Home Invasion (Zaled Uchiha)

Mission:

Night was upon them, the crescent moon high in the sky and shedding a dim light on the cold, Winter Wonderland that he currently found himself in. He kept telling himself that he was supposed to be here for a holiday, but duty always seemed to call and he was simply not one to disregard such. If he was called upon, he would answer the call of duty gladly. The mission briefing was a bit less than he expected, a simple scroll handed to him with the details of what needed to be done written clearly upon it. The objective was to protect a house from... bandits? He scratched his head, unsure if his being assigned to the task was actually needed. "Don't you think that having trained shinobi guard this place might be... overkill?" He couldn't help but ask. The messenger would shrug, making mention that the owner of the home had a great deal of money and valuables and wanted nothing less than the best protection money could buy. The wolf would simply shrug it off, not one to often question the 'why' of his missions. He would ask the messenger a handful of other pertinent questions regarding the details of the mission. These would be things like the number of suspected bandits, if there were other shinobi he would be working with, if the focus was to apprehend the bandits, or simply protect the home from anything they might try. Unfortunately, the answers to these basic questions were brief and not of much help to clarify everything. 

The wolf would make his way to the house that was supposed to be the next target, the building left open for the guards. He couldn't help but wonder if leaving their house unlocked was wise if they expected thieves and rogues. All the same, he would keep his senses and wits about him and scan the area to get a basic layout of the house and the immediate area around the house. This patrol forced his eyes to be off the doors during it, but his sense of smell was keen enough to detect most any trace of life the came anywhere close to the house. Or at least, he expected such. There were ways around his nose, that much he was certain of, but unless these bandits were incredibly skilled he didn't expect them to have such capabilities. 

It wasn't long before the second guard showed up, making his way into the room where the wolf found himself staying. A brisk wind would pour in through a crack in the window, the old building far from being airtight. The wolf would give an odd look over to the man that he found himself holed up in here with, uncertain on just who the man was truly. He was told there would be at least one other person assigned to the same task, though when the wolf inquired they simply called him a "mercenary" or "hired sword, much like any shinobi is really" to which the man couldn't help but shake his head at the thought of. He didn't considered himself a mercenary, for his loyalty was not bought with coin. His loyalty was to his faith and his people, and by extension of this the village of Hoshigakure. Despite his unease, the man looked both capable and taking this assignment quite seriously. There was a level of professionalism that the wolf couldn't help but admire in the man.

Loghain didn't wish to keep any awkward silence between them, so he would make efforts to remedy this. "Sebastian Loghain, Jounin of Hoshigakure," He would offer first, keeping in mind his manners to not request the name of another before introducing himself first. "And what should I call you?" The wolf was wearing one of his usual outfits, a loose fitting grey shirt and a pair of dark breeches that fit, but offered enough room for him to move relatively freely. On his left arm was his shinobi headband, the symbol of Hoshi clearly displayed. Loghain was simply leaning against a wall, hoping to strike up a conversation while they wait for anyone foolish enough to try and steal from this house. 

wc: 702
twc: 702

Another evening befell the Space time adventuring uchiha, The breaker had another quiet somber evening, A small sip of an orange beverage, Zaled was exhuasted, another long day of means, The reception hall was rmptier then usual and save discussion of the peaceful moments with few, zaled was more to himself, surprisingly seeking a new adventure.

Fortune spoke very soon as the adventure came knocking on his table. A somber elf ordered a small drimk slidding a letter of black to zaled. It was another request which zaled glanced over, and patted the elf on the shoulder. The dead of night was where yhe desperates to harm and even ruin holidays which for zaled bothered him. Instead of desperation take the tiny joys? But humans and animals are vain in the first place debunking the question.

By this point zsled had honed a thick leather jacket of sleek black. But moved quickly beyomd his office out a door and the immediate adjustmentvof his foot steps into the wooden house was natural. This however meant the door was shut behind him with a small "whoosh" as there was already someone here, Each man sized up the other. zaled in turn noting the fresh poised presence, as his sensory detected the induviduals formal strength in his chakra but had not jnquired further yet.

poised with a level of silent anticipation, even stalkerish, but confident. All a good choice of seasoned experience, while zaled sermed laid back but ever misleading as foolhearty, but it was a lure. The man was good in tempermemt, and introduced himself as sebastian loghian, from hoshi. A name ringer the last name.

