the age of corvus corvidae. ( private )

[Jun]

Laughter?

Not quite the reaction I was expecting. Usually men took their rejection more seriously, however the one before me resonated with confidence. He was unmoved by my harsh tone, instead choosing to remedy it with a bit of humor. I had never been one to indulge myself in comedy but how his dialogue invaded my senses was overwhelming. From the get-go I could tell he was highly sociable, acting as if we were simply old acquiantances. And the way this stranger could illustrate a woman's eyes with mere words rattled me to the bone. I lowered my head ever so slightly, allowing for midnight hair to shroud the glow of my face. Still, internally I kept my distance, mostly out of a habit that had served me well all these years.

His next move was just as sudden as the first. Swiftly he removed his disguise, exposing a face of gold. I did not recognize the porcelin mask, however that fiery mane of his pulled me in even further. For a second I looked away, afraid that my true feelings would be reflected for the world to see. He was cute, I couldn't lie about that. And as if that weren't enough he reached out his hand, certainly expecting the same from me.

"My name is Atlas,"

"Atlas..." I paused; not knowing how to react. An act of kindness while enclosed in such filth. For once I followed my instinct and permitted his grip to take mine. His palm was much larger than my own, yet he accepted it just the same. And for the longest second, we made eye contact again, green and red meshed together to form one. His lips touched my skin, something I had never experienced ~ even if it was just a hand. There were a whirlpool of unfamiliar emotions flaring and I tried valiantly to deny them. Any other man would have been beaten senseless for trying such an act.

"It's an absolute pleasure meeting you."

I looked all around me, searching from some sort of approval from the multitude surrounding us but found none. Setting my sight on Atlas once more I decided to at least give him the honor of knowing who I was. "I'm Anemone," I replied, taking much pride in the elegance of my name. "Do you...believe in twin flames?"

Somehow I felt at ease with him.

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[Estilo]

( @ Anemone )

Her name? Anemone. How lovely. While my heart throbbed to find out the story behind that name, anxious to know exactly who this girl was and where she had come from, I was soon faced with a question. One I'd never heard before. Her hand still clasped by mine, I listened intently to the following words: Do you... believe in twin flames?

"Twin flames?" I repeated, gently letting her hand fall from my smooth gloved grasp. Now, why would she ask that? It peaked my curiosity, a single eyebrow arched, that customary smile of mine still very much present on my countenance. Both of my hands placed themselves behind my back as I formed an answer, my eyes narrowing slightly as I gauged Anemone's mood. "Well... despite the fact that it might make me seem like the typical 'hopeless romantic', I have to admit that- yes, I do believe. Although, I'd be hard-pressed into thinking something like 'destiny' plays any part in it. Or that it's easy to come by."

This was, of course, assuming she had meant the 'twin flames' that I was referring to- and not something else entirely. The primordial connection between one soul and another, one that spanned many lifetimes, and was theorized to bring enlightenment to all those that attained it. Could such a thing exist? I hoped so. I was not a religious man, nor did I deny spiritual concepts outright. But souls. I knew such a thing as souls existed. Would it be crazy to think that pairs of them were able to synchronize better than others? Not destiny. No. Just chemistry.

But then again, she could have been talking something different. For all I knew, twin flames was just another ninjutsu out in the shinobi world- or a creed adopted by some religious fanatics. But I had a feeling I was right, and was still intensely interested as to why she had asked that particular question. I tossed Anemone a smile, a warm look in my exposed emerald green eye. "I don't suppose you believe in the concept? And if so, have you found your flame yet, m'lady?"

[Jun]

"Twin flames?"

I nodded. Indeed it was a challenging question, one that he welcomed with marvel. It appeared as if he briefly weighed the subject on his mind, which was only natural. Other worldly ideas weren't a topic for the casual minded. As his hand departed from mine I mused over the thought of souls truly transcending over many lifetimes and maturing through experience. I wanted deep down to believe in that ~ two halves striving for the whole. It seemed plausible, and hearing his response strengthened my resolve all the more. Though I only listened, the sparse trace of a smirk found its way to the surface.

