How long?

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

The winds rustle against the cool breeze as the moonlight skidded across the skies. The stars mimicking the moon’s light and brightening the sky more. It seemed perhaps at this hour everybody would be asleep, but not a few more souls walking on this earth. One soul walked this night but not for long. He began to trudge across the territory as he pushed up against a tree. He grit his fangs and looked down to his rib, his hand covering it. As he watched it blood trickled down it slowly. He cringed and pushed himself down to the ground. The dog he was carrying fell down to his side. The dog’s eyes watching him wearily, he was still breathing. The dog whined silently and laid on his side as his wounds were exposed. The jounin smiled lightly and slowly trailed his bloodied fingers through the dog’s fur.

“We did it..” He coughed as blood spatted out. He pushed his head up against the tree trunk and looked up at the stars. His eyes scanning them over as he slowly closed them. He didn’t want to sleep, but he felt like dying right now. He wanted to do so, get it done and over with. But what about his dog? Will he come with him? He seemed to be in just as bad as a state as he was in. His mind then fumbled over recent memories, a flashback, one he could not control.

He sneered. “Speaking of that…I’ve noticed a lot of changes in you three. But if you wish to leave now. Do it now, don’t waste my time. If you are to scared to face the dangers of this world, then leave.” He snorted. “I have nothing to like. Hatre consumes my soul.” He turned his gaze away.


Tonelessly, Raidon said, "The phrase 'give up' is nonexistant to shinobi."


“So, hatred has consumed your soul? If you have no memory, then hatred of what?” Kakani paused, then continued. “If there is nothing for you to like, then why are you here? Why not just die? After all, hatred rules you and you have nothing to like. I’m assuming you won’t stroll of a cliff while we’re training, because I really don’t have time for a suicidal teacher. The real question is, are you willing to teach students whom you apparently do no like, and are you prepared to put aside your all-consuming hatred to pass on some skills to currently hopeless Genin? Because if you’re not, I can always leave you be and head back to the village now.”

“Ehe...I wonder why I’m having such arrogant memories at a time like this.” It seemed his flashes were of his team at the last moment he had seen them. The time he had given them the option to go home if they were to scared to go on. But it made him proud to know they were willing to keep going after all this time. But what had become of them? The team seemed to have split up for some odd reason. Was it because the Hokage sent Kotsu on that mission? And now he laid here half-dead, thinking over memories.

"Kotsu! Kotsu!" Lazily eyes tilted his head as his name was called. A girl about 12 came running to him proudly. "Kotsu! I passed! I passed!" She seemed so proud, giggling lightly. Although Kotsu was 17 and had already been an ANBU for a few years now, he was proud of her. "Well done Akina." He grinned lightly. "Now you'll need more training before you can be as strong as me." Of course he was joking. Placing his hand on her head and messing up her hair. "Hey! Kotsu!"
---------------
OI! Kotsu! Can I ask you a question?" Akina question, looking at the huge gash mark among Kotsu's bottom face. "Huh? Ah..Yea sure." Kotsu replied to her. "Where did you get that huge scar?" Kotsu seemed abit puzzled. "Ah? Eh..Well.." He scratched the back of his head. "Hmm?" She urged. "Um..I got it during a battle." He finally replied. "A battle? What kind of battle?" She questioned. "Between myself and my sensei.." Akina looked at him quizically. "How come?" Kotsu shrugged. "I wanted to see who was stronger..."


"I won't ever let you go!"

Akina’s voice ran through his mind. “Who are you?” He said to the girl in his mind. He didn’t remember her, but she was there. He grimaced and spat out more blood and placed his hand on his dog. “Toukon...Toukon...” Toukon’s ears perked up, but all he mustered out was a whine. “It’s ok boy...We’ll...” He sighed and closed his eyes again.

[Michelle]

A lone figure walked silently among the trees, barely a footfall rustling a leaf. Clouds came and went across the moon until they drifted themselves to wisps, leaving the stars to shine while the moon itself only reflected the light of the missing sun.
Indifferent, the lunar face sent down moonbeams to light her path, a light breeze making the leaves whisper and murmur to themselves, passing some unheard story from branch to branch. One equally silent wings a bird glided on the same breeze above, deep brown eyes streaked with vibrant shocks of caramel and sienna ever watchful for his mistress. The night was quiet, indeed; the girl traversing the woods reflected the solemn peace in her wanderings, musing this and that as she aimlessly walked unworn paths.

