Inquiring Minds [ANBU Please]

[Michi]

There was a rapid knocking of the door. A series of raps and taps against the metal that seemed to ping with an unnatural twang. It was late in the evening, the sun had descended on the surface an hour ago and even the false celestial spaces here had dimmed to replicate the black of night. A woman was here, pounding on his door with a gloved hand. Her face was shaded with a hood, but she did not have a mask. She was not an ANBU, not yet. Was this a visit to satiate a passing whim or curiosity or was there a legitimate interest? Only time and a conversation could tell.

Her hair was tucked into the hooded robe and with the snap of her fingers a created mask slid over her face. She was not an ANBU, but she had already done her homework. She had already studied some of the more remedial parlor tricks they were better known for. "Hello... Hello?" A woman's voice called.

[Looking for the Attention of an ANBU.]​

<i></i>

 

[Raizo]

Kasha - Demon of the ANBU

Within the innards of the ANBU HQ, Kasha would continue his search. This search was for nothing in particular, at least not one thing in particular. His extracurricular activities had brought him a great many interesting tid bits. His suspicious about this village and this country continued to mount. Within the peripheral of his search was his branch's own Sennin; Mikaboshi. The actions, or inactions, of the leader continued to cause a growing concern for the ANBU. The fact that the other Sennin of the village, Kuro, was also on his radar for his association and urgance to collect all the recent visitors of the village in his dojo. Factor in the troubling news of the merchant lords and the Daimyo, and the world would look very dark and bleak.

Then there would be a knock.

Someone has come a knockin'?

Kasha would make his way to the door, sliding his chakra infused finger across it to activate it. The door would open and he, a man in red cloak, black attire and white mask, would greet the female visitor. On the inverse, he would be greeted by a cloaked figure also wearing a mask.

"You are not ANBU. Why are you here?"

Pleasantries cut.

 

[Michi]

A door slid open, the internal mechanism a mystery to her as she listened to the tumblers spin and the bolts slide. An oddity not only in ingenuity but also precision. Free from the frame, the door opened on its hinges near soundlessly. A man, or assumedly such unless Sunagakure now possessed a breed of amazon stood on the other side of the door. Light from within spilled out about his periphery, failing to add shape to his form thanks to the folds of his robe. She did not know this ANBU, but to be fair she only knew of one. There was a small bit of of her that intended to keep an eye on her brother during these dangerous times but that was not her only interest in the ANBU corps. The ANBU were a place to hide, the only entity within Sunagakure where knowledge of who you were was purposefully obscured. Rumor had it, only the Steward knew the identity of those with this unit but what assurances did he have that such was their true identity? There was a lack of checks and balances still, surely intended to be for the protection of the members of the Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai but secrets had a way of biting people in the ass.

Here she was taking a role that was commonplace for her, that of the liar. Women seemed better, more practiced than men at this feet. Perhaps it was a part of their nature or perchance they were provided with a different set of considerations. She looked up because she was eye-level with his shoulder. They were smaller, perceived as 'maternal' and who would want to think of their mother as a liar? Scarlet and black, features melded within the folds of these robes. " Hello," she repeated. It would be a lie to say her 'heart' did not hasten, not for a paramour but for the mystery of it all. What did Mikaboshi find so interesting here? What did even this masked man find of such benefit that he would be here so late at night? What drove both of them to don the mask and hood?

"You are not ANBU. Why are you here?"</B><i></i>

His greeting less cordial. She paused a moment in careful deliberation before she replied in a quiet, seemingly meek voice. "Seeking information, mister ANBU." She would have no way of knowing if her statement set off any alarms in his mind. His dalliances with the Oracle would not have made headlines in the papers but there were few ways one could announce that they were looking to learn something. "I do not know how this is supposed to work," she replied almost apologetically "but I am here to ask about the prerequisite requirements for joining the ANBU forces." She took a half step forward towards the door frame that this ANBU for the most part filled. <B>"Am I in the right place?"<i></i> She rested her hand on the frame of the door, she was not scared but she was intrigued. She had eaten, eaten her fill in all actuality. It was foolhardy of her to simply face Sousuke in such a weak and tired state but with meals and a few more graves dug, even with his god-killing blade the outcome of a fray might turn out quite different and with each passing day she was going to get stronger. She was going to get harder to ultimately defeat and then one day soon there would be no stopping her. But that day was not today, rather average or arguably above average if someone was to rank her skill set. She had not come to fight, she came to play the role of the bumpkin who needed to learn. Humanity has provided one amazing benefit in all these years, access to a skillset that she never knew an Ancient could possess.

