[fieldbox=Wolf Country Gathering! - Part 3]
Wolf country,
Between the Allied camps of the Imperial and Lightning country forces.

A large collab done by the Lightning country writers:
Oetje, Fieryfly, Melanchy Boi, FrostedCamel, Zane, Jason, Glitchybugger, Chromehound and Lesli.
A large collab done by the Imperial Akinian writers:
Sketching, Lesli, Icy, RedFox and Gerontis.

Summary:
This meeting takes places several hours after the first clash. The battle was considered a victory for the allied forces as the enemy force halted their attempt to breach through the allied front at the largest crossing and the enemy detachment up north being repelled by the Tiger Claws and Hideki leading a platoon of Guardians. This meeting has been orchestrated by exchanged communication between the Imperial and Lightning country forces. The meeting is to be held between the two camps, which between two hills. There isn't vegetation like trees and the grass is covered by snow as a dark grey blanket is covering the sky. Here, in this meeting, the next move is being shared with some of the Lightning country nin as some introductions will be made towards one and another.



Part 1
Part 2



[spoili]
"The... dreadnaughts?" the girl said, taking the chance to speak up. "I am unsure what it means exactly, but in the battle where Toshi and Yumeji fought the first one, I noticed something odd. The chakra from those beasts seems to be... rotting, for lack of a better description. When these things are felled, they seem to turn to ash. While they're alive, I can personally attest to their enhanced strength, and odd ability to inspire strong feelings of dread and whatnot in their enemies. I've seen veteran soldiers just give up on the spot from that ability, so the more we can get rid of tonight, the better." She explained, before realizing she'd yet to introduce or state her skillset. "Apologies, I've yet to introduce myself. Mizuchi Hojo. I am a close quarters fighter, and have some chakra sensing techniques." She said before falling silent once more.

Midori was glad to find Reyna at her side together with Kaya and Yumeji. There was something reassuring in having the entire team besides her even though she hardly knew Yumeji. She caught the look from the Akinian soldier who seemed to alternate between gazing at her and Miu Sanosuke, who Midori did not know but who had somehow taken command of the situation. Midori didn't particulary care for that. She wondered if the Akinian shinobi was questioning her position in the army. Did he expect her to be a leader just because she was a Jinchuuriki? Or because she was the sibling of the Empress? If only he knew that she had big trouble leading a team of four and that she did not wish for the responsibility of more lives on her shoulders. Would be nice if it could stay that way. But it couldn't. She had information that needed to be shared with all of these people and it needed to happen before anything started. Sure, she loved talking, but not when the words needed to be considered so carefully. Maybe that was why she had chosen to actually wear a hoodie, because it always made her feel secure. She shot a smile at Reyna.

And then Midori stepped forward perhaps for the first time ever officially assuming the role leader of a team in front of many other people.

"If you would hear me out," she started, suddenly wondering at who she should look as she talked. She would have prefered to talk to Reyna or Kaya, but turning around would be awkward. So she chose the Akinian shinobi who had looked at her instead. "These 'brutes' or whatever you call them are a big deal sure, but if we are attacking their camp at night it might be useful to know the camp. I might provide some insight. I have... uh..." she paused for a moment before speaking up again, faster this time as if she was in a hurry. "I have received information from an Akinian ANBU who... who risked a lot to deliver this to me and my team." Midori gestured back to the rest of Team 13. "He isn't here right now and as such cannot relay this information himself but asked me to do so. There is a lot to go through, but not all of it is relevant for the battle at hand so I'll just stick to the parts that are because otherwise I'm just wasting time and..." Midori took a deep breath.

"The enemy's camp is nothing like ours with organised rows and sections and stuff like that. They make camp in what seem to be a disorganised manner. The outer ring, which hold very few watchposts or patrols, is populated by the lower ranked soldiers. They are not like us as in, they do not simply sleep there. They fight among themselves. It is chaos. As soon as you move past this initial ring of recruits you can to the actual, I guess, important soldiers that they have. There you have the fortifications, the well equipped guards to guard those that command the army. My-... The ANBU confirmed Hideki Hyuuga's fact about the red cloaks and their ninjutsu. He said they would be among what we consider Chuunin rank, but they are many and that is their strength as well as their determination. There are some more things but I think those should be discussed, perhaps with you though I don't know your name or position in this army so I cannot be sure if you are actually the one to talk to. Regardless, that information has nothing to do with the nightraid." Another deep breath. "If we are just attacking the outer ring we should have little trouble cutting in deep, but we can wonder if that will actually hurt them in the long run." She trailed off. "So yeah. That..." Somewhat awkward Midori would take a step back. "Oh, and I am Midori Sato, but everyone probably already knew that. Taijutsu is my speciality. I'm not quite sure if the commander, Satoshi Jun, would approve if I was part of the retreating force, but I might be useful in other... ways." she added as a late afterthought.

An Akinian ANBU? Operating so far from home? Koike didn't show his doubt or surprise upon hearing what Midori said. He would just shoot a sideways look at Saki for a second before back at Midori. The information she gave was quite detailed and if it weren't for the fact that he found it so odd that there were ANBU of his homeland operating so far away, he would have believed it right away. Then again, why shouldn't he believe it? Becoming slightly frustrated Koike decided to just hear the eight tails jinchuriki out. Slowly nodding as she finished up, Koike would speak up on his turn. "My name is Koike Hon. Colonel of the Foot companions, part of the 13th Imperial brigade. I suppose, also right hand to the commander," He added a small smile after his words, "I would love to hear more what you would have to tell me but if it isn't relevant to the impending operation, we will have to talk later." Thinking about the information Koike pondered. There was some untouched snow, perfect for a drawing, he figured.

Crouching he would make two circles in the snow. "So we are dealing with a force that has a fortifified camp," he pointed at the inner circle, "And then the regulars who are camped around it. Forming effectively a meat shield." Koike threw a look around to see if most were paying attention. This was actually new information and he wasn't so sure if this would hamper or neutralize the effect of a night raid. It wasn't that strange to think that the valuable units and commanders would be in a more favourable position. But if he had to make a mental image, he couldn't picture or imagine that they would be able to do more than to cut down some lower ranks before needing to fall back before the entire enemy force would be coming at them. "This does complicate the situation, but it is clear that we will have to handle things a bit different. If the important people are in the fortified position, we will have to worry first about the regulars. What I want to do is to see if we can't perhaps blockade or hamper the dangerous troops from leaving their fortified camps. That means that we will divide the attacking force into two. One that will take down as many of their troops as possible while buying time for the other part to block their core. If done right, we will be able to perhaps start fires and potentially cause a lot of damage to them."

He would get up and mentally sigh. Of course, things wouldn't go always as planned but this change really was something he hadn't seen coming. "As for me, I am capable with kenjutsu, genjutsu and have led certain operations as this one before. Furthermore," He was a bit hesistant but decided that it would perhaps help a bit in case some weren't aware of what 'Dragonsteel' entitled, "We will need weapons with this kind of metal," Drawing one of his blades, Koike would hold it up so that they could see it. While his instincts said that he shouldn't do so, he would carefully and slowly turn the sword and hold the handle towards anybody who desired to inspect the particular weapon. "Hard to get by is an understatement but if there is any of such weapon, even such as a dagger or needle, it will help immensely against..." Koike thought back to what Saki had called them. Dreadnaughts sounded unpleasant, so that was more or less fitting, "Those dreadnaughts or brutes, however, you want to dub them as."

She had remained silent but her anger hadn't ebbed away. With arms crossed, Korina kept watch of the ongoing conversations. "Why not else lend us one of those swords? If you guys have little trouble dealing with those brutes, I am certain that our need for such a blade is bigger than yours. Unless," the harsh tone would go together with the Kusanagi's eyebrows perking up, "That is suddenly the only blade in the entire camp, capable of dealing with those 'dreadnaughts'."

Katsu looked down at the snow thoughtfully, listening closely. He raised his head and spoke up. "It's a bit unsettling, though," Katsu said, almost as if he was speaking to himself. "Oh, um. I'm Katsu Uchiha, the aide of," he gestured to Koike as he continued, "the colonel in the 13th. What I meant was, we're not going in with too much information. I know we're a bit pressed on time, but it might be prudent to do a quick scouting job to see if there are going to be any surprises. We could spare two or three people for a couple of minutes once we get close to mark any sentry towers from above. Otherwise, we might end up in a position where the entire camp is alerted to our presence because we didn't take out all of their sentries. It's just... It feels like there are way too many unknown elements to do this without " After ending his sentence, an unease creapt up on him.

The elaboration on the brutes, whom seemed more apptly named Dreadnaughts, and the other information given by both the Akinians and by Midori was quite worrying. For the most part all she could do was nod in agreement and understanding. She also took note of the fact she'd forgotten to introduce herself, quickly intending to fix that issue. "A quick scout of the outer camp wouldn't be a bad idea, just to be sure that the enemy wasn't hiding anything amongst their masses and to get a better idea of just how chaotic it is in there." Niji began, then looking to Korina as the girl seemed to be getting somewhat antagonistic towards the Akinians. "Dragonsteel is an incredibly rare material, we'd be beyond lucky to just find one laying around so it's likely that if anyone has it, they're probably already going to be putting it to use." She then returned her gaze to the Akinian group "Is there anything else that's effective against those Dreadnaught things? Also, I forgot to introduce myself and you have my apologies for that. Niji Yakei, chuunin ranked kunoichi, I am well trained in kenjutsu, some taijutsu and offensive ninjutsu."

As the plan was discussed along with the suggestion of listing what each could do so they had some trust among them, Miu who was so far the vocal one for her group chose not to speak just yet. Opting to stay silent for the questions that would follow she would take notes on how such meetings went about. So far it seemed like the plan was clear enough and that others wanted to do way more in the time they would have. They had a discussion on those brutes or the dreadnaughts that they were quickly nicknamed, and what the whole deal was around them. Appearing like normal soldiers but taking more abuse than them as well, while some could do lots of fancier stuff. Some had intellect and proper reaction speed, while the one she fought was just a muscle machine and nothing else. Just what kind of shit did they get themselves into, and what prompted this enemy for such an invasion? Still listening she saw Koike hold out said weapon that could easily dispatch of these dreadnaughts, she would take it upon herself to grab the handle of the sword. Pulling it closer for her to examine, she wasn't quite her father but he taught her a little of the trade. Enough to know that this was a greatly crafted weapon. As she examined it from every angle she heard Korina speak up but ignored her words as no doubt someone would retort to her words, which Niji indeed did do. As she agreed with the Katsu kid that a quick scout of the outer camp wouldn't be a bad idea.

Taking one last look at the sword, she would frown but not at the sword and she would turn it around and hold it out for Koike to take back. "Just from a quick look I can tell it has some special properties alright. Not even my father had the privelage of working on a metal of that kind and hes been a smith since he was my age. He has worked on all kinds of metals but never that one. So incredibly rare doesn't even describe it." Miu started speaking her eyes shifting from Korina to Niji. "Well you fought one right Niji? So we know hitting them consistently works as well. Yet Korina, don't assume our side automatically has a bigger need for such a weapon. I'm sure they fought them just as much as we did." although she did hope more ways to kill them exsisted. That Dragonsteel made it easier in the long run sure, yet fighting them until they finally got through their shield or armor was risky for them to even take one hit. Her gaze then went to Toshi upon thinking of something. "Your explosive tags seemed to have worked rather well against it. Didn't kill it outright or allow us to, but it certainly weakened it." Miu spoke wondering if bombs were a potential weakness to them, but if they were then that was almost out of the plans. Constantly being around allies and using explosions wouldn't pan out well.

Yumeji didn't want to think of much of the small talk, or what she regarded as small talk, but listened to what the plan was. It was somewhat exciting and anxious to attack in the night a force that was larger than them. But she could see the beneficial effects of it if they would be able to land some great success.
When others would react to the plan, Yumeji wondered for a moment if some had listened to what had been explained.
"I am of the opinion that we shouldn't actively look for those "dreadnaughts" if we can avoid that. But if we are going to launch a massive raid on their camp the odds are large we will come to clash with them. Now, the entire discussion can be held if we should avoid them or confront them," Yumeji lightly shrugged, "But the idea from what I get is that we should aim to focus on taking out as many as we can in a short time. Spread fire, panic and death. Then fall back. That is what I get from the plan and what I can stand by. Though," Yumeji made a casual pointing with a thumb towards Korina, "Nobody seems to be eager with her points, I can actually see some sense in lending us a dragon steel weapon if it is so effective. If there isn't any that can lend then it is so. As for the idea to scout ahead for a just a couple of minutes,", Yumeji turned her attention towards the Uchiha, "I am not certain if that is a better idea. We already will clear out their side on the river and then the time is ticking. The longer we stay in wait, the bigger the chances are that they will know of our presence and intention. Not to mention," Yumeji shot a sideways glance towards Midori, "They will be occupied with their own forces from what Sato-san told us. I think that with a language barrier and the intention that the night raid has that it isn't the right idea to borrow too much time. But that is my humble thought," taking a step back she was getting past the point of talking. The idea was solid, covered various areas and parts, and she was eager to conduct a night attack on those bastards. A good way to get some revenge, she figured.

Brushing some people aside with her shoulder, Masami finally made it to the meeting with the Lightning Shinobi she wanted to meet so badly. She overheard some small talk from distance, but she could not decipher the meaning of any of it. She did not try to make her way towards the centre of the group - she was fine with staying at the edge of the gathering. She felt the cold biting at the exposed tips of her fingers, but at this point she got used to the feeling. She knew a few people that were present at the gathering and gave them short nods. The meeting must have going on for quite a while, but she was busy. In fact, she found herself a nice, secluded spot a minute of walk from the main camp and let her mind wander off into the distance. She was thinking about her teammates, about her family. About the Guardians. About him. Yes, he was the point where her thoughts always ended. Masami knew what this meant but she did not want to speak the words. Not yet. Shaking her head slightly, she returned her spirit to the meeting at hand. Their plan sure sounded ambitious, but Masami realized that it was insane. But she still wanted to be a part of it. She believed she was more than qualified, thanks to her eyes. And other skills. But mostly my eyes, she though to herself. But there was one thing she was dreading. The possibility of her avoiding this endeavour without being forced to kill. Will I be able to take a life? This one question kept popping up in her mind, over and over again. She shook her head once again. Her mind was back to the meeting, and she was ready to add her own input.

The meeting would go on for a bit longer before it would be concluded. Both groups would return to the camps of their respective armies, to prepare themselves for the planned night raid.

[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]
 
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[fieldbox="Eiji Emiya, sandybrown"]
Amekage's Assistant - Leader of Team 11 | Amekage's Office

Peace would not be granted to him, Eiji decided when he was informed of the sudden and rapidly escalating situation at the Housha Compound. He had been able to enjoy a few somewhat peaceful days in which he had managed to catch a good nights sleep and actually spend some time with his daughter, but that fragile situation did not last. It was to be expected. The tension in the city after the recent riots had been high and he had found no one to bring them down. People were shaken, understandbly so, and he did not have all the answers.

And now this attack.

His information on the whole situation was limited, but his actions had been immediate. Several summons had gone out, one to his ANBU operative, one to various Jounin stationed within the city at the moment and their teams - this included Mitsunari and Etsu -, and one for his own team. And then there was a message to Aiko Cho-Hon asking her to keep a look out in the city while he would go to the Housha Compound to investigate the situation.

The first one to arrive was surprisingly a face Eiji only knew from a picture in a file. Yukio Nishi, his new genin. The boy made a polite bow, clearly nervous about this situation. Eiji couldn't blame him so he offered the boy a gentle smile. "You are not late, Yukio Nishi. I will, however, ask you-"

His ANBU operative, Sairento Shi, entered. Somewhat impressive with the man's speed, Eiji opened his mouth to reply only to have his door slammed open again and have Ryu barge in. Well then. Eiji sighed and shook his head. "You are not late. Ryu, this is Yukio Nishi," Eiji gestured to the boy before him. "He will be our new teammember. We are leaving for the Housha Compound as soon as the other Jounin I summoned arrive and we have set up a plan. In the meantime, I will step outside with my ANBU for a moment. Make sure you two get acquianted because we might not have time for that later." He shot the two children a last look before beckoning Sariento to follow him outside for a moment.

After he had closed the door behind him, he spoke to the ANBU in a rushed tone. "There are three others waiting for you outside. I want you to take them and get to the Housha Compound as fast as possible. I need to know more about the situation, but I cannot go myself before I have everyone that I need here. As such I need you to lead the others and scout ahead. Don't take chances. I don't want you killed, I don't even want you to engage unless absolutely necessary. We will be right behind you with various teams to take down these enemies, but we can do that more effectively when we know what we are dealing with. Report back to me as fast as you can. Is that understood?"

[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox="Chaos, #99ffff, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]


Sairento Shi | ANBU | Amegakure

Nodding towards the man, Sairento spoke quickly. "Understood, sir. Won't let you down." The man said before turning to head out. Upon exiting the building, he immediately noticed three others he recognized from various missions over the years. Giving a simple nod, he began heading out. Once away from the crowds, Sairento looked towards the trio traveling with him. "Orders are not to engage unless absolutely necessary. We'll spread out once we get closer, keep chakra suppressed. Don't know who we are dealing with, and I don't want surprises." He said, getting three acknowledgments from his fellow ANBU. With that said, the small scouting party suddenly dispersed, disappearing like ghosts into their surroundings. Sairento himself moved off the main path. It wasn't long before the smoke slowing rising in the distance become not that far off. As he got even closer, the man held a single seal and suppressed his chakra. The sounds of heavy fighting reached the man's ears as he climbed a nearby tree to remain concealed and see the events ahead. He could hear weapons clashing, windows breaking, terrified screams, and even the pained wails of the dying. Still, this wasn't any indication of what the man would find when he was finally able to see into the compound.

Absolute chaos was the only way he could see fit to describe the scene before him. Across the Housha compound, fires raged as the attackers went about their onslaught. Doors kicked in, only for moments later the terrified screams of its occupants to reach outside world. Then a sudden silence and the attacker who had entered emerging. Though he could only see a small portion of the courtyard, Sairento could see the Housha fighting for every inch of their land. Though they were hopelessly outclassed, both in skill as well as numbers alone. In one corner, a Housha wearing a suit of full-plate went hand-to-hand with one of the attackers and seemed to be holding his own. Meanwhile, in another, a man wielding no weapon set fire to a house after weaving a rapid set of handsigns. Swallowing hard and getting ready to head back with his report, Sairento heard a scream from directly below him. A woman had fallen, crawling away from a man wielding an axe already stained red.

The man raised his axe, madness in his eyes as he was ready for his next victim. Just as he was about to swing, a sharp whistle pierced the air, and a vicious pain erupted from his chest. Looking down, he saw a kunai embedded all the way to its handle in his chest. Looking up, a man wearing an odd white and red mask had seemed to materialize in front of him. Immediately following his arrival, a brilliant flash of steel followed by... nothing.

Sairento quickly wiped his blade, before returning it to its sheath. As the corpse that had once been the attacker toppled to the ground, Sairento looked back at the woman before leaving the compound once more. Making his way back towards the city to report in, Sairento heard something from off to his right. "Don't engage unless necessary, eh?" Asked the man, getting quick glare from Sairento. "She would've died otherwise, and we were isolated. I'll take the punishment for that." He said, getting a grunt in return. Then the four ANBU quickened their pace, heading back to report in on what they had seen.[/hr][/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox='Ferra Arkos | Ame Jounin | Team 15, #99cc00']
A New Arrival

As she approached the Amekage's office, Ferra could not help but wonder if she was in trouble for something. The summons she had received did not indicate this meeting would be to punish her, nor was she aware of anything she might have done that could have caused any real consequences. However, in Ferra's experience, one did not get summoned to the headmaster's office unless they were in line to receive a smack on the wrist. If she had learned anything in her time at the academy, that was it.

There was a chance, however slim, that the meeting could be to provide a mission, something that Ferra would be quite eager for. Though she did not wish to get her hopes up, the idea was enough to make her curious as to what sort of mission it might be. Seeing as the summons had been from the Amekage's assistant himself, Ferra wondered, if it were to be a mission, if this would be different than the type she usually received from the Jounin Commander.

Entering the large building, Ferra made her way towards the Amekage's office. Stopping before the door, she composed herself, preparing for whatever might come of this meeting. As Ferra pushed open the door, she was surprised to see two younger shinobi alongside a man she could only assume to be Eiji Emiya. While she had never officially met the Amekage's assistant, she had certainly heard of him before. He was also quite possibly the only man in the village with hair that was redder than hers. Glancing at the boy and the girl for a moment, she nodded a polite greeting before turning towards the man she hoped was the Amekage's assistant. "Ferra Arkos, reporting as requested."
[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox=Change of Plans? , lightgreen]
Etsu Yabut,
Jounin of Ame Team 22
Amegakure, out in the streets.


Etsu kept waiting. She was certain that her students wouldn't bail out on her. Going over the plan one more time through her mind, Etsu noticed something. It wasn't that busy in the street she was waiting for her team so the sight of a nin running was something she caught easily. It briefly drew her out of her thoughts as she would mentally shrug it off. Figuring that it wasn't for her, Etsu wanted to continue her train of thoughts. Only to notice that the man was approaching her. Slightly confused but also wary, Etsu would hear him out. Apparently, he was one of the chuunin that was on messenger duty, telling her that the Amekage assistant desired to speak her in his office. He couldn't say much more than that it was an emergency.

Etsu just nodded as the man would run away, probably on to his next 'target' as she noticed that he wasn't taking the route directly to the administration complex. Why did the Amekage assistant want her presence? Was it a part of a ruse? Not to mention, she had it quite busy and throwing her entire schedule off wasn't something she was really keen on.
"Always the damn timing. Seriously, some men need to work on their timing."
After mumbling the words to herself Etsu would conjure a Shadow Clone of herself. Letting the Shadow Clone heading to the office of the Amekage assistant wasn't because she was getting paranoid. Her team could very well arrive at the moment when she was moving towards the office. not to forget that she would probably be hearing a lecture or worse if she wouldn't show up.
Hopefully, she would able to continue her own operation or else the preparations for it would have been for nought.



The Shadow clone of Etsu made quick work to reach the office. Going through the required protocol of security, needing to verify herself, Etsu managed to get to the door that led to Eiji Emiya's office, Opening it, a smile dawned on her lips as she was about to inquire if he was already missing her.
"Ooh," The shadow clone noticed a few other people. Two young ones that didn't bring up any name. But if she was correct, she was in the same room as fabled Ferra Arkos. A renowned Godai player in this region of the Empire.
"Reporting in, sir," Etsu's clone would say with a feigned cheerful tone, bowing towards the Amekage assistant.

[/fieldbox]
 
[Fieldbox=Playing with Fire~, #33cccc]
Empire of Akino.
In the Royal Palace, in Konohagakure.

A collab between Chromehound and Aliceee.

Summary:
Trying to get a better hang of Yakimara during her study, Kiyomi decides to pay attention to something else. Having a plot in mind to get something in motion that might benefit her as well create an interesting situation with various areas of the realm that follow the Way of Fire.


[spoili]
It was silent. Not in any shape or form the kind of silence that could drive somebody insane. Or perhaps those who couldn't appreciate the kind of silence that dominated the library. Kiyomi for one could appreciate the silence that was present and reigned in the large hall. There were the faint sounds of other people but she was aware that she was the only one studying and reading the content of the scrolls, books and information stored. Only a very few were permitted anyways to enter the hall and indulge into the knowledge that it harboured.

Frowning Kiyomi tried to mouth the words. It wasn't really the most interesting story and it was certainly a hassle to read and speak Yakimara. It was quite different from how one would speak, write and read Chonobi. It seemed as if certain words were made longer or those who needed to be spoken in a different fashion than how you wrote them down. Something that did frustrate the teen to no end. Who had come up with that? In any way, it was easier than to continue her study and teaching in Calarien. Even though the person teaching her that ancient language was always around. Not always willing, that was for sure, but it was easier. For a moment Kiyomi wondered if she should try to get a tutor in learning to speak and understand Yakimara better. But the only person she wanted to be taught Yakimara was now on the eastern continent. Far away and unable to comply to her desires.

Frustrated Kiyomi closed the book and shoved it away. Tapping with her fingers at the table, she felt in need to do something. Right now it was just waiting, studying and planning matters. Which wasn't always bad or boring but it had been ages since she had been able to do something truly exciting. Something new. Her nose wrinkled as a thought moved past her mind. Getting up, Kiyomi would pick the book up and walk back to put it where she had found it.

As she put the book back, it didn't cost any effort to send a message to Matatabi. It was as easy as thinking about something she could see, in a way. "Odd question, but are you awake by any chance? I have something on my mind and believe you would perhaps like to aid me in this." Was the message she would 'send' towards Matatabi, walking towards the exit of the library as she waited for a reply back.

Matatabi's ears perked up at the sound of Kiyomi's voice. Truth be told, he had been laying awake in his cage, rather bored but unable to sleep. The beast had too many things on his mind for sleep to come easily. Matatabi had watched Kiyomi for awhile as she'd studied, wondering at that time if she would call him to help her with the ancient language. She did not ask him for help, however, and soon she had switched to the more musical sounding language. Yakimara was it? Matatabi had lost interest after awhile and had gone back to his own thoughts, remaining silent in the dark.

When the girl spoke, however, Matatabi raised his head, curious and eager to do something other than think for once. He had plenty of time to think. Too much even... Not wishing Kiyomi to hear how much he wanted a distraction, Matatabi responded to her in his usual surly tone. "I am now, girl. What do you need me for?"

Hearing the response caused a smile to flow on the lips of the teen as she walked in a rather fast pace through the halls of the complex. While she walked, Kiyomi would reply back to the Nibi. "I need you for a lot, obviously. But I got a little task that I want to delegate to you and you alone," was her cryptic answer. It costed little to no effort to find the passage she was looking for. The Royal Palace was filled with entrances and exits, as long as you were aware of them. Entering into the secret route Kiyomi would open her left hand, moulding and start to unleash chakra being transformed into lightning. Creating a bright blue light made it much easier to navigate through the darkness and small halls.

Arriving in a space that was had the size of a small room, Kiyomi would first ignite the candles in the room. Candles that she, herself, had placed here. It was one of the few places where she could be alone with her thoughts. Planning and studying truly in peace and solitude. Or in some cases, allowing her to speak with Matatabi in the open instead of through their telepathic bond. Once she was done with the candles Kiyomi would just wait. Matatabi could pretty much manifest himself whenever he felt the need to do so. Waiting for him to appear Kiyomi would start to pace in the room while she shot a question towards Matatabi. "Ever heard of the Way of Fire? Not talking about the ideology that is known as the Will of Fire, but the actual religion? You know, where fire is a sacred element and some kind of god is being worshiped?"

As the Empress would enter the room, a cat, that would be large compared to a standard house cat, appeared on the floor. Standing to his feet, Matatabi arched his back, purring ever so slightly as he stretched out. It felt good to be freed from the cage, even if it would only be for a short while. Turning to face Kiyomi as she asked her question, the fiery feline raised an eyebrow. "You certainly are a curious one, I'll give you that." He said after a moment, glancing around the room. Taking a few tentative steps, Matatabi turned back. "I have heard of it yes. How could I not? Look at me. If you haven't noticed, fire is kinda my thing." Puffing himself up slightly, Matatabi tried to make himself appear larger. "What is it you are looking to know?"

Planting her fists on her hips Kiyomi scoffed, in an amused fashion, when Matatabi called her a curious one. When she noticed that Matatabi was getting curious, Kiyomi flashed, at first, just a small smile. One that clearly portrayed the fact she had something on her mind that either amused or excited her. "I am looking to perhaps make those fire-worshippers to become more... loyal. It is quite common knowledge on that I 'tamed' you. To the outside world, that is. Some that are closer know better but that won't be a problem," Kiyomi started to explain, "I don't believe in this Way of Fire. I have my own belief and that is of my own people. Yet, I can't deny that it would be quite beneficial if more people would be given another reason to be loyal to my rule. And that is where you come in, my good friend," winking at Matatabi, Kiyomi would make a gesture by spreading her arms for a moment.

"As you stated, you're made of fire. Or so you appear. If you would be the messenger that you favour and... serve isn't the correct word. Perhaps just favour my rule in the realm, then it would convince a lot of people to be even more loyal to my rule. Making my tenure a bit easier. Cause who would doubt you in the flesh... or fire?~" A soft snicker escaped Kiyomi after saying her last sentence.

Tilting his head to the side, Matatabi digested her words before a frown grew on his face. "You wish for me to be a puppet?"

His words made Kiyomi frown as she shook her head. "No. You will be left more or less to your own device. Only thing is that you will need to either convince or help some priest in convincing that you're fond of my rule. The word of a bijuu might not sound like a positive thing in general. But your reputation isn't tarnished like that of the Kyuubi. Other than that, I will allow you to freely travel, as long," raising her right hand's index finger as a clear warning signal, "You don't cause any havoc. Doubt anybody will try to capture you. If anything, if somebody does succeed it will just be some chakra that will be lost and needs to be replenished over time. Your essence is still with me, after all."

Thinking about it for a long moment, Matatabi began to pace, exploring the room. The thought of being left to his own devices was indeed a tempting one, but he wasn't entirely fond of being used either. "So you are asking me to pretend to be some form of messenger?" He asked, thinking about what it would mean. On one hand, he had some semblance freedom and the chance to make life easier for his host which inevitably meant life would be easier for him as well. On the other... he had his pride and own beliefs taking a blow. Grinding his jaw as he thought about it, Matatabi sighed. "Do I at least get to pick what kind of deity I am?"

Pouting at hearing his first question, Kiyomi had a most sarcastic reply at the ready. Yet, this wasn't the time for joking around. And she could somewhat understand why Matatabi was being hesitant regarding the plan. "I would consider you more or less able to carry yourself as somebody who can be a trusted emissary of mine, yes." Crossing her arms out front of her chest, she heard the second question and gave it some thought. "And what kind of deity would you prefer to be?"

"Obviously a majestic one," Matatabi said as he threw his head back and the flames on his body would seem to glow brighter for a moment. Looking entirely full of himself, Matatabi lowered his head slightly and locked eyes with Kiyomi. "Clearly I would need to be one of some importance if they were to listen to me. Besides~" he began, a twinkle in his eyes, "I could always do with a few worshippers of my own."

Shaking her head, Kiyomi would fail in hiding and resist to smile at hearing Matatabi's words. "I am not a big expert on the Way of Fire. Know enough that this can be pulled off. Only just try to not gain too many worshippers. I would certainly dislike the idea of people attempting to see their majestic deity personally." Though her phrasing was sarcastic, Kiyomi's tone made it clear that she was pleased with Matatabi deciding to help her out. "Soon a priest of the respective religion will visit the palace. He will be able to brief you in on various locations. How will you go there? I will leave it up to you. The more people you are able to coerce that my rule isn't just because I am supported by strong clans and people, but also to be a... divine one," obviously the last two words weren't her favorite way of phrasing the outcome of the plan, "The better. as long as I won't hear or be noted of large destruction, chaos and other mayhem."

Lost for a moment in the thought of having minions to do his bidding, Matatabi realized Kiyomi had continued speaking. Turning back, he looked at the young ruler, bringing himself back to reality. Smirking as Kiyomi mentioned chaos and mayhem, Matatabi would have to resist the temptation to truly enjoy himself. A pity...

Tilting his head to the side, a thought struck him. "What happens to those who have a different belief system?" Looking at the girl, Matatabi's eyebrows raised. "Well I am not one to care about other's false religions, I do know how much those religions can drive them. Spreading word that your reign is a divine one could cause others to look upon it with disdain rather than love and respect. Unless you have something else in mind?"

"Simple. I won't be the one who spreads the word or say anything. People will have what? Seen you, but how many can be certain that I would unleash you freely?" Kiyomi would ask back, shaking her head lightly. "Besides, people see me as a Hon. My beliefs are quite different. But that isn't the point. It is aimed at those who follow that particular faith. Most of the priests that I contacted already are in league with me as this will serve for the greater good of the realm. Besides, the only major clinch that the beliefs and faiths in this realm are if the Sage is real or not. Don't fret too much over it, kitty," Kiyomi concluded her reply with an amused tone ringing through her voice.

Baring his teeth when she called him kitty, Matatabi lifted his head and turned away. Taking a few steps, the fiery feline turned back. "Very well. But I do have one word of caution, little one." Locking his gaze with Kiyomi's, Matatabi's tone grew serious. "The more you build support for yourself with people whose only real cause is a false belief, the easier it is for those who might oppose you to tear away that support." Lowering his head for a moment, Matatabi's tone shifted slightly. "I do not say this because I believe you can't do it. Nor do I say it to knock your idea down. It is truly a cunning plan, one that makes me doubt your true age, but I say it because I ca- because I do not wish to see you brought down in any way."

She remained silent for a few seconds. "Huh, you're complimenting me." She said it in a certain way that it was clear that she was surprised. Placing her hands on her hips she frowned a little. "You know, I will be honest but I mostly do this because I think it has to be done. The daimyo in this land and in the now current provinces did little to gain respect or to keep their power. There are exceptions," making a casual wave as if those didn't matter now, Kiyomi continued, "But I am glad for that compliment. As for your warning, I know. But it is something that can't be helped yet. Step by step, I am hoping to create something lasting. Something of a change. Then again," the girl shrugged lightly, "I suppose that at one certain point I got to halt and just watch instead of always trying to move forward. Thanks though. For being honest with me. Sad truth is that I don't know really who is and who... okay," Kiyomi shook her head lightly as a faint smile dawned on her lips, "I got some people who I don't consider that want to influence and deceive me for their own gains, but it is getting hard to trust people. Seems like everybody just wants me to give them what they want."