"corperal loghian's the fang of the stars. Very nice, he was a mighty wartior in my day, and nigh took many scars. Some suggested feral, but i respected the loyalty."

zaled answered honestly as he glanced the man over.

"this was before your time, but For myself code: Breaker, the tinkerer of the mind and soul, old names i went by. But you may better know me as Zaled the breaker"

zaled gave a nodd to the hoshi headband and spoke up.

"How is the city in the stars now. Outside of shinobi realm like here, you will be surprised. Like these imduviduals now. I miss the market place by noon, A ma and pa bakery made by noon. Rich tough bread. Good soldier stuff"

It was almost as if the pair were silently sizing one another up, or at least the wolf couldn't shake the feeling of such. There was a strange familiarity between the two, through the wolf was very certain that he hadn't ever met the man. He spoke in such a way that suggested an age far greater than his looks would suggest, speaking of the past events and things before Loghain's time. Perhaps he used the medical arts to keep himself looking young? The wolf recalled hearing tales of such feats being possible, though he had never met anyone that had done such... at least to his knowledge that is. "It is unfortunate, but I am not a great deal acquainted with my extended family. But I imagine such a title would be befitting." He would offer in return. 

Still, the other man tasked with this job had introduced himself. The name was not one that the wolf had been immediately familiar with, the man providing what sounded like an alias. Breaker... or more accurately, Zaled the Breaker. The odd man would not reciprocate the village that he was a part of. The wolf couldn't be certain that the words of this Zaled held any truth, but he didn't wish to wedge any distrust between them for now so he would simply figure that the man didn't wish to offer up his name and village to a relative stranger. Perhaps such things were commonly kept hidden among shinobi. It took a moment before the wolf realized that the man didn't make mention of his village probably because the wolf hadn't asked. Still, he would refrain from pressing the matter any further at the moment. 

Zaled the Breaker... his next words made Loghain question again just who this man was. He would make mention of Hoshigakure, something that caused the wolf's eyes to squint a bit, various thoughts beginning to flood his mind. "You are right, the market at noon is quite something, sights and smells filling the streets. You are familiar with the Village Hidden in the Stars? How long has it been since you've visited?" He would ask, knowing that Hoshi had a tendency (almost to the point it was a problem) with letting in wanderers and other much more... unpleasant sorts. "The fresh baked bread is certainly delicious, though I prefer meat when possible." The wolf would pull a bag of jerky from his pocket, taking a piece before offering some to Zaled. If the man wanted some, the wolf would toss him the bag, letting him take whatever he felt he needed to get through this relatively boring guard shift, at least so far.

A quick sniff of the air suggested that they were still alone for the time being, though the wolf was well versed in dealing with bandits and outlaws. Once they decided to make their move, it would likely be hard and fast. Unless they were very skilled, in which case they would try to sneak in. Both of these would be difficult tasks with the wolf in play. 

"Probably a good idea to mention to you that I am a close quarters specialist. I'm not sure how you plan to handle the rogues once they show up, but I ask if you are a ninjutsu specialist to refrain from roasting me with your attacks." He would offer with a light grin.

wc:568
twc:1270

it was good to see that the youngee shinobi had a good sense of humor, perhaps a family liniage, But as he confirmed the hoshi markets were still good, and as a memory pulled him the man pulled out jerky. The stuff that kept men going and kept the soldier up for a life saving swing. But like wise the alias he went by was on deaf ears,few would understand the code of over 20 years ago.

"i was a knight young fellow before the comming of the shinobi age to hoshi, and of course indoctorined as such. But my time in thar service was well many things, but it brings heart to me that the village is in good hands of a close range specialisr. I too had a hand for the sword, but age gets to oneself. eventually."

zaled chuckled as sure sebastian meantioned the bandits could be a problem which zaled smiled.

