Hunting for Hyenas [Past Thread | Invite Only]

[Sukōchi Taemi]

[Let me know if you're interested in helping! 5 years ago - She'd be 15.]

The sands were an unruly place, especially as one stretched further from the village that was Sunagakure no Sato. But, for one to grow within the Sukōchi ichizoku, it was a mandatory pilgrimage one chose to make if they wanted to bring honor to their family. Taemi, although youthful, was an up-and-coming Kunoichi within the ranks of Suna, and also a clan member of the Shakuton Kekkei Genkai. The time to test herself was now. She gathered all personal equipment and supplies, placed it upon her back while adjusting the ninja pouch to her waist. The fan was also strapped along her backside, the hitai-ate of the hidden sand village securely attached to the wrapped fabric against her skull. Before the scorching sun arose from slumber she would start her trek. One thing that was bearable: the nights along the desert. The temperature often cooled, the storms often diminished. Nothing of light besides the twilight of the moon and the twinkling stars. It was beautiful, a marvel to witness if one was kept up at night.

She couldn't say her nerves were stilled or calm, nor were they quaking violently. She was between a point of tranquility and nervousness, but her visage would hardly show the slight unease of her being. She was ready. She resumed to tell herself. Today would be the day to unite with the Hyena; merge with the pack. This, mused repeatedly, brought her some momentary peace, although she could feel her fingers twitch with agitation, excitement. Taemi couldn't dwell on the fact of reality now, she needed to leave, if she were to make progress along the sands of time. And, well, the location out in the desert from Sunagakure was a far, dangerous trek. If any creatures didn't kill, the sun and lack of water made up for it. Dehydration and starvation would be major concerns.

Exiting her abode, she awaited for briefly 10 minutes, mainly to see if any would show. Luckily, the clansmen and partnering creatures alike would allow for company during the trials, but if none would show, Taemi would have to face this struggle alone. But, she was ready, right? Surely they wouldn't decide the time was now if they didn't think she was capable... right?

Letting the chill breeze pipe down her nerves, her eyes would flutter close. Deep breaths in, deep breaths out. Relax. It would all be over soon. Taemi would be victorious.

Her will wouldn't permit otherwise.

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo remained stationary atop one of the buildings and observed the compact fluxes of sand dance in the mold of a sandy sea. His hands would find themselves inserted into the compartments of his slacks while his rosy eyes--shrouded from the vicinity around him and beneath the cover--aided him in the examination of the scene before him while his cheerless chocolate cloak assisted in concealing him from inquiring eyes. The adolescent was practicing his adeptness to mix into his backgrounds, and believed it would have worked if his eyes did not pick up the location of his friend, Taemi, whom he was meant to head out with. He bent his knees and vaulted from the building. When he settled onto the ground, he stood up straight and then stretched while he yawned to himself. The land here could be perceived as unforgiving, and that's what he adored. Not only that, but it was stunning. The floods of sand appeared infinite, and that could only mean he had a lot more to discover. If nothing else, the lethal atmosphere of this land would do nothing less than make him into a stronger ninja, no? After all, he had to be strong for his friends, and that was just the beginning. Giggling, he soon sprang forward in the form of a hop, then a skip, and then a jump before he settled on a skipping movement. Up and down he went with his arms swinging at his sides. To Taemi he would go!

[Sukōchi Taemi]

The time was ticking, her foot was tapping as if counting down impatiently the minutes left she had to wait. Well, maybe the foot-tapping was a way to exert anxious energy, like the fiddling of her fingers with one another. Nerves were evidently rising, probably with the countdown that signaled the journey. And, well, would one generally be anxious to go into an unforgiving desert alone? Probably.

Standing away from her humble sand abode, Taemi would occasionally avert her gaze to scan for any incoming help. "Gah, I hate waiting." She murmured to herself, muffled by the bandages wrapped around her lower visage. It wasn't that anyone was late, just that, at times, the female teenager would grow weary of anticipation. Just a fact when one is agitated.

It was unclear as to whether Taemi would see Tatsuo skip-hopping over to her, but either way, the girl was still waiting. She wouldn't leave now... but soon.

[Tatsuo]

With a three bounds, skips, and jumps, Tatsuo found himself closing the distance amid him and the woman. He altered his footing and endeavored to advance from the woman's unseeing side, for he had not known if she managed to detect him or not, so he seized this opportunity to spring--more so in thought than in realism--into action. His frame sank to the ground and both of his hands spread onward - digits would twist themselves in preparation for cupping the woman's hips in a way that would permit him to tickle her. His objective was not a second, but two seconds! Oh my god, how that would be incredibly pleasant to the happy-go-lucky ninja! Regardless of him succeeding or failing, his frame would pull itself into a backwards motion while he bounded out of arms' reach. This was done with the help of the crouch he took before he tried his sneak attack!



No matter what happened, he would stand erect, with his head held high, and strands of his short, white hair flowed before his visage and down the middle of both his red eyes. "Haha! Hello to you, M'dear! You should not tap your foot like that, it doesn't do well for your composure." He shook his head and wagged his right pointer finger towards her, followed immediately by a tsk, tsk, tsk, in quick repetition. "I don't know how many times I can say this, but you need to learn to smile more. I tell ya, smilin' will make ya feel so much better!" He then moved his eyebrows in a quick up and down fashion - the brows would then move in the form of a warm, and he would giggle. "Anyways, I am ready when you are--and anyone else who decides to show up!" He almost jumped for joy while his hands moved to clasp themselves against one another.

[Sukōchi Taemi]

The nerve! As he lunged to tickle her, she squirmed and aimed to evade those drumming fingers. Scowling, but partly engaged in a light, forced laughter, Taemi's frame would wriggle as she moved further from the boy who attacked her blindside. She knew exactly who it was, too. "Really, Tatsuo?!" Did he have to resort to humor or ease for this? Maybe he was trying to calm her, or it was likely his usual behavior, but Taemi didn't have the tolerance - more so than usual - for his happy-go-lucky-self. She shook her head and turned to face him, eyes anxiously glaring in his direction. Funny, for him to comment on how foot-tapping ruins one's composure. How would he possibly know that. Shaking her head, Taemi sighed, "Smiling...? I won't. It's not... something I do often." She cringed at the image of a smile on her face -- it would be creepy, she assumed.

She did, however, nod to his statement. "I think that's all who will show, but... not entirely sure. Maybe we'll encounter more volunteers on the way." Tatsuo sure did find excitement in everything. Maybe, together as friends, the bubbly and the dull, they'd balance the energies out or something. She started motion, headed down the main street - direction pointed toward the destination. They would have to depart the village to get a clearer version of where they were headed; although an endless desert would hardly give them a clearer view of what they were headed toward. Maybe after a few miles, they'd see something in the distance. Not now, though.