In search of Kusagakure no Sato!

[kama]

Kusa no Kuni!

Finally a change of sightseen, quite an opposite one from the one they both used to have. Instead of the dominant brown color of the region, the green along with several spot of colors ruled all over this kingdom, as a sign of the type of life found in here.

"Should be in that direction"

The kunoichi announced while pointing at the nothing, at least it seemed that. According to her memory and what Coco showed her in the world map, Kusagakure no Sato shall be found in that direction, though without a map it would not be that easy to get to the village.

"Have you ever been in Kusa no Kuni?"

The lady gently asked, any additional information they might have about the region aside from the one found in books shall be of great aid.

Meanwhile, and if the conversation would continue, the pair shall continue their way onto where the village was supposed to be found, at least if nothing else would interrupt them.

[/blockquote]

[Superguest]

Kouhei was a bit disappointed by the kunoichi’s initial response. The Genin had been hopeful for insightful information. Hell, the shinobi had been expecting some serious evasion. What Kouhei had not expected at all was outright rejection. He understood that information was more important than any form of currency in their world, but he had been hoping that since he had shared so much of his own personal information that she would have been more forthcoming with his request for the same. After all the information that he had provided about his own abilities could be very well used against him and if the kunoichi were ever to fall into the hands of Iwagakure no Sato’s enemies they would undoubtedly find information concerning his bloodline of the upmost interest. All Kouhei was asking of her was a little information of the history of the village. He didn’t doubt that there might be some things in her own past concerning the village that she might not wish to talk about, but he hadn’t honestly expected for her to divulge anything that would be top secret. Even just a basic history lesson would have continued their conversation. Still Kouhei would have to restrain himself from probing further. If he pushed too much she could become suspicious thus shutting down completely and ruining any chance to become closer.

Kouhei was glad to hear that she had a more legitimate reason for not providing any insight to her past or the past of the village to her fellow squad member. The Genin was a little disappointed that Rosario did not even talk about what had kept her away from the village all this time, but at least he knew something. Rosario had not been around for the rise of Coco. Coco’s presence as Kage had probably been as much of a surprise to Rosario as it had been for Kouhei. It also explained why Kouhei had never seen or heard of Rosario until he was assigned in her squad. The young man wasn’t exactly certain what reasons could drive a person away from their village for so very long, but he was hoping that when enough time had passed Rosario would feel comfortable enough to clue Kouhei in to just what had happened to her in the time she had been away from Iwagakure no Sato. He was sure the reason would be informative. Kouhei’s mind wondered to the possibilities as he followed Rosario silently across the countryside. He was so busy contemplating her mysterious past that he hardly noticed the change of scenery as cragged rocks and earth faded to flowers and lush grass.

They were now in a land that reminded him of something he saw in a book he once read. Kouhei followed Rosario silently amazed by the sights. He was so engrossed by the massive display of flowers that he hardly registered the change of direction as Rosario directed them towards where she thought Kusagakure no Sato lay. Kouhei only seemed to snap back to reality when he heard the kunoichi’s question. He allowed himself a moment to really wake up and then said, ”No, I have never been here. In fact I have never even left the village.” Kouhei had the grace to look embarrassed as he blushed slightly and continued, ”I am afraid I am still a pretty green Genin. However, I won’t let that be a burden on the mission. Have you been here before Rosario-chan?” Kouhei was hoping that Rosario would let the informality slide since it would mean he was one step closer to befriending her. Kouhei did his best to stay alert now despite the growing desire to inspect his new surroundings for all the things not native to his own country.

[kama]

The gates?

And so, as the conversation continued and the journey as well the kunoichi will began to notice a sudden change of fauna and flora on the place, quite unusual even for kusa no kuni, getting more difficult to get pass, as if the country itself had anything to hide.

"Me neither, though there is always a first time"

And so, as they continued with their steps they will get closer to the village they were looking for, and according to the Tsuchikage's instructions they shohuld not be that far

"As for your previous questions"

She said while ending with a deep sigh, as if a long sentence would be about to be made.

"The war came and I got back to Iwagakure just after the devastation had invaded the village, soon, I left to look for answers since there was no one in the village capable to give me information about it... it was just a ghost town.

When I got back still, with my hands empty I realised that Iwagakure had a new Tsuchikage, though not for a long time since the very foolowing new I had was that a new election was made, Coco... In fact, the day we met, in that garden, was when I just met her, probably you will know about what happened than me"

She ended while gazing at the distance something kind of strange, something that would caught anyone's attention, that would be the gate to Kusagakure.

"However, in there, we may be able to get new information"

She ended while pointing at the gate found at the distance, the journey has come to an end and the mission itself as well.

[/blockquote]

[Superguest]

The luscious plant life that had so enamored Kouhei when he had first arrived in this country was quickly beginning to agitate him. The foliage which had started out manageable had begun to spring up, blocking his path whenever possible. Kouhei was familiar with this sort of defense. Iwagakure no Sato had its own form of natural defense against intruders. The village hidden in the stone lay past countless rock formations that held within it so many mazes that someone who did not know where he was going could easily get lost amongst them only to never find their way out. The plant life in this place must be much like the stone formations of his home. The Genin couldn’t be sure if the thick foliage just naturally grew to defend the village or if perhaps some shinobi or another didn’t help tend to it to ensure it would cause difficulty for any traveler trying to reach Kusagakure no Sato without a shinobi of the village acting as their guide. In a state of war there would probably be countless ways to die amongst this thick brush much like traps and shinobi hid among the rock formations to end the lives of any invaders for his own village. If difficulties did ever arise between this village and his own he would have to remember the dangers of this place.

