“Shut up, you foolish man.” Natsu hissed, shooting a hard glance at the Kumo-Nin chasing him. Truthfully, the man had every right. After Zaku’s recent abandonment of the Gates, it was more than suspicious Natsu would follow him. Of course the circumstances differed immensely. There had no Golden Sage in front of him to mesmerize the Jonin into abandoning the Village. But if the Gate Captain could be so heavily swayed from his duties, who was to say the Spymaster could not have been affected as well? What if the ex-Kumogakurian with a golden body and silver tongue had masterfully enchanted all of Kumo’s high officers into following the man’s nefarious goals? Then by Raiden did we fuck up. Natsu thought sourly, rushing along.
“Sir! You have to return the Village! It is bad enough to lose one division captain, a second would likely render the Main Branch useless!” At those words, the Spymaster came to an abrupt halt. The pursuer, surprised that his words had the intended the effect but relieved nonetheless, was abruptly slammed to the ground. A sharp, bony blade rested at his neck in the following second. “Do not dare doubt our Lord Raikage or your Branch like that ever again, Shinobi. Loyalty is what makes Kumogakure stronger than the other Villages. I know. I have travelled and experienced. Loyalty to Hayata-Sama is the one thing keeping the Village and the Branches together.
They would do just fine even without me, even though I have every intention of returning. I need to find De.. ex-Death Watch Captain Zaku however, and find out why he left. Whether it was that damned Hoshikata’s doing or his own loyalty faltering. I do not mind you tailing me, but if you do you will not utter a single word more. Understood!?” The Shinobi on the ground awkwardly nodded his head, not wishing the blade to pierce flesh yet wanting to convey his comprehension as clearly as possible. With a curt nod of his own, Natsu released his grip on the man’s collar and withdrew the contorted ulna into his arm. “Apologies sir. I will return to the Village and convey your words to Masao-Sama.”
As the Shinobi turned, he hesitated a moment before speaking once again. “Please return quickly. The Village may not need you, but Masao-Sama did speak of his confidence in you. Do not disappoint him. Or us.” And the Shinobi was gone in a flicker of movement. Finally Natsu exhaled the long-held breath of relief. As skilled as his companion may have been, the Spymaster considered Zaku a personal friend. It felt as if somehow he was the only one entitled to do track him down, ridiculous as the notion might be.
Finally coming to a halt, the exhausted Jonin looked about. Solum de Asphodelus, plains upon fields, as far as the eye could see. And in this flatland that was pretty far, even in this darker night. Several shimmers of blue could be seen in the distance where the moonlight was reflected by thin streams of water. Natsu had little information at the ready to track the Sage and his missing friend with. It had only been a calculated guess that had brought the Spymaster here. Hoshikata had come in by boat, it was not unthinkable he’d leave in the same manner. It had been the only clue available to the Jonin as well. If it hadn’t been for the lucky eye-witness and suspiciously coincidental departure of the ex-Mist-Nin, who knows where Natsu could have ended up by now.
Ironically, it had also been the location of Zaku and his first encounter to really make the step towards a friendship. It wasn’t even so long ago, there amongst the ruins in the distance. It felt like centuries by now however. Entering the ruins, a cautious eye looking about for traces of other life, Natsu felt oddly out of place here. Perhaps it were the sentimental memories he’d brought up just moments ago, or perhaps something truly was lurking out in the dark. It had been petty bandits last time, so it wasn’t unthinkable someone or something else had made its home in the abandoned relics.
Yet finally he reached one of the more intact looking buildings and decided it would do for shelter. At least the few hours he’d spent resting the Jonin would prefer not risking downpours. He was in the land of the Santaru after all, it was not uncommon. A light was quickly lit, dead branches aplenty in the ruins and his matches aiding in getting the fire started. Running a hand through his hair, the Jonin could not help but reminisce the old days. His first meeting with Zaku. Hikari had been there too. Terrible misunderstandings had happened. Then they had gone on a mission. Then there had been the promotion, a surprise to all. And eventually they had grown to comrades. Maybe even friends. Natsu liked to think so anyway.
Up until the day he had allowed entrance to the Hoshikata and company. Even then Zaku had voiced his confidence in Natsu. Maybe that’s why he took it all so personal. Why the Spymaster had snapped at the Shinobi carrying out rational orders. The blond simply could not help but feel it was his fault in some way. Those dark thoughts occupied his mind as he tried getting some rest. Would it remain as calm a night as he could hope or would the ruins hold a surprise for him after all?
