Private plans for decisive actions (pre mission details)

[Chigokai Yuna]

Yuna was in her office, waiting for each requested individual to come. Her office was bare, as such is the case for someone in her position. Being the Sennin of the Anbu branch means that she has to keep all of her files separate from everything else. The Sennin office was mainly given to her as an honorary, and as per customs. Before her desk were an array of chairs. The Sennin looked at the few files that she does have on her desk and thought about what brought her here today.

As it turns out, Rei was informed by an inmate about a possible security breech that will be happening later this year. It wouldn't be thought much of it, considering that it came from an inmate, however, the history of this inmate has given some validity to the claim. The leader of the Revolutionist that fought Cloud. She has her own reservations about the leader, whilst he wasn't the one that did it, he had led the group that killed her father. If she had it her way, the man would be dead on the spot. But she knew there were complications that would go along with that. Turns out, that guy is a master tactician, and has already planned out what were to happen if he were to ever die by the hands of ninjas.

Her fingers tapped on the desk as she awaited for the arrivals. Anyone that comes into her office would see her only as a masked anbu, however, given the circumstances and location of the meeting, one could make the assumption of her rank. As for Yuna's anbu appearance, she wore a plain white mask specially made to go over her head, to cover her purple hair in its entirety, along with black anbu garb and hood.

 

[Tamashi Seto]

It had been awhile since he had set foot in the administrative heart of Kumogakure, at least three or more years from what he could remember, probably not since he was a mere Genin like his informal apprentice. It certainly had changed much, although he had most definitely did. Walking down the numerous corridors, he felt oddly out of place, donned in his attire., especially as he walked by those in the dozens, most giving him momentary glares as they went on with their day to day tasks.He sometimes forgot the people of the village and his clan lived entirely different life styles. It couldn't be helped he supposed. All he could once he was alone was give a shrug. To say today however, was just another day would be a gross misunderstanding. For reasons he couldn't be aware, Lady Yuna had summoned him of all people, and here, of all places. A most unusual request If he ever saw one, given his station, or lack of one. As far as he knew, he was either just another written off Genin or labeled missing....Well, he give her a little more credit than that, given her own station. From his few, handful of occasions of running into her, he knew she wasn't stupid. He could only assume she had put the pieces together.

After wandering about for ten or minutes, he eventually located the Senin's office. Staring at the door, he found himself hesitating before knocking on the door twice his first. "Anbu Sennin....Tamashi Seto is coming in." Speaking in the best neutral tone he could muster, he waited for a few moments before opening the door and stepping in before gently closing the door behind him. His eyes than scanned to the middle of the room, showing the Sennin in their ANBU attire. He knew this wouldn't be a casual briefing, but the mask did catch him off guard for a splinter of a second. Quickly regaining composure, that he had lost it, he took a few steps until he was few feet. He swung his arms to the back and joined his hand together. "Anbu Sennin....Tamashi Seto Reporting in as requested." Speaking once more in a neutral tone, he remained in his parade rest position, waiting to see what this was all about.​

 

[Ryuu Nozomi]

The morning light had not yet broken when Nozomi stirred. Her small room was still wrapped in a deep haze before dawn, the kind of quiet that one could only find out in the farmlands. The world beyond her shuttered window was mist and mountain wind. For a moment, she didn’t know why she was awake. Then she saw it, a precisely folded note resting atop her bedside table.

The paper was heavy, and the ink a crisp black pressed with the seal of the Sennin’s office.

To Ryuu Nozomi,
You are requested for immediate attendance. Report without delay.
-By order of the Village Administration.

Nozomi sat up, her mind shaking the remnants of sleep like a dog shakes water from its fur. She was to report to one of the offices of a Sennin? This was not a summons that came to students, nor even to most Genin. Something inside her chest went cold immediately. Was she in trouble? She rose, dressed quickly in the greys and blues of her training uniform, tied back her pale hair, and tucked the note inside a cargo pocket next to her capsules of clay.

