Diplomatic Relations

Shi:

Ryou accepted the offered contact card and taking out her headset's base unit, preset it to a quickdial frequency. Didn't hurt to be prepared rather than having to fiddle with knobs and switches.

Though her questions seem suspicious, it was an ANBU's job to be suspicious and never let their guard down. An ANBU she was not, but just as she'd recieved medical training from some of the finest medical shinobi of the past, she'd recieved training from ghosts of ANBU that would be legends if their deeds could be discussed. Standard protocol, always keeping guard and never letting it down, deductive reasoning...all these things were arts she'd been trained in by the men who made today's ANBU look like kittens; children playing at being ANBU. She just had never bothered to use it before. Indeed, Keigan Shiryou had almost forgotten such lessons.

Now, though, in this role, Shinkirou Shiryou had all that knowledge at her fingertips, and it was being utilized well. It would be with practiced ease that she moved through the gates in standard escort formation of her Kage, her eyes constantly roving in a search pattern for any suspicious anomalies. In many ways, Joji's naivite was refreshing and almost adorable, but at times it could be damned troublesome.

"You've been most helpful and curtious, ANBU-san, thank you for your assistance," she remarked in a soft, friendly, gently curving tone all women possessed that belied her current business mentality, her eyes turning appreciatively to him, "We'd be delighted to have an escort to see your Raikage. Sometimes Jo-sama can...amplify the truth a bit. Yes, I like sake, and I'd be a lot more relaxed with a bottle in my hand, but I'm not the drunkard he likes to portray me as sometimes." She mulled over Nimbus Springs, sighing gently.

"I wish the hotsprings were inside the gates. Jo-sama and I might have to do some exploring to try and find some within your walls. Once we've dealt with business and can enjoy your fair village, of course." she tittered softly, in that crooning way women do, eyeing him with a curious grin. "If we come across any, you're certainly welcome to join us, ANBU-san. Sounds like you could use a trip to an onsen with the life you lead...the life of an ANBU."

A life that Shinkirou Shiryou was supposed to know all too well. With her jutsu she'd merged with a few of the ANBU ghosts from time to time and shared their memories of their training, the things they'd done, what the life of an ANBU was like. After what she'd witnessed, it was no shocker so many were terse and untalkative with all they'd seen. Thankfully some of them were outside that mould. Glancing over to Jo, she smiled a friendly smile and tilted her head, her fingers twitching. To anyone else it might seem random, but it was the communication method she'd created for them a while back. Hopefully Joku was clever enough to place it in Joji's mind. Only she and he knew the code, so to anyone else aside from the pair it would seem random.

"Nothing suspicious so far. I don't like these rules, they're too restrictive. I understand why they exist, though. Any concerns or things you'd like to do while we're in town?"

Jo:

Just like that, they were in and past the monumental gate that sealed the shinobi village out from the more harsh world around it. Joji's mind started to wonder as he was looking at everything around him, taking in the looks of the village, the stone in which everything seemed to grow out of. In many ways, it seemed alien to him, almost something out of a story book, but he was enjoying himself nonetheless as they strolled towards the appointed meeting with the Raikage.

As far as Joji knew, Yugakure had always been rather reclusive, never really interacting with any other villages, let alone shinobi villages, or ever really revealing their own status as one. Times needed to change, and not only did Joji wish to see the world, but be able to have friends all across it.

The Kage wsa well aware that Shiryou was speaking, but he was so preoccupied with his surroundings that he wasn't paying her much attention, which would also attribute to why he missed the first half of her covert gestures. One thing Jo-ku had done when making Joji was make him quite a fascinated child, easy to be absorbed in new environments, and even with his shinobi training, it wasn't something he had constantly applied like Jo-ku had constantly done. Only when battle was on the horizon did he ever truly flip the switch in his sub-conscious to trigger his more innate ninja instincts. Still keeping his gaze set on everything around them, he set to adjusting the hand signals to give Shiryou a reply, remaining completely innocent in his appearance.

Stay your worry, and settle down." Joji was young, and idealistic, as Shiryou was learning, but he also was a good judge of character, and knew that they had little worry while within the walls of the village, Find a place to stay. Not have an ANBU shadowing us the entire time, for now at least. When the meeting commences, allow me to speak. This is my mission after all, if you do everything, I'll never grow as a Kage. Finished with his response, it was neigh impossible to tell he had even been moving his hands, the gestures and muscular signs so subtle.

"Your village is quite beautiful, ANBU-san. I must admit, I have never seen such exquisite masonry-ship before. How do your craftsman work with the stone?" Again, he seemed nearly dazed as he was still looking about. That was when he found himself nearly gawking in a manner more unfitting of a Kage and he flushed a little, "Gomen, gomen, ANBU-san. You may ignore me if you wish....I'm just very impressed is all."

Ko:

As they entered the village Shiryou continued the conversation and Koumyou, who knew the path they would be walking only too well, turned his head to face her while he responded.  He didn't know quiet why but he'd always found it best to face people when talking.  Besides his bloodline abilities, the few he had developed, allowed him to stop or move quicker to get out of peoples way as he wandered the street at any rate.  "As much fun as that sounds I think I'll decline unless you feel that my being around would benefit your safety?  I have so many things to do, and besides I'm part of the Raikage's personal ANBU guards.  I already have one kage to guard." the last line was spoken with humour, his mask turned to face Joji as he said it, his constant forgetting that the grinning expression on his face would be invisible due to the mask covering it.

A short spell afterwards they neared the Raikage tower, it had been visible from the moment they had stepped inside the village, but its grandeur only grew with its visable size.  The black stone carved fantastically and almost without fault.  Something Joji seemed to catch onto and appreciate more than Koumyou ever had "Uh, yes, actually, I don't know." he said, the friendly tone in his voice still prominant "I'm sure that you could find out if you really wanted to.  I guess living here this is all I know." his voice faded a bit, he frowned slightly, not out of annoyance or anything, but more from the realisation that even as he let dozens of people through Clouds gates he himself had never stepped foot out of lightning country.  This thought was running through his mind as he quickly moved up the staircase to the front door of the Raikage Tower.

Opening it he moved to the reception desk, his voice was low and his tongue foreign suddenly "???a? t? Raikage e?e??e???" he asked.  The girl checked through her log and nodded to him then looked passed him to the visitors, her cherry voice greeting them "Hello there, there might be a little wait, but follow ANBU here and you will gain access soon enough.  I'll let her know of your arrival." she said smiling then looking back at Koumyou who nodded first at Shiryou and quietly said "Shiryou, Sennin." and then to Joji "Joji, Onsenkage." she hesitated looking up at Joji, probably taken back from his youthful features compared to his senior title before shaking herself slightly and writing it down as Koumyou headed on off to a flight of stairs.

"Sorry about that." he said nodding to them, shortly they arrived at a very familiar passageway.  To their left was a massive window broken up by pillars, the ability to open them was also obvious as the Black stone would heat and expand during sunny days.  To their right however was a set of overly large doors clearly created by someone with an ego larger than Koumyou's, or a piece of their anatomy the size of a bumble bee.  "We could be in for a little wait.  Recently we've received diplomats from Sunagakure and they've been soaking up a fair amount of her time."


Shi:

At Koumyou's comment Shiryou snorted in amusement, the corner of her mouth quirking up.

"I know how it is. I was once an ANBU myself, plus being Jo-sama's guard on this mission. Still, can't blame a girl for trying, right?" Honestly, little things she'd noted in other women's behavior were being subconciously initiated, even though she personally had no idea what it meant. The end result was a woman who was being mildly flirtatious without any clue what the end result of said flirtations could become, just that other girls did it. Possibly disasterous, but for now there wasn't any real problem.

Ryou herself had never really been outside of Fire Country, but she'd shared Kendori Shuu's memories so deeply and so frequently they were almost her own by now. The ghost had spent years simply wandering around Kumogakure after her murder at the hands of the Achromancer Raikage Aion, so while the locale was not something that seemed to enthrall her as much as the Onsenkage, she did take note of their impressiveness.

As they entered the Torre Celeste she moved through the location with a very disconcerting familiarity; Shuu had spent a lot of time haunting these halls. To the uninformed she would seem to either have studied the tower's blueprints to the point of reflexive memorization, or she'd been there before. Clearly she hadn't, but Shuu's memories had been absorbed into her own collective conciousness, which gave it a strange combination of remembering and deja vu.

As Koumyou mentioned the Sunan delegates, she nodded off-handedly.

"Just a matter of timing I suppose," she intoned, still mulling over the hand gestures of her Kage, "We're not in a huge hurry, I don't believe...clearly the Onsenkage is not a man who's overly focused on business." She grinned playfully back at Joji, even as her own fingers began to dance ever so subtlely in reply to his earlier statement.

"My apologies. Old habits, Jo-sama. Once someone learns how to be an ANBU, they can never unlearn those reflexes and thought patterns. By the way, I have no intention of stealing your spotlight. Meetings between leaders isn't my job. Getting you to a meeting between leaders, including talking with the Raikage's flunkies, is. Also, did you notice? A woman. Female kages are rare, and I know how you are with women. Keep a cool head and don't let her fluster you, and you'll be fine." Even as she was flicking her fingers in speech to the Onsenkage, she turned her attention to Koumyou once more.

"You said you're quite busy, ANBU-san, so if you'd rather leave us here, shadowed by your men, and attend to your own duties, we'd understand completely, especially if we'll be waiting around a bit. I wouldn't mind your company since new things seem to take away Jo-sama's attention which makes him, at times, like a kid in a candy store, but if you're needed elsewhere, we'd take no offense."

Jo:

That was fair. The ANBU were made to know the village inside and out, not how it was made or what it was made from. Joji's curiousity would simply have to be sated by some other source when they finally got all the official business done with. If the village it self had stolen his attention, the tower had all but kidnapped and bound it, even more so when they finally entered into the massive tower itself. The entire time Jo was awe struck, watching as the light rolled across the expanse stone walls in every direction. When their ANBU friend stopped to put their request in to speak with the Kage, the young Kage did take a moment to give a smile to the receptionist before they started following Koumyou once more.

At the comment of Shiryou's familiarity with the duties of an ANBU, Jo smirked, still watching the stone as it passed by in all of its perfectly curved glory, "She says that, but I had insisted she stay back home; not like I need her protection."

When they had finally ended up in the 'waiting' room outside what Joji could only guess was the Raikage's office, he was practically moving all over the room, his gloves removed as he admired the jet black marble and its perfection. Then she made a joking comment on the Kage's professionalism.

"At least observing such fine stone work is better than flirting with our escort.' Came his rebuttal, still very much paying attention to the construction of the room they were in. Somewhere, in a part of his mind that seemed dim and dark, the switch for his sharpened instincts kicked in as he was wandering about the room, his mind working more on calculations than personal fascination. Because of this, even while he was roaming about, he caught Shiryou's reply, missing only the apology at the beginning.

"My, my, oh my....they did these supports all in a single piece....Most stoneworkers will break up supports, build them in sections....but this is solid..." Pale skinned hands ran over the stone, trying to find a seam, but to no avail, he failed to do so, still admiring the work before hopping in on the conversation.

"By all means, though. Your duties are far more important than babysitting me, as Shiryou-san so kindly said before we left Yugakure. My own ANBU are so caught up in their duties they barely have time to protect me." He laughed, letting his hand slide over the cool stone of another pillar, just before letting it slide off, his whole body turning towards the ANBU, "Worst case: Go report in, check up on your charges, and return to us. I would hate for you to get in trouble, ANBU-san, especially after being so courteous." The white gloves with orange details found their way back onto his hands, and he set himself in proximity of the pair, "And the only reason why my attention wonders else where..." Joji paused, leaning in towards Koumyou, as if it would somehow make Shiryou unable to hear him, "Is because she's too dull to keep it." A sly grinned crossed his lips as he looked at the ANBU from the close position before leaning away.

There would always be time to respond to Shiryou's signed comments, but the Kage found himself mulling everything over, finding himself almost imperceptibly nervous about facing another, obviously much more experienced Kage than himself, and being a woman on top of that only made it more intimidating.

