CHAPTER 11
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Since the caretakers, if they can be called such, are still not looking at either me or Naruto, and I have come to a decision. They can ignore us. If they don't want us, then why should we want them. Oh, the way they look at us still hurts but they don't want us, why care. I can use them as what not to do, but only because I can see them causing themselves issues.
But beyond that? Their words have no weight. If they pointed right, I would l go left. Because I know, that given an opportunity, they would see us gone. And I refuse to give them that option. If they want to see our backs, then they will have to wait until we choose to leave, since I refuse to go from place to place. Especially, since doing that would give room for some idiot to try and take the one I completed a quest to see and protect. Sure, one of the hidden quests rewards was that we could stay together, but when is life that nice?
So, if they say stay in a room with no windows and nothing to do (or just leave us there)? After the first time, I put Naruto on a pile of blankets and drag him where there is sun and sky (It drove them up a wall but then, I don't care for incompetent people who think ignoring a child is part of healthy development). During one of these days I saw a variety of kites, dragons & birds & shapes, in the sky, but they were slowly being taken out one by one by this kite that looked like a kite
...I think the person who made it liked puns.
My days have been rather boring except for the visits from the ANBU, but they've become rather random. I think they are visiting between jobs. Though I am happy that the ANBU have kept visiting. I finally got around to asking, 'hand near mouth with pointer finger and thumb opening and closing at a point' what his name meant. Doing so to a mix of charades and a flower but I managed. Turns out his name means 'bird'...
I think he is really bored. Or doing 'cat-scratch' a favor.
I have also found the vegetable garden. Well, found isn't the right word. More stumbled into it, dragging my blonde friend behind, while trying to hide from some redheaded chick that is Not supposed to be here. No really, I saw her taken away, in handcuffs, by the people wearing a fan. I think it's the symbol of the police here.
So, between ignoring the caretakers, purposely acting against them, 'talking' lessons with the ANBU, and hiding in the garden my day is getting full. I really hope these lessons will level my language skill soon; Since I want to be able to understand them, instead of having to guess because of their tone of voice and body language. It would make avoiding them so much easier; at least as it has helped me level my 'sneak' skill up by one.
Yesterday while we were in the garden I noticed a lot of the flowers that had bloomed were cut. When I went around earlier today, I saw none of them. I wonder where they went. Maybe they are in the other buildings? I have not managed to get to one of the main buildings, where the older children are, without being found soon after, so probably.
There is another party going on right now but it seems smaller than the previous one that caused people to be more ignorant than they usually were. I am keeping Naruto away from people as long as possible any way. Especially so because I have no idea what this 'festival' is about; same as last time.
It's just a flower festival
*What do you mean, Anakin*
It is a Hanami Event
*That's really all they are doing? No random, snide looks, and no people being purposefully cruel?
Mostly. This one doesn't really have much to do with evil.
*So, they probably cut the flowers for this Hanami? *
They also sell them, along with anything that is flower themed during these events.
*Oh* I am becoming paranoid. Wait, I have an idea.
*Hey, Anakin, do you think they will be busy with this festival for a while? *
Yes, why?
*Then it's time for me to find a rabbit. *
Time to deal with some of the stranger tutorials
Tutorial
Find a Rabbit.
Goal find a rabbit.
X
At the last orphanage Black-hair was almost always nearby. There isn't anyone like that here so I should be good to explore out of normal areas.
I grab a couple carrots, a cucumber and a tomato from the garden around me, ignore the update telling me they entered my inventory, and used a couple blankets to make shade for Naruto, since he was napping. Then I wandered off, looking for rabbits.
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The orphanage I was at turned out to be not that far from a wooded area, which was helpful.
I was paying more attention to the ground then what was around me, so I was mildly surprised when I walked into a person. Falling back a step, landing on my backside, I look up. And see a kid that looks familiar. It takes a moment, or really a minute of staring but I place him: he's the kid that stared at me during my 'find a mirror' quest!
Huh, small world.
Goal Update
Find Akira's Rabbit.
... Well then. I look at the boy, and hope that he has a better level then I do since I don't like the skills ability to invade privacy. 'Observe' I thought rather specifically, and the boy I was looking at turned out not to be Akira
Nobaru
Age: 8
Lv4
He was playing with his friend's, Akira's, rabbit cage door and then it popped open.
He Decided to look for the pet since Akira has chores
Well, that's helpful. I get up and wave as I walk past him while going into the woods. He didn't follow me. A good thing to since when I turned around a tree and the world changed.
You have found a temporary Dungeon.
It will last until the Quest is finish
Survive until then.