Chemistry

I sensed that meeting Atlas in this moment of time was no mere coincidence though if asked to explain, I was likely to be unable to do so. Life could be a funny thing sometimes but the way this newcomer grinned at me made me feel as if I could perhaps matter to the world. And as expected he threw the question back at me, not even 100% certain myself.

"And if so, have you found your flame yet, m'lady?"

He was honestly open, so it was only fair that I be the same. " Maybe. I have a feeling," I glanced to my right, where fellow clansmen were in the early stages of disbanding. I was lost however the brilliance of his smile had me starting to think that wherever he was, was at least remotely close to where I wanted to be. "But we'll see." I was cynical, but lifted a modest hand and ever so gently traced two fingers down that fiery mane, mesmerized by it. And just as suddenly I turned my back to him, my eyes elsewhere. "You've caught my interest Atlas-sama. Will you walk with me?"

If he did select to do so I would question him once again, this time not so spur of the moment. "The Akegarasu. The Doctor. What is all of this?"

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[Estilo]

( @ Anemone )

Maybe. I have a feeling. She replied, seeming somewhat unsure about it all. Like she hoped, just as much as I did, that it was true. But we'll see. My extended smile was the only reaction I made when she traced her fingers gently across the surface of my crimson red hair. I had an idea of what she was implying, but I decided to keep my own thoughts to myself at the moment. We Akegarasu... we were known to be tricksters- swindlers who utilized every advantage in their favor to come out with some sort of gain in the end. I knew because, at times, I tended to carry on with that sort of lifestyle. But unlike most Akegarasu? I also tended to be a nice guy. Acts of treason and trickery were far and in between.

You've caught my interest Atlas-sama. Will you walk with me? I bowed, gesturing the way with a toss of my hand. "I'd be delighted to, Miss Anemone. Please, after you." The crowd surrounding us, they had been congested at the center of the patio in order to pay their full attention to the masked man standing at the top of the wooden stage. But now that the man had gone, leaving only a handful of his sentinels behind on that stage, the crowd had dispersed to every corner of the large courtyard. Not necessarily leaving just yet, no. Just falling back to the groups of people they had managed to make connections with.

Me and Anemone? We maneuvered our way in unison through the congregation. Heading towards an opened gate nearby, that presumably lead to the prison corridors. And... a set of stairs? I thought I had seen some on my way here. That, and a balcony up high. I had, of course, scouted the location with a raven of mine before daring to enter it with my first. As we walked: The Akegarasu. The Doctor. What is all of this?

I gave a brief sigh. "I wish I knew the details... but sadly, I only know about as much as you do. The Doctor, however... I wouldn't mind having a talk with him. This is all very suspicious, after all. I mean... it's great that he's gathered us all under one roof. I would not have had the pleasure of meeting you if he hadn't." I added, tossing a somewhat sly smile at her as we passed a glistening fountain. It was true, but on to the subject at hand. "But I'm sure it is not without a definite purpose. We'd have to ask him." My interest peaked, I continued. "And you, love? What are your thoughts on the matter?"

[Jun]

"I'd be delighted to, Miss Anemone. Please, after you."

[/right]

We flowed through the scene, his bright hair and my natural grace more than enough to turn a few heads. Though I had to admit that I was expecting the mighty Atlas to have much more insight than I did on the current events. Such was not the case as he relayed to me that this "Doctor" truly was some sort of radical enigma to the ninja world. I had to agree with a few of the charmer's points, but he was too much of a gentleman at times, smiling upon mentioning me. Alas, he wouldn't be given the pleasure of seeing me redden for him a second time. I kept my composure despite his praise and narrowed my eyes once he directed the question at me.

"And you, love? What are your thoughts on the matter?"

