Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All[gate exit]

[Takaki Saeko]

Mission start thread and gate exit are here. Your next post will allow you to leave.

Two pieces of mail found themselves in new Main Branch Jounin Shima Haruka’s new letterbox, located on the first floor of the Legation of the Torre Celeste. Like a lunar moth drawn to flame, Haruka immediately snatched them up, eager to peruse the contents of the two letters in drab manila envelopes. In her former life as a mednin, she would receive hundreds of letters a day – anything from pathology reports to requests for her signature on a chart to nastygrams from the office of quality assurance asking her why she hadn’t ordered antibiotics within a three-hour time period from diagnosis – so her newfound enthusiasm for the mail was puzzling for most. However, from her perspective receiving new mail from the Main Branch was only further confirmation that she had indeed started over, fresh, and with the love of a man named after a pastry.

She had attacked the initial flurry of forms with fervor previously unknown to her. Nothing was too time-consuming or too ridiculous to fill out. Measurements for her regulation miniskirt and blouse? Check. Did she want her headband to be stainless steel or did she want it with a dull finish? Easy. Was she up to date on her vaccinations against Hashimoto-Applebaum syndrome and Raman-Klogius Disease? Of course! Did she understand that violations of the regulations would be punished by severe brushing? Well, if it was Masao doing it…

She smiled as she opened up these newest arrivals. Perhaps one of them would be her first mission orders? Or even, dare she hope against hope, a signing bonus for taking the job as the Spymaster’s Administrative Assistant?

To My Dearest Daughter Haruka:

It was with great disappointment that I received word regarding your abrupt resignation from your position, and transfer to the general shinobi population. It caused me even greater disappointment that I received this embarrassing news from Sennin Isaki himself, who should never have had to serve as an intermediary between father and daughter. That said, a temporary loss of face does not concern me as much as your mental and physical well-being.

Haruka, you have had an extremely distinguished career as a shinobi and physician, and I am sure that all of your patients are grateful to you for your help. However, you must also know that it was not by your effort alone that you ascended to this peak. Your entire family has sacrificed in order to help you to your current station. By resigning, you demonstrate callous ingratitude to all of the people who have expended blood and sweat to support you thus far.

I know that the daughter I raised would not normally do such a thing, especially not to her own family. I believe that under a considerable amount of stress, you have allowed yourself to be deluded and hoodwinked by the charms of Do-san, and thus are not acting rationally at the moment. Please understand that I am not angry with you, and I do understand that when blinded by illusions of love, almost any course of action can seem “reasonable.”

Sennin Takaki and I are close friends, and I have spoken with him and requested that he intervene in the situation. He has suggested, with my refinements of course, that you be assigned to a trial period in which you may evaluate the merits of your new job placement and come to a more rational decision about your future. This will happen, of course, far away from Do-san. Although you may hate me now for doing this, it is my firm belief that you will be grateful later.

Your Loving Father,
Shima Harukaze, Chief of Internal Medicine.

Her eyelids twitched involuntarily. With a growing sense of trepidation, she opened the second letter.

Classified Communication​

Recipient: Shima Haruka, Jounin, Main Branch, Mil. Int.
Sender: Office of the Sennin, Main Branch

Mission Orders:
Jounin Shima, you are ordered to immediately report to Fuyuki City, Lightning Imperial Colony of Roenesia, for deep-cover counterinsurgency operations. You will provide command support to a unit of Kumogakure ANBU stationed in-country (designation “Selous Scouts”) as well as a sepoy unit of the Imperial Army, (3rd Roenesian Bolters). In addition, you will be the primary contact point for a comprehensive needs assessment performed for the Roenesian Territorial Government, headed by Viceroy Tsutsukakushi Ryunosuke.

Your primary objective is to locate and neutralize the leadership of the “Zacaotl People’s Revolutionary Army,” or, ZaPRA for short. ANBU forces will be under your direct control, while Imperial Army forces will be under joint control between yourself and the Territorial Government. Once you have completed your mission, you will be recalled back to Kumogakure. You will be eligible for 1 week of vacation leave in 6 months.

Transport to Fuyuki City will be via train from Kumogakure to Kelmura Port. From Kelmura Port you are to board the Imperial Navy supply frigate KNS Hirasawa Yui to reach your final destination. You will then arrange local transportation to arrive at the Governor’s palace. Your stipend for this mission will be 20,000 yen monthly. You are responsible for packing your own weaponry and clothing.