That's not morbid at all.
Well time to start hunting for rabbit.
I have no clue where I am any more. No really, the path is gone and I think the trees are different. And I still haven't seen one bloody rabbit, nor hide or tail of it either. It is surprisingly frustrating. I think I have been at this for hours and nada, just some weird woodchopper noise of if the distance.
I decided to stay away from whatever was making that noise.
Turning to look near a trees roots for holes I hear "hchchchc" that almost sounds like chewing coming from a few feet away. I turn and get closer when something jumps at my face
Yes, I jumped back with a noise of surprise. It's perfectly reasonable response.
After getting a bit of distance, I see that what jumped at me was a little rabbit, barely the 5 in or maybe closer to 13 cm. It looked cute, until it started screaming at me. It freaked me out having this cute fluff ball just start screaming at the top of its lungs like I am murdering it, so not normal.
'Observe"
Child rabbit
Lv3
Seemingly cute, their screams attract all manner of beasts.
They scream the moment they see you.
They would be happy to see you died
So not cool. All I wanted was to find a rabbit.
I run at it, manage to pick it up by the back of the neck and throw it at the nearest tree
Critical hit
Child rabbit died
You receive
25 EXP, 1 fluff, 1 rabbit leg
Through unique action you have created the skills
Grab and Throw
I think my eye is twitching
"hchchchc" By the benevolent force that is above, there's more of them.
I have no clue how I missed the borrows now that there are Child Rabbits popping out of them. Rephrasing that, popping out and screaming. I have no weapons, so I guess the tried and true method of grabbing their heads and throwing them, except with the minor change of throwing them at other rabbits. I dealt more space to move that way. One of them got on to me and started biting me
-5 health
-7 health
-5 health
Critical -10 health
153 health left.
Yikes, trying to grab that rabbit I through it at one that was trying to repeat its actions. So not cute. A couple were by my feet and I started kicking them. What an image I made; kicking at the ground, grabbing things of it, and throwing. I probably looked insane.
Due to specific actions, you have created skill
Kick
Level up Throw to Lv3
Level up Grab to Lv4
The screaming was giving me a headache. I kick at one trying to sneak behind me, and didn't see any more of them
You have killed 10 Child rabbits
You receive
125 EXP, 15 fluffs, 10 rabbit leg, 1 rabbit pelt
Bloody variable EXP gain. Oh, that's newish. The rabbit pelt is probably an item you have to kill a lot to get.
"kckhckckc"
I turn and see a group of rabbits, with red eyes and foaming mouths, running toward where I am.
I turn and hide behind the nearest tree. When I think they won't notice me, I look at one and 'observe'
Rabid Rabbit
Lv7
These insane creatures don't really care about you that much.
They don't really care that much about anything really, they just will attack anything that moves
Have fun
And this is a tutorial? There's like 20 of them
what can I do? *Skills list*
Skills
Observe (active) Lv4- at higher levels this skill reveals more about that which it is used on.
-Annoy(active): Lv9- at higher levels this skill makes people react, be careful f how far you push. People may attack. No cost
_Meditation (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill returns Chakra faster. Current returns 25/min in use
_Pacify(active): Lv4 -at higher levels this skill calms people. Be careful of overuse. people may become Annoyed. No cost
~Music(passive): Lv3- at higher levels this skill creates better music. Music can cause side effects.
~Craft (passive) Lv1- at higher levels this skill makes it easier to make items. Currently helps 1%
~Languages of the Elemental Nations- (passive): Lv4- at higher levels this skill allows you to understand the various ways that people change their language to make it seem unique.
`Eavesdrop(passive): Lv1. 10% -at higher skill levels this skill creates a better chance of going unnoticed when overhearing information, and to hear better information. Stacks with Sneak. No cost
`Poison Immunity(passive): lv1- at higher levels will weaken or negate the effects of Poison based skills used against you. Increase is through exposure.
`Sneak (active): Lv7- at higher levels this skill makes one harder to detect.
Can be activated for 10 CHAK/min or used through action. If not activated it does not drain CHAK
`Distraction (active)- Lv3- at higher levels this skill makes better distractions based on the situation.
Use of the skill via the activation uses 15 CHAK. Using skill without activation needs none.
[] Foretelling (active): Lv2- at higher levels this skill makes one able to see what is likely to happen. Be careful what you say for once spoke the future is Bound.
Active use needs 50*n and a cool down time of 5min. n is use per day.
Must mean to activate skill for it to cost. Accidental use has no cost but still adds to n.
Bind (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill creates stronger ropes or chains out of chakra to bind the target.
