Naruto Fantasy (AU) : The Rise of the New Generation

[Oetje]

[fieldbox=Battle of Homdar. - Part 1, burlywood]

The Battle of Homdar!
A collab between Alice and Oetje.

Summary:
Moving from Dalir, Meilin marches and joins the forces under command of Knvell Sarutobi, otherwise known as the Lord of the Blackroots, and what appears to be one of his subjects, Gunnvor Hon. At Homdar, Meilin prepares with Amund Sarutobi, Knvell's son, for the battle. Then the news spreads about the enemy advancing. The battle of Homdar begins thus as the skies will blot out the sun and ravens take flight.

*Note:
I, Oetje, will try to write most of the battle. Not because Meilin is a PC but I have little experience on how to portray a battle or clash between two armed groups. I will try to do my best and hope it will provide some entertainment, as I am also looking forward to some hints and tips on how to portray it better in the future!*​

[spoili]
The march wasn't so bad. Though it wasn't something that Meilin could honestly state that it was something she enjoyed doing, she was used to long marches. She had her share at the Cho Guards for the past two years. Or were it three? She wasn't honestly too certain about it but at the moment she didn't curse the disciplining and gruesome training of the guard she was a member of. That and she liked to believe that with the experience and events of past days and weeks, next to being so close to getting revenge and, hopefully, her family back, that it gave her strength to carry on.
Arriving at the village of Homdar, it was abandoned by its residents. Creating thus a very eerie situation where it seemed as if the village was inhabited by mere ghosts. Save it from one greybeard who had insisted that he would rather go down fighting for his home than to leave the home he had built with his brother for his family. But other than that greybeard, there was nobody else that remained behind. Making camp in the village, Knvell didn't waste any time with sitting around and waiting for the enemy to get nearby. Scouting parties would be sent to watch and secure the perimeter as some groups were formed to practice and perform drills together.

Much reprieve or free time for Meilin wasn't present. She was assigned to the care of Amund, who made it certain that he didn't joke around. For hours he instructed and trained Meilin in the basics of the shield. At the end of the day, with the sky start to become darker as the night was approaching, Meilin swore that her arms would fall off if she had to train another day with Amund. He was stern and strict but did compliment her if she was getting the move or stance right. It was in a way also fun, to learn a new way to fight. Even though Meilin wasn't sure if fighting with a shield was something she would do later. It felt more natural and better to have her left hand free to either support her movement or perform other actions. But she was allowed to take it easy now that the evening was there.
Enjoying supper, Meilin did briefly interact and join various conversations with the Blackroots. It was quite easy, once more to her surprise. The image of the Blackroots being isolated and anything but fond of outsiders wasn't something that seemed to apply now. Perhaps it was just against those who trespassed in what they considered their own home and land? Or not being able to respect or understand their ways?

The next day most scouts had already relayed information back. The enemy moved in various groups, only to start moving closer and form almost two detachments. The largest was the vanguard, making sure that the rear detachment would be able to move safely. Some scouts had spotted that the rear detachment was the group which had a lot of prisoners with them. Judging from what could have been observed without betraying themselves to the enemy sentries and troops, the scouts had noticed that the prisoners seemed to be unharmed. While the enemy was to be expected in the afternoon, something made them advance slower. Concern and worries started to arise within the host of Lord Blackroot as it wasn't clear why the enemy was moving at a slower pace. Some wondered if the zealots and 'Uchiha' hadn't been able to figure out, somehow, that they would be facing quite some resistance before they would even reach the perimeter of Dalir. Others voiced their concern and worries if they weren't expecting and waiting for more reinforcements from the Uchiha clan lands if they were truly Uchiha. Then reinforcements from Oakrath arrived on horseback. It wasn't a lot of troops but they had been sent in advance of the mustered host that was also on its way.

News also arrived that Hons from the House of Rachon were on the move and would arrive within a day, making as much haste as they were able. It wasn't yet clear on how many the Hons would come but the news did some good for the morale. At the evening, Meilin wasn't able to enjoy some free time. Amund decided it was a perfect time to pick up from the basic training and once more spend hours to teach and instruct Meilin on how to use a shield in battle.
After the training and able to enjoy some dinner, a Blackroot scout party would return with some news. Apparently, the enemy was splitting up in two, starting to move once more. The large vanguard was advancing towards their direction as the smaller detachment was starting to dig and entrench their position.

---

The Battle of Homdar.​

It was really happening. It was really going to happen. Sitting still Meilin held her eyes closed as the green dye was applied on her face. There weren't a lot of colours to pick from and it wasn't really something she had picked. Amund had picked out of some colours that green would be best for Meilin. Now one of the Blackroots was applying the green substance to her skin, forming simple lines that would portray a certain image of a raven. Once it was done Meilin was allowed to use a small mirror. It had something enchanting to it and yet she barely could recognise herself. A small smile spread on her lips as she would thank the Blackroot who had applied the dye. Gearing up for the coming clash, Meilin wouldn't waste any time to hurry to where the detachment of Amund would group.
Already a large amount of Blackroots, Pinedale Sarutobi and some Hons - probably from Gunnvor's force - were at the spot. They looked rather ready and eager. Though most were talking, there was a certain tension present in the air. Finding Amund, talking with Gunnvor, Meilin would wait at a respectful distance.

After a few moments and exchanges of words, Gunnvor would grab Amund by the wrist before departing with a wide grin plastered on his lips. Meilin shot a look at the large man before she would approach Amund.
"I am ready, sir," Meilin said as she would place a clenched right fist in her chest.

"Good. We will now head out. You will need to stay with me. Let us hope that the Ancestors will grant us the honour of witnessing our future victory," the man said. Even though his manner of phrasing, he sounded rather calm and neutral. Starting to lead the detachment at a good pace, they would head toward what would soon be the field of battle. The enemy would come from the north, likely avoiding the treeline and few hills that would obstruct their vision on the terrain while moving from high ground to lower. Amund's detachment would take up a concealed position at the lower ground, taking cover behind a small hill and the treeline nearby.

Once in position, a silence reigned supreme among the present troops. Nobody said a single word. The tension of before was even more present as everybody seemed to be focused on one thing only: waiting for the signal. The signal that the enemy was approaching and that they could come out to lure them into the trap. While Meilin had perhaps formulated the concept, Knvell Blackroot had made some adjustment. Hopefully, the enemy would be confident enough to take the bait.

While waiting for some of the present warriors and soldiers would check their gear. Seeing if they could unsheathe their weapon without a problem or if they had enough arrows. Not that it decreased the anxious tension that was present.

Then, appearing out of nowhere, was the signal. An imitation of a bird would resonate through the air and cause Amund to whistle softly. Almost as one, the entire group would ready up. Moving forward, the detachment would leave their cover and move into the open.

She felt her heart skipping beats as the signal of Amund sounded. Getting up she felt more alive than ever and yet more terrified than ever. In the presence of skilled warriors and soldiers, shouldn't she be able to throw off the fear? Meilin's face moved into a scowl as she gripped her shield tighter, moving next to Amund as they would form their formation, in open sight.
Looking ahead she could see the opposition. The Zealots and Uchiha formed and readied for battle, clearly surprised by the sudden appearance of Amund's detachment.
Meilin did hope that they were afraid. That they would fear the prospect of dying in a grim and painful way. That they would regret of ever coming here. Of ever commiting the evil that they had done before. And if they didn't, then she would.

A loud thud would move through the air, followed by others. Slamming the back of his axe against his shield, others followed. No shouts, curses or insults rang. Only the solemn sound of weapons bashing against shields, chests or the bottom of spears against the ground.

The Zealot and Uchiha force then seemed to move forward. The rhythm on which Amund's forces were bashing their weapons against shields, chests and the ground increased. Suddenly a few of them shouted curses and insults in Chonobi, towards the address of their foes. It was unlikely that they would hear, let alone understand, it from the current distance. From the looks of it, the enemy formation did increase their pacing once they caught the sight that Amund's force wasn't even half their numbers. A few banners displaying the crest of the Uchiha would become visible as a small group would start to run towards them, the sound of battle cries moving through the air, heralding their charge.

"Cho," Amund said in a stern tone, "Don't be dismayed. We will meet this threat head on," raising the volume of his voice, Amund stopped bashing the back of his axe against his shield. Others would stop as well, becoming silent. "Whether we die today or in another battle, our ancestors smile upon us! Fight well and if you fall, surely Lord Akumu will take you into his hall! Lord Akumu!"
The name would be repeated, shouted by all those under Amund's command as they would ready up. While the charging enemy was closing in fast, not all of them would even come close. Arrows would be unleashed from their bows, flying as angry wasps through the air before finding their mark.

Soon enough more followed but this time arrows would come from a different direction. Zealots and Uchiha fell to the ground as arrows shot from the treelines, from their right direction, but not revealing who was unleashing the projectiles. Soon enough this would be repeated from yet another direction as it became clear to the enemy that they were surrounded. Battle cries in Chonobi rang through the air as more enemies would fall on the ground and the formation of the Zealots and Uchiha started to fall apart. Confused and in disarray the enemy tried to figure out on what they should focus while under heavy fire. "With me!" Amund shouted as he would storm forwards, followed by the others.

Meilin held her eyes locked on the enemy in front of them. The sight of arows causing men to fall down to the ground wasn't soothing her anger or thirst for revenge and their blood. Biting her lower lip she tried to focus on her breathing for a moment, gripping the handle of her shield and axe tighter. Waiting for the command to storm the enemy formation.
Amund then signalled the charge and as if she was an arrow released from a bow, Meilin ran forwards. She didn't run too fast to disturb the line but her blood was boiling. Her anger and desire, to hurt those zealots and Uchiha, were like a starving boggart, spotting prey just in front of it.
Moving her shield in front of her, Meilin unleashed a battle cry just before her world would tremble. Colliding right into the confused line of enemies that tried to brace themselves against the charge, Meilin twisted her body to press her weight against her shield. The man that had the unfortunate fate to be the target of her charge was stumbling backwards into one of his allies. Pressing on Meilin gritted her teeth. So far she could notice she was right in the middle of the fight as she and the others were using their shields to form a wall of wood and steel, slowly starting to push the enemy backwards.
"Lord Akumu!" Meilin would shout before slightly shifting her weight and stance. Using her axe, she would do as Amund had trained her to do. Lowering her shield by a slight margin the Cho would slip the weapon over it and deliver a quick hack at the man in front of her. Blood splattered against the steel blade of the axe and shield but Meilin would quickly raise the shield and start to push again.
To her left, however, a sound caught her attention. The man at her left would curse out loud as he would stumble and fall on one knee before the tip of a spear from the ranks of the enemy found its way to ending his life. While his place was quickly taken, it enraged Meilin more. Narrowing her eyes she tried to push even harder, not caring as the man at the other side attempted to stab over her shield.
Lowering herself, Meilin would slide her axe past her shield and shove the blade into the man's side. Hearing a painful grunt from the other side didn't satisfy her just yet. Slipping the axe back, Meilin would wait for another chance while staying on guard that the man at the other side of her shield wouldn't land a hit on her.
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[RoranHawkins]

[fieldbox="Prison Inspection, green"]
A collab between Gerontis and Roran Hawkins
Konohagakure Headquarters - Cells

Summary

Zakito visits Kensuke in his cell, and they have a brief discussion.

Collab

It was getting quite late. Even though he had tried to finish most of his work in a good and rapid pace, there was always more to be done. Resulting that he was only able to leave when the sun had already started to set. Thus colouring the sky in a great spectatle of colours. Not that Zakito had much time or attention for such details as he was making way towards the headquarters of the Intelligence Division. Sending a shadow clone at home, he just hoped that he would be able to do what he had on his mind. A bitter taste was still dominant in his mouth, due to what had happened earlier today.

Finding and entering the headquarters wasn't neither a problem. With his vertifications he was allowed to enter the building and request all kind of matters. Being guided through the halls into the underground section where the 'guests' were located, Zakito did request some privacy. This wasn't questioned nor frowned upon by the guide, who simply bowed and allowed Zakito to continue to the cell where an old student of him resided for the time being. Walking through the dark and cold hall, Zakito would stop in front of a cell. It wasn't a fun place to be at. With a stern guard company making sure that nobody escaped there was the precaution of a chakra blockade. Something that Meisa made quite clever use with both preventing any outbreak of people, resources and information as hiding matters.

For a moment the Hon just stood there in silence, gazing into the dark cell. A soft sigh escaped his lips before speaking up. "I hope that you're being treated well. I heard that you did receive a warm supper. Wish that they could also bring something at my office while at it." Zakito began on a casual tone. He was suspecting that Kensuke wasn't either in the mood to talk or being angry at him but that was okay. There wasn't much else that the Nimatsu could do now, Zakito thought to himself. Something that could perhaps be amusing in a different time and setting. "I also will receive the results of the... questioning, tomorrow. Thought that I would rather have a talk than to just base everything off from what I have to read, you know?"

Footsteps. Silence. Some more footsteps. Silence. The past day had been pretty much more of the same. He'd long grown accustomed to the background noises of the cells and had learned to filter them out when listening for disruptions. A survival excercise that'd saved his life at least once. Now it helped him fight boredom and frustration. But it could only work for so long of course. He'd learned to develop a healthy sense of patience over the years. Painstakingly slow stealth missions where covering ten meters of ground took him half an hour of slow, careful crawling had taught him as much. But at least there was a purpose to his waiting when he waited on operations. He'd even been imprisoned before. It had been just as boring as it was now. But at least there'd been a good reason for his imprisonment. He hardly even knew why he was here, nevermind why he was a wanted man in Konoha itself.

More footsteps broke the silence. Sometimes the footsteps would pass his cell. Sometimes they'd stop elsewhere or simply stop and turn around. He'd learned to identify the guard's gait as he inspected cells or just walked a few paces to get rid of the strain in his legs. He'd learned to tell the guard from whomever brought food to their cells. There'd been a few others patterns he'd heard and had been unable to identify though. Interrogators? Visitors? Other inmates? Their footsteps didn't return often enough for him to recognize their pattern from the others. The footsteps came closer, and as they did he identified the guard -and someone else he didn't know. He didn't bother looking outside the cell, accustomed to the disappointment of not even having the guard pass his cell at all. The footsteps kept approaching until they finally stopped at his door.

When Kensuke looked up he saw a familiar figure in front of him. Zakito Hon. He wanted to be angry and bitter, but couldn't find the energy nor arguments to back it up. Zakito was just doing his job after all. A cog in the machine. Perhaps a bigger cog that drove many others, but still just a cog. When Zakito mentioned dinner Kensuke shrugged. Dinner had been warm, yes. Tasty was something different, but Kensuke wasn't someone to complain about food. He'd lived off far worse on missions, both taste- and nutrient-wise. Kensuke remained silent when Zakito spoke again, considering the old man's words. He knew this was an attempt to close the gap between them, a chance given to him based off the trust that'd existed between them at one point, or perhaps still did. Yet he had difficulties seeing it for the value it had. So he shrugged agreeingly.

Silence was about to creep back as Kensuke didn't voice a response. Zakito would unleash a soft sigh from his lips as he would look if he could sit down. The floor, however, was anything but inviting and the lack of a stool or chair made it clear that he would just have to stand on his legs. "I suppose I should do the talking then. I am not certain how much you are aware of what will follow but I can try to explain it." Zakito began, deciding to lean against the wall at his back. "Your memory will be searched and read. Then from the findings it will be presented to a neutral jury, who will debate on what has been found and presented. Then it will be formed into a report and together with the findings, it will go to the Empress. As you might guess, I am not part of the neutral jury. Apparently there are 'factors' that play with me being able to remain neutral," there was a certain sliver of a bitter tone ringing through the voice of Zakito, even though he did try to keep it polite and friendly. Pausing for a moment, his expression shifted a bit.

"You are aware that this is most ironic, the whole situation? Not about the treason. I don't believe for a second you are part of a political intrigue. Never have appeared to be the sly one. Too brusk and blunt for that. But about your team," the Hon began, "Not that I still condone from what I have heard and read but that genin isn't much different from you. Much like her now, didn't you also decide to chase somebody of great importance? Knowing it was dangerous? And also against the desire and rules of the then reigning... council?" He wasn't sure if he could call the short tenure of the Elders a council. But at the lack of a polite term, he decided that was the best for now. "Only difference I am seeing is that you had quite some help. This girl, this... Meilin Cho, who has she backing her up? No team. No relatives, so far I am aware. All seems rather ironic. In a sad and painful way, perhaps."

For the first time ever Kensuke analysed Zakito's body language with his dojutsu as he spoke. He'd gathered some experience at using it this way before, yet it still seemed alien to study a man he knew so well. He saw so many details and intricacies he simply did not understand or did not even know where there. Had Zakito always been so bitter about the past, or was that just his mind filling in the blanks with his best guesses? If anything one thing was certain, this was still the Zakito he'd learned to love in the past. However curious that might seem to him now. He was visiting him, informing him, inquiring after his wellbeing, ... All despite his busy job and family life. Depsite his many responsabilities. Despite Kensuke' failure. Something a friend would do. Perhaps even a father. It struck him, and it annoyed him. And allies were not exactly something he had in Konoha at this point. A soft smile reached the corners of his lips as Zakito spoke.

As the old man spoke of Meilin something inside Kensuek wrenched. He was right, of course. More right than he even realised himself. He'd blackmailed Hisoka into allowing him to chase some faint rumour of Matsuri's presence somewhere in the Land of Iron. He was at least as bad as Meilin. And Zakito was right about the help too. Hiron had, despite everything, been a great help. His team had been there without question to hold his back. He'd even had Hisoka's blessing in some way or shape, he knew. "But that's where you're wrong." He said in response. "She was never alone. Half of the reason I allowed her to take control is because I knew. Helping the Blackroot and Sarutobi was more than just following orders. But you know me. I never was that good with people. I wanted to help, but I just couldn't get that through to her." He said, and allowed a silence to fall.

After a while he scoffed. "And good God, talking to all those high hats made me think of all the politics and clan councils again. Ugh."

"Thinking you're alone and knowing you're not alone. Those are two very different things and experiences," Zakito calmly stated, as if he was almost talking a naive or impatient child. He would pause for a second, considering what he should and had to say about it. Rubbing the fact that Kensuke hadn't perhaps been a good mentor figure for Meilin wasn't something Zakito needed to address. Besides, failures could be learned from. Or so, Zakito hoped. "I hope I am wrong, though. Would be a nice change of pace, actually. After all, let us be honest. She has some aid but who is going to travel with her home, hm? The Blackroots are known to stick to their own land. The people of Pinedale are somewhat more friendly and open but why would they escort somebody as Meilin to Konohagakure? Soon she will be alone again." Another pause followed as Zakito shifted his weight from one to another leg.

"What I am trying to say is not that you were lucky. Or that this girl need to be pitied. We all suffer terror and hardship, in time. The thing is that I was perhaps a bit surprised and disappointed earlier today that it went like this. That you couldn't convince her," the man shrugged, "Not entirely your fault. It is was coming that you would get a student that would provide some challenge or dilemma. Most people who lead a team tend to encounter such genin. Even if you're not good with people or talking. Or talking too much," a hint of amusement was present with the last few words, "Sometimes it helps to just state the little things. Perhaps you should not just give up trying on breaking through? After all, remember your old team? I most certainly remember them and they were all some stubborn oafs. Who in their right mind would decide to venture without any vertification or being allowed to sneak into the Iron country, only to fight a missing nin and dragging one of Hideryori's children back to Konohagakure?" Shaking his head lightly, Zakito held a chuckle back. This place wasn't really the best place to have too much joy going on, he figure.

"As for the Sarutobi, I guess that it was to be expected that you wouldn't do well with them. They are a good people. At least, in my experience. They just tend to their own in a different way. But it takes time and patience to understand them. Anyhow," clearing his throat softly, Zakito frowned at Kensuke. "I will let you try to connect with miss Cho once she returns. From what I know of some other sources is that she will most likely return. In a way, she is like you. A knucklehead."

He scoffed at the idea. Him? A knucklehead? He got up from his bunk bed and leaned forwards on his knees, shaking his head as he did. "I'm not saying I've given up on her. It's just that she-" He began, and then paused to think of a better way to convey his thoughts. "She's a lot like me. And then she isn't." He let out a drained sigh. He simply couldn't find a way to phrase his feeling about her. Despite all harsh words earlier somewhere deep inside he knew he couldn't give up on her simply because she was so much liek him. Yet elsewhere he never wanted to see her again for the way she had abandoned the team, good intentions or not. Hadn't it been clear that they'd been there more for her sake than the mission's sake at that point? It was inevtiable that it'd leak that he 'lost control' of his squad and made several 'diplomatic fiasco's' on the job. Another blow to the shaky prestige of his clan. Or perhaps his sisters'd be more accurate at this point. All that, just to get cut off. It'd hurt him more than he admitted to himself to see his sacrifices wasted, yet at the same time he understood in some primal way. With a second exasperated sigh he let go of the topic.

"So if this is just a pointless investigation as you say, what would it be about then? Can I know what I'm being accused of, or won't you spoil the surprise for me?" He said with a spent grin.

Zakito remained silent. He couldn't really relate that much to the 'problem' between Meilin and Kensuke. While he had stated that every person teaching and mentoring long enough would encounter a member or student who would challenge them, he had found a 'challenge' in somebody else. Who had been like a sister to him. Then again, that was completely different than a student who was either different or just taking more effort to guide. The question of Kensuke was answered after a moment of silence. "It is in a way to be certain that you won't be considered.. a collaborator with the plot that various small clans had tried to make. Apparently when the Empire was founded there were some small clans that tried to gather together an opposition. Rumours about even trying to gather aid from the west. And while having some proof, it is now just looking who is guilty and who we can determine to be completely innocent. I doubt I will need to say more but you could see this as a prevention measure. Not completely my idea though," he shrugged lightly after his comment. "Guess that somebody is being rather..." Zakito's voice trailed off as he tried to find the right word for a moment. "Worried, I suppose would fit best."

He understood immediately. He didn't need much more than 'some small clans' to know it'd been his sister. To be fair, it wasn't a difficult guess. Despite his strenuous relationship with his sister he was somewhat aware of what she was up to. Half of the time, maybe. But he had learned of something of the like where rights established between his father and Zakito or Daimyo of Fire had been abrogated, much to Masami's disdain. Several other clans had suffered a similar fate during the formation of the empire, and they'd banded together, unofficially. It was very easy to see the link with his sister in particular. 'Aid from the West' was easily translated into his sister marrying Misaki Chinatsu, a Wind nation shinobi and envoy. Other clans' reactions had been plain enough on this event, and the marriage and the empire's quick reaction to Masami's factionalism had ascertained quick stabilisation of the situation. The situation'd seemed resolved to Kensuke, although he knew at heart that Masami'd not back down so easily. Whatever was going on now, he'd missed it entirely. Either she'd been hatching a new plot he wasn't aware of yet, or the imperial officers must've wanted to prevent that from happening again. It didn't help that he couldn't honestly guess which was more likely.

Regardless of the situation, it had to be something that directly involved Masami. Otherwise the Intelligence Corps'd never act so brazenly as to directly arrest a clan leader. His factual power in spite, this was an act that carried symbolical value that would echo amongst the ranks of the clans, one way or another. Or maybe he was wrong. But his guts told him he wasn't, and he knew his sister well enough to know that this wasn't over yet. Humour me, he thought. And he still couldn't understand why Meilin did what she'd done.

Kensuke shrugged, for once perfectly hiding what was going on inside like he had mastered before. There was no need to let on that he knew his sister was in trouble. Or that he had the strong suspicion that she was. "Again?" He asked instead. "Ugh, what a mess. When can you get me on a mission again?"

"Again worried? I do like to think that those who know her Grace well, shouldn't voice it like that," an amused tone rang through Zakito's phrasing. "Not certain. I still need to wait for Miss Cho to return. Then once she has or when I have received word of what might else have happened to her, I will need to decide how that will impact you. Even though I can bring some understanding that not everything is your blame, it is... or was, more precisely your responsibility. If the girl comes back wounded, every scar will be put on you. Regardless on what she did." He calmly continued. It wasn't a pretty matter but it was as it was. "Seeing Sen Cho's resigning, I will probably add miss Hyuuga to your team. The former woman who had accompanied you briefly during the previous mission. Perhaps a bit of change is required but it is too early to state such matters."

So the genin on the loose with a mild death wish was his responsability. Everything the reckless kid would do to herself would be blamed on him. In fact, it was already too late for that. She'd already suffered a small resumé of serious cuts during that one engagement with some zealots. Despite having grown used to having strange responsabilities trust upon him it angered him to think that even Zakito believed that was how things should be. Apparently this was how the world worked, Kensuke guessed. Pressing down on his rebellious anger he shrugged to hear about the Hyuuga joining him officially. "No complaints about that from the Hyuuga elders? It's no secret that they hate my guts."

