Sun, Sand and Spiders.

The Miracle Oasis is a large lake in the middle of the Great Sea Sand that once was home to the first civilization who settled this desert. Now covered in the ruins left by these people, it is still home for many fearsome animals who hide beneath and inside these buildings. It is also said to be home to bandits exiled from the northern tribes. Despite its dangerous reputation, it is still very much a life saviour for the thirsty traveller.

---

Active:
- Sensory Technique: 50m
Chakra:
- 49.5/50

A stroke of black would rush down the canvas, and then another after that. They were quick, but nothing new to Ei. She was famous for her incredibly quick brush strokes among the artistic community. Speed was of the essence, and she had more than enough coordination in order to paint as fast as she did. Coming out here to a location like this she might paint through two dozen canvases with the same scene before she settled on one she was satisfied with. The imperfect ones would all have to be disposed of, and then she would be able to take the final copy back to decide on whether or not to publish it. All of it very time consuming. So she had to be fast.

This was the most color she had seen in a while too. The Land of Wind was much too brown. All of it was just different shades of sand. It got boring after a while. Still, Ei was supposed to portray the world as it was. If the world was brown, all that meant was that she would have to buy an exceptional amount of brown paint.  

Coming here though did let her use a bit more green and blue. Which was nice.

Two noisy pests would seem to have had the same idea as Ei had, looking for a bit of green and blue. Life was so drab, and so she couldn’t blame them. She would take a moment to look up at the sky. Her hand would reach up, mocking taking a fistful of the sky above.

“If only I could take a bucket of you home with me.”

It was wistful. She would sigh, leaning back on the stool she had set up.

To the two pests, she would call out in acknowledgement. As they came near she would notice their presence. It was hard not to, when she had previously been in such serenity. Perhaps they had noticed her first? It was irrelevant, but she could only wonder why they would wander into such a place.

“Children. If you’re going to disturb my scene, at least strike a pose.”
She was up above, in the ruins that overlooked the oasis’s waters. The woman, clad in an ornate kimoni and sitting behind a half-painted canvas, would seem somewhat out of place here.

---

Active:
- Sensory Technique: 50m
Chakra:
- 49/50

At the mere mention of old ruins, there was a shift in Mitsutaka's demeanor. Relatively still calm, there was now an air of excitement around the young spiderling. Exploring old ruins, forgotten caverns, was something which he enjoyed during, and he did not shy away from telling his kin about his love for such activities. Thankfully, she appeared to share his love for adventure. Apart of him ponder if it was a trait all of the Tsuchigumo had, or were they the specials ones? Nevertheless, his attention was now focused on potentially exploring the ruins, and finding something worth interest to him or to humans who, from his experience, fancy old items. 
 
His excitement at the thought of adventure caused his form to flickered a moment, revealing two extra pair of legs. oddly spider like, before the limbs disappeared as if they were a mirage; a trick of the eye. Oops! He hoped no one had seen that. . .well at least no human. The two legged creatures tend not to take kindly in seeing something that went against everything they thought. Plus many appear to have arachnophobia, at least that what his human family told him.
 
Unfortunately, it appeared that luck might not be in his favor as a voice was heard, and a command(?) was given. Strike a pose? Eyes, with looks of confusion, flickered towards his kin in hopes she would know what the odd phrase meant. Her words were not about the phrase, but, rather, if the potential human would be a food source. The thought was one that Mitsu. toyed with for a few minutes, but it was long enough for his kin to make a decision for them. The human would be spared.
 
Sunagakure no Sato. The village was their destination. The once closed place having seemingly opened once more, and it was only that reason why the pair was out here in the first place. "Maybe? However, we should be cautious. Who knows what they might do to us.", Mitsutaka forewarned before following Kurenai's lead.
 
Dressed light brown windbreaker pants and a light grey shirt, Mitsutaka followed after Kurenai, scaling the ruins with incredible ease. Reaching the top of the ruins a pair of yellow eyes spotted the owner of the other voice wearing what looked to be. . .a kimono? That is what his human mother had told him what it was when asked one day. . . he thinks. Moreover, the human was. . .painting? He recall the time his human family took them to have a portrait done by a painter, and the man was doing the same thing as this human, but was less skilled than this one. 
 