The village streets were still dim when she stepped out. The lamps lining the main road burned low, and a layer of fog rolled off the mountain slopes which seemed to swallow the sound of the world. Her sandals made no noise as she crossed the streets and bridges toward the structure where the Sennin’s office loomed. Tall structures where the heart of the village lay, a place that seemed to pierce the clouds themselves. She’d passed by it before, always from a distance, too intimidated to look for very long.

Today, she would walk through those doors. The guards outside said nothing when she approached. They must have recognized the seal stamped on her note and opened the tall double doors. Inside, the air was warm and faintly perfumed with incense. Paper screens filtered thin rays of light, and the quiet hum of chakra lines pulsed faintly through the walls. She knew this place was warded with chakra seals and protections layered over years.

Nozomi’s steps were careful, deliberate. She followed the hallway until she reached the Sennin’s chamber, the note clutched in both hands. When she entered, the room was not empty, and within sat two figures. One, she thought she recognized instantly. This was almost certainly the masked ANBU who confronted her within the interrogation area. They were the same height, carried the same quiet stillness, and the same controlled breath she’d sensed before in the compound. The porcelain mask was plain just like that day, and similar to the titan who fought in the arena not long ago. There was no way to be sure it was the same person, but there was something which told her it was the same presence.

The second figure was unfamiliar. A young man still, but older than her. He stood with ease in his composure beside the Sennin’s desk. His uniform bore the village crest. He must be a Genin, she realized, but not a new one. There was a stillness in his posture, the kind that came from training under pressure.

Nozomi paused at the threshold, then lowered herself into a bow to them both.

“Ryuu Nozomi, reporting in as requested,” she said, voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. She raised her head only enough to look between the two of them. “It’s an honor to be summoned.”

The Sennin’s office was nothing like she expected. She’d imagined something more lived in, with scrolls stacked high along the far wall. Yet this office seemed cold and almost unused in a sense, where the paper that was sat in stacks had dust collecting on it from not being touched. This was clearly a staging area of sorts.

Nozomi kept her eyes forward, as she had been taught.

Her mind, however, was running through possibilities. Why summon her? She was still a student who hadn’t been assigned a team, nor taken on an official mission beyond a class with her Clan Head. Could it be about her entry into the ANBU compound? Her heart sank a little at that thought.

She found her seat in front of the masked woman and folded her hands in her lap attempting to keep immaculate posture. Whatever awaited within this place, whether it be assignment, punishment, or proof of worth. She was ready to meet it head on.

 

[Ryuu Rei]

Unlike the others, Rei had not been invited.

Not because she wasn’t needed. By all means if the leadership thought they’d need the ex-sennin there would be a request directly sent by the Raikage herself. For all intent and purposes the kunoichi was retired; and well so. Three year nightmare-coma, madness stricken at least twice, and it was clear her physical form had taken a number of beatings over the years due to everything from extreme experimentation, to viral death. Her skin was sickly pale, eyes somewhat sunken in but hidden behind her golden mirror shades. The flesh at her hands appeared taut, almost stretched against the bones of her fingers as if they had been cut off and regrown too many times. Even her gait, normally, was more in-line with someone elderly despite only being in her late thirties; the life of a shinobi having taken its toll long ago.

Yet this all didn’t mean Rei was the type of person to just, sit back and let the youth take care of everything. To those means she had deeply researched her own short-comings and found augmentation to them. Dark Chakra replaced her normal to prevent tampering with their Lycan Cure. The power to control plants and trees, ingrained into her body by the kami themselves, alleviated the aches and pains of her worn out body. So long as she kept herself tied up in moderation, the scientist could even go on for weeks without food, water, or even rest now. It was like her body had hit that “limit” people spoke of when humans normally started breaking down; but instead of stopping, Rei, was quietly transcending past it.