"They can be angry all day. They don't lead the military nor have much sway in it. If they have an issue then they should strive to convince me or perhaps the empress. If they will bother you with any complaints or worse then they are in the wrong," Zakito answered, "Besides, the Hyuuga clan is decaying these days. If anything, the elders and more conversative Hyuuga are occupied to cling to make certain that their clan will not crumble. It is a rather interesting process, if I may say so myself. I just hope it won't cause any violence if there will be any change."

Zakito's words earned him a grimace from Kensuke. Decaying clans? Maybe the Nimatsu was one, if he was to be arrested like this. Perhaps, he mused in a darker corner of his mind, the Hyuuga and the Nimatsu suddenly had a lot more in common. A couple of memories involving Matsuri suddenly flashed by his mind's eye. Kensuke shifted once again, and leaned back against the wall. "Interesting process my ass." He said, wishing he had something to drink.

"Perhaps it takes a certain experience to find it interesting," Zakito calmly answered. Pressing his back from the wall he continued. "Anyways, it is rather late. So, I suppose I will bid you a good night." He was well aware that sleeping in a cell wasn't really going to be a pleasant experience but there wasn't really a different way to phrase it. Nodding towards Kensuke, Zakito would take his leave, starting to head home to perhaps enjoy a few hours of rest before he had to get up for work.

Kensuke sat in silence as Zakito left. As this footsteps dwindled they were joined again by the guard's, who had respectfully waited a distance away. Kensuke didn't move an inch from his position, leaning against the wall from his bunk as the guard sat down at his station again. A soft, echoing thump indicated that the door through which he'd bee brought here closed once again. Despite his obscure words Zakito'd given him much to think on. "Damnit Masami." He muttered to himself. "And you call me an idealist."

[/fieldbox]

 

[FrostedCaramel]

[fieldbox="Hojo's Are Scary, #ff4d4d"]Harada Toshi| Team 3 Genin | Sky-Wolf Country - Training Grounds

---

A collab between @Jason Diabolus, @FrostedCaramel, and briefly @Melancholy Boi
(This Collab takes place before the Allied Force in the East is informed of the approaching enemy and moves to their new camp. Posted with the permission of Gero. Myself and Jason kept forgetting to post this, then the camp moved....)

Toshi spars with Mizuchi, learning a few important lessons from the far more skilled swordsmen of the two in the process, even if he gets a little beat up doing it. Kenshin shows up at the end, just in time for the spar to be broken off for an important briefing by the Commander.
[spoili]
Keeping her eyes locked with her opponent, Mizuchi slowly circled around him, waiting for the man to strike. Spotting a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, something the Chuunin had come to associate with being about to strike, she tightened her grip on the practice weapon. Bracing herself for the immeninent attack, Mizuchi raised the weapon ever so slightly. Mere moments after she had done so, he burst into action. Surging forward, the man began his attack on the girl.

As his weapon came down in arc towards her shoulder, her own rose to meet it. Creating a small crack as they impacted, the girl giving a small shove to force her opponent off balance. As he fell back a step, she pressed the advantage. She gave a vicisous flurry of attacks, wearing down the opponent as she tried to force an opening. However, the man managed to to catch one of her blows with the side of his weapon, deflecting her to the side. She stumbled forward a step before catching herself and whirling back around to face her opponent, only to find a downward slash coming her way. Bringing her weapon up, she caught the opponent's weapon on the underside of hers. Continuing with the movement, the chuunin forced soon found herself with an opening. Quickly bringing her weapon up and into his chest, she sent the opponent to his rear. Her weapon lightly placed against his neck as he looked up towards her.

Rubbing his chest from the impact, the man had a frustrated look on his face. "No mercy, huh? You're cruel." He said to her, letting a small grin grow on his face as she moved the weapon away and offered him a hand. "Well, you're dead. So I suppose I faired better." She said with a small smile towards him, helping him to his feet. After taking a moment to brush off his clothes, the man looked towards Mizuchi. "As much as I'd love to stay and collect bruises, I've got some other tasks at hand. So I'll have to catch you later, hopefully." He said, to which Mizuchi nodded before going to her toes and placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'll see you around then, Yuuta." She said, watching him head off before she would retrieve the practice weapon he had left behind. Looking around, Mizuchi hoped she'd be able to find somebody else who wasn't busy, she needed another sparring partner.

Twirling a kunai between his fingers mindlessly, Toshi wandered through the drilling grounds as he had been for almost an hour since his spar with the Commander had come to an end. Making his way between the individual pens and a few larger training areas, Toshi was able to watch quite a large amount of training taking place. From what he had come to think of as standard sword drilling and archery practice to some more interesting things like pike use in formation and shield tactics. All of it was astounding to watch, all of it was so well coordinated and pulled off that it was obvious these soldiers didn't play around when it came to their jobs. But it didn't make him feel any better about the current situation.

'Doesn't matter how well trained they are I've seen them cut down by endless wave after wave of the enemy.' he thought as he continued walking, passing by a few large poles driven into the ground much like the ones shinobi used to train chakra control. He took note of a few fresh scars in the poles before continuing on. Making his way through another set of pens and past more soldiers training shield tactics; this one looking something like a large box of metal; he found himself staring down a spar that seemed to be a bit different from the others around him, much closer to what he had just done with the Commander.

He watched as the other Hojo sister; Mizuchi; laid out a young man in their match, obviously the winner. Standing at the edge of the pen, behind Mizuchi's line of sight he watched as she helped the young man up and they exchanged a few words he couldn't make out before she---

"No way..." he said aloud in astonishment as the Chuunin gave the soldier a kiss on the cheek and sent him on his way. Letting out a laugh he placed the kunai back in its pouch and hopped the fence around the pen. Walking toward the Chuunin who now seemed to be scanning the soldiers around her, his mind was full of questions about her knight in rather muddy armor.

Hearing a laugh come from behind her, the Hojo spun around to see the source. A small frown fixed of her face as she saw it was only that genin from her team. What was his name? Ah, it didn't matter too much, she was sure he'd introduce himself soon enough or something. Genin always seemed to want everybody around to know who they are. Especially given that he was one of the two slayers, the chuunin would wonder to herself how that would impact his ego. Crossing her arms, Mizuchi watched the boy for a little longer before speaking up. "Something you need?" She said simply, nothing overly rude or kind about it. Her tone, much like her features, remained completely neutral for the moment. Hopefully he wouldn't keep her too preoccupied for long, she'd much like to get back to sparring.

Pointing in the direction that the soldier went off in Toshi gave a little smile and stopped approaching the Hojo, "Not necessarily, just wondering what you were doing after your friend left the pen..." he said hesitating a bit as the Chuunin seemed to just watch him, "... are you in need of a sparring partner, because I just sort of lost mine as well." he said pointing back in the direct he had come with a thumb. "I do have to warn you though, I'm no good with swords." he added before allowing the Chuunin a chance to respond.

Immediately a slight color rose to her cheeks, and Mizuchi looked back towards where Yuuta had been heading off. "Lets get one thing clear. You saw nothing, deal? You tell nobody. As for the sparring partner, I do need one." She said, picking up the practice sword and tossing it to the genin. "Lets see how you do." She said, less emotion in her voice than there had been mere moments ago. Holding the practice weapon in its sheath, Mizuchi calmly rested a hand on the hilt as she waited for Toshi to be ready.

Waving away the Chuunins comments on how he should handle what he just witnessed he spoke, "No worries here, your secret is safe with me." he called out lazily. His attention grabbed by her sudden pivoting of topics, Toshi managed to realize there was a practice sword soaring through the air just in time to catch it on its fall. "Alright yeah, I can work with this..." he said hesitantly, turning the practice sword in his hand from side to side for a moment before spinning it once. "Just a reminder, I'm no good with these things. But don't let that stop you from holding back." he said with a smile, "No one gets better fighting someone who pulls their punches."

With that he raised the sword at the ready, allowing it to lightly stand in front of him. 'Well lets give what the Commander just taught me a bit of a try.' he thought as he waited for Mizuchi to respond.

"Good, pulling punches only makes you weaker." Mizuchi said, taking a deep breath as she watched the genin carefully for a few mere seconds. The hand resting on the hilt of [her] sheathed practice weapon closed around the handle. Suddenly the chuunin burst into action, a blur of movement as she surged forwards, and in a single movement drew her sword while making a strike towards the genin's side. To the unprepared, the attack would certainly be a solid hit. Mizuchi having toned the attack to land a hit quicker than some could weave handsigns.

Allowing himself a smirk as Mizuchi replied, Toshi was opening his mouth to speak as the Chuunin exploded into movement. 'Shit.' he thought as his mind attempted to figure out the best move to make with his worst enemy; the sword in his hands. Unable to process the Chuunin's sudden move and the next best guard with the practice sword, Toshi found himself, unsurprisingly, with a wooden practice sword bearing down on his right flank. The loud smack of the weapon connecting with him sounded through the air as Toshi found himself contemplating what sort of mistakes he had made to end up sparring with a demon such as Mizuchi.

His trance like moment ended as quickly as it began as Toshi stumbled off to his left while gripping his side. Taking a knee, Toshi was completely focused on the searing pain that was currently finding its way quickly to his head before dulling out after a moment. "Iaido is unfair..." he said under a labored breath before standing up. Walking back toward the Chuunin and his original position he began searching the ground where he had been. Still clutching his side he knelt down to pick up the practice sword he had been in too much shock to initially notice he had even dropped and returned to his feet. His left hand occupied rubbing his side he tightened his grip a bit on the practice sword and began to circle the girl to the left keeping a close eye on her for any more moves like the first one she had pulled off, "Well now that it's out of the sheath it can't do that again right...?" he asked, the pain of speaking evident as he did so.

"Suppose it wasn't fair. Apologies, I didn't intend to actually hit you that hard. Was more or less trying to make a point not to talk about what you saw." She said, inspecting the way he staggered a bit coming back over. Continuing to spar like this wouldn't particularly benefit either of them. "Well, I can think of a few ways that would leave an impact like that. Though in actual combat... doubtful I could pull it off. Are you sure you're still able to spar? You're... well." She said, gesturing towards the way he rubbed his side while continuing to move. However, the Chuunin did tighten her grip on her weapon once more, watching Toshi in case he tried to take advantage of that temporary opening.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Mizuchi's comment on the fairness of using Iaido on him he settled on just keeping it to himself, 'Damn right it wasn't.' Toshi thought as he continued to circle Mizuchi. Giving his side a rub as the Chuunin pointed out that she didn't think he was in a position to continue the spar Toshi removed his hand and took a better grip on the practice sword with both hands, "As I said, I'm absolute garbage with a sword, doesn't mean I'm not willing to learn a bit more even if I have to get a bit bloody to do so." he said before taking a step forward and feigning a strike from her left, never intending to even get close his feigned attack was instead meant to just spur the Chuunin into action and try and learn a bit about being on the defensive.

"So be it, I can try to get you to learn some basics while we spar." The Chuunin said, raising an eyebrow at his feigned attack. Trying to bait her? Well, he would likely end up on the defending end of most attacks anyways, if recent events were anything she could judge by. With a small sigh, Mizuchi stepped in and made a quick cut, aimng one more for his side, just below where she had hit him with the Iaido technique previously.

Smirking at the fact that his feign had worked at drawing the Chuunin in, Toshi quickly brought the practice sword back in to his right side to block the counter from Mizuchi. A moment of dread over took him as he realized that his guard was less than good ideal and he shifted a hand slightly to try not to loose his grip when the two weapons connected, but he had a bad feeling he already knew where this was going to go. Letting out a quick breath as the swords connected, Toshi had to move forward and to his left to keep the sword from flying from his hands, in the process placing his weapon to the wrong side of himself to guard from another attack if Mizuchi acted quickly.

"Don't expose your side." The Chuunin said, as she made a swift strike to Toshi's exposed side. Not holding back as the weapon came in, Mizuchi figured pain would help him learn. It certainly had helped her back when she first picked up a sword.

To no surpirse the Chuunin took the opportunity, grunting at the hit and side stepping to help lessen the hit as best he could he rubbed his side for a moment, "I know I know... I'm just terrible at this." he said, his lack of confidence at their current spar showing for a moment before he placed his hand back on the sword. He moved forward, aiming a jab at the Chuunins shoulder, full and ready to defend from her retaliation when the hit failed to make its mark.

Watching as the boy came in for a jab to the shoulder, Mizuchi easily side-stepped the attack and swung her weapon up towards his side, aiming to test his guard before pressing whatever advantage she might have. "You're broadcasting your attacks." She said calmly as the weapon continued its course towards Toshi. Afterwards, she'd have to figure out where his strengths lay. It was fairly obvious that as the boy had said, it was not in swordplay.

The Chuunin side stepped and attacked as Toshi had hoped she would. Bringing his sword to guard his flank he was pleasantly surprised when the thuds of the weapon hitting his body was replaced with the sound of metal coming together and quickly apart. The blow blocked Toshi side stepped around Mizuchi and answered her question, "That was kind of the point... But it won't change from when I want to broadcast them---" he shook out his hand as the feeling of the weapons rebounding off was still fresh, "--- Swords just aren't my deal. But it's useful to at least know some basics." he said as he stopped circling the girl and placed his hand back on the weapon.

Mizuchi watched as Toshi pulled a hand away to shake it out, and raised an eyebrow. "Try strengthening your arms. Helps deal with the impact." She said, before her weapon flashed out in a quick arc, aiming to hit the genin while he was off guard from their talking. After the result of that strike, she took a step back and watched Toshi for a few moments. The Chuunin decided that she'd turn things up a little bit. "Since you'd likely be defending more often in a swordfight, I am going to get a bit more aggressive here. Your only goal is to block, or avoid most of my attacks. Our enemies do have some decent skill with a blade, this should prove helpful." The Chuunin explained, figuring she might as well try to teach him something. As much as she might not like the genin, he had proven himself as a Slayer. Taking a step back in, Mizuchi waited for him to confirm what she'd said.

Surrendering to the waiting option; Kenshin would begin thinking what he could do to occupy himself. Kenshin would turn his head; the soldiers completely locked in his vision, while he watched the men perform more of their drills he himself would feel more motivated to do something, and without a second to spare the boy would be already posted; picking a bokken from the barrel; hoping that it was one he used earlier against the pale skinned Kunoichi, Niji. He stared at it for a bit; thinking about the light scolding he got from Niji. The young Genin felt his Kenjutsu would need to improve miles; especially if he wanted to face Niji again, then he would need a lot of practice. Bringing the piece of wood vertically down, while firmly gripping the handle, Kenshin would sigh. "It's no use, I'm not educated enough in this to train myself." The bokken still in his hand, he began to move towards the other soldiers who were training rigorously. "Excuse me;" the genin mumbled. One of the soldiers would turn around, a puzzled look drawn on his face. "Do you mind me jumping in?" Then pointed to his bokken,indicating he wanted to train with them.

Both men looked the boy up and down, shaking their heads in disappointment. "Our drills are too intense for you kid, I suggest you go over there." The hawk eyed man pointed to two who were fighting to his left. Kenshin wouldn't bother to argue with the man, as the man had good reason to push him away. Showing the soldier respect the boy would thank him and move over to the left pen, where the two people engage in sword drawn combat. Once he made his way over, he began watching the two go at it, his eyes on the younger individual.

Nodding at the Chuunin as she told him to try strengthening his arms in order to lessen impacts, Toshi let out a sigh and gave the girl a confused smile, "Strengthen my arms? Are you serious I can't just suddenly get stronger as we spar."p the boy said, slightly agitated at the Chuunins impossible proposal. About to speak up he noticed her lashing out again, managing to catch the strike only partially and getting hit with about half of the force of the actual blow Toshi took a step back and slowly breathed out to help lessen the pain he was currently feeling. 'This Chuunin is insane.' he thought as she started to tell him how he would likely end up fighting.

"Fine fine, that's fair enough." he said as he raised the sword up ready to attempt to block any incoming attacks.

"Of course you can't, I meant in the future." She said in response to his question, "Better." She said simply when he managed to partially block her attack. Launching into a flurry of simple attacks, she aimed to put Toshi on the defensive. She held back slightly, as she wasn't sure going full force would do much good at this point. Better to let him get some experience before she made it more difficult for him. As she attacked, Mizuchi would also keep an eye out for how he responded, figuring it might also be beneficial to actually take time to show him how to defend better. Whatever she might think of the genin, it might help them all if she helped him out. They were, afterall, a team.

However, it wasn't long after this point that a soldier came by and notified the group training that they were to assemble, something about being on the move once more.
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Oetje]

[fieldbox=A drink!, tomato]
On the Eastern Continent,
Wolf Country - the war camp of the Lightning Country force, under the leadership of Satoshi Jun.

A collab between FrostedCamel and Oetje.

Summary:
Yumeji and Toshi encounter each other in the war camp and spend some time together. They wind up drinking and share a bit of information. Eventually, Toshi reveals to Yumeji about Mizuchi's new 'boyfriend thing'.


[spoili]
She wasn't sure what was worse. The fact that they would soon face a large force, much larger than the combined allied military that was present. Or the fact that she was now faced with the decision to either remain at the camp together with a small contingent of troops and the camp followers. It was probably expected by some people that she would join the fight but Yumeji was hesitant. She was more than aware that she would disappoint her father and other if she would cower away from any danger that was hostile towards their country and clan. It was her duty to defend both country and clan from either external or internal threats. Yet she couldn't convince herself that she was going to be capable of fighting these odds. Besides she had fought in the rebellion against Shoji's Occupation! She had faced battles and terror before and had survived!
But in those battles she hadn't faced anything like that mysterious figure that made her wake up, bathing in sweat, at night. The figure, clad in dark and strange armour. The figure who she had taken down with the aid of a genin, that went by the name of Toshi. A figure who stalked and terrorised her mind at night. What if the approaching force had more of those? Would she be able to face one, two or three once more? The thought of more than three made her already turn pale.

Kneeling down Yumeji would grab a bit of snow and rub it in her face. Perhaps it was a bit odd but the biting cold snapped her out of her thoughts and worries. It also coloured her face red but she didn't care what somebody else thought of her features now. There were more pressing and serious matters to worry about.
Releasing a sigh Yumeji decided to force herself to walk around. There wasn't much that she could do now. Preparing for the battle was perhaps quite wise but she considered herself ready. It was just the choice that she had yet to make.

Releasing a sigh Yumeji decided to force herself to walk around. There wasn't much that she could do now. Preparing for the battle was perhaps quite wise but she considered herself ready. It was just the choice that she had yet to make.

Toshi sat on some crates contemplating their current situation. He'd signed up for the unknown, to see the world like he'd never seen it before, to experience a different side of life. A life that he wouldn't get running his parents bakery, a life he wouldn't experience running deliveries or working an oven. A life that he had heard about from his friends, from those that came to their bakery. But this surely wasn't it. He didn't sign up to throw his life away in a battle that seemed pointless to him, in a land so far away from his home that he wasn't sure what obligation he had, if any, to protect such a place.

It wasn't what he had signed up for. He'd known there was a very likely chance of death, of being maimed beyond use, of losing a limb. But, fighting a force that was triple the size of the Allied forces? That was insanity. He was about to throw his life away in an unwinnable battle. A battle that if anyone came out of it alive, they would no longer be considered free.

He tilted his head back, staring up at the cloudy sky, snowflakes falling on his face, melting as they did. "I wonder what they're doing right now..." he whispered to himself as the snow melting on his face began to run off in small streams. There was more there. Not just the melted snow but something coming from him, "Odd that I'd cry over something like this..." he said to himself before wiping his face off with his sleeve, 'I wonder what they'll tell them.' he thought before lowering his face back to the ground in front of him.

None of the soldiers nearby had heard or even noticed him sitting atop the crate. They were too busy preparing. Eating and drinking, cleaning their weapons and cutting their hair, trimming their faces and laughing. Joking of their odds. It was off-putting, that the soldiers could be so upbeat, so prepared for what lay ahead. But that was just it, and Toshi knew it. That everyone was scared, these career soldiers were terrified out of their minds and they were coping by enjoying what they could.

He hopped down off the crate and wandered over to a group of soldiers that seemed to be eating and drinking merrily. As he passed he noticed them passing around a canteen of some sort. He met eyes with one of the soldiers and immediately turned his gaze away, embarrassed that he had been caught watching them.

"Come here shinobi!" called the man that had met eyes with him. Toshi pointed to himself and looked around blinking as if there were possibly someone else around, knowing full well that the soldier meant him. "Yeah you! Come 'ere!"

Toshi silently walked up to the man and knelt at his side, "I apologize I didn't mean to intru--"

"Enough o' that! Looks like you need this as much as we do!" the soldier said as he shoved the canteen into Toshi's chest. "Go on then, don't be shy! Drink up!" the soldier said with a murmuring of agreement from the rest of the soldiers.

Toshi lifted the canteen to his mouth and drank, two long gulps before the fire of the alcohol inside it began to burn his throat from the top down. He opulled it away from his mouth, gasping for air as he did. Around him the men laughed, some of them nearly falling over as Toshi seemed to choke on his own breath.

"Go ahead shinobi drink some more!" called the same soldier which was met with a thunderous applause and yells of agreement from the soldiers at hand. Not one to let down his new hosts Toshi lifted the canteen once more and took three long gulps, fighting against every fiber of his body to not pull away as he took the third. He pulled the canteen from his lips, a small amount of the unknown booze running off his chin and down his shirt giving him a cold jolt as it did. "That's some good stuff we've got there! Straight from the Tokugawa, Hayato here snuck it onto the boats for when we returned victorious..." who Toshi could only imagine was Hayato nodded in agreement as the soldier paused, "But now we're not too sure all of us will return when we do win, so we're enjoying it now. May be the last time some of us can." he stated, the mood taking a sudden turn for the more somber side of life.

"But if we're going to end it here, you sure as hell bet we're going to take as many of those bastards with us as we can!" the same soldier suddenly started up, gaining cheers and woops from all the soldiers in the circle as well as those that were passing by. Toshi looked around astonished at the resolve of the soldiers. A new fire lit inside him, he wasn't sure if it was the alcohol getting to him, or the soldiers infectious spirits. But there was something there that was telling him that they had a chance, that hope still hung in the air. That they'd make it through this. "Yeah..." Toshi half heartedly agreed before taking his leave form the group and moving on down the camps winding paths.

Walking through the camp without any purpose was odd. It was what she had been trained for. What her purpose was, considering her profession and education gifted from home. Yet it all seemed so odd in all of a sudden. The battle to relieve the siege at Magnhild, to end the Shoji Occupation had scared her. It had been a big mess and yet it wasn't anything like this. Back then they had a decent chance. They were with more troops and had the element of surprise. They knew that they would win as long as they would fight without granting mercy to the troops of Shoji.
This wasn't the same. Outnumbered, in the cold and on some distant continent they would be facing the prospect of death without their families being able to grant them a proper funeral. Without being able to put their children, siblings, fathers and mothers to their final rest. The thought really didn't do much to improve Yumeji's mood, so she decided to do something about it.

Finding herself a somewhat silent space nearby the stables. Perhaps it wasn't the most tranquil place in the camp, it was more silent and peaceful than most other places within the camp. Kneeling down in the snow Yumeji closed her eyes and clasped her hands together as she started to mumble the prayer. She prayed that if she would die that the Bearded God, Akemi, would keep her family safe. That they would forgive her if she wouldn't be able to return home or disappoint them somehow by failing in her duty. She kept praying, requesting the Beared God, the head of the pantheon of her belief, for some protection. Once she was done Yumeji would place her hands on her knees and stare up at the sky. A sigh finally escaped the young woman as she got up and dusted the snow from her knees before starting to walk again. Once more without a real purpose.
At least, that was until she noticed a familiar face. Stopping in her tracks Yumeji wavered if she should approach Toshi. Right now she didn't consider herself the most pleasant company one could wish for.

Waiting for a moment, the Hojo decided to shrug off her worries and approach the genin with a warm smile.
"Toshi," she began, "How are you... well, what have you been up to?" The young woman decided to ask, shifting the question as she realised that nobody was likely doing well with the prospect of what was heading towards them. Spotting a few wet stains on his shirt and a particular odour, Yumeji blinked twice but wouldn't voice either her suspicion or concern, yet.

Toshi was caught off gaurd by the Hojo letting out a short gasp as she greeted him. She seemed to appear out of nowhere, although Toshi was sure that was the alcohols doing, and she seemed like she was putting on a bit of a facade as she asked him how he was, although Toshi wasn't going to point it out that he had noticed. No one could be quite that happy right now.

