Compatriots [Private/Aka]

[Gotō Daiji]

"...."​

A hooded figured moved through the seedy streets of Grand Palais, straw sandals clacking against the pavement with each step. It was hot even at night, but luckily this district was saturated with artificial lights. So sight wasn't an issue. How long had it been? A few weeks...maybe a month? Time sort of lost meaning when you were out in the middle of the desert. Minutes became hours, hours turned into days, and after a while everything just sort of blurred together. A few locks of rose-colored hair were peeking out from beneath the hood, likely narrowing the search down if anyone were looking for him. He didn't exactly have the most inconspicuous of hair colors, after all. Despite this fact, the young wanderer seemed almost completely unperturbed. In truth, he had no reason at all to fret. Someone wasn't out hunting for him...it was the other way around!

He had just recently arrived back in the village after an extensive uh..."training session" with his grandfather. It mostly consisted of him getting punched in the head. He was pretty sure that at one point Gō actually said, "If you're not serious, you'll die!" Classic grandpa. Luckily all the pain and suffering he had to endure was worth it! The boy had a newfound understanding of his abilities, some of which he had been using unconsciously for years. He wasn't exactly a master at using them yet...but he became proficient enough that his grandfather let him leave. So he must've been pretty damn good! The elder Sachi also beat into him the importance of wearing protective robes while traversing Wind Country (something which the boy couldn't fathom at first...), thus the black hooded robe he donned that hung midway down his shins. Currently, the boy was searching for his long lost traveling companion. They had separated almost immediately upon arrival in Wind Country. Bickering led to them splitting up, with each of them wandering around the desert for a week. After arriving the boy nearly died on Suna's doorstep from dehydration and exposure...but luckily his "ally" showed up and was able to drag the pink-haired moron to the hospital. Ever since then he'd been MIA and the boy hadn't heard a word. But he had to have been doing something productive this entire time right? Maybe he had more luck in rallying help for their cause? Maybe...just maybe...he'd found someone who could help unfreeze Water Country!

Alone the idea was enough to make the brash youth begin scouring the village to find him. People had been talking lately about a Mercenary with a long black mane of hair and a foul mouth. Apparently he'd been starting trouble in some of the worst parts of Sunagakure. It was a solid enough lead to go on...y'know, for a sensible detective. For this kid? Well he'd just been walking around Suna aimlessly for a few hours, asking the occasional passerby if they'd seen anyone named "Gum". Oddly enough he was in the part of the village he was most likely to be. Some luck! But knowing his tendencies and how things have gone in the past, it was almost guaranteed to turn sour here soon. This was how it always went. At first he appeared to have incredible fortune...but in the end it was just setting him up for some crazy situation. What would it be this time? And perhaps more importantly...

...who would be the cause?

 

[Akako]

It’s not too odd to have these sort of places packed, especially during a weekday night. Entertainment and food can be found here for cheap, as long as one was not picky enough. But one place was especially busy in particular. The Pink Lotus a bar and massage parlor was packed to the brim with all sorts. There was music and dancing, roars and cheers from a mixed lot. The usual patrons, some important looking business men who looked like they did not belong, ladies and gents that would usually go for a classier joint... they all filled that one place because of what- or, rather, who was there tonight.

The odd twins from the Mist sought to grace the place with their presence today. Drinks were flowing, perfumed smoke filled the air and men and women lined up trying to curry favor with the foreign lady and lord. For money, for power... or even just to see what these two were about. The wealth and power attracted them. And there was a subtle beauty to them too. Many are enamored once they get past the initial shock of seeing the conjoined pair.

When one wanted to look for comrades-in-arms, the red light district isn’t exactly the first place that comes into mind. This was the home of the seedy underbelly of any city, full of the depraved and the ungrateful, the weak and the deceitful. It’s where the no good, scum of the land dwelt. So, trust the Shoukyou twins to take advantage of all the desperation, the hunger... the fear. Places like these proved useful when one wanted servants and corpses, not comrades.

But, perhaps it was Keiatsu’s lucky day?

Shoukyou Akane and Akihiko, from the noblest clan of Mist, sat back comfortably in a mountain of cushions as if it were a throne. A white and loose kimonos envelope the two, though their shoulders are laid bare for anyone to see. Lazy grins and hooded eyes that would make anyone look dull and tired only made them seem like sleeping dragons, uncaring for their dangerous companions. They looked the part of the mythical beast too, somewhat. For while Akane enjoyed the hookah in her hands, the dregs of smoke flitted out of Akihiko’s mouth much to their amusement. In Akihiko’s hand, a bottle of sake.

Of course, most of the crowd surround them, squeezing in as close as they can get, as close as they can get. Beauties and handsome fellows seat themselves to the left and right of them, showering them with compliments and declarations of fondness to earn their approval. The hungry and those looking for drink come enjoy the hospitality bought by the Shoukyous’ coin, as food and alcohol are brought out from the kitchens with no signs of stopping. The older and the wiser stay a safe distance, watching and waiting, though no less charmed by the two. And some who dare plan malicious things towards them... well, they try to stay inconspicuous in the shadows to no avail... the twins know where they are and what they want. And if they try to ruin the fun, they’ll be crushed under their feet like the maggots they are.

And Akihiko raises his bottle in a toast. “This is not the Wonderland we presided over in Kirigakure but we appreciate your hospitality all the same! You Sunagakure people know how to party!” he crowed, just basking in all the attention and adoration. It has been a while since they’ve been treated like the royalty they were. And it doesn’t hurt anyone if they have to buy it with a feast and twist these people’s heads around, does it?

Akane is a little less enthusiastic, near apathetic to it all, though she does keep the plastered smile on her face and raise her hookah in turn. “To good times and good company. Cheers.” She takes a puff, the taste of mint filling her mouth before the smoke enters their lungs and oozes out of Akihiko’s mouth.

They feel Keiatsu’s presence but pay him no mind right now.

 

[Gotō Daiji]

The Pink Lotus wasn't a place where you'd expect to find Keiatsu. And in truth there wasn't much reason for the rose-haired airhead to be in a place like this anyway. But the circumstances were different now. He had to find his "traveling companion"...and since he didn't have any lead to begin with...

...why not start here?

Upon entering the establishment the first thing the boy noticed was a large crowd that had gathered. This place was teeming with people so it was hard to get a good luck at what they were all ogling. He had gained a greater comprehension of his own abilities over during his training with his grandfather, but unfortunately that didn't retroactively make him aware of certain things. His Sense was telling him that multiple people in the bar felt familiar...but he couldn't quite make out who was who. He shrugged, deciding not to think about it too much (as he did with most things...). There was no time to waste. He had to find the owner of this joint! Owners knew people right? So maybe he or she had come in contact with Gun. Wordlessly the youth made his way through the sea of people towards the bartop. Several uh...overly-friendly women offered up their services to the lad as he walked, to which he responded in a confused manner. He wasn't picking up what they were putting down...but even if he understood, there wouldn't have been any judgement. Gotta make a living somehow! The girls just giggled and let the boy be on his way, going to peddle their "business" elsewhere. It took some doing but eventually he made it over to the bar. Now he just had to get someone behind the counter's attention and- KRRRRRRAK!

Glass shattering caught the attention of multiple people, including the hooded Keiatsu. "Hmph." Further down along the bar there was a man with a severely bruised face collapsed on the floor, shards of a drink glass littered about the floor near him. Not a good sight...but what was even more distressing was the mean-looking man standing over him. He had a long mane of jet black hair, and dark green eyes that were sharp as a blade. He looked young, no older than nineteen, but something about him indicated that this wasn't your ordinary violent delinquent. No...his movements were too calculated for that. In actuality, this was an infamous professional mercenary whose mean streak was almost as renowned as his combat prowess. "Red Hand" Gun. "Not dead yet, I see." the menacing merc spoke, kicking the downed sap on the ground out of his way as he began his stride across the room. The sea of people parted for him as he walked, nobody wanting to end up like that other guy for doing or saying something wrong. At first he seemed to be speaking to the unconscious man on the ground...but his eyes were elsewhere. it looked like he was walking...right towards Keiatsu?! The boy just stood there, blinking his eyes in a dull manner as he was approached. A few steps before uncomfortable was when the man stopped...and when he did? "Barakami..." A nickname of some sort? Whatever the case it seemed like he knew this kid. At the very least he knew of him.

