Can I Realign? [Requesting Entrance]

[Wakatsuchi Momoka]

Night was falling when Youko found the village gate, standing tall and proud, gleaming when bits of light shone against it. The arrival of the copper-haired visitor was marked with an audible sound of awe. She pulled down the hood of her coat as she approached the entrance. So the descriptions she had been given were true, how even at night it looked like a spectacle. Her purposeful strides slowed into an amble the closer she got to the massive statues that guarded the gates. And the closer she got, the bigger they appeared. She suddenly found her new surroundings intimidating, which wasn’t entirely new but still a pressing feeling each time she got it. Although she had no plans of causing trouble and being an intrusion, it finally dawned into her how arriving into a place she was completely new to at night wasn’t a very good idea. Much as she liked exploring the places she visited when the sun was down, too, she rarely enjoyed having to do it first thing for the first time she arrived.

She shook her head slightly and resisted the urge to snort. She was a shinobi. Keeping up with her training without a place to call her own wasn’t easy, and she managed that. She could take care of herself at night in an entirely new environment, easy. With that comforting thought replacing the her earlier anxiety, she had no problem speeding up her stride, walking as confident as she felt before. Her footsteps soon came to a full stop when she was close enough for an official to come and let her in. Out of habit and general restlessness, she began to lightly tap her fingers against her thigh as she waited, looking up distractedly at the statues as if to defiantly say they didn’t scare her one bit.

 

[Kazehi Ryu]

Good things come to those who wait indeed, the towering man bustled out of the office with a thong full of scrolls slung across his back carried by the stone-fleshed, taloned fingers of his left hand, leaving his right (and human) hand free. His violet-blue eyes scanned the area and paused on the copper haired girl staring up at the gate's Guardians with a look of...defiance? He strode over to stand before her, studying her appearance and the surroundings to see if any others were in the vicinity or in her company as it were. "Greetings, you aren't a familiar face in the village. A visitor? I welcome you, and perhaps I could ask your business." His face remained stoic and passive as an ANBU's mask, though if one were observant someone could pick up the microexpression of thoughtful study he bore when looking this new person over.

Visitors weren't really all that common in an out-of-the-way place such as this, anyone coming perhaps had a purpose or was yet another refugee like Hissori or another displaced member of the Leaf village who'd had enough of the oppression of the Samurai. What would her answers be, the man wondered.

 

[Wakatsuchi Momoka]

It wasn’t long before someone had found her. Although she had started wondering whether some gates were sealed off by nightfall, which would've been odd, but it wasn't like it was her place to say. Hearing light footsteps heading her way snapped her out of the one-sided staring competition she was having. She pivoted on her heel, as if to stand in attention, and faced the entrance directly. Feeling slightly embarrassed for her actions, and being momentarily caught off-guard, she smiled sheepishly in greeting.

"Yes, thank you," She pulled her passport out from one of her pockets, handing it over as she continued, "I’m Kawazoe Youko, Kir-," she faltered slightly, still not quite so thoughtful about how her village had long since frozen over, "former Kirigakure shinobi. Not on any "official" business, per se," she tried not to use her hands to make the quotation marks any more pointed than her tone already suggested, "Just visiting," A small part of her cringed inwardly, realizing that what she wanted to do wasn't exactly urgent enough to be trying to get in as soon as she arrived. So to lessen how she felt about being out of any pressing matters, she added, "Though I would like to speak to someone about your medical programs, if that would be in anyway possible,"

It didn't sound any better after she'd said it, but it was marginally better than just simply dropping by to "visit". Besides that, the chance to learn from another village's medical staff had always been an opportunity she wanted to take, but had never really gotten around to. It was another plus she saw to being forced to leave, becoming a significant push into a direction that got her off just planning within her office and finally putting those plans to action.