"Oh just uh... Just great yeah." he said as he scratched the back of his head, "I had a bit to drink so forgive me if I start to lose myself a bit." he said cracking a guilty-as-charged smile. "I've just been thinking for a bit, one can find great solace int he presence of their own mind I like to think." he said, before giving his head a little shake, the snow that had collected on his hair floating away in a tiny cloud. "Any way, I got in with some soldiers and they had me drinking," he pointed back in their direction, "I got to say it was probably good I ran into them. Needed a little bit of extra courage right now. We all do." he paused, "It's good I ran into you as well." he finished offering Yumeji a wholly sincere smile.

"And what about yourself, what have you been up to recently... Last time I saw you you were headed out on a mission if I remember correct..." he looked confused for a moment before his cheeks filled with a light tint of red, "Having trouble remembering right about now." he said with an innocent laugh.

Just great? That alone made Yumeji wonder if she wasn't perhaps approaching Toshi at the right time. Yet, it would be considered rude to just turn around and walk away. Listening further Yumeji placed her gloved hands on her hips. Hearing that he drank with some soldiers was another surprise. She hadn't expected him to drink, that was just all to it as she couldn't mask away the surprise from her features.
"I can't disagree with that. Never imagined you drinking though," a smile crossed Yumeji's lips as she did find it somewhat amusing. The smile wouldn't last for long on Yumeji's lips as Toshi continued.
"That is okay. It was a simple patrol mission," Yumeji lied. She was sure that telling about the mission wouldn't be a major issue. The problem was that she had discovered that Reyna Azumi was a jinchuriki. A truth that was most likely unknown as Yumeji had never imaged the girl to be a jinchuriki or ever heard that two jinchuriki were on this campaign.

Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. Throwing a look at her right, she could remember that the supplies were in that direction.
"Know what? It has been some time and I could use some courage as well. Would you grace me with your company this time?" Yumeji asked Toshi, turning her gaze back to the genin as a glint would be evident in her eyes.

Toshi laughed at Yumeji's comment on him drinking, waving his hand in her direction, "Of course I drink! You think I'd have been able to survive on the outside world as a baker without some sort of get away!?" he laughed before she continued on. She let him now about the patrol which seemed average enough "Simple huh." Toshi repeated as Yumeji spoke, his mind slowly succumbing more and more to the alcohol pumping through him, although he hadn't drank enarly enough to no longer be a coherent human being. He smiled as offered to raid supplies and find some more to drink.

A devilish smile growning on his face as he figured out that the day was getting more interesting by the minute, "How could I possibly refuse?" he said amused at her offer, "Lead the way Yumeji."

The reply of Toshi made Yumeji cast a genuine smile. Even snickering as she shook her head. Leading the way Yumeji figured that they would probably be scolded or getting into trouble but she had a plan to make the transition of some booze easy. A least, she hoped it wouldn't go without too much complaint.
"What have you been up to lately? Other than drinking and probably other festive activities, of course."
Walking in a calm pace Yumeji did start to formulate what she would say and request to those who were guarding the supplies. Then again, they were the two Slayers! Surely, that had to impact and increase their success!

Toshi took a moment to think back on what had been going on recently. Settling on what to say as he walked, he looked toward Yumeji, "Well I sparred your sister. Got my ass handed to me I'll tell you that much." he laughed for a moment before continuing to talk, "But it was informative... I guess." he motioned holding a a sword in front of himself and swung it a few times. "I'm not much one for swords, more ranged as I'm sure you know from when we fought that. That thing." he paused, "But you're pretty talented with a sword! You and your sister both. If I didn't know you two, I could tell that you're both related from the way you two use a sword. Same trainings I must imagine." he said as he remembered getting the shit beat out of him by Mizuchi.

"She's a bit harsh though." he added, "How about you then? Anything interesting going on that I don't know about on the Yumeji side of camp? There's got to be soemthing interesting happening over there." he asked curisouly.

Sparring with Mizuchi? It seemed that Toshi was full of surprises today, Yumeji thought to herself as they kept walking.
"I am glad it was. Though if you ever find the need to get some sword lessons, I would be happy to oblige," Yumeji replied back to Toshi. It was a totally different matter if she would have the chance and time to it but she wouldn't mind to train and practice with Toshi.
"She and I were raised in a ... similar fashion," Yumeji said as she weighed the previous two words with a certain caution. "I can't be certain if it would be accurate to call me talented. I consider myself more or less middling. After all, I am using a shield opposed to just a sword alone like Mizuchi," Yumeji tried to joke but realised that it wasn't probably a good one.

"Not really, sorry. I have been keeping myself somewhat occupied, you could say," Yumeji said as an answer to the last question of Toshi. Arriving at the wagons and place where the supplies were held and guarded by the sternest and most intimidating people you could imagine, Yumeji gestured Toshi to wait as she would approach one of the guards. A short exchange of words followed before the guard would walk away with Yumeji. A few minutes would pass before Yumeji would come back into sight, holding a flagon in her right hand.
"Come! Before we have to share it with anybody!" Yumeji told Toshi, hooking an arm around one of his and continue to walk in a hurried pace.

"Now where can we sit down without anybody disturbing us?" She thought out loud, excitment present in her tone and body language.

Toshi nodded his head as Yumeji told him that she wouldn't mind to spar with him, "I wouldn't mind either." he said as they stopped by the wagons. He watched as Yumeji talked with one of the guards, and a few moments later dissapeared with him. He waited, idly kicking his foot in the snow as he wondered if Yumeji had soemhow managed to get herself detained while trying to talk her way through getting some alcohol from the supplies.

He was slightly surprised when she returned with a flagon in hand and a smile on her face, suddenly finding himself being oulled along by the girl he rarranged his arm to have a slightly more comfortable pull and sighed, "There are few uninhabitated tents not too far from here, they mostly have crates of things that need to be out of the elements in them, and last I checked they had some comfortable flooring that wasn't cold snow. I use them when I need somewhere to seal things." he said with a small shrug as they walked along together.

He stopped her in front of a tent before peering inside, it was dimly lit by a small torch that seemed to be at the end of its life. The tent was filled with small crates, stacked high and blocking sight of most of the tents inside form the entrance. He pulled Yumeji inside and walked past the crates to the abck of the tent, and just as he thought the crates did in fact block the entrance from where they were. "No one will notice us as long as we keep it down, they can't spot us if they peek in either. Plus---" he gave the ground a kick, "They put what looks to be hay down so it'll be comfortable too." he unhooked his arm from Yumeji's and took a seat on the ground, laying his back against the crates facing away from the entrance.

"Come on then, let's crack that open shall we?" he said as he pointed at the flagon.

The answer of Toshi made Yumeji cast a frowned look in the genin's direction. She wanted to ask how he was aware of that but decided to not question it now.
"Good enough," she said on a soft but happy tone.
With Toshi peering inside the tent Yumeji quickly looked if anybody had followed them or noticed them with a flagon. Her 'reason' had been that a certain officer had sent her with the request to fetch one flagon of strong liquor. It had taken quite some persuasion but luckily the guard took the word of a Slayer easier than Yumeji had expected.

"The coast is---" Yumeji couldn't finish her sentence as she was being pulled inside. For a moment she blinked a few times with her eyes before turning towards the direction of Toshi. Nodding that she understood she would open the flagon and take a large gulp.
The taste wasn't the best and the burning sensation made Yumeji narrow her eyes for a moment. Holding the flagon up towards Toshi, the chuunin would sit down.
"Been some time since I drank. Can't even remember when I seriously drank last time. Seems like years ago."

Toshi grinned at Yumeji as she took a large swig from it. "There we go!" he called out quietly, the alcohol that he had already drank earlier beginning to make him feel warm inside. He took the flagon from the chuunin and smile to her, "Good thing you're around or I may not have gotten anymore to drink." he joked before taking a large drink. The sensation of the alcohol was unpleasant, albeit numbed from his prior drinking. Letting out a small breath as he took the flagon away from his mouth he offered it back to Yumeji. He stared at her for a moment, processing her earlier question before answering, "I've only drank a handful of times, my parents weren't exactly okay with me being a bit of a oddlum and would beat me if they found out.... This is my fourth time drinking if I'm counting earlier and this as one go." he said as he placed a hand on his chin.

He let out a small laugh, "Honestly you've probably drank more than I have in my entire life, being a noble family and all." the words weren't meantt to be condescending, more of a statement than any sort of teasing, and Toshi only hoped that she understood that much. "Come on then, take a few while you've got it, need to catch up to me considering I got a head start back there." he pointed behind him in the general direction of the soldiers from earlier.

She scoffed upon hearing the comment that if she hadn't been around that he wouldn't have gotten any more to drink.
"Let not start making me feel guilty, shall we? Think it is most inappropriate for me to give alcohol to a minor. Or genin."
The reply was given with a smile tucking at Yumeji's lips. She watched him take a large drink, nodding slightly as if she approved of the action. Taking the flagon back Yumeji took a swig without any pause. Lowering the flagon as he said that he had drank only a handful of times made Yumeji snicker. When he continued, on that she probably had drank more than him, Yumeji's smile vanished for a moment. Taking another swig she shook her head.

"I have drank before. Better and worse beverages than this. Not even certain what this is but not so much with my family," Yumeji said in a calm tone as she stared at the flagon. For a moment she could remember and see in her mind the times that she had. The few evenings before an anxious event. The fights that always followed after those evenings.
Taking another swig, Yumeji would wind up coughing as she held the flagon towards Toshi.
"I drank before with... other people. Made me sleep a tad easier before needing to fight and kill. Not that it helped much but it is better than to be awake and fret the entire night on what will happen the next day."

Realising that her words could have perhaps killed the mood Yumeji cleared her throat as she flashed a smile.
"I also drank wine and 'refined'," the word being emphasised by an exaggerated tone, "Drinks during certain feasts and events. But those beverages were usually light. Can't have drunken nobles all together in the same hall."

Toshi laughed as Yumeji called him a minor, wondering internally if it was due to the fact he was still a genin, "Is it because I'm a genin that you think I'm a minor?" he asked jokingly, "I'll have you know I'm eighteen." he said as he purposely crossed his arms on his chest in a show of childish defiance. Although the show was short lived, he dropped his arms and listened as Yumeji seemed to open up a bit about her past life, going so far as to even seem like she may have experienced some things that she may not have necessarily wanted to recall, 'It's got to be tough being a shinobi, especially at a younger age then we are now...' he thought as the girl recalled her past. But he was slightly relieved, relieved at the fact that he wasn't still just a kid like many of the other genin he had met in the past. He was older than most of them, had lived a rather full life before becoming a shinobi, experienced more than some of the genin in the army may ever experience in their lives with what was coming.

He shook the thought away of genin like Rei and Kenshin, fighting on the front lines of the upcoming battle and tuned back into Yumeji talking in front of him. She was recalling her more refined drinking experiences, probably in an attempt to lead the conversation away from the earlier words, but it was too late for that, although Toshi wasn't going to say it.

"I've never been to any fancy parties, at least not as a guest. I've catered them before though. They were quite fun even serving food." he said a smile growing on his face, and in the dim light of the lamp a faint red flush was visible on his cheeks, "The party-goers were always the best part," he said clapping his hands together, "The men were normally drunk and rambunctious, being reigned in by their stunning wives, the food was always amazing, and the venues were usually breathtaking. Large halls and cavernous buildings. All the while we were enjoying ourselves just keeping the food coming.... What I wouldn't give to see something like that again. They sure are a sight to behold." Toshi said as he took the flagon from Yumeji. He took a gulp and then another before taking the bottle from his lips. He was starting to feel the fuzziness creeping into his mind, and his body was beginning to move slower than it had been earlier. The alcohol was beginning to make itself known.

He smiled at Yumeji, taking in what he could of her features in the dim light as he offered the flagon back.

"Yeah, I mean, most genin tend to be minors..." Her voice trailed off as Toshi stated his age. Blinking a few times, the blonde Hojo kept gazing at the other. Only to try to keep her laughter down, her hands shooting up to her mouth as her cheeks started to burn red but a pleasant glint becoming present in her eyes.
Managing to subdue the laughter that otherwise could lead to the situation of somebody finding them there, Yumeji would hold her hands in front of herself. Almost as if she needed to defend herself against what Toshi just said.
"Sorry. I should not have jumped to conclusions like that. I just... you know, thought that with you being a genin," she made a vague gesture while trying not to erupt once more into laughter, "You know."

"I can't say that you're missing out on it, mister Slayer," Yumeji said with a most amused tone, winking at Toshi after the newly reformed nickname. Listening to him, telling that he had catered and what he had experienced Yumeji found herself wondering how that was. Didn't seem that bad actually.
"I would very much like to experience an event like that. Know what? Once we have survived this entire ordeal I will take you to a feast. Not sure how, but don't worry. I can think of a few ways to smuggle you inside. Might be a bit... dull, I guess, now I think of it. You need to act according to all kind of rules and just... ugh, it is a hassle.
The young woman leans a bit backwards and proceeded to blow a blond strain of hair away. Accepting the flagon from Toshi, Yumeji would take a good swig. Before taking another she felt a familiar sensation running down from her head to her toes, causing her to release a sigh.
"You know, I would wonder what Mizuchi would think of this," Yumeji mumbled, audible enough for Toshi, "She would probably not condone this. Probably giving me a lecture. Else my old man, poeh! He would be all flaring up and scolding me to no end! Hahaha!"

Toshi couldn't help but keep his face from going red as Yumeji began to laugh when he stated his age, although it was expected from most. An eighteen year old genin wasn't exactly a normal occurrence, but neither were his circumstances for becoming a shinobi. So it was expected that things like this would take place.

Toshi waved the girls attempt at apologizing away, it really wasn't a big deal to him anymore, "I'm used to being mistaken at this point, it comes with being a genin." he said with a smile, "I joined rather late into the academy. Wanted to get away from the bakery. Experience something completely different." he said to explain his age in comparison to his rank. He couldn't help but smile at the fact that she had simply added a "Mister" to his Slayer nickname, as small a change as it was it was enjoyable enough that he couldn't help himself in his current state. "And what about yourself Slayer? Are you older than me then?" he asked, curious as to how old the girl he had faught a real life monster with really was. Older, he figured.

He paused as she brought up wanting to see his side of a banquet, the side that the party-goers likely didn't notice very much and then offered to show him the side he had only ever watched. "Well, Slayer, it would be a rather easy thing to get you in on the side of the caterers. Hell it's just a job," he pointed an open hand at her, "Would be one of the easiest things us two have done recently." he said as the alcohol began to really, "And as much as I may say I want to see the side of the parties that you know, I'm not too sure I could live through it without breaking some sort of courtesy and making a fool of us both." he said as he leaned back and let out a small laugh.

He stared at the roof of the tent, shadows cast on it by the dull lamp flame dancing around as it moved about from the air flowing within the tent. He looked back down to Yumeji and raised an eyebrow as she brought up her sister. With a snicker he sat forward and crawled himself close to Yumeji on his hands and knees. He brought himself close to her, her face nearly unrecognizable as his blocked out the light from behind them. So close now that could hear her breath, maybe even have felt it if he wasn't as intoxicated as he was. He looked to his sides, ensuring that Mizuchi wasn't somehow in the tent, "I don't think she'd have a right to judge you... Seeing as she was kissing a boy at the training grounds before we moved camp." Toshi whispered to Yumeji before moving back to a comfortable distance.

"Still sorry. It is just the image of genin. They are always expected to be younger. Though, I find nothing wrong with being older. Seems more beneficial, now I think of it. Most genin aren't physical developed or mature," Yumeji said, though it was also partially to make Toshi feel a bit better.
When he said why he became a genin and joined the Academy made Yumeji silent. She couldn't imagine another life. She had never thought about it. It just seemed so natural to her that she was a soldier and kunoichi. When Toshi asked about her age, Yumeji snickered.
"I would be lying if I said I was older than you. I am at the moment just seventeen years old. Not yet an old fart like you, huh?"

When Toshi stated it was a job, even easy for them Yumeji really wondered if that was the case. It always seemed such a drag, to serve people who had the air around them as if the world wouldn't continue without them caring.
"Psh," Yumeji waved with her right hand as she scoffed lightly, "It isn't that complicated. There are a dozen of rules but I can't care that much. I am the..."
A moment of silence passed as Yumeji was visibly pondering on something as the blonde Hojo then just shrugged.
"I am not really important, so who cares? I am just the ... fourth? Fifth? By Akemi's beard, I don't know for certain now..."

Noticing that Toshi crept closer, Yumeji raised her left eyebrow. She wasn't certain what he was planning and couldn't think of just either moving backwards or pushing him away but as Toshi spoke, Yumeji's eyes became wide open. She blinked rapidly but remained silent for a long moment. Then her hands shot to her lips as she tried to hold back either another laughter or the fact she wanted to say something that wouldn't be proper.
"No. Way." She whispered, at first, thinking about what this meant. Running a hand through her hair she briefly gazed at the flagon.
"Oh wow. By the gods, that is not good. Somewhat funny but if our father would hear about such a thing, she wouldn't be able to sit for a month. Are you certain it was Mizuchi?"

Toshi's face became serious as he once more checked to be sure that the white haired Chuunin wasn't around, "Yes way." he said nodding, "She kissed him on the cheek after they finished a spar, it's half the reason she went so hard on me when we sparred. So I'd keep my mouth shut..." his face fell flat and he blinked a few times as he realized what he had just been said, "I'm so dead." Toshi said to Yumeji as the weight of what he had just done came crashing down on him.

He took the flagon from her hands and took another drink, the fire moving its way down his throat quick enough that he felt he could take another. He drank again, the bottle now becoming lighter than he had remembered, and the alcohol leaving him with a host of bad ideas for the current situation. "Hey Yumeji... Don't tell your sister it was me that told you yeah? Maybe say it was a soldier that you ran into?" he paused, "There were plenty of other people that saw, I'd rather not die at the hands of a comrade if possible." he stated as he shrugged and offered the bottle back to Yumeji.

"Here I was hoping that the flagon would be bottomless, but it's starting to run out, so I say lets enjoy it some more while it lasts." Toshi said as he shook the flagon in front of the Chuunin, his smile returning to his face as he did.

This was not true. It couldn't be! If it was then that meant that Mizuchi was doing something that would anger their father. And upset their mother. Which would make their father even angrier. The act itself didn't perhaps seem that bad but the problem was that it wasn't going to be accepted. They weren't perhaps the most important nobles or children of nobility but that didn't mean that they could just forsake the way of how their parents raised them. Even a chaste kiss was something that Yumeji considered risky doing. When Toshi made it clear that he had been pressured to keep it silent, Yumeji nodded.
"Don't worry. I won't give her any fuel to go after you. I am a Slayer, after all. Anybody could have told me that or I could have seen it myself. Besides," her friendly tone morphed into a slightly colder one, "I wouldn't want her to hurt you. She has no right to pressure you into keeping a secret while half the camp could have... enjoyed the sight. If she would like to fight because you said it then she has to take it up to me. Seems much better. Chuunin versus chuunin, does it not?"

Flashing a confident smile, Yumeji wondered if she could take on Mizuchi. She was fairly confident in her own skill that she wasn't considering Mizuchi her superior in battle. Playing with the thought, she cast it away. It would take an awful lot before she and Mizuchi would draw swords and either fight or spar something out.
"I would normally refuse such a suggestion," Yumeji started as she accepted the flagon, snickering once more, as she raised it up, "To the Slayers! May we live long enough to drag each other to both sides of a feast!"
With that said she would empty the flagon, a light shiver moving down her skin as she briefly closed her eyes.
"Really has been some time since I drank this fast and much. Heh," she snickered again, "I am glad that you fought with me, Toshi. I doubt a Hojo could have wished for a better comrade in arms... Now I wish I had taken two flagons to toast on that..."

[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Lesli]

[fieldbox=A chat, violet]
Empire of Akino,
Amegakure - main hospital.

A collab between Zane and Lesli.

Summary:
After their last operation, Aiko spends some time talking with Kazumo. The two engage in a conversation regarding how the last operation and strike against the zealots went. While Aiko does admit that she is wavering if the team should continue engage the enemy, it is thanks to Kazumo that she will likely decide to allow the team to continue the struggle against their devious enemy.

[spoili]
It was somewhat annoying. The whole fact she had to wait in the hospital. She had 'suffered' through a scan. Medical personnel that wanted to check with barrier sensory and medical ninjutsu if she wasn't hurt or even bruised anywhere. It made her wonder for a moment how soft the current or next generation of genin would be if they would be pampered like this. She remembered the rather crude and short treatments when coming back from an operation, or going to the hospital during an ongoing one.

Of course, she was glad that they were spending time and resources into checking on the genin assigned to her care and leadership. Just as she wondered if she couldn't sneak into the desired room, a nurse alerted that Aiko could go into the room. Mentally sighing, Aiko just nodded as she would enter the room. Seeing Kazumo sitting on the bed and with his wounds bandaged made Aiko sigh, audible for the young man. Closing the door behind her, she planted her fists on her hips. The lips of the woman would form a thin, straight line as a stern expression took shape on the jounin's face.

"Who told you again that it was allowed to get wounded?"

Sitting upright in the hospital bed he examined his bandaged arm where Neji had cut him earlier that day. He frowned at the thought before his door would open causing his gaze to shift over to his sensei. A smile would form upon his face before slowly shifting into a slight fear at her not so amused facial expressions. Had he done something wrong during the mission? He could have sworn he followed her orders correctly. There was that fake Aiko situation that transpired, yet even then he called that out. Then she let him know what was on her mind, causing him to blink a few times before sighing.

"Well. I didn't think my own ally would actually stab me. Think both of them need a reminder not to swing or shoot objects at someone grappling you."

Scoffing lightly, Aiko would drop the act as she would decide to sit next to him. For a moment she eyed to see if he was truly patched up. Almost appearing in state that she would storm the room out and scold the nurses and such for not properly taking care of her student. Releasing a loud sigh, Aiko ran a hand through her hair before speaking up. "I didn't really plan for that either. Was hoping honestly that you guys could distract it for a moment before I could attempt to attack it. So it is also my fault. Sorry. Next time I will be the bait," Aiko tried to cast a warm smile, but her tone betrayed the guilt that was hiding behind the smile.

"Don't be sorry. I thought I had it under control, but then that cold air came from something else entirely. We had no way of knowing there was going to be two of those.... things there. So I'm sorry for letting you down." Kazumo said trying to ease her guilt by assuring her that she couldn't have predicted that outcome. "I should have known. If I had actually had attacked you, things would have went way more poorly for myself."

She remained silent for a moment. While happy with Kazumo's words, she didn't agree with them. It was her task to lead and guide them through the mission. She should have predicted or been wary for more of those... things, to be present. "Perhaps. But, you said that you saw images," she shifted into Chonobi as lowering the volume of her voice. A worried tone ring clear through her voice as she continued. "What do you mean with that? I can already share that I had gained some information on how to combat those things and so I was hoping to catch the first off guard. But in previous encounters, there was nothing about seeing anything."

Aiko would then bring up a subject that he mentioned earlier about seeing things but said such in Chonobi. Meaning hush hush. Remaining quiet to think about exactly what he saw again, as it all kind of happened all at once in such a short span of time. "Well as you mentioned." he began in Chonobi. "I saw what looked like a city.... if you could even call it that. The place was gigantic. Bigger than any cities or forts we have. It had a bustling market, children with no care in the world playing, and then this long hallway, with these oddly dressed men. Can't be sure if they were guards or not, they didn't fit the look of one. They were escorting me to this door and that's all I saw before I was back in that thing's grasp." Kazumo spoke softly in Chonobi still feeling a bit jittery thinking back on what that thing did to him. "Yet I also can say I found ways to combat them as well. Although I rather not be grabbed by such a thing everytime I have to kill it quickly."

Listening to what Kazumo said, Aiko couldn't certain what she should think of it. She did, of course, believe that Kazumo had seen it. But what it meant and if they should worry about it was a total different story. In any case, Zakito should be alarmed of this information right away. But that could wait for when she was done with this talk. "I honestly rather not be grabbed by those buggers just to stab them hard. The trick is, however, that they use some ability that allow them to leech chakra or go through your mind to gather information. Another encounter shed some light on this that it is during that moment of connection that their protection is gone, allowing you to wound them. It is a risky way to fight them and so I wanted to test something else."

Pulling out one of the odd daggers that had remained with the remains of the odd foe, that Kazumo had killed, a certain chill moved through the room. "Through all encounters, the reports state that what remains is some of the armour and a knife. It is slim and rather looking fragile. Not really any good I first imagined for a stabbing weapon. Thing is," Aiko paused as she weighted the weapon in her hand, "This is the weapon that was being used to kill and leech those people dry. Remember? The homeless people that were found murdered with an odd stabbing wound and being colder than cold? This was the weapon what was being used and... I think I got a small problem." Standing up Aiko lifted the weapon up, as she was about to throw it towards the door. Making the motion, the weapon, however, remained at her hand. As it it was glued to the palm of her gloved hand by some force.