After his kin finished speaking, he gently nudged her with his elbow, "I believe it is rude not to introduce ourselves before asking such questions, kin.", he looked at the human to see if they agreed, "We are all strangers out here"

If it hadn’t been for the language that these children had been using, Ei would have likely continued painting as if they didn’t exist. Someone like her didn’t get distracted by the biting of gadflies, and so the pestering of children would have been something she brushed aside. But their words took on a peculiar quality. Looking out beyond from her canvas now in full, she would take in the girl and boy as individuals rather than merely parts of the landscape. Little gnats, the both of them. She would smile, but mauve and thin.

“I was the one who birthed these robes, Dear. No other.” She would beckon the children near, and in the process of reaching out to these two flies her robes of many colors would be further exposed in their silken majesty. The creamy skin of her arm would be further exposed as the silken kimono slid down her arm, adding another color to the painting that was Ei.

“And so, tell me. What can you create?” The question was a judging one, asking for the worth of the duo. Not just asking what value they had, but what the sum of their actions would be. Her eyes, the shade of dull and dried blueberries, would size up the two. Information would be taken in languidly. Psychical cues would be looked at based on just the way the both would idly move. The way they breathed. The heaving of their chests with each breath, and the manner in which their throat moved ever so lightly as the air passed through it. Their skin. The way they blinked. Their eyelashes. Their hair. Their eyes.

She wanted to see their teeth as well, but perhaps that would come soon.

---

[1/2 Posts Analyzing Mitsutaka and Kurenai]

---

Active:
- Sensory Technique: 50m
Chakra:
- 48.5/50

Once the two children introduced themselves Ei would see no other choice than to do so herself, even though doing so displeased her. It was good etiquette to do so, but a poor decision as a shinobi. But the fact that both had come out and said that they were capable of creation, being a weaver and chemist, or engineer, was enough for Ei to be forced to give them the courtesy that they deserved. From one artist to another, that was the minimum amount of respect she would be forced to give to these children. She dropped her brush down into the lip of her easel.

“Ei Kanagawa.”

She would wait to see if that name would catch any interest. She was a rather famous artist in this country, but as she went by a variety of pen names it was doubtful that any would be able to attribute anything to her birth name. There was also that these children likely had no appreciation for the finer arts. Still, it was worth probing for. Assuming that they would say nothing in response, Ei would continue her introduction.

I“A wandering artist. I go wherever beauty lies and capture it. It’s what brought me here, to this place. It’s a rather beautiful sight, isn’t it? All these greens and blues swirling together as an island in this sea of sand. Truly worth of the name ‘Miracle’. Don’t you think so too?’

She would dance with them for now. Revealing the location of Sunagakure so quickly would be foolish. Perhaps they were spies. Even if they weren’t, they would certainly have to work a bit harder than that if they wanted to squeeze the information out of her.

[2/2 Posts Analyzing Mitsutaka and Kurenai]

An engineer. That was the new word Mitsu used for himself. She had no clue what that word meant and replied with an 'oooh' of amazement. That word sounded definitely human, revealing exactly how much Mitsu knew more about that strange world than herself. She'd nod sagely, taking in the word as her mind tried to imagine what exactly an 'engineer' did. It was probably, most likely, something with poisons. He was Otrovni; their affinity with poisons was as certain as hers was related to webs and silk.

She snapped out of her amazement when he rested his hand on her shoulder and assured her that her bow would end up repaired. She'd smile faintly in appreciation, but she wasn't sure if what he said was true. The thing didn't look repairable. The wooden weapon had snapped in two; certainly it wasn't the string which worried her. Had that one snapped, she'd just have replaced it with some of her silk. No matter how short-lived the use of a spidersilk bowstring would be, there was more where it'd come from. But wood...? No, that was a whole different matter. And it didn't help that this sea of sands wasn't exactly rich on trees either.

"Do you think they'd have bows there? There's a sore lack of trees around here...", she asked pensively, eyes still fixated on Ei without any hint of distraction. Still looking beyond her. The brain of the spider registering more than one form of perception at a time. her question remained unanswered for the moment as Mitsu continued the conversation; asking Ei if she had heard about Sunagakure. From the sound of it, she knew as much about Sunagakure as Kurenai knew about her name or fame - nothing.

