Here to There

From the Academy buildings Kiyo looped to the forest. There she sat for a long moment on a log and allowed Maru to search through the trees for something or someone. The trees were still skeletal but she could feel them waking up after their long winter sleep. Soon the forest would be filled with the fresh green scent of growing plant life. There would be mud to walk through then and her feet. usually left bare, would likely be coated knee deep in the mess. Mentally she reminded herself to make she they switched her clothing the an appropriate length.

"He isn't here Maru, lets go," was the only thing she said out loud when finally it came time to leave.

They cut through the trees on an invisible path left by animals smaller than she and came out of the trees with several small twigs in her hair. All along she sang to herself, it was the only way she could see through the mess.

From the forest she went into the village. She cut wide around the Anbu headquarters, making sure to duck her head whenever one passed and returning the winks of those off duty. This wasn't the first time she had played this game obviously.

On their way through the village she stopped at several places and bought at random. A handful of small candies filled one pocket which two sweet buns and some trinkets filled the other. She even stopped and bought a small collar for Maru though even the smallest setting was still too large for him. From there she stopped at the Hospital and allowed the Mednin in training to pick the twigs out of her hair and heal the scratches the trees had caused. She rewarded them with a handful of the candy and was on her way again.

Kiyo yawned as she turned her feet towards the tower after what had become a lengthy walk. She'd turned her headset off some time ago, Notare's high pitched voice telling her named and appointments she had missed was too painful to have  in the background on what seemed to be a perfect day. Kiyo could feel the sunshine against her face and she'd even been so bold as to peel her jacket off some hours ago. Eventually she even removed her boots, walking barefoot over the snow and frozen ground like it was freshly grown spring grass.

Kiyo pulled the pair of buns from her pocket and settled herself on the stairs leading up to the tower's door. She'd watched Saito enter before her followed by guests and as she sat a red clad cloud nin walked up the stairs with purpose. She'd have to go inside soon, it wasn't likely she'd be left alone now that the Anbu Sennin was left to wait for her, but for now she wanted to sit outside a bit longer.

"Thank-you for following the rules. I really didn't want to sit in that office all day today. It is just too nice don't you think?" she said finally to her silent follower. She hadn't paid much attention to the Anbu in training set to follow her but since a larger group of Anbu hadn't come around he must not have tattled on her location. "Please have sweet bun with me and then we'll head inside alright?"

Carefully she bit into her bun and reveled in the intense flavor. "This might come off as strange, but do you find the tower attractive in any way? It always seemed to be to be a bit odd that they would build something so high when the village hid itself for so long."

Gen:

It had taken some time for it to finally register, for it to finally hammer against his thick head like a drum before he realized just who it was that he was following. He always had the toughest time keeping up with people in the village, there were so many people that were stronger than him, so many that were weaker than him, he couldn’t keep track of everyone, no could he? Not that it mattered just how ‘strong or weak’ people were, he certainly didn’t care or mind so ling as he ducked his head low enough.

Quote:
"Thank-you for following the rules. I really didn't want to sit in that office all day today. It is just too nice don't you think?"


Suddenly her words would shatter through his shifting thoughts, forcing him to focus – he had been noticed, he was no longer a ghost that was tailing her at her back. He looked around, though it was clearly a very lovely place – Genkaku saw it’s splendor in very different ways. He saw the stone…the wonderful hues of grey, oh and there was no doubt metal bits here and there, and the shape.

“Maybe not too nice. That would be Madness,” The boy cackled sweetly, albeit strangely, to himself. “It’s never nice to stay all cooped up in one place. Bed Sores are unpleasant; they always make me want to go down to Kumo’s Scrapyard.” He mused softly, he never could get enough of that place – it was like his own personal playground among all that dangerous, sharp debris.

Quote:
"Please have sweet bun with me and then we'll head inside alright?"


