Kitsune no Yabu (Home of the Foxes)

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kitsune no Yabu (literally "Fox Grove") is the home of the fox summons that belong to Hansori Kin. Many of the foxes found here have multiple tails, but there are some with just singular tails. Some foxes found here even walk upright and wield weapons much like a normal person. This place could be considered much like it's own planet thanks to its varying climates created by the glorious mountain range that marks the center of Kitsune no Yabu. This mountain range is rumored to stretch into the very heavens and its name is Inarizan (Mt. Inari). Despite the rumors it isn't so high that the local foxes are unable to climb it. Inarizan does stretch high into the clouds, though. At the top of Inarizan is a shrine dedicated to the great God Inari Ookami. This shrine is said to house the elders of Kitsune no Yabu who have the ability to talk with their beloved God.

Because of Inarizan, there is no run-off to the south which has served to create a scorching desert that feels almost as if it would melt the flesh off of any wary traveler. This part of Kitsune no Yabu is always cast in daylight rarely bringing forth rain. Even so, a variety of foxes do make their home here. Over the years, it has also taken on the rain patterns of normal desert.

Ironically, if one heads to the east they would find something completely different thanks once again to Inarizan, a frozen land that when the wind blows feels like it would be enough to turn a mere mortal to stone. This frozen area of Kitsune no Yabu is always cast in darkness allowing a perfect view of a myriad of auroras. Because of all the ice, the foxes and other life that is in this region have clearly adapted to the climate and are able to get ample water compared to the desert region.

As for the areas to the north and west? Because of Inarizan, rain water runs down the mountain towards the north to create a crystal colored lake which then gives rise to a rain and coniferous forest type area. Trees, trees, and more trees fill the remaining space of Kitsune no Yabu and a series of rivers flow through the area draining into another lake at the western base of Inarizan.

Ironically, despite the amounts of teeming life that serve as prey for the foxes one will not find a single turtle within this entire land! If one even mentions the infamous turtles to the residents of Kitsune no Yabu he or she should be prepared for a long, and exciting, history lesson about the bloody wars of the past that were fought between the turtles and foxes.

Inarizanhttp://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu165/nagashi328/RPG%20Images/Inarizan.png
Inarizan Shrinehttp://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu165/nagashi328/RPG%20Images/InarizanShrine.png
Aurorahttp://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu165/nagashi328/RPG%20Images/Aurora.png
Tundrahttp://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu165/nagashi328/RPG%20Images/TundraFox.png
Deserthttp://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu165/nagashi328/RPG%20Images/DesertFox.png
Foresthttp://i644.photobucket.com/albums/uu165/nagashi328/RPG%20Images/ForestFox.png

Kitsune no Yabu is hidden and is only accessible by being reversed summoned by one of Kin's fox summons.

[Nyanki]

A puff of white smoke appeared in the foxy land. Sorakuchi-san felt the grip of the fox summon on him release as it faded. Although part of him wanted to see what the world looked like once the summon mist faded, they had work to do. He needed to use his portal ability to connect the Hoshi Academy and Konoha for the students.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin felt the pull in his stomach from being summon warped fade away as they arrived. Luckily this wasn't his first time feeling such a sensation or he would have probably thrown up. The smoke didn't fade away quickly and sadly the duo didn't have time to sit and admire the scenery. All Kin could tell was that wherever they were it was intensely cold and shivers had already started to rack Kin's body.

"Hold on boys, here we go!" exclaimed Siske as the sound of scraping claws filled the air and they were sucked into time and space again by the reverse summoning. Within a matter of seconds they would be standing right outside of Konohagakure's gates.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Pale white smoke blossomed out of thin air over the night sky of the freezing tundra as Kin and Siske returned to Kitsune no Yabu once more. As the smoke drifted out across the smooth icy ground shinobi and fox were revealed looking up at the night sky. Auroras painted the sky as Kin observed them with a light smile on his face. "Wow, Siske, this place is really..." Suddenly a sharp wind drifted over the frozen ground causing Kin to suddenly stop mid-sentence to shiver.

"Cold!" exclaimed Kin as he completed his thought. He was going to remark on how nice this place was but now the coldness had struck him and he was uncomfortable in his muscle shirt and shinobi pants. He wasn't wearing the armor Tokuzen had had crafted for him, along with sets for Hikoro and Kane, which probably didn't help in the chilling factor right now.

"Don't you have somewhere more," he paused to think of the right word for a moment, "moderate that we can go?" Before Siske could answer, though, the sound of claws moving across the ice reached Kin's ears and began to turn to see who, or what, was approaching them.

[Nyanki]

Kin would see the form of a creature coming toward him, but it was rather obvious what kind it was given this location. The fox's gray fur was covered in a blue flak jacket over its chest, and a headband of the same color had its tails waving with the passing chilly breeze. It appeared to have a large, staff-like weapon on its back. "Ah, Siske," the fox said as it closed the distance between them on its four legs. "And you must be the summoner."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Siske turned with Kin to face the oncoming fox and oddly enough a jagged smile spread across the white haired animal. "Fang Liao," was Siske's simple response to his fellow fox. Despite the shortness of Siske's response it was apparent that the two actually got along fairly well.

As for Kin, who was still shivering, simply stuck out his hand and sputtered out, "Hansori Kin at your service." Granted the newly arrived fox probably couldn't shake hands it was simply a reflexive gesture for the young Tokubetsu Jounin.

[Nyanki]

Contrary to what Kin may have expected, the fox rose onto its hind legs and gripped onto Kin's hand with his paw. "Fang Liao. Welcome to Kitsune no Yabu." After releasing Kin's hand, the fox added, "In the future, it would be wise to keep traditional and bow." It's not like he was trying to be mean, but it was true that many here were not very capable of shaking hands. Not to mention, bowing was far more polite.

Fang Liao gave a bow in the white fox's direction. "Nice to see you again, Siske." Looking to them both, he asked, "Might I ask what brings you both here?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin just looked at Fang Liao in surprise as the fox went from walking on all fours to a two legged stance. Well that was rather nifty. That was when the fox quickly lectured Kin about remembering to bow. It seemed Kin had gotten rather lax in his manners, he would work hard to train those too while he was here!

As Fang Liao bowed to Siske both shinobi and summon returned the bow, Kin bending at his midsection and Siske sinking down a little bit. Once both returned to their normal stature Kin set about answering this new foxes question. "I actually came here to train my skills and I asked Siske to bring me here to do just that." It took Kin a minute to get his words out through the clattering of his teeth but he seemed to be adjusting slowly to the cold.

"And I brought him here to get the best training we could provide," added Siske. It was odd to picture a fox teaching a ninja skills but it had done many times before with various other summons.

[Nyanki]

"Is that so?" the fox said before dropping back down to four legs. "You have come to a very good place then, Kin-san. The fox is a swift creature and can be fearsome when cornered." He turned and took a step before adding, "I am currently headed north, to the forests, for training of my own. You are welcome to accompany me should you both wish."

[Kuro Nagashi]

This time Siske was first to respond, "Sounds like a good starting point to me," Hopefully they avoided the more tropical part of the forests, though. All that humidity was a real damper on the tundra fox's spirits.

As for Kin, he was completely lost. This place was more than a frozen land? That was neat. Not to mention Fang Liao was offering to help Kin with his training. Were all of the foxes that inhabited this place so kind? "Ah, I'd love to go!" As an added bonus Siske was going with them. It seemed Kin was going to get things started much sooner than he expected.