[/right]

"You are quite the talker. Perhaps you could follow your own advice and go speak with him," I cracked, my expression smug as ever. We reached the summit of the balcony and I stepped past him, not yet done with my opinion. "But seriously, I've never been fond of those who hide behind masks. I sense violence within the Doctor." Arriving at the end, I rested my body on the support of an iron guard rail. My eyes surveyed the events out yonder, never glimpsing back as I said my final words. "Still, if our clan truly was once prestigious, then I'd do anything to re-claim that title."

That was the truth, anyone could feel it. In my mind, the Doctor's next move would be to give out orders, however their contents would remain a mystery until then. I wanted dearly to know what lurked behind that mask but that notion seemed too far away. If anything, we needed to get closer to him or otherwise remain blind followers.

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[Estilo]

( @ Teru )

Her reaction to my inquiry came as a bit of a surprise... at first. But I was then reminded of the change in personality I had noticed earlier. Kusagakure no Sato was not in her heart anymore, not as it had been during her childhood. I could only find myself recalling past trips I had taken to the gates of the village, reuniting joyfully with little Teru each time, always proud to hear that the village was teaching her in the arts of the shinobi. Things had taken an abrupt turn since then.

What better way to symbolize this change than to see a grown-up Teru holding a marked Kusagakure no Sato headband. I took a glance at the piece of headwear, watched it glint in the moonlight. My gaze only interrupted when she turned to me with that interesting glare.

She had an opinion about the whole thing, and I commended her for sharing it with me. I was more so happy that she still trusted in me, and that she hadn't resorted to lying to me at any point. Being apart for as long as we had been... I was afraid it would have completely alienated me from her. Such was not the case, thankfully.

I smirked at the end of her small declaration- small in length, but not in content. She was proposing the equivalent of a coup d'état. I wasn't entirely certain how I felt about eradicating a figure head I had only just known about a few minutes ago... but I knew I wanted to have a part in guiding this clan back to its former glory. I was only glad Teru had, more or less, the same ambitions. "We share similar goals, sis." I started, ensuring none of the Akegarasu were eavesdropping. "But let's not be too hasty about it just yet. We have yet to meet the doctor face-to-face, to know what kind of man he is and gauge his ambitions. After all, he may prove to be useful... don't you think?"

[Estilo]

( @ Anemone )

I managed to utter a laugh at her response, my previous smile spreading into a wolfish grin. "I suppose I could chat him up a bit- see exactly what kind of person he is. Perhaps even gauge his ambitions for our clan to a further extent." Upon reaching the balcony's summit, she would continue on with her point. But seriously, I've never been fond of those who hide behind masks. I sense violence within the Doctor.

Arms crossed, I shifted my emerald glance to the night sky afar, standing in place on the balcony as Anemone observed the scene. Still, if our clan truly was once prestigious, then I'd do anything to re-claim that title. I listened, interest tinging my eyes, realizing that Anemone was as honest as I thought she was. She wasn't lying when she said she wanted to bring the Akegarasu back to its former glory- a glory I figured she had never gotten a chance to see. I wished nothing more than to regain it.

As content as I was with the mere fact that I was reunited with my clan, these hopeful thoughts made me eager to find out exactly where we would go with this gathering. The possibilities varied, the opportunities vast. And I wanted to be on the ground floor of the entire thing. Although I had walked into the courtyard halfway through the Doctor's speech, what I had managed to hear was enlightening. And there was definitely questions I wanted answers to, sooner rather than later.

Porcelain white mask glinting slightly in the moonlight that shone down, I stood idly by, watching the dark gray clouds hover over the peak of several towering mountains in the horizon. "I trust we'll remain unknown for a while longer... the Akegarasu, after all, have always preferred working in secret. It's nice to know you are as committed as the rest of us, however. Comes to show that the world isn't just a congregation of cheats and liars. There are people here we can actually trust." I shifted my gaze towards her, eyes tinged with chakra¹, emerald orbs scanning over her slightly round face. "I never got to ask, but... where do you hail from, Anemone? A ninja village, perhaps?"

