Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 1, 2006 18:53:28 GMT -5
There had always been something about the early morning of Hidden Leaf Village that Kaori absolutely loved. The sense of restful peace permeated the tightly-knit yet expansive community, and everything seemed right with the world. Even the few people out – mostly shinobi, as usual – seemed to be part of the ideal picture of a sunrise in Konoha.
The early morning sunlight was just beginning to reach the streets of the village when Kaori stepped out of her small house in the Tensei Clan’s sprawling home. Even here, there were already people about. There were the sisters Etsu and Haya, on their way to set up their dance classrooms for the day. Yasuo was busy trying to shoo away pigeons from his front door, and a few children played in the street. Her cousin Kozuki was probably in bed fast asleep, as was Yukihara – one of Konoha’s most famous and talented Geisha, she would have been out entertaining clients in Ochaya all over the village until all hours in the morning.
Tensei Kaori, however, left the front gates of her home with a steady determination. Neither rushing ahead or lagging behind, every inch in her countenance spoke of purpose and confidence – a skill she had honed well over the years, and it had saved her life in more than a couple instances. She had been summoned to Hokage-sama’s office for a mission, which had surprised her at first. As the head of Konoha ANBU’s Medical Division, she spent much of her time training new recruits or assigning shinobi under her command to certain teams and missions as per Hokage-sama’s request. It was a busy life – and one some thought she had chosen far too early at only 20 years old – but she had had the job for almost a year now, and all was going well. Thus, to be assigned a mission was cause for serious thought. Was Hokage-sama trying to see if she would be better suited to field work, or was this something he truly needed her for? Only time would tell.
After knocking sharply on the door, Kaori entered the room and saluted. The Hokage’s office was just as she had always known it – precisely arranged with not a molecule out of place. Nine pictures hung on the wall directly opposite the door – the pictures of the Nine Hokage – and they provided an impressive effect. For sitting right below them at a large desk was Urashima Seiichi-sama, the Ninth Hokage himself. Anyone who stood where Kaori now was would feel as if the current Hokage was speaking with the combined authority of all eight of his predecessors as well as his own. It was quite awe-inspiring.
“Ah, Tensei!” he greeted her with a huge grin. Hazel eyes sparkled. Even the fact that his dark brown hair now had more gray and white in it than brown didn’t seem to diminish the thought that he looked more like someone just short of middle-age rather than a man who had several grandchildren. “Good morning, Hokage-sama,” Kaori said formally, but allowed herself a small smile in reply. Anyone would have to smile when Urashima Seiichi greeted them like that; he was the kind of person whose smiles rubbed off on everyone in the room. Hokage-sama just chuckled. “Stonewalled as ever, Kaori,” he said wryly. “Do you ever let anyone see what you’re truly feeling? I’ll take that as a no,” he laughed in response to the look she gave him. “Anyways.” His countenance changed immediately; showing now was the discipline and dedication of the one who had earned the title of Hokage.
“As you may have guessed,” he began, “this mission is of the utmost importance. That’s why I’m sending you, Tensei. You’re the best we have.” Kaori found that hard to believe, but said nothing. “Here’s the situation. Some kind of disease has broken out in the Rice Country to the Southeast. Not one of our contacts seems to know what has caused it, but several have died already. On top of that, it appears a few small villages have accused each other of poisoning the food and water supply, and fighting has broken out. You are to go into the village disguised as a civilian doctor and figure out what’s causing this illness. Once you do, you are to start immediately on developing a cure.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama,” was all she said. She didn’t move; he would dismiss her when he was done speaking.
“Also, this is an international mission. The Rice Country is a vital trade partner with the Wind country, so you will meet Hidden Sand shinobi who have been stationed there to try and stop the fighting. I have been in contact with the Kazekage about this, and Leaf and Sand are to work together as the allies we are, so be grateful for any information or help they may offer. But as this situation is of great interest, you may meet Shinobi representatives of other countries there as well. Be wary of anyone not of Hidden Sand.”
“Understood.”
