[. Home Again]

[tsukuyomi]

"-- Home Again."

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They say that dreams can be an extension of many things - maybe the future revealing itself in some shape, form, or fashion. Maybe it was symbolism of an emotion or a relationship that would inevitably change or represent something more at a later time. Or perhaps it was simply a bad mixture of food before bedtime the previous night..

The beams from the morning's light broke through the window of a two-story home. Mother nature's breath pushed leaves from the ground, causing them to dance before silently tapping along the window pane. As Uchiha Atsuhiro rose from wrinkled sheets and a comforter hanging off of his bed, the serenity of that moment was appreciated. He knew full well, wiping sleep from his eyes, that it would be the only taste of it that he would get. The Jounin lifted a hand to brush away his locks, an ocean of obsidian tresses cast away from a youthful countenance. How long had he slept?

Wearily, he shifted so that his feet could receive the cool of the wooden floor beneath him. He was always welcoming of a cool temperature - a thin shirt and hakamas made sure that he would at least get that small satsifaction. Sitting at his bed's edge, he shook his head. "No rest for a Jounin, I suppose." he muttered. One stretch and a yawn later, he was ambling toward the shower to prepare for the day ahead.

~*~

Fully dressed after a shower, the shinobi quickly devoured an orange and a tall glass of water before moving toward the door. If there was work to be done, then no doubt someone would be waiting nearby at the front of his abode. Various weapons and trinkets of shinobi lineage lined his walls, showing his love for the art of war and all that came with it. And perhaps the greatest of all, as he so pridefully clutched it within his right hand, was the headband of his village.

The Mist's symbol was etched neatly across the plate of his headband, polished to perfection and giving a gleam of resounding honor as he placed it against his forehead. The fabric with which he would don this ninja's marking was tucked well beneath his hair, leaving it slightly unkempt so that his bangs could dangle before indigo eyes. It was rare for an Uchiha not to have black eyes. Unlike those before him, he could truly say that he was unique to the curse of the crimson occuli. No matter how miniscule the difference between himself and his kin, however, he would not forget where he had come from....nor was he going to forget where he was going.

[tsukuyomi]

"You're late, Atsuhiro."

The sound of a familiar voice made the Uchiha grin, his eyes lifting toward the rooftops to find the origin of its rough and condescending tone. Parallel to the front door to his abode, a figure wrapped in black cloaking sat crouched in a languid fashion. The porcelain of a mask plastered across his shrouded countenance poked forth only slightly, the silhouette of a neko barely visible. An ANBU member.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Atsuhiro began to amble down the road. Knowing full well that his "acquaintance" would follow, he spoke louder than usual to ensure that he would hear. "I'm not late, Sano. You just like to give me a hard time." he scoffed. Laughter was audible behind the ANBU's mask as he walked the rooftops, perhaps because the Uchiha's statement was true. Ever since he was a Chuunin, Atsu could remember rigorous training beneath the moonlit skies. If an enemy village or accidental jutsu wouldn't be the end of him, then surely Sano's training would. Needless to say, however, it was much appreciated. The Sharingan could only get one so far. Atsuhiro was not fond of using it at all times. Thankfully, the village of Mist had taught him to rely on himself...not a jutsu.

The shinobi's thoughts were broken into when he noticed Sano appearing to his right, a Shunshin carrying him a distance so that they could approach the end of his home's street. "The village has been in disarray, Anotsu." Sano stated. Atsuhiro's eyes met the beady ones of his comrade's porcelain mask. Whenever the name "Anotsu" was used, it was a serious matter. Furrowed eyebrows signified his silent concern, and thus the ANBU would continue. "Samurai have come to the village. Two of your fellow shinobi felled multiple adversaries not long ago, and it goes without saying that disturbance in this village is always sensitive information."

Atsuhiro shook his head, attempting to make sense of the situation. Why had he not been informed? A Jounin, kept out of the loop? The circumstances were unclear, but his motivation to find out more was nonetheless evident. "And what of Kiri? Casualties? Anomalies?" he asked. The positioning of Sano's head meant that he had cast his gaze downward for moments. "No casualties to report, from what I have been told. Kiri is still in shambles. The gates are barely defended, our numbers have dwindled greatly, and there is no sign of what has truly transpired. But the most interesting detail..." He stopped short.

Sano placed a hand upon Atsu's shoulder, bringing him closer as he lead him to a secure location away from public eye and ear. He told him of the Samurai that had appeared and given them details about various matters. Atsuhiro hadn't been Jounin long, and already there were things that he did not truly grasp. Perhaps it was time to venture further into the village's happenings.

"I understand, Sano-san." the Uchiha nodded. Sano did the same, before the two resumed their walk.

[Mamushi]

Now where is he...

