A long time passed and only two breaks were held during the long march. Then a few commands from the leader would break the silence of the Blackroots. The blindfolds that were applied on Team 7 were taken off, revealing a new area that they were in. It was a clearing in the vast forest, where a creek passed by. North of them was a large hill, which had an eerie presence to it. Most likely because of some broken stone statue next to what seemed to be an opening - though it was hard to spot it due to the falling darkness of the approaching night.
"We camp here. Don't try to wander off or else you are on your own, or to make any fire. Don't want to attract any attention," the spokesman told the team. He shot them a wary look before turning around to walk towards the camp of the Blackroots were setting up.
'Growing out of time'? That must be a Blackroot saying, because Kensuke clearly always said 'Running out of time'. Then again, living inside a massive, eery forest probably did help
grow such phrasings. He accepted the blindfold without complaint and a stern nod at the three girls was meant to order them to do the same. And then they were moving. He occasionally heard the voice of the man who had spoken to them and who clearly disliked their presence here. It was easy enough to tell he led this group, but as ever he was trying to detect internal dynamics of their escort. To no avail. Being blind literally robbed him of his primary detection method for such things, seeing body language.
He knew they'd entered a different area when he felt an unexpected yet welcome warm sensation on his skin. Sunlight. He could detect the change of light even despite the blindfold, and quickly the order came to take them off. Momentarily blinded by the setting sun in the distance he observed hus surroundings and locked eyes with the speaker.
"Understood." He said with a voice coarse from long silence, and turned towards the team, and shrugged. They had heard the man as well as he had. He put down his backpack and bedroll, sat down on top of them and starting chewing on some travelling rations as he took in the forest edge now it was still light.
Meilin blinked a few times. Upon seeing the clearing, she found herself staring at the eerie hill. Only upon hearing the Blackroot that was in charge speaking to them was her attention broken from the hill. A quick look in Kensuke's direction made it clear that he wasn't going to approach the Blackroot again, but it was starting to unsettle Meilin. Like before, she felt that they didn't really belong here. And what progress had she made on her own goals while being here?
Dropping her backpack on the ground she would crouch for a second, searching for something. Grabbing a small object from her backpack the teen rose up. Considering all the options she had, the current plan in her mind wasn't one with a large chance of success.
Straightening her back and turning to the camp of the Blackroot, Meilin walked towards them. Attempting to appear confident, she felt her nerves starting to play up. Causing her left hand to shake a bit.
"Meilin, give me a hand over here." He said while upending a large satchel that'd been tied under his backpack, revealing a sublty camouflaged piece of cloth. He eyed the teenager closely as he unfurled the tent, which in all honesty was just an excuse to learn what she was trying to do.
Hearing Kensuke, the genin threw a look in his direction. A frown displayed with the corners of her lips lowering for a moment.
"Perhaps Sen or Karma can help you? I will be back in a second," Meilin politely replied back, already turning around towards the Blackroot camp.
He looked at her go and sighed. Stubborn as a mule.
"Sen, help me with this please." He then said on a tired tone, closely eyeing what Meilin was up to.
With Kensuke asking Sen, Meilin scoffed lightly. Furthering herself towards the Blackroot camp the teen was suspecting that the jounin asked the other Cho to pick up on what she would discuss with the Blackroots. Pushing herself to focus on the current situation on hand Meilin would slow her pace while closing in the distance.
Switching to speaking in Chonobi, Meilin wasn't entirely sure how to approach the Blackroots. In most stories, she had heard and the very, very few she had read about them, they were not really the kind of folk you wanted to approach in the dark of the night.
"Good evening," she started on a polite and soft tone, but not bowing towards any of them,
"I hope I am not bothering any of you, but I have a favour to ask."
Raising her right hand, something would fall out of her palm. Only to halt at a few inches in the air, revealing it to be a simple necklace.
"Not too long ago, I lost my mother to the same people you all are fighting against. At least," she continued in a soft tone, her eyes lowering to the necklace she was holding,
"That was what I have been told more or less. The point is that I still haven't found my father or other siblings. This isn't my home nor really my place to ask, but I was hoping that you have discovered any necklace that is similar to this one.."
A few of the Blackroots were taking up watch, which was cleary by the positions that they took. And then also a few of the group seemed to have gone missing, while the remaining set up a simple camp. Using their cloaks to sit on as well taking what seemed to be rations from their pouches. With Meilin approaching the group, one of the Blackroots rose up on his feet. His right hand went to the hilt of his sword, making it clear that he wasn't pleased about the teen coming this close to their own camp. The spokesman, however, muttered something, that caused the wary Blackroot to easen up a bit. With Meilin speaking, it seemed that most of them were interested the moment she spoke in Chonobi. Eventually as she was done talking, a silence followed her words.
The man who had seemed wary at first glanced back at their leader, whispering something softly. The spokesman stared only at Meilin, nodding a few seconds after his comrade's whispering. The Blackroot, who had whispered, would take a few steps towards Meilin. Once close to the teen the man would step aside and gesture to the camp of the masked men. Speaking that she was welcome to take her place among them, there was a certain sliver of pity as respect for Meilin from the man. As some of them made place, another spoke up.
"Is that your team over there?" One of the man asked, slightly amused.
Her left hand still was shaken as her eyes widened for a moment. Being invited into their midst was what she had hoped for, but it was just something that she hadn't expected to happen. A sneer or short answer was what she had expected, but this was obviously much better. A bit shy Meilin shuffled forwards, taking a place among them. Even forgetting that she had a backpack of her own.
"Huh? Oh," throwing a sideways glance at the direction of Team 7, Meilin considered what she should say.
"No, they aren't my team. Not to lead, if you meant that sir. Am just a member of the team." Flashing a smile, she was unsure how to proceed from here.
"But did any of you found a similar necklace as this one?"
Meilin held it up towards the man to her right, allowing them to observe it if they desired so.
The man carefully took the necklace and observed it while some already shook their head.
"We haven't discovered much on any victims. Nor did we really encounter any living cargo," the spokesman replied. He stared at Meilin for a moment after his words.
"What's your team's objective? Cause I am not keen on guiding them to our homes. Outsiders need to stay outside, for a reason." Some of the Blackroots nodded and grumbled, agreeing with the statement regarding outsiders.
"Oh," Meilin lowered her eyes for a moment. Taking into consideration what this answer could mean for her. What it could mean for her family.
"To deliver some information on the enemy you're facing," Meilin replied,
"That blonde one has the information. He is likely trying to listen now to us, with the aid of that girl."
Meilin locked her eyes on Kensuke for a moment, pausing during her stare. She thought of how she could now profit from the luck she had experienced to benefit their mission.
"Also, what is a boggart? Or that eery howling or screaming?"
The necklace passed around, but none of the men made it clear that they had seen a similar one before. The spokesman glanced towards Kensuke's direction upon Meilin's answer.
"Huh, he is? How did that other girl learn Chonobi? Did you teach her that?" A clear displeased tone rang through the man's questions as another scoffed.
"I can teach him a word or two if I would just be allowed to," A Blackroot said, after which his neighbour chuckled. The question of Meilin wasn't answered by the spokesman, but by the man who sat at her right, while the rest started to converse and snicker.
"A boggart... well, it is almost three times the size of a man. Bulking and strong, they seem to be able to ignore pain. Almost as if they were made out of stone, some would say," the man explained,
"There aren't many of them that we have encountered or fought. Most of them seem to reside in the darker areas of the forest, being near the old tombes and sites. Lately with the incurssion of the enemy we have seen them manage to collaberate with those other outsiders."
