homeward bound. [open]

[sachi]

Seven years, seven long years since he'd so much as set foot back into his homeland, whether it was anger or fear that kept him away he wasn't sure. He was furious with how things ended, how he behaved, how god damned foolish he'd been, but somehow he couldn't help but think running into Coco would be the worst, he simply hadn't been ready for it. In his absence Kain had done a lot of thinking, a lot of soul-searching and even more training, and although deep down he'd always be the same man he was 7 years ago, he maintained an aura of change around him, one of transformation. He had heard next to nothing about his village having spent a great deal of his time away in solitude, but something so important as a kage election was a hard piece of information to miss, and well, I guess you could say it had something to do with his return.

"Still as dry and dusty as ever. . ."

He spoke quietly, nostalgia quite apparent. It had been so long since he'd been home, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't miss it, no matter how much he couldn't stand it at times. It was a long journey home, and considering how long he'd been away his route wasn't taking him directly towards Iwagakure, but rather he detoured quite a bit through several towns, watching how much they'd changed over the years, whether for better or worse. At long last he'd come to the final town before he'd have nowhere to head but Iwa, and this seemed as good a spot as any to take a break and grab a bite to eat, and who knows, maybe he'd stumble on something interesting?

"Well, suppose I should at least have a look around"

While his right hand would adjust the blade on his back he'd begin a very casual walk down the heart of the town, the whispering of the villagers around him all too noticeable. He knew he wasn't exactly the most friendly looking character, but considering the proximity to the village ninja were quite common in these parts, and to Kain this only left one other option..

"Already?"

[/font]

[Petrikov]

ENTER

( I AM THE PASSENGER, AND I RIDE AND I RIDE )

The crunch of leather soles against gravel sounded as Nami neared the old village. Large and rather loud headphones hugged her neck, the sound of rock n' roll booming through its speakers. She walked at a rather placid pace, hands fumbling together behind her back, her skirt gently buffeted by the warm breeze sweeping by. Had it not been for the gas mask that covered her face, she'd fit the "cute schoolgirl" facade pretty well. But to be honest, she wasn't as 'cute' as people perceived her to be. At least, not in a affectedly or superficially clever way. Her looks might have said otherwise, but she hated playing 'cute'.

( I SEE THE STARS COME OUT OF THE SKY, YEAH THEY'RE BRIGHT IN A HOLLOW SKY )

There might have been a variety of factors that attributed to the fact that several of the villagers- poking their heads out of windows, standing by the doorways of their stone houses, and sitting at the porch of several different establishments- gave their attention to her. It might have been her semi-revealing outfit. For all she knew, they were perverts. Or perhaps it was the symbol of Iwagakure etched into the forehead of her mask. Or maybe, it was the mask itself. She didn't know. She didn't care. Rather, she walked down the main boulevard with collected cool.

( I AM THE PASSENGER, I STAY UNDER GLASS, I LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW SO BRIGHT )

It wouldn't be long before the 'Gas Mask Girl' spotted the figure of a man walking down the same path- approaching her. The two of them lightning rods that gathered the attention of the locals about, nearing each other with each rhythmic and precise step. When she came to a distance of fifteen meters of him, she stopped. Miniature clouds of dust forming around her feet from where she came to a stop, music still booming through the trembling speakers of her headphones, lyrics barely audible to anyone besides her. Ocean blue eyes analyzed the stranger from behind the dark oculars of her mask, hands placed on her waist as she placed herself into a firm stance.

( SINGIN' LA-LA-LA-LA, LALALALA )

It was strange, this seemingly coincidental moment, the two of them standing off. Already? What? Did he have something to say? Was Nami in his pretty little way? A hollow 'tch' sounded through the cover of her gas mask. The locals around here, they were nothing to be interested in. A couple of dirty old geezers, pedantic house wives, and effeminate jerk-offs who wouldn't know the first thing about pleasing any of the whores around here willing to give it up. But this guy. Something was off about him. An aura seemed to surround him. The sword sheathed on his back assured her that he was a warrior of some sort.

"Who the hell are you? The new sheriff in town?"

( WE'LL BE THE PASSENGER, WE'LL RIDE THROUGH THE CITY TONIGHT, SEE THE CITY'S RIPPED INSIDES )

[Petrikov]

EXIT UNTIL SACHI-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH