Did Someone Call for an Escort? [Kazuki]

[Kazu]

Stepping lightly, but quickly, Yatamaru led the blindfolded young woman towards the Kazekage Tower, and Sennin Kazuki's office.

Yatamaru welcomed the side venture away from his gate duties. It was certainly more entertaining to take a stroll through the village than to guard its frequently visitor-less entryway. Besides, he wasn't sure when the last time he'd managed to get anywhere near the Occult Sennin was — it wouldn't do for his superior not to know of his presence. Deciding he ought to give the man a little bit of heads up, Yatamaru reached to the upper right side of his neck (where a headset usually would be, if he didn't have one built into his puppet body) and clicked a contact point.

"Sennin Kazuki," he stated clearly and calmly, "this is Oda Yatamaru, with a Hashigaki Kurokawa for you. We'll be at your office shortly." With the notice given, he'd disconnect the contact points and resume the peaceful stroll in....well....peace.

The smoking shinobi wasn't much for conversation, unless she initiated, instead busying himself with relighting a new cigarette after his first one went out. He felt no need to guide the woman (even though she was blindfolded), for he was well-aware of the abilities of the house name 'Hashigaki.' He had dabbled, once or twice, in replicating that particular set of skills in one of his puppets (which may or may not have required unsavory methods of research), though she had no need of that information. In no time at all, the duo would reach the steps to the ornate silver octagon that was the Kazekage Tower. Holding open the door for Kurokawa, Yatamaru would direct her up the stairs. There were only a few offices in the building, and even then the name tags on the doors helped tremendously. Arriving outside the Sennin's office, Yatamaru knocked thrice, waited for a signal to enter, then did so.

"Good morning, sir," he would calmly state, motioning for Kurokawa to enter as well, "I've brought Miss Kurokawa."

Stepping aside to allow her to approach, Yatamaru looked to his Commander to see if there was anything else needed. If not, he would be off to return to his duties — there was no reason to stick around otherwise, besides avoiding gate duty — though he would wait for Kazuki to make give his answer one way or the other.

[ooc]
Realized Yatamaru doesn't actually know Kazuki leads the ANBU. Changed 'ANBU Commander' to 'Commander.'

 

[Hashigaki Kurokawa]

It seemed Kurokawa could not get a much more unpleasant escort from her point of view. Well maybe if he had also been a jerk, but at least he acted nicely. She found the partial lack of normal blood flow disturbing. She didn't mind tools assisting with the guide part of the duty but this was no ordinary puppet and one entrusted with guarding the gate no less. If that wasn't enough to make her feel uncomfortable, the puppet ninja seemed to be a chain smoker as well which for a blind person could be considered torture just for the smell alone. Kurokawa would make sure to stay up wind from him as much as possible to avoid her heightened sense of smell from picking up on too much of the stench while praising every god she had heard of that she was not an Inuzuka.

"A whole Escort just for me? Kinda feels like I am on some kind of watch list for criminals. Or diplomats I guess."

She didn't really know what to small talk about while they travelled but seeing as her escort was less of a talker and more of an air filter the way he kept relighting those things it was just as well. Some parts of him had to be human for him to get anything out of the cigarette. Otherwise it would be a rather expensive venture for no gain. She figured someone that addicted to Nicotine wouldn't take well to being asked not to continue a well established habit out of consideration so to not cause too much tension on the trip she decided to keep quiet about it and attempt to react as little as she could when the winds changed.

As she got to the room serving as the office of a Sennin she was announced as if she really was some kind of diplomat. If whatever name plates had been there to guide people to the office were not engraved she would have had to know that they were there to even start sensing the ink but seeing as she didn't have to find the right door herself, that didn't become a problem. She could summon her new seeing eye helper but as she was trying to avoid unnecessary complications she would keep that option left unused until needed. As she walked through the door she would address the person inside while keeping her face pointed in the same direction. Seemed mood to turn her head to 'look' in the direction of the Sennin without the gift of sight present. If she hadn't worn her blindfold then at least she would have eyes for the other person to make eye contact with but that wasn't an option.

"You wanted to see me right as I got back sir."

She hadn't had the chance to clean up before going here but she figured that unless either of the two had a keen sense of smell, a little sweat from the trip wouldn't bother anyone.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