Rei’s “message,” came not from a cleverly placed piece of parchment, but instead a simple digital message. The morning had barely begun as her bare feet padded about her gigantic kitchen, slowly gathering the ingredients for a breakfast together. She was dressed in a simple pair of jeans, and a large white t-shirt that clearly belonged to Shirokuu; with hair let loose and wild. Ever present, the golden shades covered her weary face. It was her third day awake. The question purposed by Nozomi had inflicted her with the need, to run numbers and plug them into existing theories before she could begin teaching the girl proper. After all, no point in teaching Advanced Chakra Theory when it lead to a crack-pot solution to the curse. She was already firmly stumped, and left with an idea to pull the soul of the malediction’s creator back into reality to force him to…stop it. While feasible, the logistics in actually achieving it left for wanting due to a number of factors. These ideas, however, where quietly pushed to the back of her mind as she poured a fresh cup of coffee and flicked on the oven’s broiler. Today, she planned to just relax with Shiro.

At least, until her pager hummed. A quick reflex, the little plastic box was snatched from the waistband of her jeans. A deft movement indeed to flick up her shirt and grab the vibrating thing to read the number on the screen. The first three numbers, 444, notified the level of danger followed by 2818, which told her the type of people handling it. Rei’s upper lip curled into a small snarl to see the 18, knowing that a Student was being asked into it. With a deadly calm the woman crossed the kitchen to a phone hanging on the wall, snatching it off the receiver and dialing the number she had been given. It connected to a private line outside of the KIA’s reach that was pretty much only available to herself and a handful of people she trusted. It was set up during her time as the country’s spymaster and never dismantled while she was missing despite the security risk.

The phone connected to an automated recording.
“6 am. ANBU Sennin’s office. Information is sparse but the mission involves the Lycans and good help is running short these days. ANBU has been scouting the Ryuu clan lately, they might have found someone worth it but, our info is only showing that the recent generations are showing promise. Senior Ryuu shinobi staff have remained on Genin levels going steady until just recently with some promise showing in…”

A list of names were given, and a number of them made her heart clutch with fear. Her newest protege aside, there was a number of names on that list that could lead to a darker future for her people if they were to die to the wanton violence the wolves were capable of. She would have to intervene. Go along at the very least, to make sure everyone made it back alive. The Lycan Virus was nothing to go against casually, and either a Genin or Student were more than susceptible to the worst parts of the lycanthrope bite.

“Shiro, I’m going to head out today,” Rei yelled up into the mansion knowing her voice would carry, “Work came up.” Then, pulling the shirt up she tucked it into her jeans to reveal a pair of suspenders hanging around her waist that she slipped her arms through. At the door she slid into a pair of shoes, whipped her large coat over her tiny frame, and opened the door. The frozen morning greeted her, an ever present reminder of how close at hand winter was. Clutching her hand into a fist, the scientist dug her thumb into her palm and then flicked out a peanut-sized seed that dove into the snow with gusto. Within moments the thick petals of a giant carnivorous plant exploded from the ground and opened its maw before its creator. Deep purple petals tinted with blue veins quivered at her approach while gnarly 'fangs', resisted curling inwards. The flower’s stamen rolled out before the kunoichi, like a ramp, that she walked up and into before the petals closed back down around her. It slammed back into the ground leaving a considerable hole for the clansmen to fix…again.

Only moments after Nozomi had entered and settled herself did the entire room began to shake as if jostled by a small earthquake. From beneath Yuna’s desk, a flower bud poked its purple bud out of the concrete flooring and bloomed showing only the ex-sennin’s head. With a flat expression, she asked simply,
“Mind stepping back so I can get out?” Once Yuna had done as requested, or hadn’t it didn’t really matter, Rei would use the floor to push off of and pull the rest of her body out and crawl out from under the ANBU sennin’s desk. Ever a woman for unconventional entrance, the scientist righted herself to the groans and aches of her legs before maneuvering behind the two youth before her.

“What? You didn’t really think you could just send a Student and Genin after the information we got about the Lycans, and think I wouldn’t, get involved did you? In fact, I’m low-key certain you did that just to get my attention, didn’t you, ANBU-sama,” she finished with a coy smile and annoyed squint - though the latter you really couldn’t see beyond the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

Forever Failure. Chuunin Flunkout. Stuttery. Scaredy-cat. Shut in. Monster. Jinchuuriki. Storm Princess...Eternal. Puppet. So many ways to describe Sayomi and all accurate and true. And just another reason she happily embraced the world that had been constructed for her within the walls of the Santaru compound where she did not have to leave. She didn't want to leave. It was clean. It was safe. Quiet. Peaceful. Her's. And for a girl who had never had so much more than her own clothing to her name growing up as a child, it was all that she could have ever dreamed. Chuunin was a dream that would never be achieved, though "technically" she achieved an equivalent rank simply by existing in the medical branch...but it wasn't the same. Not to her.