"all can be, but i am crafty, i study and break down every enemy. However i once was the puppeteer, i now endouses myself to tbe arts of space and time, and quiet the hand in sensory, so i am not as concerned. i am still quick. and formiddable."

there was little to hide as he glanced out the window and frowned, this house was to be protected meaning that at most the bandits might be impresskve at close quarters.

"i wish not to kill like i did in my you but might be left no choice if its to save the youth. however, i will explain a few thinvgs. One must still study and break down the enemy, although strong you may be, what good lies that strength without knowledge. granted these things are simple"

he spoke up and noted the distant rustle in the distance. as he slid behind the door nearby.

"they are out of my sensory range sebastian, however i will set up a means to shut them down for the moment. No need to worry on ninjutsu frying you, i prefer keeping an enemy at bay anyways."

zaled stated as he surged his chakra but did not need to act yet nothing had entered his sensory range, and it dawned on him , that what was the need to go all out unless the moment called for it. After all every drop of energy was needed to gaurd the house, so defense was the way to go.

"if your strength suffices you should be fine if the enemy is close. however be weary."

The wolf would listen to the older man, Zaled making it clear that his ties to the land of Hoshi ran deep. The man was a former knight, hailing from Hoshi before the time of shinobi. That would make him a very old man, far older than the wolf had originally imagined. A former knight and he made mention that he was once capable with a sword, though the way he spoke of it time was not on his side in this matter. A grizzled old warrior who was formerly a knight of Haven before it was a shinobi village... he couldn't help but wonder what sorts of wisdom he held. 

Despite mentioning that he was a former knight and swordsman, he made it clear that the man had experience with the ninjutsu arts of space and time and he was also a bit of a sensor. He couldn't help but wonder where the man had gotten shinobi training, especially considering that from his understanding the land of Haven before Hoshigakure was very much against such sorts of practices. Another wave of unease washed over the wolf, but he quickly had to shift his focus. There was a faint hint of another person at the edge of his scent range, likely one of the bandits that were seeking the riches of this house. One target was of little consequence, considering that two shinobi were here defending the place. It was just then that another person could be detected. Zaled would quickly slip behind a door, placing a large slab of wood between himself and any targets. Zaled made it clear that he didn't have any particular desire to spill the blood of these bandits, but such reservations were not held by the wolf. He often fed the bloodlust of the beast with the sacrifice of rogues and bandits around the outskirts of Hoshigakure. It wasn't something he took particular pride in, but it helped with both his rage and cleaning up the village borders. 

A quick sniff of the air would pick up their scents, "I don't believe that they have begun their approach. Perhaps they are waiting for the remainder of their forces to arrive? Either way, I am unsure how best to deal with this. Do you think we are better off bringing the fight to them outside, or should we hold up here and let them make the first move." 

wc:403
twc:1673

not beginning approach was wise, an unwise motion  was to simply storm a stronghold, But zaled doubted that the bandits would haplessly just steal, Unlike the olden days these were theives. Needing to double check scources. Zaled had to aknowledge that this got a tad bit trckier, as yes as sebastian suggested, indoors or outdoors was in the balence. Clients would not appreciate a ruined home. But a back door enables the theives to abanddon all  desire, and attempt to make a quick break for gold, and as he would hate it, escape with anyone with a moderate skill in stealth of space, and time like himself. But it weighed to sebastian to work in an open space. So zaleds choice was pretty clear.

"outdoors,but insurance is good to have, hence why we simply just assure you are well off i will send a unique style of assistance with you,Since this domain is unique i suppose the big man will not mind if i pull a thread or two apart. let us inquire what our visitors are capeable of, copy me sebastian and focus the chakra into your eyes. And you will see much more i assure you. But the outcome matters in what you see."

zaled inquired as he weaved several seals at a slow enough speed for sebastian to take note.  Ox, Boar, Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Ram. His eyes glowed golden revealing he had activated his gauge  technique, and noted sebastians rather impressive strength and  other natures that made up his being.

very impressive if i must say so


Zaled thought took another glance outside. Under the crecent moon the small shadows in the leaves of several tree's  50 meyers out were a short and budgy man, snd along the bark a slim tall guy where a bit of his pouch rose slightly. Although zaled could not see it much like a person reaching in their purse.

well darn i suppose we are meeting them half way.. let us see. Hm 2 minimum, of rather low stature of strength, 15 solid control of chakra, 50, and lowish speed 20, strength 40. Against average shinobi a handful, against the inexperienced dangerous. But simple. I shall def support here.

zaled thought as like a shadow he slipped down the stairs. Speaking to sebastian.