"Sennin Kazuki, this is Oda Yatamaru, with a Hashigaki Kurokawa for you. We'll be at your office shortly." a voice would echo from Kazuki's headset, momentarily disturbing the peace of his office. The Senju Overlord would offer no reply, but he would wait for Yatamaru's and Kurokawa's impending arrival. After a little while, three knocks on his office door would, once again, disturb the peace that had again settled in his room, though they also represented that the duo traversing the village to meet him had, finally, reached their destination. "Enter."</GLOW><i></i> he would instruct them. The Puppeteer and the Medical Ninja would both greet the Occult Sennin. "Good morning, sir. I've brought Miss Kurokawa." "You wanted to see me right as I got back sir." Upon entering the Deep Court Hybrid's office, both of them would immediately able to notice something. The air temperature was significantly lower than it was in the hall outside. In fact, if they didn't know better, they could have assumed they had reached the arctic regions of their world by mistake. The Sennin's office had no AC devices to cool the air, it was due to Kazuki's deathly chill aura, a characteristic of his body, one shared with the rest of the Deep Court denizens. But the drop in warmth was not the only thing that stood out. Every shadow in the area were seemingly drawn toward the Senju Overlord, including Yatamaru's and Kurokawa's own shadows. And every shadow was also livelier, flickering. All in all, being in the presence of the White Wolf was always a sinister moment for everyone. The Occult Sennin was mysterious to those that knew him little and he actually cultivated the sinister sensation he gave to others because it was helpful to him. The less people knew, the more they would conjecture and the easier his job was. Mr. Sinister could have been applied to him.[lb2][/lb2] He had offered them a simple nod and he had to yet to raise his gaze from the file he had been working on, before their arrival. He had actually had a pile of similar files on the left side of desk, some thicker than the others, but, surely, there were dozens of them there. Both sides walls were covered, from top to bottom, in book filled shelves. Behind the Deep Court Hybrid, a window gave them a magnificent view of Sunagakure and, in front of their Sennin, two vacant chairs. "Oda Yatamaru, you can wait outside. Your escort services are not over yet and your next destination is entirely depended on how Hashigaki Kurokawa answers my questions. I also have a matter I would like to discuss with you before you begin your second escort." Kazuki would announce, dismissing the ANBU from his office, but not from his service. The White Wolf would wait for the ANBU to leave before motioning for the Medical Ninja to take a seat. <GLOW glow="darkred">"I hope your journey was fruitful and its purpose fulfilled."<i></i> the Occult Sennin's voice was quite serene. "I have summoned you here due to a very specific reason. I want you to remember the day I allowed you to leave Sunagakure. Exert your memory as best as you can and remember every minutia, every little detail. And then, once your recall has been done, I want an explanation."<i></i> He had been purposefully vague about what he wanted to know, because he was testing her. He wanted to know why her voice had shifted all of a sudden, a complete shift. He had to know if Kurokawa was a menace that had to be contained before it became a threat to the security of the village. "Make no mistake, Hashigaki Kurokawa, your fate rests solely on your next choice. Choose wisely."<i></i> Kazuki would warn her. It could be a physical and mental examination on Suna's Hospital facilities or incarceration on the Obsidian Palace.[lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 649]​

Black Omen [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Hashigaki Kurokawa]

Kurokawa knew the chilling sentation from last they met as that was what set this whole thing in motion to begin with. Unlike last time her other half no longer had the ability to cloak her and keep her warm so the chills would make her hair rise and give her a pair of glass cutters in the process as that response was normal for the body, whether it be a chill from a fearsome aura or an actual drop in temperature. The sudden change in temperature was likely to provoke a fever at some point especially since she knew it would swing the other way when she left the room. Kurokawa figured that using any actual jutsu to keep herself shielded could be interpreted as hostile intent.

"Your manipulation of surrounding climate spiked the interest of the spirit from which my abilities as blood Jinchuuriki originated. I was never hiding the fact that such a situation was present within me, and would have expected to be turned away at the gate way back when I came to Suna, had that been a problem"

Kurokawa currently felt as unwelcome as any immigrant treated without respect, and began to wonder if applying for a work visa elsewhere would be the better option for her at this time in her life. Suna seemed a tad too problematic for what she wanted out of life at the moment but for now she would hold off on thinking anymore about that and focus on the current situation. She was facing someone charged with leading great parts of the country yet radiating disgust for the very people he was suppose to lead. From Kurokawa's point of view leaders should be inspiring likable and capable role models who lead by example rather than through fear, although technically this guys was not Kage and could thus, just be a necessary evil. In any case he must have gotten the result he wanted from taking a hostile approach to whomever came before him. The only alternative to him being a necessary was that the whole top branch had changed since she got here and if that was true there would be no place for her here since she could never lay her life on the line for someone she neither respected nor saw as a capable leader. Better to die than to serve due to fear.

"I have yet to understand why my actions or being who I am merits this kind of rather unpleasant development, but I am sure I will find out shortly, sir."

[MFT]
[WC: 428]

 

[Kazu]

If puppets could feel the cold, Yatamaru would've found the temperature drop to be quite interesting. Yet they couldn't, so he didn't, which seemed to put him in the particularly awkward position of being immune to the effects of the Occult Sennin. Of course, he could tell that such a temperature drop had occurred — yet it was more like watching a counter tick down on a screen than feeling the effects of that change. Being a puppet was, sometimes, a very cold business.

Beyond the chilling effects of his superior, Yatamaru noted the practically icy delivery of Kazuki's orders. His instincts told him to raise an eyebrow in curiosity, but his ANBU Training told him that was a bad idea. Stoneface. Dead pan. Yatamaru had his orders, and understood them.

