Quiet Inlet [Shizue]

[Naitome]

特性 ██████████

^{''While our army is strong, inarguably strong, it can’t hurt to make it a little bit stronger. Our reports show that a group of tribal warriors have been using our lands as a sparring ground. While they may not be very sophisticated, they're certainly tough. If anything they’d make great shock troopers. I want you to meet with them and convince their leader that joining our army is the best thing for them. Do what you need to do Shinobi.''}

Neither monument nor temple; a fossilized arc of swampland gone feral after generations of worshipers raised to protect it lost their minds waiting for gods that never came. It's many levels have been cataloged and classified as if they were separate, as if it were not simply one logic defying mass of savage living architecture struggling to swallow the damp veldt that is its base. It was once the site of ritualistic fires and war, mobs and sacrifices; it has seen the noblest lives wilt like flowers and mourned empires. But miles below the lowest cloud a certain predatory lust seems to have rotted itself impatiently into what was once the home of free men, and I am saddened to remember this place when it was beautiful.

My face is absent the ANBU mask I usually carry; my armor is still in place however, and the many weapons normally adorning the length of chain at my back are sealed within the summoning mark on my palm. The cloak draping my shoulders and concealing most of my body is pushed aside, as I stand on a small platform of upraised stone at the edge of the Ai'koi Clanlands.

The Ai'koi are fierce combatants, terrifying to most, fond of warrior traditions long thought too barbaric to still be practical, but I have been tasked with convincing them to join Kirigakure's considerable military forces. I assure myself that this is a noble cause, even though doubt gnaws away at the idea of enlisting shock-troopers for conflicts I may never understand. Their culture is obsessed with the idea of duality, and though I would normally be capable of performing the task at hand alone, this is not a normal situation. The Ai'koi do not recognize the individual, and throughout the swamp-like terrain nestled into this dank corner of Mizu No Kuni, I see pairs of men and women who speak and act and simply exist in their day to day lives as if they are one being. In order to speak to their leader, I will be required to approach as if in the same 'life-pair' that has become the cornerstone of their society.

My partner in this endeavor, is already late.

Only 100 meters away from the entrance to the ornate jungle chasm that is their ruler's stronghold, I wait for a genin of the Hidden Mist...my Hidden Mist, a feeling of ownership and entitlement and...home finding strange purchase within my thoughts. I sit with my legs crossed, eyes relaxed, the single dull blind pupil of my right eye a stark contrast to the pitch black of my left, and fold my hands as if in contemplation, or prayer. I can only meditate now, can only envision the next few steps of my journey as I await the arrival of one I know next to nothing about. Shizue.

☯

mission start.

[--Shizue--]

There had never been a reason for her to stray so far form home. This desolate memory of a place once proud bothered her. However many years it had been she couldn't say for sure, but she never did lay her cerulean eyes upon it when it was in its prime. After all, year after year of solitude will do that to an individual. It was odd to see the world as it was now. After all it had at least been half a decade since she had seen it.

However the world she knew then was riddled with war. Though the same thing could be said of today, those playing their pieces were gunning for peace and not domination. As a child then, domination was the scariest part of war. The Nidaime Mizukage, Hozuki Masami, was a maiden of war and a hostel being bent on conquering. That's the world she hid herself from and prepared for. Now, it seemed like the world needed to prepare for her.

Walking, or trudging more likely, through the swamp land Shizue hopped from place to place, flitting through the terrain like it was nothing. Even in heels it was an impressive endeavor for a woman such as herself. But the prospect of war was still rooted in everything she, as a kunoichi, did and thrived on. As much as she hated it, that was her purpose here in the very swamp she journeyed through. However she wasn't to do this alone.

The Ai'koi were known to be terrifying warriors and their reputation had been well known. However any single ambassador from Kirigakure no Sato who spoke would have their words fall on deaf ears. She was to meet a man she only knew as Akuharu. No other details were given. However the name was familiar, as if he had achieved something great recently. Despite this, no face flashed in the recesses of her mind like she had hoped.