"they are not much if you observed as well following my seals. But pay no mind i only spotted 2, and Will proceed to subdue them. sometimes the best tool is infomation."


Zaled stated as with both his full speed and stealthy means. He slipped out a window on the otherside of the building out of the bandits line of sight. Although he kept his promise zaled  crouched now sank into the ground using the hiding like mole technique. Zaled dipped 5 meters underground to make his approach to the tree where the two were positioned, much slower but as he was 5 meters underground the two needed a means to find him anyways, and zaled prefered a more stealthy approach anyways. The detection underground only impacted the surface.

sebastian is a physical fighter huh,His build  suggests it with  such high strength, So withbthat in mind i suppose using this should net him an means of handling any little surprises, While if distracted i can use a couple more tricks to help him secure these theives, and i suppose a means to supress them further, After all I do not need to reveal much,but just enough to stay true to my nature, a helper.

zaled thought as he weaved several seals while traveling beneath the ground,and both the bandits, and sebastian would notice the flux of gold chakra in the sorrounding  20 meters The technique was a simple means but shifted the space time area around the sorrounding area as an means to decrease the power of thoes who would use jutsu as an means of action. Small simple disruption that while tiny served as an equal distraction and worry as he was certain it would catch the bandits attention now. Having cleared the house by now zaled added a few more seals to his recent analysis of the targets. dog, boar, ram, dragon, bird, tiger, dragon, monkey, clap, the clap muffled under the ground made it  nigh impossible to hear. But the effect was soon easily noted as the area within 50 meters in a vast cone shook violently, the tree,and sorrounding trees crumpled and fell obviously stunning the bandits im question  as even on landing on the ground as there were no trees left,nor any means to jump, the bandits were trapped in an ever shaking and cracking ground forced into a kneeling position.

All this didnt bother zaled as he indeed rose up amid the shaking ground, unaffected by his own technique as he glsnced around noting there were  4 additional bandits making 6 in total around the same build all now in a helpless kneeling position and shaking along with the earth  as zaled approached  and considered drawing his katana, but thought otherwise. As each one was left helpless it wouldnt take much to kill the lot while they were short of motion, But zaled shook his head

"So 6 bandits a pleanty on a cold night?  you are lucky i do not kill like i used to, So my freind here will happily assert his force on each of you, a few bruises and the likes should solve your issue, By any means you decide to be snippy i will give your allies an example, and you a remonder to not test my mercy."

in truth zaled did not want to kill, He understood each man had someone to return too, and even some children, but they also made a choice to do this, as was their choice to devive, or fight on any further. His gaze flickered to each as he determined he did not need to activate his sharingan even. The shock would catch even the most seasoned soul in a daze.


now what shall these troublemakers do now that they are cornere

zaled thought as now he stood before the crew and  hoped he did not have to esculate his jutsu usage any further. It was a shame because even before the hoshi shinobi he seemed to have laxed up, Not that it was needed to go further, but perfect almost monk like  restraint, The earth shook, and the subjects were under siege of comsistant merciless pressure even. A reminder of sorts that even now Zaled was not some mindless attacker but thoughtful to  the point.

i do not want to take a year from anothers home pointlessly. I moved on from that person, i changed i suppose

He thought as he gazed and spoke up now releasing his Display of power, An giant Scene of an silent force of standimg at attention army forming into  A simple spectorial shape of armor with a faded symbol of the hoshi nation, and a few other places faded, A volcano, and dunes.  although it has changed, it was rustic, anceint even to the observer with a shadow posessong it with relaxed but eyes that peered into the being of the person. In all it looked both large but if anything  the gaze was what stood out the most, all encapturing, all knowing,and even surely suffocating and leaving one vulnerable from the inside out. The shadow figure encompassed an unknown darkness that which lead to the frightning truth of who knew what shape it held,or even loyalties, an igsignia beyond the  means to identify that in truth his loyalties were both mysterious proving both an uneaay sense of danger beyond the scope of normal men. Many screamed of violence,but it was a sinister type of evil that one felt from a scheamer who sat at a game board, and everyone else was a piece.Now they knew it, but did not know what role they played.

