It was a familiar sight, but that didn't make it any less alien or intimidating in nature. After all, the Diamond Maelstrom was named such for a reason. The winds were fierce, and the sands were...well, like diamonds in density. Only the lost Sunahoshi line were capable of controlling or creating sands of its like, which also meant that there were very few shinobi alive capable of taming the Diamond Maelstrom in the least. All who had tried invariably failed. It was into this quasi-natural hell that the Sunan shinobi walked. His name was Uchiha Satsumaru, and he walked with a purpose.
Today, he sought what could only be described as 'ghost stories'.
Rumors were abound in Sunagakure, all about various types of strange figures or shadows in the maelstrom. Some people insisted they were demons hiding in the storm, gathering to attack the village. Others claimed there was a secret bandit town inside the wailing screen. Regardless of the nature of the so-called 'figures', every single person swore with a fervor that they saw them. With so many similar claims piling up, Satsumaru decided it was time to investigate.
He donned his light armor, wrapping himself in a heavy black cloak to protect himself from the wrath of the sands and sun. Each step into the maelstrom reminded him how thankful he should be that he did. The winds were scathing and hot, while the diamond-hard sands punished his cloak and etched scores into his armor. The long-haired Uchiha could only wonder how long his little investigation would last were he not so protected.
To that point, he allowed his crimson eyes to make use of their time, scanning as deeply as he could within the veil of sand. If there were any chakra signatures within, his eyes could - hopefully - pick them up. One of the great benefits to having the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan was their ability to almost subconsciously pick up and recognize chakra signatures within view. The only question here was: were there any to pick up?
For a while, Satsumaru forgot the very concept of time. Everything around him was just a mess of sand and wind, and his vision was a blur. There were no visual indications of time or presence, and he was too focused on finding something nonexistent to keep any mental note of how long he had been out wandering. For all he knew, he'd been gone for the entirety of the day, even though it had only been an hour or so in reality. He could see how this place was a death trap for anyone unprepared. Even as prepared as he was, it was still a deadly place to cross...
And just as he considered that thought, a strange whistling sound echoed on the wind. Or...he thought it did? Satsumaru's Sharingan eyes darted to the side, scanning for anything with a trace to be found...yet nothing was there.
Again, a whistling sound - like that of a tea kettle - emanated, but from the other side. Once more, he moved his eyes to check the horizon, hoping for any proof that the desert wasn't just making him as crazy as it had made those who began the rumors of 'ghosts' or 'demons' in the Maelstrom.
"Show yourself..." the young sage spoke calmly into the winds, "If you're really there at all."
Was he the victim of the Maelstrom's environs...or was something - some 'ghost' or 'demon' - really out there?
Today, he sought what could only be described as 'ghost stories'.
Rumors were abound in Sunagakure, all about various types of strange figures or shadows in the maelstrom. Some people insisted they were demons hiding in the storm, gathering to attack the village. Others claimed there was a secret bandit town inside the wailing screen. Regardless of the nature of the so-called 'figures', every single person swore with a fervor that they saw them. With so many similar claims piling up, Satsumaru decided it was time to investigate.
He donned his light armor, wrapping himself in a heavy black cloak to protect himself from the wrath of the sands and sun. Each step into the maelstrom reminded him how thankful he should be that he did. The winds were scathing and hot, while the diamond-hard sands punished his cloak and etched scores into his armor. The long-haired Uchiha could only wonder how long his little investigation would last were he not so protected.
To that point, he allowed his crimson eyes to make use of their time, scanning as deeply as he could within the veil of sand. If there were any chakra signatures within, his eyes could - hopefully - pick them up. One of the great benefits to having the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan was their ability to almost subconsciously pick up and recognize chakra signatures within view. The only question here was: were there any to pick up?
For a while, Satsumaru forgot the very concept of time. Everything around him was just a mess of sand and wind, and his vision was a blur. There were no visual indications of time or presence, and he was too focused on finding something nonexistent to keep any mental note of how long he had been out wandering. For all he knew, he'd been gone for the entirety of the day, even though it had only been an hour or so in reality. He could see how this place was a death trap for anyone unprepared. Even as prepared as he was, it was still a deadly place to cross...
And just as he considered that thought, a strange whistling sound echoed on the wind. Or...he thought it did? Satsumaru's Sharingan eyes darted to the side, scanning for anything with a trace to be found...yet nothing was there.
Again, a whistling sound - like that of a tea kettle - emanated, but from the other side. Once more, he moved his eyes to check the horizon, hoping for any proof that the desert wasn't just making him as crazy as it had made those who began the rumors of 'ghosts' or 'demons' in the Maelstrom.
"Show yourself..." the young sage spoke calmly into the winds, "If you're really there at all."
Was he the victim of the Maelstrom's environs...or was something - some 'ghost' or 'demon' - really out there?
[WC: 573]
[OOC: As far as preference, I'm not too obsessed with one contract or another, but I wouldn't mind the Foxy Lady contract.]
[OOC: As far as preference, I'm not too obsessed with one contract or another, but I wouldn't mind the Foxy Lady contract.]