Cross Swords [Ichigo, Tsurugi, Kensei/open]

[Zenoichi Hyabusa]

Returning to the village of Tenmeigakure, the young berserker Zenoichi is greeted by a young man with a battle suit on and a crescent ax in hand.

"You are Zenoichi correct? If so I have a summons for you from the village elders".

Stopping in front of the young ninja, Zenoichi examines him. Judging from his gear the boy was their to deliver a message of war but that can't be certain until the message is read.

"Yes I am Zenoichi Hyabusa, let me have the letter young warrior". He says brushing a lock of his black hair behind his ear.

Handing him the letter the boy went on about his way running toward the Colosseum. Looking around Zenoichi noticed large amounts of people migrating toward the Colosseum as well. "That's odd, I wounder who's fighting today, whoever they are they must be important", he says as he begins to open the letter.

Sure enough it informed him of a team sparring tournament being held in the Colosseum today and he was to participate. Apparently due to the death of the village's head ninja they are looking for a replacement worthy of the title and he was being put up as a prospect. The tournament will be a team competition for squads of two. The winners of the tournament will be chosen to go on a mission to find and destroy the one who killed the previous leader. When the two returned from the mission successfully they would square off in a duel in the Colosseum to decide the leader of the village.

This made Zenoich's body over flow with excitement. This was the chance he has been waiting for, the chance to show everyone his skill and become the leader of the village and full fill his dream of becoming the greatest berserker to ever be produced by his village. Grabbing and apple and a slice of pizza from a local food vendor he made his way toward the Colosseum, one thing still in his mind.


Who would his partner be?

[tsurugi]

Tsurugi found himself once more in his village, the subtle comfort off simply being home in the mountains was enough to make hims smile. There was nothing as good as this village and would never be anything as good. The message he had received told him that he was to attend this tournament without question. though, as he remembered it there was likely only going to be one massive battle. Tsurugi felt that the battle would be relatively interesting. The prize was the honor to search out the demon he and Kensei had been seeking for the past month or so. The leads they'd been able to find were never enough to locate him. The way things were, it seemed almost as if the man was barely even on this planet any longer.

Tsurugi entered the grand stadium that would provide as his stage in this battle. He smiled as he searched the crowd with his eyes and saw that the amount of people wishing to participate was not as high as expected. Many were not interested in the position, others felt that it was above them. Tsurugi was not exactly interested in becoming the leader either. As far as he was concerned it was his duty to battle for and defend the village, not lead. There were many in the ranks that he was sure would become good leaders if given the chance. The village leader was usually an Assassin in any case, Berserkers made up more of the head guard. Though, this was mainly because many thought that the leader should have a more tactful manner then the commonly brutal ways of the Berserkers.

"If it isn't little Hyabusa.. Still playing in the sand?"

Tsurugi moved near to the younger berserker and smiled kindly. The teasing words were that of a sempai who cared for his own. Tsurugi naturally knew all of his class, and this youth happened to be one of the more stable Berserkers. Tsurugi slapped him on the back heartily, the long string of cloth that strapped his massive blade to his back wavering along by his shoulder. The taller man looked down to his Kohai pleased to see him in such good condition.

"I do hope you've trained enough to be in this place right now. I wouldn't want my cute little Kohai to look bad."

[Zenoichi Hyabusa]

Walking inside th coloseum, Zenoichi began to scope the crowd. So far not to many were there yet considering the size of the populus of the village but they were still pouring in at a steady rate. Finnishing off his pizza with a burp, he began loooking for the rest of the competitors that woud be his opposition. Most of them seemed to be skilled assassin class ninja. This did not surprise him because many in the vilage believed assassins were better suited for the lead position than the others but the fact that he was there and particpating in the tournament as a berserker ment that the times were changing and that ment new doors opening for he and his fellow berserker class.

Looking at the shining sun lit sky Zenoichi began to wounder who would be his partner in all of this when he heard a familiar voice behind him. It was Tsurugi! Zenoichi turns to his comrad with a whole hearted smile as Tsurugi slaps him on the back heartily.

"Well if it isn't the spirit of the Tenmeigakure, its been a while friend. I haven't seen you since my days back at the ninja academy. Of course I have been kepping myself in top physical and mental condition for days like this. I have been waiting a long time for this moment and I won't let it escape my grasp". Zenoichi says as the look of determination Shines off his crystaline sword on his back as he turns his head back to Tsurugi. "But enough about me what have you been up to lately Tsurugi and what brings you to this place on this day"?

[Seishuku Kensei]

Kensei walked on the grounds of the coliseum sulking. He was dissatisfied in his own secret search for the man that brought shame to his home and murdered his father, not finding anything substantial in his own search despite his own tracking abilities and technological prowess.

Sitting by his lonesome, away from the other assassins, he wore a simple training tunic and pants, not particularly caring for the spectacle that would be the matches and competition of the day. Kensei had decided that the only way that man would be brought to justice would be for himself to take command of the village. Assured that he would win today's contest he had come to the understanding this way would be the easiest, continuing to remain stationary amongst all the other shinobi of his village.

[Sutemi Ichigo]

Ichigo walked quietly humming. Tenmeigakure his home, he hadn't been there much lately, but it was nice to be there. Walking to the stadium he looked up, it was biger than what he thought. Coming to the entrance he paused. There were a ton of people there just for some match. Looking around he saw nobody he even knew. Well he didn't know many peole just a handfull maybe. Going inside he looked around and then heard a few people talking to each other. They seemed to know each other. Well he did not care since butting in to ones conversation was rude.

Looking around he began to take in all the details of the people surounding him. It would make many people nevouse to be ther amoung strangers but it was a tournament and well that was to be expected at times. Looking for a place to sit he found one after a few glances and it was away from people to he took it and sat down.

[Seishuku Kensei]

More and more people filed the rafters of the stadium as Kensei remained on the ground of the arena's base. "This is a farce, a squander of resources." Kensei muttered to himself, looking into the sharpness of the blade, it's edge as fine as his eyesight was keen. In its reflection he saw many young and upcoming shinobi of his village, mostly Berserkers with a few groups of assassins sprinkled among them, keeping to themselves.

"The elders are fools, they make us engage in these childish games to decided who will further delay bringing that murderer to justice." Kensei said, his frustration growing with every passing second. Standing up from his former reclined postion, Kensei sheathed his sword's blade, turning toward the familiar face of Tsurugi. "He has been of little assistance, though no fault of his own, his dedication to the council has proven to be a hindurence." Kensei said, walking as he pondered more on the situation of the tournament.