Lightly Kin took a step towards Fang Liao prepared to follow them. The only question was if the training started with the journey to the forests or would they get a leisurely trip?

[Nyanki]

"Alright, then I shall lead the way." With that, the gray fox began to trot onward through the snow. His pace would soon pick up into a run that Siske would more than easily be able to keep up with in this environment, but how would Kin fair in the white fluff?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Siske trotted past Kin to follow beside Fang Liao while Kin was left to try and find a way to move quickly in the powdery snow below his feet. It seemed walking at a decent pace wasn't too hard but if he wanted to keep up he was going to have to adapt rather quickly. That or just trudge through it.

"So what do you specialize in Fang Liao?" Perhaps if Kin tried to start a conversation before they got going too fast he would have time to adapt to the terrain below him.

[Nyanki]

"I often focus on naginata-jutsu, shuriken-jutsu, and some ninjutsu," the fox said as he continued to run. It would be clear now that the weapon Fang Liao carried on his back was a pole blade.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Ah, I'm a taijutsu guy myself. Granted I'd like to get my skills more rounded out," said Kin as the snow seemed to get a little easier to move through. Still, at this rate, he would have to just push through and try his hardest to keep up. Hopefully it wouldn't be much different than trying to run with weights on.

Picking up the pace to keep up the foxes he felt his legs straining in the snow. Oh well, he came to train didn't he?

[Nyanki]

In time, the tundra gave way to brush, evergreens, and then eventually a coniferous forest. The snow was gone. Dark dirt and green grass was beneath their feet. Fang Liao led them onward to a training field within the woods. There was a bit of a clearing, with the trees around the area painted with targets and covered in cuts and scrapes. "This is where I was headed," the gray fox said as he slowed to a stop.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin took in the area around them as he brought his hands down to his knees. The journey had not been easy on the young Hansori. The entire journey had felt like he was wading through mud until they had shifted to a more gentle terrain. Then he had been able to assume a pace that let him run beside the two foxes but even so he had never traveled such a distance on foot so quick before.

Once he had taken a second to catch his breath Kin said, "Wow. This is a nice place you guys have going here." The place reminded him much of Konoha's training grounds but at the same time he could note the differences. Now it seemed he was going to get to witness how a fox trained.

[Nyanki]

Fang Liao turned to face the human shinobi. "Are you in need of a break, Kin-san?" he asked.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin stood up straight giving a light smile as he said, "Oh, I'm fine. This is just a warmup." It might not have been entirely true but Kin was fine to keep going. If he wanted to better himself he was going to have to push limits that had never tried to pass before. Besides, he didn't want the foxes thinking him a big wimp.

[Nyanki]

"Is that so?" said Fang Liao. "Is there anything in particular that you would like to do first?" He would let Kin decide the course of action if the young shinobi so desired.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Nah, wherever you would normally start is perfectly fine with me," replied Kin. He didn't want to decide what they did, there would be plenty of time for him to decide what he wanted to learn later; or so he hoped. For now, though, Kin was happy to just experience what it was like for a normal day of training for somebody like Fang Liao.

[Nyanki]

"Very well." The fox glided away with swift feet and hopped upon a nearby stump. Once there, Fang Liao reached to a case he had at his side. It was his shuriken holster. His paw pulled out several. Liao held them before his face as he looked at a target marked upon a tree. His eyes seemed to trace the area around him before he threw the shinobi stars.

Thunk thunk thunk went three shuriken as they sunk into the wood about the red bullseye.

It only got wilder from there. The bipedal fox jumped up while drawing more shuriken, did a spin, and hit the mark on three different targets. It was quite the sight, especially with the pole blade upon his back. The moment he landed, Fang Liao jumped forward toward a tree. He was a little short, but he didn't let that stop him. Liao removed his spear-like weapon from his back and swung it downward before him. As he came down, the blade-edge hit the earth and the fox pushed off of the ground with the strength of his arm and was able to reach the wooden structure with the new bounce.

Chakra to the feet, Fang Liao ran up the tree and threw out shuriken for two more targets on trees on the other side of the clearing. Then, he jumped off of the one he was on in a back flip and hit a target on that very tree. When he landed lightly, it was next to his large weapon. The fox plucked it off of the ground, and in a front flip he stood upon the stump he began on, with the naginata back in place behind him. The way he stood, it was almost as if Liao had not done a thing at all.

"Such feats, any skilled shinobi can do," he said. "However, one must remember that shinobi make use of the battlefield, the surroundings. Although shinobi weaponry is easily thrown away, a shinobi should be able to retrieve those around him." Fang Liao gestured to the tree he ran up that had a single shuriken in a target from his last maneuver. "How quickly can you retrieve and reuse that shuriken?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin watched with sharp eyes as Fang Liao set about embedding the targets around them with a series of shuriken. Granted Kin had seen Kane perform such maneuvers quite a few times in the past it was interesting to see how elegantly Fang Liao did something so similar. Kin probably couldn't fully understand the technique, though, seeing as he was all about just punching things into oblivion.

"Um, I'm not sure," was Kin's reply to Fang Liao's final question. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to try and get the shuriken or if he was supposed to answer so he just guessed and went with answering the question. That was when he began to actually think about the question.

If Fang Liao stood in his way it would probably take him a bit of time to get to the shuriken but with no interference? He would probably get his hands on the tool rather quickly; however, using it was an entirely different question.

[Nyanki]

"Reply with action, not words," said Fang Liao. He gestured to the lone shuriken once more and awaited Kin's attempt.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin merely arched his brow at Fang Liao's words. If that was how they were going to do this... Without seeming to even prepare himself Kin dashed forward aiming to blow right past Fang Liao and to go straight to the shuriken. He doubted that his tactic would work but it didn't hurt to try, right?

[Nyanki]

Fang Liao did nothing but stand and watch. He said not a word as his eyes traced after the young shinobi.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Unopposed Kin's body seemed to only pick up speed before he was standing with his feet planted against the bark where the shuriken had been embedded. Using his chakra to keep him from falling back to the ground Kin plucked the shuriken from the tree and simply held it in between his fingers. He currently had no use for it but he had gotten it hadn't he?

(OOC: Unless you didn't want him to grab it this post. :xd:)

[Nyanki]

(ooc: No, that's fine.)

"How about another one?" the fox requested. It seemed Fang Liao might be sending the Konoha-nin to each of the shuriken, but there had to be some sort of catch, right? It couldn't keep being this easy, could it?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin wasn't sure exactly what Fang Liao was trying to get at but Kin went for another of the scattered shuriken. Crouching down, he pushed hard off of the tree where he had gathered the first shuriken. His body sailed through the air as towards the tree where Fang Liao had embedded another of the metallic objects. Would Fang Liao let him be once again or would he respond?

[Nyanki]

As Kin began to reach for the next tree-stuck shuriken, Fang Liao took a shuriken in his paw. After setting it aflame in blue-green fire, the bipedal fox threw the weapon at Kin. How would Kin react to the blazing projectile attack?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Under normal circumstances Kin would have just allowed the shuriken to bounce off of his body but just because his skin was hardened did not mean he was protected from being burnt. It would also be nearly impossible for him to just let the weapon slip "through" his body. He wasn't sure what exactly to do.

That was when he realized he still had the first shuriken he retrieved. The bladed star pushed through Kin's palm and with a twist of his body Kin had sent it back towards the burning star. Now he just had to hope the fire wasn't going to mess up his own projectile.

