Test Drive Post!

[sunshinemods]

Sunshineverse

Okay everyone, it's time to test some people out! The rules of the game are simple. You have a character you would like to try out as a native to the setting of this game. You want to see if this is the right setting to play said character in, right? Well, then all you have to do is drop them into this post as a top level comment with this as the header: Character name | Series (OC's just put Original here) | Planned Village Affiliation Then you comment around and play with everyone else! If you need some ideas on how to get started, you can drop your character in during the middle of a mission, have them at an eatery around their village, or maybe even just doing weapons practice. It's up to you how you want to set out, so feel free to put your characters in this version of the Naruto universe however it most seems appropriate. Just be sure to say where you put them somewhere in your post though, otherwise two people might not even be threading in the same country. One last thing! Remember that your character was born in this universe, so whatever else you decide, your character is a world native, even if they might be a tourist in the village you decided to test them out on. And that's it. Just be good to each other and have fun! Threads you do here can count toward future activity checks, so long as the person you're threading with gets in too. These threads can also be used for samples on your application. Locations General Info Characters World ♦ Main Community ♦ Message Community ♦ OOC Community ♦ Premise ♦ Rules ♦ F.A.Q. ♦ Character History FAQ ♦ Taken ♦ Applications ♦ Nationality Guide ♦ Country Navigation ♦ Sunshine Timeline ♦ Backstory List ♦ Maps

Comments

[noboatbigenough]

"I'm sure they will, Haku-kun."

That's all Kisame says back, concentrating on reaching his goal. The compound isn't very far, and he can already see the rocky outcropping that got integrated into the ring of one of Kiri's walls. The compound is a part of the rocks, and a part of the spring and lake at its foot. A wall of their own rises up around the compound, and even arcs above it, on the rocks themselves, well lined with triangular spikes and looking nothing more like the great jaw of some monstrous shark.

There is what can only be called a moat, and only one terribly thin stretch of stone across it, not even truly wide enough for a single person to cross. It's guarded, but Kisame just walks on through, expecting Haku to follow. The guards give Haku interested looks but don't raise alarm.

On the other side is barely a meter of dry ground before the edges of the lake. In the center is a tower in metal and glass, and leading to it, a glass tunnel, abruptly descending right down into the lake, the entrance of which is also guarded. These guards make Kisame pause.

In answer to their questions, Kisame only laughs. "The elders will want to meet this one. Tsubaki-san's apprentice."

[tearsofsnow]

Haku's never seen more than the outside of the compound, and he knew civilians tended to avoid it altogether. The fierce reputation of the Hoshigaki was well illustrated into even the walls themselves. It was with no small amount of trepidation that he set foot beyond them now, reminding him that it was the clans like them that had given bloodlines the lingering fear and scorn they still lived with today. Not that Yuki were less destructive, and icy monuments doubtlessly lingered in the minds of many. They could sometimes take years to fully melt.

He met the eyes of the guards with a wary interest of his own, but Kisame didn't stop and the 'bridge' forced him to temporarily carry his shoes just so he might cross safely. He slipped them back on once he was across and rushed to catch up. They met with another set of guards and a tunnel that looked to run deep between them. It appeared to him much like the belly of the shark that Hoshigaki resembled.

Haku glanced up in response to his title and forced a smile. "Hoshigaki-san mentioned it was about time for a delivery. I'm honored to be invited, as few must be able to appreciate the unique architectural qualities of your compound."

[noboatbigenough]

The guards didn't respond positively to the introduction. Or, according to one, there had been no notice of the visitor from the elders themselves. They seemed all too cheerful about challenging the visit, and Kisame was cheerful right back.

"This will take a minute, Haku-kun. Hold still, eh?"

Before Kisame was even finished making the statement, one of the guards was swinging a heavy pole-arm at Kisame's neck. The large man ducked, spun, and kicked the attacker hard enough to send him out over the water like a skipping stone. The other followed up in short order, and there was a clang as blades crossed.

