It's the Small Things [Private- Requesting Junko]

[Shinrya Kahako]

The hospital buzzed with it’s usual chatter as both patient and mednin alike filtered through the halls. Thankfully, there had been no recent decimating battle over good and evil, but there was now a tense feeling in the atmosphere as the entire village waited for the interrogations to draw to a close.

A letter was left neatly in the stack of work that sat on Junko’s desk. It wasn’t flashy in the least, just a simple blank piece of paper with ‘Tsuyoshi Junko’ written in delicate calligraphy on the front. The paper was good in quality, but beyond that, there was little to know about what lie inside the message or who even the sender was. Only by opening the note would Junko know.
[legend=""][spoilername="Letter Wrote"]Tsuyoshi-san,

With all the fuss going on as of late, I do believe many have forgotten your most recent promotion. It seems to me that no matter how small, congradulations should be in order, Achieving the rank of Medical Chief is of no small feat. Feel free to stop by my office if you find yourself with time to spare. I am sure there would be plenty to discuss over a bottle of good wine.

Shinrya Kahako
Head of Medical Combat, Leader of the Sentou Henkan[/spoilername][/legend]

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

[legend=""][spoilername="Letter Wrote"]Tsuyoshi-san,

With all the fuss going on as of late, I do believe many have forgotten your most recent promotion. It seems to me that no matter how small, congradulations should be in order, Achieving the rank of Medical Chief is of no small feat. Feel free to stop by my office if you find yourself with time to spare. I am sure there would be plenty to discuss over a bottle of good wine.

Shinrya Kahako
Head of Medical Combat, Leader of the Sentou Henkan[/spoilername][/legend]

Sitting in his office, Junko had already begun the intense paperwork of a medical chief. Surprisingly, he smiled. "I feel just like the old bone head." Junko thought swatting one of his fellow kittens off the junky desk. "What's this?" Junko thought picking up an envelope with his name on it. "I need to make a to-do list." Junko said shaking his head. Upon first glance, Junko nodded. Standing from his desk, he shook his head. "Anything to stop the paperwork right now." Junko said beginning to make his exit.

"You guys should go through some of those applications for me. Find me a few potential candidates for an assistant. Hop to it! Please and thanks." Junko said before shutting and Locking the door behind him. "Damn, it's been a minute since I've visited the sentou Henka devision." Junko though leaving the kinjutsu surgery department of the aesculapium.

In no time at all, Junko stepped foot in the sentou Henkas great facility. Quickly going to the receptionist, Junko was pointed towards Kahakos office. Giving a few knocks, Junko would enter once he was permitted. "Did someone mention wine? My oh my, it's good to see you! How's life for you and the rest of the family Kahako-San?"

Topic entered
OOC: sorry if things seem short. Wrote it last night to get right into things. Lastly, my apologies. Fell asleep at submit screen.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

A soft, feminine chuckle emitted from the other side of the opened door, due to a mixture of Junko’s exuberance over the thought of wine and the irony of the actual situation with her family beyond being ‘okay’. “Yes, Tsuyoshi-san, over here,” she replied. Instead of sitting at her unusually pristine dark oak desk, Kahako stood on a small stool next to a wall lined with bookshelves. Her white coat was still on, but the red scarf that hid the scars around her neck was left hanging on the back of her chair.

Earlier Satou swept into her room with the intention of ‘doing good’ and organizing it a little more. So ‘eager’ he was to please, he listed everything alphabetically, pulling the books out of their medical categories, thus making it impossible for Kahako to find what she was looking for without combing through the entire thing.

“I see you’ve finally gotten through that nasty stack of papers on your desk. I understand the pain. I’m still working through mine from my absence.” Kahako sighed, nearly ready to give up on her hunt. “Can you help me? I’m looking for something and a servant of mine thought it would be amusing to redo my entire office,” She said with a frustrated smile. She could imagine the demon cackling to the darkness, red eyes filled with merriment at Kahako’s frustrations. “Here, I’ll pour us both a glass,” she added as she stepped down. Walking back to her desk, she quickly wrote down the name of the title of the book she was looking for: ‘The Official Encyclopedia of Physiological Disorders Edition 194’.

“Normally I would know where this is, but the way it is ordered now, I cannot find the edition I am looking for. You can only find it by the inside cover,” She sighed again, “in the smallest print known to man, apparently.” Handing Junko the paper, she pointed him to the bookshelf lined completely with titles of the same name. “Better yet… I’ll grab a second bottle while I’m at it.”

Quickly she crossed the room to a small bar she had in the back corner. Rarely did Kahako pull from the contents there, but she kept it fully stocked for the very reason Junko was in her office now. Sometimes, she was just too busy to leave, but that was not going to exclude her from the celebrations in life. “To answer your question, the family is doing pretty well,” she commented with a blatant lie. Her voice and expression would not betray her here, as she paid specific attention to keeping her body relaxed and her face calm. “Susumu is both walking now and showing potential for chakra manipulation. Ayumu-sama is beside himself with glee. I’m pretty sure half the village has seen his pictures.” She said as she gently poured two glasses, intentionally keeping words about her clan out of the conversation or her own relationship with the main branch sennin.

She walked back over to Junko, passing off one of the glasses to him and subsequently placing the two bottles on the coffee table before joining him in the search. “But you didn’t come here to talk about me. Division Leader of the Kinjutsu Surgical Unit… well done.” The smile on Kahako’s face was sincere this time, no lie was carefully crafted in the words. “I will miss your abilities in the Sentou Henkan, but I had a feeling it would only be a matter of time before you made your way further.”


She lifted her glass to him to make a toast. “Daisuke-sama would have been more than proud,” she commented softly before taking a sip, unsure how Junko was dealing these days with Daisuke’s death. It had been some time since the funeral, but that did not mean the pain wasn’t potentially still fresh. And now knowing the truth behind his murder, Kahako was generally curious of the reaction she would get from the man before her. How much did Junko actually know about that day?

Starting on a different row, she began pulling books out to look at the editions with her free hand, while paying attention to Junko next to her. It was edition 193. She put it back in dismay. Sometimes fate was a cruel mistress.

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

Looking at Kahako, as always, Junko paid close attention to her. Despite them not having a lot of interactions, she seemed to care for him. She carefully watched over him, checked on him, protected him like a mother figure, or like a big sister. Two things Junko never had the joy of having. It was actually peculiar to Junko. Why him? For what ever the reason may be, Junko would surely return the kindness. If she would protect and care for him, he'd surely protect and care for her. After all, that's what family did. It took more then a family name to make Someone family.

Literally spending 4 years in his void, Junko created his own family. There, he realized. All family isn't blood, and all blood isn't family. A warm sensational feeling seemed to be spilling through Junkos body as Kahako talked, but soon dispersed as she blatantly lied. It wasn't a problem, but it was disturbing.

"Something's wrong.." Junko thought as he was already searching for her book. It was quite a puzzle, but he'd find it in due time Hopefully. Apparently, her servant should've choose a different way to set the books up.

“Susumu is both walking now and showing potential for chakra manipulation. Ayumu-sama is beside himself with glee. I’m pretty sure half the village has seen his pictures.”

"I know I have. You guys look quite happy Kahako-san. I'm truly happy for you." Junko said as the warm feeling returned. In the end, He couldn't shake it. Looking at the woman before him, she could very well be the next medical Sennin. An excellent leader that could surely be trusted. Well, as long as she didn't follow in the same footsteps as the old hags.

"But you didn’t come here to talk about me. Division Leader of the Kinjutsu Surgical Unit… well done.”
“I will miss your abilities in the Sentou Henkan, but I had a feeling it would only be a matter of time before you made your way further.”
“Daisuke-sama would have been more than proud,”

Kahako’s words were genuine and Full of passion. Looking at her, a remarkable smile shined on her face. Smiling in return, Junko raised his glass of wine to meet hers in a toast. "Thank you for inviting me here. I will truly miss the Sentou henka division. If you ever need a helping hand, im still down for the cause. Anytime, and all the time." Junko said before taking a sip of wine. "Honestly, it's just a title though. Yeah, the raise is good. the office is nice. The paperwork... Well, that's hell." Junko said shaking his head. "My point is, even with the title. Nothing's going to change. I'll still continue to work and to take care of this branch, along with the people that matters most in my heart." Junko said looking at the shelf that was still a puzzle to take care of and then back to Kahako. "That includes you and the things you hold dear as well. You're quite gentle towards me, which Reminds me of my brother. He'd do anything to protect me too." Junko said giving her eye contact. "Just as Ayumu would, I'd protect you as well. To ensure no one hurts you again." Junko said referring to her scars.

