Pride & Prejudice - [ Yuuto ]

[Haruka]

Down the hall, the young woman would walk. Along with her heels clicking with every powerful step she held, the sword that she wore at her back would rattle against it's sheath. If one got close enough, they would be able to feel the cold that would spill forth from the sword itself. It seemed that one had to be very finely attuned to take a hold of it. As audacious as it was, Haruka would lead Yuuto to the office that she had staked her claim over. After all, let someone challenge her at this point. There would be no holding back from her. After all, why let someone walk all over her? She was the rightful leader in every sense of the word of a village that attempted to scorn her, so she would rule over it with her very own iron fist. How lovely, right? Grasping her keyring, she would unlock the door and flick on a light. "Please, take a seat." Her hand would suggest over to the chair seated in front of the desk. Pacing over to a cabinet, she would grab some tea leaves and a pot. Working along with it, she would fill the pot with water and bring some tea cups over to the desk. Placing all of the items down, she would take a seat across from Yuuto and lean back in the chair. Her eyes would examine him for a moment before she would reach forward, tapping at the pot of water. If he paid close enough attention, he could feel the chakra leaving the tip of her finger to heat the water to the point of boiling. After as much, she would respond by pouring the water into the two cups that had been placed out. "Green tea that I obtained on a venture to the Leaf Village with my mother." She would comment before clearing her throat a bit.

"I'm sure you're asking yourself: 'What is this mad woman doing? Taking me places when I simply want to rest.' Okay, that may not be your exact response, but I do have to speak in a very official nature with you, Masaru-san." The woman would comment, leaning down to obtain something from one of the deep drawers of the desk. From that drawer, she would gingerly hold onto an ornate looking jar. Placing it in the center of the desk, she would close her eyes for just a moment.

"Masaru-san, I hope you know the implications of this. Tsuchikage Endo was a madman. As madmen do, he slaughtered that messenger in his journey to kill me as well. I used my snapshot and recollection of the battlefield in attempts to collect the messenger's ashes as I knew that he would have someone come looking for him. No matter who you are in this world, there is always going to be someone who cares." She'd murmur, peering over the desk at him.

"I tried to protect him, I tried to get him to flee the scene, but I do not know what he was thinking. I can only protect people so well when someone is aimlessly attempting to slaughter everything in his pathway. What can I do for you to make this any easier? I do not know if you are a family member or simply a shinobi seeking this man out to find closure, but..." She'd shake her head now, "He didn't deserve to die like this. So I made sure that our previous Tsuchikage died for what he did to this man and what he aspired to do to all men, women, and children of this nation by wishing war with the other nations."<i></i>

 

[Enatsu]

They arrived at the spire a structure that seemed to be the center of the village's shinobi activity. It reminded him of the tower back at Kumogakure how overzealous these Kage's towers seemed to grow. This seemed to be the most common feature among leaders yet a building was just that a structure symbolizing the leader's power. This woman Haruka was quite the interesting character, just from the way she walked like the world was her oyster. As the pair walked through the halls, many people casted glares at them clearly not for adoration. There was an awkward tension about this woman, and whether or not she should be striding through the halls like this was none of Yuuto's business.

Finally they reached an office, one that was positioned closer to the top of the tower. Now if this was anything like Cloud then it was safe to assume that she was bringing him to the Kage's office yet she had not introduced herself as such. As they entered Haruka asked him to take a seat across from the desk to which he would oblige. She would then grab a tea set, before bringing it over to the desk to sit herself down as well. Using the element of fire ,something that he was very accustomed to, she would heat the water inside of the pot instantly starting a brew for the tea. She commented that the green tea was from Leaf a place he had not heard of since their fall. Those samurai were nasty creatures. "Why thank you, I will do my best not to spill any." Spilling green tea in the Tsuchikage's sight was probably not the best thing to do on a first meet.