"Oi, Gum!" came Keiatsu's youthful voice, one of his usual goofy grins beginning to form on his face. A small vein bulged on the older mercenary's forehead as his dark green eyes narrowed. "...Gun." was his anger-tinged correction, but the rose-haired boy only nodded like that was what he'd said in the first place. Yeah...these two definitely knew each other. "Gum" shook his head, letting out a sigh as he did so. If there was anything he'd learned from his time with this numbskull, it was that there was no point in arguing with him. It was like yelling at a brick wall. He gestured back towards the other side of the bar with his head and they both began walking as he spoke. "You find help?" Keiatsu shook his head in response as they moved. "I did find some really strong guys..." Referring to his temporary companions who fought the Barynx with him. It's true that any one of them were probably more than capable of aiding their cause...but the survivors had scattered after the mighty creature's second demise. They could be anywhere by now. "...but I don't know where they went." A "Damn." was the older merc's response, that vein in his forehead returning with a vengeance. "My end turned up cold, too." This place was beginning to look more and more like a bust. Just like Iwagakure had been. Gun wasn't completely empty-handed, however... "Apparently the Boss 'round here is someone named Sousuke." This wasn't exactly top-secret knowledge throughout the village. He only had to crack two or three skulls to obtain this tidbit, so it wasn't too much trouble. Still, it didn't help them a whole lot. If only Keiatsu had realized that one of the people who was battling the Barynx? Was in fact the Kazekage. But you know that saying..."Idiots will be idiots". Or...something like that.

A single word was uttered that instantly captured both of drifters' attention. "Kirigakure". Whoever said it was the person being crowded by tons of bar patrons. Gun's little disturbance had ripped some of the attention away from this mystery speaker, but not for too long. Soon all eyes returned to whoever this was...and from the way they were talking they seemed to be loving all the exposure. It was a bit strange though. For some reason it sounded like...there were two voices? The black-maned mercenary narrowed his eyes on the crowd, tilting his head slightly towards Keiatsu without shifting his gaze. "Hear that, Barakami?" This person-...people knew about Kirigakure. This was the best lead they had gotten yet! But when the merc turned to look at his "traveling companion", he saw no one standing next to him instead. Keiatsu was gone! "...of course." Why wouldn't he be? It was a good thing he didn't run off for no reason. In truth he weaved his way through the massive crowd, coming to stand at the front in no time at all. His eyes widened slightly upon seeing the being known as Aka. Not because of the obvious body horror...but because he remembered them. So this was who else his Sense was reacting too! "You saved Muttsūde and that other guy." the youth stated, blatantly ignoring the rest of the crowd as he spoke directly towards Akane and Akihiko. His face by default always looked a bit naive...but his expression was as serious as he could manage. When it came to this subject there were no laughs or smirks. "You're from Kiri too?" Last time the three of them had been together the circumstances didn't exactly allow for a friendly conversation. Takeyashi had been badly hurt, and Karu was in even worse shape. If it wasn't for the twins they might've been permanently crippled or worse. A few surprised voices followed by the dull THUD! of someone getting punched and then some gasps sounded out as someone shoved their way through the crowd of people. Coming out on the other side was Gun, an irritated look on his face as he took a place at Keiatsu's left. His sharp green eyes didn't waver upon seeing Aka, instead locking on them as he placed his hands in his pockets. He didn't even speak, instead just waiting to see what would happen. Regardless of whatever that happened to be...his night just got a lot more interesting.

[mft]
[NPC Entered]

 

[Akako]

All these people are putty in their hands, no matter who they are. The whole place is an echo chamber of want and desire to please the twins from far off lands. The only ones not under their thrall are those strong enough though none choose to intervene, knowing when to choose their battles. And those... naive enough to not really bother with such mature and sensual emotions. Though it did not matter much to them if a handful escaped their control. All they are here for is empty amusement. Some laughter, a few drinks, maybe a deal or two with those powerful enough not to succumb so easily to their presence. It was all in good fun. Their Charm just made it all the more easier for everything to go on smoothly.

Though smooth waters never lasted long. Not in the sea of life. And they would be getting a shift in the tides sooner rather than later.

To think it would come from someone somewhat familiar makes it... pleasant enough. Though not everyone is keen on this intrusion as every eye in the room swivels to the rose-haired boy that holds the attention of those they’re so enamored with. There’s a hostile hint tinting the air as the party crawls to a stop, especially when some violence begins. And some are just itching to plant their fists and dig their blades into these two ruffians, only held back when Akane puts up a hand.

“Muttsude; that would be one of the patients from the emergency room, yes? If so, that we did. And you’re very much welcome,” Akane smiled, so angelically, that she looked and sounded like a blessed healer to those in their spell.

“Though we must give credit where credit is due. Had you not brought them under our care so swiftly, they would not have made it,” Akihiko butt in with a grin before he took a deep sip of his drink. “Though let’s make one thing clear, Bubbleboy.”

“We aren’t just from Mist,” the two laugh. They don’t quite make their point clear just yet as Akane takes another puff. Smoke pours from both of their mouths and the red of their eyes started to glow ever so subtly in the low light. Though their tone is pleasant, it held an undertone of danger and power as they say, voices perfectly in sync: “Child. We are Mist.”

The other bar patrons join in their laughter, some even hollering and hooting and calling them all sorts of magnificent titles. Some of the nastier ones jeer at the brat who would insult the two so though Akane silences them all with a glance and gestures for Keiatsu to sit by them. Akihiko has to nearly push some of their suitors aside to make room for him and he gestures at Gum questioningly as if to ask if he’s with the boy.

“I guess we didn’t have time to introduce ourselves properly back at the hospital, brother,” the brother hums, placing an arm over their supposedly fellow Kiri nin’s shoulder. There’s a smile on his lips as he orders some food and drink for the two with a wink. “Shoukyou Akihiko and Shoukyou Akane. You might have heard of our noblest clan. One of the four founding families of Kirigakure, after all. You know, we owned the Casino and all of Mist’s weaponry? Our big brother, most awesome heir, was the Main Branch Sennin? Ring any bells? We’re kinda a big deal, man.”

“He’d probably remember if you gave him some space, brother mine. What do you want to eat or drink? It’s an open house and it’s all on us,” the sister smiles, pipe on her lips, though her eyes do not leave the dark haired man that came with Keiatsu. “And do tell us what you’re doing, going around asking for Kiri nin of all things.”

 

[Gotō Daiji]

Nod.

His response to Akane's first question. "Six Arms" was the name he'd dubbed Takeyashi for lack of his real one. And thus he'd remain so until they ever properly introduced themselves. "Thanks, again." he stated, his face showing the hint of a smirk before quickly fading so that he looked as "serious" as his large eyes could allow. Normally he'd be all smiles and laughter, but again this subject was a touchy one. Thoughts of home were one of the only things that could force the youth out of his normally carefree demeanor. And until he restored Water Country? It would remain that way. Even at their compliment he didn't so much as blink. It would appear the boy didn't have much of an ego...about these kinds of things, at least.

To say the twins' metaphor was entirely lost on the boy wouldn't be entirely accurate. It almost goes without saying that he didn't have a firm grasp on wordplay, but his mind could at least gather that yes; they were in fact from Mist. Didn't stop images of a giant Akane and Akihiko laying in water acting as Water Country's islands from popping into his head, though. As the rose-haired airhead was busy pondering such things, Gun was- "The hell you starin' at?!" ...doing what he did best. He'd picked up on some of the hostile intent aimed towards the both of them, and was reciprocating it onto the crowd a hundredfold. Comical as it might be, his glare absolutely reeked of dread. Anyone nearby who was sensitive to otherworldly things might be able to tell that this Mercenary was more than he seemed. There was something hidden deep below the surface. Something bad. His evil stare had been more than enough to intimidate most of the fools who had thought about trying anything. Along with his pointed canines his visage was quite menacing. He could take these people apart like it was nothing. Honestly? He wasn't worried in the slightest. If they tried anything, they'd die. Simple as that.

