Chuunin Exams - Side Lines!

[vegapunk]

Although his gaze was firmly set before him at one of the projected screens which littered the arena, his ears would seemingly wander as the conversation between his two accompanying kages reached its height. Kouketsu? a name he had thought, and hoped, had been banished to the history books. But in all honesty he had heard that name surface itself a lot more than it ought to in the last months. Was there just a spike in appeal just as fashions come and go? or was there something more sinister in the works...As their conversation opened up to the golden-haired shinobi he would delight in the embrace, first reaching into his pocket grabbing another cigarette for the blonde-lady next to him before delving head-first into words himself.

"I too was present at Bakudon Gai. All our hands have been stained with acts that we have not been proud of, costs which our generation have to pay for generations past. But, no grudges from over here; all we can do is learn from such things."

// pause //

"Wherever the Uchiha go trouble seems to follow. Hopefully these games can bring peace but nothing is certain in this world. I'm sure you've all sensed the rising tide..something is coming.."

His words were diplomatic and encouraging, but more-so, they were true. Turning himself in the large decadent chair his body would now be angled towards the two next to him while still keeping himself open towards a projected screen. A lot relaxed in nature, he would swing one of his leg up onto the base of the tucking it underneath himself. His focus was now turned on the woman next to him. The Tsuchikage is it? so this is face of the stone now.. he thought to himself. The Mizukage, however, he had seen before. The daunting figure that was the large man was something he couldn't forget on the battlefield of Kusa when he had fought the Yonbi. Knowing that the beast now resided within him, an ancient method of containment, a jinchuuriki was someone who could bear a heavy load.

"Oh ah I am Munashi, Eiichiro by the way. And your name is Lady Tsuchikage? I don't think we have had the pleasure of meeting yet."

Words soft and eloquently spoken he would tilt the lens of his sunglasses to capture her gaze with his deep-seeded green eyes. The atmosphere within the private box was starting to lighten, and as the games progress he could a warm partnership developing with the two in the room. Taking a long drag from his cigarette he would expand his chest allowing a grey-soaked plume of smoke to trail into the air before fleeting behind his face. His attention would soon fall on Hyuga, Haru his only applicant in the games this year. A talented shinobi in his own right, the competition seemed stiff this year with only a select few even making it this far. Reaching for his glass he would let the rim of the thin glass reach his lips as he drank the wine inside. It was all turning out to be a delightful excursion to the Mist.

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[Nujabes]

So, we're all children of the same era? Sure, I noticed we were all relatively the same age -- but that didn't mean we'd seen the same things; done the same things. It was nice to know that neither of the two Kages before me intended to hold any grudges. We were all soldiers at one point in time, simply following orders to bring our respective villages glory and fame. It was a dangerous task, living the life of a shinobi; one minute a person could be your friend and the next their blade was buried in your throat. Trust, at best, was a fickle dream - something that children wished for and adults never found.

"It's good to know that we can press on from the past." I smiled, leaning more comfortably against the railing. "And you can consider it a date, Tsuchikage. I will have a small entourage escort you back to the Inn after the awarding ceremony."

While the two of them smoked, I shot a smirk toward the Raikage. I'd remembered him from the battle in Kusa no Kuni, as well, and the reward he somehow managed to walk away with. "As for you, Raikage, how has the beast been treating you? I imagine taming a sliver of the Yonbi's chakra was a lot easier than putting the ape, himself, in check?"

Lightly, I placed a hand over my abdomen where I knew the seal was. "He gave me quite a bit of trouble."

'I did not!' a voice rang through my mind.

'The Hell you didn't, you lyin' bastard.'

'Oh, come now. I wasn't that bad, Akira. You barely had to work to get the power I bestowed upon you!'

'Yeah, except for the fact you tried to take over my body for an entire month.' Mentally, my expression resembled a stern >\! 'You made me sit on that mountain for a month, Son, a month! I almost died of hypothermia!'

'Stop your crying!' he barked. 'It was worth it, wasn't it?'

'Barely!'

'Nani?!?!'

With a mere adjustment of thought I switched off the conversation, focusing my attention back on my guests. My lips parted to speak, but I found myself silenced by the announcer claiming Akuharu had not only claimed victory over an enemy shinobi, but found additional dog tags in the process. By count, he was in the lead by a landslide, easily capable of clenching the exams in his fist were he to continue on the route he was in.