However, Yume, the snow white fox summon that Sayomi never allowed to leave for fear of loneliness, had grown bored though she was living a rather pampered life. They were both shocked to receive and official summons to the office of a high ranking official for a mission. Sayomi immediately dismissed it, but Yume needed something more in her life, at least for now. She wandered through the offices the summons directed and soon found herself where the notice was. It was rather unusual for a summon to be seen unaccompanied, so to speak, but she was quite stealthy having lived life within a ninja village, particularly with her summoner, so stealth was basically her existence as Sayomi loathed to be near other people.

Within the offices, there were two adults and a small child? Maybe one of the adults was a teenager, it was hard to tell, honestly. That was odd, though Sayomi was little more than a child to the unknowing herself. Most shockingly was how everyone addressed the woman in the seat as ANBU Sennin. More surprising still was it was the woman whom the pair had met not too long ago when Sayomi had gotten lost and refused to move out of despair. The other adult woman spoke of Lycans, another surprising development as Yume, with her fluffy tail shaking, tilted her head in confusion. "Hello? I apologize to interrupt, and it is a pleasure to see you again...but...you did summon Santaru Sayomi to this meeting for a mission...was that a mistake? The Lady Santaru has been rather inactive for quite some time and is rather, well, timid would be quite the understatement, if you would recall...." She asked rather perplexed at the nature of this meeting entirely since Sayomi should be practically considered inactive or retired after so long. Nonetheless, she carried a polite tone of respectfulness, at least in this instance for now.

 

[Sato Daigo]

Daigo carefully swept the small brush across the artifact, coaxing loose grains of sand from its delicate surface. One by one, tiny crumbs of dirt tumbled onto the wooden clamp that held it in place. The artifact had been a gift from his godfather during his travels, only recently arriving in the mail. Seeing it in several broken pieces, a flicker of disappointment passed through him, quickly replaced by a rush of excitement as he realized, from the carefully written, apologetic letter, that every fragment had been included.

The letter was still lying on the corner table with the black printed words in full view:

Apologies Daigo-sama,
The artifact presented to you is rather delicate, so do not be surprised at its condition. Rest assured that the artifact is completely there.

See you at my return.

Daigo hardly noticed the artifact’s condition. What truly captivated him were the stories each fragment must have carried, journeying across the country, waiting for him to uncover their secrets.

Daigo hardly cared about the condition. What captivated him more are the stories that each piece must be carrying as it travel across the country, waiting for him to uncover.

His concentration was broken by a sharp tapping sound. He turned his head slightly and spotted a small brown bird perched nearby, a tiny scroll of parchment tied delicately around its leg.

"This is unusual. Normally such birds are used by the ANBU. Why is it here?" He thought to himself. He went toward the door to let the bird in. It was still pretty dim outside with the sun still hiding behind a faded moon.

He released the parchment from the bird's leg and began reading its content.

To Sato Daigo,
You are requested for immediate attendance. Report without delay.
-By order of the Village Administration.

Daigo sighed. He should be excited to hear such a beckoning call but why now? He glared at the metallic banner with iconic Cloud symbol embedded in the center. He hoped he wouldn't be asked to kill some pest today. He had his fill this month.

Daigo was already dressed for the day give his early start. He wore a brown overcoat draped over a simple light brown jacket, the tones complemented his brown matted hair and pristine glasses.

"Lets get this rolling" He said to himself as he began to dart out of the room but not before quickly grabbing his headband his small gear bag.

---

It did not take long before his hand reached for the door of the Sennin office. He was greeted by a group of individuals standing before what appeared to be the Sennin. “Am I late?” he thought to himself. He offered a curt wave, accompanied by a crescent smile, to his colleagues before turning to the Sennin and giving a respectful bow. Then he moved toward an empty seat beside a small, young girl. He took out a notebook with a quill from his coat as he wait for instruction.