Listening to them, Meilin couldn't help but grin a bit. The teen couldn't help but wonder if Sen and Kensuke would be able to hear everything perfectly from their position, but it was clear that she was starting to win more ground with the present Blackroots. Receiving the necklace back, Meilin thought on how to answer the question of the spokesman back.
"She is a Cho too," was her answer, a short pause following,
"And I know better. Am not her mother, after all." Meilin further said, scoffing lightly.
Listening, however, what a boggart was, Meilin questioned silently for a moment how she should imagine them. If they were the source of those unearthly screeching then it was clear that she wasn't eager to come across one or more of them.
"Did you manage to kill one or more?"
"Aha," the spokesman frowned as he would break off his stare in the direction of Kensuke and Sen. One of the Blackroots chuckled due to Meilin's words, shaking his head,
"Good. Being so young and bringing your own child into dangerous places wouldn't do you much credit." The question on if they had managed to kill a boggart or more created a short silence. The spokesman answered, on a grim tone.
"We have. They aren't easy. Due to their thick hide and strength, they won't go down easily. Some..." his voice trailed off as one of the Blackroots lowered his head, his body language betraying his growing anger and sorrow.
"Doubt that we will come across any soon. I will guide you lot over to the next patrol. They will decide upon if they will not carry over your... information," the last word being phrased with a certain emphasis that made it clear that the spokesman wasn't really happy with the reason of their presence,
"While we will head back to join our kinsmen." The man that sat on the right of Meilin, throw a look at the group and frowned.
"What about their lineage? Are you aware of theirs?"
Realising that the man who's body language shifted had likely lost kin and friends in the ongoing conflict, Meilin felt a certain sympathy towards him. The cloth that prohibited sight on the lower part of the man's face as the camouflage made it hard to guess his age, but the fact he had lost loved ones to the same enemy made her more determined to win back hers. Or, at least, take out as many of those bastards as she possibly could.
When the leader of the group made clear what they would do Meilin grew a bit worried. It was clear that the Zealots were at work and that there was still a chance that she could rescue some of her relatives. All that would be at risk if the next leader would decide against allowing them to help. Or in any manner allow or aid her to figure out where or had become of her family. Completely missing the question that the man to her right just had asked.
"Can I perhaps join your group then? I might not look like it, but I am able to fight," Meilin said, straightening her back, trying to look more confident,
"I shed their blood before and have a proper reason to do so again."
Growing a bit desperate the teen glanced around at the group.
"I won't be a burden, promised. Just allow me to join and I will make sure not even a dozen of those boggarts will hold me back."
The response of Meilin caused the group to stare at her. Some certainly with pity, while a few of them seemed to be surprised. Yet, others seemed to be quite happy about her words.
"Aye, that's the spirit," one grumbled, nodding,
"Probably wouldn't hurt, eh? Such attitude is good to have in times like these," yet another said upon more agreed. The spokesman remained quiet, however, frowning as his group voiced that they were acceptive towards Meilin joining them.
"No."
The short and stern answer made the group become silent. Some seemed disappointed, but nobody spoke against the decision or word of their leader.
"You have a task to bring information with that team. This isn't yet your time nor the place to take up arms against the invaders," the man said, shaking his head lightly.
"You're free to join our camp. As much I don't consider it wise to allow you join us, I respect and understand why you desire that. But we can't take you with us unless ordered, cause it won't be wise to drag you with us into the black of our woods unless you know them.
The fact that the majority seemed to be willing to take her with them made Meilin smile, even gain more hope. Already she wanted to hop on her feet to grab her gear, tell Kensuke the newest development and steel herself for anything she would need to face to get back her family. Only for their leader to bash in her newfound hope. Staring at the man Meilin wanted to argue. Wanting to say that she could learn. That she could be of use in the fight against their common enemy.
But he had a point. Her eyes lowered as she nodded. Rising up, Meilin would speak up.
"Thanks, I will take up on that offer, sir. Just going to grab my gear," Meilin said, turning to walk back to the direction of the other camp.
Her head lowered slightly Meilin would approach her backpack. Kneeling the teen would place back the necklace. While she was slightly happy that she had uncovered some more information and made some progress, the fact that she wasn't allowed to join and venture to find her family had made her feel defeated. Checking her backpack and gear Meilin thought about how it all had gone. She would go back to the Blackroot camp in a bit, but wanting to give everything she just had learned a place.
She was a little confused as to why Meilin had gone but didn't think she would want to be questioned about it. Sen went over to Kensuke and asked
"yes sir, how can I help you?" She glanced back towards where the other girl went off to but kept most of her attention on Kensuke.
He raised an eyebrow at the question and looked at the girl, and then at the tent. And then at the girl again.
"Help me set up this tent." He said patiently while he knelt down to screw the few poles that'd hold the thing up together.
"And..." He said, after a brief pause,
"Tell me what you can understand from what they're saying." He said, nudging his head at Meilin and the Blackroot men while removing a loose strand of hair from his face.
Nodding Sen would hold up the fabric the tent was made of so he could set the poles in their places. She now felt a little silly about asking what he needed help with. Hearing his second request after the brief pause she would give a slight nod like she understood. In a low voice she would say
"Hmm..... the distance makes it hard to really make out their conversation.... From what I can make out," Sen said. The genin paused then said
".... she just asked if they had found a similar necklace to hers. Does that mean anything to you? Also, it sounds like she is asking to go with them on their patrols and wondering Meilin taught me Chonobi. It would also seem that what I read about boggarts from my readings seems to hold some truth as they are not human from what it sounds like." Sen paused again as she had an idea.
"Might I suggest using this supposed understanding between the Blackroot and Meilin to our advantage? If they are more forthcoming with her than with the rest of us then we could get more information from their conversations they have."
"No." Kensuke said.
"We won't." He added, and then continued working on the tent in silence. In truth, the task was done before a full minute passed, the damned thing was designed to be quick to set up and was barely more than a cover against rain and superficial detection anyways.
"First, we need to get our package to their fort." He added a little bit late, and dismissed her with a nod to go chat with her teammates if she wanted to. He sat down by himself a little end off, thinking.
Not a moment later a bloodcurling cry would pierce through the night. Causing the Blackroots to get up and look for a second at the direction of where the shriek had came from. A moment of silence passed until the spokesman would sneer orders. The shrieking roared through the air once more, this time being much closer than the first time. The masked and cloaked Blackroots would start to make way towards the entrance of the hill, a few of them armed with longbows turning around. Nocking an arrow on their bows, they would unleash a few shots in the direction, at a target that wasn't yet appearing from the dark of the forest. A terrible pressure, however, would be noticed as sounds of something heavy stomping the ground while heading towards them.
"Into the opening, now!" Was the order of the spokesman, nocking an arrow on his longbow. Aiming for a moment, the man would unleash the arrow. Vanishing into the dark of the forest, a deep grunt would be heard just a moment later. Shouting more orders to his men, most of them were running into the opening that seemed to lead under the hill, just passing the old statue next to it. A few Blackroots would now and then fire an arrow before making their way towards the opening.
