Board Thread:Konoha Logs/@comment-24937485-20160314213940/@comment-24937485-20160314214040

“Another sun rise, I’ve gotta stop getting up before you.” A seemly small smile appeared on the otherwise emotionless features of Dante, who happened to be already fully dressed in his usual attire, his onyx black hair tied in a low hanging pony tail, left to just dangle below the back of his neck. His hidden leaf Shinobi headband tied behind his head, setting perfectly snug above his brows, his fridge being kept outta the way by throwing it over either side of the headband leaving the Hidden Leaf logo perfectly clear, the hair seemly framing pale skinned, featureless face. Just watching the forest from his window, Dante had lost track of time easily, as he often did when looking at the most beautiful parts of nature, the sunlight was now crawling up his body at a timely pace, reaching his eyes which brought him back to reality quite abruptly, a quick turn and small walk left his hair softly swaying, bouncing with each step. Upon reaching the door, quickly slipping on his fitted opened toed and heeled rubber Shinobi boots tapping the front of them on the polished wooden floor below him to get them perfectly fitted. Leaving the confidence of his room, entering the open area outside, heading to the front of the Hyuga complex looking left and right, looking down the road either way to see which way he should take, he had no obligations or duties today, it was strictly his time and he wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do.-





*The Hyuga child stirred slightly with the movement down the hall. Cuddled up with her ferret on the pillow, she opened her eyes to find herself once more nose to nose with the little thief. A soft yawn and a small whining stretch was enough to get her going. She quickly dressed and was braiding her long hair as she made her way to the door and saw Dante leaving. She pressed her lips to the side and spoke to no one. "Another morning alone.." Sighing softly, she picked up the ferret that was lazily stretching it's way down the hall after her. Her face nuzzling into the side of the little beast's neck as she walked back into the bedroom. She looked across the hall into his room and decided to walk in. "He's got to find something fun in here. Maybe something I can use to make a new outfit.." Her journey began in his closet where she looked over the old shirts that he had and small things that he hadn't worn in years. Taking a smaller kimono top out, she looked at it with a tilted head. "I can do something with that.." A beautiful green, black and gold decorated the top and caused her to smile when she last saw him wear it. But that was a few years ago. He wouldn't wear anything like this now. Now, it was like he wanted nothing to do with her. The thought brought a sigh from her lips before her eyes once more began to scan over the room. Hearing the squeaking of her little thief, she turned her head to find his head caught in a shoe box that had "Do not open" written on it. It figured. Her little monster beast would be the one to find the one thing in the room that said to leave it alone. "What have you gotten yourself into now? One day... I'd like one day when I'm not either getting in trouble because of you or getting you out of trouble." She lifted the lid and looked to see what was so interesting that Meeko had shoved his head in the box for.*





The moment Dante walked out of the Hyuga compound, and looked left, something appeared to his right. But when Dante turned right, it was gone, whatever it was. “Goodmorning!” Spoke a bright and happy voice from behind the Main Branch its firstborn boy. If Dante were to turn around he’d see the smiling face of Zeshin who threw his right hand up in greeting while pressing his forefoot down on the ground behind his ankle. “I hope you didn’t forget about our plans for today?”. The Namikaze took a peek inside the compound as if expecting someone else to come out, before turning back to Dante. “After all, I didn’t teach you the summoning technique basics for nothing! Haha.” The overly joyous Namikaze took out a unusual looking scroll and placed his hand on the dead-center before walking a few yards off into the middle of the road where he pressed his hand down on the sand; causing black lines of kanji to spread out below him to make up a 3 by 3 yard circle that looked like a drawn portal of sorts. “Whenever you’re ready.” Upon Dante, and possibly another, stepping onto the circle Zeshin would make the tiger seal and they’d vanish without a trace, leaving a small cloud of smoke in their wake. A few days before, Zeshin had met the young Hyuga and heard of his fondness for pandas, thus they got to talking about the summoning technique, which Zeshin taught the boy through giving him some of his blood, the necessary seal of the Panda’s, and tips and training on how the Hyuga would have to use his chakra for summoning. The small vial of blood, however, had run out days ago, as it was now time for Dante to form his own contract.