Nodding, Matatabi looked back up at Kiyomi. "If anyone can bring about lasting change, I do believe you likely have the best shot. Despite your age, your stubbornness, your impatience, your qui-" Realizing he was just trailing on, Matatabi cocked his head to the side, a slight grin evident on his features. "Despite everything that others would pit against you and cause them to believe you'd fail, you've prevailed. Every time. You're a fighter, little one. Always have been and always will. Sometimes, however, it is wisest to not fight. To hold back and listen." When Kiyomi mentioned not being able to know who to trust, Matatabi nodded again, his tone growing somber. "It is a sad truth in this day and age, that humans can still be so difficult to trust. Your kind confuses me. For all the words of honour, love and family that humans keep spouting, they certainly don't seem to hesitate to stab them in the back if it brings them even the slightest glimmer of personal gain." Sighing, the beast shook his head. "There are a few, however, who have not yet proven to be the same as the rest in that regard. People who you can put your trust in and will not use that against you when it suits them best. Who are you uncertain about, girl?"

She wanted to say that she believed his words. Kiyomi wasn't so sure if she was that capable. Blowing a few strands of hair from her face she decided to not go against Matatabi's words. For what it was worth, it was kind of nice to hear him so positive about her. "You're sounding like dad now," Kiyomi's expression made it clear she didn't like it, growing slightly annoyed, "Holding back and not listen? Know how annoying that is starting to get? But thanks. As for who I am uncertain who I can trust? You can better ask who I feel I can trust. That list is significantly shorter. Besides," she started to pace, "I can't convince everybody that easily. What I need to do is to convince enough and the right people. The problem is that I need to wait and see if I chose the right people. Soon I have to elect a new person to govern the Rain province. But currently, that entire place is a cesspool with problems piling up. Which will eventually make neighbours like the Wind and or Fang country become eager to indulge into the state of affairs." Stopping, Kiyomi threw up her hands in a frustrated manner, "But apparently if I will mark it clear that they can better back off, people will use it to declare me as a warmonger. Nothing better than what my ancestors did almost a century ago."

Frowning as she said he sounded like her father, Matatabi's eyes would narrow. Putting the insult aside, for the moment, he listened as Kiyomi continued. "Holding back and listening is not the same as doing nothing, young one. Do not misunderstand me. You are not the type to stand still, we both know that. I simply mean that you may be able to accomplish more sometimes by taking a moment to listen to those around you and then using that knowledge to your advantage." His tone softened slightly, and Matatabi let out a sigh. "I am probably not the best one to speak to about trust. Especially not when it comes to trusting humans." Raising one large eyebrow, he stared at Kiyomi. "I have quite literally been stabbed in the back by more humans than you have likely ever known. To put it mildly, trust is not my forte." Shrugging, Matatabi grew a slight grin. "Let's face it, I tried to deceive you from the very beginning of our tenure together. Unfortunately, you were too damned stubborn to let my deception work and now we have gotten to the point where I cannot exactly lie to you any more. Your thoughts and my own have become linked in a way that, I admit, I'm not entirely comfortable with." Pausing, he eyed the girl for a long moment before continuing. "The saving grace, however, is that it means I know when you are lying to me, or to yourself for that matter."

Pacing, the large feline spent some time thinking about Kiyomi's words. "I take it you wish for them to still have their own semblance of independence?" he asked after a brief time. "Else it wouldn't be too far out of the realm of possibility to put someone you trust from Konoha in the position. If that won't work, however..." Sighing again, Matatabi turned and locked eyes with the Empress. "You could always manufacture a local hero... Someone you know is on your side. Someone who is not swayed by aspirations of power or wealth." Shrugging slightly, he continued, "Build them high in the public's eye and then hold an election. Make it look like the people are choosing their own leader. And then have that person turn around and publicly support you. People are more willing to fall in line with something that they think is their own idea."

Scoffing lightly on hearing that he had tried to deceive her, she could remember those exchanges still. "To be fair, I think you're exactly the person I need to talk with when it comes down to trust. You stated it yourself, you have been stabbed multiple times in the back. I can try to relate what I went through, but it would simply pale by what you could inform me about. As such, with our bond taken into consideration, I feel more at ease to tell and talk with you about trust and betrayal. It is as you said," she pointed first at him and then back at herself. "You and I share a link. That has to count for something, after all this time." Winking at Matatabi, she thought about his suggestion. Starting to pace once more, she also would think out loud.

"I am not a fan of elections. The whole fact of letting people vote just strikes against what I think is right. People are sometimes way too easy to be manipulated. Something, I admit, that I like but it isn't foolproof either. Besides, I can't keep putting people from Konohagakure or various regions and groups in positions of power. People will eventually start to wonder if they will be replaced and it gives the pretext some want to make my work only more difficult than it already is. Though, I might consider such a thing later when I have given it more thought."

Halting her pacing, Kiyomi threw a look at Matatabi. "Anyways, we will speak more about that later. You know what you got to do, right? Cause then I can let you go. I wonder, actually," she cupped her chin with her left hand for a moment, "For how far our bond will work. Though technically, you're still inside me and just by essence controlling a clone with your own chakra. Likely making it seem as if you are truly free for those who don't know what kind of mechanism is behind it all."

Scoffing as Kiyomi mentioned that he was the one she needed to talk to about trust, Matatabi did feel a hint of pride and something else at the admission. It was an odd feeling however, humans were not creatures he particularly had a fondness for, but this small creature had managed to make him care about things he never thought he would. It was frustrating really... "The idea, little one, was that you would not be putting people from Konoha in power if there were to be an election. However, I can see your point. It relies upon faith in people, something that... quite frankly, I can understand if you do not have." Wanting to say more, Matatabi realized that the girl was right. They had said their piece for now, if she desired a chat about human politics later, she would know where to find him.

When Kiyomi asked about how far the bond might work, Matatabi tilted his head, curious as well. It was not something he had ever really had the opportunity to test before. "I will admit, little one, that I am rather curious to find out. Any excuse to stretch my legs, even if they are essentially yours I am using, would be a welcome change to the darkness I usually reside in. And... just to be clear, what is my limit for people I can eat while out here? Cause I was thinking around three or four, but if you're reeeaaally concerned about the image that might provoke, I suppose I could cut it down to one or two."

It was both amusing as great to hear confirmation that he saw her point. Though it just felt natural after reminding herself of their bond. "And no," Kiyomi gave Matatabi a feigned stern look as he began about to ask how many people he could devour. "Ever heard of the saying, you are what you eat? Imagine if you eat too many idiots, what would that make you? Or me? No, can't risk it." Kiyomi replied back, trying to mask the amusement in her voice. A smile eventually dawned on her lips as she would continue. "How about this? You will get a recipe of your picking if you don't harm anybody. And not just for once but for an entire month. Does that sound like a proper deal, hm?"

A scowl grew over the large feline's face as he considered her offer. "Hmpf," Matatabi pouted, "Make it two recipes. Then you have a deal."

"Wow, two? Somebody is getting really cocky now! You know, I could easily send somebody to do this but I wanted to give you an excuse to get some fresh air as even an entire month of your favourite recipe!" Kiyomi reacted back, overreacting clearly in a playful manner. "One. Else I will make it worse and I will prepare it. And we both know that I am not even as half as good as Hiron in the kitchen!"

Grumbling, Matatabi did not wish to back down. "If you were to try and cook it, I think I would be better off ingesting poison! At least then it would be a relatively less painful death!" Throwing a glare towards the girl, Matatabi fought hard to keep the amusement from his tone. "But fine! If one measly recipe is the best you can offer, I suppose I shall have to take it for now. Perhaps I shall simply have to say you owe me one for later." Nodding to himself, the fiery beast was satisfied. At least for now.

Pouting, Kiyomi titled her head slightly to the right. "One day, I will just have to make something and not tell you who made it. Anyways, glad that we got that arranged. I will prepare some matters so that your arrival will be expected as well that some other measures can be taken. Just so that people, of course, won't get any funny ideas with such an exalted presence as yourself being present." Kiyomi stated, shaking her head lightly. If somebody had ever told her in the past she would be exchanging such words with a bijuu, she would have probably called them insane.

Raising an eyebrow and puffing his chest out slightly, Matatabi glanced around, the momentary freedom finally a reality. "Then I hope one day that someone finally teaches you how to cook so you don't end up murdering anyone." After a moment's pause, a grin grew on the bijuu's face. "For now I shall enjoy my freedom, however fleeting it is, and shall do my best to stave off the temptation to eat a... proper meal..." Looking at Kiyomi for a long moment, Matatabi nodded his head. "Thank you little one."
[/spoili]
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[fieldbox=Operation Red Harvest, green]
Harumi Uchiha,

| ANBU | Akinian Empire | Konohagakure - Uchiha Compound, at home. |


Harumi wasn't certain what to think of the current mission. The summoning to the Intelligence Division had been only recently where she was briefed in by a member of the Intelligence Division, explaining that there were suspicious movements in the southern part of the empire. While various local forces were investigating the matter, it wouldn't harm or hamper the process if they could send an ANBU to take note of what was going on. Harumi had no qualms regarding either a mission or what she would need to do. Not that it would, either way, make much of an impact. She had to do it or else she shouldn't remain as an ANBU. Inquiring what she required for the mission Harumi was told that she wouldn't really need to keep herself hidden away. The local authorities were aware that an ANBU would travel south from the capital to aid the investigation and to then bring out report back, ensuring that the final report of the investigation wouldn't go lost. Other than that the basic stuff and information. What equipment she could take from the armoury in the Intelligence Division and the resources to head quickly down south.

Once she had returned home Harumi wouldn't take much time to prepare herself. Usually receiving a mission made her feel relieved. It meant that she could go outside. Focus herself on a clear objective and do what she had honed herself for. Fulfilling a certain purpose.

This time was different.

It was clear why she felt troubled as she prepared herself for the long travel. There was still no reply from her letter send east. Knowing fully that correspondence would be difficult and take quite some time, it didn't make it much easier to bear with the tension. Just hoping that Katsu wasn't in any danger, Harumi would make her way out of Konohagakure. There was a small thought, a soft whisper in her head, that wondered where Hisoka was. Dismissing it quickly as she didn't need more distractions, Harumi wouldn't waste any time to venture south.



Rain continued to pour in a soft rhythm on the land. With the hood of her dark grey coat pulled up, Harumi didn't pay it much mind. Riding on top of a dark brown mare, the journey hadn't been that troubling. If she was correct, she would soon bypass the small hamlets and countryside that was considered to be near Keishi. But seeing she was on a mission Harumi decided to avoid large settlements. There weren't any on her route but it was also out of habit and training. Large cities would mean that she was forced to need to find a place to stay. Contact and interacting with people, that would be curious and eager to strike a conversation. Matters that she considered nothing more than hindrances and delays to reach the objectives she was pursuing.
Her steed seemed to slow a bit, clearly getting exhausted from the long trek with a fast pace. Allowing her mount to move a bit slower Harumi would release a sigh. Perhaps she should make camp soon? Even with the rain pour it would be much better than to ride the poor animal to exhaustion, or worse.

Merely a second had passed since the thought before the woman twisted her head to throw a look to the right as her eyes widened, hearing something.

"What the---"

A large explosion would go off, whipping up slabs of stone, dirt and earth into the air. Smoke would fill the air. Only a moment later, Harumi would move through the outer line of the dust and smoke cloud, skidding to a halt over the wet ground.
"That was way too close," she thought to herself as the chakra around her right hand dissipated. If she hadn't used the Wind Cutter Technique in time, she would have been taken out. The painful ring that followed the explosion didn't disappear yet but Harumi kept close watch of her surrounding. Surely but slowly the sound of the rain pour came back. There was some sound coming from inside the smoke cloud, the mare that had brought Harumi so far. A soft and low pitched nicker from the animal made it clear that it hadn't been as fortunate as she had been.

Spotting movement, a white object would soar through the air towards Harumi. Flipping out a kunai, Harumi had little trouble to throw and hit her mark. The white object would slow down for a second before it would explode.
"Explosion release. Kinjutsu from Iwagakure?" Harumi thought to herself as her eyes narrowed.

"Ah, impressive. Allow me to introduce myself," a masculine voice would sound from Harumi's rear. "Your demise..."

Turning around, Harumi was halfway as she saw a bird made of white clay fly at a rapid pace towards her.
"Shit!"

[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox=Team 8! Training!, violet]
In Amegakure.

Three collabs which involve the members of Team 8:
- Kazumo Sarutobi, written by Inzane.
- Neji Uchiha, written by Timv.
- Tomiko Hyuuga, written by Jason.
- Aiko Cho-Hon, written by Lesli.

Summary:
In these three collabs, each member of the participating team 8 formation is where Aiko spends some time to teach them a new technique. The collabs aren't in any form very long but that is a subjective observation. We hope, as a team, that you will enjoy the collabs!




Break a leg?
Cho-taijutsu!

[spoili]
It was perhaps a bit too early but Aiko deemed that it was better than too late. Having arranged one of the more smaller areas in the training facility, she had made sure to pick up Kazumo from the barracks to head together to the place. The walk didn't take too much of their time as the lay-out of Amegakure was something that they were getting used to. Once inside the enclosed area, it seemed as if they were standing in what could be described as a small clearing in the Earth country. A dusty and flat area with light brown ground was visible as Aiko would motion Kazumo to enter the place. Closing the door behind them, she would drop her raincoat on the ground and roll her shoulders.

"Okay, so in short, I am going to teach you not really any kind of techniques in sense of gen or ninjutsu. I already have heard before that you fight dirty but today I am going to teach you a few moves that might require not only some strength and speed but also the thought of how and when to apply them in a fight. If done right," a smile flashed on Aiko's features, "I think you will see the result for yourself. Any questions?" Cracking her knuckles, the jounin would proceed to conjure a water clone from the moist, to take place near the center of the room.

This was a refreshing change of pace, well it wasn't that new as of late. It was still nice to walk with Aiko to the training destination together though, as it was curious to try and figure out what she was going to teach him as they got there. This one however was more hush hush though, which was rather exciting in it's own way. Although that left the terrifying thought on if this was going to be some form of mind torture or some genjutsu experience. Ahh she always had a way of keeping him on his toes before they even got started. Kazumo thus wasn't able to suppress the smile he had for the majority of the travel together, so when they came to the spot and she would close the door behind them. Seeing her drop her raincoat prompted him to do the same, listening to what she said to him.

So no Genjutsu or Ninjutsu, but Taijutsu? Wait who told her he fought..... Kiyomi. She was so not getting any sweets as a present when he got back home. Aiko however kept this technique rather secretive still even as they were about to do the training. Strength and speed and applied right, well her cryptic message of 'he will see the result for himself' was very enticing to say the least. "None. Ready when you are sensei." Kazumo said flashing her a rather excited smile.

"Good. Now, it might seem a bit dull but we need to apply a bit of science beforehand. It is useful to know what is causing the impacts and how to make certain your opponent won't be able to recover fast when you're in fighting in close range." Approaching her water clone, Aiko decided to make around three more. Just in case that her first water clone wouldn't be able to sustain the example she would give Kazumo. Standing near the water clone, Aiko would lash out with a kick, aimed at the side of the water clone. Twisting her body slightly, the shin of Aiko's right leg would land an impact. The water clone would stumble to the side before collapsing into water. "Now, it looks very simple but there is some science that we are going to apply to this!" Aiko said as she turned and pointed at one of the water clones.

"I know that in combat it is hard to pull off an attack on a moving target but it is best to practice on something that resembles the human body, so that you can already know where to hit hard and with the best kind of result. As you saw, I rotate a bit before I lash out with my shin towards the side. Near the ribs is a great spot. The idea is that you land a kick that has the same impact as one would have with hitting the foe with a metal bat. The principle? Is the same cracking a whip. You rotate and them, wam! You hit it as fast and hard as you can. Usually, a well placed kick like that can really hurt, a lot. There is a bit more to it, though!" She would let a second of pause flow before continue to explain the mechanics behind kicking so hard and fast. "The quicker the rotation and longer your legs, the faster the kick will be. You can even try later, once you mastered the basics to make feigns better with it. Certainly against an opponent who already suffered one such a kick and doesn't fancy another one. Now, you can go and try," Nodding towards the one separate water clone, Aiko would take a step back and see how Kazumo would do.

Nodding to her words, he would watch her make three more of her water clones as she would then perform what he could only assume was the technique on the first one. She twisted her body and then slammed her shin of her right leg into the clone hard enough to make even him flinch. Watching the clone stumble before collapsing into water caused him to wonder what the effect was suppose to be, which she would go on to explain rather quickly. Which was nice, cause currently it looked like a rather normal roundhouse kick. Just one that might have more meaning considering who performed it, granted it may have had more of an effect if done on a person than a water clone, yet perhaps she was being safe.

He would listen to her again yet she really enjoyed keeping the effect rather secretive, that of course made him more eager to see and know what that said effect was. Yet if he got her right it was like a windup with the rotating of your body and the kick itself is like the crack of the whip? Granted in this case and scenario even if he did perform it, he really wouldn't know himself if he did it right besides any input from Aiko. So as he stepped up to the clone he started to twist his body slightly and in turn would bring his right leg up , with his shin hitting the one clone in the stomach area. Watching the clone stumble back and turn into a puddle of water prompted him to look at Aiko. "Did I do it right?"

Aiko slowly nodded. "Yes. Not bad, at all. You got it, alright. Of course, I have to say that you can always try to practice it but this isn't really that hard to master." Was Aiko's answer. She already had estimated that this would rather go swimmingly. Kazumo had already shown before that he wasn't lacking in the hand-to-hand combat area. Deciding to spare a water clone, Aiko would gesture Kazumo to pay once more close attention. Raising her arms as if she was about to fight against an imaginary foe, Aiko would move quickly. The right fist seemed about to strike but by a shift the elbow would deliver a strike in the air. Repeating it, but much slower, Aiko would start to explain the move. "This seems as a simple elbow strike but you must think of the elbow, the point," patting the point of her right elbow with her left hand for emphasis, "As the point of a knife. All the forces are being concentrated by this small point upon the impact. Best is to deliver these kind of strikes on a small and hard area, such as the head or shoulder of an enemy. Also, a bit easier to aim for such areas as the problem with a quick elbow strike is that you don't have as much range as with a punch. It might always deliver a knock-out but if you hit hard and from close, you can daze your opponent and leave them open for another attack." Showing the simple and yet fast move one more time, Aiko gestured that he could attempt to do it again against one of her water clones.

Hearing he got it alright caused him to smile although he wasn't quite sure how he got it. Was it simply about the kind of impacts it left on them? Well she never was one to leave him in the dark for long, he was sure by the end he would know the intention. So when she moved on to the next part, she seemed like she was going to hit the air with a simple punch but changed it midway to be an elbow strike instead. Well as she stated to focus more on the point of the elbow, like a knife. A bit confusing in a certain way although he got the gist of what she meant. So when he was gestured to attempt on a clone, he would walk up to one raising his arm and would start to swing but shifted his elbow and struck nothing but air. He wasn't close enough which was rather embarrassing considering the target didn't move on him. Bringing his arms up again, moving a tad close he started the swing again, shifting his elbow and brought it across the face of the clone. Which certainly did stumble a bit to the side before turning into a puddle of water like the last time.

Whistling softly Aiko watched how the water clone went down. "Good. Seems that you got the strength to make the moves fast and powerful enough to make them count. Don't think I will need to explain that one further. The next one, will be a bit trickier. Though in order to conserve some chakra." Dismissing her water clones, Aiko would continue to weave several handsignals before breathing in. As the jounin breathed out, a light mist would start to fill the content of the room. "This might help to provide a better experience." Snapping with her fingers of her right hand, the image of a zealot appeared. As the zealot would stand in front of Aiko, she would wait a moment to allow Kazumo to observe what would happen.

The zealot would move in with a right punch but Aiko would use her left hand to tap and thus force the punch a bit aside before grabbing the wrist of the bended punch with her own right hand. This seemed to provoke a quick punch from the Zealot, who would use his left hand. Anticipating this already Aiko would grab the wrist of the zealot's left arm. In a quick movement she would lower the left arm and basically lock the elbows of the zealot. At the same time the jounin would slightly twist as she took a small sidestep before forcing the zealot to fall on the ground.

"And there you go. A foe on the ground, not able to do much as you can easily finish him off with a good kick or placing your weight on their throat." Aiko explained as she would allow the image of the zealot to vanish. "It seems like a lot of effort but it is actually quite easy. The idea is that you first catch the first strike and then catch the second one. The trick is, however, that you first lower the first wrist and arm that you manage to grab. This will most certainly provoke a higher aimed punch or strike from your opponent. As you anticipate this, you can grab the wrist of their last free arm and then lock their elbows. While you do that, you simple step a bit aside and apply the force, at the same time. Making them flip of their feet, on the ground." The image of a zealot would be conjured as Aiko nodded, a gesture that meant that he could give it a try when he was ready for it.

Hearing that he did it once again started to make him think it was based on the strike it caused, he just didn't know what kind of impact he was causing. Was it a stronger form of impact? Yet according to her the next one would be trickier enough she dispelled the rest of the clones. Which was fine, he only went into guard mode when a light mist filled the room. Thankfully it didn't seem the mist was something he was going to need, as she made a zealot appear. He watched at what was going down, as the image tried to hit her but when it threw a punch she would grab the wrist and then grab the other wrist once the punch was incoming. with some sidestep she brought the zealot image to the ground.

Seeing that was it as she explained from there, a kick to the head or weight applied to the neck was basically next. She then went to explain to him the steps on how she did it. Grab the one wrist and lower it to prompt the next punch and be ready to grab that as well. Lock the elbows and step aside while applying force to get them on the ground. Seemed simple enough anyway. So when she made the image he gave a nod that he was ready, well as ready as he could be. Knowing this was a test was one thing, seeing something try to punch you was another. So when the first swing came he reflexively dodged it and shook his head knowing he wasn't meant to dodge. Nodding to try again the zealot image would throw a punch with his left, which this time Kazumo caught and lowered said limb like he was told, and managed to catch the wrist of the next punch that followed. locking the elbow and moving to the side he brought the image to the ground where he slammed his foot on it's neck. So far this training didn't seem to horrible or difficult, it was a refreshing change of pace although he still had that worry inside his head.

"Nice. Do indeed try to not dodge. You need to stand still after all to make sure to grab the wrist. What I would also do is try to deflect it at first. Or more so, pat the first strike away. By slamming for example an open palm against the top of the punch, you will already lower it and with your right hand at the ready, it becomes easier to grab it." The jounin would point out before she would let the image flow away. "It is a move that you can practice and use effectively as a counter-attack during a pinch. Now, however, back to punching." Letting an image appear, Aiko would breathe in before she would raise her hands a bit for a fighting stance. The image of the zealot in front of the jounin would also go into a combat stance. Before the zealot would be able to move, Aiko would strike with a fast punch. Delivering what appeared to be a nasty impact at the zealot's stomach. The man would bend forward as he stumbled backwards before vanishing.

"I know that this seems rather easy but it is quite hard to get it done right." Raising her right hand as a fist, Aiko would explain what she did. "What the idea is basically the same as before, with the first kick. I deliver a punch but will turn it 180 degrees. By twisting snap, it maximizes the speed of the punch and magnifies the force of the blow. This is further done by focusing the impact by delivering the strike by the first two knuckles of your hand. If you get this really well done... You can break a rib of your opponent and render them unable to fight on."

So a powerful kick, an elbow strike that if done right can outright knock someone out, and a counter attack. All every useful in close quarters combat, should he ever not have a weapon on hand. Hearing the tips on making the counter attack easier he would give a confirmed nod of understanding, before she resumed the lesson which looked like a rather simple punch that seemed to do something drastic. She went on to said it looked easy but to get it done right was another thing. Well if getting that same damage done was an indicator he would have to agree. With the punch he would need to turn his fist one hundred and eighty degrees but with a twist snap to maximize the speed and get the appropriate blow for the punch. Yeah that would be a bit more difficult, more so as he should focus on the strike being done by his first two knuckles. Apparently its strong enough to break a rib and render someone unable to fight. Good to know.

"So by twisting your fist that fast, its like your slamming more than just your fist into them? Like the sudden shift of wind? Is that what is being slammed into them with such force to cause that kind of damage?" Kazumo asked getting the explanation but he still was curious about how it was able to cause such damage in such a quick span of time.

"Yes. That is exactly the point. Of course, it is a bit harder to execute it in the heat of a battle but once you get the hang it is as easy as a normal punch." Aiko would answer. Conjuring the image of a zealot, she would gesture towards Kazumo to give it a try. "After this, I will teach you one more move and then I believe we can work on something else." The jounin told her student, with flashing a smile towards him.

He was correct? Well that was certainly a good guess of his, also a bit a surprised that she had quite an array of techniques she was teaching him today. He may have fought dirty like she said, but fighting dirty wouldn't always get that damage off to put someone down. So having a few taijutsu moves to use was rather nice. She conjured up another zealot and gestured for him to try. This one was a bit more difficult as he had to snap twist his fist fast enough to get the saem effect she has caused. Ending up just punching it a few times with some slight added damage, he managed with one punch to get the one hundred eighty degee change and slammed his fist into the sterum of the zealot watching it go down to the ground. Way better of an effect.

"I bet that last one does hurt quite a lot. I guess that you get the basics now of these moves. Later on, when we have more time, we will work on to master them more than what we will do today. So that instead of that you need to use them that they become more reflexes." Aiko stated as she nodded in an approving manner. Raising her right hand, she would snap her fingers and thus dismiss the genjutsu. "What I want to do now is just a simple talk." Aiko explained, "What happened during the last mission wasn't entirely the blame of your team mates. I already spoke to Neji and he is quite sorry of what happened. Now, you know me. I am not that kind of person that really enforces her opinion on others. But I want to talk a bit on what happened, if you're okay with that."

Hearing they will master it later on made him nod in approval before tensing up when she wanted to have a simple talk. Not those dangerous words. Yet it happened to be about Neji which cause him to loosen up as she spoke of him being sorry about what happened, also that she wanted to talk about what happened as well. Giving her opinion on the matter. "I wasn't actually going to hit him, if thats what you are going to discuss. I was just mad and said things in the heat of the moment. Besides it would be unfair to hit him now. Might actually break the kid."

His words made her smile, a bit. "Good. I hope that you won't have to use that kind of punch on any team member. Would kind of make me look bad, you know?" Suppressing a laugh she would shake her head. "But the thing is that it might happen again. I will try to train both Tomiko and Neji somewhat more to be calm during combat. As well, not to try to swing a weapon at an enemy. Or even throw one when the situation really isn't fit for it. I do have to ask you for some patience, though, as I am not certain how it will next time play out. Not to mention that I can't leave you guys on your own when those blasted things appear, again."

Hearing it might happen again caused him to shrug his shoulders and give her a smile. "Well if it does, hopefully they don't aim at vital areas. Besides I've been there, well I didn't hit an ally but I was once a panicked mess. That bird bomber still haunts my dreams." he said laughing a bit at the mention of that individual. Yet when she mentioned not being able to leave them alone against those things he frowned a bit at hearing those words. He knew she was right but he still didn't like them. "I mean I've killed two of them.... I can beat them. Whatever they are. Yet you have my patience sensei. You always have and will. Even if an ally has to cut me several times in the process."

He was right and she would admit that, nodding as he said his point. Though he could laugh about it, there wasn't much joy coming from Aiko as she flashed a smile. "You are compared to the others a bit more experienced. While I like to put you to the test, it is clear that I have been a bit too much of a risk taker. Don't get me wrong, Kazumo," she slightly raised her hands as if she needed that to brace herself for any verbal riposte. "I think in some short time that I should allow you to fight more on your own. But for now with how the last fight went? I rather guide you three a bit more. Your patience? Well," This time her voice seemed to contain more happiness than before as she placed her hands on her hips. "I suppose that has deserved some ice cream. My treat, okay?"

He knew she was right he was just being more stubborn than he needed to be as of late. Perhaps he was getting a bit too cocky and what hes done as of this mission recently. If that was a single fight, he probably would have lost against it. Yet what he wouldn't back down against was her trying to pay for the ice cream he said before he would be buying. "Going to have to break my arm in order to pay for that ice cream. My treat." he said with a rather serious expression, after all she had always treated him. It was time he gave back to her.

A heavy sigh escaped Aiko's lips as she shook her head lightly. "Fine. Though, let us not see it happening that you have to break your own. I prefer that you can join the next operation without being hampered." A smile flowed over the lips of the jounin. "But it might make it slightly fair for our foes. Too bad that I don't mind to fight unfair. Anyhow," Aiko nodded towards Kazumo. "We will pick up some more training soon enough. Well done, Kazumo."

Smiling at her reluctantly letting him think he was going to pay again, he knew damn well he was going to have to hand that Ice cream woman the money before his sensei could even attempt to try and steal it from him. Although he did smile at her stating him having a broken arm might make it a bit more fair for our foes. "Right? Got all my skills from you being such a great teacher, also had some help from Kiyomi and a bit from Koike. Yet most of my progress I owe to you." Kazumo said as he gave her a confirmation nod about the training. "So that Ice cream wont wait forever, and keep your money in your pockets sensei!" giving her a accusing point but smile to show he was joking..... slightly.
[/spoili]

Biri-Biri!
Binding Thunder!

[spoili]
After picking Tomiko from the barracks, Aiko would head with the Hyuuga towards the training facility. She was wondering for a moment if her plan to help the genin to master a new technique. The problem was, however, that she had only knowledge of Lightning Release. How to properly make use of it was something she would only be able to explain. Yet, there was a certain way how she could make it clear what the technique she would help Tomiko master looked like and in what situations it would be plausible. The field that they would make use was a simple field of brown earth. Almost as if the nin that worked in the training facility had forgotten all about to change the field to the desires of Aiko. But they wouldn't actually need the use of any modifications to the field today.

"Okay, before we start, I will need to start with a bit of explaining what we will do today. We can try to work on your close ranged skills but I thought of something else. Today I am going to help you understand how to make use of a new technique. It will employ some use of barrier and lightning release, used to trap and confine your opponent or even multiple ones from attempting to attack you. Or in some cases, to buy yourself some time. The only problems that might occur is that you need to prepare or else time it very well or else you wind up wasting chakra, revealing what you were about to do and even hamper your allies or yourself." Once she was done with that briefing, Aiko would weave several handsignals before taking a breathe in. Breathing out, almost as a heavy sigh, she would conjure a light mist that would briefly start to fill the air of the room. "The complication that forces me to make use of this particular genjutsu is because I, for one, can't use lightning techniques. What you see and experience is nothing but an illussion. Luckily," Aiko would casually open and raise her right hand, from where lightning started to crack and gather in the palm of the jounin's hand. "I am able to deceive even those with your dojutsu once caught in this genjutsu. Which allows me to present a visual image and somewhat of an experience what I am going to try to teach you. Any questions before we start?" She would ask, dismissing the 'fake' lightning in her right hand.

Following along silently, the genin kept her gaze more or less focused on the ground in front of her. The constant rain in this city had since stopped bothering her, and a small frown was on her features. Not long after they left, the two were standing in a barren field. Listening to the explanation, the girl tilted her head slightly to the side. A genjutsu that could even trick the Byakugan? She hasn't been aware it existed. Whenever Aiko created, then extinguished the fake lighting, Tomiko's eyes went slightly wide. Looking towards the woman, she simply shook her head in response to the question. Electing to remain silent and see what came next.

The silence of Tomiko was something that Aiko deemed as that the genin had no questions. Now came the hard part as explaining the use of the technique was rather simple. Besides, there was some information that Aiko couldn't perfectly replicate with her genjutsu. But she supposed that she wouldn't need to entirely rely on that to pass the basics on to Tomiko. "First, you will need three objects that can conduct lightning." Pulling three kunai, Aiko would turn aside from the genin and throw the weapons towards the ground as a soft blue hue of chakra was visible to the blade of the weapons. "Then weave the three signs of Ox, Horse and Dragon." Lightning would flare up and form a barrier as the kunai impaled on the ground would close it off. The wall made of lightly condensed lightning didn't produce much sound as normal lightning ninjutsu did. "It is called Thunder Binding. The thing is that you can't touch the walls as they are obviously made of lightning. There are a few ways to get out of it but we will come to that. Now, what is needed is good chakra control and to form a triangle in a ground. This is a bit hard but once you got that, you're good to go with the handseals."

"I can channel the chakra between my weapons, I did it against Koike-san once." She said softly before weaving the handsigns just as she was instructed. Moments later, a triangle of electricity sprang up between the objects. Only, this triangle seemed made of normal lightning and thus came with all the sound of normal techniques. It also did not extend upwards like a barrier, sticking instead low to the ground. The girl's expression quickly changed to a slight pout as she released the technique. "What did I do wrong?" She mused to herself.

She fought Koike? Aiko didn't indulge on that as she didn't doubt that it was either something that would require more information to understand what had happened to provoke a fight. Watching Tomiko attempt to do the technique, Aiko narrowed her eyes. This was what she had feared. While having enough knowledge on the technique on how it worked and could be deployed, this was simply a matter of pulling out some guesses on where it could go wrong. "It depends. If you are trying to do it without sufficient chakra, the barriers won't erect. If you lack proper chakra control, then I imagine it won't also work properly. Perhaps you should try to mould a bit more chakra before throwing the objects you plan to use with this technique and then focus soley on the technique. Easier said than done, I know, but at this point you are more on you're own, Tomiko."