Samuru:

”Yeah the ANBU have been quite busy lately. Don’t worry. I’ll gladly take his spot. I’ve been waiting for quite some time but it seems like I’m losing my spot in line to you two. I guess that's what happens when you leave to take a breather.” Samuru commented as he entered the waiting room just as the woman made a comment about the ANBU that currently accompanied them. He didn’t really say too much to the receptionist but as usual he made his way past the woman. Ever since he began truly expressing himself, he seemed to have a way with words… depending on the situation.

”So I wonder who these two are. I can tell that they aren’t from around here and I can also tell that they aren’t just here to chat. I guess me wanting in on the conversation is nothing more than curiosity but I do have a reason for being here. An official reason. …Well kind of.” he thought to himself as he sat down in an empty chair not far from the group. Meetings with bureaucrats weren’t exactly his cup of tea but he’d have to learn to adapt for this particular situation. He’d retired himself from a rather prestigious rank just to become a student in the medical field and he had renounced all former ideals that he might’ve had during his duration as an ANBU captain. What happened now was a very critical process. One that would determine his life from here on… It was the development of his new life and the destruction of the previous one.

He wore rather common clothes. He liked black so black shoes, black pants and a black zip-up sweater vest seemed to be what his preference was. Throw in the huge blade that he had propped on the chair next to him and you have a rather odd look for a ninja that was supposed to be studying within the medical field.

”What’s on today’s agenda if you don’t mind me asking?” Samuru asked in a rather proper tone as his eyes shuffled between the man and woman who stood in front of him.

”Hopefully they aren’t full of themselves. That’d be boring… Boring and unoriginal.”

Koumyou:

The conversation continued, Koumyou grinning as the Sennin and Kage spoke to each other in a very familiar manner.  He supposed that being a Sennin and Kage would bring two people fairly close, and that the trip itself would do the rest.  With nothing other than each other for company you'd both wear on each others nerves as well as end up learning more about each other than you could possibly otherwise hope for.  Both of them had reitterated their strength, perhaps it was a thing of pride for them, a small village where individuals strength would end up being their focus.  After all with a small population elitism would need to be the focus rather than large scale team work like the larger villages could afford.  Though of course the large villages also had their elite as well, it's not that that they were focused on, at least that's how his mind justified it and noted it down.

He gave appropriate responces like short laughs and such as one would amongst friends, though mostly because he was relaxed and wasn't on edge, and also because their small one liners at each other were amusing.  The flirting hadn't gone over his head, had they been anyone other than a Sennin and a Kage he would have responded in kind, but they were also here to see the Raikage, so he stayed his tongue and kept his pants around his waist.

Then they told him that he could go back to his dities if he wanted he smiled and made a humoured huff noise as air blew out his nose quickly, then Joji leaned in and whispered a small comment which made him laugh before he responded "Oh no, it's fine, this is my duty.  Don't think it as babysitting, perhaps more like a break." he said, though in reality the Kage's safety was his job, and though they were diplomats they were apparently strong, and there were two of them.  He would remain, as was his duty.

A moment later a familiar face appeared, he was dressed most unlike the first time he'd met his old captain, more casual.  Koumyou wasn't aware of his no longer being a captain and assumed he was having a day off.  Yet he walked straight up to the three of them and, without introducing himself, he just asked a question rather straight up.  This was not the way that one went around... surely Samuru couldn't be that rude.  So before Joji and Shiryou could reply he butted in "Sorry, Samuru this is Shiryou and Joji, Shiryou is a Sennin and Joji the Onsenkage.  Shiryou, Joji, this is Samuru one of Kumogakure's strongest shinobi." he didn't mention Samuru's title because the title he knew was an ANBU one, and he wasn't wearing his mask, some people liked to hide their identities so he wouldn't go about revealing that.  However to be an ANBU captain he figured it only made sense for him to be one of the strongest, and if strength was a matter of pride, as he had summarised perhaps that would give him some manner of respect in their eyes.


Shi:

The ANBU was one of the most interesting of his profession she'd met, that much was clear, and one of the most relaxed. Most ANBU seemed prepared at all times for their best friend to stab them in the face, much less a stranger, so for him to be chuckling and laughing with them did put her at ease a bit, and made him much more enjoyable company than simply 'escort'.

As the kage spoke of her inability to hold his interest she snorted her response offhandedly, clearly unconcerned.

"Please. Just because we've known eachother since we were little you have to act like I'm the most uninteresting person in the world..." She looked at the ANBU with a sympathetic expression. "I swear, he's bound and determined to make me look bad. Luckily, I have no such insecurities..." Normally she would not have spoken ill of her kage in front of anyone who they didn't know, but given the banter Joji was tossing about, she felt far less concerned, especially since this ANBU helped put her at ease. Certainly banter of this type was unlikely to happen in front of their Raikage, but amongst these lower-ranked ninja she wasn't too concerned.

If their ANBU is this lively, I wonder how the rest of them are. At the very least, this doesn't look to be a boring trip...

As if on cue, the new arrival stepped out of the gloom to begin speaking in a surprisingly direct manner. At least he didn't beat around the bush. She wasn't a fan of people whose motives she had to second guess. Clearly, he wasn't one of them.

"Greetings, Samuru-san. It's a pleasure." At the mention of strength Ryou's brow rose in idle curiosity. "Oh? Strong is he?" The words seemed laced with amusement, but she sized him up with a decent amount of respect as she looked him over once more.

Oh look. A gigantic sword. How original.

"Please allow me to reiterate the proper introductions. I am Shinkirou Shiryou, Sennin of Yugakure, and this is the Onsenkage, Isakura Joji. Our motives are no great secret, we're simply here to establish diplomatic ties for our village with others, as well as tour the ninja villages." Clearly she didn't seem offended by his directness, and was taking it in stride well.

"We have no intention of usurping someone else's place in line to see their leader, so I'm sorry if it seems you were waiting before us. Our time is a bit more limited here, though, so I respectfully request that you permit us a bit of latitude?" Her words were spoken kindly, with a hopeful raise in tone at the end of her last phrase, her lashes batting every so slightly cattily. She had no idea why it had the effect it did on so many men, just that she knew it did. Innocently minded as she was, she simply used the best tool for the job, not recognizing how manipulative it could be considered since it played with men's testosterone levels.

Jo:

Joji was young, and could be considered foolish in all his naivety, but he had been raised in a household of strong morals and proper social etiquette. The way the soon-to-be-named shinobi, Samuru had arrived, without so much as a greeting or introduction left the Kage a little unnerved. In Kumogakure it was apparent strength did not mean evolution, but just strength and only that. Perhaps Yugakure was truly unique in that when individuals were trained, they were refined in every aspect of being, not in just the ways of the shinobi. Giving a mental shrug, he went along with the whole conversation, glad for the ANBU still being there.

"Pay Shiryou-san no mind, Samuru-san, our presence takes no more precedence than any other one's. We will conduct our business when that time arrives, whether if it's before or after your own." He smiled towards the shinobi, and that was when his hands started to move in the subtle gestures that the two had taught themselves so as to be able to speak without others noticing, but even this time around, Joji himself had no idea it was happening, another force guiding the concealed signs.

'Ryou-chan, keep your manipulations to a minimum. The future results are something in which you can't comprehend, nor have any experience with.'

The sudden response was almost unlike Joji, it nearing a sense of cautious protection, but not quite touching upon it. However, without tone present in the words, it was impossible to tell the degree of ferocity in which it was meant to be delivered. His body acting on his own, Joji himself had his focus set on the newcomer, but most notably the weapon that was propped up against his seat. As the young Kage had already shown, he had a fascination with craftsmanship of all sorts; be it masonry or metalworking in this case.

Admiring the blade as he approached the rank-less shinobi, Joji knelt, careful adjusting Itsu, the long spear on his back, so it wouldn't catch the floor in his crouched position.

"This is quite an exquisite weapon you carry, Samuru-san. I've seen quite a few gigantic blades on travelers that have passed through Yugakure, but have never had the chance to view one so closely." Scanning the length of the sword up and down, the Kage soon rose to his feet, quite pleased with the weapon itself, and nine times out of ten, a weapon was a reflection of its owner. In that, Joji had found respect for Samuru, "A fine sword." Commented the Kage, extending a gloved hand out to the swordsman, "And a proper greeting, as opposed to having my Sennin give the overly rehearsed introduction you just heard. I'm Isakura Joji, a craftsman, a shinobi, and someone waiting in line to meet with the Raikage."

Always going around, using the Kage title always seemed like a way to try and put one's self above everyone else present, and that was something Joji wasn't too fond of.  Instead, he choose to relate himself with those he met, either being a common worker or a shinobi, either of which someone could claim to be.

In the back of his mind, he was starting to wonder how long it would take to speak with the Raikage. If there was the Sand Delegates, and the unknown Samuru waiting, could there be others on the queue as well? Surely Koumyou wouldn't have brought them there if it would have been too long. Depending on how it turned out, it would speak a lot about how things operated. A host could entertain at a party for hours, but if it never reached a climax, no one would be satisfied; Koumyou could only keep them settled for so long, and after a certain point it would start to seem like neglect, or terrible book keeping by the secretary in any case.

Then again, it wasn't a bad thing as Joji wanted to be able to shake off his jitters before being faced with the Cloud Kage. Coming off as a stammering fool wouldn't be good for attempting to start a relationship with another village.


Samuru:

”O right. Introductions. I forgot about doing that. I forgot about completing my side of the worthless exchange of pleasantries so that I may make a good first impression. I’d rather get down to business but I guess it doesn’t matter when the business I have isn’t with these people… I guess I can play along.” Samuru commented to himself as he listened to Koumyou’s comment but remained relatively quiet as the other two spoke before he could respond.

Sennin Shinkirou Shiryou and Onsenkage Isakura Joji. Those were the names given to him but they had no meaning to Samuru. The newbie med nin almost stood up and properly bowed to the people that claimed to be of high formal ranking but he renounced that way of thinking a long time ago. Some people deserved that type of salutation but others simply did not… or didn’t show that they deserved it. Formality is nothing more than a perception of the respect that you receive based on the notion of power that your rank presents. If one perceives your rank as insignificant then the need or motivation to follow this standard of formality diminishes greatly. All that’s left is that person’s ability to be proper… Samuru’s ability was zero in that regard.

”Did she just wink at me?” An interesting thought and an even more interesting action considering that the person Samuru referred to as her ‘significant other’ was standing right next to her. It could’ve been a wink from an overly flirtatious girl or it could’ve been some form of manipulation from a woman used to getting her way but before he could reflect and build on his thoughts, the Onsenkage was standing directly in front of him.

”Sorry but formality is lost on me. Forgive my lack of manners I’m still building… Um… Interpersonal skills, you could say.” Samuru responded as he arose from his seat and shook hands with the Kage that introduced himself as nothing more than a simple craftsman before slicking his hair back and properly introducing himself.

”I guess he’s trying to relate to me. I wonder if how common that is for a Kage to do. Surely, he’d realize that he’d lose ground with people that held nobility as the utmost importance. Perhaps he adapts to each situation.”

”Shiryou. Joji. My name is Kannagi Samuru, nothing more than a simple Med-nin in Training sent here to get certain things approved. I guess I’m more like an intern if anything.” the young MiT commented before looking down at the gigantic blade that Joji commented on before. ”Thanks for your compliments about my sword. However, I must admit that it doesn’t leave much for imagination. It’s simple in design and usage but I think that suits me just fine… However, Ms. Shiryou might not be impressed with such simplicity.”

A bit of latitude. That was the phrase Shiryou used to depict the perceived importance of her leader’s ‘meeting’ with the Raikage compared to Samuru’s own agenda. Before, it seemed as if Samuru ignored the comment but the truth was he simply forgot to respond as the topic of his sword came up.

”By the way. If your meeting with the Raikage is that urgent then I guess you can go first. Not your fault I jumped out of line.” Samuru responded before sitting back in the chair behind him and crossing his legs.

”This could take awhile.”

