Survival Adventure Part 4, v.2 [Open][NR]

Alec felt like he'd missed out on something.

Something went down over in Ground Zero. He could feel the energies being given off, even from here. A fight of some sort. Although it was too far away to see, he could feel it.

Then, there was something, some sort of situation out on the west coast... Neutral City. The same powers that were in Ground Zero were there, only now, it was stronger. Many lives were lost.

Then... this power came to Edge. There was a battle between 2 big powers, but someone else was there too... probably Vigilante. More lives had been lost, but for some reason they'd come back to life. There was destruction, but somehow it had been fixed. One of the big powers got even bigger twice before it nearly fizzled out into nothing and vacated the scene.

It took much meditation and concentration the last couple of days to realize all of this... What was going on? Were those cross people making another move? Or was this something totally different altogether?

Alec was sitting on the water's edge, still at the Twilight Lake. The place was too beautiful to just leave yet, so he decided to spend a couple of days here, out in the open, far away from technology, traffic and civilization, living off the land. But he couldn't shake these feelings of dread... what was going on back home? Would they need him?

Seraphina had enjoyed getting a few extra days at the lake instead of moving on right away. The place was incredibly beautiful and peaceful, and it had given her a chance to do some improvements on her bow and to create enough arrows to get her by for a while. She had even made a make-shift target and had practiced a lot to make sure she could use it very well.

When not busy doing those things she had simply taken the time to relax in the water and enjoy the colorful fish that were swimming. At the moment she was seated in the water; deep enough to where the water came up to her waist - her top and the shorts she wore underneath of her clothing keeping her covered. She was sitting perfectly still while little colorful fish swam in and around her toes, some stopping to inspect her toes, or bump into them.

Seraphina, attempting not to giggle and startle the fish, was rather red in the face... a grin tugging at her cheeks.

Kouki was currently seated, Indian style, in the center of the lake: chakra keeping her above the slowly drifting currents. She hadn't minded the idea of staying a few days at the lake: this place was utterly and completely beautiful and peaceful and after having spent several weeks living in Neutral City it was definitely a nice break. All of this peacefulness reminded her of life living in a village, and she knew that she would definitely enjoy making the move with her parents to Makkura when this survival adventure was over.

For now she was simply meditating; the water one of her favorite elements and adding to this peaceful and tranquil state she was in. Her head was back slightly with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. She took in a deep slow breath and then exhaled with a content sigh...

Ka'lara had made it to Amaranth's island but had found herself unable to locate the female: Ka'lara knew she was busy being in charge of such a large place so she wasn't all that worried about it. Since she couldn't find Amaranth right away she had figured that doing some exploring was in order - but she had no intentions of being around the innocent vacationers: not when there was chances that alien could perhaps come and hunt her down.

So, instead she took off into the wilder areas of the island itself with her little backpack upon her back and her same clothing she had been wearing in the fight - the clothing that was torn along the backside from where she had gone plowing through numerous objects, though it kept everything hidden that should be - on her back: weights at her wrists and ankles. Her Company pendant as well as Konohagakure headband hung from around her neck, the pendant hanging down slightly further. Her fullbody tattoo was back to its usual jet black color, and her hair had been pulled into a ponytail instead of a bun. But, otherwise, she was normal Ka'lara.

Ka'lara had ventured through various areas of the island before the scent of water reached her nose. Thirsty, she followed the smell. The landscape around her changed as a lake came into view. She paused at the edge, looking out over the water and taking in the lake as a whole. It was beautiful and the smell coming from it was almost sweet. However, this wasn't what caught her attention the most: there were several people at this lake in various acts of doing things...

Kurai had been circling the whole area. Every morning he got up before the sun rose to jog, to stay in shape. Little Kong came with, swinging through the branches of the trees and bouncing around on the ground like a kid who'd had too much sugar.

Something was up wit Alec, since most of the time he just sat somewhere with his eyes closed, a frown on his face. But Kurai figured it wasn't his place to ask what was wrong with the Kuraikage. Alec would tell them when he felt ready. Kurai was left to wonder when that would be, and also when they would move on from this area. But that wasn't to say he wasn't enjoying the time being here.