Silent but steady the imaterial being stood but as sudden it appeared, it vanished as zaled remained peaceful still despite the show.

"well speak did you lose your tounghs? explain yourselves"

wc:1372

twc: 2,194

AP: 437/620

-70 gauge (power:70)
-45 disruption field detect( -50 to opp tec power, power/speed:55)
-48 sesmic rumbling force: power:85, speed:65)
hiding like mole: 20 AP: (concluded) power/speed:40)

(showed sebastian up to S rank gauge)

used DOP

links

https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t42452-disruption-field-detect

https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t45704-v7-sesmic-rumblimg-force

https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t49615-gauge

https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t45891-hiding-like-a-mole-v7#358003

https://www.narutoroleplaygame.com/t52440-display-of-power-v7-2#395920

The wolf would listen as Zaled spoke, mentioning that he should aim to mimic the actions of the former knight. The older man would begin to form seals, to which the wolf make every effort to accurately repeat. A string of six seals with a focus of the chakras into the eyes, the golden hue radiating from those of the wolfs current ally apparent to see. After his own completion of the necessary seals, he would not see it but his own eyes would also glow, though his eyes would glow red. The pair would scan one another, the wolf suddenly being able to decipher a great deal of information about the person he was viewing, far beyond that of simply aiming to assess a target through normal visual cues. 

They would shift focus to viewing the targets gathering outside, Zaled seemingly not impressed with the pair of rogues waiting outside to begin the burglary. The wolf didn't say much here, nothing to add. It what he was seeing was accurate, these targets were fairly weak, so much so that even genin would likely have little trouble if it came to blows with them. The old knight was of like mind to the wolf, knowing that the right information made all the difference and as such was oftentimes the best tool available to any shinobi. With that said, Zaled would spring into action, the man quick for his years. The agility of the man lined up with what the sensory technique had determined, so the wolf suspected that it was no illusion or trick. Those thieves down below truly were as outclassed as it first appeared. The wolf, while capable of means of stealth, had no desire to utilize such against these poor souls. The wolf would start to step out on to a balcony to leap down when the area around the criminals began to shimmer with a golden chakra, the work of Zaled no doubt. Quickly finding himself sprinting down the side of the house, the bandits would spot the wolf and point. It mattered little though, as the very earth beneath their feet turned against them. The wolf braced himself, caught a bit by surprise. Forcing himself to his feet, the wolf allowed his body to flood with chakra to amplify his body and ready it for combat if it broke out. It didn't seem like such was needed though, for Zaled's capable jutsu seemingly caught not only the pair easily spotted, but four others as well. It almost looked as though the knight was going to reach for a blade, likely an instinct of his former life, but refrained from drawing steel. 

With Zaled's sudden display of power, the enemies would feel an immense sense of dread overtake them. It wasn't long before their legs were damp of their own accord, an unfortunate reaction due to their panic and fear for their life. "I...I... I don't want any trouble with you n-n-ninja types! We're just trying to take what we a-a-are owed! T-t-that bastard grows fat from the spoils of our labor! He even took our bonuses! Gave us some kinda membership to a 'jelly of the month' club! WHO DOES THAT!?" 

The wolf would take Zaled's lead here, deciding upon peace rather than war. "I really do feel bad for you, but we cannot allow you to take anything from this house." The wolf would pull out a bundle of ryo and toss it to the bandits, "Take this to help your families any cease any criminal activity, otherwise I will have to find you and I don't suspect our next interaction won't be a pleasant one." 