"It allowed me to kill and stab that... second thing relatively easy but as you can see, I am now stuck with this weapon. Can't get rid of it. Tried already in various ways but guess we will see what it means."

"Talk about up close and personal. I feel you have to be on guard even when attacking at that point. Yet that explains why me trying to pull it under only resulted in my chakra getting ripped out of me. Yet what does it do with said chakra? They don't exactly seem to care about using it.... or are they? Is that chilling thing they do chakra related?"

He quickly stopped talking when the dagger was pulled out followed by a chill. If it wasn't for the fact this woman was speaking Chonobi right now. He very well would have crapped himself thinking it was another one of those things. Her words summed it up though it looked like it would break upon impact, even his knife looked more durable than that one. So this was what killed those homeless people, yet why them? Before he could ask any questions however, she spoke about having a small problem. She would try to throw it at the door even releasing her grip only for it to stay in her hand. It allowed her to kill the thing but is now stuck to her and she can't get rid of it.

Scratching his head as he looked at the knife he wondered how this was even possible. "Well ummm that is a problem no doubt...." he mumbled trying to think of a way to get it off her. "Is it.... leeching your chakra right now? If not then it was used to leech people dry right? Maybe stab a clone and it will try absorbing the chakra and allow you to drop it?"

The questions were the same she had, so she could understand how confusing and foreign it all sounded. "There is only a little bit of information that was given to me. It is rather classified and I guess that I am lucky with being married to the First Major General and other ties. As for what it does with the chakra, that is rather simple. It tries to survive." Letting that answer sink in for a moment, Aiko would try to explain it in her own words. She found it rather morbid and wasn't sure yet what to think of it all. "They seem to be living entirely on a chakra reserve. As much as you need oxygen to breath and life, so do they apparently need chakra to continue on and act. The chill and their abilities are something that we either have no information or about what is still being researched."

"As for this dreadful knife, I already had it some people check it. It doesn't seem to do anything more than radiate some chakra faintly but doesn't seem to leech any chakra of mine. I am guessing it is perhaps a beacon of some sorts. In any case, it does allow me to take down those nasty fellows without needing to be grabbed. So that is, at least, some good news."

Living on chakra itself? Well the homeless would have little if they weren't shinobi but would that be enough to live off of? "So if chakra is their life force, would that then mean its basically their defense as well? Taking that one in the streets for an example. No matter how often we hit it at first, nothing happened. Yet as time went on the more we hit it the more the damage began to show. If we consider blood vital for our survival. Would Chakra be their blood? That might help explain why that knife that leeches it killed one so easily. It took away it's blood. Thats probably grasping at straws huh?" Kazumo asked with a small smile as he looked at the knife again.

"Handy yes but... not so much for everyday life if you can't let go of it." he said laughing a bit nervously. Was it maybe reacting to her chakra and sticking to it like glue?

Thinking about his words, Aiko would nod at first. "Yes, it is something like that. But it is also their oxygen, their water and food. While a living creature chakra system produces and has an active chakra flow, much as how blood flows and is being replenished in your body, it isn't exactly the same for those fellows. Chakra leeching and sealing seem to be the most effective against them but perhaps we find another way to deal with them." Finding it frustrating that she wasn't able to provide better answers or more details for him and thus allowing them to have it easier against these odd enemies, Aiko released another sigh.

"Yes. I mean, I can sheath it on my belt and keep it close. But it seems that it just doesn't want to part with me. Perhaps it wasn't smart to try it out but fighting a prolonged clash against those fellows doesn't attract me either. And it really puts me on the test if I can't fight without having more than half of my techniques being rendered useless."

Well his idea wasn't too far off, yet not close either. They really were strange things, and if these images he saw were true. They had an entire civilization that could be just like them. Yet hearing she could sheathe it just couldn't be away from it made the situation a bit better. "Well that might be annoying but an effective tool against them is handy. Just be careful sensei. Still got to have that Ice cream with you remember?"

A laugh escaped Aiko as Kazumo reminded her of the promised ice cream. "I wouldn't dare to forget that. Don't think that I will allow anything or anybody to stand in the way of me treating you on some later on." The woman said with a warm smile as she gently bumped a fist against Kazumo. "Not to mention that I would find it dreadful to not be careful. This mission is seriously the worst ever. I have suffered casualties before but this really rocks it all together. Not sure if I should curse the gods or wonder if I should request the war council to improve the requirments for the military."

"Should curse the gods for trying to pull a fats one there sensei. The deal was I treat you to the ice cream, not the other way around. Nice try though. Although I would second the improved requirements for the military. Might prevent friendly fire from happening and proper direction following if the supposed teammates had anything to say about it. Did we ever find their bodies by the way?"

"Probably should, huh." Smiling faintly as Kazumo did still remember that he would treat them. She ran a hand through her hair as she released a sigh. "No. I haven't found any body or trace of either missing genin. I do hope that they are in the city. A large ANBU detachment is on it and I do hope that they have more success than us. Would be pretty sad if we wouldn't be able to bring their remains back. It is horrible enough to hear your child is gone but to not even put them to rest... sounds pretty unreal."

"Yeah that would be nice. It would hurt more hearing that you couldn't give your child a burial. I can't imagine how my dad would feel. Before we left for this mission he kept sending me letters to come visit him once we got home something about a surprise? He sounded so happy in those letters. Can't imagine him seeing not his son but a stranger informing him of the bad news." He spoke softly staring down at the covers on the bed. "So do you know how much longer they intend to keep me here?"

The question of Kazumo pulled Aiko out of her thoughts. "Not for too long. They should conduct some more treatment soon enough and then you should be able to do some work. After all, you didn't break or suffer anything that needs a long time to heal. My biggest worry was if that thing could infect your chakra system or something. Luckily, nothing like that seems to be the case. Just the wounds you got but they will need some more medical attention. Though," Aiko paused for a second, "I am not certain if I will keep the team up here. Clearly, we are needed but I am not certain if we can pull to be effective. You guys work hard and do your best but you and the rest are just genin. There is a limit to what I should expect and ask of you all."

Hearing that it shouldn't be too much longer made him smile, he kind of figured some more test may follow after that whole incident. Getting out soon though was a huge plus in his mind. Yet hearing that she may not keep the team here as he and the rest were just genin caused him to frown. "But I'm not the other genin! I can pull my own weight and do as told! You've seen this sensei!" Kazumo said staring at her a bit upset that he may get sent back home for the mistakes the others caused.

Raising her hands up, as if she needed to defend herself against Kazumo's argument, Aiko replied back. "I know. I know, Kazumo, but can't risk you or the others to get killed. We already lost a few on this mission and we still aren't closing in on the insurgents and the zealots. They on the other hand are dealing more damage. Even after the raids we and some ANBU teams conducted, we haven't brought them to a halt. Besides, do you really want to stay here? I, myself, find Amegakure a bit gloomy."

"We may have lost a few but can't the same be said for them? We killed several of their followers and two of those things. Isn't that considered damage to their side? What about those images I had? They couldn't have just been to show me a pretty sight, isnt that a lead? Yet gloomy has nothing to do with it. A mission is a mission, we can't just choose to avoid the gloomy places." he said but would end up sighing. "If you think leaving though is for the best then I won't go against it."

She thought about it. Aiko seriously didn't want to go either. But perhaps this was above the level of the current team. She was confident that she could be of aid but she couldn't just do everything by herself. The genin were here to do their part and gain experience. Yet, it was her job to make certain that they would actually live through the experience and become capable members of the military themselves. "Their losses are damaging them, yes. Would be pretty scary if it wouldn't be that case. Sad point is that I am responsible for you and the lives of others. A failure will be the result if we pull out and return home. But it will be worse if I will lead you all to your death. Then again..." pondering, Aiko would eventually release yet another sigh. "I suppose I can give it a bit more time and thought. Even thought you say you won't go against it, I like to think I know you well enough that you won't agree with the decision. Besides, we do have a score to settle, I guess."

He couldn't help but smile and whistle "I have no idea what you mean sensei. Yet we do have a score to settle and i'll be damned if we leave before you and I get that Ice cream. Besides living through the experience is one thing. Sometimes you can't just pull out when things are looking rough. Yet I do mean I will listen to whatever you say. I may not like some of the orders but I'll get over it." Kazumo would state as he looked at his left arm and frowned. "Fair warning though, at some point. I'm punching him again."

"Can't blame you there. I will try some of my best to teach and mentor both Neji as Tomiko in how to cooperate in close quarters. Though I understand that some situations can be nerve-wrecking, throwing and attacking without precise accuracy can lead to more damage than good. Something, I do hope that they have learned. Anyways," Patting Kazumo's shoulder gently before getting up, Aiko would nod towards her pupil. "I am going to allow you some rest. Got to check something out anyways. Don't get into any trouble, okay?"

He kind of felt relief but at the same time they didn't seem to hesitate that much with aiming really close to him. As she pat his shoulder and mentioned having to check something, she told him to not get in any trouble. This caused him to chuckle to himself. "Me? Cause trouble? I have no idea what you mean sensei. Well gives me time to read then. Hopefully the city doesn't start burning as soon as I do."
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Aliceee]

[fieldbox=The next move, royalblue]
Mika Hayashi.
Jounin-sensei of Team 14 | Republic of the Water Country | Kirigakure, training field #5.

It wasn't a too daunting task to keep distance and remain on the defensive. The big sword of Hiro was something that would likely pack a punch. Not a weapon that Mika would attempt to parry or block. Besides, why do such a thing when you could keep your distance? Then again, she thought as the jounin would notice that Taishiro got a moving on, it was a bit problematic when attacks would come forth from two different directions.

Her answer relatively simple to the threat. Moulding her chakra faster the jounin would vanish into thin air, invisible to the naked eye as she would move away at a rapid pace from her last location. Grass briefly moved but there was a light breeze at work, making it tricky if it was either the woman or the breeze who made the grass move.

Coming to a halt at a short distance Mika would remain silent. It was clear that the two boys were willing to cooperate. Nothing that was concerning. The problem was now that they were 'fighting' against an opponent that they weren't familiar with. Mika shot a look at Aya, as she was aware of some techniques and abilities. Yet, none of the boys had decided to inquire on why Aya wasn't really joining in or coercing to do so. Straightening her back, Mika wondered if it wasn't already too late for them to do so. Knowing Aya for a bit, Mika was guessing that Aya would refuse to cooperate. Mainly cause she didn't want to be fooled or because of how her teammates reacted to her earlier decision. A smile crept on Mika's lips as this was becoming a real dilemma on what the boys would do. Risk losing focus on an invisible enemy to coerce another for aid or advice or just attempt to fight against a more experienced foe that was aware of what they could do? Deciding to wait, Mika would silently move a bit more backwards to give the genin some space and time to consider their next move. Regardless if they would get this chance in a real fight, this was still a simple test and way for Mika to see how the team would work together.

[/fieldbox]

 

[Aliceee]

[fieldbox=A surprise - Part I, plum]

Asami Sanosuke
Raikage Assistant |Arriving in the Lightning country, in the city of Reistara.

---

She stepped on the dock. Asami's eyes narrowed briefly as she shot a look at the place where she and the ship had landed. It had cost more time than she had both considered and hoped for. Travelling towards the capital of the Sky country, she had been able to then meet up with a Sanosuke trader and his group. Travelling with them back to the north of the Lightning country was a slow but peaceful progress. It gave Asami some time to think and plot her next moves. The attack on the sea was still fresh on her mind. Not the Republic or Empire of Akino had attacked her ships but the Daimyo's troops. The crest and symbol of the Ranzaki dynasty had been clear as the white landscape that could be spotted from the dock, where she was.

How long had it been since she had been to Reistara? It was one of the largest Sanosuke city in the north and the most prosperous, regulating trade that would go across the northern point of the Lightning country. Which wasn't a lot but it still brought in some revenue for the city and its inhabitants. Waiting for a moment Asami would turn half around and beckon one of the guards that Satoshi had given her. Instructing the man that he and the others would wait for her at the docks, she would have to see somebody alone. Pulling up the fur-lined hood of her vest, Asami would venture into the city. The city was mostly formed by buildings that were built from a mixture of wooden material, supported by stone. Unlike a city such as Ranzaki or Kumogakure, there wasn't a large influx or present of a different style. Reistara had almost a certain archaic impression that Asami could have appreciated if it weren't for the fact that she had more pressing matters than to go sightseeing.

Going to the centre of the city, she would have to verify herself. While it wouldn't be strange for most to find in the centre of a city the administrative offices and centre, in Reistara there was a large and daunting stronghold. Stout and large fortifications weren't just a security measure for the ruling family of the city and area but it also impressed newcomers that wouldn't expect such a large complex, which defences were manned and guarded by tall and both well armed and armoured men. Due to the various security protocols, it almost took Asami four hours to go from one of the outer wall gates to the courtyard of the stronghold. In the courtyard, she had to wait once more while the biting cold of the wind would bring heavy snowfall. Something that didn't do much to improve Asami's mood. Just as she was wondering if it was clear who she was and what she could do to 'avenge' the fact she had to wait in the cold, a servant and two guards would come to guide her inside. Being led to a warmest and almost cosy interior, Asami was gifted with some warm, fresh bread and some ale.

The bread was most welcome as she had grown hungry. The ale was somewhat bitter but Asami would drink half of the drink. She didn't expect that she would get poisoned in these halls. Even if the guard in the room had something odd to him. Eyeing the man, Asami narrowed her eyes briefly. The man was garbed in armour and outfit that wasn't in line to what the men guarding the fortifications. Though he wore a chainmail vest, he had a katana and tanto at his weapon belt. Weapons that weren't really a rarity with the Sanosuke but so far north it wasn't really common either.

Before she was able to question the guard the door went open. A large and tall man entered the hall. His broad shoulders gave the impression that his dark brown beard bushier while black lines of various tattoos were carved into the shaven temples and head of the man. Eyeing Asami, the man briefly frowned before spreading his large hands and arms. A deep and booming voice resonated through the room.

"So it is you! Ah, how good of you to visit me, Lady Asami!" The man said as he would join her, sitting at the table on the opposite side. A grin spread over his lips as he chuckled. "If I was more certain then I would have gifted you with a feast. Yet I wasn't informed of your arrival until the very last moment. Hope that the bread and drink haven't been disappointing."

Asami said nothing but just inclined her head towards the large man. He was the chieftain of Reistara and the region around it. Rumour had it that he was as strong as five oxes, able to lift an adult man with just one hand. There were more absurd stories regarding the strength of Morimoto Sanosuke but Asami wasn't here just to validate the rumours. "I would have be the one to apologise. But I suppose that I couldn't have done so considering the sudden turn of events on my journey from the Sky country," Asami said, "Was hoping to request some place to rest for the night before venturing south towards Kumogakure. Perhaps even learn of anything news that transpired when not being in the Lightning country."

The man's grin and cheerful attitude seemed to shift into a more brooding one. Shaking his head, Morimoto would speak in a more grim fashion. "There is a lot that I have to tell you. But perhaps I should introduce you to another guest of mine." Turning half around, Morimoto would nod to the guard, who would open the door again. Revealing a young and rather charming looking man.

"May I introduce you to Keitaro Ranzaki? The oldest son and heir of the late Yasuhide Ranzaki, the previous Daimyo of the Lightning Country."​

[/fieldbox]

 

[Oetje]

[fieldbox=Battle of Homdar. - Part 2, burlywood]

The Battle of Homdar!
A collab between Alice and Oetje.

Summary:
Moving from Dalir, Meilin marches and joins the forces under command of Knvell Sarutobi, otherwise known as the Lord of the Blackroots, and what appears to be one of his subjects, Gunnvor Hon. At Homdar, Meilin prepares with Amund Sarutobi, Knvell's son, for the battle. Then the news spreads about the enemy advancing. The battle of Homdar begins thus as the skies will blot out the sun and ravens take flight.

*Note:
I, Oetje, will try to write most of the battle. Not because Meilin is a PC but I have little experience on how to portray a battle or clash between two armed groups. I will try to do my best and hope it will provide some entertainment, as I am also looking forward to some hints and tips on how to portray it better in the future!*​

---

Part 1

[spoili]
Shoving and putting her weight behind her shield, Meilin felt something grazing her shoulder. Gritting her teeth she tried to keep focused and stable. One mistake would mean the end of her, that much was clear. Luckily, she could entrust the steel riveted chainmail to protect her from the brushes of the enemy weapon. The man at the other side of the shield attempted once more to hit over Meilin's shield.
Lowering herself to make it harder for the man, she would keep her shield pressed forwards - putting her shoulder behind it. Lowering her axe for a moment, she felt how the man was attempting to move his arm and positioning his sword to stab at her. That was the moment.

In a quick movement the axe of Meilin would move forwards, still kept low as she slightly shifted her shield. At the height of the man's knee, the steel blade would graze the clothing and leave nothing but a superficial cut. But as Meilin would pull the axe back, she would aim to catc the man's leg behind the knee. Raising and straightening her back, she pulled as hard as she could, causing the man to grunt and lose his balance.
Wasting no time the Cho would attempt to kick the man, keeping him down as good as possible. In the tight quarters, it wasn't possible for her to crouch down to either slam the rim of her shield into the man's throat or any other spots to end him. Let alone attempt to use her axe without being a great target for any other enemy. A heavy blow connected to her shield as Meilin felt an icy cold.

Stumbling for a moment, she would manage to hold her ground as she kept her shield up. Another heavy impact on her shield followed, causing a painful vibration to run through her arm. Narrowing her eyes, Meilin would slam her shield against a zealot that was wielding a mace and shield.
Just as another hit of the mace impacted her shield, Meilin's eyes would widen. The world slowed down for a second as she noticed the cracks in the shield.
"Shi-"

Another attack connected and Meilin grunted as a piece of the shield started to cave in against the heavy blows. Attempting to slam her shield into the zealot didn't work as he used his own shield to defend himself. Cursing out loud, the Cho tried to fight in a more desperate manner, knowing that without a shield she wouldn't be able to remain for long in the fight.
Cold beads of sweat were rolling down her skin, mixing with the blood and mud that had splashed against her during the fighting. Another crack rang through the air as the mace landed another attack.
Keeping her shield up, Meilin could hear a battle cry from her opponent, sounding through the turmoil around them. Feeling the heavy blow landing against her shield, caving in and splintering apart a piece, Meilin reacted as fast as she could. Dropping the shield, her now free hand moved forwards to grapple the man's shield. It was more a desperate action than one of reflex or planning.
Pulling the shield down Meilin launched the axe forward, almost throwing it at the man's unprotected face.
Her eyes would then narrow as she saw the result of her attack. Blood gushed out of the man's face as the blade of the axe had hit him in the neck. The attempt to move away from the attack had exposed his neck and meant his end. Collapsing in, the mace would fall out of the zealot's hand as he breathed for the last time with the axe still stuck in his neck.

Then a sharp pain flowed from her right knee as she shot a look at it. The point of a spear had pierced her just below the knee, causing the Cho to gasp for air. Attempting to keep herself standing was futile. The sharp pain was somewhat dulled by the rush of adrenaline, anger and desperation of not wanting to die but it didn't neutralise it fully. Dropping to a knee, Meilin would attempt to grab the handle and pull the man forward. Instead, her gloved hands didn't manage to get a good grip on the shaft as the spear was pulled back. Before Meilin could even have a last thought, blood splashed against her face.
The man who was attempting to use a shield to cover his front and the use of his spear to stab Meilin would be sent falling to the ground. Stepping forward was Amund who wielded his handaxe with a blue hue to it. Shouting an order the line would start to press on as the zealot couldn't hold their defence.

Trying to get up, she felt how somebody would grab an arm and lift her up to her feet.
"Stay alive, Stormraven," Amund ordered with a stern voice. Supporting her, Amund's troops would keep on the advance. It was clear that the enemy's line was crumbling as they were beset from all directions. Horns then resonated through the area as Amund grunted.
"About damn time! Come Stormraven! If was revenge you desired, then don't fall behind now!"
Patting Meilin on her shoulder, Amund would join the fight again. A breach was made and the enemy was more on the run than attempting to fight back. Cursing softly Meilin would draw her longsword. Though tired she wasn't done yet. Struggling a bit to run, Meilin bit through the pain as she would rejoin the action once more.

---

It was over. Bodies covered the ground. Some with open cuts and wounds from the close fighting that had taken place while many others had broken shafts of arrows or javelins in their bodies. There were some survivors that were disarmed and rounded up. While losses had been minimal, there wasn't any shout or cry of victory. Staring at the scene Meilin couldn't help but feel a bit empty after the fighting. Sitting on the ground with her bloodied longsword on her lap, she gazed at the scene. Several Blackroots, Sarutobi and Hon were carrying wounded or their fallen comrades away. Some had lost their father, brother, cousin or friend in this fight. While victorious, it was a bittersweet one in Meilin's opinion.
Watching how a few riders appeared out of the treeline, carrying an unknown banner, did pique her interest. If she remembered it correctly then the reinforcements from the Hon house of Rachon would have targeted the other part of the enemy, the smaller force which kept the captives.

For a moment Meilin wanted to get up and see what news could have come from the other attack but her leg had just been treated, mainly to stop the bleeding and she was still exhausted. From her position, she just stared at the riders who were met by the Blackroots. After a few minutes, Meilin decided to get up and see what she could learn anyways. Her heart was already skipping beats as she had hoped that the Hons of Rachon had gained as much, or perhaps even more, success as they had.
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Oetje]

[fieldbox=Battle of Homdar. - The End, burlywood]

The Battle of Homdar!
A collab between Alice and Oetje.

Summary:
The battle has taken place and the force underneath the command of Lord Blackroot has suffered minimal casualties. While Blackroots, Sarutobi of the Pinedale region and some Hons - of Gunnvor's Hold - clean and inspect the battlegrounds, Meilin is being informed that the other fight was a success. Being given a steed, she rides to the camp of Hons of House Rachon, where she is hoping to find her relatives alive.

​

---

Part 1
Part 2

[spoili]
It had something surreal to it. Half limping through the field watered with sweat, tears and blood and seeing how corpses were dragged aside was the stuff of dreams and nightmares. Heading towards the place where Knvell Blackroot was speaking with the envoy of Hons, Meilin couldn't spot anything that revealed any bad or good news. Had they managed to strike down the zealots guarding the camp and their prisoners? Had every prisoner made it out of the clash? Was there a possibility she could join the Hons to visit the other site and find her family?
Questions raced through Meilin's mind and were what kept her moving forward, even though she was nearing her exhaustion point.

Closing in some length Meilin would wait at a respectful distance. She had been allowed to fight in the battle and even being taught by the son of Lord Blackroot. She had received enough honours and prestigious actions from the Blackroots that she didn't want to behave as she was entitled to more. Glancing at her bloodied longsword she decided to clean the blade with a piece of cloth from a fallen zealot's tunic. He probably wouldn't need it, now that he was dead thanks to a deep gash at his throat and neck.
Once done she noticed that Knvell was rounding the conversation, half turning around and then their gazes met. The lord of the Blackroots gestured her to come closer and, though a bit surprised, Meilin complied. Approaching Knvell and the Hons, Meilin would salute with clenching her right hand at her chest, towards them.

"Miss Cho, it gladdens me to see you still standing," Knvell started with a smile forming on his lips. Gesturing to one of the Hons on horseback, he continued to introduce the captain. The captain would incline his head and salute back to Meilin as Knvell continued. "The Hons of Rachon have managed to strike down the enemy that were busy entrenching their camp and prisoners. I know your reasons for being with us, fighting against these... Zealots were because of a personal desire. And after what I have heard from Amund, I would like to suggest to ride with these men back to the camp of the Rachon Hons. They are attending to the freed prisoners. Perhaps..." the man's voice trailed off as a Blackroot approached the group with a horse. Knvell just shot a meaningful glance towards Meilin, saluting back to the young woman. "May you once return, Stormraven. I would like to have the honour to receive you once more in my lands."

Meilin just stood silent, gazing at the people in front of her. Her heart was skipping beats and yet her face started to pale a tad. She wanted to see her siblings and fathers. To return to Konohagakure with her surviving relatives. To be certain that her family had survived. And yet what if they hadn't? She wasn't ready to face the ugly possible truth of returning to Konohagakure and learning that her efforts had been for nothing.
Slowly she just nodded and tried to flash a warm smile.
"The honour would be mine, Lord Blackroot. I must admit that I long to return home, so I will tarry not to go the other camp. I-..."
Meilin bites her lower lip before flashing a smile and bowing, as good as she could with the pain at her right knee, towards Knvell Blackroot. With some aid of the Blackroot, that had brought the steed, Meilin would mount up. Turning the horse she would ride with the Hons from House Rachon towards their camp.