[drift]

]

I let out a small musical laugh, my dearest brother. I was still an Akegarasu at heart, we used cunning and shadow and crows. Of course i was voicing ideas that would take time, it would take that most over rated of virtues, patience. My face grew grim momentarily at the thought, no i could not linger long here but i felt content that soon a purpose would make itself clear to me. Of course i didn't want my brother to think of me as a lazy slacker.

"Worry not oniichan, just cause i'm a lil crazy these days doesn't mean i'm a fool" I studied my brothers face, he had changed just as much as i had, his changes were just less easy to see but i could feel the difference. Still he's my big bro, and the only living person in the world i cared about. Moving close my arms would swiftly wrap around him, leaning my head against his chest i would continue. "We will bide our time brother, and one day everything we ever wanted will be ours, and everything we don't want....will be destroyed. I think i'll leave the Dr up to you for now, i'm sure your as silver tongued as ever."

Leaning higher on my feet i would aim to plant a small kiss on my brothers cheek before backing off and standing hands behind back like a giddy expectant child. Before my brother could reply however a thought so delightfully intoxicating came to mind. "Tell me dear brother, how much sway do you hold in Kumogakure? The clan needs a village, from there we can build our power, all Akegarasu should be called to it. If we cannot find a village we could always capture one" I ended with a look of both excitement and bloodlust.

[Jun]

My sight pushed skyward and locked itself on her majesty ~ the moon. She was full tonight and radiant as ever. I felt Atlas's eyes on the back of my equally pale skin. He absorbed my words then uttered a theory of his own, never failing to add a bit of whimsy to the conversation. It became clear to me that we shared the coequal perspective of keeping close watch over the Doctor.

Comes to show that the world isn't just a congregation of cheats and liars. There are people here we can actually trust."

I turned to face him just as a column of clouds danced overhead. The air was thin where we stood but it did nothing to alter the frequency we were both on. I nodded, complying with his evaluation of the world around us. Indeed we were among a multitude that had gone astray from thinking for themselves. If we were to succeed in escorting the Akegarasu to its former glory we would need numbers on our side. As my hair became influenced by the breeze and my cherry eyes focused on the man before me, I tuned in, reaching for the silver crown tied loosely around my neck.

"I never got to ask, but... where do you hail from, Anemone? A ninja village, perhaps?"

"Iwagakure," I revealed, not necessarily with a tone of pride. My fingers traced the stone emblem embedded within the steel plate."Though I'm afraid it's pretty deserted out there nowadays." I stepped away from the rail, slightly closing the distance between the two of us."And yourself? Where are you headed after all of this is over?" I was certain that whatever village he was affiliated with was one of high status. My first guess was Konoha, then again I could be wrong. Regardless, gaining an upper hand in the ninja world would take a lot of work. But I was sure he wanted that just as bad as I did.

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[Estilo]

( @ Teru )

I smiled when she uttered a laugh, not understanding at first, and thinking to myself, When was the last time I'd heard a laugh like that? It had been years since I'd last heard that sweet laughter, sometime before the Great Flash. I cherished the fact that it had not disappeared from this world, and acknowledged its jovial effect over me. Whether she considered herself a wicked individual or not, Teru would always be my treasured little sister. One of the three gals in my life that actually mattered. Life would be hard pressed to change that- as I would literally give my life to protect her own.

I wrapped a single arm around Teru's back when she dove in for the hug, patting her reassuringly on her shoulder as she spoke. Now that I thought about it, I wasn't so much worried of her own actions than I was of her safety. The Doctor was a mysterious man... and for all I knew, he could be a merciless killer. Hearing Teru speak like that so soon into the reconciliation of our clan could put her into trouble. That was not to say, however, that I would let anything happen to her in the first place. The Doctor, however strong he was, would have to deal with me first.

