Amidst the Clouds [Yoshitsune]

Golden rays of the rising sun pierced deep into the sleeping Sasaki’s eyelids. Still caught between the transition of sleep and complete consciousness Kyousuke’s pupils would lazily open as he struggled to gather his senses. Brows furrowed from the sudden light that entered his hazy vision, his right arm had instinctively risen to shield his eyes. It had been just about two days since he had left for Kumogakure no Sato leaving behind the only home and land he had ever known. Though it wasn’t exactly the first time he had left the Ganryu province, he had never traveled so far away from everything he had previously known. The samurai was venturing into the unknown, yet where others would feel fear he only felt a surge of excitement he had not felt since he had been but a child reading upon the adventures of his ancestor Sasaki Kenpachi. And who could blame him? He would be the first Sasaki to ever step foot in Kumogakure and be trained in the ways of a shinobi, though he attempted to muster the maturity that an adult would have in regards to bearing such a responsibility for his clan, in truth, he could barely contain the child within. It was his turn to begin his journey into the world and for now the destination was Kumogakure no Sato.

Now fully awake, the Sasaki heir jumped to his two feet, standing himself up with a perfectly executed kick up. Daylight had finally arrived and only being a few hours away from his destination made him far more eager than he usually was. Immediately he reached for the rucksack he had brought along with him, digging for a piece of neatly folded paper and a black steel compass. He took a minute to look at his surroundings, struggling to find his position within the map of Kaminari no Kuni in his hand. A big red X marked his destination and according to the map he was only a few kilometers shy of his mark. Pocketing both the map and the compass, he fixed his belongings. The first thing he reached for was laid beside his bedroll as a precaution, his trusty katana, forged by the Sasaki clan’s finest bladesmiths. Swiftly he affixed the sheathed blade to the leather straps of his rucksack’s side, followed by doing the same for his bedroll. With everything packed, he lifted the rucksack on his shoulders, took a quick look at the compass, and headed straight south.

Moving at a steady pace, the Sasaki heir would eventually come upon the footbed of a mountain where Kumogakure should have already been visible. He looked to the map again, concerned that he had led himself astray somehow along the way, yet there was no mistaking it. He had arrived. Kyousuke’s golden pupils inspected the mountain, eyeing it from bottom to top until it disappeared into the clouds. “The Village Hidden in the Clouds.” He mumbled to himself in realization. His head tilted upward to look above his position still unable to fathom what his mind had suggested. Eventually his eyes would descend from the heavens and crash back to the reality of earth. If what he suspected was true then he had a long hike ahead of himself, one he hadn’t anticipated nor prepared for. A deep breath escaped his lips releasing the hesitancy from his body and slowly he began to walk the mountain path.

Encumbered by the rucksack that contained his belongings and the uphill terrain, Kyousuke began to feel doubt creep into his muscles with each step forward. Had he been mistaken about his assumption of Kumogakure’s location then he would likely be forced to camp somewhere along his descent. Not the ideal place to spend the night with the temperature likely to drop well close freezing point. Still, with not much choice to the matter he pressed on. At the very least he was accustomed to the terrain, being trained among the mountains of his home province, thanks to that stamina would not be an issue.

A few hours passed and now it was past midday. The once harsh morning sun had all but faded into the overwhelmingly thick clouds of Kaminari no Kuni. Darkness was beginning to creep in. Just in time Kyousuke’s golden eyes would spot the end of the visible mountain path with all that lay ahead fading into the clouds. Just before entering he stopped, reaching his hand out to the cloud. Now came the moment of truth, would he reach his destination or be forced to an arduous trek downwards amidst the harsh conditions of night? With a sudden burst of determination he pushed through, rushing past the clouds and into whatever awaited him beyond.

Beyond the clouds was a world unlike any he had ever seen before in his wildest dreams. Where below the sun was hidden— greyed out by the clouds— beyond nothing could deny its true beauty. Blue skies met with the golden horizon painted by the warm sun as flocks of birds flew past him in formation. It was beautiful… all of it. For a moment all Kyousuke could do was stare, mouth agape as his amazement was laid bare. His eyes frantically switched from one object to the next, trying their best to encapsulate each sight to be etched in his memory. And then just when he thought he had successfully digested his surroundings, his golden pupils came upon the sight of Kumogakure no Sato in all its glory. It was a complete utopia.