He…was being offered a sweet roll? It was hard to imagine that someone was offering him, HIM of all people such a treat…he’d never been spoiled like this since he had met his old, dead, blind friend who’s name had faded with time in Genkaku’s wreck of a mind. “A-Are you sure? They must be awfully nice rolls, for awfully nice people.” He hissed, in mild protest, he was at odds of what he wanted, did he risk taking it and risk establishing some sort of affection to her? Did he take it to spoil himself, or did he take it and risk reliving the outrage he did when he found out his old friend had selfishly killed himself.

Though Genkaku sighed, this highly problematic concern was swept away when he felt a bit hungry. Pulling back his sleeve, his bony, lengthy hands would reach down, his fingers dancing as his fingertips squeezed down around a bun, his lengthy nails creating semi-circle incisions that managed to puncture the flawless, chewy crust that covered the surface of the soft, inner, bun as he picked it up. Without removing his mask, there were a series of clicks as a gasmask-like attachment fell down, hanging off his shoulders as the bun was pressed into his mouth whole, and the mask was reinserted onto his mouth.

Ki:

"Chair sores, not bed sores but very similar. Then there is the lack of privacy, the complaints, the long hours dealing with paperwork and the sudden mid-sleep meetings called by council. Those guys are real go getters but that is the thing with old people; they seem to think that if you're not up when the sunrises then you're not doing your job," under her breath she added ",I don't even know when sunrise is," then took another bite of her bun. It really was good and she was glad that she stopped to get them. It was doubtful Notare would remember to tell the cooks that she was back from some many hours after the trouble Kiyo had no doubt caused with her absence.

"Yes I'm sure, it's a thank-you for not tattling on me to the Anbu Sennin yet. Oh, it's going to be an awful spectical and I bet he'll even yell a bit if he has the chance. Ah! you should come along, I might need protection from Notare-chan as well. The secretary at the front counter that is, have you met her? Mmm, anyways she has been a bit stressed lately with all the sudden activity going on. We'll be something like nine hours late, she'll be ready to scream," despite that Kiyo kept her voice light and happy. There was a certain level of enjoyment one got from causing a little bit of trouble and if she didn't do this too often then there was really no issue. After all, one of her walks had resulted in her finding Maru had it not?

She 'watched' curiously as she unhinged that strange mask; and was struck by surprise shoved the bun whole into his mouth. For a long moment she stared at him wide eyed, for Kiyo had never seen such lengths to keep their mask on, with her mouth slightly ajar before finally speaking, "Oh! Sweet earth, don't choke yourself Genkaku!" When she was certain he wasn't going to kill himself though Kiyo found herself laughing instead. Small tears even formed in the corner of her eyes but she wiped them away each time they formed.

On her shoulder Maru mewled and her laughing stopped almost instantly. Kiyo swayed to her feet and in two bites finished off her bun then with the cleaner of her two hands stroked her kittens fur, "I forgot he needs to eat too so we might as well head inside now." Maru meowed again with more insistence and and Kiyo started up the steps to the main door of the tower.

"Yes, yes Maru. I know. Neh your mask is unusual, most Anbu choose an animal of human-like mask when they join. Usually they don't come apart ether."

G:

He would stare at her as she found something humorous, this wasn’t the hurtful kind, he could tell, it was a sort he rarely had the pleasure to witness in such close proximity. Rarest of all it seemed he was the root of this bout of generous laughter “Hmm?” He curiously mused, as he exhaled and a sharp hiss exhaled from his mask.  He was filled with a brief feeling of confusion and relief – he had unknowingly done something right “Did I make you laugh?” He’d ask,“What does it feel like?” he’d stare up at her, the wide, circular lenses reflecting so much light as to appear pure white, though they were made of hard glass – the way the mask refracted light at such times almost left the lingering impression that they must have somehow emulated his own eyes.

Though his true eyes were ever shut away and if he had anything to say about it, they would stay that way. He’d turn away, mildly stressed now as he felt somewhat obligated to maintain this social etiquette, he wasn’t very familiar with socializing but he was by no means shy…but he said many things that were far from appropriate.

“I won’t choke, don’t be silly.” He’d try to comfort her, “For if I did, It might take Med-Nin and like individuals minutes to completely gain access at my mouth and throat. I can’t afford to choke, mostly I just drink condensed food shakes.” He’d explain, though he showed very little concern for himself, not that he was suicidal but a Madman could only care for himself so much and as far as lunatics went he was fairly well off.