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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">Looking left, the road seemed to be open, nobody passing by or walking along it. Turning right seemed to have the same results, but Dante couldn’t help but hear the overly joyful voice, he knew full well who it was. Turning around, facing back towards the Hyuga compound, he seen Zeshin, a well known Jonin of the hidden leaf, and was sort of like a teacher to Dante, by sort of it means the Jonin had helped him with his summoning Justu showing him the proper Chakra usage and seals to activate the Justu, and thought training with a vial of the man's blood Dante had gotten used to the basic, and once running out of the blood had no means of gaining anymore experience. Though Dante wasn’t really a fan of the Jonin’s carefree attitude, it sent a pulse over his eyes, his veins quickly swelling and becoming normal, making like a wave effect of his Byakugan for a mere second. Though not agreeing with the man’s way fpo life, there was no doubt about his skill level, with such skill maybe one can be a little carefree? “Hello Zeshin, I wouldn’t say I forgot, but I also wouldn’t say I remembered us making any plans on meeting here.” His eyes and body followed Zeshin’s movements, turning back towards the road, he seen the hand movements and and him hitting the floor, followed by the black markings spreading out, dante as somewhat of an idea what was going on and willingly stepped into the perimeter of the markings, waiting for something to happen.-

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*Not seeing anything of interest in the box, she put it away, picked up the ferret and placed the top in her room on top of the table near her window. She looked out the window when she caught movement and saw Dante talking to someone that she hadn’t met before. Her head tilted a bit as she stood and watched a moment before she dashed from the room to the front door. Taking the time to put her sandals on, she made sure that the straps were tightly fastened. Then picking up the side pouch that she always wore, she wrapped it around her waist and tied the leather strapping securely. Looking up, she darted out of the house and ran over to her brother and his friend. She stopped just inside the markings and smiled with her arms behind her back. “Hello.” She said with a smile on her face and a wave of her hand to the new person. The head of the ferret peaked around from behind her neck and out of the braided hair. His tiny black eyes looking about as his head lifted and he sniffed about with the new scent in the air. Her eyes then looked to Dante with a tilt of her head as she rocked back and forth on her feet. “Whatcha doing?” She knew that it would more then likely annoy him that she was following him. But she’d take even him being annoyed with her then spending no time with him at all.*

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">Just before Zeshin was ready to form another handseal, another Hyuga appeared who he recognized as one born in the main branch, yet he didn’t know of her name. “Well wel, who do we have here?” Zeshin laughed as he noted the resemblance between the Hyuga, but also the stark contrast as Dante was more serious, stern, perhaps even borderline arrogant while she seemed to be much more like Zeshin himself; a happy soul, which was a rarity in the shinobi world. He returned her smile and waved his free hand up at her while awkwardly keeping in his position with one knee and one hand onto the ground. ‘Will you come alone to, little lady? We’re going to a very beautiful place with a lot of cute and fuzzy animals.” He beamed proudly and motioned for her to come over. “It might be a little scary at times but I’m sure you have nothing to worry about with your big brother around.” The Namikaze nodded at the ferret, who nodded back, as if the two had some kind of understanding going on. He’d wait about half a minute tops before then clapping his hands together as the large seal on the ground began to glow a blue light and then ‘poof’ they were gone, leaving not a trace on the ground they last stood on; vanished from sight, vanished from Konoha. And in that same instant the gathered group would re-appear in the middle of a truly massive bamboo forests that reached higher than any building in the Hidden Leaf. There were no other signs of life around them to be seen, but there were many sounds and grumbling noises that came from all directions, invisible to the naked eye. But if either of the Hyuga would use their Dojutsu they could see the shapes of four large humanoid bear-like creatures around them; using a camouflage technique of sorts to hide amongst the bamboo. Zeshin actually new the technique called hiding in bamboo and smirked as he waited for the welcoming party to approach them stealthily. Upon the four mysterious creature coming closer, a byakugan user would see that they weren’t as much bear as thy were panda, big and fluffy with big bouncing bellies, but they looked more serious than one would expect a panda too and all carried a staff-like weapon in their fluffy hands.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">-A sigh seemed to fall from Dante’s lips as his little sister suddenly appeared, he’d rather not encourage her behaviour.. Although Her and the Jonin seemed to have the same happy go lucky attitude. A sigh fell from his lips as his head turned towards the young sibling, a stern strong voice spoke out towards her “Why must you insert that nose of yours into my business every time.” His face was almost scowling at her, he believed a main branch member shouldn’t act as she did, but should take the weight of the clans appearance upon her shoulders and carry it as he did. “Well.. No matter.” A clap echoed through Dante’s ears as a blue light seemed to engulf him, the sandy road which they once was stood upon seemed to have been replaced with a dirty/glass like surface, bamboo shoots/plants replaced the scenery. Knowing this wasn’t the hidden leaf anymore Dante turned to Zeshin “And what do you call this place?” His still emotionless face stared deeply at the Jonin, waiting for his answer. The sounds of the bamboo forest quickly caught his attention, were these the creatures Zeshin told him about in their post training? Not feeling any hostile thread, the young Hyuga simply waited, and before long the creatures revealed themselves, the outside appearance of Dante was still emotionless as if he didn’t care, but on the inside he was basically astounded. The Panda creatures seemed to have weapon which meant they were domesticated or more intelligent creatures than the average beas He’d seen before. Dante still looking towards Zeshin cracking a half smile, before looking around himself enjoying the view of the bamboo forest.-