This spider hadn't budge an inkling in response to the name but she seemed pensive about the concept of 'Miracle' the paintress tried to convey. Kurenai wasn't sure if she would call the oasis a miracle, but it was beautiful in its own right. And so she replied in kind to Ei, "The contrast between the sand sea's minimalistic presence of creatures and the concentrated amount of lfieforms within the refreshing waters is a welcome sight. I also found my attention caught between the solemn stillness of the sand carried forward only by the wind and the rippling, ever-moving motion of the waters. Oh, not to forget the play between bright light and shadows dancing under the few trees... but I do wished we could have found more water in this world. If that wish now came true... I'd consider it a miracle."

She'd pull her red cloak a little closer as if to hide her sudden outburst of interest, only to find her attention pulled away. Her gaze would shift towards the sides, away from the oasis and towards the open sea behind the ruins. A single blink. A slight frown.

"Something's coming. Something big."

---

Active:
- Sensory Technique: 50m
Chakra:
- 48/50

Ei would stop. It was a good thing she had already put down her brush, or else she might have just dropped it, or made some imperfection against her canvas. The way this girl spoke… She had a good eye. Kurenai displayed the capability to give an impressive analysis of the area’s aesthetics, one which had caught Ei off guard. Speech about contrast and minimalism was rare to find in Sunagakure. Sometimes living there Ei felt like she was the only civilized person in the midst of a barbarian stronghold. That was one of disadvantages to being a painter, Ei supposed, but at the same time she longed for someone at times who she might be able to engage with at an equal level regarding art. This girl clearly had potential. Unfortunately, before Ei could press further on Kurenai’s analysis it seemed as though there was something coming to interrupt their pleasant conversation. She would have to switch gears. A plan would slowly shift to the surface of her mind.

“You want to find Sunagakure no Sato?” With a smile she would shift to the direction where Kurenai was glancing out towards. “Go prove yourself against that beast. If you manage to impress me, I’ll consider blessing you with the knowledge you seek.” It was a simple offer. If they could take care of whatever was coming their way it would mean they were talented enough to perhaps become Sunagakure shinobi. If not? Well, that would be unfortunate. Even if they did pass there would be a certain level of vetting, analysis, and trust building required, but impressing Ei here would be the first step to their plans of finding the village.

The sand shifted as the floor trembled lightly. Something big, indeed. Kurenai's instincts strongly advised little spiders were better off fleeing this hunter and for a moment she was of a mind to do just that considering she had precious little means to fight without her bow. Until Ei found the amusing opportunity to put that to the test. Caught off-guard and willing to protest against that dirty trick, she looked bewildered at Ei for a moment. Right before the sand suddenly burst open and cascaded down off the chitinous carapace of a massive dune wurm. The decision had already been made before she had the chance to protest. Unfair or not, the time for games was over - the time for nature's good old survival of the fittest had risen.

"I'm not sure we'll be able to eat all that...", Kurenai shouted to Mitsu, trying to surpass the sound the beast and pouring sand made. Wasting food sounded like such a bad thing to do. "And I doubt I can web a monstrosity like that completely either.", she added pensively as she remained standing; arachnid eyes already analysing the passing wurm in search for a weakness in its defences. "That'd take ages. It'd rot before I'm even done.". Because there was obviously no chance they'd ever fail to take that down in the first place. As if the itty bitty spider was unable to calculate the threat difference between two Tsuchigumo and a grown-up sand wurm. "His carapace doesn't show any cracks from this side. You think we'd have more luck on the other side?", she asked Mitsu so casually, one could easily believe she had no sense for danger either. But the truth was quite different. Kurenai had to fight off the persistent instinct of running away from a threat far greater than herself, and remind herself she had to stay if she wanted the both of them to enter Suna. The nabbing idea she was pretty much useless without a bow didn't help either, leaving her with the choice to either morph and reveal her true arachnid form or maintain a 'useless' human shape. "I think I'll go watch the other side real quick. You come up with some sort of stabbing plan, okay Mitsu?"