Kurai stopped running when Shinsai picked up the presence of another. She was a female. She had devices attached to her wrists and ankles. Her body was toned and muscular - signs that she was a Taijutsu practitioner. She also looked disheveled, as if she'd been in a recent fight. She wasn't approaching stealthily, so this meant that she wasn't trying to sneak them. Who was she?

Kurai and Little Kong were quickly back near Alec, Seraphina and Kouki, just in case. He didn't know who this person was, but perhaps one of them did...

He was shaken out of this thoughts by the appearance of Natalie, who was called Ka'lara here. She'd been one of Spook's pupils. She was also present at the violence in Ground Zero and the recent violence in Edge.

Alec finally opened his eyes and stood up. There was an imprint in the grass from sitting there so long. Alec stretched his arms and legs, re-strapping the Kane Katana and the Blessed sword to his right side. Why had she come out here? He'd wait until she was closer.

"...I know what's going on already, and no, no one told me yet. Someone came from the sky. He's been causing all kinds of trouble. You and... who I think has to be The Vigilante - since I can't exactly feel him - have been fighting this troublemaker. He's been giving you two a hard time, from the looks of things... So why did you come out here?"

Alec, his walking stick in hand, put it in front of him in the cane-like fashion that he usually did, resting both of his hands atop it. Was she possibly looking for him? And if so, why was that?

Seeing Kurai and Little Kong suddenly come running over alerted Seraphina that something could possibly be wrong. She glanced over as her brother as he stood up and then turned her focus on the appearance of a new female. The girl had something wrapped around her wrists and feet and looked to be a fighter due to the way she was dressed. Who was she?

Her brother began to speak like he knew the female, and Seraphina stood up, water dripping off of her clothing and the colorful fish that had been nibbling on her toes all but forgotten right now. She listened as her brother highlighted a situation that was going on, a situation that had likely been the cause for all of his quiet. She wasn't going to ask him how he knew all of this, she figured he would tell her if he wanted.

Instead she looked towards the female, wondering what it was she had come here for....

Kouki became aware of movement nearby: Kurai and Little Kong who had been moving around the lack had suddenly diverted course to come in close. Figuring that something was up Kouki shook herself out of her meditation. She rose fluidly to her feet, standing upon the top of the water by use of chakra, and walked her way over to the shore quickly. By now Alec was speaking to the female and wasn't acting as if she were a threat so Kouki simply stuck her hands in her pockets as she came to a stop nearby Kurai and Little Kong.

She took in the female's battle-worn appearance while listening as Alec explained what he somehow already knew. Kouki found herself glad that her family was here, safe on the island, instead off in Neutral if there was trouble going on. It also made her glad that after their little vacation was over they would be moving to Makkura. But, it did cause her to frown somewhat as she thought of the dangers that might come creeping up on them were they all to go back to Neutral to grab their things. No, Kouki would likely send her family on ahead and gather their belongings herself.

But, she pushed this out of her mind as she kept watch on the female, wondering as well why she had come here. Was she hoping that Alec would help? Or was there something else going on here?

Two individuals came in close to the male and two females. Then the male was standing up and she was able to recognize him as Alec Kane, Junior's father, the other version of Spook from how she had heard it from Demi. The female who looked like Alec also got to her feet and after a few short seconds so did the female who was out on the lake itself. Ka'lara could sense the chakra coming from her and knew her to be a shinobi, too - likely a powerful one if she could use chakra to sit on the lake, as that sort of control was in a whole other ball park.

Ka'lara turned her focus back onto Alec as he asked her why she had come here. "I came looking for Amaranth, actually. The... Saiyan... as he called himself, gets stronger and faster every time he gets his ass kicked and comes back. Even with my weights off, as much as I've trained, he was faster than me. When I was still a half angel half demon, before the arrival of Konoha caused me to revert back to human, I would have been been equal to the kid's speed. This time when he comes back I expect him to be faster and stronger. I knew Amaranth, or rather MItsukai, from the other world and I know she possesses the Swift Release technique. I was hoping she would be able to teach me. However, when I arrived, she wasn't there so I decided to explore. The Saiyan has no problem taking the lives of innocents so I figured staying near the vacationers wasn't a good idea in case the kid came back... so I went exploring out here and here I am. I didn't expect to find anyone this deep into the island, though."