"I have two shinryas to protect now and I just spent four years teaching one of them." Junko said with a nod before taking another swallow of the ethereal wine.

Mft
WC: 583

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

Various shade of surprise colored her face at Junko’s promise. Never in her years of knowing him did she realize she created such a bond with mednin chief. “I...ah, thanks,” she stumbled out, truly at a loss for words. Her cheeks tingled, both happy and slightly embarrassed over her lack of oversight at this friendship. Merriment danced within her as she gently slipped the 546th edition back where she found it.

Yet as fuzzy as the feeling was, Kahako knew that neither Ayumu nor Junko would be able to completely protect her from these scars. No, each and every one was of her own creation on her own terms. She knew if she had the choice she would do it all again. Ayumu was revolted by the idea, but what would Junko think if he also knew? “Always your way with words, Junko-kun,” Kahako started off softly before a small chuckle and a shake of her head strengthened her voice. “Ayumu-sama better be careful of your silver tongue, or else he may find himself a rival.”

Based on the inflection (and the small grin), Junko could tell Kahako was teasing him. It was the easy way to evade the silent question he asked. There was a reason so few knew about the creator of those marks after all. “I do not believe I have ever met your brother. You should introduce us sometime.” She took another sip of wine. “Of course, you should probably introduce me to this other Shinrya you’ve been training first. I have so many cousins and adopted cousins it’s either a miracle or curse that I haven’t met any of them yet. If this keeps up, Kitsune-sensei’s going to--”

Suddenly, Kahako cut off her words mid sentence. Just as she was about to reach for another volume, the current vortex of emotions about her adopted mother broke their way through the makeshift mental wall around her heart. That was easy for her to manage: she simply ignored it and stuffed it back into the box she stored it in. However, it caused a nearly simultaneous reaction from the spirit that resided within her. A small blue shock danced through her fingers, making a small but noticeable ‘zap’ noise before she pulled her hand away from the bookshelf. It didn’t hurt, more so jolt her out of the reverie she was in. An unworded and frustrated feeling crossed her mind. Forgive...

As she looked down at her hands with a slight frown, Junko would see blue lightning dancing across her irises. It would last but a second, before calming and returning to their usual emerald green. “Ah sorry,” Kahako said, immediately lifting her hand to show him that there was no damage despite what looked and sounded like a severe case of static shock. “Family matters have been keeping me a bit on edge as of late,” she admitted with a sheepish smile. Another partial truth, but this time it was more truth than a lie.

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

“Always your way with words, Junko-kun,”
“Ayumu-sama better be careful of your silver tongue, or else he may find himself a rival.”

"That would be quite interesting. He has some fine skill with the blade from what I've heard and seen. Of course, I'd have to see for myself." Junko said thinking of the mans skills. Just the other day, his reaction to his demonstration on the Raikage was quick. Thinking back, perhaps it wasn't wise to pull such a stunt in a room containing the ANBU Sennin and previous ANBU Sennin. Luckily, Junko was still breathing.

"I do not believe I have ever met your brother. You should introduce us sometime.”

"I definitely will. I'm sure he'd be pleased to meet you. A gentle spirit that loves other kind hearted individuals." Junko said thinking of the softy.

“Of course, you should probably introduce me to this other Shinrya you’ve been training first. I have so many cousins and adopted cousins it’s either a miracle or curse that I haven’t met any of them yet. If this keeps up, Kitsune-sensei’s going to--”

Laughing at Kahakos remark, Junko took a few sips of wine until he was set uneasy by an odd zap. "What the hell?" Junko thought looking at Kahako. Despite her cheerful antics, She seemed off.

"Ah sorry,”
“Family matters have been keeping me a bit on edge as of late,”

"That was lightning. I'm sure of it." Junko thought with a sigh. "Let's take a break and talk." Junko said placing his wine glass on the nearest table. Moving to one of the couches, Junko took a seat. "Come, take a seat." Junko said tapping the perfect spot next to him. No matter what she'd say, Junko would continue to tap that spot until she came to sit. Soon, she'd realize, she didn't have a choice.

