Aburame Kichigai stared at the male for several moments, dull sights locked onto his intoxicated visage. She couldn't help but wonder why he poisoned his body in such a way. One hand reached to touch at her mentor's hand to take hold of it. Failing eyes lidded for a brief second, before staring at the Hyuuga.

". . . I'll take care of him. Thank you, again. I need to speak to him privately, anyway."
Rankiro nods, "Thank you for taking care of my squad mate."

Having known Kojiro for a very long time now. She had known him for five good long years, but never had she been so eager to stray away from a friend. After all, anything that could be said could be stated in-front of a close friend like her but as she watched Kojiro fall like her kin to either drugs or alchohol she wanted to get space away from it all, even life itself. She left without another word but glaced back, pausing at the door for a second before leaving.
Shohei gives the drunked male a pensive stare, eyes slowly trailing to Kichigai and then the Hyuuga. His emerald hues finally settle on Kichigai, a hand coming up to scratch at the back of his head. "Thanks Rankri--" he stops short, the girl already leaving the tent. Shohei turns around and notices another presence  --- Nevermind, he left, too.
"Oh, they're gone..." he murmurs, now staring over at the duo. "..It's time to talk, then."
Kojiro gave a dull look to Kichigai and Shohei before taking another swig from his flask."What can I do for you?" he asks.
Aburame Kichigai says: . . . What happened to you, Kojiro? When we first met, you were lively, and seemed passionate about your work. Even headstrong about your abilities. Now, you're in a pitiful slump. You were somewhat coherent when we last spoke. Speak to me.
Kojiro says: I ... I don't know what to say.
Aburame Kichigai asks: Anything. Why are you drinking?
Kojiro says: It feels right
Shohei asks: Hn...Is this what you meant by doing in our village. Association with drugs and alcohol?
Kojiro says: Don't presume to understand me boy
Aburame Kichigai whispers: It isn't. Do you not see what you're doing -- how you're effecting those around you? Ranriko cannot stand to be in your presence any longer. She seemed to look up to you. You had ambition, some sort of drive, and she admired you. I admired you. Yet, you can't be bothered to even read my letters.
Aburame Kichigai whispers: -- Or, you simply can't, since you're drunk constantly.
Kojiro yells: I!
Kojiro stops for a second, she was right, he had been to drunk to read them, certainly too drunk to write a response.
Shohei squints briefly, though lets Kichigai do the talking. His expression fades to his usually lax one, with a somewhat pensive charm to it.
Aburame Kichigai peered into Kojiro's eyes. Milky irses damaged by roaming insects within her form stared at him. The medic's expression was blank, yet disappointment shone in that blank stare.

". . . You wished to lie to me just now. To avoid the fact that you have forgotten about me - and by extension - those who care about you. You can't even provide an explanation of what drove you to this point? Did the love you vehemently spoke about, the one you regarded with passion, die? Did she leave you, or break off the marriage? Could it be because . . . she saw what the real 'you' is: an irredeemable drunkard who has no value for himself and no respect for those around him? Why . .  why are you doing this?"
Aburame Kichigai OOCs: (him.*)
Kojiro a saddened expression came over the young mans face as he looks up at Kichigai, "She has become ill while staying in the Land of Valley's, she is too far away for me to do anything but have faith in the doctors of my homeland." he said softly. "I know it's no excuse, she'd be as disgusted as you are if she saw me now."
Shohei stares at the form of the fallen man, his eyes briefly looking over Kichigai as she talks on about Kojiro. There's something that doesn't sit well with the young lad, and it's written all over his face. Shohei's nose wrinkles, a few past memories and the recent events triggered something within him.
There's a pause, a gaze directed toward the surface of the tent. It's a distant one, the expression of Shohei dusting off. Eventually, he returns to watching the duo in thought.
Aburame Kichigai lowered herself down to his level. The fingers gripped onto his hand as they spoke. Lips curled inward as she spoke.