And without a word she'd form a set of three hand seals, strike her legs with acupuncture precision a couple of times and dart off. Pulling her red hood over her head all the while, as if to let others know she was no fan of experiencing a sandy shower. Lithely racing forward, her light weight made it seem as if she glided over the sand. Then she disappeared under the sand shower and within the shadow of the arcing wurm who was about to crash back into the desert.

---

Chakra: 39/50
- Ijutsu, Pressure Strike, three times.

Speed: D (Pressure Strike: +++)

Sunagakure no Sato. It was the first time throughout the entirety of their conversation had the woman mentioned the village by name. His eyes narrowed at the woman's statement; in order to get the information both seek, they must prove themselves to her. Tsk. Mitsutaka resisted the urge to scoff at the woman and her demands. Was this how she treated every traveler who was looking for Sunagakure no Sato? Testing their worth for her amusement? Alternatively, was she just doing that to agonize them? He did not have time to ponder on the situation, for his attention shifted towards the shifting sand coming their way. 

Sand Wurm. Even through the shower of sand that exploded upward, the distinct shadow  shape of the monstrosity was unmistakable for the spiderling. "True, it is too big to consume in one go, but there would be enough food to last us until we make it to Suna.", he shouted over the sound of the monster's roar, and then added "If our friend keeps true to her words - that is." Anarchid eyes looked over the creature's massive form, trying to find a means to take care of the predator. Kurenai's words were indeed true, the creature was too big to web alone, but. . . "You are forgetting that there are two of us. While one of us webbing it might not work, two of us can at least slow it down somewhat.", he shouted while keeping an eye on descending wurm.

The hard carapace would definitely be a problem for them to get around. Mitsutaka was not the strongest amongst his brood, with his talents laying elsewhere, thus brute force was out of the option for him. If Kurenai's bow was still viable than they would had a chance to pierce through the tough interior, alas, the sun murder that idea. "Doubtful, but, maybe there is a chance.", he responded back to her comment regarding the idea of there being cracks on the opposite side of the wurm. The casual conversation both were having was simply a farce. His primal instincts were screaming at him to run away from the predator before them. Unfortunately, his need to arrive in Sunagakure no Sato, and to make sure Kurenai arrive there as well, outweighed his own instincts, thus he pushed forward in trying to figure out a means to deal with the creature. 

Putting some distance between himself and the creature, Mitsutaka took heed of Kurenai's words. Stabbing, he would not be doing much of that to the creature. It is hard carapace was probably stronger than anything he currently had on his person. Thus, he would need to find an alternative means to take down the beast. If only there was an opening.

The ground shook a little as the beast slammed back on the ground. The beast raising up off the ground, towering over Mitsutaka, and released another intimidating roar. It was the sight of the brownish tissue of the wurm's mouth that gave Mitsutaka an idea on how to injury the creature. "Kurenai, we need to get it to open it's mouth again!", he yelled, dodging to the left to as Sand wurm struck at his location. The mammoth creature creating a small trench in the place where Mitsutaka once stood. "Heavy.", Mitsutaka's mused while eyeing the creature, and allowing chakra to surge through his body.

Once stiff body became malleable and loose, similar to rubber. "Do you see any way to cause it pain on your side?", he inquired. 

---

Analysis - 1/4 
Soft Body Manipulation(0 Activation Cost/-1 cp upkeep)
Chakra; 50/50

Excitement and fear went hand in hand for Sayuri as she had made her way to Wind Country and both of those emotions had continued to fester once she had arrived. Things were far different out in the world than they had been while confined to the safety and security that had once been her temple home back in Lightning Country. There were new faces, new sights and smells, new experiences. In a way it was quite overwhelming.

Despite having some funds available Sayuri had opted not for a normal place to stay such as a hotel or apartment, but rather had made herself a little home in a cave on the outskirts of Sunagakure: being only ten years old it would certainly have proven a difficult challenge to find someone willing to rent a room or space to her and she hadn’t felt up to the hassle. Having traveled slowly with some supplies, she had enough to make a somewhat comfortable bed - blankets over a straw sleeping mat - and a pot for boiling water or cooking food. Nearby her sleeping mat there was a pit she had dug and lined with rocks within which new burnable material resided waiting to be used, the previous from the night before having been mostly cleaned out with only bits and pieces of scraps remaining behind that signaled she had been there longer than a day. On the left side of the small cave, on a little ledge too high for even Sayuri to reach without climbing, stood her small and meager food supplies and several jugs of clean water.