"What's going on? What's on your mind? The truth." Junko said while letting her know that he was well aware of her lie earlier. "This time, you can't avoid this conversation." Junko said once again referring to her scars. Having experience in psychology increased his awareness skills and the understanding of human behavior. Almost every bit of the shinrya spoke pain and frustration. "You aren't a patient, and I'm not going to treat you like one. I'm here for you." Junko said awaiting Kahako to open up.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

It was almost comical, how most of her conversations played out as of late. They started out harmless, nothing more than idle banter, then devolved at near light speed to a point where there was a man staring at her from across the way (tapping something… this time a couch instead of a foot), expectantly wanting a full explanation of what in Raiden’s name she got herself into. Kahako would have laughed at the way she sighed, slightly miffed to have been read so easily. Where was her carefully made mask now?

Defeated, she sat beside Junko on the couch and downed the rest of her drink. Which truth should she tell him first? Would she even be able to tell him both? “Tell me, Junko-kun,” she began, just now realizing she started addressing him casually, “How far would you go for the ones you love? For the ones you call family?” She let the question sit for a bit as she poured another glass. She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees, staring at the red liquid as she laced her fingers together. “Would you be willing to lose your life for them? To go as far as you need to to ensure they live a fair life? I know I am willing die for that, and I know would not regret it. That is what drives me to be not only a shinobi, but also a doctor.”

For the first time, Kahako closed her eyes and reached out to the part of her that was Sukino. “What I am about to show you cannot leave this room, Junko-kun.” Ayumu had been right in one aspect of their argument. Kahako was walking into unknown territory when she traversed Satou’s mind, and she didn’t know what to expect. She also didn’t know how much control Sukino had over her which is why this was the first time she actively sought out the being. Holding out her hand with her palm facing the ceiling, Kahako silently coerced Sukino to show her presence. A conversation that lasted milliseconds before the mednin chief’s hand started to glow a soft blue with chakra that was different from her own and thus, completely out of her control.

“This is what is left in this world of Ketsueki Sukino. I was attempting to stabilize her husband’s mind, and as a result... her being transferred over to me. It was a little part of her, a chakra soul, as I have begun to call it; that he consumed upon the moment of her death.” The blue glow quickly disappeared, and Kahako reached for her full glass. “And to answer your question as to what kind of being can consume a soul, your answer is a jinchuriki with a demon inside of him that has the capability to do so.” At that, she took a deep drink of her glass. “I’ve known him for a very long time. Even though we’re not blood related, I very much consider him my family. I know what I am doing is dangerous to myself, but I believe he deserves some form of normalcy. Or at the very least, to be able to call this village home with minimal worry that his peers could strike him down at any second.” This is where Kahako’s entire posture turned solemn. She wouldn’t cry in front of Junko, but he would be able to tell that she wanted to. “Ayumu-sama believes I have crossed a line with my methods.”

That is all she could say on the matter. It hurt too much to repeat the entire argument, and so she drank more wine. Out of all the people in this village, Ayumu’s opinion was the only one she cared about when it came to her relationship Satou. He and their son were the only beings she loved more than the demon. “But what happened just now, the spark between my hands. That was Sukino giving her opinion on another matter entirely.” Kahako took another sip of her wine before leaning back against the couch. “Junko-san, how much do you know about Saito-sama’s sudden rise to the title of Raikage?”

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

"Tell me, Junko-kun,”
“How far would you go for the ones you love? For the ones you call family?”

Assuming the question was hypothetical, Junko didn't speak. Knowing Junko though, He'd do whatever it took to protect his loved ones. Especially his family. The new father with twins at home already knew from the first time he held them. They were his heart. He'd guide, love, and protect his heart until the end of time.

“Would you be willing to lose your life for them? To go as far as you need to to ensure they live a fair life? I know I am willing die for that, and I know would not regret it. That is what drives me to be not only a shinobi, but also a doctor.”

Nodding, Junko understood and agreed. Their was something that stuck out about Kahako though. Junko couldn't place a finger on it.

“What I am about to show you cannot leave this room, Junko-kun.”

As the medical chief of the Sentou Henka raised her hand, It briefly illuminated in a blue soft glow. Looking at the energy, Junko began to understand. After dealing with Mazoku for so long, his knowledge of spirits, demons, and souls increased. "It's a soul." Junko said as Kahako continued.

Listening to her words, they were sincere. It was obvious that this had been a lot on the Shinrya. Not only on her body, but her family as well. In the end, she was only doing what's in her nature. To help. After all, what else were doctors for?