He couldn’t help but blink as she told him his mask was unusual “It is? I thought it was just unusual that everyone didn’t have masks. They are sometimes mean too, probably because they lost theirs. I won’t lose mine though…I made mine, my mother made me make it, says that my face was a ‘hideous mockery and reflection unworthy of bearing even the slightest resemblance to hers.” He explained, “She didn’t even name me after herself, her passion against my birth proves her love for me, I think. Oh well, long story short I have made modifications to enhance my survival here. Things have just been so lovely~” He’d finish, after all he’d have no idea how his little story would be taken as he took several steps inside.

“I’ve been here before…yes, YES! Once before, I miss this strange place. You work here?”

Jeishi:

"In that case, your mother sounds like the kind of bitch who should get chopped up after being skinned really slow..." The words were little more than a whisper, slipping calmly and casually from the lips of a young man neither would have had the pleasure of meeting until now. Although, calling it a pleasure was stretching things a little too far, but what pleasured one person or another was all a matter of opinion and taste. His facial expression didn't seem to offer much kindness, and the reason for that being that he had just had a rather unpleasant encounter with a Sennin of Kumogakure...The Anbu Sennin to be quite specific...Thoughts of slaughtering him and hanging him from his intestines while using some manner of healing technique to stretch out the pain a bit longer...It was odd how his thoughts could be so many, and so different all at the same time. He barely licked his lips as he imagined ripping out the Sennin's eyes, but gave a slight nod towards the masked child and the auburn haired young woman who was with him.

As he stepped a little closer his ash colored hair seemed a little wild but stylish nonetheless, perhaps an accidental flair of essence. His eyes, the left being a dark shade of emerald green and the right an almost luminous blood red. His skin was smooth, and a medium dark brown color while his attire was matched by the color of his right eye for the most part aside from black and steel in some areas. Tilting his head to the side he looked at the woman, who seemed to have a strange sort of "Innocent" beauty about her...Although, "Innocent" wasn't his type in the least...She was cut though, and the boy she was with spoke so easily of the way his mother treated him like an absolute freak. "...Wouldn't it be fun if someone like me were to...Make her as ugly as she says you are?" He seemed no longer so bothered by the Anbu Sennin, and found interest in this new story, an oddly charming grin upon his face which barely spread a bit more into a small smile...Revealing sharp canines.

Kiyo:

"Laughing beautiful way to see things and I think it makes the world colorful," her cheeks tinged pink a little, she wasn't used to others pointing out when she laughed and when you thought about it the sudden outburst could be seen as a little strange. A lot of things people did were strange, "But only the good sort of laughter."

"It certainly is a good thing that you didn't choke now isn't it? I might have had a little more luck though, having watched you unhook it. A lucky thing though I'm no fully trained Mednin. I've heard eating food as a liquid is actually very good for your body but they must not do much for texture or taste."She stopped on the step, contemplating a change in her own diet for a moment. It would certainly make her job and the cook's jobs easier on those long afternoons when she didn't have the time to eat a proper meal. Not every afternoon and night was an in meal meeting.

"Ah and mothers are an entirely different issue," It was a strange insight into the boys character, one she was almost afraid to touch upon. Kiyo would just need to trust in the Anbu's section for allowing this one to be an Anbu in Training. They did tests after-all and if he was dangerous to himself or anyone else they would have looked into it by now. Mentally she made a note to herself to see if she couldn't dig up some reports on the strange little AiT, between all the blasted meetings at least. "The tower is m-"

Kiyo stopped, finding herself interupted by another voice from ahead. She'd been lost in her head for a moment and hadn't even noticed the door opening. The newcomer sounded less then kind, making threatening offers concerning her guard's mother. Internally she winced; it was impossible to tell how this one would react.