 

[Raizo]

Kasha - Demon of the ANBU

Roku had designed the mask of Kasha to ensure his eyes could not be seen from inside the mask, it allowed him the benefit to openly express his non-verbals, his facial expressions, without overriding his words. This was a true freedom, a true blessing of deceit. There were so many ways off of facial cues to tell someone's words did not match their actual intentions and thoughts. Behind the mask his gaze would analyze the frame of the individual before him. Based on height, guessed frame and voice it would appear there was a female present before him. Outside of his own personal musing, this had no weight on the ability of someone asking to be an ANBU. They were without gender. They were, supposedly, without humanity. They were weapons.

"Please back away from the door frame and take a seat."

His hand would motion past her, to a waiting area like location. This area was not for the prison, as that would have been back towards the entrance. This location was for those seeking the service of the masked individuals. Kasha would follow her if she chose to heed his words. Upon leaving the door frame, the black stone would quickly seal behind him. He would make his way to the seating location and regardless if she chose to stand or sit he would remain fully erect.

"Why do you wish to join the Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai of Sunagakure no Sato?"

 

[Michi]

"Please back away from the door frame and take a seat."

Compliant, she took a step back from the door. The ANBU had a waiting area? Who would have thought. As the masked man also vacated the lonesome and mysterious space, the ebony walls sealed behind him and like an eclipse whatever illumination that threshold had granted was taken with it. That was not to claim they were in absolute darkness, the carmot lighting illuminated these dim passageways quite well but the Obsidian possessed an ominous aura, the kind that would give most the desire to remain in areas of light, fearing what may lurk in the darkness. It was of course not a foolish fancy or a child's fear, but rather a logical intuitive sense if there ever could be one -- the Obsidian Palace not only held the most dangerous and violent criminals in Wind Country but it was also the grave of Orochi and the hunting grounds of Mikaboshi. Perhaps that was why she closed her eyes when the hall grew dim, she did not need to 'see.' She had better 'sight' than most, she was able to view places where eyesight would normally be denied with relative ease. It was part of her personal power-set that had never abandoned her despite years of near-starvation. Her ears twitched slightly as the sounds of her footsteps echoed down the halls, it was a gentle scratch really. Most would overlook this auditory disturbance as the sound of scurrying vermin, it was an unusual sound for her because normally her footwear was of the heeled variety and on this day they were left behind despite her lingering sense of vanity.

The way seemed to be hers to lead, she led the unwelcoming tall man to the space he pointed to, be it a pair of chairs or a nest of seating. As the simple sounds of life and movement echoed off the walls, she possessed a grainy picture of the immediate vicinity. She was also attempted to see what she could of the masked man. A heartbeat to suggest that he was human, a given to most people but not to her when it was her kin that she sought. Beyond that she knew little besides the fact that he was tall. She frowned before she took a seat, her hands folded on her lap. Her natural frame was rather small, even for her rather average height, not to claim a state of emaciation but rather her 'naturally' small build. Hands smaller than most, her bandaged fingers laced together in a polite posture. She was not a large woman nor was she particularly 'strong' in a physical sense these days, she was long past her prime but as any ANBU would know -- appearances could be deceiving. In her case, her ego had been terribly bruised, not to mention her actual bruises beneath her wrappings, these bandages had actual meaning and use in her case. With humans, those she mimicked, she had learned a lot these past few decades. The fact that there was no such thing as 'normal' only perceptions of such. In her present state, she was simply trying to fit-in. Trying to hide.

"Why do you wish to join the Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai of Sunagakure no Sato?"

No wonder they called it the 'ANBU,' that was a mouthful. She took a moment of careful deliberation, the 'right' answer was considerably generic -- I want to help people, I am looking to better my life or that of my family with a good career with benefits, I want to protect Sunagakure, I think the mask is really cool, the hot person at the bar only dates ANBU, etc. The answer would sound disingenuous because it was in her case, but the best lies were often told with a hint of truth. "The Cabal," she announced after a moment. They were what started this whole mess. "Before they came, I had a rather average life. I had a career and a family," she continued. Like most people, she enjoyed a rather decent upbringing theoretically. Raised within one of the most influential houses in the community, despite the 'misgivings' of her 'adoptive' parents who were long-ago dead. Despite her treachery, lies and manipulations that got her there in the first place she had some actual happiness and a sense of guilt with the things she had done and the things she was about to do. Human sentiments and attachments were problematic in that way. She never would have suffered from these if she ate her fill when she returned but meals were sparse and far from sufficient to even create a proper human simulacrum. Not only was she optically blind, but she suffered for a time a mental defect as well. She honestly did not know -what- she was, the vivid dreams were to her only that until she died. Then she ate and was reborn but with all of her senses and most of her mind, enough to at cause her to suffer this discontent. "I spent most of my time since then... recovering," she added, taking a moment to chose the proper term. 'Recovering' sounded about right. She died once and then spent the better part of a year recovering from what Shouki had done to her.