". . . I thought you were sad because-because you heard of the news. Shohei and I have been travelling all over these lands. Within the chaos enticed by war, many families were separated, siblings forced to take each other's lives, and settlements pillages, women taken and raped. We even witnessed a young woman being murdered on the road a few weeks ago, I . . . I suppose it should not come as any surprise that there have been sightings of some forces. Those who strive for power, the ones destroying villages, encroaching upon the lands in the Valley. She . . . I'm not certain if she . . ."
Aburame Kichigai says: That woman on the road . .  I did what I could to revive her, to heal her wounds, yet I was too late.
Kojiro says: Sometimes not even the more skilled doctor can make a difference
Kojiro says: I was helpless to save many of my best friends as they were slaughtered during the war.
Aburame Kichigai says: . . It made me wonder about your lover.
Shohei glances over to Kichigai for a moment.
Kojiro says: ...
Kojiro says: She... she is coming back...
Aburame Kichigai says: Kojiro . . . with everything going on. With the information we heard about these . . . murders out for blood . .  how they were spotted near the Land of Valley's.
Aburame Kichigai OOCs: (murderers*)
Shohei says: Hn..
Aburame Kichigai says: I came here as soon as I heard . . . about this. To find you.
Kojiro says: I should write to my family.
Kojiro says: They should be safe... their village is very hidden
Kojiro thinks: They will be okay... They have to be...
Aburame Kichigai says: No village is hidden from evil. Even if those who wish to destroy arrived to the valley to hunt down villages . . . keep in mind that this information was just given to me. When I asked specifics, I was told that this happened a while ago.
Kojiro says: I see....
Kojiro says: It has been a while since I have recieved any word from there
Aburame Kichigai says: I . .  have reason to believe that . . .
Aburame Kichigai dropped her gaze from his face as digits dropped from his hand.
Kojiro stares blankly.
Aburame Kichigai realigned dreary eyes onto Kojiro. They spoke what was on her mind. She didn't need to complete the sentence; it felt difficult to do so in the first place. Their hands would be reconnected as a tight squeeze was provided.

". . ."
Kojiro twitched slightly, a look of sadness and defeat could be seen on what little of his face was visable. Freeing his hands of Kichigai's he reachs for his flask before shaking it to find it empty. He chucks it across the tent. "Why are you telling me this?" he asks in a broken voice.
Aburame Kichigai says: . . . You deserve to know, rather than be left in the dark.
Kojiro says: I suppose next you will tell me to put down the bottle and move on with my life...
Aburame Kichigai nodded once. That happened to be her next statement. Lips curved into a deep frown.

". . . Apologies."
Kojiro says: ...
Kojiro says: I'm proud of you Kichigai, I'm glad atleast one student of mine managed to survive this fucked up world...
Aburame Kichigai says: Probably not for long . . .
Kojiro asks: Making enemies?
Aburame Kichigai says: No, though people don't like to see others succeed. To prosper . .  however, I'm fully prepared to die.
Kojiro says: That is a sad truth
Shohei says: Indeed it is...
Aburame Kichigai shifted to wrap both arms around him in an embrace.

" . . . I'm sorry  for your loss."
Kojiro places his hands up to slowly deflect her show of affection, it was clear he was not an overly affectionete person, often hiding his feelings from even those closest to him. "I can't just accept that she is gone without seeing it with my own eyes." he says coldly.
Rankiro OOCs: (RIP the RP because AFK.)
Aburame Kichigai found her attempt to console him reject, hands pushing her away gently. Even if he had unexplained motives for doing this, they were never voiced to the lass. Everything compiled together brought an unearthed sense of worthlessness. They dropped their own travels to come by Tanzaku - a city ruled under an iron fist of someone unstable. It was dangerous for them to be there due to previous allegations of their affiliations. During weeks of tiresome trekking, the pair had to hurdle over multiple obstacles, hide from potential threats, and encounter enemies down the path. Their journey added years to her form, aging the female rather quickly due to stress.

-- That was when Shohei and herself finally arrived to the settlement, tired and ragged, to provide this information to Kojiro. She fell back into a kneeling position with clenched hands resting in her lap while mulling in silence. Pores expanded instantly as gold-banded insects crawled out by the hundreds. They lifted from both limbs as white-knuckled fists shook against folded legs. Messages were left unanswered. Days, weeks, months at a time. He felt the need to intoxicate himself to a point of non-functionality. Such a pointless journey led them to a slumped-over medic upset over his love being ill.

Those insects hummed in unison while teeth gritted together. Moistures stained pallid cheeks. After all of that - proceeding any and all trials - he couldn't heed her warning. Cautionary advice which took them previous time to deliver, swept away under the rug. What struck at the teen's mettle the most was him pushing her away. She was never one to exhibit affection, yet Kichigai found this very moment to be appropriate to do so. If the emotionless female could take time to brush her own reservations aside, why wouldn't Kojiro?

Brunette bangs hung over the upper half of her visage. Concealed from plan view. The tent was filled with insects fueled by their hive's feelings, most of them landing on the hatted male before her. Without a verbal command, and even less of a mental one, those bugs bit down onto him with full force.

Aburame Kichigai has activated a technique: Shinshutsu Konchu!
Aburame Kichigai - Control: C+ - At C-Rank, one has reached a level where it's broadly considered that they're a true shinobi - and one that can be a dangerous foe given the right tools in their arsenal. They're able to shape and mold together their chakra to put more devastating techniques like the fireball jutsu into true effect, and now they are a real force to be reckoned with.
Kojiro had felt uneasy since the woman had made entrence, dropping his guard was not something he did often. And being the functioning alcholic he was, she was quite mistaken if she thought he was uncapable of defending himself.

