Judgement

[Akihiko]

The hooded figure whom cast such hateful words towards his beloved cousin seemed to hit her harder than any other, and the kagehebi's attentive gaze quickly noticed her sudden change in expression. Without a doubt, this man held greater meaning to her than any of the other individuals amongst the village, and response derived from a place of anger. Anger in his betrayal, and anger that flourished from the support she had given, and the lack thereof she had received. While his own words, derived from a place of mistrust, at the same time he felt the pain in her eyes. As a leader, it is truly horrifying to bear witness to the disgust of your people, and furthermore the disgust of those you value more than anything. To keep face, was impressive, and Mugen could at least acknowledge her for that—it was more than apparant that she'd put great consideration into her words.

Although he felt the empathy of her words, his mistrust was persistant, as man who gave trust when earned. She had undoubtedly earned his trust, but he could not say the same for her lover. "Ah, but a ssstorm nonethelesss. And mistrussst hasss ssstemmed from your actionsss...do not use our foreseeable outrage as a scapegoat to the eventsss that await usss," he responded, speaking in a clear and calm tone that fell upon every ear. Perhaps she'd been blinded by her affection, but, while he doubted her decisions as a ruler: his loyalty to Kusagakure remained resolute. "While I doubt your decision, I have sssworn my loyalty to Kusssagkure, and will protect the village regardlesss of the box you've opened," Mugen explained, placing emphasis on the fact that his loyalty was sworn to people of Kusagakure, rather than its leader.

His intent, was no more than to ensure the safety of his village, and he had no intent of permitting the interference of politics. Should another strike out against their formidable walls, he'd stand along side these two monsters, and fight with cause. However, his thoughts were soon interupted by the presence of another atop the balcony, and all at once I felt the weight of aura. As explanations calmly fell from his lips, his confidence and intelligence seemed to soothe the crowd, enacting silence as he spoke. The symbolism of his act, disgarding armour into a pile well beneath the balcony, had meant that he'd easily forfeit his title for the wellbeing of his beloved. It was only now that he could see why his father, Minakami Shu, shared a friendship with this man. He was equally powerful, both in his presence and in his words, however, that was not enough to warrant the shinobi's loyalty.

"My father may trussst you, however, I must sssee the worth of your wordsss before I can ss'say the sssame. Only through your actionsss, will you clear our doubt, and I hope for the sssake of this village, that you are asss "changed" asss you claim to be," Isao mused, hinting at his true identity. But as a feeble Genin stood so easily to defend her kage, and express the disgust in her fellow shinobi, it clearly illustrated her naivety. To dwell in such fantasies was childish, and the reality of this is, that the world is a very cruel and unforgiving place. People change in a heart beat, and die before they truly live. She had completely ignored the facts, justifying her defense on the innocence of a child. But the truth of the matter is, that if the great shinobi villages deem Kouketsu a threat, there'd be no home or safehaven for that innocence to thrive. It's life, would indefinitely be surrounded and consumed by violence and hatred. Fate is undeniable for most, but perhaps she'd carress this child with loving hands—it was all he could hope, for it had become clear that tension was rising in the world. As of late, war was brewing, and shinobi attacked one another in aims to triumph. Peace is a figment of imagination, and with power, destruction is likely to ensue.

^{— !!}

[spade]

"It's not his presence but his experience" they were all clouded by ignorance, not seeing what good this could easily bring this village. "This man has participated in more battles than any of us in this village, he can help train our forces, and help prepare for attacks from other villages. Are you really all that scared? To not trust the one person who brought this village back from ruins, you'd be willing to turn your back on her just like that?"

These people surely surprised me, all these ninja that swore their allegiance to this village, and her leader, just turn their back on her like it was nobodies business. Like Blanche went on to say, the village's worst enemy is ourselves.

I began to ponder whether or not Kouketsu would make an appearance, but that speculation was sent to the grave once he came forward standing side to side with Blanche. He had a nice little speech which "swayed" a few people's hearts, including the snake dude.

It was hilarious how once Kouketsu came out, the people decided they were going to stay because they swore their allegiance, and yet a few moments earlier they were saying how terrible of a thing it was to have Kouketsu in our village.