If they took the money and left peacefully, the wolf would speak to Zaled. "A man of peace, I see. I too prefer to avoid taking like needlessly, though most bandits I've encountered are far less friendly than those sort were." He would offer a nod of understanding, "Sometimes it is easy to forget we are human first and foremost, and not just weapons to dispatch our foes."

wc:680
twc:2353 (WC reqs for mission achieved)

the stuttering responses had zaled sigh deactivating his araenal of jutsu as the theives greatful at sebastians generousity the men hurried off as the group of men rushed off into the darkness. However it was clear the job was done yet sebastian took note of the meantioning of a man of peace, along with how bandits he delt with were not as gdnedous.

"They too must eat, and then get stuck in a vicious spiral. Eat. cry, steal, mayve kill, Rinse and repeat, few ever grow old, even fewer find a peaceful resolution. Stuck on survival, after all they are not monsters,but simply human that act. Each one had been a innocemt toddler, and even had a dream,but if innocemcence and dreams were the driving force, perhaps shinobihood isnt needed. But likewise there are toddlers trained to kill, turning them from innocent. to simply a walking sword. They never reach the age of 6. never grow chest hair,never know a moment of reading a fine book,and taking a sip of wine. Nor reach my age."

zaled stated as he glanced to where the men went.

"it is no diffrent between you,nor myself you see sebastian. I cannot sttone the lives i took in various campainges across the deserts of the star country,nor can i just bring them back. Actions, and drive push the instinct of man and its hunger of destruction.Sharper swords, larger fireballs, combined bloodlines and alliances,but for what? if another immocemt is taken for the cost of our own, then it is no diffrent then another striking for their own hope of keeping their young."

he mused

"we are human despire blood, creed, form lr ability,but as some seek and continue destruction, eventually the years drag, and suddenly hou wake up grey haired and just see bodies,you fought a rich mans war, a queens gambit, and a sated a wronged farmers rage,But at a cost,created more enemies then you can count. Even ln ones death bed,was it worth drawing that blade? once one questions because of our ddsire for our own victory sdbastism, and salvation.We too desire another route."

zaled spoke as he headed back towards the house.

"i am from an era long gone sebastian. not one to simply vo and create more strife for more innocents on my behaf, nor my impact,But i am not an old man to have young men solve my problems. Even then it is easy to get uneasy, feeling as if it is wrong,but perhaps is that unease mere conditioning to fit in line, instead of actually living? In my case my answer is diffrent then your own you see. It is why even then i stayed my blade, and yet it saddens me still but i have understood it for a long time sebastian, alot longer then the shinobi force of hoshi span of time. We are no diffrent, just for myself i choose to breath easier by letting go such conditioning."

zaled continued.

"if i wasnt a knight years ago i would be a farmer,i still grow my own crops, and serve my own food, I run my own dimension even to vountless hosts beyond comprehension. And many had no need to draw nither blade nor wrath. If one can balence it, then they would find not perfection,but a means to let go."

his point was made and zaled glanced at sebastian as they continued walking.

"So what say you? your life beyond shinobi hood should thoes that be hsve prevented it?"

WC:599

The rogues would scatter, happy with the spoils of their efforts. As Zaled spoke the wolf would listen, his keen ears picking up not only the words of the man, but each shift in tone and inflection. There was a wisdom to the old knights words, speaking of not only how things were, but hinting at how they could be. In the end he was right in many ways. This world was one built on strife and suffering. Children were raised as warriors, even in those places that he thought such practices would be seen as archaic and barbaric. There was a peace in the land, though it was a fragile one. 

"You are right... there is no getting back those lives claimed by ones hand." The wolf would look down at his own hands, the images in his mind painting them red with the stains of blood that they were so often covered in. "It is a torn existence at times. I was not born and raised a shinobi. I was a simple boy born of laborers, gathering lumber and stone for the village. In my youth I held unyielding faith, a boy that truly could have been a man of peace...yet now when commanded I ready myself for war and barely think twice about my actions." He would look up at Zaled, his face showing his own unease with the weight of his words. "Sometimes I wonder if I would even be recognized by a past version of myself. Each life we claim, we fall farther... with each drop of blood spilled we step farther away from the path of a holy man." There was a pain held within the eyes of the man, a pain that he had simply grown accustomed to and dulled his senses to. "And without holiness... without holiness nobody can find themselves standing before the great creator."