"Excellent," I murmured, quite pleased by the announcement. "It looks like Akuharu is proving to be more competitive than I gave him credit for."

[Rui]

The steps were silent as a whisper, and could not be hard. Down the hall, came Midori. However, he hadn’t been in his usual form. Compared to the average Kuro-Shiro, he looked like a normal person. A sleek and elegant way of displaying himself. He couldn’t be caught in his usual form. It had been too horrid, and has away many secrets. Not looking back, he would assume his acquaintance had followed. Reaching the door, he would push it open, and enter.

Looking on with an arrogant smirk, eye contact had not been made. There had been an argument of some sort going on, so he could smoothly slide his way through the rest of the individuals, and make his way over to the televisions. Who exactly are the contestants of this year’s Chuunin Exams? That was the question. Midori wanted to know it all. It was all a part of his research. Something extensive, that span many years.

“Hmm…” had been all he spoke, and with that, he would begin his viewing. There was a lot to gain. And he would take advantage of this opportunity.

[Jun]

"Jun?! What are you doing here? What happened to you in Kaminari?"

[/right]

Senju-san was delighted to see me, that much he made clear by how bright his features became. Nigh instantly he shot up from his seat, along with questions I'd have rather saved for another time. "Tch. Long story, we'll talk about it later." Ironically, I too had wanted to know of his wherabouts following our abbreviated skirmish in Lightning country. The stone emlem which I'd been so intent on brandishing was snatched from my grasp; it hadn't come as a surprise, nor had I been so careless about displaying it in the first place ~ still, Long hair always had my best interest in mind, that's why I liked him. I let him have it, though afterward I tossed him a playful frown meaning I wanted it back following the exams. Casually I took my seat at his left, while down the row I peeked something even more amusing than Kota's peace-maker attempts. Ghost hair was pissed, obviously ~ I merely poked a lackisdasical tongue out at the youth. Was he really threatening my life?

'So you mad?'

[/right]

He was all talk, I was almost postive of that. "Aha, and what are you gonna do. . .snitch?" I grinned. Next my gaze went to the herbs my friend had in the air; I figured he wouldn't mind if I took a drag of my own. Plumes of smoke drifted from between thin lips, only to drift away and leave in its wake a clean, light headed feeling. "We shouldn't sit idle like this for long, we still have a lot of work to do," I'd add, slight coughs coming between words as I passed the herbs across my accomplice's lap and over to snow white. Sure, we were mortal enemies, but sharing in a friendly smoke session never hurt anybody. "Where do you intend to go next?" In the following seconds I committed the name 'Jin' to memory and made half-hearted glimpses out toward the arena.

In all honesty I was on edge, waiting for a struggle of my own.

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[daisy]

And so the Raikage spoke. His presence in my capital at that time was unexpected. Perhaps it was the threads of fate, so delicately tugging on our actions? Strange that three people who should end up as kage, would have participated in such a battle, on one side or another.
"Coco. Coco von Alexandria Valentino. I fought alongside a shinobi of Cloud back then, a young girl." I gave my name in my usual flambouyant manner, adding in the memory of the kunoichi who fought with beautiful crystalline jutsu. I'd almost forgotten how she helped me with nothing to gain herself.
"A date with the Mizukage! Enchanting." I cooed, smoke trickling from my glossy lips. I was looking forward to it. Whether learning more of the events transpired, or simply spending more time with this enigmatic giant was more appealing, i couldn't say.

But then, something rather more impressive. These two men were jinchuuriki? The tailed beasts... Having fought one myself, i was in absolute awe at the thought that both the Raikage and the Mizukage possessed a bijuu inside themselves. How was it possible? Were they truly that strong? Suddenly, i felt very out of my depth. A battle of words, of eloquence and wit, i could hold my own, certainly. But realising the strength of these two men? Was i truly that far behind? I needed some air.
"Excuse me for one moment, gentlemen." I said with a smile, swinging my handbag onto my elbow and strutting out of the box.

