The Desert, to get to the sand village you must pass

[Naruto Uzumaki]

[Akuma]

In a place like this anyone could get lost in what seemed to be the endless sands of time that shifted and turned with every gust of the wind. Standing there, alone, was Akuma, the Devil himself that has caused so much terror and fear to spread throughout many of the smaller villages and towns. Only once or twice has the man shown compassion for people, one time being with his acquaintance Akiza which quickly turned sour with her decision of following the man known as Masato.

Yes...Masato...one of the Jashinist. Rumors had it that Shikamaru Nara of the Village Hidden in Leaves defeated his apprentice and left him for dead in the unknown. Typically it was not a problem that this person wished for the death of the Nara boy but...it was what these people were. Immortal beings that could never die, bastards of mankind that needed to be exterminated one way or another. That was now Akuma's goal in life. To kill every, last one of the Jashinist who have reached immortality.

The desert winds seemed to pick up as the young boy dragged his feet across the sand. It was odd, being in this place as to Akuma it seemed incredibly...cozy. For years the man had suffered a slight side-effect from the terrible experiments that he had undergone. With the lost of memories, he never knew where he was from but every so often he would find himself travelling into the desert and finding himself walking around for hours, feeling relaxed and calmed. Perhaps it was a sign? The natural emotions that spread from his body were like his entire being reacting towards his home. The only questions was where exactly was his home?

[Hisoka]

Hisoka let out a groan as her knee-high sandled feet trudged through the sand. God, it was hot as balls! For once, the grey-haired girl was not wearing her sweatshirt, it being packed inside her satchel, and her simple mesh short-sleeved shirt was revealed, though the dark fabric beneath the netting kept her appropriate. And instead of wearing her usual black leggings, she sported jean shorts. With only a kunai pouch on her back hip and her Leaf insignified goggles. This wasn't a mission from Tsunade, but simply a task for work and at the same time a sort of vacation.

The kunoichi was currently on a trek to the Hidden Sand, delivering merchandise requested from the Kazekage. It was a fairly large order and since her mother couldn't step away from the forge, she trusted only Hisoka to make the delivery.

Taking a pause, she let out a groan as she took out her water canister and took a sip, cursing as she drank the liquid dry. Shit, and she was still a day's journey away from the village. "Fuck, I'm so going to die and be picked off by fucking voltures. Great, thanks Mom, fantastic vacation." She grumbled, allowing herself to plop down onto the sand dune she had been trying to climb over. Then turning her head in the direction in which the village laid, the spunky kunoichi blinked, spotting the dark sillhouette of a person just above her on the dune. Oooooh! Maybe they had extra water to spare!

The thought of NOT dying of dehydration was rather comforting; however, Hisoka just couldn't find the strength to get up at the moment, having been travelling in such strong heat, something which she wasn't used to. So, from her position on the ground, she yelled out, "Yo, you! Hey, down here! Care to help a chick out?"

[Akuma]

Surprised to hear the voice of another Akuma turned to see another person, quickly picking up the Konohagakure headband on her. Someone from that place...I haven't had much interaction with. I am just looking for that Shikamaru Nara though...I need to still warn him. Turning towards the girl Akuma offered a small hand underneath his robe to motion towards the girl. Though, it must look odd for a random man to be standing in the middle of the desert, there he was. "Why hello there young lady. What brings you too this damned place?"

[Hisoka]

Snorting, Hisoka gave the hodded boy a look of pity, because obviously the boy was lacking a brain if he thoght she of all people was a "lady". Then again, he was a stranger, but still! By the sound of his voice, she had to estimate that he was still rather younger; whether he was older than her or not, she couldn't be quite sure. That didn't really matter though. Young lady? Right, and you're what, fourty-two years old?" Her retort came out callously, but that was just the way she was. "You are right about this place being damned, though. Anyways, it's a rather fortunate turn of events that I chanced upon you. I don't have any water left and I hope you have some to spare. I still have a days trek to Suna and I'd rather not become volture fodder."

Ignoring his hand gesture, Hisoka remained sitting in the sand, not bothering to get to her feet quite yet.

[Akuma]

Once the girl acted hostile towards the kind gesture that Akuma tried offering to her his hand retracted underneath the thick clock. "I am sorry, I have the nothing for the likes off you or your attitude." Probably the only hope is that the girl had in this desert had turned his back on her and began walking away. There was no time in the world that Akuma would spend helping this lady.

[Hisoka]

Frowning, the grey-haired girl raised an eyebrow at the male in front of her. Attitude? What teh eff? "Are you refering to the smartass remark? Really, I'm not that young, and as for being a lady?" Hisoka couldn't help but laugh at the thought. If she was a lady, her mother wouldn't know what to do with her! "Well, as for being a lady, let's just say that's not my forte."[/color]

Watching him turn to leave her stranded in the desert, she had a few brutal choice words for the man. Seriously?! Who would leave a going-to-soon-be-dying-person in the desert just because they were rude?! But considering her life meant more to her than her pride, Hisoka bit back her tongue, even though her life probably wasn't even in danger and it would probably only be a shit ton of discomfort and dehydration. Still, it was something she wanted to avoid.

Right, some vacation this was turning out to be T^T;;

"Hey, look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm a rude smartass. I'd really like to not continue through the desert knowing that I have no water left, even if you can only lend me a small amount. Anything would be better than nothing." Hisoka called out, trying a more appologetic and sincere approach. Not that she wasn't sincere, it was just simply awkward to be displaying these sort of inner emotions.