The village had only just begun to settle. The zombie invasion was over, the culprit was disposed of, and the Sanbi had been returned to Kiri. All seemed well, but the village, still in shambles, was left with its youth to lead it into the future - at the forefront of the movement was Kawashima Hiromasa, the adolescent Mizukage chosen not for what his prowess, but for his potential. He cut a striking figure - moderately tall and lean, with thick blonde hair and an intense gaze, the handle of a ninjato peaking over the shoulder of his flak jacket - and currently, he strolled through the district on the search for one of the few Jounin that remained after the Great Flash. There was a thin string hanging around his neck.


Ahh, there he is, and is that - !

After the samurai had arrived, Hiromasa had taken the time to raid the Mizukage's office, scrounging through all sorts of files to find information on his shinobi. One such file was dedicated entirely to the ANBU - the protections to keep the files out of sight had been disabled when the shinobi who placed the seal died. It is him... Sano. Each ANBU had a distinguishing mark somewhere on there person, and each was documented in the files.

He was sure, by now, that the pair had noticed him - he was making more than enough noise, whistling a tune as he ambled down the pathway. He reached to his neck and pulled the string, grabbing the hat it was attached to with his free hand, before settling it on his head.

The kanji on its center read, "Mizukage".

"Yo." He gave a brief wave.

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[tsukuyomi]

"Look sharp, Atsuhiro."

The words were muttered with such alarm that the Uchiha's senses began to tune into his surroundings. It was natural that a shinobi be on his guard at all times. To be prepared for anything. To leave no detail unrecognized. To be alert and ready to strike at any given moment to any adversary that would DARE TRY TO HARM THE VILLA--

"Yo."

....And it was then that the Uchiha had spotted the figure that now stood nearby. Silently cursing his overly analytical thought processes, Atsuhiro managed a nod to the authoritative figure. Sano shook his head slightly and elbowed him in the side, earning a small grunt from the Jounin. "Lord Mizukage. As always, it is an honor." he said. Atsuhiro rubbed the back of his head. "So, you're the Mizukage? They hadn't told me much of anything. You'll have to forgive my ignorance."

Had Sano been under a lax nature, he would have smacked a palm to his face. Opting to leave them to conversation, however, he merely crouched down. "I should make my rounds. Atsuhiro, your sword is at the dojo. You would do well to remember it before departing the training ground." With that, he had vanished into nothingness. The Uchiha placed a hand to his hip - sure enough, Genei Jin had been forgotten. Even a shinobi was human. But in front of the Mizukage, it was simply unacceptable. He had to get it together, regardless of the time of day.

The Mizukage seemed youthful, himself. A rather lean figure of sorts, the Uchiha could only wonder what battles he'd endured or what type of experience he had accrued at such a high position. Was Mist so torn asunder that it had to rely on impromptu decisions? Or was there more to the figure beneath the hat than met the eye? Either way, he would respect his superior and act accordingly.

"How goes it, Mizukage-Sama?"

[Mamushi]

Gah, here we go with the honorifics already... is hardly been a few days.

Every once in a while, Hiromasa liked to hear, "Lord Mizukage", but most times, it just grated on his nerves. He was prideful, and somewhat conceited, but he was far from vain, and despite his election to the position, he didn't feel quite worthy yet. Nonetheless, he inclined his head towards Sano, though he did not speak, instead watching Atsu from behind his blond bangs. So this is our Jounin, eh?

Atsu was older than he was, according to his file, but he was shorter than Hiromasa, and much stockier. With his dark eyes and darker hair, they seemed polar opposites. Funny then, that Hiromasa would rely on this man above the others - ironic, even.

"It's going." He opened his stance, turning back towards the path, and inclined his head down the road. "Walk with me?"

His pace was slow and steady - he seemed far older than his sixteen years, more intense than most, and as he settled further into his role as Kage, he could only grow fiercer. He appeared more interested in the sky than speaking - he had yet to open his mouth again, instead taking to watching the clouds as he walked. Eventually, when the silence had stretched as far as it could, he spoke.

"Tell me, Uchiha Anotsu... what do you think of me? I know that we have never met before, but...

Look at me with your eyes and tell me what you see."

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[tsukuyomi]

Perhaps he wasn't the talkative type..

Or perhaps he liked keeping things simple. Whatever the case may have been, the Uchiha was grateful for it. He was not a man of many words most of the time, especially in the presence of those who kept a watchful eye on him...let alone a watchful eye that he could not touch or approach without some sort of consequence. As the Mizukage motioned for their walk, so would the Jounin follow. And so had it been - two figures in the Mist ambled along the street side by side, chatter and eyes placed upon them in an obvious fashion.

By now, thoughts of Sano's news had fluttered away; half-lidded eyes stared out and into space, piecing together the day's agenda and pondering the most efficient way to get them done in enough time to do as the Kage may have asked. But somewhere along the way, the Uchiha simply....existed. He didn't notice the silence. In fact, he was seemingly enjoying it. The skies above seemed so vast and endless, begging the question of what his Sharingan lineage could accomplish as the ages passed. He was neither a leader or a follower - he simply was. The position of Jounin granted to him? What good could he serve? He was a cursed ninja. Betrayal and violence were all that was a "given" to one of his kind. And yet, there were people that relied on him.