Unknown to Ka'lara there was yet another entity listening to this story: a being that had - since around the time of Amaranth's island - found itself stuck in the bowels of the island. However, this entity had been recently working its way loose, using the fact that it was comprised entirely out of shadows to begin to escape... But now, now it wanted out. Not to cause damage as it had in the past. No, this host... this host was speaking the truth, the Seven Tailed Beast could sense it, and she was capable of self sacrifice, a trait that caused a pleased reaction in this tailed creature... 'Violence... violence follows this worthy female. If I combined myself with her then I too could partake in this violence. I would be willing to share myself with such a worthy host. Not many people in this world are so self sacrificing...Even knowing she has nearly lost twice she is still willing to try, to fight till the end...', came the creatures tendrils of thought.

The two knew each other. Alec said something about someone coming down out of the sky, a troublemaker. He said that this girl here, and someone else called Vigilante had been fighting them, and even with both of them against one person, he'd been giving them both a hard time. This had to be a strong foe if he could get the best of two people at the same time.

She confirmed this by calling the trouble maker a Saiyan; by saying that he got stronger and faster everytime he lost a fight. Honestly it sounded kind of exciting to Kurai. She came to the island to learn from Amaranth a technique that he himself knew, and just recently taught to Kouki - Swift Release. With these kinds of enemies around, he was glad he'd done so. Amaranth wasn't around at the resort, so she'd come out to explore... and here she was.

So was this why Alec was so silent the last couple of days? Because there had been trouble?... How as this going to affect the rest of the survival trip, he wondered.

"A Saiyan, huh... Stronger everytime he gets beat. Sounds like a pain... Well, i'm sure you guys or Jr will be able to handle things in the end..."

Alec went to go sit down again. He'd given Jr the reins to The Company for a reason. He was old enough to handle this now. Alec couldn't go running in to save the day all the time. Alec also knew Jr had to be having doubts about being Boss of Edge with everything that was going on, but Alec wasn't going to hear it. Jr probably just wanted to go lounge on a beach again without a care in the world like always, but it was time to grow up. It was time to man up. Many were looking up to him now, and there was no one else who could possibly run The Company.

"No offense or anything, but I don't want involved. I came out here to get away from all the violence and madness, because I know there's more on the horizon. So for the moment I don't want involved in any of it. I put Jr in charge for a reason..."

Seraphina listened to the situation that was going on and a frown came upon her face. She didn't want to think of such things going on - she was happy here and that was what she wanted to focus on. So, she simply turned and walked back over the lake. She lowered herself carefully back down at the edge of it, though she didn't actually go in the water this time.

She stuck her feet in, toes instantly attracting the attention of the nearby fish. Giggling softly to herself she laid back on the grass, keeping her feet in the water, and stared upwards with a smile on her face. She wasn't going to worry about this Saiyan. She was simply going to focus on this little survival adventure they were on.

Kouki listened to the girl's explanation of events as well, including this information about this Saiyan - some sort of creature that seemed to come back stronger each time he or she lost a fight. That sounded rather interesting, but Kouki knew better than to try and get involved in something like that. If this Saiyan was on a revenge trip, and that's exactly what Ka'lara was making it sound like, then she had no interest in stepping in the way. People who sought revenge often liked to throw family members in the way - it was something she had seen for herself - and causing that sort of danger to her own family just wasn't happening. No, it was time for them to be at peace, and have a chance at a better life.

Kouki glanced over to Seraphina as she heard the female giggle from the fish nibbling at her toes and chuckled. However, this chuckle was cut short as Suiro woke up: something was tugging at her tailed beasts senses. "What's wrong, Suiro?", Kouki asked out loud but softly.

A voice filled the air, equally as soft, "There is the presence of another tailed beast close by... "

"You mean Kua?..."