"Of course, sir," was all he need offer. He hadn't even had the time to sit down in one of the two chairs before being excused, temporarily, from the room. Exiting out the door from which he'd entered, calmly and smoothly, the puppeteer took the opportunity to stand in the hallway and gaze out one of the windows and admire the village. He wondered what Kazuki wanted to speak to him about. He pondered what the Occult Sennin had in store for him over another cigarette, the third (or maybe fourth now?) he'd indulged in since they'd left the gates.

Not that it mattered. He had no lungs to burn, or ruin. Just time to kill, and a mind that needed calming. He would've taken a sip of his whiskey flask had he not known how badly Kazuki would have chewed him out for it. Instead he would wait, patiently, until summoned again.

[ooc]
Feel free to skip me until it's my turn to enter back in. Yatamaru knows better than to try anything funny like listening in all secret-like. o3o

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

"Your manipulation of surrounding climate spiked the interest of the spirit from which my abilities as blood Jinchuuriki originated. I was never hiding the fact that such a situation was present within me, and would have expected to be turned away at the gate way back when I came to Suna, had that been a problem" Kurokawa would explain what the change of voice she had went through back then actually were. The Kunoichi was a Jinchuuriki, a human that had a demon sealed inside. They were generally not a threat if able to contain the usual destructive tendencies of the demon kind. Unless said demon had more peaceful intentions. The Senju Overlord had met his fair share of Jinchuurikis before, in fact, one of them was Senju Tadao, his own uncle. And Tadao was the reason the White Wolf had ventured into demonology. If the missing and former ANBU Sennin of Konohagakure had never been a problem, he was certain Hashigaki Kurokawa wouldn’t. And if she was, the Occult Sennin was certain he could contain her if needed.[lb2][/lb2] "I have yet to understand why my actions or being who I am merits this kind of rather unpleasant development, but I am sure I will find out shortly, sir." the Medical Ninja would declare, reverting to silence again. ”Understand this.” the Deep Court Hybrid would begin, using the same serene tone as before. ”My job is to protect this village from any and all threats. External and internal menaces are under my scrutiny. An unknown factor, such as your voice change raised all alerts for me and I deal with possible threats accordingly, using any means necessary to crush them. Am I, perhaps, a bit too harsh? Indeed I may be, but life has taught me to take my job rather seriously because the last time I failed at what I do, Konohagakure fell. And I will not let that happen ever again.”<i></i></B>[lb2][/lb2] Kazuki would give a moment of pause. He understood her plight, even if she didn’t know it. Like her, he was a foreigner, one that had raised through the ranks of Sunagakure. Yes, he had rose higher than her. But to some, despite his high rank within Sand’s military hierarchy, he was still a foreigner. ”You are free to go. I do have a proposition for you, if you are willing to stay a little longer and hear me out.”<i></i> he would tell her. ”What do you know about lycanthropy? I have a mission for you. Study and research everything you can find about that viral disease and file me a report of your findings. We need to find a cure and I believe you are the correct medical ninja for the job.”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 456][lb2][/lb2] ! <B>C Rank Mission[lb][/lb] Use any sources available, Hospital records, Library records, Oracles, anything to research and compile everything you can find about lycanthropy. The goal is to start creating a cure for said disease.[lb2][/lb2] Mission will be considered complete, if you accept, once the report is delivered to Kazuki.[lb][/lb] Do you accept? [lb2][/lb2]OC:[lb2][/lb2]This will initiate a series of missions that will involve the Ranger Order and Yatamaru as well. ​

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[td=null,1]Black Omen

[lb][/lb]
Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Hashigaki Kurokawa]

Kurokawa would frown at the mention of Konohagakure. She had no reservations regarding the old village but the current one cost her, the only home she had known and caused her have to flee to sand.

"Just for the Record. I don't know what Suna's views in Jinchuuriki's are but in Stone all kinds of spirits existed and most of them helpful. I know from when I was taking the Chuunin exam here that you guys have a strained relationship with your spirits. Had to save one of them once. Ancients you call them yes? Mine saved my life and if need be I will lay it on the line protecting him. Her? Kinda gender fluid at the moment."

Kurokawa would scratch her head thinking what to call the spirit as saying 'it' was too impersonal for her.

"Anyways just to be clear I no longer hold the power to channel the Holy energy of my spirit into a cloak. He/She is only along for the ride as it seems being released would be fatal to him/her. To not seem like hiding anything I may have to add that during the trip you let me on I acquired a different path in life but have elected not to banish my friend. My experience leads me to believe that good and bad exists in every race and that they need a chance to prove themselves, before they are just written off."

Kurokawa would listen to the mission proposal and think it over for a little while. She wondered how much of the mission would entail sifting through old folklore to find something they had in common like silver, or mistletoe or the moon. From what she knew from back home those were the key points of interest other than not getting bitten or scratched and contract the disease. Suddenly Kurokawa realised that she might not be as immune to disease now that she was no longer a Jinchuuriki. Before her spirit had enough say in what happened in her body to cleanse out any impurities in her blood but she didn't know if that was still an option now that she had taken the sage path. She would have to test that once she got back to the hospital to make sure that the defence was still in place.