"Even the Hashigaki, natural born listeners ask before they step into a conversation. Basic manners really," Kiyo recognized this one as the boy she had watched walk into the tower while she sat on the steps. He had seemed a fair bit calmer while going into the building then he was now. Instinctively she moved between Genkaku and the new guy because even if Gen was a part of her guard she wasn't about to let a scrap break out. She kept her move casual though, keeping one hand in her pocket while the other balanced her Kitten. He really was hungry and had even begun to suckle on her knuckles  "Oh, we watched you go in the building with better spirits. Tell me, did Notare yell at you? She's been a little off for a month or so, less flirting and more anger. I suppose that would be his fault, neh Maru?" she said, obviously speaking of another person entirely. The kitten didn't answer but she guessed that was because his mouth was full.

"Gengaku, perhaps we should go inside now? I need to get my apologies finished before things get worse. I'd hate if she never forgave me because she is an awfully important person to me and the village. Oh but there wasn't something you needed, Mr. uhmm? I'm sorry I would introduce myself first but as a rule men are supposed to go first." Her hand came out of her pocket and she tucked one of the longer pieces of hair behind her ear while showing the proper measure of curiousity for her question. Her head even tilted a little and she tucked her hand back in it's previous place.

G:

There was another person here, another person with…lovely, lovely teeth! Genkaku must have mused about them for a good minute, their perfect form – perfect for all sorts of tooth-related tasks “Hello, Hello, Hello~” He greeted the man, almost as if he hadn’t bothered hearing what he said.  Though mildly wasn’t sure what to think, though he disagreed for some of the oddest reasons. In reality, he held a great deal of respect and…love for his mother despite the lack of affection he was given as a child.

“It’s Asinine to skin and slay the still-dead. I’m Genkaku, and you are?”[color=red] [color=indigo]He’d ask politely, but he wasn’t quite finished yet. For some reason, Ms. Kiyo seemed awfully tense, or something generally seemed off to him in his eyes anyhow. He cocked his head “Would  want to what?” He’d ask, blinking for whatever it was worth.

“No, why would I want to do that. Death and Suffering is a fate all of us will endure – that is what she told me. She also told me while she dragged me up to this village. I didn’t cry.” He’d sigh, he grew tired of talking about all this philosophical stuff, though to his joy the Raikage had suggested  a fitting idea. He prevented himself from bouncing up in joy, as he began to turn it felt as though the process of leaving had ultimately been delayed.

“Questions, questions.” He sighed, as a booming inner voice erupted inside of his head ‘Would you stop prattling about like some giddy 6 year old? I thought you were crazy not hyper…’ the voice mentally berated the boy as he scratched his head and muttered underneath his mouth “I can’t really help it, her sweetrolls just…” He’d try making an excuse.

J:

"I meant to skin her first...Then kill her...Unless by what you're saying you mean that she's already dead...If so then the world is a slightly better place..." His response to the young boy was swift and didn't seem to take a moment's thought to recite. His eyes that didn't match each other in the least settled upon the woman as she made herself a barrier between himself and the boy known as Genkaku...Then he heard something about "Her sweetrolls..." which caused him to grin a little as he tried not to laugh as a thought flashed and vanished in his mind, although one would have to have their brain in the gutter to think as he did...Perhaps not.

He listened as she more or less called him rude, and he couldn't really complain about it but he did have a response. "...Manners...Yeah...I suppose I was rude, however; that tends to happen when a person isn't in the best of moods...They say whatever to whomever...Especially if the other hasn't gained their respect at all in the first place...Not that my respect matters to you..." It then seemed the woman was in a rush of sorts...Wanting to depart...Did he make her feel so uncomfortable already? That was disappointing... "...Why the rush? I doubt you have a meeting with that stuck up Anbu Sennin...Whomever the Raikage is they must be an idiot to put a jerk like that in charge of anything...I wonder if I can get a chance to fight with him...Either way, enough talk about boring people..." He took a step towards her and grinned this time, trying to appear more friendly but it only served to make him seem as if he was some sort of fox trying to snag a meal.