I stood at the top of the stands, looking down over the crowd, the forest where the actual exams were occurring visible in the center. I inhaled deeply, calming myself. It wasn't as if i wasn't equal to them. It was just rather overwhelming that a beast that came so close to killing me, both men had conquered. My eyes wandered aimlessly. I was paying very little attention to the actual exams. Nearby, however, i spotted a familiar sight. The Iwagakure symbol! One of my shinobi was here? I teetered down the stands towards where he sat with two others, and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Jin, wasn't it?" I asked, smiling down at the boy. Although my shinobi had changed since my departure, the files kept on each one hadn't. I'd be a poor kage if i didn't know my Chuunin, at least.
"How fabulous to see you! Are you enjoying spectating?" I cooed, awaiting introductions. My fellow kage would surely be okay with my absence for a few moments, and talking to one of my shinobi was a good panacea for the feelings of inadequacy that had descended upon me.

[Apple]

ENTER KAGE BUNSHIN!

I was unsure if I was late, but then to say the least, I didn’t give two fucks as to if I was or not. If anyone had a problem with it then it was their own time they were wasting by complaining about it. Of course, the formal invitation had been given but I’d found myself trapped in the illness which I'd succumbed to, which had rendered me unable to travel and think straight for quite some time. However- From the whispers I’d heard and the information I’d been given, I’d been told that the first round had merely started and really, I wasn’t all that late. Making my way in to the area, technology and gadgets positioned everywhere that I went, the attention was very much positioned on the matches that were currently taking place, and if I hadn’t been so intent on finding my way to wherever the other village leaders were currently at, I’d have spared a moment to watch. However, with a few brief words to one of the ever present staff members, I’d be shown the route to my destination, and I went onwards with such confidence in my stride as I marched. Statuesque at six feet tall and with long, blonde hair almost at the same length with quite an eye-catching black and white outfit that clung to each and every curve on my body, it was natural for me to be given such stares. Satiating this need I’d keep walking until I came to the doors of where I had meant to be going, passing the back of a blonde haired female outside as she conversed with a male. Passing this, I’d go through the doors after having been given clearance, making myself known to the others in the room the very moment that I stepped through and my feet touched the floor of the chamber that I'd entered, the sea of blonde hair following my countenance as I glided through.

A female approached; A tray of drinks.

One delicate hand rose in objection to the unspoken offer.

”..No thanks.”

I kept walking.

Then turning my attention to the other attendees in the room, I’d quickly view over each one among me before making my first statement to whoever was listening. As I made myself well in to the middle of the chamber, my eyes momentarily gazing up at the screen to view a foreign shinobi making his way through the current round, I’d soon move my attention to those around me, blue eyes scanning the place for whatever information I could find about its inhabitants and their rank within the shinobi world. With a form that radiated beauty, authority and poise and a metal band hung around my neck by a luxurious black fabric that read Kusagakure I was sure that there were little to no questions as to who I was.

”I apologize for my delay with arriving.

..I’d been caught up in other matters.”

[/right]

I stood, and waited for any responses from those around me- Each person who didn’t bear staff uniform being male, I found myself somewhat disappointed as I had been hoping for some female company, perhaps from Anemone- The Tsuchikage I had met months previously, but, blessed with a tongue that captured the ears of many and looks that enchanted all, I could mould in easily with any crowd.

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[KEITH]

Truly the shinobi had been thrilled to see that his old accomplice had been in good condition, and apparently in good health, hearing her and the white-haired boy, Jin, exchange words. Though, his words weren’t too friendly, and he didn't personally like them, he didn't want to start anything here. Everyone who had come to the Chuunin Exams had come to watch the youth, and new talent of the world combat against each other, to watch the world’s newest generation of shinobi to grow in front of them. It is here, where they have everyone's attention, that they make a name for themselves.

Once he would have received her headband, concealing the symbol as he grab it, swiftly taking it into his kimono's sleeve, so that no one could have seen it. After having it retrieved, he would return to his seat, where Jun would seat next to him, on the left of him, while Jin was on his right side, but a seat away. When Jun had showed interest in what Kouetsu had been smoking, he'd pass it over to her, letting her take a drag or two. As she would pass it back, she would often Jin a smoke, despite the little difference the two had just a bit ago.

Kouetsu had known that Jin wasn't interested in smoking, telling him originally that he had stopped quite a while ago.

"He's not a smoker, or at least anymore."