Cost 25-control -1.5INT = Current 10 CHAK
Grab (active) Lv4- at higher levels this skill makes it easier to grab and hold onto things. No cost
kick (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill makes you kick harder, and with less wasted movement. No cost
Throw (active) Lv3- at higher levels this skill makes it easier to throw further and deal more damage doing so.
+5% gain on damage. No cost
: Bite (active) Lv1- at higher levels this skill makes the jaw muscles stronger, so the bite is better. No cost.
Strengthens 2%
TREE BASED SKILLS
Warpath (active): Nothing will stop you until you are done. gives you a +25 STR, CON, AGI. Use is once per day.
Well, that might work. I grab a cookie from my inventory, and throw it past the rabid rabbits. They all look where it landed.
Distraction Level Up
Okay, now 'Warpath'
What is the end goal?
The end of this tutorial.
+25 Con, STR & AGI Until the end of this tutorial
You will not be able to use this skill after until tomorrow.
Are you sure? Yes/No
Yes.
+3 skill points: Vengeful
And there was a rush. Like an adrenaline was shot through, I could feel whatever it was make me stronger. It felt wonderful, and like nothing could touch me. No wonder it was a once per day skill.
I step out from behind the tree, and Charge. They didn't stand a chance but I'm not sure what I did. I don't know if I just kicked their heads in, or that I threw them together to kill them, or what. All I knew was they couldn't stand in my way.
I wouldn't let them
When they died more Child Rabbits came and they screamed as they died. And that drew more of the rabid to me and again the cycle continued. And I didn't care.
Then a rabbit with a bell tied around its throat bounce by 'observe'
Akira's rabbit
Let loose on accident this rabbit has been bouncing around carefree all this time
Another rabbit, I didn't really care what its status was, just that it was a rabbit. I went to grab it.
I don't think I have ever moved that fast.
Grabbing it around the body lifting it and
You have Completed the Tutorial Quest
Find a rabbit.
Rewards:
Rabbit's Bell, +50 rep with Akira & Nobaru, 100 EXP
And the rage left, and I had never been more tired.
Or scared. I had never been like that, I didn't care that Akira's rabbit hadn't been trying to hurt me, it had been a rabbit like the other things, it had been carefree.
I don't want to know what I would have done if I had used this to rescue, or keep watch on, Naruto.
I am not sure what I would have done.
CHAPTER 12
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The forest that had been around bleed away. Soon it was like it had never been there at all.
Congratulations you have leveled up.
Do you want to change your stats?
*Not right now, Anakin. *
I Still holding on to the rabbit and trying to figure out what I had done under the influence of 'warpath'.
I think I just want to go to bed and sleep. Maybe then I would stop fearing what I could have been. I turn and find I am right next to the tree line, still behind the tree I had turned around when Nobaru was looking at me. In fact, there he was. Staring at the rabbit in my arms.
Briskly moving towards him, I shove 'Akira's rabbit', no clue what its name is, at him.
After he grabs it, I continue walking. I really want that nap but first I must find Naruto, so I can check on him
"-_Yo-" Nobaru made a noise. Really need to level the language skill, because this is still gibberish to me. Not stopping, because then he would expect me to understand him, I wave as I walk away.
Really want that nap now.
While walking back, I could think about things a bit more than how much I wanted to sleep, wake up, and have the dungeon (along with what happened in it) to be a bad dream. Maybe I could have taken a nap with Naruto. But I thought about it and realized I needed that. Sure, it scares me with how I act like under its influence. And that's exactly why I needed it to happen.
See, I have been gaining points in Vengeful a lot and Warpath comes from vengeful to. If I hadn't done what I did now I would have done it later. When I had more skills to use, and a larger power base to work from. And I would probably have thought it was okay. Because I would have been used to the Vengeful skills. If I hadn't had this wakeup call I don't want to think what I would have done. Especially if one of the people who made the pathetic laws about my friend were in front of me.
Now I know exactly what road I had been walking. And sure, I will use the tree still. I doubt there are take-back-sees, where I would just erase its creation. So, I must live knowing exactly what I have, and can choose to be.
And now, dragging my friend to our enclosed room, I think it's also better that I don't have the option to use 'Warpath' often. I think it would destroy me.
For thinking about the future and changing your 'road'
+1 WIS
While I am here I will note a rule about the Natural Dungeons, since you found one
While in them time passes 12 hours for every second here
so, a full 24-hour day in a dungeon would be 2 seconds outside of it.
You are also immune to time while in Dungeons
*What do you mean 'Immune to time'? *
That while in a dungeon you will not age
This is to keep the time you spend in one from prematurely aging you
... I am not sure how to take that.