"It's nice to meet you...My name's Jeishii...Not a big shot or anything, just a Chuunin...Been in Kumogakure...Hmm...Let's see...Almost four months now, as a ninja at least...Only just learned this sort of thing...Nice to meet you Genkaku-kun and Miss?" His eyes settled upon her's, and although his seemed to show a wild and unpredictable nature...They seemed that somewhere deeper inside them, was the potential for something extremely good, and at the same time extremely sinister...However; he really didn't feel as if he wanted to do anything bad, but he did want to kill his boredom with their company.

K:

To her extreme surprise Gen did not react badly to the threats made against his mother. His answers were cryptic in their own wau but certainly didn't give any warning of a fight breaking out. She glanced back, giving him a fond look before returning her attention to the man before them. "Gomen, I wasn't aware I needed to earn your respect before I got your name. Generally I can't say I'm concerned about earning anyone's respect. If it happens, it happens right? Personally, I can't say I'm very impressed by you taking your bad mood out on us. What if we happened to be the type of people to have our feelings hurt easily." But his anger was easily explained as he continued on, naming the Anbu Sennin as a secondary aggravator to the boy's day. Suddenly Kiyo's features softened into what could only have been a mix of sympathy and amusment.

"You mean the massively built Mr. Akira Saito? He's related to the previous Raikage and does a wonderful job of keeping everyone in line. He is a bit hard and prickly on the edges but he has earned his job. Don't take it too personally, it looked like her had some outsiders along with him and appearances can be everything with those." Carefully she covered her mouth with her one free hand to keep in the laughter she felt for the entire thing. That man would yell at her if he felt that need to so she had little doubt that whatever had set him off at this one had been a bit of a shock to him.

From behind her she heard Genkaku mumble about the sweet rolls as if talking to someone else. Certainly his words hadn't been meant for her ears but she ventured to guess that it wouldn't be a great insult to him if she answered. "They were pretty good weren't they? The sweet rolls that is. More than worth the trip out and about and the tongue lashing to come. Well for me anyways, You're just an innocent bystander. I'd maybe watch out, Notare is got a good arm." They really had been good and so had been the sunlight, the trees and the conversations. The Mednin had been so cute and enthusiastic to help her out and that place had cleared her head despite its sad undertones. She hadn't meant to push so hard and part of her kept hoping he'd be waiting there for her to visit again. Maru hadn't forgotten either but that was what made Maru potentially the next genius of the feline world.

And there she was, off in thought again. With a shake of her head the seemingly young Raikage cleared her head and smiled at Jeishii. "Ah, I'm sorry. Kagetsu Kiyo. It is a pleasure to meet you Jeishii. I'm afraid we're in a hurry on Maru's behalf more so than for any meeting. He's terribly hungry as you can see and my hand's are not exactly lactating. I'm not certain if he's old enough yet to be getting too much solids either and what I have probably isn't good for a kitten." Maru gave a frustrated mewl around her hand in answer while he continued his  unhappy suckling. He was by no means starving but the rounded little infant wasn't used to not being fed when he was hungry under Kiyo's care. She had brought food anong with her but that was used up after the long walk they had taken.

"Can't say I'm looking forward to going in but well... I'm not 'busy' in the proper sense of the word and I always feel guilty when I am not."

G:

His temperament may have been highly unpredictable and strange, however he had an overwhelming control over his emotions especially since most of the time he felt detached from his own body, watching him move and function of it’s own will. He simply hummed to himself, emerging as a series of hisses from the gasmask apparatus. He was a confounding individual, and he would no doubt only be more complicated as time passed.

“Are we leaving, yes?” He’d ask, his head tilting yet again, he couldn’t really follow the entire conversation, it wasn’t very interesting, though the tones carried so much more information – it was so much more subtle. “Yes, yes, Mr. Jeishii man sir a-majig, we must get going. Furry thing needs…um food.” He’d affirm Kiyo’s statement, though he didn’t really know what Maru was, or what cats were either. The only animals he knew of were the ones his mother showed him how to hunt and cook.