As the two shuriken sailed through the air towards one another Kin landed on the branch of the tree had been approaching. Keeping his eyes on the two shuriken he reached down to pluck another from the tree he was now standing on.

[Nyanki]

Yes, Kin's shuriken countered Fang Liao's. The clash made an audible metallic sound. However, it seemed it wasn't over just yet. The ninja fox pulled out another throwing star, set it ablaze, and whipped it at Kin as before. Would Kin be able to react in time?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Sadly Kin had only retrieved one shuriken from the tree he had landed on meaning he could not quickly draw another from there. And by the time he armed himself with the shuriken he had pocketed earlier it would already be too late. Then there was the option of dodging but that would probably catch the tree on fire... Well, he could just let the shuriken hit him but that did not seem very pleasant either.

He would just have to try and counter the shuriken with the one he had picked up earlier. Tapping into his kekkei genkai's ability the skin on his right palm seemed to split and out slipped the shuriken. At the same time Fang Liao's shuriken drew ever closer. With a quick flick of his wrist the other shuriken sailed outwards but Kin quickly noticed that he had thrown it slightly off track.

Curse his poor accuracy.

His shuriken sailed just inches passed Fang Liao's causing Kin to raise his left arm in defense. The bipedal fox's weapon hit Kin's hand with a dull clanking sound and bounced off leaving a rather painful burn on Kin's hand. Even so he stood on the tree facing Fang Liao waiting to see what he would do now.

[Nyanki]

"I know what it means to burn," Fang Liao said as he looked at Kin and drew another shuriken. "That's how I began to learn." He coated it with his blue-green fire and threw it at Kin. Kin should have enough time to dodge and maybe make it to the next shuriken-stuck tree.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin did not respond to Fang Liao's words but they did seem to strike a chord deep inside the Tokubetsu Jounin. Nodding his head Kin pushed off of the tree that he was standing on and sailed through the air towards the next tree that Fang Liao had embedded a shuriken in.

As his body sailed through the air he seemed to take in the pain in his left hand. Of course he could heal it but for some reason doing such felt wrong. With the sound of feet hitting wood Kin landed on the next tree and had procured yet another shuriken. But Kin was done with just letting Fang Liao throw the shuriken at him!

Pushing off the tree Kin sailed high overhead and with a flick of his wrist he sent the weapon sailing downwards towards Fang Liao! Upon closer inspection it was obvious that the weapon would land harmlessly at Fang Liao's feet, Kin really needed to get better with the whole projectile thing.

[Nyanki]

Fang Liao squinted at the oncoming ninja star, not moving as he saw the weapon was not going to hit him. "So never give up, never give in." As soon as the shuriken hit the dirt at his feet, Fang Liao plucked it up with a fiery paw and flung it at Kin in what appeared to be one fluid motion. "Rise from the fire if you're going to win." Maybe Kin would pick something up from the fox's actions.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin landed on the other tree as Fang Liao released his shuriken. Quickly Kin plucked the three bladed stars from the tree and with a flick of his wrist one of the shuriken sailed through the air towards Fang Liao's. Granted it was off by just a bit resulting in the edges of the weapons to just barely collide. Oh well, at least it had deflected the weapon.

That's when Kin realized he was obviously doing something wrong seeing as none of his shuriken were going exactly where he wanted them. Instead of just launching another attack he stood against the tree and waited. He would observe how the fox did things and try learning from that.

[Nyanki]

With six of the nine shuriken plucked by the boy, it seemed the lesson was nearing its end. Paw already in the pouch, Fang Liao fired up three shuriken and threw them one after another at Kin. Granted, Kin was in a position to have time to avoid the attack, it was all a part of the training to see what he would do. He needed to remember what Fang Liao had said in the beginning to succeed, or at least the way the fox had wanted him to.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin observed how Fang Liao had thrown those three shuriken carefully and this time he attempted copying the motion. And as the two shuriken left his hand they were actually closer to being on course! The first two shuriken were knocked off course but that still left a third one.

This time instead of dodging it Kin steadied himself and just stared down the oncoming projectile. He was a ninja of Konoha and he would not back down from this challenge. Besides he was tired of having firey weapons thrown at him. Fang Liao could have a taste of his own medicine.

Extending his right hand Kin caught the burning shuriken! It didn't cut him, obviously, but he still winced from the burn that was forming on his hand. Oh well, he would heal it later. With a extension of his wrist the still flaming shuriken was sent back to Fang Liao!

Kin didn't use this time to pause, instead he pushed off of the now bare tree heading for the next tree.

[Nyanki]

Chlock!

The flaming shuriken met with wood after the fox side-stepped it. Although he said not another word, he was rather intrigued by Kin's reuse of the flaming star. Granted, that was not really the goal of the training, it was an interesting tactic nevertheless. Sometimes, interesting things happened when one didn't expect them. He pulled the then flameless projectile out of the tree and held it in his paw.

As Kin made his way to the next shuriken tree, Fang Liao moved to pick up one of the shuriken that was on the ground. Because of this training, there were several lying about.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin landed on the tree and plucked the shuriken from its bark. Instead of just launching the shuriken at Fang Liao Kin pushed off of the tree sailing through the air right towards the bipedal fox aiming to tackle him! It seemed Kin was no longer going to just throw shuriken around. Besides, if this was supposed to be training then Kin had some room to be innovative, right?

[Nyanki]

Fang Liao shook his head. Kin was focusing more on "winning" than the actual purpose of the training. Kin had lost sight of what the training was about. He pulled his poleblade off of his back and flipped it upside-down. As Kin neared, the fox brought the wooden pole down to give a swift whack to the top of the young ninja's noggin.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin had not been expecting such a quick reaction from Fang Liao and as his body neared the fox he had no way to readjust in the air and was whacked atop his head. Hitting the ground with a dull thud he let out an exclamation of pain and brought himself to stand before the fox. Rubbing the back of his head he said, "That hurt more than I expected."

[Nyanki]

"It seems you have little interest in the throwing arts," Fang Liao commented as he slipped his weapon into its place on his back. He stood there and looked at Kin, waiting to hear the response.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin chuckled lightly as he brought his hand back down to his side. "I guess you could say that," stated the young ninja rather plainly. Perhaps part of his disinterest had to do with the fact that his teammate, Kane, had always been the weapon user of the group. "I guess I got a little carried away and didn't grasp the concept, huh?"

[Nyanki]

"Do you remember what I said before we began?" Fang Liao stepped over to a nearby shuriken on the ground, bent over, and picked it up. Turning it in his paw, he looked at it.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"You mean about being able to pick up a used weapon and reuse it?" inquired Kin as he watched Fang Liao twist the shuriken in his paw. For some reason it amazed Kin how the fox was always so calm, maybe if Kin hung around long enough these foxes would have an effect on Kin's rather rash nature.

[Nyanki]

"Yes," said Fang Liao. "Shinobi are known for making use of their surroundings. With weapons like shuriken, there is always a limited number carried." He placed the one he held into his holster. "A time may come where a shuriken is your best option, yet you have none."

Fang Liao walked over to another shuriken on the ground. "However, if one is nearby, would it not be wise to use it?" Picking it up, he eyed its furthest point. "It is good to practice all things, for with the difference between one with practice and one doing it for the first time, no matter how significant or insignificant, it is always better for the former." He put the shuriken away like the other.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin silently took in Fang Liao's words of wisdom. Perhaps Kin had more to learn than he thought he did. Granted, he was barely a Jounin and he knew that. He really did not know what to do next seeing as he was following Fang Liao but he had truly enjoyed their brief training session. Perhaps after he learned the things he had come to learn he would revisit the idea of weapons training.