[Marked For Training]

 

[Chigokai Yuna]

Yuna waited as people came pouring in, even one that she didn't invite, Yuna politely moved out of the way as Rei came out of the wood and put herself behind everyone else. There were questions, but Yuna will answer Rei's first. "You're right, I will not just be sending genin and students by themselves on such a mission. I was planning on accompanying them as well. However..." She paused, thinking about Rei. Years ago, the woman lost her daughter. Yuna remembered that she was in shambles about it and directed her anger and frustration at her. And whilst Nozomi might not be a replacement of her daughter, she might still feel like Nozomi is still in a sense, a daughter to her. "If you want, I will dismiss Nozomi right now. Perhaps, I was a little bit too hasty on that front," Yuna's voice was soft, not in conceding defeat but rather in understanding of Rei. Would Rei know secretly what Yuna was thinking of? Who knows. "As for the Genin, I am still planning on having them for this mission. They need the experience of a real battle along with time of missions and teamwork underneath their belt.. If you still feel that is not a sufficient answer then I invite you to this mission as well." She would pause before going on, "Aside from your own knowledge of the situation, I have word from my agents about movement of the Lycans. They have been intercepted by ex-revolutionists that were defending a caravan of merchants. There is one survivor, the last survivor of the draconian faction of the revolutionists. The very same that had attacked the train that started the revolution, the same that helped both Byakko and Akane on their mission to eliminate Lycans near a village. Whilst we are under no orders to bring in or punish any ex-revolutionists, with the peace deal made, we might find that this person might have first hand experience with what had happened." Yes, the peace deal. As long as their dear leader, Nara Kazeno, doesn't die by ninja hands, the revolutionists won't attack ninja anymore. Along with that, ninja are not to engage in fights with revolutionist. Such a fragile type of peace treaty. But with that said, this ex-revolutionist had helped Hon and Akane with killing a super lycan, a mutated monster that had the strength of about ten lycans, with the agility of a ninja, despite its size.

She then turned her attention to a small snow white fox that had asked about summoning Santaru Sayomi, asking if it was a mistake, Yuna would shake her head, "No it is not a mistake. I had seen her files and would merely want her to come along to act as healing and support. As mednin, I do not expect her to fight unless absolutely need to.

She would then open the floor for anyone, "You may all sit, if you have anymore questions, I will answer them as long as they pertain to the mission."

 

[Ryuu Rei]

Rei was somewhat taken aback by Yuna’s willingness to let Nozomi go. Of all the candidates from her clan, the little blond was easily becoming top tier material for any branch of the military. She was at the perfect stage for molding, and the experience the Genin could gain here would be double for the Student. Her eyes wondered down to the child she had already earmarked as a pupil to her Chakra Theories and a simple smile graced her face,
“No, that’s up to her. We’re still recovering from the war in some ways, and the lack of truly talented shinobi once again rears its ugly head. To push the youth into the waiting maw of danger was always our way of training, and we only stepped back from that recently. Perhaps it is time again we begin a harsher practice if we’re being bullied by a bunch of wolves. I will, however, also be joining regardless of her choice. I may not be in tip-top shape, but I can increase the survivability rate at the very least.”

Upon hearing that the good ol’ ex-leader of the revolutionary group was still alive and helping where he could, Rei couldn’t help but be impressed. The old goat was about as damaged goods as she was, and yet he was still kicking just fine. The Sharingan was one helluva shinobi tool, clearly.

“All I want is logistics,” Rei asked first, a branch of tree sprouting from the ground to hold the scientist up as she leaned back into it, “Where do we start, where is the finish marker, and aside from us, what is the back-up situation look like? Also, is there any chance we could broker help from the ex-revolutionists? This is, kinda their mess no matter which way you shake it.”