---

The ride was anything but comfortable. Blaming that on her being exhausted, still in pain and anxious Meilin had taken a short break before she was walking again. Or more, attempting to walk around. The prisoners were treated rather well and friendly by the troops from the Hon House of Rachon. Provisions were given to the freed people as the Rachon Hons had brought tents and some people who could treat those who were wounded, sick or needed care. There was a certain relieved atmosphere but also anxiety in the air. Many people weren't used to armed and armoured Hons or could speak nor understand Chonobi. Now in a part of the Empire that they had never been in and far away from home, it was no surprise that most were afraid what would happen. Most families thus stuck together, huddled at a fire camp and with some food.

And yet Meilin couldn't find any of her relatives. Growing ever more desperate she was hoping to hear perhaps her father, Kobo Cho, grumble. Or Okakura and Atsumichi squabbling about something small and then a minute later playing and laughing together. Or just stumbling upon Irene giggling about just something small and random.
Yet, no matter how good she tried, she couldn't find any of her relatives. Wanting to shout out their names didn't work either with a lump in her throat. Slowly she came to a halt as she was about to give up. Perhaps they hadn't ever managed to reach it this far? Judging by the fact that some prisoners of the Zealots had been subject to harsh treatment and had fought and died during the ambush, Meilin was starting to believe that her siblings and father already were making way to the hall of Lord Akumu. Biting her lower lip she threw a look around, once more hoping to find or stumble upon one of the familiar faces or voices that she was missing.

"MEILIN!"

Turning fast around, Meilin ignored the sharp pain moving through her right leg, she saw a small figure running and almost tumbling towards her. Small arms spread out as the voice seemed to pierce through the air and sounds of their surroundings.

"MEILIN!"

Unable to keep her eyes dry, Meilin would kneel and spread her arms, waiting for the small figure to close in the length. Embracing the kid that started to cry, Meilin's shoulders started to tremble as well. Remaining locked in a hug with the boy Meilin whispered some thanks in Chonobi. She felt so grateful to be reunited with Atsumichi, one of her little brothers, Meilin forgot for a moment where they were as what the situation was. All that mattered was that she held the boy close.

Eventually, she would gently push him backwards and eye him. He looked dirty, his hair and clothing being a mess. But he wasn't missing any limb, ear, fingers or eyes. Tears just kept rolling over his cheeks as Meilin would gently wipe them away and place a kiss on the boy's forehead before pulling him into another hug.
The boy started to speak but Meilin couldn't make much sense as he kept crying.
"It is okay, Atsumichi. Promised, it is okay. I am here."
Slowly, once more, she pushed him back and tried to calm the boy down. There was a question burning at her lips but she wasn't sure if it was the right time to ask Atsumichi it. But when would it be the right time?
"Where is father? Or the others?"

The two questions made the boy lower his head. Briefly, he lifted his head, his small lips parting to reply back but instead, he just lowered his head. His shoulders started to tremble again while his small hands shot to his eyes. Once more he was crying and talking at the same time, making it impossible for Meilin to hear what he was saying. But it certainly said enough. For a moment Meilin wasn't sure what kind of emotion was growing stronger. Her hatred and anger for those responsible for tearing her family apart, the fact she felt so helpless of comforting her sibling or that she had to expect the worst now.
Pulling the boy closer, Meilin took a deep breath in and tried to comfort her sibling with a gentle hug.
"Ssshhh. Calm down, Atsumichi. Are they also in this camp?" Meilin tried to ask. Her sibling just nodded before nestling his face against her, wrapping his arms around his neck.
"Okay, show me. Then I will bring you... home."

---

Meilin stared. Her lips had parted slightly but not a word had left her. Just gazing at the sight in front of her, her hands were itching as tears rolled over her cheeks. She would have been amazed perhaps in another situation at how much she had cried already but now she didn't care. There wasn't much to care or give a damn about. It was clear now why Atsumichi was so upset and didn't want to say anything. Or rather, couldn't say anything with crying.
The kid that just sat with empty eyes, gazing in front of her, her right arm clenched around a small and slightly worn teddy bear broke Meilin's heart. Slowly she took a step forwards but it appeared that the child she was staring at wasn't registering what was happening. Just holding on to a teddy bear that had his eye and left arm stitched so many times by her mother.

Sadly, Meilin knew that it was harder to stitch a limb back on a child.

Closing her eyes for a moment Meilin would step forwards with Atsumichi following her. Stepping closer to the girl on the stool, Meilin would kneel in front of her. There was a certain glimpse of recognition in the eyes of the pale looking girl with just a right arm.
Without uttering a word Meilin would wrap her arms around Irene before starting to cry herself. She didn't care if people saw or heard her. She didn't care about her right knee. How could she when her siblings had been alone, terrified and Irene losing her left arm in the chaotic clash?
For a good time, Meilin just kept her siblings close to her, crushed by guilt and sorrow. They were given some shelter and food as the Hons were making a plan to guide and escort the freed people back to where they had come from. While she could help Meilin decided not to. She would remain with her siblings, not losing them out of her sight during the travel back towards Keishi.

For a moment during the travel back she had considered resigning. To just quit being part of the Guardians and Shinobi Corps. To say goodbye to the Cho Guard and stay with her siblings. Not wanting to face more misery and bad luck befalling her family. Not wanting to part with them ever again. Yet she did discover from Atsumichi that a group had split off with their father and Okakura. Meaning that they could still be alive.
Once in Keishi, Meilin managed to arrange a travel back towards Konohagakure. Travelling with some merchants the travel wasn't really a fast one and Meilin was slightly grateful for it. Being back in Konohagakure meant that she would have not only reunite Atsumichi and Irene with Hitomo but also facing the possible consequences of how the mission had gone.
Once she had reunited her siblings and finding out that Jin had arranged some space for them to stay at, Meilin decided that she would report herself the next day at the Lord Commander's office.

[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Nim]

[fieldbox="Back at the Capital, #FFFFCC"]

Genin from Team 7, Konohagakure

Several days prior to Meilin's return to Konoha

A Collab between Gero and Nim

Summary:
Karma arrives back at Konohagakure and reports back to Zakito.​

[spoili]
The travel back to Konohagakure has went surprisingly smooth in Karma's opinion. There had been no indication of any more orders from the capital when she arrived at Oakrath to return the horse, and she managed to make do with the bit of rations she had. The map Frode provided her before had helped her determine the quickest way of leaving the Sarutobi lands without going into another clan's territory. She figured she could've went through the Hon clan lands for an even quicker route, but decided it wasn't worth the risk of being stopped there without a solid explanation as to why she was passing there.

Once she arrived back at the Capital, she was told to come to the First Major General's office immediately, as she needed to report to him. Thinking about the last time she reported to him on her own, Karma hoped this time won't be similar to the last time. She didn't want to be sent back to the academy as a possible punishment, or back to prison. After about 20 more minutes of walking and passing through the second security point, she arrived in front of his office door. A man outside of his office told her to wait as he went inside, and a couple of moments later he came back out, signaling to her that she can enter. Going in through the door, she stopped immediately after entering upon spotting the Jounin Commander sitting in his chair "Karma Minami of Team 7, reporting in as ordered, First Major General Sir." She said as she would take a deep bow towards him.

Zakito remained silent as Karma entered. His right eye gazed at the young woman in a stern fashion. He did find it somewhat amusing that the demoted chuunin addressed him by his title of First Major General, instead of Lord Commander. Then again, it wasn't that different, he supposed. "I am all ears, miss Minami," was the response of Zakito as he would lean slightly forward, folding his hands on the table.

Getting up from the bow, Karma took a deep breath before speaking, feeling somewhat nervous as the Jounin Commander had made no indication as to what he was thinking "I've just returned from the mission you sent Team 7 on, during which we went past the original task of sharing the information with Lord Blackroot the men in the Blackroot Fortress as we got his approval to go with his men to clear out nearby catatombs from Zealots. He agreed to this while letting Meilin lead Team 7, as she had gained Lord Blackroot's trust. After aiding the men in clearing the catatombs from Zealot presence, we were requested to go to a nearby fortress and send reinforcements to further aid Captain Blackroot's forces. We managed to make our way to the fortress and request the reinforcements, after which we were directed to go to Oakrath." She said, and her gaze briefly went down to the floor as she thought of what went on there before looking back at Zakito.


"In Oakrath, we were met with a person who claimed to be waiting to join a team of shinobi, a Hyuuga, and then Meilin went on to attend the diplomatic matters on her own. We were then ordered by Meilin to meet us at the market place of Oakrath, telling us she will be back soon. After waiting for an hour, Kensuke had instructed us to return to the barracks, where he then quickly decided to request an audience with a higher ranking member. We were allowed audience with Lady Sarutobi, or Lady Ragnhild," She quickly added upon remembering Authun telling her that there were several high ranking women who held a general title of Lady Sarutobi "And she listened to Kensuke as he tried to convince her to let us go with the men that were headed towards a battle that he believed Meilin left to on her own. Soon the Hyuuga person talked in a very rough manner about Meilin. After both of them finished speaking, I requested from Lady Ragnhild that they look after Meilin's safety as they would look after any of their men. Kensuke, Sen and the Hyuuga were still kicked out as I was requested by Lady Ragnhild to stay. Shortly after speaking with her I was given a task to deliver a message on her behalf to several settlements, including Dalir. After doing so and arriving at Dalir, I met the Blackroot Captain which we accompanied earlier into the caverns. He showed me the letter order Team 7 to return to the capital and informed me that no one in my team had informed the Capital of what has been occuring, something I was unaware of. It was soon after this that I sent my raven with a message to you and begun making my way back towards here with haste."

After she finished giving out her spoken report, Karma briefly thought about something "I can have a full written report ready for you as soon as possible, with further details regarding how everything in the mission went, Sir." She added.

He took mental notes as Karma began her report. There were some matters and events she worded different but not by a large margin. Which made some things clear. "That won't be required, miss Minami," Zakito began on a polite tone, "I have already some reports on the mission. Kensuke and Kyoi have already arrived and I have made it clear on what I think and will do once Meilin has returned. For now, I recommend you to enjoy the next free days. Unless you have any questions, I think we can conclude this debriefing."

She was somewhat taken back by how he responded, though the recommendation was both welcomed and suspicious in her eyes. She quickly decided she doesn't want to risk anything and shook her head lightly "I have no questions for you Sir." She said in a polite tone as well.

"Very well. You make your leave, miss Minami." Zakito told her, nodding that she could go. Attending to his own work, he would later on write down the mental notes. There were some questions but none that Karma would be able to answer. Besides, there were also other pressing matters that required his attention.

Giving him another deep bow before she turned around to the door, Karma started wondering what should be the first thing to do. See her siblings and grandmother, for sure, but maybe she could arrange some kind of fun day with them. Enjoy the free days she has now, as the Jounin Commander recommended.
[/spoili][/fieldbox]

 

[Oetje]

[fieldbox=An encounter, tomato]In the Wolf country,
Camp of the Lightning Country's force under the command of Satoshi Jun.

A collab between Melanchyboi and Oetje.

Summary:
After waking up to a hangover, Yumeji and Kenshin meets in the warcamp. The meeting leads to an interaction which ends up in that Yumeji helps Kenshin to grasp some basic of swordfighting.

[spoili]
"By Akemi's beard, my head," Yumeji grumbled as she rubbed her forehead with her left hand. It was aching and she was well aware that it was because she had been drinking a bit too much yesterday. Luckily she hadn't felt then or now the need to empty her stomach. Being dizzy was also not a condition she was suffering right now. Getting up was perhaps a bit more of a drag than she remembered it to be but nothing too troublesome. Exiting her tent Yumeji threw a look around.
The camp hadn't changed. The sounds within the camp hadn't changed as well. While she had grown somewhat used to the activities around her, now it was quite the opposite. A painful groan escaped Yumeji's lips as she closed her eyes for a moment.
It felt as if the gods had decided to use her head as an anvil or as if the entire present cavalry force had decided to run over her head while she had been asleep.

Starting to walk she tried to find a spot of tranquillity. Of silence. Only where was such a place to be found in an army camp? The question itself would be enough to hurt Yumeji's head but together with all the sounds around her, it was almost too much. If anything she had to avoid at all cost the places where the smiths were at work or the training fields.
Almost stumbling through the camp Yumeji tried to hide her desperation behind a calm and neutral facial expression.
"Ugh," Yumeji looked around her as she came to a halt. Was there seriously no place in this damned camp where she could find some silence and peace?

Kenshin blew on his last spoonful of plain porridge, it was only a small cup however it always took him ages to finish. Finally finished he now had to do the difficult, finding somewhere to dispose of his waste."Well, Kenshin you did it again, why can't I stay in one place huh? My feet should be tree roots whenever I eat." He walked around the camp for a while, in search for a bin, the boy thought to ask one of the soldiers however he believed he knew better to approach them again, the thought of his last experience made him cringe, his face looking like he had chewed 5 lemons.

The task was taking long, and he was getting board. The boy broke, he had somebody, looking around he'd spot a young looking woman with blonde, she also seemed to be looking for something, however it was hard to make out as her face held a calm expression, she looked friendly enough, and even if she was looking for something maybe he could help, maybe they could help each other.With a slight nod of his head, the boy would make his way to the blonde lady. "Hey urgh, sorry to bother you I've been looking for a place to put this."

Somebody spoke in a normal tone and volume, yet it made Yumeji mentally cringe. She turned to the person and noticed, at first, that this wasn't a soldier. He seemed to be young. Perhaps a helper of the smiths or who knew? A genin could also be the cause. Not that Yumeji bothered with much as she tried to flash a smile and glanced to what he was holding. She shrugged lightly.
"No idea. Doubt it will be much of a problem to drop it for now," was Yumeji's answer.
Rubbing her forehead for a moment Yumeji had to hold back that it wouldn't matter. Soon enough either some or most would be dead anyways. The thought caused Yumeji to mentally cringe again. She needed water.
"Sorry but you don't seem like a member of the military. Care to bring an exhausted soldier some water," She asked in a most friendly tone to the boy. "Mister euhm...?"

The boy placed the cup down on the ground with care, he brushed her comment with a smile, followed by one nod of his head."Hishima." The boy would make his way to a supervised crate, and take 3 bottles of water. He made his way back, holding the 2 bottles to the woman. "But people here call me kid or Kenshin. What about you?. Are you part of the military?

Hishima, Yumeji silently mouthed as she tried to memorise it. Yet it wasn't that easy at the current moment. The boy then went away as Yumeji rubbed her forehead, just wondering for a moment what she should do now or later today. Would it perhaps hurt to visit the medic tents to see if they could do something against a headache?
The boy then came back with two bottles of water. Accepting them both, mumbling thanks to the boy she threw a look when he said that people called him kid or Kenshin. Hooking one of the bottles to her belt, though a bit uncomfortable, Yumeji took a sip of the other bottle in her right hand.
[tomato]"Kenshin it is then,"[/color] she would say at first, [tomato]"And yes. I am part of the military. Not that I am really an amazing fighter, though. Just a middling swordfighter. What about yourself? Helping the smiths or something?"[/color]

Kenshin smiled in amusement, almost chuckling at her assumption. "Well I've run errands before for a Smith, but no, I'm a Genin." Uncapping the water the boy would take a small sip, just to clear his throat. "I hope to be a good swordsman one day, as well as Shinobi, do you have any tips miss?"The word swordsman reminded Kenshin of Satoshi Jun, swirling the bottle the Genin's dark pupils followed the water dance around inside,"Maybe one day I will get to go on a mission with him, could be a rescue mission, maybe the blonde lady could have been captured and it would have to be up to me to us to save her."Kenshin's imagination was about to run wild, luckily he had company, diverting his gaze to the blonde woman, the dark skin boy would wait for an answer.

Taking another sip of her water Yumeji nodded subtly. He was a genin, wanting to become a good swordsman and shinobi one day. If she had any tips? Yumeji could think of various tips but doubted that her sarcasm would be taken in gratitude. She took a moment to consider and weigh her words.
"I suppose a lot of training would be a good start. Not just how to swing a sword but also your stamina and strength. Then not giving up, even if it seems that you're not progressing well. Takes time and effort to become good at wielding a sword," the blonde Hojo would answer, at first. The thing was that she did realise that it was rather general. Something that made her feel slightly bad for it.
"Got nothing better to do. I can help you a bit but don't expect too much. I am not a great swordfighter, yet. That and I am suffering a headache, so I won't be interested in a mock fight where I might get a blow to the head. Can't suffer another one."

Kenshin felt a tinge of nervousness mixed with excitement, he hadn't picked up his bokken since training with Niji Yakei, not only that but the boy didn't want the young women's head to hurt even more. He felt he was difficult to teach, luckily this was her showing him how to likely hold and strike, so maybe she'd adjust him or maybe he'd have to mirror her strikes. The journey sounded hard, where would he get this stamina and strength from, a magic well? No he would have to rigorously train and even then he wouldn't be the best, he'd be under normal. Slowly the scenario he imagined earlier would slowly become screwed and scrunched the more he thought about it. "Are you sure you want to- I mean, we can, when can we start I mean." He took sighed quietly if he was her skin complexion he would be redder than tomato.

She simply nodded. There wasn't much she had to say on the question expect to beckon the boy to follow her. The sounds of people training rang louder than it usually did. Causing Yumeji to grit her teeth as she knew the cause of the increasing in volume. Taking another gulp of her water the Hojo would manage to find some space where she and Kenshin could begin.
Getting two practice swords Yumeji would give the blunt practice weapon a small swing before twirling it once. It was good to know that her headache didn't dull all her senses.
"First, the basic stance. Hold your weapon for now with both hands and stand firm. Like this," Yumeji explained as she took a basic stance.
Instead of just holding the weapon and standing with her legs spread and chest towards an imaginary foe, she would angle her stance a bit. A step backwards with her left feet and thus standing with her right shoulder aimed at the imaginary foe, Yumeji would show how to do a basic swing.

"Thing is that people don't tell you some stuff with the basics. The idea of this stance is that you don't present your vital organs on a plate. By slightly shifting the way of your stance, it becomes harder for your opponent to stab or slash at your stomach, chest or such areas. It allows you to pivot in some manners easier, or that might be me."
Pausing Yumeji would raise the blade of her practice sword and let it rest on her shoulder. Nodding as a signal that Kenshin should give it a try, the Hojo would take another sip of her water.

Following the blonde woman Kenshin 's attention would be drawn to the grunting and heavy breathing that escaped the soldiers this made the boy wonder how long they had been out here.
Once they had finally found a space, and the boy received his practice sword, he'd pay extra attention, imitating lightly how the woman did the moves, it was different to the session he received from Niji Yakei. The lady made it look easy, yet explained it a little bit too complex.
Kenshin firmly clenched his sword, spreading his leg well apart, he straightened his back, "Take my left foot back and pivot", he told himself while doing it, angling his right shoulder at the foe. The boy felt uncomfortable, he felt stretched. He took a light breath. "Like this?"

Yumeji spends a split second to eye Kenshin's body language. She was in no way an expert in reading people but it was clear that this seemed new to the boy. Which was fine with her. She remembered, after all, how this had seemed different than how the stories had portrayed how various heroes and valiant warriors fought.
Too bad that the stories and legends never said anything about the dispair and dirty fighting that happened in fights.
Nodding, Yumeji replied back.
"Yes but try to remain relaxed. It sounds odd but you need to remain agile during battle. Try not to stand too firm, like a... a... rock, yeah."

Snapping her left-hand fingers, Yumeji would take a small sip of her drink before continuing.
"Just try to move a bit while holding the stance," Yumeji instructed as she would drop into the stance and do a few steps forward, back and to the right and left to show what she meant.
"You need to get used to it, which might take some time but once you get it a bit under control we can go about the basic swings."

So like I'm trying to evade something right."Kenshin would hopefully get this right, relaxing and letting his posture bend a little the boy would feel relieved. The boy moved forward slightly ducking his head and raising it back up, it felt similar to the extra Taijutsu classes he took, once he had the feeling down, he would then search for rhythm, taking a step back, then to his left and right, trying to keep in time, he adjusted his shoulder direction a little, then would decide to add the pivoting, pivoting, left, then right, smoothly. The Genin felt he had the stance down,
.However, doubt still lingered, to hold a stance like this would be draining, especially with a heavy blade."It must be really challenging, to hold this for ages.

"No, more like you're trying to walk and move in that stance," Yumeji answered, a bit amused. Taking another gulp of her water, she was glad that it was cold. Only for a cold breeze to pass by, reminding her that warm weather would have been a better combination. At least, it didn't snow now so that was a positive thing.
"It isn't really. You just need to get used to it. The idea is that when you stand like that you're presenting a smaller frame for the enemy to hit while still being able to fight back. And it is harder to hit something small than something big, right?"

Letting that sink in, Yumeji would grab her own practice blade with two hands and would take the opposite position, nodding towards Kenshin before taking the stance.
"Don't worry, we will just practice the swings and blocks slowly. I rather have it that you get used to the movement than just swinging around wild and either harm an ally or gain nothing."
After having said that, Yumeji would take a step back and perform a basic slash attack from the right at a very slow pace.
"Try it yourself. Just try to focus on how to swing your weapon slowly and in a right sweep. No need to do it as fast as possible or every ounce of strength behind it. Technique is what we're going to focus on, right now."


Picking up that the woman amused, Kenshin would respond with a smile, he felt a little dunce but the smile helped him brush it off. The breeze felt nice on his skin, it relaxed him, after watching the woman Kenshin would then attempt the swing. Clenching the practice sword, he would slowly be cutting air, going in the right direction. "Technique".He repeated, reminding himself the purpose of this. Taking another stroke, the boy would think it's time he got to know who his tutor. It amazed him how well she was able to break down things. "What, like who are you? What is your name? And how do you know so much?"

The questions cast a small smile on Yumeji's smile as she would relax from the stance, scratching briefly her neck.
"Nobody important. How about we continue for a bit and then we will get introductions done later, okay?"

---

They continued for a solid hour and a half. Though the temperature was low and wasn't easy to get warm with just doing slow swings, by the end of the training even Yumeji didn't feel much of the cold. Resting the practice blade on her shoulder she had spent the time to instruct and show how to perform the basic swings and blocks with the stance she had taught Kenshin.
"I guess I could now answer the questions," Yumeji said, an amused tone going through her voice, "My name is Yumeji Hojo."
She had wavered for a moment to place her surname at the end. But what was the worst that could happen? Not a lot, she imagined.

Kenshin felt he took in a lot, his mind was like a sponge, he felt he took learned more than soldiers that swung their blades with power and speed. His body felt warm but not hot, not a lick of sweat down his brow and it felt good."Hojo", he smiled with amusement, his teeth on show."No wonder you know so much". It all added up, Hojo, and swords, it was no secret what the clan was known for, their strict and honorable ways, their aid with the military, heck they are Kumo's Military. As the gears worked in the boys head he would utter slowly. Shaking his head, he had realized what he had done. " I'm sorry, for judging you, like not all Hojo's are trained to be swordsmen right".

And that was why she had wavered. The name Hojo carried knowledge, prestige and power. Something that didn't usually bother Yumeji but it seemed for a moment that her own accomplishments weren't her own. That it was just because she was a Hojo. That she had the luck of being born into the nobility, of having teachers and mentors teaching her all these things.
"No but we do have a reputation of bringing forth soldiers and shinobi alike, so it is okay. But not all of my kin are trained to wield a sword. It is just that people who can swing a weapon as an expert have an easier time to leave a mark on this world than like say... an artist," Yumeji answered. She paused for a second before firing a question back at Kenshin's address.
"And might I ask you why you decided to sign up with the military? Hope to become some prestigious fighter, hm?"


The dunce feeling snook back to Kenshin stronger than ever. However, after her reply, he felt pardoned, he felt a little more relaxed when questioned. It made him think and reminded him of some unpleasant memories, however, the boy strongly believed that there would be plenty of good memories to mask over them."Well, it's either that or work on ships, barter with ships, or work closely with the Akemi worshippers. But yeah, I'm hoping to be a prestigious fighter, an honorable and talented swordsman, maybe be as good as Satoshi Jun.Something I got to work to.

Yumeji softly clicked her tongue when he mentioned that he wanted to be as good as Satoshi Jun. That man was good, both from what she had heard and could assume. He was the commander and an experienced jounin for a reason. Not skilled jounin didn't live long, she imagined.
"That is quite the admirable goal, Kenshin. But long term goals are always nice, I like to say. Less reason to sit still and do nothing."
Thinking more on his words, she wondered about something else. Remembering his surname, she wouldn't indulge in it. His answer had made some matters clear and to get him to confirm it wasn't really needed.
"Have you met the man, by any chance?" Yumeji asked, subtly trying to invite the genin to talk more as she would take a sip from her second bottle of water. It was actually nice to just have a regular kind of conversation, she thought to herself, even with the prospect that they would soon face.