A muffled sigh could be heard from behind her mask. "I..." Her voice trailed off, this was getting too close to the truth because nothing she said was a lie. It was a strange revelation for her. "I just need a purpose that is not 'wait to die' again." She finally admitted, her voice may have betrayed her emotions just then because there was actual pain in them. It gave her pause, this moment of unexpected introspection where she sat there unmoving and simply looked forward. It could not have been for more than a few seconds but it felt much longer to her. Her'life' has been nothing but a series of failures. She was was invisible but still needed to hide. She only exists now, she does not thrive and while with each passing day she gets stronger still, her memories are of a time where her strength was not a question or a variable and could not be contested. Being average or perhaps even less than is a terrible thing for something that was once so exceptional.

Well, a lie that ended up being a soul-bearing truth. If something could make a person feel uncomfortable in front of a stranger, that would be it. A hint of a self-depreciating laugh could be discerned as she added a final note. "Could I change the answer to: some hot guy at a bar I frequent likes ANBU-women?" An honest moment, the most awkward of all of the social situations she one would to experience. Lies are like armor, they protect you. If someone thinks less of you because of a lie -- who cares, it was only a lie. If someone loves you because of a lie -- you are loved and even if it is a lie, it is a love you would not have had otherwise.A new subject? Yes, that would be preferable. "So... is there a protocol? A test? Maybe some forms I need to fill out?"

 

[Raizo]

Kasha - Demon of the ANBU

Following he would continue to analyze the figure in front of him. From her hidden features there would be moments of catching glimpses of what lie underneath the cloak, but most of it was still a mystery. Her hands were bandaged up, and while it would simply just to assume it was due to injuries, it would also not make entirely all that much sense. What sort of injury would require you to bandage up your entire hand and then, with some amount of confidence, show up to the ANBU HQ and request to join. If she wasn't injured then her wrapped hands made for a point of inquisition later.

He would listen to her words for why she wished to join. The using of The Cabal was not surprising, there were surely countless that wished to bring about some revenge story or strengthen the village to keep from seeing that sort of thing happen again. There would be nothing too alarming with it all, but her wording caused him to hold some reservation. He would need to prod further. She would continue with her little joke at the end. She had opened with what seemed like sincerity, led to emotion and finished with humor. That seemed natural, but still, there was more that needed to be asked.

"We will get to that momentarily..."

A reference to her asking for the next steps in becoming an ANBU.

"Have you killed a person before? If so, why? If not, have you ever thought it before in a serious manner? If so, why?"

He would pause for a moment to let her answer the questions and then once she had he would ask one final question within this vein of questioning;

"Do you think I have taken a life? If so, why?"

 

[Michi]

"We will get to that momentarily..."

He commented. She shifted uneasily in her seat. She did not care for chairs and crossed her arms over her chest defensively.

"Have you killed a person before? If so, why? If not, have you ever thought it before in a serious manner? If so, why?"</B><i></i>

He asked a series of questions but did not answer her own as of yet. He wanted to know if she killed someone and he wanted to know why. The thing was, she had killed a number of people and those who died for her selfish gain far outweighed those who died out of necessary. Yet, a majority of those murders have passed their statute of limitation and even if such things were indefinite in this ANBU's mind, there were things she was not ready or willing to admit to. Even if she had, he would not believe her. Who would and perhaps that was the most perfect thing about this broken form -- who would believe that such a small, injured woman was Suna. As of late, she had fed to the point of contentment which was a sizable number that even she did not know but that was the thing with gifts -- you are not supposed to ask the price. The truth be told, for the most part she ignored her ravenous hunger even to her detriment. Her human sentiments caused her so much pain.