Kouhei did his best to follow behind his Squad Leader despite the increasing difficulty to do so, courtesy of all the plant life. The Genin listened as Rosario informed him that she had never been to Kusa much like himself. A part of him felt relieved that they had something in common while another part of him felt dismayed. He was sure that eventually the two would find the village, but despite the Kage’s best instructions without someone to properly show them where the village was in person it could be quite some time before they uncovered the village gates and was able to make entry into the village proper. However, even that didn’t truly sadden him. The longer their journey took the more time the two would have to spend together which meant Kouhei would get even more chances to befriend this mysterious kunoichi. He couldn’t be certain that the two would ever be paired again to perform a mission in the future so Kouhei would need every chance he possibly got during this current mission to ensure that even if they never worked together again they would still keep in touch as friends.

The Genin quickly lost interest in his surroundings and the annoyance of the plants as all his attention zeroed in on Rosario. His attention focused completely on her as she began to tell him more about her past. He had asked for better insight into her life even if he hadn’t honestly thought she would give him much to go on. He was quiet pleased that she felt comfortable enough with him to share with him something of her past. Kouhei couldn’t help, but be a little saddened for her after listening to her story. It must have been difficult to return home and find it in such a state. Then to go out searching for answers only to find none and come home to such change once again. Such a thing would have a mental and emotional toll on anyone. Yet here the kunoichi was. No sooner had she come home to find so much change that she had left again out on a mission for a Kage she had only just met. Kouhei was proud to say he admired his Squad Leader. The Genin then followed her gesture spotting the gates in the distance and pleased they could leave the exhausting plant life behind.

Before they could proceed any further though Kouhei put a hand out halting their movement. He had the grace to look embarrassed as he turned to Rosario and spoke, "Before we reach the gates proper I was hoping you could answer a question for me. I don't mean to be rude here, but I want to make sure that if things get hairy in there I know just what to expect from you. I have no doubts that you are strong Rosario-chan, but just what is your talent as a shinobi? You know my own abilities. Without knowing yours I will have no way of knowing how to react if things go bad and I am forced to rely on you in a fight. In such a place possibly surrounded by enemies being able to coordinate and work together could be the key to survival." Kouhei felt bad for being so direct with her question, but he needed to know. Things were about to get real dangerous for them if the Kage was not right about relations between Kusa and Iwa. Kouhei would need to know how to support his fellow shinobi in battle if they were attacked.

[kama]

The gates?

With a hidden smile the kunoichi will turn to see the boy and spoke to him one last time before proceeding onto the village gates

"Well Kouhei... that is a conversation for another time"

She ended just before getting into Kusagakure's territory

[/blockquote]

[exit to gates]

[Superguest]

The young Genin had a lot on his mind while demanding some sort of answer from the kunoichi. The shinobi wasn’t exactly some sort of genius, but even he knew that strategy was the key to any real victory. Even when confronted with a larger force a smaller one can be victorious if the right tactics are utilized at the right time. He couldn’t promise that knowing what Rosario was capable of would make some sort of outstanding difference one way or another when the moment to fight came, but it wouldn’t hurt to know. If Kouhei’s actions could be modified even slightly to help cooperate with Rosario that would be enough to satisfy the young man’s curiosity. He felt a little bad asking like he had right before the gates of Kusagakure no Sato, but he didn’t have much choice. It was only out of a desire not to insult the other shinobi that he had refrained from asking sooner. Looking back on their trip thus far he realized that he should have asked when he had the best opportunity, at the chateau. If he had only asked her then after explaining his own abilities she would have been more inclined to answer. Kouhei could only hope that it wasn’t too late.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Kouhei’s fears would come to fruition. Kouhei’s eyes widened a little in surprise as Rosario merely smiled at him before dismissing the conversation for later and making her way towards the gates. In fact the young man was so taken back by the turn of the conversation that he had stopped moving for a minute and was no longer following her. His mind seemed to race as he contemplated why exactly she had not explained what she was capable of. It was possible that she had some sort of ability so dangerous that she couldn’t speak to it aloud, perhaps some sort of kinjutsu. Or maybe Rosario simply didn’t trust him yet. If her abilities were special like his own than she had all the reason in the world to fear telling him what she could do for the same reasons he had almost hesitated to tell her about his art. However, even then he had been hoping for some sort of answer. Despite all that he had had done to befriend her up to this point he couldn’t help, but be a little frustrated by her actions in that moment. The shinobi would get over it quickly enough, but it agitated him that he would be going into the situation without any knowledge of what she could do.

Kouhei shook his head fiercely trying to dislodge any bad thoughts about his Squad Leader. He was under her care it was not his job to question her decisions during this mission merely to follow them for as long as meant the success of the mission. Perhaps she would give him greater insight into her abilities later and simply wanted to get out from being in the open. Kouhei couldn’t be sure what her reasoning was behind refraining to tell him, but he wouldn’t find out what it was standing out in the middle of foreign country. The shinobi picked up the pace as he quickly made up the distance between himself and Rosario. This was not the time to start doubting his squad member. They would reach the gates and inform them that they were emissaries from Iwagakure no Sato. Hopefully they would not have to wait long before gaining entrance to the village. Perhaps while they waited she would tell him what he wanted to know.

[EXIT]