Then the bloodcurling roar was piercing through the night again as
a large, bulking figure appeared on the edge of the small clearing. It was much taller, easily twice the size of the present Nimatsu jounin, and much broader. Two small eyes staring down at the people. Drool rolling down its jaw as dark yellow teeth were revealed in what seemed to be a morbid grin. Few arrows seemed to be stuck in its skin, notable its neck and shoulders while on the back of the large creature seemed to be some hard stone-looking material. Narrowing its eyes the creature would start to approach the group, its claws flexing while a terrifying killing intent radiated from the beast.
On his feet immediately he added his orders to the general chaos of the moving men.
"Team 7, on me!" He yelled while drawing his blade and backing away towards the opening in the hillside, guarded by two ancient statues. The large, lumbering beast looked fearsome at least, but it mostly looked like a juicy target that would be all too easy to cut down with his chakra blade. Then again, if it was that easy the Blackroot wouldn't consider it such a threat.
"Let's move!" He said, gesturing at the opening while he reached for a kunai. With a couple of handsigns like a parting message he sent it at the thing he assumed was a boggart with blinding speed, envelopped by an air bullet and coated in a cutting chakra coating.
As they retreated he tried finding the Blackroot in command when the killing intent hit him. He saw its impact as a ripple in the men surrounding them and when he felt it himself his reaction frightened him, but also made him feel a primal pride. Like one predator trying to intimidate another away from its prey, he unleashed his own killing intent right after his kunai, a promise of violence.
Meilin twisted half around, turning to face the direction of where the screech had come from. It was just as the night before. Her eyes widen as suddenly the peaceful night transformed. Morphing peace and quiet into chaos and confusion. Quickly picking up her backpack Meilin turned fully towards the direction. The heavy pressure made it harder to breath. Flowing the colour from her face as her hands started to shake.
Staring in the direction of the large creature that appeared Meilin's lips parted slightly, frozen. The shouting of Chonobi and Kensuke's order blurred out as she stared at the imposing creature. A cold shiver ran down her spine as Meilin blinked rapidly. Trying to regain control over her body the teen turned around, almost tripping over her own feet.
Cursing softly she tried to make way towards the opening where the majority of the Blackroot went, but then something hit her. Slowing down the raven-haired teen threw a look over her right shoulder. The creature fit the description of a boggart. And didn't she say that she would face one if she had to?
Turning once more around Meilin bite her lower lip. Reaching out for her blade she decided against running. Standing near the opening the genin would try to hold her ground until she was certain that everybody would be able to get away in time.
The sudden cry that came made her hair stand and shivers went up her spine. Karma looked towards the sounds that came from the deeper parts of the forest, and upon hearing the command to retreat, she looked around. Why would these men, who were so capable and professional, start to retreat?
Then she saw it. The giant creature, which clearly had very tough skin and was twice the height of Kensuke, came and started to move towards them, and as it flexed its claws, Karma froze momentirily. The thought of those claws striking anything was terrifying for her, but then she realized she couldn't freeze again. She would be of no help, and only burden her team if she froze again. She slapped her leg once to have the brief pain be sufficent distraction from the initial shock from the killing intent and looked to her side once more. Kensuke threw a couple of chakra-enhanced kunai, and Meilin went and stood next to the way into the opening. Moving to stand on the other side of the way into the opening from Meilin, she formed a few seals while watching the giant go towards them, and upon finishing them created a lightning bird from her bird seal, keeping it maintained while making the bird fly right towards the bulking figure, aiming to have it fly around its head and attempt to distract it, hoping that if it tries to slam it down then the bird will shock it slightly instead, though she was unsure if the lightning bird would be sufficent enough with that tough skin.
The girl would jump slightly at the sudden cry, temporary frozen before breaking free of the shock. It took all of herself control to not freeze up again and run despite the urge to do so. It was even harder once she saw what the cry came from and rushed to help her teammates as she took up the position on the other side of Meilin. Sen released her bow from what secured it and grabbed an arrow or two, knotching one of them. If the creature went for Karma's distraction she planned to use that as an openning to shoot it while it wasn't paying attention.
Another bloodcurling roar was unleashed as a few arrows hit the large beast together with the kunai. Oddly enough, the kunai didn't seem to plunge that much deeper than the arrows. As if the beast had discovered something much interesting the awful head turned towards Kensuke's direction. The small eyes widened as the beast started to first charge towards the jounin with a faster speed than before, only to release a deep growl when something else hit it, without any effect - the lightning bird of Karma. Just as the beast started to close in the distance there was another source of sound that would likely plunge the situation into a worse state. Without any warning or roar, another specimen of the same beast rushed out of the forest. It was slightly bigger and had more scars displayed on its arms and chest. While the first beast was attempting to close in on Kensuke, the other was taking another approach. Heading straight for the opening. The pressure of before became worse, making it even hard to breath or move as the killing intent of the two beasts seemed to grow and mix together.
"Fools, move back! Run!" The spokesman commanded as the other Blackroots managed to get inside of the opening, clearly not keen on sticking around with two of such dreadful creatures trying to get to them.
"Don't use chakra, idiots! Run!" The spokesman once more yelled before vanishing into the dark of the opening of the hill.
As the words got through to him and he continued the mad dash for the opening something about what the man'd just said bugged him. When he threw a glance over his shoulder after a loud crashing sound announced the arrival of a second beast the understanding hit him almost like an arrow of the Blackroot men. They had encountered something like this before. Large, incredibly muscular, shape-shifting and most importantly, chakra-absorbing. Holding on to the thought he considered trying to obscure the retreating men from sight but ultimately decided it'd be a bad idea. Top priority was getting into a situation where they were not surrounded by literal hulking beasts.
"Get inside, now!" He yelled through the intercom and into his surroundings both as he put his money where his mouth was.
Staring at the hulking monster just ran through what was thrown and shot at him, Meilin wasn't sure if this was real. The pressure started to weigh down on her, causing her hands to tremble and unable to take her eyes of the roaring and charging beast. She even forgot about her previous words, told to the Blackroots. Her frozen stance was broken as the leader of the Blackroot company yelled at them. Blinking rapidly, Meilin would sheathe her blade and turn around to run. Spotting another and similar threat coming from another side Meilin quickly scurried into the dark opening. Her heart was skipping beats and the dark interior didn't do anything to calm her down. Yet she would keep on moving as far as she could from the opening.
Karma's eyes widened as the beast moved into her lightning bird's path, and her technique did nothing to it but making it more annoyed at them as it kept moving towards them. The way her attack seemed to just vanish made her briefly think of the woman they encountered back in Keishi, but then the shouts of the spokesman, followed by Kensuke's order made her snap and realize there is a second beast. The sudden feel of the mixed Killing Intent from the two weighed on her, making her feel like it was starting to get hard to breath from the increased stress she felt. Even with that, she pushed herself to turn and move towards the opening, making her way there as quickly as she could while feeling incredibly out of breath, which only put more strain on her body. She wondered if her body would give in if another beast showed up as she passed through the opening, hoping she won't need to find out.
The beast went unphased by everything they had thrown at it thus far and the sharp commands of the Blackroots as well as their Sensei almost didn't register as the killing intent held her attention. Her hands trembled, her heart beat eratically and her breathing was panicky. The arrival of the second one as it roared out and started charging their way managed to break her out of its hold as both her team mates retreated through the opening. Sen turned and hurried through the opening after her team. Sen didn't stop moving through the opening she just slowed her pace to not go past the Blackroots and her team.