She wore a plain black shirt, simple light brown pants, a red bandage wound around her right arm, and a red Konoha headband; one of the students from the Village of the Leaf. As it were, she happened to be passing close by the spot where another Konoha shinobi sat with his dog. Having keen hearing, it wasn’t hard for her to recognize the voice and start in surprise. Keiyou flew down swiftly, slipping between the branches of the trees to land on a limb above her head; confirming that her sensei had, undeniably, returned. She set off after the sound of the voice, the hawk taking flight to follow.

She soon stepped out into a moonlit semi-clearing, several yards of open space bordered by trees and dominated by one huge tree set off to one side of it. Under this monarch was Bonkotsu, and a familiar furry form, Toukon. She stood and stared for a moment, one hand resting on the tree nearest her. Keiyou called softly from the tree above, triggering her into action again. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out; she then saw the blood, and both her sensei’s wounds and his dog’s. She was no medic; that was Raven’s thing; but she wasn’t stupid either.

Striding slowly over to him, she stopped a foot or so away, green eyes calmly and efficiently noting the various wounds on each of them. Neither of them were in good shape, but Bonkotsu nor the dog would die so easily from moderate injuries like these; no, it would take far worse to put these two out of business. A small, wry smile found it’s way onto her features and she crouched, titian hair falling down around her face. Keiyou winged his way over, landing gently on her shoulder and doing his best not to claw her too much while cocking his head in that bird-like way and peering down at his mistress’s teacher and the dog.

When Tai finally spoke, her voice filled the clearing without disturbing the night’s quietude. “Long time no see, Bonkotsu. You too, Toukon.” She paused, letting Keiyou shift his weight. “What hell did you two drag yourselves through? Those wounds are going to need attended to, you know.” She spoke levelly and calmly, nearly emotionless but with the slight undertone of her teasing, while her greeting had been as sincere as they came from her. Well, close enough. Distantly, she wondered if Bonkotsu would have something snide to say or whether he’d let her or someone else patch him up.

He always did what he pleased, didn’t he? She exhaled slowly, pushing a lock of hair away from her face and putting it behind her ear, letting her hawk stretch his wings. She had a message pouch for his harness if she needed to use it, just in case her sensei wasn’t in the condition to move. She doubted that; it was his stubborn nature that might instigate it’s use, though. As it was, she wondered in all that could have happened tonight, what pure dumb chance had brought her long-missing sensei across her path?

Life had a funny way of expressing itself, that was for sure. She just hoped it didn’t plan on pulling any more pranks on her any time soon; she would never admit it, but she really was a little glad to see Bonkotsu back from his long absence. And what a warm welcome he got, didn’t he… with an almost imperceptible snort, she thought that if he’d wanted a welcome back party he should have called Raidon before plunking his bleeding ass down back in home territory. That was Tai for you.

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

Toukon's eyes wielded over the dark nights as he stared off in the distance. A light whine came from his maw as he tried to pull himself up, but he found himself unable to do so. Kotsu's eyes remained closed as he gently stroked the dog's fur. "Don't get up..." Came his reassuring voice towards his most trusted companion. "Don't...you need to lay there, but don't fall asleep...You might never..wake up..." He grit his fangs together and slowly opened his eyes as he stared over the creamy-brown colored dog. He grinned lightly and shook his head. "We'll a wreck buddy.."

He heaved a deep sigh and leaned his head back once more as he stared up at the night sky. "Stupid sky...You're my last sight aren't you? Pity..for once I actually wanted to see a familiar being..Oh what the hell..It ain't like I'm going to die any time soon.." A weak smile crept across his lips. "Naw...I'm to stubborn to die like this." He barely lifted one of his hands as he stretched his fingers out towards the skies. "I dare ya Death to come and snatch our souls tonight."

A breath escaped his throat and he closed his eyes before reopening them. "Someone comes?" Toukon lowly speaks to Kotsu. The jounin gave a light nod. "Aye..someone comes." His gaze watching the upcoming girl as he hears the soaring bird. He smirked slightly and rolled his eyes gently. Watching the girl kneel beside him. He almost laughed, but half-choked and grimaced alittle from the pain of his rib. His hand went back to holding the wound as he pushed on it.

"Tai...You silly girl..Out so late..Shouldn't you be in bed?" He smirked. "No matter...I'm really glad I could see you." He laughed slightly and looked away before looking back to her. He lifted a bloodied clawed hand and gently draped it along her cheeks. His fingers trailing through her hair. "It was hell my dear...A mission is all that it takes."

