The Red Fog

[brokenkusanagi]

The morning fog has already rolled in, and the bitter cold nibbles away at you. The harshness of it forces you from your sleep, and you solemnly pull yourself out of your bed, head held low, almost in slient defeat. You can hear their footsteps getting louder and louder as they get closer to your home, until you can hear there breathe from right outside the door. The chunin ‘collectors’ are making the annual rounds. It’s a new year which means the Academy is ‘accepting’ new recruits. New students, new targets, new bodies to fill the ground, whatever you chose to call them. You are one of the unfortunate few in the Village with a decent chakra pool and the ability to mold chakra, so enrolment in the military is compulsory for you. Your civilian life... perhaps even your natural life is over.

You flinch as the door swings open and a tall, well-built man with a sullen expression and a shorter, leaner man, with blonde hair, both in standard gray Mist Uniform let themselves. Their headbands glow a dull grew in the mist, and the engraved symbol of the Mist seems even more piercing than usual. They stand proud and confident before you, they’re presence extends all around the room. They are here for you, a future ninja of Kirigakure.

“Matsuba... we’ve been looking everywhere for you” The blonde one shots his trademark sadistic grin. He’s the main instructor of the Academy... Toshiru Amanishi. His blonde hair is short, scruffy and dirty, hanging stringy and wet over his headband. “Alright Matsuba, how are we doing this? Painful? Easy? Fun? We’re not expected to hurt you... though it’s not exactly frowned upon” He extends his hand out to you, a rehearsed grin proudly on his face.

You look around slowly, eyes examining the room, almost praying there’s some secret passage or someone that will leap out and save you. But you know there’s no escape and there’s no running. Your fate is nigh. With an aching body you move off your bed and with a pained expression, edge yourself to the two men. Toshiru grabs you by the back of the neck, pulling you in so close you’re noses almost touch. “Good... was that so hard?” Toshiru muses, his tone dripping with fake sincerity.

You try to answer, but his accomplice moved so silently and quick you didn’t even realise, and he delivers a quick strike to the base of the neck. You’re breathing becomes labored and your body numbs as you collapse on Toshiru’s shoulder. You try to wrestle yourself free, but the the black embrace of unconsciousness is falling upon you, your eyes growing heavier with each struggled movement.

They lead you out of your home as Toshiru carries you on his shoulder, his bone digging into your gut. You see flickers of movement as the villagers peer out to see them take another one. You try to reach out to them, but their fear and guilt consumes them, and they turn away.

You cast your gaze at your home. The home that had raised you since youwere a child. It’s the sum of all your hopes, your dreams, your memories. Even as your vision fades you could never forget what it looks like:

A. The grand, spacious mansion of a noble family. You were given a sheltered life and whatever you desired. The last thing you see is your father in his warm winter attire, sighing in defeat and slowly closing the windows.

B. The simple house of a fisherman’s family. A little rustic, but warm and comforting at the same time. You lived a normal life of a civilian. The last thing you see is your mother, collapsing to her knees and weeping.

C. The well-tended modest home of a ninja. Small, but practical and all but inconspicuous. You were raised on tales of your parent’s exploits and on the basics of the ninja arts. The last thing you see is your parents looking on, grim looks on their faces.

D. The humble, almost dilapidated shack you raised yourself in. You’re family was killed while you were just a child, and you’ve survived through wits and luck. The last thing you see is the shack almost shiver, as it lets out it’s final creak.

[lolkpop]

B vote

CYOA with a normal civilian MC, go!

[Bazooka_Rose_Penguin]

B

[iceisnice]

B

[giga]

B

Though Reiz had a mostly normal childhood.

[giga]

Also, I love your writing style.

[Yushinoki]

B

[vegeta]

Another B vote. Very picturesque and creative.

[brokenkusanagi]

B. it is, thanks for the compliments guys

Your normal life is drawing to an end, the final scene accompanied by the anguish cries of your mother, as she begs the Mist Nin for just one more day with you. They do not turn back or even slow and she only seeps deeper into her own sorrow, collapsing in the door frame, her face red raw, tears staining the front her blouse and her body shivering all over.