At the moment Sayuri wasn’t within the cave, but rather near the entrance. As usual, the four foot tall ten year old was dressed in the attire that had been her norm for seven years: a white kimono and red hakama, with white split toe socks and wooden gata. Her hair, brown in coloration, was blowing in the wind as she stared up at a flock of birds circling overhead some distance away. From their cawing she could identify them to be vultures, and was contemplating heading over to see what sort of kill they had discovered. Yet, it was her concern for meeting the more unfriendly types within the desert sands that kept her rooted in place. She hadn’t ventured out much since her arrival except for trips to the nearby village for more supplies, and even some of the brutes wandering through the market were enough to give her pause. She wasn’t harmless, not like a normal child, but they were still much larger than her, and looked as if they could easily break her in half if they decided on such a course of action. “Bleah… I’m bored. I even miss my temple chores..”, Sayuri spoke out loud, assuming no one would hear her or reply.

However, a reply came in a manner of speaking. Noise reached her ears that caused her head to jerk in the direction of the sound. She had never heard such a thing before, and while the smart choice would have been to shuffle back into her cave and hide until whatever beast was making that noise was gone, her curiosity caused one step forward to turn into multiple, walking to turn into rushing and then running. “Maybe this is the source of evil I’m seeking.”, Sayuri mused out loud, hoping that what she would find would indeed bring her answers. Yet, as the sight of a massive creature and three humanoids reached her gaze she found herself stopping so quickly that she lost her footing and ended up on her rump with an oomph.

In desperate need not to be seen by the massive beast, Sayuri turned over onto her hands and knees and scuttled behind the nearest dun of sand, peeking out over it and hoping that her brown hair and tanned skin was close enough to her surroundings to keep her from being spotted. For once she was proud that she was only four feet tall, it made hiding so much easier. She had no idea what the three individuals present were going to do about such a large beast, but with the idea in mind that this might be the source of evil she was seeking, she found a rock in her young hand and a determination to help in her heart. Shifting her stance sideways, Sayuri reeled back her arm and then shot it forward, feeling her fingers opening and the rock slipping from her fingertips to soar through the air, hitting the massive creature right in the face. “Stop being bad!”, she called out, hoping that in much the same way a dog would listen and run off, so too would this creature.

The shower of sand that exploded outwards from the surfacing of the wurm blew even as far as where Ei had been sitting. Seeing it made her laugh a bit. What interesting timing. It would at least keep these children busy for now, and allow Ei to analyze them further. If they proved themselves capable she would introduce them to the village as Genin. If they didn’t…? Well. Ei would intervene and ensure everything went well. It would be poor manners to allow them to become wurm food. Ei truly didn’t have the heart to watch these children die, even if they were rather strange. It seemed that the both had a history of working together as well, and the capability to strategize.

“Do your best children.” Ei would say with a smile. “I’ll pat you on the head afterwards no matter your result, so long as you try your hardest and fight with a smile.” The battle would be something that Ei observed from a distance. It seemed that the girl, Kurenai, was capable of medical ninjutsu. Ei had to wonder who taught her. Both of them actually, as Mitsutaka revealed his ability to turn his body more malleable. Interesting. Hopefully though they would find a way to kill this creature without jumping into its mouth. Retrieving them from the wurm would be rather hard if they managed to get stuck inside.

The sudden presence of another would catch Ei’s eye. A small, adorable little girl who seemed to be dressed in the garb of a miko. The white kimono and red hakama were impossible to not recognize. Her actions though, of revealing herself from behind a dune of sand and pressing her arm out to the wurm, ordering it to ‘Stop being bad’. The sheer audacity of the situation nearly made Ei freeze, although just how incredibly adorable it was would immediately restart her heart. It was impossible not to smile now. She couldn’t help it, and Ei would break out into laughter at how adorable this small child was.

In a moment she abandoned the easel and her focus on the wurm, gliding across the sands to the small little girl who had just revealed herself. While Kurenai and Mitsutaka seemed capable of protecting themselves, this tiny girl did not. Ei’s instincts required her to protect the small girl as a result of that, and as she came over to the dune where Sayuri was Ei would kneel down, lowering herself to the small child’s level as to not intimidate her.