"Try moulding it more, right." She said before taking a breath. Taking a step back, she began to mould her chakra as she reached into her pouch and retrevied a trio of kunai. Throwing them into the ground, Tomiko wove the handsigns she had been instructed once more. This time, the triangle of lightning once more appeared, though this time seemed to be much more concentrated. The sound virtually gone relative to before, and the genin allowed herself a moment to smile. Only for the technique to start popping and becoming inconsistent.

Again, she moulded her chakra and wove the handsigns. Focusing on using more chakra than before, the girl tried again. Three kunai from before buried themselves into the ground in front of her and once more the lightning sparked into existence. Three distinct barriers could be seen, although once more they seemed to flicker and weren't really solid. Frustrated, she ended the technique, and got ready for another round.

A few more attempts after that, with the barrier not improving much beyond reaching its full height, just constantly flickering, the girl was more than frustrated. Looking towards Aiko, Tomiko quickly spoke up. "I'm concentrating on controlling the chakra, trying to keep the electricity stable. But it's harder than I expected. Am I not pouring in enough chakra? I don't think that's the issue, I feel like it's my chakra control. Do you have any idea, ma'am?" She asked Aiko, making a visible effort to push the frustration from her tone and be respectful.

"You're pushing yourself too much." Aiko answered. She had watched in silent at how the girl attempted to tackle and master the basics of the new technique. There was a hint of progression and yet there seemed that it was being blocked by something. Or more, someone. "Take a small break, for now, Tomiko," the jounin instructed as she would throw a glance at the few kunai in the ground. She had already dismissed the mist genjutsu to be certain that it wouldn't be hampering the technique in any form or sense.
"What also might be the cause is that you aren't fully focused on the technique. Got something on your mind?" Aiko asked in a calm way, hoping to invite the Hyuuga to bring any potential trouble she held inside up instead of just going off on assumptions or any kind of forceful talk.

Pausing and looking at Aiko for a long few moments, Tomiko first spoke softly. Barely loud enough for her to hear herself. Before frowning and speaking up again, loud enough for Aiko to hear. "I... I keep wondering what I'm doing wrong. This is my first mission, and yet I lost one of my best friends, Sarutobi-San despite starting to befriend her, and Tatsuya is gone as well. M-my entire team. I was useless against that thing which attacked Kazumo, I keep failing. People keep getting hurt, and I wasn't strong enough stop it." She said quickly, averting her gaze almost as if she were afraid of the response.

Running a hand through her hair briefly Aiko weighted the words and matters she would say in reply. "I will be honest and perhaps a bit blunt with you, Tomiko. But such things happen and will happen, most likely again. You are a genin, after all. Expecting yourself to be capable to deal with everything is something that even a jounin or stronger can't pull off." The woman calmly started with, "As for people dying? It happens. I guess after some time, experience and my view it makes it a bit easier for me. Yet, regardless of that you need to accept that your team members and comrades will possibly die in battle. Either away from where you are or right in front of you. Not the best feeling, I can relate and state that. Same as feeling powerless against some foes. But it is something you can't just weight you down. Else," Aiko gestured to the failed attempts of the new technique the girl was trying to master. "Else it won't change a thing if you allow it to weight and slow you down. In fact, it will just make things worse."

Tomiko seemed to be very interested in the ground, refusing to lift her gaze at all. "R-right. I just... I guess I'm scared. That I'll lose somebody else. But, I won't even have a chance at stopping that if I spend time moping instead of trying to improve myself, right?" She asked Aiko, looking up finally, the small lines down her face betraying the fact that tears had left her eyes just recently. "I don't think any of them would want me moping around either..." She said, before sighing. "I can get or whatever later. I need to focus now." She decided, grabbing her three kunai once more and preparing to throw them ahead.

Scared of losing somebody? Aiko let that thought go slowly through her mind. She could easily tell Tomiko that moping around would hold oneself back, instead of keeping the progress continue on. She could tell the girl that in order to progress you had to bite through and just push yourself. Yet no word would leave Aiko as she noticed that Tomiko would pick up the training, likely coming to the realisation without any word of advise or encouragement. Crossing her arms out front of her chest, Aiko would just watch as the genin made another attempt to grasp the basics of the technique.

Closing her eyes and taking a few moments to calm herself, the genin began moulding the chakra once more. Moments later, she opened her eyes and threw the three kunai, soon after the girl wove the hsndsigns and the barrier sprang to life. For the first few seconds it fizzled, then seemed to stabilize and hold steady. Just as it had looked during the genjutsu earlier. The genin stared at it for a few moments, blinking before a smile spread across her lips. "I-I think I did it!" She declared, her tone a bit more pleasant than just a few moments ago.

"Hmm," Aiko nodded, "Seems so, yes. Nice work, Tomiko," the woman said. She waited a second but the barrier didn't dissipate as before. Letting Tomiko enjoy her the moment of mastering the sheer basics of the Thunder Binding Technique, the jounin would consider if there was a need to talk about the threat of losing somebody. There were a few things that she could just say but deemed that it wasn't really the time nor the place. Probably Tomiko needed also somebody else, who was closer and who she trusted more. "Okay, that kind of concludes this training then. Unless you have any questions left to ask?"

"You mentioned earlier something about getting out of it? Also, if I use another lightning technique on this barrier, would it affect those inside?" She asked quickly, even as she let the technique end so as to not waste anymore chakra.

The question did bring that up as Aiko would slowly nod. "Yes. There are a few ways to get out of the barrier. One of quite easy and that is through the use of underground techniques, such as the Mole technique. Another one is to simply be capable to jump or fly out of it. Yet, I doubt that is a serious option unless the victim has a particular summoning or ability to do so. A more direct and unrefined manner is perhaps to slam through it. Of course, it will not be pleasant as trying to work yourself through lightning is pretty painful but if somebody would hit the barrier with sufficient force then it would cause it to collapse." Was Aiko's explanation of how a victim could find their way out. She could think of some other ways, such as somebody able to use an ability or technique to leech or repulse chakra but seeing the rarity of that, she didn't include it. "And not sure. I doubt it. The barrier is in no way that complex that allows external influences pass through and stops those inside of it from reaching out."

"They'd have to jump really high to get out. Okay. Thank you, Ma'am." She said and gave Aiko a polite bow. "I should head back to the barracks now, right?" She asked, figuring it best to ask as opposed to assuming anything.

"Yes. Take some rest before we will take care of the next operation." Aiko wouldn't add that they all could use some rest. "I will need to head off to prepare some matters to ensure that the next time we hit the Zealots that they will go even harder down. You and the others will be notified by me when it is time to move out. Till then," a soft smile crossed Aiko's lips, "Best if everybody would stay out of trouble."
[/spoili]

Greasing the gears!
Spitting something hot!

[spoili]
It was Neji's turn. Picking the boy up from the barracks, she would walk with him towards the Training facility. Using the same previous area as before, which was nothing but a flat area of brown earth, Aiko would pull out a small scroll. "I will make this rather short. I caught wind that you fight with this Sho Deshuga before. And seeing you only know Fire release, those who use Water release will gain an advantage on you. This," raising the scroll, Aiko would flash a smile, "Will perhaps balance the things in your favour. It is a relative simple technique so I don't suspect we will spend much time to get the basics right. Yet I rather don't rush things and make sure that everything is properly done. If one step is wrong, the entire technique will fail." The jounin explained to Neji. Crouching, she would roll the small scroll out on the ground to reveal the content. "The technique is called Toad Oil Bullet. It is basically spitting out oil, which you then use to set it aflame with your fire release technique."

Looking to see if Neji had any questions, Aiko would wait before they would continue on to begin with the technique.

Neji walked with Aiko sensei as they made their way towards the training grounds. Rain still dropped from the sky as it hit the top of Neji's head though he did have a hood on. He was excited, Aiko promised to teach him a new technique, one that would absolutely help him in future battles. They arrived at the training ground and stood across from each other looking towards one another when Aiko sensei started to speak. She mentioned how she knew that he had fought Sho Deshuga before and that since Neji as of now only had fire release he would be at a disadvantage against those like Sho who had water release. She had a jutsu in mind though that could help turn the tides of those battles. " Yes I have fought against Sho Deshuga twice. The first time I got beat up pretty bad, he wiped the floor with me. The second time we fought it was more even, I held my own but he still probably won in the end before the police broke it up." He looked to the ground and looked at the scroll that was set on the ground. It did look like a pretty simple technique, but it would be one that could help him. " Okay then lets get started!" Neji looked to her and smiled as he was genuinely excited to learn this new jutsu.

"Without any doubt, to be fair. He has the advantage of more combat experience and also fought you twice. But yeah, let us get started." Rising up, she would slowly make the hand signal. "This technique just requires the Tiger hand signal. The main process is to mould chakra and try to form it into oil. It will be somewhat odd and sadly, I never have mastered the technique myself. What you need to try to do is to just both imagine oil as well try to keep good control of your chakra as you mould it. For now, try to just mould chakra while holding the Tiger handsignal."

Neji nodded his head as he heard Aiko speak about Sho having more experience, Right now though he didn't care about that he was just focused on learning his new jutsu! He watched her rise up and form the tiger hand signal. This technique seemed to be pretty easy, he only needed to do one hand signal and then mould his chakra into oil. Neji again nodded his head when Aiko told him to try and mould his chakra. Neji got in position, he took a breath and then made the tiger hand sign, he then started to try and mould his chakra as this was the first step to the jutsu.

"Good. Now, when you try to mould the chakra, try to move it towards your mouth and gather it there. If it is too warm, try to cool it down by mould it slower and then try to spit it out. Remember also," Aiko would take a step away after picking up the scroll, "To not hit me with it. I prefer to not be soaked with oil. Sounds rather unpleasant."

Neji again nodded his head as he started to move the chakra to his mouth, she was right he went a little too quick and it started to burn a little bit. He breathed through his nose and slowed his pace . He now had the molded chakra in his mouth and was trying to think of what Oil in his mouth would be like. When he thought he was ready, he looked towards a boulder that was in the ground and spit out the molded chakra towards the boulder.

Watching Neji attempting a try at the technique, Aiko had her doubts if he would be able to pull it off right from the bat. Though the technique wasn't that complicated and just required a bit of knowledge, the jounin had her doubts. Clicking her tongue, she watched the result as some oil was spit out. It wasn't in a large quantity but it was a solid start in her own opinion. "Hm, guess that you do got talent for some ninjutsu," she mumbled, more to herself than to Neji. Nodding, as a subtle gesture that she approved, Aiko would speak up again. "Try again and this time, try to mould a larger amount of chakra before you spit out the oil."

Neji watched as he saw some oil come from his mouth and hit the boulder. It wasnt a huge amount but it was all oil that came from his mouth and it was an overall successful first attempt. He smiled a little bit, he turned and looked at Aiko sensei as she nodded slightly before saying that he needed to mould a larger amount of chakra. " Okay I think I got it Aiko sensei" He turned back around to face the boulder. He quickly formed the tiger seal and started to mould chakra into his mouth. He moulded as much chakra as his mouth could hold and when he was ready, he spit it out on the boulder covering the rock in oil.

Watching the boulder being covered in oil, Aiko reckoned that there was only two more parts were required before she could consider him having grabbed the basics of the technique. After all, it wasn't that of a complicated technique. "Now, try to light it with a fire technique to see how good it burns. Once it burns good and well, we will test it against a water technique." She further instructed, already making a water clone from the moist of the air, while further observing the Uchiha and the boulder.

Neji nodded his head and then performed some hand signs, He gathered chakra in his mouth and got ready to perform his fire jutsu. He suddenly shot off a giant fireball that hit the boulder directly and it lit ablaze. Neji's eyes widened and lit up as the boulder went up in flames. The oil made his Giant Firebal Jutsu so much more powerful. He turned to Aiko sensei " Wow the oil really enhances my fire jutsu, maybe it really will work against a water jutsu." Neji then turned and focused his attention on the water clone that Aiko made. He made the tiger hand seal and gathers more chakra into his mouth he then spit out the oil all over the water clone that stood in front of them. He then quickly made the hand signs for the Giant FireBall Jutsu he then shot off the fireball at the water clone.

"It will, no doubt about that." Aiko replied. She watched how her clone would attempt to just quickly skid backwards while weaving various handsignals before unleashing the Water Wall technique in defense. The contact between the oil and fire with the water would cause a violent reaction as steam would start to fill some of the air as a sharp hissing followed suit. Watching the two techniques clash and eventually pushing some of the water back, Aiko would remain silent until the clash of the nature techniques would cool down. Though the Water Wall had managed to prevent it, Aiko took in note that it was a B-ranked technique and still had struggled slightly with the combination of the oil and fire technique. Letting the scorched and smothered blackened ground do the talking, she shot a look at Neji as the water clone would be dismissed.

Neji's eyes widened and lit up as he saw the fire technique clash with the water wall of Aiko's clone. It created a huge wall of smoke and steam Neji saw the fire starting to push some of the water back. While the water did eventually stop his fire jutsu, he could see the effectiveness of his Giant Fire Ball jutsu with the oil. Neji looked down at the scorched ground and smiled, he turned around and looked at Aiko sensei " Wow that really does add a lot of power to my fire jitsu's, now I just need to get some stronger fire techniques."

"Wow, easy now," Aiko said, not suppressing her amusement when he stated he needed stronger fire techniques. "Step by step, Neji. The oil technique will power both your fire techniques as can be handy in other situations. But you need to remember that you can't just show everything you can do in battle. Restraining yourself and not revealing your best tricks can help a lot. Right now, for example, Sho doesn't know you can do this. But if you just reveal it right away the next confrontation then he will be able to learn and try to figure out how to counter it. Doesn't really sound that great if he will, does it?"

Neji sighed a little "Yeah Aiko sensei I know I know, sorry just excited to use this in battle and make it as strong as I possibly can." She then talked about Sho again which Neji was kind of surprised by he wasnt exactly sure why she kept bringing him back up, but what she said about him made sense. " No it doesn't, but Aiko sensei why do you keep brining him back up? I figured you'd want me to forget about him ."

She would flash a smile upon hearing where his excitement came from. The question that followed didn't take much time nor seem to throw Aiko off. "In a way, yes. But that isn't going to happen. Besides, there is this saying," Aiko said, "Your qualities are defined by the likes of your rival. Something like that. Seeing that you clash constantly with Sho I figure that it is best to then just use him as an example. See it as a certain motivational method." Winking towards the genin, she would continue on. "Anyways, that was it more or less for today. Unless you got any questions left to ask."

Neji listened to what Aiko sensei said he smirked a little as she told him about what it means to have a rival. He smirked a little as he could see himself and Sho fighting again, this time though he would have something new for Sho, something he wouldn't be expecting. " I think i'm ready to go sensei, just when are we moving out again?"

"Soon. Soon enough, Neji," Was Aiko's answer. She would flash a smile though she wasn't really happy about it. Regardless of her desires and thoughts of the current team she was leading, she had to make it work somehow. Then again, there was the option to bring in reinforcements in a certain way. But that would just be an emergency leverage that she would keep to herself.
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox=Operation Red Harvest, green]
Harumi Uchiha,

| ANBU | Akinian Empire | Cho Clan lands, Nondong.|


Once more debris would be flung into the air as an explosion followed as the bird impacted Harumi. Laying still on the ground, the attack had a considerable impact. The missing arm that had taken the brunt of the attack together with the charred smell said enough. A man would walk out of the nearby treeline. His grey raincoat made it hard to see the scars on his face or much of his other features.
"Shame. Thought you could make this more fun." The man uttered as he would lean forward towards Harumi. His gloved right hand stretched and grabbed the woman's right shoulder, only to feel it crumbled in his hands. Confused he would kneel next to the woman. Only to realise that it was a decoy. One made from paper.

"Clever girl."



That had been close, Harumi thought to herself. Walking through the rain and staying away from the road she wondered if people would investigate the smoke and noise of her brief contact with her attacker. By letting a paper clone distract her assailant, Harumi had managed to stay in the smoke of the first attack before moving out and evacuating from the site. Now, however, she was without a mount to speed the process of her travel and being followed by somebody who was capable of using that kinjutsu from Iwagakure. How had he managed to track and find her? Was there a mole in the ANBU or Intelligence Division? Or was this just a sporadic attack? Finding the situation a bit suspicious she couldn't do much about it. Besides, she had to make haste towards the south. A sigh escaped Harumi as she would pick up the pace.



The journey towards the south went without much problem. It was a bit annoying that the thought came up that she could have a pleasant time riding down and making a faster pace on horseback than on her own feet but it was probably for the better. Staying away from the main roads as well just dealing with people to resupply her rations for on the road, Harumi didn't experience any attacks from anybody. Eventually, she managed to reach what was the northern borders of the Cho heartlands. The first destination was Nondong, Harumi remembered. There was the bit of doubt that made her wonder if her Uchiha heritage would bring forth any obstacles with working with the local Cho authorities. In the past, she had little experience of trouble when working with the Chonobi, even if they were aware of her Uchiha heritage.

While she was making progress, there was also a notable reduction of trying to stay away from the main roads or staying obscure from others. The city of Nondong was the site where Harumi would meet up with those who were doing the investigation and if anything, Nondong wasn't small nor calm. It was a bustling staple market for the Cho clan, importing and exporting all kinds of goods from and towards the city. Here the trade from the most southern point of the Empire would flow both ways, enabling the Cho to gain a large amount of revenue from the ongoing trade that they had established. Yet as bustling, as it appeared, Harumi had little trouble to spot that the security was tight. Arriving at the perimeter of the city, the large and stout appearing fortifications were manned by many well-equipped guards. Though they seemed to be Imperial forces, Harumi wondered how many weren't more loyal to either the ruling and local bailiff of the Cho clan or the clan leader. Remembering that the Cho had a different approach in ranks, she decided that it would be best to not just assume too much and see where to go to.

Entering the city cost some time. It was busy as many people seemed to be eager to do their business inside the safe walls. Catching on how the guards worked in separate teams to check papers, waggons and wares Harumi could not help and wonder how hard it would be to smuggle contraband in or out. Then again, ongoing by the stern looks and disciplined air that the guards had Harumi wagered that she shouldn't get any funny ideas. When she was up next, she would present her papers and wait. The guard in question, who checked the documents, seemed to read everything to the point. There was a plump merchant grumbling about that reading a document shouldn't take too long but the guard didn't seem to care for the complaint. After studying the documents the guard stated that Harumi was allowed to enter the city.

Entering she wasn't sure what to think. The architecture of the buildings, the most dominant style of people was different than she had expected. There were some clear signs of different styles but they seemed to be in a minor position towards the local style. Walking through the street there were many things to see. There were several stands with people praising their wares and yet enough room in the middle of the street for large carts and waggons to be moving into the city. Despite the welcoming and bustling activity, Harumi didn't particularly like the noise. She doubted that Nondong was much smaller than Konohagakure but it was certainly already louder than even the Merchant's district during a busy day.

Managing to find a tavern where she could rent a room Harumi decided to ask for some directions. The owner of the tavern had a slight accent but it made her appear the more friendly, in Harumi's opinion. With the given directions Harumi would make way towards one of the nearby market squares. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too late to meet up with her contact.
[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox=A demand made, gold]
Takeru Destrushia

Fifth Raikage | Kumogakure, Raikage's Office.


Some time had passed and Takeru was getting impatient. Peace and stability had returned to Kumogakure and no other reports had come in about any attack in the north. Neither did any vassal state report of odd activity or sign of those blasted Zealots. What did come in was a letter from the capital, Ranzaki. Takeru hadn't opened it a few hours when it had arrived. The sealed envelope just lay there. The crimson wax showing the clear symbol of the Ranzaki dynasty but he knew who had signed and written the letter. And only because of that Takeru tried to avoid to learn what was written for him.

Eventually, he couldn't avoid it. Slowly his right hand reached out and cautiously grasped the envelope. As cautious as if he was expecting poison powder to spring out as soon as he would break the seal Takeru would lean slightly backwards. He doubted that the regent, Chise, was keen on taking his life this early or without any backup to provide she was right. Though he despised the woman greatly, he did know better than to take her for a fool.
Opening the envelope and pulling out the letter Takeru's eyes narrowed behind his mask.

"By the orders and graces of the Lady Regent, ruling in the name of Yasihude's son and heir, Shigeko Ranzaki, future feudal lord of the Lightning country and holder of the north, you receive this letter.

His Majesty demands that all clans will reign and conscript a force of a minimum of eight hundred, each. These eight hundred have to be accomplished or else a representative of his Majesty will visit the respective clan and will see what can be missed. This new conscripted force will be drilled and used for the safety of the capital as well to be used against external threats.
Representatives of his Majesty shall also be sent in order to search for Keitaro Ranzaki. The charges being regicide and kin-slaying. Anybody who aids this fugitive from being captured and sends for trial in Ranzaki shall doom themselves to execution as well their entire families. Their possessions shall be taken by his Majesty and only the Lady Regent shall make a decision if it will be sold to anybody who can provide the coin or else it shall remain in the divine control of his Majesty.

Furthermore, a new tax shall be invoked at the start of the new year. Every holding, clan and region shall obey this new tax, for it is their sacred duty to the true heir of the late feudal lord Yasihude, blessed may he be and peaceful may he rest in the afterlife. Failure to pay this tax shall invoke punishment that can range from forced conscription or possessions as land being taken.

Signed,
Lady Regent Aki Chise, ruling in the name of Shigeko Ranzaki, the true heir of Late Lord Yasihude Ranzaki."

The table trembled by the impact of Takeru's fist, slamming as soon as he was done reading the letter. There was no phrase that he knew that could be used to describe his anger over the impossible and bizarre demands. What was that woman thinking? This would set off a chain of anger, Takeru was certain of that. While it was known that everybody had to pay taxes or obey the laws of the land, there was a certain freedom in the north that was perhaps somewhat foreign to other countries. Trying to cool down, Takeru tried to think of what he could do. Arguing back by letter or worse, going to the capital to argue in person wouldn't accomplish anything. It would only lead to the certain pretext Chise was after. To eliminate threats or targets on her list.

Grunting Takeru would get up as he folded the letter. Gesturing to the double door, an ANBU guard seemed to appear out of nowhere. Giving the folded letter to one of his guards, Takeru instructed the masked man to bring the letter towards Kaizen.
"Let him know that I want all efforts on finding Keitaro to be doubled as well what the reactions will be. I want all bits of information on what this letter has caused, as soon as he hears it!"

The ANBU guard would make a deep bow before slowly vanishing. Once more Takeru would gesture as another ANBU seemed to appear out of thin air.
"You, bring a message to the Guard Commander. Make certain that he is aware that I want the security as solid as the walls of the city! I don't want to hear any trouble from spies or agents of the regency. For all I care, he sets up a curfew! "

The masked woman would bow before she vanished into thin air, much like the previous ANBU guard. Leaning back in his seat Takeru tried to think what more he could do. Probably wait and see which clan and person would object to the planned changes of the Lady Regent. And thinking of Keitaro, what happened to the two ANBU he had send out?
[/fieldbox]
 
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For Now We Wait

A Collab between Jason, Ice and Fieryfly

Summary:

Yukio and Ryu talk in the Amekage's office while they wait for Eiji to return. As Eiji returns, he informs them of the situation at the Housha Compound. The conversation is stopped when Ferra Arkos and Etsu Yabu enter.​

[spoili]
Watching the events unfold within Eiji's office — the sudden appearance of an ANBU agent and his new teammate, the latter of which was flanked by a large black feline and seeming to possess only a single eye — Yukio felt at once overwhelmed and out of place. Shuffling on his feet, he glanced at the raven-haired girl, unsure of her rank and position within the team. Finally, when the silence weighed too heavy on him, he cleared his throat and addressed her, saying in a demure voice, his eyes flickering up and down, "Uh, I'm Yukio. It's nice to meet you."

Watching as the boy seemed to be uneasy, Ryu gave him a kind smile. "Heya Yukio, I'm Ryu Uchiha, pleased to meet you! Is this your first team?" She said, trying to be upbeat and kind to him. The same way Kuni had been in the brief time they'd met after Ryu first joined the team. Almost Immdiately after the finished, the girl stumbled slightly from an impact from behind. Turning to look, she noticed Naomi stepping forward and making a soft sound like purring. Her eye narrowed at the panther for a moment before she switched back to looking at her new teammate. "And this is Naomi, she's a little brat who throws fits if I don't introduce her!" She said and gestured at the panther, who looked more than a little annoyed with the Uchiha.

"Naomi..." Yukio said to himself, somewhat wary as he studied the large cat. He looked up at Ryu, tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes. "Is that... the Uchiha?"

"I think so, yeah. Otherwise my sharingan needs some explanation, doesn't it? And, don't be worried about Naomi! She's friendly most of the time. The other times I'm either being attacked or she's trying to steal my food." She said, giving another smile towards the boy and reaching down to pet Naomi breifly. "Since we will be working together, what can you do, Yukio?"

Yukio allowed himself a small smile, grateful for the warm reception. It seemed full-fledged shinobi could be much different from how he had imagined them growing up with his father's tales of the war. "I specialize in Kenjutsu," he replied to Ryu's question, gesturing toward the blade strapped to his back. "Other than that, I know a bit of Ninjutsu — Lightning Release." Pausing, he bowed his head and added, "Nothing that can compare to the skill of the Uchiha, however, I would imagine."

"If we meet another Uchiha, let's ask! I'm just a genin myself, nothing special. I know a bit of Taijutsu, and ninjutsu. I'm learning medical ninjutsu so that's cool. I've got Fire Release. Anyways, welcome to the team, Yukio!" She said, keeping up being friendly. It seemed the boy was relaxing a bit, which was good in her opinion.

"Thank you. Medical Ninjutsu seems admirable. All this can do," he gestured once more to the sword at his back, feeling penitent, "is reap lives I'm afraid."

"Dangers of the job I suppose. But yeah, Medical Ninjutsu is cool! I'm learning normal first aid as well. It's really cool!" She said, switching to a more fun topic than reaping with a blade. Hopefully Yukio wouldn't mind her change of subject.

Yukio nodded, taking everything in. "I see. I imagine it must be hard to—"

Eiji opened the door of his office, interupting the conversation Yukio and Ryu were having after he had talked to the ANBU. He gave the two a look and wondered if this was the right time to add Yukio to the team. Well, if anything, he was immediately thrown into the fray and there was nothing as good as getting into this work as experience. Though, he would have liked some more peaceful times to get to know this boy. "I hope you two had a chance to say some nice things about each other?" He said, half joking. "As Ryu already indicated," he continued as he walked behind his desk and pulled the chair back. He didn't sit down but leaned on the back of the chair. "There is a situation at the Housha Compound. We don't have much information right now, but we will be going there to assist the Housha clan and make sure that the attackers get repelled. You two have to sit tight for a bit as we wait for the others to arrive."

At first Ryu gave a smile towards Eiji, planning to tell him how she had totally bullied Yukio into submission. The girl figured that the man would figure it out to be a joke soon enough. However, everything changed the moment he mentioned the Housha compound. The genin stared straight at him, eye wide as she tried to process what he said. Not again, not again! She thought, when she was once more at risk of losing people she cared about. "Why the hell are we just standing here!?" She demanded suddenly, her tone no longer friendly like it had been moments ago.

Yukio swallowed. So his premonition had been right. He'd heard of the Houshua clan, albeit only in vague, conversational fragments — incomparable to the vast reputation of the Uchiha clan within the borders of the Empire. Nodding, he responded to Eiji with a "Yes, sir.", then turned, surprised, as Ryu raised her voice, apparently displeased with their sense of urgency — or lack thereof, in her opinion.

Eiji could understand Ryu's feeling of urgency. "We are only one team, Ryu. We are waiting for my Jounin to arrive and my ANBU to return. Don't ever go blind into a situation like this." His voice was suddenly stern. "I understand you demand for urgency, but don't use that to make mistakes. We will wait."

"B-but! What about Johnathon, and Emiko! They're in danger!" She said, no longer aggressive, and looked towards the ground. A brief, mumbled, 'Yes sensei' could be heard for a moment as the girl fell silent. Those damn others better get here fast. She thought, hoping none of her displeasure showed.

"And we will be there as soon as possible," Eiji replied calmly. As if on cue the door opened and Ferra Arkos, the local famous Godai player but also Jounin in his force, stepped inside. Eiji looked up to her and gave her a stern nod. "If you could wait a moment, Miss Arkos then I will inform you of your duties." Miss Yabut arrived not much longer along with some other Jounin. Eiji searched for his new Jounin Commander but couldn't find him in the group. He stepped back from the seat he had been leaning on and address the party that had fromed.

"Thanks for coming on such short notice," he said. "We have an emergency at the Housha Compound and we are moving in to neutralise it. We should be getting extra information within a minute or so when the ANBU return. I want you to gather your teams. We will be approaching the Compound from different angles, depending on the information we will receive soon, in the hope of making sure that none of these attackers escape. I do not tolerate a direct attack on a clan belonging to my city and I want it stopped." He proceeded to explain the situation in some more detail. "If there are any questions I'd like to hear them now"
[/spoili]
(I will send the individual Jounin a PM about the plan of approach when we know how many people are actually involved)
 
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[fieldbox="Do I care enough?, teal, solid"]

Mistunari Riojin- Jounin Commander/ Jounin of Team 19


That one woman really threw a lot of crap on his plate. The longer he was Jounin Commander, the more problems seemed to pop up one after the other that required his attention. Some simple like reports on what happened and team distribution. Then came more annoying problems like the damage recovery from that riot, and now the Hoshua Compound was under attack. This place just couldn't stay intact longer than a month could it? So when the messenger arrived at his clan grounds and told him of Eiji's call about the problem and audible groan came from him as he debated if the Hoshua's were worth the effort and manpower. Yet knowing Eiji would complain to him for not showing, he opted to show up.

He would arrive about twenty minutes later at the office, not needing to be lead there as he was well informed of this place. So when he opened the door and saw several Jounin, some being Etsu and Ferra were the more recognizable one. As he moved further in he sighed and looked at Eiji. "So you want to do this the peaceful way, or the way that will get results? What I suggest is having a force on each entrance and exit and push inwards, taking out hostile threats along the way. Leave some of our men by the exit in case any do manage to make it to the exit. Only capturing if its possible, yet taking the situation into consideration. That might prove harder than just offing the threat. Yet the call is yours Eiji." Mitsunari said to the red haired man, folding his arms as he awaited a response. Taking a look at some of the people here.

The Ryu kid had been involved in some of these reports that he found. Something about her sister randomly attacking her? In self defense she launched a fireball at her sister fireball at point blank range. Killing the sister but her coming out alive, lucky child. The other one was currently drawing a blank, he assigned so many people to different teams. That he couldn't remember every name of every shinobi, the boy didn't seem like a trouble maker or had a questionable past so that was good he supposed.[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox="Reporting In, #99ffff, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]
Sairento Shi | ANBU | Amegakure

It did not take long to reach the Amekage Assistant's office again. Telling the others to wait in the hallway, the man knocked twice before entering the office. Listening as the Jounin Cpmmander made his suggestion, the man nodded to himself. He took a brief moment to look over the other jounin in the office, hesitating for a moment as he noticed a very familiar girl among them. I'm definitely about to get hit. He thought as he looked away from Ferra and towards Eiji. When the man gestured towards him, Sairento took it to mean he was to report.


"Situation's bad, sir. I'll be brief." He said, looking around the room for a moment. "The Housha compound is in bad shape, most of was either on fire or already burned down. The enemy outnumber them by about 2 to 1. Not really seeing any organization to them, they are either wielding basic weapons; axes, swords, the like or have no weapon and seem to be using Ninjutsu. I'd place them at Chuunin rank and above. The Housha are attempting to fight back, but they won't last without help. Saw a group of them in the center, surrounded by the heaviest force of enemies. Then one in... fulllplate fighting in a small group towards one of the exits. There doesn't appear to be any coordinated attack plan, just causing chaos." He said, noticing the Uchiha perk up at the mention of the fullplate. Somebody important to her?


"If I may, I believe the Jounin Commander's suggestion might be one of our better options, sir." He said, concluding his report of what he had seen. Hopefully it'd provide enough to get everybody through.[/hr][/fieldbox]
 
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[fieldbox=A time of change?, teal]
Zakito Hon
Jounin Commander | Major General of the First Division | Akinian Empire, Konohagakure - Hon compound.


He was neither at home or at his office or even near the complex. Reading the reports that came in as various requests, Zakito couldn't say how he exactly felt about the new transition. The unrest was ebbing away in his clan's heartlands. Many families and groups of Hon would prepare to migrate and settle in the Tokugawa clan land. Various spots were chosen with the aid of both Hon and Tokugawa, making it only even smoother as it became clear that the latter clan seemed to truly approve of this. Things regarding the rumours of the Uchiha having invaded them were also ebbing away. Various prisoners of the defeated force made it clear that they weren't dealing with Uchiha. Evidence pointed out that the majority were hired mercenaries that played their part with the promise of more gold than they already had received. Though that was good Zakito had sent out the word to make sure that this kind of news wouldn't spread too far.
He wasn't certain how Shozo would react on this and if anything, Zakito wanted to prevent that more bad blood would boil between the Hon and Uchiha.