Ko:

Standing to the side of the conversation Koumyou took another step back and leaned against one of the pillars.  His head turned and he looked out the window watching the people of Kumogakure walk from place to place, the occassional shinobi in a rush running along the rooftops and the kids playing ninja in the fields.  Things were peaceful and calm outside, and things seemed to be fairly relaxed inside as well.  His initial worry that the situation would become a bit tense seemed to be fading away, his ears listening in to the conversation.  Shiryou seemed occupied with not wanting to put Samuru out and Joji with his blade.  The man Joji was an interesting speciman, and even though Koumyou was looking out the window he was wondering about the man.  Claimed to be strong, his his attitude and manner seemed to be a way to relate to people, an interesting manipulating trait.

In the end it was something that Samuru said that caught Koumyou's attention, his head spun to look at the... ex?... ANBU captain.  He was a mednin in training now?  An interesting career turn, that'd mean Squad 2 were captainless, and last that was heard was that their Lt. was on leave as well.  Thankfully the only thing giving away Koumyou's surprise was his initial reaction, the expression on his face still hidden behind his ANBU mask.  After a moment he turned his head again to look outside at the people wandering around, his mind trying to work out why one would make that change.

Standing there he suddenly wondered when the Raikage would be arriving to grant one party or the other an audiance.  The receptionist must have assumed Samuru had given up his spot, surely she wouldn't have let them continue to the waiting room if they were going to have to wait around forever... perhaps he should have taken them to somewhere to get lodgings instead?  Too late now he supposed.  With that he began to wonder about what was going on behind those doors.  Doors that sealed all sound behind them for two reasons, one so no-one could listen into private conversations, and the second so that any noise going on outside wouldn't interrupt those private conversations.  But she was aware of their existence, that's what the receptionist was for...  his thoughts were broken by an amusing sight as some kids outside were playing make believe and one who'd laid claim to being Aion tripped on his cloak and fell face first into the dirt.  I wonder if I looked that silly ten years ago... he thought.

Shi:

She nodded to Samuru as he introduced himself and his role, smiling mildly.

"I was once a med-nin, Samuru-san, so I know the life well...though I must say, haven't seen very many that heaft such a weapon about on a regular basis," she grinned. "While I can appreciate detailed and complex things, I find that simplicity usually houses more beauty and elegance than others, as too much complexity causes convolution. I usually prefer something that is straightforward." At Joji's handsignals she flicked her fingers in irritation, giving no response.

It was the duty of the Sennin, as she was well aware, to be forgotten, ignored, or set aside when the Kage was present. When the kage was absent, the Sennin was seen as the one who filled their shoes in their absense, and was treated with an identical amount of respect, reverence, and greed or selfishness. However, with her being in the Onsenkage's presence, she was fully aware that her role, aside from escort and herald, was simply to not be noticed; to not detract from his presence or station.

So, as the conversation evolved between Samuru and Joji, with the ANBU quietly peering out the window she noticed, she moved over to stand by his side, peering out at the view as well, mulling over everything in her mind.

The personality of Joji was clearly one that would attract the 'common folk'. The everymans that usually populated much of a ninja village and its surrounding areas. It would give him the popular vote, of course. The nobility and the upper-class--and especially the advisory council that has deferential authority when the Kage and Sennin are absent--would not take well to such an attitude. While they appreciated having popular public opinion, having proper bearing for one's station was just as if not more important and while she knew it was possible for him to conduct himself in such a manner, it was not his modus operandi, which meant it was what would most likely give him the most trouble.

Then there was his handsignals. What was that? Clearly it wasn't Joji, that wasn't the language and tone that Joji used with her...and he hadn't called her '-chan' since they were at the academy together. At least, not Shinkirou Shiryou. She shook her head mentally, her expression and posture physically remaining placid. It was getting too easy to slip into this fantasy life and stay there. Thinking like her, acting like her, pretending to be this woman....this Shinkirou Shiryou. It was not her, she had to remind herself, simply what she wished she could have been. Beautiful, capable, popular, friendly, confident, mature, strong, independant, and with living parents who loved her very much and treated her as nothing more than a beloved only child.

How she wished it were that easy...this fantasy too easily became her ideal, and when one lived their ideal, it was hard to give it up. But again, she was getting sidetracked. The one who had spoken with his hands had likely not been Joji. It had been Joku, surfacing subconciously to try to protect her...from what? From unforseen consequences, clearly, but she wondered what those were that he was so afraid of. Either way, she should probably keep herself in check, as trusting Jo had gotten her far, but she wondered idly why he would be floating beneath concious thought. if he could surface to do that, then it seemed more and more likely that he was intentionally locked beneath the surface personality's awareness. Why? Why would Joku choose such a path? That was the quandary that seemed to vex her the most.

"It's beautiful," she murmured as she gazed out at the village, aware that standing next to Koumyou, he was likely theo nly one that could hear her. "Yugakure is a small village. Not a lot of people and most of them are humble folk. We look like a shantytown next to a place with such grandeur and spectacle." She let out a soft chuckle that only barely escaped her throat. "Our actual ninja population is incredibly abyssmal, but the ones we do have are spectacularly trained...and it's not unusual for the kage or sennin to take on missions on their own on a regular basis, or together if the foe is that fearsome. The population supporting the tiny quantity of ninja is similarly small, and just as simplistic in lifestyle. This place is more like a grand city than a village compared to us. Such large, sweeping architecture and such a dense population...most of Yugakure knows eachother by name and sight, but I bet most of the people of this village don't even recognize the people that might live just a block or two from them." She sighed softly, a smile gracing the corner of her mouth, glancing over at him. "I don't mean to be so nostalgic, I'm sorry, it just awes me all over sometimes." Her eyes flicked back out to the village and gained a far away quality. "It reminds me just how far from home we really are." Perhaps the most truthful statement she'd spoken to anyone in the room, Joji included, sadly.

Jo:

"She's a hard one to please, Samuru-san. I've known her since as far back as I can remember, and I don't think I've ever managed to impress her."

Probably true, but it was only really something Shiryou could make true or false by agreeing or denying it, setting it into the still gathering memory banks of Joji's past. He only thought his memories fuzzy from the sudden over-exhaustion he suffered on the trip up, but little did he know the past events of his life were all being fabricated as they were talked about by either Shiryou or the preset stories Jo-ku had programmed in before his own disappearance.

"Besides, simple is sometimes the best." The Onsenkage commented, gesturing to his spear strapped diagonally across his back, "Nothing fancy about direct combat, nor is there anything to hide like when genjutsu or ninjutsu are used, just raw energy and refined precision; Ying and Yang brought together in a perfect synergy of body and mind." He laced his fingers together for emphasis, but soon just started laughing, shaking his head nonchalantly, "Or so I've been taught. I suppose the philosophy would change between people."

Joji noticed Shiryou move towards the ANBU, and still caught her speaking to him with some focus put into it. If there was any similarities between Joji and Jo-ku, it would be that The Bard's well-tuned hearing had carried over.

And with how the Sennin had ended it, it left Joji thinking about their village, and how he did miss it despite only having been out of it for a short while. The Kage found himself leaning up against a cool, black stone wall, his foot propped up against it for support, his arms crossed.

"Yugakure looks like a bunch of hovels in comparison to every other village I've heard stories about and seen pictures of..." It sounded as if he was talking down about his own village, the one he was deigned leader of, "But it's a richer community than any other I've ever heard of, but not in the traditional sense of the word. People back home care after each other like everyone was family. There are no noble castes, there are no Daiymo, nor any wealthy estates, but there is a greater sense of being. If someone loses a home to a fire, everyone helps that family recover; from the Council to the Sennin, and even I will be down in the dirt and mud, helping them rebuild. There's no barrier between myself and the rest of the village, there's no political strife. Holy Creator, it seems Shiryou has me reminiscing too. Gomen, it's just my first time out of the village since my birth and I'm a tad bit homesick it seems." An awkward, apologetic smile followed, but before the conversation could carry on, Joji had a sharp pain run through his head, and the discomfort showed for a brief moment on his face before he recovered, a hand up against his temple.

"Ow..." He whispered, wondering about the cause of the sudden disturbance. Perhaps he had hit his head when he had fought those bandits in the mountains.

Another lance of searing agony invaded his mind, and this time it held there for a few seconds before vanishing. It was nothing, or at least that's what Joji kept telling himself before he pushed himself up from the wall, wobbly for a brief second.

"Excuse me, ANBU-san, Samuru-san, I'm going to step outside for a moment, get some fresh air. Shiryou-san, stay here, make sure we don't leave the Raikage unattended should she decide to make herself present."

Moving around the corner, still a bit off kilter, he made his way back through the halls of the tower, remembering the way back to the large front doors. He gave a polite smile to the receptionist as he passed, but kept moving, eventually making it outside where he moved somewhere off to the side, somewhere into the shadow of the giant behemoth reaching towards the heavens. It was cool outside, his breath barely visible, but still there. He collapsed into the grass, sitting on his butt as he rested one arm atop a propped up leg and the other hand against the side of his head.

Perhaps it's just the altitude...I may not have completely adjusted yet...Just take it easy...last need I need to happen is that I become incapacitated and I have to go back home a failure.

One thing that was obvious in Joji was that he lacked the self-confidence of his former personality when it came to his ability with people and being able to take their trust as a bond. With his mind all in a fuzz, it was making him wonder why he had even been given the position, why Shiryou wasn't the one wearing the orange symbol-marked robes as opposed to him.

Sam:

”Simplicity is more beautiful than complexity? I wonder if that’s true or just another perception.” Samuru responded while looking in Shiryou’s direction but not realizing that the words had escaped out of his mouth. His mind tended to wander off into fantasy land from time to time and think about things that may be trivial to some but necessary for his development. A truth is a fact but a perception is an opinion and the opinion of a liar is nothing more than a lie. Which was she? The thought had been passed around in his head for what seemed like hours but was only seconds. Then it vanished… kind of.

”But for some reason she remains at your side. I guess that’s what makes women beautiful. Their difficulty to captivate but their undying loyalty when suddenly entranced. Maybe women aren’t as complex as I originally thought. Maybe their beauty and elegance come from their simplicity. …Maybe not.” Samuru rambled as he closed his eyes and propped his head on his hand while his arm rested on his crossed leg.

”Yin and Yang? I suppose.” the future med nin questioned while his free hand reached over and grabbed the sword by its handle. ”I guess my philosophy is more about treating the sword as an extension of your soul and less about synergy. I find that your body and mind are too concerned with physical external factors to become useful in a battle. Instead, I let the sounds guide me while the sword attacks for me.”

Not using your mind and body, it sounded weird but that was how Samuru felt. Mind and body can be disrupted and tampered with but a soul cannot. Most people saw souls as something extraterrestrial or something of a folklore but Samuru felt differently. He thought that he could hear and see the soul of the world and that was what he called “truth.” Everything else was nothing more than a perception… a mere illusion to keep the masses occupied with trivial affairs… an obstacle to the bigger picture.

”Cloud isn’t as great as you think. The only thing truly exceptional here is the scenery. I think Joji is right. Shiryou, you should embrace your rich community. The grandeur… the spectacle of Cloud leads to nothing more than a division between social classes and bureaucrats to uphold the laws of those chosen to be upper class. There is no camaraderie here. There is no morality here. There is barely any freedom here.” His face remained unchanged but inside his blood was beginning to boil as he offered a few words about the people that he hated the most.

Given Samuru’s habitual rant history, Samuru probably could’ve gone on for a few more moments but suddenly Joji stepped out of the room. Being the kind, polite person that he was, he apologized and excused himself before leaving which left the quartet, a trio.

”Is he ok?” he asked simply, opening his eyes to see Shiryou in a multitude of colors rather than the paint sound painted for him in his eyelids.

Ko:

Staring out the window he heard Samuru answer Shiryou's comment about simplicity, his voice was quiet though he knew Samuru would hear, though no-one else would have managed it, only the keenest of ears, those of their bloodline would.  The line was not meant to offend, but was just something he'd heard a long time ago "Perception is reality." an odd thing to say, but it was truth.  Yet he remained stationary as Shiryou moved by his side, Samuru spouting on what he could only see as nonsense, like someone who just liked the sound of their own voice.  He rambled his comments going around in circles, it was as though he didn't know what the correct answer was, so he would say all answers so that one of them would be the right one.