I listened to her ambitions with a thin smile, slightly raising a brow towards the end. She definitely had a thirst for power, for control. And I didn't blame her for that. She was still young. A girl who had suffered the perils of a war her generation hadn't even started. I was sure she wanted to change the world for the better, in her own way. I could only, amidst pursuing my own goals, stand there beside her and keep her in line. She was undoubtedly about to embark on a long journey. One that would determine the rest of her future. -I'm sure you're as silver-tongued as ever. I chuckled, but before I could answer, she continued.

After planting a single kiss on my cheek and backing off, my sheepish grin obvious to see, she voiced an idea. Kumogakure no Sato... Akegarasu headquarters. It sounded right, but I had yet to make any final decisions, considering our clan was currently at the whim of the Doctor. "Ha, capturing a village, eh? I don't think that will be necessary... yet. But I do intend working for our clan's benefit out of the resources of my village- in secret. Whether I'll allow the Doctor to participate in this or not, I have yet to discover." I tossed my sister a warm smile. I'd tell her about my status as Raikage- soon- but for now, I'd voice a concern I'd been musing over since I'd discovered she was alive. "Teru... I'm not sure how you'll feel about this... but I want you to come with me after all this is over- to Kumogakure no Sato. You can live with me, sis." I landed a single hand on her shoulder, leaning slightly forwards to reach eye-level with the girl. "You deserve a respite... and a place to call home."

[Estilo]

( @ Anemone )

Iwagakure no Sato. Interesting. But then again, what wasn't interesting about this girl? To learn that she was indeed from a ninja village enlightened my perspective of her. No, she wasn't just a merchant, musician, or thief- like many of the Akegarasu here. She was a kunoichi. A warrior in her own right, and her headband proved it. Before I could delve further into her life as a kunoichi, however, she voiced a question. A smile appeared in my eyes. Unlike her own, my tone was tinged with pride. "Kumogakure no Sato. I'm a Jounin there. But I'm an Akegarasu, first and foremost." No, I'd decided not to disclose any information about my title of Nidaime Raikage this time. Not yet.

Through experience, I'd found that disclosing my title of Raikage to people I had only just met often resulted in them changing their dispositions towards me drastically- good or bad. And all because the title of Raikage was a moniker the shinobi world did not take lightly. Over my eight-year period as the leader of Kumogakure no Sato, I'd found that meeting new people was far easier when they didn't know about my title. It was better to know the man behind the mask first, sort of speak, before judging him as a leader of a hidden village. This was part of the reason I kept most of my identity hidden from even my own people. I was more of a symbol to them than a man, anyways. And it suited me well.

The din of the crowd afar was still present, the crackles and snaps of fire a constant sound. Sounds as ancient as the dawn of civilization itself. A primordial sense of unity flowed through me, a rush I had not felt since by inauguration as Raikage. This was the beginning of something huge. I couldn't help repeating that in my mind. And when the time came, when this event reached its crowning point, who among these people would I have standing besides me? Emerald green eyes shifted towards Anemone. Dropping my arms, hands dug snuggly into the recess of my pant pockets, I took slow and deliberate steps towards the crimson-eyed girl, resuming to close the distance she had initiated, a smile at all times.

"You seem like a girl who knows what she wants," I started, stopping at a distance of three feet away from her. "And I like you. Whether you'd like to admit it or not, I can tell you're sweet at heart." I had to pause there, gauging her reaction, then shifting my gaze aways towards the night sky. "How would you feel about traveling with me for a while? I can teach you things about our clan, and I could use your help in return. There are countries out there I'd imagine you haven't seen yet, people we need to recruit in our cause. I don't care of the Doctor seeks to go through with his plans or not, because I know that I will- in my own way." Pausing once more, my eyes shifted back to her own. "Whether you want to take that ride with me or not... is up to you, love." My voice had taken a somewhat serious tone then.

I was ready to help revive the Akegarasu. To move on.