This question was a trick-question of course, a "yes" would mean that someone died in a reportable way. If it was not sanctioned by the village or of self-defense, then she would be escorted to one of the cells that lined the halls. "Yes" she answered dangerously. Her fingers moved in a stiff, almost pained manner as she tugged at her robes. "Terminal," she added. A single word chosen as if she was having difficulty choosing her words. She in fact was, but not because she was attempting to tell a lie but rather attempting to color the truth in a favorable way. "I was a medic and I killed people," she answered in all seriousness choosing to highlight that particular part of her life. Hopefully before he could react with indignation or anger she would continue/ "Life is precious but finite, there is a time when death is a kindness."<i></i> It was a terrible truth in medicine, despite their skill and progress, there was still a point where the maintenance of life was a travesty. "Depending on your definition of life, I can force someone to survive indefinitely. When I deny one this or I withdraw such intervention, I am essentially killing them," she announced as a grim reality in human medicine. It was only a bit over a year ago, but it seemed like a lifetime ago for her -- a time when she was gentle and just doing her job. Primum non nocere, a Latin phrase that means "first, do no harm." The bio-ethical principle of non-maleficence that dictates 'good' and 'harm' on a continuum. "I have no qualms with either -- the preservation of life or the hastening of death both have their place and their utility, so if the question you intended to ask me if not if I am a criminal but rather if I would have a moral reservation... I suppose it would be best if you saw my ethics in action." The statement was somewhat defensive, but the question was vague and moreover he made her nervous standing there all grim and tall.

"I was also at the bakery at was attacked," she offered not knowing that he was also there. "Those who defended the structure inadvertently caused a loss of life," she explained. "Sometimes people die by mistake, being in the wrong place at the wrong time or on the wrong side of a fight. A pyrrhic victory is still better than a true loss," she concluded. Was she directly responsible for those deaths, actually no. She tossed muffins at them, at the time her mind was empty and dare one say... useless. Still, in an act of sadism the Cabalist supporter killed them off, something they could not prevent in her perspective back then but now she looked back on what happened and she was left to wonder what else could have been done. If she was smarter. If she knew what she knew now?

"Do you think I have taken a life? If so, why?"

The ANBU then asked if she thought he had killed. Shiori nodded in affirmation from behind her mask. "Because this village is hell,"<i></i> Shiori admitted in all honesty. The village survived the Djinn, Magnetica, the Cabal, various criminals, and personal demons. To think one could be a shinobi and have hands free of blood would be ludicrous. <B>"But if I were to guess, a part of you might enjoy the occasional kill even but I think one day you will also regret your part yet suffer the hell of knowing that you would do it again." It was a bias she personally harbored in regards to the ANBU. She saw them as killers, as the people who do the dirty work of the Kazekage and for this reason protected their identities with a mask. Yet still, everyone had an ounce of 'humanity' even someone as inhuman as she. If she felt it, he would have to feel it also. "So, have you? Do you?"

 

[Raizo]

Kasha - Demon of the ANBU

She would take a moment before answering and her initial response was followed by a pause, met with another single word and proceeded by another pause. After that last pause she seemed to find her rhythm and began to roll through his questions with much longer responses. What could be gathered from her responses did not ease any of the red flags Kasha had felt about this figure prior to this round of questioning.

If I were to ask the remaining medics of the village if they had ever killed someone, if they would give the same response. I do not know many who would view mercy killing as killing, they would at least struggle to find justification, show more of emotional response. This individual seemed calloused to the fact she has 'killed'. Her viewing of life and how, as a medic, she held it in her hands to provide them either a swift release or extended life, it feels almost as if she holds her talents high. God complex?

She would mention the bakery which would perk his ears up slightly as it was something he was very aware of, which now led him to attempt to remember the other figures there. While he could not accurately discern a female's face in the course of that madness, he did recall a feminine voice singing during the midst of the madness. Was that her? He would like to follow up on that, but not at this time. She would finally get to the end of her responses about her and begin to give an assessment of him. She gave a response, it was an interesting one indeed, and then would following up with asking him the same questions.

"I have taken a life. I have thought about taking a life. I do not regret my actions."

Was that the complete and whole truth, to any of it? Probably not, but he wasn't the one being assessed.

"You wish to have a purpose, you've came here to join with that in mind, and you've ended life as a means of providing them mercy via medical assistance."

A long pause would follow. Within this moment one would be able to literally hear the sound of their own breathing.

"How would the ANBU benefit from you entering it? What can you provide to aid our efforts?"

 

[Michi]

Dam right God complex. For one revered a deity as such, there should be no surprise that it was accompanied by a not so small amount of hubris.