As everybody moved through the opening, a large hand shot into the darkness, following the retreating people. Two of the Blackroot who had their weapons drawn would lash out, quickly but also evidently trying to stay away from it. The sharp steel that moved through the air didn't more than to cut the skin lightly, not yet causing enough pain for the big creature to pull his hand back. The ground started to shake as both the hulking creatures outside were for some reason quite desperate in their attempt to capture them.
"Move back! Now!" The spokesman ordered as his own people moved away. Leading team 7 with them, the pressure of the 'presence' of their attackers seemed to lower as the group was led deeper into the darkness.
A few exchanges in Chonobi were made between the leader and his men, followed shortly by a few torches lit on fire. The light of the torches would reveal that this wasn't just a cave as one could notice that it was too smooth for it. At both sides of the wall were markings in some strange language inscribed and at various points there were inscriptions of people and creatures. One of the men that stood close to Meilin mumbled something to the teen,
"Now that were two boggarts," he uttered in Chonobi. Another scoffed and commented that the first one had been a juvenile while the second who hadn't betrayed that it had been sneaking upon them was an adult. The leader of the group, however, ordered them to be silent.
Marching for what seemed to be a hour long they would enter a spacious room. Dust, broken furniture, tools and all kind of matter that seemed to be decades old were laying around. Ordering his men, the Blackroot group started to split up. A few of them were heading back as yet another group was busy to inspect the room. Five men, however, continued and would advance ahead of them, disappearing eventually as they continued down one of the three paths that one could take from the room they had arrived in.
"We have to wait now. Best to stay here and not try to disturb anything." The leader instructed them as he would join in with his men that were inspecting the room for a bit before taking positions at the entrances of the paths.
Moving along the dark alleyway he had a moment of deja vue of the underground complex he investigated together woth Kiyomi and her team, but he quickly shook it off. Although both'd been man-made hide-outs, this one didn't seem to be designed to look normal. He noticed some interaction along the way between Meilin and the Blackroot. They seemed accepting of her, and he made note of that. He also monitored the rest of his team and saw that all three girls of Team 7 looked shaken after that last encounter. He should do something about that, but it'd have to wait until they had a moment of pause.
Eventually, such a moment arrived when the leader began barking orders again after silencing his men. Right as he rounded the corridor he found himself in the same room, now lit by sputtering torchlight. It revealed old and broken furniture, dust, some cobwebs and even more dust. The first sign of comfort he'd seen in almost a week, and despite all his attention to discipline he could feel his shoulders relax. Especially now he knew that they'd lost the bloody tent.
He settled against the wall, propped up by his fortunately still thightly packed sleeping bag and eyed Team 7.
"A bit of a close shave there, wasn't it?" He said, allowing a smile.
"How are you guys holding up?"
"Oh, great," she said upon hearing what one of the men told her. And she had blurted out that she would face a boggart if she would need to fight one. Good job on that, she thought to herself as she mentally cringed. Remaining silent Meilin caught sight of the unfamiliar inscriptions that were made on the side of the wall. Glancing at both sides as they kept walking the teen wondered what it could mean as it wasn't Chonobi. The images, they had something familiar in style, but she wasn't certain if that just her mistaking it or some stupid coincide. Feeling the need to ask in what place they were in Meilin considered that the moment wasn't the best one, thus reserving the question to be used later on.
The question of Kensuke was met with a rather short answer of Meilin.
"Am okay, sir," she said, though the volume of her voice betrayed that she wasn't feeling too secure.
With the team now being in a large room and allowing to catch their breath, Meilin was tempted to drop her backpack and just sit down.
Spotting that Kensuke settled down Meilin would take a place near the jounin. Watching the Blackroots inspecting the room, she tried to conjure in her mind in what kind of place they had found themselves in now.
Throughout the march, Karma had constant worries that they were being followed. She kept telling herself it was only paranoia caused by the creatures' Killing Intent, but it barely helped as her heart kept racing. It was only when they came to a stop that she slightly started to calm down, figuring that if the Blackroots decided this area was secure enough for them to make a stop, then they most likely know what they are doing. Upon hearing the Blackroot leader instruction, she slightly nodded and without waiting dropped her sleeping bag to the ground next to her. She watched as Kensuke asked if they were okay, and Meilin gave a brief answer, though by her voice it was slightly difficult to be certain if she was actually okay or not.
As she dropped to seat by her sleeping bag, Karma slightly shook her head
"I wasn't okay so far. This forest is starting to become overwhelming with the constant surprises it offers. But now that we have a chance to catch our breath, I might manage to calm down slightly." She replied to his question, being the first time she spoke in a very long time. Her throat actually felt a bit sore from using her voice after some time she did not use it. She made a mental note to use it more often as she laid her head back on the sleeping bag.
Sen followed silently behind them, catching what was said to Meilin about the boggarts and making sure to file that away in her head in case they were in that situation again. Their Sensei might not have wanted to take advantage of the Blackroots acceptance of Meilin but she wasn't so sure that was a wise idea in their case. The red headed genin thought back on their encounter with the boggarts and the beasts killing intent. Sen was afraid that if the situation occured again, she should find a way to not be so immobilized by their killing intent. The girl wasn't sure if she could manage to find a decent way or not but she would try, or at the very least ask their Sensei.
As they came to a slow stop in the hide out that seemed more like an abandoned home of sorts she would go over to where Karma had put her gear down.
"I am alright I think. Sensei, do you know of a way to help reduce the effect of their killing intent on us? I wouldn't want to risk being unable to do much if we got into that situation again," Sen asked.
He nodded at their replies until a grin broke through.
"Yes, Judging by what we've seen so far this mission probably is at least A or B ranked if the idea is to fight those things. Not something for the average genin team for sure." He said.
"No need for worries though. So long we don't mess up a lot we'll be fine." He added, wisely neglecting to mention that failure would now mean death instead of just a bad day.
He looked at all three of them and saw that the hour of underground travel seemed to have calmed their nerves somewhat. There was an illusion of safety, although every shadow probably hid an undescribable beast.
"There is no way to stop fear. You will always feel fear. If you don't I suggest looking for mental help." He replied to Sen's question with a general statement.
"Your knees will shake, you will sweat, you might wet yourself or you might cry, every single time. All that changes is that you get used to it and learn to act when frightened."
He pulled off his protective gauntlets and armguards, grabbed another bar from his rations and started chewing. In between the bites he rolled up one sleeve up to his elbow revealing a scarred forearm.
"See?" He said, pointing at his arm, where all his hairs stood upright.
"I'm scared shitless too." He said with a faint smile.
Hearing the answers of the others Meilin's attention went briefly to Kensuke. When the jounin answered to the question of Sen, the attention of Meilin went to the Blackroots. Questions rose up and with that her curiosity. While she wanted to join them and see if she couldn't only be of help but also learn from them where they were Meilin decided against it. The bitter taste of fear and disapproval - for that she hadn't been able to show that she wasn't afraid - were still present on her lips.
Settling down next to Kensuke the teen remained silent for a moment. The light brown eyes briefly glanced at the scarred forearm of the teamleader. She wanted to say something but doubted that her kind of humour would be really appreciated at this moment. With nothing else to do Meilin decided to pick out a bit of her rations and start eating.
There was some desire to start talking, but she decided against it. The earlier attempts of interaction hadn't gone well and she felt she had already made herself look like a scared little fool in front of the Blackroots.