[Nyanki]

Fang Liao diligently worked to finish picking up his scattered shuriken. He knew when to keep and let go of such tossable weapons when need be, and this was one of the times he would try to retrieve them. There was no rush to make him to otherwise.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin watched as Fang Liao continued to retrieve his discarded weapons. He would wait until the fox finished collecting his weapons before asking where they would go next. He wondered if they actually had anything like villages here or if all of the foxes just lived in the different terrains and minded their own business.

[Nyanki]

With the last of his throwing stars in paw, Fang Liao turned toward his fellow fox. "Siske, might I ask what your usual methods of training are?" He did not know much about Kin or how the two usually trained, and with Siske being more watchful than involved, Fang Liao thought he would pose the question at the white fox.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Siske turned his attention to Fang Liao, two of his three tails weaving lazily through the air, and said, "My training usually consists of exercises to improve speed and Taijutsu." Perhaps it was the reason that Kin had first summoned Siske seeing as their abilities were so similar. "Moreso speed than anything else," the three-tailed fox tacked on.

Kin chuckled slightly at Siske's explanation of his training, not that he had said anything funny. Kin just found it humorous that he was still slower than the fox that he had been working side-by-side with for so many years.

[Nyanki]

"I see," said the gray fox. He looked to both of them and added, "Was there anything in particular either of you would like to do?" They hadn't come here to train with Fang Liao specifically, they must've had something in mind. That, or they might even feel like they were done with him for now.

[Kuro Nagashi]

At Fang Liao's question Kin spoke up wanting to make it clear why he had actually come here. Of course he had come for training but this was not exactly what he had in mind, even if he had learned something neat. "Well, I actually came here to get better at Ninjutsu, primarily the medical kind," explained the young Tokubetsu Jounin. Of course he had a concrete goal in mind but if he just happened to pick up other things along the way that would be even better.

Siske on the other hand stilled the motion of his tails and said, "I really did not come for any particular training, just escorting the boy." In all likely hood Siske would probably return to his arctic climate once the group decided where Kin would be going next. That was assuming that Fang Liao and Kin would be fine with just traveling together.

[Nyanki]

"Ah, then I suppose I am not a fox you seek, for I am not skilled in the healing arts." Fang Liao was no medic, that much he wanted to make clear. He showed no sense of sadness or disappointment though.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"I see," replied Kin. Despite the fact that Fang Liao would not be able to help him master his healing abilities he did not seem put off. Instead he decided to ask, "Perhaps you could direct me to somebody that is?" Who else would know where to find a skilled healer to teach him besides one of Kitsune no Yabu's residents?

[Nyanki]

"It is in the pure white snow where many make their home," began Fang Liao, "with fur that matches the landscape." He pointed the way they had come from earlier with his paw. "I recently left one such healer myself, before our paths crossed."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded, so they needed to head back to the frozen landscape? He really should have brought some warmer clothing with him if that was where his training was to take place. Perhaps he should take a detour to get some new clothing before further pursuing his training? "Ah, thanks," said Kin with a toothy smile.

"Though, before we head back that way do you think you could tell me where I could get some warm clothing?" The way Kin said "we" implied that he believed Fang Liao would be traveling back to the frozen lands with them but was that what Kin really meant?

[Nyanki]

"I suppose this area is more of my neck of the woods, as they say," said Fang Liao, lightly reminding him that this was not only his home but also Siske's. However, he was more of a forest type and was very familiar with this area. "I shall lead the way." With that, he made a few steps in nearly the opposite direction he had once pointed.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin let out a light chuckle. He had not thought that Siske would be very familiar with this area being from the frozen area of this weird land. "Thank you," said Kin as he set about following Fang Liao to wherever they were going.

[Nyanki]

In time, a log cabin-like structure was visible between the trees, From the colorful signs that adorned it, it appeared to be a shop. Fang Liao led them through the open doors and inside. Different kinds of items lined the walls. In one area, there were some racks of clothing.

"Welcome," said a voice. "Can I help you?" An orangish brown fox wearing a button-down white shirt and light brown vest approached them from the front counter. His brown eyes widened momentarily at the sight of Kin. "A human, eh? Well, all the same, is there any way I can help you today?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin examined the contents of the shop before the merchant fox spoke to him. He was kind of amazed at the variety of goods they had here, quite a few of them being suitable for both man and fox. Then again Kin probably was not the first to ever summon his foxy companions. Turning to face the upright merchant Kin said, "Ah, I was just looking for some clothing that would be suitable for an arctic climate."

He turned his body so that he was facing slightly away from the shop's owner and examined the clothing that was nearest.

[Nyanki]

"You might find something suitable this way," the orange fox said as he gestured in a direction with his paw. "There's some clothes for our kind from the desert that might suit you. As you might expect, they are not very fond of the cold. If there's any fitting issues, we can fix that right up."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin followed the direction of the fox's paw with his eyes. Upon seeing the variety of thick clothing his lips twisted upwards into a small smile that revealed his canines. Those would be perfect for where he was getting ready to go. Walking over to the rack of clothing Kin ran his fingers over the various outfits seeming to carefully examine each one. That was until he came across a particular top.

Pulling it from the rack Kin examined it and seemed to be pleased with it. It was a the same shade of blue as the sky and around the collar was some kind of fur like material. The article had long sleeves and zipped right up the middle, there was just one problem; it was too small. When Kin tried the top on it was just a size smaller than what he would wear.

Turning back to the foxy merchant Kin asked, "Would you happen to have this in the next size up?"

Siske, who was still traveling with the group had busied himself looking at the shops weapon selections. Of course he was not much for clothing and weapons it never hurt to be aware of what was offered in different places.

[Nyanki]

"Ah, I will have to see," The shop keeping fox eyed what Kin had gripped onto, taking a mental picture of it, and then he turned back to the front of the shop. "One moment, please," he said before heading to the door that was behind the counter.

After a few minutes, the fox reappeared with a garment that matched the one Kin had picked out. "I was able to find a bigger size. However, it is more than one size up, but that can be fixed if you feel you would like it."

[Kuro Nagashi]

"If you would be so kind," replied Kin before turning back to the rack of clothing. He assumed the fox would understand that Kin wanted the shirt. Now he just needed to pick out a pair of pants. That was when he found a pair of solid black pants that were much like windbreakers. Not to mention they were in his size.

Turning back to the merchant fox Kin said, "And I'll take these as well." With his pants in hand Kin approached the counter where the merchant was. He wasn't sure how he was going to remedy the shirt but he figured he would soon find out.

[Nyanki]

"My brother can fix it right up to your suiting," the fox said as he folded the garment in his arms. "He should be here very shortly. Perhaps you could spend some time perusing our goods in the meantime? I don't think it will be very long." After a short pause, he added, "We also have a dressing room if you'd like to try on the trousers you've picked out." He pointed toward a corner of the shop with his paw.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin looked where the fox had gestured and nodded before saying, "Sounds like a plan." With that he took the pants he had chosen and headed over towards the dressing room that he had been directed to. Stepping inside the young ninja set about swapping his current pants for the ones that he had chosen. It would be a minute before he was finished getting changed.