Kenshin nodded his head "Too right, there was this saying I heard, time waits for no man."Taking a sip of his water, he would feel the dryness in his throat fade away. The name Akemi made think, in about 3 years he would be receiving his earring, that's if he survived. Facing Yumeji as she asked Kenshin if she had ever met Satoshi Jun."Only once, it's a funny story cause it relates to what you called me, earlier, what was it? Smiths lackey. But yeah." he took a breath, smiling, the atmosphere was nice. "He is... a real cool Shinobi." The boy tried not to think about the new commander, he didn't want to ruin the mood.

She snickered. The saying was a familiar one that one of her old teachers had been fond of. Hearing the answer on her question, Yumeji frowned slightly and would reply in yet another amused fashion.
"Really? That is pretty amusing indeed."
When Kenshin stated that Satoshi was a cool shinobi, Yumeji thought about something. She wasn't in a mood to bestow any technique upon the genin and doubted she knew anything that could impress Satoshi but she considered something.
"Considering that I might have some free time now and then. And with the fact taken we're in the same camp and serving the same commander, I suppose I could suggest to try to train and help you with your swordsmanship. Perhaps so you can try to impress commander Jun himself? Of course," winking as a smile crossed her lips while continuing in a subtle joking fashion, "If I will get some bit of credit, heh."


It was crazy how much help he was getting. First Niji, then Yumeji, "Impress, or maybe even beat right?" The thought of being great swordsman motivated him. " Of course I'd credit you, but hey, what do you want to be? what are your goals?

Yumeji released a soft and short laughter.
"Let us start at something small, okay? If you manage to beat commander Jun, then I fear I can't that much help, Kenshin."
The questions that he asked her didn't cause the smile to vanish on Yumeji's lips. The smile remained but she wasn't sure what kind of answer she should give back. What she wanted to be? Over the years she had different goals and dreams. And none of them had she achieved or realised. Her goals? Not that much either, she feared.
"I want to be myself, I guess. I am not that ambitious. Suppose I want to be a good person and do what I can do. I doubt I will make it really far but I am already content with my current position as a chuunin. As goals," briefly Yumeji paused as she considered what her current goals were. She remembered the previous assignement with Team 13. But she wouldn't speak a word about that.
"Surviving this campaign. That is a first but nothing too surprising, I guess. Then probably travel to other lands. I am curious for what I might discover and experience in different regions and lands."

The woman seemed sensible, a realist, a bit like his mother., "You don't need to worry, just have faith, I'll finish what I start. That's if I don't die here,he thought, scratching his head." Surviving the campaign, I agree should be number one, and well giving knowledge, it's a kind gesture. That's what I believe anyway, he said, shrugging his shoulders. "Speaking of traveling, you should go to Hanamura, it's a nice place, if we aren't dead, I could take you one day. He'd hoped she say yes. He imagined showing her the place, having a good time.

Just have faith? She wondered for a moment if she had grown into a pessimist. Probably it was the blame of the situation. Which didn't help Meilin's mood to improve. Then she realised that he meant about the training, which caused her to mentally sigh. Hopefully, the entire situation would soon improve before she would really turn into a broody pessimist.
"Sounds almost like a promise, you know," Yumeji responded back at first, taking a sip of her water, "But sounds good. I will keep you to that, I suppose. I can't say that I have been to Hanamura. I have not really travelled that much. Just a few places, so far. Ignoring this campaign, obviously."

a breeze passed, stroking his smooth skin."It is now, I guess, can't go back. He thought about what he said, the weight of his words had now increased on himself. Now it was confirmed he couldn't go back. "One day, we will go, when I'm old enough to go alone," taking a sip of his water of his water, the bottle barely touched, the boy sighed."Thank you Yumeji, you showed me some things today, I'll remember them".
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Gerontis]

[fieldbox=Preparations - Wolf country, maroon]
On the eastern continent, in the Wolf Country.
25th of December, 8:32 AM.

Once more a heavy snowfall occurred, during the night this time. Yet it didn't seem that it affect the sentries and those who were still awake as in the three different camps people were assigned to keep clearing the snow. A most annoying and frustrating task but an essential one. As the snow would slowly fall from the sky, scouts would return with reports. The expected large force of unknown origins was indeed catching up on their position and fast. For the protection of the scouts, most were told to return and stay at the camp. All but the boldest of scouts would oblige to the order, preparing with their comrades for the upcoming battle. While everybody was aware of the superior numerical force and that they were the only ones who were at the moment in the path of this force from attacking their homelands, tension and anxiety started to rise with many. There were a few... exceptions.

One of them from the Republican troops. The unit of the Akiyama clan prepared in a grim way by lighting a large fire and unleash bloodcurdling shouts and cries. It wouldn't affect their Republican comrades in a bad manner as the mannerism and ferociousness of the Akiyama were well known among them.
While the camp of the Lightning country was mostly calm and silent, there were a few units of Sanosuke clansmen who decided to not go silent while many heard the noise from the Republican camp. In their attempt, they were joined by some of their non-Sanosuke comrades. A few captains and officers not used to the warcries of the Sanosuke were almost led to believe that they had gotten so drunk and were in need of some disciplining.

But almost as if they felt challenged, an uproar would come to exist in a part of the Imperial Akinian camp. One that was larger in a number of participants than the Republican or Lightning country's camp. In their own tongue, the members of the 13th brigade would light a few big fires while shouting the name of some 'Lord Akumu', while a few speakers bolstered the morale in Chonobi. By the time that morning had arrived, most people had enjoyed a decent night rest and many surprisingly felt more than ready to prove their match against the unknown hostile force that seemed to be hellbent on attacking them.

As a few scouting parties reported at 7:30 that the enemy force was approaching on their positions, troops would get ready to move to their position. Just a day before the commanders had met together in the camp of the Republican force to discuss the plan for the battle. The enemy would cross the river in large numbers, being open for volleys of projectiles of the allied force, before able of advancing on their positions. While it was considered at first wise to have the allied force fight in their own separate ways, this plan was cast aside. Detachments would be combined and focused to work together for their collective survival and success of the campaign.

The deployment would be divided in three sections. The first would be the front. The place where the fighting would be the fiercest as the front was where the enemy would attempt to cross over to attack them in large numbers. The Imperial 13th Brigade together with a number of Republican force of around 3.000 infantry and 2.000 skirmishers would be aided by the Lightning country companies under the command of Satoshi Jun, Mahiru Madama, Jitarou Otashi and Jen Otashi. This would bring the forces present in the front being around 16.000 strong.

Other troops would be placed at the flanks and positioned as reserve forces. The cavalry of the allied force wouldn't be really effective in the terrain and slopes of the hills or the riverbed. Because of this, the cavalry would stand by at the flanks in case the enemy would attempt to cross at another point and attempt to flank them. The remaining troops would find themselves being instructed to hold various positions to either be in position to reinforce the front or be at the ready to fend off any enemy attempts of attacking from another direction.

By 8 AM horns would sound in the distance. At first faint but soon more than two dozen of horns could be heard, becoming louder as the enemy would herald themselves in a most arrogant manner. As the allied force would ready and move to their positions, the other side of the river at the treeline and hill tops would showcase their expected enemy. Banners of white clothing would show of a certain black serpent biting itself in the tail.

The enemy had arrived.​

A host, much larger than the allied force, would take positions and while various detachments tried to make way for the river, their attempts would be met by fierce volley fire. Withdrawing from the river and back to their own positions, the enemy seemed to observe the positions of the allied Republican, Lightning countries and Imperial Akinian troops. Only for what seemed to be a chant in a foreign tongue to resonate from them as most of the allied force could spot large numbers of rough looking troops kneeling down as hooded men walked through their ranks, flanked and followed by troops in red capes and straw hats.
[/fieldbox]

 

[Oblivion666]

[fieldbox="Nope Nope Nope, Orchid, solid"]

Aya "Bad Teammate" Oda- Genin of Team 14

---

They were still trying.... were they actual idiots? She could practically feel the distrust from the Hiro kid and Taishiro should just know better having did a task with Mika. Like they may have thought they were doing fine but it was obvious they were being toyed around with. Even more so proven when she was invisible fully and they were still standing. She was toying with them through and through, it actually mad her feel pity for these two idiots.

"Hey idiots have any idea on what to do against an invisible foe? I don't know about you guys but I don't SEE anyway to combat it." Aya would say putting emphasis on the see part, hoping the pun got through along with the fact it was a taunt. Like have they even thought this through or was it a act first question everything later type of situation? She would visibly sigh and look around at the two. "Did you guys ever stop to think. Why Aya doesn't want to participate in a test against her sensei? Or did Mr big sword there think that he could show his skills of over compensation and get a lucky hit? Or did emotionless unless a girl aggravates him, think sensei would actually go all out against projectiles?"

She wasn't sure how but taunting them was actually somehow annoying her in the process. "You guys might think of me as a bad teammate right now, but at least I'm not stupid enough to run head first at a known Jounin level and former successful rebel leader! Know what I also know? I knew she could do that invisible thing! Would have been realll handy to have asked why I tapped out right away now huh?" she said all this while leaning against the treee a smile plastered on her face, sword still on her lap.[/fieldbox]

 

[Gerontis]

[fieldbox=Debriefing and conclusions!, teal]
Konohagakure,
Jounin Commander's Office.

A collab between Oetje and Gerontis.

Summary:
Meilin goes to the Jounin Commander's Office for her debriefing. Nervous and anxious for what will be decided, Meilin decides to push herself to still go. Based on what Meilin tells him and what he has received in terms of report and information from other sources, Zakito makes a verdict on the outcome of the previous mission of Team 7.

[spoili]
The walk towards the Jounin commander's office was a long one. Not in the sense of length but more so in time. Usually, it wouldn't take an hour or two to walk at a reasonable pace towards the complex but today was different. Meilin wasn't looking forward to the debriefing at all. Certainly not with the bitter result of the last mission. All that she could think of was that she would get scolded and punished. And she hadn't even managed to save all of her relatives, so had it been worth the trouble and struggle?

Yes.

Gritting her teeth, Meilin kicked a pebble out of her way. She would do the same things over again. And again. Until she would accomplish her goals. How much was her life worth to that of her family? One for a few? Not that she wanted to die or become imprisoned nor was she able to state she didn't care for her own freedom and safety. It wasn't because of all the bad developments that she gained a dislike to live. While managing to steel herself upon spotting the office of the Lord Commander, Meilin did feel a shiver running across her back. It was just hoping that she wouldn't be too restricted from getting her family back.
Entering the building it didn't take long for Meilin to verify herself. If anything, she gained the suspicion that she had been expected. Something that wouldn't entirely surprise her.
After going through some waiting and security measures Meilin would find herself standing in front of the door that led towards the room in which her fate could be decided. As one of the guards would open the door for her, which revealed the room. Entering the room, Meilin would begin with a salute and considered a bow. Yet, she decided to remain firm and standing upright, her right fist clenched at her chest.
"Meilin Cho of Team 7 reports in after the last mission, Lord Commander, sir!"

It remained quiet for a long moment after Meilin had introduced herself. Stopping with his work, Zakito just gazed at the young woman. He had been informed the day that she had entered through the inner walls at a checkpoint. On his order, anybody that would be with her was allowed in without much trouble. Only that a bit of their blood, and thus chakra signature, would be taken. And while he had been expecting her, Zakito had decided to wait for a week to see if she would come herself or needed some external 'motivation'. "Good of you to come, Miss Cho," Zakito began, speaking in a calm and polite tone, "I have heard various reports. Some that put you into some good light and others that... disagree with them. I would like to hear how things went from you before I will make a verdict."

Meilin felt the colour on her face slightly vanishing. She wasn't sure what to think or expect from this point on. There was no clear trace in either Zakito's tone or body language from which she could gauge how he was feeling and thinking about the mission's result.
Seeing she could not really run away - or getting far if she would try - Meilin would start speaking. She kept things mostly from her own perspective and wouldn't shy away from stating her thoughts and reasoning for her actions. There were a few situations and events that she decided to shape a bit different. Beads of cold sweat ran down her back while she did so, not certain how much she was dooming herself in the process.
Reaching the point of the team entering Oakrath, Meilin would state that she had come back for the team. Only to not find them in the place that she had instructed them to meet her. And with time on a short end, she had to leave the city with the group of Amund Blackroot without them.
Then she took a moment to pause before beginning about the battle of Homdar. Speaking with a softer voice Meilin's eyes were cast down and her stance less firm and proud. Ending her debriefing with the end of the battle, Meilin didn't say a word about finding two of her relatives. Nor of the condition she had found one of her siblings. Sighing softly, Meilin would raise her gaze up and locked it on Zakito.

He listened to the genin. She had been in the wrong. Usurping control of a team, making the decisions and not contacting him or any superior officer in the region, with the reason to remain in control of the team. Then there was the doubt if she was truthful with him. He could figure out the truth if he wanted to. Letting the Intelligence Division check her memories to uncover the answers. Yet, he was aware of her siblings. Knowing what he had to do and what he wanted to do were two different things. This was one of those moments that he wouldn't be able to make a decision that was either going to make him feel right or what he was supposed to do. Yet doing nothing was worse.

"I see. I can't condone some of your actions. Yet, I can't deny either that I am finding myself impressed. A genin managing to take control over a team and getting some positive results as earning praise from... a few particular individuals, is something that coerces me to not punish you severely for your misdeeds. I have heard several conflicting matters. Such as that you left your team in Oakrath, abandoning them to their own and even up to the point that some of the team were ready to have you marked as a missing nin. Yet seeing I am not interested in a yes or no argument or contest, I will consider it more of a mistake on their side to not wait longer. Considering the fact you were acting leader at the time, it is their responsibility to wait and carry out your commands. Else they shouldn't have accepted your grab of power in the first place," Zakito explained, "I am already aware as well what the results have been for your personal quest. If anybody desires to see you being disciplined for your actions, even after what you're going trough right now... then they have to take it up with me."

The voice of Zakito shifted into a stern one as he would get up. Resting his fists on the table, the right eye of the Hon narrowed. "It is a bit unorthodox to be once more lenient towards the fact of what you did. I will stress out that next time you'll have forced my hand to not be so kind to you, regardless of the outcome of the mission." Letting the words sink in, he would pick something up from his desk. It was a scroll with a crimson wax coloured seal on it. "In order to not have you leave without the idea that none of your good results and bravery aren't appreciated or encouraged. I hope thus that you will accept this," stretching the sealed scroll, Zakito nodded.

She was perplexed. And there was little to no point in hiding it. She was certain that he would discharge her from service or something else that would prevent her from gaining further progress. Already her lips parted as an expression of disgust flowed on her features when he informed her that the team had tried to make her status into a missing nin, Meilin remained silent. Growing angry and frustrated, there was a part that could reason slightly with the 'concept'. However, it was somewhat skewed when she was risking her life for the empire to then be marked as a traitor.
As Zakito continued, Meilin found herself once more surprised. Her anger on Team 7's attempt to cause her to be listed as a missing nin was also forgotten when she took a few steps forward and accepted the closed scroll. Opening it she read it in a global manner, only to have her eyes widen.
Her gaze shot back at Zakito as her lips parted to protest, question and thank the man. But while feeling mixed she couldn't usher any word, just standing still and in silence.

Then she dropped on her left knee while lowering her head.
"T-Thank you, Lord Commander... Words... I..."
Closing her eyes, she made sure to not grip the opened scroll too tightly.

"Rise, please. There is no need to kneel in front of me. This might come over as a reward but it is also a warning. From now on your actions will weight heavier and you will be punished according to your new rank of a chuunin, Miss Cho. I will also need to assign you to the investigation that is going on in the city. You will receive a note with information later on. For now, take a rest and let it sink in that your days of a genin are behind you."

Raising herself up, Meilin tried to subtly wipe away the few tears that had rolled over her cheeks. She once more wanted to say something but instead opted for a salute. Turning around she would resist the temptation to read and verify the words of the lord commander. Instead, Meilin would exit the building and decide to read the scroll back at home.

With Meilin taking her leave Zakito remained standing for a bit longer. He released a soft sigh while sitting down. Perhaps he had made a mistake and time would tell if he had. Starting to write an instruction that Kensuke would be informed that Meilin had returned and though not in the best shape and condition, that he wouldn't be punished. That everybody had gone through enough with how the operation had gone. Though he would also inform of his decision of promotion Meilin from genin to chuunin. Not with the entire reasoning behind it. Zakito didn't feel that he owe any responsibility for his decision towards the Nimatsu. Kiyomi was a different story but he felt that he had made the right decision. Now Meilin could be treated as a chuunin. Something that was both beneficial and, hopefully, useful for the future. While writing, Zakito's mind started to wonder to the past.

Regardless if it was a mistake or not, he couldn't deny that it felt somewhat good and familiar. It reminded him, after all, of a decision that Daisuke once had made. One that had seemed full of risk and yet had gathered a lot of success.
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Nim]

[fieldbox="Team Members meet at the Park, #FFFFCC"]

Meilin Cho and Karma Minami have a brief and straight forward talk.

A Collab between Oetje and Nim

Summary:
After Karma sent a letter to Meilin, requesting to talk and apologize, the two meet up at a park and briefly discuss a couple of matters.​

[spoili]
It has been a few days since she returned to Konoha, and she felt slightly tense. Karma sat on a park bench under the clear blue skies, and even though people were enjoying themselves here, she couldn't help but wonder how did the battle near Dalir went. She heard no mention of it since she begun her way back. She did know Meilin had made it back to the capital, though she was unaware of what condition. While the letter she sent with her raven, Yoyo, was apparently received, there was no way for her to know if Meilin had agreed to meet or not, as her raven was instructed to not be around Meilin too long, in case her teammate wanted some peace. The only thing that she could do now was wait and see if Meilin would come or not, and she quite deeply hoped she would.

Everything was going in such a weird direction. Meilin wasn't certain what to think of everything except that she shouldn't sit too still. Then there was the fact that she had been assigned to participate in some investigation. It was most unlikely that it would aid her in her desires and goals. But as long as it would deter and combat the zealots, it was something she couldn't complain about.
Heading towards the meeting point, Meilin wouldn't hide the fact she wasn't feeling to socialise or interested in meeting up with the team or anybody in particular. Even while the letter stated it was just Karma, Meilin didn't rule out that this could very well be a ruse to flush her out to be scolded or worse.

The thought of Kensuke deciding that she needed some disciplining did, however, harden her. She wouldn't dream of winning in any physical fight or clash against him or the entire team alone. But she wouldn't just let herself be intimidated either.
Arriving on the scene, she only saw Karma. Coming to a halt, she threw a look around in a calm fashion, before locking her eyes on Karma.
"Yes?" Meilin said in a calm tone, masking the wary and exhaustion behind a blank facial expression.

Seeing Meilin arrive and how she appeared to be well and in one piece made Karma feel somewhat better already "I'm glad to see you made it out of the Battle of Dalir in one piece." She said as she offered Meilin to sit down next to her. Taking a deep breath, Karma wouldn't go beyond that for small talk "Like I stated in my letter, I need to apologize to you for several reasons. Showing a lack of trust and faith at times is the biggest thing I need to apologize for, in my personal opinion, but if you feel that is wrong then you are more than free to correct me." She continued to speak, keeping her eyes fixed on Meilin "I can fully explain my reasoning behind my actions, but I don't feel like they will justify them in any manner. There is nothing that can justify showing lack of trust in your team members, especially if you have previously stated that you will follow them no matter what." Pausing, she pondered on how she should phrase her reasons should Meilin ask for those. No matter how she thought of them, they didn't sound good.

"Homdar. They didn't manage to reach Dalir," Meilin said to correct Kamra in a calm manner.
On the gesture to sit down, Meilin did want to. The pain at her right knee hadn't fully vanished yet and thus the temptation to sit down was great. Instead, she would just keep standing. A slight frown would make it clear that she had no intention of just settling down for a nice and friendly chatter.
When Karma began to apologise, Meilin would release a sigh and run her right hand through her hair.

"Okay, let me clear this out. You keep apologising and then starting to declare as if I am your leader or sensei. I am not. I am not your leader nor your friend. Comrade is barely stretching it at the moment, as I have been informed at my debriefing that you guys decided you couldn't wait and then wanting to have me marked as a missing-nin. Ironically when I was out risking limb and life for the realm instead of whining."
Not hiding her frustration, Meilin shook her head while pausing for a moment.
"So what are you hoping for now? That I will say that I accept your apology? That I," Meilin frowned as she kept her voice calm and neutral, "Will consider to give you a chance to redeem yourself? Cause I won't and in the later situation, can't. As I stated before, I am not your leader or sensei. And just so you know, don't need any pity either."

Wanting to have her be marked as a missing-nin? So she only heard about the actions of Kensuke and that Hyuuga. And now she kept repeating how she wasn't their leader despite all the times she claimed to be in the previous mission. Deciding to put that last thought aside as it was true she wasn't her sensei or team leader according to official sources. When she heard the last remark from Meilin, Karma sighed. It seemed that she already forgot half of what was written in her letter.

"I never asked for you accept my apology. It is true that now you are not my leader, but I was referring to when we were in the Sarutobi lands, under the approval of Lord Blackroot who named you our leader. As for the lack of waiting or marking you as anything-" Karma said with a bit of spite beginning to show "Don't put me on the same level as that Hyuuga or Kensuke. He was the one who decided to have us stop waiting. The Hyuuga was the one who decided to claim you need to be marked as a traitor. They got kicked and nearly excecuted for their words and actions. I was not with them on either of those." She said and stood up to look at Meilin at eye height. "The only thing I tried doing was ensuring you got home safe, to the sibling you still had back here waiting for you to return. I don't know if you found anything further, but let me tell you this." She paushed briefly to take a breath.

"I did not ask you to come here to offer pity. I do not want you to put me on the same level as those uncivilized people who do not know how to respect others in different lands. All I wanted to do is to clear things from my side." She said and then looked slightly down "Unfortunately for me, the furthest I could go was Dalir as part of a message delivery mission. By the time I arrived, you and the rest of the men were already gone. I got confirmation you passed there from the Blackroot Captain that escorted us before, Authun, and then received a letter from the Jounin Commander, instructing the team to return immediately." She said and then looked back at Meilin's eyes "I pushed to ensure you come home safe. Not out of pity. Out of concern. But, considering how you do not view me as anything even close to a comrade, perhaps we should just close things there and be done. I have done what I wished to do. I explained myself and apologized." She said and slowly sat back down on the bench.

Standing still and just hearing out Karma, Meilin's facial expression didn't shift. There was no big shift or change with the Cho's attitude or body language that marked anything that Meilin was feeling or thinking. There was for a moment the cynical words of thanking Karma to try to meddle in family affairs of another but Meilin would just stay silent.
Hearing what Karma had to say, Meilin would remain silent for a moment. There was some curiosity and the question to ask Karma how Authun had been. She hadn't forgotten that he had been told to stay behind. A decision that hadn't really been to Authun's content, from what Meilin could remember.
The moment that Karma sat down, Meilin slightly tilted her head to the right as she considered once more what Karma had said.

"I hope it is clear that I don't trust you lot. I have my reasons and I am certain that you and the others have reasons to support your ... thoughts and opinions," Meilin began as she shrugged lightly, "Thing is that I still am unable to grasp understanding why you're so keen on helping me. Like I said, we aren't friends. Might be because I don't like to befriend just everybody on my path or because ... you get the picture, I imagine. So you can take my words personally and that will be all on you, but now you know why I a bit.. distant, I guess?"

"It is beyond clear that you don't trust us. And you also made it clear that we aren't friends. And my reason of being so keen on helping you out?" Karma spoke in a rather slow manner now "I don't wish to see a family of someone I know get ruined if I can help it in any way. Not after seeing what the loss of a single family member can do. Not while I know that I personally wouldn't stop at anything if anything were to happen to my siblings." Looking back at Meilin, she sighed "And like I said before, my thoughts and opinions are not the same as the others. Even if you don't trust me or want to be my friend, stop putting me on the same level as them. After their actions, I have half a mind to request a team transfer to try and get in a team that isn't filled with..." She had a bunch of words that could describe them, but instead decided to keep those words to herself.

Shaking her head slightly, Karma stood back up "Well, at the very least, I owe you my thanks for agreeing to meet with me. Considering everything you said, I'm rather surprised you even chose to show up at all. So thank you for showing how good of a person you are." She said.

Tapping with her left foot on the ground for a moment, Meilin would once more hear Karma out. The fact that Karma called her a good person caused Meilin to snicker back a laughter.
"Not sure if I can agree to that I am a good person cause I was slightly curious about how this would go, but alright," Meilin would pause as she thought about something.
"And why won't you request a team change?" Meilin asked, shoving her hands into the pockets of her brown jacket, "I won't ask for any transfer. Seeing how things have gone, I might have more to benefit from staying than to leave. But doubt I can have it easy next mission to pull another success like the previous mission."

