Kagegakure, a small village on the outskirts of Fire Country nearest Sound Country. Outside was an illusion of lush, beautiful forestry, while on the inside was even better. There was not a single road to be treaded or a single house to walk into. Instead, its members lived in homes built in the trees, each room being joined from one tree to another by beautiful and artistic seeming vine bridges. Of course, there was technology. Almost everyone in this beautiful place had some mention of a computer or television in their home, and all was run by nature. A wondrous stream pierced the village through the center like a beautiful spear and on the southern side of it rested the powerhouse, run by the stream itself. Even the wind and sun gave their own to help keep the village lit. This was indeed a beautiful place.
In his own home, one Urase Sha'den dreamt of things of beauty. He was a kind and gentle heart, pure of blemish. There was not a single person in ail of Kagegakure he did not please. He was the kind of man who always put others ahead of himself and would never look at others with envy. His joy was always radiant and brightened strengthened others. Bis glossy black hair was medium in length, reaching his shoulders and his blood-red eyes sparkled like the beautifully polished brass bells he always kept with him. To hear these bells jingle around his waist was a joy to all because it signaled the approach of Sha'den, the Reaper of Shadows. Despite the gloomy sound of his name's translation, it meant a good thing, he was the one who tore away the shadow and brought back the light, and he was true to his name.
This night, however, he would not be left to dream of pleasant things as he always did. The wake-up call he was about to receive was one that would change his life forever. Be it for better or for worse is unknown, but one thing is for certain, it would change Sha'den's entire outlook on life for the rest of his own.
Shade was eased out of a deep and pleasant slumber by...
"The alarm," he said as he shot straight up in bed, "This is bad."
Shade quickly got on ail of his clothes and darted out the door onto his balcony to see what was wrong, "when he saw what had happened, he was horrified, for it was 1:06 AM and the entire village was illuminated... with fire. The heat radiating from this fire licked at his face, making him hot. when he saw what, or rather, who, had grown this red flower in his village, he was even more horrified.
"Ah... Urase Sha'den," he said, "What a pleasure to finally meet in person. I hear you're quite the miracle worker."
Shade took a step away, but not in fear. Shade never feared for his life, he feared for those of his friends. Knowing Orochimaru was the person behind the fire, he feared even more for the sake of his people. The fearful look fled his face, leaving a serious warrior, ready to make first blood if need be.
"There's no reason to fear," Orochimaru said, "I have harmed no one. I only wished to see you."
Failing to his knees, Shade suddenly started coughing uncontrollably. He reached in his vest pocket to get some pills but, when he pulled his hand out, he dropped exactly 5 of his small, polished brass bells on the ground. A small device extended from his arm to cover the palm of his right hand and, with the snap of a finger, he commanded the bells to surround the target of their now-recovered master. The bells began to rise and circle their target, producing a solid, yet invisible, barrier of sound.
"I see you have been taught well," Orochimaru laughed.
"You've seen nothing,'' Shade said in response, for little did Orochimaru realize, Shade was about to use a technique forbidden to most. "Funeral Song," He said, tightening his right fist, which was held next to his body. And with that, he jumped off the edge of the balcony and placed one of the small devices from his bag on the ground. It was a small disk he had made himself and called a "Chakra Relay."
Just then, his village's own Hokage came up to him from behind.
"Big brother!" she said, not surprising him as his senses were nearly perfect, "I'm glad you're okay."
"Aana," Shade said, "I myself am glad you're safe."
"Did you see Orochimaru?"
Just then, they both heard the snake-like Sennin yell in pain and fear.
"Funeral Song," Shade told Aana.
"I see. Well, let's get out of here."
"Right. The Chakra Relay should reach to Konohagakure and I'll be able xo get us there using my teleportation jutsu."
"Alright, but only half-way. You know how far it is and how much you can take."
"Right, hang on."
Aana did so and Shade, after performing the hand seals for Tiger, Bird, Monkey, and Dragon, teleported them as far as he safely could.
"Alright Shade, we should make camp now," Aana said, getting no answer, "Shade?"
"Our home, destroyed," he mumbled, looking at the smoke that rose from the Village Hidden in the Shadows.
"At least no one was killed, thank God."
"Yes," he said, looking down at the ground, "You're right." "Shade," Aana said again, "Let's make camp now, okay?"
"Alright," he said, looking at her sadly.
with that, they made camp, Aana gathering wood and starting a fire and Shade gathering piles of leaves to use as beds and pillows. Soon they snuggled in for a good night's rest.