Still in a state of complete awe, the Sasaki heir began to walk towards the gates of the village, eyes wandering from one sight to another. Stood atop the walls of the village were a myriad of shinobi that sought to guard the entrance from any hostile individuals. The entrance itself was just as— if not more— populated as the manned walls. This time, however, it was a flock of civilians that either aimed to welcome entering visitors or sell their new products. Vendors were stationed at the sides of the road with stalls, each urging anyone who looked them in the eye to purchase their wares or try out samples of street food. Beyond the road and blocking Kyousuke’s path was a large crowd gathered in a circle around a man. Intrigued, the Sasaki joined the crowd, peering over the shoulders of those in front.

At the center of the circle was a tall adult with an athletic frame, though clearly trying to flex every muscle in his body to the utmost capabilities of man. The adult held an oversized belt with a golden plate at its center across his shoulders, at the plate were the words ‘The Fastest Man Alive’ inscripted. “Come one come all!” The athlete cried. “I am Saisoku, the fastest man alive! I have come to your village to challenge your fastest shinobi… no THE fastest shinobi of Kumogakure no Sato in a race. Anyone who can beat me I shall reward my belt and ten thousand ryo!” The crowd began to murmur, though none answered his challenge seemingly intimidated by the man’s brashness. Deep into the crowd a voice emerged, “I don’t know about shinobi, but how about a samurai? I’ll race you.” Kyousuke said, his words parting the sea of people that encircled the man.

Chin up with a look of confidence Kyousuke offered himself as a contender for the embellished title, walking forward as the crowd made way for him to pass. Having just expended a good amount of energy to get to Kumogakure, Kyousuke didn’t think he would get himself into another physical task so soon, but with such a ridiculous challenge laid right before him his competitive nature could not refuse, besides it would be a good way to test his capabilities against those outside the Sasaki clan. Scratching his head as if inconvenienced for a moment the man known as Saisoku answered back. “Samurai, huh? I don’t think your kind could keep up with me, but I suppose I’ll let you try your luck.” And then suddenly it wasn’t all fun and games anymore for the young Sasaki heir. Whatever stamina he lost had just been replenished by his rage, he would humiliate this Saisoku before the entire village and gladly take his ryo. All eyes were on him now and he knew there was no way he would lose to some random scrub, athlete or not. It was about to be the easiest ryo he would ever get his hands on.

Suddenly, as if to diffuse the tension another would answer the challenge dressed in a regal kimono that didn’t exactly look to make running easy. In contrast to the two tall and well built men she stood out like a sore thumb. Though despite her innocent appearance the first words she spoke gave away enough intrigue that told Kyousuke not to underestimate her. Having no knowledge of what exactly a Tengu was, however, he simply looked to Saisoku hoping to gain more knowledge from the man’s response. Unfortunately for Kyousuke the mysterious girl’s warning seemed to flow over the wannabe sprinter’s head, not even acknowledging her words outside of the acceptance of his challenge. “Eh? A samurai and a little girl wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but I guess the two of you will do well to demonstrate just how fast I am to the shinobi here.” Arrogance laid out, the man would explain the course set for their race. It was a one kilometer loop around the streets of Kumogakure that ended exactly where the three stood.

With the rules set, Kyousuke placed his rucksack at the ground, confident he would return before anyone would even decide to take his belongings. Lastly, he opted for a better choice of clothes taking off the long black coat he had worn during his travel and laying it atop his belongings, after that Kyousuke moved himself beside Saisoku and lowered his stance. When everyone had been set in place, Kaisoku would announce the start of the race with an emphatic ‘Go!’.

Just before, the Sasaki took a deep breath, eyes locked forward and muscles prepped for a sudden explosion of energy. Hearing the go ahead, he rocketed with a single step leaving only dust where he had once stood. With only a second passed he had already left behind the bumbling idiot who claimed himself the fastest man alive. Now it was simply a matter of maintaining his pace. Eyes still forward, he began to take steady strides, launching himself ever farther with each step. Thinking himself vastly ahead of the competition, he grew curious to know just how much of an advantage he possessed. Body moving forward, his head would turn to the left, hoping to catch a small glimpse of his expected far away opponents from his peripheral vision.