 

[Akechi]

”Awfully forward for a ‘former’ shinobi,” the man would comment, revealing himself from behind one of the large glowing walls that Iwagakure used as “gates.” It was clear that he wasn’t one of the normal gate guardians. I mean, he wasn’t garbed like a traditional ANBU or anything like that. Nah… he simply abhorred that look. Honestly, it made sense considering that he was considered a “former” shinobi before, and he was hunted like one until he put down enough of the robed warriors. So why was he here?

”I guess we should appreciate the honesty though. I just wonder if you were a former shinobi, before or after that village froze over…” He commented, stepping into the light so that both individuals could see him clearly. After all, an Uchiha doesn’t hide from anyone. Honestly, it probably wasn’t the smartest mantra for a clan, especially considering that most of them are dead now. O well… Someone had to make sure that the legend of the Uchiha lived on. ”I’m sorry. That was rude. I’m sorry for your homeland’s… condition. I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone.”

Akechi placed a hand in the pocket of his black linen gi, and removed a small golden badge from it. ”The name is Akechi. Uchiha Akechi,” the man spoke, casually flipping the medic badge in the air a couple of times… obviously showing off for everyone to see. I mean… he was semi-retired. Child bearing (among other things) did that to people.

”I can show her around the facilities… if you don’t mind Guardian-kun.” I mean… the guy never did introduce himself. He didn’t know he was actually the Tsuchikage!

[Hey. I hope ya don't mind.]

 

[Kazehi Ryu]

(Nah, I don't mind)

Ryu took the the passport and looked it over a moment before giving a slight grunt and handing it back, chewing on the back of his lip thoughtfully wondering if he should allow her in without escort or have her wait until someone was around to...His thought was interrupted by another voice speaking up from around the wall, he turned slightly and watched as the other man peeled himself out of the shadows of the wall and stepped forward with a medical badge. "I see. Thank you for volunteering your time." He turned and looked at the bronze haired lady. "I bid you a welcome guest of Iwa, Kazwazoe. I am Kazehi Ryu, Tsuchikage, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I ask that while within the village you abide by the laws, should you require administrative assistance you may inquire after myself or our Medical Sennin and there will be a meeting set up." He gave her a polite bow of his head and shoulders, turning to look at Akechi to conclude his 'official' decisions. "I trust your word to guide her around the facilities, and should she wish to venture to other districts that are not restricted, you may escort her yourself or direct another to do so at your discretion." That wrapped things up nicely, and should prevent the woman from getting lost among the village or the village from loosing track of the visitor.

He readjusted the thong full of scrolls on his shoulder before stepping back and to the side further. "Beg pardon, but there are still more duties to attend today. Enjoy your stay in Iwagakure, Kawazoe." He bowed once again with his head and shoulders before striding off deeper into the village.

[Entry Granted, Topic Left unless stopped]

 

[Wakatsuchi Momoka]

With a polite smile, Youko received her passport and placed it back securely inside her coat. Aside from being definitive proof of who she was and where she came from, she held onto it with more sentimental value than she'd ever admit. As the man in front of her seemed to contemplate whether to give her the go ahead or not, another person made themselves known. A slight frown made it way on her face, eyebrows creasing in confusion at his arrival. Not only that, the implication behind his comment had been something she found offensive, and to which she simply responded with an unimpressed look.

Part of her wondered if this was how all welcoming parties to the village greeted their visitors. She put on a polite smile as he introduced himself, taking note of the medic badge he'd waved. The thought of having him as a guide didn't sit well with her, but she supposed she couldn't complain. At the very least, he would be someone who she could poke on about what being a medic was like in Iwagakure. And if she were extremely lucky, snarky comments aren't inclusive of a tour.