“Oh yes, she’s dead. I’m certain she is.” He’d readdress something Jeishii had actually brought up moments ago. Though he still didn’t have much interest in the matter, his silence was his was of showing his frustration and irritation in the matter, he just stared at the too, though it just occurred to him that Kiyo had positioned herself between himself and the other man, though he had known this for some time, Instead of gaining a full understanding of this, he would step from behind her, and set the perfect round lenses of his mask on Jeishii, which reflected an almost soulless expression.

“I think another encounter might fascinate…I don’t know many people after all. They just don’t appreciate the simple things in life – like pig’s blood.” He’d then turn around “So, what does ‘Lactating’ mean?” The boy would ask, with a sincere curiosity. He had almost taken a MiT class once, but the instructor had cancelled the class before it had started. He STILL held a grudge even though that was way back when he was a student.

J:

"Gomen, I wasn't aware I needed to earn your respect before I got your name. Generally I can't say I'm concerned about earning anyone's respect. If it happens, it happens right? Personally, I can't say I'm very impressed by you taking your bad mood out on us. What if we happened to be the type of people to have our feelings hurt easily."

He lightly bit the inside of his lip as he gave her words some thought, he didn't really think about whether what he said would hurt others or not...At least not as of late, it seemed the more he delved into this world of ninjas and slaughter the less inclined he felt towards human beings in general...Not that he was very fond of them to begin with, but they were starting to prove themselves to be more and more irritating and untrustworthy...Many didn't even care what was right or wrong anymore, so long as it was "Within the law"...His eyes had fallen, and focused on no one in general but he now caught himself and was pulled back into the current situation at hand. "...Well, I can't really say I give a damn about impressing you either...Although...I do see your point, it's not as if I was trying to hurt some kid's feelings...Although, if someone knew about the way his mother treated him...Something should have been done about it..." It seemed as if his tone and expressions had changed, thinking a little more and not quite feeling the energy and intrigue that flowed through his body mere seconds ago anymore...

As she delved further into the topic of the Anbu Sennin a slight frown appeared on his face, if nothing more than for the simple fact that he still wanted to eviscerate him and be rid of the large idiot...Little of what she said about Saito managed to touch Jeishii in any way, shape, or form. His eyes were now half closed, and his posture was relaxed but something about him seemed overall a bit more...Aggressive and impatient. Her laughing didn't quite bother him, but for a split second he did feel the urge to rip out her larynx to shut it up...Until he realized that the sound actually pleased his ears to some extent. While she spoke to the young masked boy Jeishii tucked his hands into his pockets as he contemplated making his leave...It was doubtful either of these two would consider anything of him, much less want to hang out or kill time. He wasn't good at making friends and meeting new people...He didn't quite care though.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Kagetsu Kiyo. It is a pleasure to meet you Jeishii. I'm afraid we're in a hurry on Maru's behalf more so than for any meeting. He's terribly hungry as you can see and my hand's are not exactly lactating. I'm not certain if he's old enough yet to be getting too much solids either and what I have probably isn't good for a kitten."

Both pupils descended to look upon the small kitten which she carried and watched for a moment as it suckled upon her finger as if mistaking it for a nipple of sorts. It was so young, so fragile, but cute nonetheless. Although the idea to manipulate a technique to make Kiyo do something out the the ordinary simply for the fact that his Hypnotic Suggestion wouldn't leave the target knowledgeable of being manipulated, he would make her give him a kiss on the cheek or something that would puzzle her brain. Yet, causing trouble and making the woman at odds with her thoughts and her actions paled in comparison to getting the young feline something to eat. When Genkaku finally answered, and said that his mother was in fact dead Jeishii had no reply for it...As he felt no remorse, and if anything wondered what kind of abuse she put him through before she left him alone in the world...

“I think another encounter might fascinate…I don’t know many people after all. They just don’t appreciate the simple things in life – like pig’s blood.”

He couldn't help but give a small laugh and actually smile at the boy's comment, it was so absolutely random. Shaking his head a little he finally gave a simple nod as if to show his approval. "You're alright kid...Although, pig's blood isn't anywhere near as beautiful as that of a human being..." Then, he simply walked passed them both and towards the exit before stopping and raising a hand in a farewell gesture. Kagetsu Kiyo and Genkaku....An odd pair, what was their connection? Hopefully he'd be better off with her than he was with his mother...Did Jeishii actually care a little? Perhaps...