Shiori could not discern the ANBU's thoughts from where she sat. The mask concealed the expressions that would betray his thoughts. So she could not debate the conclusions he had gathered from her chosen words. She had revealed enough about herself as it was, she was not looking to overshare the 'woman' she was. It was that very person that she was trying to hide, at least for now. The conscious effort to change her mannerisms and to hide her still healing novel form would soon enough be a product of habit and adaptation. Her body had changed drastically in death, perhaps it was from the abundance she had consumed to regain her strength and human form. She asked the masked man a question as well, the query echoed from behind her mask. Had he killed as well and does he harbor a sense of regret Shiori saw this ANBU as a killer as well, just like anyone else in this village that survived for any period of time. The thought of having clean hands was a luxury no shinobi could afford but there was a difference between killing and murder. She had never committed murder, which was more than the could say of most. She ate to defend herself, to eat, and at the request of at one time her patient's wishes and needs. Had she hurt people? Yes, and sometimes for an actual use and sometimes to fill idle time -- she was not kind.

"I have taken a life. I have thought about taking a life. I do not regret my actions."

Still this charade was a blow to her dignity. She was more than capable of fulfilling the meager roll for which she was about to apply and she fought back a sigh. She wondered under whom she would have to apprentice under. This was only a matter of minutes and she had already found it tedious. She was restless and she shifted in her seat. Her bones could be heard grinding together as she moved, they were still in the midst of reparations even now. She waited for the ANBU continue and that he did. He proceeded to reiterate her answers.

"You wish to have a purpose, you've came here to join with that in mind, and you've ended life as a means of providing them mercy via medical assistance."

Then he said nothing more and it was followed by an uncomfortable silence that was near deafening to one with such acute senses as she. The sounds of his breathing moving to and fro and the contents of his stomach churning, it was vociferous in the absence of something to concentrate on. She could hear the innumerable ticks of the valves in his veins that opened and closed in cadence with his steadily pounding heart. She tried to turn her attention elsewhere, down the hall and into the wall. She listened for the sound of rodents that scurried. She even tried to hear the distant thumping heart of her fallen brother deep in the heart of the Obsidian, an Ancient housed within these very walls that was forgotten still. The silence was maddening because there was no such thing as true silence. The sounds of the living continued on with a roar. Her hand balled into a tiny fist as she let out a sound of exasperation and she stood upright. The reticence was too loud. What was he waiting for? Was there some token answer he expected her to give? She was taller than previous as she straightened her back and stood erect at her full height. Her bones popped and clicked as her vertebrae slid into place granting her several inches of increased height as her compressed and kyphotic form had previously been misleading. She was still not quite as tall as the ANBU before her, but now it was a mere pair of inches difference. She was still slender, but now at her full new height she seemed almost emaciated in comparison when one looked at her proportionally. She would fill out in good time once again, her hunger might have been sated in abundance but it would take her time to process a meal with such nutritious content and even then she prioritized function over form. During this life she would not make the same mistake twice. "You are looking for something in me ANBU. I can give you the answer you want to hear, but this place is not grounded in an honest exchange." Shiori announced as her voice cut through the silence granting herself respite as she watched her voice echo down the halls and the corridors.

"How would the ANBU benefit from you entering it? What can you provide to aid our efforts?"

The cryptic man finally asked. It was a simple enough of a question but it did not have an easy answer. There were several things that her presence could provide but for the same reason they could be seen as a benefit, they could also be seen as a travesty. She could raise the dead. Death for humanity was not the end, she did not know if anything laid after a true death for her kind but for mankind this much she was certain. She could tether a soul to this world and force it to maintain form. Would he see it as a taboo? In all likelihood, yes. She could scribe seals, every seal in fact. Seals were something that garnered mixed sentiments, many assigned the term 'Cursed Seals' in the common tongue, historical accounts referred to her personal use of such things as a 'Blessing.' She was old. So old. She had seen the dawn of mankind and with that came such knowledge. An understanding that she would never be able to share. She knew every medical technique one could learn. She did not neglect a single lesson in her human youth. She had mastered much of ninjutsu and genjutsu. She was able to replicate nearly anything if she needed to, but that would sound foolish and it would reveal far too much of her power-set to share. She had suffered greatly in her last death, not only in her humiliation but also in her physical pain as Sousuke had ripped her form to shreds and left her writhing before he finally took her out of her misery in front of her only living family. She was unruly and not cautious in what she did, she wanted to draw him out and force him to submit but she did not want to kill him then. But that was then and this was now. She would hurt him. She would make him suffer.