Taking in the words of Jun, he had begun to think a little bit about it, he had known that he wouldn't be able to sit here forever and watch the exams. He was a busy man, and had many things to do, thinking about his goals as he took the herb back from her. Then, she hit him with a good question, what was he going to do next? It had seemed that his plans for Kumogakure had been put on hold, but he would eventually have the chance to go back some day to correct his mistakes.

He turns his head toward her, since his left eye was covered by the bandages that wrapped around his head, he couldn't see, so he needed his right one to do so. As he would look at her, he had remembered her reason for following him in the first place. The two of them would be traveling to Tsuchi no Kuni soon, but he wouldn't mention it yet.

"Well, I'm sure it's something you'll really like."

He would then turn back toward the white-haired male as he would begin to take another poof of his herb. Jin had introduced himself to Kouetsu, but he had gotten what he had said, due to being focused on Jun. It would seem that he was a bit stretched out and couldn't grasp upon things like he usually would be able to do.

"Oh, Jin? My name is Kotarama, but you can call me Kota for short."

After he would give his name, though it was the alias he had chosen to go under, since he was believed to be killed in the war that happened so many years ago, when Iwagakure had attacked Kusagakure. Before he had known it, another would approach the boy, tapping him upon his shoulder, his right eye would move up from the hand, up their torso to their face. His vision would set upon the face of a woman, though it had carried some features which made it appear as if she might have been older than she looked. Trying to be nice, he would greet the woman, despite it might be a bit rude to try to speak to her as she had been talking to him while I talked.

Though, I would have been talking to Jin before she had been.

"Oh, hi there."

[spade]

"You remembered, haha." I shout him a smile as I shook my head when she offered me a pull of that joint. I was tempted, not going to lie. But I'd rather be sober then get a nice buzz feeling for a hour or so before it fades away and I'm left there burnt out feeling like absolute garbage. The atmosphere around him was returning to normal, no more hostile intentions as I began to relax but still keeping my guard up regardless of what the other two said. I knew for a fact the woman was a nuke-nin but I had no clue for the other man, nor did I particularly care because he was actually chill enough to enjoy my day with.

As he introduced himself to me I repeated his name in my head and stored it in my memory subconsciously; truthfully I was very good with names and remembered each and everyone that I had encountered in my life. "Will do, nice to meet you Kota." As soon as I gave out my response I felt a light tap on my shoulder, not too heavy, and it didn't feel hostile so I wasn't really worried. Regardless I found out who tapped me on the shoulder a second later, and what a surprise; it was the Tsuchikage!

"Haha yes! Nice to see you come down and greet one of your ninja." I smiled. This was a surprise I honestly wasn't expecting her to come all the way down here to greet me, looks like she was more caring than I previously thought. "I'm enjoying myself, and you? I also met two new friends. He's named Kota, and she's named Jun—she used to live in Iwagakure!" If our current Tsuchikage recognizes this little ladies face then well, were in for some trouble definitely. Seeing as this might provoke some hostile actions I prepared myself in my current seated position, a empty seat separating me and Kota while my hands laid in the confines of my kimino-jacket shielded from outside view.

[vegapunk]

All were connected in one way or another it seemed, the trade which these tools dedicated themselves too would find work in any field. The five villages were just that, five villages. Connected by trade, economy, power, and wealth; it was too no surprise to Eiichiro. In a typical fashion his attention was soon lost, quickly, shifting his gaze to a projected screen which showed the first quadrant of this tournament. As the screen flashed a white-haired boy would soon come into view - clutching in his hand a bag of dogtags. Excellent Hyuga-boy! even at his young age they will be surprised with the level of mastery he has over that ocular power. he thought to himself. With that trailing inspiration the Mizukage would begin to speak once more, however, this time the conversation was of a much lighter note and one which would ultimately capture his attention.

"Fufufufu ah yes, the portion that melded to my chakra was much less troublesome than Son in his full. Tell that monkey he has one hellova' temper on him! He nearly beat me half to death."

The words that Eiichiro spoke were completely true. Son, the four-tailed monkey, was an opponent he had never faced before and probably never will. That chakra... he thought to himself as his mind traveled back to the grassy plains of Kusa for a moment. He had never been the same that day, with the memories of the exact events still escaping even his mind. But sitting where he was only a few mere feet from the beast and the Mizukage, he could feel that portion of chakra in reaction to theirs, an overbearing gravitational force pulling him to them. It seems like my chakra is reacting to theirs...not a complete surprise, but interesting none-the-less. As his mind backtracked, there was a particular question that had played on his mind for a while - and maybe the Mizukage and Son would be able to answer it.

