The Storm Cometh

Meanwhile, somewhere near the entry gates of Tsukigakure by the outskirts of the village...


As the shark-nin trudges through the dense foliage, the forest envelopes her in a mysterious embrace. Shafts of sunlight filter through the canopy, dappling the forest floor with patches of golden light. Moss-covered rocks litter the ground, and the occasional rustle of leaves hints at unseen creatures darting through the underbrush. The air is thick with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers and the earthy scent of damp soil. This is a pleasant smell, the shark-nin takes a deep breath as her gills reflexively undulate to catch a whiff of the scant essences of mildew.

"Should've asked where I meet Sea Sister Junko," the Hoshigaki mumbles. "But, Sea Sister did say something about 'waiting for me at the tower past the gates'," the Hoshigaki continues in an unenthusiastic tone.

She hops over a small log, landing on her feet, shifts her weight to adjust for the oversized passenger—a deceased, Great White Shark at least thrice her size—held over her right arm, and keeps her stride. The sound of chirping birds fills the air, and the soft crunch of leaves underfoot announces her presence. A warm breeze ruffles her hair, and she can't help but smile as she breathes in the fresh, floral scent of the forest. A faint buzzing fills the air, and a small insect flits past her face. She reaches out her free hand, her fingers lightly brushing against its delicate wings. The insect comes to rest on her palm, its iridescent blue shell shimmering in the sunlight.

"A beautiful little thing," She says softly, watching the insect's wings slowly move up and down. "I wonder what you are." She watches as the insect flits away, disappearing into the undergrowth. She sighs, and her gaze returns to the path ahead. The forest is peaceful, the air still and quiet.

As she reaches the outskirts of the village, the faint sounds of activity reach her ears. She pauses, scanning the area for any sign of movement, before stepping onto the cobblestone path leading to the gates. Further ahead, the towering gates of Tsukigakure-no-Sato loom, their intricately carved wooden panels adorned with ancient symbols. Beyond the gates, the village sprawls, a picturesque scene of peculiar Japanese architecture nestled among lush green hills. Pagoda-style roofs peak above the trees, their vibrant hues contrasting against the verdant landscape. Smoke rises lazily from chimneys, adding a cozy ambiance to the serene setting.

Despite her initial misstep, the kunoichi couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding her. With each step, she drew closer to her destination, eager to reunite with her friend amidst the tranquility of Tsukigakure-no-Sato. She strides toward the village gates with her cargo in hand or shoulder. If she recalls correctly, she remembers Junko's instructions were to wait at the gates and not cross the threshold dividing the village from the outside world. In the instance that she does, she'll be forced to face the scrutiny of the guards. Understandably so, but she emphasized avoiding the latter with a hint of angst.

She looks past the threshold and examines the village skyline for any sign of Junko's Tower. Nothing, but then again, her sense of direction isn't always the best, and she isn't sure what her friend meant by a 'tower'. She'll have to settle for asking one of the local Surfacefolk where it may be when the opportunity arises. Nevertheless, she awaits the appropriate authorities to present themselves and screen her before entry.

---

WC: 589
TWC: 589

A rather odd sight, a woman with a deceased shark on her shoulder. Sakoshi had seen quite a few strange people during his time as the gate guard for the village, but indeed, this was something rather memorable. The sloth of Tsukigakure approached the shark-wielding woman and bowed towards her with a smile. With a few swift glances around her body, he would look into her eyes and speak with his usual nonchalant tone. 

"Hello there, Kiran, friend of Junko. It is a pleasure to see yet another visitor to the village of Tsukigakure. I see you have your hands full, so we will make this quick. Here we require a brief reading of the mind to scan for any sign of ill will towards the village. If you would be so kind as to stand somewhat still and look into my eyes. Once you have completed this, I will ask you a few questions. The questions are somewhat optional as they are more to fill the silence as I look through your mind." He would await her response, being ready to begin his process when she would allow. 

WC: 189

Thankfully, Kiran doesn't have to wait long, as an individual who announces his advent soon emerges from the gates. She's never encountered a Surfacefolk with this... particular appearance, nor does she possess any knowledge of the culture surrounding his physiology. His lanky build and foreign tattoo markings etched along the surface of his skin are nothing like she's ever seen and the tribal-esque clothing he dons gives her the impression that he’s either likely a native to these lands or a foreigner such as herself.

They vaguely remind her of a similar tribe that lives further toward the northern hinterlands of the Eastern Naito Continent, typically living along the isles of the land. Maybe later in the future, she may ask about this man's heritage and where he hails from as a conversational point of interest. He may have leads as to where she is in the world and hopefully approximate how far from home she is now.

Nevertheless, despite his appearance, he appears welcoming, and Kiran's first instinct is to trust him. Initially, the prospect of meeting with her friend was all the motivation she needed, but now knowing he shares a fellowship with Junko helps further assuage any residual unfamiliarity she would need to consider during future engagements with him. She smiles at the guard and gives a bow, making sure to keep her head facing upward toward him to display her golden crown while being careful not to jostle the shark on her shoulder.

As she rises, she says, "イランカラㇷ゚テ！ (Meaning: "Hello", lit. "Let me touch your heart softly") A friend of Junko is a Blood Brother of mine and may the Sea Mother bless our kinship." With a smile, she tilts her head slightly and continues, "You are in need of reading my thoughts?... I have no objections. Take the time you need, I am patient."