After the words "Yin and Yang" he stopped listening to the man, he seemed more and more like a criminal, or childhood vagabond who had found his faith and joined the church of Raiden.  Would start ranting about his beliefs and force those on others, someone who Koumyou didn't want to be around.  At least he had the voice of Shiryou to listen to as she spoke about her village, his head nodded though he didn't turn around to look at her as she spoke.  It was definately a nostalgic sounding comment to be making and he smiled behind his mask, just a small smile.  He'd been correct on a number of things, and as she finished he opened his mouth to respond, assuming the conversation to have been between the two of them.  He hadn't even been looking yet he could tell by the lower tone to the voice and that it wasn't at a full volume that it was a more private conversation, yet the voice of Joji spoke up instead, continuing it.

Koumyou's mouth closed and his head didn't move, no-one would have seen him go to make comment, just the unmoving face of the ANBU plate mask, and even that only Shiryou could see the side of.  However Joji's comment was a little more positive about the village.  Both people seemed to be thinking of home, and it raised the question as to how long had they been away for?  Yet then alarm bells sounded in Koumyou's head as Samuru spoke, he stopped himself from turning around and confronting the man, the words he said were words of someone concidering being a traitor.  Someone who was concidering fleeing once he had what he needed, and there may be a link between his leaving ANBU for the Medical division and his need.  Breathing in the comfortable mood, the relaxed atmosphere surrounding Koumyou had dissapeared, his body had stiffened and he was what people would usually expect of ANBU.  Unconciously his left hand rested on the sheath of his blade, though he made no movements of confrontation.

Excusing himself Joji left the room, and Samuru asked for his health, Koumyou remained silent, his eyes staring blindly out the window, looking at nothing, the vision blurred as his mind cleared and his breathing evened out to a rhythem.  A report would need to be made, and Samuru would need to be watched.  Though his mind went off noting the procedures he would need to follow, he listened for Shiryou's reply, though he was half-by surprised that Samuru didn't go and practice his newfound calling on the Kage, though once more it only showed Koumyou once more that the change was not a calling per se, but rather a choice.  What did the mednin have that Samuru wanted?

Shi:

At Joji's comment Ryou shook her head slightly, chuckling.

"Don't confuse you being unimpressive for me being hard to please, Joji-sama," she responded back sweetly, a playful tone in her voice, "And believe me, Samuru-san, a woman is more complex than you know, but there is still a kind of simplicity to her at the end of it all." she finished before turning her attention back to the scenery and to the ANBU. Samuru, however, spoke to her once more, so she turned her attention back to the pair.

"Samuru-san, please don't mistake me. I adore my home and the community we have with all my heart and soul. Yugakure is far more closely knit than most other villages, which gives it a sense of 'home' and those a part of it a sense of belonging...which is probably why I miss it so much," she grinned. "I was simply remarking on the beauty of the grandeur here, whatever else might be lurking underneath the surface, and how different it was...and that the difference had given me cause to miss my own home." She might have said more, but Ryou didn't miss how Jo wobbled, frowning as she gazed at him. He excused himself, and though she would have followed, she had orders to the contrary, to keep from showing bad manners. She sighed, chewing on her lower lip in consternation at the quandary he'd put her in by putting temporary responsibility upon her.

At Samuru's curiosity, Ryou smiled briefly and nodded. "We had a little...accident...on route. We were attacked by bandits in the mountains. Though we decimated them thoroughly, Joji-sama seemed to have an unusual spike in chakra during the fight which resulted in his pack and a set of his clothes getting decimated," She shrugged. "Wound up knocking himself out for a few hours. I'm concerned about what may have caused it, but the exam I conducted showed no abnormalities. If I had to guess, I'd say he's just got some type of stomach bug which caused a temporary fluctuation in chakra control almost like a sneeze, and would explain his current unease. At the very least I've found nothing wrong with him, so he should be alright." She sighed and turned back to the ANBU, smiling softly.

"I apologize for the Onsenkage-sama's behavior, running out on you like this after you've been so generous and patient with your time. I trust he'll only be a few minutes outside while he gets some air and collects his thoughts."

What the hell is going through your head, Joji? Or are you Jo-nii again? What could have you so distracted that you walk out of a potential meeting? Jitters? backlash from the jutsu? Or something else?

Jo:

Eyes gripped shut tight, as if it would help rid him of the throbbing discomfort, Joji sat there, hoping for something to give, for it to just stop. His focus was all but gone, his senses shut off once more to the world around him, and he was just another person sitting in the grass, resting, blissfully unaware of the presence lurking just on the edges of his mind.

"Just stop, please..."

And with those words uttered, a clone popped into existence next to him, taking a moment to adjust its appearance before sitting down next to him, knees pulled up in front of him, his arms crossed over top of them.

"You know," The new being started, his voice slightly different from Joji's, "Wondering why something is happening, and trying to figure it out so you can fix it are two completely different things."

Not quite startled, but still surprised, Joji opened his eyes and peered upon the pink-haired shinobi settled near him. There was something odd about him, a feeling of omniscience that send to exude from him, a unique spirit, something even Shiryou would be able to pick up on. A stranger, but a familiar face at the same time.

"A lot is unclear right now, and it may remain that way for awhile. I'm sorry for that, but you do have a duty, a service you must perform. There are those who care for you, and despite what they say, they want you to succeed, and be happy." Joji nodded, perhaps agreeing with him, or simply accepting what he may have been neglecting the entire time. The stranger smiled, and nodded back, "Good, you understand."

Still, the situation was odd, and because of Joji's confusion, and lack of knowledge concerning the extent of his dormant abilities from The Bard, he wasn't aware that what he was speaking to was just a clone.

"Why do I feel like I know you?" It was simple, and yet such a weighted question for the Hot springs ninja. There was this nagging feeling in his sub-conscious that he knew who this person was, but he couldn't attach an identity to him.

"No reason, and you won't have to guess after this. Our first meeting will also be our last. It was a pleasure, Joji..." The pink-haired man stood up, brushing the grass from his pants before looking back down at the Onsenkage, "Protect Ryou-chan with your life. Always remember, your duty lies with what's best for your people, your family. Never forget; Lose only which you are prepared to give up, and in this case, your life for any one of your villagers."

"O-of Course."

At his words, the shinobi vanished, erasing itself from existence in that instant, and as the chakra returned to Joji, not knowing it had ever left him, a sudden sense of clarity seemed to flow through his body, clearing his thoughts and sharpening his perception as if a whetstone to a once-dulled blade. In that little speech, he had been sworn to protect all of those who belonged to his village, and little did he know, that was but one person...

Something the pink-haired shinobi knew all too well.

Reflecting on what had just happened, he look around in awe, as if seeing the world for the first time. There was a new contrast to everything he saw, like his perception of the world had been altered through some sort of supernatural occurrence he couldn't explain. The pain was gone, it was no longer nagging at him, but was relieved as soon as he had agreed with the now gone shinobi's statement. A new perspective seemed to set him forward, a wealth of knowledge of the world at his fingertips, as if some great door that had been sealed had been opened. Some of it was still darkened, bound by metaphysical chains for him to never recover, but it was minuscule in comparison to what had just been handed to him.

"I must have been hallucinating..." He laughed at himself as he uttered the odd comment, shaking his head back and forth as he turned back towards the tower, gazing skywards at the never ending length of the mass, "Aim for the heavens or surrender to the fallacies that would otherwise kill man...Bah. I need to stop quoting Sensei and all his odd proverbs so much."

Taking the sudden burst of energy that was also granted to him with his new lease on life, he set one foot on the side of the tower, as if testing it for stability, but soon lifted up his second foot to stick it right up next to the first, and soon he was standing on the side of it, not more than a few feet from the earth beneath him.

There had been a window in that room, right?

The answer came to him as he posed the question, and he nodded to himself.

Yeah, there was.

Stretching out his entire body, he took another step, then another, and then a powerful leap forward before he broke out into a full-on sprint up the side of the tower, moving at such speeds most would believe it impossible, if they could even see the feat. Then he did pass by the window he recalled, spying Shiryou and the ANBU as he passed by in his shenanigans. Knowing full well it was unkage-like of him to be fooling around, he pushed off of the tower, back flipping into the air, and quickly descended back towards the same spot he had been resting in. Going down, he was almost like an arrow, slim, precise, deadly, but before he collided into the dirt, he slowed himself with a burst of summoned wind, allowing him to land so softly and so quietly, no one would be any the wiser.

Straightening out his fur-trimmed coat, he took a deep breath and stepped back into the tower, winding his way back the same way he had already moved through twice.

Without any wasted time, he found himself back in the same waiting room, still no sign of a meeting to be had, but the same people were present.

Smiling, a small amount of unique charm slipping into it, he gave a small bow, "Gomen. I've been having nasty headaches since a run in we had with some thugs on the way out here, but I should be fine. No worries."

Posture straight, stride smooth, and a new aura about him, the Onsenkage seemed a new man almost, "So, ANBU-san, tell me about your Raikage. What can I expect?"

Well the thought of meeting with the Kage still had him a bit nervous, he seemed ready for it, set up for whatever may be thrown at him whenever those doors did decide to part and produce the Lightning Shadow of the Hidden Cloud Village.

Ki:

Kiyo turned the only ring on her finger over and over, her blank eyes twitching over the landscape as if searching for something hidden among the buildings. She'd removed her gloves to play with the tiny piece of jewellery and the delicate digits had grown a shade of pink from the cold that matched her cheeks. There hadn't been much sense in going for a walk on such a cold day but there was a charm to huddling in against the cold and moving along with the rest of the shuffling crowd. No one looked twice at another hooded figure, obvious ninja or not, when their greatest care was to find somewhere warm to escape to and it gave Kiyo great pleasure to even for a small while be a part of the crowd. Besides, she'd needed to escape the office to gather her thoughts after hearing the day's schedule.

Because while she might walk among a crowd with the mix of wood smoke and snow; Kiyo's mind was back in a warmer time with rain and rotting leaves. His name had been on the list, spoken by the innocent and unknowing voice of the petit secretary that had attached herself to the office. Would that man be angry she wasn't the escape he’d hoped for or did he even know who it was he was about to visit? Her name had been called in that announcement after all but she couldn't be sure. Even in the best case scenario this meeting would definitely be mentally draining.

A quiet sound, even to her ears, caught Kiyo's attention and she slipped from the crowd to the alley she thought it might have come from. The place made her feel grimy and it was cramped but she could still hear the sound and now she was certain of what it was. A kitten, a very young kitten, with its back leg twisted at a strange angle. Carefully Kiyo scooped the tiny bundle of fur into her hand and watched as it tried to curl against her hand and suck on her finger.

'-iyo.'

Tentatively she stroked her fingers over the fine fur then nodded to herself. The fuzzy bundle fit comfortably into her inner coat pocket and with the shift of a weapon of two she deposited it to sleep. A quick look over the alley way produced no mother or siblings for her foundling. Lucky kitten, she might have been a hungry bird.

'Kiyo-samaaa.'

With a start, Kiyo realised that her headset had been going off for some time now. Her ears were to be her pride, it was embarrassing to be caught like this even if there was no one to catch her. With a frown she fished the headset out and casually pressed it to her ear, "Yes?...ah, yes.- No I wasn't...Tea. - Ask him to wait. That's fine, dinner. Yes." Annoyance gave way to curiosity and with her tiny prize secured away Kiyo turned her feet back towards the tower.

-----

The secretary returned with a determined look to her face. Her target was not the waiting Kage nor his Sennin but the newly repositioned MiT. Ever the flirt, Notare slipped her arm through Samuru's and winked at him before even speaking,” I’m afraid you've been bumped. Lady Raikage sends her deepest apologies and asks that you take me out to drinks and if I like you after that you can take me for dinner too. If I like you after that-" she finished her sentence with a wink and began to tug at the much larger man's arm because regardless of the method the message was clear; he had to leave.

