Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Dec 12, 2005 22:43:06 GMT -5
What a day....
While there had been thankfully no casualties in the attacks - something seemed to have gone wrong on the enemies' side, and for that, Kaori was grateful - but it'd certainly done plenty of damage. They were hours behind schedule, now, and the wagons were moving slower from sharing the load of the ones that had been destroyed.
Leaning back against one of the cargo wagons, Kaori could just barely make out the ghostly shapes of ANBU patrols moving just beyond the dancing light of the campfire. Eerie phantoms in full ANBU uniform, they meant business, and in her current state, Kaori felt much safer with them close.
Having worked overtime to heal the injured and restore the ANBU to the best health possible, both she and Akina were completely wiped out, and had to rely on the wagon for support as they sat on the hard ground. In a few minutes, the members of the party would gather around and discuss what had happened. As she suddenly became aware of the first arrivals, she couldn't help but wonder how this would turn out...
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Post by UchihaJyounochi on Dec 12, 2005 23:23:12 GMT -5
Iro stirred from his place next to the fire. The warmth it emanated was comforting, the embers dancing in the crisp night air. He slowly picked himself up to a sitting position. He nearly fell back down as his arms wobbled. They felt as though they hadn't been used in days. Leaning against one of the nearby wagons, he listened to the night life of the forest surrounding them. "What time is it?" he called out to anyone who might be nearby. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kozuki leapt from branch to branch, pushing herself to get to her destination as quickly as possible. Her earrings dangled and bobbled against her neck after every jump. They pulsated with a faint green glow. She was furious with herself. She was supposed to meet up with her new team to take them on their first real mission today. Unfortunately, things did not seem to want to let that happen. Her previous mission had run into complications, and ended up taking far longer than she expected. It wuld take her all night to catch up to te caravan now. After a few minutes she spotted a figure moving off in the distance. After a few moments she released her grip on the scoll at her hip as she identified the person as a Konoha ANBU. If an ANBU is nearby, then that must mean the caravan is as well. But they should be much farther by now...Without bothering to ask for a second hand explanation, she decided to push on and get an answer straight from Kaori. She was not hard to locate, she was sitting outside surprisingly enough. Kozuki landed gracefully enough, just outside of the light of the campfire. Breathing heavily she walked up. Seeing that Kaori was not alone, she decided it would be wise to stick with formality. "Hokage-sama, I apologize for being so late, my previous mission... had a few complications..." She took a deep breath trying to collect herself. "What happened? You should be much farther than this, although it did make my job a lot easier."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Dec 12, 2005 23:44:35 GMT -5
"It's a couple hours after sunset," Akina told Kokoro-kun in answer to his question. "Any more specific, and I wouldn't be able to tell you." She sighed. "It's going to be a long night." * * * * * Normally Kaori would have greeted Kozuki with a smile - and, as in today's case, some off-the-cuff joking comment about puncuality, or the lack thereof - but today, it was all she could do to keep herself from looking like the living dead. Having almost completely exhausted her chakra supply, tiredness hung over her like a haze despite every effort to keep herself looking as confident and capable as ever. She motioned Kozuki to sit down as she took a sip of the medicinal tea she had prepared. The stuff tasted awful, but it did help. A little. "I'll be discussing the details with the rest of the party in a few minutes," she told her cousin. "No one seems to know what really happened, it was so chaotic. For now, it's general knowledge that a band of missing-nins attacked the caravan and held us up for quite awhile, doing away with our need for secrecy at the same time. No one was killed, but they caused alot of damage and injury. Akina and I couldn't heal more than a scraped knee between the two of us at this point." She sighed, something she rarely - if ever - let people see, especially the younger villagers. "The ANBU are on watch duty for now, so if anything else were to happen, we'd know." But what would they do about it if something did happen?