But Bubbleboy? The youth's *ahem*..."thought process" had since bounced back to that. Was he surrounded by some kind of ball he couldn't see? It was probably meant as a crack towards his odd hair but it absolutely soared over his head. He shrugged, nonchalantly accepting the twins' offer and walking over to plop down on the pile of cushions (and getting sucked in a bit...). Gun didn't budge an inch. He'd since returned to eyeing the two Shoukyou members with his signature cold stare, but it didn't last long as the male twin made a motion. He could clearly understand what the gesture meant...and he didn't at all like the question. Was he with this fool? A sweatdrop formed on the back of his head. "I really wish I wasn't...." was his response, internal as it might be. Akihiko threw his arm around Keiatsu's shoulder, the boy struggling to adjust to sitting on these spongy pillows. Normal people might be a tad concerned over the twins' perceived friendliness, but this particular person wasn't at all. He was naive as naive could be. And the Akane and Akihiko had surely picked up on this by now. Akihiko introduced the two of them post-haste adding in a bit of background about their family. Of course he knew who the Shoukyou were! It was impossible not to know, especially if you were a resident of Kirigakure. What they had done for Mist, and Water Country as a whole was astounding. You'd have to be a complete and total utter fool not to know who-

"Shokoyo?" ...*sigh*. "Hm..." At times, his ignorance of the world around him was absolutely astonishing. How?! How in the world did he not know who they were immediately? The Shoukyou clan was known the world round, their name invoking confident smiles in their allies and utter fear into their rivals. Not to mention they helped found Kirigakure. Even a fool should at least recognize the name! Problem is, this wasn't just a fool. This was a fool raised deep in the wilderness of Water Country, who's only interaction with people was when he traveled into Kiri to take missions from time-to-time. Sure he had friends he saw occasionally, but more often than not he was back to he and Yama's house at the end of the day, hidden deep within the forests of the countryside. For food they mostly hunted local wildlife, so there wasn't even any need to go into town for that. This kid was truly and purely, a wild child. "Well..." he began, some of the crowd undoubtedly hanging onto their seats out of eagerness to hear the next ridiculous words come out of his mouth. "I don't know your brother, but if he's got awesome hair then he sounds alright, I guess." ....not 'heir' but hair? HAIR?! Gun was literally facepalming at this point. He knew of the Shoukyou, but that was more of a business-related thing than any personal interest. If these two really were members of their clan, then they were important as all hell. "These two're probably worth a pretty penny..." He thought to himself. If he was in to kidnapping (or cared about money at all) a ransom might make him a very rich man. But that kind of stuff was better left to other sorts of criminals. As placating as this crowd might seem, there were surely a few in here tonight who had similar thoughts. Would anyone act on it though? If they did, it would sure as hell be entertaining...

Despite the younger of the duo's apparent idiocy, when it came to food? He was like a completely different person. "Here it comes..." the merc sighed aloud, shaking his head but maintaining his gaze on Akane. Like a robot programmed to do this sort of thing, the boy rattled off his order. "Udon, tonkatsu, soba, takoyaki, all the meat you have, rice, tempura, yakitori..." and it just sort of went on like that for awhile. Hopefully one of the nearby staff was jotting down his order because the offer of food was a verbal contract they had entering into without even realizing. Consequently, they'd made an instant ally out of the boy by doing so. He would help them out if they needed for the simple fact of "they bought me lunch!". 'Odd' didn't even begin to describe this one. Which was made all the more apparent when Akane questioned why they were seeking out other Kirigakure shinobi. "Oh, well..." He switched gears once more, lowering the hood on his robe to fully reveal his vibrantly-colored hair. His gaze turned first to Akihiko, and then to Akane. "We're gonna unfreeze Water Country!"

Now, this wasn't said with some sort of shōnen protagonist enthusiasm. He was as serious as serious could be. And if the conviction in his words weren't enough, his large brown eyes bore his resolve as clear as day. This wasn't some outlandish dream of his...this was going to happen. "I saw the thing that froze home." he continued, his brow furrowing at the mention of it. There were bad memories, and then there was this. It killed a little girl and flung her corpse like it was nothing. Then it took his home from him right before his eyes.. "I promised I'd come back for it..." It was true. With the blood of that child still fresh on his hands he'd swore an oath to return. And return he would...even if he had to go back by himself! "So...I'm gonna beat it up." Candid as could be. There was no hint of self-doubt in his words. Even his anger didn't bleed through that much. He was simply stating what was going to happen. Gun remained silent throughout, the only acknowledgement he gave being a nod after witnessing the boy's drive. He might've despised him...and sure his phrasing was a little...obtuse. But he couldn't ignore the kid's will. It had to be one of the Wonders of the World...and was probably why he was alive today. But would the twins find it just as incredible? Or even believable at all? The ball was in their court.

It was time to see what the Shoukyou had to offer to this quest of theirs...

 

[Akako]

Gum was causing quite a stir among the rest of the patrons. Though anyone smart or cautious enough would leave the man alone, there were still a stubborn few. And Akane had to assuage the ones with great tempers using quiet whispers in their heads, comforting them all like one would with children. Drink and eat and be merry. Do not concern yourselves with these Kiri nin anymore, she says, her words bleeding into their brains. Like fog and mist, it creeps, until the haze is all they know and they do as they’re commanded. No harm done and they get to enjoy the rest of the night, right?

Akihiko had to chuckle. “Yes, Tatsuya-oniisan does have awesome hair too. Ours... well, it’ll grow back to its former glory,” he admits with a sigh as he runs a hand through his own raven locks. It was a lot shorter than he’d like. But, then again, he was content they’d look somewhat presentable. Their beautiful hair had been chopped away to near nothingness while they were in captivity. Just another reason why the Guild had to pay for what they’ve done.

The two took no great offense to the Shoukyou name being unknown anymore. Perhaps they are an old relic of a dead country. It would be sad to think their names would forever be lost, only to have a place in history and in blackmarket weapons deal. Though their family, especially their mother, believed that the clan can easily go on, the twins had their doubts. Being part of a great shinobi village held meaning. Power. Without one, what were they but mercenaries for coins and vagrants in the wind with no real place to call home?

They’re nothing but targets, if the looks that the older gentleman was giving them is any indication. Sister kept her attention on him still and it was in cases such as these that it proved true: two heads are better than one. And she quirked a brow at him in challenge, red eyes glinting. If anyone dare try take them again, it would be a surefire reason to deserve their ire and a one way ticket straight to nightmare land. Dying so easily would be too merciful.

Though there is a pained understanding in his gaze too; she also had a dumb, little brother to deal with. By the looks of it, the other has his work cut out for him. “It looks like somebody is hungry,” Akane laughed, in the only way sisters can at little brothers and young brats.

The waitstaff looked like he was facing harassment at the long list that spewed from the bubblegum brat’s mouth. The kitchens were already busy as is, with the continuous flow of fare and the night was still young. No doubt, they were looking forward to a good few days off once this all paid off with a handsome sum of money.

But all mirth left the twins’ faces as he mentioned his goal.

To unfreeze the Water Country.

It’s then they realize, it’s then they feel it. This boy had seen it happen, didn’t it? That Omega level event that near wiped out a whole nation in one go. His formerly cheerful or naive expression turned into that of frustration, sorrow. It was a whole mess of negative emotions that the two were all too familiar with themselves.

But, rather than recoil from it, they basked in it.

It shames them that they weren’t there when the Great Freeze occurred. Many clan elders said that it was the gods, punishing the people for exiling the Shoukyou and the Isaki. There were many a time they had to hold each other back from lashing out, to tell them that the people were not deserving of this fate. That they shouldn’t have such ill wishes for the lands that have nurtured and let them prosper for many generations. And the two mourned for the people lost, never to return; their students, their peers, the ANBU and the Medic and the innocent children who did not make it out.

