♥ iwagakure gateway

[daisy]

ideas have unhinged the gates of empires.

The gates to Iwagakure, although not as imposing and huge as the majority of defensive structures, the iwagakure gateway is none the less difficult to pass by. Although for almost everybody, simply passing through is no trouble, even those who must first be assessed by the guards, the few who try and storm through by force will find all sorts of unpleasantries waiting for them. Guarded by at least three jounin at all times, these shinobi are ruthless in their work.

Operated by levers inside the towers on either side, both are used in unison to open the gates, although the gates are rarely actually closed. Plenty of defensive mechanisms and traps can be activated by the shinobi on duty, and easily sprung on would-be invaders. Aside from the technical, the gates themselves are understated and old fashioned, a charming entrance to the village.

Gateway Guards ;

Guard Captain
Ebony

[kama]

To Kusagakure!

With a complete new outfit which consisted on a black ninja outfit, covering everything but her face, and with her silver hair properly tied the kunoichi shall await for the genin in question for the mission to begin. The long black boots of her outfits perfectly allowed her a complete movement, and the resistant silk of the suit shall perfectly hide her skin for the normal human sight. With every single accesory properly equipped (see bio) and well prepared, this mission, despite being considered as easy, shall not be taken slitghly.

[/blockquote]

[Superguest]

Kouhei didn’t have much need to prepare. As far as the Genin was concerned he just wanted to hurry up and leave the village. This was the first time ever he would be leaving the village and the fact that it was on business for the Tsuchikage herself made the whole affair all the more exciting. The young man couldn’t wait to see what interesting things comprised the rest of the world. The shinobi even found himself hopeful that he might make friends with some native citizen of Kusa no Kuni and the two of them would become pen pals sending one another letters as their friendship blossomed. Kouhei was often filled with dreams such as this one. Kouhei never had many friends growing up. Something about being able to produce bomb from living mouths in his hands tended to put people off. A lot of parents refused to let their children play with him out of fear that he might purposely or accidentally hurt their children. Kouhei could understand their trepidation so try as he might he couldn’t blame them for his loneliness, but he was lonely nonetheless. Part of the reason he had become a shinobi was in order to make friends. He was hoping that this mission might be the start of obtaining that goal.

Despite the fact that Kouhei had been convinced he had everything he needed when leaving the hanging gardens it had turned out that there was some last minute packing. Kouhei was forced to scramble through his apartment with some haste as he did his best to seek out any clay he could bring along on the mission and some standard supplies that could be useful . They were probably going to be away from the village for at least a couple weeks if not longer and Kouhei wasn’t too certain of the kindness of strangers out there beyond the village. To be on the safe side he would be bringing some dry rations and some other supplies to ensure if they had to camp out under the stars they could be well protected from the elements. The clay was only a precaution. Kouhei trusted that the Kage would have warned them if they were entering possible enemy territory. If the Tsuchikage believed they were in no danger in this mission they probably wouldn’t be. However, it wouldn’t reflect very well on him if they were indeed confronted by an enemy and Kouhei was useless in the fight because he did not bring the one thing that allowed him to perform his art.

After about an hour of scavenging for supplies around his apartment Kouhei was finally ready and he set out for the gates of their village, the meeting place he decided upon with his Squad Leader. The trek to the gates was far shorter than the time he had wasted to prepare himself for the journey. When he finally arrived at the gates he noticed that his Squad Leader was already waiting for him. The Genin hoped that she hadn’t been waiting too long for him. He didn’t want to start their relationship off to a bad start because he had kept her waiting and annoyed at the gates for a while. Kouhei cleared his throat as he approached signifying his appearance. He had no doubt that someone who could be his Squad Leader would have already noticed him coming, but he decided this was the more courteous option than just appearing. He gave a small bow to her as a show of his respect and then said, ”I am really sorry for holding you up. Turns out I wasn’t nearly as ready for the trip as I had thought when we last spoke at the Gardens. I hope you weren’t waiting for me for too long. I have never left the village so I will be following your lead. I am sure between the two of us this mission will go off without a hitch.”

[kama]

To Kusagakure!

The shinobi finally arrived, now the mission has officially started. With things well packed and the letter for the Kusakage hidden beneath the kunoichi's pocket, Rosario shall turn around to see the just arrived genin.

"No need to apologize, betterr be late and ready than never be ready"

The silver haired girl stated, with an arm movement, as an invitation to come with her, the lady began to walk through the gates making her way to the land of earth, the first step to get to Kusagakure.