"Right now my knowledge of Lycanthropy may be limited. I don't know if there are regional differences to what I have heard from my time in Stone and what is true for the ones here. I am guessing that the basics like don't get cut or bitten still apply. I'll take the mission and do my best, Sir."

Kurokawa was not sure if anything she had just disclosed merited further comment or investigation so she would just away the reactions to her responses in silence and with her head titled forward as in a slight bow. Line of sight was irrelevant for her so she figured she might as well display submission in the presens of the Hybrid Lord who seemed less likely to prosecute her now that he knew the circumstances.

[OOC: Just to ask. Is this a matter of looking up what is already written as lore somewhere on NC or do I have the creative freedom to use other references when looking into it?]

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

"Just for the Record. I don't know what Suna's views in Jinchuuriki's are but in Stone all kinds of spirits existed and most of them helpful. I know from when I was taking the Chuunin exam here that you guys have a strained relationship with your spirits. Had to save one of them once. Ancients you call them yes? Mine saved my life and if need be I will lay it on the line protecting him. Her? Kinda gender fluid at the moment." Kazuki would watch as the kunoichi would scratch her head before continuing clearing everything. "Anyways just to be clear I no longer hold the power to channel the Holy energy of my spirit into a cloak. He/She is only along for the ride as it seems being released would be fatal to him/her. To not seem like hiding anything I may have to add that during the trip you let me on I acquired a different path in life but have elected not to banish my friend. My experience leads me to believe that good and bad exists in every race and that they need a chance to prove themselves, before they are just written off." Did she really say Ancients were spirits for her? Perhaps she needed some enlightenment on the matter. "My spirits? I think you are confusing me for someone else here." the Senju Overlord would note as he shrugged. "Ancients are not spirits, not in the way you think you are. They are embodiments of an element, creatures that require us for sustenance and that have herded humanity as cattle before they were overthrown and nearly gone extinct. So saying the relationship is strained is a slight understatement." Perhaps she would glean a small hint of anger in the White Wolf's voice, perhaps she would not.[lb2][/lb2]"Right now my knowledge of Lycanthropy may be limited. I don't know if there are regional differences to what I have heard from my time in Stone and what is true for the ones here. I am guessing that the basics like don't get cut or bitten still apply. I'll take the mission and do my best, Sir." the Occult Sennin would nod, pleased that she had accepted the mission. He foreseen a disaster in the future if the threat of lycanthropy was not contained before it spread too far and Sunagakure couldn't afford yet another danger for its safety. Therefore, he had to give her a deadline. "Time is of the essence here. I expect a report in two weeks. I am afraid you will not have much time to research and study this. If someone attempts to halt your research, tell them you are under orders from me and if that does not deter that individual, call me." the Deep Court Hybrid would pause, considering something. "You are under my protection now Hashigaki Kurokawa, for the better and for the worse." he would motion that she could leave now but, before she actually left the office he would request something. "Please tell Yatamaru to enter the office again."[lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 515][lb2][/lb2]OC:[lb2][/lb2]Start by searching for info in NC, but you can broad if the info is lacking. I don't think lycanthropy has been established here, at least not extensively. ​

Black Omen [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Hashigaki Kurokawa]

Kurokawa would twitch sligthly at the notion that the one before her had heard the plural 'your' as a singular and thought that she meant that he himself owned the spirit. Such were the limits of communication however so not much point in expending energy and potential goodwill just to correct it. It seemed that some Sunans were very locked in their ways and their ancient history. A Jinchuuriki is one who forms a pact with a demon or spirit, alternatively getting one sealed within them for personal use. Theses demons or spirits very linked to elements and while using them the Jinchuuriki can gain a greater control of said element. That is what the archives back in Stone had said on the matter. Further investigation into the terms 'spirit' and 'demon' turned up many conflicting stories but mostly spirits were good or neutral while demons were evil or acted indifferent towards others. Couple that with Kurokawas first encounter with an Ancient during the Chuunin exam, and it would be hard not to classify them as spirits. Nothing said in this cold dark room had convinced her otherwise, other than the fact that this guy wanted them to be called Ancients as if they had a total racial class of their own instead of being a specific branch, with spirit as a more general term.

Kurokawa would walk to the door, reach out one hand and open it without stepping outside before speaking.

"Mister Yatamaru, your presence is requested."

Unsure if she was excused or not Kurokawa would remain in the room until directed otherwise. She figured that she would either be dismissed right away or told to wait for her escort in the hallway. The latter was less likely as both the men would probably know that overhearing their conversation was something Kurokawa could to from the hall without even trying due to her affinity for sound.

When possible Kurokawa would exit the room and if not told to wait she would make her way towards the library to start off her mission. she was kinda hoping that being 'under someones protection' would cause her too much harm, as she would now also be a viable target for someone wanting to get at Kazuki.

[MFT]
[WC: 375]

 

[Kazu]

"Mister Yatamaru, your presence is requested."

