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Post by Danna on Sept 24, 2009 23:25:34 GMT -5
The sun had already begun settling in the distance, basking the village in an array or reds and newly forming purples, the wind picking up slightly, cooler, as the crescent moon slowly crept up from behind them, carefully taking its position in the sky. Kokoro sat quietly atop the roof of the Kazekage Manor, watching the moon rise in deep thought. His robes had been freshly changed, and his hair rearranged, and curiously his missing arm seemed to be back in place now. Were it not for the look on his face, one may have been convincible that nothing had occurred at all.
Tired sand colored eyes peered out from his raccoon-like makeup, staring down the approaching night with the presence of one watching the rise of an impending storm, come to sweep them away. He could feel the fluttering panic in his chest, watching the gleaming moon grow larger and brighter as it rose, like a blade raising high above him as it prepared to drop...
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 24, 2009 23:47:47 GMT -5
Saba was quiet slowly talking as to not startle his mentor, he was no longer the beanie wearing slacker something about him was different he seemed alot more professional, his posture now corrected and he was no longer wearing flashy colors. He preferred now more subtle colors. He noticed that his mentor was staring off intently, there must have been something worrying him.
"Sensei, is everything all right?"
He asked in a stern but caring voice.
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Post by Danna on Sept 24, 2009 23:55:31 GMT -5
Kokoro kept his gaze locked on the moon for a moment, transfixed, before finally giving his apprentice the attention of his weary eyes. There was something of regret in them, amidst a variety of other emotions, too varying to place specifically.
"I believe...I was foolish to think that I could shake this world from its cycle. Just as the fall of the sun is the rise of the moon, and vice-versa, the conclusion of one war seems to be the cause of another." He paused, shifting his eyes back to the rising moon. "I wonder...if my death will just be another turn in this spiral..."
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 25, 2009 0:29:03 GMT -5
Saba was completely confused, he was not sure what his mentor was saying to him. He could tell that it was of extreme importance, and that it was something deep rooted. Considering he had never mentioned his death before in, even in passing.
"Sensei you are losing me, what cycle are you talking about, r u having some kinda nervous breakdown or something?
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Post by Danna on Sept 25, 2009 0:34:46 GMT -5
Kokoro smiled slightly, shaking his head. "Day and night; life and death; war and peace; everything we know is part of a cycle of events occurring over and over, indefinitely. Our lives, have probably been lived our thousands of times by others before us." He pointed up at the moon, slowly tracing its path around, and over their heads.
"As the moon falls, the sun's rise is invoked; and its fall marks the return of the moon. When the day of our lives draws to its end...I wonder, if the sun that rises the following morning, will be one of any difference from the one that fell the day before..."
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 26, 2009 23:15:59 GMT -5
Saba put on a fake smile like he had some kinda clue what his mentor was talking about, he was known to talk in riddles, but this was too much, It seemed as though he was intentionally taking his time to get to his point so Saba figured it was best not to rush him. It would be best to simply nod and speak when spoken too.
"Sensei does this pertain to something particular or are you just giving me more words of wisdom?"
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Post by Danna on Sept 26, 2009 23:32:07 GMT -5
Kokoro smiled slightly, sincerely, for the first time in what seemed like quite a long while. He shook his head, turning his gaze more fully onto his student. The boy always was more of the type to understand more direct statements. But, how did one go about speaking directly about such...complex things.
"Sabaku...I do not want you to follow the cycle that I've fallen into. Make your own path in the world...when this is done, do not fight for my vengeance or for the sake of my death. Do what is best for Suna...Do what I've failed to do properly." He paused, narrowing his eyes a bit, the swirling golden orbs gazing on his apprentice sadly. "Do you understand?"
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 27, 2009 0:07:55 GMT -5
"No, sensei, I don't, you have done nothing but what is right for suna, You are the village's savior, you are everyone's hero.......my hero. I cannot believe that anything you have done, has not been for the betterment of the village and its people. Besides my path in life is to keep your legacy alive, To make sure your name is never forgotten no matter what happens, your accomplishments will live on through me. I will make you proud Sensei, it would be a honor to fight to keep your name alive"
Saba said with immense passion, he could have been out of line for the tone he was using, but he believed in this whole heartedly, this was the man he idolized since he was 6 years old, Kokoro was the reason he became a puppeteer, the reason for his continued life as a ninja. he would not believe for a second that his mentor could do wrong, even if he said so himself
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Post by Danna on Sept 27, 2009 0:26:50 GMT -5
Kokoro continued to smile, a bit sadder, but still genuine. The passion and love of his apprentice was moving, but in its own right saddening. He could already see the circle continuing, another war, another path of revenge.