"Ayumu-sama believes I have crossed a line with my methods.”

"understandable. Just as your nature is to help and protect. So is Ayumu's. He has you, and the lovely child you two created to take care of. That's his priority before anyone and anything else. To protect his love ones." Junko said smiling, the Tsuyoshi had more in common with the Sennin then he thought.

"As a mother and medical chief, you'd know if you was placing yourself or your family in danger. Protect your dear friend, help your dear friend, just don't put you and Ayumu's priority in danger. Know your limits." Junko said looking at both sides of things. He didn't want to pick a side, but simply understand them and make peace. "I bet Aiko would've said the same." Junko though realizing his brother peace antics was rubbing off more and more.

"But what happened just now, the spark between my hands. That was Sukino giving her opinion on another matter entirely.”

Raising a brow, Junko began to wonder what was Sukinos words. Depending on who was inside you, they could be quite talkative. Rubbing his stomach a bit, Mazoku began coming to mind, along with the future problems he could be.

“Junko-san, how much do you know about Saito-sama’s sudden rise to the title of Raikage?”

Removing his hand from his stomach, Junko allowed silence to float about until he was ready. "Well, I know it was due to the deaths of Daisuke, Hayata Shin, and the young Ejji. In addition, to the corruption of council dealing with their deaths." Junko said shaking his head. "Unlike many others, he did his job in my opinion. An individual that did what was needed, but still must be accountable for his actions." Junko said referring to the investigation of the sennins.

"We're waiting for justice." Junko said smirking. "Individuals assisted in killing those three Shinobi, individuals fought to protect the Raikage, and some stood by and did nothing." Junko said with a pause. "The defenders are honorable. If you assisted in the killing, or stood by and did nothing, you're guilty in my eyes. No matter how you bend it." Junko said clenching his fist. "The investigation will be the end of this. Hopefully, Justice destroys the cowards and the traitors of that day." Junko said shaking his head. Sighing, he relaxed. He wasn't like he use to when it came to that subject.

Mft

​

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

Kahako placed this question delicately on purpose. If Junko knew nothing, she had to keep the truth a secret. Those who had the full truth needed to speak against her sennin at the end of the investigation. She had no right to throw her own assumptions into play. But Junko did not become medical chief without some form of tenacity and intelligence. No, based on how he avoided directly using names, yet clearly explaining what happened, he probably already knew more than Kahako.

So when his fist clenched and his voice called for justice against all, Kahako could do nothing but crack a small smile and emit a silent snort. “Ah… justice that would be rightly placed, and agreed upon by most, if not all, of Kumogakure. I more than likely being among them,” she nodded in agreement. She took another sip of her wine before standing again, no longer wishing to remain seated.

Kahako walked to the window that stood behind her desk, setting her cup upon the sill before placing her hand gently on the cool glass. She stared outside “I find justice here ironic in a sense,” she continued after a moment, her fingers still touching the clear barrier, “Kitsune-sensei has many qualities and few are good, but she is still my mother.

“She had an odd way of showing she cared, but I could tell she was trying. At the end of her road of mistakes, at the feet of her dead predecessor that I respected just as greatly, I still can see the woman who refused to let a little girl belittle herself, just because she could not keep up with her peers.” Kahako sighed. “But justice still needs to be served, and rightly so. What happened to Shin-sama and Daisuke-sama must be atoned for by all those involved and in correct and equal measure... even I see that.” She removed her hand and crossed her arms while turning, keeping her eyes closed as she continued.

“At best, my mother will be stripped of her rank and her title as a shinobi in service to the Raikage. At worst, she will face a traitor’s death or forced into exile. Of course, the situation is entirely vice versa to some. When the truth spreads, many will say execution is a mercy.” Kahako half snorted.

“And at the helm of this great journey for justice, my lover, the father of my son, will be the one who fuels the sentence against her. I have faith that he will be logical in his advice. That is who he is, and that is what I love him for. But to say that his involvement would not put a strain on our already rocky relationship is a blatant lie to my own emotions.” Finally Kahako opened her eyes and looked to Junko. A sad smile accompanying her next words. “But the climax of this journey... at the end of her retributions with her integrity in pieces, as her second in command, I will be the one to rip the title of Sennin from her. And for the sake of this branch, and the sake of my own integrity and willingness to lead, I will have to do so by distancing myself from her in order to bring about a leadership considered worthy of supporting the Raikage and the other branches.”

