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1st Punch

[Action: Where the rivers meet in the village]

[Sakura's arrival in Luceti comes with a short, bitten-off yell of surprise and a splash as she drops into the icy water. The white-clad figure vanishes underwater, then reappears, struggling, fighting to surface long enough to catch her breath. It's shockingly cold, iced over in places -- although thankfully not where she fell -- and even if she knows nothing else yet, she knows she must get out of the water.]

[Flailing, gasping, reeling in shock from the sudden cold, it's extremely difficult for her to get atop the water as a ninja would normally go -- but she's too cold to swim properly, she knows that all too well, and with the ice besides, she has no other choice.]

[She's proud of her own strength and control, and she makes herself display it now, pushing up out of the water and working her way until she is balanced by chakra on the surface.]

[Now, though, she's exposed to the bitter air, soaking wet, with nothing but a thin, backless white dress to cover her. And she's freezing.]

[She makes her way toward the shore, where there's a journal waiting for her. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a warm blanket or anything like one. Just the journal, with her name on it, and a biting chill to the air.]

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[Sakura's hair is is still damp when her face appears on the journals. She's managed to get dry and warmed up -- and much more warmly dressed than when she arrived -- but she looks disoriented, worried, and worn.]

I don't know what this place is, where it is, why it is. I'm not sure I even want to speculate. But if there's anyone... familiar out there, anyone who knows me -- I'm here.

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Here is... It is called Luceti. [He looks around uncertainly.] This will be very hard for you to believe. Very hard! But... We are trapped in another world entirely.

In another world.

[She contemplates that for a moment, then comes to what seems -- to her -- to be the most logical assumption.]

[Madara. The Jyuubi. Their plan to trap the entire world in an unending illusion.]

Does that mean... we lost?

Ah... [His eyes narrow at the mention of the war. Of course, she wasn't from before like Shikamaru and some of the others.]

No, Sakura-san. This is something that is even... beyond what was happening back home. Shikamaru-kun confirmed it for me; Madara is not involved in this.

[She doesn't answer immediately; that response gives her a lot to sift through -- and ties in to some of the things that are bothering her about Lee.]

[Finally, she gives a small nod.]

If there were an easy way out of this, I wouldn't be meeting you here. [It's not a question.]

[This is... a compliment? Lee gives bowing nod.]

Yes, that... is so. Especially with Shikamaru-kun, who has been here much longer. Here in this world, Sakura-san... It exists outside of time and space. The way it has been told to me is that people come here for some period of time... and no matter how long, at any point they could be returned back to their original time. As if they were never here.

[Somewhat, it actually is. While his good judgment leaves a lot to be desired, she doesn't doubt his courage or his loyalty to Konoha. Or his persistence, for that matter.]

[For the first few moments she actually tries to digest that mentally, but it's too much all at once, in these conditions.]

That may be. Right now, though, I need to get dry and warm. Jutsu will only do so much.

[And she gives him a pointed look.]

And I don't care what kind of training it is, you ought to do the same. I'm not treating you if you come down with hypothermia.

[Of course she will. But she'll berate him first.]

O-of course! We should endeavor towards mutual warmth! [Self-destructive training can wait now that Sakura's here.] I can take you to the nearest shelter posthaste - I can carry you!

[Mutual warmth?!]

[Carrying?]

I am perfectly capable of walking. [Sharp, bitten-off words.] Where. Are. We. Going?

Then... th-this is the direction! Let us proceed?! To the village!

[She lets him lead, still working on her jutsu to stave off the ill effects of the icy air. The tips of her hair have frozen into pink icicles, and the dress clings icily to her body, making it all worse.]

Somewhere I can change into decent clothes, I hope!

[He breaks into a light jog and glances at her quickly, quickly being disturbed by her iced over effect.]

Of course, I will lead you straight to the clothing shop! Your clothes should already be there. Worry not, Sakura-san!

[She joins him in the jog; her body hates it, but it should warm her up. Not a bad idea.]

My own clothing?

... You know, I'm not sure I even want to ask.

Just as well - for there is no clear answer! One's clothing and personal items arrive in this enclosure separately, within one of several designated shops!

[Wow yeah she doesn't really like that answer at all.]

And that's it, we're stuck with what's brought here by... whomever?

[And she casts a rather jaundiced eye over him.]

I hope that where we're going has more clothes for you, too.

Yes, that is the case exactly! We are kept in this enclosure by those called the Malnosso... but it is apparently some force of this very planet which draws us all from different times and spaces to here!

[And... he panics.]

Oh - I forgot my clothes! [He looks back briefly but re-focuses himself ahead.] N-no matter. They shall be easily retrieved later. I shall find temporary clothing while you garb yourself, Sakura-san!

Edited 2013-01-10 07:57 (UTC)

[Easily retrieved. From the river. Right.]

Please do.

[But the words are an automatic response; she's turning over what he said.]

The world itself...

Why do these... Malnosso? Why do they imprison us? And for that matter, how big is the enclosure?

The Malnosso are the ones in control. They claim to be from other worlds like us and to be trying to find a way home, but they do not trust us. They also say it is for our safety because of a hostile force known as the Third Party. [He narrows his eyes; they're nearing the subject of experiments. That won't be easy.]

It is approximately 190 miles east to west and 85 miles north to south. And the enclosure is surrounded by a barrier that none can penetrate.

For our safety. So they're imprisoning us to protect us. [Not unexpectedly, she sounds highly dubious of this proposition.]

Well, at least it's a large prison. Who else is here?

[As she speaks, she catches sight of what is obviously the clothing shop -- at least it's clearly marked, enough that she picks up her pace, eager to get inside, warm, and into something dry.]

Edited 2013-01-11 02:45 (UTC)

[And he moves to outpace her. Are they racing?! How romantic, he thinks!]

Ah - there are people here from various worlds I never could have dreamed of! But of our own world... there are quite a few of our fellow ninja, many of whom are from our village! [He frets slightly at the prospects of having to mention Sasuke's presence.] My whole team is here, with the exception of Gai-Sensei... as are Shikamaru-kun, Ino-san and Kiba-kun! There is also... Temari-san...

[Probably just as well not to mention either of the Uchiha yet. As it is... a different mention of his gets her attention. His whole team... but his team isn't whole anymore, won't be again...]

Your... whole team, you said?

Correct! Myself, Neji and Tenten. I know it is rare privilege, being the only whole team here in Luceti.

[And he says it so naturally, as though there's no reason to think that they wouldn't be whole. But Neji's...]

[If he somehow doesn't know, then she's not going to be the one to say it!]

I... I guess so.

[And hurrying to change that subject...]

So... why do we both suddenly have wings?

[He halts and turns abruptly to face her.]

SAKURA-SAN, NEVER LET HARM BEFALL YOUR WINGS!

[And then... back to the jogging.]

Eh... that is, the wings are also a mystery! But for some reason, they sustain our life here. So... their protection is essential. [A smile.] Do mine look charming?

[Without waiting for an answer, he leaps up and drop-kicks open the door of the item shop as he approaches it.]

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[Action] omg losing my shit, Lee you precious idiot (1/2)

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