Already the fond memories of childhood begin to grow hazy, though that may just be your mind slipping. You almost feel tears well up in your eyes as your father holds your mother like he did you, when you were a toddler, sobbing quietly into your mother’s shoulder. You try to say goodbye, but your body has stopped struggling and your eyelids have grown heavy. They slam shut with almost audible force and you let out one last sigh, then hang limply on Toshiru’s lean shoulder.

“Bye...”

------------------------------

“Matsuba!? Matsuba!?” You awake to panicked screams and shaky visions of familiar faces, as your vision slowly returns to you. A throbbing pain rips through your head like a tremor and you almost lapse back into the sweet realm of sleep. Your body feels weightless and weak, and you flinch slight tinges of pain tickle you up and down your back as the feeling returns. You slowly blink despite your stupor, to find a strange, paled figure crouched on top of you. His hair is long and brown, completely covering the left side of his face. It’s thick and though you can’t quite put your finger on it... it almost has it’s own ‘distinct’ smell-

Shoshibi.

You struggle to hold back the strange mix of a gag and a laugh that comes whenever you see him. That putrid mix of egg and manure can only come from your one and only childhood friend, Shoshibi Kaizu. Which meant... He’s trapped here too. He continues to straddle you, shaking violently and blubbering about ‘crazy guys with weird-ass magic’. You’ve seen him panicked before, but this... it’s like a whole other realm of terror.

Before he can slam your head against the ground (again), you slide your feet under his hips and launch him off of your chest. “Goddamn, Shoshibi you still smell like crap!” You playfully growl, trying to hide your obvious excitement. Shoshibi is your last reminder of the life you once had, a small token of the golden years of youth. As soon as this thought crosses your mind, your laughter dies and all you can feel is the gnawing feeling of dread deep within yourself. “Shoshibi... do you realise where we are?”

His face grows dark and frightened, his lip quiver at the very thought of the harsh reality that was creeping in around them. “I don’t know man... these guys... these ninjas! Come out of nowhere, said I had ‘potential’ whatever that means. They grabbed me, roughed my ‘rents up... and Mum... I heard her scream...” You know that look, that feeling he has, the dread of a new and utterly terrifying world. He’s scared beyond words, but you can’t keep him in the dark for long.

You place a warm hand on his shoulder, he’s cold to the touch and you can feel the tremors of fear rocking through his body “Shoshibi... I know this will shock you, but we’re in the Ninja Academy or where at least on the way” You feel his skin turn to ice as his eyes almost pop out of their sockets, his pupils dart around the room and his voice becomes a hollow whimper. His breathe turns frenzied and his body moves erratically, everything independent of each other.

“Bu-but... have you heard what they do here?! They make us fight to... kill to become genin! I can’t-can’t do that Matsu!”

You grab him by the shoulders and stare him into his eyes. The familiar emerald green you once knew stained with primal fear. “You won’t have to. I’ve heard the stories of this place,, but who knows if they’re true? We’ll stick together, help each other out, protect each other. But to do that we need to stay calm and stay cool ok? I’m here Shoshibi, now get up” You give him a fake smile, but he seems to mellow a little. He slowly gets to his feet, though his knees almost buckle under his own weight.

“Yo-you’re right” His breathing’s a little quick, and his voice shakes, but you can already see an improvement. “We’ve just got-gotta make a plan... get our bearings...”

“Agreed” You nod and scan the room, only to find about 30 other children staring you down, eyes a mix of fear, confusion and anger. How long was I out? The room is bare, save for the children, and the air is moist and heavy, and has the familiar scent of rain. The floor is soaked with puddles and moss, and the sides are covered by a thick blanket of darkness, a single torch stands in the middle of the room, surrounded by the new students.

The children had already split up and formed groups, conversing and plotting amongst themselves. The idea of safety in numbers has already spread and joining one of these groups seems like a good idea.

Shoshibi tiptoes to your side. “I recognise some of these kids. May-maybe we should try to, you know, team up with some of them or something?” He whispers meekly. But who? You look through the crowds and notice a few small groups, with outsiders hovering around them.