*Anakin, what would happen if I decided to live in one? *
You would not age while in the Dungeon.
I have an imperfect method to eternal youth. People would kill for this. This is not good.
Something else to worry about then.
I am not sure if this is Anakin getting back at me for ignoring him so often, or trying to distract me.
It might be both
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Getting back to Naruto, I find there's this dark brown-haired woman looking at him. Well, I think she's looking at him, since I am seeing her back. Marching, or close to it, forward I poke her leg.
She looks at me, then starts moving toward my friend. I grab her leg. She stops and looks at me again; then she reaches downs and tries to push me of her leg. I glare at her while tightening my grip.
I don't want her near him. I don't like adults being in sight with Naruto asleep.
I am not paranoid. One time I thought it being night meant it was a good idea to wander around trying to find things. I come back and there's this dude standing over Naruto's crib holding a pillow to his face. Me running at him so I hit his legs with force managed to make him stumble a bit which made the pillow move; So, it is not paranoia. I told the ANBU when they came by to teach me signs. Haven't seen the guy since.
But yeah, I don't like adults near my personal sunbeam, and I make it obvious.
So, this lady reaching down and picking me up sent alarm bells. I started squirming which surprised her, and I managed to get out of her hold (first one I managed to escape, progress). Then I hit the ground, wheeze, move in front of Naruto and glare for all I am worth.
Through actions you have made the Skills
Escape and Glare
Open menu to view
I ignore the update.
The lady laughs at me. Like really, she laughs as if I had been the funniest thing since Chihuahuas. Head thrown back, shoulders are shaking, the whole deal.
I look at her and start edging toward Naruto. I pick up the edge of the blanket that he's still on, and start running back to the room with no light or windows, to our room. Going around the corner, I look back and she is still laughing that crazy laugh.
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It's been a few weeks since the crazy lady came, the weather is hotter than ever and for some reason the employees here are around more often. Seriously, before I could go hours without seeing one. Now it's like they are popping up once every few minutes. It is not helping my stress levels, that is for sure.
I blame the dark brown-haired lady. I have seen her a couple of times, and she was bossing some of the others around. I have no words for how I felt that one time she waved at me. I mean yeah, I waved back but that had less to do with her and more to do with me being polite for once. Maybe it will keep the assassins away.
There was a parade that crossed by the front of the orphanage gates a week ago. After that a couple days later 12 women came by with a bunch of plants, and rubbed them on Naruto's cheeks. I was creeped out. Anyone would be to have a bunch of strange females come into their room, rub a bunch of intact plants on you, chant some words you can't even understand, then walk out.
So yeah, I was creeped out for a few days and hid more than usual in the garden. But had to stop after the third time a search party was created to find us, and were relieved when I dragged my friend back inside. Still have no clue what was making these people care that much.
Also, the ANBU laughed when I brought up the half a dozen weird women and asking why people suddenly care. Not the laugh of the Dark-Brown-Haired-One but some have a silent huff, and others did that barely any shake in their shoulders.
For a bunch of almost mutes they sure have loud expressions.
What do I do now?
Looking for 'cookies' was a bust last time, and while I managed to survive the rabbits I don't think it would be a good idea to look for more anytime soon.
So, I am now stuck with silent people, who are clothed in black, often in a lightless room, with nothing to do. Except stare at the ceiling.
I did that once. Then one of the higher-strung employees here tried to drag me out of the compound, yelling about something. So, I don't do that. Really, so few options.
I wonder what I will do with the stack of rabbit legs. Maybe I could leave them in the kitchen for someone to find and cook. No that's a bad idea because of salmonella. Maybe, I could look for a refrigerator or something?
Finding the kitchen is slightly harder here than it was in Black-hair's orphanage. I had to dodge a few running people, hide behind doors, under chairs, and once even in a box.
At least I got a level in skill from the number of people running around like their head is cut off and they are chickens. Seriously what is with all the running and the yelling to each other. For all the noise, there wasn't much done.
Well, I managed to find the kitchen. Looking around, and seeing much the same as what was outside I sigh.
Hugging the wall, I look around to find an icebox. But there are plenty of people around...maybe I could get away with dumping it on the table. Oh, a pantry. I start moving towards it.
-bang-
Crash
-SHRIEK-
You know what? I am getting out of here before whatever is going on in that pantry comes out. I look at the nearest table, think inventory, grab the stack of Rabbit Legs and throw them onto it. Then I run out.
"! -_!?_-_-_? -! _-_- -_? -_!?Q!" and still need to bloody level Language that skill.