"?? Kiyo µe e??a? ed? s??t?µa. ???pe? ?a µe??ete ??a t? s??ed??as?. ???pe? ?a ????µe t??? ?µa???? a???µ???. ??ste e????e??µ???? ep??e???s? ?a? e???st????," she called over her shoulder to Kyoumou, her eyes raking over the waiting important guests, "The wait will be short, Anbu-san is authorized to take you both to a tearoom to wait" Satisfied that she had done her job, Notare turned her attention back to Samuru.

"Neeh, Kannagi-kun I hear the weapon on your back isn't the only big sword you have. I'd love to have a demonstration one of these days." she batted her eyelashes at him in a flirtatious manner while pressing her slim figure against his side. Some how she maintained a serious face with the only emotion present being mild interest for the answer to his question. Otherwise it was difficult to tell, the flirty secretary had been trained as a ninja after all.

Ko:

Shiryou moved to converse with Samuru, reason was obvious, Koumyou didn't mind, he was busy looking out the window and watching the visiting Kage who'd created a clone momentarily.  From this distance he couldn't hear the conversation, but he assumed that the headache must have been more an internal argument, a confusion that he needed to discuss with himself.  He could understand the thought, though it was only speculation as his gaze moved elsewhere.  Speaking for the first time properly in a while his head turned towards Shiryou "Bandits in the mountains huh?  We will have to check up on that.  Can't have our visitors being robbed and feeling unwelcome in our already inhospitable environment.  I didn't notice any physical damage so I can only assume you were unscathed?" he did hear that they decimated them, but decimating them and being unscathed were two different things.  Perhaps they had internal injuries, they could be the most dangerous.

A noise made him turn his head suddenly as he looked out the window only to watch as Joji went running passed the window before leaping off.  It was odd in a way to watch a kage act in such a mannor, the Raikage's had all been either even tempered, or aggressive as far as he could remember.  Joji seemed to hit the ground softly, though Koumyou's eyes picked the reason why as the grass beneath him flattened out as though a massive wind were blowing directly down on them, after all, it was.  "No need to apologise, it seems that he's feeling better though." he said, amusement blatently in his voice.

Joji arrived back in the room, Koumyou turned so that he could see everyone in the room and the kage turned to make conversation with him, though his eyes had passed over everyone in there.  The man asked about the Raikage, and though he would like to answer it he was interrupted as the receptionish entered the room.  She moved over to Samuru and Koumyou followed her movements, her words made him smile, a small laugh visible if silent in his shoulders as she ushered Samuru from the room.  Thank goodness for that, he thought to himself as the man was led out by the front of his pants, her head turning as she gave Koumyou a message in AK, the last part of the conversation made him want laugh more.  The girl was a flirt of the worst kind.

Slowly he moved to the door, opening them to an empty room before turning and nodding his head "If you please?" he gestured for them to enter the room.  It was a large room and after they entered he moved to a small kitchenette where he placed some water on the boil "Would you like some tea, something to drink or eat maybe?" he asked waiting for their responces before going about grabbing what he'd need.

Sa:

”No not really. I can see right through you. Before I simply assumed that women were complex which blurred my vision and gave me the wrong impression. I can see clearly now.” Samuru replied as he stared into Shiryou’s eyes. What he said might’ve seemed presumptuous and maybe even ignorant to some but it was his opinion and his opinion was based off of actual, pure experience… the kind that wasn’t tampered with by the self serving biases and perceptions. Before, he had the assumption that women were complex so when he conversed with a woman he automatically assumed that she was complex. Her movements. Speech and thought patterns. Everything about the woman would be complex but the comment about a woman’s simplicity triggered an inward reflection on the events that led him to the perception of a woman’s complexity. ”Especially now that I think about the woman I met before coming here. She was incredibly simple.” he commented while not giving a name but was clearly reflecting on the relatively short time he spent with a beautiful kunoichi named Naomi.

Usually he’d continue to ramble on about this topic but before he spoke Joji popped up again. He said he had been affected by headaches or something like that but Samuru knew different. Headaches weren’t that bad and though he was a rather novice med nin and Shiryou claimed to be rather talented, something suspicious was going on. They were lying about something but that lie didn’t have to be a dangerous one. Joji could just be ill and the perception of his illness may be seen as a weakness which would give the Raikage leverage… at least in their eyes. Of course her farfetched story could actually be true. Either way, it didn’t concern Samuru.

Koumyou said something about bandits or something but Samuru wasn’t paying attention. He couldn’t. He watched the secretary that he usually eludes knock down the doors and hooked his arm.

”Damn woman!” he thought to himself as he managed to loosen her grip just enough to pull his sword off of the ground and throw it over his shoulder. However, he had thrown himself off of balance with that one move and just as he blinked his eyes, she had complete control over his body… dragging him out of the room. ”Bumped. That’s crap.” he commented to himself as he watched the doors slam behind him and his meeting with the Raikage denied.

When they got outside the doors, the woman seemed to become flirtatious but Samuru wasn’t buying it. He was a complete a-hole to her every time he saw her so why would she feel any sort of attraction toward him unless it was nothing more than a distraction.

Abruptly stopping and poking her between her rather perky breasts, Samuru’s voice had a tint of dissatisfaction as he began to speak.

”Quit playing and tell me what you said to Koumyou. And then you can explain to me while I’ve been ‘bumped.’” It was funny. All this time he spent in cloud and he didn’t know the language but truth be told… he didn’t feel like a Kumo ninja any longer.

He was just a visitor.

A foreigner.

Shi:

Samuru's blunt reply made her eyebrow quirk as she met his stare unflinchingly. Many others less secure in themselves might have hesitated, blushed, looked away, or began to sweat, but Ryou didn't falter a single step for a single instant, a smile simply blossomed upon her face; a knowing, brilliant smile.

"Ah, and there you would likely be mistaken, Samuru-san. What you see when you look at me is not necessarily as simple as you might think. I said there is an overlying simplicity to woman as a creature, but that doesn't mean that she is without complexity." If Samuru or the ANBU didn't believe the story about the headache, then clearly neither of them had suffered nor known any who suffered from severe migraines. Joji's symptoms the moment before could be linked identically to such a thing if he were indeed suffering from them, but knowing what she knew, she doubted that were the case.

To the ANBU she nodded off-handedly.

"They thought us simple foreign travellers, and so came at us expecting such. It was little matter to come out of it without harm." When Koumyou spoke of Joji feeling better she gave him a quizzical look, but before she could say anything he returned to the waiting room. Ryou smiled pleasently, her fingers dancing incredibly subtlely.

"What the hell was that about? Are you okay?"

There was little time for a response, however, as the secretary arrived. Shiryou's shoulders rolled back as her back straightened, making herself stand tall and ramrod straight imperceptibly, her head lifting gracefully and her bearing instantly turning almost regal as she prepared for a formal meeting. This was all reflex from having grown up in the Keigan Temple as the High Priestess, but it could just as easily be explained away as diplomatic training. It was of little use, however, as the secretary paid them little heed and went straight for the man wielding the monumental blade, eventually dragging him out with a phrase in an unintelligable language to the ANBU and a tossed-off, off-handed comment to the visiting delegates.

"Sayonara, Samuru-san," she called out after him, amused at how pushy the receptionist was being. It was almost sickening how blatantly flirty the secretary was, and yet on someone with as innocent of a mind as Ryou for such perversions, it was all completely lost on her. To her, the words were taken at complete face value which, in comments mired with double entendres, was a dangerous thing to do. She simply assumed Samuru had many large blades like the one on his back, and that one was merely his choice for the day.

Ryou glanced over to the ANBU quizzically, but said nothing as they were lead to the tearoom. Ryou let Joji choose his seat first, then would take the one closest to him, as she made a casual, non-accusatory comment.

"Thank you, tea would be lovely...and perhaps a smigeon to eat, we've not had anything since we set out this morning. Anyway, you've not yet answered the Onsenkage-sama's question. What can he expect of your Raikage, if you please?"

Her words were not hostile, nor even irritated, simply curious and polite. Samuru had been very interested in sticking his nose in their business, and in turn had said nothing of his own business. All in all, friendly as he had seemed, he'd been quite rude. The ANBU was another matter entirely, and would not treat him with such an off-handed manner as she'd approached Samuru. The ANBU she would give a slice of respect to until he proved otherwise unworthy, which Samuru had done pretty much the instant he'd barged in uninvited, sidled his way into their conversation, asked personal questions, silently suspected them--oh yes, Ryou's ace-in-the-hole ability to feel the emotions of others had felt his mistrust and suspicion, fleeting though it had been as it wasn't a matter that concerned him--then trounced off with the secretary without so much as a good-bye.

As far as she was concerned, it was good riddance to someone who'd been nothing but intrusive, in spite of Joji's relaxed attitude and her accepting nature.

Jo:

His question went unanswered, and they were ushered into a quaint little sitting room perfect for entertaining guests in a more formal means. Settling down into one of the few seats situated around the table meant for their tea cups and the like accompaniments, Joji was quick to remove the leather harness containing his spear and the leather satchel he had slung across his chest, setting them down behind the chair.

It seemed Shiryou had the ANBU's question under control, and he was satisfied with tea; hoping it would be as good as what he was used to back in his own village. While the ANBU was busy tending to the preparations, as odd as it was to see an ANBU doing such things, Joji's hands moved about the in the silent, almost invisible hand sign language they had created to reply to his Sennin.

'As I said earlier, Shi-chan' The childhood name had been signed, and would be off putting since Shiryou may not understand its significance or that the sudden loss in formality was because of Jo-ku, 'You need to calm down, relax a little. I'm fine. Just a little light-headed, but I'm fine now, if not even better than before. It's like a fog's been lifted, and I can see normally again. Such a wonderful feeling~'

The tone, or lack there of, in the language was easily seen in the incredibly boyish, but charming smile he had plastered onto his face. For some reason or another, the way he was feeling, so free and sure of himself, had set him in a good place; just where he needed to be in order to speak with another Kage.

"Yes, yes, ANBU-san~! What of your Raikage? I'm not looking for dirty laundry or anything, but, you know, what kind of person she is. In my village, we can speak of a person to a complete stranger and have them understand exactly what it would be like having known them for years; partly due to our villagers being so tightly knit, and partly because we all know how to express ourselves. Unlike many shinobi villages, Yugakure isn't Military based, but based more on the talents possessed by every member, be it ninja-based or otherwise." His speech was quite enthusiastic, almost like a kid with anticipation of getting a new toy. The innocence Joji exuded was cute, bordering adorable if not for his age, "Unless it's part of your ANBU protocol, in which case you have every right to ignore the request."

Relaxing a bit more in the chair, he kept his posture straight, but his muscles loose. Traveling had strained him considerably, especially after the run in with the bandits, and his sudden expenditure. That, and there was nothing like a nice comfy chair to settle into after having traversed harsh, mountainous terrain for so long.

Kiyo:

The happy dispositioned Notare disappeared with the click of the door shutting behind the pair. With an annoyed growl she uncurled her arm from his and took a great step back to put a good space between the two of them. As if expecting to have been given a rash in the short time they had been in contact; Notare even checked her arms for damage. Her eyes lowered now with not flirtatious lust but disgust and rage as Samuru rounded on her to demand things he had no right to know.

"Trust me, that wasn't playing for me. The things I do in the name of my job, they should give me a raise for having to do that! Ugh I've totally disgraced myself" She muttered, batting his grossly misplaced hand away from the curve of her breast. "If you could keep your hands off me for just one moment. Ugh, men, they never think." Seemingly taking her time, Notare smoothed her hands over the curve of her body then hair to settle the invisible imperfections while she took the time to mentally balance herself.

"Listen bud, It isn't my fault you haven't the two brain cells to rub together that it'd take to learn the language that is all our right and frankly it isn't any of your, Mr. Mednin in Training's business anyway. As to why your bumped? well that just goes back to your lack of brains. Sudden or no, a visiting Kage takes priority to your over glorified greatness. No wonder they stuck you back in the kiddy classes you no tal-" as she spoke Notare's volume and anger steadily increased. How dare he demand anything of her, technically even she out ranked this man and he thought he could bully her! A voice clearing at the end of the hall put a stop to her words and Notare even had the grace to go white in the face.