When she did finally get close to the entrance to the Ai'koi rulers lands a man had already taken a seat there. Just by looks alone it was quite clear than he was a shinobi rather than part of the warrior clan. Perhaps she had been a little late? Traversing through a swampland was hard work and the fact he beat her here was a sign of skill in itself. It was something that she could admire, already, about her partner. In all intents and purposes for their mission, he indeed was hers.

"Akuharu." She started, her heels finding solid ground as their clicks were dampened by the soft cushion of dirt. The steps necessary to close their distance was made and she would stand behind him, roughly 2.5 meters away. "I'm Shizue. It's a pleasure."

[Naitome]

特性 ██████████

^{''Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.''}

My eyes open at the sound of a voice, the sound of my name drifting out over the gloam. I turn to look over my shoulder^Right just as Shizue steps close enough^{2.5 Meters} for a proper introduction.

Well met, Shizue-san. I trust there weren't any difficulties in meeting me here? The marshes can sometimes be dangerous for those who travel alone.

I stand as I speak, bowing politely with a slight smile, before gesturing towards the entrance to two overlapping cave-structures that will lead to a large spear-laden gate, and the center of the Ai'koi Domain. My voice is genuine and concerned, I rotate my shoulders simply in the time it will take her to respond, and move my eyes quickly away from taking in too much of her form at once. She is well built, physically and aesthetically, but I do not wish to be rude in any appraisal that might be seen as unprofessional, so I walk away, careful not to move too fast for her to follow.

Between a gnarled fist of stone and the sharpened wooden gate holding skulls on the thin tip ends of old weapons, a man and woman emerge, closely matching each others pace without effort. When we are closer^{5 Meters} to the official entrance to their lands, the two strangers bow in our direction, and thrust forth their closed fists with a low growling swept up in the sounds of low flying birds.

They are dressed in great wreaths of stripped leather and gold, bone scavenged from fallen enemies, animal claw and colored ribbon and old bronze. They are large, much larger than the both of us, and they look down from the near foot in height they have over our heads to peer carefully into our eyes, judging the distance between where we stand and scoffing dismissively.

Jozi yako, kuvunjwa si kweli mbili, kuthibitisha. Kuthibitisha sasa.

Only the woman speaks, but the male mouths her words and moves his hands as if the demand is his to make, both their faces furrowed in anger, teeth bared. They grip a small collection of sharpened knives at their wastes and hold them up to both of our throats, and in the same motion, speak to both of us simultaneously. The woman seems ready to spit into my face, and the man eyes Shizue's body lasciviously, blatant and overbearing.

Kusema kweli, kama moja, au kuwa kimya vipande!

☯

[--Shizue--]

Akuharu was a polite man, something that she hadn't been quite used to with the men of Kirigakure no Sato. Most were ruthless, heartless, or even down right drunken leches. However he seemed to be the refined diamond in the rough sort of analogy. It was something that she could appreciate greatly and one she had been thankful for in a partner for such a mission as this one. Needless to say it made her feel a little more comfortable.

"Shizue is fine." She started, stepping only two steps closer to him. "I ran into no difficulties, however it has been some time since I ventured out this far so I do hope I hadn't kept you waiting long."

Nothing more was really said between the two of them. Shizue couldn't help but stare at the strange blank white eye he possessed next to the coal colored one. Perhaps he had been blinded in a previous battle? Again, something to find worth in the man before her. If such was the case he indeed was a warrior she felt privileged to be with. Even as he gestured towards the Ai'koi Domain before them she felt little fear as she followed.

The closer that they got to the structure of a gate in an impasse. Two figures emerged however, a man and a woman, both much larger in stature than the two of them. Shizue could only infer they were life partners, or so the pairing system for the tribe had been referenced to her. However peace was clearly not on the agenda. With snarls and growls as well as foreign tongue the two lunged towards them intent on, presumably, questioning why they had come.

With sharpened daggers to their throats Shizue couldn't help but gulp and look up to the nasty female warrior as well as glance to the obvious stare of the male. She hated men like that, who stared at her like she had been nothing but a piece of meat ready to bite into. It disgusted her. However, there was nothing Shizue could do so close to the point of fate's decision. Death or salvation.

