An equally flat gaze met with that of the woman's, entirely unfazed by the display of bloodied teeth. The threats that followed forth from her lips caused knitting of the brow, frustration and annoyance more than anything else. "Yes, because my death would be such a tragic loss to someone, somewhere." An utterance to himself, audible to the other two but dripping heavily with sarcasm. Warm winds swept across the scene, soothing his body while causing pain to the woman's. Unseen pupils hidden within dark irises noted the man's response to his companion's pain, a curiosity to behold indeed. Before the woman could continue her near belligerent efforts, the pain clamped her mouth shut. Oddly enough, the blond companion picked up almost where she'd left off and kept going.
The unsatisfactory response was a prelude to both foreigners collapsing. Even with their bodies failing them, the quartet of silvery eyes glared at him still. There was a part of him that still wanted to help them, but instinct was urging him to drive a blade into their skulls. Sure, they were dying, but it wasn't his fault. As far as he was concerned, he didn't owe either of them a single thing and yet they cared little for his attempts to accommodate their situation. All he could see from his perspective, were eyes that looked at him as disdainfully as anyone else, and ears that failed to comprehend his words. Giving a somber shrug of the shoulders, he turned away from them. "I told you already, it's not up to me who's let in or out. Force your way inside if you still can, it's not like I'm going to stop you."</COLOR><i></i> Lazy as it may seem, he knew his limitations and he also knew how to win the larger game at hand. Still a fledgling soul to the Shinobi environment, he lacked strength, technique, and information. However; if these two went inside despite his warnings they'd simply end up dead.
The idea of trying to valiantly stand at the gates and battle to the death over something so trivial, it was a joke he didn't find very amusing. His job description didn't demand anything of the sort, not as a Genin. Why go over your pay grade? It wasn't logical, especially when sleeping powerhouses awaited foes within. <COLOR color="red">"You need to learn new ways of getting what you want out of people, threats don't work on just anyone. Some of us would rather be dead any way." How quaint, coming from an apparent delinquent. There was truth in his statement though, considering that forceful coercion only went so far. What happens when your target happens to be one who relishes pain or embraces death? What happened if the man you're trying to shake down has already been shaken down by life itself and could care little about marginally more misfortune? You'd either have to kill them or leave them be, either way, you'd have failed to achieve intimidation.
Just as he was preparing for total departure, a silver streak of light swept passed him. The garments Jin'ichi wore fluttered profusely in the wind, flapping about before settling as Jin'ichi looked at the armored enforcer. The man was taller than Jin'ichi by an inch or more, but the sheer breadth of his form was at least three to four times as thick. The feline tail and silvery hair set him aside from any other he'd seen thus far. Turning to face the scenario once more, he witnessed more than he'd anticipated. The signal flare had done its job, but it wasn't until the burly beast of a man decided to speak would he find out whom answered his call. The soothing radiation from the massive blade even calmed the agitation building in his spirit while it healed the wounds of the two travelers. Reflexively, his hand moved as the armored Shinobi tossed him a flask, catching it barely.
Unscrewing the cap and sniffing lightly at the contents, he'd take a swig while listening to his superior. A small grin manifested itself in his expression, a smaller wave of excitement resonating through his core at Kuro's presence. While never having met the man personally, the very gates bore his name and as Sennin everyone knew whom he was. His subtle enthusiasm was a bit unfounded, merely interested in seeing someone so completely different from the norm. From what he'd gathered about the Toraono, they were descended from demons and yet still fought on the side of what they perceived to be good. It was a story that echoed in some slight way the fate Jin'ichi had endured. While his own father hadn't been an actual demon, he was filth without redemption. Knowing the blood of that man flowed through his veins brought with it a sense of personal rejection. It was hard to explain, but if he could cleanse his blood of his father's he'd have done it in a heartbeat. Demons surely looked upon the Toraono differently, and essentially Kuro had gone against all demonic stereotypes.
It seemed that the Sennin had every intention of catering to the plight of the couple. The whole thing made Jin'ichi rub his chin a bit, rustling the whiskers about his face. The soothing aura from Kuro's weapon had subsided and it left Jin'ichi with more questions than he'd had before. Just like that, the Sennin granted them entry without bothering to ask for a name or anything else. Then again, it wasn't his problem. With his intrigue fading, he turned to disappear but paused as Kuro mentioned him specifically by name and rank. Raising a brow, and looking at the armored man he seemed a little put off by the request. Giving a small nod, he'd comply though. "Yes, sir." Was all that he had to say in response. With the two foreigners healed beyond the point of death, they could walk on their own now. All he'd have to do was lead them somewhere. After that, they'd be out of his hair- Right? With Kuro gone as quickly as he came, Jin'ichi was left with the somewhat snobbish pair.
More importantly, that armor... He'd seen it sketched elaborately onto a scroll detailing information about the ANBU. They had a number of duties, but among the most important involved hunting rogues- Like Jin's father. Sousuke was his cousin, but being raised away from it all and with a terrible familial life, blood didn't mean a whole lot to Jin'ichi. He didn't expect to be given any special treatment, and had already been granted more than enough by being allowed to join the village. The idea that he'd even be considered for inclusion among the specialized group of warriors known as the ANBU was a complete joke, and yet- He'd bite his tongue on the thoughts bubbling in the back of his mind. If there were any group in particular that could help prepare him, the ANBU would be it. Walking over to the recovering couple, he'd toss them the flask carefully. "Whenever you're ready." He half mumbled. It sucked being saddled with folks that clearly didn't like you very much. Once they followed him to the designated location, he'd slip off and find his way back to Kuro himself.
OC: Access granted to Nanashi by Toraono Kuro.
Jin'ichi will seek out Kuro later.
Topic left unless stopped.
Notes: For the sake of simplicity, Nanashi can simply RP as though he'd/she'd been dropped off at the specified location. Allowing for you to get to RPing elsewhere without worrying about that bit.
If you'd like though, we could continue this inside/at the Dojo normally.
I'm fine with either choice.