She closes her eyes and remains still, allowing her mind to relax, though not completely. Then, as requested, she re-opens them and looks into his eyes. Should he peer into the nexus of her mind, he'll find that there are several mental barriers between the core of her personality and her memories, but the surface level is open. He should find that there is no deception or ill will, just a desire to reconnect with her friend.

Should he peer evermore, he will find memories of her most recent escapade, the most major of events being her encounter with Blood Brothers Kurosawa Ren and Shinoda Azuki, and Sea Sister Tsukiko Junko, all of whom rescued her from a near-death experience after having wrestled with the Great White Shark that now sits motionless atop her shoulder. Although the engagement was short-lived, there's a lingering sense of camaraderie between the group and Kiran, and feels bound by a life of indebtedness to her saviors.

Should he choose to peer further into her memory bank, he will find that Kiran came upon this land by happenstance as a victim of a terrible thunderstorm while hunting for wild game beneath the sea waters, consequently separating herself from her hunting pack and her tribe, altogether. After being washed ashore in the Land of Moon with no idea where she is and where to go, for the past few months, Kiran has mostly been living off the bounties of the sea, sometimes from the land, and rarely from the generosity of strangers she met along the way as she makes a mental map of the land she now resides in.

Ultimately, her goal is to find out where she presently resides in the world and to eventually reunite with her tribe again while she takes refuge in an otherwise alien landscape.

Should Sakoshi beckon more from the archives of her recollection, he will uncover that Kiran belongs to the Trident Tribe of the Hoshigaki Clan, a group of warriors that originally hailed from the Hidden Mist and chose to live the nomad's life, and—thanks to their unique genetic mutation—traverse the vast expanses of the shinobi's sea world and learn of its secrets from a bygone era of peace. Images of her upbringing appear to him as three-dimensional, rhombus-shaped crystals in which the images play out as brief recordings of her earlier life for him.

One depicts a young Kiran participating in a sacred ritual held during the spring, in which she would dance with several, stringed-together shekere wrapped around her legs before her tribe and offer her first hunt to the sea, where they believe the Great Mother of the Ocean resides. The ritual was supposed to bless her and the tribe with good fortune and prosperity in the coming season.

The images then transition from a young, 16-year-old Kiran participating in a ceremony meant to celebrate her coming-of-age, the ritual involving her and her hunting partner swimming into the depths of the abyss, hunting a shark, and then slaying it together.

They transition once again, this time into a crystal showing Kiran and a few members of her clan on a long journey, traversing the seas. The image then shifts to one of a massive, white whale shark. A final image reveals the point of view of a large, blurred image of a figure kneeling beside what would otherwise be Kiran's perspective. Although the details of her countenance are nigh-registrable, the individual looked tall and wore a dark headband and bright kimono. They possessed a pale complexion and appeared to behold the observer in their arms, speaking in a foreign tongue that Sakoshi would not understand.

Thereafter, the memories become hazy and incoherent, for any further prodding will lead to snippets of the woman's life that would otherwise not heed his immediate concern about the village's safety. While he works away, outside of the dwelling of Kiran's brain, she, in reality, continues looking into his eyes, occasionally blinking and shifting her posture when the shark would give slack. During the interim of silence, she quietly awaits his questions with a slight curl on her lips.

---

WC: 1,000
TWC: 1,589

It was so interesting to see what was within the Hoshigaki's mind. After engaging with eye contact, he was instantly within the woman's mind and reading her thoughts. There was much that an individual held within their thoughts and hearts, but this individual was seemingly more straightforward to read with their willingness to bring their thoughts up to the front for him to see. He was seemingly lost within the mind of the Hoshigaki as there was so much for him to see and learn about this individual. 

He saw the interaction that he had with Ren and Azuki, along with Junko. The wrestling with the Great White shark for reasons he d, idn't quit,e understand, but he did seem to respect. The individual's goals were not something that caused him concern, nor did it cause any worry for the village's wellbeing. It indeed did seem that this individual was looking for their tribe, their calling in life, and honestly, just what this world could have to offer. Sakoshi could respect someone with such ambitions, even if he didn't share them. But he realized that this individual was looking for nothing but to get the shark off her shoulders. 

Sakoshi had his questions in hand, but he didn't feel the need for them in this situation. He could begin asking away, but with what he had just learned within the woman's mind, he believed that he knew all that there was to know about her. She posed no threat to the village at large; in fact, this one was so taken by Junko herself that he couldn't imagine this one being an issue in any place that the leader, Junko. 

With a smile and a break of eye contact, Sakoshi motioned for the gates to open. "I don't feel the need for my questions for you. I believe you will make an excellent addition to our village, and I look forward to seeing what you will provide. I wish you the best of luck finding what you are looking for, and I hope you find them within our hallowed walls, to your good health and your even better fortunes. I wish you a good day. Thank you." 

With his words concluding, the gates were open wide enough for her to get through with the shark on her shoulders. When she entered the village, the gates closed shortly after her arrival. Then Sakoshi would move to the next person seeking admittance.

WC: 438
TWC: 627
EXIT

Claims:
Allowing Kiran into the village.

WC Claims:
TBD on a technique being approved.