End orders.

 

[Sanageyama Masaoko]

Re: Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All[gate exit

Razor wired anger prickled down her spine and choked her air as she took another read at her father's letter. She was humiliated and pissed all at once, not to mention so dumbfounded that she had to re-read the letter to make sure this was all happening. How could she so quickly go from being in control to being controlled? She stomped her foot with childlike indignation. Her hands quickly crumpled the parchment until it reduced to a pathetic wad. It didn't matter how damaged the words were now, it didn't change what was happening. Forcefully throwing the parchment onto the desk, she gave the leg of the cabinet a sharp, quick kick accompanied with a pained and muffled shout of frustration. Haruka collapsed back onto the desk silently, trying not to let her anger get the better of her.

He thinks this is some momentary lapse of sanity!? My success was solely dependant on him, hah! He has no idea how hard I've worked. I'm not some leech. I'm a grown woman charged with my own path. I do not take for granted the benefits our family has given me. However, to think I am ungrateful...Maybe I am? No! How could I have ever asked for anything more? I was given the best education. I thought I had made you proud, but it wasn't enough for myself. Father, you don't understand. I needed to prove something to myself. While ranting to herself, Haruka refused to face the one problem that stood between her and Harukaze. She had no where else to run though.

“Natsu...” Her father would do everything in his power to deter her love for him. They had just begun their romance, but Haruka knew she wasn't making a mistake in picking him. She'd never let Harukaze bully her into surrender. The Crow wasn't unprepared for her family to lash out in such a way. Ever since the day Natsu came pounding on her door, Haruka knew that her father would begin to invade into her life. But, this? It meant one truth. He was threatened by the Spymaster. He was threatened by the feelings his daughter had for him. This was the beginning of a love that could divide a family and evolve a daughter. That was worth the struggle.

But, why Masao!? She tried to wrap her head around his reasoning. Reason was hard to grasp when your mind seared with rage though. Did the elder Sennin put Haruka to the test to prove to the aged Chief that their relationship would stand against trial. He too had been apart from his own wife in their youth because of the lives they lead. Certainly he thought Haruka capable, sending her out to complete such an involved task alone. Still, it did not cease her feelings of betrayal. And if solitude thinking would not quell the indignant tantrum, then she'd just have to confront him.

She found him with ease, having access to his schedule as Nyaruko's replacement. She went home and packed her bags with hustle and force. She hurried along in hopes that her father would not come hovering over her to gloat. Thankfully, she had made it out without seeing anyone but the servants. When the time came, Haruka returned to the Torre. More or less, she cornered Masao in his office as he returned from an appointment. The woman knocked on his door before pushing into the office a bit forcefully. "Excuse my interruption, Takaki-Sama..." Her footsteps fell in a graceful thunder of aggression as she approached his desk. "Forgive my frankness, but what the hell is this?" Her hand ripped out the mission orders and slammed it down on the desk in front of him, along with a rather wrinkled letter.

"Please tell me that this was all my father's doing. Please tell me you didn't actually agree to this! Of all people, I thought-" Haruka halted her tongue. She was only a child. This was no way for a shinobi of Kumogakure to behave. Her pink lips surrendered a frown as she sighed heavily. "Is there a reason you're sending me so far away from him?"

MFT. 697

 

[Takaki Saeko]

Re: Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All[gate exit

The Main Branch Sennin raised an eyebrow in response to Haruka's rather abrupt and unannounced entry. After all, wasn't the role of his new secretary to prevent such disruptions to his busy work schedule in the first place? Then again, when Haruka was the new secretary, this proved to be a rather obvious Achilles Heel.

"Anger makes you more attractive, Shima-sensei, but it does not truly become you," he drawled, swiveling around in his chair to face her. She indignantly plastered the mission orders on his desk, as well as a piece of personal correspondence that he had not previously seen. "Hold on a minute," he said, smoothing out the rage-wrinkled letter from her father. After a quick scan of the contents, he tried, but failed to suppress a resigned sigh.

"Please tell me that this was all my father's doing. Please tell me you didn't actually agree to this! Of all people, I thought-" she began, a note of petulance creeping into her proud comportment.