"I'll be forever by your side, Miss Kusakage." I shouted, hoping this meeting would end soon. I wanted to go home and relax.

[Krethean]

At the appearance of the man of the hour, Kouketsu, Ujiyasu's psychological chills almost hit freezing. The man who cause so much destruction... so much hell... so much fear. The man who could very well drive every nation to unite in order to kill him. That man was here... for real.

Ujiyasu was no sensor, but he didn't need to in order to feel that man's presence, his power. There was just no denying it: Kouketsu was here.

After Kouketsu said his piece, and systematically stripped himself of his armour, people began to speak up some more. Most were against this union, while there were some supporters. Ujiyasu however, simply didn't know what what to think of this. He figured that he better voice his opinions on this. After all, it was likely Blanche would summon him to her office later if he didn't... and knowing he could be there unsettled him greatly.

"The people here are terrified, myself included... and rightly so. There is no denying the sheer destruction you brought to the world Kouketsu. Because of the impact you've had on this world, everyone is scarred by it. Simply saying you have changed just isn't enough."

Ujiyasu looked at the "Conqueror", his fear was present but he mustered as much willpower as possible to keep himself together and voice his thoughts.

"I'd like to believe that you have changed. Knowing that one of the most feared people that walked this land has stopped being a warlord and willing to have a more peaceful life... or at least as peaceful a life as a Shinobi, or someone as infamous as you could get, would be a blessing. Doubly so for choosing Kusagakure as your home. There are many who could benefit from your experiences. But words just can't tell me that someone of your stature would abide by them. And clearly they aren't able to convince most of the people here either."

He then turned to Blanche, his leader, speaking up again.

"As leader of this village, I honesty hope you knew what you were getting yourself into. Things like this are dangerous not just for yourself and those close to you, but for everyone. Some people are irrational, and I don't doubt that some of the other villages would raze this village to the ground out of fear. Letting a matter of the heart determine the fates of every single life in these walls... hell, this entire country is an insane gamble. For everyone's sakes I hope this gamble paid off Lady Kusakage."

Having said his piece, Ujiyasu gave a respectful bow... after all, there was no need to throw protocol to the wind

"I will place some trust in this. II can't say I will blindly follow this to the depths of hell, but you are the Kusakage. It is my duty to keep this village safe, and I will do everything I can to ensure it remains so, and if Kouketsu indeed does intend to protect Kusagakure, his home, then I won't object. I would welcome him for it."

Hearing Kasumi lamblast everyone for not thinking about the child, Ujiyasu turned to her and walked to her, speaking to her directly, rather than calling out to her. There's no need to do that now anyway.

"I don't think the child is the problem here Kasumi-san. It's more the parents, the father in particular. There may be stigma because of what the father has done, but if he truly plans on being the father he seemingly wants to be, then it would be a good idea for him to try and foster trust with the people. This man ravaged the world with his might, and unless it's clear he has changed, his child would carry the sins of the father for the rest of his life."

"Nobody had a problem when they learned the Kusakage was pregnant, but Kouketsu has scarred everyone so badly that he's indirectly made his child's life much harder. He must know this, which is why he came here. Starting to earn trust after being villified for so long would be incredibly difficult."

He gave her a nod before he looked back at his leader and her partner, his face still showed considerable uncertainty about the situation.

"Not everyone can think about this without factoring in what Kouketsu has done. Everyone else can only see the man who plunged the world further into chaos. He inflicted more than just physical wounds on everyone... he has instilled fear into everyone. His child will bear that same fate that Kouketsu has to deal with unless he can convince the people. Once the child is born and growing up, it'll be up to the child to break free of his father's sins. If they can both do that... then there will be no doubt in my mind that they will both be accepted. Here at the very least."

Ujiyasu ran his hand through his lion's mane of hair, exhaling deeply. This was getting more and more complicated.