Atsuhiro's eyes lowered once more to the road ahead as he heard the Mizukage speak. The question wasn't necessarily an odd one, but the Uchiha could discern that this man cared to a degree for those around him. Had he not, he wouldn't have asked.

So he knows about the Sharingan Eye. Seems you've done your homework, Lord Mizukage..

The air about Anotsu began to shift only a moment later. Oxygen filled the lungs but for a moment before he sighed lightly, his eyelids sliding downward until veiling his sight from the world around him. And once he had opened them again, the landscape and all that lay therein had suddenly become his playground.

The scarlet of the Sharingan pierced the distance and all that accompanied it, including his superior's person. The darkness of his tomoe flickered. That once stern gaze was now a seemingly limitless stare into opportunity. His tongue pushed forward to lick his lips softly, the air of seriousness thick with an entirely different feel as he answered the Mizukage's question.

"I see ferocity. Your attitude and walk are casual, and yet I can clearly make out your readiness to react at any given moment. Your posture is confident...and yet relaxed. Maybe it's a healthy arrogance that makes you move the way you do. But either way, there is an insurmountable wealth of potential inside you."

By this time, he had stopped walking. Whether or not the Mizukage had chosen to do the same did not matter - He could still clearly make out and determine his movements, though to only a slight degree so as not to look dangerous or imposing.

"Overall, Lord Mizukage, I will say this - To be under your command will be interesting. I trust your judgment. I trust your leadership. But only time will tell if you...or I, for that matter...are right for the position that we are in."

He wouldn't apologize for his words if they seemed harsh, disdainful, or incorrect. Surely, the Mizukage's strength was greater than to let words crack his exterior. At least, the Uchiha expected that much..especially out of the man who would rebuild and create a legacy upon the ruins of Mist.

[Mamushi]

He continued to walk a few paces after Anotsu came to a stop, halting his step only when he heard his title uttered, the assertion almost reverent. Anotsu believed in him. It was a strange feeling to have such faith vested in him - it gave him a strength he did not know he possessed.

His smile was fleeting - just barely a curve at the corner of his lips - but it was there and the emotion was genuine. He was almost flattered, and thusly amused that it had happened in the first place. He had yet to turn around - indeed, his eyes still held the clouds in their sight, holding on to the formless shapes like tethers to hooks.

"Wise words, Anotsu... and true as well."

He turned around then, sliding his hat from his head. He held it out to his left, and a dark figure - ANBU - flickered into view and took the hat, exchanging it with a mask and bandana. A genjutsu settled over the area, averting eyes and blurring their figures. A copy of Hiromasa left the scene. There are some perks, I suppose...

"You and I shall pay a man a visit - I believe you know him... Uchiha Kouketsu?" His tone was questioning, but he already knew that they were acquainted - perhaps closer than that, being clansmen. "He is the Oyabun of the local Yakuza gang - the most powerful Yakuza gang. There will come a time when I can afford to rid my village of crime, but right now, I have need of him, and his name."

He tied the bandanna around his hair and donned the mask. It was a hunter-nin mask, with a jagged black scratches running across the face.

"I would like you to represent me in this meeting - I shall go as Kozu Urana, and you will be the ambassador for the village, in a sense.

Can you do this?" He didn't wait for an answer. Anotsu could either follow, or not... the choice was his.

[ Exit ]

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[tsukuyomi]

...And it was then that something in Uchiha Atsuhiro snapped.

To have held his composure until the Mizukage had left was a feat all in itself. Mixed emotions seemed to create a voluminous pounding against his cerebral, his cognizance all but lost as memories washed over him like an unwelcome...and all too unfamiliar...shower of feelings. Kouketsu!? How? Why? ...And how long has he been alive?

The Uchiha's eyes dropped to the ground, his Sharingan vanishing within moments as his feet began to push him toward the training ground's main room. He would not even so much as speak to those upon the street, Mizu's slums a perfect backdrop to his inner turmoil. Arriving rather swiftly before those who kept the place kempt, he reached for Genei Jin and pulled it from the stand it rested upon. A young woman that cleaned towels nearby gave him a smile as he turned. "Atsuhiro-san. How are things? Are you not training today?"

He narrowed his eyes, clutching the pristine white handle of the O Katana before slowly settling it onto his left side. Shaking his head without so much as a tightening purse of his lips, the corner of his mouth forced a grin that caused a shiver to run down her spine. The look in his eyes was that of apathy...and yet a murderous intent laced along the almond shape of his eyes. Not toward Kouketsu - his brother was the only family that he had truly known - but to those who had been responsible for Mizu's destruction prior to this unknown era that he had found himself in this day.

His mind made up, he walked away from the training ground and into the distance until his figure was nothing more than a lingering thought upon the woman's mind.

[. Exit]

[marvolous.]

Interesting read.

Atsu: 50 EXP.

Hiro: 30 EXP.