Karma shrugged slightly when Meilin asked about the team change "I guess I just feel like I don't deserve asking for anything for myself yet, after the mission at Keishi, even if it might benefit me greatly. Plus I will probably feel even worse for leaving a decent person in a team of-" She once more stopped herself from beginning to spill out a bunch of names "Well, I believe I made my feelings on them clear." She finished her sentence and then hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask one last question.

"Did...Did you manage to find anyone else after the battle in Homdar? You don't have to answer, of course." She said, her hesitance showing very clearly.

Meilin didn't react on the answer. It was Karma's own right, in her opinion, to feel and think what she wanted. Though it did amuse Meilin slightly that Karma considered her a decent person. The ghost of a smile dawned on Meilin's lips for a moment.
"I rather keep that for myself. I will thank you for the interest and concern in the wellbeing of my family but I rather not talk about them if I don't have to," Meilin answered, her voice not shifting.

"So what are you going to do now? I am certain that I am not going to get a warm welcome of the others. And from what the Lord Commander instructed me, I won't be around for the next mission."

Seeing how Meilin decided to keep it to herself, Karma nodded. She understood that Meilin had every right to not want to share details of her family if she didn't have to. When Meilin asked her question, Karma thought about it briefly before answering"After this recent mission I've come to understand just how little I know about the many different cultures around the empire. And if I want to serve the people of the empire properly, I feel like I should know how to approach them, so I plan on beginning to study about the different cultures. I'm gonna try and see if I can find people from the different clans who can properly teach me, but I don't have high hopes to finding willing people from all clans. As for what I'll do in regards of the team, I'm not sure. I have a good feeling that they won't be too happy to see me either, considering they nearly died in Oakrath and then got kicked out while I was requested by Lady Ragnhild to remain and talk further with her. She was particularly interested in how we managed to convince Lord Blackroot to give his approval, by the way. I think they really found you to be fascinating." She said with a small smile.

"But if you have something that the Lord Commander instructed you to do, then I best not keep you occupied any further." She said.

Meilin found herself surprised when Karma stated that she wanted to learn from different cultures. It was true that she hadn't condemned the Blackroots as Kensuke had done, or so had phrased. Gazing at Karma, Meilin wondered about something but pushed the thought from her mind.
"I tend to have that influence on people, I guess," Meilin said, half joking, as a reply to people finding her fascinating.
"Yeah, guess so."

Half turning around Meilin decided to say something instead of just going.
"Suppose I won't be having much time to do these kinds of meet up and knowing your... opinion, on the team, I will wish you some good luck. I am not sure how long my assignment will take but talk to you later, Karma."

Seeing Meilin half turn, Karma nodded slightly "And I'll wish you the best outcome on your current task. Talk to you later Meilin." She said, turning around and beginning to head away slowly. Even if the talk hadn't turned out entirely like she hoped it would, it ended up being slightly better than how she expected it would. That wasn't the best outcome, but at the very least she could rest a bit easier now, knowing that Meilin is fine.
[/spoili][/fieldbox]

 

[Gerontis]

[fieldbox=The First Clash! - Part I, wheat]
Wolf country,
The First Battle!

At the front lines,
13th Brigade, the Disciples of Lord Akumu.

A collab between Sketching and Gerontis.

Summary:
As the enemy approaches them, the 13th Brigade take their positions at the front line. With the limited amount of space to make the crossing, the enemy decides to test if they can break through the allied defence instead of trying to make a crossing at a different point. This collab is written in the perspective of Colonel Koike Hon of the Foot Companions battalion and his aidé, Katsu Uchiha, as the battle takes place.


[spoili]
As the bleak sun rose behind the clouds, the camp of the 13th had already begun mobilizing, preparing equipment for battle with an uneasy eagerness. Katsu was in the tent he was staying at, up on his feet, staring at the two sets of armor in front of him: his own wooden, light gear, and the cumbersome but protective chainmail. Tanpo was spinning around in excitement, stopping from time to time to stare at Katsu. The young nin weighed his choices, remembering the previous days he'd tried to get used to the chainmail armor. It made movement difficult for him due to his small stature and weak build, but it gave him a great amount of protection. On the other hand, his fighting style and weapons relied on swift, unburdened movements. Without the mobility he normally has, chainmail or no, he'd be much more likely to get hit and could still be sent flying. Even with mobility, however, in the hectic heat of battle, without proper care, even a stray arrow could have serious repercussions. Either way, he'd have drawbacks that could prov He moved to reach for it but stopped halfway and grabbed the wooden chest piece. "I'll just have to be extra careful," he muttered to himself. With his wooden armor on, he put his cleaned knives in place, and checked the wires on his wrist for any knots, walking out of the tent. Tanpo quickly followed him, running forward and back. There were small signs of the festive night before all around the camp with the odd pint left near the fireplace. He remembered how he'd tried to drink some of the grog, but the very thought got him to stick his tongue out in disgust. "Ugh, it tasted terrible..."

It was somehow easier to don on his armour than it had been before. While the movement and activities outside his tent were somewhat audible, they were faint. Being alone with Akumu, Koike had a serious expression on his face while making ready. The large black direwolf didn't seem to be affected in the slightest by what was going to happen in a few hours. No sign of fear or desperation. Somehow it scared and bolstered Koike, which made him slightly confused. Putting on his weapon belt he allowed himself a moment to close his eyes and take a deep breath. His fingers stuck into the protective leather glove wrapped around the hilt of the White Blade as the Hon took a moment of silence. Once done he would pick up his helmet and exit his tent. Leaving the relative tranquility for what seemed to be a chaotic situation of troops and animals of war all over the place, Koike could see patterns of organised movement. Captains and officers that kept their units under strict control. A quick glimpse didn't show it but Koike was aware that the morale was surprisingly high. Much higher than in other parts of the Imperial force. It was as if the 13th brigade had been looking forward to the battle that was to be held. As if they had dreamed and hoped for the odds to be so against them in order to prove their worth to the rest of the world and their revered ancestors.

Throwing a sideways glance towards Akumu, who came to sit next to him, Koike was about to say something to his companion. Only for Akumu to get up and his tongue leaning out of his mouth. His ears would stand right up while turning to the right. Wondering for a second, Koike noticed Katsu and Tanpo's approach. Flashing a grin by seeing his aidé and friend ready, Koike would take a moment to eye his choice of equipment.

"Ready? I hear that as long as I don't speak of the weather that we might have a chance on some sun." Koike said in an upbeat manner. Akumu would approach Tanpo, attempting to push with his shoulder against the other in a playful manner while attempting to grab hold of the younger direwolf's neck. "Seemed that somebody woke up with a good mood. Anyways, come," Gesturing Katsu, Koike would already start to walk.

"Skuli already is at the site, I believe. I am not certain who will give a speech but I doubt we want to get late for it."

Tanpo started to play as well, going along with the roughhousing. Katsu smiled back at his friend. "I have a feeling you'll jinx it just with your optimism about the weather. Oh well, somethings can't be helped, I suppose," he responded in a playful manner. Katsu jogged to his friend's side before slowing to a walking pace. "Today's the big day, huh? After all the speculation about their gear, the route's they take... For us, it starts today," he said with a bleak grin. "It's a shame, really. A whole people we've never seen or interacted with, and the first time our world and theirs meets is on a battlefield."

"Probably." The grin remained on Koike's features as they walked towards with many of the troops, who were part of the 13th brigade, towards the position that their units were deployed. Already Koike could spot various movements at the other side of the river, displaying an immense force. Hearing what Katsu said caused Koike to throw a sideways glance at his friend. "Might be a shame but who knows? Perhaps we can teach them not to come with sword in hand?" Patting Katsu on his shoulder, Koike lowered his voice by a bit. "Also, remember. Stick with me and don't lose focus. I have been thinking," Koike's voice had taken a serious and worried tone, only to shift to a more amused one as he continued, "Would be quite a shame if they will only sing of Koike Hon. I rather don't have all the glory and renown alone, you know?"

Katsu gave a cheeky grin to his friend. "Hey, I came across the ocean with you just so you wouldn't get your solo-songs! I'm not planning on keeling over just yet. And besides," he looked back at Tanpo and Akumu before continuing, "I don't have to worry too much as long as I've got you three to watch my back. Even if we come across anything beyond human, like those creeps from that cult, or that armored prick, we'll come through as long as the two of us stick together." He looked ahead with a wide, warm smile.

The grin returned on Koike's face as he simply nodded, in approval of Katsu's reply. They were approaching the unit of Skuli, who was dishing out orders in a stern and harsh manner to his men. Spotting Koike and Katsu approaching, the man would spread his arms while a smile grew on his features. "Gentlemen! Glad to see you have arrived! Wished you two had arrived a bit earlier. Just a moment ago, a few small units of the enemy decided to risk their luck on approaching the river on their side," the captain casually stated as he pointed over his left shoulder with his thumb, "Torrad's boys gave them a volley that made them consider to not be too impatient, aha!" Turning half around, Skuli rested his left hand on the hilt of his blade while his shield still hang at his back.

"Is everybody here?" Koike asked, glancing around. Skuli simply nodded. "Good. Make sure that the entire battalion is at the ready. I want no man out of place. First who gets out of place will have my boot up his sorry ass." The words of the colonel caused Skuli's smile to grow as he nodded and walked away. Taking a small breathe in, Koike tried to hide his nerves behind a calm mask. Holding his helmet underneath his right arm, he observed the visible enemy troops. "Don't really see much of a disciplined line or formations... And never saw that banner before," He said, audible for Katsu, even though the sounds of marching troops around them.

"Well," Katsu said, squinting his eyes. "Either they're just disorganized and unskilled in the ways of war, or they're testing us." He paused for a moment, sighing. "Why do I feel like it's the latter?" He cupped his chin, frowning. "Do we have eyes on the hills? We wouldn't want to get surrounded just because we were too excited for battle."

Thinking about Katsu's reply, Koike didn't need to look over his shoulder to give an answer to Katsu's later question. "Aye. There are units deployed. Most, if not all, of the cavalry has been deployed to remain on the stand-by in order to intercept and thwart any enemy attempt of attacking us. Though if reports are correct, this is one of the few places where the river is calm and shallow enough for an unit to cross. Now, I wonder where Erling is or will be." Koike was hoping to catch a glimpse of the leading officer of the brigade but was near impossible from their current location. It did seem that the 13th was ready and the units were in place. Putting on his helmet and latching on the strap, so that it wouldn't fall of his head, Koike sighed out loud. "I dislike the waiting or not being certain when we will be at each other's throats." He grumbled after the sigh. Letting his oval shield hang at his back and his sword remain sheathed, Koike turned half towards Katsu. "Remember what I taught you before. Regarding the commands and words in Chonobi. I am not sure if I can just switch in a tight battle back and forth from Chonobi. Besides, might do some good for you to have the men know you are becoming one of them, heh." Just as Koike was about to gently nudge Katsu's shoulder with a fist, he noticed a familiar face.

A messenger from the Lightning country force seemed to be looking for either something or, more likely, somebody. The young woman had familiar features but was dressed for battle. Catching glimpse of Katsu and Koike, there was some hesitation visible with the young woman but she decided to act if she hadn't seen them and just marched past them. "Huh, didn't know the Kusanagi were present," Koike said, while frowning. "I hope that won't ruin our chance on any great song. Or," Turning more towards Katsu, Koike chuckled. "What about an epic poem?"

"You really want that song, don't you?" Katsu said with a teasing tone. "And, no need to worry. I remember them. I was up studying them with Tanpo a few days ago." He paused before elaborating. "Uh... I mean, it helps to talk out loud when studying, especially to someone, so, you know... Tanpo didn't really do much studying, is what I mean." The young nin cleared his throat and looked back at his friend. "Er. So, did the Cloud send any valuable information?"

"Somewhat. Got to get something out of this, don't we?" Koike reacted in an amused manner. Glad that Katsu had studied them further, releasing a chuckle when Katsu said with who he had studied the bit of Chonobi that had been passed on to him. "Not really certain. I suppose that Hayate is more informed than me on what the Lightning country shared with us. Just am a bit worried now that 'she' is around that I have to ask you, Tanpo and Akumu to watch my back. Scorned women aren't usually the forgiven type. Or so I have been told. That and," Koike tried one more time to get sight or a glimpse of their brigade general, Erling, "Where is Erling? He didn't strike me as the guy who would decide to miss this chance or stand at the back." For a moment Koike considered to send Katsu to find out where their brigade general was, as that was one of the tasks for an aidé. However, he decided against it as movement could be spotted at the position of the enemy. Few small units seemed to cautiously approach the river on their side.

"Seems that some of them are getting impatient, again." Before Koike could turn and shout out an order for Torrad's unit to stand at the ready, the enemy units would fall back to their own ranks. The sound of the foreign language chanting the same sentences over and over again was carried by the wind to the position of the allied force. Frowning Koike couldn't make much from it. "What could they be saying?"

"Maybe a war-song?" Katsu guessed half-heartedly. "Do you want me to look for him? I could make a quick round to see if I can find him nearby. Or would you rather wait? He'll probably turn up any moment now."

"We will wait. I can't risk it that you will go off and have fun without me. Or that I will be accused later of keeping the fun for myself," Koike answered, trying to still sound cheerful. He didn't want to admit that he was getting more and more nervous. There was a certain disciplined silence among the ranks of the 13th brigade, save it for the leading officers with their instructions and orders. "Can you make me a promise?" Koike mumbled, yet still audible enough for Katsu. "If something... bad happens. Make certain that you, Tanpo and Akumu can get Hayate and Saki away. No arguments, just do me a favour and don't risk everything for me, okay? Aiko will have my skin if something would happen to you."

Katsu dumbfoundedly stared at Koike throughout the duration of his friend's request. "Ah." Katsu gave an apologetic smile to Koike. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can do that. Even if I were to say I wouldn't try anything, I'm sure I'd just disappoint you, and I don't really want to be a liar. So do everyone a favor and don't go getting reckless. I don't want to die going after you."

Frowning upon hearing Katsu's reply, Koike sighed as he turned his gaze towards the visible and distant enemy horde. "I was afraid that you wouldn't agree. But had to give it a try." Trying to smile, it was nothing but a faint one while Koike continued. "Seems that their chant is shifting. Maybe it is over soon?" He wondered out loud. Only to be distracted as from their right, loud sounds would herald shouts and cheers in Chonobi. Weapons being slammed with their broad side against shields and shouts pierced the previous 'silence' as a few riders would pass the front ranks. "Ah. There he is," Koike mumbled upon spotting Erling Hon. The brigade general would stop for a moment as the familiar Kusanagi of before approached the brigade general. A small conversation took place by the sight of it as Erling waved the young kunoichi away before turning to one of the few riders at his flank. After an order, the rider would make way towards the position of Hayate while Erling would beckon the 13th brigade to become silent.

Looking over to Erling, Katsu studied the man carefully. He was taken by surprise when he saw the command Erling had over the wild 13th. Katsu was almost afraid they'd ride ahead on their own just to get a chance to fight, but with a single order, the entire battalion seemed to fall silent after chanting at the top of their lungs.

The silence endured for some time as Erling steered his horse towards the river and the enemy horde. Then he would steer his horse halfway around to be able to look and speak to his troops. "It has come to this, on this distant land where we are faced against a much larger force. I have heard that they outnumber us with five to one. I say, that is a fair fight!" The challenging words of Erling provoked some laughter and shouts for a moment from his men. "When the enemy will attack, don't forget what or who you're fighting for. Even far away from our homes and the empire, that doesn't mean we can slack here. The enemy isn't aware of what we can do. They don't know how foolish it is to face such a menace like you in battle! They seem to be a race of rabid bastards who will fight us with tooth and nail!"

For a moment here and there men would slam the broad side of their weapons against their shields but as Erling raised his left hand, the silence would return. "Let us teach them today what they are up against! Akino is civilisation! Akino is power! And out here... WE! ARE! AKINO!"

A grin spread on Erling's lips as the majority, if not the entire brigade, burst out in cheers. As the brigade would start to chant the name of their empire, Erling would dispatch a few orders while riding to past the lines. The pike formations would create a dreadful sound as they moved their pikes in an almost scary coordinated manner, before deploying a pike phalanx. Soldiers equipped with shield and weapon would bash their weapons against their shield, shouting out to their enemies in Chonobi. But none of them would step out of formation or ignore the command of their superiors as orders were dispatched as movement could be spotted at the enemy horde.
[/spoili]
[/fieldbox]

 

[Oetje]

[fieldbox=Taking it easy?, burlywood]
Meilin Cho,
Chuunin of Team 7/Nimatsu.

---

Cho Compound,
Jin's Home.​

It was weird. Then again, what hadn't been weird ever since she had left Keishi for the first time? Knowing she couldn't complain or have any reasons to distrust Jin, Meilin didn't feel completely fine with leaving her siblings with the man. He lived in a house within the Cho compound. The house was well maintained and even luxurious compared to the space at Azumi or her parental home in Keishi. The man even could afford a servant or two, which meant that there was plenty of attention and care for Hitomo, Atsumichi and Irene. More than she could provide. Something that was really good and yet, it hurt.
Making time to be early in the morning, Meilin spent the time to help and interact with her three siblings. Most of all, Irene. It was easy, helping the girl getting dressed, eat and drink. It was just the mental dealing with it. Seeing the empty stare in Irene's eyes, the lack of energy and levity. The whole matter that made her a child, a girl that still had a life ahead of her. Now just being a shell of herself. Even though Meilin considered herself tough and strong of will, she was certain that those lifeless eyes would haunt her for quite some time.

"There," Meilin flashed a smile as she was done braiding Irene's hair. Lowering herself a bit to gaze at the reflection at the mirror, Meilin would gently embrace her younger sister. "Looking all pretty! Now I have to make sure that no prince will try to court you, huh?~"
Even though she tried, Meilin couldn't ignore the staring of the pale girl. If it weren't for the nod and the girl blinking from time to time, one would likely consider her dead. Slowly the right hand of the girl went to her left shoulder, rubbing the spot where the left arm had been. A twinge of anger and sorrow was visible, cracking through the pale mask but it had been a second.

And yet it seemed like it had been a moment that had lasted for an hour for Meilin. She wanted to say something but couldn't. Getting up slowly, she would place a hand on Irene's head.
"I... I am... going... Take care, Irene."
Walking away towards the door Meilin would cast a quick glance before closing the door behind her. Still, Irene sat there, staring at the reflection, her right hand rubbing the spot of where her left arm had been.
Closing the door, Meilin would make way towards the front door. Atsumichi and Hitomo were in the backyard, looking for ladybugs.

"Leaving already?"

The voice of Jin sounding from behind caused Meilin to halt, just as her right hand was about to open the door. Turning around, she nodded.
"I have to do something."
"And that is?"
Meilin wanted to sneer back that it wasn't his affair and that he should back off but she didn't. She found it frustrating but right now she owed him a lot of gratitude. Shrugging lightly, Meilin avoided looking the old man in the face.
"I need to clear my head, nothing too major."
"Then don't forget that we are going to train. Tomorrow evening, don't be late."
Nodding Meilin would take her leave, finding herself unable to say both sorry and thanks. Perhaps she could do that after having cleared her mind?

---

Azumi,
Koike's Workshop.​

She had rather released her pent-up frustration, anger and other emotions at a training post. But that would be in the open in front of other protegés. Something that Meilin wanted to avoid.
Instead, she was busy in the workshop of Koike, making sure that everything was clean and reading through some of Koike's notes. She noticed right away that he wrote really nice. Even better than her. How long had it taken him to write the 'g' so great, she wondered to herself for a moment. The notes weren't fully explaining everything on various recipes and ingredients but it was still fun to go through them.
Eventually, Meilin felt confident enough to give it a try. Holding Koike's notes close by she would try to work through the steps on tinkering a bomb herself. It was a tedious process because she had some fear that one small step could cause the entire workshop to blow up. Something that would be the opposite of what she had promised. Weighing the ingredients and following the steps point by point made her forget about the time she was spending in the workshop. About the problems and worries.
Finishing the bomb Meilin gained a big grin. Placing her hands on her hips she gazed at the small round object. A cherry bomb, ready for use. Or perhaps she should field test it? It was a most tempting thought. One that Meilin couldn't just ignore. Cleaning up, she would exit the workshop with an exciting pace.

Outside she would head towards one of the nearby training fields. It wasn't occupied right now by anybody. If anything, the headquarters of Azumi felt quite empty with the deployment of the Guardians Unit. Deciding to not spend too much thought on it, Meilin would snap twice with her fingers, igniting the bomb. Throwing it away she would wait a moment.
Much to her joy Meilin would see the small spark, going with a loud bang.

"Yes! Awesome!"

Excited by her success Meilin would sprint towards the place where the bomb had exploded. There wasn't much material left or damage by the ignition of the bomb. Crouching next to the spot Meilin would inspect the spot. Finding it interesting she also wanted to learn what the 'mark' would be the bomb. If it left much material or damage, which was good to know when putting one to use.
Making some mental notes Meilin would get back to the workshop. Crafting some more cherry bombs she would repeat the testing three more times before being able to consider that she could state to herself that she had managed to craft cherry bombs. A smile crossed her lips as the bangs of the cherry bombs were much louder than her firecrackers. They did leave a small burn mark behind, which was unfortunate as her firecrackers didn't do such a thing.
Returning once more to the workshop she would check if there was any dust lingering around before deciding to head towards the smithery of Hayate. There she would clean and dust off the smithy. Also staring at the weapons, tools and other equipment that were stalled out. Had Hayate crafted all of them? Meilin had to resist to give some weapons a test swing or trying on some of the armour. But she would resist the temptation for now.
Once she was done she only noticed that it was already becoming evening. How long had she spent cleaning or at Koike's workshop? Getting herself some food, Meilin opted to eat in the small room that was gifted to her. While she wanted to learn more people, she decided that today wouldn't be the best of days. Some time alone would perhaps allow her to get a bit of rest?

Settling in her room Meilin would take the bowl with ramen on her bed while cautiously opening the old book. The one that she had 'taken' from the route Team 7 had taken through the Catacombs. It occurred to her that nobody had asked about the book ever. Or not inquired ever since getting out of the Blackroot Vale. Had Kensuke not reported it? Perhaps he hadn't considered it important? She wouldn't consider it a loss if he had made that decision. His attitude and given opinion on the Chonobi culture made it clear, in her perspective and experience, that it was something he didn't deem really serious. Causing her to become frustrated as she did recall that he had asked questions about it. As if he was curious. Only to state in a casual way that the Blackroots were odd and just not to be understood.
Sighing Meilin would take a bite of her dinner, trying to push the thoughts aside. Delving into the old pages she almost forgot about her ramen and it would only be many hours later that she realised that it was passing midnight and that she should get some sleep.

Tomorrow would be another long day.​

[/fieldbox]

 

[Jessie Targaryen]

[fieldbox="Fun Times Ahead, #0033cc, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]

Taishiro Kanai | Team 14 Genin | Kirigakure ​

---

Taishiro was very seriously considering having his water clone go tackle Aya then burst. She was irritating, but even more than that, she had a point. Still, it would've brought him some level of satisfaction to at least irritate her. He only spared a moment to look back towards the girl, "You probably would've wasted our time and still not given us an answer." He said bluntly, before turning back in the direction of his water clone. It was obvious the clone had failed, so he released the technique. From the hand where he had tapped the clone earlier, a flash tag slowly floated to the ground. Now, he had to figure out sensei's location and how to keep track of her. She was invisible, that much was obvious, and Taishiro wasn't confident that he was skilled enough to find her any other way. He needed some way to keep track of her movements. Of course, he could always disappear as well. Though he was more than willing to wager to Sensei had some way around it, she was a jounin after all. "Hiro! Watch for any signs of movement. It'll be difficult by try to find her." He called out quickly, before backing up towards where Aya sat. He doubted she would prove any use, and he would've preferred to focus on doing this himself, but he knew she might know something helpful. At least, more than he or Hiro would know most likely.

Whenever he got close enough to Aya, the boy shot her a quick look. "Other than the obvious disappearing and us being massively outclassed, any other reasons you stepped out? Rather, is there anything you can say that might help here? I'm... sorry for being rude earlier." He said quickly. He wasn't particularly sorry, but figured it might help his chances at getting the girl to say something. After having spoken, Taishiro kept a watch towards where sensei had been, and then to either side of it. He doubted she would stay in the same place, but still couldn't find any sign of the woman. Today was going to be a long day, he could already feel it.[/hr][/fieldbox]

 

[RedFox]

[fieldbox=We will see each other again]
Masami Hyuuga
Konohagakure Chuniin
Team 9


Weird.