They will always fear. Kensuke was right, and the only thing they could do was try and push through the fear each time it shows itself, because otherwise it could mean bad news. She looked at each of her team members until she noticed Meilin's gaze towards the Blackroots. She wondered how did her teammate managed to get the Blackroots to talk to her without troubles, putting the shared language aside as they had a reputation of being unaccepting of others, after all. There was a chance of it being a wrong rumour, but she at the same time she knew that every rumour had some base of truth in them.
Watching as Sen sat down beside her, Meilin next to Kensuke and the latter two begun to eat, Karma pondered briefly if she should eat as well, but felt like her throat was dry, so instead she decided to settle on a bottle of water instead, at least to begin with. Looking in Meilin's direction, Karma finished taking a sip of water
"Meilin, hope you don't mind me asking, but would you rather be with the Blackroots? Its not that I find it offending or anything, Its more that I'm being curious as to how you managed to create a connection with them." She asked her teammate, and upon realizing how intruding her question could be, she raised her hands slightly
"You don't have to answer, of course." She quickly added.
Hearing her name the train of thoughts broke as Meilin shot a look in Karma's direction. Half chewing on a bite, the teen would clear her mouth as she considered an answer. While she wasn't too happy about the questions that Karma asked, because she rather kept the entire conversation to herself, it was already asked. Probably just from curiousity, Meilin concluded.
"By treating them as I would treat anybody, I guess," she first answered on how she had managed to create a connection, lightly shrugging,
"Regardless if they are Blackroot or from Pinedale, Gwade or anywhere else, they are still Chonobi. I figured that they would have some similar... respects," the last word was spoken with some caution as Meilin felt already uneasy.
"And yes, I would rather be with the Blackroots," the teen stated in a softer tone as a sigh followed and she shrugged again,
"But I am comfortable with various people, I guess."
Taking another bite she wondered briefly about something. But keeping the thought to herself Meilin decided to just try to look calm and casual.
Hearing Meilin's answers, Karma nodded as she laid her head back on the sleeping bag. She wondered if Meilin considered her to be someone she would be comfortable being around, but decided not to ask as she already felt she intruded too much with that question. Instead, she figured she could try and lighten the mood a bit
"Kensuke, have you ever had a mission similair to this?" She asked, wondering if he had any interesting stories to share in order to pass the time.
He paid careful attention when Meilin spoke about how she had approached the Blackroot. He learned some interesting things and could not prevent a slight jab at her admission that she'd rather be with the Blackroot men, even though they were total strangers. She didn't have to like him he reminded himself. She had to learn from him. That was the most important part. Or so he kept telling himself.
"Hmmm." He started, rubbing his chin as he thought of previous missions.
"There was a mission I did with my previous genin team which ended up being far more dangerous than foreseen, but it was completely different in nature." He finally replied. Raising an eyebrow he then looked at Karma.
"How so?"
Upon hearing Kensuke's answer Sen nodded and got a small ration in her pack to snack on as her stomach was beginning to feel uncomfortable from hunger. Sen was not exactly pleased with his answer. Yes, fear was always going to be there but there should be something to help minimize it so it wasn't so overwhelming. Experience, seemed to be the answer to a lot of questions she had and she hadn't much experience. The genin found it surprising that Meilin would rather be with the Blackroots than her own team making her wonder if there was a reason she prefered their company. Sen had to bite her tongue as to not comment on it and listened as Kensuke mentioned a mission of similar difficulty.
"How did you and the previous team handle the turn of events?" Sen asked.
"We didn't!" He said with a vague smile, recalling the events.
"We had to figure out a regional disturbance so we talked to some farmers and searched the woods. Eventually we found a giant cat, or rather, it found us." He explained.
"Said beast had been reported before elsewhere and ANBU operatives were tracking it down, so they came along and captured it, taking the job out of our hands." He explained. Finished with snack he rubbed his hands clean on his pants and got up, looked at the leader of the Blackroot and hesitated for a moment.
"Meilin. Remember the guy you wanted us to interrogate back in Keishi?" He asked.
"Seeing these 'boggarts' reminded me of him."
For a moment Meilin's eyebrows perked up as she heard her name from Kensuke. She hadn't really pay much attention to the talk between the members of Team 7 but instead focused on the Blackroots. She had different questions and interests, which probably the Blackroot could answer or help to find her an answer.
For a moment the teen wondered where the jounin wanted to go as he mentioned the chance that she had managed to create and get, on interrogating the man who shifted into something... inhuman. The chance that Kensuke had squandered in her opinion but this wasn't either the time or place to bring that up.
"Huh," the calm facial expression of the teen shifted into a clear confused one for a second,
"I wouldn't really agree with that, sir. "
Briefly, Meilin pondered on something before speaking again.
"That guy was ugly but those things we just saw. Those boggarts. They are in a different league."
He nodded and rubbed his chin as he thought, unaware that it'd become a habit by now.
"True. He was changing his shape though. Maybe his change of appearance was only partially complete, and killing him arrested it. Then again, it could just be that they're unrelated." He thought oud loud.
"You've got a pretty good head yourself. Think on it for a while, and ask the Blackroot if they've ever withnessed something alike." Kensuke then said before pausing, and then looked as if he'd decided against saying any more. Instead he reached for his tankard and drank his thoughts off.
"Aha, so that is it?" Meilin thought to herself, growing a bit bitter. She did understand that she could provide information from communicating and interacting with the Blackroot. But yet for some reason, she felt a bit annoyed that it had to be her. Why didn't they just try to connect and talk to the Blackroots themselves? They were people, regardless of their reputation or culture. Focusing her gaze away from the team and back at the Blackroots Meilin couldn't help but feel growing angry. She wanted to just rise up and walk over and join the Blackroots, who hadn't asked any favour or service of her. Who, at least, spoke the tongue of her people.
"I will see what I can do, sir," Meilin answered on a polite and yet softer tone than before.
If anything the teen imagined that it would be better for her own personal ambitions to not do such a thing. She was in need for answers on her own questions. What had this team done to deserve the fruit of her small success? They would probably just use it for their own gain and not caring for her goals. Perhaps she should do the same?
After the conversation the Blackroots seemed to have found something. They didn't seem to excited as some of the men were looking over something and the leader dispatched a few orders as posititions were taken in the room. The men remained silent and didn't seem interested in their guests but an observant person could notice that their attention was split among the entrances and exits of the room. Only after what seemed to be a hour the others of the group returned. Reporting to their leader the Blackroot group was back to its original numbers but there was a different mood hanging around the masked and armed men. On the order and instructions of their leader they would round up together with Team 7 as they had before. Escorting the team in their midst down a dark hall there was no talking or interaction between the Blackroots. The dark hall they travelled through was much like the one that they had gone through before entering the room where they had held their break. Leaving the hallway for another room the group wouldn't take another break but continue on. This would repeat various times until the group stumbled upon entering a very spacious area. The torches of the Blackroots would drive away the dark but not enough to reveal the entirety of the space they were in now.
A command was given and three Blackroots would advance into the pitch black dark while the group would keep their current position. Only after two minutes did the three return and reported something to the leader, who would give the instruction that they should get moving. This time at a slightly faster pace.
"Stay silent. Don't want to get stuck down here with them." The leader would state in a hushed and stern manner towards Kensuke's team. Travelling through the large area they would enter a hallway again. Only this time to spot some lights up ahead. Continuing in the fast pace the group would arrive in a room where there more Blackroots. There were two fires lit and the present men seemed to be taking it easy yet remaining silent. Most of them had their weapons already drawn out, just waiting or sitting in the room. One of the men in the room would walk quickly towards the group and engaged into a whispering conversation with the leader of the escorting group. After two minutes the two man seemed to come to an agreement. The man who seemed in charge of the group in the room hushed a few soft commands which saw that every Blackroot get up and ready.