"I have done my best for Suna. Through the pathway that I believed was right...but my legacy is not one that need live on, Saba-tan. To live on in your memory would be an honor enough. I know it seems difficult, but...the mistake of blending our personal battles with the battles of others is one we must be careful not to make. If you truly wish to do honor to my name...bring peace to this village when I'm gone."
He held his gaze firmly, gauging the boy's reaction. He'd always been rash and energetic, but deep down he knew was good there. But then...had Nii-san believed the same thing, looking into Kokoro's own eyes, all those years ago..?
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 27, 2009 0:47:34 GMT -5
Saba could not understand why His mentor would not want him to fight for his sake, To him it was the ultimate honor, there had to be a reason for this, and he would get to the bottom of it, before it was all said and done.
"That is what i intend to do, just like you did, i mean i am sure there was someone who inspired you to be a great as you are......wasn't there?"
He said staring into his sensei's eyes. His eyes were overflowing with emotion, the whole topic was one close to his heart and he felt it deserved his entire mind, body and soul.
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Post by Danna on Sept 27, 2009 0:56:31 GMT -5
Kokoro paused for a long, long moment, his eyes and mind indeed full of emotion. He nodded, slowly, closing his eyes and breathing in slowly and carefully, remembering his early days. It felt so similar...
"There was." He stated softly, shaking his head. "And he died, protecting the village. And I've never forgotten, and vowed to continue to protect the village...and to avenge him. But...in time, those two desires became too interwoven to properly discern from each other. This road of vengeance, that will bring more war to our people. I know in my heart that it isn't what he would've wanted. But...I can't fight the desire to continue onward, for him."
Kokoro slowly opened his eyes, gazing at his apprentice for a moment, before lifting his view back into the heavens, at the drifting move above.
"I can only hope that he will forgive me for being so brash..." The Kazekage paused long again, licking his lips. "One day...when you sit here, staring at this same moon with your apprentice...I hope that you too, are not in search of forgiveness. Or...I'd have failed you, as a Sensei."
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 27, 2009 1:16:36 GMT -5
Saba sat there speechless for the first time in his short life, he honestly could not find the words to respond to what his Mentor had just said to him, his words cut through him like a saraided knife. he fell back in deep thought, tight lipped, he looked away thinking, had he been wrong, but then a thought clicked in his head, it was something his master had just said to him
"More war sensei........?"
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Post by Danna on Sept 27, 2009 1:29:29 GMT -5
Kokoro nodded carefully, beginning to feel tired under the quiet night sky. He wondered if he'd ever get a chance to sit like this again before it was over...?
"Yes, the wheels are already moving. I suppose, to place the blame entirely on myself is melodramatic. There are others pulling strings, organizations involved...the world seems to constantly move towards war. But...I wonder if perhaps I could've done more to be a wrench in the cogs of time?" He shook his head, clasping his hands together in his lap as he thought.
"Within the next few days, war will begin to break out amongst the nations. We've already been preparing for it...but it will become difficult to discern enemies from allies. Unfortunately, war has a tendency to blur the typically evident lines of friendship. Thats why...I want you to grow into someone who doesn't fight senselessly for vengeance, but for the sake of the people you must protect. Never allow your loyalties to become blurred. And never lose focus on what your true goal is."
Again, he found his eyes shifting onto the young puppeteer, a gentle smile at his lips as he watched him. "Do you understand, Saba-tan?"
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Post by prey4rayne on Sept 27, 2009 3:56:14 GMT -5
Saba soaked all this in intently he was more determined now more than ever to make His mentor proud of him, he decided right there under any circumstance he would not betray his sensei's wishes. He would find his own path...a path his mentor could be proud of. A path that would break this cycle of revenge. he stood up straight and with a face of complete seriousness and sincerity
"Yes .......sensei i understand."
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Post by Danna on Sept 27, 2009 4:16:30 GMT -5
Kokoro smiled warmly at his apprentice. "I am glad to hear that, Saba-tan. I believe in you. You and the others...have all made me very proud." He nodded, laying down on his back and gazing up into the night sky once more, feeling a bit of relief, even if he did still have a lot on his plate and his mind.
But for now, they would relax. After all, another night such as this might never come for him again.
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