"Akuharu. What now? I can't understand them. Should we kill them and move forward..."

Shizue talked carefully, only partially moving her lips but the sound of her voice escaping between them low enough for her partner to hear her. Of course she had no clue if the two warriors before he could hear or not. If she could bet money, she would say they probably could but it all depended on these next few moments. Do they attack and strike down the two that bar their path or would Akuharu somehow have an alternate solution.

Regardless a feeling she had long suppressed began to creepily chill along the base of her spine---Fear.

[Naitome]

特性 ██████████

^{''Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.''}

I stare into first one, then the others eyes, as Shizue questions what course of action we should take next. But I have traded with Ai'koi Herdsmen in the Akuhou Badlands, I know Dhahabu, the language they speak and believe was passed on to the first of their ancestors by a spirit trapped in a jewel. I hold up my hand slowly, as if indicating to Shizue that she should not move, and press my finger against the tip of the male's knife, allowing a pin prick of blood to dot its edge. Pressure builds. There is a half second explosion of dull pain before a rounded wet bubble expands to the point of popping, then floods. Blood swirls out violently, becoming a ten meter spiral as water is pulled from around my hand, formed soft red with the ability that is my namesake.

It takes the image of a crocodile's head, the pride-animal that they worship and revere as sacred, and opens its crimson mouth wide enough that it might catch them both in its bite. Where its body would be, blood tendrils have wrapped gently around the handles of their blades, moving towards their hearts and forming smaller animal heads as they travel. As they seem poised to strike, I speak out calmly, addressing them as one, but focusing my gaze on the woman.

Kama wewe msimguse tena, e chemsha watoto wako katika mafuta.

The words are curt, but spoken as if they are innocent observations of the world. They both drop their blades and back away, sharing the same look of confused fear in synchronous concern. By staring at his mate while speaking to them both, I have, effectively, insulted the insult of the male's attention towards Shizue. His mate leans her head back, exposing her throat, a look of panic crossing her face as the male instantly diverts his leering away from us both. To my partner, I speak plainly, smiling as I say in a hushed tone

I've just told them that if his eyes insult my wife again, the gods will boil their children in blood and eat them. Most of their language is like this though, try not to be overly concerned about its harshness. We'll be fine now.

And in almost perfect timing, they both turn and call out to others we've not yet noticed, who stand from behind the barred entrance, and move aside the spear-gate to allow us inside.

The Ai'koi village is saturated with light. Torch-glow and fire, the heath-flame of small huts carved into enormous trees, great grass steppes carved up from the earth itself and framed by sunlight. The overwhelming green of the surrounding jungle is as intrusive as we feel, as pairs of men and women and children and even animals peer out from behind natural formations of forest to stare as we are 'escorted' to the center of their community. Our guides, humble now and still full of fear, shoo the others away with rough grunts, and eventually nod towards a honeycombed shelf of rock protruding from pleasant-smelling moss like the tops of mushrooms. We are surrounded by a deliberate pattern of smaller painted stones, as the pair finally leaves our presence, sparing us a few seconds of instruction, faces dark smears in the diminishing day.

Kusubiri hapa. Bosi kukuona karibuni.

Mapema, ya kozi.

And they thrust out their fists again, the woman giving Shizue a slight, almost jealous smirk, before turning and leaving us to ourselves.

They've told us to wait here. Their leader will come shortly to speak with us, and we'll likely have to pass their initiation rite before being able to request anything of him. The initiation rite can be dangerous. If you've been waiting for excitement, or merely your part in all of this, it approaches soon.

I say to Shizue, looking directly at her only for a second before consciously diverting my gaze. Not staring at her is difficult, but made easier as I gesture towards a small mass of weighted vines arranged like seats for us to be more comfortable in our wait. If she sits, I will do so as well, knowing that we have some time before their leader will come to 'negotiate', hoping to pass the time by getting to know her a little better.