[Apple]

What had just occured was exactly what I'd been anticipating. I stood still upon the balcony, and from the corner of my eye, after my insides briefly twisted upon picking up on such a strong current of chakra coming close, I came to notice the armored man himself coming to my side. Although, during this entire process, despite my eyes momentarily flicking to the Uchiha to confirm that it was indeed him, I quickly moved back to station my gaze on the crowd before me, who had, before his appearance, become quite stirred from the news that I'd delivered to them. I'd anticipated it, however, I stood now composed as ever, despite Kouketsu's sudden appearance, my eyes studious as I looked around each person before me. However - instead of speak, I simply listened as silence began to fall on the people as Kouketsu began to speak. I had since become acquainted with his sudden arrival, and despite the thick veil of chakra that followed him, it was usually no more stirring than a soft breeze. But with them - chances are they'd never even seen him in their life - or only seen him on the battlefield, scathed in blood and guts. I'd never seen him before the kage summit that had been held numerous months ago - but I'd hated him. Not for his involvement in the second shinobi war particularly, but moreso what I believed for him to have done to my brother during that time. But I'd forgiven him, in a way. And as he spoke now to the crowd, I was sure that his presence and the weight behind his words would easily sway the harshest of opinions. I knew, of course, that there would still be a few who disbelieved the entire situation - that this was all a danger to the entire village - but I wouldn't let anything like that happen to the place that I loved. Piece by piece his armor dropped over the barrier of the balcony, and it was clear to me that it was more symbolic than anything. A clever action, my hand soon came in to contact with his own as our fingers locked, and in response I turned to pay another gaze to him, only to catch him looking back at me in such a gentle way, and I could only in response give him a small, trying smile, before looking back to the villagers.

"It makes me sick that so many of you would turn your backs on her because of something that she has no control over."

And then - a familiar voice chimed from the crowd, causing me to focus my attention on where it had come from, to see the girl I'd spoken to merely a few days ago - who I'd terrified with the intense chakra signal that emitted from me. Long red hair flowed from the top of her head, and she was quite noticeable from that trait alone, alike my own hair which had become even more eye-catching as of late. The crowd, despite starting to speak amongst eachother again, seemed to focus on the girl as she spoke, and so did I - and surely Kouketsu as well. She seemed to be intent on defending not only I, but Kouketsu and our child, which was, in a way, touching, to compare with how horrified she'd acted before me upon our first meeting. My gaze was fixed on her, and as she started to speak of her loyalty, the smallest, but perhaps the most genuine of smiles begun to lace upon my lips. I knew that I had an ally in Esei, but it was comforting to know that there were others as well who believed the same thing.

"..You are my Kusakage, and because of all that you have done for us, for all you have been through with us, I believe in you,"

A soft bow of my head as a notion of thanks.

But, despite the nature of her words and how they had reassured me slightly, the meeting wasn't over yet. The same raspy voice made its mark again, as its owner begun to speak in response to what had happened - what had just been said by not only I, but Kasumi as well, and Kouketsu's appearance and his choice of words and actions to propose to the village. "Perhaps you may not trust this choice - but have you not trusted me up until now? Have I not proved enough to you that my intentions remain for the benefit of Kusagakure? When I admit; this is a choice based on my own needs - do you truly believe that I'd allow him to set foot in this village if he posed a threat?" I inquired. Did he, and the rest of the village really think that I'd be as idiotic as to allow him in to the village if he was as dangerous as they made him out to be ? I knew he'd changed, and with so much for him to lose if he did choose to break past this boundary, I was sure that he wouldn't dare defy me. But then again - I didn't think that he would. Despite all that had happened in the past, I trusted him. And I trusted him with my people. But despite the words that the boy had to say in his almost snakelike tone, I appreciated that he still aimed to protect his village above everything. Perhaps his trust for me had been lost - but trust for the village remained firm, which in a situation like this, was more than I could ever ask for. Akatome had since fallen silent, and over this meeting - over the last few weeks of not seeing him, I could only worry for what future was to come over him. I needed to speak to him. "I would never bring danger to the village - not for you, or anyone."