"I am capable," she announced after a moment of contemplation. "I am capable of learning. I am capable of taking the direction of the Master ANBU I am assigned to. I am capable of killing to preserve my life or that of a third party," she paused a moment after as a half chuckle escaped her lips. Oh the irony. "I am a capable healer, able to reform my own broken carapace as well as that of my allies or even victims. How many times has a mission failed due to a heavy hand or an attack made in haste that resulted in mortal injury?" A Medic selling her skill set to the ANBU. "Further, I am a capable illusionist," she added. It was true, but there was a lie of omission. Her true nature was that of a 'ninjutsuist' if she were to be completely honest. That was were her greatest library of skills came from but her siren song was likely the first thing one would identify in battle. Yet, she would not sing. Not this life, it was unnecessary. She had gotten stronger and her words had power.

 

[Raizo]

[col]It seemed the female was getting frustrated with the line of questioning. That may, or may not, have been an intended result. This was not an easy organization to join, this was not a simple process and this was not something you were just naturally embraced into. There was trust that was required to be built, but there was the double standard of not being trusted through the initiation. I mean, what was truly known about this character? She seemed to have some questionable mental traits and beliefs, but that did not necessarily dismiss one from obtaining this position. Kasha would listen once more to her response and once she finished he would stand quiet once more, allowing another pause to pass by before finally declaring;

"Kneel before me, with your head lowered."

He would hold out his hand as a white mask, very ordinary in terms of quality, would begin to form.

"The obtaining of a mask is significant within our organization. It marks a new sense of identity, it conceals your actual identity and allows you to act as what we wish for you to become; a shadow. An ANBU is one that acts with precision, with efficiency, and with the interest of this village in mind. Before you can be fully accepted into our ranks you must undergo tests to determine if this is the right path for you. You've walked as a medic, this is not that same path. Please remove your current mask, with your head lowered as to not allow me to see your face, and then take this mask; the mask of a neophyte."

He would hand her the mask so she could place it upon her face.

"Upon adorning this mask, and every subsequent use here forward, you will no longer be who you are in your normal attire. Your identity, in this mask, is not the same of your normal life. You must become something different, something else. If you are able to pass the upcoming trials, you shall be able to wear your own mask of choosing and designate your own call sign, but for now this mask and the code name "Neophyte" will be your identity in the ANBU."

After handing her the mask he would pull out a small block from his pocket and extend it out to her.

"This tablet is a special mineral, you will sign it with your actual name with your chakra but it will not display your name. Should you parish it will reveal your true name so that the corps may pay respects to your next of kin. While still alive there will only be two other chakra signatures that can be utilized to see what name has been signed to this rock, both of which are in positions of great authority for this organization and the village. Once you have completed this, I hereby declare you an ANBU in Training and shall takeover as the one that either sees you to becoming an ANBU in full or dismisses you from our ranks for inability."
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OOC:
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[legend="[glow=red][b][size=5]Kasha[/size][/b][/glow]"]

Song for this Moment: The Bird and the Worm
Epithet: "Demon of the ANBU"
Rank: ANBU
Chakra: 50,400 (not currently reflective of actual chakra in this event)
Stamina: Stamina (not currently reflective of actual stamina in this event)
Stats: 600 in all
Mood: Inquisitive[/legend]​

[/col]

 

[Michi]

It was bold perhaps to believe oneself to be 'competent.' How was she supposed to know if she was capable? It was the erroneous belief that if a human could do it, most certainly she could as well. She would conquer her nature if it was necessary. While it might not seem like such to some, for one to enter a program and to believe they were competent even before they were trained was simply ludicrous. It was such arrogant sentiments that usually got people killed. Perhaps she would just get lucky or perhaps she was right.

"Kneel before me, with your head lowered."

Complaint, she wordlessly genuflected close to the ground. Her arm in front of her bent and one planted on the floor with her palm spread on the cold floor that she could feel still through her bandages. Her knees cracked and popped as they fully bent and her back groaned in protest.

"The obtaining of a mask is significant within our organization. It marks a new sense of identity, it conceals your actual identity and allows you to act as what we wish for you to become; a shadow. An ANBU is one that acts with precision, with efficiency, and with the interest of this village in mind. Before you can be fully accepted into our ranks you must undergo tests to determine if this is the right path for you. You've walked as a medic, this is not that same path. Please remove your current mask, with your head lowered as to not allow me to see your face, and then take this mask; the mask of a neophyte."</B><i></i>

The ANBU explained. She relinquished the false mask created by ninjutsu and revealed a bandaged visage beneath. All that could be seen was a pair of pale blue eyes that looked back up at the ANBU while her hood fell back. The bandages were not entirely fresh although they were clean, they appeared well-worn and laundered. They were a preference at this point, they were no longer needed to hold back the crimson sands. Her scars were still deep and many were still healing, so perhaps this was her vanity. She almost looked normal at this point, but everything still ached. She looked down at the floor and at her shadow. Shiori pulled at her wrapping and let her facial dressing fall to the floor. Pale blonde hair cascaded over the sides of her downward facing visage. What scars she had would not be readily apparent from this angle but would be irrelevant soon enough, after this energy was fully utilized. He would hand her the mask so she could place it upon her face.