Another sad chuckle emitted from her body. “I never knew justice, a motion that will provide closure on my previous sennin's death, would throw my world into tragedy. I wonder if this was why Daisuke-sama forgave her in his last hour.” Kahako finished after another moment of silence. Her voice so quiet, she wondered if she spoke at all. “Her mistakes are so great, that the only form of mercy I could remotely offer her is to ensure the Shinrya clan leader is not just remembered as a coward who let her Kage and Sennin die.”

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

Listening to Kahako, she was quite passionate. She spoke from the heart. More importantly, she was on the side of Justice. The medical chief before him wasn't dumb, and she had her own mindset. "So, apparently she knows of kitsunes actions during the incident." Junko thought with a nod.

"You already know how this will end huh?" Junko asked as he lowered his head. "Tell me, Kahako-San, How far would you go for the ones you love? For the ones you call family?” Junko asked repeating her earlier question.

"You have an idea how things will play out. You obviously know of her ways, yet You are on the side of Justice. In the end though, she's family. Are you saying that you'll do nothing to protect her? Or you'll do everything to protect her?" Junko asked approaching Kahako. "If you don't protect her, your love for her becomes questionable. If you do protect her, your loyalty to the village becomes questionable." Junko said with a pause.

"As second in command, you have quite a big role. If you become Sennin, would you really let her remain in the branch, knowing of her ways? Knowing that it's a possibility that she won't protect you just like she didn't protect my sensei or the Raikage." Junko said staring into Kahakos eyes. For the first time, she'd actually feel his true feelings on the subject. She'd see the feelings he suppressed, along with a tiny firry blue spec in his eyes. The demonic side of the demon inside him was beginning to stir. The same feelings that would've caused him to attempt to kill Kitsune, Keiji, Ai, Haruka, the council and anyone else willing to protect the traitors.

"The title of Sennin is nothing to me. The title of Raikage is nothing to me. The chief title is nothing to me. It's the person holding the title that truly matters. My family and love ones matter. The will to protect this branch, each other, and the village matters." Junko said letting his words sink into her heart "A love one apart of my family died due to someone else's weakness. I refuse to let another love one die and I refuse to be led by any coward." Junko said clenching his fist due to the passionate subject. "Just as I said earlier, I have two shinryas to protect now. Along with the things they hold dear. I'd like to know that my family and love ones have the same protection this time." Junko said looking back on Daisukes death.

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

"Tell me, Kahako-San, How far would you go for the ones you love? For the ones you call family?”

Kahako chuckled as Junko reiterated her question. Everything he spoke was nothing but truth. She was passionate about both righting a wrong and love for her family. She did not think that one ideal would clash with another. And yet here she was, forced between two loyalties.

“That is an intriguing question, no?” She said after his continuation. “The better question is, am I a hypocrite or a rebel?” At this she picked up her glass again. “If I had the choice, I would speak in her defense. But my words are discounted before I could even begin. If I fully protected her, my ability to lead would come into question. Kitsune-sensei would not appreciate me throwing all my hard work away, and I was not raised to be such a fool. No… in this instance, I cannot protect her from the situation she put herself in, despite the small part of me that wants to.”

Kahako sipped on her wine. “Duty to our country must come before love in our world. That is a simple matter of truth. Shin-sama’s reign granted us a special moment to have both in almost equal measure, but even in his peace duty remained priority. In the end, I want to be the traitor, but I choose to be the hypocrite. Decide from there what you think of it.”

But Junko would present her with another question, one that she thought of lightly, but remained undecided upon. Would she continue to allow Kitsune to remain in the medical branch? Kahako listened silently. the mednin observed Junko as he opened himself up to her. So this was the person he was, she mused. Underneath his promises, he hinted at the answers he was seeking, ever calculating through his silver tongue.

Kahako read the silent question as clearly as if he said it aloud. “Only actions can decide who is a coward, Junko-san.” Her eyes steeled as she answered. “ Before the moment one stands at the precipice of allowing fear to consume your every action or walking forward regardless, all words are just empty promises. We all have weaknesses that cannot be avoided. To demand one person to have none is to tell them they must become god-like before you will accept their leadership. Any human who aspires for that becomes too prideful to wield the responsibility properly. And if you feel they have obtained that level of perfection, then you are too blind to advise correctly.” She said, inputting her own objection to his belief on what made a good leader.