You say it has been some time since you last ventured out this far...if you don't mind me asking, when was the last time?

I ask, hoping she will elaborate beyond the closed-ended nature of the question. I am interested to know her, at least in some way, even though I take effort in either looking directly into her eyes, or away, at the wild land around us.

☯

[--Shizue--]

Shizue, needless to say, stopped any and all sort of movement the moment that Akuharu had raised his hand. After all, they were in this together and if he had a better plan then she would gladly back him up no matter what. However she wasn't quite expecting him to attack them, even if it was to scare them and secure their own freedom. It was the method in which he did so that seemed to almost frighten her more than what the two warriors before them had done.

He used his own blood as a weapon. Like crafting Suiton itself he used his blood as the medium instead. Slowly it swelled into a large bubble swirling with his blood until it would eventually take the form of a large crocodile head. Tendrils of blood writhed and slithered their way along the two warriors weapons only to form smaller heads like the original that they came from. It was a sight to see and once that solidified the fact that he was completely beyond her skill level.

Simply out of her league.

Words escaped his lips then but it did not come out addressing her. The language was foreign, it was theirs and he directed it to them both but seemed focused on the woman. The man looks irritated as if completely insulted while the woman looked panicked, as if whatever her partner had said really was able to crawl under their skin. Deep down she enjoyed the looks on their faces, after all, Akuharu and herself didn't do anything to warrant such violence.

Then he spoke to and she knew her lips parted and mouth fell slightly agape at his comment. "It's not the violence in the language that I mind, it's the fact that I can't understand it." As she spoke, a tinge of pink touched her face, perhaps to being called Akuharu's wife. However to blend in and come face to face with the leader of the tribe they needed to be on equal footing. As husband and wife, they would be. Even so it was still embarrassing.

Within moments the two would call to others and as they all peered towards Shizue as well as Akuharu they were led to the heart of their community. Despite all the eyes on them she couldn't help but appreciate how well structured their living area had been compared to what most would stereotypically think in regards to a swamp living tribe. Regardless, it was absolutely beautiful. That's when the two escorts would leave, however giving instruction before hand.

The way the woman looked at Shizue bothered her, and though she didn't mean to she knew she returned some sort of look as if to say 'back off'. Normally she was in decent control of herself but this time around she couldn't help but feel intimidated, or perhaps challenged would be a better word. Then he spoke again, translating. It was annoying to say the least that she couldn't be part in this.

"That's fine. We'll wait and when the rite comes we'll pass. I have the utmost confidence in your abilities Akuharu. Simply from seeing your control of Suiton via your own blood." She would start, though pausing to follow Akuharu over to seats made of vines where she would take a seat with him following suit after. "Myself, however, I am worried about a little. But I refuse to fall to these people."

Shizue would let her cerulean eyes take in Akuharu's form moe indefinitely now, taking in his height, his body type, and the musculature he held beneath the ANBU armor her wore. His face was handsome as well, at least to her, however she would never dare comment on such a thing. His question, however she could answer. "Six years ago."

She was silent for a moment, before a small smile graced her lips. "I am still a Genin however that's only because I've been locked away training for those six years. I wasn't exactly the best of kunoichi when in my youth and that isn't the kind of behavior Kirigakure no Sato takes kindly too." Her smile widened a little now. "So I trained with my cousin and together we grew strong, however he wasn't ready to leave yet I yearned for the outside world once more---"

Shizue stopped herself, clearing her throat and cutting her story short. She was rambling and she didn't want to bore her partner with silly ideals and dreams when all he did was ask a simple question. "What about you, Akuharu? You must have trained quite hard to be so fluently talented."

Her gaze never left his form, something about him was simply mesmerizing. Perhaps it was his strength, his wisdom, or maybe because he wasn't like most men she knew to inhabit that of the 'Bloody Mist Village. He was just different.