His gaze moved over the map that he had laid out on a table. If things would go as planned, without any trouble, then that meant that four new settlements would be found in the Tokugawa clan land. If they would be successful was something that only time could tell. Not to mention that this could also be a change. With a large amount of Hons settling in a peaceful manner in the lands of the Tokugawa, it would open both clans for more interaction. The interaction that could see perhaps the spread of Chonobi through the Tokugawa land, which already happened at a slow rate. Not just because of the Agnarr but because of the Tokugawa being open and eager to learn more of and from them. He wondered if it would be a progress he could witness himself. Such change was slow and could cost more than just a few years. But with the right approach, it could be done at a good pace, Zakito thought to himself.

Deciding that he wasn't in need to do more, for now, to the entire migration process, Zakito would head towards his office.



Reading the report, the pleasant mood of Zakito was dropping. The final report of the Intelligence Division had arrived, brought by a Ghost ANBU member, who seemed to wait for further orders in silence.

The first thing that the report detailed about the people that had been captured at the first clan meeting, at the hands of Hideki Hyuuga and Saki Yamanaka. Apparently, there wasn't anything visible that made them different from any other person. But the Intelligence Division had uncovered that they possessed two chakra systems. One that worked as a normal person and the other that allowed them to morph back and forth into almost 9ft tall bipedal creatures. Creatures that shared traits both lupine and primate as fangs, claws and fur. If that wasn't intimidating enough, these 'Others' were able to enjoy a heightened sense and gaining an increase in strength and endurance. Another worrying trait was that the Intelligence Division acknowledged that the 'Others' seemed to be able to endure chakra much better, meaning that they were more resistant towards all kind of chakra based actions. The last that the Intelligence Division had discovered was that the 'blood' that the Others spat at the Guardians during the engagements in Keishi was laced with a certain chemical sense that they were able to pick up. Allowing the Others to track a prey better as well to confuse and petrify their opponents. The only way to counter the Others were simply to alert guards and sensory capable personnel to be on guard for noticing odd fluxations within a person's chakra signature.

Then there was this unnamed captive that an ANBU had captured. The captive had gone through an encounter with Team 7, in Keishi as well. The reports of the Intelligence Division mentioned that any chakra was leeched away by the captive and confirmed thus that any trying to put it into a genjutsu to pull out answers was useless. Starvation and similar, and perhaps more cruel, methods also proved useless. The captive seemed bored and annoyed if anything, not doing more than trying to get in reach of a person to leech their chakra. Experiments were done in order to understand how it was possible for the captive to live only on chakra but so far nothing seemed to surface with the experiments. What was discovered was that Dragonsteel seemed to be capable of scaring the captive, which made it clear that it was aware of the effects of the rare material. Anything else so far turned out to not work or simply cause some damage, that the chakra of the captive to start to rebuild the damage caused. Something that the Intelligence Division wanted to experiment on as it could very well be possible to defeat similar like foes with just attempting to damage it to the point that the chakra aura wouldn't be able to repair the body. The captive as similar people would be nicked 'Leeches', due to their passive ability to absorb chakra at a high speed.

Rubbing his forehead Zakito wondered how many surprises the Zealots had in store for them. Was this just the begin of what was waiting for them? Zakito wasn't sure what he should hope for at this point other than that they could quickly combat and sweep the Zealots off the table. Deciding to write that the information regarding the Leeches and 'Others' should be shared with the teams as for the warning to be on guard when dealing with such foes, Zakito would continue some more paperwork. Stumbling on a certain request, he would lean back in his seat and frown. Somebody from the Tamiyo Dynasty had a request for Konoha nin, to deal with a potential presence of Zealots.

Thinking of possible teams that were on standby Zakito had an idea who he could send. Only to remember how the previous mission had gone, together with the latest report of that team's leader regarding his team. Sighing deeply, Zakito decided that he would do a change. Perhaps it was time to reinstate a certain team? Even though he wasn't so certain if the message would come across everybody involved.
[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox="An Unavoidable Return, #007dba"]Miyazato Aoi | Team 4 Chuunin | Konohagakure
An introductory post for Aoi upon her return from a three year hiatus to Shinobi life with the help of @Gerontis.
[spoili]
She was anxious. It had been three years since she had been to Konohagakure, three years since she had last truly been a shinobi. Two years since the Shoji Oppression, she was pretty sure that she wouldn't be alive today had her parents not called her back the year before it began. Through all of that she was sure of one thing, her country had changed. The Shinobi themselves had changed, and the way they were perceived the world over had changed which was obvious from the way travelers at the shrine had spoken of them. It seemed that with on misstep the entire Shinobi world had been cast into doubt, the very heroes that she had grown up reading about were now nothing more than suspicious folk that were sucking up the good peoples taxes and contributing nothing while being a menace to peace and prosperity.

Yet here she was, on the road back to Konoha, her headband around her waist proclaiming exactly what she was to any who passed, and she couldn't feel more proud to be a Shinobi in this moment. The people that had passed her hadn't been particularly unfriendly, some waving as they passed or offering smiles, others too tied up in controlling small children as they traveled to give her any notice. She had even held a conversation with a young man that worked the fields around her as he moved from one field to another about the current rumors circulating around. He only seemed to know a little about what was going on in the other countries, as could be expected of someone so removed from social centers, but he had known enough to make what she already had been told by travelers seem more believable. The world really was slowly spinning into chaos.
She had been walking since the before the sun had risen that morning, and by the time that the sun was nearing its highest point in the sky Aoi finally found herself at the gates of Konoha. She rummaged through her bag to find her papers as she followed a line of wagons and people entering the city, all of which were being questioned and a few even searched as they entered the main gates. With her tunr at hand she gave the guard a warm smile, "Good Mor--" her comment was cut off as the guard spoke.

"Paperwork and state your business." he asked, the tone of his voice making it evident he didn't want to hear her whole life story.

Aoi nodded, a bit surprised at the changes that Konoha had undergone in her short absence before she opened her mouth to answer the guard, "Miyazato Aoi, Member of the Shinobi Corps, I have business at the Jounin Commanders Office." she said as the guard took her paperwork. He nodded, as he read her documentation before handing it back to her.

He pointed a finger at the pouch at her waist with a curious look on his face, "What's in the bag miss?" he asked.

Quickly Aoi undid the bag from her waist and held it up to the man, opening it so that he could peer in at it's contents, "Iron dust, it's just a bag of dust." she said not wanting to explain its use to the guard before she closed it back up and tied it to her waist. The guard nodded with a look that told her that he didn't really want to know why she was carrying around the bag of iron dust before he waved her along and called out to the next in line.

"Paperwork and state your business."

The walk to the Jounin Commanders Office was short. Her father had sent out a messenger raven from the small village at the base of the mountain a month before with a letter stating that Aoi would finally be able to return to service in the Shinobi Corps. They had received a response just a week later accepting her back into the Corps and reinstating her at the rank of Chuunin just as when she had left. Along with the letter had come directions to find the building within Konoha, and Aoi had to say, they were quite easy to understand.

After just fifteen minutes wandering through Konoha Aoi found herself passing the old Hokage's Office, still right where she remembered it and moving to a newer building past it that seemed to be teeming with Shinobi coming and going, 'Well that's definitely it then.' she thoguht to herself as she approached the building. Stepping inside she found herself in a reception area with a few manned desks at the far end. Quickly she made her way to a desk and was directed to her surprise to the actual Jounin Commanders office, she had only expected to meet a lower ranking officer, not the Commander himself.

Standing outside the office Aoi pulled on her outfit to try and get any wrinkles that may have popped up on her travel back to Konoha to come out before she fiddled with her hair to make sure none of it was sticking up in any odd ways, 'Alright there's no nede for this much....' she thought to herself as she reached a hand up and knocked twice on the door.

A voice would resonate from the other side of the door. "Come in." Sitting behind his desk, Zakito was reading through some papers. Ever since the full report of the captives of the Intelligence Division that gave vital information on some of the Zealots, he was trying to see if he could create small taskforces to seek and destroy those particular Zealot operatives. Deciding to put his work on a hold as he noticed a young woman entered his office, Zakito would only nod and wait for her to speak.

Aoi jumped at the voice before pushing the door open and striding into the office. She bowed deeply at the man sitting behind the desk, "Miyazato Aoi, Chuunin reporting for d--" the door slammed shut behind her making her jump and lose her train of thought on what she had been saying. her face growing red she bowed once more and restarted her introduction, "Miyazato Aoi, Chuunin reporting for duty Sir." she said as she held her bow before the Commander.

The right eye of the Hon would size up Aoi briefly. It took him a second to realise why she was here. Coughing softly, hoping to catch her attention while she was bowed Zakito would gesture with his right hand that she could straighten her back. "Thanks for coming, Miss Miyazato. I read that you have returned to the Shinobi corps after a long break. If that is true, might I ask you perhaps your reasoning?" Realising how it could come over Zakito would add something to his question. "Though, please don't fret. The case merely caught my interest and I prefer to hear it personally than to write a letter and wait for your answer."

Aoi rose form her bow and nodded at the Commander as he spoke, "It'd be my pleasure sir." she said to his request, "I'm returning since my family is finally healthy enough to no longer require me home around the clock, my father... He had fallen ill for nearly two years, and my family runs a small Shrine as well as an Onsen nearly a kilometer up a mountain to the North of Konoha, to keep the shrine running is the purpose of the Onsen. My mother had originally attempted to care to both my father and the shrine at the same time but, then my brother became old enough for our families Kekkei Genkai to take effect on him and she was simply overwhelmed..." she paused for a moment, wondering if she was perhaps telling the Commander too much, "That was the reason for my leaving originally. I'm returning now that my father has come back into his good health and my brother no longer needs help. But most importantly I've been hearing things as I tend to the Shrine and the Onsen... Travelers talking in whispers about what's going on around the country, what's happening outside of our borders and across the sea to the East." she stood for a moment, thinking how best to put her thoughts to words for the Commander before she gave up and just spoke, "It's no time for me to be sitting atop a mountain with my family when the realm is in danger Sir."

Listening to the answer that Miss Miyazato provided him, Zakito remained silent. Though he was pleased with her answer, he tried to remember what he had read from her profile. The interval between active service was quite long but this wasn't the time that he could really fall prone to some protocols. Playing by the rules was something that their enemies weren't doing either, so why should they? "Good. I am glad to hear that your father is healthy again as to welcome you back into active service. While I can't express how good it is to hear that somebody desires to help the realm, I first need to assign you to a team. Another reason why you're here. Right now," the man continued, "I am going to enlist you to Team 4. It is not like a regular team, where a jounin leads the team. This team is what is considered an auxilary team. One that is sent most of the time to support another team to aid them. Though, this doesn't mean that the auxilary team is fully subject to the command and will of the other team leader. It is what one could consider a certain semi-independence that will see to it that Team 4 will reap its own rewards as being guilty for its own failures. With your kekkei genkai, I am hoping that the formation will be a succesful one." Turning silent, Zakito would await if Aoi had any questions or in any case allow her to progress the information.

Listening as the Commander spoke, Aoi couldn't help but wonder what exactly a support team would do, 'Team 4 huh... Semi-independent?' she thought as the Commander went on. She let out a small gasp of surprise as the Commander spoke of his hope in her ability and in turn in the team itself, "Commander I don't think that me alone can ensure a successful team, respectfully of course, I appreciate the compliment but I'm merely a Chuunin on paper with all that happened after my promotion..." she stammered out before catching her tongue, "But I'll do my best sir."

"Good. I don't expect you to carry the entire team on your back. I have resigned from deciding who the official and formal leader will be. Seeing the other members, I will allow you lot to pick your own leader. Much as how the previous Team 4 formation worked, I suppose." Zakito replied back. "Other than that, I am confident that it will work out if everybody do their part and best. Any questions, Miss Miyazato?"

Aoi shook her head when the Commander asked if she had anything more, "None sir, when do I meet the rest of Team 4?" she asked, curious to see who she was going to be working with in such an odd configuration.

"I am not certain, myself. The other members are being informed of this development and I have send some information towards one member, seeing if a meeting shall be hosted. If you don't hear anything within a week from them, you can request their contact information from my administration. Seeing that one of the members returned from a lengthy mission, I think it is best to allow everybody getting used to this new formation before being deployed on a mission."

"Understood, I'll be on my way Sir, I have to do a bit of apartment hunting now that I'm back..." she said before bowing once more, "Thank you for reinstating me Sir, you won't regret it!" she said confidently before turning for the door.

As she left the Jounin Commanders office, Aoi couldn't help but be to be full of questions, "I don't know who my teammates are... I don't know when they'll contact me... And I don't even have a place to call home here..." she sighed as she began to make her way down the road in search of apartments for rent.

[/spoili]
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[fieldbox=A new formation?, #00cdcd]
Konohagakure, at the Ozawa's Square.

A collab between Inzane and Oetje.

Summary:
Receiving a letter that informed Meilin of some changes, she decides to make use of some information to contact Madoc Yamanaka. The two head to a tea house where they briefly discuss the fact that they will be forming an auxiliary team with another unknown - for now - member!


[spoili]
Heading to the location where she would meet up with Madoc, Meilin wasn't so sure what she should think of the recent change. In a way, it felt both as a good change and yet, it wasn't entirely great the more she thought about it. Pulling the dark brown scarf slightly higher as she would stand near the destination that was the meeting point. It was near the Ozawa's Square. Though it was usually busy, the large space was absent from the stands that sold food and small trinkets. Meilin wondered if it was due to the cold or the ominous forecast of dark grey, gloomy clouds covering the sky. Perhaps it would start to rain soon? No matter, she thought, cause they weren't going to stay outside for long.
That was if Madoc would have received her small letter to meet up with her as well that she had some news about the team. Deciding that it was better to tell him everything face to face, she wondered what he would say or wish to do.

Walking towards Ozawa's Square, he had to wonder what exactly she was going to discuss about the team. Well besides from what he already knew about it being a bit broken, which would take a miracle in its own right to mend it or just a lot of patience. Readjusting his green scarf he would look at the sky wondering if this was a sign of bad news to come, or just some more crap weather on top of crap weather. Yet he would arrive in the rather quiet area, maybe people decided it wasn't worth their time to try and sell anything today which made it easier for him to spot Meilin. Giving the woman a wave, he would walk up to her and give a small smile. "So something to discuss about the team? Anything else I don't know about it besides accusations and a lot of strong headed people?"

Spotting Madoc , Meilin would briefly raise her right hand and wave towards him. A nervous smile would be hidden by her own scarf as he approached her.
"Hey, glad you could come. Sorry for the short and vague message but let us go and take somewhere more comfortable. Believe me," she threw him a meaningful look, "This kind of news is best taken when you are sitting."
Was Meilin's answer as she decided to not give more, already starting to walk. There was a small teahouse nearby where she had already taken the measure to reserve a table for them. On the way, it was clear that she was nervous about something as she walked in a fast pace. Nearing the tea house she seemed to remember that she wasn't alone, throwing a look to see if Madoc was still following her.
Once inside the establishment, they would be able to take a sit near one of the front windows. A waiter asked what they wanted to drink and eat.
"I would like a cup of green tea and perhaps some biscuits or rice balls if you have any. Oh, my treat, I will explain a bit why," Meilin told Madoc, lowering her scarf to reveal a nervous smile.

Well she was getting to the point but wasn't at the same time, news that he had to sit down for? A raised eyebrow was his resposne as soon as she finished she started moving towards this teahouse at a rather quick pace. This caused him to have to pick up his pace, now a bit wary on if this was some sort of trap or a welcoming party. He didn't do surprises. As they entered and taken to a seat with a window, a waiter would take their order in which Meilin ordered some Green tea and bisquits or Rice balls then told him it was her treat. This was growing more suspicious and her smile only made him worry more. ".... A cup of green tea as well." he said letting him leave to go get the order taken care of. "Okay so why are you acting like you just commited some kind of crime, or are about to tell me some bad news. Cause I'll say this I didn't do it." Madoc stated lowering his own scarf still having a suspicous look on his face about what this could possibly be.

Waiting for the waiter to take care of their order Meilin would unwrap her scarf and place it on her lap. Opening her jacket she would push it backwards, to make it lean on the chair she was sitting on.
"What? Oh, it is not entirely bad. I guess."
Scratching her right cheek, Meilin wondered how she should tell him this.
"From today we aren't part of Team 7. The Lord commander has made a new decision. You and I are now part of Team 4. There is another person but I decided to first check this up with you. Cause honestly," Meilin flashed another nervous smile, "I am not sure what to think of this. We're basically going to form an auxiliary team. A team that is sent on missions to support other teams that require some aid. The thing is that we have to figure out who is the leader. But the first question is if you are comfortable to be doing this auxiliary team business with me."

Not entirely bad? Then why were you acting so nervous for? Unwrapping his scarf as well, as she started speaking. It was a good thing he wasnt drinking otherwise he might have choked on it. He sent a look at her as if to see if he could see if she was lying to him, yet really why would she lie about that? "Huh, never been hated that much that I got switched to a new one right out of the gate. Usually took a couple of tries. So you me and someone else are a support team?" He asked before taking his coat off as well. "Well I'm fine with it but I should ask you that question. I'm a rather straight forward person. Meaning I will be blunt on some subjects. Are you okay with me being on the team knowing that?"

She wasn't feeling better when she saw how his expression shifted. Then again, she could not blame him entirely for it. His comment on being hated made her shrug lightly with her shoulders.
"I don't know. You haven't given me any reason to hate you. And yes, that basically the gist. We will have some freedom and I will have to study the content in the letter that was sent to me. But this is a bit of a surprise for me," Meilin confessed, her eyes lowering for a moment. His question if she was okay with him being straightforward was met with a frown.
"Makes two of us. Besides, I am rather prefer being told the truth than having to deal with sugar coated answers or somebody being passive."
Thinking about it all, she released a soft sigh.
"I suppose it doesn't have to be a bad development. It just caught me off guard and I don't know really how to proceed other than to contact the other person and see how this all will work out."

"Then in that response we are now Team Four members, yet considering how this was sent to you. I don't think the question on who the team leader is needs to be asked. Unless you have some idea about that, it would seem to me the Jounin Commander has selected you to be our esteemed leader, which I don't mind. I was never one for the role of being a leader anyway." he would say not really caring about her being the leader despite him having more experience than she. It was an amusing scenario anyway, he didn't truly feel he would fit in well with Team Seven anyway. It seemed like him being on that team would clash personality wise.
"So do you know who this other member is? Or will that be a surprise for you as well. This could easily be a good thing as well as a bad thing. As a support team, we cant rely on our mistakes being taken by a jounin anymore. If we fuck up, then all the backlash is on all of us. Even if it was another teams mistake that led to us messing up sadly. Good thing is we dont got to share our reward with anyone either."

She gazed at Madoc. Her lips slightly parted but she wouldn't interrupt him. Instead, she kept looking at the Yamanaka with no word leaving her.
"I have not a lot of leadership experience. I doubt that I can even state I have a lot of experience being a kunoichi, compared to other squad leaders."
Running a hand through her hair, Meilin wasn't so certain if she should just accept this or argue that this letter could have reached him earlier. Was she supposed now to try to be Madocs sensei or something? She honestly didn't see that working out.
"I suppose I don't mind being the 'esteemed leader'," she began in a cautious tone, yet placing a mocking emphasis on the last two words, "If you and that other person will pitch in. I don't want to lead the team with being a dictator. Seeing my lack of experience, I suppose I have to make a start somewhere but not without being certain that things are cleared out. I have seen where things have gone wrong in Team 7 when I was on missions with them. I prefer my own method, whether it is worse or better. But seeing that I can't operate on my own, I will need to be certain that I got you and that other person's support."

His question on if she knew who the other person was made Meilin shook her head lightly to indicate she wasn't yet aware.
"No. But I suppose I could try to see if I can get some contact information and arrange a meeting."
Yeah, she realised that there were pros and cons to this new development. Was it perhaps that the Lord Commander wanted to remind her of her earlier misdoings? To be allowed to punish her harsher if she would screw things up? Dismissing those thoughts, she would reply to Madoc.
"Yeah. I suppose that we will just have to give it our all and see how it works out. My concern is training though. I got enough people and connections to do without a jounin. I am not certain about you and the other person if you got some kind of mentor or sensei figure to train you. Else, I have to suggest we just got to train each other as a whole team."

"Well I dont really have any either. All my experience came from myself sadly, so whatever Im good at is basically my own doing. Yet you get your start somewhere, could be worse. Could be thrusted into war and told to lead these men. Although I would say it might be a bit weird with you being my sensei in a way..." he stated but smiled when she accepted being their esteemed leader only to frown when she said he will have to pitch in. "So you want us all to basically be the leader but discuss things? Wow we really are a support team. Well i'll say this much. You have my support but my support goes a certain distance. For example I trust you enough with knowing of my Mind Reader, doesn't mean I will give the new member the same courtesy." Madoc would respond showing a bit of that blunt side that has deterred many people in the past. So he simply nodded his head when Meilin would try and arrange a meeting with this person. Hopefully they weren't horrible to be around. Then she sugegsted if they ahd no mentor or sensei that they should train each other, which resulted in him shrugging.
"Training isn't the hard part, don't really need a sensei or mentor to improve yourself. Granted I did have one but that was a few years ago. Although I'm not sure what I could possibly teach you two. I can give Yakimara lessons, but other than that our styles might be different. For example I don't like the head on approach. I go in quiet and thats what my weapons are made for. I'm basically a get in and out type of guy."

She wondered if that was good or bad. Had nobody really been a mentor for him either? She wondered actually if Kensuke meant his words of before, caring about her. Why didn't he seem to take up an effort to mend what had happened between them? Madocs statement that it would be weird with her being the sensei made Meilin sigh and shake her head lightly.
"To be fair, I don't consider myself as anybody's mentor. I get help from various people but I don't possess the experience nor the skills to the point that I can really impress anybody, I fear."
Nodding subtly as Madoc stated that he was fine with her knowing about his Mind Reading but that the courtesy wouldn't reach to any newcomers, she found herself content with that.
"Of course. What you decide to share with another is your business. Not mine. Same as I hope you won't rattle me out that I am as experienced as a fish with walking on dry land." She tried to joke a bit to cheer up the mood.
"But yeah, more or less. With my inexperience in leading as seeing how I don't want to cause too much friction, I want to handle things differently. That means that everybody should get the idea that they are being heard. Even if we can't always make a decision that is to everybody's heart content."

"Huh," She thought if she could call Jin a mentor. The old man was really being helpful but she wasn't certain if she should look up to him just like that. Being wary of nature, Meilin decided that it was a bit too early. "I train more or less myself already. I got an acquaintance to help. Perhaps if things go well enough, I can try to see if he is willing to assist the team. But seeing that is uncertain, don't think we should count too much on it. As for my style?"
Meilin considered her answer for a moment.
"I suppose I am comfortable with avoiding combat and approach matters in a stealthy fashion. But I don't mind a direct fight if it isn't too risky, either. "

Their was nothing wrong with getting help from other people, it was one of the quickest ways to improve if you had someone skilled in the subject teaching you. He just wasn't the type to have multiple mentors. Maybe he should have phrased himself a bit better when he said her being a mentor to him would be strange. It wasn't that it would be weird, just more so he didn't know what she could probably teach him, besides maybe some kenjutsu lessons. He let out a little chuckle at her little joke she made. "Don't worry, won't have to rat on you in that regard. If you act anything like you did today, even a fresh genin would pick up on it." he said chuckling again, keeping the joking mood going just a bit.
"Then in that case we will need to decide how we act if we do come to a disagreement, yet we can talk about that more when we meet this other person. It would be a bit unfair to leave them out of descion making already."

"So hire someones service every now and then to teach us as a group some tricks is what you are saying? You know that might just work, plenty of people are willing to teach if offered the right price. I see no reason we cant pool a bit of our income and every now and then have someone come and teach the team for the day. Getting someone to do it for free afterall is a bit harder of a convincer than it is if money is involved." he said and when he heard her style of operation, it didnt seem to counteract is. Hell in the long run it might even be better to have someone draw attention, to let him get an easy kill.

"I thought so. Though I am hoping that we won't need to guide and mentor genin. That would be a bother," Meilin stated as a reply, her facial expression saying enough that she didn't like that possible scenario.
"Yeah. We can discuss that with the new and another member of the team. Maybe that person has some innovative ideas to make this work in a smooth way."

Hearing what he said about the outside help, Meilin nodded. She wondered if Jin would go along the idea if he could receive a bit of income. Though she wondered if it wasn't possible to see the team becoming part of the Guardians. That way they were ensured of extra guidance without a net loss of their income. But Meilin would not suggest that idea now.
"Yeah. That does sound like a solid idea. I might try to look into seeing how we can get a discount or something, though. Chuunin wages don't seem to be that much to afford too much luxury, right?"

"You mean you don't want a young one looking up to you and calling you sensei? It has such a nice ring to it though." he spoke with a smile but nodded in approval to waiting for the other member to speak about such ideas about the team, considering Meilin wanted it to be an equal standings team.
Shaking his head at her question he would respond "Hence my suggestion of pooling a bit of our money together over time. Granted their is always sidejobs to help with that but discounts are also nice. Usually will get that from people you know. Well we will figure something out, after all we have all been living this far off our wages havent we?"

"And babysit a kid? I am not that much of a parental figure, I imagine. Not sure about you, though." Was Meilin's playful retort to what Madoc said first. The waiter came back with their order, causing Meilin to pause until the waiter would leave again to attend to some other customers.
"Yeah. I guess I am just fretting over nothing."

"That could be a possible support mission. Babysit a important family member. Yet who knows, maybe I have this secret skill of being a great parental figure. I can tell them all sorts of fun stories, like how to be whoever I want to be. Did you know I was once a clan head of some minor clan for like thirty seconds. Have no clue what paper I signed during the process but true story." he said with a smile that one would wonder if that really was a true story or just one to be funny.
Their order would would arrive, with Madoc picking his cup up blowing on the liquid a bit before taking a sip. "Yeah we will figure out some way. We can consider that our challenge to survive. If we cant do that much, I doubt the team can go much further."

Meilin couldn't resist a smile appearing on her lips as Madoc spoke. She wasn't entirely certain if she could believe his story but it was, at least, one that she saw some humour in.
"You're nuts," the Cho would say as she shook her head, trying to hold herself from snickering. Hearing what he said about surviving Meilin wondered about that. She could agree with it and thus she would raise her drink with a smile present on her lips.
"Then we have to survive. Let us see if Team 4 can survive, together."

"Me nuts? No idea what you are talking about." he said with a smirk and raised his drink as well.
"I guess I have enough time to see this team try and survive. Then to Team Four. May it make anyone that hear its name tremble."
[/spoili]
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[fieldbox="The Hardy Girls Part II, Orange"]Yamada Suzu "Rabbit" & Meilin Cho | Akinian Empire, Southeast District of Konohagakure
Part I

A collaboration between @Oetje and @FrostedCaramel

Meilin and Suzu ask some question with far less blood as well as get a bit of Chakra Flow practice in.
[spoili]
Suzu sat in a small park of the Southeastern District of Konoha. It was in the nicer part of the district itself, where many of the lower middle class of the city lived, enjoying their clean streets and well patrolled neighborhood. The bushes and trees in the small park were well tended to, the play sets in good order, and the ground free of any weeds as far as the park extended. It was nothing like the cesspool of humanity Meilin and herself had recently visited.

The park goers themselves seemed rather happy, the weekend affording many of the young families of the area a chance to bring their little ones to such a nice place for the afternoon. Suzu watched from the park bench, her left arm extended over the back rest and her right holding the lollipop in her mouth as she simply took in the place. A shrieking little kid ran by with two more in hot pursuit, followed up by what must have been the eldest sibling yelling at them about how they ought to behave themselves in public. Suzu smiled as the eldest brother gave her a nod as if to say sorry and continued chasing the kids around.

She continued to watch, the people simply going about their days around her. Playing with their children, spending time with their lover, simply enjoying the atmosphere. It was interesting to her. To watch people being people. It helped her to understand things a bit better, to understand why people did what they did. She rolled the lollipop in her mouth as she noticed a couple kissing behind the shadow of a tree, she moved her gaze away from the two giving them privacy before being a bit caught off guard by the little girl standing in front of her.

Big Sister! Can I have a lollipop?!" the little girl asked loudly. Suzu looked around, confused as she tried to spot the girls big sister before realizing that the little one meant her. She nodded at the girl and smiled as she pulled out the bag of lollipops in her pocket, leaning forward she offered the girl the candy "Of course, but do be careful, accepting candy from strangers isn't always a good idea." she said. The little girls face grew into a wide smile as she nodded at Suzu's words, likely not even registering what they meant she was so excited at the lollipop. She grabbed it eagerly from Suzu's hands and began to run off, "Thanks Big Sister!" she said as she waved behind herself and back into the parks main playground.

Heading to the park Meilin wasn't sure if she was anxious or eager to get to work with Rabbit. There was that technique that she wanted to try out but decided that it would best if she would wait with it until she saw a better chance to use it. Walking towards the place Meilin didn't pay much attention to the people or surrounding. Parks were nice and great but she doubted that she would be in such a happy surrounding for a long time. If anything had taught her when it came down with missions, it was that sooner or later she would be finding herself in some shitty or dangerous place.
Spotting Rabbit sitting on a park bench, it somehow seemed out of place. After seeing how capable Rabbit was as a Sworn Sword operative, it just didn't seem to match up with the peaceful surrounding.

"Hey," Meilin greeted Rabbit, nodding towards the woman. She had spotted a girl running away from the woman but wouldn't question it.
Taking a seat on the bench, Meilin would wait patiently for the woman to perhaps start the briefing of what they would do today.

With Meilin's arrival Suzu leaned back on the bench, moving her arm from the back as she sat. She smiled at Meilin as she sat, "Afternoon Meilin." she said before removing the lollipop from her mouth. Looking around at all the people in the park Suzu simply shrugged, "The Intelligence Division covered up the brothel event. There shouldn't be anyone that knows it even happened at this point. Those people won't be missed by anyone, so there's no one to go prying into it now. That's officially buried never to see the light of day again." she paused as she thought for a moment, "But I do have information, got it from a local stall vendor down the road," she nodded in the general direction of the lines of stalls that sold all manner of foods and goods on the other side of the park, "Was talking about some interesting happenings around here. Specifically people in black cloaks spreading news of a festival for those who wished to know more of The True Path, same as what your good friend said. It hink this area is worth some intelligence gathering."

She stood up giving Meilin a nod, "The vendor said they went house to house spreading word, not many took kindly to it. This place should be a treasure trove of information on this, we just have to find those who decided to hear our mysterious men in black out." with that she began to walk in the direction of the stalls, "Let's get a move on, would be better to do this during the day."

Hearing what happened Meilin was somewhat content that no one would learn of what had transpired in the 'brothel'. She wondered for a moment how it was covered up but that wasn't her vocation to figure out or know, so she would drop that thought quickly.
"Hm?" Meilin's curiosity perked up by hearing that Rabbit had gained more information from a local stall vendor.
"The True Path," Meilin whispered to herself, confused. Why were some people so bent on claiming that they had found the true way? Did that mean that her ancestors and people were all wrong in what they believed? Slightly irritated by the thought she would force herself to keep focus on the briefing of Rabbit.
"Gotcha," Meilin replied as she would get up to follow Rabbit. She briefly wondered what kind of belief or faith Rabbit followed, but wouldn't indulge. Such things could be rather personal.

"They came close to sunset, asked my wife if she was interested in learning about their religion... We turned them down, don't need anything like that to worry about right now. We're perfectly content in our ways as they are now yah know?" the man that had opened the door stated. He shifted in the doorway, as if to get a better view of the world outside his home, "Although they did spend a good amount of time talking to our neighbour... She's an odd one, lots of cats. She may have more to tell you than us." he said as he nodded back at his wife who stood in the exposed hallway behind the door with a small child clung to her leg.

"You've given us more than enough to work with, thank you both very much." Suzu said as she gave the mother and her child a warm smile and turned to leave the families front porch. She turned back to Meilin as she made her way across the street to the house the gentlemen had pointed out, "If I give you the lead on asking these questions, I'm not going to have to kill everyone in ear shot right?" she said as they neared the house. It was well kept, with a few potted plants lining the stairwell to the front door, and as the man had stated, there were more than a few cats lounging around on window sills and the on the stairs.

Meilin had her hands sheltered in the pockets of her brown jacket. With a dark green scarf wrapped around her neck and covering some lower areas of her face, she didn't suffer too much from the dreadful chilly breezes. Listening to what was said, Meilin kept an eye on the surroundings as well. She doubted that anybody was following them but what was that saying again? Confidence is good but overconfidence always sinks the ship? Trying to remember it for a moment, Meilin would nod towards the man as she followed Rabbit.

"Possibly not," Meilin answered back, tugging her scarf a bit down, "I won't just ask right away what our intention of learning is or how much money they got left to be robbed from."

Suzu raised an eyebrow in confusion at Meilin's comment, "Possibly? What reason would you have to kill this person, or even rob them?" she said as she checked the house to make sure that the occupant wasn't near by. She leaned in a bit to Meilin, the hood on her jacket falling from her back over a shoulder as she did, "Do you want to kill them? Because I can make that happen, just, I don't understand what they've done yet. Although, I don't think you need a reason..." she stated to Meilin, "Do you draw pleasure from such things as well?" she asked the Chuunin seriously, the simpleness of Meilin's joke having gone straight past Suzu's recognition of such normal human interactions.