<B>"Upon adorning this mask, and every subsequent use here forward, you will no longer be who you are in your normal attire. Your identity, in this mask, is not the same of your normal life. You must become something different, something else. If you are able to pass the upcoming trials, you shall be able to wear your own mask of choosing and designate your own call sign, but for now this mask and the code name "Neophyte" will be your identity in the ANBU."

'Neophyte' -- she liked it oddly enough. It had been a long time since she was new at anything. She fastened the mask and pulled up her hood once again. She remained unmoving, one hand still planted on the ground and the second bent with her fingertips still touching her mask. It felt odd but she liked it all the same, there was security in wearing something over her actual face even if her 'actual face' was still not her true face. She was already wearing one mask, what was another? "Understood," she answered upon completing the simple task. He passed her a block she did not recognize and she accepted it with her free hand.

"This tablet is a special mineral, you will sign it with your actual name with your chakra but it will not display your name. Should you parish it will reveal your true name so that the corps may pay respects to your next of kin. While still alive there will only be two other chakra signatures that can be utilized to see what name has been signed to this rock, both of which are in positions of great authority for this organization and the village. Once you have completed this, I hereby declare you an ANBU in Training and shall takeover as the one that either sees you to becoming an ANBU in full or dismisses you from our ranks for inability."

He was going to be her mentor and the one to determine if she passed or failed. She took in a sharp breath, she would have preferred someone... dumber. Less cautious perhaps. She took care to barely flinch and physically demonstrate her apprehension. Something about him seemed to rub her the wrong way, perhaps it was because she did no like relinquishing her own authority as she did today. To submit and to kneel. To answer questions but have none of hers answered in return. It would be no different with any of them most likely and there could be worse. "Thank you master-ANBU," she forced herself to reply. She was a prideful Ancient as most of them were, she placed the block on the floor and wrote a name with her earthy chakra. It was her 'true name' in a matter of speaking, but far too old for anyone to remember. Monah Ven Once she completed this, her second task she relinquished the block from her possession and remained in place. After a few lingering moments she finally asked. "May I rise? And what do I call you?"

 

[Raizo]

[col]It was an odd noise, the popping or cracking of her joints. Was she old? Ultimately, much like her assigned sex, it did not matter. Once she took up the mask he cared not of her age, sex, birthday, blood type, anything that pertained to who she truly was. While his mask was lowered to observe, he would not focus on her face. Again, this was protection for her identity. The less any of them knew about the other outside of the mask, the safer it was to continue to act as they needed. Maybe this would be something he would regret in the future without ever realizing it?

She would take the mask, she would take the rock and she would sign upon it while it laid on the ground. She would return it to his possession and he would slide it into his pocket, which he would place in a vault for safe keeping with the others once this interaction had ended. She would then ask him what he could be called, as she had accepted her new name of Neophyte. He would mull it over for a moment.

"You may rise..."

He toss around the idea for a moment more before finally answering.

"You can call me 'Kaze'. No one else goes by this call sign as it is rather too on the nose for some, so there will be no confusion when you come requesting for me, or I come requesting for you. I will let you know now, this is not the name I go by for missions. There is no reason for me changing it other than to keep a motif you may have picked up on at this time; you must earn it. My name, this organization, the truths, the secrets, all of them are foundations we have been built upon. We are living lies, so any actual nuggets of truth from any of us comes at a price. For now, for you, you have not paid the cost. This is not to be mean, this is not to haze or degrade you. This is a courtesy to you. The more you learn is dangerous, especially if you do not succeed and fully join our ranks. I know that probably comes with no solace, but I will do what I can to make you earn the title ANBU. I don't like failure."

He would then take a step back.