One group is composed of other civilian children, most of whom you know. They’re panicked and disorganised, but their fear is keeping them together and they are by far the largest group.

Another group, while smaller, looks much safer. The children are calm and their eyes are sharp and focused. Their leaner build and more expensive clothing suggest they may be children of ninja, some of them even have weapons. They sit around with sombre looks, but they’ve a hint of desperation in their eyes, and they will probably accept anyone willing enough to approach.

But the most striking of all is the little girl sitting alone. She's about your age, but there's a coldness behind her eyes you can't quite dechiper. Her beautiful auburn hair clashes with her tattered purple rob, and she has the withered, hungry look of an orphan. She sits of the edge of the darkness, barely illuminated by the torch, far from the fear-tinged masses.

A. Join the civilian group. You know most of them and they will be unlikely to turn you away.

B. Join the group of ninja. They’re calm, confident, knowledgeable and probably a lot more powerful than anyone else here

C. Join the girl. There’s something oddly magnetic about her.

D. Go it alone. You must forge your own power, Kirigakure looks down on those that depend on others

E. Just you and Shoshibi. He’s the only one you can truly trust.

[impatience]

A looks like a fodder group
B is either strong fodder or fodder
C probably leads to a 3man cell of decent strenght
D looks good
E no way I'm keeping the smelly guy as my only company

I'll flip a coin to choose between C or D... D it is

[iceisnice]

C vote

[SyCo]

D

[lolkpop]

Hmm, what part of the timeline is this? Could the girl be Mei?

In this situation I would normally go with A since they are kids that you know, but I'm going with C.

[Yushinoki]

C

[vegeta]

It definitely is between C and D.

EDIT: CHANGING TO D

[giga]

D.

[brokenkusanagi]

Hey dudes, this isn't a proper update just some info about the CYOA that I haven't put in yet.

You've been 'recruited' to join the Ninja Academy of Kirigakure (Mist Village) during the time of Yagura's reign and the Bloody Mist Exam where would-be genin would have to kill each other. It's roughly about 20 years before the Naruto becomes a genin, and while the Third Great Shinobi War hasn't happened yet it may or may not happen due to your actions and you can influence the side your Village picks.

I'm not really sure what other information you guys want, so if you have any other questions go ahead and ask I'll include it in the next update which should be later today.

Thanks for reading and any constructive criticism about my writing or how this CYOA is playing would be greatly appreciated

[giga]

Next vote breaks the tie.

[vegeta]

EDIT: D is winning with 4 votes. C has 3 votes.

[giga]

You're right, lol.

[vegeta]

Why did you choose D, giga?

[giga]

Because, as far as I know, no CYOA has had a complete loner MC.

What better way to roll a loner than in this bloody society?

[brokenkusanagi]

Interesting choice guys... D it is. Sorry the late update too guys... it was Valentine’s Day where I live and I’m whipped

---------------------

You give pause at Shoshibi’s question, carefully comparing and analysing each choice, and the possible consequences. Who will hold you back, who will strengthen you, who can you trust and who will betray you? You slow your breath and look within yourself, this could be the most important decision of your life. Who amongst there children can be assured to look out for you and keep you alive. Your head almost seems to spin out of pure frustration; but then you experience a moment of true clarity.

It’s you.

The only choice in a place like Kirikagure Academy is to go it alone, to show true strength. Friendship is meaningless if you may one day have to slaughter all of them. The only path is one of solitude and power. With new found conviction and a burning desire in your eyes, you turn to Shoshibi, who looks at who with eyes of green and uncertainty. Deep down inside you already feel the sting of regret. “Shoshibi... I think you should join a group by yourself, without me”

His face twitches, an odd mix of outrage and surprise. He sputters out some pathetic wheezes before collecting himself “But-but we’re friends! We’ve known each other since we were babies... You can’t survive here without me!” His eyes burn and his quivering lip has hardened into a vicious snarl. His rage blanket’s the whole room, and you have to hold back your reaction.

Steadying your breathe once again, you steel your gaze directly into Shoshibi’s, not letting an ounce of weakness out. You are strong. “Shoshibi, I’ll say this once and only once. Leave me alone” You say, slowly emphasising each word, your face blank and emotionless.