K:

"Domestic issues are a difficult matter, like mothers. Children are born then disappear for some number of years into the care of their parent. If there is a problem it is often non apparent and difficult to address until unrepairable damage is made. In the village's mind well.. at least he had one right?" she had one too in the past and that woman had been less than kind in many aspects. It was unfair of her to compare the sometimes harsh raising methods her mother had practiced on both she and her sister because Lady Kagetsu had only been showing her affection the same way her mother had done so. There was clearly something wrong with Genkaku and it was very clearly connected to his own mother. The violent reaction that Jeishii had intially had to the idea of Genkaku's mother persons showed some insight to the other boy.

She wasn't entirely surprised at his lack of recognition for her name, most people just called her "Raikage" rather than her actual name but the was a pang where her pride was. There was the temptation to tell him exactly who she was in extreme detail. She would pin him down to the stone walk way with her bare foot against his neck and make his repeat her name until it never, ever, left his memory. No one would ever forget her again, she could make certain of that.

But then, who wanted to be known as a tyrant?

"Yes, perhaps when I'm not playing white rabbit we can have a visit," she answered Genkaku as well, the amusement plain on her voice. This guard was quickly beginning to grow on her because of his odd behavior. He wasn't tripping over himself to kiss up anyways and she would just have to see how he behaved in the meeting. It was a good place since she wasn't too concerned over hurting the Mistie's feelings.

Gen's last question left her at a loss for words for and she stared at him with a bit of shock while her mind searched it's corners for an answer. In a quiet voice she answered, "Ah, well in that case Genkaku... I take it you have not not watched many infant animals with their mothers? Its giving off milk, females do it after giving birth in order to feed their infants until they've grown strong enough to eat solid foods... I'm sure there is more to it than that but that is the short answer," she blushed and continued up the stairs after their conversational intruder decided to be on his way. She spared a glance over her shoulder for his retreating back then slipped inside.

"KIIIIIIIIIII-YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, you lousy good for nothing-" the large book headed for her head was more than expected and Kiyo snickered to herself as she caught in just short of her face. "Watch out Genkaku."

G:

“Not to mention we had never lived inside Kumo’s walls. We lived in some marshy area.” He’d finally finish as he groaned “No more talking about mothers please, I get enough of it from the other children~” He’d hiss to express his bittersweet feelings to all this attention and over him! There were other’s that were more deserving of it, yes? Or perhaps he deserved nothing more than subsistence. The other male walked away, he could feel the painful pressure off his chest become lighter, and the burden heaved off and dropped onto the floor as he’d relinquish a soft sigh of relief.

”I really am surprised you’ve made it this far, you know that? I even have to admit you are the luckiest lunatic that could reside here in Kumogakure…” the twisted personage would sigh somewhat disappointed, the way things went – the mad boy would continue being the ‘stronger’ of the two, he would never get a chance to shine!

“I don’t believe in luck.” He’d reply back to himself, he did n awful lot of it, didn’t he. He would then turn to focus on Kiyo as she began to explain the process of lactation, it sounded awfully familiar – perhaps some foul mouthed boy had run around with some obscene rhyme to go with it, luckily Genkaku didn’t need idiots to cloud his already unfocused mental state.

“Oh, so it’s like giving them milk. Does the milk come from their nostrils or they're…?” Though before he could completely ask his question, there came a fairly loud screaming noise. He felt his eyes gloss over with a tinge of red, placing a transparent screen over the world as the depiction of some flying creature, with horribly jagged toenails and birdlike legs flew out. It’s beak was twisted and filled with sharp, albeit, ill kept teeth and it’s saliva was mixed with puss from some sort of opening and closing welts on the roof of it’s mouth.

The Boy simply stared at it, the scream continuing shortly after the strange hallucination had come to pass. Very slowly he’d turn up to her and stare at the book “ Should I stand in front of you, I wouldn’t like you to be hurt…that’s my job.”