They too missed their home; they had been born and had grown up in the heart of its civilization. They saw how its people lived from the young to the old, the rich and the poor, ANBU and Medic and everything and anything in between and even beyond. They had loved its people, for all the corruption and the evil they had been capable of.

And it had near broken their hearts to leave when they had to leave.

But this boy is... something else, isn’t he?

The surface of his being was an open book that the twins did not even need to reach out with their Empathy in order to read into what sort of person he was. Young (though they too are young), innocent and- perhaps calling him naive is a tad bit mean? Lax? Carefree? Whatever the case, the boy did not seem to have a mean bone in his body and would unlikely mean them any harm. And they could see the shift in gears too, when the boy would turn serious and mature near instantly, often triggered by talk of their motherland. And if that did not endear them to the boy, then nothing would.

“This sort of talk is better kept a private affair,” Akane intones with a solemn expression on her face. And the two rise, though with some difficulty as there is a heaviness in their combined limbs that they’ve not felt since they first awoke to this new state. If their mood had been soured for any other reason, there would have been hell to pay. But this... this was of the utmost importance. “Come. We have a private room with us. Your food and drink will be brought there as well.”

Passing by the manager, the two take out a sack of coins from their kimono and hand it in his care. “That should take care of the food and drink for the lot of them, yeah,” Akihiko states, more than asks as they lead the way upstairs.

Of course, by private room, they meant they had rented the whole second floor of the place for their purposes. The level consisted of multiple rooms though it could be converted into a giant one by the collapsible walls. There was a large bed, near mimicking the pile of cushions they had made themselves comfortable on downstairs, as well as a chabudai with two zabuton. Another hookah stood ready on the table and alcohol could easily be ordered if they wished to have it.

They had thought they would be bringing partners and clients up here after a long night of merriment for the after party. But neither would have imagined they would be conducting such somber business here.

“Tell us about it.”

“About the fall.”

“We...”

“We weren’t there.”

“Exiled.”

“But it is still our home.”

It was a plea more than a request. And the two, in that moment, looked like the lost children that they all were.

 

[Gotō Daiji]

Hair. A light smirk couldn't help but make its way to the boy's face as the twins spoke of their own and their brother's hair. Even though it was his misunderstanding that caused the conversation, that signature smile of his couldn't help but bleed through his sudden sternness, especially in the presence of a laugh. It didn't last long however as there was another lull in the conversation. Akane continued to lock gazes with Gun, even arching an eyebrow in a, "you want a piece of this?" sort of way. Besides the corners of his mouth curling upward, he didn't have much of a reaction. His dark green eyes remained fixated on her red ones. She had spunk, that was for sure. Anyone looking to cash in on two Shoukyou kids were gonna have a tough time of it. And yet...

Nod, nod. The youth's reaction to the female twin's comment. He was starving. It had been almost a full two hours since he'd eaten...he was practically withering away over here! He might've only had a bit of Akimichi blood in his veins, but he got their appetite two times over. It was half-amazing half-scary to watch him eat, honestly. The cooks were undoubtedly going crazy back in the kitchen trying to prepare all this stuff, but it looked like these good questionable folks weren't going to get a show. At least not in the form of him inhaling food. For both of twins immediately sobered up at the mention of their homeland. Just as the rose-haired youth seemed oddly serious, they did as well. This was likely a common trait amongst all of the remaining Kirigakure ninja. To lose one's home was a devastating experience. Whether you were born there or came from elsewhere, to see the place you call "home" disappear was a pain that nobody should have to endure. Yet here they were. There were others too, but so far he and Gun hadn't found them. Last he heard of his uncle Yama he was acclimating to life in Iwagakure as a Jounin. Masa was MIA...Karuosu as well...

Emirii. Kinbarii. Yuichi. Kyojin. Uziuke. Akkuma. Yojimbo. Takeda. Rozan. Hoshikata. Youko. Sagi.

All of these Misties and countless others were unaccounted for (to him, at least). Not all of them could've made it out...some might've even been dead by other means. He didn't have the best memory when it came to general information...but he would never forget a single one of his friends. His usually wacky behavior was strangely subdued today as he noticed the twins' struggling with many of the same issues internally. And usually he was NOT observant in the slightest. What was happening? Who was this impostor and what did he do with that pink-haired idiot from before?! The twins suggested they take this conversation elsewhere, Akihiko removing his arm from around the boy's shoulder. It didn't take any convincing before the boy was up and following behind the two Shoukyou. This was a deeply personal matter, truly not suited for a crowd. Though the rose-haired youth didn't have any issues with speaking on this, it only made sense to want to converse in private. Even some of the degenerates watching all of this unfold empathized with them. There were gentle and saddened gazes directed their way as they moved through the sea of people. And yet...

...eyes of a different kind bore down on them as well.

More specifically, on the twins. They seemed the sharp type so they might've picked up on this, though their sudden grief could've possibly dulled their senses. The kid following them definitely didn't notice. But Gun? Gun picked up on it. Smartly, he didn't react. Instead he merely followed the three former Kiri inhabitants, doing his best to look as uninterested as possible. He wasn't sure what it was yet...but something was about to happen. He could smell it. As the group traversed through the crowd and up to the second floor, Gun decided to hang back a bit. There was a hallway with a single door leading to the single large room...and that would suit him just fine. "I'll wait out here." the merc's gruff voice spoke, him leaning against one of the walls and folding his arms soon after. It was true that the conversation inside would have very little to do with him. But there was another reason he wanted to remain out here. If his instincts were correct --and they usually were-- they were going to be having company soon. Akane, Akihiko, and the rose-haired youth entered the room, closing the door behind them. He'd never been much for conversation...but this was a talk in particular the boy had been wanting to have for a long time. About his home...and what could be done to fix it.

No time was wasted as the twins almost immediately asked about it. About "the Fall" as they had dubbed it. It was rather accurate...as in a matter of hours an entire country and most of its people had been converted into a crystalline sculpture. An icy wasteland the likes of which even the coldest part of hell couldn't compare. And strange though it may seem...this person- this...kid, was at Ground Zero when it all went down. He would share this story with anyone who was interested. But to Akane and Akihiko? He owed it to them. This much, at least. "It-..." his words trailed off, seemingly failing him as he lowered his gaze to the floor. His right fist instinctively clenched as he grit his teeth. "It was..." His voice was quiet, another oddity for the boy. And he was...trembling? His arm at least...though from fear or rage it was tough to say. For a while there was silence...and then- "A Shadow." Brown eyes stared at the twins, as narrow as they'd ever been. His entire body was shaking, but from the expression on his face it was clear that this wasn't because he was scared. This was more than anger...it was pure rage.

Just then, it seemed like the whole upper floor was trembling. No...the entire building. "A giant Shadow." The air would suddenly feel heavy, as if gravity had suddenly decided to bear down with all its might upon everyone present. Rattling sounded out as the nearby hookah wobbled erratically atop the table. "Bigger than anything." A wall on the far side of the room even split from the "force" exerted upon it, sending a crack down its entire length (Devastating Aura). Gun could feel it from outside in the hall, the weight seeming to suck the air out of his lungs and cause beads of sweat to drip down his face. "Wh-...what the hell is this?!" He'd never felt anything like this before...was this...Barakami?! People downstairs were undoubtedly affected as well, but it would be on a much smaller scale than those on the second floor. However this sensation was brief. Much briefer than it had ever been in the past. Before there was no "off" switch...but now the boy knew how to control it. "It" being what he had just displayed. The power to impose his will unto whatever he chose. That month out in the desert wasn't for nothing after all, it seemed. Suddenly the trembling stopped, the youth's with it. Though his eyes would remain filled to the brim with anger. "It killed a girl I was supposed to find..." His voice was eerily even. For a moment he averted his gaze, He didn't even have to try to recall that memory. It was burned into his brain. His last Mission as a Kirigakure shinobi. "Squashed her like a bug." Like a child who was bored with an old toy the Monster tossed the child's corpse aside. He could still see it, plain as day. The little girl he couldn't save. Her parents who couldn't even mourn her death before being frozen in time with the rest of Kirigakure. Forever trapped in that painful moment. "Then it froze...everything." It was unknown how it did it. Or even what this 'Shadow' was. It definitely wasn't human. And when he said "bigger than anything", he meant it. The youth had done battle with huge Monsters in the Invasion, and the legendary Barynx, what had to be the world's largest sandworm. He knew big. And this thing was still larger than anything he'd ever seen. "I swore I'd go back..." he reiterated from earlier, more for himself than for them. "...so even if I have to go alone..." it was obvious what was coming next. "I'm going back." Going alone would be suicide. Yet he wasn't shaken in the slightest. Even if he died, if he could pay back that..."thing" even a tenth of what it had done to his homeland, it would be worth it. Maybe the twins wanted a more detailed explanation...but this was about all he could offer. Even seeing it all happen didn't give him much more insight into the creature's origin. But whatever it was...one thing was certain.