"I hope that has been informative enough to satisfy you for now. You have been stubborn in trying to get me to answer questions. There is nothing wrong with that, but with my previous statements hopefully you now know why I have not done anywhere close to a reasonable job of answering them. You are free to leave for now, Neophyte."
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OOC:
|

[legend="[glow=red][b][size=5]Kasha[/size][/b][/glow]"]

Song for this Moment: The Bird and the Worm
Epithet: "Demon of the ANBU"
Rank: ANBU
Chakra: 50,400 (not currently reflective of actual chakra in this event)
Stamina: Stamina (not currently reflective of actual stamina in this event)
Stats: 600 in all
Mood: Inquisitive[/legend]​

[/col]

 

[Michi]

Shiori remained on the floor with her head lowered. She did not move from the position she had taken, the Ancient was more than familiar with similar rituals between the courts that these seemed to mimic. In her rather long memory she was never on the other side. The moniker 'mother,' spoken in her true language as 'Monah' it should not be a shock considering the fact that she was among the eldest that she knew of besides perhaps Fuujin and while some of the younger and therefore lesser courts had to bow and scrape to maintain even their meager holdings Suna never suffered the indignity. A peer to the Lords of the greatest courts, how far had she fallen to now bow before a cheeseburger.

"You may rise..."

The ANBU permitted. With that 'Neophyte' planted her hand on a bent knee and pulled herself back to her full height. The newly masked woman's hips clicked and ground against her bones adjacent as she stood upright. Her knees snapped a second time as she allowed them to straighten. Her back once again popped as her bones shifted painfully. Only a few more hours. She now only stood a short distance from the ANBU, not quite as tall as he still but she was not getting any taller. Six feet even, a few inches shorter than he but in all honesty she felt like a giant at her full height. It was a novelty she had still not gotten used to.

"You can call me 'Kaze'. No one else goes by this call sign as it is rather too on the nose for some, so there will be no confusion when you come requesting for me, or I come requesting for you. I will let you know now, this is not the name I go by for missions. There is no reason for me changing it other than to keep a motif you may have picked up on at this time; you must earn it. My name, this organization, the truths, the secrets, all of them are foundations we have been built upon. We are living lies, so any actual nuggets of truth from any of us comes at a price. For now, for you, you have not paid the cost. This is not to be mean, this is not to haze or degrade you. This is a courtesy to you. The more you learn is dangerous, especially if you do not succeed and fully join our ranks. I know that probably comes with no solace, but I will do what I can to make you earn the title ANBU. I don't like failure."</B><i></i>

Kaze announced before he took a step back. <B>"I will not fail," 'Neophyte' echoed. Her voice sounded confident despite the sounds of a brittle and addled form.

"I hope that has been informative enough to satisfy you for now. You have been stubborn in trying to get me to answer questions. There is nothing wrong with that, but with my previous statements hopefully you now know why I have not done anywhere close to a reasonable job of answering them. You are free to leave for now, Neophyte."

She bowed her head politely and backed away. "Thank you sir," she added as she started to leave before one final thought struck her. She knew no secrets. She knew no names. She had no access in particular to the ANBU Headquarters. How was she to contact him and vice versa. With that revelation she pulled something from her robes, it was small and rather cheap - a headset. It was the kind the average student could afford on their weekly allowance. "Frequency fifteen...?" There was a question in her voice when she made her announcement. It was a private channel, one of many. Her headset was nothing special in the least, but that was perhaps for the best considering the level of secrecy that shrouded the ANBU branch. If he gave her a yes or no, she would depart as that was likely his closing statement to this cold first interaction. It seemed that Kaze appeared to end the dialogue on a civil note, or tried to, an interesting choice because he did not owe it to her. She was not being a particularly likable person either, but she had just risen from the ashes of death. Humans were not a favored He knew how to find her and she did not know how long she had before she was called on if at all, she was going to need to eat. Need to digest. Need to repair in the time she had.

[Topic Left]​

 

[Raizo]

[col]Before she left, she brought up a rather interesting point; how was she supposed to contact him. The reverse was not as much of a mystery. He had every intention of tailing his newest student once she chose to leave the prison. Was that ethical? Who knows anymore. Keeping tabs on those that wished to joined the ranks of a secret army did make some sense to him. Maybe he was just simply growing more paranoid with the corruption of the village and country? But her idea seemed to hold validity and allowed him the time to return to his investigation of his people of interest. Tailing the neophyte could wait for another time.

"Frequency fifteen will be our channel."

He confirmed her question and would proceed to return back to the innards of the ANBU HQ.
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OOC: Topic Left and AiT status granted for Shiori
|

[legend="[glow=red][b][size=5]Kasha[/size][/b][/glow]"]

Song for this Moment: The Bird and the Worm
Epithet: "Demon of the ANBU"
Rank: ANBU
Chakra: 50,400 (not currently reflective of actual chakra in this event)
Stamina: Stamina (not currently reflective of actual stamina in this event)
Stats: 600 in all
Mood: Inquisitive[/legend]​

[/col]