“Sweet child.” She would glace down with a warm expression towards Sayuri, her hand resting on top of the girl’s head to gently pat her head. “Tell me, what is someone so young and precious doing out here among these sands? Did you cross these deserts on your own, without any companions?”

---

Chakra: 28/50
- 05 : Intuitive Focus, UA
- 01 : Sillken Weave, E-rank
- 05 : Ghoulish Devoration, C-rank

Stats:

Taking a sideways glance towards Ei, seeing her unmoving from her position, and back to the matter at hand, Mitsutaka briefly entertained the idea of leading the beast towards said woman, forcing her to intervene in the battle that was underway. He did toy with the idea, but, he knew not if the woman would not just flee the scene, leaving them along to deal with the wurm, and, if they survive, trying to find their way to Sunagakure no Sato by themselves. Perhaps he could draw the aggression of the beast to another . . . particularly the woman? However, before he could even think about acting, movement caught his attention.


Another presence had entered the area - a small girl. A child who, either in a moment of bravery or stupidity, threw something at the beast. The objects do nothing to distract the monstrosity from its current prey. "So she isn't useless.", the words were mutter silently to himself as Ei moved over to where the girl was at. He did not dwell on the pair for long, as Kurenai caught his attention. 


"Be careful.", The words came out naturally to him. To humans it was only naturally to say the words to those who you care about, however, Tsuchigumo were different. They did not particularly share strong feelings for most of their kin. If one got killed, especially when another is presence, then they became a food source. In their world, the cannibalization of others happens frequently. Thus it was rare for them to display concern over the well-being of another. Yet, Mitsutaka did just that right now without much thought. 


Attention remained on the beast as Kurenai acted to make an opening for him. As the sequence of movements were performed, Mitsutaka prepared himself for his own part of the plan. Sliding to the right of the beast, webs shot forth, and the lithe male was sent airborne as the beast tossed its head back. Another thing of webbing shot forth from the male, latching onto of the nearby fallen buildings, and stuck to the side of it. 


Patiently, he waited for the beast to feel the effects of its armor being broken away. He did not have to wait long for the beast to roar, exposing it's mouth. "MOVE!", he shouted while chakra built up within him, his cheeks now bulging a little. Knowing time was an enemy, he released a black mist. Blanketing the immediate area in front of him, the poisonous mist would find purpose as It covered the wurm, and enter it system.


Roars of pain echoed throughout the area as the wurm thrashed wildly as its tissue was being destroyed by the poisonous fumes. There was nothing the wurm could do as it slowly succumb to it's death. Meeting death was not quick for the wurm, but a slow and agonizing process that ultimately had the wurm collapsing on the earth, moving only a little as death approached it. With the wurm nearing death, Mitsutake jumped down from where he was, and looked at the other presence, before landing on Kurenai, and pointing at the wurm, "Are you full or do you want more?"

---

01 : Sillken Weave, B-rank
02 : Art of Venomancy: Ensiferum, C-Rank
03 : Poison Mist
04 : Soft Body Manipulation(
Chakra: 33 / 50

Learning
-Silken Weaven(B) - 250 wc
-Ensiferum(C) - 200 wc

The rock hadn’t done a thing, despite Sayuri having thrown it as hard as she could. This creature, whatever it was, was tougher than some small girl with a single rock in her hand. It was a very defeating feeling, but she quickly put it behind her as she noticed she was being approached by one of the three whom she had spotted - an individual who had been watching the other two as they attempted to tackle the beast. Her gaze shifted over, looking the individual over as one would do if trying to assess whether or not a threat was approaching. Perhaps it was the fact that this was a female, and not one of the big and burly men who had scared the daylights out of her her first time venturing into Sunagakure properly that put her little heart at ease, so instead of fleeing back to her little cave home she instead stood her ground and remained put.

As her purpose here was inquired upon, as well as how she had come to be here, she found herself warring internally on whether or not to speak the truth or to try and get away with a lie. Yet, as she glanced over to the giant beast once more and the two who were fighting it, she decided that perhaps the truth was the best option overall. ”I live out here, well nearby, in a cave I found empty.” It was a simple enough explanation, but more was certainly due. ”I traveled here from Kumogakure when the temple I was raised in was raided and burned to the ground. A lot of my friends died, including the people who took care of me. I wanted to know what would make people do such a thing, so I started looking everywhere for answers, and ended up in Sunagakure at some point.”