[Naitome]

特性 ██████████

^{''I suspect the secret of personal attraction is locked up in our unique imperfections, flaws and frailties. I was always attracted not by some quantifiable, external beauty, but by something deep down, something absolute.''}

It is not difficult to be intrigued by her words; though cut short by what I can only guess is the feeling that she's said too much, her dedication to training in the interest of better serving her home...our home...is a quality I find just as compelling as Shizue herself. I cannot look away as easily as before; we seem to acknowledge that we are staring at each other, but continue undisturbed, and I move closer to her, painstakingly slow, not even consciously aware of having done so as my gaze falls from her eyes, to the motion of her lips while she speaks.

When she asks about my own training, I finally notice how far I have leaned forward and sit up suddenly, a bit of heat staining my face. I look down, almost relieved that our broken eye-contact has allowed me to think clearly once more, and I think back on my own travels, before looking into and becoming lost in her eyes once again. The loop is infatuating and unusual. Exhilarating.

...I...I thank you for the compliment, Shizue-san. I suppose I feel lucky, more than talented. Certain things come more naturally than others, but I'm sure I don't train significantly more than the rest of the village. I have not been a shinobi for very long, and there are still many things I do not understand. But I do enjoy moments like this. There is something...

I stare at her, into her; I cannot look away...

...something very beautiful about this place.

I stop, face reddening, and turn to the jungle surrounds attempting to hide the sudden base emotion passing heat through my body like the flooding of chakra. I am being foolish. There is no conceivable way that a woman like Shizue would be interested in someone like me, and even the thought seems to have caused me to lose my breath.

I do not realize that we are both being watched.

On a hilltop overlooking the clearing where we sit, two figures emerge from the bramble and thorn, covered in thick leather armor and bristling with the edges of blades. The hooded figures move as a pair, observing our interaction, whispering to each other in a shorthand mumbling of the Dhahabu language that even I would find difficult to translate. We are being evaluated. Assessed for potential.

They are sizing us up before the slaughter.

It will still be several minutes before we are called to perform the Initiation Rite, and though embarrassed by the strange desire clouding my normal calm, I want to hear more from Shizue. I want to understand the sensation of want that wells up as if from some hidden, deeper recess of who she is. The unmistakable realization that there is something about her worth knowing as intimately as I know that she will never feel the same thing.

I...I would like to know more. More about you...about what you have seen and done, I would like to know your mind, your life in Kirigakure and beyond...I...

I apologize.

I am being intrusive, Shizue-san. Forgive me.

But I want her to continue. To speak forever. To eliminate the tension of the distance between us that shortens with each passing second...

☯

[--Shizue--]

Shizue had always been one to be detail oriented, at least to some certain degree. As a kunoichi especially she had to know how her words, her actions, and her behavior affected those around her and the reactions they gave. Granted, she did nothing more than speak the truth of herself as well as the briefest glimpse into her past. However with each word she spoke she found herself unable to tear her eyes away from the muddled onyx and stark white that stared back at her. They got closer and closer before they were swept back by his sudden jerk of a movement.

She inhaled, a little sharply, as if surprised, or perhaps finally taking a whole breath since it had hitched in her throat as she spoke earlier. Like him, her skin had been dyed a pinkish red. However brief, it had still happened. Then he spoke. Humble, modest, and not conceited at all with his own obvious skill. A trait, again, that most men from Kirigakure no Sato lacked. It was just one more thing to tack on the board of things Akuharu did right. In all honesty, she was happy that a man like him had been chosen as her 'partner' for a mission such as this.

His eyes met hers and there was a smolder there, something of curiosity, confusion, and a flood of other emotions that she couldn't quite discern. However she felt smothered by them, like she would drown any moment if she hadn't focused to listen to the background noise of the jungle surrounding them. However no sound from the jungle, or distant chatter of the people of this tribe that could drown out his words.

...something very beautiful about this place.

The way his face went red and how he had so suddenly turned to face the jungle she had so desperately tried to invade with her hearing made it quite clear, or as clear as an unspoken word could be, of what he could possibly be thinking. He must not have been around many women to know how to talk with them without acting like this. To her, she found it, for a lack of a better term, cute. Even in a situation such as this it managed to put a smile on her face.