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*Hitomi’s smile beamed hearing the laugh of the new person and she twisted around a bit definitely playing up the ‘cute little sister’ look. “I’m Hitomi…” She looked up hearing the almost scolding way her brother spoke to her and began to wonder why she tried. “Perhaps if you would spend some time with me, I wouldn’t poke my nose in your business.” Quickly, she stuck her tongue out at him and pulled down the bottom of her eye at him. Hearing the question of if she was coming as well, she smiled and nodded quickly before Dante could send her back into the house or tell her no. When the seal glowed, she held on to Dante’s arm and pressed her face against it as they poofed to a different area. The feel of the air was different as was the smell. Turning her face from the ‘safety’ of her brother’s arm, she saw the bamboo forest that was around them and slowly walked away from her brother. Her eyes looked about in wonder while a smile spread across her face with her lips parted, beaming. The same wonder touched upon her eyes as she spun about slightly taking in the area. It was when she heard the noises that her head snapped to one side then to the other and she stepped back near Dante. Though she wouldn’t admit it, she was comforted by him being there. She didn’t like the idea of not knowing what was there and activated her byakugan. The area around her eyes strained and her pupils dialated. Seeing the bear like creatures around them, she stepped a bit closer to Dante and held his arm to her once more before she deactivated the byakugan and rubbed her face into his arm to soothe the area around her eyes a bit. She looked up to her brother silently then to the Pandas that were coming forward. Not sure what to say or if she even wanted to say anything at all.*

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">“This, dear Dante, is the called the Sanctuary of Destiny. A secret forest inhabited and protected by my favorite species on this planter. They’re even more fun than us Shinobi.” Zeshin chuckled with his eyes closed before turning to look at Hitomi. “Well, more fun than some Shinobi. Since this little one is priceless!” He looked at her with his re-assuring kind eyes and finally stopped smiling like a goof as he turned away from the two Genin to stand eye to eye with a creature that looked to be born out of a dream, or nightmare, depending on how you looked at it. Most of its body was still hidden in the shadows behind bamboo as its round, basketball sized, head leaned close to that of Zeshin. Covered in black and white fur, the Panda had a scar running down the center of its forehead and stepped out of the shades to reveal he was dressed in a monk-like robe and moved just like a human would. Then the other three Panda creatures stepped into view and surrounded Zeshin, Dante and Hitomi. The scarred panda spoke out with a low, rough, voice as it gave Zeshin a threatening look. “What makes you think you can bring people to this sacred place?” Zeshin looked like he was about to explain the reasons why but he was silenced by the same scarred panda who continued; “Save your explanations for the boss. He’s been waiting for you.” –Waiting for me?- Thought Zeshin. –How’d the old one even know I was coming?- And as if hearing the Namikaze’s thoughts, another Panda replied “There’s little he does not know. If anyone, you should’ve been aware Blitz.” And that made Zeshin  smirk because he knew it to be true. The old one had many tricks up his sleeve. But Dante and Hitomi would find out for themselves soon enough just what they were in for as the Shinobi were told to follow the group of four Pandas that began walking through the gargantuan forest. Before long, the overweight-looking creatures began to pick up surprising speed and dashed through the bamboo forest while slinging and jumping of the many trees (Panda’s are moving at 2 speed.). Zeshin turned around at both of the Genin and advised them to “Hurry up and follow.” Because. “You don’t want to get lost here.”

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">He could feel his sibling connected to his arm, and kept leaving his arm and then taking it against like it belonged to her, or it was her place to be there. A little grunt escaped his lips the first time she took ahead of his arm, ignoring her the rest of the time pretending as if it was nothing but the wind moving his arm around, he wasn’t in the mood for sibling commitment right now, nor was he ever; he saw her as nothing but another contestant in the race to becoming the Hyuga Clan leader. He knew if anything happened to her he’d never hear the end of it by the other clan members, and the reputation of the Clan may be at stake if a member of their clan was to be harmed in a forest with some bears. Dante repeated what the jonin said “Sanctuary of Destiny?” He seemed to question the jonin in disbelief, if he hadn’t been there himself he wouldn’t have believed a word of what was being said. Before being able to question the Jonin all four of the bears around him appeared, and then shortly after that started to talk as if they were human, Dante was quite amused and pretty astounded at the fact they could talk as humans, even though the one currently talking didn’t look or sound too friendly. Next thing he knew all four of the panda’s where in motion. Heeding the words of the Jonin, The Hyuga leaped into the air using the recoiling bamboo shoots to aid in his speed to be able to ever so slightly keep up with the panda’s how could such big creatures move so fast? And Zeshin? It looked as if he wasn't even putting in the slightest effort to keep up while Dante was going full out.. Was this the gap between their strengths? Dante gritted his teeth slightly, seeing the panda’s gain a small lead on him but making sure that he’d keep them in line of sight, wherever the group landed, Dante would be a couple of seconds to land behind them.-