"Mizukage, you couldn't happen to ask the Yonbi how a portion of his chakra could have melded to mine? You see, there are immense lapses in my memory of that battle, segments of time which I cannot retrieve. You must understand, for a man of my..uh..particular skills this is very frustrating for me. Any answers would be graciously welcomed."

He spoke in a much more humbled tone, his usual playful and nonchalant nature now replaced with one of deep-seeded concern. The Mizukage would be able to sense that this meant something to Eiichiro, and that is exactly want he wanted the man to sense. Knowledge was the key to power, and if he could gain any sort of bearing on what happened in that battle then it would help him in controlling his own power. Just as their conversation was beginning to enter a phase, a women would appear at the door to the private box. Blonde, curvy, and dressed like a women who knew her way around a power-trip; she was someone that Eiichiro had yet to meet but was sanctioned to participate in such an exclusive area? As she began to speak, Eiichiro's attention would never leave the Mizukage, but, he had noticed her. Speaking in a dulled, teasing tone he would greet her from his seat as she came in, never changing his physical status to accommodate her arrival.

"Hello my dear, take any seat you like. You haven't missed much.."

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[aramlyis]

Kaku kept the impulse that demanded he crinkle his brow under lock and key, which is to say, he redirected the impulse elsewhere. The red-tape on these proceedings was surprisingly lax, which of course wasn't the real reason to his ire. His damn head-band wasn't staying up. There was a damned reason why he didn't wear the infernal thing, simply put- he was a waif. While not overly thin, he most certainly did appear to have a small, delicate frame. Coupled with his everyday features, well, other people could gather their own opinions.

The trouble here was that the piece of metal was refusing to be tied to his head(if you ignored the fact it looked ridiculous on him anyway) and kept on falling down his crown, smacking his nose with it's hard edge, and coming to a rest around his neck. This had happened a few times now as he loitered in the corridor, attempting to wear it in the position that would be least suspicious. He might gather attention, but he wouldn't be called in for questioning.

That had been his thought processes a few minutes ago, standing in the corridor, he really suddenly noticed just how threadbare the whole place was.
Maybe it really did stand for internationally trust?
Nah, the ANBU were probably just that good.

Kaku had been here early, maybe not the first, but he had been observing many of the fights since their genesis, he had been in a portion of the observation platform that had obviously not been to popular for some reason, which happened to be a rather annoying fault in the bathroom. Apparently someone had taken a dump of mind boggling magnitudes. The sheer quanity of fecal matter within the system appeared to have backed it up, and Kaku was by no means brave enough to venture near it.

He had now chosen a different portion to explore, and had found himself in the portion of the platform where it appeared that the people who shared his profession were also gathered. He noticed a scant few people in the room, and decided that it would be unwise to broach on any conversation at present.

Meandering into the room, Kaku idly floated towards the screens.
The waif-like boy took a moment to inspect the activities of the prospective Chunin, before turning away. He had taken the time to note the number of contestants and their activities, it seemed they mostly were searching for some item at the moment, but the devastation visible through several of the cameras bespoke bouts of violence. Deciding to wait it out, Kaku wandered towards a pair, a male with a pair mane of darkly pigmented hair being the most eye-catching individual of the pair.

[Nujabes]

Hm, I wonder what got into her? My thoughts concerning the Tsuchikage's abrupt exit were well warranted, to say the least, but I wasn't about to go chase her. (S)he was a grown (wo)man, and if (s)he needed a bit of air, who was I to question it? Besides, I didn't have much time to dwell on it; the self-proclaimed Kusakage arrived shortly after the Tsuchikage's departure, and the Raikage was quick to supplement our conversations with a slew of his own questions.

'Aye, Son, did you hear him?'

'Of course I did, you twit.'

'Well?'

'Neither portion, directly.' he yawned. 'Somehow, I simply left an imprint of my chakra signature on his own. A mixture of both yin and yang.'

