On the Wings of Change

He had made sure to dress himself accordingly, Yamato received a summons about an hour ago and he was to meet with Ayato at the office of the Hogokage regarding his current assignment to Team Winter and how he was doing with the transplants.  Odd though it may be, he still had no choice but to abide by the order.  He dressed in his simple shinobi gear, using the manipulated fabric of course to create a protective cloak before leaving.  

Overall it did not take him long to get to his destination as he climbed the steps to enter.  He brought the summons with him so when he was undoubtedly stopped at the gates…he simply presented the scroll before they attempted to escort him.  “No need…I know where I am going.”  He would say coldly before disappearing into the building, making his way to the office.  The guards that let him in were shaking their heads as they remarked at how ghostly the team leader of Team Winter was.

Inside he was patient and calculating as he even knew the amount of steps it took to reach the office in question.  It was exactly 576 steps to the destination with the route he took to get there.  Once he had arrived he knocked twice as he waited for the usual shadow to come up and search him…a precaution to ensure that the blade of the Kage, a blade that he had personally brought back from the muck of Amegakure, would not bite into the hand of the benefactor.  He would wait to be allowed access without a word.  However he would be informed that Ayato had changed the meeting place to the Training Grounds at the Water Gardens.  Yamato would honestly blink twice with confusion before heading to the nearest window and with a sigh he would open in and take a leap before setting off to the second meeting place.  

It did not take him long to arrive, this time he was a little less patient and walked into the training grounds looking for Ayato.

WC:346

It was the hour before the dawn when the streets of Hoshigakure were dull and grey. A few hours from now, they would be brimming with life. Ayato Hyuuga walked alone, save for the company of a small crow perching on his shoulder.  Mamoru wore a royal blue hooded jacket with golden trimmings—gold bracers around his legs and gold rings around his foot appendages. What’s most noticeable about him is that he also has a backpack that contains the scroll for the contract he belonged to, The famous Forest of Dreams Ravens.  

"You positive about this boss?" The bird asked, his voice almost muffling the sounds of winds. 
"No, but I'll trust my gut on this one," Ayato responded, a sad smile on his lips.
"You said the same thing last time, and we all saw how well that went, " Mamoru said with a croak that could have only been laughter in Raven. "Nobody will forget that I assure you."
"Miyamoto...No, Yamato is not Stein. He is a troubled soul, always had been. And well, let people remember what happens to those who betray my trust. They walked in silence until finally, they reached their destination.

Ayato entered the long, narrowing pathway that was the entrance into the training area of the Water Gardens. One looking towards the Kage of Hoshi would realize he had been in more than a few battles, judging from the scar on his throat. His long hair was dark, and the beard of his strong jaw was clean-shaven. He wore a purple cloak over black linen robes to shield him from the crisp morning air.  There was a weight to him, a sense of power or certainty.

WC: 283

His chakra sensing told him what he needed to know, Ayato was already nearby and he cracked and popped the joints in his neck as he took in a sharp breath.  He altered his course as he walked towards where the kage would be as the crisp morning air should have bit into him, but the physiology and chakra of the Terumi kept him comfortable and warm…then again, even if it failed he had other failsafe's in place with Jugo and Senju bloodlines and their natural chakra connections, and of course the manipulation fabric could keep him warm if he wanted.  He walked up and  gave a slight bow to Ayato out of respect.  “Decided to change the meeting place at the last minute?  Seems that I still have to be searched every time I come to the office, but as usual…no weapons on me.  So what is this progress report about?  Need to know my thoughts on the shinobi?  Or perhaps is it that you have a target for me to take care of again?”  Yamato was a little curt, but at the same time his voice was not condescending.


He noticed the raven on Ayato’s shoulder and he recognized it from when they were still on Team Winter.  That summon was one of the smartest summons he had ever seen.  He remembered that creature lending its power to Ayato one time, that time made Yamato…then known as Miyamoto look for the Komodo Dragons in the Dragon’s Ravine.  He would make that his next stop.  “Also Thank you for the transplants, and please extend my gratitude to your sister for keeping my heart beating during the operation.  I am again in debt to you and the village.”  He said with honest intention.

WC:292
TWC:638

An ashen-haired shinobi stood in the water gardens. Ayato’s footstep did not make sense, and his back was turned, yet the lone watchman noticed him all the same. The man covered the twenty-meter distance between them with a few long strides. Miyamoto took a courteous bow at the end of it when he stopped. The mists of the morning hid the scars that covered the left side of his face—a hint of complaint on his lips on how Ayato changed the meeting place.

“You have better luck finding this man walking the streets than in his office.” The raven on Ayato's shoulder japed and flapped his wings in excitement.

“I did, and you are not dressed for this weather.” The Kage’s gray eyes looked at the manipulated fabric made for Miyamoto’s makeshift attire. “I know little and care less for transplants, but there is no denying that they can save people's lives and change it for the better if used correctly. I shall transfer your thanks to my sister. Although I’ll warrant you’d want to do that yourself.”