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">Hitomi smiled and giggled when Zeshin looked to her with his warm and reassuring gaze. Then looked up to Dante with a bit of a silent sigh wishing that he would look at her like that once in a while. But her thoughts were taken off what she wished he was like when she saw the giant Panda creatures come forward and surround them. Her eyes went wide and she just about pushed herself into Dante’s side as if trying to be his second skin. She heard the scarred one in Zeshin’s face speak and tightened her grip on Dante’s arm. But the assumed safety and protection of her brother was quickly gone when she felt him jerk himself from her and took off. She gasped and looked to the direction that they went. Looking about, she felt the anxiety of being alone in this place start to creep in and ran after them. With all her speed possible and taking a page from her brother’s book, she went from stock to stock and pushed more. She was so far behind and couldn’t let her fear of being alone cause her to cry. It would only embarrass Dante and give him another reason to look to her with disapproval.*

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">After seeing Dante take off skillfully, using the bamboo trees to make up for what speed he lacked, Zeshin nodded proudly but then looked slightly saddened as he felt Hitomi’s anxiety and watched her lag behind. The Namikaze wanted to stop in his tracks to help her catch up but he knew that she had to overcome this personal trial in order to learn how to survive without a brother to rely on. Thus, with pain in his chest, he closed his eyes and dashed forth overtaking everyone so he could run beside the scarred Panda, knowing Dante would keep up. The thick forest grew less and less dense until Dante, Zeshin, and the four pandas stepped out onto the stone flooring of a large open square in the middle of the forest that stood before a single truly massive castle-like building which towered 10 stories high. Zeshin turned to Dante and pointed up at the tip of the building. “You can find me there when you’re done.” And then, without saying what Dante had to be done with, he walked off towards the large building, the thick metal doors croaking as they opened, and disappeared inside. The four accompanying Panda’s followed the Namikaze and left Dante to stand alone on the 20 by 20 yard stone platform. Then, out of nowhere, spoke a voice that seemed to come from the very stones themselves, as various faces revealed themselves as if engraved into the tiles. Each of these faces would whisper phrases of Dante’s past and present to mentally confuse him before two questions rang louder than all others. “Who is Dante? Why is Dante here?” ---  Meanwhile, a few miles back, Hitomi would find herself lost and alone in the now ominous looking forest of bamboo. She’d most likely have a general idea of the direction where the others had gone too but it’d be hard to find her bearing in the ever darkening forest that seemed to turn blacker simply to scare her. Then suddenly, two yards to her right, two red eyes appeared in the bushes. And then two more on the opposite side, as a snarling noise approached her from each direction. Two black hounds, twice the size of a normal dog, came out of the bushes while growling and drooling; both looking more than willing to tear her to bits. '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">-Following the lead of the Jonin in front of him, he still couldn’t believe the speed of these panda’s.. What were they made of? As the bamboo forest slowly became thinner and thinner, the bamboo shoots becoming few and far between, but Dante managed to see a route through them which let him land beside Zeshin on the stone floor, landing on one knee, stabling himself with his hand before standing beside Zeshin looking up at the towering castle before him. “Wait what?” Dante questioned as the Jonin started to talk towards the castle, disappearing through the metal doors with the other panda which guided them here. At first the voices seemed just to be noises, he assumed they were just from the forest, maybe other creatures lurked there. As moments passed, the voices getting louder, and questions being asked of him, Dante wasn’t about to be caught off guard by anything. Taking a horse like defensive stance, crouched slightly with his feet shoulder length apart, his body straight forward with his hands at either side of his hip in a fist, preparing for anything which might arise. Slowly but surely, Dante’s Byakugan became active, all the veins connected to his eyes becoming swollen and defined. The pupil which seemed to be nonexistent before no barely visible as the eye became more detailed. Dante now had a near 360 degree field of view, the stones seemed to be just plane stones but what were these questions which kept standing out from the mumble.. -Who is Dante..- He respond in a stern yet calm voice “I’m Dante Hyuga, Genin of the hidden leaf, a Shinobi and eldest Son of the Main Hyuga family.” -Why is Dante here?- “I’m come to seek a contract with the panda of this forest, if I must prove myself, let it be.” His stance was solid, prepared for anything to come with all his defences up.- '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*The young Hyuga came to a stop when she could no longer see those that she was following. Standing in the middle of the blackness, she heard the growling from one side then hearing it from the other, causing her to gasp and turn her head towards the sound. Her heart began to race as she felt the darkness almost surround her more. The ferret that was around the back of her neck, rubbed against her slightly and only caused her to jump. Fear began to consume her when the approaching hounds began to come forward. He knees buckled from under her and she fell to the ground. Fear was a crippling thing and indeed it had taken its hold on the youngest of the Hyuga Clan. Then a sharp and sudden pain was felt in her calf and looking down, she saw that she had landed on a splintered piece of bamboo. This would be a problem. The splinters would cause her to slow down even more if she decided to run. It took her a moment, but she thought of the boy she had met the other day. “There has to be more in here…” She said to herself as she dug through her bag to indeed find a few pork dumplings left over from the day before still in the box. Taking it out, she quickly tossed one dumpling in either direction towards the hounds remembering how much the ninken had enjoyed them and raved to his Master about them. Her eyes looked up and this was truly a time to see about her at all times. Slowing her breathing, she concentrated on the Byakugan and felt the tightness around her eyes as it became strained. Now she was able to see both hounds at once knowing that this was perhaps one thing that she was good at