Masami though to herself. Why did food taste so weird this time? No, not weird. Better.
That was right. Better. Food never tasted this good before. She knew very
well why it was so, but she refused to admit it. Laughter. It was what
made her snap out of her list of thought, and she joined too. Her thoughts
could wait, her comrades not.

And so they spent the latter part of the afternoon with sparring sessions
interrupted by brief pauses like this one. No one could question the mood
in their unit. They were determined, cheerful. But Masami knew the secret
everybody was trying to hide from the others. Deep inside, everybody was
nervous. Scared. They were like kegs of gunpowder, surrounded by sparklers.
They could breakdown at every moment.

But none of them would do so.
Determination.

It is what kept them calm. That is what allowed them to carry on, laughing,
joking. Fully knowing they might head into the carnage any moment, never to
return. That is why they enjoyed the company of one another. They were
friends before The War, as they called it. Now, they are comrades.
Some even referred to each other as brothers and sister.

They are my brothers and sisters.

And Masami will do everything she could possibly do to make sure they will
return home in one piece. Brothers and sisters, sticking together. Not only
in times of war but also in times of peace. The bonds that were forged
here were the ones that would endure the tests of time. She knew it.

The group, as one, stood up from the table they were sitting at and went
back to the sparring fields. They split into pairs and stood face to face
with each other. They bowed down and with fierce battle cries, they rejoined
their sparring.[/fieldbox]​

 

[RoranHawkins]

[fieldbox="Hyuuga vs Nimatsu!, green"]
A collab between and Roran Hawkins
Konohagakure
One week ago

Summary

Kensuke and Kyoi had a training after they arrived to get to know eachother and their skillsets and mindsets. They get along quite well, maybe even too well, although Kensuke seems reluctant to open up to the new member of the team entirely.

Collab

The frozen ground and the thawing grass creaked as he put down the small box which contained his training equipment. Lunch, water and a couple of towels. It'd only been a day and a hald since Kyoi and Kensuke'd returned from their mission, and he'd only been out of jail since the same morning. In the end he'd just been interrogated in the most passive way imaginable. Intelligence division officers reading his mind, stating they were done, undoing his chains and sending him to go home and take a shower. He'd accepted the snide remark with a shrug. Showering had been a delight after three days on the road and a night in the cell without refreshment. He'd invited Kyoi here today to get a better idea of who would now officially be joining Team seven. It was strange to have someone in his team that was 6 years his senior.

Being invited to a training session by Kensuke would have been a surprise, had she not been notified that she was being assigned to his team fully now that she was back in the capital. But Kyoi couldn't complain, this was a good way to pass the time and to keep relatively active during the cold of the winter period as she'd not yet put much effort into her training as of late due to her status as an assisting element out in the field. Upon her arrival at the field she found Kensuke to already be there waiting for her to show up. "Good morning, Kensuke. I hadn't expected to be training with you just yet, despite the assignment to your team."

"Well, I need to know what I'm dealing with." He said. "Any idea what to expect?

"If it's anything like previous teams I was part of when I was a genin, I would guess we'd make formal introductions, test my capabilities to see what you can actually teach me, and then we'd go from there." Kyoi briefly suggested. "But it's your choice in what we actually do."

"Fair enough. I'm Nimatsu Kensuke, jounin of Team seven. Clanleader of the Nimatsu, 21 years old, commander of the Soaring Falcons if that means anything to you. I usually wield a sword in fights enhanced by ninjutsu and taijutsu when necessary." He introduced himself.

"Hyuuga Kyoi, Specialised Jounin, now of team seven. No special rank otherwise, I'm 27 and a specialist in taijutsu, medical ninjutsu and stealth." She responded, giving an formal bow of her head in greeting.

"Medical ninjutsu? How good? Can you repair the internal damage you inflict with your gentle fist?" He asked, tilting his head in curiosity. That seemed like a very effective combination for detaining targets. Cripple first, ask questions and heal later.

A swift nod was given, along with an explanation in response to his question. "I'm well practiced in the Mystical Palm technique, so if I'm inflict internal damage then I am capable of healing it." Kyoi chimed. "I feel it's quite an apt combination to have."

"Alright. Good to know. Let's get to the training then." He said.

"What would you normally start your team off with in terms of training?" Kyoi enquired with a raised brow.

"How about some running? I have a bit of a reputation for being a terrible teacher. But I have been said to have high standards." He said as his body fell into a practised rythm of controlled breathing.

Kyoi basically followed Kensuke's exercises throughout the entirety, it was only fair to put in as much effort as he was, otherwise they wouldn't get a similar amount of experience out of the session. Once it was over Kyoi was thoroughly exhausted, it was more work than she was used to but in the long run she would be better off if she kept such a routine up, surely.

After a dozen laps and several series of taxing balance and strength excercises that always left Kensuke feeling pleasantly depleted he bent double, breathing hard. His arms were screaming and sweat was gushing down his back, despite the weather. He liked to believe that his rigorous physical training schedule was an excellent way to stay alive in the risky business of being a shinobi. Endurance, strength, agility, fortitude. An excellent foundation from which one could work up to more advanced techniques. Of course he was well aware that standards of fitness were a lot lower than he laid it for himself, and neither did he expect others or his students to equal his drive or effort. The most important bit was that they'd learn the value of having a solid foundation that would not betray you even if everything went haywire. He threw his head back and arched his back, looking over to how Kyoi was doing.

"You certainly like to push yourself..." Was about all Kyoi could say as she had decided to slump down onto her back to give every part of herself a rest following the routine. It would be clear that she'd tried to keep up with him, but she hadn't exactly overdone it, she'd just had to stop somewhat sooner than he had to prevent herself from over-extending her stamina. After a moment longer she managed to continue with talking, "But I see the merit... In such an extensive workout."

He dragged himself back to the small box underneath the tree and rewarded himself with a bento box and some water. "It's practice, as with everything. Almost a habit for me at this point. But it's kept me alive so far." He said, offering her a second bottle of water while he alowed himself to relax. He really appreciated her efforts to try his routine. Even when she failed. There was no shame in it, most shinobi simply preferred to do other things in their spare time, or specialised into different fields. "And since I always end up fighting up close, it helps to have a longer breath than my opponents."

Picking herself up felt to be a harder task that was first imagined, but Kyoi did manage to get to the relative cover of the tree and lean against it as a physical support so she could sit up and at least drink the offered water. Just something to drink was refreshing enough for the time being after having worked as hard as she had with the exercise routine. "Understandable, taijutsu has a fair focus on that kind of necessity as well. Controlling your brething, I mean."

"Kenjutsu too." Was all he said as he allowed his body to rest. "Anything specific you'd like to work on next?" He said with a terrible smile.

"Do you use anything aside from kenjutsu? That might tell me if there's anything I can learn from you. Otherwise we could do a bit of combat training. I'm not a swordsman and I'm not sure how much of an unarmed fighter you are, so we could learn a little from one another." Kyoi returned the smile, albeit not as terribly, as she made her suggestion.

"I'm specialised at kenjutsu and applying ninjutsu to my kenjutsu strikes, much like how gentle fist works fundamentally. But kenjutsu naturally extends into a good dose of taijutsu so I'm quite curious to see who'd come out on top in a pure taijutsu spar." He replied with a smile. "But in all seriousness, I would not have made jounin status with just kenjutsu. I'm quite okay at using ninjutsu both independantly and to supplement my ken- and taijutsu. I also can do genjutsu, but it's not my forte." He added matter-of-factly.

A small nod came from Kyoi as Kensuke explained his capabilities to her. "Well learning how to aptly use a blade wouldn't be a bad idea, if you're willing to teach anything, otherwise I can take you up on that taijutsu sparring match."

He tilted his head, trying to see if she was serious about learning to fight with bladed weapons. He didn't know if the gentle fist could work through a weapon, but he reckoned it didn't, or the Hyuuga'd have started using weapons ages ago. "If you're serious about taking up a blade, come join my next training. I earn a pretty penny as a private kenjutsu instructor. I know someone who won't mind having another trainee to swing a sword at." He replied, head perched atop his chin as he thought. "The sparring match would definitely be interesting. My taijutsu mostly relies around grapples and locks as opposed to strikes, as that's what supports my kenjutsu best."

"I will certainly have to take a look, it never hurts to know how to use other methods to fight." Kyoi elaborated slightly before she stood up and began brushing herself off, she was still feeling somewhat weak from the rigorous workout, but the sooner she got to her feet, the readier she would be to begin the possible sparring match. Kensuke probably had a good idea on how gentle fist fighters worked and so knowing he was more focused on grapples and holds would be quite helpful in a sparring match. "Well, if and when you're ready, I am happy to oblige."

"Alright." Kensuke said, bouncing back to his feet. He rolled his shoulders as he did. "Ready whenever you are." He said. He might've implied as much before, but he had a very good idea of how gentle fist worked. He'd worked together with three Hyuuga so far in varying degrees of succes, and had been the target of their techniques more than he'd liked to have been. He sank through his knees into a balanced pose and put his hands between himself and Kyoi, ready to deflect any threat.

Kyoi shook herself a little to limber up and took up a relatively low stance. "Would it be fair for me to use my advanced gentlefist techniques, or would you prefer me to use basic techniques instead?"

"Show me what you've got." He said and did a passing step forwards so his left side now faced her directly.

With a calm nod and nary a word spoken, Kyoi obliged him be activating her Byakugan and jumping backwards a few feet before opening with three Vacuum Palms, one after the other with the intent to follow his movements with each subsequent palm if he were to evade them.

The moment Kyoi activated her Byakugan he did the same with his igurai. He mightn't be able to see chakra flow or influence an opponent's mind, but anticipating movement became so much simpler. He answered the three blasts of air directed at hit by coating his hands in wind-natured chakra and deflecting each one with a blast of air of his own. After the last parry he stepped forwards, closing the distance and opened with a couple of fast jabs to try her and get an idea of how she'd react.

Kensuke's reaction time and counter to her vacuums was impressive, the benefit of wind-natured charka allowed for blocking such strikes, it brought a small smirk of entertainment to Kyoi's expression as she remained steady and deflected his jabs with equally swift swipes of her palms to inject a small amount of chakra into the points in his wrists to numb his hands. This would be followed up by a few quick steps to the side to ensure she wouldn't be in the direct line of fire if he continued his assault regardless of the state of his hands.

The moment he saw the first attack coming he knew that blocking it would be suicidal. Parrying it to prevent receiving a crippling chakra injection or dodging it altogether was the only sane option. He stepped in and parried her first jab to the side with his right hand in a single movement and tried to get a hold of her wrist as he did. He would pull her arm towards him to drag her off balance and then use his left arm and elbow to apply pressure on the back of her shoulder, forcing her onto the floor in a shoulder lock.

There wasn't much time to react to being pulled off of her feet after Kensuke's grip wrapped itself around her wrist, but as she found herself staggering she whipped her off-hand out to grip his wrist in response and dump a heavy injection of chakra into his arm, hoping to force him to remove his grip before she could find herself on the ground.

He registered the hit and immediately felt his arm go senseless, but that was no reason to interrupt his attack. The moment Kyoi's shoulder hit the floor he pressed her there with his knee and gently tapped the back of her head with his now freed left hand. Then he released her and got up again. He waved his right arm a bit, now senseless from elbow to fingertips, and laughed. "Nice hit!" He said and dropped back into a combat stance.

With a knee pressed into her back Kyoi could accept that she was at a disadvantage, so the win would go to Kensuke. Once she was free she stood back up and dusted herself off. "Had it not been for that knee of yours, I might have had that one. It's enlightening fighting someone who's used to the gentle fist style, aside from other Hyuuga, of course." As soon as Kensuke was ready to fight again Kyoi prepared herself for whatever his opening move would be. "Only fair for you to make the first move this time."

He inclined his head to acknowledge her argument and decided that he would open the dance with a simple opener. A straightforwards punch after closing the distance. Easy to counter, but also easy to work off. certainly as good as any opener.

A deft side-step was all Kyoi used to prevent herself from being struck, backpedalling a few steps for a touch of distance and keeping her gaze focused on him, silently asking him to attack again whilst she maintained a defensive stance.

She refused to enter close combat this time. So he would have to force it upon her, or attack from a distance. He closed the distance again and feigned a kick, but switched target to the floor instead, the wind-natured chakra sending a cloud of sand and dust up in the air as he closed his eyes. He executed a blind sweeping kick as the dust settled to see if he could catch her unaware.

With Kensuke closing the distance, Kyoi braced herself for impact and soon found that he hadn't in-fact struck for her, instead favouring a plan to try and blind her with a cloud of dust. It would prove effective enough in disrupting her vision but her retaliation was simple and blunt as she widened her stance for maximum coverage and loosed a wave of chakra from her tenketsu for a body-sized blow of force directly into the cloud and Kensuke to disperse the dust around them, presumably also taking him off of his feet.

Rolling over his back as the dust dispersed, blinking his eyes to get the last particles out he had to admit he had not anticipated that particular response. Body blow. He had seen the technique in action before, but had never experienced it done unto him. Quite effective, and would make most of his grapples a painful matter unless he finished fast.

It took a second for Kyoi to blink the dust from her eyes, but as soon as her eyes were clear enough to see Kensuke she charged forwards and made a very un-gentle attack, a flying kick with both feet aimed straight for his gut came his way whether he was on his feet or not.

He'd only barely gotten up when Kyoi leapt at him like an arrow from a bow. If she hadn't been preoccupied with the sand in her eyes it'd have caught him before he was up. Even now all he could do was catch her attack with a strong defence instead of avoiding it entirely. Her momentum meant that he stumbled back regardless, and he lost a moment regaining his balance.

Once her feet made contact with Kensuke's defense and he stumbled back, she managed to land on her feet and spring forwards to pass behind him and make use of his unsteady status to plant a few palm strikes into his shoulders and hips, intent on immobilising his extremities so he couldn't continue the fight.

By the time he'd regained his stability Kyoi was half past him. He turned with her and took a glancing blow that made his left arm feel all giddy despite his best attempts to stop it. The second blow he succesfully redirected away from him with his left arm, but he fumbled his attempt to grab her wrist once again for an elbow lock because of the lack of orientation. He batted aside the third strike and then stepped in, attempting to fumble her fourth strike. He placed his right leg behind hers and tried to throw her over his outstretched leg using his hips as a pivot and his right arm as a wrench.

Kensuke's persistence in remaining combat ready was certainly an impressive thing to see, despite his immobilised left arm he contined to fight. But such a persistence was playing to her advantage as he tried to trip her up, her last strike missing it's mark as his right arm came round to try and force her over his leg in another takedown. Kyoi flung both arms around his torso, clinging to him tightly, and with her face up close to his she gave a grin, having formed a snake seal with her hands behind his back to bring her hair to life and start constricting around him, essentially planning to wrap the two of them together.

He had expected a second body blow the moment she grabbed him, but he'd admit, the hair was a surprise. With his right arm caught in the hair and only his numbed left arm still free he was effectively stuck. He briefly considered coating his right hand in chakra to cut himself loose, but that wouldn't be very nice during a training fight. Then he saw that she was grinning at him. He returned the smile. And then he hooked one of her feet with one of his and threw his weight against her so the human-hair-contraption she'd turned them into would fall Kyoi first onto the frozen ground.

It seemed Kensuke really didn't know when to quit, then again evidently nor did Kyoi at this point, but she was at a disadvantage with being the smaller and lighter of the two as she originally tried pushing against his weight and found it to be ineffective. Without a second thought she released her hair's hold on Kensuke's arm, released her grip around his torso and performed another body blow all around herself to shove him away and give her time to recover, rolling backwards and hopping onto her feet. "You really are persistent, aren't you?" Kyoi spoke as she prepared to defend herself again, before adding to her question. "Should a young woman expect a man to be so forceful on their first date?"

It took a full heartbeat before he hit the ground. He didn't feel much of the landing, that was the effect of the blody blow technique, but the small pains immediately settled in the moment he began moving of his own volition again. He rolled over and got to his feet, a lot less energetically as last time and shook his numbed left arm. Was it getting worse? Probably his imagination. What Kyoi said definitely was not his imagination. "I didn't think this was a date. Last I heard those are frowned upon between students and teachers." He replied with half a grin, rubbing his back. The fact that she was half a decade older didn't help stopping him at laughing at his own joke. He rubbed his left arm and slowly sank into a combat position again for their third scram.

A snicker left Kyoi at Kensuke's response and she readied for another clash. "Anything can be a date if it's just two people, besides, it's not like I'm some young genin who doesn't know any better." She switched stance, widening her legs and extending her arms, one behind and one in front with her body low to the ground. If Kensuke had ever seen it in use before he'd know what she was about to do. "You know, Kensuke. You're in the perfect range for me now." A dash of bravado to try and make him hesitate was the last thing she left him with before unleashing the rapid flurry of blows known as the Eight Trigrams and 64 Palms technique.

"My my..." He managed, taken aback, before she mentioned that he was in range. Instantly he went from an overwhelmed 21-year old to a trained soldier. Either she was going to use another vacuum palm or something more serious. Her smugness hinted towards the latter. He made a few handsigns of his own while inhaling deeply, and at the same time as she unleashed a rapid flurry of blows he exhaled, sending forth a strong gale to stop her before she could pick up the tempo of her secret clan technique.

It was too confident of Kyoi to have given Kensuke that warning, she figured that out only as she found herself to be on the receving end of a gust that would've been strong enough to bring her off of her feet if she'd tried to continue her attack, halting and focusing chakra to her feet to cement herself to the ground and taking the wind as side-on as possible. From there she'd stand steady and wait for him to finish trying to blow her over and dash in for a swift palm bottom strike to properly stun him.

Interesting tactic, he thought when Kyoi decided to take the wind head-on and 'glue' herself to the ground. He felt like grabbing a shuriken to throw at her, immobilised like this, but that'd be against the spirit of the thing. He ceased his attempts to blow her away and took a single step back. As he did Kyoi suddenly leapt forwards, her arm arched back for another chakra-charged attack. So he dashed forwards to foul her jump and attack, ducking to avoid her legs. He immediately whirled around with a low, sweeping kick to trip her after landing and allow a follow-up atack.

Kyoi's following attack missed, much to her disdain. But fortunately with her Byakugan still active from trying to use one of the Eight Trigrams techniques she saw the leg sweeping round to trip her and reactively backflipped to avoid getting caught by it. The past few exchanges had been fairly taxing in terms of merely moving, dashing and trying to not be struck, but Kyoi didn't falter as she jumped at Kensuke and fired off bursts of chakra from her legs to launch a rapid spinning kick into his left-hand side.

She cleared the sweeping leg from behind. Of course she did, she was a Hyuuga. The time he spent recovering from his attack allowed her to leap back at him with a rapid spinning kick at his mid-section. He sank through his knees and pressed his body as close to the floor as practical to clear the kick while he gathered chakra in his right arm as it shot out, sending a forceful gust of wind right into her body as she finished her kick. Despite his fast reaction her kick skimmed his head, making him see stars and miss a heartbeat of valuable time in retaliating with his air palm.

Kyoi felt her kick glance but not fully connect with Kensuke, the only problem of this was that she was still just about landing from her kick when he fired the burst of wind at her, even if she was able to see him doing it she didn't have the space nor the time to do anything about it this time. So she found herself tumbling through the air for a moment before just about landing on her feet and turning to face him, looking to be quite tired now as she began to take deep breaths to regain her composure. Now she waited to see what he planned to do.

He wouldn't allow himself a second to recover and dashed forwards again. His breath came in short bursts as he gathered chakra in his arms, realising that the chakra in his left arm just leaked away given the deactivation of his chakra system there. Fortunately his right arm was only numbed, and not rendered devoid of chakra usage as well. He made a one-handed handsign with inhaled deeply once again, unleashing a small volley of reduced potency wind bullets that would hurt like punches to prevent her from regaining any initiative.

Kyoi began to move when Kensuke charged towards her, firing little wind bullets at her to try and disrupt her combat capability. Forming the snake seal she wove a lattice of chakra-enhanced hair to block the bullets coming her way whilst she watched his movements through it with her Byakugan, the impacts from the bullets tearing noticable holes in her defensive wall but managing to stop his shots.

A veritable wall of hair absorbed his shots one by one and concealed her from his view. Of course, her Byakugan would allow her to see straight through just fine. He created a shadow clone who appeared right in front of him and they began charging the wall of hair simultanuously and in rythm, making it hard to distinguish them from eachother even with the Byakugan purely based on perspective. As they closed range they split up, flanking the wall from both sides, both ready with a chakra-enhanced kick to flatten Kyoi with as they'd round the corner.

As expected, Kyoi had been watching Kensuke with her Byakugan for his next move. She expected a frontal assault that would've cut through her wall to get directly to her so she was surprised at the appearance of a Kensuke flanking either side of the wall. She released her wall and attempted to dive out of the line of fire but ended up taking the hit from both sides, already being worn down from the duration of the fight Kyoi stumbled in place before dropping to the ground and laying flat-out on her back. "...I concede. Wasn't sure how much longer I could keep it up anyway." She groaned in resignation, waving a hand and tapping it out on the cold ground.

The clone poofed away and Kensuke bent down and leaned heavily on his knees for support. "Sure did give me a run for my money..." He said as the strange sensation of having both arms devoid of sense as he leaned on them. He erected himself and stretched his back with a grimace and shook his head. He was still left slightly whoozy from that kick in the head. He walked over to Kyoi and offered her his hand. "Pretty good. Better than most new students in my team." He said with an angelic smile.

Kyoi chuckled in response and soon reached up to accept the offered hand. "I would hope so, I mean I'm no genin." She said once she was on her feet, dusting herself down. "I noticed that our match stopped being a taijutsu only match though. But it made it interesting, that much I can say for certain." Kyoi offered a smile in return for Kensuke's own. "Hopefully things will stay this interesting whilst I'm part of the team."

"Heh. About that..." He began, and looked away. The team definitely was interesting, so much was true. Managable? Obedient? Not quite.

Whilst not a reassuring response, it was better than nothing at all. "Well, perhaps you'll have to indulge me in more sparring matches, I may end up learning to be a bit more creative with my techniques if we keep it up." Kyoi seemed to be ever the optimist as her ever-present smile beamed up at him.

His sigh turned into a shrug and then into an amused smile. "I don't doubt that." He said as he began walking for the sidelines. "Let me know if you have any questions surrounding the team or any aspects of training. Or if you'd like to take me up on the kenjutsu class." He said, hiding his uncertainty behind a mask of playful formality.

Kyoi eventually sat herself down by the edge of the field alongside Kensuke. "It may bring the light mood down, but if you could tell me everything you can about Karma and Meilin, that would be appreciated."

The team. He let out a deep sigh as he mustered the words. "Meilin's a bit of a difficult student. Strong-willed, stubborn and very independant. She's been through a load of shit I wouldn't wish to anyone, but she doesn't accept anyone's help either." With a bitter undertone he added 'manipulative' to that row of traits in his mind, but he let the thought slide. There was no changing the past. "Purely technically she's a good shinobi, but I'm not sure what to do with her right now, although the Jounin Commander seems to think otherwise." He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. "Karma is a follower. At the moment it seems that she considers Meilin to be a role model of sorts. Probably just a phase, but she has a bite, as you'll notice. She is fiercely defensive of Meilin, so you won't be popular in her book." He inclined his head as if to say 'anything else?'.

"Thankfully I don't expect to be popular, but it would be nice to see if they consider being open to any degree. What about their capabilities and skills? Any idea on what they're good with?" Kyoi questioned further, having received Kensuke's gesture. "If they ever try working with me as a team it would be good to know what they can do for strategys sake."

Kensuke shrugged at Kyoi's next question. "Both Karma and Meilin are relatively good at close quarters combat with their respective weapons. A naginata for Karma and straight swords for Meilin. Karma's can avoid sensors and has a decent grasp of lightning style. Meilin also has experience as a medical shinobi."

"That's quite informative, having a team specialised in close combat like us is very useful, if you think about it at least. Moreso that more than one member of the team is capable of medical ninjutsu, it makes our abilities somewhat compatible, even if the personalities aren't so much, but that can be worked on." Kyoi replied as she stretched out and frowned a little. "I feel like the way those two live as part of the team would be quite depressing. Granted I've yet to really see them in action. Thank you for this time regardless, Kensuke. It has been fun training in such an extensive manner."

"I have some ideas how to work it out. Maybe they'll even work." He said, and then shook his head. "But yes, this has been quite informative, and I thank you for your time, Kyoi." He said on a tone that belied exhaustion. Both physical and mental exhaustion. Perhaps it was good they had a few days of rest to think things over and find a solution to their problems. "You'll hear of me within the week."

Kyoi gave a nod. "Hopefully it will help with their current attitudes. And if you need me for anything all you need to do is ask." She got to her feet, doing a few stretches before she looked to Kensuke. "Training is over? I'll see you in due time then." Kyoi politely bowed to Kensuke and left the field.

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