K:

Kiyo nodded laughed as another book whipped at her head and she ducked out of the way again. For being retired and known for her laziness; Notare still had a great throwing arm. With care for the mishandled book she picked it up and cradled it under her arm with the first of the caught volumes. The next book didn't come at quite the same speed but then it seemed Notare was beginning to realize that throwing her books around wasn't going to harm the object of her immediate hatred. On her shoulder Maru meowed in protest over being swung around so much... on an empty stomach.

"Don't worry, I don't think she can hit me but lets not give her the time to think about it," like chakra infused bouncing books of paper cut doom but that was just what she came up with off the top of her head. She was a little worried about the Anbu in Training, watching someone fling books then asking if they should get in the way wasn't the normal reaction. But then what was the normal reaction in these moments. At least he was being self preserving.

"Notare, calm down please. I'm here now so what is the trouble?" she spoke while moving towards the desk. The books she placed gently on it's surface and she tilted her head at the raging woman. To anyone else she would seem like a visiting friend that had come to listen to their friend complain at work.

"What is the- You insensitive- Aaah! I quit, that is it I quit!" The thin woman was pink with anger by that point and she looked ready to pull back and hit her superior. That would be treason though, no matter the oddly casual air for the people and situation. The secretary's eyes darted from Kiyo to the oddly masked... boy that had followed. "You heard me, I quit." A quiet moment passed for the poor woman and it seemed she might cry at any moment. It was a bluff again, Kiyo knew what she was after.

Her face grew serious and carefully she took up both of Notare's hands in her own. "Notare, we value so very much and your loss would be a wound on the village's heart. I apologize for my sudden and unannounced break. I should have warned you but so confident was I in your abilities to deal with the day's plans that I did not feel the pressing need to tell you." It was similar to the last compliment she'd given the young woman under similar circumstances and Kiyo watched with a great deal of satisfaction as Notare relaxed bit by bit. Finally it was Maru's mewling unhappily that gave the woman an excuse to brush away the earlier mishap. "Kiyo, he's hungry... oh and Akira-sama is in with a pair from Mist. He's in the other room and I may have- I'm sorry."

"It's fine and I'm not entirely concerned with our relations to them. Call in someone else and take the rest of the day off. I'll go in and deal with Akira and the guests," that matter under control, Kiyo beckoned for Gen to follow her along one of the halls to where the Mistie's and her Anbu Sennin would be waiting. When Notare had turned her back, likely making the call she would need to do in order to go home, Kiyo winked at Gen and mouthed the word 'diplomacy'.

G:

Genkaku was glad he was so young, without such responsibilities to already weigh down on his shoulders. Though he had few responsibilities in the past, The boy had grown exceedingly aware of his conditions in comparison to the average person and had hammered himself constantly with self-imposed restrictions which had come to become almost rudimentary law that guided his hand. Without it he might have chosen to lay down and die long ago, if it weren’t for his overwhelming curiosity as well as the ‘curse’ his mother lay upon his ears when he first arrived at Kumo.

‘…and from here you will walk the land. Before you embrace death, I have made certain you will taste every sour flavor of pain and suffering. Then you can die…’

He was awoken to reality when he began to hear of the secretaries plight, though he didn’t understand, he felt a great deal of anger, confusion, stress even, he could only pretend to sympathize – assuming the bad feelings he felt were at all similar to the emotionally and physically pressing task that she was committed to. He remained quiet, things didn’t seem particularly alarming, things didn’t seem to merit the caution that a more intense situation might have called for.

“I’m sorry.” He’d offer, though simply because he hoped that his actions would make up for his lack of words. Though it didn’t matter too greatly, Kiyo had proved to be quite capable of handling the situation through offering the gentle, considerate touch. He had never spent such a prolonged period of time with such an individual, not since he had been adopted. “So diplomacy is it?” He’d ask, “I’ll leave that to you…I don’t understand it much. Not even books could help with that.” He offered, confessing his awareness of the situation as the two headed down the hallway…though he wondered, he was curious, if that woman that had such a loud outburst would be alright.