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Post by Sorien on Dec 13, 2005 0:40:06 GMT -5
Day quickly turned to night in Soriens eyes. Sitting for most of the time, deep in thought, not talking to anyone, he rumbled along in the caravan that was now a little more crowded that he would have liked. Everyone had to make sacrifices. Sorien was wide awake when the caravan came to a halt.
He made his way outside, and seeing a fire hastly being lit, he gravitated toward it like Maz to a meal. He sat quietly, gazing into the flames licking the surrounding air, and was quite content to sit there in thought, until the instructions were due to commence.
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Post by Kiri on Dec 13, 2005 1:06:01 GMT -5
Nadameru walked alongside one of the caravans, lost in thought. Having escaped injury and consumed practically no chakra whatsoever, she concluded that she should walk. Making it out of the battle unscathed wasn't so bad. It was being completely unable to do anything for anyone else that was upsetting.
Time passed and as night fell, the caravans came to a stop. Nada spotted Sorien heading for the campfire that had been lit, and she followed after him. As she reached it, she greeted Kaori-sensei and Sorien. Another jounin was there--Kozuki--but Nada didn't know her very well. She nodded politely to the woman and found a place to sit.
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Hatake Hiroshi
Lieutenant Hokage
Konoha's #1 Hunter-nin
Beat me brother, with a solid four!
Posts: 1,194
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Post by Hatake Hiroshi on Dec 13, 2005 1:11:14 GMT -5
Once the caravan had stopped, Aijou, Ryuji, and Haruki had changed into their official ANBU uniforms and were now scouting the area, keeping a close eye out for anything. The day had been such a disaster! So much damage was done, so many people had been injured....They couldn't afford another incident.
Kohana stayed close by the campfire near her teammates, huddled up on the ground atop her brother's purple jacket, using her belongings (along with the squad's) as pillows. They had retrieved them earlier and gave them to Kohana to keep an eye on.
She had depleted most of her chakra, and even the chakra transfer her brother gave her didn't seem to help much. She was completely and utterly exhausted and found it hard to stay awake.
Rolling onto her back, she yawned and stretched, and rubbed her eyes, trying to keep herself from falling asleep. I should probably try and walk around some... she thought to herself. Nah...I'm too tired. I could atleast sit up...Nah...Don't wanna...
Flipping onto her stomach, she hugged her makeshift pillows and fell asleep.
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Post by UchihaJyounochi on Dec 13, 2005 9:45:29 GMT -5
" It's a couple hours after sunset," Iro heard Akina say. " Any more specific, and I wouldn't be able to tell you." The Jounin sighed sighed audibly, " It's going to be a long night." Iro struggled to grasp for chakra, but came up empty handed. He wanted to get some grasp of his surroundings. He leaned his head back as he heard several people approaching the fire. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kozuki listened to her cousin solemnly. Every passing word weighing down heavily on her. If only I had been there, maybe I could have helped... maybe... No, theres no point in being whiney now.Kozuki sat down next to her cousin, adjusting some of tonights odd assortment of clothes, detaching her scroll pouch from her waist. She gazed around the makeshift camp, still in the process of being set up. Many people were still rushing to try and prepare for the night, many frantically trying to locate their belongings, or realizing that they were gone. Kozuki let out a sigh, and started to gaze up at the star. Her earrings jingling and pulsing, alternating between several different colors. Her attention was grabbed as she heard the sound of several voices coming towards the fire. She knew neither of them personally, and only knew the Jounin by her name. She wanted to look for her team, but felt that it would be best to wait for them here. It seems that everyone would soon be making their own way here. She turned to her cousin, forgetting formality, "You look exhausted, are you planning on giving some sort of speech to the group?" She looked her over, inspecting for any wounds, "are you alright? I know you, you'd heal everyone else in Konoha first before even thinking about yourself." Content that she was more or less fine, all things considered, she leaned back against the wagon, waiting for more details.
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chuwawa
Academy Graduate
Yeah, I know. I'm adorable.
