She peeked over a small crop of rocks that stood tall against the backdrop of sand. Pushing out of the dunes around it, the rocks was the only formation like it in the general area and proved to be a useful spot to survey her surroundings. With a palm holding a salute over her brow, she'd squint her eyes tightly looking for a particular landmark. There was a lamented grunt from her lips because she was out here to do a task that would have been really simple had it been not for one thing. She was born into the first generation of her clan having moved into the village and putting their nomadic ways behind in adoption of forming a shinobi clan. Whereas for those born before her generation would have been able to navigate the vast sand expanse with little to no issues off memory alone. While she understood the importance of her task the fact that she was still a kid not yet in even pre-teen years that made it seem so annoying. The worst part of it all was that there was a window to get to where she needed to be, because once the winds picked up again it would be nigh impossible to complete the task. "This sucks so bad...all because the clan wants to start a ceremony. I mean COME ON....isn't it enough we passed the exams sheeeeesh." Though the creation of a tradition wasn't unusual to clans, tribes, or any general family group she had simply not yet grasped that notion and saw this all as more of a burden on her when she could be off doing something of her own interest. Typical child... Turning her head and squinting her eyes, she began to make out just what she had been hoping to find. In the distance there was the flapping of wings which was only in her sight window for a second or two before disappearing. It had however been enough time to recognize the wings as those of the common sunagakurian crow. From what was told of her by both family and the lessons in the academy where ever one was present then that meant it's roost was nearby. Given that this region was known to be void of cliffs, this only meant that the crow was roosting in shrubs which hadn't been taken over by the dunes. It was here that Chikyu was to go, finding these desert pockets of green looking for Knocksroot. "Just my luck there was a shortage I guess." She spoke referring to the fact that they needed to replenish the stock of dried knocksroot which the clan used in one of their ceremonial dishes. Given how hard it is to find the plant, several of her fellow friends and also first generation born who had passed the exams had also been sent out. It was there goal to find and gather as much as possible within the day. Even though it wasn't noon yet she had still yet managed to find any and this sign at least put a smirk on her lips. Maybe things were turning around. She'd straighten her stance and take a deep breath, raising both palms over her head. Bringing both hands down suddenly on top of the rock, she'd twist her palms and suddenly an audible rumble could be heard. Sand that had built up around the rock formation was blown outwards while the mass of earth itself began to sink beneath the dune. Pushing both palms into a fist, her teeth tightened and gritted before punching forwards and sinking the rock beneath the sand for good. "Whew...! Okay now to just head that way". All ten toes dug themselves into the sand as her steps started her in the direction of the crow to the northeast. With both palms interlocked behind her head she whistled while carelessly skating down the dune which she had climbed, a feat that was quite easy when you were a child of the earth. Each grain of sand beneath her feet felt like a heartbeat to her body as if they were connected. This was the "Gift of Stone" that Goremu children are told about at a young age to explain this feeling. Though as she came to rest at the bottom of the dune, something felt immediately off. She could feel unusual movements nearby, unable to really identify what it was only that it was moving towards her. Glancing towards the the direction of the feeling, her eyes glanced to the adjacent dune top and both pupils would sink it suddenly..... A rather large Duskboar was returning her gaze, though it's eyes were far than friendly... [Post 1 of 2] [MFT - 783] |