"This is as far we will take you four. They," raising a thumb to point over his shoulder at the other group,
"Will now bring you further." There seemed to be something that the man wanted to tell the team. His gaze lingered for a second on Meilin but the man just nodded and would direct his own men back into the dark. The soft sound of blades being pulled out of their scabbards and bows being readied would be the last thing that anybody heard of the previous group.
The still present Blackroot would use their fire to make a few torches and ready their formation. Their leader, the man who had spoken before with the spokesman of the first group, approached the team.
"Please remain silent and stay with us. Don't want to be lost in this place. Slim chance that you will make out of it," the man said. Judging by his voice he was somewhat younger than the other leader and much politer. Gesturing to Kensuke's team to fill in the midst of the formation the new group would start to escort them through a series of hallways and various kind of rooms. The areas and hallways seemed to be carry the same inscriptions and strange language written on the wall. It would be another hour before the team would be escorted to what seemed to be the exit of the dark place they were in.
Once outside they were still in the woods. The current leader ordered several men to go on ahead as he eyed Kensuke and his team for a moment. Before he was able to say something a terrifying screech would emit from the place they had just left. It sounded distant but was enough for the leader to order a command. Ushering his own men and Kensuke's team to follow the group would move further into the woods. The sky had already turned slightly brighter, heralding that a new day was about to begin.
"We are nearly there. I assume you all are tired and in need of some proper rest but it is best to make haste to a safer place than just drop and camp anywhere," the leader said, almost in a cheerful manner. Marching for another long span of time the group would approach a clearing. Up ahead they could see stone walls and a few towers, given the idea of a small fortress. The group could notice various people on the battlements, armed with longbows and other weaponry holding watch and patrols. As the group approached the gate it would be opened from the inside out. Revealing a bustling activity inside the fortress. Various people were carrying materials, tools and gear towards one place as others were just busy with trying to sell their wares on what seemed to be a slightly chaotic marketplace. Various buildings seemed to be the homes of families as open windows and laundry was hanging out to dry.
Leading the group of Kensuke through the street towards the keep of the fortress there were people who threw a curious glance at the bypassing team. Various children would run up and while keeping at a small distance try to observe the people that didn't seem to be known with the place. Nearing the keep the group would be guided inside without any delay. There were enough guards to make it clear that the place was well guarded. Gesturing and ordering his men to deliver Kensuke's team to a place the leader would engage into a conversation with another Blackroot. One that seemed quite a bit older and sporting various scars and burns on his face and exposed forearms.
Being led through the keep the group would be brought to a place that was barred by a two door entrance, guarded by heavily armored and armed men. Seeing the group approaching two of the men would push both doors open to reveal a large room where various men and women were drinking at long tables. There was some music being played by a band but that all would come to silence upon the arrival of Kensuke's team. The Blackroots who had brought the team inside would take their leave as the doors behind them would close. A man with a short, dark brown, trimmed beard was standing at the head of the room, near a large chair on a small raised platform. The chair was decorated with symbols of both silver and some darker metal.
"The guests who came from the capital," the man near the chair spoke with a loud and displeased tone, though it was clear by the mere look he gave Kensuke and the others that he wasn't pleased with their presence.
"Coming with an important message for Lord Blackroot." Once more the words dripped of a hostile tone as various men and women would frown towards the present team. The man raised his chin slightly while waiting for a response. He wore clothing that seemed to be of quite good quality linen as well a sword hanging in a scabbard at his left hip. A few scars could be spotted at his right cheek, going down his neck.
The pace increased over the night and while usually he would be the one driving his team at this pace, he now felt a drop of sympathy for them now he himself was not in control of the situation either. Regardless, the few weeks of regular physical training he had been able to provide for them should already have made a difference. After what felt like ages they encountered a new group who would lead them further with a polite and smiling man leading them on. Finally they found their ways to the forest floor again where the pace increased once more. By the time the sun was dawning somewhere invisible high over the treetops and some scarce light made its way into the dense woods they arrived at a well-conceiled fortress. There hadn't been much time or opportunity for conversation during the travel and as they entered the castle-town it looked like there wouldn't be a chance to do so any time soon either. He'd hoped to have learned a couple of things about the boggarts before meeting their leader, but it looked like they wouldn't get a chance for anything of the like.
Kensuke's first impression was one of overdone military display or desperance in the face of great danger. It almost didn't feel like a clan's home but a military outpost instead. Looks were unfriendly and unwelcoming, but that was nothing new. At least the children didn't stare at them with hate or open disgust but the innate curiosity of the young. He'd withnessed different situations. Led towards a, obscenely heavily guarded hall they were finally admitted inside, presented before the Blackroot's leader.
Who seemed to be an absolute prick. A smirk flashed across his lips. Being a prick seemed to be a trait common amongst clanleaders. He wore obvious scars and a sword suggesting he'd seen as much combat as his men. Kensuke liked that. But he didn't like the fake tone. In the past day and a half he'd taken the grumpy but capable officer as an example for what he would expect here, and he was disappointed their leader wasn't as gruff or to the point, and instead welcomed them with sarcasm.
Kensuke knelt down before the man as one would when reporting important information and subtly gestured his team to do the same, if they didn't do so already. He then produced the sealed scroll from his chest pocket and presented it to the man.
"Indeed, Lord Blackroot. By delivering this scroll we have completed the first objective of our mission."
There was a certain desire boiling inside Meilin as she noticed that there was a shift going on. Turning to throw a look at the men who had escorted them before the question on her lip if she could join them was at the ready. Yet it wouldn't leave her lips as the leader looked for a second at her. Lowering her head the teen remained silent. She wondered what would become of the group as she threw a look over her shoulder. They went back and seemed to be ready for a fight, which made her only worried what they were going to do. Going to fight off against those two boggarts of before? It seemed that those creatures weren't the easiest to bring down so were they with enough? Turning half around Meilin wanted to just follow them and be of some help. Perhaps learning more of them but it was too late as they vanished into the pitch black darkness that they had come from. Resting her left hand on the handle of her sword Meilin would turn back forwards. The leader of the new escort group seemed to be younger and friendlier, which didn't really help Meilin's mood. Yet as they would start to get moving the teen would follow in. The constant walking was tiring her out and they hadn't taken much of a rest to recover from the events and experiences before. Trying to keep pushing herself Meilin wondered where they would be taken towards.
As they were taken outside Meilin didn't feel at ease or happy. If anything she wanted to run back into the darkness that they just had left to head back. Her words of before, that she would stand up to a dozen of boggarts, and then just fleeing from two in the face of the Blackroots that had opened up a little to her was still a source of shame. Knowing it was both too late and that she would be more of a nuisance than help Meilin would bite her lower lip.
Then a terrifying screech occurred which caused the hairs on Meilin's neck to rise up. Turning towards the exit with her right-hand shooting towards the handle of her blade she tried to steel herself for whatever would now rush out to attack them. The command was given, however, to make a move for it. Reluctantly Meilin decided to follow in.