“That’s all. Leave as soon as you’re packed.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.” She saluted again, and left the office. As her feet carried her home over the rooftops of Konoha, she made a mental list of everything she would need for the mission.
The early morning sunlight was just beginning to reach the streets of the village when Kaori stepped out of her small house in the Tensei Clan’s sprawling home. Even here, there were already people about. There were the sisters Etsu and Haya, on their way to set up their dance classrooms for the day. Yasuo was busy trying to shoo away pigeons from his front door, and a few children played in the street. Her cousin Kozuki was probably in bed fast asleep, as was Yukihara – one of Konoha’s most famous and talented Geisha, she would have been out entertaining clients in Ochaya all over the village until all hours in the morning.
Tensei Kaori, however, left the front gates of her home with a steady determination. Neither rushing ahead or lagging behind, every inch in her countenance spoke of purpose and confidence – a skill she had honed well over the years, and it had saved her life in more than a couple instances. She had been summoned to Hokage-sama’s office for a mission, which had surprised her at first. As the head of Konoha ANBU’s Medical Division, she spent much of her time training new recruits or assigning shinobi under her command to certain teams and missions as per Hokage-sama’s request. It was a busy life – and one some thought she had chosen far too early at only 20 years old – but she had had the job for almost a year now, and all was going well. Thus, to be assigned a mission was cause for serious thought. Was Hokage-sama trying to see if she would be better suited to field work, or was this something he truly needed her for? Only time would tell.
After knocking sharply on the door, Kaori entered the room and saluted. The Hokage’s office was just as she had always known it – precisely arranged with not a molecule out of place. Nine pictures hung on the wall directly opposite the door – the pictures of the Nine Hokage – and they provided an impressive effect. For sitting right below them at a large desk was Urashima Seiichi-sama, the Ninth Hokage himself. Anyone who stood where Kaori now was would feel as if the current Hokage was speaking with the combined authority of all eight of his predecessors as well as his own. It was quite awe-inspiring.
“Ah, Tensei!” he greeted her with a huge grin. Hazel eyes sparkled. Even the fact that his dark brown hair now had more gray and white in it than brown didn’t seem to diminish the thought that he looked more like someone just short of middle-age rather than a man who had several grandchildren. “Good morning, Hokage-sama,” Kaori said formally, but allowed herself a small smile in reply. Anyone would have to smile when Urashima Seiichi greeted them like that; he was the kind of person whose smiles rubbed off on everyone in the room. Hokage-sama just chuckled. “Stonewalled as ever, Kaori,” he said wryly. “Do you ever let anyone see what you’re truly feeling? I’ll take that as a no,” he laughed in response to the look she gave him. “Anyways.” His countenance changed immediately; showing now was the discipline and dedication of the one who had earned the title of Hokage.
“As you may have guessed,” he began, “this mission is of the utmost importance. That’s why I’m sending you, Tensei. You’re the best we have.” Kaori found that hard to believe, but said nothing. “Here’s the situation. Some kind of disease has broken out in the Rice Country to the Southeast. Not one of our contacts seems to know what has caused it, but several have died already. On top of that, it appears a few small villages have accused each other of poisoning the food and water supply, and fighting has broken out. You are to go into the village disguised as a civilian doctor and figure out what’s causing this illness. Once you do, you are to start immediately on developing a cure.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama,” was all she said. She didn’t move; he would dismiss her when he was done speaking.
“Also, this is an international mission. The Rice Country is a vital trade partner with the Wind country, so you will meet Hidden Sand shinobi who have been stationed there to try and stop the fighting. I have been in contact with the Kazekage about this, and Leaf and Sand are to work together as the allies we are, so be grateful for any information or help they may offer. But as this situation is of great interest, you may meet Shinobi representatives of other countries there as well. Be wary of anyone not of Hidden Sand.”
“Understood.”
“That’s all. Leave as soon as you’re packed.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.” She saluted again, and left the office. As her feet carried her home over the rooftops of Konoha, she made a mental list of everything she would need for the mission.