"No... "

"...." Fuck. What the hell was a tailed beast doing on Amaranth's island? And if it was nearby why weren't they able to see it? Kouki turned in a slow circle, eyes pealed for the slightest inclination of a tailed breast nearby, but there was nothing at all to be seen. Maybe they'd get lucky and the thing was simply passing by?

"No worries. I don't blame you for not wanting to get involved."

Ankoku broke free completely of the prison within the island - a place where he had simply gotten stuck one day. The bijuu moved like the giant tanuki shadow that it was through the earth - completely devoid of solid substance at the moment. As it rose up through the earth it picked up on the conversation as well as the sense of not just one but two Junchuriki nearby. "That would be 'ore' my dears...", came Ankoku's sarcastic voice as he continued to lift himself upwards. "Do not worry, I have not come here to fight. I heard words spoken from a worthy warrior and wish to offer my... assistance... you could call it." Ankoku would rise up out of the ground at that point unless the shadowy beast was somehow stopped: huge in appearance and taking up the majority of the lake's size. The large seven tailed beast would lean his face in not towards Alec or Seraphina or Kouki or even Kurai... but to Ka'lara. "You there, girl. What is your name?"

"......" What... the fuck did this bijuu mean by offering assistance? And was he looking at her?

"Come now, I won't bite. You have the mind and heart of a warrior. You show you are selfless by the way you are willing to fight even to the bloody and bitter end. I hold these qualities in high regard."

"Na--nanalie. But I go these days by Ka'lara.", she found herself able to respond. "What do you mean by willing to offer your assistance?", she asked hesitantly.

"I wish for you to become my host. I'm sure there has to be someone with Fuuninjutsu capabilities on this god forsaken planet. Perhaps even one of those two there: I can sense their beasts in them as surely as I'm sure they can feel my presence."

"... You want sealed inside of me?"

"Yes, in laymen terms."

"...." She couldn't believe this. This shadowy seven tailed beast wanted sealed inside of her? She had never heard of such a thing happening without a fight. What was the catch to this? Surely there was one. "... What do you get out of this?"

"Simple my dear. I love violence and bloodshed. If you have some creature after you that gets stronger and faster each and every time then I'll take great joy in... helping... to take care of this issue." Ankoku grinned at that point and it was all pointed teeth - teeth that moved and swayed like the shadows they were.

From the sounds of things, Alec didn't want involved in the drama that was going on back in Edge, and in other cities. It sounded right up Kurai's alley, as he itched to become involved in some sort of conflict, but Alec, who'd been in constant wars since he was little, according tot he story Jr once told him, wanted no parts of it. Kurai began to think that what Alec had become is what anyone would become after years and years of violence.

Suddenly Kua manifested himself on his own, with no urging from Kurai. He saw why, for something had risen up from within the land. Kua stood massive; a bull with the body of a muscular man, two large horns atop his head, a massive hammer within his right hand. Whatever the thing was, it stated that it didn't want to fight, but Kua, rarely ever showing himself anymore, stood to face it anyway. Kua raked his right hoofed foot against the ground and snorted; smoke rising from his nostrils.

Whatever it was looked towards Ka'lara and stated that it wanted her to be it's host, expressing it's desire to help her in the next fight against the Saiyan, since it loved violence and bloodshed. With the way the things spoke, it revealed itself to be a tailed beast, like Kua, like the one sealed in Kouki, and like the others from back in his world. It said that there had to be someone with sealing capabilities somewhere in the world... and Kurai remembered that it had been Kouki that sealed Kua within him all those years ago...

Something else was here, and Alec was back upon his feet, the Kane Katana in all of it's glowing glory was unsheathed and ready to be swung to add to it's list of lives it had taken.

"For FUCK'S SAKE, I said I didn't want involved in this shit!"

A wind had begun to blow around Alec, casting his white hair around, making him resemble some kind of witch. The big shadow thing said that it wasn't here to fight. Kua came out to make his presence known, and now there were two giant beasts on the scene.

It was a tailed beast. Had it been here, in the island all this time? It said it wanted to be joined with Natalie, that it loved violence and bloodshed, that it wanted to help with the Saiyan.