As you looked into Shoshibi’s eyes you felt a wave wash over him, and carry away something deep within him. His face become colourless and dry and his emerald eyes went blank again. The shake return to him once again and his knees buckle out from underneath him, leaving him on his hands and knees shaking from the unimaginable terror that must be coursing through his veins. The look on his face assures you. He will not survive.

You feel your conviction flatter as your former friend sits crushed, wallowing in his self pity, but you recompose yourself and walk around the circle of would-be ninja before finding a nice warm spot, far away from the accusatory gazes of the other children. The girl in purple gives you a frown of murderous intent and a strange, blue haired boy with teeth like hunting knives seems to be examining you with a curious look on his face, like a bug to a light. You brush them off and pick up a smooth rock that rests by your side and begin sharpening it against the ground much to the stunned looks of your classmates. As you slowly slide the rock against the damp, stone floor, blocking out the whimper’s of Shoshibi as he prays to whatever god he can that he can see mum one last time.

-----------------

Hours pass and the torch begins to fade. The children have begun to gather closer and you hold your stone tight in your hand. You begin to consider what would happen if no one turned up, and this was another experiment by the more perverted members of the Kirikagure Nin.

Suddenly, silently, so heavy it makes the air itself liquid, the mist, oh so familiar to you, covers the room, extending to every dent and scratch. The sounds of struggling breathe and airless screams cut your ears, and you wrapped your fingers around your throat, half expecting the air to return to you again. Shadows move within the fog and you lunge for your rock, but a strong hand pushes you to the ground and a rough voice calls out to you.

“I admire your talents, child”

The mist begins to vanish and your lungs gladly suck in the air, but despite yourself, you meekly wheeze into your arm. You feel the grip on your arm disappear and the shadowy figures stand illuminated in the centre of the room.

Three ninja stand before you, Toshiru, his partner and a third man, whose strength almost radiates out from him. His hair is jet black, dark than the darkest coal, but has a certain lustre to it and stretches just below his shoulders. His face bares the wear and tear of a man wise and experienced beyond what his years should allow
and his scowl is constant and unyielding. His clothes are a modified design of the famous grey-blue outfit most ninja of the village wear, but with more armoured plating, holsters for kunai and tribal markings woven into his jumpsuit around the base of his wrists and stomach. A look of pure disgust emerges as he examines the shivering, scared circle of children, slowly taking in every detail.

His voice booms over the silence “Over the next four years you will bleed, you will fight, you will starve, you will work, you will experience pain beyond what you thought you could ever withstand and if you can’t handle these things, you will die. You will go to sleep every night praying to whatever ‘God’ you follow that he strikes down whatever foul demon that brought you here. I AM THAT DEMON! I am the man who decides when you eat, when you sleep, if you live... and if you die. There will be no special treatment for those I know...” He shifts his gaze to the sharp-toothed boy “And I will not tolerate weakness. If you act right, play by MY rules and do as I say, we’ll get along fine, I may even give those who help me a few ‘steps in the right direction’. However, those who disobey will be punished. Severely” A few children stir uncomfortably in their sits.

“I take it most of you don’t know me, so allow me to introduce myself. You can call me Se, and I am a member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, a group I clearly don't need to educate you about, and leader of the education division. I am the one who picks who has a chance to enter their hollowed ranks, so if you want power and respect, I suggest you work for it and stay on my good side”

A myriad of emotions stir in you. On one hand, the seductive kiss of success and power lingers by your cheek, but could you honestly do whatever it takes to reach that level? Do you even want to be apart of them? You've heard the legends, swords with powers and minds beyond most ninja. How do you spend your time here?

A. You spend the next few years dedicating yourself to your craft. Your skills progressed far beyond what you thought possible and you are already considered to be a prime candidate for the ‘Seven Swordsman Program’

B. You cause as much hell as you can. Interfering with the operations of this place as much as you can, helping out others as much as you can.

C. Do whatever you can to keep yourself as inconspicuous as possible. You look out for yourself and only yourself.


This decision is important guys...

[impatience]

C

[giga]

C