Name: Xero Rione
Age: 17
Birthdate: Jan 13
Gender: Male
Rank: Genin


Village: Kumo
Clan: N / A
Element(s): Katon, Fuuton
Specialties: Ninjutsu, Taijutsu
Special Characteristics:

Mute:

Enhanced Sight:

Enhanced Speed:

Enhanced Reflexes:

Height:5’11”
Weight:174 lbs
Hair Color: Midnight at the roots, fading to ash at the tips.
Eye Color: Turquoise
General Description: Xero has a generic athletic build. His pale skin is significantly marred, most notably around his neck. His right hand is branded by a plus sign with a circle above and  a circle below, inside a diamond. Despite a bright eye color, Xero’s gaze is often vacant due to introspection. His clothing is dark, and rarely devoid of tears or holes. He wears his headband around his forehead at a slight tilt.



Personality:
At first Xero can come off as somewhat standoffish. However, it is because he's mute, rather than trying to be rude, and this can make communicating somewhat difficult. Even so, he is of a more reserved nature and will hardly put effort into something unless he deems it important. For those things he decides to pursue, he will see it through to the end. In more apprehensive circumstances, he cares not for his own well being. However, it is not reckless abandon. He is simply more focused on those he is close to, as well as the objective. He will use patience and cunning if he needs to. In his mind any wound he receives is penance for what he failed to do in the past. Sometimes those who see him will be met with a vacant stare. It only means that he is reflecting on the past and what he could have done different, or better. A gentle nudge should bring him back to reality quickly. Trust is an important value for Xero. It will take a while to earn his, and if it is broken, it will take even longer to return. In his views, "If something is to change, something must change it."


Likes:
Xero prefers a calm and peaceful setting. He likes to bird watch because, to him, they symbolize freedom and peace. He dreams that one day the world can be a place void of suffering and grief. Since he cannot speak, writing is his preferred method of communication. Sometimes he might not know how to write a word, and will attempt to draw what he means to say, but usually it turns out to be an incomprehensible doodle. Sometimes Xero feels the need for some alone time. Mostly this is used for him to reflect, but otherwise he finds it to be a calming experience.


Dislikes:
Xero abhors senseless violence. If the situation can be resolved peacefully, he can't find a reason that it should not be done in such a way. Following that same line, he dislikes those who bully the innocent. He will stand for those who cant protect themselves, even if the enemy is stronger than he is. Though he is against using force, he knows that sometimes it is necessary, and in such situations he won't hold back. He also doesn’t like gluttons. Partially because of his history, and partly because he doesn't understand why someone would need to indulge so much.


Motivations:
Xero is motivated by his memories of Kiyoko, a close friend in his past. As someone who had given up on life long ago, she gave him a reason to live. After she died, because he was unable to protect her, he decided to carry on until he could see her wish for the world come true. This is his one underlying reason for continuing his existence and getting stronger. If the world won't become peaceful on it's own, he will become strong enough to fulfill that cause. Other than the force of his will to see this though, not much else motivates him.


Fears:
One of Xero's fears is being bound. It is a deep seated fear that was conditioned into him during his childhood. Many things can happen when you can't move, and most of them are unpleasant. Another fear of his which stems from the previous is helplessness. It is more a fear of the helpless mentality than being physically helpless. (Except for bindings, those are scary...) If you believe you can't do anything, you can only do nothing. Xero also fears those close to him being taken away. For this reason he mainly keeps to himself when he can and tries to stay emotionally distant from others.


History:
Xero's earliest memories are from late childhood. Before then he is uncertain what occurred, or if he even wants to know. The brand on his hand is the symbol of the slavers he had been held captive by. Those were his dark days, being bound, beaten, and eventually sold. A vague sort of joy overcame the boy after he had been paid for. No more chains, no more pain... Or so he thought. That hope was short lived, as the master of the household wasn't a kind soul. He discovered early that running would only bring him more bruises, and if the master was upset it would be taken out on him. However there was a silver lining for the young thrall. She was the master's daughter. Her name was Kiyoko, and she was slightly younger than he was. She was a curious child, wondering about the new face she had seen around. One night she snuck into the servant's quarters to talk to the boy, and the two quickly became friends. However, good things do not always last. Kiyoko was eventually caught by her father, and Xero was the one punished for the incident. Out of spite and cruelty toward his 'property', he had Xero's vocal cords removed. Several nights passed before Xero saw Kiyoko again. She immediately apologized for her father's cruelty, and asked if he was alright. Xero didn't know how to respond, or rather he couldn't respond. Kiyoko giggled at his vain attempt to tell her he was okay. She told him she understood, and then began to teach him how to write. From then on the two met less often due to Kiyoko picking her opportunities more carefully. A few years passed. Xero became lean and muscular due to the hard labor he was put through. The master became fat from that same labor, and Kiyoko... Kiyoko became more beautiful. Xero found himself thinking about the girl more and more often. He knew if the master ever found out that they were still in contact he was dead. That's not to say he wasn't punished for other things, but when he was thinking of her, Xero didn't mind the pain so much. Yet the world is a cruel place. Early one morning, before the first light of dawn, Xero awoke to the smell of smoke. A faint heat emanated from the main building. He opened the door into the main foyer and reflexively shielded himself from the tongues of flame that found a new path. The building was in chaos, but Xero only had one thought. He raced up the stairs, pausing only to gag at the mutilated body of his former master. What in the world was going on? He searched, dodging flaming debris, until he found a room that could only be her's. He burned his hand on the doorknob before kicking the door open. What awaited him was a grisly sight. Kiyoko stood impaled by the sword of a hazy figure next to her. Her white nemaki ran red as she fell limply in front of her assailant, calling his name weakly. The sight sent Xero into a fury. He rushed the unknown enemy, and soon found himself in a similar situation to Kiyoko. He managed to tear part of the cloth the assassin wore before succumbing. The enemy quickly escaped. He looked to Kiyoko. She hadn't moved from where she fell. It seemed like the end for both of them. Not wanting any regrets, he confessed his feelings in the ash around them and reached a hand out to her corpse. Then all went black. Xero later awoke inside the closest village's infirmary. He was told that he was lucky to have been saved by a passing ninja. He learned there were no other survivors. His first memory of Kiyoko was of her telling him her dream for the world to be a peaceful place, and he decided he would make that dream come true.


RP Sample:
Xero opened his eyes, looking to the sky. A pair of birds could be seen from the bench he was sitting on. He enjoyed watching them circle around each other playfully. "They’re so free…" His thoughts were interrupted by an agitated meowing coming from a nearby alley. He went to investigate, and found a teenager throwing rocks at a cat. He frowned, quickly placing himself in between the cat and it’s attacker. This obviously annoyed the kid, who decided to throw rocks at him instead. Xero stood his ground stoically, waiting until the boy gave up and went home. The cat had disappeared, but at least it seemed unharmed.

Faceclaim: Something on photobucket, I don't think it's a character from anywhere.