“But i agree, it is not a leader this branch needs desperately. It is unity. For its members to trust one another and to succeed in one aspect where another may be weak in. We need not just loyalty to a Sennin, but loyalty to each other. Kushin brought unity through fear, and that is why his reign worked. Whether that is the best way remains to be seen” Kahako shifted again, now sitting on the ledge of the windowsill so she could fully face Junko. “But even then, saying what this branch needs is still not providing for it. At the fall of two sennin, it is yours and my actions what will move us forward or keep us faltering.”

At this Kahako smiled. She did not mean for their conversation today to become so serious, but it had. “I hope you are up to the challenge, because I fully intend rebound from this mess we are in.”

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

As the woman spoke before him, Junko couldn't help but smirk. It was apparent that he wasn't the only one with a way with words. Her thoughts were clear, and she could obviously see a great future in the branch through unity. Having the branch work together and move together more like family was an idea Junko considered as well. Having the Medical branch cooperate and work with the other branches as well was another big idea, to unite the branches more despite their differences.

Getting his glass, Junko raised it after he settled down a bit. "A toast. To a better future of the branch and unity amongst us all." Junko said with a smile. His original purpose for coming was his new promotion, but it was more to be celebrated. After they touched glasses, Junko would take a drink. "We have a long way to go in the branch. A lot has to be done and unfortunately, a lot of paperwork will face us in the future." Junko said sighing a bit towards the end about the paperwork. "Thank you." Junko said with a nod. "What are your ideas to unite the branch? After things are let out about kitsune, trust could very well be scarce."

 

[Shinrya Kahako]

Kahako toasted with a smile while she took a sip. It was nice to know that she and Junko appeared to be on the same page. She kept the tip of the glass close to her lips as she made a short humming noise of contemplation. “It won’t be just within the branch that we’ll have issues, but also outside of it,” she murmured. “Time and careful attention will help some internally. I will be having a meeting with the ANBU Sennin within the next few days to discuss matters of the Sentou. I hope to learn what opinions the man still holds of our branch while restructuring the division accordingly. Rest assured, if we lose the trust of ANBU we will never get it back.” Kahako sighed, “Until a new Sennin is named, there is not much we can do outside our division. For now, I believe the best course of action is to ensure those directly in our divisions can believe in us while ensuring the other branches do not lose faith in us.” Kahako smiled sadly once more. “In this regard, you have a much easier path, Junko-kun.”

It was the hour hand on the clock above him that caught her attention. “Raiden-sama, have we been chatting for this long?” she asked, clearly surprised that so much time passed. Looking to her bookshelf forlornly, she realized that she was not going to find her book today. “I am sorry, Junko-kun, but I must cut this short. I have a class to prepare for in the next few hours, and I have to meet a few individuals who are helping me with it before hand.” She waited for Junko to finish his wine before putting both of their glasses on a tray to be cleaned later.

Once more at the door, she gently put her hand on his shoulder. She mildly wondered when the man before her became so much taller than her. “But regardless, congratulations again. And thank you for coming by.” This time, her smile was brighter than it had been before. There was still a darkness to it, a sense of trouble lingered within her soul. But she felt like a burden had been lifted. “Seriously, our families must arrange a dinner together or something. I’m sure Ayumu-sama would be delighted to be talking about something besides work. And don't let the paperwork overwhelm you.”

TLUS MFT

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

"Raiden-sama, have we been chatting for this long?”

“I am sorry, Junko-kun, but I must cut this short. I have a class to prepare for in the next few hours, and I have to meet a few individuals who are helping me with it before hand.”

Finishing his glass of wine, he handed the glass to kahako. "I'll be on my way then. I know how classes can be. Especially when you're late." Junko said laughing. He was late to basically every class he taught for the most part.

“But regardless, congratulations again. And thank you for coming by.”

"No problem, thank you actually. I enjoyed myself today. We must do this again sometime." Junko said with a nod.

“Seriously, our families must arrange a dinner together or something. I’m sure Ayumu-sama would be delighted to be talking about something besides work. And don't let the paperwork overwhelm you.”

"For sure, just give me a date. Or I may give you a date. My home should be finished up soon. Oh, and I'll do my best not to. Have a great day." Junko said walking down the hall. Giving a wave, he was heading back to his office to see what the felines had come up with.

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