It was destruction incarnate.

 

[Akako]

They had felt it, the eyes that bore into them, though they pretended to be oblivious. Those of the curious and those of the opportunistic. If they acted on their interest, the twins will surely make them regret it. Otherwise, let them stare all they want.

In the privacy of their room, the Shoukyou and the rose haired youth sat across the low table from each other and their vices stay untouched for now.

It is with heavy thoughts and heavy hearts that they gather here.

Though their family was safely ensconced in Moon and they had found their brother here in Sand, they knew not where the Isaki clan was. Hoshikata was long lost to their senses, though they aren’t sure if that meant that he was in hiding or that if he was dead. Akane worried, if only because he was supposed to be her betrothed.

There have been others in Sand, however; something they would bring up to Keiatsu once he had finished his story. They could only listen now. And though the boy didn’t give much of a story, the very rage palpable in the air that it didn’t take a pair of Empaths to feel it said volumes. A great shadow. Surely, they would not be getting any sleep tonight because of this encounter. They would be staying up late, deep in thought or in studies, trying to figure out what this thing may have been.

Yet in the face of this rage, they can only express pity and sorrow. Cold and cool in contrast to his heated anger. “Calm yourself, boy. It would not do for your anger to bring the Sand ANBU upon our heads because they think we are in the midst of a murder,” the sister chided gently. She placed a hand on Keiatsu’s arm and pushed a cool and calm sensation into him, in the hopes that it would help him do so. Some of their sorrow in exchange for some of his rage; though it would not do to forget either emotion.

“It looks like the Lady Fates shine upon us with our meeting today, no? Perhaps she was behind our meeting at the hospital as well,” Akihiko laughed then with bitter amusement. He shakes his head, more to shake off the cold from him, and he downs some sake to help him along. “If it is allies you have been seeking, in regards to trying to make heads or tails of what happened to Mist, then you’re in luck. We’ve been thinking of looking into it ourselves. And trust that we are good friends to have. We’re not the only Kirigakure-nin here, you know? Considering the nation we’ve come from, it’s rather ironic that we would choose to go to a place that is the complete opposite.”

They had planned an expedition to Mist the first time they had been lucid enough to remember what befell their home. That had been long into their time in this conjoined state for there had been a time where they can barely even take care of themselves or remember how to form proper sentences. What the Guild had done to them damaged them so heavily and they had taken a lot of time to recuperate.

But it was on the agenda as soon as they were somewhat back to themselves again. Only second to finding their eldest brother. They wanted, at the very least, to see what had become of their home themselves and maybe, to find out what had done this. And to kill it. With extreme prejudice.

Akane mimics her brother, lighting up the hookah, to let the minty smoke calm her nerves. There’s a thoughtful look on her face as she puts a hand up to one eye, as if seeing something the others did not. “Of course, it could very well be a coping mechanism. Distance one from surroundings that will remind ourselves from what we cannot yet have. But, yes, as my brother puts it, we have come across many shinobi of Kirigakure in our time here... If we say the word, no doubt they would heed our call... if only to take the chance to listen to you,” she hums before blowing out a ring of smoke. There’s a long moment of silence on her part as she thinks. “We will not assume that everyone would be interested and willing to return or force them to do so. Many have moved on, having established themselves shinobi of other nations. We imagine some will be willing to join a cause for the motherland on their own volition. And some will need proper persuasion.”

“It’s a good thing for you that sister and I are of the persuasive sort,” Akihiko quickly adds with a laugh. It’s nice to see that they weren’t the only ones concerned for Mist. But, ever the opportunist themselves, they would find a way to turn their interests into a profitable thing.

 

[Gotō Daiji]

A long exhale followed after Akane brushed over his arm, using some sort of calming technique in hopes of quelling his tangible anger. It worked! For the most part, at least. His facial expression relaxed slightly, though his brown irises seemed to retain their edge. Luckily he'd caught himself before he went overboard with Ō-Kyōhaku. If anything, it was a testament to the amount of control he'd gained during his time in the desert. Self-control was all but nonexistent to the boy up until his little training session. Before there was no stopping it if he ever unconsciously activated the ability...but his grandpa had managed to beat into him the discipline to be able to use it at will. And the restraint needed to use it effectively. "Mm." the boy agreed with a nod towards Akane. She was right. An ANBU unit showing up would definitely be a buzzkill...

His eyebrow arched at the mention of Lady Fates. He didn't know who this chick was...but if she allowed all of them to meet then she must be okay! It was funny that Akihiko mention such a thing. In truth, the boy's entire extended family was "gifted" with such fortune. There had been countless times in his past where the rose-haired boy escaped death through sheer luck alone, and nothing else. Luck landed him here in Sunagakure instead of leaving him to die in the desert. Luck reunited him with his grandfather. And luck was exactly why he was sitting here now, conversing with the Shoukyou twins. He listened as intently as he could to Akihiko speak, nodding at the implication of them being "good friends to have". They bought him food...so of course they were! A hint of confusion flashed across his face however, once the male sibling revealed that they weren't the only Mist shinboi currently in Sunagakure. "Eh?" his eyes widened as he visibly reeled back a bit. "There's more of us here?" Amazing, truly. He and Gun had both been in the village for a while now...and even with their separate searches, neither of them had come across any former Kiri ninja. This made it final. Lady Fates really did have a hand in this meeting. Neither Gun nor the boy had the same information network the two Shoukyou were bound to have. They didn't have the knowledge, temperaments, nor the wherewithal to construct one either. The black-maned mercenary was simply too volatile for such things...and the kid? He was...well...

...too simple! Even if he understood what such a thing was and how useful it could be, he wouldn't bother with any of it. Sounded boring! Up until this point he had been sitting atop the zaubton with his legs outstretched, but he promptly brought them inwards and crossed them. His arms followed suit as his eyes drifted upwards, the boy's face seemingly under duress as he began to think. If brains could generate steam from overclocking themselves, this room would be a sauna right about now. Thinking was hard! It was why he never did it. Akane began to explain to the boy about the other ninja, and the amount of influence they held over them. According to her it would take but a word before the masses flocked, likely out of reverence for the clan they both belonged too. But they would listen...and that was more than he could say about most people he'd met since The Fall. The female twin made it clear that not everyone would be willing to return to the frozen nation. Honestly to most it would seem that the boy's goal was nothing more than a pipedream. That he was holding out hope for nothing. That Water Country --and Kirigakure with it-- was dead. Most who had gotten out had already made homes elsewhere, taken in as refugees by other Shinobi Villages. Some had decided to lend their services to the highest bidder, drifting from place-to-place as Mercenaries. If they were to be successful in this endeavor, they were going to need all the help they could- "I don't care!" ...

......