But my words would surely fall upon deaf ears for the most part. It seemed as if a good proportion of the crowd had already formed their opinion on what was happening; but it was up to me to change that, and I was determined to do so. I couldn't something as trivial as mistrust to tear my village from the seams as it seemed so dangerously close to at the moment. Kouketsu was a dangerous man when he wished to be - I was sure of that. But his dedication to both me and our child transferred over to the village - our home. He posed no threat - but then the only knowledge of Kouketsu Uchiha these people has was not the one that I had and what I knew, but the impression that he was still the bloodthirsty tyrant that he had been several years ago. It was quite tragic, really. I was fortunate in the sense that I didn't know the majority of the village before I'd restored it. I was sure that if they chose to look back at me several years ago, they'd be fearing similar things as they did now. I'd been so.. wild. I could remember ramming a blade in to the back of a target and ripping my hand in to the fresh, bloody corpse and screaming. But I'd changed - but to what extent? Was I truly as much of a danger to the village as they believed Kouketsu to be? I didn't particularly want them to know - but it was true. I hadn't destroyed villages, but I'd done things that they would surely disbelieve if I told them. The Kusakage? A psychopath? I wasn't ashamed to call myself the word, at times.

Esei's voice soon debuted itself to the forum that had been created, and I listened in intently to his words, a similar appreciative gaze in his direction for his sworn loyalty. I knew already that I could trust him - so his words weren't needed, but it was for the crowd, I was sure - to know that I wasn't alone in my attempts to break the stereotype that had been formed to the uchiha who stood by my side now, my fingers gently caressing his hand, perhaps in an attempt to not comfort only him, but myself, too. Another familiar voice through the crowd, despite being somewhat more .. unsure than the others. Despite this, I moved my attention over to the person who began to speak - Ujiyasu. Another chuunin of whom I'd spoken to not so long ago upon his promotion to chuunin. He was a good person; a boy with a good head on his shoulders - and as he spoke, his concern for the village was clear, which was admirable, but I wanted more than anything to prove - to show to the village that I didn't mean any harm to any of them. "You're all safe, I promise." I spoke as a soft breeze rolled through the village. There was little that I could say that wouldn't be a reworded way of saying what I'd already told them - that there was nothing to fear except for their own minds and the things that they could channel from that. Kouketsu meant no harm - and if anything did happen to the village, then I was going to sort it out myself whether or not my life depended on it. But despite how well-meaning I was sure Ujiyasu was, how I knew he was, as the crowd lay silent and I saw him now speaking to the red-haired genin, what I could overhear him say next stirred me when he spoke of the child and the sin that it would have to carry merely through being the child of both myself and Kouketsu, and I made it clear in the way that I spoke my next few words firmly, my free hand positioning itself on the front of my distended stomach, whilst the other held tightly on that of Kouketsu's. A wild gleam of blue came from my eyes.

Alike a fierce lioness protecting her cub; I wouldn't let disgusting people ruin the life of my child.
This moment of anger distracted me from everything else.




"Children are born sinless."

"It's the people around them who would even think to burden a child with the wrongdoings of its parents that are the true purveyors of sin."


I roared, such words directed not only at Ujiyasu, but the entire crowd.
And for good reason.

[/justify][/font][/blockquote]

[NARRATOR]

Kouketsu remained as the denizens of Kusagakure replied, only to be followed by Blanche's own voice. The grip upon her hand tightened as she spoke, silently letting her know that he supported every syllable being ushered past her lips. It was as simple as that. She had enough faith in him to believe he'd changed - that he'd become a better man. This was the least he could do, both for her and their unborn child; be there to withstand the ridicule their union was taking from people who, despite their self-proclaimed knowledge, knew nothing. He'd bit his tongue long enough, but it was time to set the record straight. These people needed to know how sorely they were mistaken; how misguided their opinions, fostered by nothing short of horror stories, truly were.

"Regardless of what any of you say, or how much you think you know about me," he spoke merely a second after Blanche had finished her statement, "None of you have even the slightest clue what you're talking about. You say that you require proof that I am a changed man? That I am not the monster you believe me to be? Do you think that the Kouketsu you think you know would even be having this conversation with any of you?" Glancing through the crowd, he eyed all those who spoke ill of his name. "In your fear, you blabber about my power -- about what I've done. Do you not think that a man capable of bringing every nation to its knees couldn't take what he wants from your Kusagakure, be it your Kage or your life? Honestly?"