doing. * '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">“Dante…. Dante…. Dante….” Spoke a multitude of voices as if preaching to a unseen choir while the very plateu began to change shape. Only a 5 by 5 yard section around Dante remained while the rest of the platform came up from all sides and closed around him, and above him, to trap the Hyuuga in a black box where the walls and roof were 5 by 5 yards just like the flooring beneath his feet. Within the box, it was pitch black, so black that one normally couldn’t see and had to rely on other senses. Then, out of the walls, skeleton heads appeared with clattering jaws. Then their bone-made arms as they crawled from the walls as if ripping themselves free from a womb. A number of five black skeletons eventually surrounded Dante. If he used his Byakugan he possibly see the chakra inside of the skeletons, but then again, that might be hard with them sharing the exact same chakra signature as the floor, walls, and roof around Dante. “A Contract you seek?” Spoke the same multitudes of voices. “Then face those who have made the contract and betrayed us. Face those who thought to invade our holy territory with ill intent, for their own profits, for their own gains. See before you the damnation that fell upon those who thought they could bring armies into our forests and thought to survive the day. Face them. And never forget.” And as the voices silenced, the skeleton began walking towards Dante, slowly, as if held together by string. Their following strikes were done by boney-hands that almost acted like claws, and held a surprising amount of physical strength. Each individual skeleton struck slow, but their numbers would make dodging all the irregular blows quite a challenge. And the constant wailing of tormented souls, which echoed throughout the box Dante found himself in, didn’t make things any easier. Meanwhile, back in the forest, Hitomi fell onto the ground and looked to be doomed as the hellhounds approached her in a most menacing way. Step by step they fed on the fear of their pray and made ready to engage upon her before suddenly… they smelled something. Something so good that they stood at attention like a dog would when playing catch and you’re yet to throw the ball. Their tails were wiggling enthusiastically as their eyes followed the pieces of meat eagerly. The bigger of the two hounds snarled at the smaller one, causing it to run off with its tail between its legs, before taking both of the dumplings for itself. Apparently it had enjoyed the snack a lot as it walked over to Hitomi and began licking the wound on her calf. As it licked the flesh would begin to singe painfully, but the wound was effectively closed and the splinters now nothing but smoke. The hound then looked up at her with questioning eyes as if saying “Do you have more snacks?’ '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">-Dante’s face was emotionless as ever, his Byakugan staying strong. As the stones started to move around him, seemingly inboxing him in a 5 by 5 cube it wouldn’t appear to phase him in the slightly. Although seeing through the darkness was no problem for Dante, defining things with the same chakra flow in such a confined area was still a little hazy for him, it just appeared to him like pouring water into water, he seen a few ripples but wouldn’t be able to keep track of them. Relying on his hearing which seemed to be a task at the moment with all these voices floating around, but the sound of bone on stone was a sound you wouldn’t easily ignore. Hearing feet drop to the floor as they pull themselves from the stone walls, Dante couldn’t count the number of skeletons but could slightly tell when they moved towards him by the ripples in the chakra and the sound of bone scraping against the stones below him. His stance would change, every so slightly, bringing his body to turn a little, his hands still by his hips in balled fists. He waited.. Hearing them inch forward ever so slightly, as the sounds of their feet became louder he could just about predict all of them around him preparing to strike, with a quick inhale, filling his lungs before pushing a large amount of his Chakra through each Tenketsu on his body, performing the Gentle Fist Art One Blow Body Jutsu in an attempt to push all the skeletons which had surrounded him back against the wall which they came from. As soon as the Chakra was expelled from his body, stepping towards the wall north of him, his palm following through with the step into a palm slam, at the point of impact with the skull a burst of chakra from the tenketsu in his palm and fingers, intending to crush the skeletons own skull against the brick wall, after said motion Dante could feel the strain on his own body. Panting a little as a few droplets of sweat ran down his face, dropping off his chin before he took another stance, keeping his back against the north wall, though being cautious in case the wall tried spitting out another.- '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*The actions of the hounds were exactly what she had hoped for and she was able to take a deep breath while relaxing just a bit. With the one hound next to her, she was able to deactivate the Byakugan and rubbed her eyes a bit. Opening and closing them a few times, she could feel that her lids felt a bit heavy. Perhaps she had used it a bit more then she was ready to. She felt the hot breath of the hellhound on her skin before she cringed in pain from him licking her skin. It was a pain that she could live through though. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked to the hound as it looked to her. Looking into the box, she lifted out another and held it out to him on the palm of her hand. She knew that it might hurt again with the heat of the hound’s tongue, but she was willing to take that chance. As she fed the other dumpling to the hound, she reached up and tried to give it a gentle pet on the top of its head with slow and easy strokes. “I bet you’re alone a lot too..” She said softly as she looked over the hound closely.* '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">‘Boom!’ Sounded the echo that rang throughout the dark confinement in which Dante released a burst of chakra that erupted like thunder, sudden and loud, due to the small space the Hyuga found himself in. All of the skeletons found themselves smashed back into the wall followed by several loud ‘Thumsp’ and ‘Chunks’ that signaled them falling on the floor, clattering again as three got up to their feet, the other two in pieces. But just as they did so, Dante had completely pulverized the skull of a skeleton that had just gotten up The dust and debris which sprang fee like a sudden mist to the Byakugans vision. However… the Hyuga would then feel two bony arms attempting to grab him from behind while a screeching mouth of naught but bone inched ever closer to his neck. Then the final standing skeleton approached and aimed to tear its claw-like hands past Dante’s arm. The voices heard before were starting to silence, and it was almost like somebody was grumbling in displeasure on the outside of the cube.Back in the forest Hitomi’s sleepy visage was seemingly noted by the very instinctive animal who had seemed to grow quite fond of her in a very short time, not being used to getting food thrown at him instead of kunai and Jutsu. It was as if the two shared a kinship of sorts. The hound gladly, and carefully, opened its large fangs to take the second piece of deliciousness from her hands and chomped it down in a single gulp. It then closed its eyes and lowered its head to her caressing hand while breathing contently before doing something that might’ve completely taken her off guard. “I am. We just hunt together. May I ask what brings you here? You seem lost.” The hound spoke, and not just spoke, it spoke well dignified and classy like a properly educated gentleman would. How, and why, growing up in a forest like this, one was only left to guess. '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">Dante didn’t have the stamina left for another room filling Jutsu, he was already sweating and panting, the moment he attempted to catch his breath he felt two boney hands grapple him from behind. While struggling with the one skelton he let his guard down, interm his senses dulled. One skeleton which had started to move towards him had slipped under his guard, the claw like hand of the fiend dragged across Dante’s forearm, luckily for Dante, his struggling had moved him away from most of the damage, the hands pinky and ring finger caught him, leaving deep scrapes which trickled blood down the younglings arms. Feeling the sharp stinging pain now coming from his forearm Dante pressed back with his entire body weight against the skeleton, in an attempt to push it against the wall in terms loosening the grip that it had on him. The second the grip loosened Dante would push forward moving to place both hands on the skeletons ribcage which had him from behind, dragging it around in a 180 degree spin, in hope of spamming the two skeletons together, making them both collaps. If successful the young Hyuga would hunch forward, resting his palms upon his knees attempting to calm himself, his Byakugan would settle, the veins around his eyes becoming norment and his pupil seemingly disappearing.- '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*Moving to sit cross legged, Hitomi gently guided the hound to lay his head on her lap as she continued to stroke over his head. Her eyes widened hearing him speak and she looked to him with a soft smile. “I am. I came here with my brother, Dante and his friend. We were met by giant panda looking creatures and then were taken to see their boss... “ She sighed softly and looked to the hound. “... but they were going to fast and I couldn’t keep up..” Her hand made slow and almost hypnotic strokes over his fur as she looked to him. “... not that my brother would really care or come looking for me. He’s more concerned with how he looks to others instead of being himself…” She thought about the people that she had met in the last few days. The weird bug man with the rice hat. He spoke funny, but was kind. The boy that was like him who seemed to faint with spiders. Dante’s friend with the happy smile and warm eyes. Then there was Tsukikiba and his ninken, Hoshi. The thought of them made her smile. They had been the closest people that she had ever had to friends. Even as weird as Tsukikiba was, she was comfortable around him. She looked back to the hound and continued to stroke through his fur.* '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">In valiant effort Dante pushed back and smashed the skeleton into the stone wall. Bits and pieces already flying off from the impact, things then took a turn for the worse for the skeletons as Dante swung one into the other which led to a big eruption of bony debris. The dust slowly settled around the young Hyuga as the walls around him began to unfold and he was finally out in the open again; facing the large castle like building not far ahead. Most likely only now noticing how short on oxygen he was after having been voided of the valuable resource while trapped inside. It was then that Dante could hear a squiggly voice giggle while a more serious high-pitched, and nasal, voice said “You idiot. You were supposed to scare him more.”. If he turned right he would see a small panda with a small Mohawk and a pierced ear, smack its little furry paw on another who was dressed in noble-like attire but looked kinda foolish. “Ah well.” Said the aggressive one. “Seems you passed the stupid test gramps gave us. Come along, it’s time for you to come inside.”. Both of the small pandas were cubs but still had well developed personalities as they began to walk out in front of Dante, leading him to the large doors of that most unusual building.- The hound had a sad look in its eyes while listening to Hitomi’s story. It’s expression turning kind of somber as it whined a little every now and then. “At least you seem to have some happy memories, m’lady. Perhaps you must try and understand your brother’s point of view. Why is he so concerned with how he looks to others? Why does it seem like he cares not? Answer these questions as you grow up and become strong. I’m sure your destiny is a bright one. Now come, I’ll take you to where you must go.” Standing up on four legs, the large hound waited for her to jump on his back before rushing through the forest at incredible speeds. “We’ll be there in no time, m’lady.” '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">-Dante panting, struggling to catch his breath, for some reason his body seemed to be more exhausted than it was normally after such techniques. His Stance keeping as the stones tiles fell back to the floor, his byakugan staying solidly on his face. Stone by stone the surrounding area became visible once more, he noticed two bear like creatures to his side, speaking between each other, he couldn’t catch his breath in time to stop them or interrupt their talking, but instead just listened, warey of what was about to happen. Hearing one of them say that he’d passed some sort of trail, a sense of relief fell from his shoulders, feeling as if he didn’t have to be on his guard. His Byakugan being released, the swollen veins around his eyes becoming smooth to his skin once more, noticing the panda’s taking a pace, walking out in front of him, he took this upon himself to follow them, into the castle like structure before him, keeping his eyes on the odd features of it as he followed through the heavy metal doors and wherever they’d walk.- '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*She sat in thought as she listened to the hound that was with her. Her fingers stroking and caressing though his fur while her eyes focused on nothing in particular. She had never thought about it before. She thought that he’d love her like the other kids loved their siblings. Regardless of what went on around them, she hoped he’d always be at her side. Someone she could count on and look up to. Once he stood up, she stood and gave him the last two dumplings in the box before tucking it away back into her pouch. Swinging a leg over the large beast, she hoisted herself up onto his back and held on to him. “I’m ready..” In all honesty, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go find her brother. With the hound around, she was more comfortable. Then again, her only real companion that she’s had her entire life was the little thief that was currently sleeping in a ball in the front pocket of her robed top. But she did want to see his happy friend again. She liked his smile. “Will you stay with me when we get there?* '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">Dante would find himself in front of closed metal doors as something suddenly approached from behind. The tapping of claws on stone produced a unusual sound as the large hell-hound rushed over the stone platform leading up to the castle-like building. Its athletic body eagerly bounding with each dash in which it seemed to accelerate. The sight was most likely a surprise to everyone especially due to the fact that riding this firebreathing beast of fury was a little girl named Hitomi. The two little pandas hid behind Dante and looked on in fear at the beast,although the one with a small Mohawk pretended to be touch as he told his little friend to “Toughen up,  Pan!”  While the cute round faced panda in a little robe replied “But you’re already so tough, Dan!”. Then. Out of nowhere. A loud metal croaking erupted as the two metal doors swung inward to grant everyone access. The hellhoud lowered its body so that Hitomi could get of its back and then turned around, looking back at her. “I cannot accompany you here, my’lady.” He then moved his lion-like tail to her. “But pluck a hair and you’ll be able to call upon me once. I recommend do call me when you are ready to form a contract with the Hound King, and I can take you to him. But beware, few survive meeting him.”  And after she plucked a hair the hellhound ran off as quickly as it had come. “Take care M’lady.”. Meanwhile, Pan and Dan had already dashed inside the building which seemed to house one  single, truly gargantuan, room, that felt like stepping in a small village, with a roof so high that it couldn’t even be seen. It looked like a temple inside where all of the artifacts were made out of natural objects such as hollowed out logs and carved barks. Around the circular room sat many pandas who were each about the size of a villa or bigger,  truly massive, and displaying immense stoicism. But in the middle of the room sat but one single panda who looked to be very old and frail in comparison to the others. This old one went by the name of “Yuha” as Dante was informed by Dan and Pan. They two little ones went on to explain “He’s said to hold enough power to crush a Shinobi village.” With great excitement as they then scurried off to sit by one of the large pandas who circled the room; most likely their parent. “Dante. Approach.” Spoke the old wise voice of Yuha who remained drenched in mystery under a low-hanging rice hat. “Kneel down and declare your loyalty to me. You reasons for being here. And your reasons for living after you leave.” If Dante knelt down, Yuha would bring his bamboo cane to rest on Dante’s shoulder. And that’s when Zeshin would step out of the shadows beside  Hitomi, smiling big as he placed a hand on the top of her head, saying; “I knew you’d be back., Hitomi-chan.” '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">: -The sound of claws on the stone made Dante quickly turn, looking dead at the eyes of the hound only to quickly notice his sibling riding on it’s back. Something that was willing to get along with her personality wasn’t a threat to him right now.. “You took your time, keep up next time.” Dante panted, still catching his breath, looking down at the two panda’s which seemed to be hiding behind him, shaking his head a little before spinning quickly back around towards the now open metal doors. Them being open like this was clearly an invite in, walking into the darkness with a slow pace, barely waiting for the other Hyuga to catch him and the panda’s.. Once inside, the room was abysmal, nothing Dante had ever seen could compare. Nature was his things, and he enjoyed anything which seemed to be natural beautiful, this was basically the best place Dante could be. Taking in every sight as his eyes scanned over the area, attempting to see the roof to see how tall it was, eyeing up some of the panda before noticing the two of them beside him scurry off to join larger panda’s. Slowly approaching the middle of the great temple Dante noticed a smaller more frail bear, but whispers behind him told tales of him being the strongest, and able to destroy villages effortlessly. After being told to step forward in front of the elderly panda, he took as knee as requested and waited for the elder to finish speaking; being on his knee before his sibling was quite unforgiving but if power was what he needed to fulfill his hopes he’d quickly do so. Feeling the bamboo cane rest on his shoulder Dante started to speak in a calm clear voice, loud enough for it to echo throughout the temple “I Dante of the Hyuga clan, declare thee loyalty to you great panda. My fist will be yours, My knowledge will be your knowledge. My life shall be your life… My reason for being here is to make a contract with the great panda’s of this forest..” He was basically throwing away his pride here, but it was something which had to be done to accomplish his ambitions. “The Hyuga Clan.. After I leave here I’ll train and climb until I’m stood out in front of every other Hyuga, taking the leadership from my father and keeping their pride on my shoulders, I won’t let a single person that attempts to step on my pride escape.”