Shizue would wait, smile set in stone as she idly watched him while he mulled on whatever thoughts ran rampant through his mind as he stared into the jungle. Whatever he became aware of, those unbeknownst to her watching them, when he would finally look back to her the smile that he allowed her to have would be waiting to greet him. Again with the questions, or rather, the requests on her own life and person. As tiresome as she would have normally found this she smiled slightly wider, humored.

"Shizue is fine, Akuharu. I'm flattered you want to know so much about me. Not many do, to be honest. I don't have anyone though, save for my cousin. So I suppose that's understandable." Briefly she would let her hand drop to pat the top of his knee before it would retreat into her own lap to clasp with its partner. "So don't ask forgiveness for something as trivial as that, okay? But, we are here on business and I'd like to keep it that way...."

She would trail off and study him briefly for whatever reaction he may have given. After all, it did almost sound as if she were rejecting to tell him anything more about herself. But, as she had thought on more than one occasion already, he was not like other Kirigakure ruffians. "It's hard to tell you what I'm like since for so long my life has been nothing but by the sword, however...I can still appreciate things like the beauty of flowers, the serenity of the sky, and tingle of the mist on your skin, the smiles of people, the warmth of children...."

Again she would pause.

"I don't want to ramble, Akuharu. But needless to say being away for so long I've learned to appreciate everything most people take for granted. That includes my work. It's not a given rite nor is it an all glorified journey to the top with loud bangs and 'cool' techniques." The smile she had been wearing faltered, like a memory she had decided to filter out flickered in with all the happy ones she had expressed. "We are born in blood, live in blood, and will die in blood. There is no glory, no flashy outcomes, it comes down to the dedication you put into yourself and to simply persevere."

All business, nothing but dedication, the will to survive, but the mind and inner self retaining an innocence that only a child could understand and appreciate. Despite all those she had killed, murdered in deceit, lies, and cold blood it never stained her, never weighed her down. Question was, how could one man bring such an explanation out of her...

[Naitome]

特性 ██████████

^{''When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.''}

For a single moment, my breath stops; she touches my knee. It is done with innocence and lasts only a second but in that brief instant of contact the entirety of my focus narrows to encompass that action. Is it as intense a sensation for her, I wonder...I second guess and doubt and tell myself that women do not feel such things or care so much about so insignificant a motion. But I do. For this one part of the day, that sliver of seconds where her skin brushes against me...it becomes the only real thing in the world and I hold on to the rush of contained excitement like a child.

I am not saddened by her wish to maintain professionalism, in fact, I find it even more endearing, though she acts against this desire seconds after and continues. The sadness behind her tone is unexpected, and it is with concern that I move before I ever actually meaning to, without control or forethought, and raise my right hand to her chin, her eyes two wide points of light in the darkening green of the Ai'koi.

Sometimes...dedication to oneself is not enough. Sometimes, we must dedicate ourselves to others.

It is a saying I have heard many times before, something my Master would tell me as a child, and the words leave my mouth before I've really processed using them. The red tint of my face comes late as I notice just how I now hold her, close, too close; any second I could lean in and...

...Shizue...

When the creature comes for me, I have no warning.

It is...a force of nature, a piece of the jungle wrapped sporadically around flesh that is only endless teeth and thorns and fibrous plant muscle. 30 meters high with a caustic acid-yellow glow emanating from deep within. It is accompanied by another, equal in size and ferocity, its pair, while the Ai'koi who've surrounded us in secret chant loudly, disrupted by a chorus of vile laughter that spills out of the greenery and shadows.

Kiibada inaanza!

^{("The Rite begins!")}

The voice of their chieftan rings out as the creatures come alive, pulling themselves up from the ground directly behind me. The meaner, more aggressive of the two reaches forwards with a hand larger than my body, lifts me into the air...

...and tosses me into its open maw, swallowing me whole.

It sits with an apathetic sated sigh as its mate moves pushes it out of the way, marking a path straight towards Shizue with forearms the size of small buildings, digging up clumps of dense jungle-land and snarling smog into the fading sunlight.

It is prepared to attack.

☯