She made a goofy inquiry about his thoughts on her behavior. To which he would respond to as she went into the desk for something. "On the contrary, I think you're doing a fine job at being hospitable. Kumogakure's Raikage is somewhat similar but sometimes his resolve to allowing people to walk over him is akin to a wet noodle. However the latest string of his actions show hope for a more sound leader..." He would sip the green tea, the drink was not ready yet as the steeping process would still take time. Placing the cup back down he would observe as she took out a jar which looked more like it used for preservation. An urn if you will...

She took a moment to close her eyes and think about what was happening. At the same time his heart began to speed up. He could feel the tension building, Yuuto knew what this meant and as he awaited for her to speak his jaw clenched tightening for what was about to be dropped on him was truly a bomb. It would seem that the Tsuchikage Endo, was a madman and killed Tosaka in his attempt to kill this woman. She had used the snapshot to pinpoint Tosaka's ashes and retrieve them for when his family came. She believed that there was always someone to care and that one day they would seek him, how right she was. Haruka began to stare at Yuuto slightly observing his reaction, she could gauge it if she tried. There was pain, and anger written all over his face.

Haruka claimed that she tried to protect him, clearly it was not enough. She urged him to flee but for some reason Tosaka stayed. "He most likely stayed to collect information for Kumogakure and gauge what was happening. It would make sense that we heard nothing back from Stone. However this is my fault ... I sent him here and doomed him. In the end this falls on my shoulders." She would begin to state how Tosaka did not deserve this, but she killed Endo and ensured that he died for his crimes. He felt that this was her way of trying to show compassion and whether or not it was genuine he would see with his next movement.

​

"I appreciate what you've done Haruka. I suppose that this Endo fellow's corpse to spit on would be too much to ask for. If you would allow me space to please perform something." Whether or not she allowed him to Yuuto would snatch the jar and move his chair to the side creating space. He would pop open the top and allow the ashes to spill onto the floor. On one knee he bent down placing one hand into the ash while charging a large amount of chakra. The air around him would begin to crackle and then the ashes would shake violently. A clear and glowing base of energy would coat the ashes and then they'd condense into molecules that would vibrate visibly showing that there was a complete change in the molecule's form. The ashes would then harden and elongate shaping themselves into a skeleton while the cartilage and bone would follow. Tendrils of skin and muscle began to form wrapping themselves around the ashes. It was as if logic was being defied as the body of Tosaka underwent reconstruction.

The marvelous process would continue completely reversing the destruction. While his cousin was not alive his body was at least one piece. A single tear fell from Yuuto's eye as he took off the red leather jacket and placed it around Tosaka. "About two weeks ago I would have been able to reanimate him and attach his spirit to this mortal coil. Now all I can do is reverse the damage but it won't bring him back. The world likes to taunt you and test your resolve. No matter how much I want to, the dead should not be brought back at least not by my hands that power is not meant for man." He would chuckle softly before picking up his cousin's corpse and placing it in the seat. "Could you please provide me with a wagon. I will pay for it and send back this body with all the funds needed. I just want my cousin's corpse to be respected and returned to his family, the Masaru Clan deserves that much." He would get quiet once more awaiting for her answer to be returned.

[MFT]
[Using Reversion Jutsu - Temporal Strider to reconstruct the body]

 

[Haruka]

A simple bit of dry laughter would pass the woman's lips. "Spill as you may, it won't bother me much." She'd comment now as she took her own sip of the contents of her tea cup. The warmth would drop down to the very pit of her stomach, and she could feel every last part of it tracing through her system. How strange it was, really. Now then, she would listen to what Yuuto had to say after her little speech was said and done. It was time to listen rather than ramble on and attempt to beg for forgiveness from one person to another. She knew that she could have the issue fixed up-- whether it be by approaching her mother, or even less favorable by approaching Souji. Hell, she could've done so to begin with, but people deserved to know the very truth of what happened and act as they would. Some people did not enjoy altered versions of their kin, friends, or fellow shinobi. To be quite frank, it was more than just illegal within these walls, but were rules not made to be broken? A bad way for a woman who was a leader to think, but you did whatever you had to make things right. And that was that. Haruka's sapphire eyes would watch Yuuto's features as the emotion flickered across his features. She knew that either this man was a dear friend of his, or even a family member. She'd have the same reaction, after all. Either way, her emotion was definitely genuine. Had it not been for the man in the urn being senselessly killed by Endo, Haruka probably would not have slaughtered him in front of the masses. However, things played out the way that they would. "I'm sure I could always ask someone to resurrect Endo so he could be a proper punching bag, but... He still has blind followers. It probably wouldn't be the best for me to do." Her talking would stop as she watched him snatch the jar away from the middle of the desk. Her eyebrows would raise a bit as he pulled it open. What now?