[Nyanki]

The shop fox set the folded coat upon the counter. Fang Liao seemed to simply walk around with his eyes examining the items placed all about. It was rather quiet in the store.

That was until the sound of a bell could be heard. The front door to the shop was opening as someone was letting themselves in. What fox could it be?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin stepped out of the dressing the room with the new pants having replaced his old ones. He seemed pleased with how they looked on him and spotting both Fang Liao and Siske browsing the various shelves he called out asking, "What do you guys think?"

At the sound of the door opening Kin turned his head slightly to see who would be entering the shop. Of course he hoped it was the guy that could fix up his new shirt but if not, then he would merely have to wait a bit longer.

[Nyanki]

A fox in the same shade of orange-brown as the other had entered. With a pair of glasses on the end of his foxy snout and a cherry red waistcoat about his torso, he began heading for the counter.

"Younger brother," said the fox who had been assisting Kin.

"Hello," said the red-vested fox. "Hello," he repeated, extending this greeting to the visitors that he saw.

"Brother," said the elder of the two, "we have a coat that needs fitting for the young man here."

It was clear why the shop had "The Tawny Brothers" hanging outside as its name.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin kindly repeated the greeting to the, apparently, younger fox. It seemed it wouldn't be much longer before he had his coat fixed up. He was still wearing the new pants and he could easily feel how much more warmth they provided than what he had been wearing previously. Now the trip back to the arctic lands would be much easier.

Meanwhile, Siske's interest had been drawn to a weapon holster. Granted he did not utilize ninja tools the holster was still rather interesting. Perhaps it would be something Kin could take back with him to give to Kane? The holster was pure black and was fitted to a belt with various pouches that circled it. It seemed like something that Kane would easily fill with a variety of deadly items.

Lifting his left paw, Siske scooped up the item and would be ready to take it to the counter when Kin was finished with his clothing.

[Nyanki]

"Ah," said the younger fox, turning to Kin as he approached everyone. "You may call me Matsuba." His eyes caught sight of the folded coat on the counter and then returned to the Konoha ninja. "Dressing for the cold, it seems? Well, would you like to sort out your coat right now, or would you like more time to browse?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Now would be fine," replied Kin with a small smile. He had picked out everything that he was interested in getting while they were here. All that was left was to sort out his coat and then to head back towards the frozen area of this foxy land.

[Nyanki]

Matsuba picked up the coat. He adjusted his glasses, gripping with his clawed fingertips to where one arm of the frames attached. "Please come with me," he said, leading Kin to a room, "for measurements and seeing what needs to be adjusted."

Within the hour, with eventually everyone but Matsuba in the main area of the shop, the tailor fox emerged from the room with the mended coat. "Here we are," he said. "Now to try it on." He held it out for Kin to take.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin took the coat from the fox and slipped it over the thin muscle shirt that he had been wearing. It seemed to be just the size that the Konoha ninja had requested. "Fits like a charm," stated Kin, the corners of his lips turning upwards into a smile. Now all that was left for him to pay for his items, right? He just hoped they didn't have some kind of special currency here, that might make things difficult.

[Nyanki]

"Very good," said the mender.

The elder brother, whom Matsuba had revealed to Kin as being named Sunago, began to ring up the clothes that had been picked out, as well as anything else that they would place upon the counter or reveal to him. He told them the price in ryou, though gold and the like was also acceptable.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Siske had placed the weapon holster up on the counter, explaining to Kin that it was a little something that he could take back to Kane. Once everything was rung up, Kin paid for the items and thanked the two fox merchants. With their items paid for Kin, Siske, and Fang Liao exited the little shop. Now Kin and Siske could head back to the arctic area!

"Are you going to accompany us back to the tundra, Fang Liao?" inquired Kin. He was not sure what this new fox planned on doing but either way, Kin was bound to meet even more foxes throughout his training.

[Nyanki]

"If you would still like of me to lead you to the particular fox I visited earlier," said Fang Liao, "I would be glad to do so." Fang Liao wasn't one to take back what he had offered before, reminding Kin of it. Although if Siske could lead Kin to a medic fox and Kin preferred to follow his tundra-native friend, it would be alright with him.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Before Kin could respond Siske stepped forward and spoke, "Perhaps it would be better if we let Fang Liao remain here." Of course Siske was not trying to discourage Fang Liao from accompanying them but he was not a Tundra fox meaning the cold would be less than pleasant for Kin's tour guide.

Kin, seeming to get the meaning behind Siske's words, nodded and turned to face Fang Liao. "Siske has a point, I thank you for all your assistance but Siske and I should be fine from here on out." While he knew that he was parting ways with the bipedal fox he hoped that he would get the chance to meet up with him again.

[Nyanki]

"It was very nice to meet you, Kin," said Fang Liao with a bit of a bow, "and it was good to see you again, Siske. When he stood up straight, he added, "May your journey be well and you find the training you seek."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin returned the bow before saying "thanks" once again. Siske also nodded his head towards Fang Liao. With their final farewells Kin and Siske were off and headed back towards the tundra! Kin was already dressed in his new pants and had the coat wrapped around his waist, otherwise he would've gotten too hot on the journey back.

Some time later the duo that had left Fang Liao could be seen trudging through the snow, Kin's new clothes stood out against the stark white snow that covered the ground. As for Siske he seemed to blend in with the environment making it so Kin had to keep focused if he wanted to follow the tundra fox. That was until he stepped into the shadow of what appeared to be a cottage.

What the heck was a cottage going out here in the middle of nowhere? Tendrils of smoke rose from the chimney hinting that there was a fireplace inside, which meant it would be warm!

Resting his hands on his legs Kin asked, "Is this the place, Siske?"

Siske continued towards the door of the building and knocked (scratched?) on it as he answered Kin, "Yes. I know the medic that lives here rather well, it's actually where I come whenever I get ill." As his paw pushed against the wooden door it slid open and he and Kin were quickly inside.

It was odd. Despite the cozy appearance on the outside the inside was very dark and looked more like something one would have seen in a story. Bottles lined various shelves and tables and the only real light was given from the fireplace against the wall. Did Siske really come here for medicine?

[Nyanki]

"Ah," said a voice in the darkness, "have you fallen ill once more?" The silhouette of a fox could be seen in the fire's light. It stared toward the lit wall, not even looking to see those coming in. "Or perhaps not you? For I sense someone new." The room would quickly refill in with the sound of nothing more than the fire in the fireplace burning away.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Indeed, I have not come for me but rather for my companion," replied Siske. Unlike Kin he seemed to be completely at home with the atmosphere of this place. "Not for healing, but training." So the cat was out of the bag. Of course Siske was not sure if this healer would be willing to depart her secrets onto the person who held their summoning contract but it was worth a shot, right?

[Nyanki]

"Training, is it?" the voice replied. Again, she did not move from her spot of sitting on what appeared to be a cushion on the floor. Her head did not even turn from the wall.

The fox let some silence fill the room for a few moments before speaking again. "Come, young one. Sit. Just sit."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin assumed that the fox was speaking to him now seeing as he was the one requesting the teaching so he stepped forward and did as he was told. There was no cushion on the floor but after his encounter with Fang Liao Kin felt it better to not ask any questions about his own comfort. Instead he took his place on the floor, crossing his legs Indian-style, and waited for what he would be said next.

Siske stepped with Kin and also brought his body into a sitting position. While the fox may have been talking to Kin, or both of them, he was technically a "young one" when it came to the ages of those in the room.

[Nyanki]

As he neared her, Kin would get a better look at the fox. Her fur was white as the snow, though her face showed her old age. She wore simple robe-like clothing. Her front paws rested gently in her lap, supported by her clothing, in a circle-like shape. "I ask you to speak," she said. Her eyes widened from a half-opened state to a more full one. "Please tell me, in your own words...what it is you seek." Her words flowed out in the rhythm of a haiku.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded but hesitated to speak. He found this foxes way of speaking something akin to hypnotic. It made him think a little deeper about his reasons for coming here. It was more than just a drive to be stronger. Having departed from Konoha, the news of what had befallen the Hokage had still reached his ears. It made him think, if only he had been there perhaps there would have been something he could have done?

But in his current state he was barely fixing burns and minor injuries. After a moment of silence Kin finally said, "The power to help those dear to me." The answer might have seemed cheesy but the Konoha shinobi could think of no other way to verbalize what it was that he really wanted.

[Nyanki]

The old fox's eyes emitted a curious gaze at Kin's answer. "Define power...?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Hm..." Kin mentally clicked through a list of synonyms. Perhaps "power" wasn't the exact word he had been looking for, seeing as how many a man that set out for power ended up slaughtering hundreds in their conquest. Kin didn't want to be like that, no. He wanted a different kind of power.

"Perhaps, 'ability' would be a better word," said Kin, his hand coming up to his chin. "I don't want the power that one would normally think about, the kind that levels entire villages in with a mere huff and a puff. I want to attain more benevolent skills," explained the Tokubetsu Jounin.

Actually, the more Kin stewed the more he realized that he was content with his physical abilities.

[Nyanki]

"What I wield, what you may call 'power' or 'ability,' can make the difference of a village being leveled or not, a war started or not, a life lost or not...." The fox paused for a moment. "Like a knife that can be used to slice bread or slit a throat, it is what you make of it."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin was unsure if he was supposed to respond so he chose to remain silent and think about what this fox had just said. Perhaps he had had the idea of medical techniques all wrong, or was he just looking at half of the picture? It was interesting to think of the very techniques that saved lives as ones that could take them as well.

[Nyanki]

"You are a ninja, that much I am aware of," began the fox. "I must admit to you, I am not all that fond of the lifestyle you accept. I do not like killing, taking of life unnecessarily, and other things in that fashion. What I do, you may not be quite agreeable with it. My ways may seem strange. However, I try to tread a path in the middle of the extremes, and I am willing to teach in hopes of making this world a better place. If you can accept me as I am, as I shall do for you, then you may be able to learn something."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin took a moment to digest the words of the fox that Kin had brought him to. He could find no issues with what she had to say. He could live with not criticizing her ideals in return for some wisdom. Perhaps he could even pick up some gentler tendencies to take back with him. "That sounds like a fair deal," replied Kin with a nod of his head.

He was almost vibrating with curiosity now, how exactly was this fox going to teach him what he had come to learn?

[Nyanki]

"Very well," she said. "We may begin whenever you are ready." It seemed the old fox was leaving the timing up to Kin to decide. She sat motionless as the flames of the fireplace crackled away at the fuel it consumed in the cozy place.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Some time was allowed to pass as Kin readied himself for whatever training he was about to receive. Siske, on the other hand, had decided that he would be remaining here during the time that Kin was receiving his training. Of course Kin would be able to call for the wintery fox when it was decided that his training was over.

[Nyanki]

The old fox was inside of her house making tea. The place was lit by the sunlight that poured in through the windows, reflecting off of the white snow. The fire burned as usual in its pit. Kin had not yet stopped by, but the fox knew he would come eventually.

[Kuro Nagashi]

And so the fox was right; it wasn't much longer and Kin entered the same room where he had first been introduced to the healer fox. He quickly scanned the room and noticed the fox was brewing tea. He said nothing but merely waited for when the fox was finished with her task.

[Nyanki]

"Would you like some tea?" the old fox asked with not even a glance up at the young Konoha shinobi.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Yes please," replied Kin staying at his position within the room. He assumed that they would be beginning his training after enjoying the warm beverage. Then again, his training could be starting now. Oh well, he would just take things as they came. Patiently, he waited for the fox to finish brewing the tea.

[Nyanki]

When the tea was done, the fox brought the pot and two cups to the nearest floor table on a small tray. Setting one cup before her and another on the other side across from her, she filled the two cups. There would be a pillow for Kin to sit on in front of his tea.

"I believe we have yet to properly exchange names," said the old fox. It would probably make talking to one another much easier. "The name I use these days is Yamaki."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin approached the floor table as the elderly fox introduced herself. "And my name is Kin," stated the Konoha ninja. Having stated his name Kin took a seat on the pillow across from Yamaki and politely asked, "So how long have you been practicing medicine, Yamaki?

[Nyanki]

"Longer than you have, at least," she replied with a bit of a smile. "Yes, a very long time."

Yamaki picked up her Japanese-style teacup in both hands. Her head bowed some, and words came out of her mouth almost like a prayer. "Just as this tea warms my heart, may the hearts of those suffering in this world also feel warmth. Though life may also be either bitter or sweet, may they find the happiness to enjoy it as it is."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin waited to respond to Yamaki's words until after she finished what appeared to be a prayer. He was not quite sure where it came from, perhaps it was because Kin had never really been one to pray. Oh well, the words were rather intriguing and left Kin sitting there in silence after Yamaki finished speaking.

Of course the silence only lasted for a short period and Kin went for another ice breaker (no pun intended), "So have you lived in this tundra your entire life?"

[Nyanki]

There was a pause before Yamaki's response as she drank from her cup of tea. "I have traveled to many places in order to understand and learn many things." She said nothing more as she took another sip. It seemed she would let Kin get any questions out of his system for now.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded his head, it was the sort of cryptic answer he would expect from a rather nun-like fox as Yamaki. For a moment his queries seemed to be satisfied and he lifted the cup of warm tea to his lips and took an audible sip from the cup before setting it back down on the table.

[Nyanki]

"Kin-san," Yamaki said, her teacup held in her paws, "could you tell me what you think is one of the most difficult things for a medical person to know and accept?" It seems the fox had started some questioning of her own, this seemingly more aimed at the training the Konoha-nin had requested to take.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin seemed to briefly ponder the question, but within a few moments he had a response. "That people do and will die," was the ninja's response. It might not have been a pretty one but it was true. As a medical shinobi it is apparent that saving every single person from every wound or poison that ails them is simply impossible. And even if it wasn't, even medical jutsu cannot overcome the omniscient blade of old age.

[Nyanki]

"It seems you are far along," Yamaki replied softly. It was a hard truth, but a truth nevertheless. "This extends for all things in this universe. No thing is permanent. Even mighty mountains erode away. Fighting this truth leads to suffering while accepting it frees you from it."

Her eyes looked into her cup. "Sickness, old age, death...it happens to us all. We must accept it just as it is, but...." Her eyes came up. "It does not mean we must give up. We can accept that we have a terrible illness, but that does not mean we should not take our medicine, not do all we can to try to get better. Do you understand?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin took another audible sip of his tea as he took in the words that Yamaki had to say. It seemed that the two of them saw eye to eye on the issue of death when it came to medical jutsu, or at least Kin found himself agreeing with what the nun-like fox had just said.

Having finished his sip of tea, Kin raised his eyes to meet Yamaki's and merely said, "I do." The two words were meant to answer Yamaki's question and hopefully it did just that.