[/blockquote]

[exit to land]

[Superguest]

Kouhei was insurmountably relieved when the other shinobi regarded him and informed him that she wasn’t upset in the least in the fact that he was late. It had probably been a little unreasonable for him to worry so much about it, but when it came to making friends he just couldn’t help himself. The Genin always managed to worry over the littlest things and his efforts to make up for those worries tended to only drive people further away. The shinobi saw making friends as a very precarious balancing act, one that he simply had no talent in. He can only hope that during this mission he would have enough chances to befriend his superior that it would more than make up for his poor skills in the area of making friends. It was never quiet that easy for him, but Kouhei always managed to stay hopeful and this mission wasn’t going to change that. The Genin allowed himself a moment to mull over in his mind just what he was going to say next to his Squad Leader. He wasn’t sure when exactly they were leaving for Kusagakure no Sato and a part of him wanted to ask more about her before they left.

Unfortunately, Kouhei was once again robbed of the opportunity to get on better terms with the woman as she motioned for her to follow him and then proceeded to leave. Kouhei hadn’t exactly been prepared for their sudden departure. Oh sure he knew they were leaving, but he was expecting some sort of pep talk, maybe even a laydown of the rules while he was within her squad. He was certainly expecting more than a body motion and then their departure. Perhaps he was expecting too much from her. Kouhei had never really been part of a squad before so he didn’t exactly have any previous experience that would have prepared him for this day. For all he knew that was the way every Squad Leader in Iwagakure no Sato acted. Something told him that was probably not the case, but since he had no way to argue the point he was just going to have to live with it for now. Perhaps her silent demeanor was simply a defense mechanism. Something she had constructed so the harsh life of a shinobi would not hurt her. Kouhei would like that; it meant that there was a softer side that Kouhei could reach with perseverance. Kouhei would remain hopeful that she was truly friendlier after getting to know her.

Kouhei had allowed himself to get lost in his own thoughts for so long that by the time he had snapped out of it his Squad Leader had already put some distance between he and her. Kouhei silently cursed at his failure to notice and did one last check on his persons. The inexperienced Genin made sure he had everything he thought he could need on this mission. He wasn’t too sure what they would find and the worst thing a shinobi could be in this sort of situation was unprepared. After feeling that he had everything he could possibly need he mentally prepared himself for the journey and began to make quick pace to catch up to the other ninja. As he ran after her his mouth quirked in a smile as the excitement of everything that was occurring began to ripple through his body. He muttered to himself as he caught up, ”Let the mission growing grass commence!” Kouhei then went silent as they went beyond the border of the gates doing his best to think of something he could say that would make his Squad Leader open up some.

[EXIT]

[daisy]

I marched out of the gates, pausing only briefly to admire their brand new architecture. We'd done terribly well. I smiled up at the ever stoic Ebony, before continuing on my way, out into the country. Rosa had actually done rather well, this time. It had taken a great many questions, to a great many people to gather this information. Not to mention the many scrolls and books i'd pored over into the small hours of the morning. Not my usual style, of course, but for such a treasure, it was more than worth it.

I wasn't entirely sure just how well i'd manage, but if our sources proved correct, it was within my ability to obtain the item. The problem with such mythical things though, was that sources didn't always prove correct. Second hand rumours, legends passed down through families. It was hard to find solid information. Regardless, i was going to do my utmost. Farewell for now, Iwagakure dear!

[exit to country!]

[King]

With nothing left for the pair, Ashura and Kirino made their way out from the boundaries of Iwagakure.

[ Exit Ashura and Kirino ]

[Messatsu!]

After days and hours of tedious travel, Masuyo finally arrived at at Iwagakure gates with only 15 meters of of space separating them. At the time, there seemed to be no gate guards around, at least from what Masuyo had initially seen. It'd been quiet, abnormally so, however, Masuyo sudden outburst sliced through the silence with a single sentence.

"Uhm. . .hello? i-is anyone there?"

[daisy]

♥; Guard Captain, Ebony

She frowned, looking over her glasses, perched atop the wall. The walkway between the two tower protrusions was thin, but she preferred to sit.
"...Yes?" She drawled, crossing her legs. It wasn't too often that foreign shinobi approached the gates to Iwa, and as such, there was little protocol. The captain simply did as she pleased. Regardless, she wasn't the type to volunteer information, or indeed, any words at all. She'd wait and see what the man wanted.

[Messatsu!]

That day, Masuyo Kekkai relinquished all ties as a shinobi, as far as he and anyone else knew, he'd been nothing more than a mere traveler with an unusual thirst for knowledge. He had no headband, no weapons, or even any items that could have possibly labeled him as a 'ninja'. Nevertheless, he refused to wait an overly long time to answer the woman's one worded question.

"My name is Shiju Hajime, a traveler and cultural anthropologist from Tonzaku Gai. I simply request your blessing to gain access the sea of knowledge that lies behind these gates. I'd like to make this village and country my home for some time to learn and document its history and culture as I have a great many other places. "

[daisy]

♥; Guard Captain, Ebony

Curious. He seemed harmless enough, and Ebony didn't doubt the Tsuchikage would adore the presence of one interested in their culture. He was from a city in the land of fire, a place they'd have no relations with in the past. Waving her hand lazily, two masked shinobi leaped down from the gates, landing on either side of the man.
"May they search you? Simply procedure." The captain explained. She seemed entirely unconcerned with the whole process. The man would likely gain entry, due to the Tsuchikage's rather lenient protocol regarding the whole thing.
"I'd be correct in assuming you possess no shinobi talents?" She asked, as an afterthought.