[Akuma]

The man stopped for a moment once the stranger had began to apologize towards the rude statement she had boldly said just moment ago. As soon as his momentum had seized his feet began sinking softly into the many grains of sand that laid underneath his path, the robe moving softly in the wind of the desert as his head turned slowly back towards Hisoka. "I thank you for your apologetic nature...just a word of advice when you are seeking help don't act so angry towards those who can offer a hand of salvation." Reaching into the pack settled on the nook of his back he grabbed the bottle of water and, with incredible speed, threw the full bottle at the girl. "You can have the water. Just answer one question, what is this 'Suna' you are searching for?" Typically that kind of question would have been taken as odd considering everyone knows of the five great shinobi forces of the world. However, the arrogant and ignorant question still persisted in Akuma's mind. It sounded like someplace that he should know...yet did not.

[Hisoka]

Smirking at his advice, Hisoka easily caught the bottle, placing it into her pack for later use. "Thanks for the tip, though knowing me, that won't ever happen. No offence~" She laughed, giving the boy a wink.

Pushing herself up to her feet, Hisoka let out a sigh before pausing, staring and blinking at the robed man. "Suna? As in Sunagakure? One the of the five great Hidden Villages. Didn't you realize you're walking through the desert surrounding the village?" Hisoka asked, stepping in the direction where he stood. She was rather curious and confused; how could he have not known? Was he not from around here? Even still.

[Akuma]

"Sunagakure? I...don't remember it for some reason."

Akuma spoke softly with a hint of wonder behind the words. Of course there was some great powers in the world like Konohagakure or Kirigakure. However, those were the only two that he could even think of. Which was odd considering the girl just spoke about there being five of them...

"Five? I thought there was just Konohagakure and Kirigakure..what others ones could there be?"

[Hisoka]

Shrugging, Hisoka gave the boy a curious look, tilting her head to the side. "Kirigakure and Konohagakure, then there's Suna in the Land of Wind -aka here- Iwagakure to the north in the Land of Earth, and Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning -north-east of here. I'm heading to Suna to deliver a package for work and then I've got a few days of vacation time I plan to spend staying in the village."

Hisoka's voice trailed off, leaving her to stand awkwardly in the silence. Clearing her throat, she felt sort of guilty for him having taken offence to her earlier, and she wouldn't mind a companion... "Uh.....if you want, I could show you around." She offered, giving him a sheepish smile.

[Akuma]

...at first Akuma seemed reluctant towards accepting the offer of companionship to this town that, truthfully, he could not even remember in the first place. Could this be some kind of trick sent by the Jashinist? Their small, evil plot to lure the famous hunter into unknown territory where they could ambush and finally eliminate the one thorn in their side? Looking over towards the girl from Konohagakure his blank eyes looked her over once or twice trying to determine if she was a part of their demon cult. Of course she did not look the part but there was a ping of subconscious fear building in his gut.

Raising a hand and waving it, as if shrugging off the odd offer, Akuma just had to disagree. "I have never been know to be the best of company...nor do I seek companionship in this lonely desert. Sometimes I believe I wander here in search of being alone for the rest of eternity...or even look for my future here by seeking Death's sweet embrace." To Hisoka that statement may have sounded completely odd but to Akuma, it was just right. As if not phased by any emotional reaction that she may show towards the bizarre response he continued, "I really only searched for one companion yet she went on to follow another ideal...one more sinister. Tell me, you are from Konohagakure, correct? Do you know a Shikamaru Nara?"

[Hisoka]

Shrugging as the guy declined her offer, she gave him a strange look as he talked about coming out here to be alone.....and dying.... Well then. At the mention of another companion; a female companion, Hisoka's lips lifted in a curious smile. "Only one companion, eh? She you're girlfriend? As for Shikamaru Nara, I've heard of him, but I don't know the guy." The girl said with a shrug. Turning to look off in the direction of Suna, Hisoka glanced back at the boy uncertainly, "Are you sure you don't wanna come?"

[Akuma]

Again the thought seemed to cross Akuma's mind at that much was obvious by the shift of his cloak. Staring off into the desert as the wind slowly seemed to pick up. By this rate once nightfall had reached the two of them they would both freeze...which was a problem unless he really did decide to find death amongst the grains here.

"The person you speak of was not...that close to me. I would appreciate it if you just dropped it."

The tone did not mean to come out as hostile yet it did so anyways. Realizing this his head bowed down softly in apology before raising it again and speaking, "I suppose company would not hurt...for the mean time. Once we reach this Sunagakure...we shall part ways. Also..." The wind, seeming to pick up at this moment, ruffled the hood that kept his face covered reveling an hidden eye underneath. The stare that Akuma gave her was one of seriousness and malicious content...as if she screwed up once he would murder her in cold blood.

"Along this trip if I discover this to be a trap by the Jashinist. I will kill you."

[Hisoka]

Throwing her arms up in the air to show submission, Hisoka simply shrugged, "Alright, no need to get upset." With his -she assumed appologetic- head nod, Hisoka motioned for the guy to follow her, noticing that the sun would be setting soon. "I was actually planning on continuing through the night, so unless you disagree and prefer to rest for the night, then we'll continue."

Looking over her shoulder to see if he gave any indication as to what he wanted, Hisoka noticed -from what she could actually see of his face- that his expression was hostile, making her tense. When he gave his warning, the grey-haired girl just smirked and relaxed, waving her hand nonchalantly in his direction. "Hey, no worries. I told you, I'm not a Jashinist, or whatever you called them. Don't be so negative~" She teased.