Apparently, his "thinking" session was over. A pouty look was plastered across his face, probably meant to be a scowl. Obviously the more help they gained in their mission the better, but it was like he'd said; even if everyone refused to return...he was going to march back to Kiri and take on that "thing" himself. As stupid as it sounded, he truly did not care whether anyone agreed to help or not. "If they don't want to help, then screw them!" A few nods afterwards served to showcase his stubbornness. It was an easy thing to say in the moment...but could they really afford to be so aloof about this? "Definitely not" is the correct answer. This kid was an oddball alright...almost as odd as the loud BOOM! that suddenly sounded out in the hallway. Like someone had been slammed against the wall outside. A few half-muffled voices could be heard talking, along with pained yelps as several flat, packing sounds rang out. Then? Silence. It was obvious to anyone with a lick of sense that there had just been a scuffle outside...yet the rose-haired boy remained completely uninterested. If anyone was out there who wished them harm, they wouldn't just be waiting in the hallway. Maybe Gun just tripped? Yeah that was probably it. Before they could think about it for too long someone knocked at the door, and a few seconds later it opened. Several members of the waitstaff shuffled in carrying the lad's mountainous order of food, nervous looks on their faces as they moved. As quickly as he had snapped into "serious" mode, he popped back out, his eyes almost sparkling as he watched the waiters set the ridiculous spread around his seated form.

His head darted madly back and forth, letting out an, "Ooooh!~" as he observed. Before they had even finished he was already digging in, shoveling all kinds of food from multiple plates into his mouth. Surely it wasn't the most...pleasant sight to behold, but it couldn't be denied that it was incredible. Downing jumbo-sized bowls of soup in seconds, cleaning a shank of meat in one motion....if he was born with a single talent, eating was certainly it. One of the waitresses approached the Shoukyou twins, bowing her head to them before leaning down to whisper in Akane's ear. They had a bit of trouble getting into the room because...well...there was a black-haired Mercenary standing over four bodies in the hallway. From what the woman could gather they probably weren't dead, but weapons were strewn about on the ground with him. Gun didn't offer up any details either, just returned to leaning against the outside wall like he had been doing. It explained the noises from earlier. The details of the altercation were a little hazy, but from what it sounded like armed thugs tried getting into the room and were stopped. Probably weren't expecting a battle-hardened merc to be waiting for them in the hallway. Nonetheless, the unsociable young man would remain at his posting, likely standing guard for any more "surprises". It took a few minutes for the waiters to get everything situated, but once they did they all bowed towards the twins and hastily took their leave. The boy kept right on eating, only stating that, "Thish'sh guhd!" as he continued to chow away. Everyone had their vices...his just happened to be food. "Hehy, soh..." his words were muted as he bit down on a plate of noodles, slurping the entirety of the dish into his mouth like a vacuum in only moments. His eyes turned towards the twins, still chewing as he asked a question that he'd been wondering ever since the conversation started. "How come you guys were gone when Mist got frozen?" ...a little personal, perhaps. And maybe not the best question to be asking with his face stuffed full of food. But what could he say? He was naturally curious. And the innocent expression on his face was probably screaming this fact to the twins. So until they responded he would wait, his eyes shifting between the two.

 

[Junan]

He'd been there only a short time, the bouncer first wanted him to pay, Junan convinced him otherwise, after all, Junan had no access to money right now. Spending it all on creating new puppets cost him large, but it didn't matter, this is where he wanted to be, and no-one and nothing could stop him from being wherever he wanted to be. Not right now. Not when the organization had no eyes on him. It also helped that when directly face to face with the ANBU Sennin of this village that it was made abundantly clear that in certain areas of this village, he could do anything he wanted.

The lights of the club lit him up like a Christmas tree, the black light making his pink feathered jacket stand out more than it normally would. His grin split his face as he turned heads, though that was something he was used to. In Cloud he turned heads because he wore nearly nothing in the freezing temperatures. Here it made more sense. Still his costume was a bit... eccentric. Today he wasn't going to bother with a drink. Normally he would to fit in, but today he didn't care, here they wouldn't notice a thing.

Yet as he moved across the floor towards a place where he could find himself a seat, just a common area seat, nothing fancy he felt this wave of pressure ride over him. It sent a tingle down his spine. And his head fell back, his eyes rolled back into his head. Whatever that was, it excited him. He would have taken a breath if he'd had lungs. A deep one, there was a sense of fear, of dread that was in it. The atmosphere of the entire club transformed, those who were looking around thinking they were going to be killed, those who looked around to see where they should defend themselves and where from, those who simply dropped to the floor and hid.

And then there was Junan. Basking in it all.

When it ended he smiled. He knew where it had come from. From above him, from the expensive area. His eyes moved to the stairwell and he began moving in that direction. The two guards at the bottom of the stairs looked at him Do you have a pass? They asked. Then as Junan continued to step into them they felt their world change, and suddenly they were busy with each other, stopping who they felt was Junan entering this area.

Upstairs he looked around, there were several areas, rooms, but he knew generally where the aura had come from. Unless it had fled, though it didn't feel like an aura which would flee, then it should be.

He stepped into the space, pillows piled in different areas.

There were some eating food, and the waiters who had served the food passed by Junan, uncertain expressions on their features, but then they'd just served food to a conjoined twin which had lived passed its expiry date, so hey, a man dressed the way he was with a bizarre grin really wasn't that unusual. A boy with pink hair asked the freaky double person which was stuffing his face where they had been when Mist had been frozen. So he at least was a shinobi, and probably this other thing too.

Still, Junan needed to find out something, so he decided to ask his question in a very loud voice.

Who was it who decided to invite me up with that promise of devastation? He grinned as he looked at everyone in the room from behind his shaded glasses.

 

[Akako]

The confusion on the cherry boy’s head was adorable, to say the least, and the two couldn’t help but chuckle and smile at that. “Oh yes, there is a generous number of Mist shinobi here in Sand, all things considering,” they admit with a nod. There was their brother, of course, and the two elder Kaze brothers were here though they had not seen the youngest of the three. There was the Katai warrior and there were rumours that Akkuma and a member of the Daiki clan were somewhere about, though they cared little for the latter. That was easily three shinobi squads and, though few in number, a lot of the present Mist shinobi were easily armies of their own.

His determination to do what is needed for their mother country, on the other hand, is admirable. “And we mirror your sentiments. Though if we are to take a risk, it is better for it to be a calculated one.” The thought to return to the now frozen wasteland had been long in their mind, especially while they were stown away in Moon.

It would be considered a blessing that the food arrived when it had, lest the boy’s outburst escalated any further beyond a spirited show. Though the question – or, rather questions – that came along with it were not wholly wanted.

Why were they gone when Mist was frozen?

A really touchy subject, really, especially when they’ve only just met. Though it really was no secret that the two great clans saw the corruption brewing through the village and wanted nothing to do with it. That and the twins were wholly uninformed, stories and perceptions twisted by Shoukyou clan elders to try and grow hostility towards Mist in their hearts. They were led to believe that they were exiled by the government, cast away like unwanted garbage.

And to ask about the invitation when one wasn’t given?

“You’re not welcome here, stranger,” Akihiko spoke coldly towards the newcomer.

“This is a private room and a private conversation, sir,” Akane intoned with a nod.

“It’d be best for you to leave.”

---

[legend="[b]Out of Character Notes[/b]"]

• Here... have this half-arsed thing.

[/legend]

 

[Gotō Daiji]

Munch. The twins explained that surprisingly enough, there were quite a few Mist shinobi right here in Sunagakure. It was a bit strange to have so many former Kirigakure ninja conveniently gathered in one place...but he wasn't complaining! This would make their goal that much easier. Weird that he hadn't run into any though... "Soh..." the boy began, continuing to chomp away as he finished his thought. "Dere's ah buhnch ohv us, hunh..." Seemingly he was unaware that his mouth was full of food. Also that he was "thinking" out loud. He couldn't help it! Just knowing that there were more people from Water Country out there, alive...it brought a smile to his face. His ravenous eating kept right on, for once in his life keeping his ears open in case the two Shoukyou had anything more to say.

Munch, munch. His big round eyes stared at the two of them from across the table. It was true what he said. He honestly didn't care if he had help or not...but the twins had a very good point. More numbers meant higher odds of success. It was simple math really. Unfortunately the youth didn't exactly have a firm grasp on math... "Mhm, mhm." His nodding head sure gave the illusion that he knew what they were saying. Maybe he actually did get it? "Right!" Huh. Never would've taken Mako for the understanding type. "Better to make a calamari bisque." ...wha-...just-...calculated risk!!!