Walking with the others Meilin was too tired to bother with being curious about the place. It had a certain allure but she wasn't certain what she should think of it. The looks and frowns they received made her feel so uneasy that she wondered if she couldn't stay back in the woods. Would she be able to change those looks with revealing that she could speak their language? Judging by the cold looks she doubted that it would change much.
Led into the keep of the place Meilin had to resist a yawn. Rubbing her eyes the teen wondered where they would sleep as they were brought into a hall. For a moment Meilin wondered if they would be allowed to take a seat as her feet and legs would certainly prefer that above standing.
A man spoke up in a less friendly manner and Meilin noticed that Kensuke would approach the man and kneel down, gesturing them to do the same.
Following Kensuke Meilin wouldn't, however, kneel down. Standing a pace behind Kensuke the teen would just stand and look up to the Blackroot. She frowned slightly but she had her reasons to stay standing. One of them being that she was certain that if she would kneel down that it would be difficult to get up again.
The genin frowned as Kensuke told them his previous team didn't handle the mysterious cat beast. If he left the cat beast to the ANBU then how were they to handle the Boggarts? Were they even capable of handling them if the Blackroots had called them fools to attempt fighting them? What if they all perished in this forsaken place? Sen knew very little of her team, her sensei seemed unsure at the moment. Karma seemed like she wasn't certain of her place on the team. Meilin was as distant as well... she didn't even know.
Sen took a deep breath. This was stress, not her common sense. Everything was going to work out somehow, one way or another. Sen was determined to be helpful and make sure her team was getting out of this mission, alive. She would then follow her team as the blackroots led them further, staying silent as they were advised to do. As they approached the said leader of the Blackroots and waited for instruction and kneeled out of respect.
The way through the caves seemed like it could last forever, especially with how long it took until they met the next group to lead them. The darkened atmosphere wasn't very comforting for Karma one bit, and she was somewhat happy that they were about to leave the caves, until the memory of the boggarts that attacked came back to her. The fact there was a chance that they will encounter those again made her shiver for a few moments. The next group to lead them seemed slightly more willing to lead them than the previous one, or at the very least, he had a nicer approach to talking to strangers, which was nice.
Upon reaching the forest, the pace increased, and Karma started to feel slight stinging in her right leg, the one that was previously broken. While it had mended properly by now, she still felt slight stings at the end of training sessions, which the doctors told her were of no concern and would pass with time as she excersized more and more. She figured the long walk, and now with a faster pace was simply starting to take its tool on her leg. She hoped they wouldn't need to walk much longer, but unfortunately to her, that would be the case. Little sunlight was striking them through the branches as they apparently arrived at their destination, which Karma couldn't help but look at with a bit of awe.
A rather large looking fortress, something that she was sure would've been known by everyone, and yet it was so carefully concealed, with many creatures surrounding, alongside the unknown quantities of guards that were concealed, and who knows what other surprises. While she didnt assume the boggarts were willing or trained to be defences, she figured those also provide a very decent protection against anyone who is not supposed to enter the forest, or even get close. They entered the fortress, and were led through the keep until they were brought in front of a man who was refered to as the leader of the Blackroots. A very respected position, considering how well trained those people were.
Seeing Kensuke and Sen go and kneel, Karma felt her right leg was aching, and she feared the trip might've put a bit too much pressure on it. Perhaps she was not ready for long constant treks by foot yet, she figured as she thought briefly if she should risk having trouble getting up after kneeling, which could end up appearing as if she did not kneel out of respect at all, but rather purely because she was tired. While she noticed Meilin did not kneel, and she did not know what reasons she had, Karma decided that if she did not kneel, she would at the very least give the man a deep bow, hoping that would be an acceptable substitute.
A silence dawned into the hall as the attention was fixated on Team 7 and the man near the ornated chair. The man slightly raised his chin while looking down at the team. Taking a step down the small steps that would lead to the platform the man would take the scroll of Kensuke but didn't open it. Stepping back the silence continued to plague the hall.
"Lord Blackroot," he repeated in a neutral tone. Turning back to face the direction of the team and the hall the man's shoulders trembled slightly. Then the man erupted in laughter, followed by many others in the hall.
Spreading his arms out the man looked down at the team in front of him. Before he could speak up, clearly amused by the sight of the team the doors of the hall would be opened. A small group of guards, clad in dark grey armour and armed to the teeth entered the hall. Escorting an old man that walked straight to the front of the hall. The man of before, would lower his arms and step a bit to the side as the older man would say nothing but take a seat on the ornated chair.
The previous man would move and lean to the older man's side, whispering something softly. After a moment of silence the older man grumbled. Leaning a bit forward he eyed Kensuke and Sen who had knelt down and Karma who had made a deep bow. His gaze rested for some time on Meilin, his eyebrows slightly perking up before speaking out loud in a deep voice that made it clear that he wasn't pleased about something.
"You must be the people that are send by Lord Hon? As you might have guessed, I am Lord Blackroot. Knvell Blackroot of the Blackroot Lineage, son of Hvner Blackroot. What are your names and lineages?" The man spoke in a strong accent, his eyebrows raised while his gaze was searching for who he could deem as the leader of the group.
Kensuke raised his head when he heard the man speak. He suspected a trap, but it was already too late. As the laughter began he found himself surprised that he was in complete control of himself. The last time such a thing had happened was at the depraved sphere of political games following the formation of the empire where clans vied for Kiyomi's attention. He pushed away the wry thought that life at court had thought him at least this much. Either way, to find these people who drew themselves to far from ordinary society stoop to this disappointed him. He rose from his kneeling position and looked around at the room with an expression of indifference. He towered over most individuals present and finally felt the flare of irritation he'd expected. It was easy to surpress.
The doors opened and the room went silent, forcing everyone present to face the elderly man as he entered the room surrounded by another troupe of soldiers. He slowly made his way to the throne at the end of the hall next to the sarcastic man whose appearance had silenced the room. So this was the actual lord of this place. When he spoke in a surprisingly strong voice he sounded remarkably displeased. It appeared the Blackroot were always displeased to Kensuke.
"My name is Nimatsu Kensuke, leader of the Nimatsu clan as my father Takeshi Nimatsu before me, and of this mission for the empire." He replied on a respectful tone that betrayed his annoyance.
Meilin remained silent. Spotting that Sen would kneel down and Karma made a deep bow brought Meilin to doubt her choice but she didn't want to shame herself. She wasn't certain if this was the lord of the Blackroots, after all. That and if it was true that they were closer in manners to the Hons than kneeling down wouldn't really be taken seriously. They were guests, which also added further to the list that Meilin wouldn't bend her knee. As it unfolded before them that it wasn't the leader of the Blackroots Meilin would release a soft sigh. She thought about how to speak to Kensuke without raising any suspicion or causing the jounin to feel only more tormented. Lowering her head a bit Meilin would take small step forwards.
"Sir, may I--"
The arrival of an escort with an older man silenced Meilin before she was able to speak up to her team leader. Turning around she was certain that this was the leader of the Blackroots. When he took a seat on his throne Meilin wouldn't still kneel as she figured out something. While he spoke up the teen would wait as Kensuke answered. Feeling a twinge of pity for the jounin as he would reveal himself as a clan leader - just after having knelt in front of a man he considered to be the leader and lord of this region - Meilin would take action.
Stepping slowly - to not raise any suspicion of the intimidating guards of Lord Blackroot - past Kensuke, her eyes fixated on the old Blackroot.