Day dreaming time was over. Just in time, too — his cigarette was just about done. Casually flicking the last remnants of paper and tobacco out the window, seemingly unconcerned about the littering he was doing — only to watch a small fire-storing seal hidden within the tip of the filter activate and incinerate the little bit of refuse into nothingness — Yatamaru turned around to reenter the Sennin's office.

"Sir? How can I be of service?" He stood at attention. Hands behind his back. Eyes forward, like a good little solider. It was an old habit, drilled into him during his time under Mikaboshi, and despite the fact that he hated the way the former ANBU Sennin had treated him and his comrades, some idiosyncrasies were hard to unlearn. Despite his insistence, to himself and to anyone else who would listen, that he was not anyone's puppet, his unyielding sense of loyalty to the village, and whatever was needed of him in order to best serve her interests, spoke otherwise. He was not, directly, a puppet; except, of course, to his own beliefs.

He made no motion or action to indicate he did not want Kurokawa there. He actually didn't care much, one way or the other. If she needed to be dismissed, Kazuki would do so. If she needed to stay, that was also Kazuki's prerogative. Yatamaru was here because Kazuki had requested it of him; similarly, she would remain, or leave, under his direction as well.

He waited, patiently, for Kazuki's words.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

"Mister Yatamaru, your presence is requested." the kunoichi would call the ANBU after opening the door. "Sir? How can I be of service?" Yatamaru would stop in front of Kazuki’s desk, hands behind his back, eyes at front, a soldier’s stance. ”Hashigaki Kurokawa you are dismissed. I advise you to rest before embarking on the task ahead of you.”</GLOW><i></i> the Senju Overlord would suggest. Kurokawa had just arrived from a longer trek to the outside world, as a seasoned traveler himself, the White Wolf knew the toll it had on body and mind. And given the task she had assigned to, she would need all her strength and mental faculties to succeed. The Occult Sennin would wait in silence as the Medical Ninja made her way out of his private office before addressing the Puppeteer.[lb2][/lb2] ”Not long ago, you left this village alongside another officer of Sunagakure’s shinobi army. More or less, a year ago.” How was Mikaboshi’s puppet project memory? Good? <GLOW glow="darkred">”Kurusu was the man’s name and he was acting under my orders.”<i></i> Another piece of the puzzle revealed. ”He has yet to return and, lo and behold, you are in front of me. I know, for a fact, he would not betray Sand. So I have to wonder what has happened and why you have not filed a report to me, the moment you returned to Sunagakure. Should I suspect he has been killed in action? Or did you have a hand in that?”<i></i> Reaper was fully aware that the ANBU had a past with Mikaboshi. He wasn’t aware of the minutia of said interaction, but he could be a mole planted by the Elder Shadow. Thankfully for the master puppeteer, his body was not made of flesh and, thus, he was safe from the extremely cold environment Kazuki’s office was currently in. In fact, the corners of the window behind the Senju Overlord’s desk were being covered in crystalized ice. [lb2][/lb2] [MFT - 323][​

Black Omen [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Kazu]

Yatamaru stood at attention, listening to The Occult Sennin’s — Senju Kazuki’s — words. ”Not long ago, you left this village alongside another officer of Sunagakure’s shinobi army. More or less, a year ago. Kurusu was the man’s name and he was acting under my orders.”<i></i> The puppeteer made no reactions. He seemed neither surprised nor hesitant. Rather, his eyes were lost in the wooden grain of the Sennin’s desk — was thinking it over. Pondering. Remembering. Searching.

Finally, his eyes breaking away from the realm of memory and instead focusing back on that which was before him, Yatamaru said quite casually, ”Kurusu? I don’t believe I’ve ever met a man with that name before…” He wasn’t lying, he really hadn’t. The man that Kazuki was asking about, to Yatamaru, was known as ‘Sour Jack’ — after the man had avoided answering questions of his name, Yatamaru started calling him by this nickname and never thought to ask about the man’s name again after that.

’Come to think of it,’ he mused to himself, ’that had happened about a year ago…’

But that couldn’t be it. Yatamaru had filled out the forms and report for that mission….right? He was pretty sure he had. He thought he had. Quickly, doubt began to spread throughout his mind like a wildfire in a drought-ridden forest. It would be apparent to Kazuki, by the knot slowly forming in Yatamaru’s brow, that something was bothering the puppeteer. Now that he was really trying to remember submitting the report forms, properly, he was starting to draw a blank. A very dark, unprofessional, alcohol-induced blank.

Yatamaru noticed the crystallized ice on the corners of the window. Though he could not feel the coldness, directly, he could tell that Kazuki’s will was hardening. This would not be easy. Slowly, Yatamaru broached the subject. ”A year ago, you said? I don’t recall a man named Kurusu, but I recall a mission report that needed to get to you very badly…something about lycanthropy?” The events of that mission had swirled around in the dark undercurrents of Yatamaru’s mind, fueled by cheap potent booze, shameful regret and remorse for having messed up until he had almost thought it had been a bad dream. He hadn’t been good enough. ’If I had been cleverer…or if I’d reacted faster…he wouldn’t have had to die…’

Suddenly, the whole night came rushing back to Yatamaru — the shock on his face and the gaze in his eyes that stared through Kazuki made that clear. He remembered the shame as he fled the countryside village in a desperate fleeing towards the village. He remembered all the self-blame. He remembered the irresponsible reactions he’d fallen back on.