He coughed slightly and his hand slid back down to the ground. He slowly looked back to Toukon. He watched the dog slowly try to get up. "Toukon you silly dog...Lay back down.." Toukon gave a light whimpered and limped slightly to stand over to the girl's side and licked her hand. Slowly looking over to the hawk as he woofed lowly. He then collasped back towards the ground. Kotsu pushed himself forward to cuddle his dog. A sly grin crept across his lips. "Here I am...holding something I didn't think I cared about."

He shifted his gaze over to Tai and slowly grabbed Toukon and braced his hand among the branch as he forced himself up. "I know girl...I know my wounds need to be treated..But I'll manage for awhile longer. I'm to damn stubborn to allow Death to part me from this earth..Though the idea of dieing sounds interesting...But dieing is way to easy." He pushed his dog over his shoulders and looked to her. "What are you waiting for?"

[Michelle]

She smirked right back. “Didn’t you know? I’m a big girl now.” She hid it well, but she was a little surprised at his next remark. Glad he could see her? She was amazed that he cared to see anyone at all besides that dog of his, let alone her, of all people. She blamed it on his blood loss and stayed still at his touch, unaffected. Unlike most people, physical contact rarely startled her or repulsed her. It was just a feeling, after all, and she detected no threat from his movement and didn’t expect to and therefore it was irrelevant to her.

It was his words that held her attention… she had known that missions were harrowing, but she’d never experienced an awful one firsthand and doubted she’d let it show even if she did. Socializing issues, trust issues and whatnot. As nonchalant as she seemed about Bonkotsu’s bloody reappearance, it was one thing that did affect her. While most things didn’t bother her greatly, seeing her seemingly steadfast teacher torn and wounded, physically and perhaps just the slightest mentally from a mission. Not that she would balk when it came her time, but it was something to mull over… not now though, this wasn’t the time.

Her gaze slid from Bonkotsu’s at Toukon’s lick, hearing and feeling Keiyou shift and caw softly in reply. She stood as Bonkotsu did, not offering her hand as she knew he wouldn’t take it, and it looked like he needed to carry Toukon anyway. She nodded at his continued dialogue, absorbing it without commenting. She didn’t talk when she didn’t need to, save when she had something choice to say, if you get my drift… she wasn’t exactly completely respectful of her elders. “What are you waiting for?” Keiyou took flight and did a slow, looping circle above them, waiting for them to move on.

She smirked again. “Only for you to say ‘surprise’ and disappear in a puff of smoke again, old man. Lead the way, since you were going to anyway.” She walked coolly to his side as he walked, shouldering his dog. Come to think of it, she hadn’t talked to Raidon or Raven for a long time either… all of them had drifted apart of their sensei had left. Maybe it was time for a reunion, however socially painful that might be.

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

"A big girl now eh? That's good to here. Don't need you mommy to come kiss your wounds." A bit of a joke and sarcasm. He hosted the dog up and barely walked as he shifted his gaze back to her. "Funny..But no..no surprise anymore." He adjusted his weight and walked beside the girl as best as he could. It didn't really bother him as much, he knew he'd heal quick from his wounds. It wasn't a trait of his own, but mainly a curse within his veins that held something so pure, yet poisoned. He grit his fangs and extended his claws as he continued on.

"Don't worry to much about me Tai...I can manage wounds like these. I need.......to get....Toukon to the Vet...He needs more aid then I do." His voice was abit low as he spoke. He had realized he'd be lost if the dog had died. It just struck realizing this. Realizing how much the dog meant so much to him. A sly less visible grin crept across his lips. He still wore the mask that covered his horrible scar.

He cringed slightly and looked to Tai as his posture grew abit better. "Ya know Tai it's funny the things you remember when you think you're on the brink of death." He lifted his free hand and slid his mask down to reveal a scar from his chin to his nose. "I got this when protecting someone close to me: My team.." He slid his mask back up and continued on. "I don't remember a whole lot..But I remember a girl....But I don't know who she is...Reminds me of someone.."

As they got nearer to the vilage entrance, the guards there saw them and became bewildered. They rushed to their aid. "Get the dog and go..I'll be fine." He argued with them. They swiftly took the dog to the vet. "Sir you need medical attention..." "I'll be fine!" Kotsu grumbled and looked to Tai before watching the one of the men remain. Then Kotsu blacked out.

The next thing he knew, he was in a hospital bed. He opened his eyes and looked around his room. He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Fuck..where the hell am I?"

