Requested Time Off!

[The Dude]

Kiyoshi sat a small isolated table on the balcony of the second and top floor of a small bakery. He stirred his coffee in slow contemplation as smoke coiled slowly out of his collar from the cigarette between his lips. Questions had risen, questions that needed answers that were unfortunately out of Kirigakure's hands to answer. It had scattered and frayed Kiyoshi's thoughts all over, but one thing he was sure of. He needed an extended leave of absence from service to travel and find the answer he sought.

It was that reason he now sat here sipping coffee as the first rays of sunlight pierced the sky only to be rebuffed by the dark circular shades the veteran had donned. He had filled out the necessary paperwork for a vacation but there was still the issue of approval via peer(s). He awaited some sort of Kiri official in the small bakery anxiously. Hopefully he would not be delayed long.

[KEITH]

It would seem that one of Kirigakure's shinobi had wanted to take a leave of absence, naturally, I was against this. I didn't want a single shinobi to leave the village, for if one did, the military power of the village wouldn't lessen. Even if it was just by a significant number, but the Mizukage would have approved of it, so I really had no say in the matter. Leaving from the humble abode of the Mizukage's, I made my way to the bakery were the shinobi, Kiyoshi, who I had once met before at the odd pastry shop.

I haven't seen him in awhile, but he probably didn't want to talk about things, he just wanted to leave. Swiftly, and gracefully as a fox, I made my way through the village to the bakery, where I would meet him. Making my way up to the second floor's balcony, my eyes would set upon a figure that would slowly come into view as I approached him. "Long time no see, Kiyoshi-san. Need a break from the harsh shinobi life, do we?"

I would say in a cheerful tone, though people who would have known me would have known that I was terribly upset, even a bit angry. I really wouldn't let it outwardly show, though, I was an upstanding figure in Kirigakure, and a shinobi, I couldn't let emotions get the best of me. I would stand by the chair on the opposite side of the table, only taking a seat if he offered.

[The Dude]

"Harsh? I've been in this game far too long to quit because it's getting hard now. No, I need some time off though to help family out of the country who are having a more troublesome time than I'm having here. Out of the frying pan and into the fire sort of deal. I shouldn't be too long and then I'd be more than happy to return to service in Kirigakure to whatever end you and the Mizukage would put me too."

Kiyoshi sipped his coffee looking back at the young man. He didn't seem to upset at all really, that was a good sign at least. Perhaps Kirigakure had agreed to let him take his little walk about after all. As they sat the sun crept higher slowly and the coffee kept disappearing. "I'm terribly sorry... but my family has to come first in this regard. Once they are safe and taken care of I will devote myself more than ever to Kiri. Just as before I will be a tool of the village to be wielded and commanded as you and Mizukage sama see fit. I trust you will always make the right decisions."

[KEITH]

It would seem as if the man wasn't going to offer me a seat at his table, so I would stand. I would listen to the story of my fellow Kiri-nin, despite me not wanting him to depart with the village; it had seemed as if I would have no choice. I surely hope that his assist with his family would be finished swiftly, and that he would returned unharmed. So that he could fulfill the words he just uttered from his maw.

"I understand, and so does the Mizukage-sama. He has approved of your leave, but just hurry back soon, Kirigakure will be waiting. Also, try not to get in any trouble while you're out." I would say to him before I would nod to him, and then flicker away in a burst of speed.

[Exit.]

[The Dude]

Kiyoshi smiled and sipped his coffe slowly, savoring the bitter but refreshing flavor. With approval granted, it was time for the old man to get started on his expedition. But he wasn't the younger man he had once been so for now he would enjoy his moment of rest and coffee. After some short time though, he rose to his feet removed his glasses to polish them and dropped some money on the table before leaving.

"Well then... let's see what nightmare I've turned a blind eye too."

[exit]

[~Kohana <3]

Circa- 10

Dude- 8