...

...okay. Next "training session" they had, Gō needed to beat some listening skills into his grandson. Normally he could follow a damn conversation but perhaps this tme it wasn't his fault. I mean, the twins did offer to pay for food...so could you really blame him when he was surrounded by a literal feast?! Mako's hands were always moving as his attention jumped back and forth. Grabbing shanks of meat, twirling bunches of noodles with a fork, lifting mugs of bevrages...it was sort of amazing to watch in a way. His wide-eyed gaze was no longer on the twins, but that didn't mean he wasn't listening. He still wanted to hear what they had to say about their absence from Kirigakure during the freeze. Such an inquiry had greater impact than he realized, however. It's safe to say that he didn't fully comprehend the gravity of his innocent question. Mako's overall social skills were negligible, and (surprisingly) he didn't much get the concept of "sensitive subjects". If something came to him, he'd speak his mind. That's just how he was!

Munch, munch, munch. But before the Shoukyou siblings could even begin to answer something -or rather...someone- entirely unpredictable happened. A tall blonde man with an impeccable fashion sense entered the room, grinning like the devil and asking who sent out a mass invitation. Little did Mako know it was his involuntary activation of Ō-Kyōhaku that drew this feathery individual up here. His large eyes stared at the man...but he just kept on eating. Akane and Akihiko did not take kindly to the intrusion and asked him to leave. "..." Afterwards there was a long while of deafening silence. Sluuuuuuuuuuuurp! ...well except for that. It seemed the rose-haired youth was a bit preoccupied with his bowl of noodles at the moment. It took about a minute for him to finish the bowl, after which he lifted it to his lips and guzzled the broth. Clinking sounded out as he dropped the bowl down on the wooden table, turning his seated form slightly so that he was now facing the intruder. Now? It was time to get some answers! "......" Riiiiiiiight after he took a bite out of a new leg of meat... "Deva-...huh?" Clearly he was having some trouble with the word. Good thing his attention span was so short! "Who're you?" the boy asked, his eyes remaining locked on the man as he continued to eat. It was a bit odd that this guy showed up...and wait, wasn't Gun in the hallway?

"I need a damn drink..." Apparently not! A finger tapped impatiently on the bartop as he waited for service. Working those goons over gave him quite the thirst...not to mention just being around Mako for more than two minutes made him want to drown himself in sake. "...or five." He hoped this place's booze was at least decent, because this was a real hole. Especially the people here! Idiots think they can just kidnap two kids that belong to a bigshot family like its nothing? If he wasn't already up there he might've let them try but...ah what the hell. He'd been itching to crack some skulls anyway. This dump attracted the lowest of the low. He even saw some dude walk by wearing a pink feathered shawl type of thing. Weird. Finally the bartender made his way over towards the gruff merc, taking his order and then filling up an old fashioned glass completely with some type of dark liquor. Way things were going, he was gonna need a few of these before the night was up...

 

[Akako]

The man by the door neither moved nor responded to their query or request. A drunk who had come up here hoping to find a good time most likely. And, had he started anything, the twins would have promised that he would have a really bad time. But seeing as he was presumably incapacitated, a quick whisper from Akane has him falling to the ground asleep but otherwise unharmed. She stopped one of the retreating waiters and gestured for them to take the slumbering man downstairs, slipping some yen into his hands for his troubles.

Really, that was... annoying.

But the moment was lost as was the light in their eyes. There’s nothing left but veiled looks, cold airs and a sigh. The twins did not like interlopers. Akane took Akihiko’s drink from him and downed it in one go, even if that only served to make her brother drunker. It was his internal system they shared, after all. Gun isn’t the only one who needs a damn drink around here.

“Shame their seafood isn’t as fresh here as it is in Mist, no?” the brother chuckled at Mako’s mistake. There were some seafood among the feast too but the discerning eye could tell that they had long been frozen, needing to go through days of travel through the ports and the desert and what not. They’d kill for a nice, fresh from the ocean platter filled with sushi, sashimi and the likes. Okay, maybe not literally. Maybe.

“Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?” Akane sighed, looking mournfully at the bottom of an empty glass. “Ah, yes. If you’d like for us to arrange a meeting, we can inform the proper parties. We can gather them as well as provide a venue and an avenue for discussion.”

Their thoughts go to the Kazekage as well as the Medic Chief who was named Akujin and yet not. “Perhaps we may be able to invite some of Sand’s government officials as well to ask for their aid. In an undertaking such as the one we have in mind, the... what do they say again? The more, the merrier?” Akihiko grinned. Really, they should go meeting some more of the powers that be in this village if they were to stay any longer here. More connections, especially with higher ups, never hurt anybody... ignoring of course that more powerful allies meant more powerful enemies often times. Maybe they’d be willing to extend their aid with the promise that Mist’s restoration will be very beneficial for them? There were others too, mercenaries and neutral parties and most shinobi really. Those who can be bought with money or with power, both of which they had much to share.

“Where are you currently staying, if we may ask? Knowing where we’d most likely find you would be good, if we are to keep in touch. And... ah!” sister asks before running a hand over her right ear, where a communication device would be hidden. “And if you are equipped with a headset, know that you can contact us.”

---

[legend="[b]Out of Character Notes[/b]"]

• Used Temple of Nirvana [Mastered] on Junan so that he can be hauled out due to... uh, yeah. Also, I'll just start referring to you as Mako in narrative even if they met you while you were still named Keiatsu because I have so much trouble spelling it. Sorry again, this is pretty bad. Took me a whole day to write this. The momentum is just lost, yanno?
  
  Marked for Training
  Words: 515
  Training Date: Mar 6-12

[/legend]

 

[Gotō Daiji]

Boy was this awkward...

After making his way upstairs and into their private room, the eccentrically-dressed man just sorta...stood there. Mako continued to slurp his udon while Akane and Akihiko continued to give him death glares. "..." What was going to happen next? Deafening silence had spread throughout the room. The tension in the air was palpable as this newcomer kept right on grinning, and the twins kept right on glaring. It seemed like at any moment something explosive was going to happen and then...

He fell over?! "Ahahaha!~" the boy immediately erupted into monkey-like laughter, almost choking on the noodles he was so hungrily slurping down. "ACK!" After bashing his own chest a few times to help the half-chewed food along its journey to his stomach, the boy leaned forward and let out a sigh of relief. Blocked air passages were never a fun thing. The rose-haired boy watched with wide eyes as Akane whispered to one of the waiters and slipped them some yen. After that the server collected the seemingly drunk man and proceeded to drag him out of the room and downstairs. "Weirdo." he thought aloud, soon returning to his feast. Yeah. That guy was the weird one. Not the hundred and thirty pound kid eating his entire body weight in food. He picked up a large roasted bass in his hands and tore into the middle of it, arching an eyebrow as Akihiko commented on the quality of the fish. "Mm?" Mako took a few seconds to chew (amazing, I know...) and actually thought about the taste, giving a small nod as he swallowed the bite. "Yeah, you're right..." After eyeing it suspiciously for a few seconds he shrugged and took another big chunk out of the fish. "Me and Yama used to catch better stuff than this all the time." he mused, a soft smile forming on his lips as his mind once more wandered back to Mist. Living in the wilderness...hunting all of their food...the terrifying training he was put through. As much as he hated that last one, he still looked back on that time fondly. It had been quite some time since he'd seen Yama. Really had to pay him a visit one of these days.

