[Oriko] Kinjutsu Training: Aspect of the Black Panther

fyodor666 · [Oriko] Kinjutsu Training: Aspect of the Black Panther

Spoiler:

OOC: Requires 8 points.

IC: As he looked out over the plains, Maboroshi Oriko experienced a feeling of euphoria. The crisp night air brushed ever so lightly across his exposed skin whenever the breeze blew. He was in the wilderness where he had survived for years, survived and thrived. This was his true home. He stepped forward, feeling every blade of grass acutely on his now bared feet. He only wore his footwear in the presence of others, and long had it been since he had needed it.

He hadn't gone more than a dozen yards when a calling hit him. The calling was faint at first, but grew stronger. He could not tell who was calling him, or for what purpose, but he did know that he needed to respond. He stubled about, a bit disoriented now by the sheer power of the call. His mind raced with images of him rushing through fields, chasing down and feeding upon the grazing animals who called these plains their home.

Then there was clarity, nothing but him and the source. It was so clear now that he let out a beastial roar at the sky, causing all sorts of small animals to flee his presence. It didn't matter though, as Oriko was not paying attention to their pathetic lives. HE was the dominant one, and he was not hungry, so they would survive their panicked flight. The source called him into it depths to spend an eternity there.

The missing-nin resisted though. He would let nothing control him, and as the call dimmed out, he became acutely aware of a pulsing on his wrist. He looked down and peeled off the bracer, revealing a glowing panther. The "tattoo" was more than what it seemed. It was the essence of a mighty black panther, one who had bitten that wrist years ago. Its twin resonated with it, a white wolf on the other wrist, though the resonance was weak. It was the panther's time.

Oriko shook his wrist a little, and the panther verily writhed upon his skin. It burned with a pain that had nothing to do with physical sensation. It was in his mind, and he knew it, so Oriko rose his mental defenses, the ones he used to combat other genjutsu users. As he did so, the pain faded into oblivion. The panther roared in his head now, a roar of defiance and power.

And then there was silence. Pure, complete silence. Oriko spoke into the panther with his mind, knowing the beast upon his wrist would understand. I am your master, noble panther. You may not like it, and you may fight it, but in the end your efforts are futile. You will serve me until such time as I die or see fit to release you. You chose me as a host, and you knew what it would mean.

A voice boomed in his head, threatening to overwhelm him, and Oriko wondered briefly if eh was truly in control. Yes, mortal, I chose you as a host, even though I knew you would not be controlled. I chose you, as did my brother, because you are our best hope for survival. We can only be free of binding for one hundred years, at which point we must choose a host. Normally, the host chooses a successor, but our last one died before he could, and so we were set free. Now we must tell you this, or we cease to exist. Upon your death, we will go to a successor of your choosing if you are touching them. If not, we go free for another hundred years. We will do all we can to assist you in survival, as our mandate demands. Now, prepare to be trained by ME!

Kaeor

+1

Total: 1

fyodor666

Oriko has listened to the voice intently, and was barely aware that it had stopped speaking. When he did realize it, the silence was deafening. It had been so powerful and filled with such intelligence that the missing-nin could hardly make a guess at just how old the spirit was. He thought about the speech for a few moments, trying to digest the information.

So, I get to be trained by an ancient panther spirit... he thought to himself. He didn't expect an answer. That is correct. I will train you in the use of my own power, and my brother will soon teach you his. We will also provide you with the wisdom you will require for survival.

Oriko got up then, looking up to the bright moon, and spoke out loud, barely more than a whisper. "I am Maboroshi Oriko, the one who survived in the wilds of the Land of Rice Fields for years, slayer of the great Black Panther and Winter Wolf, master of genjutsu. I will not be controlled, and I will not be manipulated. If I feel for one second that you are trying to, I will destroy the tattoos, and, if I guess correctly, you will cease to exist."

The panther was silent for a few minutes, then spoke to him again. We understand. You are strong of will, and you will survive a long time with out teachings. We may even some to call you a peer, and perhaps you will even become an animal spirit upon death.

Oriko then received instructions as to what he had to do. He followed them at once, starting the hour-long trek to the mountains specified. If was normally an easy trek, though it seemed to be harder than it should be. Perhaps the panther was putting resistance on his muscles to make it so, but Oriko decided it must be necessary. He struggled on, keeping a normal pace despite the discomfort, and finally reaching the mountains.

He then received confirmation that the panther had been responsible, and had been conditioning his body for what was to come. Oriko had to take on a portion of the panther's own power to boost his body. This he did, and he cried out in agony. The power was so pure, so primal, that it conflicted with his very nature. He couldn't even think due to the pain, which was probably just as well. He wouldn't want to think what would have happened without the conditioning.

Finally, the pain subsided to a dull ache all over his body, and Oriko collapsed into unconsciousness.

AJ Gray

+ 1.5

Total: 2.5