- '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*Looking to the castle like mountain area, her eyes became wide for a moment as she took it all in. The movement of her brother and two large panda like creatures caught her attention as the hellhound came to a stop and lowered. She heard Dante’s words to her as she dismounted and looked to him. Why she expected anything different from him was beyond her. No “Are you alright?” Or “I’m glad that you are safe.” It caused her to sigh softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him before he stood back up and turned around. Hearing him explain that he couldn’t go with her, she nodded with her hands clasped in front of her. “I understand.” Her eyes looked to him as she saw his tail come before her and she tilted her head a bit. Looking between the beast’s eyes and his tail, she smiled softly. Gently, she took hold of his tail and plucked a hair as gently as she could but that did not stop her from saying she was sorry for the small amount of pain that came with it. She held it in her hands as she watched him take back off into the bamboo forest. “Be safe!!” She called out to him as she waved as high as she could even going so far as to raise up on her tiptoes to try and make it so he could still see her if he looked back. Slowly, she turned back around and looked to the building that she watched her brother enter. A soft sigh left her as she took a little pill box from her pouch and emptied its contents into a plastic bag then placed the hound hair into it to keep it safe. She smiled a bit as she looked at it. Friends were made in the most weirdest ways. She walked into the place and looked about her. Following the voices as quickly as she could and when she caught up to them, she stayed a few steps behind while she looked to the back of her brother’s head and could only press her lips together. But the words of the hound echoed in her mind as she continued to look to him. She’d find those answers one day. Perhaps not this day or the next, but she’d find them. Feeling the hand on her head, caused her to gasp slightly and look up to see Dante’s friend. She smiled brightly seeing him then looked to what was going on. “What’s your name?” After waiting a few moments in silence as she watched what was going on.* '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">“Then, son of Hyuga, arise as a holder of the Panda contract.” A wave of chakra flowed through Dante that felt invigorating and healed all of his past sustained wounds. “From now on you may summon Pan or Dan, and they will grow with you, and  as they grow so will you. In a never ending cycle. In the future. More of our kind will be made available to your call if you become strong enough to handle the might of those powerful enough to crush stone.” And on that final note, all of the pandas in the room stomped a paw on the ground, which in combination, shook the entire gargantuan building, and outside forest, with a rough trembling as they roared “OOSH” as if all completing a mantra in perfect synchrony. Zeshin too, had  joined the Panda’s gesture and sound as he too was one of them. A faint vibrating echo then remained in the temple-like room before everything quitted down. “Hah!” Rang the sudden voice of Zeshin which was followed by all of the Pandas starting to laugh and wobble. Pan and Dan jumped up onto Dante and squealed and grinned while Zeshin patted the Genin’s back. “Well done. And don’t worry. The serious act has its reasons but there’s far more to these creatures.” Zeshin then looked back at Hitomi and smiled proudly towards her as he gave a late reaction to an earlier question. “My name is Zeshin Namikaze.” He winked and pulled up his collar before crouching down in a fluid motion, pressing his hand onto the ground, to make another seal appear on the ground like the one they used to travel to the Panda’s Sacred forest. “It’s time for us to go now.”  Zeshin then turned to the frail looking elder panda of great might and bowed his head. “I’ll remember what we discussed, sayonara.” And on that note the Jounin and two Genin would find themselves back in front of the Hyuga compound. Zeshin wished them both a very nice day and laughed as he walked off. But when he turned the corner, a frown appeared on his face, something didn’t sit right with him. “Yuha’s warning… what could it mean.” '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">As Dante stood he felt the strange Chakra fill his body, his exhaustion seemed to disappear as his body was turning to his normal tate.. No his body had been stress tested he felt as if he could push himself a little more now. Standing still, only twisting his head as a seeming celebrity moment happened around him, he couldn't help but crack a small smile as he helf the two panda jump to him, one hanging from each shoulder. Feeling them leap way as Zeshin started to prepare for them to leave, Dante couldn't help but notice the look between the elder and Zeshin, not saying anything as the portal markings below him seemingly turned blue and before he knew it he was where he started the day in front of the Hyuga compound He waved to Zeshin as the Jounin ran away down the road, looking to his little sister, noticing she still had the tail hair in her hand. Turning away from her, he started to enter his home, dusting off his clothes as he did.- '''

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:15.6pt">'''<span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Meiryo,sans-serif;">*Hitomi simply watched on as the celebration was happening. She was happy for her brother and smiled with a soft clapping. But she would be happy for him from where she stood. This was his moment and for once, he might actually smile. She looked to Zeshin and smiled. Seeing him begin to create another seal, she stepped into it without fear this time and held the hounds hair in the pill box that she had put it into. When they had returned home, she smiled and waved to Zeshin then looked up to her brother. She gave him a soft smile and a whispered “Congratulations” to him before he turned away from her. Her smile fell and she walked into the house after him. Going into her room, she put the pill box in her chest to keep it safe until the day would come that she would need its contents. But for now, there were other things that she had to do… like make a lunch of raman and a few pork dumplings.* '''