"Son says that neither the yin nor yang portions of his chakra melded with your explicitly by themselves. Somehow, he simply left an imprint of himself on you. Like debris, you could say, but far more useful." I gave a light shrug. "He isn't the best when it comes to being detailed, though I'm not really sure he even knows how - or better yet, what - happened. Even my memory is kind of fuzzy when it comes to that entire portion of my life; I remember a bit of Kusa no Kuni, but then its just blank."

Looking toward the "Kusakage," I nodded. "Welcome to my humble abode. One of your ninjas was just eliminated, it seems." I said, referring to Uyijasu. "But, the other is doing quite well."

[Jun]

"He's not a smoker, or at least not anymore."

[/right]

I was in a daze, sapphire orbs half-way visible beneath a set of burdensome eyelids ~ I prayed my vision wasn't bloodshot. Kota-san had concealed my slashed emblem appropriately, then claimed the euphoric plant for himself. He must have spent a valuable few seconds pondering my question before turning to face me with but a single pupil. He was wounded, but despite all of his imperfections I still cared for him deeply.

"Well I'm sure it's something you'll really like."

[/right]

That was being a bit vague, wasn't it? Perhaps it was better to go into detail at a more secluded locale, we had plenty of foreign ears tuned in after all. My companion went back to his introduction with the honorable Jin; I fathomed he thought of me as a traitor and nothing more than that. But that was fine, I had my own reasons for defecting from the Iwagakure estate, my own ambitions. Whether Long hair was finished chatting or not, I gave him a child-like hit on the arm ~ he was mine before anyone, we had shared in the same life or death circumstances, the thrill of battle as one might say. "Really? Well don't you ever run off on me like that again," I pouted, lips poking out as I referred to what had gone down while trying to find Kumogakure. "I. . .missed you, you know." It was a bit shameful to say, yet it was the truth. Senju-san had birthed an entire forest as if it were simply elementary Ninjutsu to him; surely he was a monstrosity on the battlefield.

My mate and his sober acquaintance continued to exchange conversation while I sat making occasional glances at the screen ahead. For the most part I was more interested in the crowd around us~ I knew they weren't on to me but the Anbu guards posted around the stadium managed to keep me on my toes. Though soon enough we were graced by another persona, clearly she was a friend of ghost hair as she tapped his shoulder first. Like when Kota-san had seen me, his face lit up upon her arrival. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt, with a cascade of earthen hair and an abundance of make up. I didn't envy her however, I too knew that I was blessed with good looks. Yet, I received strange vibes from the lass, even more so when Jin introduced us and oddly added that I hailed from Iwa. I rolled my eyes; what was going on? It hadn't hit me fully, but somewhere in my toned stomach I felt that there was a chance I was standing face to face with the famed Tsuchikage.

Oh, it would've been a pleasure to attack her where she stood but that was reckless. I couldn't jeapordize our identities no matter how much I loathed my former home ~ for all he did for me, Kotarama didn't deserve that. Within a millisecond I thought up a suitable bluff; a lithe arm went around my boyfriend and pulled him in closer. I was smiling, as much as I hated it, right in front of the daring woman. "Yes, used to but I gave that life up long ago. I'm much happier traveling the world with this handsome devil." I lied, gesturing toward the man immediatly beside me. Regardless, it was false but well played out. I'd have kissed him there but that would be over-doing it. As for my effects? Sure I carried a tanto, but that was a petty blade, for nothing more than self defense. And if it came down to it I'd say my mask came from being a street performer or something. Though as I looked away from the maiden and back toward my partner in crime for moral support I secretly gritted my teeth. Needless to say I was far outside of my comfort zone.

Ugh, I hated diplomacy.
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[Apple]

"Hello my dear, take any seat you like. You haven't missed much.."

A reponse.

And from whom? A male of questionable fashion sense. Strange, floral patterned trousers and purple-tinged sunglasses among other oddities. Of course it didn't piece together for me why they'd want to wear sunglasses inside, but I figured it more of a fashion statement than anything.
But- I couldn't have imagined anyone else wearing it, and to be truthful he pulled it off to some degree. However, although I hadn't showed it on my face the slight irritation which had overcome me from his reply, he hadn't made any effort to correctly greet me, and from what angry, selfish part of me made itself in my mind, I decided that by the end of the night, simply my presence would be imprinted on him like a hot poker to an unsuspecting victim. "I'd rather stand at the time being, but thank you for the offer."� I'd tell him in a beautifully feminine tone as I observed him from my elevated position. If it was anything that struck me most about this character, it was exactly how casually he seemed to hold himself whilst sitting down. Not that I disagreed with it, but it still made me question exactly what village he represented. There was a sense of authority that came from him, that was for sure- But authority to which country exactly? Turning my head towards the second male who had addressed me- Soft white hair.