The ex-sennin sat in waiting for the rest of the room to ask their questions. Her eyes remained though, not on Yuna, but on the answer coming from the snow-white fox that had asked about Sayomi. Now, there was a powerful recluse. Rei for all her willingness to leave her estate and help the common man did so with a very small amount of stamina and work arounds to keep her going. The de-facto leader of the Santaru clan was the opposite. An oncoming storm waiting to unleash landscape-changing devastation…in the body of the most timid woman Rei had ever heard of. Yet that walking nuke had enough energy to wipe off the face of the world anything thrown her way if only they knew how to aim Saiyomi. The fact that she was still considered a medical shinobi didn’t pass Rei’s notice either, and with two of those on the mission there was no possible way to fail. A small part of Rei’s heart began to lift in hope.

Could they finally solve this Lycan problem?

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Watching the woman suddenly appear out from below, he raised a eyebrow, the scene causing a million questions to pop up in his head. Though surprised to some extent, he was more curious, given that the skills of a shinobi could as diverse as the people of the village. Of course, those questions changed once she heard her speak, first about his rank, than whatever these "Lycans" were. It was expected, given his slip through the system's crack, but that didn't mean It wasn't any less annoying. Did he even look a Genin? He was wearing battle armor from town to bottom with his short haori overneath. Granted, It was old shogunate, warring states style armor, and not the conventual outfit normal Shinobi or what the Anbu Sennin was wearing but still. He sighed internally, his eyes flashing momentarily. He knew better than to say anything. Once it rode past him, his mind returned to the Lycans or whatever the woman was talking about. It didn't take much for him however, to figure they were dangerous of some accord. It sounded something like something akin to a beast, but what beast? He couldn't say. He wouldn't take anything off the table, especially If they were Youkai or something of the assort.

None of that mattered once his eyes pierced on the mysterious woman who had decided to invite herself into this group debriefing. Compared to the other women he had seen, even the ones of the bestial variety, she took the cake with her frail, almost sickly body, along with her green hair. Subconsciously, he found himself subtly studying her, as If she was a puzzle to solve. For some reason, he found himself unable to pull away or think on something else, allowing his curiosity to get the best of him. In doing so, he was curious about the innerworkings of how her body operated, and so, he closed his eyes momentarily, to focus. Within moments, he felt something cold....yet familiar at the same time? Than it had hit him like a truck. He knew this chakra, or at least, he used to. "Lady Rei? But that's impossible...." He cited in his own mind, not stupid enough to speak it outloud. That raised even more questions than before, having met the woman on several occasions when he was n ACTUAL Genin a few years ago. He had no idea how she had radically changed in such a short period of time, but knowing how crazy this world could be, he knew better than to ponder on it for too long, especially since he was here for business.

Refocusing himself at the matter of hand, he brought his attention back to the two women speaking. Lady Rei did bring up a good point about a student being here, for what he could only assume, would be a dangerous mission, but with two Sennin on the same combat team, would this even be a issue? Besides, he knew better than most that village rank basically meant nothing. He had killed numerous men in combat, battled greater beasts and had been tortured in such a way that would have broken any mere child and survived. Looking slightly down at Nozomi, he wouldn't write her of just yet. She may hold hidden strength these Sennin don't know about. Regardless, she reminded him of Kei. He wouldn't let her perish, his over protective nature getting the better of him. He ignored the next bit of the Sennins conversation, about himself being some untested whelp. No point in saying anything. He just had to keep himself and the others alive. If he could survive taking a Daiyoukai's blast to the face, he was sure he could manage this.

What did interest him was their continual discussion about the "Lycans", which he was curious about. Of course though, they didn't really talk about the presumed beasts themselves but the threat they posed, as well as mentioning Rebels. Different area's, same issues. Killing rebels was something of a bore but important nonetheless. He never knew the village had such a problem in the first, but It must have been pretty bad If they had managed to gather this much attention. He couldn't say however, he agreed with making peace with rebels, but he wasn't the leader.