Meilin was a bit confused it a dawned a second later that Rabbit took it too literal. Hearing what Rabbit said chilled Meilin's very core. She didn't take pleasure of killing. It was just something that had to be done to defend your loved ones and your country but to kill those who didn't deserve death was something else.
"No, no," Meilin said with still holding on to a polite tone, "It was a mere joke. I prefer to not everybody dead at the end of the day. Certainly not if they can help us to get to the Zealots. Those, are a completely different story."
Was this woman for real? Killing foes in a battle was something else than murder, causing Meilin to grow a bit disturbed. Deciding to not pay too much thought into it, eyeing the home. "Okay, so no need for violence unless it is clear that they are in league with the zealots." Thinking about it, Meilin sighed softly, "At least, once we have the information that we will need."

Suzu stood for a moment as she listened to Meilin's comment, "I didn't think I had misinterpreted that..." she said slowly as Meilin spoke. She stepped gingerly around a lounging cat in front of the house before stopping and turning to Meilin. "This is all you again, figure out what this person knows. If you can't then I can get it out of her in far easier ways than torture. Although I'm not against it, if they are planning to attend such events we may as well consider them to be a traitors to the Empire and zealots at that." she said as she gave Meilin a pat on the shoulder, "Now get up there Meilin, show me how you question people without a knife buried in their flesh." the last part was unusually chipper as Suzu pulled a lollipop from her pocket and leaned against the railing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Curiosity doesn't make treason, I believe," Meilin replied back towards Rabbit, "Though if you ask Team 7, I am probably close to what one could consider an ex-missing-nin by now."
Walking up to the door Meilin would knock on the wooden frame several times before stopping. She waited for a bit as the door would be opened by an elderly lady. Meilin was estimating her to be around forty to fifty years old. The strong scent of too many felines in a small home penetrated Meilin's nostrils and it took quite a bit of self-restraint from the young woman to not make it clear that she wanted to get away from the scent.

"Good day, can I help you?"
The woman flashed a friendly smile but threw a wary look at Meilin and the other woman, at the bottom of the stairs.
"Hello, yes," Meilin said in a most friendly manner, flashing a smile back to the woman, "My name is Cindi. I live since recently up ahead," Meilin made a vague gesture from the direction she and Rabbit had come from.
"I was wandering a bit around and wondered if you wouldn't mind to help me a bit on the way with everything. It is only since recently, you see, that I moved in the city and I am really overwhelmed," spotting a cat, Meilin's eyes widened as she seemed excited. Though it was all a facade, in hope to cause a halo effect with the woman, so that she would be more eager to cooperate.

Yumi nodded along slowly as Meilin talked, as if to separate every syllable while she spoke. She leaned slightly out of her doorway to peer up the street in the direction that Meilin pointed when she said that she had recently moved in and couldn't help but contain her glee when she noticed that the girl in front of her seemed to be a cat enthusiast as well. Slowly Yumi bent over and hefted the orange cat into the air, two hands around its belly. "Well dear, this here is Umi, she's coming on twelve years old. I'm sure she's almosta s old as you, but not quite as beautiful no no." Yumi said as she nodded at Meilin.

"But if there is one thing that Umi loves it's helping others, and I can't quite resist helping others when she's around no." Yumi stated as a few more cats began to trickle oout of the shadows behind her, drawn to the smells and light of the outside world. "Now what can an old lady such as myself do for you Cindi? I've been here all my life so I can help with just about any request you bet!" she stated, her demeanor almost too good to be true.

"Oh, by the claws of the Other, how about not to compare me to a damn cat?"
Forcing herself to reflect a warm smile Meilin made some soft sounds as she shook her own nose towards the feline.
"She is cute! I wish that I could afford a cat! Perhaps... later," Meilin thinking out loud as she would then listen to the reply of the woman.
"Really? Great!" Meilin noticed more cats prowling out of the shadows.
"... You got to be kidding me. How many of those cats does she have? Is this even possible? Oh, damn, is one of them dead? God damn..."
Restraining herself to reflect her current state with the scent torture, Meilin would reply back.
"Thanks! I was wondering about some points of interests! I already have signed myself up for a few jobs, nothing too great to talk about, hahaha but anything that is good to know for a newcomer here?"

Yumi closed her eyes, thinking for a few moments on the girls words. She opened her eyes and peered to the woman in the background, she smiled at the woman who seemed to be staring off down the road. "Well well young one there are plenty of places to know about here! Just down the road is Old Man Hachikuri's Ramen shop, best in the Southeast District mhmm. Although I don't get out there very often no..." she paused as she stared down the stares, "These legs don't work the best no more." she said as she patted her right leg.

"And Old Man Hachikuri doesn't take kindly to my babies." she said as she brought another one of the cats into her arms and a third wriggled it's way between her legs. "But you do... Need to watch out for one building, down the road. It's not a place for two beautiful young ladies such as yourself to be walking around by oh no you two need to stay away from there. Bad people over there." she said as she shook her head.

"Sorry to hear that," Meilin replied, upon hearing what the old lady said about her legs.
Listening further to what the woman said. A worried expression took place on Meilin's features as she took a look in the direction of that the woman had pointed at. Meilin had to resist to say something, so she would just continue with the small game she was playing with the lady.
"I will remember that. I already heard some talking about people inviting others for some 'festival' but that it seemed really... obscure," Meilin said, lowering her voice and making it clear she was a bit uncertain if they could talk out loud about it. As if they were about to gossip about the man's next door potentially having an affair with the wife of Hachikuri.

Yumi's eyes widened as the girl seemed to have already been informed of the building she spoke of, and then she dropped one of her cats when she was told that the young girl had even heard of the festival that would be taking place soon. She pet the other cat she was still holding onto nervously before leaning in toward Meilin, "Oh you mustn't go to that. It stinks of ill tidings. I tell you, two men in black hoods came to me late one night. Talking about a festival and how we would find the 'Through Path', whatever that means. Maybe it's a path through the woods somewhere that leads to a nice onsen that let's in precious kitties," the cat still in her hands purred and rolled itself around, "At least that's what I keep telling my babies mmmmm".

"They said that they couldn't tell me everything but that I could learn more in two days time, even invited my cats. But I'm not too sure how much my precious children would enjoy 'The Case is Altered' too much. Not their kind of pub no no. They need something above ground and far better lit. Isn't that right?" she said as she rubbed the cat in her hand, soliciting purs of delight form the cat.

"Oooh, I have to go, old woman. If you only knew how much I want to go..."
Meilin took in all the information that the woman told her. Feigning that she felt a slight bit frightened by the information, Meilin was certain that she had hit the jackpot.
"Sounds a bit ominous. Men in black hoods. Yeah," she showed that she wasn't clearly a fan of such things, "I am not going there. Yikes, that really gives me the creeps."
She wondered, though, if Rabbit had heard everything. Taking a step back, Meilin felt a cold breeze passing by. Throwing a worried look at the cats, she would speak up again.
"It is getting cold. But thanks, miss! I would love to come by soon for a cup of tea but I suppose I should see if I can get some news on if I am able to work soon in one of the places I applied for a job!"

Yumi frowned at the young girl as she seemed to already be trying to leave, "Are you sure Cindi, you and your sister there are more than welcome to come in," she gestured into her dimly lit house, the heavy smell of cats and litter boxes emminating from the doorway, "I could fix some tea! Oh my babies would just love some visitors!" she said as Cindi stated she had to leave and made her way back down the stairs. She looked around to her cats and back to the two women now both at the bottom of the stairs, "Well don't hesitate to come back! My kids love visitors!" she said as the two began to walk off.

"Come in? Dear ancestors, sounds a horrible way to enter the afterlife. Death by too much of that vile air."
Flashing a most friendly smile Meilin would shake her head slightly before she replied back as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Thanks! Till next time!"
Walking away at the side of Rabbit, Meilin didn't know how much she could cherish some fresh air. There was still this lingering of that foul stench but she hoped that it would soon start to fade away.
"Seems we need to get to that building that will likely be holding the party. Though," Meilin shot a sideways look at Rabbit, "I assume that we should think of a plan to get in. If we bring in weapons and get spotted, we will be likely having a fight on our hands or a chase when they decide to bolt. And if we don't then I am not sure about you, but I would love the comfort of being armed when going to an event hosted by those bastards."

Suzu walked with Meilin, nodding slowly along as the young chuunin spoke, "Would seem we should, although we have some time until we need to be there,"she nodded back in the direction of the old woman with all the cats, "Two whole days to be exact. With that sort of time we can do quite a lot, I figure I can scout it out tomorrow briefly and then we can both watch it all the next day until the meeting." she said as they walked down the still busy street of the Southeast district.

"Which leaves us a few hours of day light today. Whatever you would like to do with that time I leave it to your suggestion." she said the the girl as they went along.

Meilin grew a bit wary and confused. Was Rabbit genuinely offering to spend time with her? Throwing a glance at the woman Meilin wasn't certain what to answer for a moment, an awkward silence following.
"No clue. I suppose I should soon return to my training and hobby."
It came out hesitant as if the Cho wasn't certain that was the right answer to a quiz.
"I am all up to investigate more, though. I doubt anyway that I will have a required meeting other than this assignment, anyways. Unless you want to join?"

Suzu walked as Meilin responded, she idly pulled a lollipop from her pocket and undid the wrapper. She tossed it in her mouth and savored the flavor for a moment before raising an eyebrow at the young chuunin, "I did offer to help with what I could, if it's what you would like the offer still stands." she shrugged her shoulders and continued walking, "I'll teach you what I can and am allowed to just willing give out. Anything more requires a bit more trust and rank on your end." she stated as they continued on.

The help of a Sworn Sword. It was both an exciting thought as kind of disheartening. Though Meilin was confident that she was making progress of becoming a better combatant, there was little that she could compare herself to the likes of Rabbit at the current moment. Then again, who else could she turn to other than Jin and the Cho Guard? It could be perhaps a nice learning experience.
"Okay. I suppose it is a wasted chance to not accept your help. I would like your help." Was Meilin's answer.
"And let us hope that I won't regret it when I am all bruised," The teen thought to herself as she flashed a small smile.

Suzu smiled at the girl to try and ease her apprehension before pulling the lollipop from her mouth, "Don't worry Meilin, I don't intend to leave you so beaten you're of no use to me in the coming days." she stopped at an intersection in the street and looked in the direction of the royal palace, "We part here for now, go and grab your gear and meet me at the training fields in twenty minutes. I look forward to seeing what more you can do." she stated before making her way toward the palace.

Yeah, she could say that but Meilin wasn't sure if she could trust those words completely. Nodding slowly as Rabbit gave the instructions, Meilin would part ways. Hopefully, this would go better than she could imagine.
In time, Meilin would be present at the training fields. She had most of her gear with her but doubted she would be in need of her bombs. This was going to be a training, after all. A spar wasn't training. At least, that was what she thought to herself. Without being certain if Rabbit thought the same way, Meilin couldn't feel entirely comfortable.
Rubbing her neck with her left hand she would throw a glance around as she wondered for a moment what kind of training she would either get or should ask for, in case that Rabbit would be open to suggestions.

Suzu had Ame strapped to her side and Kaze sheathed in her left hand as well as her pouch of ninja tools around her waist. She entered the training field with a few minutes to spare on the deadline she ahd set and quickly spotted Meilin at one of the fields ahead. "Meilin," she said as she walked up to the chuunin, "I'll leave what you'd like to learn up to you." she said before pausing for a moment, "I'm a Sworn Sword, so the fact that I'm proficient in kenjutsu would be a simple fact, but on top of that I have genjutsu as my best field although that can be a bit harder to train than swinging a sword. In the end I leave the choice to you as to what you want to learn, if you have something in mind put it out for me and if I know it I can try and teach you." she said smiling at Meilin.

That was a starting relief, Meilin thought with releasing a mental sigh. When Rabbit brought up her skills, Meilin considered her options. Jin had tried to teach her that simple Willow genjutsu but she wasn't that remotely interested in genjutsu. Kensjutsu, however, sounded not too bad.
"How about kenjutsu then? I know some basics but I have heard of chakra flow techniques. If you would happen to know something about that, I would like to learn the basics from you."
There was still a cautious undertone present to Meilin's voice, wary to not ask too much.
"Else I would like to know how you moved so fast when we were dealing with... our previous friend, in that particular establishment."

'Chakra flow... Hopefully it will be simple enough.' Suzu thought as she listened to Meilin's request. She let out a small laugh as Meilin brought up what had happened earlier in the week with their good friend, "That would be very doable. For chakra flow we'll start with through a weapon, and in fact chakra flow has a lot to do with how I moved so quickly with our... friend to be more precise it's the same fundamentals for both techniques." she stated before she pulled Kaze from it's sheath. The nearly one meter long blade seeming to rest easily in her hand with it's tip just barely above the dirt. She stood for a moment before placing her second hand on the handle of Kaze and focusing, moving her chakra from her body and into the extension that was her weapon.

The immediate air around Kaze began to hum in excitement as the chakra being poured into the blade began to take a physically visible form. The blue hue of the chakra creating what appeared almost as shaped a single shaped flame around the weapon that extended it's length by a handful of centimeters.

Suzu moved the weapon from side to side, the hum of the chakra increasing as she moved it before dying back down when she stopped, "It's all in focusing your chakra, much like using it to climb vertical surfaces or stand atop water, you must focus your chakra first through your arms and into your hands. From there it must be forced through the extension of your body that is your weapon..." she stopped as she pondered a good way to go about teaching this practically, "If anything we can start with simply concentrating chakra in your arms and hands, then move to putting it through your weapon." she said with a nod before the chakra around Kaze extinguished and she placed the nodachi back in it's sheath and leaned it against a training post.

That was handy, Meilin thought as Rabbit explained that the same fundament applied to same techniques. When Rabbit drew the long blade Meilin wanted to softly whistle. Spotting the visible chakra, hearing it even hum as if it was anxious to be used to cleave or smite something or someone, Meilin's doubts started to resurface in her mind. Taking a subtle step backwards Meilin would try to observe and understand how the woman did that. She was aware that the concentration of chakra was most likely quite intense to be both visible and this intimidating.

Nodding slowly as Rabbit gave the instruction, Meilin would draw her short blade. Repeating the instruction in her mind as she grabbed the handle of the blade with both hands. Moulding chakra was easy. She knew how to do that. Starting to do so, she tried to direct it towards her hands without the use of any hand signs. Narrowing her eyes, Meilin didn't spot any visible shift around the weapon's blade or even her own hands. Slightly frustrated and embarrassed she kept trying to literally start shoving chakra towards her hands. There was a tingling experience present but nothing more.
Lowering the blade as she released a heavy sigh Meilin frowned.
"Got another tip for me, perhaps?" She asked, flashing an apologising smile towards Rabbit, trying to ignore the feeling of bitter embarrassment.

Suzu watched as Meilin began to attempt to mold her chakra around her blade, raising an eyebrow as the girl began to literally move her arms as if to force her chakra into the weapon. Suzu leaned a bit forward and focused, she could sense that Meilin was in fact moving much more chakra into her arms than normal but she wasn't too sure what the issue was that was stopping Meilin from being successful. For a moment she thought, wondering what she would have to do to help the young girl, 'It was illogical of me to offer assistance...' she thought before pointing to Meilin's weapon, "Ditch the sword, try it first with just you hands. See if you can't get even a small flash of visible chakra on them, perhaps it's too hard to move the chakra into an object that isn't part of you as it stands." she walked around the girl for a moment, "It's not exactly a technique you'll get first try, rarely any techniques are." she said trying to instill some confidence into her.

Sheathing her weapon Meilin would nod. There was little confidence that she would get any of this, at all. But there wasn't a way back now without appearing as a whiny and annoying for just not being able to gain some success.
"I understand," Meilin replied back.
Starting to repeat the process Meilin would hold her right wrist with her left hand, trying to focus solely on moving and moulding chakra to her finger tips in order. It wasn't a problem to mould and chakra to her hands but she wasn't sure how to make it visible. Tapping into her emotions was out of the picture. She didn't want to cause any incidents. She didn't desire to appear as a failure. Narrowing her eyes she tried to push herself to gain success. To just create a small bit of chakra at the tips of her fingers. But to no avail.
Stopping for a moment, Meilin would flex her fingers and roll with her right shoulder. Trying it once more Meilin wouldn't allow herself to be distracted with the troubles and emotions. Just focusing solely on mastering the concept of Chakra Flow. Slowly but surely a soft blue hue would start to form at her right index finger. Excited as she was, Meilin wasn't able to increase its size. Trying to slowly push more chakra while stretching the chakra, she didn't manage to do more than to cause the soft tiny spot of chakra to grow for a moment.

Nodding approvingly, Suzu spoke as Meilin was able to grow even the tiniest amount of chakra at her finger tip, "Good good, now just try and grow it. Make it larger by putting more chakra into it while you visualize what you want to do. Imagine the chakra flowing around your fingers and your palm, picture it in your mind. It's harder to get the chakra to be visible around you, but with persistence you can do it." she said before she would once again form chakra around just her right hand. She brought it up to Meilin's before laying it on top of her hand and forcing her own chakra to mix with the Chuunin's and enveloping Meilin's right hand with her own chakra, "Try and force the chakra to stay on your hand once I remove mine, for as long as you can. Perhaps it will give you a better idea of what you need to do to keep the chakra where you've gotten it." she said before removing her hand from atop Meilin's.

Visualise what she wants it to do? Meilin would try to form a coat as she had seen around the weapon of Rabbit. Slowly but surely she managed to stretch the soft blue hue around her finger as small speckles started to appear around her hand. It was straining and felt alien. The progress went much easier and faster with the aid of Rabbit, causing Meilin to ease up a bit.
"Okay, yeah!"
The two words came not out in the way how Meilin wanted them, polite and respectful, but full of energy and excitement. Seeing that the chakra coated her hand with a brighter blue hue coat, Meilin wanted to turn and observe it from various angles. Instead, she focused on keeping the chakra in place. It wouldn't fall apart but it wasn't certainly something she was used to. Now and then a small distortion would appear, taking a second before Meilin could fix it with her own chakra.
After a good five minutes, she would release the chakra coat, appearing to be a bit winded from straining herself to keep the coating up. Flexing the fingers of her right hand, there was a subtle sensation lingering of how the chakra coating had felt.

Suzu simply stood silently as Meilin seemed to pour her entire focus into keeping the chakra that she had given her around her hand. She gave the chuunin a smile, "Good Meilin, Good." she nodded to her, "Getting down how to maintain your chakra may be the key to having it grow to such an amount in the first place. If you can work on slowly growing the earlier chakra from around your finger tip and maintaining it in the process, much how you supplemented your own chakra for mine when it started to falter, you will find that you'll be able to cover your hand at some point." she looked slightly confused as she tried to figure out just what she was getting at, after all teaching was a foreign subject to her, "Although getting it to mold around your weapons... Well that will be a whole magnitude harder than this." she shrugged, "I imagine once you figure out how to get it to stay on both hands, you can attempt to grow the molded chakra onto your weapons."

"Starting small is always good." she said before looking up at the quickly darkening sky. She frowned before looking back to Meilin, "I apologize for having to cut this short, but I still must prepare for the meeting. Give me the weapon you would be most comfortable fighting in an enclosed space with." she said as she held out an open hand to Meilin.

The words of Rabbit did bolster Meilin's confidence. She didn't feel she did a good or great job with grasping the chakra flow. It seemed far from the stable form that Rabbit had shown. Taking the words of Rabbit as mental notes, Meilin would nod to signal that she understood what the woman told her.
The request of Rabbit was met with some hesitation from Meilin. She first figured that it would be her longsword but if anything, she was more comfortable at the moment with her short blade. Unseathing the weapon once more, Meilin would gracefully flip the weapon to present the handle towards Rabbit.
"Here you go."

Suzu took the weapon carefully from Meilin, "You'll get it back, I promise." she reassured Meilin, "I'll meet you infront of the pub in two days time, show up with only a few minutes to spare to the meeting. I'll let you in on what's going to happen then." she said before gathering her weapons and making ehr way from the training field.

Even though Meilin knew she couldn't do anything against Rabbit. Hell, the woman could likely take anything from her with force if Meilin wouldn't comply. But her hazelnut brown eyes lingered on the weapon, she had with her ever since she had been graduated as becoming a novice in the Cho Guard, there was a rise of concern within Meilin.
"Okay. Thanks for the training Rabbit-san, I appreciate it."
Placing her right fist in the open palm of her left hand, Meilin would bow slightly towards Rabbit, who took her leave. Watching the woman leaving, Meilin clenched her right hand into a fist. There was work to be done.
[/spoili]
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[fieldbox="The Hardy Girls Part III, Orange"]Yamada Suzu "Rabbit" & Meilin Cho | Akinian Empire, Southeast District of Konohagakure
Part I
Part II

A collaboration between @Oetje and @FrostedCaramel

Meilin and Suzu arrive at the destination that had been set as the location of the mysterious "Festival" being held by the Zealots. Inside they come face to face with the sort of people that the Empire is dealing with, and the sort of lengths these people are willing to go to in order to remain both hidden and growing in power at the same time.

Another fair warning, there's quite a bit of graphic content contained within once the fighting begins.
[spoili]
Suzu leaned against the wall of the pub, "The Case is Altered", the rain falling upon the streets of the Southeaster District was blcoked by the outcropping of the roof above her, but even so she had the hood on her black raincoat up over her head. She was watching as people began to slowly trickle into the pub, many alone, some with a friend or two, but all with the looks on their faces that they weren't entirely sure what they were getting themselves into. She kept watching, looking out for her Guardian assistant meilin to arrive while a few more people seemed to straggle into the pub.

"You coming in Miss? The men are about to begin their talk in a few minutes..." came the voice of a young barhand that was peeking his haed out of the door at the bottome of the stares that led into the basement venue that was the pub itself.

"In a moment, I'm waiting for a friend," she said with a smile, "We'll be quiet when we come in. Promise."

"Alright Miss, a few minutes is all you've got." the boy said before disappearing back behind the sturdy oaken door. Suzu watched to make sure he wasn't coming back out before rubbing the piece of paper that had been stuck to the underside of her left forearm that contained a single sealed kunai.

Heading towards the meeting place, Meilin had crossed the rooftops to be faster. Or, at least, she assumed it was faster and gathering less attention. The rain was less desired but wouldn't provide much of a hindrance to arriving near the destination. Lowering herself to the street level, Meilin would walk in a decent pace towards the meeting spot. Biting her lower lip Meilin felt her heart skipping some beats.
Spotting what she assumed to be Rabbit, Meilin lowered her pace for a moment. Squinting her eyes she thought that it had to be Rabbit. Approaching the hooded woman, Meilin hoped that it wasn't a mistake. Something, a feeling in her gut, reminded her that this night should be without any mistakes if she wanted to be of any aid.
"I hope I am not too late," Meilin greeted with a polite tone, realising that saluting or reacting in any fashion that could remind anybody of the military would be a bad move.

Suzu turend to the voice of Meilin as the girl approached her, waving away her worry Suzu spoke to her, "No no not at all, right on time actually. It seems most everyone is here, now let me see the new tattoo you got on your forearm before we head inside! I just can't contain my excitement for it!" she said energetically as she reached out her hand for Meilin to put her forearm in her palm.

For once Meilin wasn't certain if she should be on time. Yet there was little that she could change about it now. Rabbit's words caused Meilin to frown and do anything but move closer to the woman. Her curiosity was piqued but without a real explanation, she wasn't certain what Rabbit was planning. After a second of consideration, Meilin would reach out to the hand of Rabbit with her left hand, pulling back some of the sleeves of her jacket to reveal her forearm.
"Sure, though I hope that it won't disappoint you." Meilin reacted, sounding a bit confused as wary.

"Oh it's beautiful!" Suzu exclaimed as her left hand reached into her pocket and grabbed the tag that had been made for Meilin, it's sealed contents being the dagger that Meilin had given her at the training grounds a few days earlier as well as a single kunai. She slapped it onto the Chuunins wrist and rubbed it down, the water on her hands causing the tag to stick to Meilin's skin. Suzu leaned in close and pulled Meilin around her arm, spinning her around in the direction that led to the beginning of the stairs to the pub, She snuggled up to her and talked low the whole time with a smile on her face, "That tag has in it a kunai and your weapon, activate it like an explosive tag with chakra and your weapons will be unsealed. Do amke sure you move your sleeves out of the way first though. You'll have a brief second to grab them both from the air before they clatter to the ground so be quick." they were almost down the stairs now, "We watch and make a move if we must, otherwise we pounce once it's over and there aren't any civilians around."

Her smile disappeared as they reached the door and she stopped dead in her tracks, "We must try to take atleast one alive Meilin, as mucha s you may hate them, we need the informa--"

The door swung back into the pub and the same boy from earlier smiled on at the two, seeming to stare at Meilin for more than a few seconds before turning red and stammering out his greeting, "Please come in! They're about to begin!" he said, gesturing them on.

Suzu still clutching to Meilin's arm pulled her along and to a set of benches near the back where they found their seats.

Meilin wanted to whisper the question what Rabbit was planning but saw the tag. Wanting to react, she couldn't as Rabbit literally rubbed the tag against her forearm. Uncertain what was going on Meilin throw a wary look at the tag that Rabbit was imprinting on her skin. It felt anything but pleasant but didn't hurt either. Confused Meilin heard what the tag was for, causing her to ease a bit.
"I was already worried you were going to brand a marking or something. Phew," Meilin reacted in a soft voice.
Understanding the instructions, Meilin wondered how difficult it would be. She felt anxious, even though she kept telling herself that she was with a Sworn Sword. If anything, those zealots should be the ones to be scared!
The door that swung open caused Meilin to panic slightly, her right hand covering her left wrist. Flashing a smile, though likely appearing somewhat nervous, Meilin felt how Suzu pulled her along.
Now there was no way back, the Cho thought to herself.

Sitting in the pub, Suzu was surprised at just how many people had turned out for the apparent meeting. They were mostly on the younger side, the kind of people that would be easily influenced to come out to such a shady event but that wasn't to say there weren't older folk around either, in a corner of the room there was even a mother talking to her husband in hushed whispers as her kids clung close around her leg. She sat patiently, not speaking to Meilin as she took in the surroundings some more. There was a long bar to the left of the establishment that stretched for three fourths of the room starting at the far side away from the door. Directly to it's right where it began there was a small area that seemed to have been cleared as if to allow people to speak to those present.

'I wonder when we'll see our gracious hosts....' she thought as she heard the door behind them shutting quietly. She didn't pay much mind until she heard the quiet thud of what was likely something to block exit from the establishment behind them. She raised an eyebrow to Meilin, "Don't be alarmed, but we're locked in." she said calmly before noticing a man in a white cloak appear from behind a group of people, 'And there they are, there must be a door back there...' she thought as the man approached the open area ahead of people.

Meilin wondered what had caused most of these people to come here. She had expected half of the amount that was present. Though knowing the plan, Meilin worried that those people that weren't their targets could provide a serious hindrance to their objectives. The sight of kids caused Meilin's stomach to turn by a slight margin.

Sitting next to Rabbit, Meilin would try to not appear too nervous. Which didn't work as her gaze went from one place to another, trying to gauge what was going to happen.
"Yeah, but I don't think that gives reason to become calm," Meilin responded softly in return to Rabbit. Spotting the people that Rabbit meant, Meilin hadn't expected them to wear such garbs. They almost seemed as just any religious priests, such as those men from the Way of Fire. Knowing that they were zealots, or in any case aligned with them, caused Meilin to grow angry by their sight. Remaining still and silent on her spot, Meilin would wait for Rabbit's further instructions.

Suzu continued to watcht he man in white, slightly surprised when he was joined by two more in white flanking him on either side as he stood in front of those gathered. She watched as the rest of the group seemed to notice that something was going on before they all became silent as if someone had given them an order all at once. Suzu watched silently as the man in white, the one that seemed to be the speaker or leader of the event seemed to just look out over the group as if he was judging each and every person as he looked them by. Not unexpectedly he locked his gaze on Suzu as he had done all the people before her, the man seemed to stare into her eyes as if he was trying to find malintent or some sort of something that would give away who she really was, but just as everyone before her he moved on to the next person. "Be calm...." she said softly to Meilin as the mans gaze reached the Chuunin.

Meilin remained silent. She saw the man staring and wanted to stop restraining herself. These men were either responsible or allied with those who committed the crimes in Keishi. The enemy. The targets of her revenge. Anger was boiling in Meilin, an angry and vicious beast that wanted to break free. And to make it worse, Meilin wanted to unleash it. The idea of that innocents could get hurt was forgotten for a moment as Meilin imagined that they would be able to use the element of surprise to take two or three down before the zealots would be able to recuperate from the surprise.
Instead, she would sit and hold a calm expression. Locking her eyes with the man, Meilin tried to keep her anger in check with the ideas of what she would do if she could get her hands on them.

The people present were whispering to one another, about the strange men that had taken up a position in front of the group clad in white. Of what the men were going to tell them, of just what it was they had gotten themselves into until the man in the middle unexpectedly clapped once bringing all of the small conversations to a complete stop.

"Brothers and Sisters of the Leaf!" the man started, his hands spread out wide as if to signify that he meant no harm to all those present, "I am so glad that you chose to come and hear what we have to spread to all of you!" he exclaimed, the room still completely silent. "I am known as 'The Guide' to those who know me! To you all, I implore you to acknowledge me as such, for I am the one who will lead you all to true salvation!" the "Guide" called out to the room.

He paused as he looked to his two accomplices, who seemed to nod and raise their rights hands, palm up, in unison. "You all have been deceived!" the Guide called out, "Your Way of Fire," the two men standing to either side of the Guide suddenly conjrued a flame in their open palms, "Is false! The Gods you follow do not bring you true prosperity!" he called out. Around Suzu a few of the people present began to whisper once more, their voices unsure and their words too faint to make out.

"I ask those present for silence!" the Guide yelled to the small audience, at the same time the fires in the two zealots hands went out as if to add emphasis to the Guide's power or control over the event. "Please! I did not come here to create an uproar and scare you all away from the True Path! But instead I have come to show you the errors of your ways!"

The Guide pointed to a man in the front row beckoning him to stand up, "You sir, have your gods of the Way of Fire ever truly done anything for you?!" he questioned, the man seemed to look around confused before he quietly answered the Guides question.

"The Gods gave me my beautiful children..." he stammered out to the Guide.

As if he were a lion pouncing on its prey the Guide instantly retorted the man's reply, "Merely nature at work! Children are no gift from your God! They are merely a fact of life!" he called out smiling as if victorious.

"You're wrong!"
"Children are always a gift from the Gods!"
"You don't know what you're talking about!"

The Guide raised a hand up, patting the air in front of him, "Everyone please! There is no need for anger! Simply allow yourselves to see what I am showing you tonight and you will understand. You will understand the True Path, the only way to salvation." the Guide said as he tried to lessen the tension in the room, which seemed to work as the few angry onlookers earlier no longer called out to him. "Please! Hear me! Your old ways are false! When have any of you actually enjoyed a blessing from one of your many Gods?! With so many it would be only a matter of time until someone could claim such an act had taken place?" the Guide asked, pausing at the end knowing full in well he wouldn't get a response. "Exactly! No one ever has, any good in your lives has come of your doing, or by nature! But that can be changed! Follow me, your Guide down the One True Path, and you shall know the blessings of a God so powerful... So supreme.... So benevolent and gentle.... You will return to the Empire after your journey a changed person!"

He raised his arms up, the two at his side doing the same, "You will return a true believer! Having witnessed miracles carried out by none other than the only true God to grace the world with their presence!" the two men beside the Guide began to chant rhytmically, quiet at first as if to give the Guide enough room to continue his prosthetizing, "You will return so changed in fact! That you too could be a Guide one day like myself! Leading the less fortunate and the disenfranchised down the path to salvation!" the men at his side became louder now and a small commotion could be heard past the group that Suzu had noticed the Guide appear from behind, although what exactly was going on Suzu wasn't sure.

[color=#41a62a"Please my Brothers and Sisters! Are there any who wish to know more among you! Or do you all wish to remain ignorant and blind to the True Path! To true slavation!?"[/color] the guide called out as the commotion began to grow and the two men at his sides were now beginning to drown out the Guide with their rhythmic chanting.

The anger of Meilin was rising and growing. It started out as what one could imagine as a restless lioness, wanting to rip her prey apart but not being able. Slowly but surely the intensity of Meilin's anger was growing. The anger of the Cho was comparable to an old and fully matured dire wolf, crazed by starvation and wanting to rip its prey to shreds. Gritting her teeth Meilin almost went through the sensation she had to remember herself to breath as her boiling anger was about to consume her entire focus.

Form the area of the sounds, the group of people began to yell and shout, as they moved quickly away from the door that the Guide had entered from leaving where they stood what looked to be twenty more followers in white cloaks that joined in on the chant of the two men at the front. They pushed their way through a set of double doors, carrying something that Suzu couldn't quite make out between the large group of them. But it was long enough for almost ten people to need to hold it on either side, and heavy enough by the way that the Zealots seemed to be carefully hefting it around.

"What the fuck is that?!"
"Is that a goddamned monster!"
"You can't be serious why is that in here!?"

The screams and yells of anger from those closer to the front started to set Suzu on the edge of her seat as she tried to see past the group of Zealots at what they were carrying.

"For those of you that still don't believe that your Gods are nothing more than false hope, I must have you watch my God perform a miracle in front of your very eyes!" as he said it the Zealots parted around what they were carrying, leaving in their wake something that Suzu had actually seen once before.

The beast lay on the board it had been carried on, strapped down as it began to snarl and growl at the people closest to it who were beginning to step back over their benches to get away from the creature. "This beast was found in your very own woods! A true monster! But today," the Guide said as he gestured at the beast in front of him, "You will see that even such a vile creature can be given a chance at life as long as the one true God wills it!" with that half of the Zealots; including the guide; began their chant as they formed a half circle around the beast, leaving the front open for all to see the rest of the zealots moving back through the double doors.