---

"I'm sorry to have put you out like that Notare-san, please go back to your desk and rest if everything else is taken care of?" Kiyo's clearly spoken words echoed down the hall as she approached the pair of them. Any amusement she felt for the situation was careful hidden behind a disapproving frown that followed the back of the catty secretary as she retreated. Her blank eyes turned up to regard Samuru for a long moment then a smile slowly spread across her face.

It was obvious she'd just come from the cold, her face, nose in particular, had the rose coloring of one who'd just endured a chill. Her hair had been combed and cleaned since last they had met and all the dirt removed from her clothing. In fact she wore a finer coat of someone very well off, the size a perfect fit for her small frame. "It tends to be a good idea to be polite to the tower's secretary. She wont go out of her way to make your life more difficult, say, schedualing you to wait an extra hour during a time the Kage would be out walking? I've a favor to ask of you..."

With gentle care Kiyo extracted the kitten she'd found before from her coat pocket and held the tiny creature for Samuru to take, "I found her on my walk and I would greatly be in your debt if you could look her over? I will come and check in on her after this meeting and then me way settle whatever it is you needed done?" silently she waited for his answer, her attention more for the kitten and the urgency she felt in getting to that meeting then in their reuniting. Of course this situation was an odd one for them to be reuniting under but their meeting had been odd too and Kiyo could only hope he would understand.

Ko:

He began fixing the two a cup of tea each, using a pair of small tongs to pinch some tea leaves into a small mesh ball which he placed into the first cup before pouring hot water over it.  Leaving it for a couple of minutes he went about grabbing some biscuits and placed them on a small plate.  Nodding to Shiryou's push of the question he smiled, yet didn't have a chance to answer before Joji attempted to lighten the more direct approach by his sennin.  "I'm sorry, the switch between languages must have made me forget temporarily." he excused his lack of an answer as he pulled the mesh ball out of the first cup and repeated the steps for the second.  Kneeling down he pulled out a smallish silver tray, placing the first cup and the plate on it before deciding the second cup was ready as well and, after removing the mesh ball and placing it into a small kettle filled with hot water, placed it onto the tray as well.  "Well she's an interesting lady, perhaps closer to Shiryou here than yourself Joji.  She is very concise with her words and doesn't beat around the bush much." he smiled, as always forgetting about the mask hiding his features which would give him the unmoving features of a feline, a choice of mask he'd made as an inside joke with the Raikage, one she was yet to see.  He hoped however the hints of amusement in his voice gave away that he wasn't upset.

Placing the tray down on the coffee table close to Joji and Shiryou they would find four teaspoons, he picked up two of them placed one in one up and taking a small amount of the liquid brought it to his lips and sipped it.  Nodding towards Joji he pushed the cup towards him and then repeated the process with the second cup before pushing it towards Shiryou "Sorry, just a formality so you know I'm not poisoning you." he shrugged comically before taking the two spoons to the cabinet and placed them back in there.  "Now where was I?  Oh yes, the Raikage." he moved back towards the two "So she's direct and to the point, not easy to anger, and is one of the more intelligent people I've met." he hoped they would take that as enough information, it would need to be enough.  He wouldn't go into the details he was sure very few people would know, or even need to know, though no doubt many wanted to know.  A smile grew behind his mask as his mind went back to her before he knew she was the raikage, and when all she'd been to him was an attractive lady who was a little dirty and needed a good clean.  He provided that clean.

Snapping back to reality the smile slipped from his face "I'm sorry, is there anything more specific you would like to know perhaps?  I don't know if I managed to answer anything with that." he gave a small laugh, it was a heartfelt one though and he hoped he'd lighten Shiryou's mood a little with it.  "Your village sounds very interesting however, small population, not militaristic, how does it get by?  Clearly the main income for the village wouldn't be the contracts from the lords of the lands around us, those primarily go to the larger villages, I assumed that the smaller villages would get enough to get by however.  Does yours not get enough to get by on that alone so you delve into other avenues?" his interest had peaked and he decided that he wanted to know more about them, they had spoken about their village in bits, however none had directly asked them about the village yet, not truely asked with a genuine interest in its workings.  Yet Koumyou was interested, and he knew that there was nothing people liked to talk about more than themselves.


Shiryou:

Ryou chuckled quietly at Koumyou. While the display was appreciated, she knew just as well as he that any true veteran could slip poison into a cup during a drink handoff just as easily--if not easier--than before. Then there were some poisons that were slightly heavier than water so that it would go to the bottom of the cup so a taste tester would never notice but would still be leathel to whomever wound up nursing the dregs.

Ryou did not suspect either tactic from the ANBU, however, doubly so since she detected no deception from his words about poison. He genuinely believed he was not putting on a show, so she would take it at face value. As he began to explain the Raikage to the pair, Ryou nodded sagely as she sipped the cup gently, a soft curve having sprung to her lips, especially as he chuckled, not sure if he'd answered their question.

"Not easy to anger...but how easily does she impress? What does she value, and what does she respect?" She was quite curious to know how this Raikage might approach such a meeting, and what kind of showing she would place value upon rather than insult. How could they best impress her, she wondered?

As conversation turned to Yugakure, an appreciative smile grazed her mouth, growing wider as the false memories of a place that never existed took over.

"It's a wonderful place. Yes, it's a small village, and not overly militaristic. Ninja missions are more supplementary to the village's budget than anything else. Primarily it's a resort village, actually. Our hotsprings are quite medicinal, prized among travellers, the ill, and locals alike." She chuckled softly as she sipped.

"Truth be told, the ninja division was added after Yugakure was opened to the public, originally under a different name before the addition of ninja made it a hidden village. Ninja missions supplement our primary economy, not the other way around. However, we oftentimes undertake missions that even the Great Shinobi Villages turn down due to risk, such as infiltration missions requiring a single shinobi to act alone versus an army or well-armed militant group, or somesuch. As such our average earned pay per mission is much greater, which does help immensely." She fell quiet, sipping her tea dantily, letting her counterpart speak if he wished. Honestly, though, she suspected Joji was occupied getting in a mental headspace to talk to this Raikage, who sounded like an intriguing lady indeed. Joji just might wind up with his hands full on this one...

Speaking of Joji, his reply had been rather interesting, so she'd had to mull over it a long moment. A fog had been lifted? What fog? Did he finally know who he was and what was going on? No...he'd refered to her as 'Shi-chan'. Not the 'Ryou-chan' that Jo-ku had used. It showed a familiarity he hadn't dispalyed before, but of a slightly different dynamic than that Jo-ku and she used. She could sense emotions, but this was one time she honestly wished she could read minds.

What exactly was going through Joji's head?

Sa:

So she had been lying. The seductive gazes, the flirty comments, the false date that she had set up… All lies. And what a magnificent lie it was. Everything that she did seemed to be completely improvised and the responsibility of throwing Samuru out of the room seemed to just be suddenly placed on her only moments before she walked in to “escort” him away.

It was weird. She was barking at the young MiT about his ignorance and his ineptitude but Samuru wasn’t upset. His initial response or rather his initial thought was to simply take the sword off of his back and slice her in two before she even had a chance to finish her derogatory comments, however, that would be barbaric. But then something occurred to him as the woman continued to pummel him with insults.

”Her response. Her opinion of me seems to be what this entire village thinks of me. The looks on their faces… The whispers they believe I can’t hear… The friendly faces. All of it is nothing more than a lie… A mask. But her comments are honest. Slightly misinformed but honest.” he thought to himself as he remained silent while Kiyo walked toward him.

”She’s the Raikage? So this is where she’s been… But she didn’t think to tell me. I should’ve been the first to know!” Samuru thought to himself as he maintained the same blank expression on his face while masking his feelings of surprise and disappointment. Now that Kiyo had the power that she desired… What would she do with it?

”Is that all? I guess that’s ok for a talentless punk like me.” Samuru commented before he gracefully took the kitten out of Kiyo’s hands and placed it on his head. ”I guess you can pick it up later Raikage-sama.” Samuru’s tone wasn’t very convincing and stood in front of the woman he considered his better half with his eyes closed. He didn’t seem disappointed but he didn’t seem overjoyed either. In fact, there was nothing else for him to say…

He simply stuck his hands in his pockets and walked past Kiyo without saying anything else…


Jo:

Joji accepted the cup without a second thought. He was truly trusting of those who seemed hospitable, and should it prove otherwise, he knew he would be able to handle himself and the situation; a confidence that had previously seemed absent in his mind. Taking a small sip, he allowed himself to feel the warm liquid travel through his entire body, and he relished the feeling, it bringing up memories of sharing tea with his mother back at home.

"Actually, ANBU-san, I would just like to know if she uses a masks for these types of meeting. Being one of her protectors, you would know if she acted different when conducting business and when relaxing." That was the only thing he found himself wondering on as he took another sip. Joji himself was just one person for everyone, there was no political suave that revealed himself when he was met with powerful figure heads or feudal lords. There was just the young Kage who thought everyone was a kind soul, an optimist to the end.

However, the subject shifted slightly, whether deliberate on the ANBU's part or not, Joji felt like continuing where Shiryou had left off.

"And we are a self-sustaining village; we grow all of our own food, build our own shelters, mine ore, harvest wood, and each have our own crafts, if they aren't ninja that is. Like myself, before my Sensei began training me, I worked in my Father's Forge, learning the ways of the smith and stone worker, thus my fascination with the structures that seem to be every where here and how they were constructed. For the longest time, my neighbor was a glass blower, and I remember all the wondrous things he would create, and when travelers passed through, how easily drawn into their beauty they were; he sold them for practically nothing though, but because he loved the craft, not the money. "

The Onsenkage took another long sip, reminiscing further on more memories that seemed like a series of photos now than vague figments of some tale, "And even when he finally passed on, the village got together and made the grandest tomb stone out of colored glass, and set it upon a high hill over the village. Whenever the sun sets, the light passes through it and tints the entire village a light blue, a reminder of the happiness he once brought to us through his trade. I really think that's what makes us unique, besides being the only Hidden Ninja Village that's a giant spa with absolutely no fortifications of any kind." A small, neigh timid smile spread across his lips, it was after he realized exactly how much he had been talking. Speaking about his home was a very easy subject for him to get lost in, with a bunch of stories for him to tell; a gift passed on to him from The Bard himself.


Ki:

Kiyo brushed aside the sadness she felt for Samuru as she watched him go. He’d been as a blank sheet of paper but in many ways the lack of emotion hurt more than if he had been angry with her. With a measure of guilt she turned her eyes to the floor, now in the habit of pretending they could still function, and waited for his passing wordlessly.  She might have followed him but there was no time for her to tend to everyone in the tower and clones would be offensive to ether party. Priorities could be painful and yet to set aside and gauge the importance of a situation was something that she had been taught well. Yet no one enjoyed being set aside and the lack of... anything in his face had been a clearer message then if he had yelled at her instead. There would be time enough in the future for explanations, she had a meeting to attend.

Kiyo passed through the waiting room doors and was glad to find the place empty. That meant they had likely moved on as had been instructed and any other's that had meant to meet her had been deterred a few hours. Quite likely they had taken the rescheduling as more common place; it was common in a ninja village for unscheduled and sudden even events to rearrange the day of the tower's patrons.  She shuffled from her coat and boots, enjoying to feel of her bare feet reuniting with the stone of the floor, and set her stuff to dry on the hooks meant for such things. She'd find the same coat in her room once she returned to it or here if she needed it immediately after the meeting; such was one of the more mysterious elements of the tower.

Feeling a little lighter at heart and on her feet; Kiyo turned herself down the same route that Kyoumou would have taken her pair of guests. In her mind she carefully set together the words she would need to properly introduce herself and achieve the very best first impression. She tried to calm her racing heart because while setting aside Samuru had been sad business; this meeting was a unique opportunity that rarely came about. Kages rarely left their villages and even if she’d not heard of the Onsenkage or his village she doubted very much that rule did not apply to him as well. Odd that she had not heard of their village in her own travels but faced with Kumogakure’s own history who was she to doubt.