And his abode? Upon arriving I'd been told by staff that the village leaders had been rendezvousing in the Mizukage's skybox. Placing both sources together it came to me that I was speaking to none other than the man himself. On first impressions he looked more like a socialite than anything, but I was sure that people had varied first impressions of myself. "So, it's correct for me to say that I'm addressing the Mizukage?" I'd ask, a playful tone overcoming my voice as I drew in his introduction. In the past I'd heard suspicious tales coming from Kirigakure, but I would only wonder whether or not his own reign concluded such infamous rumours. But- From his greeting my eyes momentarily drew to the field below and the various screens within the skybox as he spoke of one of my shinobi. Eliminated? I hoped that his use of eliminated simply meant his removal from the competition. Of course- how he said it interested me the most. I'd assumedly sent four people to the exams. I'd officially requested two, and the others I'd given permission- I was two short, but who exactly were the ones who hadn't attended? I'd find out soon enough by the images that would come up on the screens. "..And, what of you?"

Directed towards the blonde in the sunglasses in a similarly teasing tone as he'd firstly used.

"Regardless;
..My name is Blanche.
It's a pleasure to be meeting you both."

Smooth, honey drizzled words being spoken, I'd turn my gaze from the Mizukage to his unnamed companion. Would he reveal his position? I waited in anticipation.

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[vegapunk]

As the Mizukage and Raikage continued their conversation Eiichiro couldn't help but find himself drawn into a moment of inspection. It seems as though they know as much about be of the events of Kusa...Not even their memories were kept in tact. Hmm, an imprint though? that was something I didn't know. It seems his trail for answers would continue after this day, and he knew he would receive all he could on that topic. Head suddenly bowing, he would grip his shirt and stomach, it seems this chakra would be sticking with him for a while. Allowing his grip to subside, as if flicking a switch, he would propel himself back into his usual demeanor. It seems as though the blonde women who had just entered the skybox chose to stand instead of taking his offer to sit. An unusual one, he could find himself having fun with this one.

"Ah uh, seems as though the events at Kusa that day have slipped through all our memories. Thank you though, you have been helpful."

But, it was time for him to open himself up to the room. Shifting his leg across he bring it down once more, now, with elbows resting on his knees he would lean forward - resting his chin on his right hand. On an odd angle he would use his left and to dive into his possessions, rummaging through one of his pouches to find his cigarette packet once more. Slipping his slender fingers in between the packaging he would pull out a single cigarette, before placing it between his teeth. As his sunglasses rested across his nose and eyes he would push his gaze upward to the top of the rim of the glasses to inspect the newcomer once more. She surely was a beauty, a tall blonde vixen who would know accompany the two powerful men. But, as Eiichiro elatedly found out - she liked to give as much as she got, introducing herself while inquiring about both of them. Still, with his unlit cigarette resting between his lips he would speak once again, now introducing himself in a apathetic but playful tone. He had unfortunately forgotten to introduce himself previously, and as the words Blanche escaped her lips he couldn't help but find familiarity in the name.

"Suit yourself. My apologies however, my name is Eiichiro, Munashi Eiichiro. It is a pleasure to meet you Blanche. Seems as though you have a fistful of ninja in the games this year, congratulations."

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[Nujabes]

"Kushinada, Namitsuki." I nodded toward Blanche, signaling she was correct in her assumption. "The Yondaime Mizukage, pleased to meet your acquaintance."

Though I'd never really met her before now, I'd heard more than enough to cement a handful of thoughts about the woman. Rumors had it that her brother was, strangely enough, Kouketsu Uchiha's closest confidant. He was one of the several co-conspirators that had led to the fall of the old world, up until his timely demise at the hands of some mysterious disease. He, too, had been present at the destruction of Bakudon Gai.

It was so odd how the world worked.

"How do you feel about your hearing next week?" My tone was light and cheerful. "Kusagakure has come quite a long way since its inception. I think I speak for the rest of the Kages, unofficially of course, in saying that we look forward to a sixth great nation."