When twenty more zealots entered Meilin managed to calm herself a bit down. Though she wanted to coat steel with the blood of those Zealots and make them suffer as much as she could, this was quite a lot of them. Slightly narrowing her eyes, Meilin was doubting between the desire for their deaths as the wisdom to engage so many enemies at once.
Spotting what they carried inside, Meilin's anger shrunk by a bit as the colour in her face started to pale a bit.
"That is the same as what I had seen in Keishi, with team 7." Meilin would whisper, trying to alert Rabbit. A man had turned into something like that.
"I bet he will change back," Meilin grumbled trying to figure out what they could do. But Rabbit hadn't given any signal or command, so Meilin would not take any move.

Suzu nodded to Meilin, "I've encountered them too." she said softly. It was just as Suzu had seen on the road to the River Province. It was similar to a wolf, but far taller, with fangs protruding from a face that seemed to be pressed too far into its own skull. The fur on it's body was long and dark, but there were patches that lacked hair entirely every so often, as if the beast was a dog with mange. It's eyes darted from Zealot to bystander and back again, as it snapped it's jaws at those closest and snarled at all present. It's hands were well tied down, likely to keep the massive and rather sharp looking claws it possessed from injuring any present, at least any of the Zealots that is.

The group of yelling onlookers reached the door, only to panic as they realized that it had been barred. Suzu watched as a large man beat on the solid door before trying to force it open, only to realize the futility of his actions. Back ahead of her the beast began screaming in pain, she moved her attention along it's body as the chant of the Zealots grew louder. The people closest stood in shock as the beasts fur began to slough off, taking large chunks of flesh with it as it did.

The beast screamed as it's claws began to shorten, the razor sharp nails chipping and falling off with small bits of red attached at the ends as they fell to the ground with an odd clattering noise. The beasts arms began to make horrific cracking noises as it's limbs began to contort in entirely unnatural ways, even for a true monster. The screams of pain did not cease from the monster in front of them as it's skeltal structure seemed to rearrange beneath it's own skin, the sharp edges of bones poking up from under the skin creating evident rises like small mountains on the beasts body as the jagged edges threatened to burst forth from within.

Suzu watched as more of the skin began to slough off its chest, beneath leaving the familiar tone of human skin, although a bit bloodied to be precise. The beasts' face made horrid snapping noises as it's pressed in face began to press in further, and it's skull slowly took on a rounder more human form. The eyes on the thing changed from their beastial look into a light brown, much like Meilin's who sat next to her.

The chant was rising as the beast continued to writhe in pain, it's height quickly shrinking and the restraints on it now far too large to actually hold the thing in place, instead just falling limply along it's body as it changed before their eyes. The men at the back of the tavern began to panic once more, throwing themselves against the door in an attempt to free themselves from the apparent hell they had willingly walked into just half an hour earlier.

"By the blood of the ravens," Meilin whispered, feeling disgusted by the morphing of the beast into a person. She had perhaps anticipated but not like this. Feeling her stomach starting to turn and becoming light in the head, Meilin wanted to look away and yet couldn't.

"Do you see Brothers and Sisters!" the Guide called out as he knelt down next to the human that lay in the beasts place. Carefully the guide slipped his hands under the man, lifting the naked man into the air gently before kissing the man on his forehead, "The only true God to grace the world with his presence has breathed human life into such a vile beast!" he called out as the blood left over on the human in his arms began to seep into his white cloak, slowly spreading from where the man touched it.

"Those who wish to see just how far the True Path leads, I ask you now to make your way through the double doors!" he exclaimed. The room fell mostly silent once more as some stood in awe of what they had just witnessed, others seemed to move closer to the exit, and slightly to Suzu's surprise a single onlooker actually walked directly through the double doors quickly followed by two Zealots in white.

"Please my friends of the Leaf! This is your last chance, I beg of you all to reconsider!" the Guide pleaded with all present, behind Suzu the small child in the family Suzu had noticed earlier cried. Ahead of her no one else went through the double doors.

The Guide sighed, an unhappy look growing across his face, "I am truly sorry that you could not find your way with me..." he said before moving through the double doors.

Suzu waited for the rest of the white cloaked Zealots to leave but stopped paying attention as she sensed the killing intent in the room rising exponentially. She began to stand before she noticed the half of the group of Zealots that had left after bringing in the Other entering the room from the double doors again, followed shortly behind by the loud crash of the doors being thrown off their hinges as a beast just like the one that they had just witnessed shift came crashing through it and pounced on the nearest person. The Other sank its jaws deep into the mans neck before tearing away the majority of the flesh and bone of his neck leaving the lifeless head connected to it's body with just a strand of muscle and sinew.

The wall next to the Other sufficiently repainted red, it raised its head and howled before a second Other made it's way through the now destroyed double doors. The Zealots in white pulled short bladed weapons from beneath their cloaks and the room descended into chaos as the bystanders seemed to process just what was going on.

The beasts let out gutteral howls once more as they pounced on the next closest targets and the Zealots began to hack into the closest members of the audience. Suzu ripped her sleeve up and pushed a tiny amount of chakra into the tag on her wrist, the kunai and a tanto sealed within bursting fourth.

"TAKE ONE ALIVE! THE PEOPLES LIVES ARE SECONDARY OVER THE ZEALOTS!" she yelled over the chaos to Meilin before dashing forward to meet one of the two Others.

Meilin just gazed as chaos erupted into the room as an Other came in, causing Meilin to tap into her anger once more. Rabbit's command was heard but it almost seemed faint as the adrenaline would mix together with the rage unleashed. Summoning a kunai and her short sword with the tag that Rabbit had given her before, Meilin would grasp the weapons out of the air. Turning to the zealots who were starting to hack into the group of people, Meilin would push a few people aside as the grip on her weapons became so tight that her knuckles would turn white.

The nearest zealot was armed with a mace, lifting the weapon up as he was about to bash the weapon into a woman who was desperately trying to get away. Her screams would go mixed with that of Meilin as the latter would move in quickly.
Plunging the kunai deep into the man's stomach Meilin wouldn't waver as she swung her short sword, an arc of steel flashing before it would sink into the man's arm. The expression on the zealot was pure confusion and surprise but much reprieve wasn't granted. Pushing the man back, Meilin would turn to the right and hack into the nearby man in white. Though they had perhaps the idea that the white could have been convincing, it was now literally marking them as targets for the Cho. Her sword found little trouble to tear through the fabric, flesh and blood. Pulling it out for another stab, she would be able to continue it for four more times before a nearby zealot would land a strong punch against the back of Meilin's head.
Stumbling forwards as she felt her head aching, Meilin turned around as the zealot would attempt to kick her. Stepping aside for the attack. With a quick movement, the Cho would stab with her kunai in the man's leg. Though gripping the handle of the kunai, Meilin felt how it slid between her fingers as the blood made it too slippery. Gripping her sword tighter Meilin would move forwards, stabbing the sword into the man's chest as she felt a warm sensation running down her right arm.

Suzu slid under the swing of the Other she was running at, sliding past it and into the legs of one of the white cloaked Zealots in her way. The Zealot crashed down ontop of her, slamming her head into the hard floor as he did. Slightly dazed from the hit Suzu flipped the kunai in her hand around and dug the weapon into the Zealots neck, his cry of pain being cut short as she tore the kunai out the back of his neck. Blood pouring over Suzu's face and chest she rolled the body off herself just in time to notice the large clawed foot of the Other she had originally passed bearing down on her head. With a roll she managed to dodge the attack as the Other's foot cracked the floor boards beneath it like tooth picks, spinning her body around Suzu would jump to her feet facing the beast.

Blood running down her face and body, Suzu was smiling wide as her heart picked up it's pace and her mind began to run blank. She charged the Other, running directly into the path of it's left arm as it swiped at her, she dropped the Kunai and raised her tanto up with both hands to support it, the blade facing parallel along her forearm and the edge facing out towards the Other's strike. The claw of the Other slammed into the blade of the tanto, literally shearing it's arm in half as the force of it's strike did all of the work for Suzu. The Other reeled back in pain as it flailed the two halves of its left forearm about in front of it. Capitalizing on her moment Suzu dashed forward, burying the tanto up through the bottom of the beasts skull and out through the top before quickly pulling it free with a solid thunk.

Suzu pulled back, clutching her right forearm which now had four new ghastly looking lacerations that dug deep into her muscle. She willed herself to keep moving as the room only continued to swirl deeper into chaos.

The steel edge would bite deep into the man's chest. Grunting Meilin would jerk out the weapon and with her free hand punch the dying zealot backwards. Panting lightly Meilin tried to get a sight of how the situation was going. Not that she was given much time as she noticed movement at her left. Dodging a slash, Meilin still felt a sharp sensation of pain flowing from her side. A zealot with a long knife lashed out again, causing Meilin to move backwards and out of the way. The man kept making rapid movements, the steel of the long knife flashing dangerously fast.
Just as the man moved forwards with a slashing movement from the right, Meilin would move forwards. Stopping the slash with her left arm, she tried to ignore the sharp pain while thrusting her own blade forwards. The tip of Meilin's short sword plunged with ease into the zealot's throat.
Crimson would pollute the clean white cloak of the zealot, as blood flow from the throat down, suffocating the man slowly.
Hearing a loud thud, Meilin threw a glance and caught sight of Rabbit taking down the monster.
"Great! Now they are without that damned beast!"

The Other, now lifeless fell to the ground with a thud so loud that many of the Zealots that were busy slaughtering the people around them turned to look her way. They rested their eyes on the blood covered woman as her twisted smile and white eyes surrounded by blood gazed back. There were a few shouts as the Zealots seemed to realize they weren't simply having an easy day of killing those in attendance and many began to charge the Sworn Sword, as they did seven of their companions in white would begin to contort and scream in pain. Their size growing by the second and their forms shifting from that of humans into the Others that Meilin and Suzu had grown familiar with.

Suzu simply smiled wider as she watched the Others transform before her. In a moment the Zealots who had charged were on her. She dodged a swipe of a short sword and countered with the tanto, opening up the Zealots stomach and spilling his innards over the floor as he felll to the ground clutching at his intestines in a feeble attempt to keep them in.

Suzu dodged another strike from a Zealot and took the time to survey the scene as she backed away from her attacker. Zealots were still mostly running wild as they slaughtered the people who had made the terrible decision of showing up, although she noticed a small ring of dead Zealots surrounding Meilin and the girl seeming to be in control of her situation. Her moment of observance over, she dodged another strike from the Zealot at her front. Suzu turned the tanto on the man, sliding it through the side of the mans neck and cutting the carotid artery below the thin layer of flesh and muscle.

A spray of blood came from the mans neck as she pulled her weapon away, making a fine mist of blood that Suzu ran through at the next closest Other and leaving the pungent taste of iron in her mouth.

Parrying a strike, Meilin would lash out. The zealot she was facing was more than capable to keep up with the Cho. It was clear, however, that he was expecting her attention to be with the people that were in danger, trying to be more aggressive. It would be his last mistake as Meilin would step to the side and in a fluid motion slid the zealot's throat with her weapon.
Breathing heavily Meilin grumbled the name of the Lord of Death as she tried to gauge the current situation once more before attempting to get stuck in there, robbing another Zealot of his life.

On the other side of the room, where Meilin was fighting, two Others would close in on the Chuunin from behind as she fought against the Zealots at her front. One of the Others leapt forward to take the girl down, only to pummel into one of the random people in attendance as he tried to run from the killing. It sank it's teeth into the mans chest, tearing open his ribcage and exposing his still beating heart and breathing lungs beneath, in a seeming fit of bloodlust it began to devour the man, forgetting about Meilin less than two meters in front of it. The second Other, however, was not so distracted. It dashed forward for the girl, covering the distance in a matter of seconds as it brought one of it's claws around to strike the girl.

Suzu on the otherside of the room was occupied with two more Others. She stood silently, simply smiling her twisted smile as the two beasts circled her, as if hesitant on whether or not they were willing to throw their lives away. At once the beasts dashed forward at her to overwhelm her at once. Suzu blinked from existence and the two Others crashed into each other with a loud yelp. Reappearing behind one of the Others, Suzu burried her tanto in its back and brought it down as far as she could before being thrown off of it by the second Other and sent careening across the room. As she flipped through the air Suzu came to an abrupt stop as the lower half of her ribcage connected with the side of the solid bar top with a sickening crack.

Dazed, Suzu would rise and take a step only to fall to a knee as pain shot up her left ribcage threatening to completely incapacitate her. She formed a Tiger seal, two shadow clones appearing in front of her, one just in time to grapple with one of the two others that she had just been fighting. Her clone brought it's hands up to grab the charging Others' claws only to have its own hands grabbed and it's arms torn from its body by the beast before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Her second clone was far more fortunate, managing to sprint through the chaos and grab the kunai Suzu had dropped earlier and use it to take on the further of the two Others Suzu was engaged with.

Meilin's head whipped around as she heard something behind her. An uncomfortable loud thud and screams of agony caused the chuunin to turn around and witness she was dealing with two Others. For a moment, Meilin couldn't do anything but just stare at them for a second. Only to then grow angry by their vile sight. Her lips pressed hard on each other she would flip the short sword into a reversed grip.
"Bring it! Lord Akumu owns your shitty soul!" She sneered at the second other that dashed towards her.
Readying herself, Meilin wanted to skid to the side to avoid being grappled or maimed by the powerful beast. As she attempted to move from harm's way, the beast would manage to halt and slam his right claw at Meilin's left.
Gasping for air as she felt an intense pain, Meilin would attempt to lash out with her sword. A soft grunt could be heard as the beast suffered a slash across its left shoulder.
The beast roared as Meilin would lash out again, this time bringing down the steel to bite across the beast's face as it attempted to dash forward. It would send the beast to stumble backwards, uttering a soft whining sound.

Yelling at the beast, Meilin would attempt to stab the beast in it's stomach. But before the beast could feel the sting of the steel blade, a claw grasped around Meilin's wrist. A deep growl resonated from the beast as it would twist Meilin's arm to turn the blade towards her own stomach. More out of panic and desperation than reflex, Meilin would attempt to grab the blade and jerking her own arm out of the beast's grip.
Though she was able to push the beast's grip a bit out, the other claw would grasp a hold and push hard as suddenly.

Seeing no escape through the use of her clones, Suzu pumped chakra into her left flank hoping to stabilize the bones in place before she rose to her feet and lifted her tanto ready to defend herself. The second Other seemed to look at her, sizing up that she was wounded it began to circle to her left to attack from the side that gave it the biggest advantage to win. It charged bringing a claw from her left to strike her down, Suzu jumped into the air above the beast, bringing the tanto down to cut a large incision in the Others arm as it went swiping past. She landed on her feet harder than normal, pain shooting up her side in an attempt to send her to her knees. Resisting the urge Suzu began to stand back up fully before she was kicked solidly in the chest sending her once again flying across the room and into the wall at the end of the bar.

On her ass and coughing up blood, Suzu smiled and began to laugh at the Other as it charged her. It smashed into the wall with so much force that it broke through to the room on the otherside, leaving a pile of broken brick and a cloud of dust in its wake. Suzu, now laying flat on the ground, looked back behind herself as she watched blood pour from the now cut open Other. As it had hit her she had raised the tanto up, allowing the Other to gut itself with its own charge while it pushed her through the wall.

Shakily getting to her feet Suzu checked behind herself, happy to find the Other twitching on the floor behind her as it quickly bled to death. She coughed up a small amount of blood before wiping it from her face and moving for the main room once more.

Meilin's eyes would widen as the steel she had trusted to defend her as take the life of her enemies would plunge into her own stomach. Stumbling a step backwards Meilin blinked as the world seemed to slow down. Speaking seemed impossible as some alien feeling surfaced. It was painful, unpleasant and yet comforting.
The fingers of her right hand grasped the handle of the blade still stuck in her stomach as her gaze became a bit blurry, yet she saw how the monstrous beast strode towards her, almost grinning in a sadistic fashion.
As Meilin bent a bit forward, trying to pull the weapon out of her, she felt how the claws of the beast grabbed her by the throat and right side of her head.

"Rip... you.... to half!" It snarled as Meilin could feel the pressure from him literally attempting to rip her head from her body. Screaming out of pain, Meilin would pull out the short blade. The pain that flowed from the action caused her action to be delayed as she wanted it to be over.
Raising the blade, the Cho would drive the tip of the sword into the left eye socket of the Other, before it was able to react. Feeling how the pressure of the claws on her head and throat became less, she barely registered how she would fall on the ground. Breathing heavily, Meilin tried to move but found herself unable. Licking her lips, there was an iron taste that bothered her. Was it her own blood?

The room was in as much chaos as it was earlier, except that now there were far more Others than there had originally been, Suzu laughed once more as she watched her shadow clone hacking at the neck of the Other it was fighting while the Other feebly tried to reach around its back to pull the clone off. Suzu set her sights on a pair of Zealots that were currently hacking away at a man and woman in the corner of the room.

She covered the distance in a short time, the pain in her side turning almost numb as the adrenaline of her fight was finally getting to her. She brought her tanto across one of the Zealots legs behind the knee sending the Zealot to his knees with a scream of pain before grabbing his head with both hands and snapping the mans neck with a solid crack. She dropped the lifeless Zealot from her hands in time to catch a hit from the handle of the weapon of the other Zealot across her face. Quickly she brought her head back to face him, the Zealots face growing an instinctual look of terror as he looked upon the Sworn Sword who brought her tanto up as it began to glow with the blue hue of chakra. She swept the tanto from one side of the mans stomach to the other hard enough to completely sever the connection of his vertebrae with the help of the chakra molded around it. He gurgled as he choked on his own spit for a moment before the two separate halves of his body slumped to the floor.

From behind her came another Other, noticing the blood lust quickly closing on her Suzu jumped to her right as the Other crashed into the people that had been in the corner she was standing in front of. She watched curiously as the arm of a small child flew from the corner and past her face spraying crimson as it went by. She looked back to the Other as it turned to her, the lifeless body of one of the small children from the family she had noticed earlier clutched in its left hand. It looked at the boy, realized it wasn't Suzu and nonchalantly tossed the corpse away. Suzu watched with an odd interest as it stepped over the bodies of the family and seemed to roll it's neck as it prepared to fight her.

"You..." it managed to say, its voice coarse and raspy, "Die! it yelled out as it dashed forward. Suzu was so focused on the fact that it was speaking that she let her guard down before it dashed for her, the Other struck Suzu in her left flank sending her spinning into a knocked over bench and to the floor. She gasped for air as the chakra she had been holding against her obviously broken ribcage collapsed, sending the sharp edges of her broken ribs into her left lung. Struggling for breath Suzu looked up at the face of the Other as it stood over her, its mouth agape and saliva pouring from its jaws.

Reaching with her right hand towards the short blade, covered in her own blood and that of the Other she had taken down, Meilin realised something. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to enter the afterlife. There was much that she had to do. Tears would roll over her bloodied cheeks as she noticed that the remaining of the two beasts had noticed her still moving.
"Dear ancestors, please," Meilin silently prayed as she grasped the handle of her sword. Trying to sit up right didn't seem to be an option as she felt an immense pain flowing through her body, originating from her stomach.

The Other growled as it approached Meilin at a slow pace. In the last act of defiance, Meilin would spit some blood towards the dreadful creature. Though with the distance, it wasn't nearly close enough to hit the beast.
"Fuck.... you."
Frozen for a moment, the Other would lunge forward in an attempt to get close and rip the Cho into pieces. Only for it to be shot down by a bolt of lightning, slamming the creature into a nearby wall as blood would paint it with crimson red.
Trying to understand who had done it Meilin's moved her gaze as she saw a how an ANBU had just touched down on the ground, lightning still dancing around the tips of his right gloved hand. Wanting to get up, Meilin felt that she was without energy to fight against the pain. Blinking slowly she tried to make out what was happening, spotting another masked individual that would approach one of the Others, some blue hue covering the tanto of the masked individual, about to bring it down with a vicious strike.

Suzu watched as the Other would bend down and lift her effortlessly from the floor. Her breathing ragged and her body refusing to move no matter how hard she tried Suzu watched as the Other seemed to size her up in his hands, as if deciding how such an enemy had managed so well, and a woman no less, Suzu smiled as she struggled to breath. The Other look at her, confusion evident on his face as to why she was showing such an odd emotion before her death. Suzu watched as her clone rose from the dead Other in the background of the chaos, it's kunai and front covered in the blood of the beast before dashing toward her.

The Other noticed too late as the kunai from Suzu's shadow clone dug into the side of it's skull, sinking deep as her clone pushed with all it's might. The beasts eyes rolled back in its head and the hands let go of Suzu who fell the few feets difference to the ground where she lay utterly exhausted. Her clone however would stand, the same malevolent look evident on her face only to be quite literally wiped away as a surviving Other took it's head off it's shoulders with a vicious swipe.

No later had her clone dissipated did the ANBU seem to burst into the tavern and bring the situation firmly into the favor of the Akinian Shinobi. Suzu watched as an ANBU appeared behind the Other, his tanto glowing blue and brought it down along the beasts back before slashing it once more horizontally. The Other squealed as it fell to it's knees and died in front of Suzu. Across the room she could hear the final moments of the fight as the ANBU cleaned up what was left of the Zealots and Others present.

Trying to keep herself laying on her side Meilin wanted to focus her chakra but the pain made it near impossible to deploy her medical ninjutsu on herself. Catching sight of movement near her, Meilin wanted to make an attempt with her short sword to defend herself. The masked individual had little trouble to block the attack and grasp the wrist of the Cho.
"It is okay." A masculine voice told her in a calm yet neutral tone.
Trying to calm herself down as the ANBU started to attend to her wounds, Meilin couldn't help but figure out if she should be disappointed that she hadn't been able to do more or if deem herself extremely lucky. Bleeding dry in some unknown establishment, looking a part of some slaughter didn't sound like a good death.

It seemed that the fight had lasted only a few minutes, althought Suzu couldn't quite tell with the way her head was spinning. She focused on the ceiling as her body began to feel as though it was on a ship in rough seas. Squinting as a shadow blocked her chosen spot on the ceiling Suzu would raise an arm up to try and move it out of the way only to have it grabbed instead. Suzu tried to sit up before being pushed down.

"Stay still Rabbit." came the voice of one of the ANBU as a green chakra began to form around the ANBU's hands which were quickly placed on Suzu's chest. She nodded as the pain from her ribs began to subside.

"Meilin? Did the Guardian survive?" Suzu asked, curious as to whether or not the young Chuunin was really worthy of being a member of such another elite unit.

The ANBU nodded, "She's alive, there's someone else tending to her. Honestly I'm not sure which of you took it worse on this one, although if I had to bet on it I'd choose you any day." the ANBU chatted as he worked on Suzu's wounds and took a look around the room.

Suzu raised an eyebrow as she turned her head to look around, the room was in tatters, and there were bodies of both humans and Others strewn just about everywhere, and she was laying in something warm and slightly sticky. Although she knew that last part was blood it didn't bother her at all. "What took you eight so long?" Suzu asked as her breath became easier to catch.

"We were snagging the leader out the back as he left with some random people from inside, we took him alive. But the others we didn't have the time to tie up and had to get rid of the burden once we were told of the fighting." the ANBU paused before continuing, "From there it was just a matter of leaving someone to watch the bastard and the rest of us came to help... Which from the looks of it was just in time, although you two really did a number without us." he stated as if it were a well known fact what the ANBU team had been up to instead of covering them as Suzu had intended for them to do in the first place.

"Good we got someone to question, am I good to move yet?" Suzu said as her head still swam and the pain in her chest and arm were still just as visceral as before.

"I think you're good, but the police force is on the way with a squad of medical nin, they're going to be taking you both to the hospital before any real damage is done." the ANBU said, implying that she had only a few minutes to do what she wanted to do.

Suzu nodded slowly rising to a sitting position, then transitioning to standing with the help of the ANBU. She picked her way over the bodies as she made her way to Meilin and knelt at her side. The ANBU working over the chuunins stomach gave Suzu a nod which she returned.

"Meilin, you did well surviving." she said as she turned back to the room, there was an ANBU in the corner with what seemed to be the only survivor of the random people in the room, "We got one of the Zealots, the Guide from what I was told. I'm sure he'll be a valuable source. As well this is probably where we part," she placed a hand on the Chuunin's shoulder, "The name is Suzu, it was a pleasure to work with you Meilin." she said. Not waiting for a response Suzu rose and was helped to the door by the ANBU who had yet to leave her side.

The ANBU used various medical techniques to attend to the wound. First, he made sure that the bleeding would stop before starting to use a different technique to mend the wound before just closing it. Her head felt light and Meilin wasn't sure if it was due to losing some blood or because of the numbing effect of one of the medical ninjutsu. Perhaps a combination of both. Eventually, the ANBU wanted her to sit and lean against the wall. It cost some effort and the teen was expecting the pain to sting again but instead, she felt only numb.

While the ANBU kept continuing his work Meilin let her gaze flow over the room. She wasn't afraid or had much pity with the death. There was little to mourn for those who would be travelling towards Lord Akumu's hall, likely rejoining their loved ones. Yet the sight of this many innocent and unarmed people caused her to feel sick. What kind of sickly bastards were these zealots if they were able to do this?
Spotting somebody approaching them, Meilin would throw a look into the direction of the person. Recognising Rabbit, Meilin wanted to say something. Were her lips even moving from each other? She couldn't feel a lot anymore, causing her to become irritated.

The words of Rabbit caused Meilin's eyes to widen as she learned Rabbit's true name. Suzu. Memorising the name, Meilin wanted to reach out a hand and grasp one of Suzu's but couldn't find the energy to both say something or do what she desired.
Watching the woman going with some aid, Meilin felt a bit bitter and happy. She had managed to be of help but had wanted to learn more of the Sworn Sword. Not just in combat ability but as a person. Was this going to be a constant trend? That everybody she met in Konoha would somehow just walk away from her?
Lowering her head, Meilin would remain silent and still as the ANBU continue to patch the wounds, stating that he couldn't prevent that a scar would remain on the spot on her stomach while he continued with his work.
[/spoili]
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Meilin Cho
Genin of Konoha Team 7,
Konohagakure, hospital.

It sure didn't feel good. The ANBU had perhaps done everything he was capable in the time he could have spent on her wounds and it was certainly nice that they were able to bring her to the hospital under some code, that the medic personnel wouldn't question how she had got hurt in the first place. But the adrenaline had already been eroded with the passing of time and the numbing effect of the ANBU treatment was also ebbing away. Eventually, her wounds got bandaged and Meilin was able to lay on her back without feeling her life slipped past. Staring at the ceiling, she did wonder.
How long had she been in Konohagakure? For several years and yet it didn't feel like home. The biggest reason had been because she felt it was a punishment. For an incident that she had no control over. That and she figured that once she had graduated that she could come back home, going back to Keishi. Being able to put it all behind her.
She remembered how happy she had been when the first mission had been to Keishi. All she had to do at the start was to investigate and infiltrate a thieving syndicate. Something she had little trouble with. If she had only been able to figure out what had happened to her family. Or being able to warn them. Perhaps things had turned out different? A sigh escaped Meilin as she realised that wishing for things to be different wasn't going to help improve a situation.

Not to mention that it wouldn't change another fact. Apparently, it was a trend that everybody she met and wanted to learn more about in Konohagakure always would vanish eventually. First was Koike Hon. Then his team that he introduced to her. All of them were gone. Hayate Hyuzu, the captain-commander of the Guardians. She still remembered how he had shown her around. But like the rest, he too was gone. Then there was Rabbit. Or well, Suzu. The Sworn Sword wasn't perhaps somebody Meilin considered as a friend or somebody she could befriend but she had shown interest in training and helping her. It certainly intrigued Meilin, to be trained by a Sworn Sword. But also to learn more about her. Why had she given her name, for example, was what made Meilin wonder.
Slowly getting up, she didn't feel a painful ache flowing from her abdomen. Slowly she would lift up the shirt and check the treated area. There was some scar tissue that marked where the wound had been but nowhere else seemed to bear the aftermath of the last clash. Lowering down the white shirt, Meilin would slowly climb out of the bed. She considered trying to find more out about Suzu. Perhaps trying to contact the Sworn Sword and just have a chat. But that meant that she would likely need to approach the base of the Sworn Swords, which would be the Royal Palace. Considering she was nowhere important or renowned enough, Meilin figured that she would have to think about the idea a bit longer.


Flashback:
Hayate giving a tour to Meilin around the HQ of the Guardians, Azumi!
- Happened before the second mission and Meilin receiving Light of Dawn, from Koike! -

A collab between Chromehound and Oetje.

Summary:
Meilin is given a tour around Azumi by Hayate. The two interact and seem there is some friendly connection between the two. Eventually, the meeting ends as the two head to the training fields, for a friendly spar.

[spoili]
Staring at the letter for a long moment, Hayate could feel his body tense up. Closing his eyes, the young Hyuzu let out a weary sigh. Seems it was time. Taking the letter and placing it in one of the drawers on his desk, Hayate slumped back in his chair. Closing the drawer, he waited for a moment before opening it again. Still there... Sighing again, he closed the drawer and locked it. Standing from his chair, Hayate turned to look out the window. He was meeting with Meilin shortly and did not want to have the letter on his mind. Turning and walking towards the door, Hayate paused with his hand on the handle. Taking a deep breath, he opened it.

Exiting his office, Hayate began making his way towards the main lobby. Passing by a few people along his way, he made an effort to greet them by name, trying his best to keep up a smile. As he entered the lobby and approached the entry doors, Hayate took a moment to gather his thoughts before taking his place near the entrance.

Her hands were at the back of her head as the teen was heading towards the place where she would meet up with Hayate. It was slightly intimidating to meet up with a person as important him in a way, but it was also really interesting. Besides that, the last conversation during the interview had proven that he was quite a nice guy. A smile adorned the lips of Meilin as she wondered if there wasn't any chance that she perhaps could call him friend one day, instead of just seeing him as her captain-commander. It would take some time, but so far her experience within the Guardians had proven to be quite enjoyable.
Arriving in the main lobby it didn't take much time for her to spot the young commander. With him seated near the entrance, Meilin wondered how she should greet him. It resulted into a quick, but slightly awkward, salute as she approached Hayate.
"Hello Hayate-sama!" The tone of Meilin being quite cheerful as she would take her place, only realising that she was forgetting about the fact he either had to offer her or she had to request if it was okay to sit down. Resulting furthermore that she was about to stand up, only knowing that it was too late.
A light red tint coloured her cheeks as she flashed an apologetic smile.
"How are you doing?"

Smiling as he saw Meilin, Hayate returned the salute, amused at her cheerful mood and apparent embarrassment as she sat down. "It is good to see you again Meilin. I hope you are doing well." Pushing away the thoughts of the letter, Hayate continued. "I am doing well thank you. Making preparations, but otherwise quite good. So, have you had a chance to explore yet or would you like the full tour?"

"I have been fine, thanks! There is so much to explore here. Really grateful for the chance, Hayate-sama," Meilin said, still smiling. Hearing that he was making preparations she realised that it had to do with the campaign that the Guardians would embark on soon.
"Oh, I have explored a tiny bit around. Am not certain where I am supposed to go, so a tour would always be welcome," she replied, "I also really like the room. But I forgot to ask last time, but there aren't any expenses that I need to cover? I mean, I understand if that is the case."

Happy that she had been able to see at least a few things, Hayate waited for her to finish. "I still have time so, if you are able, I will be happy to give you the tour. You are right that there are a lot of things to explore here. Explains why I keep getting lost!" Chuckling, Hayate scratched the back of his neck. As she mentioned expenses, he shook his head. "No no, the only expenses really are if you choose to eat or drink at the teahouse in which case they will unfortunately charge. For the room however, it is yours for as long as you are with us. There is no fee for them for Guardians members as the expectation is that you will help out where and when you can. With that being said, it is also understood that the responsibilities for Guardian's can be quite high and thus the room is sort of a nice break. Something to go back to that you do not need to worry about."

Thinking for a moment, Hayate continued. "As this is such a large place, there are often tasks that need to be completed, standard maintenance, chores and such. Nothing crazy and nothing that is forced. If you find, however, that you have time and are able to help with any of them, it is appreciated."

A snicker escaped Meilin as she heard what was the reason that he even got lost in the complex. Hearing what the room's 'rent' was and entitled Meilin was relieved. It was as she had hoped for, a reduction in expenses. Something she wouldn't mind working for as her excitement for being now part of the Guardians grew even more.
"Consider it done. I don't mind doing some mundane tasks. Used to them anyways and it could help me to learn more of this place."
Considering something she decided to bring up what Koike had spoken about.
"Koike told me recently that he makes bombs for the Guardians for a reasonable price. And you said last time something about trainers. I am not stating that I am a master in the art that I want to bring up, but," Leaning forward with one elbow on the table Meilin winked before continuing, "Let's just say that when I lived in Keishi that there was no one faster in climbing and running around. Am uncertain if it is practised here, but I wouldn't mind passing on some experience I have to others. Perhaps if you fancy, I could show you a thing or two how to free-run around. Not using any chakra, you know?"

He was pleased that she was not opposed to performing some of the tasks and duties around Azumi and it showed Hayate that she was indeed a positive addition. That was reaffirmed when she continued bringing up the possibility of her training others in the skills she had developed. Smiling widely, Hayate nodded. "I would like that very much. And indeed, that is not yet something we really have any specific trainers in. So, if you are willing and able, I would be more than happy to have you provide some training to the others. More than likely it is something I could use some training in as well." Grinning, Hayate nodded and looked away for a moment.

