There was a light fog today as the caravan traveled through the dense shrubbery littered about the Forest of Death which acted like a natural barrier between the Leaf village and the outside world. The Cloud convoy had almost reached the forest but was now halted, a young ANBU was supposed to escort them the rest of the way but so far, there was no sign of the girl and the Santaru clan leader watched the treetops scanning for any sign of this girl. His person guards were on edge too, all of them knew far too well this area was crawling with robbers and thugs and the prospect of taking a clan leader hostage was golden to them. Suddenly, there was a crackling of lightning followed by a boom and Santaru Soku popped into existence next to them dressed in full ANBU uniform with a mask on her face equipped with her trusty weapon Storm Blade which was at the time sheathed."Santaru Soku, of the Leaf. I am your personal guard for the rest of this trip,Hibachi-sama." She added referring to the clan lords name and title out of respect. The man looked down at the young woman a bunch of thoughts going through his mind, one black eyebrow raised in doubt as he glanced at her."You?You are my guide?"He asked again. Was this warrior so great that they only had to send her alone or perhaps this was some sort of practical joke. Soku nodded bowing to the lord again."Yes. I assure you no harm will come to you while the clouds watch over this entourage."
The caravan of clan members and dignitaries creaked throughout the forest while Soku followed close to the clan leaders mount on foot, her green eyes scanning for any action or movement. To be honest, Soku hadnt even signed up for this misson, this was simply a test of rites and traditon set to her by her own clan althought risking the clan heads life was a questionable method. A set of lurking eyes followed them as the convoy rounded a corner. "So, Soku-chan, you are taking the traditonal clan test, are you not?"The kunoichi simply nodded in response her eyes focusing on a piece of broken twigs that looked like they had been broken very recently, perhaps a minute or so ago. Her keen observation skills were excellent allowing her to catch onto such things."Yes...yes, I am."Her voice faded away to a cold whisper as the girl honed in on a prone figure dressed in all black pointing some sort of projectile at her and he blew into a tube and then from there, all hell broke loose as a blowdart sped towards the clan leader as the guards bolted after the offender while Soku remained behind prepared to defend Hibachi from any attackers.
There was a clean hissing sound as she unsheathed her blade and sliced through the dart all in one motion and it fell splintering into two pieces, the venom leaking out of it. Suddenly, there was a ear shattering yell and she whirled to see what was going on and took a long deep breath. This was not going to be easy by any means."Hibachi-sama, I suggest you stand back."She replied eyeing the line of robbers who stood over the dead bodies of the other Santaru clan guards waving their chakra swords and kunais and yelling a war cry as they charged the lone warrior."HYAAAAAAAAH! KILL THE SURVIVIOR!'Soku's eyes gleamed as she smiled, a smile of death."Fools."The girl clasped her hands together as if she were praying and closed her eyes calmly as the mob of bandits her. There was a boom and instantly, the sun was blotted out as storm clouds covered the sky flashing and booming."Storm Style: Storm Control!"There was a crackling noise then suddenly shouts of fear and surprise as electrical bolts rained down from the sky with deadly accuracy striking them down where they stood. After it was all over, she looked at the damage she had done and sighed. She had given them a opportunity but they had chosen not to listen so what was a person to do?
The clan leader poked out his head in awe of the damage she had done."They werent wrong. You really are a one-man wrecking team."He said patting her on the shoulder. Soku sheathed her sword and turned to look at him."I only did what I was told, Hibachi-sama and that was to protect you."She said smiling and bowing to him. The man looked at the young woman before him liking what he saw and came to a resolution."No need for that. You passed your trial with flying colors."He said seriously handing her a ring which had a cloud engraved onto it and was commonly worn by members of the Santaru who had taken their trial, survived and had been awarded the same ring. Soku was now a fully-fledged member of this Lightning clan, something she had longed for all her life. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she put the ring on. These were not tears of sadness however, these were tears of joy she cried."Thank you. This is something I have longed for and you just handed it to me on a platter."Hibachi stopped her correcting her words."You're wrong there, Soku. Not on a silver platter but through your sweat and hard work. Don't put yourself down, now shall we continue?"He asked smiling reminding them both of their misson. Soku had nearly forgotten."Oh. Oh...yeah."She said snapping back to reality and together they trekked on towards the gate leaving the scene of the battle long behind them.
TWC[945\700]
The caravan of clan members and dignitaries creaked throughout the forest while Soku followed close to the clan leaders mount on foot, her green eyes scanning for any action or movement. To be honest, Soku hadnt even signed up for this misson, this was simply a test of rites and traditon set to her by her own clan althought risking the clan heads life was a questionable method. A set of lurking eyes followed them as the convoy rounded a corner. "So, Soku-chan, you are taking the traditonal clan test, are you not?"The kunoichi simply nodded in response her eyes focusing on a piece of broken twigs that looked like they had been broken very recently, perhaps a minute or so ago. Her keen observation skills were excellent allowing her to catch onto such things."Yes...yes, I am."Her voice faded away to a cold whisper as the girl honed in on a prone figure dressed in all black pointing some sort of projectile at her and he blew into a tube and then from there, all hell broke loose as a blowdart sped towards the clan leader as the guards bolted after the offender while Soku remained behind prepared to defend Hibachi from any attackers.
There was a clean hissing sound as she unsheathed her blade and sliced through the dart all in one motion and it fell splintering into two pieces, the venom leaking out of it. Suddenly, there was a ear shattering yell and she whirled to see what was going on and took a long deep breath. This was not going to be easy by any means."Hibachi-sama, I suggest you stand back."She replied eyeing the line of robbers who stood over the dead bodies of the other Santaru clan guards waving their chakra swords and kunais and yelling a war cry as they charged the lone warrior."HYAAAAAAAAH! KILL THE SURVIVIOR!'Soku's eyes gleamed as she smiled, a smile of death."Fools."The girl clasped her hands together as if she were praying and closed her eyes calmly as the mob of bandits her. There was a boom and instantly, the sun was blotted out as storm clouds covered the sky flashing and booming."Storm Style: Storm Control!"There was a crackling noise then suddenly shouts of fear and surprise as electrical bolts rained down from the sky with deadly accuracy striking them down where they stood. After it was all over, she looked at the damage she had done and sighed. She had given them a opportunity but they had chosen not to listen so what was a person to do?
The clan leader poked out his head in awe of the damage she had done."They werent wrong. You really are a one-man wrecking team."He said patting her on the shoulder. Soku sheathed her sword and turned to look at him."I only did what I was told, Hibachi-sama and that was to protect you."She said smiling and bowing to him. The man looked at the young woman before him liking what he saw and came to a resolution."No need for that. You passed your trial with flying colors."He said seriously handing her a ring which had a cloud engraved onto it and was commonly worn by members of the Santaru who had taken their trial, survived and had been awarded the same ring. Soku was now a fully-fledged member of this Lightning clan, something she had longed for all her life. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she put the ring on. These were not tears of sadness however, these were tears of joy she cried."Thank you. This is something I have longed for and you just handed it to me on a platter."Hibachi stopped her correcting her words."You're wrong there, Soku. Not on a silver platter but through your sweat and hard work. Don't put yourself down, now shall we continue?"He asked smiling reminding them both of their misson. Soku had nearly forgotten."Oh. Oh...yeah."She said snapping back to reality and together they trekked on towards the gate leaving the scene of the battle long behind them.
TWC[945\700]