"You thought that because you have the affection of Do-san, or because we recently enjoyed each other's company on a pleasant afternoon, that you are somehow exempt from the rules, regulations, and duties of the Military Intelligence Service of the Main Branch?" he asked calmly, fixing a knowing gaze into her eyes. She was silent, and he knew that he did not have to say more. After all, he did not mean to be unkind to her.

"Is there a reason you're sending me so far away from him?" she asked, sighing. Masao tilted his head to the side, working out a tight spot in his neck.

"This is probably small consolation, but it actually wasn't me who personally assigned you this mission," he began, sliding the orders back to her. "As you well know, it is the logistical staff of the Legation offices who make personnel assignments based on contracts awarded by the government and private interests. Roenesia is an unstable tropical shithole about to undergo a chaotic transition of power that will probably result in civil war the second our military forces weigh anchor. Such a situation requires the skills of a jounin-level shinobi, and one with a good handle on leadership and command. Logically you fit the bill, so even if your father may have enthusiastically suggested your name to my staff, there is no way I would refute that."

He rose and gently placed his hands on her shoulders to still her.

"It is the worst feeling in the world, isn't it? Not even the actual fact that you will be separated from your beloved because of forces you cannot control, but the anticipation of that inevitability. It makes you feel powerless, even insignificant, and most worrisome of all, opens the door for those creeping second thoughts about the viability of your relationship with Do-san. You wonder if it wouldn't be easier and better for you both to just say your goodbyes, don't you?" He smiled sadly. "I've lived this a few times myself. And the one thing I will impart on you is that no one can predict the future, and that it is useless to obsess over things you cannot control. The only thing we can do in this circumstance is to press forward and do our duty. Because at the end of the day, we must be happy with ourselves first, before we can be happy with others," he said, flicking a stray hair from her face before turning back to his desk.

"You have your mission orders, Jounin Shima. Find the leaders of the native insurgency and neutralize them. Show me, and more importantly, yourself, that you are a capable human being," he said, clenching his fist. "You'll be late for your train if you tarry."

[exit granted, will put up mission post in the OVA soon]

 

[Sanageyama Masaoko]

Re: Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All[gate exit

Reprimand stung like a cold back hand to the face for a girl who was so obsessed with pride and perfection. The Sennin meant well in his stern redirection of her outlook. Even though she knew this, Haruka burned. Special treatment wasn't what she wanted, although she had been given it almost all her life. She hadn't meant to sound unruly solely because of the mission she was charged with. It was the situation and the manner of which news broke that infuriated Haruka. As his eyes locked with her's, the woman shamefully averted contact. So many things needed to be learned before she could be proud of herself. This was only the beginning of her transformation. The little black bird was still unsteady, afraid, and unknowing of what the sky held for her.

She took small comfort in knowing that Masao believed they had picked the right shinobi for such a delicate mission. She hoped not to disappoint. It was true she had the previous qualification, guiding a team of nurses during her tenor as a doctor. Haruka even had a part in a unstable mission into the tropical, turbulent land of Kirigakure. Although, she was ashamed to admit that her performance was weak. She hadn't done a thing to help Natsu. But, this was before there ever was an interest in politics. And, Natsu had been so kind as to tell Haruka to shut her mouth and let him handle everything. Truly this was an evolving task at hand.

This was all her father's doing. She had always known that, but hated to think her father could truly be so cruel. He was consumed by status, as every other Shima man had been before. Haruka watched carefully, muscle tense as the man rose up from his seat to approach. His hand felt so burdensome on her shoulder, yet so steady and warm. His words were just that as well. Masao had managed to sum up all her worse fears. Facing them now gave her a sense of new found dread, but it was as he said; She must press forward and fulfill her duties. He had a way of inspiring and preparing her like no other. Haruka nodded firmly as he brushed the stray from her face.

She stood at attention, clicking her heels together and straightening her back to appear taller and powerful. Bowing, she held herself prostrate for a few lingering seconds. “Yes, sir. I promise to make you and Do-San proud.” She turned sharply, hair whipping with fierce motion as she gracefully traipsed towards the door. “Thank you for everything, Masao.” Briefly she flashed a soft smile over her shoulder, then disappeared into the hall.

[Topic left, Gate exited]

 

[Takaki Saeko]

Re: Come On Shore And We Will Kill And Eat You All[gate exit

Continued here: http://www.ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=14732&p=107698#p107698