[Nyanki]

"That is good," the old fox replied. "It is in understanding this that we can truly be of help to the world." She knew not if he understood with more than just his head, but she would leave it at that. Whatever level Kin was at with this, it was somewhere.

"When we are through with this tea," Yamaki said, "I have a task for you. A sort of training."

[Kuro Nagashi]

"A task?" parroted Kin. He was unsure if Yamaki would get the question out of his words and share some details on what he would be doing or if he would have to wait until he finished his tea; either way it was good to know his training would be starting soon.

[Nyanki]

"You shall see," replied Yamaki.

When they were done with tea, Yamaki led Kin to where he had first met her: before the wall of the room. There were two cushions on the floor. They were about a meter apart. She sat on one, facing the blank, white wall. "Please, sit."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded and did as he was instructed. He sat on the floor cushion that had been designated as his facing the very same wall as Yamaki. Already his mind was racing. What was he supposed to be doing? He had the urge to ask but he was sure Yamaki would tell him sooner or later.

[Nyanki]

"From the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep," began Yamaki, "our minds race. The noise of our thoughts fills our heads. Things to do, things that happened yesterday, things that might happen tomorrow, something someone said. Noise, noise, noise."

She turned her head toward Kin. "Do you know how the sages gather the chakra for their techniques?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin said nothing in response to Yamaki's first set of words, instead he just let himself absorb what had been said. Even so, it was the last part that really got him thinking. One would have thought that Kin would know at least a bit of the process considering his teammate, Hikoro, was a sage but the two had never really discussed the process.

Turning his face to meet Yamaki's eyes Kin gave a simple reply, "I do not." All he really knew of the entire thing was that sages gathered natural chakra through some method but the whole concept was still unknown to him.

[Nyanki]

"The natural sages, they gather energy from nature," Yamaki said. "In order to do so, they must learn to be completely still. Like we do now, they sit. However, the reason they sit is very different from the reason we are to sit." She paused a moment to allow Kin to take it in. "These sages sit in order to gather energy into themselves, to become, to change. Though it can be said their goals are noble, it is not the reason we shall sit. The reason we do is rather simple. Would you care to guess?" Perhaps Kin would be able to figure it out given things she had said to him so far this day.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin seeemed to sit silently for the longest time, almost like he was not going to guess at all. That was when he looked back to the wall and said, "We sit to sit, to remain the same." It wasn't much of a guess but they were far from sages, and surely they were not trying to change.

[Nyanki]

"A good answer," said the fox with a smile. It was a very good guess. "We sit to sit, that is our meditation. We accept not only ourselves as we are but the whole world and universe we are in as well. All is perfect just as it is. There is nothing to change." Then, Yamaki asked, "Let us sit with those thoughts, shall we?" It seemed their meditation would begin as soon as Kin was ready to.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Sure thing," said Kin as he returned his gaze to the wall right in front of him. He had never really meditated before but he knew the general idea of what he was supposed to. Then again, he wasn't sure if Yamaki would tell him to start or if he was supposed to just do things on his own. Aside from those thoughts, Yamaki's words continued to play through his head. All is perfect as it is? What did he think of that statement?

[Nyanki]

"Mimic me as you can, and close your eyes halfway." the fox said as she placed her paws in her lap. With her digits, she made a sort of circle. Her thumbs gently touched while the fingers of her right hand overlapped those of her left. "And just sit. You may feel the restlessness of your monkey mind as you do 'nothing,' but continue to just sit. I will let you know when we are through."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded and then did his best to copy the pose that Yamaki had adopted. Of course his version was far from perfect but it was a good first try, right? Closing his eyes halfway, resisting the urge to shut them all the way, Kin put his focus on the wall and tried to quiet his thoughts.

[Nyanki]

Ten minutes passed, and they were still sitting. Outside of the burning fire that heated the house and their breathing, it was completely silent, though their meditation would probably make those few sounds more apparent. Then again, would Kin be wrapped up in his thoughts too much to notice? Or be too caught up in fighting the desire to do something other than just sit?

[Kuro Nagashi]

It was kind of funny, the first couple of minutes went fine for the young shinobi but after that... His mind had started to wander, every little sound drew his attention. Of course he had the urge to get up and move about but he was told to sit. Holding on to that thought he tried to remain as still as possible but with each passing minute the task grew slightly more difficult. Perhaps it was because Kin was a very impatient, and quick moving individual. Having to just sit and think was not something he was accustomed to.

[Nyanki]

It would be as time hit the twenty-minute mark that the fox spoke. "With that, we shall end this session." Kin would finally be free to get up and move. He could talk or do whatever. The only question was what he would decide to do first.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin's eyes opened fully at the words. It was good to know that he could get up and move around again but he wasn't really sure what to do...First thing was first, his hands lost position that had been mimicking Yamaki's and he immediately placed them on the ground at his sides. Leaning back he let out a deep sigh and merely said, "Boy, that's harder than it looks."

It seemed Kin had more trouble quieting his mind than he thought he would.

[Nyanki]

The fox gave a bit of a chuckle under her breath. "Dealing with the monkey mind can be troublesome," Yamaki said. "It will get better with time. Patience will lead to patience." She moved her paws away from the shape they held and began to rise. "When we stand, we carry our sitting with us. We do not leave our meditation on the cushion any more than we leave our bodies."

Once fully standing, Yamaki stepped away from the sitting pillow before fixing it with her paws. She turned to Kin when she was through. "Did you have anything in mind for today?" It seemed she was interested in the Konoha-nin's input on what to do next. Or was it something else?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin did not respond to the comment about his mind, instead he chose to stand and fix the pillow he had been sitting on in the same way that Yamaki had. While he did so he took in the words about the meditation, did that mean he needed to try and quiet his mind at all times? He didn't bother asking but he made a mental note to try and do that whenever he could; stay focused, keep his mind quiet.

Turning so that he better faced Yamaki he responded to her question, "I'm not sure. I really didn't think about what we would be doing, I just decided I would do as instructed." The Konoha shinobi was unsure how he was meant to answer the question but there probably wasn't a correct answer. Then again, he kind of hoped that he would be able to figure out Yamaki's methods soon. Oh well, it was only the first day and Kin still had a long ways to go!

[Nyanki]

"Taking things as they come is good," Yamaki said. She made her way to what appeared to be something of a backpack. "Today, we shall go on a journey." Being in a house surrounded in snow probably proved to not have much in the way of things to actually practice healing on.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded but made no move to gather his things. Everything he had brought was already on his back but a journey sounded really fun. He wondered where exactly they would be going. "Where to, if I may ask?" questioned Yamaki's newly acquired pupil before moving away from the pillow. As far as he knew there weren't too many places one could go in the Tundra. Perhaps they would be leaving the frozen landscape for a bit?

[Nyanki]

"Somewhere...greener," the fox answered before she checked on the now dwindling heating fire, it just going out with the last of its fuel. Did she time it for this somehow or was it just luck?

Then, she headed to the door with her sack. As she opened the door, light reflecting off of the white snow poured into the home. It wasn't long before Yamaki set out into it, expecting Kin to come and apparently close the door after her.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded and as Yamaki exited the house so did Kin, shutting the door behind him. Turning to follow after the fox Kin had no choice but to slightly cover his eyes as the light that reflected off of the snow created a nasty glare. He was sure his eyes would adjust sooner or later but until then this was the best he could do.