But not Samehada. Kisame had pulled a smaller, less overwhelming katana out from somewhere. That was when the other one recovered from the kick enough to rejoin the fight.

Though, if Haku did hold still, the three were being very controlled, and it looked like not even an accidental blow would come his way.

[tearsofsnow]

Hold still?

In the most unexpected turn of events, Haku found himself frozen as the pair of guards openly attacked their fellow clanmate- solely on the grounds of not allowing him to pass. He would've gladly rescinded his wish to proceed with no will to provoke an open conflict himself, but Kisame it seemed, was perfectly content to fight his way through.

He watched the pair exchange blows with a rapid heartbeat, holding tight to the package in his arms. He wasn't going to even consider helping, focused only on taking up as little space as possible and hoping he wouldn't end up in the way. Much as he'd like to properly retreat, Kisame was his shield and he dare not step out of his protection.

It did strike him as strange however, that the Swordsman wasn't using Samehada. Were these guards not enough of a challenge, or did he really not want to harm his kin? With any luck, there wouldn't be anymore guards ahead, but he worried about the set they'd already passed through. In the meantime, he could only wait and silently pray he'd make it through this whole encounter alive.

[noboatbigenough]

Haku needn't worry about the other two, who were watching in interest but not interfering, except to toss one of the guards who'd gone flying through the open gate right back through. Kisame and the other two were laughing as they fought, almost as if it were a game, and even two on one, Kisame obviously had the upper hand, and occasionally made comments about defenses or attacks. Ways to improve them, mostly, like it was a lesson and not the serious fight it otherwise seemed. All three didn't appear to be holding back, not drawing Samehada aside.

But if Haku looked to the lake, he'd notice an old woman swimming to the surface and then pulling herself on top of the water. She had a cane, and it was hard to tell if the folds on her neck were wrinkles or gills. Her hair had been almost black once, but now was streaked with blue-tinted gray, and her wizened face stretched into a sharp toothed smile as she slowly approached.

When her feet touched ground, she looked Haku over and her grin widened. "Hoy there, sonny. This won't take but a moment."

Then she moved, and in less than a second and only four whacks of her cane got in between the battling trio, and smacked them all upside the head. Kisame, for his part, managed to dodge the first whack, and somewhat deflect the second. Then she leaned on her cane and demanded answers.

Kisame grinned right back at her. "Tsubaki-san's apprentice. I thought you might want to meet him, Great-Grandmother."

The old lady cackled and made a sharp gesture, before turning to walk into the tunnel. The guards, not looking at all chastened for the fight, resumed their positions, and Kisame turned to Haku for the first time since the fight started.

"Now that that's settled, follow us, Haku-kun."

The tunnel inside was damp, and had a steep incline, but the roof of it was glass, showing a clear view of the lake and all the inhabitants. And the elder's slow pace was perfect for gawking.

[tearsofsnow]

It was a spar, he realized with a breath- or at least it seemed that way. There was no killing intent, but the attacks could critically injure if the fight wasn't taken seriously. Kisame was holding his own well against the other two and Haku relaxed a little. Even if someone was injured, he could give a practical demonstration of his skills, even if he did lack any of his own supplies at the moment.

But the woman that surfaced drew his attention and her manner spoke of that same malicious glee as the three fighters. But he didn't expect her to jump into the melee. He barely saw the swings of her cane, but the fighting had stopped, the guards rubbing their heads with rueful smiles. Finally, order returned and Haku breathed his relief as he followed them down into the belly of the shark.

And there was certainly plenty to look at. He marveled at the glass and clear water just beyond it, had a traitorous thought that wondered just how much of it he could freeze. But he could see other members of the clan as well as some ferocious looking fish that probably welcomed unexpected guests, and wished the Yuki compound could one day be restored to its former glory. Because this was certainly an impressive feat, and his estimation and respect for the Hoshigaki clan rose.