Kiyo paused outside the door of the tearoom, led there by the intermingling of unfamiliar voices. In a way it was releaving in many ways to hear that they were both young; old men could be a bit of a bore even if they meant well and she might have felt sorry for leaving one of her Anbu in dull company. Not that she wasn’t certain Kyoumou could handle himself; that was why she’d asked he remain.

“Excuse my intrusion,” she called softly while opening the door to slip inside. Without pause she bowed gracefully a measure deeper then might have been expected between Kage while letting her greater sense take measure of the room. “I apologize for my great delay. I am Kagetsu, Kiyo; the current presiding Raikage of Kumogakure..” With equal grace she straightened and moved to join them at the table, “I hope that my Anbu has been satisfactory company. It is not normal custom for one to be served tea by a masked anbu, S?µpa?? t? µ?s?a, a??? pa?a?a?? t?? afa???. “

Her face shifted to open curiosity and while she studied first Shiryou then Joji before she spoke again, “ What may I do for you  both? There must be something of importance to bring you all the way here in this particular weather.”


Ko:

They both continued the questions and he looked between them as they asked them, the questions were understandable, but also weren't questions he'd think would be voiced.  Who was to say whether he would speak the truth or not, especially if it was meaning the protection of the Raikage.  Turning his attention to Shiryou he answered her questions first "She doesn't impress easily, definately not as easily as I do at any rate." he paused smiling, again forgetting his mask "As for value, and respect, she's difficult to work out in that regard.  I'm still not sure." he then turned to Joji and answered him simply, probably the easiest of the questions "No, she's the same."

It was then his turn to listen as Shiryou spoke about her home.  A resort village and all and she brought up the hotsprings, he could appreciate the want to find some in Kumogakure, a reminder of home, perhaps a way to feel like they were back in their homeland.  Though by the sounds of it there would be little chance of that feeling in Kumogakure, it was probably warm, lush area, nice to visit and relax.  Kumo was cold, harsh and people only visited if they were on business, though there'd been a recent influx of shinobi without a home lately.  Joji continued from where she left off and talked about their methods and a small story.  Being from Kumogakure there was only one thing he could really think, the first was that there was no way they would turn down any mission, and the second was:

"Your village... it sounds too good to be true..." but he was cut off as a soft voice called through the room.  He spun around and bowed deeply for the Raikage, and then bowed deepened as she bowed for Joji and Shiryou.  Raising moments after she herself stood, and then grinned behind his mask as he heard her words, his hand lifted and removed his mask, placing it in his pocket he raised his arms and pulled the hair back, his fringe framed his face as he did the rest up in a ponytail "My apologies." he moved with her staying a foot behind her and on guard, his movements more careful than thay had been a moment ago, he couldn't afford to be carefree when it now involved his kage's life.


Jo:

"Arigato, ANBU-san."

The last question lingering on the young Kage's mind had been answered, and he was at ease for the time being, part in thanks to the tea he was drinking. No matter where he was, a warm cup of tea could always do wonders to calm him down and lift his spirits. However, there was much more than that boosting his systems or what he thought was abnormal when it really was just how things should be.

His surroundings were in perfect detail, all of the sounds in the room were crisp and concise, the steady breathing of each presence in the room was rhythmic, but controlled. The senses were supernatural, but they were his nonetheless.

Then there was a small disturbance, the tumblers in a door's handle turned and soon someone entered the room. She was a beauty, but part of Joji wished that it was just another member of the tower staff, and not the Kage herself. Not realizing it, his own heart sped up, that nervous feeling building back up in the pit of his stomach. Dealing with an older woman would have been easy, as most older people either like Joji for his childish looks or his boyish charm, but dealing with someone his own age, not to mention someone so good-looking, made it a bit more awkward for the not-so-socially adept Kage.

Then came her introduction, and Joji set down the cup as he stood up to meet her bow with his own.

It's just my luck that the Raikage is young and attractive. Lets hope I'm not tongue tied...

Calling upon his confidence from earlier, which was now buried, he met the Raikage with his best, but still very innocent, smile before speaking up.

"Y-y-your ANBU has been a most gracious host." The stutter was obvious, his throat was tight. He was having trouble speaking normally, but he was doing his best to not appear incompetent, "And in case our names haven't been passed along to you, I am Isakura Joji, Onsenkage of Yugakure, and this is my Sennin and Adviser, Shinkirou Shiryou. It's a great pleasure, Lady Raikage."

He found himself bowing again, this time an arm sweeping along with the motion to come across his chest; an gentlemanly gesture used by The Bard before his vanishing.

Usually, he would have remained standing with the other Kage, but his legs were sore, and the protest from his overused muscles had him sitting soon after his greeting.

"My apologies for sitting so abruptly, the trip to your village was quite a ways." Normally, such a trip wouldn't have been so hard, even if it had been from the fabled Yugakure, but it was the use of the jutsu out in the crumbling remains of the lost city that had his body so worn. Picking his tea back up, he took another sip in hopes of easing his tension, Shiryou was just there for support now, nothing more; it was his job to go about the discussion at hand. Rubbing the back of his head, his fingers running through the shorter, magenta colored hair, he settled back down, his hand coming to rest in his lap, the other holding his cup still, "Well, as you may or may not have known, Yugakure is a rather seclusive village, as far as involvement with other shinobi villages go that is. Our Council believes it's time we create ties with other villages, and since I'm new to this, I believe they're using this as a way to test me since I'm the youngest to ever be given the title of Kage."

There was a lot to being a good Kage. Being able to run the village and care for those in it was only part of the job. There was physical skill, the ability to defend the village from all types of harm, there was social skill, the ability to not only appeal to those that are familiar with one's self, but with complete strangers, and that was the area Joji was the weakest in.

"What I'm saying is, would Kumogakure be willing to make an alliance with Yugakure with the hopes of a brighter future for the both of us? I know you have questions since my village isn't as grand or well-known as yours, but please don't be afraid to ask."

A lot of that was hard for the still developing Kage, especially keeping his speech straight and un-slurred. Then there was always that small inkling in the back of his mind that such a well-established village wouldn't ever consider making connections with such a small, inconsequential village, but he thought he did well to hide that feeling.


Ki:

Once this had been one of Kiyo's father's favorite rooms for receiving more personal guests and it was ironic that Koumyou would have chosen it. He couldn't have known the significance of course; that was a personal memory of hers that had never been shared.

The large paned, intricately worked windows had been framed in red and yellow glass, set high and tilted slightly to catch the weaker winter sunlight. At this time it would leave long steaks of color across the old dark cherry wood table and give warmth to the room. The chairs, made from the same dark cherry wood with thick stuffed red cushions had been made deep and comfortable with the expectation of long visits but still held a certain level of craftmanship as to not offend any level of guest.  In fact she could remember herself falling asleep unexpectedly in the chair Koumyou now occupied while the hum of many voices acted as a lullaby.


"Well I'm glad, it can be hit and miss with Anbu and their social skills," Not tah Kiyo had been worried about Kitty's ability to hold a conversation, she knew first hand, but there was also the possibility that he might have decided to flirt with the Onsenkage's Sennin a little too forcibly. Thankfully it seemed that he truly had been nothing but good company and Kiyo felt one of her fears laid to rest. Now all she had to do was not allow that ridiculous mask to get to her.

"And yes, i'm sorry but I was given only first names by the secretary. I'm pleased to meet you Isakura-kun. Honestly, I was getting sick of diplomat after diplomat and I commend you for having braved our terrible weather to have visited," hastily she moved to sit in her own chair, the bell in her hair jingling merrily as she settled her weight back comfortably. Now that he mentioned it she could see the subtle signs of exhaustion that were harder to pick out without a working pair of eyes. The stuttered had hidden it quite well in his introduction as well. It was comforting to know she wasn't the only one a little nervous over meeting another Kage even with her current views on diplomats. Thankfully he had given a good first impression so far and whatever the reason for this unannounced meeting Kiyo could not see it being unpleasant. Unless his silent Sennin turned out to be an ogre... doubtful.

"I'm sorry, you needn't have gotten up at all after such a journey. Even those who have lived in the mountains all their lives find such a trip difficult and as I understand it you both came directly here. Amazing really that you would have been willing to brave our weather after what must have been an already lengthy journey." she could still remember her own trip home in the summer and fall months and that had been difficult enough for her because there was only so much that skill could help with, "Helping supplies and people arrive during the winter is a very common mission as you may suspect."

A smile broke across her face as he came to the reason for their journey. Kiyo eased back into her seat, her head resting on one propped up arm as she listened to him speak. "Ah to be young, maybe they hoped your cute face would a valuable playing card too? You right though and to be honest this is the first I've heard anything of you at all. That makes you either very far away or very good at hiding. Where exactly is Yugakure, Onsekage-kun?" Oh course there was the posability of their remaining hidden as Cloud had done over hundreds of years but if they expected an alliance she would need at very least a general area.

Ko:

Lounging in his chair any formal posturing and proceedure had melted away with the removal of the ANBU mask.  Yet this wasn't a conversation for him to take part in, this was between kage's and a sennin, he was nothing here.  Well, nearly nothing.  His strengths and weaknesses were all his own, and the safety of the Raikage was his highest priority, he could only hope that he was enough should it come to that... not that he thought that it would, these two seemed safe enough.  He sat back and listened to the conversation, letting the two parties discuss things, listening to their words.  There wasn't much else for him to do.

Jo:

So far, the Raikage seemed to be a very easy-to-get-along-with type of person; which was good news since Joji still wasn't feeling one-hundred like moments before she had entered the room. One thing he did take note of was how much formality suddenly melted away as the ANBU removed his mask, as if removing the item itself took with it all the more obvious poise he had before.

Then there was a reaction he had terrible control over.

His entire face tinged pink as Kiyo complimented him on one of his assets, the very misleading, but all too innocent visage he possessed. With that alone, she had managed to take the reigns of the conversation, whether she knew it or not. The Onsenkage was no silver-tongue demon like The Bard had been, he wasn't the super-suave shinobi who could charm anyone with a smile and a few well thought out words. Despite his sudden self-contained panic, he swallowed hard and knew he had to continue on with the conversation, silently cursing himself for not steeling himself more for such a simple thing.

"Uh...Yugakure is.." He took a sip of tea to buy himself another few seconds to try and recompose himself a bit; the situation itself was a hundred times more embarrassing because of how he was now reacting in front of another Kage and her ANBU, it possibly misleading their impression tremendously, "Yugakure is a tremendous ways south of Lightning Country, a few days boat trip, and about a week's journey on foot, for a shinobi anyway." It occurred to him he couldn't recall why they hadn't just taken a boat instead of traversing their way there when another memory seemed to click into place to answer his own question, "We would have arrived a few days ago, but the Council insists I see the world as it is, not what's told to me. They set our destination for Kumogakure, put us on the boat to the mainland, and told us to walk the rest of the way there. "

There was a sudden urge to want to rub his cheeks, to see if he could force the blood out of them, but he knew to quell that notion or else he may embarrass himself further. Perhaps it may have just been better to have Shiryou do all the wheeling and dealing, but that wouldn't say much about him as a Kage. Mistakes had to be made in order for him to learn, but turning a failure of a meeting into a learning experience wouldn't be worth it if he lost the possible friendship with another country.

"And we are quite small...not even known for our shinobi, but more so for the spa that brings in all our revenue. Those that do follow in the ways of the ninja are quite adept, though, and that's something I'm very proud of as Kage. So, I guess you can say we hide in plain view." Again, he rubbed the back of his head, still trying to calm himself and steady his heart rate while he talked. If one had sharp enough hearing, the tone in his voice revealed his anxiety and exactly how nervous he was, "Our craftsmen are also quite spectacular, myself being one of them. Masonry and Forging passed down from my father....You can ask ANBU-san there, I've been quite intrigued with all the stone since I arrived at the gates...The Tower's beauty is immeasurable, but I suppose it must be to represent the Lady Raikage."

While that may have come off as a line for Kiyo, it really was just an honest observation from someone who really didn't know much better, and it may have been obvious as he didn't really follow it up with anything else, just another small, somewhat boyish smile, "Gomen, I seem to be talking quite a lot."