Then, he remembered where he was now. That he was in Kazuki's office. He looked up, saw the Sennin’s gaze once more, and met it straight on. ”Sir, I think I screwed up.” He knew there could be no apologies, or excuses, or talking one's way out of anything with the ANBU department. He had made a mistake — there was nothing more or less to it than that. Whatever would be, because of it, would be.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

Yatamaru would not react at all upon hearing Kazuki’s initial words. He would gaze the wood of the Sennin’s desk for a while before returning to the present. ”Kurusu? I don’t believe I’ve ever met a man with that name before…” the ANBU would respond in quite a casual tone. The Senju Overlord found himself amused with the man’s answers. He had not declined that he had left the village a year ago, more or less, he was objecting to the man’s name. Nonetheless, despite having the opportunity to point that, the White Wolf remained in silence. Allowing Yatamaru to think it through. Eventually, as the train of thoughts continued, a knot would form on the other man’s brow, a sign that something bothered him. Perhaps, he wasn’t as casual as he trying to let on. ”A year ago, you said? I don’t recall a man named Kurusu, but I recall a mission report that needed to get to you very badly…something about lycanthropy?”[lb2][/lb2]The Deep Court Hybrid would nod back. As Ranger Lord, he had sent Kurusu to investigate a series of murder with the possible implication that the attacker was a lycanthrope. The Ranger Order is tasked of protecting Sunagakure from any and all threats, but their ranks are meager. Beside checking the veracity of said report, Kurusu was tasked of recruiting possible members for the Order. Unfortunately, the senior Ranger never returned and Kazuki never received a report on what had happened. ”Sir, I think I screwed up.” the puppeteer would admit as he matched the Senju Overlord’s gaze. The White Wolf would stare back in silence. More of the window would be covered in crystalized air. It was quite simple to accuse the ANBU and berate him until he had been reduced to a pool of misery but, the Occult Sennin knew better. ”Explain yourself.”<i></i> A simple sentence, a simple order, but with so many implications.​

Black Omen [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Kazu]

Yatamaru hated how calm Kazuki was.

”Explain yourself.”<i></i>

The puppeteer would have much preferred to be yelled at, chewed out, scolded, or otherwise talked down to. But this? The cold, simple, request of explanation? Even to a seasoned veteran like Yatamaru, this sort of punishment was far worse than anything else. Moments turned to millions. Swimming through molasses, Yatamaru did the exact thing he knew would be the beginning of the end for him — from his back pocket, the operative retrieved a plain, discreet, silver flask that he kept on him almost at all times and placed it, gently, on the edge of the Sennin’s desk. Yatamaru’s face was empty of expression.

”This is the short of it, sir. Kurusu offered me a non-government, un-official, mission to investigate something about lycanthropy. I honestly wasn't sure if I believed him or not, whether we were really dealing with werewolves and whatnot, when we left. We get to some backwater country town, where a case was developing, and started to investigate. But then…everything went wrong. We were ambushed. Trapped. Her name was Lady Sakura…she’s the village’s leader, I think, and a Werewolf Queen. They all were, I think. I remember Kurusu held them off so I could escape, and so I ran back to the village…”

He blinked a couple times, trying to remember what had happened on the way back to the village and to hold himself back.

”I couldn’t take the stress of it, that night. I panicked. I had barely even known the guy, honestly, but he sacrificed himself to save me? I didn't get it. I couldn't take it. I spiraled, and I guess I messed up pretty badly. I had thought…” He stopped mid-sentence, closed his mouth, then opened it again, ”…I didn’t mean to…” He stopped again. Once more. "...I just didn't want to keep hurting, man..." There was nothing more to be said. Yatamaru hung his head, accepting the fate bestowed upon him.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