Akane asked where she'd left off, likely rhetorically. Mako still shrugged. Shockingly the lad had a hard time retaining information... "Oh, yeah." he quipped after the female sibling finished speaking. Forming a coalition to take back there home. That was important. He had to make sure to remember this! "Mhm." he vocalized with a nod, the fire in his eyes igniting once again. This was happening wasn't it? Finally after all this time...but it was still too early to relax. There would be much to do in the coming days. "Sounds good!" Who would've known that all he had to do was befriend a couple of Shoukyou to get this thing moving? If the twins had been in Stone when he stopped by then this might have happened a lot sooner. Akihiko suggested that they seek out some of Sand's higher-ups to rally for aid. It wasn't a bad idea...except it was one he'd been trying to do since he got here! The Kage was a hard man to get a hold of. But surely these two were better suited for socializing and information gathering than him. "Kyujo might help." A good suggestion. Byakko Kyuji was reliable and of high rank in the village...though Mako did not know the latter part. "I don't know if he's important... he paused to pick up a large bowl of rice and grab some nearby chopsticks. "But he fixed me up and gave me food when I got here." A big grin graced his face once more. "So I like him!" Really, if the rose-haired scatterbrain was just a little more observant a lot of the problems he kept running into would disappear entirely. I mean, he'd already fought alongside most of Sand's Sennin AND the Kage against the Barynx...so he probably should've paid attention to that conversation afterwards. But what fun would that be?

Munching noises once again pervaded the air as he began inhaling rice from the bowl he was holding, Top-notch or not, this food was good! It was a good thing he wasn't a picky eater. "Where?" the boy mimicked the question, still chewing as the female twin brushed some of her hair out of the way and revealed some sort of device in her ear. "Headseat?" he asked, clearly stupefied by the question. He didn't even know what thing was! Mako was -how you say- out of touch with technology. Growing up in the wilderness of Water Country didn't offer him much in the way of gadgets. He'd never owned a headset, much less know how to use one. For all intents and purposes, he was a bumpkin. But damn if those things didn't look cool! "Looks fancy..." he leaned in for a better look, his mouth forming an "o" shape after he inspected it closely. People talked over these things? That was kinda cool. After a minute or so of eyeing the device he leaned back and re-crossed his legs, putting his hands on his knees as his eyes drifted upwards. He still hadn't answered her first question. Where was he staying? Well he definitely didn't have any money...and he didn't exactly know where Kyuji's house was or anything...soooo... "I'll sleep on a roof." Yeah the funny thing was? He was being 100% serious. Sleeping outside never bothered him...though Wind Country was really damn hot, and with Suna's new extreme makeover in the form of the Barynx smashing the earthen canopy over the village, that blistering heat was going to be even harsher. Still, he'd survive.

Might need to borrow some more sunblock from Kyuji though...

 

[Akako]

Weirdo.

Akane’s lips twitched at this comment. Yes, the drunk guy was the weirdo. Not the human bottomless pit or the royal freak show enjoying the private feast.

“Kyujo? We don’t know who that is but we do know a Kyujin,” she hums, thinking back to the Medical Chief they had met a few days back.

They really weren’t expecting much from the seafood, of course, considering how rundown the area is. As it is, they were at awe at how the pink haired boy could stomach the fish that resembled soggy cardboard more than the dory it claimed to be. If the food didn’t amuse them, at least their company did.

But even that did little to lift their spirits.

Perhaps it is the sake that Akihiko had been drinking.

Perhaps it had been that interruption.

But it has been a long night. A long day. A long lifetime. And the thought of going to bed, as rare as sleep may be to them, was a nice thought.

To know that this boy did not have the same privilege as they did was... disheartening.

Which is why, without warning, they threw a key in Mako’s direction along with a sack of gold coins. “Take these. You and your handsome friend can stay the night,” sister spoke in an aloof manner

And brother cut off any protests with a grin: “And before you say no, know that we’ve already paid for the rooms and had no intention of sleeping here in the first place.” There’s a beat before he adds: “Enjoy the rest of your dinner. And you get breakfast in the morning too, if you stay here.”

Hopefully, that was enough reason for the boy to stay. Camping was swell and all. But having no roof over one’s head on a daily basis couldn’t be fun all the time.

“We have accommodations in the Kage Tower. And we aide the local hospital as well, as you very well know. If you are ever in need of us, we are always willing to aide one of our countrymen,” Akane reminds him, a fond and caring tone to her voice, befitting a big sister such as her.

But the warmth was fleeting as the two got up to their feet. There was something nagging at the back of their heads, pulling them away. “Unfortunately, we have elsewhere we need to be.” It was an easy lie to make.

“Until next time.”

---

[legend="[b]Out of Character Notes[/b]"]

• Leaving Topic, so I don't you hold up any longer. But we'll meet again, surely!
  
  Marked for Training
  Words: 410
  Training Date: Mar 27 - April 2

[/legend]

 

[Gotō Daiji]

"Mhm." the boy nodded as Akane corrected his mispronunciation, as if he'd said it right himself. "Yep, that's him!" Of course he was completely unaware of his habit of butchering people's names. Why wouldn't he be?!

For a while he continued to eat, easily finishing off most of the feast by himself. Sure the food was no Water Country cuisine, but it wasn't half bad! Not that he exactly had a refined palate or anything...but still! Just as he finished draining a bowl of soup a distinct CLANK! sounded out that caught his attention. Looking down at the table he would see both a key and a bag of what he could only assume was money. Oooh! Or maybe it was some of those chocolate coins? That would be awesome. "...uh-" the boy arched an eyebrow and opened his mouth to speak but Akihiko interjected. There was no point in declining their offer, because otherwise the room would just go unused. Mako's eyes darted back and forth between the twins, the money, and the room key multiple times. Pride had never been a big issue in the boy's life. Hell...he probably wasn't even self-aware enough to understand the concept behind it. Usually when something like this occurred he would get excited and throw out a, "Really?!" but since the Shoukyou siblings seemed dead set on this idea...well...

...who was he to say no?

Another nod followed as the twins explained their own living situation. Being a talented doctor sure had its perks. His usual warm smile returned at Akane's words. He didn't say anything, but the feeling was definitely mutual. If they were ever in trouble and needed help, they could count on him! Y'know...if he didn't get lost on his way there. The youth's brown irises followed the twins as they stood up, and continued to do so as they made their way for the door. It seemed like it was about that time. As such important people, they had somewhere else to be and could no longer tarry here. But he wouldn't let them go that easily. No... "Wait!" the boy shouted after them, some dishes clinking together as he stumbled to his feet and bumped the nearby table. Without hesitation the youth would run towards both of the twins, and if they turned to face him would- "Thanks." ...throw his arms around their necks in a big, surely-awkward sort of group hug. Humility wasn't something the boy had in spades. Manners, neither. So it definitely wasn't everyday he uttered a "thank you" to anyone! But these two had made an impact on the boy. Perhaps this meeting was the first step towards his goal? Towards their goal. If anything, it was certainly the most progress he'd made since he started out on his journey.

After hugging them for what was probably a minute too long the boy would relinquish his embrace and take a step back, that trademark Sachi grin wide on his face. He made a fist and brought it out in front of him. "We'll get our home back." Strange. He had been saying these words for so long now...but this was the first time they had the backing of real, palpable hope. The twins would be key in this mission. Thus far they were the only people he'd met with the same amount of drive to save Water Country as him. Oh...and Gun, too. "I promise." Those two words would be the last thing he said to Akane and Akihiko, at least for now. Hopefully they would meet again so. No...they would. It was necessary. All three of them now bore the combined weight of Water Country on their shoulders. It was up to them to save their home. Because if they didn't...then who would? After the twins had finally taken their leave the boy would return back to the table and take his seat once more. It was time to finish the rest of this grub! Downstairs a certain black-maned mercenary watched silently from the bar as the siblings made their way through the adoring crowd. Dark green eyes followed them across the room and to the door. "There they go..." the thought ran through his head as he lifted a glass to his lips, finishing off the dark-colored liquid in it. He nonchalantly tossed the glass over his shoulder towards the bar. "Hopefully some of Barakami's stupid rubbed off on 'em..." Of course he was referring to the charismatic magnetism the boy possessed. I mean, look at him! A professional mercenary who once traveled to Kirigakure to kill Mako. Now he was here...his "traveling companion"...waiting for him downstairs in a bar.

"...oh god." Immediately he turned and ordered another drink. Life sure was strange...

[Topic Left]
[OOC: Stopped for a sec to give a hug but then let go. Let's do another thread sometime.~]