Posts: 174
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Post by chuwawa on Dec 14, 2005 21:42:39 GMT -5
Night had quickly overcome the small area, and Kiyo was one of the first to sit by the fire. In a word, Kiyo was...bored. Bored. Bored. Bored.
Sure, what'd happened earlier was exciting and all, but after all of that, he was just...too bored now. He had regained his chakra to an extent, though, and was little-by-little listening for Makoto. He should have been here by now.
"Where could he be?" he wondered to himself. Sure, Makoto was good at not being found when he didn't want to be, but why would he hide from Kiyo?
Kiyo looked around at all of the villagers walking by the far. It just didn't make sense. They all seemed so nice. How could Makoto be so afraid of them? They were...they were like a family. Kiyo had always had Grams, and just now Makoto, but apart from them nothing. These people came in all colors, shapes, and sizes, but loved eachother all the same. How could they still hold a grudge?
Finally catching a glimpse of Nada-chan, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. He'd been wondering where she'd gone to during all of this. Looking at her now, he knew he was falling for her. Perhaps it was an old childhood crush showing its ugly head again after all of these years, but...Kiyo would have liked for it to have been more.
She seemed so different when she was a little girl, though. The Nada-chan Kiyo remembered was a happy little girl. This one seemed...different, some how. She'd changed. Grown harsher... For all of her dealings with fire, she seemed to have grown cold inside. Kiyo supposed war did that to you.
Despite all of this, Kiyo was determined to at least rekindle the friendship they once had. Biting his lip, he made his way over to her.
"Nadameru! I'm glad to see you're alright."
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Post by Kiri on Dec 15, 2005 17:01:17 GMT -5
Nada looked up as she heard someone speaking to her. Her firey red-orange gaze lifted to rest on Kiyoshi's face, which was smiling, albeit uncertainly. To be honest, she couldn't blame him. The jounin was willing to admit that she had been a little harsh with him earlier, but in her own defense, he had just popped up in the middle of a chaotic battlefield wanting to remenisce.
She silently noted the use of her full name.
"Ah... yeah," she responded quietly. "You too."
There was a long moment of ackward silence and Nada averted her gaze to the fire. Now that her mind wasn't harried with thoughts of impending danger and hidden threats, she could focus more on Kiyo's strange and sudden return. Funny, his disappearance had been just as abrupt. Several questions entered her mind, although in the end she concluded that running into him was nothing more than a peculiar cosmic accident. There was no way he could have known about the mission from Konoha....
...could he? The missing-nin had... somehow. Maybe....
Nada quickly dismissed that thought.
"Want to sit?" she offered, pointing to the spot next to her.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Dec 21, 2005 1:57:39 GMT -5
"Yeah," Kaori told Kozuki, "I'm going to explain just what happened. And I'm fine," she explained, "just tired. That much healing would take alot out of anyone. There are alot here worse off than I am, and I wasn't able to do much besides offer bandages and medicine towards the end. I wouldn't be drinking this-" she held up the steaming cup in her hand "-otherwise." She took a drink, and leaned her head back against the wagon. "Let's just hope that this is the last of them for awhile."
Once everyone had gathered close enough to hear, she looked at the ANBU member standing near the edge of the firelight. He nodded slightly, a sign that all was quiet. Good. She cleared her throat, and silence spread like a ripple around the group. Soon all eyes were on her. It was time.
"I've called you here to explain what happened today," she said calmly, "or at least as much as we know of it." It was hard to not let tiredness seep through every inch of her, and even harder to keep her voice strong, but she knew all too well what kind of effect her being tired and dispirited would have on the group.
"Perhaps you know now why this is an S-rank mission. We had disguised ourselves in the hopes of avoiding confrontation, but it would be safe to assume that they somehow knew who we were anyways. How, I don't know." The reactions she saw where just what she had expected them to be. The faces of Jounin and Chuunin said how obvious they thought that was, while some of the Genin were already looking lost, and many seemed to be trying to look like they knew exactly what was going on without really knowing anything.
