As soon as Ginjiro heard Kagemaru-sensei speak, his eyes seemed to almost bulge out of his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and had to blink a few times to regain his composure. Even then, he wasn't quite sure he'd heard right. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I heard you correctly. Did you just say we're going? Without Zenichi-kun?" As Ginjiro waited for an answer, Kagemaru-sensei began to walk out the tent. As the man brushed past the young puppeteer, Ginjiro knew that he was being serious. This was crazy! They couldn't leave Zenichi-kun here, in the middle of enemy territory. They were responsible for his well being. Ginjiro knew that Kagemaru-sensei had a short temper, but this was getting a little out of hand, wasn't it? The young boy was caught between two parts of himself: the part of himself that held true to his clan's motto and teachings—to always be truthful, honorable, virtuous, and just—and to follow through with his mission, listening to the words of his superiors. What was the right thing to do? How could he leave Zenichi-kun like this? He had to make a decision, though. Should he stay, or should he go? God, this was too much pressure to put on to the shoulders of boy! This was a man's decision, which he clearly was not. He may be as smart as any man, and he may be as clever as one too, but that did not make his old enough and wise enough to make calls on morality and the right thing to do.
But then again, who was? Is there even such a thing as a person that knows what the right thing to do is?
The young boy didn't know all the answers. He didn't have the knowledge he needed to make a decision like this, and he recognized it. He was an idealist, living in a very practical world. Like oil and water, this was never a good combination. Giving Zenichi-kun a look that expressed his reluctance, pleading, and discomfort with the situation, he tried to pour into that look the desire for Zenichi-kun to come with them, to give up this mad venture, and to just swallow his pride. He wished he could do the same for Kagemaru-sensei. He just needed one person to budge, to admit that they were human and had faults, and that they would need each other to progress. But somehow, the young boy seemed to already know how that would turn out. Clasping Zenichi-kun's shoulder, the Ayatsuri puppeteer gave him a powerful look of kinship. "Of course we'll cross paths again. You're coming back to Leaf City in one piece, after all. That is, unless I can convince you to just come with us?" Ginjiro already knew the answer to that, though. His face turning into a grimace, the young boy waited in silence for a few moments before he continued. "Thought so. Send me a telegraph if you need anything, okay? The frequency number is #118-3a. And Zenichi-kun..." This was the last thing they'd say to each other for a while more, the boy could tell. If, of course, they ever spoke again. "Dyga lyna uv ouincamv, so vneaht. With that, the young boy was gone. He left the tent, stepping into the underground cavern that was Sunagakure. After an episode like this, he was now more lost and confused than ever...
[ooc]
Topic Left with Kagemaru.