Kazuki expected a specific reaction after he asked for an explanation. The tone of his voice and the simple request was more than enough to upset even the most veteran warriors of Sunagakure’s army. Most shinobi hated being talked like that, especially if they had messed up previously. In fact, if given the choice, they would prefer to be shouted at, whipped or any sort of physical punishment. The Senju Overlord watched as Yatamaru was slowly cooked until the feeling was unbearable and he could no longer contain it. He would retrieve a silvery flask that he would place on the Occult Sennin’s desk. ”This is the short of it, sir. Kurusu offered me a non-government, un-official, mission to investigate something about lycanthropy. I honestly wasn't sure if I believed him or not, whether we were really dealing with werewolves and whatnot, when we left. We get to some backwater country town, where a case was developing, and started to investigate. But then…everything went wrong. We were ambushed. Trapped. Her name was Lady Sakura…she’s the village’s leader, I think, and a Werewolf Queen. They all were, I think. I remember Kurusu held them off so I could escape, and so I ran back to the village…” The White Wolf remembered it quite well, he had been the one sending Kurusu on that mission, one that could prove to be vital to Sunagakure’s safety. He would simply nod in response, holding any words he had for a future opportunity. Interrupting the ANBU now was prejudicial to what he wanted from this.[lb2][/lb2]”I couldn’t take the stress of it, that night. I panicked. I had barely even known the guy, honestly, but he sacrificed himself to save me? I didn't get it. I couldn't take it. I spiraled, and I guess I messed up pretty badly. I had thought…” The Deep Court Hybrid watched the puppeteer blinked twice while he attempted to finish his train of thought. ”…I didn’t mean to...I just didn't want to keep hurting, man...” Kazuki listened it all, his expression remained the same and his general posture remained relaxed. He allowed a couple of minutes of silence to take place, so Yamataru would cool down, before he said what was needed of him. ”Kurusu acted under my orders. I received the report that a potential lycanthropy attack had took place on the outskirts of Wind and I ordered Kurusu, a very able shinobi and senior ranger, to investigate. I also told him to try and recruit someone to tag along, so he could check for a potential new recruit. I knew when he had left but I have never received word of his return. Now I finally know what happened.”<i></i> The circle was now complete. The report he had read was, not only true, but less alarming than it should have been. There was entire village of lycanthropes and a queen was leading them. Such threat had to be dealt with imperatively and decisively. The Senju Overlord’s voice was calm and steady, his gaze unwavering and fixed on the ANBU officer.[lb2][/lb2]”Kurusu’s demise is a great blow to this village and to the Ranger order, but a shinobi life is not the faint of heart. We know the risks, so should you. A fellow shinobi sacrificing itself for the greater good or, so you can finish the mission, is not unheard of nor that uncommon, especially for those under me.”<i></i> He was, after all, a shinobi that had grown within the walls of Konohagakure, where the Will of Fire shun brighter. ”I am not native to Wind. I was born on Fire and grew in Konohagakure, birthland of the Will of Fire, something I have instilled on those shinobi that work with me and receive orders from me. Kurusu only did what was expected of him, what is expected of me, what will be expected of you, if you follow this path. I can understand that loosing a companion might be a shock, that it can be hurtful but, this is the life we have chosen, and we must face its consequences. I am forbidding you from ingesting any alcohol while you are on duty and, if you are caught doing so, I will expel you from the ANBU corps and you will be punished.”<i></i> It may sound as harsh but, in reality, it wasn’t that much. The Occult Sennin allowed him to retain his job and only future lapses would result in punishment. And, because he was feeling generous, he was going to allow Yatamaru an opportunity to save his face. ”Because Kurusu has died and I do not know his opinion of you as a potential ranger recruit, but I will give you an opportunity, nonetheless. A chance to make amends and, perhaps, to atone. I am offering you a place among the Ranger Order, if you have not pledged yourself to another. If your allegiance has already been placed with the Oracles or the Journeyman, you will have to choose between remaining there or jumping to the Order I lead.”<i></i> Still, the Deep Court Hybrid was going to assign him a task, another chance for the man to prove his worth. ”Regardless of your choice, if you have to make one, I hereby task you to enlist the Journeyman Order in rebuilding the destroyed Ranger’s HQ.”<i></i>[lb2][/lb2][MFT - 891]​

Black Omen [lb][/lb] Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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[Kazu]

”Kurusu acted under my orders. I received the report that a potential lycanthropy attack had took place on the outskirts of Wind and I ordered Kurusu, a very able shinobi and senior ranger, to investigate. I also told him to try and recruit someone to tag along, so he could check for a potential new recruit. I knew when he had left but I have never received word of his return. Now I finally know what happened.”<i></i>

Yatamaru dared not stir even an inch while his commander spoke of the details surrounding the mission which had led to the death of Kurusu — the, apparently, real identity of Sour Jack — and, accordingly, had damaged both the Ranger Order and the village itself. A web of cascading causalities. One small shake, somewhere upstream, caused massive tremors down the line. It was almost dizzying to think about.

”Kurusu’s demise is a great blow to this village and to the Ranger order, but a shinobi life is not the faint of heart. We know the risks, so should you. A fellow shinobi sacrificing itself for the greater good or, so you can finish the mission, is not unheard of nor that uncommon, especially for those under me. I am not native to Wind. I was born on Fire and grew in Konohagakure, birthland of the Will of Fire, something I have instilled on those shinobi that work with me and receive orders from me. Kurusu only did what was expected of him, what is expected of me, what will be expected of you, if you follow this path. I can understand that loosing a companion might be a shock, that it can be hurtful but, this is the life we have chosen, and we must face its consequences. I am forbidding you from ingesting any alcohol while you are on duty and, if you are caught doing so, I will expel you from the ANBU corps and you will be punished.”