"Utatane Ryoichi. Hitoame Masazaku. Ikusei Sumi. Ukaraina Tadako. Amamoyoi Yasashiku. Sound familiar?" by their faces, she knew many recognized them. Good. "These are the names of Missing-nin from villages across the continent - the same Shinobi that attacked our caravan today. But there was one other who was with the group - a former shinobi of the Leaf." Voices began murmuring to each other at that last announcement, especially among the younger shinobi. Most of the higher-ranking ninja present, however, knew better. Most of the Jounin just looked grim; they and the ANBU had already been made aware of Shigekazu's identity. Kaori held up her hand for silence and continued when the crowd fell silent.
"What they're doing together, and why they attacked us, I don't know. But one thing is for certain - we can't expect them to stay away forever. However, quite a few of them were injured badly, so I don't think they will be able to regroup and reposition themselves before we make it to the Sand Village. That doesn't mean we're out of danger, though. Be alert, and don't do anything foolish. Tomorrow we move out early, so get plenty of rest. Give the injured first priority on rations and wagon space. Be ready to move as soon as it's light out. That's all. Dismissed."
As the members of the group began to get up and go about finding places to sleep, Kaori stifled a yawn and took another long drink of the foul-tasting medicine. Akina had already finished hers and was directing the unloading of the nearest wagon from her seat. Honestly, what would Kaori do without that woman's help?
Looking up, she noticed that she could see the stars through the trees. At least something was peaceful tonight.
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Hatake Hiroshi
Lieutenant Hokage
Konoha's #1 Hunter-nin
Beat me brother, with a solid four!
Posts: 1,194
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Post by Hatake Hiroshi on Dec 21, 2005 2:39:29 GMT -5
Aijou turned his attention to the Hokage when he heard her clear her throat. Motioning for Ryuji and Haruki to follow, they made their way towards the fire. Ryuji and Haruki took positions just outside the light of the fire as Aijou hurried to Kohana's side. She was still asleep.
He slapped her cheeks gently, bending in close to whisper to her. "Kohana...Wake up! The Hokage's speaking..."
Kohana slowly opened her eyes with a yawn, and sat up with the help of her brother, who stayed to hold her upright so she would pay attention. If he had left, she would have fallen back onto her makeshift bed and gone back to sleep.
I've called you here to explain what happened today...or at least as much as we know of it. the Hokage began. Kohana was so drained, and she struggled to stay alert enough to let the speech register in her mind.
Perhaps you know now why this is an S-rank mission. We had disguised ourselves in the hopes of avoiding confrontation, but it would be safe to assume that they somehow knew who we were anyways. How, I don't know. Hokage-sama continued, then commenced listing the names of the nins that had attacked the caravan.
But there was one other who was with the group - a former shinobi of the Leaf.
This registered in Kohana's brain, and her eyes widened, as she looked to her brother, somewhat frantic, though, for the most part, confused.
Aijou peered at her through his mask and took her hand in his as he nodded. Kohana knew what that meant... "Everything's going to be fine! I wouldn't let anything happen to you......"
Kohana smiled slightly and turned her gaze back to the Hokage. She listened intently to the remainder of the speech, letting everything soak in. She felt her eyelids getting heavy again, and she slumped back into Aijou's arms, letting out a sigh as she began to close her eyes.
Aijou carefully set her down back onto her sleeping spot, then reached down and removed her shoes for her, and set them by her "pillow." He then got up and rummaged through his belongings to find a small fleece blanket, which he unrolled and draped over his sister's body, tucking the end under her feet securely. Before going back on watch, he lifted his mask and planted a soft goodnight kiss on her forehead.
"Good....night... Aijou..." he heard her reply weakly as she huddled underneath the blanket.
"Goodnight," he answered before pulling his mask down again and heading off to the edge of the caravan once again.
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chuwawa
Academy Graduate
Yeah, I know. I'm adorable.