Stepping through the thick snow Kin, brimming with excitement, followed after his new teacher. He was ready to start practicing but who knew if that was what they were going to do...only time would tell.

[Nyanki]

The frost would soon fade into grass as the pair eventually made their way into the green woodlands. The crunch of snow beneath their feet would change to a tune of rustling grass and snapping twigs. After they had wandered for a bit, the white fox said, "You said before that you understood that the living can and will die. Tell me, how many do you think we have killed in the past few minutes?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

The cool air from the tundra still floated around Kin as they switched to a new climate, he would have to wear his winter gear a while longer. That was when Yamaki posed her question. What did that mean? They had been the only two out here this whole time. Of course Kin wasn't thinking about the life he was unable to see which led him to say, "None, we've been the only ones around for a while now." His answer was probably naive but he didn't know that.

[Nyanki]

"What of the beings who are so easily crushed by your two feet?" Yamaki asked as they continued to walk. Would Kin understand what she had meant now?

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded seeming to have a slight understanding of what was being said now. "Do you mean things such as insects?" asked Kin. While he might have understood slightly it was probably better that he ask instead of responding and sounding foolish.

[Nyanki]

"Very much so," replied Yamaki as they walked on. She awaited Kin's reaction after her clarification.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin's eyes seemed to widen slightly at the notion of considering the life beneath his feet. Perhaps it was just the way human's were, never considering that, that shocked Kin so much when he actually thought about it. "I never thought about it like that," said Kin quietly as his head bent downwards to watch his feet as they moved across the ground.

With each step it was hard to imagine that there were probably innocent (or creepy depending on how you looked at it) organisms being stomped out of existence by the soles of his shoes. That thought prompted Yamaki's original question to play through Kin's mind again. How many had he killed in the past couple of minutes?

[Nyanki]

The white fox could hear the understanding in the young ninja's voice and see it in his face. "You do not walk alongside me with the intention of causing death, do you?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin's response to Yamaki's question was immediate, "No," began the shinobi as his head snapped up to look at Yamaki, "why would anybody want to cause death?" Right after posing the question Kin did feel a little dumb. He knew there were people out there that wanted to watch the world, and its inhabitants, burn but Kin did not understand the why.

He, for one, knew that would never be his own intentions. Even so, how many times had he killed through his life? Even knowingly?

[Nyanki]

"Because they are suffering," began Yamaki, "and they believe the death will free them from the suffering. To hate and to desire is painful, and these feelings are fuel for the unfortunate actions of many in this world." With struggles for vengeance and power being rather commonplace in the shinobi world, it was something Kin wouldn't be all too unfamiliar with.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin made no response, instead he just nodded his head and continued to walk with the medical fox. The sound of grass moving under his feet kept that new thought of things dying under his feet playing through his head. Even so, like he had said, he accepted the fact that things will die. It's an unavoidable part of life.

Even so, he tried to lighten the weight of each step that he took. While it might not have helped it made Kin feel slightly better about where he was stepping.

[Nyanki]

"As much as it is truth that all things will die, it is truth that in order for one to live, others will die," Yamaki said, almost to say the thoughts in Kin's head aloud. "We must eat, we must move, we must protect our own existence from harm. Else, we die ourselves. It is not a kind truth, but we can only do our best to live with good intentions and avoid causing unnecessary harm when we can surely do so."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Hearing those words come out of Yamaki's mouth seemed to ease Kin slightly. They even prompted a response as the Konoha ninja asked, "Kind of like using every part of an animal that you kill?" Kin was pretty sure that was along the same lines of what Yamaki was getting at but he still wanted to ask.

Besides, he was rather enjoying this little conversation (or was it a lesson?) that he was having with Yamaki on their trip to wherever they were going.

As they continued to walk, however, the cool Tundra air began to fade and Kin's outfit was growing warm. With each step Kin began to remove the thick top and wrapped it around his waist so that he was wearing just the pants he purchased and his skin tight muscle shirt.

[Nyanki]

"That is one way to look at it," Yamaki replied as they walked onward. Suddenly, the fox stopped in her tracks.

"Help me!" cried a voice in the distance. "Help!"

"This way!" Yamaki said directingly to Kin as she took off in a 2 o'clock direction from where they had been heading. The cry would get louder as they closed in on the speaker.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin picked up on the sound and followed after Yamaki. He was unsure what had happened but what was obvious was that someone, or something, was calling for help. Seeing as Yamaki probably knew the area better Kin stayed a little behind the fox but made sure to keep up with the pace she was setting.

[Nyanki]

They soon caught up to what was a young fox. At sight of Yamaki, he cried out to her, "Doctor, Doctor!"

"What is it, young one?" she asked before she came to a halt at his side.

"I was messing with a snake and it bit me! Please help me!" The fox was clearly afraid that he had been poisoned.

"Calm down. What did the snake look like?"

"It was green and brown...." The little fox pointed in a direction. "I speared it with a stick real good, against the tree. It's probably still over there."

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded and quickly proceeded to where the snake had been speared. He figured with what little description the young fox had given Yamaki would want to actually see the serpent. When Kin approached the tree he noted the stick that was pinning the snake to the tree and quickly examined the snake. It was still wriggling, albeit very slowly.

"It's still alive," called Kin from the tree. He wasn't too keen on just picking it up in case it did happen to poisonous. Turning back to face Yamaki he waited for her to either come examine the snake or to give Kin some kind of instruction.

[Nyanki]

Yamaki set her bag next to the young fox, took something from one of its pockets, and began to step toward Kin and the snake. "Please take care of the boy's wound while I see this snake," she instructed. From their conversations, she seemed to believe Kin could handle at least that much.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded and turned to head back to the young fox. As Kin drew close he knelt down so that he was on the same level as the little fox and kindly asked, "Can you show me the wound?" With that he waited for the fox to point out where exactly the bite was so he could handle it.

[Nyanki]

The little fox held up his right paw to Kin. "It's over here." He made a sniffly sound with his nose. "Are you a doctor, Mister?"

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin lightly placed his left hand under the paw as he examined the two puncture marks. The wound didn't look to be severe, like Yamaki had suspected it was something he could handle. Now, if there was poison that was a different story.

That was when the young fox posed his question. At first Kin thought about bending the truth just to make the fox feel more secure but really, what was the point in that? "I'm still learning," began Kin as a warm smile spread across his face, "but this is just a scratch. And I'll have you know, I'm the best at fixing up scratches."

Of course the last line was just thrown in to make the fox feel more secure as Kin's right hand began to glow with a light green chakra. With the healing chakra coating Kin's hand he lightly placed it over the little fox's wound and focused on getting it patched up.

[Nyanki]

"Am I going to be alright?" the little fox asked as he watched the glow of the healing technique between looking up at Kin.

[Kuro Nagashi]

"Of course you are," replied Kin. His words were kind but his eyes did not move from the task that he was performing. After a little while the wound began to slowly close up but it would probably be a bit longer before the wound was completely healed.

[Nyanki]

"Kin, I would like you to come here as soon as you are able," called Yamaki from her position by the snake. It was slowing in movement further, although it seemed the fox elder had done something to it with its groggy behavior.

[Kuro Nagashi]

Kin nodded, giving no verbal response, and continued to finish healing the little foxes hand. About a minute later all signs of a wound were completely gone and Kin said, "There, now you're all patched up." With that he removed himself from his crouching position and set about heading over to where Yamaki was.

What could she possibly want him to see?