[Michelle]

Tai walked beside him, feet moving softly across the deep loam carpeting the forest floor. She looked up half-curiously, and with a little bit of concern for the injured dog, the big canine slung across his master’s shoulders. The girl had never known much about social relationships, and she wasn’t expected to, but she did know a little something about bonds between people and animals. With a low, almost imperceptible whistle, she called Keiyou down to her shoulder. Pulling out a small scroll, small enough to fit around the hawk’s foot, she quickly wrote a short and to-the-point message, tied it around Keiyou’s foot much like you would with a passenger pigeon (much to Keiyou’s disgust, though he allowed it seeing the uses of it) and let him wheel off into the night air, knowing he would skip the gate guards and just make sure the vet was awake and able to work on Toukon by the time they got there.

Her gaze immediately snapped back to her sensei though when he spoke again, pulling down his mask. She couldn’t help it; she stared. He’d gotten it… protecting his team. Would she do that? Honestly, she didn’t know… maybe she would… would she? She mentally shook the thought from her head; it was confusing and brought to the surface questions she didn’t want to answer. Bonkotsu’s reason for giving all of his memories to Toukon still puzzled her; she had realized by now, as they walked at a steady pace back towards Konoha, that not only would he lose his most loyal companion, he would also lose all of his memories… and while again she did not know so much on this topic, it had always seemed to her that your past made up most of who you are. If your past were to somehow just die…

She shuddered, looking up as the guards came into view. They were immediately surrounded by three or four, all of them stressing over their arrival. Typical. One of them went off ahead to warn the vet; unnecessary, seeing that Keiyou would have taken care of that; the other two hoisted Toukon and shortly followed. Looking to Bonkotsu, she raised an eyebrow; she had said he would need a doctor; even as she glanced his way, he collapsed. Keiyou returned a second later, cawing lowly. She sighed and shook her head, glaring at the remaining man. “Look, I can’t carry him myself; what are you standing around for?” He started, then nodded, helping her carry him through the gates. Keiyou seemed irritated, but took off for the hospital to warn them that a new patient was on his way… sort of.

~~~

“Fuck… where the hell am I?” The whitewashed walls of the small room were stark and without décor, the windows opened by the nurses to let in the light and the breeze. He was lying in a hospital bed with equally starched and clean white sheets, a heart machine and several others that Tai didn’t recognize beeping and flickering softly. The sun itself had risen by now of course, and the clock read 12:34 PM. She was sitting at a small table across from the foot of the bed, crossed feet up on the table while she read yet another of her small library of scrolls. Good luck catching her with anything else.

Keiyou sat on the window ledge, preening and sunning himself at the same time. At his voice she looked up from the scroll, one of her small grins returning. “Awww, looks like sleeping beauty finally decided to join the waking world. You’re in the hospital; hence the inane amounts of white.” She gestured vaguely at the surroundings. “Toukon’s still down in the vet; I haven’t been down to check on him in awhile. Raidon and Raven are here too; they left a bit ago and left me here on guard duty to make sure you didn’t wake up and start knocking out the poor doctors in search of Toukon or something. Fun, eh?” She chuckled dryly. “And I half expected you would. How are you feeling, anyway?”

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

(I haven't forgotten oo I was kinda waitin for Raidon and/or Raven to post XD)

[Michelle]

(Yeah, me too. ^^')

[Tsukiyo Raven]

There was a small shuffling sound from outside, like the sound feet make when a person is fidgeting in place. Two voices joined the shuffling...one seemed annoyed, and the other was soft and convincing. There was silence for a few moments before the door slid open to reveal...

Tsukiyo Raven. Not just Raven, but a Raven bearing gifts for her sensei and team mate. One in each hand, a bowl of noodles steamed deliciously as she carefully made her way into the room. She closed the door with her foot, not spilling any of the noodle broth. She then turned to the two people sitting before her. She seemed somewhat....hesitant.

"I...uh... thought you guys would be hungry...."

She said simply before walking forwards. She put Bonkotsu's noodles on the table next to the bed and then handed Tai's noodles directly too her. Both noodles already had chopsticks in them so the two didn't have to go get some in order to eat.

"I...didn't know what each of you liked, so I got something simple. If you don't like it, I'll go out and get something else."

Raven said, standing at the doorway. She would wait to see if they liked noodles. If not, she'd ask what they DID like, and go out and get some for them. It was the least she could do, right?

((Sorry for the crap post...I didn't know how to reply, so I came up with this lame-assed post. XD Sorry))

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