Posts: 174
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Post by chuwawa on Dec 21, 2005 13:26:52 GMT -5
Kiyo had taken the seat offered by Nada-chan without hesitation. Almost jumped at it, actually. The long silence that followed was, to say the least, uncomfortable.
Then a woman spoke, and Kiyo learned that she was the Hokage. What that was, Kiyo wasn't quite sure, but he figured she must be important, since everyone seemed to be paying so much attention to her.
"I've called you here to explain what happened today, or at least as much as we know of it."
Kiyo noticed she seemed...well, tired, but she was putting up a facade. Strange. Why would she do that?
"Perhaps you know now why this is an S-rank mission."
S-Rank?! No wonder these people were so strong!
"But there was one other who was with the group - a former shinobi of the Leaf."
In an instant Kiyo's heart almost stopped. "A former shinobi of the leaf?" he muttered, "Could it be...I know Makoto just came back and then this happened, but...why would he..."
If that wasn't enough, Kiyo heard murmuring from younger Shinobi. "Oh God! What if they recognize me?" he thought to himself, "What if they think I'm involved in all of this somehow? They're gonna' kill me! They're gonna-"
"...before we make it to the Sand Village."
Sand Village? "Wait a minute, I thought they were Hidden Leaf?" Kiyo wondered to himself. Looking to Nada-chan, he gave a nervous smile. "What if she thinks I'm one of them?" he thought nervously, "Would she kill me too?"
As the Hokage finished, Kiyo finally got enough gumption to talk to her. He had to know if Makoto was involved in any of this. "...Ex-excuse me, Miss...Hokage...ma'am....lady," he said, trying not to attract too much attention, "I have to know. The missing nin from Hidden Leaf. Was he...was he a really pale man with silver hair in every direction? Like me, but older? Please, I have to know!"
Please no, please no, please no, please no, please no.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Dec 22, 2005 22:09:36 GMT -5
Kaori looked at the young man who addressed her. She didn't know exactly who he was, but he had arrived at the caravan with Akina, so she had allowed him to stay. It was too dangerous anywhere else right now anyways. "You know him?" she asked, then without waiting for a reply - it did seem rather obvious from the way he asked - she continued. "Don't worry. He was not with the attacking party. I did speak with him, but he left rather quickly. The missing nin I referred to is a completely different person."
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Post by Sorien on Dec 23, 2005 1:08:16 GMT -5
Sorien raised his eyes from the fire when the Hokage spoke up. Still not very talkative, and very clear minded, he absorbed all of what she had to say. She didn't really confirm much to him, only that they were in fact missing nin. They didn't know much more that he did. Sorien had expected some resistance, but to have missing nin attack was a little excessive, and as with everyone else, he knew little of why they attacked.
Fully absorbing what Kaori-sama had said about getting rest, he returned his gaze to the fire. He wanted to think some more before getting some sleep. And he did so.
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Post by UchihaJyounochi on Dec 24, 2005 15:57:47 GMT -5
Taking everything in, Kozuki only now realized the severity of the attack that had taken place. It was a wonder that nobody was severly injured. She had the ANBU and her fellow Jounin of Leaf to thank for that. It seemed as though the missing nin had anticipated less resistance. They were foolish to expect that from Konoha Shinobi. As the speech ended, Kaori took another sip of the steaming drink. Her assistant was directing traffic as the crowd began to dissipate. A young boy approached Kaori, sounding absolutely frazzled. He barely got his question out. Hmmm, I guess I should probobly start tracking down my team Kozuki thought. Kozuki stood up, re-fastening her scroll pouch. "Well cousin, I'm off to locate my three little munchkins. If you need anything from me, let me know." Without waiting for her response, Kozuki began trudging through the crowd. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Iro tried to pay attention to Hokage-sama's speech, but exhaustion was weighing down heavily upon him. His head bobbed as he tried to force himself to stay awake. He was quickly loosing that fight, and finally convinced himself it would be more useful for him to get some rest than stay awake all night. Before he kne it, he was already off to sleep.
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