Something didn't seem right about the shadowy thing. Maybe it would infect her mind and make her do things she wouldn't normally do. But these were just the thoughts of Alec. It was true that those beasts gave their hosts incredible powers, but sometime those powers came with unforeseen side effects...

Natalie was grown. The decision was hers. Alec didn't want to be around this kind of shit; he hoped they came to an agreement soon and moved along.

A new voice filled the air and Seraphina jumped, eyes opening. The first thing she saw, given that her feet had been in the water, was the giant form of some racoon looking beast that was made entirely out of a substance that resembled shadows. A short scream escaped the female as she jumped, removing her feet from the water and getting to her feet as quickly as possible.

Her right hand remained over her mouth as she took in the appearance of the terrifying creature: she had never seen something like that. But, that wasn't all however, as not only was there one beast but two.

Her brother was on his feet, obviously angry at the sudden appearance of the beast. She listened as the beast spoke to Ka'lara, offering his 'assistance'. Was it really a good idea to have a beast like that sealed inside of ones self? She knew, after having spent some time on this survival adventure and having asked questions to Kouki, that people could have different manners of beasts sealed inside of them - mainly chakra beasts and more powerful beasts called bijuu. The majority of the time these beasts seemed peaceful enough... but this one, this one was admitting to liking bloodshed.

Kouki watched as the seven tailed beast removed itself from the ground. It seemed to be made out of a non-solid substance and was exceptionally creepy - sort of like the thing you'd expect to come out of a child's nightmare. However, this didn't scare Kouki the way it seemed to have startled Seraphina - Kouki, after all, had a dragon-looking beast sealed inside of her.

As Kua manifested himself she felt Suiro tugging to do the same. "No Suiro.. there's not enough room...", she commented in a soft hiss.

Suiro quit attempting to manifest, obviously thinking that this was true, but still the dragon's aura appeared around her, curling and circling around her in a violent and protective motion. Suiro didn't like the appearance of this new tailed beast anymore than anyone else had.

Kouki kept herself on guard as the beast guessed at one of those present being capable of sealing a beast inside of someone. Kouki could do it in a matter of no time at all, especially if the beast truly was willing to allow such a sealing to take place. Kouki glanced over to Kurai and Kua, to Alec, Seraphina, and then to Ka'lara, before she turned her focus onto the tailed beast. She cleared her throat before speaking up, "I can seal you inside of her. But, I will only do it if she's completely willing and sure. I also will be putting a block in her mind to keep you from fully being able to take control of her..." She wanted this shadowy beast out of here; either sealed away or gone she didn't care. She wanted things to go back to being peaceful and calm - it already was irritating her that Seraphina had been startled enough to scream by the appearance of this gigantic beast. However, she wanted to make sure as well that if she did seal the beast inside of Ka'lara that it couldn't end up taking control of her.

If Ka'lara would say yes then Kouki would nod. "For you two to be sealed you will need to be touching..." She would then wait for them to obey before kneeling down and touching the ground. From her hand would begin to spread the required seal. This seal would skirt around Alec, Seraphina, Kurai, Kua, and Little Kong and simply focus itself on Ankoku and Ka'lara. The seal would raise up off of the ground and begin to converge on them, not stopping until the pair were stuck in a sphere like ball. Once this ball was completely formed it would then begin to shrink until it came tightly around the pair - touching but not crushing. It would then begin to bind and twist around them until the pair, several seconds later, would be joined as one. Ankoku would disappear and the seal would over-lay itself perfectly on top of the per-existing tattoo of Ka'lara, adding another layer to the fuunijutsu seal that made up Ka'lara's tattoo.

"Don't try to move right away... it can be disorientating at first...", Kouki commented as she stood back up. She was surprised to find that she wasn't exhausted like she had been the day she sealed Kua into Kurai.. but perhaps that had something to do with the unlimited chakra that seemed exist in this world.

Ka'lara thought it over quickly: a tailed beast would add a lot of power onto Ka'lara, it would likely give her a heck of a lot more abilities. She could tell that the beast was comprised of shadows, and given her own shadow manipulation abilities, she figured she would be even more powerful. Yes, that would help... she should do this.