"I am happy that you are eager to find ways to help out Meilin. Truly. While we have a lot of people who help out here and there, it is always nice to find more who have a desire to share their knowledge." Thinking about something, Hayate scratched his chin. "Come with me, I'd like to show you something." Standing up, Hayate would wait for her to join him as he would then begin walking.

She shook her head for a moment, before replying back.
"If somebody should be thankful, it is still me I wager. And it is the least I can do for what I get," she answered back.
Getting up as he stated that he wanted to show her something Meilin wouldn't let him say that twice. Eager the teen moved up from her spot and would take a place next to Hayate.
"Show me something? Can I get a hint, perhaps?" She half-joked in return, curious to what he wanted to show her.

Smirking as she asked for a hint, Hayate nodded. "I suppose that is fair." Continuing to move through the halls, he glanced at Meilin and added, "I would like to show you what skill I am able to share with the Guardians. While I may be the Captain-Commander, it does not excuse me from helping out where I can and I have found something that I enjoy greatly to share with the others."

Reaching his destination, Hayate stopped outside a door that was slightly larger than the average. Turning towards Meilin, he smiled, amused. "Any guesses?"

His words sparked only more curiosity with Meilin as she walked with him. She already started to wonder about it before he even asked her what she was thought it was.
"Hmmm," she frowned slightly for only a moment, before speaking again, "Perhaps how to... use... ninjutsu?" She guessed, though knowing that the term of ninjutsu was so broad that it was a bit cheap.
"If it is by any chance Fire Release, then I would really be willing to learn from you, heh," she added before rubbing her neck for a second.

Chuckling, Hayate shook his head. "Not quite, though, there is a measure of fire involved, so I'll give you half points." Opening the door, Hayate would step inside and move over so that Meilin could enter. Turning on the lights, the workshop came into full view.

The forge was off but even so the room was warmer than most. On one wall there were several completed weapons stored, along with a few in progress. On the opposite wall, most of the material was stored in bins and containers, all labelled with the different metals and compounds. Looking around, Hayate was glad he had recently cleaned up. Despite his best efforts, it was still relatively messy but that was unfortunately due to the nature of the work. "Welcome to my workshop," he said, a mix of pride and uncertainty in his voice. Not everyone thought it was as interesting as he did, and for a moment he feared Meilin might think less of him for calling this his skill.

Wondering what it could be if it wasn't ninjutsu but yet involved fire Meilin pondered if Hayate wasn't perhaps also fond of making bombs. It was an amusing thought that she kept to herself, cause then how many more of the Guardians were fond of creating explosives? It would certainly be an blast in her opinion.
Entering a workshop Meilin took a few more steps. Spotting the various weapons she hadn't expected this. Wanting to ask if he had made them by himself she wondered what kind of tricks the young commander had up his sleeves. Remaining silent as Hayate spoke Meilin just looked around, evidently in awe.
Then she let out a laugh, shaking her head for a second.

"You know," she said as she turned to Hayate with a smile, "You people from the Guardians are clearly something... something else. You made those all by yourself?"

Pointing at the various weaponry she wondered if it was rude to ask if he would take up commissions. It was perhaps for the better to not ask about it, seeing the whole preparations. Maybe once he would return she would have the guts to ask him.

A slight red tint grew on Hayate's cheeks and he turned away, laughing and scratching the back of his neck. "Almost all of them yes. There are still a couple... still a couple from the original person who worked this forge." Thinking back, Hayate smiled sadly, wishing Tsubasa could still be here with them. "She taught me everything I know about forging the old fashioned way." Seeing a partially finished sword, Hayate walked over to it and picked it up. Turning back to Meilin, he held it in his hands.

"My bloodline ability allows me to manipulate metal, as such, I spent a lot of time creating my own weapons and armour growing up. Most of it was rather crude and only half resembled what I wanted to." As he spoke, Hayate flowed his chakra into the metal of the partially formed weapon, causing it to begin shifting its shape. "I learned to refine it a little bit, but even still I was missing an important piece." Gesturing over towards the forge, he continued. "When I joined the Guardians, I met a kunoichi by the name of Tsubasa. She was truly a master of the forge and new many different things about how to manipulate metal. Only thing is, she didn't need special abilities to do so, she used this machinery, her own imagination and a lot of hard work to create some truly amazing tools." As he finished, the weapon in his hands now resembled a finely crafted longsword, without the finishing touches. Looking at it for a moment, he set it down on a workbench and looked back at Meilin. "I learned a lot about forming metal and how to work with the different compounds and alloys on a molecular level. Without her training I never would have been able to accomplish these kinds of things. That is why I love to share my knowledge now and am always happy to see others who share that same view."

Smiling, Hayate remained silent for a moment before speaking once more. "While it may not seem like a lot for you to want to share your skills Meilin, it truly is appreciated and I only hope that you can get as much joy from it as I have with this."

Once more Meilin threw a look at the weapons. She wasn't a real expert on weaponry but she wished that she could claim one of those as her own. It certainly made her own weapons look like they were scrapped out of the garbage bin.
As he spoke of the original person Meilin wanted first to ask who that person was and almost if she could teach her a thing or two. Only realising that the person wasn't 'present' by seeing the sad smile of Hayate.
Watching how he took up an unfinished blade and began to explain his ability Meilin wasn't once more certain what to say. She was impressed, at the least. There were many questions rising but felt a bit saddened that it was a bloodline ability. Much like how Hideki's eye worked if she remembered it correctly.
The story about the original smith made Meilin wish she had been able to meet this Tsubasa. And it certainly had some inspiring effect upon hearing that Tsubasa had no bloodline ability, yet being able to rival the craft of Hayate. The transformation of the unfinished blade into a fine longsword made her lower lip drop slightly. Truly, what mastery did the Guardians possess among their ranks? Briefly, she felt a twitch of fear that she would likely lead to disappointment as this was much cooler than what she could ever hope to offer back.

"Well," she began, "I fear that even if I try my best that my skill won't come as close as yours in manner of either useful or quality. Truly," she looked back at the blade for a moment, "I have seen some quality items in my... well, let's say that I know how quality looks like. This is truly amazing, Hayate-sama."

Feeling a slight flush growing on his cheeks once again, the boy shrugged and looked away. "I am not one to frown upon the abilities of others and I believe everyone has something they can offer. Your skills will offer something to people that they would never have otherwise. To me, that is just as amazing and just as useful." Turning back, he offered a friendly smile. "As you continue to grow, your knowledge and skills will grow with you. When that happens, you may be surprised at what you have to share."

"With most of the weapons you see here, I have used both the forge as well as my own bloodline ability to craft them. It took a long time and a lot of work to be able to combine the things I learned from Tsubasa along with the things I had taught myself. But now I can use those skills to help the Guardians by crafting their weapons, armour and tools." Shifting slightly, he tried to think of how to phrase what he wanted to say next. "Thank you though. You are kind to compliment the workmanship, though I still have a long way to go before that blade is truly finished." Taking a breath, he continued, "I started out by working as the Gardener here. That was how I first helped. It wasn't really a skill but it was something I liked doing and became decently good at over time. I was lucky to stumble across Tsubasa and this forge and to have learned from her. I believe you will have that opportunity too. We all have different hobbies and, while it may take time to find something that you are uniquely skilled at, it will come. Believe me."

Knowing that he had a point didn't mean that she really agreed with him. If anything Meilin considered his ability to craft tools and weaponry of such high quality to be more useful than knowing to vault over objects or keep up your momentum during a run in an urban setting.

"You're right but..." her voice trailed off as she was aware that her values were just different, certainly regarding her own skill. Instead, she decided to say something else.
"I guess that I have yet to learn to appreciate my current skills. Wish that I could craft such matters. I imagine that you're earning quite something or at least the Guardians if you would be willing to sell some of these."
His thanks caught her off guard for a second, causing a moment of silence. That would be disturbed by Meilin laughing softly and momentarily.
"Hayate-sama, please. If I had to pick between that sword and the one that I own now, I think that it wouldn't cost me any moment to know what I would pick. And no," she shook her head already, "It wouldn't be my own. But thank you for your kind words."

Noticing how she caught herself, Hayate wanted to ask what she was going to say, but decided to let it be. In time she may decide to share things, but he was not going to push her for that. As she complimented his work once again, Hayate chuckled. "Well thank you as well." Thinking about what she had said about selling the items, he nodded. "Most of the things that are forged here go straight to the Guardians. We do not really charge members much for the equipment as I don't really believe in charging them for things they will need in the field. We have small fees of course but that is mostly to cover the material so that we can continue to operate. Anything that is sold to the public goes straight back to the Guardians, funding equipment and training."

Scratching his chin, he shrugged again. "I don't really need the money. I make enough to support myself and I have a room within Azumi. My expenses are low and I'd rather put the money back into the organization to keep us functioning as best we can." Thinking for a moment, he glanced back at Meilin. "If your sword really isn't too grand I do not mind making you a new one. I may not have time before I go, but I'd be happy to help if... when I get back."

Blinking rapidly she wasn't certain if she understood him correctly. The weaponry, armour and material that he crafted here went mostly straight towards the Guardians? For a second her gaze travelled towards the weapons and back at Hayate, only to be repeated for another time. He was crazy. Probably to the point that she wasn't still sure if she was either awake or having some dream that just didn't stop.
"So that means that I can purchase something here for a small fee?" The question was asked in a slow manner as if she wasn't certain that they were speaking the same language.
The offer baffled Meilin only more as she wasn't sure if it was really proper. He obviously had worked hard to reach this kind of quality, so was it fair to request a commission? Feeling conflicted Meilin lowered her eyes.
"I am sorry. I would really like to take upon an offer such as you just suggested. Even wanting to buy a work that you already have finished but the truth is..." biting her lower lip for a moment Meilin rubbed her left arm.
"I can't afford any expenses really at the moment. Perhaps once you are back that we can talk about it, again?"

Nodding his head, Hayate at first smiled, "Yes, it is not a large sum, just enough to cover the material. So the price may go up a tiny bit if you are looking for weapons or armour made of more rare or unique materials." Listening as she continued, Hayate could tell she was surprised at the fact that he was not charging more. To him, it had never really been about earning money so he rarely thought about it. Though... everyone did seem to think he was odd for it. Thinking back, Hayate remembered the weapons he had made for Koike and Saki and how they responded when he did not want money. Perhaps they were the strange ones... hmm...

"Understandable and there is no rush. If you are able, you are welcome to purchase any items from the store while I am gone. There are several pieces still listed there. Unfortunately I will not really be able to add anything new while I am gone, as I am sure you can understand." His tone slightly amused, Hayate continued. "We do also have plenty of training weapons that you do not need to pay for, they just need to be returned after use. If you have a desire to try out different weapons and see what works best for you, please feel free to check them out as well. Then, when I am back, we can look at making you a proper weapon."

She considered that only fair but the idea of not charging him for his effort, time and the quality of the work was quite foreign for Meilin. It almost felt that she was using him for her own benefit, which wasn't settling right with her. The offer that she could still purchase when he was gone made her smile once more.
"Thanks, I will really keep it in the back of my mind. It would be great to have something impressive on my next mission. Just for myself, of course," she quickly added, "Am not really keen on making other people envious."

Thinking about something, an idea popped in her mind.
"Or perhaps once you come back we could work on something together? I would be very honoured if you would teach me how to use a forge. Still not convinced that my current skill at free-running is as awe-inspiring as your craft, I will make sure that when you come back that I will be even better at it."
Stretching her hand out Meilin smiled again.
"Deal?"

His smile widening, Hayate nodded. "Deal." He was truly happy that someone else shared an interest in what he did. While he had helped many people in the forge and showed a few different people how things worked, he understood it was not for everyone. "I'd be honoured to teach you what I know. And would be just as honoured to learn from you."

Glancing around for a moment he nodded, still thinking. "Perhaps we should continue the tour? As much as I enjoy being in here, I don't want you to think it is our only interesting room." Hayate laughed and waited to see if Meilin had anything further to explore in the room.

"Great!" She said, her smile widening for a moment. Pulling her hand back and placing it on her hip she threw another look around in the workshop.
"Oh, yeah, sure!" Meilin answered, though she wanted to linger longer around. Making the silent promise to herself that she would come back later, perhaps before he had to go, Meilin would nod towards Hayate.
"It is really interesting, but fair enough, hahaha. Lead the way, Hayate-sama!"

Glad that she did not seem overly eager to leave, it indicated to Hayate that her desire to learn more about the forge was genuine. Turning the lights off and closing the door behind him, Hayate turned back to Meilin. "Alright, are there any specific places you have visited yet? Just so I don't unknowingly take you around to all the same places."

"Hmmm, I have been to the lounge and the workshop of Koike," Meilin answered, "Wanted to check out the dojo and library but wanted to take it easy before trying to explore everything."

"Well then it appears there is still quite a bit to show." Hayate said. Turning, he began to walk down the hallway, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Meilin was following. "Let's visit the library first. It is not too far from here and is likely to be a little less busy than the dojo at this time." Turning left at the end of the hall, Hayate continued walking, hoping that the library would not be too busy. "You mentioned that you like to study all kinds of things. Anything in particular you are studying at the moment?"

"Great," she said back at first. There was a smile appearing back on her face as she was eager to learn and see more of Azumi.
Following Hayate she listened to what he said about heading to the library first because it was a little less busy. Something she wasn't having any trouble with. For a moment she wondered if she shouldn't hold her pace in as wouldn't it be out of place for her to walk side by side with the captain-commander?
"Oh," Meilin realised a moment later that he asked her a question, "I like to study but reading... well, hahaha. Stories. Am not a huge fan of reading but it can be relaxing at certain times. At the moment, I guess my main interests is going towards the eastern continent... I have a growing interest to learn a bit of them for some reason." The last sentence was said with a slightly softer tone as the teen became silent for a second.
"What do you like to study or read about, Hayate-sama?"

Nearing the entrance to the library, Hayate listened as Meilin spoke. Her words indicated that she preferred studying in different ways than simply reading. It made him think back to Koike who enjoyed playing around with different materials to make his explosives. Smiling, Hayate nodded his head. "That is certainly fair. I must admit that I enjoy reading quite a bit, however... I haven't really had much time to read anything more exciting than reports lately." Shrugging his shoulders, Hayate chuckled as they had reached the doors to the library. Turning back to face Meilin as she mentioned her interest in the eastern continent, he studied her for a moment. Realizing that she had asked him a question, Hayate chewed his lip for a moment, thinking.

"Me? Well, I like to study as much as I can about different metals and alloys. Playing around to get different results. As you might have guessed, I have a strong interest in the forge and, with that, pretty much all things metal. That being said, working with the metal itself isn't the only part to smithing, so I have also started learning about tannery and some other topics. I am not quite as learned in them yet but I hope to get there." Pondering for a moment, he continued. "Aside from that, I suppose my interests vary from time to time. I did a lot of studying on gardening to learn how to get this place's gardens up to snuff. I also like to study tactics and the history of certain cultures. Helps me to learn a little more and apply things to situations I face currently. As for reading? Can't say I have a favourite genre, but I will almost certainly read anything that I can, given the time." Opening the doors to the library, Hayate stepped inside and gestured for Meilin to follow him in. The library itself was two stories tall and took up the space of several rooms. It was not massive, nor was it near being full yet, but it had been designed with room to expand. Currently there were many little nooks that people could take a book or two to read in private. Wondering what Meilin would think of it, Hayate would remain silent, letting her respond in her own time.

Listening to Hayate, Meilin would try to memorise everything he told her about himself. Not because he seemed like a person she could get along with or because she would use the information against him. That would be incredible, though. To use the knowledge that somebody's preference for a certain literature against them. But perhaps that would be a way to plant a few explosive tags or bombs into a book that would allure a target, to only give them the surprise of their life?
The moment that he studied her the teen wondered why but realised that she was being somewhat open to Hayate. Then again, that was all his fault really. He was one of the few person in Konoha who really seemed to be willing to spend some time with her and help her out.
As Hayate started about what he liked to read, which was about metals, Meilin couldn't help but smile. It was somewhat intoxicating how he could ramble almost about it with one single question. Expecting him to talk forever about metals Meilin was slightly surprised about the other topics. It was fair to assume that he had done some homework and study on how to maintain a garden but tannery? That was unexpected but she didn't consider that stupid. More the opposite really.
When he began about he liked to read the most Meilin wasn't sure what she could expect. Somehow the captain-commander seemed the person who enjoyed biographies about and from historical people with importance.

"Thanks," she told him as he held the door open for her. Entering the library of Azumi, Meilin would throw a look around. It was much bigger than expected and she wondered how much more surprises this complex had in store. Almost making her want to just go and explore every room for surprises and hidden away secrets.
"Wauw, must be a whole achievement to have read everything in here right?" She half-hearted joked, trying to not seem as some farmer's girl who hadn't ever been to a library before. Then again she hadn't ever visited the libraries in Keishi so she wasn't what to really expect. Noticing several nooks Meilin already wondered if it would be okay to later just nestle away and spend some time reading on what kind of knowledge was stored in the Guardian's library.

Chuckling, Hayate glanced at the library, a smile on his face. "We still have a lot of space to fill, but we're getting there. As for reading everything in here? Heck, I imagine that would be quite the achievement indeed." Taking another few steps into the library, he looked around, nodding slowly before turning back to Meilin. "As I mentioned before, it is not quite as impressive as the library in Konoha, nor as grand as the one in the Imperial Palace, but it works for us."

"We invite people to bring in anything they have laying around and have received a surprising amount of donations that way. We've also developed some training scrolls that are accessible here along with a lot of books on the history of Konoha and many of the clans within it. Well... at least the information that has been able to be collected over the years. We are still working on getting more information about the rest of the world. After all, it pays to be informed." Smiling, Hayate folded his arms across his chest as he looked to Meilin. "So what about the Eastern Continent interests you?" he asked, his tone friendly.

"Not?" The word left Meilin's lips as she wasn't sure how to imagine the library of the city or at the Royal palace. She was certain that she wouldn't be allowed inside or near the royal palace but the idea that she could visit possibly a place that held a bigger amount of knowledge was intimidating.
Already the question, if he would go with her, was at her lips but he was probably busy. Not to mention soon again like Hideki, Meilin thought to herself a bit sad.
"Really? Huh," thinking about it Meilin decided on something, "Sounds like something I could also do. Bring in books and scrolls. Heh, you know." Realising that it wouldn't ever happen that she would be able to pay all of the services to the Guardians back made her feel a bit timid by just thinking about it.
When he questioned what she interested about the Eastern continent Meilin threw a subtle look at her right as if she had noticed that somebody over there was moving or studying.
"Don't know, just a... a personal thing of mine." She said, not feeling too comfortable with just rambling out in the open why it interested her.

Hearing that Meilin was willing to bring in some books and scrolls as well, Hayate smiled. "That would be excellent, thank you. If you do not mind sharing some of your own collection with the library it would truly be appreciated. That being said, please do not think it is required in any way." Noticing how she looked away when he asked her about the eastern continent, Hayate realized that he might be probing a sensitive topic.

"I apologize if that was out of line in any way." Scratching the back of his neck, Hayate hoped he had not made her uncomfortable. Thinking for a moment, he glanced around. "Shall we keep moving?"

Returning her gaze back on Hayate, Meilin felt a bit bad. She wasn't sure how to reply to his apologies. Deciding to ponder on a response for a second the teen rubbed her left wrist. "I can explain it later. It isn't some big secret. Heh," she snickered - a bit nervous almost - before she continued, "It has something to do with a goal of mine. Anyhow," gesturing to the library with her left hand Meilin would pick up a more cheerful and eager tone than before.
"Wouldn't mind it at all. Would love to return some help and be useful, you know? But lead the way! I am eager to see more of this complex, really!" She answered.

Nodding his head, Hayate smiled, "I understand, I would be happy to listen later if you wish to share." As she mentioned her eagerness to see the rest of the place, his smile widened and he gestured for her to follow him once more. Making his way through the halls, he headed to the store. Opening the door, he briefly waved at the Guardian manning the counter. "This is where we keep all equipment, tools, weapons and armour for sale. As I mentioned before, a lot of what is made here goes straight to the Guardians. However, there are some things that we make that are up for sale."

Remaining silent, he would wait for her to enter and see for herself.

"Thanks, I would appreciate that Hayate-sama," Meilin answered, feeling genuinely a bit relieved. She wasn't sure how he could help her but she reminded that he would go east. Who knows what it could do to tell him about her own personal quest?
Following Hayate further, Meilin wondered where they would go next. Entering the store Meilin looked around.
The gear and weaponry seemed of great quality. The type of weapons, equipment and armour that you would only find for a hefty price at the Arsenal but here it was. Hayate stated that a lot went straight to the members of the Guardians making her wonder if this wasn't just a dream that she was part of the organisation.
"But what about commissions? Can I fill them in here? And who makes them then?"

"Commissions can be made and given to the person manning the counter. All of the workers can assist you with filling them out and can often provide you with some advice as well, if requested." Looking at a wall of shields, Hayate shrugged. "Typically speaking I make them. Some of this stuff comes from other sources but, for the most part, I am the one who takes care of it." Thinking about something, he realized he hadn't really made plans to leave anyone in charge of the forge while he was gone. Adding it to his mental list of things to do, Hayate turned back to Meilin. "While I am gone, if you do need anything that we don't have in the store, I will make sure that there is someone on hand to assist."

"Okay, that is good to know," Meilin answered as she wondered for a moment. Following Hayate's gaze to the wall of shields. How much would she pay for this if she wasn't a member? They looked of great quality so that would probably rob her of her savings right from the get go.
"Thanks, I appreciate that Hayate-sama. Though I still will have to wait before I can purchase something as great as this. Perhaps," pausing for a second Meilin considered something, "I will wait till your back. I might have then saved up some funds to request a weapon from you."

Noding, Hayate chuckled. "Well, I would be happy to help once I am back. And remember, Guardians only pay for the material cost. One thing I might suggest is looking into it a bit. Find out what you are looking to have made and see if you can find out what materials you would like included. That way you can find out a bit more about what the cost might be." Thinking for a moment, Hayate realized that it wasn't perhaps the easiest suggestion. Without an extensive knowledge of metals and the different alloys, it would be fairly difficult trying to figure out what worked with what. "I can help with that as well. Before I leave I can leave a list for you of some of the different materials I work with and what their properties are. That way, all you have to do is pick out what you'd like. That sound fair?"

"Hahaha, I know. I know," she raised her hands slightly up as if she was in need to defend herself against some verbal offence.
"I won't argue against the price, promised. And that sounds really grand, thanks."
Wondering how she would really repay this kindness and help from Hayate, Meilin felt a bit bad. Was she leeching off from him and the Guardians? Rubbing her left arm for a moment Meilin took a moment to look around. She doubted she would be worth to use the materials that Guardians produced and offered up to sale and use.
"So, what is next?" Meilin asked while trying to not sound too eager for what place they would visit next.

Glad that she did not try to argue regarding the pricing, Hayate smiled. "Good. Now, we have two places left that I'd like to show you. The first is the dojo. It will likely be busy so we may not be able to stay for too long." Exiting the store, Hayate thanked the Guardian at the counter once more and continued down the hall. "While we have the training fields, which you've seen, we also have a dojo for training in pure taijutsu along with some kenjutsu. It makes it easier for training multiple people at a time and organizing drills."

Stopping in front of the doors, Hayate held them open and stepped inside. There were drills going on inside and Hayate nodded to one of the instructors. Turning towards Meilin he spoke again. "You can join these classes at any time, all we ask is that you inform the instructors ahead of time if possible so that we can plan accordingly."

Two more? Meilin felt a bit sad that there weren't more but she wouldn't show it. She was certain that the other places would be grand anyways. Hearing that the first would be the dojo and that due to it being busy that they wouldn't stay too long made Meilin nod. She felt a bit sad that they couldn't stay there as they had done in Hayate's workshop but she wasn't sure if she wanted to disturb any class or drills with staying for too long.
"Oh, that sounds only reasonable," she said back upon hearing that she would have to inform the instructors ahead of time. If anything she rather would avoid awkward situations and moments by just entering a drill or training.
"Though," she quickly spoke up, "If there are people busy I don't hope we won't disturb them. Else we can come back later, right?"

"Absolutely," Hayate said, "While there are training sessions at most points throughout the day, there are still free periods where members can come and train on their own or with another member. At those times, it is a lot quieter." Glancing around, it appeared that the current group was practicing a set of taijutsu drills. Looking back at Meilin, Hayate spoke again, "If there is ever something you would like to train with here but you do not see it listed from the instructors, please feel free to recommend it and we will see if someone is available and able to train yourself and any others who might be interested."

Memorising the information he gave her, Meilin would look with a curious expression at the ongoing drills. She still was hoping that they weren't bothering them. Watching them Meilin wondered what kind of taijutsu and fighting styles they taught people here.
"Hm?"
Looking back at Hayate sideways Meilin almost didn't catch on what he ask her.
"Thanks, will remember that" she replied. Turning her attention back to the taijutsu drills she decided to ask Hayate something.
"What are your combat orientations, if you won't mind me asking Hayate-sama."

Momentarily caught off guard by the question, Hayate did not at first know how to respond. Pondering for a moment, Hayate scratched behind one of his ears. "My combat orientation huh? Well... I suppose it's kinda varied." Shrugging, Hayate smiled apologetically. "I have trained a lot in taijutsu and different forms of weaponary. Mostly the staff, spear and sword. How about you?" Looking back at the instructors as they worked through the drills, Hayate wondered about something. "Does that answer your question or were you looking for something more specific?"

"It answers it quite well, Hayate-sama," Meilin answered, "As for me. I have some basics of taijutsu and knowing the basics of swordplay, though doubt that I can really be too confident about them. Other than that, I know a trick or two with Fire ninjutsu but that is really every combat field that I consider myself being introduced in."
Thinking for a moment about her own answer Meilin wondered if she should expand her skills and abilities or just aim to improve the existing ones she was working already on.
"Don't suppose that deception is a real combat skill, is it now?" Meilin asked, her tone clear that she was half-joking about it.

Glad that he had answered her question sufficiently, Hayate smiled as he heard her response. "Koike Hon is a very good teacher, I am certain that you will learn a lot under his tutelage." Koike had spoken to him of his training with Meilin. Hayate had been happy to find his friend in such good spirits after teaching someone. It wasn't something Koike typically did, but the Hon certainly had a knack for it.

As Meilin mentioned deception, Hayate's smile turned into a grin. "You'd be surprised," he said, a glint in his eyes. "They do call us shinobi after all." Thinking for a moment, Hayate motioned towards the door. "Come, I'll show you the last thing on the list for today.The rest you can explore as you wish, and anything you might have questions on later, please never hesitate to ask." Making his way out of the Dojo, Hayate walked in silence for a few moments, thinking about her comment. Glancing back at Meilin, he decided to speak. "While you may not have been entirely serious about deception being a combat skill, I would personally lean towards calling it one. A fighter that is strong and relies purely on their marial skill along with their brawn is going to lose to one who relies on their intellect and tactics nine times out of ten. The key to any fight is finding out how you can gain the advantage and using it against your opponent. Deception is an entirely valid tactic when it comes to pushing that advantage."

"Yeah, he is," Meilin said with a smile, only realising that she could have sounded a bit too eager or enthusiastic about it. But she didn't feel the need to hold back or act more formal. If anything she wondered if it wasn't possible to consider Hayate as a friend than just as the commander of the Guardians and thus also her superior. She did like the thought but considered to not ask what he thought about it. They barely knew each other if one would consider the quantity of time a valuable factor.
As Hayate spoke briefly about deception, Meilin noticed the glint in his eyes. She wondered once more what kind of abilities and skills Hayate had mastered, but she considered it out of place to ask about it.
"Sounds good!" Was her answer as he stated that he would show her the last item on the list. With Hayate further talking about deception, Meilin would nod on a few occasions to signal that she agreed with what he said.
"Yeah. I actually work more with deception than anything else. Create openings and confusion to either strike or flee. Though I can't really say that I know a lot of various tactics that can deceive a foe. At best, I know two that I can use with my current skills and abilities. Perhaps even three," Meilin said, pondering while she spoke, "But I did hear about the War Academy. Haven't had a chance to pay a visit, let alone sign me up for a course. It is in my planning, though!"

Pleased that she seemed quite happy to have Koike as a teacher, Hayate continued moving throughout the building, nodding along as she spoke. He found the topic to be quite an interesting one, though it wasn't necessarily a topic everyone agreed on. At the moment, however, it appeared that Meilin shared the same opinion as he did.

While Hayate was a firm believer that deception, like most other skills, could be learned in time with the right training, he also felt that certain people had a more natural talent for it. Kiyomi was one such person he knew who had a knack for cunning tactics and brilliant deceptions. It was one of the things that made her such a dangerous foe. Looking at Meilin for a moment, Hayate found himself even more curious to know what she was capable of. She may have stated that her combat skills were not overly strong, but Hayate had a feeling that she was underestimating her tactical abilities. "While I am not a fan of sparring, for several reasons, I must admit that I am quite interested to see what you are capable of Meilin. Tactics can come with training and study, but the instinct... that is very difficult to drill into someone. If you have that already then you are already a step ahead to becoming a very gifted kunoichi."

When she spoke of the War Academy, Hayate smiled and nodded his head. "I would highly recommend giving it a go. While there can sometimes be a lot of information to absorb, the War Academy provides a really unique opportunity to see the techniques and tactics of the past. It is sort of a way of seeing how different methods and strategies play out. What works, what failed and why." Rubbing his chin, Hayate realized he might be talking a bit too much. Feeling a slight flush in his cheeks, the Hyuzu shrugged apologetically. "Sorry Meilin, I am blathering on and probably boring you half to death."

She did feel a certain chill running over her back when he stated a spar. There was still the curiosity that made her eager to see what he was capable of. The captain-commander of the Guardians, that had to mean he was a capable combatant, right?
"What I am capable of?" Meilin repeated, her eyebrows slightly perking off, "I mean, I am not against the idea entirely, but it is proper for us to have a spar, Hayate-sama?"
The question held a sliver of an amused tone. She didn't feel, at all, confident that she would be able to give him a hard time but there was a certain appeal to spar against a person of the calibre she assumed him off.
"Hmm, yeah, that is also why I figured that I might try to enlist for a course. And you're hardly boring me," she scoffed at the mere statement that he was boring her, "I haven't yet met many interesting people in Konohagakure. Well, you know," for a moment Meilin shrugged lightly as she wasn't sure how to phrase it without making it sound pathetic in her opinion.
"I don't have that much friends going on at the moment."

Shrugging as she asked whether or not it was proper for them to spar, Hayate did not put much thought into it. He was not one to worry too much about formalities, at least when it concerned his own position. "If the opportunity arises and you are not opposed to it, then I personally do not see anything wrong with a friendly spar. Besides, it might help in training. And if anyone else has a problem with it, then so be it. They can keep their noses out of other people's business." Continuing to move through the hallway, Hayate's tone remained light, despite the somewhat harsh words. While he wasn't fond of people trying to involve themselves in business that was not their own, he could also understand why certain people adhered so strongly to formalities. It could be a balancing act sometimes and Hayate was admittedly not the greatest at sticking to the image that people had of his role.

They made their way through the building, nearing their final destination. Hayate listened closely as Meilin contined. Relieved when she mentioned he was not boring her, Hayate smiled and glanced away. His smile faded slightly, however, when she spoke of not having much in the way of friends. Thinking for a moment, Hayate turned back to look at her. "The Guardians," glancing around at the building and gesturing, "This place... It is a good place to make friends. To find others who share the same passion, the same interests and desires. When I first came here, I did not really have many friends either. I knew a very small group of people that I had been through some tough times with, but even then that took awhile before we were truly able to call each other friends."

Looking back at Meilin, Hayate gave her an encouraging smile. "I am not the greatest at meeting new people, which... can admittedly make things awkward sometimes considering my role." Chuckling to himself, Hayate shrugged. "It made it hard for me to grow comfortable enough to call people a friend. The Guardians made things a lot easier and friendships came more naturally here. The bonds I have forged with some of the people here are stronger than any metal. Might sound a bit corny, I admit, but I really didn't think I was going to be the kind of person who'd be lucky enough to have the kind of friends that I do."

Pausing, Hayate remained silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone had grown softer. "I know what it can feel like going around and not really knowing many people, or not being sure who to consider as a friend. I assure you though, Meilin, you have friends here."

"That is true. Though, I am not much of a fan for mock fights. It feels... wrong with certain people," the reply went with a short gesture as Meilin tried her best to voice her opinion on spars, "But can't deny that I am curious what kind of fighting abilities you have or how effective my fighting style is against somebody, Hayate-sama."
Following Hayate through the hallway, Meilin wondered if his fighting style was revolved around the bloodline ability. It would certainly be quite difficult to win against a person who could alter metal with moulding their chakra through their own weapon. Or better, that of their opponents. That meant that locking blades or anything that would leave an opening for Hayate to grapple a weapon would give him a dangerous advantage. Yet, Meilin couldn't shake the idea of how great that would be to face in a spar. Probably quite educative as well.
His answer where she could get friends made Meilin's lips part a bit. She had instantly a reply at the ready that she wasn't certain if she should just up and try to interact with anybody in the organisation. Wasn't she one of the new recruits that needed to know or learn her place? Would it all be okay? Realising that she was searching for excuses, the teen nodded.
"Yeah, I guess I can start here. Just will need some time, I guess. Don't think I am that great either with new people. Am not..." thinking how to phrase it Meilin thought back to team 7, "The easiest person in some situations. But," a smile played over her lips, "I am glad that you say that. Even though that part about the metal? Bit corny, but sometimes corny things do sound too good to not say them. Guess that is what makes them corny in the first place."