Ki:

Kiyo drummed her fingers on her own cheek as he spoke. Slowly her face transformed from amused to an unavoidable grin. With each sentence he spoke he unknowingly answered the next question that came to her mind. So while it might have been a little rude that he didn't pause long enough for her to form the next question to words, it was somewhat reassuring that he was giving so much information freely. Instead of speaking Kiyo stuck to making the small agreeing and sympathetic sounds of a properly listening audience.

"I traveled that way," she spoke when he had finished his free flow of information," but I wasn't really looking for a village of any sort so it wounds like it isn't entirely a surprise that I missed you completely." Carefully she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear then, for a lack of her own, reached to the side and picked up the tea Koumyou had poured for himself. Without giving time for its previous owner to protest, Kiyo took a small drink and cringed to find it unsweetened. Wrinkling her nose, she set the tea back in it's original place and continued on as if she'd done nothing.

"The trip by land is far more interesting if you're the type to enjoy such things. From the sounds of it, no matter the size of a place councils are all alike in their pushiness. I am glad to hear it isn't just us, i've heard in other places its worse or better but only in varying degrees of sameness," though their lengthy travel was good luck on Kumogakure's behalf; had they traveled quickly there may not have been a Raikage here to meet with. Good fortune in a year riddled with bad.

Without tea, though Kiyo hoped Koumyou might take a hint, she was left to recline in her chair. There was a certain level of concentration needed to keep her eyes, dead as they were, seemingly focused on Joji's face and that effort was already beginning to give her a headache. It was like straining to see in pure darkness while the other senses were bombarded from all sides. As for his compliments for the tower and herself? No comment, she'd not seen either in many years and it was difficult to tell if he was simply being polite.

"Is shinkirou-san here to make sure you traveled the correct path or moral support then?" she asked, eyes flickering to the oddly silent woman. Perhaps the traveling had been much harder then she guessed it to be or else there was nothing the other woman thought she needed to add. At least she need not deal with the talk of two people. "As for a treaty, I don't see why not. But on the subject of councils I have to admit that whatever we decide on should probably be reviewed by them as well. A handshake and a promise is all well and good but they tend to feel better with something more tactile. Once they're given the terms to debate over and since you seem interested in the buildings, feel free to walk around and get a better look," they were neutral after all.

Ko:

He didn't make a move, listening still to the discussion, his eyes followed as her hand took his tea and she sipped it.  He grinned as she winced and stood making his way to get another cup of tea.  Whispering the lightest of whispers when he got over to the tea stand "You know in some cultures they call that an indirect kiss." he poured the cup of tea and placed the amount of sugar that Kiyo tended to like before returning and placing it before her.  Sitting back down in his chair once again in silence he smiled keeping his thoughts to himself, and letting the goings on of village affairs not affect him, or place his opinion out there.

Looking at the very quiet Sennin he wondered if she felt the same way, like an extra wheel only there for protection and to speak only when directly spoken to.  Ah well, that was his existence.

Jo:

"Ah, yes, the Council is quite overbearing, but they do it with good intention. I've known most of the Councilmen and women since I was but a toddler; they probably worry about me just as much as my mother does." It only further reinforced how close everyone in the tiny village was, but thinking further, Joji sighed, "And while I agree it's better to let them handle things, I've been given the authority to discuss all terms of the treaty. Like I said, they're testing me, and they want to see if I can responsibly allocate our resources with another village as to benefit us both."

With his mind wondering about what he would do, his head began to swim with all the terms and legality of it all; such things weren't his forté, not yet at least. There was an invisible weight placed upon his shoulders, and he wasn't sure if he could live up to the expectations of everyone counting on him.

Clearing all of his muddled thoughts, and returning all of his focus onto the Raikage, he subconsciously nodded to himself, assuring that he was ready to continue, "I suppose that means I'll have to make an appointment to meet up with your council as to discuss terms."

The only thing he was glad for was that he could feel Shiryou's presence with him the entire time, a constant fortification against his collapse in such a situation.

"Consider her my overseer. Shiryou-san makes sure I stay out of trouble, do what I'm suppose to, and should it arise, protect me from harm; although I don't think that will be of much concern seeing as how everyone is quite hospitable here, at least."

There was a slight pause before he continued, "I would hate to take up much more of your time since I'm sure you're busy, but do you think a guide can be requested to escort us while we stay in your village? It's quite large and I'm afraid I'd get lost rather easily." Open, earnest, and slightly laughable, but there were only so many layers to the young kage.

Ki:

"An appointment? Well I suppose we could call it that. I'll just call a meeting whenever you're ready and Notare can rearrange everything for the day but it will take a day or so anyways so you may as well get a little sight seeing done. We'll do our best to make sure your council has nothing to complain about." she heard Koumyou whisper from the kitchen and felt her face heat up in reflex. It was stupid to think taking a sip from a cup belonging to someone else would be considered something like, well just something like that. The temptation to throw something at him or snarl was there but Kiyo calmed herself for politness sake. A guest didn't need to watch her strangle her own anbu.

"I like to think we are known for our 'hospitality'. Unfortunately we've gained a bad reputation with at least one of the other behemoth villages. I wish we couldn't count ourselves among them but in the end it just means having the power to stand up for what we believe in." Kiyo had been of the last Raikage to still enforce keeping the village hidden from the outside world and even a generation earlier Kumogakure had been virtually unknown. Travel for those that lived in in Kumo had been a freely given because much of the village population was still built up of past missing ninja or the offspring of them. Sad that now they had to fight against the nature of the people who had come here to be 'free'. "If is was not such a security problem I wouldn't mind allowing everyone to come and go as they please. Sometimes the place you're born just isn't the place you're meant to live. The ideals don't align." Like Samuru whom she expected to repeat history as with her past friendship to a similarly angry man. He had only to realize that she couldn't be his reason to stay. It was all terribly sad.

Kiyo took a moment to warm her hands on her tea. There was still a slight chill to her hands from trekking around outside. Even with her gloves the weather had been cold enough to seep through."I'm amazed you made it here today, the weather outside the gates must be awful."  but that was probably why they both looked so exhausted. Well of course it was.

"Hmmm an escort? Well please take Kitty Cat here along with you. With his clearance you're welcome to come and go as you please. Our may not be as impressive but if you would like to feel free to visit the hot springs as well. They are outside the village walls but that shouldn't be any trouble," and she now had a great deal of work to do now. Koumyou seemed to be in one of his distracting moods and she couldn't afford to play at this very moment. Maybe later when things were dealt with she'd see if he had cooled down. In the end he was the best choice to send that came immediately to mind. He had the resources to help their guests out and enough social skill that he wouldn't embarrass the entire village. "He can also take you to a good place to stay. The tower will cover the expenses of course, you are a guest.


Ko:

The slight tightening of her delicate fingers on his cup was all the responce he'd needed to know her reaction, and it made him feel all the better for saying what he said.  He loved getting her reactions.  Yet as he sat there listening in to the conversation, reveling in self satisfaction the smile on his face remaining as he thought himself so very clever with his little comment, he heard her call him by her own little name for him.  The smile left his face, his eyes narrowed as he looked at her Kitty Cat?  In front of visitors... holy Shinbatsu.  Closing his eyes a small smile crept back on his face and he chuckled silently for a moment "Yes, as Ragdoll has pointed out, I'd be most able to take you to a decent location to rest and can show you around the village at your leisure." well, she'd used his, so he'd use hers.  The logic in his mind was you started it even if she probably believed otherwise.

He turned in his chair to watch and see whether they were getting up and stood himself, readying himself to leave and play the good host... with a smart mouth.

Jo:

While Joji was a bit naive, he was no slouch when it came to observation, and learning of those around him at a quicker than average rate. The ANBU and Raikage seemed to have a more than just a simple working relationship, but what exactly it was was something beyond the young Kage's grasp. Taking a mental note of it, he looked back to Shiryou who gave him an affirming smile; a small reassurance that he hadn't completely screwed up.

Standing, bowing once more like he had when they first met, he offered a courteous smile, "Thank you, Lady Raikage. You are most generous, and our weary souls appreciate the gesture." In the setting he was in, he couldn't help but come off as overly formal, but it was what was taught to him when dealing with those of great importance; old habits died hard.

Retrieving his spear from the spot on the floor behind his chair, he carefully slung the leather harness holding it over his frame, and scooped up both his and Shiryou's bags before turning his attention back towards the Kumogakurians, Shiryou standing a step behind him now.

"Please know that there's no need to rush your Council, and that we will be ready whenever you decide it's best to hold the meeting. Meanwhile," He paused looking to the still unnamed ANBU, "If you would be so kind as to show us a place we may stay and recuperate beforehand so as to not go into negotiations tired, we would be ecstatic, ANBU-san."

There was a subtle, almost imperceptible jab in Joji's back from his Sennin, and he knew what she wanted him to do.

"And should you require something of us during our time within your village, we will only be too delighted to oblige, as is a custom of our village."

There was something more to representing a village as a whole other than being a smooth talker. A lot of deals could be made or broken upon how first impression were gathered, and being able to express one's culture, something they would become more exposed to should they agree to a pact between the two, was very important.

Both Yugakure Shinobi gave a bow once more before awaiting to be led from the premise to where ever the ANBU so decided.

"Arigato, Raikage-san. Perhaps we'll get a chance to talk more when business isn't clouding our thoughts."

Ki:

"It isn't any trouble, the inn-keepers do a far better job of pampering guests then the tower staff ever could. If you're left raving about their hospiality then it is good bussiness for them," and they would thank her for the oppurtunity and the tower staff would thank her for not giving them the extra work. Aori's move in and the excess of visitors had left everyone stretched a bit thin these days even without some live in guests. "Plus it's far more entertaining to be around other travellers; I always found them to be in such high spirits."

His sennin must have been tired. The woman hadn't said a word since her arrival and while she wasn't being impolite there was a certain part of Kiyo that was disapointed at the loss of conversation. Dealings with women in a high rank were far more rare. Then again, perhaps she was being insensitive and this woman suffered from an infliction similar to Kiyo's own distant cousin.

"There is not rushing them; even in a time of crisis. I will do my best on both our behalfs. There is a meeting in the near future that will require- ah perhaps since you're still new. The Kage are meeting in.. I believe it was Sunagakure the last I was informed. I'll request an invitation for you as well if you are interested? The Kage... have been most chatty lately so it will be interesting," she smiled ernestly, kind of excited at the thought of bringing along the Onsenkage. If nothing else the extra company would be fun., "You do not need to decide immediately, I'm sure there will be some time until the date is even set." Since the Mizukage hadn't yet returned her first letter and there was always changes when it came to these.

"Please rest well and enjoy your time in Kumogakure. If you need anything or to speak with me you need only to let Koumyou know and he will contact me," she rose from her chair as then, bowing as she had when entering into the room. Koumyou had a direct link to her as a personal guard and his sacrifice was worth more then any other;  but that wasn't an extra bit of information they needed to know.

She sat as they went to leave, her words coming out as an after thought for the cheeky anbu. "Koumyou," the shift was subtle as her body melted smoothly from relaxed to  authoritative and displeased, "Behave." Because they hadn't disscussed that time before she had rejoined her position and village and there were most likely things he could say the would be uncomfortable for others to know. Her eyes, for one, were a touchy subject and hopefull he had realized it.

Ko:

It seemed like things were wrapping up, he stood along with everyone else and remained quiet, his hand reaching out to the table picking up his cat styled ANBU mask once more, yet no placing it on.  Making his way to the door he held it open for both Joku and Shiryou to exit the room with once she had essentially dedicated him as their escort.  Well he supposed he was a kage guard, as good as any he liked to think "This way, we'll find you somewhere up to your standards." he said.  As he moved to step through the door itself he looked across to where Kiyo sat, her shift was subtle, but he was the only one able to see at this stage as she told him to behave.  Giving her a wink he placed the ANBU mask on his face and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Now, lets see, one room or two?.." the conversation began once more between the visitors and Koumyou as they made their way towards an upmarket area of Cloud where the two of them could find lodgings Koumyou could only hope would satisfy them.

END