Ayato noticed how Miyamoto looked at her in their previous meeting in the Starfall Hall. It was the same look most men gave her. To the Hogokage, Natsuki Hyuuga would always be his baby sister, but they were no longer children, and she had a woman’s charm to her now. 

“But first, we have matters of the state..."The Kage raised his arm and opened his hand to show a rough, callused palm. The air of the Water Gardens was invigorated with Space-Time chakra, an ability inherited by his predecessor and teacher Yasaki Uchiha. A slight rift had opened at Ayato's eye level. The Kage reached in and summoned two items.  “To discuss.” He handed Miyamoto the folder. The paperwork for the new identity, including shinobi ID, a medical file, and a clean criminal record, were all there. Their authenticity is unquestionable, as these were government-issued by the Village Hidden in the Stars. Shina had done fantastic work.

"Shinrei Yamato Senju is now official. But looking at the part is not enough. You must also be the part. Am I correct to assume that your training with Akabayashi has proven fruitful?"

WC: 371
TWC: 654

The raven spoke before his brother did, and the tone was meant more as a jab for the kage than to inform Miyamoto.  He wanted to smile at that little quip but kept it to himself, but when he questioned the attire of the shinobi Miyamoto gave him an inquisitive eye.  “You realize I constantly keep my body temperature above normal due to the Terumi bloodline as is…I am not a public figurehead anyway so how I dress is…well it is of minimal concern as long as I am dressed right?”  He responded in kind, but as always Ayato never missed a beat and continued on with telling him that he cared little for transplants and such but that he should tell Natsuki himself when he could.  Miyamoto wanted to say something but he kept his mouth shut, the quick jab he could have verbally punched his comrade with was just not conducive to the matter at hand.  She was beautiful, but again she was related to the man that he considered a brother, as well as a public figure…which Miyamoto was not suited for anymore…or so he thought.

The reason for the meeting however, Ayato soon brought up his hand, opening a space using some jutsu he did not understand at first glance.  Then once it was done Miyamoto was handed a folder, thinking it was a target he flipped it open and studied it intently as he always did when given a target…this time though it was…confusing at first until he realized what he was looking at.  He was now known as Shinrei Yamato Senju, a member of the Senju clan and a noble shinobi of Hoshigakure.  He no longer had a criminal record with this identity and even further…he was expected to be a pillar in the village as it moved forward.  When he was questioned about the training with the old man Terumi Miya…Yamato nodded resolutely.  “Yes, Akabayashi taught me all he knew about the senju and their techniques.  The wood release is very helpful to my current strengths and allows me to overcome some limits that I have been unable to climb over recently…”  He said this and wanted to say something more, he realized that his clean record and new name was not…ideal to his true self but he already came to the conclusion that a new start was needed so he…was grateful.  “I am but a sword for the village hidden in the stars.”  He said with a polite bow before placing the file inside of his training gi where it would be safe.  “How else can this sword be of service?”  He asked with no annoyance or emotion in his voice.  He was grateful, but he did not know if this was a thing that he should just celebrate with a man that was far above him now.


WC:476
TWC: 1,114

"Miyamoto Terumi did not feel the cold and dressed like a highwayman. But he is shinobi that has ceased to exist." Ayato reminded him not unkindly. What was left unsaid was better understood, sometimes. Miyamoto had to shed his old skin and create a new identity for himself, as quickly as someone would have to swap in and out of their shinobi uniform. "The Wood Release was the first phase. Mamoru will explain the rest." 

"The contract keeper will be of service.” The bird nodded in salute and looked around the training grounds anxiously as if he were expecting someone to jump out and catch them in the act. For all the posturing, Mamoru kept the knowledge of his race very close to the chest. Even at an hour like this. “The Forest of Dreams ravens are no ordinary creatures. We lived in the trees surrounding the Land of Fire before civilization came into existence. We have seen empires rise and fall."
 
“Mamoru…” Ayato would say, seemingly cutting the bird short. “Do you have to start with the sale's pitch every time?”
 
“Yes!” The raven would yell at Ayato.“Let me finish. Now, where was I? Oh yes, the Forest of Dreams is a special contract..” Ayato would interrupt again, “Is that going to take a while? You've said that before. ” The bird would now peck the Kage’s ear, and he winced in pain.

“Stop that!!” the bird hissed. “Alright, get to the point then.” the black-haired shinobi compiled in annoyance. Ayato Hyuuga might have been the Kage of the Hidden Stars, but to Mamoru, he was still the child who formed a pact with them over a decade ago. 

“Time moves differently for humans and animals than it does for us in the Ravens of Dreams. Time and space fuse together in our dimension, becoming one, granting us great visions of both the past and future, although it can be tough to discern which of the two the vision is...” 

The bird was now rambling on, and the Hogokage was almost lost, as was regularly the case when it came to Mamoru’s musings. “They foretold of this meeting years ago. It's time for you to make a pact with us, Yamato. That is why the Kage brought you here today."