Words like 'risk,' 'sacrifice,' and 'the greater good' passed over the operative like a stream of acid. The message, each time repeated, burned more intensely in his ears; all the while, he could not break his gaze up from the silver flask he'd deposited on the desk. He took in Kazuki's admonishment, his perspective of duty passed down to him through years of burning Konohagakurian passion and will, and the official warning of what would come should he continue down this path: expulsion and punishment.

He knew Kazuki was serious. He also knew Kazuki had gone easy on him — there was every grounds for expulsion already, without being given any extra chances, yet the Occult Sennin had chosen leniency. It was a great blessing which ought to not go unheeded or unappreciated. Yatamaru bowed low, befitting the appreciation the Sennin's gesture deserved, and said simply, "You will not need to repeat yourself, sir. I understand."

And yet, when he stood, Yatamaru returned the flask to his back pocket when he could have simply left it or thrown it out. Nor did he mention the creeping sub-conscious thoughts that told him to take a swig right now. Perhaps it wouldn't be quite that easy? 'After all...once an addict...'

His thoughts trailed off. Yatamaru forced his thoughts down and trained his attention back onto Kazuki. There was more work to be done.

”Because Kurusu has died and I do not know his opinion of you as a potential ranger recruit, but I will give you an opportunity, nonetheless. A chance to make amends and, perhaps, to atone. I am offering you a place among the Ranger Order, if you have not pledged yourself to another. If your allegiance has already been placed with the Oracles or the Journeyman, you will have to choose between remaining there or jumping to the Order I lead. Regardless of your choice, if you have to make one, I hereby task you to enlist the Journeyman Order in rebuilding the destroyed Ranger’s HQ.”<i></i>

'Oh? A recruitment drive?' Yatamaru remembered the great Ranger Headquarters — before the tournament held in Tea Country, he'd been required to test his capabilities against the D.O.O.R., an automated and mechanized combat system. His memories of the headquarters were ones of wonder, admiration, and fascination. Their entire complex, housing multiple different biome types, was a wonder of engineering. 'And he wants me to fix it?' This sounded more like a reward than atonement.

"I am flattered by the offer, sir, though I do already belong to the Journeyman Order. Thankfully, that means fixing your HQ should be rather doable; as for your other offer, perhaps I shall think on it as I repair your facilities?" It wasn't a 'no,' but it also wasn't a 'yes.' It was a stall for time. An extension.

Yatamaru felt a certain stillness come over the conversation. Or, perhaps, he felt that he wanted it to be over? Whatever the origin of the nagging feeling deep within him that urged him to leave, now, before anything else could happen, Yatamaru seemed unable to ignore its grip. That feeling urged him to speak. "I'll be heading over to the Ranger HQ, then, to assess what needs doing. I'll send you an outline of what I might need, material-wise, to get it all done and the building plans for your approval. I suppose I ought to get started right away..."

He was not explicitly stating that he wanted to move, as soon as possible, out from under the Sennin's gaze; however, he wasn't implying that he didn't want that. The problem with being a soldier is you need to wait for orders — Yatamaru very clearly was waiting for Kazuki's permission to be excused. Should the man need anything more, of course he would stay and address any questions or issues. But otherwise, he was loathe to be done with this moment in time. He wanted no more thinking about the things he'd done, or the things he'll have to do.

He'd rather ignore those issues than face them head on. 'One day, they'll surely catch up to me. But not now. Not here.' Surely, not. Surely.

[ooc]
Topic Left Unless Stopped.

 

[Senju Kazuki]

Table Title

"The silver flask stays here."</GLOW><i></i> Kazuki would tell him after seeing the ANBU retrieving the flask. The Senju Overlord began wondering if his leniency had been badly placed, right from the start. "I am flattered by the offer, sir, though I do already belong to the Journeyman Order. Thankfully, that means fixing your HQ should be rather doable; as for your other offer, perhaps I shall think on it as I repair your facilities?"<i></i> The White Wolf would nod in return. ”I was not expecting an immediate answer. You have until the repairs are done to decide where you want to pledge your allegiance. Think this carefully. Pledging yourself to an Order is a lifetime commitment, a contract of sorts that one must not make lightly. “<i></i> Reaper would warn the Puppeteer. Joining an Order was serious business, with lifetime implications. Before there were branches in the shinobi world of Wind, Sunagakure and the First Men had Orders. The history each one had, carried great significance for the local populace and the current generation of leaders had to do their best to not squander it. "I'll be heading over to the Ranger HQ, then, to assess what needs doing. I'll send you an outline of what I might need, material-wise, to get it all done and the building plans for your approval. I suppose I ought to get started right away..."<i></i>[lb2][/lb2]<GLOW glow="darkred">”Send me your requisitions and I will make sure you get the materials you need. You are dismissed.” Considering he was Ranger Lord and a Sennin, there will be no difficulties in getting the necessary resources to rebuild the Ranger HQ. If he had to use his clan’s resources as well, the Deep Court Hybrid would do so.</B> [lb2][/lb2][Topic Left][lb][/lb][MFT - 289]​

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[td=null,1]<B>Black Omen

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Senju Kazuki – Occult Sennin[lb][/lb]

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