden sword

"It will be clear in due time" The speaker said "Now put the wooden katana away and go eat, we are finished for today".

Kazuki bowed "Yes Sensei" he said and left the room.

"Itadakimasu!" Kazuki said cheerfully as he ate his dinner alone. Something was different about the evening tonight, and Kazuki new it.