After what had happened earlier today, he found himself waiting in the reception hall, his back up one of the room's massive pillars, his right foot equally up, pressed against the pillar. In his frustration while waiting for Kei to arrive, he couldn't keep himself from staring below at the floor with his arms crossed. He couldn't believe it, believe what had happened earlier, helpless in watching as both sides began break down, and for what? Because one side couldn't take accountability or make a simple gesture in apologizing? The thought of it all made his blood boil. It didn't help either the same image kept playing in his head and over, watching as the hostility of both sides sending shockwaves through the grand hall, the representative of Hirata Clan and his entourage standing abruptly from their seats, fists slamming on the great hall's finely crafted long tables, before being followed by violent echoes of their declaration at reclaiming what was rightfully theirs. Their violent words, words he had rarely heard of, were as fresh as the memory he had of them storming out of the keep, their armor clanking with every step. It was a stark reminder of the situation they were in, that a war was coming, and all because a few, idiotic ashigaru of the Hirata Clan had killed a few of their hunters on the border, which ended up escalating in a dispute between their ancient borders. He knew borders were important for more than one reason, but this was ridiculous. The two clans had lived in relative peace for decades, centuries right If his memory was right, and that was gonna get thrown out over some ashigaru being an ass or drunk on the job? This made him boil internally even more.
Still, he couldn't allow himself to be overwritten with anger, for that was unbecoming of a master. After a few inhales of the hall's trapped air, he fell gently to the floor below before sitting cross legged underneath the massive pillar. He needed to calm his mind, focus on other things other than the encoming chaos or the renowned archers and horse back warriors he would be facing. He hoped Kei received his message. He cited it was urgent for the two to speak, but didn't leave much more than that. He couldn't risk a security breech, or worse, Kumogakure getting involved. While he believed in the Raikage, he frankly had no idea what she might do, but given she had completely destroyed the Shogunate and the old ways of doing things, nearly destroying or disbanding every major clan in the land, he couldn't take any chances, especially with his home and loved ones on the line. It was a heavy burden to carry, wanting to ask for help but couldn't. His clan was on their own, and for the first time in his life, he would be sent to war. Not surprising to even himself, he wasn't bothered by that, given his past trials. Killing was in his blood unfortunately, and being hardened, forced to grow quickly, It made no difference to him, but that didn't mean he still didn't fear for the people his family had sworn to protect. They was countless farmers, craftsmen, children etc, all of whom, would need protecting, and yet, he knew he couldn't protect them all, and neither was there enough bodies. He already knew this war wouldn't end well, and now? He was potentially throwing his informal apprentice deep in the center of it. Apart of him wanted to protect him from this, but at the same time, he willingly became a warrior, a shinobi of the village. Whether he liked it or not, Kei would be thrown into war one way or another....
Still, he couldn't allow himself to be overwritten with anger, for that was unbecoming of a master. After a few inhales of the hall's trapped air, he fell gently to the floor below before sitting cross legged underneath the massive pillar. He needed to calm his mind, focus on other things other than the encoming chaos or the renowned archers and horse back warriors he would be facing. He hoped Kei received his message. He cited it was urgent for the two to speak, but didn't leave much more than that. He couldn't risk a security breech, or worse, Kumogakure getting involved. While he believed in the Raikage, he frankly had no idea what she might do, but given she had completely destroyed the Shogunate and the old ways of doing things, nearly destroying or disbanding every major clan in the land, he couldn't take any chances, especially with his home and loved ones on the line. It was a heavy burden to carry, wanting to ask for help but couldn't. His clan was on their own, and for the first time in his life, he would be sent to war. Not surprising to even himself, he wasn't bothered by that, given his past trials. Killing was in his blood unfortunately, and being hardened, forced to grow quickly, It made no difference to him, but that didn't mean he still didn't fear for the people his family had sworn to protect. They was countless farmers, craftsmen, children etc, all of whom, would need protecting, and yet, he knew he couldn't protect them all, and neither was there enough bodies. He already knew this war wouldn't end well, and now? He was potentially throwing his informal apprentice deep in the center of it. Apart of him wanted to protect him from this, but at the same time, he willingly became a warrior, a shinobi of the village. Whether he liked it or not, Kei would be thrown into war one way or another....