The next thing that she saw would cause her to pause, her fingers gripping tightly against the desk that she sat behind. This was... A cold breath would pass her lips as if it were punched out of her very being. No, way. This was how her mother and her father worked. This was... She didn't know what to call it. This was the work of people who transcended time itself. She would shake her head now, attempting to remove the feeling of being jarred from her senses. It'd been some time since she had seem something such as this. "You're right." She would comment quietly, "And you do not need to provide any funds for this. Consider it a gift of the village, Masaru-san." She stated, turning her head to an empty corner of the room. Another form of Haruka would materialize from ice and stand, waiting for orders. "Find this man a proper vessel to escort his cousin's body back to his family." The clone would simply nod, moving out of the room to do as instructed. Fun stuff, right?

"Other than providing a corpse for you to spit on, what else can I do for you, Masaru-san? I could see the great amount of pain this brought you. I know that there is no proper compensation for a life, but I do know that there has to be something that can ease the pain. My village is your village right now."<i></i>

 

[Enatsu]

Haruka agreed with Yuuto, more or less. He was thrilled to hear that she would extend the kindness of her village and pay for the expenses. He could feel nothing but gratitude for her hospitality. The ex-Anbu was poor considering 95% of his funds were back in Kumogakure. It is times like these he wished that he did not leave so abruptly but he'd rather start his exile on the spot than wait for a week. For one it would make Hayata Shin look weak once more in front of people. Even though Yuuto's goal was to invoke change, if Shin was changed as a by-product it would only serve his intended goal. If he didn't leave so soon it would have given him more time to prepare, but that also means if anything happened that he despised in that short week there might have been more trouble than help. So in short her kindness was saving whatever funds he did have to regain tools for his puppet work. It would also serve to say that without his originals the "Sovereign" program was obsolete for the time being.

Haruka summoned a clone and began to give it orders as if it was one of her soldiers. How curious, she summons an ice clone instead of an assistant, but she talks to the clone like it's a real person. I wonder does she have trust issues, or maybe she views her creations like real people. Although there is always the option that I'm reading too deeply into this and it was nothing more than a quirk. It would do well to play to her good side for the time being. He was very observative of her personality wanting to take in all that he could about the assumed Tsuchikage. Yuuto would bend over digging into his burlap sack for a large scroll. This was once the scroll he summoned the spirits of Juyomonji and Keiko from, they were definitely not thrilled about being shipped back to the other side, but they were together wherever. He would brandish a seal absorbing his cousin's body into the scroll before taking his seat again.

"Well Haruka-sama, while this event does bring me great pain death is but apart of the cycle. The afterlife will be more blissful for him. As of what else can be done, as I said before I am a wandering sell sword now. I seek work and my clan's expertise was extermination and restraint. We would hunt creatures, any kind of all size things that could kill the average shinobi with a flick of a tentacle or a stamp of their foot. I've even killed a demon lord before. All in all, I'm seeking a chance to work and hone my craft. I currently have a very small amount of funds as... Well I suppose I have not told you about myself. I think it's important if I explain the kind of man I am and what I've done before asking to be allowed sanctuary here for some time." It was then that he paused realizing that he still had not revealed his identity or why he was here. Honest was the best policy and if he withheld information from this woman after what she had done and taken him in so kindly, well Yuuto would be seen as a wretch. So he cleared his throat and took a deep breath before beginning his tale.