[Messatsu!]

Quickly, she asked if her guards could follow through with a search, respectful that she asked, however, Masuyo knew that he had no true say in the matter. Knowing that, he merely went with the flow and allowed it to happen. They searched him, thoroughly, knowing specifically what to look for and where, however, considering all items on his person were left behind as he headed south. The only possible item the could've found was a kunai whose handle was wrapped in parchment paper, but not of the same thread as exploding notes, just, regular paper. However, one this paper had a black design sprawled across its surface, which, Shiju had no idea what it was or could do. By then, the woman's following question arrived, and naturally, Masuyo responded earnestly.

"Yes, I am not a shinobi. Honestly I've never been quite fond of their ways, but, as many other things in this world, I must tolerate their existence. "

[Jae]

SPOILER: Click to show

Time wise, this experience takes place after my interaction with Sachi.

My time in the destitute province of Tsuchi no Kuni was rewarding, having come in contact with an individual worthy of receiving Lord Apollo's blessing. Still, I'd yet to come in contact with a worthy sacrifice to support our cause.

Yet as I returned from my expedition, beating down a path that I'd familiarized myself with over the years, I halted to determine from my distance (32 yards) whether these individuals were friend or foe. Veins bulged at my temples, my amygdala

And instantly all became clear. Ebony and her staff of guardians were being precautious as always -- they often searched and questioned me due to my dislike of brandishing the village's gaudy headbands -- and do some degree I enjoyed it.

This other person, however, did not seem familiar and growing up as a child burdened by strict schedules and routine procedure, I never liked surprises. Due to my curiosity, I slightly increased my pace and my analysis of the foreign male left me suspicious despite lacking any insight on his motives. When I'd finally reached^* the guard captain and the unknown (20 yards from behind) I halted. Apparently I had missed his introduction as I could hear Guard Captain Ebony inquiring about his talent.

"I'd be correct in assuming you possess no shinobi talents?"

My presence could have easily have been recognized given our meager distances apart but any outstanding features other than my skin color would be much harder to interpret.

His answer, however, astonished me and brought an almost insidious smile to my face.

"He's lying, Guard Captain Ebony," I shouted from afar. She would undoubtedly recognize my voice after countless interactions we'd both shared. "This man is proficient in Doton, Suiton, Ototon, and Fuuton!"

"Just who are you, shinobi," I instigated, shedding a warranted emphasis on the title.

edited: formatting, grammar, punctuation. 1:20 pm

SPOILER: Click to show

Byakugan ^Mid

• Sogensenshi (Chakra Nature)

SPOILER: Click to show

^* The distance from which I could hear them.

[daisy]

♥; Guard Captain, Ebony

Although the search turned up nothing but a few kunai, hardly anything worth worrying about, the arrival of a familiar face turned up rather more about the foreigner's answers. Lying, hmm? Entrance to the village was unlikely to be granted now. Ebony knew of Ares' eyes, and trusted them far more than this man's mere word.
"An explanation?" She asked lazily, not moving an inch from her position perched on the wall.

She rather doubted she'd be granted with one, waving her shinobi to return to their positions on the wall. What she was more interested in, now that it was unlikely the man would gain entry, was Ares' actions. He was granted slight leeway, in that he was an associate with the Tsuchikage, but even had that not been the case, the woman wouldn't interfere in his dealings with a liar.

[Messatsu!]

A quick glance was cut towards the newly arrived man, looking back over his own shoulder to catch a glimpse of his appearance and position. He stood quite a ways away, however, it hadn't been anything overly far. Without warning he blurted out the knowledge of releases Masuyo wielded, thus exposing his identity as a shinobi. Moments later, the woman who initially addressed Masuyo demanded an explanation, which, at this point, she deserved.

"Sigh. Yes I lied, but only because I was once a shinobi, but no more. I abandoned that life long ago, and as you can see, other than that single kunai, i've nothing else on me that could possibly warrant any hostile actions. I only said I wasn't because truthfully, we all know had you known I once was an active ninja, gaining access to this place's plethora of information and history would've been nigh impossible. So, me being a shinobi has been the only lie told here, my intentions for being here were the truth, however, now I'm more than certain that I won't be allowed access. Not now. . . "

He looked towards the woman as he began to speak and then back towards the man to his rear as he paused.

"However, if allowed, I will simply leave you and your comrade (jae) and never return. Continuing to fulfill my job can easily be done elsewhere."

His heart raced in anticipation for the woman's response as his attention fell completely upon her yet again.