[Word Count: 919]
[Marked for Training]
[OoC: My two preferences are: Tiger and Monkey. I have a +1 bonus on account of >this< CSearch being voided.]
“Sir! You have to return the Village! It is bad enough to lose one division captain, a second would likely render the Main Branch useless!” At those words, the Spymaster came to an abrupt halt. The pursuer, surprised that his words had the intended the effect but relieved nonetheless, was abruptly slammed to the ground. A sharp, bony blade rested at his neck in the following second. “Do not dare doubt our Lord Raikage or your Branch like that ever again, Shinobi. Loyalty is what makes Kumogakure stronger than the other Villages. I know. I have travelled and experienced. Loyalty to Hayata-Sama is the one thing keeping the Village and the Branches together.
They would do just fine even without me, even though I have every intention of returning. I need to find De.. ex-Death Watch Captain Zaku however, and find out why he left. Whether it was that damned Hoshikata’s doing or his own loyalty faltering. I do not mind you tailing me, but if you do you will not utter a single word more. Understood!?” The Shinobi on the ground awkwardly nodded his head, not wishing the blade to pierce flesh yet wanting to convey his comprehension as clearly as possible. With a curt nod of his own, Natsu released his grip on the man’s collar and withdrew the contorted ulna into his arm. “Apologies sir. I will return to the Village and convey your words to Masao-Sama.”
As the Shinobi turned, he hesitated a moment before speaking once again. “Please return quickly. The Village may not need you, but Masao-Sama did speak of his confidence in you. Do not disappoint him. Or us.” And the Shinobi was gone in a flicker of movement. Finally Natsu exhaled the long-held breath of relief. As skilled as his companion may have been, the Spymaster considered Zaku a personal friend. It felt as if somehow he was the only one entitled to do track him down, ridiculous as the notion might be.
Finally coming to a halt, the exhausted Jonin looked about. Solum de Asphodelus, plains upon fields, as far as the eye could see. And in this flatland that was pretty far, even in this darker night. Several shimmers of blue could be seen in the distance where the moonlight was reflected by thin streams of water. Natsu had little information at the ready to track the Sage and his missing friend with. It had only been a calculated guess that had brought the Spymaster here. Hoshikata had come in by boat, it was not unthinkable he’d leave in the same manner. It had been the only clue available to the Jonin as well. If it hadn’t been for the lucky eye-witness and suspiciously coincidental departure of the ex-Mist-Nin, who knows where Natsu could have ended up by now.
Ironically, it had also been the location of Zaku and his first encounter to really make the step towards a friendship. It wasn’t even so long ago, there amongst the ruins in the distance. It felt like centuries by now however. Entering the ruins, a cautious eye looking about for traces of other life, Natsu felt oddly out of place here. Perhaps it were the sentimental memories he’d brought up just moments ago, or perhaps something truly was lurking out in the dark. It had been petty bandits last time, so it wasn’t unthinkable someone or something else had made its home in the abandoned relics.
Yet finally he reached one of the more intact looking buildings and decided it would do for shelter. At least the few hours he’d spent resting the Jonin would prefer not risking downpours. He was in the land of the Santaru after all, it was not uncommon. A light was quickly lit, dead branches aplenty in the ruins and his matches aiding in getting the fire started. Running a hand through his hair, the Jonin could not help but reminisce the old days. His first meeting with Zaku. Hikari had been there too. Terrible misunderstandings had happened. Then they had gone on a mission. Then there had been the promotion, a surprise to all. And eventually they had grown to comrades. Maybe even friends. Natsu liked to think so anyway.
Up until the day he had allowed entrance to the Hoshikata and company. Even then Zaku had voiced his confidence in Natsu. Maybe that’s why he took it all so personal. Why the Spymaster had snapped at the Shinobi carrying out rational orders. The blond simply could not help but feel it was his fault in some way. Those dark thoughts occupied his mind as he tried getting some rest. Would it remain as calm a night as he could hope or would the ruins hold a surprise for him after all?
[Word Count: 919]
[Marked for Training]
[OoC: My two preferences are: Tiger and Monkey. I have a +1 bonus on account of >this< CSearch being voided.]