Until recently I was a shinobi of Kumogakure, an Anbu to be exact. Our Raikage as I said is a wet noodle, and his constant "kindness" allowed others to trample over him. I was sending a message here and Sand regarding the criminals Miroku Akkuma, his brother Uziuke and another man named Isaki Hoshikata, a snake of snakes. They are all former Mist Shinobi and even their Mizukage who is residing in Cloud believes they are scourge of the earth. I remember reading a file about a young man named Zenichi who was captured and released, and another named Mana who was killed by Ayumu our previous Anbu Sennin and consumed by Akkuma. As you can see from this short brief summary of criminals things were a mess." Yuuto would pause once more giving her time to take in the information as there was more to come.

"Shin apparently cut a deal with Akkuma and the demon used that like a badge of protection while he forcibly sealed two Academy Students and one Anbu. I fought him but had to let him escape to save my comrade. No one came to the scene to help even though I called for back up twice. Then I found out Akkuma was planning to take over the country and bring in a horde of demons, something that our Raikage knew nothing of. So I began a crusade to uncover the truth about our village and happened to come by a list about Kinjutsu users and people with prospective bloodlines or DNA the village could make use of. So they created the Harvesters a medical group of shinobi who were trained to kill, and extract the material from potential targets. If they were a threat they'd be hunted, or if they were dead they would be taken. The problem is that the village did not contact these families, they did not inform people of their actions and simply treated us like properties. I refuse to accept that shinobi are just tools, we have beating hearts, we are people as well." Yuuto's words were filled with conviction he was feeling more proud about himself as he continued this tale although the next series of events would probably be less than favorable.

"So I began to build a regime who would gather information and then rally the public to confront the government. I grabbed information from Shin's office, I killed three prisoners who were allowed to live but had been kidnapping, selling and Raiden knows what else to children. We were regular crusaders, but my allies began disappearing and then I was left with nothing. So I placed all my bets on my next move and confronted Shin alone. I did not attack him but simply broadcasted my speech to the entire village while I dished out facts and theories. He tried to lie and save face but I cut that shit quick. So the village heard his business, heard him lie and then apologize for lying. In the end they know that he is not a competent Kage but there is hope for change. He exiled me showing that he did not want to kill his own people and that he was wrong. While it pains me to be kept away from my village maybe it's for the best. I never settled down and focused on my personal life like so many others. I was a patriot constantly trying to fight the battles of many and keep people safe. Now I have nothing when i comes to Kumogakure but I have a new path something worth trying for. I guess that's what led me here to find out about my cousin and fix my wrongs one step at a time." Yuuto would pick back up the tea he was given and begin sipping. The flavor had settled in and a long "ahhh" would escape his lips before he said anything else.

"Mmm, this green tea is good as hell." She may have felt some kind of way because he just ranted her head off but at least the Tsuchikage would have an understanding of the kind of person Yuuto was. Essentially he was just asking to take up bounties and be allowed to set up camp in her village, however it would not work if she didn't know what she was dealing with.

[MFT]

 

[Haruka]