Kojiro was a paranoid man, he more many layers, gloves, a mask, and straw hat. upon being covered by insects his first instinct would be to make his exit from the tent and toss his bug infested hoodie behind him. As an older teen he likely had the athletic adavantage.
Kojiro - Speed: D+ - These people are capable of running at an average speed -- they're not the fastest out of the bunch, but they can at least keep up with the pack and make sure that the only thing they're not seeing is dust.
Kojiro can move 5 tiles a turn at full sprint.
Kojiro can move 4 tiles a turn while dodging.
Kojiro can move 3 tiles a turn while walking.
A simple young adult walks in casually. "Hey guys, nearly forgot you all where still in here, dont tell me they both went to sleep or something Kojiro."
Shohei OOCs: (combat. you guys gotta wait turns.
Rankiro peeks inside the tent to check on the others with Von.
Shohei had a feeling this would happen. In fact, he actually came here with an undeniably ill intent toward the drunked doctor. A man that delved into shady business already, a man that somehow brought an uneasy feeling to the growng boy's shoulders. Something was purely off on that fateful day when they offered him a place in his and Kichigai's village. It was as if..there was an eerie betrayal lingering about.

As soon his emerald eyes spot those new and previously showcased poisonous insects, Shohei darts to the side, seals being woven at an accelerated speed. A manifestation of chakra swiftly moulds within his belly and comes out in the form if a viscous blob that exits his lips. Before Kojiro has the chance to lift up his drunken form from the floor and dart for the door, Shohei's already blocking the entrance. While the sorrowed man is busy removing his clothing (?), Shohei's Water Ninjutsu strikes him dead in the torso, instantaneously expanding to a plethora of tendrils akin to rope. They quickly latch around the body of the older male, binding him with finesse. It's like he's a giant, drunken fish in a net. His mouth is plugged and all of his limbs hampered unless he wielded extraordinary strength.

The fallen curtains of the tent mask the entire battle inside, making it hard for the duo to conviniently walk in...
Shohei has activated a technique: Suiton: Mizu Jun!
Shohei - Control: C+ - At C-Rank, one has reached a level where it's broadly considered that they're a true shinobi - and one that can be a dangerous foe given the right tools in their arsenal. They're able to shape and mold together their chakra to put more devastating techniques like the fireball jutsu into true effect, and now they are a real force to be reckoned with.
Shohei has activated a perk: Hand Seal Speed 2!
Shohei OOCs: (conveniently*
You release them.
Shohei OOCs: (you need to wait turns @ranriko. combat.
Rankiro OOCs: (I know.)
Shohei OOCs: (aii
Rankiro gives a look to Von, activating her yakugan but waiting "outside" the tent silently until ready.
Rankiro OOCs: (*Byakugan... lol.)
Rankiro has activated a technique: Byakugan!
Rankiro has activated a perk: Fortitude!!
Rankiro OOCs: (Just so everyone knows.)
A simple young adult with the exit blocked Von quirked a brow as he could hear muffled sounds of water inside, looking to Ranriko he would be outside with her as he wondered what was going on. Given the shadows along the tarp of the tent he would be prepared as he didn't prep much, instead would ask, "Ranriko, whats going on?"
You release them.
Aburame Kichigai OOCs: (oh guess it's my turn.)
Rankiro would do hand signs about the attack, signifying ninjutsu before whispering "Aburame's attacking" in his ear, trying to make sure no one heard.
Rankiro thinks: Which the chakra signitures... damn... I screwed up...
Kojiro was unfortunate enough to get ensared with a water jutsu while ridding himself of insects. His eyes drift towards the exit then back to the two shady youths. "You won't get far whatever it is you're planning, best let me go and forget about this, you can  cut your losses and con somebody else with your lies."
Kojiro OOCs: also i was taking my shirt after i was a decent distance]
Kojiro OOCs: sooo i duno if you realisticly are going to bloclk me and hit me]
Kojiro OOCs: i would atleast be closer to where ran is]
Kojiro OOCs: flash speed]
Rankiro OOCs: (Truthfully it should be based on speed.)
Kojiro OOCs: yeah omitt till i see that speed]
Kojiro has pinged you.
Shohei OOCs: (you're drunk. previously you were sitting on the floor. i'm pretty sure you're not gonna be able to pull it off.
Kojiro OOCs: not nearly as drunk as you thought i was]
Kojiro OOCs: flash speed ]
Shohei OOCs: (do you want to call an admin?
Kojiro OOCs: go ahead, with your br gank]
Kojiro OOCs: but im gonna need you to flash speed]
Shohei - Speed: D+ - These people are capable of running at an average speed -- they're not the fastest out of the bunch, but they can at least keep up with the pack and make sure that the only thing they're not seeing is dust.
Shohei OOCs: (calling an admin up, then.
Your message has been broadcasted to the staff.
ALERT: Shohei (IhateReadError): Hello. Could we get a ruling on a combat situation, please?