"What an exquisite aesthetic," he praised once he'd gotten past his initial astonishment. "An unexpected elegance from a clan so well-known for their ferocity."

[noboatbigenough]

The old woman cackled. "The Hoshigaki were born from the sea, sonny! Don't expect anything less than from us than you would from the sea itself."

Kisame, walking beside Haku, laughed a little more softly. "We don't hide, but few think to look past the surface, and view what's really going on beneath."

The tunnel itself only had one outlet, and that outlet was a tight spiral staircase with no railings. To get off one simply needed to jump onto one of the floors. The old woman was clearly more nimble than her age suggested and made the jump without any trouble.

Kisame dipped his head. "After you, Haku-kun."

The floor, with a few well dimmed lights, had an almost underwater ambiance, even though they were now in the glass and steel tower rising above the lake. The outsides of the tower were a combination of tinted and frosted, and all the inner walls were clear glass. Stationed around the room were comfortable chairs and several Hoshigaki of similar age to the woman. Two were playing go, and one was working her way through sharpening an impressive collection of various sized hooks on chains.

The old woman seated herself, tapping her cane on the blue-tinted glass floor. "Now what have you brought us, Kisame?"

Kisame just stepped aside. "I think it's best if he introduces himself, eh?"

[tearsofsnow]

It was an interesting claim, and easily believable given their features- to think they might actually be descended from sharks. He let the idle wonderment carry him over until he was prompted up a flight of stairs that looked as though it could hardly fit one of Kisame's bulk. It suited his own slender frame just fine however, and with a glance, tightened his hold on the package he held and followed the woman onto the floor. It wasn't the most graceful landing, thick sandals hitting the flooring a little harder than he would've liked, but he straightened and moved in without further prompting.

These were the clan leaders, and nerves stole over him again as Kisame allowed him to explain his presence himself. He set the ointments down and took a small step forward, hands clasped in front of him as he bowed.

"Hoshigaki-sama, I am Tsubaki-ojiisan's apprentice, Haku. I've found myself in Hoshigaki-san's debt and have come to offer my services to you as repayment for his kindness. If you'll accept, I am skilled in medicines and possess advanced knowledge of human biology."

[noboatbigenough]

And the elders were silent, appraising, like they were waiting patiently for the full story.

Kisame had been expecting it, and he wasn't going to spill the kid's secret himself, but the elders would know he wouldn't bring someone into the compound lightly. There had to be a good reason, and the shortened version wasn't it. So he waited too, and when a moment or three passed without elaboration, Kisame gestured at the walls.

"Look around you, Haku-kun. We use glass for a reason."

The old woman spoke up, grinning. "Kisame is right, sonny. Now tell us about this debt of yours."

[tearsofsnow]

Haku raised his head. It had been too much to hope that they might accept it without revealing his identity, increasing the amount of people that knew it to a very discomfiting number. Before now, the only ones aware were his parents and a part of him felt like a failure for being caught out to start with, forcing him into this situation.

"My apologies for not saying so from the start Hoshigaki-sama, but it's a sensitive matter. In truth, my name is Yuki Haku and I've been living a peaceful life as a civilian to escape persecution. Hoshigaki-san sensed the chakra tied to my inherent abilities but has kindly elected to keep the information from Mizukage-sama. And so I offered to repay him in this manner."

[noboatbigenough]

That admission had every single head turned toward Haku. Most of the elders looked on with only mild interest, but Great Grandmother cackled in obvious glee.

Kisame stood quiet, but with a proud smirk and a little chuckle slipping past.

Great Grandmother finished her laughing spell, and leaned forward. "Good work, Kisame. You did very well. A Yuki and a budding medic! He'll be a useful ally, that's for sure."

Then she turned towards Haku. "But sonny, we'll need to know exactly what you know, so you can be taught the rest. Mm? Can't have a half-trained medic wandering around."