Death was coming quickly to the massive creature, and the sight of it held her gaze now, leaving the child little option to look away. She had missed the death blow while speaking, and she felt like kicking herself for the lack of information. What if she encountered another one of those and was totally alone? “Are there more of those big things? My cave is small, but I think they could get inside of it if they wanted…”, she questioned, already guessing that the answer was yes while she yearned for it to be no. She didn’t want to find herself having to tangle with such a creature in the middle of the night, or at any point throughout the day really. Perhaps it was time to rethink her living conditions, but really, who would rent an apartment or a hotel room to a child? ”I’ve never seen something like that before… then again, I never saw much of anything. The temple took me in when I was just three years old, and I wasn’t allowed outside of the temple because the monks there claimed it wasn’t safe.”

She would listen to the cute little girl’s story, completely enraptured with the cutie. The fight was completely irrelevant to her now. Ei would gently pet Sayuri’s head as she spoke, stroking at her hair to comfort her. “Living in a cave? That sounds... You deserve better, Sweet Child.” Ei would frown. The idea of a child living alone in a cave out in the desert… This was unacceptable. “If you have nowhere to go, why not come back home with me? I have a warm home in Sunagakure. Allow me to clean you up and cook you a fresh meal, and give you a soft bed to sleep on. I’d-”

The wurm fell. Ei truthfully hadn’t been watching the majority of the combat. She had been too focused on the adorable girl set infront of her. The roar of the beast as it had been poisoned would be more than enough to catch her attention, and cause her to turn her head to watch with somewhat beliderment. She honestly hadn’t expected them to succeed. As it collapsed the wurm would whip around, clearly in incredible pain from its impending death. Poisoning wasn’t kind to the body, especially when you had a blast of it directly in the mouth. Ei would watch as it died. Her eyes would track Mitsutaka as he fell, landing down on Kurenai. Consider Ei impressed.

She would stand, and as she did Ei would scoop up Sayuri. The child was too precious to leave behind, and so she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Sayuri was going to be adopted whether she wanted to or not, especially after Ei heard her story.

“Both of you. Children.” She would call over to the two spider children, Kurenai and Mitsutaka, both likely exhausted from their fight. “If you wish, you may follow me back to the village. You’ve both done as I’ve asked, and so it would only be fair for me to uphold my end of the bargain.”

Ei would turn, Sayuri held tight in her arms, and begin a path back to the village.

[Exit]

"Move!". That cue was all she needed to slide down the beast's body like it was a ramp, her hand holding on to the strand of web she had created prior. As she slid down, she watched Mitsu move up direction its maw and spit out a poisonous mist. Eager to chomp down anything that came to close, the sand wurm snapped at the fog and Mitsu, sealing its death as the toxic fumes came in touch with the softer parts of its body and burned that away mercilessly. By the time Kurenai had hit the ground, the mastodon was screeching fiercely in agony and when she sprinted away again, she saw the massive shadow of the falling monster draw closer by the second. Deciding on a different escape route, the thing came down with a heavy thud in the sand, making the ground shake for a brief moment. She thought she was safe now, but then another heavy weight fell on her and smashed her into the ground.

"Woops, hey!", she shouted out first, shoving Mitsutaka off her. She'd then stand up and dust off her clothes, replying to him all the while. "I'm fine. I'm not eating that thing any longer. It almost broke my teeth and the ensiferum might completely eat it away anyway. I don't want my tummy to rot. Sounds bad.",

She nonetheless took a good glance at the thing. The tempting thought of trying a piece dancing in her mind. But if Mitsutaka was of the Otrovni caste, then that could be a bad deal. A horribly bad deal considering their notorious affinity with poisons. Deciding it was for the better to leave it as it was, she turned to face Ei. The human had discovered a child in the middle of these ruins. Not one she was willing to share to feed the spiders by the looks of it, but the promise of seeing Sunagakure was being fulfilled. So without much more thought than that, a smiling Kurenai followed Ei.

---

[EXIT] to Sunagakure

70 XP