[Jun]

So he was a native of Kumogakure and more importantly, a Jounin. One didn't gain that title by mere chance, so I gathered that he was quite savvy on the battlefield ~ a place where I longed to excel. All around us fellow Akegarasu conducted conversations of their own, causing me to feel as if we were but one of many. The air surrounding Kaminari No Kuni was chilly tonight, and I couldn't help but allow my slender arms to embrace the rest of my body out of instinct to keep warm. Raven strands of hair became caught up in the breeze, meanwhile my rosy eyes resided with Atlas as he progressed in my direction. Alarmed I was at first, but his smile seemed to make all the worry wash away. I let him approach me, step by step, until he was a trivial three feet away.

"You seem like a girl who knows what she wants,"

[/right]

I knew exactly what I wanted, and he could take me there.

"And I like you. Whether you'd like to admit it or not, I can tell you're sweet at heart."

[/right]

I didn't know what to think. As of lately I had been deemed "cold and distant", not sweet at heart. Then again, a lot could be said about a person by merely changing your perspective of them. And while most saw me as the detached loner that even I thought I was, he saw something more genuine. It was then that I realized meeting Atlas here and now couldn't have been mere coincidence. Like somehow there were supernatural powers lurking and operating in our favor. In the back of my mind I thanked these nameless deities for such an opportunity, whoever they were. While my "hot-headed" acquaintance immersed himself in the blue yonder I prepared myself to absorb the words that were sure to come.

Turns out he wanted me to travel with him and learn from the land. For once both my heart and mind told me that this would be something worthwhile. They agreed that this was a moment I couldn't just let pass me by. With or without me he'd seek to restore our clan, and it was that sort of resolve that found me inspired.

"Whether you want to take that ride with me or not... is up to you, love."

[/right]

"I would like nothing more." My answer came undeviating, as if it was my soul more so my mouth speaking. "Reviving the Akegarasu is an ambition we can share together." And for a second, the smallest smile showed itself. Even toothless, it was a cherished rarity. "Though when do we leave?" Preparations for the sudden departure had to be made, though not many. Still, I started on my own walk, stepping past him in hopes that we'd leave Kami No Shima together. We had a long expedition ahead of us ~ one that I planned on seeing through to the end.

"And please...don't let me down."

My trust wasn't something to play with.



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[Estilo]

( @ Anemone )

Her inclination was delightful, the smile that followed afterwards twice as much so. I could only return the gesture as my emerald orbs remained on her own. Then I straightened as she voiced her next inquiry. Though when do we leave? I had been almost certain that she would have to go to Iwagakure no Sato before leaving me, to pick up her essentials. To give notice to her village, family or friends. There was still the possibility that she did, but hadn't voiced it. Either way, however, I was glad to know that we could kick off our efforts this quickly. "After the event here concludes." I answered. "When it ends, we'll leave for our travels."

As she passed by me, I kept my gaze forward at the scenery of shadowed mountains afar. And please...don't let me down. My smile turned into a wolfish grin. She was an Akegarasu, all right. All the attitude that made up a maiden of the raven, with looks I had noticed turning a few heads in the crowd. With taunting tone, I countered. "Heeey! Don't I look trustful to you? That hurts my pride, dear." I added with a bit of laughter, turning around on a heel and following her off of the balcony.

We delved back into the commotion of the crowd. They were handing drinks out now, traditional sickly sweet Akegarasu mead. This gathering was turning into a full-blown celebration, and as I looked around I could not hope to find any sign of my other self. I could only wonder what he was up to, who he had met. Someone like Anemone, perhaps? The real Atlas in Kumogakure no Sato was in store for a treat when we dissipated, our gathered memories telepathically inserted into his own.

Dropping the search effort for myself, I decided to shift my search towards the Doctor. His men, robed and hooded sentinels standing idly by at every corner like motionless sculptures, were here in number. There to ensure security, there to root out any Akegarasu despicable enough to rob or attack his own family. But the organizer of this event? Nowhere in sight, yet. And you'd think, despite the fact that I was following Anemone through the courtyard, that finding a man masked with such a... unique piece of headgear would be easy. I could only hope he'd reappear.

[Jun]

"When it ends, we'll leave for our travels."