Every man, every woman, and every child all needed to have a certain element of trust that was kept to themselves. However, at this very point, it was mainly because Haruka didn't need anyone else meddling within her business. After all, people in this village were quite nosy when it came to things like this. She was surprised that there was no one swarming this office at this very moment. Her gaze would shoot over towards the door that had finally been placed back on it's hinges after Megami the Barbarian decided she was going to plow the damn thing over. My, what a nuisance she was, no? Like all zits, she would be popped soon enough. Couldn't let someone like her fester in a village she was trying to fix. Watching as the clone would make it's way out with a sole mission in mind, she would wait for the door to close shut and then she would tilt her head up to listen to all of the words that Yuuto had to speak to her. It was a lot to take in, but she was sure that she could manage. After all, this was what she had done with herself years prior... Her eyes would watch as the man would absorb his cousin's body within a scroll and she would reach down, fingers brushing against a scroll at her side unconsciously. Ah, she still had to do a proper burial for this man. If only people hadn't been intent on holding her up and pushing her to the very back of the closet. Morons. She had things to do. Did they not see as much? It only danced in her mind that this village needed fixing of it's disease. It was so hard to believe that the people could seriously be a disease, but she had seen so much worse in her time before as she traveled to other villages. One of her boot clad legs would now cross over the other as she fixed her attention upon the white haired man that spoke to her. The Masaru clan seemed to have an interesting skillset, but would that mean that he would be after the demon that had once resided within her very soul? Not like she wouldn't mind, but the demon did now reside within Keita's very body. That was an issue. One big and fucked up issue. "Thank you for taking your time to explain yourself to me." She would comment, just so he knew that she was not dead on her feet as she listened.

Ah, so a man of Kumogakure. Did that mean that his cousin was also that of Kumogakure? No wait, that was a bad question. She had already been explained as much. Now she knew why she had an innate fear of a village coming forward for reconciliation. Actually, she truly wondered just how many times the Stone Village had caused a ruckus within the rankings of the Cloud shinobi. She probably needed to gather much more information on that. Hell, maybe she could even use the man sitting before her as a means to take care of finding that information? It seemed like a conflict more than anything, but did she truly have the time while trying to balance out a proper village? Lifting up her cup, she would take a thoughtful sip before placing it down. Pulling out one of the upper drawers, she would pull out a pad and paper, placing it down on the desk there. Writing down the names Miroku Akkuma, Uziuke, Isaki Hoshikata, and Zenichi... She would lift her cold gaze back up to Yuuto as he spoke. Criminals seemed to have run a muck in the Cloud village. Was it due to Raikage Shin's negligence? He did not seem like a very smart man, especially if he let someone go that had enough information to roll over a village and cause a rebellion. Then again, sometimes you couldn't trust the information given to you. However, whispers at the gates and words coming from the lips of her sister, Koa, led her to believe that this man was telling her the truth. At least about this Miroku Akkuma fellow. Scum upon scum he seemed. Perhaps she would be the one to end his miserable life? After all, a man who was delusional was hardly a kill but still one for tormenting her beloved family. There would be no deals cut from Haruka for someone such as Akkuma. After all... Demons never trusted another demon. Underneath of the names, she would write down: Grant no entry, or cast out. Criminal filth. Besides, she didn't need more problems within her walls, right? They could dance outside of the gates for all she cared. She had bigger fish to fry than these people.

Haruka would come to a stand, "I have heard of Miroku Akkuma... So I have no reason to believe that you are lying to me, and I thank you for that, Masaru-san." She would murmur, "And please, continue, I am still listening." Her heels would click against the ground as she stood in front of the window, peering out over the overcast gloom of the village. What more could she do other than protecting these people? She was trying her damnedest, but it seemed they wanted to spit it back in her face. Her two year old son had better etiquette than these foolish people. It made no sense to Haruka as to why there were people who were convicted criminals allowed to roam around. Even though she could've been considered as such, she was still here to make amends, fix up the village, and do whatever she could to usher it back onto it's feet. This place was a livable one a couple years ago, but now it seemed to be collapsing back into itself. As he finished his speech, she would turn half way to peer over at him, a small smile touching her lips as he commented on the tea. Only the best for the people that she harbored, no?

"Masaru-san, in my mind, even if family is within the confines of a village or country, if it is led by a fool, then there is no changing that. I wish to make amends with Cloud for anything that Inu Endo might have done to these people, and now I see that it may be far, far easier than what I expected. I thank you for the information about yourself, your village, and the scum that dares creep along the streets there. It seems that Cloud village has more work to do within itself than what I have to do here." Her comment was quiet, and she would fold her arms over her chest, flesh tugging at the scar tissue buildup. "For your information, I am willing to grant you solace here within the walls of Stone, but you must know that it will come with stipulations and a price. Not monetary prices, mind you, but rather I require your services if you are to reside here." Now, she would turn to face him completely.