Zaled made it sound so easy, to let go of this conditioning they all had. The wolf within was a monster. It was a violent, bloodthirsty creature that had a voracious appetite for destruction that could not be sated. Sebastian had a great deal of control over it now, but such control was much like the current peace in the shinobi lands... it was fragile. Letting the creature loose in attempt to quench its thirst was something he could do to assist his village. Bandits and criminals on the borders, preying on the weak. Wasn't removing them the greater good?

"If not for this fate I was cursed with, I imagine I would have continued my life as a laborer. Or perhaps I would have became a man of the cloth." The wolf would state as he followed the wise old knight back towards the house they were paid to protect. "The thought is a pleasant one, but in the end, we cannot turn back time nor change our past." 

The wolf would look at Zaled, all of the pieces of everything slowly but surely clicking into place now that the possibility of violence was behind them. The wolf took longer to recall than he would like to admit, but this wise man standing before him was in fact a Hoshi deserter. "Is it your past that you wished to run from, Zaled? What reason did you have to defect from Hoshi's forces?" The words held no hostility, nor did the posture of the wolf suggest that he had intentions of escalating this encounter. He truly seemed to just want to find out why. What could motivate someone to do such a thing?

wc:597

zaled listened, sebastian was a unique induvidual, although he was plauged sith that feirce violence perhaps it wss more then yhe mind, but within the very veins that ran through sebastians very being. He encountered such beings due to taichi the wandering berserker seeking refuge, which zaled being a fatherlike man offered happily. Sebastian was a honest laborer before shinobihood. The honesty which made him smile. The younger man came from honest star country beginnings, only to have servitude placed out of heart and duty. But zaled saw the sadness within sebastian and knew it well.

"Holiness is only bergated by thy creator, but holiness we stand for. Scouts division honor when we rode among the deserts and in uniting many under the crown,But at what cost? was it holy? i saw it wasnt, and you are maybe destined with great strength,but in exchange your task is perhaps control. Sebastian no need to curse yourself. It will only create nightmares which you will fight. Acceptance is what i had to do to move forward."

zaled spoke softly, He got it, it wax as if the wirlpool of choices beyond hid own were the strings and puppeteer behind him. And It was not glorious in feeling, but a definite, and most certain dread and misery.. Zaled walked through the house door and sat at the table lighting by a snall light above but illuminating both faces as sebastian asked his question. defection from hoshi, and why he left. zaled glanced him over as he spoke he was not afraid to answer.

"When i was younger after the first campainge of the desert i travked abroad for several years. lovely years if i must say so, not under diction of blade or armor, But to enjoy the labors of the world. Granted i eventually returned and well resumed hoshi service but still had a linguring hunger to bask in the beaches far south of this continent. As such i suppose i did not go the same routes i took beforre, and had a few more personal things on my plate,namely my daughter, and her case of getting into trouble, this was beyond the walls of hoshi and of course the results of my many travels in my early 20's. Granted thst isnt to say i have not encountered small troubles and mysteries you see, but it added perspective in a sense."

zaled explained with a small smile

"i have helped grow a village at one point, and then left it to its divices, while i tended to my second boy, only for some young man from the island country of kiri to have some tantrum,and some other induvidual take their misunderstandings between each other to sink down my hard work. Although i saved the villagers sending my okdest daughter, the lady caring my now 2 yeat old child to a continent beyond the lands we are on. Then went on my way in peace to now study the realms and dinensions between ours and such. Stuff like this and tecnique development not for a village,but any ready and willing to learn at the pace i desire. Are my calling, as it is a much more easier term then sitting back in a village you see."

With that his explanation was done and looked over sebastian.

"i do not sit around as some bandit,or some tragic figure,only a man nearing 50 years of life and not diving or creating conflicts of any sort,besides i am unaware of mostly what goes on in the shinobi world besides the occasional appearance to perhaps nibble on cusine, or otherwise talk among old retired knights.many whom keep tabs on the late royal family you see. Like myself but indirectly. Even then i canmot attest for actions that are done by others. just my own"

WC: 635