"Meilin Cho. Daughter of Kobo Cho and from the lineage of Nayami Cho. I am sorry for the wrong display, Lord Blackroot," Meilin spoke in Chonobi,
"But Lord Nimatsu is adjusted to other norms and manners. He means nothing but respect. His people..."
Briefly Meilin glanced at her team leader, unsure how to explain how the Nimatsu didn't likely have a lineage or was aware that Knvell Blackroot was giving them some honour and respect - by stating his own lineage publicly, even thought it was likely a known one.
"His people don't have a lineage. I assure you, however, he means no disrespect."
Sen's expression would turn to one of confusion as the man laughed at them as did some others. It was then that she realized they had assumed wrong. The man in front of them was not the one they should be bowing to. Taking a deep breath, she got up from her kneeling position and turned as the doors opened revealing an assembly guards with an older man. The older man seemed one of importance and once confirmed he was Lord Blackroot rather than the one they had assumed, Sen bowed her head in some respect. If the Blackroots found their attempt at showing respect humorous then they needn't try again.
The genin was in some awe of Lord Blackroot, his title and lineage was very impressive. He carried himself as someone with such importance should and spoke like one should. Despite her parents being away most of the time, she did learn from them how to analyze such situations as they were diplomats after all. She listened as her Sensei and teammate introduced themselves with their lineages. Sen did want to know what Meilin knew of the Blackroots as she took it upon herself to be the liaison of the team. So far, no negative actions had came from her actions and communications.
"Sen Cho, daughter of Aya and Sato Cho from the Kimiko lineage," Sen said. Morphing her expression as to have a polite and patient smile on her face while still holding some respect.
Knvell raised his chin slightly while listening to Kensuke. The people at the long tables had returned to some talking and either playing some games, eating or drinking together. But Knvell had noticed that some of his people had frowned when the Nimatsu had continued. Realising something the man would lean a bit forward. He hadn't managed to pick up any lineage that the tall man had stated, which was further bringing down the man's mood down. Certainly after trying to give them both some respect and honour as guests by announcing his own! Just about when the man's lips parted and his eyes narrowed slightly one of the group would speak up.
Listening to Meilin's words the lord frowned slightly. Leaning back once more the mood of the man seemed to have turned a bit more pleasant. A subtle nod was given to the tall man.
"Ah," the man just grumbled while he further listened as another person of the team in front of him would start to speak up. However, something did evidently irritated the lord. The fact that he had caught that they had knelt for the other man was something that had already plunged Knvell's mood down. But was this small one now trying to insult him more in front of his own people with just bowing her head to him? Narrowing his eyes the gaze of the man shot towards Kensuke, wondering if this was perhaps the doing of the leader of the pack in front of him. This time he would speak once more, a sliver of anger running through his tone.
"I would like to hear what the last one of you has to say. I welcome you as guests and understand that some of you... have different manners," the man said,
"But I must remind you that even while you are working for the realm that this is my land. By the laws and rules of the Akinian empire I am allowed to rule in the name of the empress. I hope that this won't result into any trouble cause I don't take kindly on troublemakers." Having spoken in Chonobi the man gestured that either Sen or Meilin should translate this for him to Kensuke, a light scoff following afterwards.
Relieved as there was a clear calming effect following her words Meilin would take a step back while lowering her head. Both as a sign of respect for the Lord Blackroot and Kensuke, knowing that the latter wasn't capable of following or knowing what she had done. When Sen would speak up Meilin was staring at her team member. Did she just bow her head towards the man while they had been caught kneeling to somebody that wasn't in charge of the Blackroots? Cringing slightly by also noticing that this didn't go unnoticed by the man in charge Meilin already felt the need to flee.
When the lord spoke up Meilin lowered her eyes. Her mind started to work at a rapid pace. How could they diffuse this situation without being sent back to just return to the capital? Perhaps they had angered the Blackroots to such an extent that they wouldn't receive a guiding escort this time. Thus being sentenced to a dreadful fate in the Blackroot Vale.
Upon the gesture of the lord Meilin would lean towards Kensuke, starting to translate everything quickly but she would add something to her whispers.
"Sir, not to trouble you but this is a very delicate situation. Might I suggest that we request some time to rest? So far they don't seem to be ill-willed towards us or this would have started out quite different," Meilin whispered hoping that the man would agree with her. They had already delivered the information so their primary objective was completed anyways.
It was clear that the Blackroot were a secluded clan and he began to understand part of the reason why he was sent here. Any other clanleader safe for those accustomed to dealing with these people would have been deeply insulted a million times over with their amazing pride, yet sending ordinary shinobi might have upset these men who seemed to value social position and rituals so much that Meilin specifically warned and advised him to request a pause. The man himself seemed to be in ever more of a foul mood than before and while he did not understand why exactly it was clear that Sen was the cause of the problem, although Kensuke did not blame her. The Blackroot seemed intent on exposing any existing cultural difference and using that to humilate them. It was as if they were trying to create an uproar for which they could blame the empire, so Kensuke's first reaction was to do the opposite. Which meant trusting Meilin. Why was he hesitating then? Did he still not trust her?
Trust went both ways.
"Lord Blackroot, we have been sent here on an important mission regarding this scroll I carry on my person. Yet, the perils that besiege your village have forced us to move throughout the night. I request that we are allowed to rest so we may more properly get acquainted at a later time. Please forgive us if we insulted you or your customs, it is merely the lack of sleep that is speaking." He said.
Everything that occured went by her like it was almost a dream. Not a good one, but a dream. Karma watched as the actual Blackroot leader came, was approached by Sen who spoke in Chonobi once more, rendering her and Kensuke unable to understand what was said, Kensuke greeting him, Sen slightly bowing her head towards him which made Karma feel scared, as such a bow is only befitting people who do not deserve respect. Looking at the Blackroot Leader confirmed her fear that he would be insulted, and quickly Meilin stepped up to try and make things right. Did she become the new team leader in the few moments she stood there in silence? Or the embassador between their team and the Blackroots? The way she behaved seemed odd to her.
Waiting for this Meilin to translate to Kensuke the lord remained silent, just observing them. Planting his elbow on one side of his throne, the fist would support the resting head of the old lord. As Kensuke seemed to be informed and would reply back the man next to the lord would lean to whisper something to his lord. Listening to the other man, the gaze of Knvell was focused on Kensuke and his team. Grumbling something underneath his breath the other man would walk away.
"Village?" The man spoke back in the common language, not hiding his confusion.
"But no. I won't mind you all heading to get some rest. Though I want to speak you four this evening. It is, after all, an insult to not offer guests some ale and a place at your table. Am looking forward to hear what kind of stories can come from a..." For a moment the man frowned as he tried to pronounce the name correctly,
"Nimatsu was it? Though there is one companion of yours that hasn't 'graced' me yet with her name and lineage."
Upon hearing Lord Blackroot's remark that she did not grace him with her name and lineage, Karma became swallowed what little pride she had before. Even though she knew she would have a harder time standing up afterwards, she kneeled towards the Blackroot leader
"Apologies, Lord Blackroot. My name is Karma Minami, Genin member of team 7 of Konohagakure. I do not possess any kind of lineage, as I do not belong to any clan, unlike the rest of my team." Karma stated in a tone showing nothing but respect towards the man, hoping this will make him somewhat more pleased following what occured with Sen. She had no idea how he would react to the fact she did not come from the chonobi clans, or any clan for that matter, and kept praying inside that her show of respect will prove to be sufficent.