She gave the nod to Kouki and then following the female's instruction she reached out and made contact with Ankoku who became solid enough for her to be able to touch him. The beast had a sadistic grin, but didn't comment on Kouki's comment of making a mental block to help keep the beast from doing her harm. Kouki touched the ground and the seal simply appeared, spreading from her in a method she had never seen done before. However, it worked as the seal lifted up, covered them, and bonded them into one person.

When the beast was fully sealed inside of her she staggered, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of another being inside of her mind. She had been all for leaving - she didn't want to piss Alec off and her appearance had brought some drama - and yet Kouki told her she shouldn't try and move right away. "Ugh... I'm sorry, Alec. I didn't mean for this to happen... To disturb you guys." Couldn't the poor girl catch a break? First a Saiyan tried to kill her twice. Now a beast came out of nowhere packing a huge amount of power and wanting sealed inside of her which resulted in Alec apparently angry and the girl who looked like him scared.

Kua, seeing that the beast was genuine when it said it wasn't looking for a fight, calmed his growing rage and vanished back into the sub conscious of Kurai. Little Kong kept close to Kurai, watching as Kouki began to seal the beast in a similar fashion to when Kua was sealed within him. He thought back to the day he was nearly killed by him, and the epic battle that took place near Kumo between he and Kong, Little Kong's big brother.

Alec didn't seem at all pleased that this sort of situation found it's way to him. It seemed he was growing tired of all situations that involved drama, and sought peace by coming out here into the wilds of this island. But it seemed it could even find him here...

Alec didn't stick around to watch the sealing. He didn't even stick around to hear Natalie apologize. After sheathing the Kane Katana again, Alec turned and began walking off.

It would be impossible to totally avoid trouble and drama, but he wanted a period of time where there was none. The Yata thing was alright, but this kind of shit right here was frustrating. Giant tailed beasts about to do battle like some sort of monster movie? In a place like this at that?

Alec didn't want to be here anymore; this place was tainted. He wanted to move on, get as far away from this lake as he could. He'd eaten, he'd filled up on water. There was no longer any reason to be here. Knowing Seraphina would be nearby, Alec walked across the nearest wooden bridge that lead to the path that would take them into the next area...

\Exit\

This was a little too much for Seraphina so as she saw her brother start to leave she followed behind him quickly; taking no time at all to gather up her stuff. She knew that ninja did some pretty crazy things, but this was all a little too much in what was supposed to be a calm and peaceful environment.

She wasn't angry at Ka'lara, and she didn't blame the girl at all for this, so she simply gave a little wave and then disappeared off with her brother, wondering where it was they would be going next.

[Exit]

Kouki glanced back in time to see Alec and Seraphina leaving. A frown slightly formed on her face and she turned her attention back to Ka'lara, ensuring that she suffered no issues from the quick sealing process she had used. Once she was sure that the girl would suffer no ill effects she picked her bag up off of the ground with a sigh. "I need to go catch up with them. If you have any issues let me know, Ka'lara... if I'm not here I'll be in Makkura."

She would give the female a chance to respond before she too would turn and begin walking after Alec and Seraphina. "Good luck!", she called back over her shoulder. She truly wished the female all of the best. She knew what it felt like to be in a shitty position, to feel like the whole world was against you, and she just hoped that the girl kept her head up and was able to fight through it all. She would hate to hear that the girl had died...

She pushed the thought from her mind as quickly as it came and plastered her smile of excitement back on her face: she would focus on the here and now. "Wait up!", she called after Alec and Seraphina as she ran to catch up with them...

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Alec left before Ka'lara was capable of apologizing; her words having met empty air. She gave a nod to reassure Kouki she was alright and then turned - she didn't want to be in this place any longer. She was beginning to feel like she needed a very long and peaceful vacation, but that wasn't in her future. Violence was. And she would have to be prepared for it whether she liked it or not.

So, without further word, Ka'lara turned and headed back the way she had come: having no more interest in exploring this island. The last thing she wanted to do was to bring trouble down upon anyone else and it seemed like it was following her these past few days.

"Ugh, I can't seem to catch a break...", she said as she left...

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