Finding herself in front of the Tsuchikage upon her arrival hadn't even crossed her mind in the slightest. To say she'd been surprised to learn that it was him who'd first greeted her at the entrance would be an understatement. Nervously, she gave a bow in return, simply glad she at least had the presence of mind to not have just dropped her jaw on the floor, "Of course, Tsuchikage-sama. Thank you very much," She straightened up watched as he addressed Akechi again, before bidding them goodbye. Her head titled slightly as she watched him leave, the scrolls he had been carrying earlier making much better sense now. Though she found it odd to have been let into a village by the kage rather than his shinobi. She voiced out that opinion to Akechi quietly, although not particularly expecting to get an answer, "How odd. Does your kage come out to greet your visitors often? I'd thought they only do that when meeting important people,"

After watching Ryu disappear into the village, Youko finally turned around to face Akechi, "Okay, so you've already probably heard that I'm Youko," she offered him a more genuine smile this time and stretched out her hand, hoping to make up for getting on the wrong foot, "First things first, since you're going to be my guide of sorts, think you can help me find a place to stay?"

 

[Akechi]

”Whatever I can do to help,” Akechi mused, using a more sarcastic tone while responding to the man that had just identified himself as the Tsuchikage. Still… it was rather odd that a man of his stature would be awkwardly carrying out gate duties. Maybe he gained a weird sense of nostalgia from faithfully carrying out duties that he may have been required to deal with before. Granted, it wasn’t like anyone else was out here doing what they were supposed to. Akechi hadn’t seen an ANBU for miles…

Then again… ANBU that are doing their jobs correctly aren’t supposed to be seen, right? Perhaps they were a lot more competent than Akechi gave them credit for. ”Restricted? Sure thing boss. I’ll make sure not to take her around those areas…” Akechi responded, slightly bowing his head as Ryu picked up stride toward the village. Honestly, did he really feel the need to state the obvious? Of course, Akechi wouldn’t knew not to officially take her to areas considered “restricted.”

”It is rather odd… that he wasn’t wearing his hat,” Akechi giggled, shaking the girl’s hand before pointing toward the village. After all, the boss man did say she could come on in. Why stay outside the gates any longer, right? Slowly and casually, Akechi began to “guide” Ms. Youko toward the village, stopping occasionally to make sure that she was still following. ”Finding a place to stay should be easy. Really just depends on if you want to stay on the outskirts of Maruishi or not,” he would comment, pointing off in two different directions upon the latter statement. ”The countryside is quieter… more quaint. Inner Maruishi is… busy is a good way to put it. It really just depends on your personal preference, though it looks like you’d enjoy a more quiet, serene environment to me.” He could’ve been wrong about his initial impression of the girl, but Youko seemed to be a bit uptight compared to the normal city girls. Not that it was a bad thing or anything like that…

After all, Haruka is rather uptight as well…

[Topic Left unless stopped/Depending on your response we'll move on to one of those RP areas]

 

[Wakatsuchi Momoka]

Taking his lead, Youko followed him inside the village quietly. She was glad for the easy pace they were going at, giving her plenty of time to take in her new surroundings without having to stop every so often. Though admittedly, she wasn't exactly up for sight-seeing right then considering the long journey to get here in the first place. That would have to wait until tomorrow at least, when she'd gotten a good night's sleep. And probably when she was already well-oriented enough with the village by morning that navigating around it at night wouldn't be a problem. She'd been lost in a foreign town enough times to know that lesson well enough.

She paused walking to look at both directions he pointed towards at, puckering her lips and quirking them sideways as she weighed both her options. Once she probably would have jumped at the immediate comfort of the countryside. Quiet and serene sounding very reminiscent of the house she used to go home to. Though the bustle of a thriving city also had it's own charm. But having traveled a lot and often into places where comfort wasn't an option had left her little chance to be picky. Often, her only choice had been to stay close where duty called.

"Truthfully I wouldn't mind either. I guess it'll go down to which one offers a comfier bed for a cheaper price," she said, offering a small laugh, "Though honestly, if there's anything that's close to the hospital, that'll do fine," Ultimately, staying close to any medical center provided her with a different sense of comfort, and a welcome distraction that kept the horrors of losing the only village she'd known to be home at bay. Shaking her head to clear the thoughts from her head, she smiled up at Akechi, waiting expectantly for directions.

[Topic Left]

[OOC: Well, since you're leading her around, would you mind setting up the next topic? c:]