"You will remain living with me, but you must keep your wits about you. I have an adopted daughter and my biological son. I trust that you will, though. Don't make a fool out of me, though. The last person who attempted so died miserably. You will only be outside of the house while I am outside of it. I hate to sound like a mother to shinobi, but right now I need people to follow a more or less stricter method while we regain footing. That being said, I have a mission for you. Should you accept, I will offer you whatever compensation you need and your freedom to roam this village. Masaru-san, are my terms reasonable?"

"And I do have to let you know, my daughter is a shinobi as well. She's a little bit on the mentally unwell side. I doubt that will sway whatever choice you make, but it is a disclaimer I will make none-the-less."<i></i>

 

[Enatsu]

It would seem that Haruka believed Yuuto, seeing as she either met or heard of Miroku Akkuma. That man was a miserable demon but now that he was no longer a Kumogakurian, seeing as he was cast out, Yuuto had no reason to want to kill the man other than to put another troublesome soul in the dirt. Useless trifles they were but a presence of the past something that no longer concerned the young Masaru.

The Tsuchikage would begin her next response by explaining that a fool's country is just that and there is no changing it. She wanted to create amends with Cloud for what Inu Endo had done. While his Clan would be calmed by knowing their kin's murder was dead how would Cloud feel? It is not as if Tosaka was a high ranking member but he was somewhere up there. Thanks for his insight Haruka was more than willing to allow him sanctuary here in Iwagakure. However there was one price he had to pay and it was in line with his services but not of those he had originally offered. It would seem that Haruka may have wanted an inside man and an extra hand in her endeavors.

The conditions were that Yuuto was bound to stay in her home but must be on his toes. If there was an attack she was likely expecting his help. She mentioned her children, an adopted daughter and a baby boy, something only a concerned warning mother would do. It was quite entertaining but insightful to see her process, once again Yuuto could have been reading too deeply into things but there was the chance that he was correct. He did not fear her death but took note of it. From the sound of it the wanderer would be set there and only allowed to travel when she did. Standing from his seat Yuuto would approach the Haruka and extend his hand. "I am no shinobi anymore, but I accept your terms Haruka-sama. However could I please have a workshop if you have the space? I need tools to begin working on my puppet arsenal. I can create a list of supplies if that would be useful." Haruka made sure to mention that her daughter was not well but it could change Yuuto's mind, he was set on his path. Gathering his belongings the puppeteer would prepare to follow this iced woman wherever she lead him to.

[Feel Free to lead the way to your humble home~]
[Topic Left w/h Haruka when Ready]

 

[Haruka]

"Please, just Haruka." The woman would state, finally catching onto what the man would call her. She was no woman who demanded respect unless it was a time of trial and tribulation. As far as she was concerned, she was standing upon equal grounds with the Masaru for the time being. After all, she would be ushering him into her home to make sure that no harm would come to her people, and at the same time, no harm would come to him. Placing the cup down on the desk, she would brush passed the corner to lead the way as she was expected to. "You may not be a shinobi bound to a village anymore, but it is hard to shake free of the roots that may bind you to the grand scheme of things." Pushing open the door, she would soon find herself face to face with her clone. The job must've been done. Lifting a hand, the clone would unravel into snow and ice to the ground and she would step over the little pile that had been created. "I'll be sure to deliver the details of what else I need for you to do. You may have your workspace, and you may make a list of the supplies that you'll need." As Souji would use as an insult towards her, money was not an issue for the young descendant of the Minamoto and Kono clans. That's simply what being a part of the Daimyo lineage did for a person. No matter what newspapers may say, or anything along those lines... She was safe to do as she needed and never have a worry in the world.

[ Topic Left w/ Yuuto ]
[ Will post up next thread in an hour or so. ]<i></i>