WC: 381
TWC: 1035

That sentence summed it up entirely and Miyamoto nodded once in agreement, he had no reason to to continue as he did with the new identity.  When he was then told that the raven summoned Mamoru would take over and explain the rest.  Miyamoto transferred his entire focus onto the summoned raven so that there would be no issues.  The back and forth between Mamoru and Ayato was comical at first, but quickly it was almost annoying and the repetitiveness made Miyamoto think that the raven was playing a joke on him; however, he kept quiet out of respect for the summoned creature.  The final part of the long introduction came and Mamoru explained that this meeting was a fated encounter and that he was there under the guise of the simple order of the Kage so that he could receive the ability to summon these ravens as well.

Miyamoto blinked for a moment, he knew about the ravens from when Ayato first received them.  The jealousy was thick enough for the shinobi to use as a shield from any opposition, but he had moved past it when he made his trip into the Komodo Dragon’s territory.  “This was foretold, wasn't it?  That is…well, that is hard to believe as I was always led to believe that fate could always be changed…yet here I am.  If I was foretold to be here, then I cannot deny the wings that have brought on this change and led me here.  What must I do to form a contract with you, master Mamoru?”  He asked and his sincerity was intact as this was a way for him to receive more strength…which was something he so deeply desired.

WC:285
TWC:1,398

“To enter into the contract, you must give me a nonperishable offering or keepsake that you have a personal connection to.” Mamoru began explaining, the tone of his voice thick with the accent of the Land of Fire. “Signing a contract in your blood stopped being the cool thing to do four hundred years ago.” Mamoru croaked, showing his sense of humor, which drew a smile from Ayato. A sad smile. Any shinobi in the known world could spare a tiny drop of blood to get themselves access to a summon. And that was true for most summons, but not the Forest of Dream Ravens. The pact of the Ravens required trust, even if that meant breaking your word to someone else.

 “The offerings carry the spiritual connection to you and have their chakra signature, kept safe by yours truly for as long as they are party to the contract.” Mamoru ended his statement then. Ayato knew that all Ravens of the Forest of Dreams could identify contract shinobi by this, often referring to them by the item they offered if they did not know your real name.

“This appears to be a great opportunity to part ways with that rusty Amegakure headband,” Ayato said, only half-jokingly. He could almost telepathically read his old teammates' minds. That was the badge office of his father, the legendary Wor Terumi, but the former hero was nothing like him. It was his mother he had taken after.

“But regardless of what memorabilia you choose. Signing contact with the ravens will mean losing something, even temporarily. It will be parting ways with your current contract, Tatsu, and the rest of the Komodo Dragons.”

WC: 280
TWC: 1315

He listened to Mamoru and smiled with a soft expression as he knew what this would mean immediately.  The process of signing a contract in blood, that was what he thought and honestly…that would have been much more preferred, but this was…this was what was needed.  In the back of his head he always held on to that headband as a symbol of pride, and that the past will not be forgotten…but he was a new man now.

This is what was needed.

Ayato spoke next, pointing out the obvious about Worr’s headband and Miyamoto raised his arm with silent regard.  He knew that the man he considered his brother saw through this as if those eyes saw his emotions in real time.  Then he finally finished by telling him that the contract with the Komodo Dragon’s will be lost as a result.  He knew this would happen, but he also knew that it was not uncommon to have a contract with more than one type of animal.  “I know what this means, and the Komodo Dragons of the ravine…will have to wait for me to return, once I am stronger I will complete my promise to free them of their own shackles.  As for what I will offer up.”  He said as he took off the headband of his father and held it out in his left hand.  “I offer up the headband of a village long forgotten, of a man that was not only my father…but the leader of the village.  This is the only thing I own that ties me to my family that now no longer exists.”  He said with resolution and conviction to get stronger.

WC:280
TWC:1,678

Most people that had any existing contract and signed with a different summon race would have to leave it behind. Of course, there was the possibility that, like Ayato, Yamato could hold two race contracts at the same time.  Only one in the hundred shinobi was born with the ability to do that, or so the singers said. But right now, the young man stayed unflinching upon receiving the news. He was no longer the immature boy under Kyousuke Snow that Ayato had partnered with years ago. Now in front of him was no longer Miyamoto but Shinrei Yamato, a boy no more but a shinobi of Hoshigakure.

"Very well then," Ayato reached and took the headband in his hand. The rusty old thing was probably older than he was, dented and bent in more places than the Kage could count. But Mamoru croaked in excitement all the same. As a carrion bird summons, ravens become associated with the dead and lost souls. Shinobi wars of the past had left quite a feast of corpses for them. Consuming their flesh, part of the spirit of the fallen shinobi are now living a second life within the ravens.

“Metal,” Mamoru cawed as he snatched the headband with his beak. “Knight, knight, knight” The raven jerked his small neck upwards, similarly to an actual animal. But that was the last action that did not resemble a human. Mamoru would use his feathers to open the small backpack and store the headband inside it. Alongside small scrolls and books. 

"Many years ago, during our Chuunin Exams, I told you the story of Nightwing. Do you remember it?"

WC: 274
TWC: 1589