As Meilin mentioned that she was not a fan of mock fights, Hayate could not help but nod in agreement. He had been challenged several times in the past to spar with people whom he had no interest in fighting. It could be tiresome at best and disastrous at worst. "I do know what you mean. Typically I am not a great fan of sparring either. As a training method, it can be helpful though, of that I cannot really argue. But I do believe it is important to be careful. A spar can tell you a lot about your opponent. It can give away some things that you may wish to remain hidden and reveal your fighting style to someone who may potentially take advantage of it in the future." Reaching up to scratch behind his ear once more, Hayate looked over to Meilin. "It comes down to trust I suppose. If you can trust the person you are sparring with, you do not have to worry about holding back or hiding things. In a sense, sparring with someone you trust can be a bonding experience. Though... As I have mentioned, I am not personally the hugest fan of giving or receiving a beating so take that with a grain of salt." Chuckling, Hayate continued walking and focused on listening to the rest of what Meilin had to say.

He could tell she was hesitant when he discussed the matter of her finding friends and Hayate could sympathize with that. It had not really been an easy path for him at first either. He was of the mindset that you either had friends or you didn't and nothing would really change that. Didn't help that he had some pretty major trust issues... Listening to Meilin, however, Hayate hoped that he could help her in some way. Her comment about his corny phrase caused him to laugh once more. "You raise a good point! Corny can indeed be good sometimes. Though, tell that to my brother. He tends to try and hit me every time I say something corny." Smiling, Hayate saw the doors ahead of them, leading to their final stop of the day. Glancing back at Meilin, he paused just outside the doors. "Truth be told, I have not found you to be difficult to get along with in any way. I suppose it is also true that there are certain situations in which I have not been around you, but still. Seems like you may just have met some people who aren't the most open minded." Putting his hands on the doors, Hayate pushed them open, walking through and holding one open for Meilin. "Welcome to the gardens." He said, hoping she would not find it too dull a place for him to have saved for last.

"Aha,~" Meilin gained a devious smile on her lips as she threw a sideways look at Hayate, "So you are telling me that you've either something to hide or trust me? Or both maybe?"
The tone of Meilin's voice would make it clear that she wasn't really serious. After the playful jest, she would snicker for a second.
"I tend to have those. Good points, that is. As for me being difficult, perhaps that will come sooner or later."
Briefly, she thought about Kensuke and Hideki. Open minded? She wasn't sure if she could say that of Kensuke. The last conversation she had with Hideki hadn't made it clear if he was open minded, but she liked to think that she and Hideki were getting along now. More or less. She had made him laugh, that counted for something, Meilin concluded.
Waiting for Hayate to open the doors Meilin wondered what could be behind them. Revealing that it was the gardens Meilin would step outside as she let her gaze wander over the gardens in front of her.
"If you're as good with fighting as with tending a garden then I am afraid I wouldn't stand a chance against you in a spar," Meilin mumbled. She was seriously impressed as there were a certain tranquillity and quiet in this place. Making her almost cautious to even enter further.
"You made this by yourself?" She asked, throwing a look at Hayate, not certain what to say to voice the fact that she was impressed.

"Why not both indeed?" Hayate said in response to her first question. Chuckling, he waited for her to look around, wondering what her thoughts were. The gardens were something that he was quite proud of, though he really had not seen a lot of other examples he could compare them to. When he had first researched, he had simply found small examples of plants that went together. Arrangements that would look nice but also serve a function. It had taken him time, but was well worth all of the effort. Hearing Meilin's words, Hayate blushed, embarrassed by the praise. Shuffling awkwardly, he turned away, looking at the garden. "When I first got here, there were already some gardens established. They were quite beautiful and peaceful to begin with so I had a lot I could work with. What you see now... well, I spent a lot of time trying to bring in different elements. I am not necessarily an expert on this kind of thing, so I just kind of put things together that I thought looked nice. I wanted to make something where people could go to relax. To read a book or drink some tea."

Turning back to Meilin he smiled slightly. "It is a place I enjoy spending time, and I hope that others will find it the same."

Noticing Hayate blush, Meilin wanted to joke about it. But she decided against it. This was what he had created and was likely a source of pride for him. And could she blame him? No, she couldn't.
"I can notice that you did some effort. Else you must have some crazy talent of being a gardener. Perhaps even having the wrong profession," a soft laughter escaped Meilin briefly, "I wouldn't even know enough about plants to know how to keep a small one alive. So really, this is pretty cool. Can recruits of the Guardians just come here from time to time? Or well..."
Thinking about something she wasn't sure if she would be able to. Already she had taken up the responsibility of one task. Not to mention she had her own goals and ambitions. Yet, hadn't he helped her a lot already?
"You're going to the east. And would be a real shame if there wasn't somebody able to manage the gardens for you. Am not capable of saying I am ... well, you know," rubbing her neck Meilin shrugged lightly, "If it would give you some ease I will try to look after your garden while you're on a campaign."

As she mentioned that he might be in the wrong profession, Hayate laughed warmly, nodding. "Might be less dangerous," he said, his tone full of amusement, "Though I swear it feels like some of these plants have been trying to kill me..." Clasping his hands together, Hayate nodded again. "The garden is open to all Guardians and patrons of the Teahouse. So please, feel free to visit it as often as you'd like."

When Meilin offered to look after the garden in his absence, Hayate paused, his eyes widening in surprise. He looked at her for a long moment, unsure whether or not she was serious. It could be a lot of work to maintain the garden, something he knew all too well. Truth be told, he had not yet thought about what would happen to the garden in his absence and Meilin's offer would take a load off his shoulders. Selfishly, Hayate wanted to jump on the opportunity, but there was also a part of him who feared she might simply be offering to be polite. Chewing his lip, Hayate glanced away, thinking. "That is a kind offer Meilin, truly." Turning back, he smiled. "If it is truly something you would like to try your hand at, I would be more than happy to have you look after it while I'm gone. I can leave some information on general maintenance and the library has some more information and tips. I learned a lot from there." Folding his arms across his chest, Hayate tilted his head to the side. "Please do not feel like you need to though Meilin. Honestly, you have offered to do a lot already."

Grinning slightly as Hayate laughed, Meilin would throw another glance at the garden. She was aware that she was taking another task upon her, one that she wasn't familiar with. But how else could she have a sense of use for the Guardians? She wanted to be able to repay them, avoiding feeling as if she was leeching from them.
"I tend to make those from time to time," Meilin half-joked but she would become more serious, "Can't state that I have experience with taking care of plants. Don't think I have ever considered to take care of anything much other than what was on my mind, really," Meilin stated further as she briefly rubbed her neck. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea but it wouldn't hurt if he would leave her some information and tips behind.
"Anything you could leave behind as information on how to take care of the gardens would be great. And while I honestly feel the need to, as I do imagine that this is much better than to offer myself as a trainer for pickpocketing and lockpicking, I would consider myself honored to help you out in such a manner."

"Well then it is settled." Hayate said, "I think it might also help if I get one of the workers who have helped me before to show you some of the basics. Just to get you started and help with any questions you might have. Again though," Hayate started, his eyebrow raising, "if at any point you are not able to do it, or not comfortable with it, please do not feel like you are required to continue. You are doing us a favor, it is not an order."

Turning away, Hayate began to walk through the garden, heading towards the fountain. Looking back over his shoulder to see if Meilin would follow, Hayate wondered about something for a moment. So far Meilin had proven to be an excellent addition to the Guardians. Time would give a better perspective but at the moment, Hayate was impressed and happy. While he was not one to trust easily, Meilin was certainly doing a good job of giving him reasons to make it easier to trust her. "When I am away, my brother, Jora, will be looking after the Guardians who are left here. If you have questions or would like to try anything, please feel free to speak with him and he will see what he can do to assist."

"Think it would do just more than helping, hahaha," Meilin replied back. She was still not confident that she would be able to do great but if she was able to care for the gardens with some then she could get rid of the idea and feeling she was leeching off the Guardians.
"I know, really. I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't consider something I would like to pour effort and time into. Really."
Following Hayate, Meilin listened to what he told her. His brother, Jora, would take over the Guardians during his absence? Memorising the name Meilin nodded.
"I will do. Though," coming to a halt she placed a hand on her hip and slightly tilted her head. A grin that would likely come over cocky spread over her features, "I have been thinking and if you meant that you would like to spar then how about a short one? Doubt I will last long against you, but am really growing curious to see the calibre of a captain-commander."

Stopping, Hayate turned to look at Meilin fully. After a moment, a smile formed on his face and he chuckled. "Well, I don't really think the gardens would be a great place to spar." Grinning, Hayate knew it wasn't what Meilin had meant, but he could not resist.

Folding his arms across his chest, the young Hyuzu chewed his lip, pondering. "Well, if you are truly wanting to spar right now, I suppose we could do so. Did you have any rules in mind?"

She agreed. A spar even close to this place would be improper. Certainly seeing that she was certain that fire and plants didn't go that well without seeing one ending up as ash. With Hayate bringing up the rules Meilin considered some.
"How about we don't aim to take each other out? Just a friendly spar? Guess it is more for me to try to see what kind of fighting style you have. It is probably without any surprise going to be pretty wicked seeing your occupation," she answered back at first, "I am not a big fan of rules, heh. So, any place you want to go? I don't mind most kind of fields we would hold a spar on."

Nodding, Hayate's grin widened. "Not taking each other out sounds like a good plan. I have to leave for the front soon, which would be a wee bit more difficult if I was dead." Chuckling, he reached up with one hand and scratched his chin. "I don't necessarily think my fighting style is all that exciting, but I suppose we shall see. Though, as for location, I think the training fields just outside Azumi should do well enough."

Gesturing towards the exit, Hayate smiled. "Shall we?"
[/spoili]


Arriving at Azumi, Meilin couldn't help but gaze at the front entrance of the large building. She wondered how Hayate and the others were doing. Perhaps they would soon be back? With tales of adventure or jokes on how it had been quite easy for them? She wasn't sure what she could tell them, on what she had experienced and done. Somehow she wondered how much they would find her experiences interesting. Not to mention, she doubted that she was allowed to spill as much as a single word about the investigation.
Entering the building, Meilin would head straight to her room. On her way she met some people that greeted her in a friendly fashion. Returning the gesture, she didn't stop for a talk. If anything she wanted to just clear her mind and figure out what was next that she should do. Remembering something, a soft sigh escaped the chuunin's lips. There was a lot that she had to do and little time for what she really wanted to do.

Opening the door of her room, she would walk in and notice a letter on her night stand. Closing the door behind her, the right eyebrow of Meilin slightly rose on her brow.
Picking the letter up, there was no seal that signalled who had sent the letter. Unfolding the letter she would read the content. Only for another sigh to escape her. Clearly, some space and time to catch her breath were certainly out of the question.


A meeting with the Green Falcon with an ex-team 7 member!

A collab between Roran Hawkins and Oetje.

Summary:
Kensuke and Meilin host a small meeting. The two will discuss the next mission and what the role of Team 4 will be, in order to support Team 7. Briefly, there is some talk at the end, on what has been irking Meilin but the two leave without any bad words said.


There was a quiet business of the silent coming of shinobi on the square. Not unfamiliar for the beating heart of Konoha's shinobi administration, especially since it grew to be that of the Empire of Akino. The presence of multiple kinds of flak jackets only underlined the growing importance of Konoha as a center of all matters shinobi-related. Most of them were the new model of Konohagakure flak jacket in all its different modifications and versions, but there were some others as well. A dying breed as far as he knew, because Konoha meant to have everyone in the 'provinces' wear these as well. It was commendable, as the flak jackets were excellent, but he also could not imagine the warriors of his own clan and its estates wearing the standard-issue outfits. Or maybe he could?

Eventually he recognised a certain member of the ninja corps he had been waiting for. Curiously, she wasn't wearing a Konoha flak jacket. Her outfit was far rarer instead. Curious, he thought, for the former thief to be so comfortable in armour that drew so much attention and proudly declared her allegiance. He nodded once she spotted him as well and walked off to the side. After all, he'd called on her for a chat himself.

"I'm glad you could make it so soon, since you're no longer a member of my team at my beckon and call." He said. "I take it you received your briefing as well?."

Walking at a calm pace, it would not be hard to notice the Cho among the others. The black garb seemed to do quite the job to make her be noticeable among the many others that were the usual green or the attire of the administrative personnel.
From the looks that Meilin threw around, it was clear that she hadn't yet grown used to the complex or where she had to go. Continuing on in a calm pace Meilin did finally notice the tall blonde that she had a meeting with. For a moment Meilin pondered on how this would go. The last conversation hadn't been that unpleasant to make her on edge but she wasn't sure what to expect. Deciding to not pick up some prejudices before the meeting had started Meilin would pick up her pace, trying to appear more confident in her stride towards Kensuke.

Inclining her head towards the Nimatsu, she nodded in return to his greeting. "No problem," Meilin said in return, in a polite fashion. His mentioning that she was no longer a member of his team made her wonder if she should consider that positive or negative. His question if she had received the information made her nod in a subtle manner.
"Yes, I did. At least, the whole new formation I am placed in," Meilin answered, making a short gesture that also displayed her mixed thoughts about it.

"Ah. Yes, I didn't actually mean that." He said, and shrugged as if to indicate that it was old news. "This morning I've received orders for a new mission for Team 7. We're to act as bodyguards to a noble in Hanaguro, former Land of Rivers. The thing is that Team 4, your team, is to accompagny us." He said, not showing how immensely proud he was of himself inside for saying 'Team 4' without any hiccups.

Listening to Kensuke, Meilin would hook her right thumb behind her belt as her head slightly tilted to the right. So they were going to the Rivers? Nodding that she understood that information, Meilin did decide to ask a question in return.
"And you want us to aid you to guard this person?" She asked, in a clear cautious voice as if she expected it to be a trick of some sort. "I should probably brief you in about the team but you already have read my and Madoc's profile, so I will leave that up to you if you want to know about the third member."

"I wouldn't mind a quick description, no." He said, but then shook his mind. "But no, that's not my plan. Our target is Tamiyo Haruka, eldest daughter of Lord Tamiyo, former Daimyo of the Rivers. She's been protected by Konoha nin before from some religious zealots quite like those we've been dealing with recently. There's reason to fear our current ones are going for an attempt on her as well." He quickly explained. "But one team is enough to protect her in person. I think I'd rather have you travel there and act as recon for us. Active scanning for their presence should allow us to isolate any attempts before they get close. And if anything I think you've got the right skills and experience for the job."

Meilin raised her right hand, stretching her right index finger and would basically sum up the things of Aoi for Kensuke.
"Blue hair, teen, Chuunin that had been out of active service for two or three years, Magnet release and orientated on close quarter combat." Was the first answer of Meilin.
Hearing the name of Haruka Tamiyo, Meilin wondered for a moment what kind of person this noble was. In her generalised idea and experience, nobles were snobby and had pockets that could miss a coin or fifteen. His idea of having them as a recon did relieve Meilin slightly. The idea to constantly watch over somebody sounded exhausting. The last sentence of Kensuke almost sounded as a compliment, causing Meilin to ponder back to what he had told her in their previous conversation.
"I think we could do that. The only problem is that I need to know what you're expecting. I suppose also that we need to set up a way of communication or if you can later designate a place, I will have little trouble to visit you," Meilin shrugged lightly to place a casual emphasis on her answer.

A teenage chuunin returning to active duty? Well, that would sum up more than half of Konoha's shinobi after the Shoji supression. What was more interesting was that their new member was a close combat specialist. That could be useful later on. Kensuke nodded in response to her remarks. She made valid points, and that made him glad. Glad that she wasn't rejecting the idea, although rationally speaking she didn't have much choice in the matter. Not that she had before, he thought, but it was an improvement either way. "That's just the thing. I want to know what we're facing. We've seen first-hand how they work and what they have at their disposal. I want to know what they have available to throw at us in Hanaguro, when it comes, and where it thinks it's safe. I can't split up Team 7 to both protect Haruka and be seen to protect her and do thorough, proactive recon to hit their elements before they can make any serious attempts. Oh," He said and then paused to retrieve a scroll from one of the scroll pouches on his vest which he then handed to Meilin.

"There's been new intel on the various creatures that they cooperate with, as we encountered in Keishi. As for communications, we'll set up a channel on our comms to communicate with eachother. For back-up we'll set up a system of hidden messages and signals like in Keishi. Sublte signals, the usual." He added.

"Anything else?"

Meilin thought of what they could face. Her first guess was on Zealots. Or was it perhaps what she was hoping for? Uncertain herself, Meilin decided to not voice her own thoughts. Judging by his words, Meilin considered that Kensuke meant the Zealots. His statement that they had seen what they were capable off caused Meilin to slowly nod as she became a bit paler. The memories of what had happened at the end of the investigation caused a cold shiver to run down her spine. She was certain though that if she would wind up in a den with Others in Hanaguro without sufficient help or cover that she wouldn't be able to make it out alive.
"I guess that won't be a possibility. But I hope I won't upset you either with that I am not going into a wasp nest by myself. Or with just two other chuunin. Is there any local authority that either you or my team can contact to enlist back up forces or do we have to get there before we can get an answer on that?"
Meilin would accept the scroll and tuck it away in a pouch at her hip. The information would certainly be useful for study later as to plan perhaps with the others on how these troubles could be tackled - in case they were forced to do so.

"I rather not." Meilin said in a polite fashion. "Seeing that they had that Hyuuga helping them before, for whatever reason, I am a bit hesitant to use the communicators if it isn't certain that anybody else isn't listening in. And seeing that you don't have anybody that speaks Chonobi nor Yakimara, I suggest the following. Once you're in position, try to find a rooftop. I assume that the place will not be too hard too find or else I will have Madoc track your chakra signature. Once that is done, I should be able to contact you. Without anybody eavesdropping on us. Considering that you can't leave your post and we are needed to search, I consider that a better approach. Even though," the chuunin shifted her weight from her left to her right leg as the hazelnut brown eyes gained a challenging glint, "I guess that will require some trust from your side."

"That's not the idea, indeed. If we find anything dangerous, we'll combine forces to hit them, if at all. If we'll hit them at all instead of letting them waste resources at launching their attempt. It depends on what we'll find." He quickly replied to soothe her suspicions. "As for authorities, we'll figure that out later. We shouldn't rely on them overly much. The zealots have been shown to have a good understanding of infiltration." He added, inclining his head to acknowledge she had a point concerning the comms. When she spoke about trust he actually had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. If there was anything he trusted Meilin to do then it was that she'd do everything possible to hit the zealots where it hurt. She's proven as much. That, and he wanted to see her being in a reinstated Team 4 as a new start for both of them. "I was going to take a look into establishing secure channels with the earcoms, so I'll answer that one later. But yes, that could definitely work. If anything I can always send a clone for communications, transformed to look like someone or something inconspicuous."

Meilin would nod to symbolise that she understood his response as well agreed. There was the question of how he would move out guard duty to assist in clearing out a den but she wouldn't bring that up now. If he deemed it an option then she would just have to go with it.
The fact that he voiced that they couldn't trust the local authorities was a bit problematic as she considered that they had thus much fewer resources. Perhaps she and the others of Team 4 should try to remain under the radar. Only how? Deciding that she would puzzle that out later with the team, Meilin would continue to listen to Kensuke.

Flashing a smile before shaking her head lightly, Meilin would reply back. "No need for that. All I need is Madoc to locate your chakra signature and then you on a rooftop. Leave everything else to me. No need to spend chakra for a clone and all that effort. Really, I just need that and there won't be much of a problem." The Cho would answer as she wondered briefly if there would be any problem regarding sensors. Probably but if she was careful then there shouldn't be much of a problem, she figured.
"Coming to that, I will likely desire the team to be under the radar. If the opposition will realise that there is one team guarding a noble of the Tamiyo and another searching for them, I guess that would be better. Not to mention that I need to know what the limitations are for Team 4. I assume that we are forbidden to question those with citizenship in any harsh manner or do we have access to do so if we have enough proof that they are aligned with some organisation that is not... benevolent? "

"Alright, if you say so." He shrugged before moving to the next topic. "I think it's best if we have you act undercover, yes. Not because we can't trust our employer, he should know we're both there, but because I'm not sure we should trust his governement as readily. And, of course, to surprise the zealots themselves." He answered, and considered her next question. he rubbed his chin and pursed his lips. "Unless we're absolutely certain someone's a member of the zealots or working with them, you shouldn't. We want to stay on the good side of our employer and I believe your priority should be to remain hidden until they make a move or until we're ready to make ours."

Glad that he was willing to give her idea a shot, Meilin felt a bit happy about it. More so that he didn't even ask any questions or seeming to desire to know how.
"Understood." Meilin answered.
Remaining undercover shouldn't be too hard, right? If Hanaguro was a large city then she could already think of various methods to remain incognito.
"Is there anything else you would like to discuss or ask? I do assume that if we want the team I am part of to be under the radar that we travel earlier or later. To not arrive at the same time or cause too much attention to us."

He shook his head. "Not anything I can think of right this instance, no. Oh, yes, I'd always planned to travel independantly of eachother. Team 7 will be leaving tomorrow morning if all goes well. We shouldn't arrive at the same time, and you know how to contact me. I'll drop you a written-out briefing this evening with details of the entire operation."

"Okay. And we will go then a day later. I suppose that we will else travel a bit slower so that you guys can reach the city before we will.'"
Becoming silent Meilin wondered if this was it then. Pondering on what else could be spoken or asked about the mission, Meilin had something else in mind.
"Last time you said something," Meilin's nose wrinkled slightly as she didn't like to bring her confusion and doubt up, "You said that you cared. Why? It can't be because I was so cooperative during the two missions I was with you. And we aren't related, so what makes you care?" Meilin asked, though cautious for an answer she dreaded, almost causing her to take a step backwards.

He was already thinking ahead of what he'd do next, which was visiting the arsenal for inquiring after the earcoms and the possibility of getting spares when Meilin ambushed him with a question. He paused as he got his thoughts in order and to think about the words for his response. He cared because she acted so much like he had, several years ago. And it hadn't been healthy for him. He didn't wish anyone to become like him, and if it was in his power to prevent the same from happening to Meilin, he would. "It's not that easy to explain." He said, experiencing a frisson of the awkwardness that'd determined his behaviour as a young brat. "But I think, ... I think it is because I recognize myself in you, and I don't want anyone to become like me." He said cryptically, afraid to give away too much of his carfully hoarded walls. She wouldn't understand, he was certain of it, no matter how stupid that sounded. Not right now at least.

"I'm a pretty terrible person to be, first-hand experience speaking here." He added with a faint smile.

The answer that she did have some time and he was smart enough to make it easy was at the ready on Meilin's lips. Placing her left hand on her hip, she would wait to let him try to formulate an answer. For a moment she did dread that he was going to say something awful, such as what she had thought before. It didn't seem to be that case so she was a bit more at ease.
"You don't want me to become you." The eyebrows of Meilin perked up, clearly not satisfied with the answer. Even as Kensuke elaborated it further with a short statement, Meilin's expression turned blank.
"And that answer will prevent me from becoming you? It isn't really making it any clearer, Nimatsu-san," Meilin stated, "I ask this cause it is bugging me. I don't like to just hear from somebody that I am not familiar with that they care about me. Not sure how much you know about me but I don't have a particular league of people to care about. So for me, it means a lot. However," Meilin continued, though her voice didn't carry any negative tone with it. Yet, it was clear that she wasn't too happy or to the point, she understood Kensuke's point.
"We are not friends. We aren't relatives. I suppose I should call you an ally but that is little reason to care. So really, what is the deal?"

He had anticipated a response like this, and he sighed to hear it. Somewhere he did realise that an answer like his would only elicit such a reaction. But in the main he just didn't know how he could say what he wanted to. To be able to grant her his own insights without having to dwell on his past. In some remote part of his mind he understood daren't put himself in a vulnerable position towards Meilin, but that didn't help him any further. "Alright. Suppose I once lost something as dear to me as you hold your family. I hated the people who took that from me and did everything in my power, and beyond it, to take back what they stole. But also to hurt them as much as they hurt me, to make them realize their mistake. Let's suppose I only found parts of what they took. Enough to stop looking, but nowhere near enough to be content with it." He explained, his voice growing slightly strained as he almost physically tried to make her realize, knowing fully well how stupid his story sounded and how typical the message was. "But, looking back, I would have become exactly what I'd originally fought."

Her facial expression remained blank. She did listen but nothing seemed to reflect in her body language, face or eyes what she thought of Kensuke's words.
"So, what would you advise me to do then?" She asked the question, thought it was clear it was asked with a certain restraint. The hazelnut brown eyes seemed to grow darker, steeling themselves against something.
"I will need those parts. Fuck being content. Fuck..." Restraining herself, Meilin lowered her head for a moment as she seemed to realise that this wasn't the time nor place to act in such a manner. That and she had little reason to keep holding him accused of everything. Yet, she wanted it. It was so easy. Here he was. Probably not expecting being decked in the face. Being overwhelmed and beaten up. Ignoring the obvious fact that she was aware that he would be able to defend himself against her. Which did nothing but to frustrate her briefly more as she acknowledged that it was just wrong.
Taking a soft breath Meilin would raise her head and lock her eyes with Kensuke's.
"What would you do in my stead, Nimatsu-san?" She asked, trying to appear as calm and collected as ever.

That seemed to have effected something at least. He saw Meilin clench her fists as she listened while she tensed up herself, ever so slightly. But her question caught him off guard nevertheless. Indeed, what would he do in her stead? All he knew that what he'd done had been wrong. Or had it just been too late? And what had he done? The questions bounced around in his head even though he knew the answer, or his answer, already. It occured to him that Meilin was as much in chaos and distress as he was. The parts he'd salvaged, he'd needed them to. He'd gone to the ends of the continent for them, even when Matsuri'd run away there herself. She then seemed to master herself however, and repeated her question. "That's besides my point, because I did what I have done and you will do what you will do. All I'm saying is, ..." He said calmly, using a breath for pause to order his thoughts. "keep in mind the dangers of your path. Don't lose yourself as you go. There's no real way of telling if you're doing it right, unfortunately. Just make sure that by the end of it you can look into your own eyes without seeing a stranger's or shame for what you have become."

Waiting for his answer, Meilin knew that she wouldn't adhere to it. Or that was what she kept telling herself. What did he know of her suffering? Trying to keep pushing herself to grow a disdain for Kensuke instead of empathy still didn't seem to work and it frustrated Meilin only more. His answer didn't do more than to make her feel more frustrated. Managing to cool herself slowly but surely down.
The furthering of the Nimatsu and his warning was heard but Meilin kept telling herself that she wouldn't fall for it. Her desire for revenge and hatred for the Zealots made it easy to push the doubt if it wouldn't be healthy to heed the man's warning.
"I will." The two words leaving Meilin easier than she had expected as she would look away for a moment.
"I suppose I should leave you to prepare for the mission then. I got... to prepare as well."

"Yes. I'll see you later." He replied, and turned around towards the arsenal. He wasn't quite sure how he should take her answer. It wasn't beyond her to lie to his face - she'd done it before - but on the other hand he wasn't sure if she'd even put in the effort of lying to him. It was clear that she'd like to be rid of him. Perhaps this was a way of pushing him off. Or, he was just overthinking it. Either way, he reasoned, he needed to check if he could acquire an additional set of earcoms for safe communications during their mission. After all, it wouldn't be unrealistic to assume the zealots had easy acces to the unsecured channels of their earcoms by now, like the other shinobi nations.
[/fieldbox]
 
[fieldbox=A Heavy Hearted Reminded - Part 1, purple]
Kenshin Hishima
Kumogakure Genin
Wolf Country

Summary:
The young Hishima boy Kenshin is on route to meet his team for the night operation, during his short walk, his heart becomes heavy with guilt as he remembers Abe, his childhood friend who died on the field. The unbalance between his heart and mind trigger a flashback.


The boy would be on foot traveling to his team meeting point, the dark path reminded him of the field that was covered in corpse he was trapped in thought, remembering how the corpse was heavy, it made him wonder how something so lifeless can be so heavy.Taking out his spoils of battle a low-quality foreign sword, he tried to find his reflection in but the dirt and blood made it a hard task, eventually he would see something but it wasn't his reflection, no it was screwed faceless corpse of Abe Tanaka. He quickly sheathed the blade, his breaths became quick, it was no use the faceless body would remain in Kenshin's head. Small bubbles of sweat began to form on his forehead and his breaths became deeper as he dropped to his hands and knees.


The air was still, but the sky the cloudy dawning over the Kumogakure encampment in Wolf country, the thick and solid voices coming from soldiers would flood the words whisking with each other to create a bunch of babble. Amongst all of them, the young boy Kenshin would be sitting on large crate stacked high watching a spar between Abe Tanaka and a fresh recruit. The swords clashed against one another the sound of steel screeching kept the crowd in awe. Kenshin observed the contender, he seemed around the same age as Abe, probably slightly older, some soldiers made bets on who would win, a lot of them voted for the fresh recruit, he had more build than Abe, visually he looked stronger than him, " The kid with the topknots any minute now," one soldier said, another one with root for the other, "You really don't think that topknot kids going to get the best of Daiki do you, cried a female voice from a distance. "So that's the guy's name..Daiki." Kenshin clasped his palms together as he confirmed the older boy, rumor had it he had 8 siblings and was raised on a farm on the outskirts of the capital, all of the sibling's boys, farmer boys were tough, hard working, however, a lot were ignorant. Kenshin managed to gather why the older boy got the more cheers, it was because they didn't know Abe or his background like he did , they didn't know he was from the academy, they didn't know that the boy with the messy topknot spent days and nights training with a blade, even taking extra lessons, the boy had heart, and that's one of the reasons Kenshin stuck by him, and definitely one of the reasons he respected him.

Abe seemed to be on the losing side of this spar, Daiki's continuous strikes seemed so powerful, Kenshin could see Abe struggling, to hold his guard, the last blow would send Abe staggering, the unbalanced Genin looked like he was in trouble, the crowd roared at his upcoming defeat, until the roars would suddenly become silent as if, it was like the world had turned to mutes, as Daiki would be seen rolling around on the ground cupping his ear with both hands. Kenshin, saw it all, the quick recovery, horizontal stroke to the bigger guy's ear. A couple soldiers came to tend to Daiki, a bit of red leaked from his ear, Abe would just remain as he was, looking around at all the shocked faces. The fish out of water looked made Kenshin worry about the boy, so Kenshin would begin to clap slowly, and loudly, it took awhile for some to follow but eventually a majority of the troops would recognize the pale Genins efforts.


Hours later the two boys would be in front of the dancing flames, with a bowl soup in their hands. The broth was thick, clear evidence that a lot of hard food was used, spud like foods and crushed beans, it was more like a stew. Abe looked in disgust at his filled bowl for a good couple of minutes. " What's up, you don't like it?" Kenshin said, taking his third spoonful of the red stew. "I don't like potatoes remember, they make me gag, feels like lumpy vomit in my mouth." Abe sighed, placing his bowl on the ground and simply just stared at the dancing flames in silence, Kenshin shook his head in disappointment, he never really understood why Abe was always fussy with food, it had been like this before the Academy. Kenshin would prepare to comment, but the sad look on Abe's face suggested he not, "How long will we be here for?" The questioned caused Kenshin to pause, putting his small bowl on the ground beside him, the boy would also look at the flames dance, the heat felt nice, much more appreciated during this season. "I don't know until the war is finished maybe...Why?" a false smile appeared on Abe's face, it was weak, and it quickly vanished. " Just getting bored, the same routine, different day. I like exploration." He sighed again, fitting perfectly with the dull tone. "So you're telling you precisely at mid day you beat Kusanagi Daiki, every day by accident." Laughter followed causing their moods were much lighter as the two boys laughed. "I was meant to do that Kenshin, making your opponent think he has the upper hand can change the tide of combat, teacher taught us that in the Taijutsu class, don't you remember?" Kenshin shook his head smiling, "Yeah but not the way you do it, when you staggered I thought he was going to end you completely." Tanaka smirked, " Shows how much faith you have in me then." The older Genin sarcastically said. "But seriously, it was all part of the plan.
Kenshin would pick his bowl up and continue eating the bland, red stew that was meant to be soup. " The Temporary Paralysis Technique was part of the plan too right, even though you were aware it was illegal to use.You're lucky only a few know what you are educated in." the mood went from amused to serious straight away after those words. Abe would scoff at Kenshin's remark. "There is no such thing as a fair fight, you fight, teacher also told us this, you seem to be forgetting a lot Baako, I would take a rest if I were you." Kenshin remained silent not retaliating, it was clear Abe was not amused, the older boy would get up and some bread. "I'm not eating that gunk in a bowl, I'm going to go find some bread, I'll see you when I see you." Kenshin caught the bitterness of the last sentence, as soon as the boy was far disappeared Kenshin would mumble under his breath. " I hope it's stale."


Finally getting up Kenshin would wipe the sweat off his forehead forcing himself to overcome the image his heart heavy, he hoped his guilt burdened heart wouldn't interfere with his mission, he's human, a young boy to be exact, but he is also a Shinobi and Shinobi show little emotion, though death was a horrifying thing it came with the line of work, Kenshin believed that however he also believed it was easier to say than to experience. He would slowly make his way to his team meeting point in silence to begin the operation.​
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