[/right]

With a gesture of the head I acknowledged him, never once severing the rhythm our eyes seemed to be on. As my elegant frame journeyed toward the stairs, fire mane would emit the sound of amusement, something I didn't look back on. My right foot arrived at the brink of the staircase and I paused, ears provoked to hear him out.

""Heeey! Don't I look trustful to you? That hurts my pride, dear."

[/right]

I smirked. And though he couldn't physically see it, I fathomed he could hear the satire in my voice. "Tch. You really are too much, Atlas-sama." Then I descended into the crow's frontier ~ with a friend at my side. Alas, we broke deep into the nest, where souls from all walks of life confessed under the unyielding gaze of the moon. Since the beginning of time it had remained the same in spite of the constantly evolving world it had sworn to watch over. Numerous personas dotted either side of the compressed alleyway, cobblestone floors clattering under the soles of my thigh level shinobi sandals. Soon we would reach the courtyard again but before that I would voice but one other concern. "Where is it we will be headed first? To your homeland?" I only wished to know of my destination before embarking on the actual journey.

I kept up with his strides as we advanced, occasionally glancing at him from the corner of my sanguine sight. Each time I noted that his own eyes were elsewhere ~ presumably searching for someone, or thing. This continued on even after a vendor stopped us, offering a drink that smelled of honey. I accepted out of courtesy, and took lackadaisical sips from the cup as we continued on. The torches held by the wall were just as alive as the conversations they eavesdropped on. And soon, I began to suspect that my companion's head wasn't all here. "You're looking for the Doctor, aren't you?" That was the only individual I could think of that would have him ogling the crowd so hard.

We met the courtyard a matter of seconds later, that same indistinguishable fountain erupting with the liquid of life. For a moment I mused over it containing coins and thought it'd be nice to make a wish there. I thought to tug at Atlas's hand and pull him with me but the idea soon subsided ~ there were more substantial matters to attend to. To that end I began to seek out the Doctor too, for two sets of eyes were infinitely more effective than one. Besides, it couldn't be that difficult to find a guy wearing a mask in a crowd like this, right?

Wrong.
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[drift]

]

As my brother gunned down my dreams of capturing a village i pouted joking, he was probably right. There was no need to go shaking the hornets nest just yet. But by that word i knew war would come again soon, i could already hear the symphony of screams and shouts, smell the blood and decay of corpses. It was a beautiful thing, i had been faced long ago with a choice embrace war, violence and power, or fall before those who do. I had chosen the former and i never looked back. I twirled thrice in perfect movement smiling at my brother still listening intently.

I was most pleased to hear my brother state he would be using Kumogakures resources to benefit us, if he could do something like that i had no doubt in my mind he had become an important shinobi indeed. I made a mental note to ask him how far he'd gone, no doubt he'd gone and been as brilliant as always and became Kage. My brother the Raikage, a strange image indeed, he was a good man. And therein lay the problem, i hoped his emotions would not cloud his vision, no matter what had to be done. But there i saw the beauty, i could do what he could not.

As always my dear brother had things under control, i was certain he would know how best to deal with the Doctor, my talents were as a killer. And then quite unexpected he leant forward and asked me to come and live with him. 'Living with my brother in Kumogakure?' It was an alien thought, to think i had only just found he was still alive and here i was being asked to live with him. A few questions came to mind and i needed things answered before i gave my reply. Giving him a small smile i started.

"You want me to live with you?" This had caught me somewhat off guard. "It's funny isn't it, that's all i dreamt of when i was just a young naive girl and here we are now reunited. A crow fly's free brother, but it would be good to have a nest." I gave him one of my brightest smiles. "Tell me, you speak casually of using Kumogakure's resources to further our own ends, what rank are you now dear brother to make such a bold statement, quite unlike you, always so modest. Jonin? ANBU? My eyes would meet his for my final question. " Am i to be expected to join the ranks of Kumo nin?" I finished there, eager to see how my brother would reply.