When the two finally finished speaking, giving him the chance to speak, he took it, wanting more information, so he addressed the two. ""Anbu Sennin....Lady Rei, may I inquire about what these Lycan's are, and of these ex-revolutionists? and the threat they pose? As someone who hasn't been in the system for four years, and one living in the lowlands, dealing with other affairs, I have been in the dark about recent matters considering Kumogakure's safety and the threat that they have posed. Is it safe to assume these Lycan's are beasts of a greater variety? And these rebels still pose a threat on some level?" He spoke in a clear, neutral tone, wanting to be taken serious., while still standing with her arms behind his back. He was sure to get eye rolling from the two, but he was completely serious. He hadn't kept himself to current affairs in the village, and now was a good time, since he had the feeling he would be dealing with or both threats soon enough with how this briefing was turning out. He made subtle glimpses of the others, especially the kami spirit......which gave him both the urge to kick it....and wanting to disappear. He had nothing but rotten luck with fox spirits. The last thing he needed, was another one torturing him or worse. At least compared to that, the others were normal especially If he compared them to Lady rei. They were a bit younger than he expected but he wasn't one to judge. He didn't know If he could see them as professional killers. Still, they wouldn't be here If Lady Yuna thought they couldn't pull her weight. That said, he had never met a Genin, let alone a student capable of going on a mission like this. He was a prodigy when he was at the right age for a Genin, and even than, he knew he wouldn't survive a mission like this, If It was what he thought it would be.​

 

[Santaru Sayomi]

Though small, Yume was both incredibly skilled and impressive in her own right, though she preferred this form which was more comforting to Sayomi since it could be held and carried while her larger form allowed for use of more power in battle. Not to mention a more intimidating aura all of its own. Yume was polite and even adorable in the presence of others, but perhaps because of her own breeding and her summoners status, she was only such to people she felt of value. She was snooty and often looked down on others and, as such, hardly paid much attention to the children in the room and focused almost primarily on the two grown women. One was a sennin and the other exuded and aura that seemed to command a respect. Of course, in her mind, Sayomi was on par with any Sennin due to her status and strength of chakra and command of ninjutsu, among other things, despite her lacking personality....among other things she lacked. Of course, if it were not for a chance meeting with Yuna not too long ago, not a single person within the room would be known to her.

She listened to the others speak about Lycans, creatures that she had read about in books along with her brunette summoner with unnaturally purple eyes, but had never met one in person. The very idea of meeting one and having to face one would surely send the young lady into a tizzy of fear and inspire a fight or flight response...both which would be absolutely devastating for the surrounding area. Still, clearly the ANBU Sennin did not recognize the small fox, this much was clear, or at least it felt that way. She did not remember the name given and was just simply perusing files which must not be up to date. Still, it gave her an excuse to leave the mansion in hopes of finding a little excitement. Sure, living a pampered life of leisure was fun and all, she got to eat all the delicious food and be waited on paw and paw to her heart's desire, but she was still a very young fox and did want some adventure every now and then.

She cocked her head to the side as Yuna spoke to her, still rather in disbelief despite hearing the words for herself. "As long as you're certain, ANBU Sennin...Lady Santaru is exceptionally knowledgeable in chakra healing, though she has very little chance to use it practically, but she has researched and written much on the subject herself. However, she is very timid, unimaginably so. I must advise you to not allow her to be...shall I say...overstimulated? Even with the conditioning to keep her emotions in check, she can be easily startled and even among the Santaru clan...especially among the Santaru clan, her bloodline abilities and control over nature are said to rival even the purest and most blessed by Raiden himself..." she warned, stopping short of stating that much of her power came from the Jinchuuriki spirit of the favored companion of Raiden, the Raijuu, dwelling withinside of her. It was always rumored that Santaru might have been descended by the primary god of Kumogakure, but the fact her blood was what kept the spirit trapped inside of her rather than a traditional seal only lent credence to this.

She could feel the green haired woman's stare upon her, but she paid no heed since she did not speak to her. Instead, she began to wander away, her polite and welcoming expression gave way and grew stern as she approached the corner of the room. Anyone following her movements would see her now scolding a young girl clad in a vibrant kimono of flowers, an outfit that was clearly belonging to one with excessive wealth, or rather someone who was lucky enough to have it purchased for her. For most people, it would have stood out, but it only reinforced how little presence the girl had that even on the journey to the office, not a single person had seemed to give her notice, let alone acknowledged her existence.

Santaru Sayomi was in the room, in the corner, her gaze fixed upon the floor as if turned to stone and her skin paler than snow at the thought of having to go on a mission. She was older than the children, at least chronologically speaking, though she looked no older than a child herself, having stopped aging at 14 and appearing younger still than that, almost having changed not a hair since her academy days save for the fact she wasn't so gaunt as before, though still a overly petite in general. "Lady Santaru, you heard the ANBU Sennin yourself, you will not be expected to participate in the actual battle, you must think of your position!" she stated in a stern voice which seemed almost comical with her high tone.

Meanwhile, all the young kunoichi could do was dwell upon all the horrible things she had read about monstrous creatures and the nightmarish abilities they possessed as an infinite number of scenarios filled her head, each one more gruesome than the last. As such, she said nothing in response to her fox as fear glazed her eyes over though her facial expression remained motionless, almost dead. Yume, however, was rather fearless in stark contrast to her mistress, and did not consider much of a threat so gave very little thought to how dangerous of a mission this could be.

 

[Ryuu Nozomi]

Nozomi remained seated, back straight, hands folded neatly in her lap, but the decision had already turned over in her mind. When Yuna spoke of dismissing her it temporarily made her heart sink. Rei refused to decide for her and something eased in Nozomi’s chest. So many things in life are chosen for you, but she now had permission to choose this and it felt empowering. She rose smoothly and bowed to the masked Sennin first, then to Rei, then to the others gathered.

“Thank you for the consideration,” she said. “I would like to go.”

There was no tremor in it, no fear that wished to escape.

“I understand the risk,” she added, glancing to Rei with a brief, respectful nod.

She sat again, posture still remarkably aligned. While the masked Sennin laid out the situation, Nozomi listened the way she’d learned to listen on the farm. To pay attention to not only the words but the purpose behind them. An effort to understand the deeper meaning to things in this world. The room was still and yet carried a heavy weight to it. There were Lycan movements, a Draconian survivor, a fragile peace, and a team that did not know how to work together quite yet. When there was space for questions, she lifted her chin just enough to be seen.

“May I confirm rules of engagement?” she asked the masked Sennin.

“With the ex-Revolutionists, specifically. If we encounter them... is our priority to avoid escalation entirely, secure cooperation if possible, or disengage unless attacked? I’d also like clarity on the Draconian survivor. Are we extracting them to Kumogakure, or debriefing in place and handing them back under treaty?”

Her tone remained careful and professional. She didn’t wish to overstep her ground as she was clearly the least experienced here. She let the last sentence settle, then continued without hurrying.

“My usefulness, as I see it, will most likely be in reconnaissance and support. I can also rotate as escort for our medics and ensure they don’t get isolated. If we stagger positions, I’ll keep watch on their flanks and guide them through marked paths."

Here, she inclined her head toward the snow white fox and the corner where Sayomi’s presence pressed the air like a contained storm. “I hear your cautions and I think we shouldn't force pace on Sayomi. If she needs shielding from stimulus, I can watch for points to buffer space as needed."

Her gaze returned to the masked Sennin, then to Rei.

“If we are cut off, where do we rally? What are the signals for regrouping and full withdrawal? If survivors refuse movement do we have authority to transfer them anyway? I'd like if we had an order of priorities stated plainly."

It wasn’t challenge of authority, but it was a bold request.

She paused only long enough to turn to the young man next to her in armor, Tamashi Seto. His presence felt steadier than the others, not because he was louder, but because she felt a closeness to him. He was close to her age, though seasoned by years she didn’t yet have on this earth. A strange calm settled in her ribs when she glanced his way, like recognizing the shape of an object in a drawer before your fingers closed around it.

“Seto,” she said quietly. “It helps to stand near someone who doesn’t rattle and so I hope to be near you in battle.”

She fell quiet then, not idle, but quiet. In her head, she began to map the pieces as she was given answers. Doing her best to plot a course of action as she saw fit. Most importantly, she understood the simplest truth... those with higher rank would form the plan and she would simply have to follow orders. This was her moment to influence such decisions and would be the last time she could leave such a mark. As such, Nozomi would continue to sit and listen with perfect posture until the group was dismissed.

[WC: 672, Marked for Training]