His expression was unamused. "All of you are reciting nothing but horror stories; word of mouth passed down by those who survived the Second War. None of you have seen what I am capable of," he breathed coolly. "And none of you ever will. Atrocities were committed on both sides of that war, but because I was victorious it is only my name that is marred with the blood of my enemies. And honestly, I couldn't care less." He'd never begged for forgiveness - not even from his own family, and he wasn't about to start now. "I've given you my word that I will not harm you, your friends or family, and protect you from those who do seek such actions. But, I will not go out of my way to prove this to you; I will not bend backwards; I will not beg. I have lived peacefully among you people for months--well before Blanche's pregnancy --without having so much as stirred the slightest issue. That, itself, is all the proof you need."

His grip tightened, lovingly. "Believe what you will."

[Nickito]

"If you truly believe that a child is responsible for the actions of its father, then I don't know if I can be on your team any longer," Kasumi said, turning to face the man whose voice she recognized so clearly, whose words began to reflect his icy abilities so closely. "I think it would be detrimental to learn from someone as misguided as you clearly are," she added angrily, her voice almost like a whisper. Though she was not stupid or innocent enough to believe that people wouldn't hold Kouketsu's actions against his and Blanche's child, she knew that it was wrong in every possible way, and she knew that she would do anything to convince others of that truth. Though she had been directly addressing Ujiyasu, her voice was loud for most everybody that stood in that place to hear, and her volume was intentional. She was going to have another moment.

"Not everybody is blessed enough to be born to parents who have no trace of scandal, no past to plague their existence each and every day. People's hands get dirty, whether it is done maliciously or defensively. As shinobi, we should all be well aware of that fact," Kasumi began. "The fact that some of you seem to think that a child that has yet to be born will be just like its father is horrible, and to add insult to injury, you hate it for what you think it will bring into the world, when it hasn't even had a chance to prove you wrong. You imply that our Kusakage is the one that is short-sighted for bringing such a man to live within our borders, but truly, it is all of you that are short-sighted for condemning a child that hasn't even taken its first breath!" she exclaimed, her voice having grown louder and more intense with each word she spoke.

"I was unfortunate enough to grow up beneath the shadows cast by my parents actions, and I wouldn't wish that hell upon anybody. To live in fear and misery each and every day is a truly horrible thing, and to force that on a child is unforgivable in my eyes," Kasumi explained, her eyes growing watery but staying at bay. "Yes, Kouketsu has done horrible things in the past," she said, looking up at him momentarily. "But I'm sure that everyone that stands in this crowd isn't completely innocent either. Everyone has done their share of things that they regret, that they wish they could take back. Whether or not Kouketsu feels such remorse or not, I don't know. What I do know is that he did those things before this child was ever a thought, and long before it ever began to grow. This child is more innocent than any of us, so who are we to judge it?" A deep breath was her only pause before continuing.

"I'm not thrilled about Kouketsu living here either, but the thing that separates me from so many of you is that my faith in Blanche isn't as conditional as yours. She is a person that is vulnerable to the same feelings as we are. Just because she is our leader does not mean that she should cut her heart out and forsake love, and it does not make her any less of a human being than the rest of us. If you think that she should conform to your ideals of what a leader should be and sacrifice more than she already has for us, then you should take a step back and truly think about the kind of person that you are before going around and judging her."

[Sorry, not that great of a post lol]

[Krethean]

Ujiyasu shook his head at Kasumi , while Blanche's words shot out in a defensive tone. He was sure that the Kusakage didn't hear him properly, but Kasumi might well have misinterpreted what he said. Perhaps he was terrible at explaining things after all. His eyes seemed a little colder as he spoke to Kasumi, as the situation here had begun to anger him. Both sides don't seem to realise the points the other side was making, and clearly him trying to point things out automatically lumped him with the opposition.

People can be downright frustrating.

"Not once did I say I would blame her child. I was simply explaining to you what people as a whole would think. Fear makes people irrational, as you're seeing here. Our line of work as shinobi tend to make us paranoid about lies and deception. The people are concerned and are utterly terrified. Lady Kusakage is right when she said that people burdening her child with what both parents have done is horrible, because what has the child done? Nothing but being born. The thing is, most people don't care about it. They want someone to blame, they want to hate something when things happen. It doesn't matter to people who or what it is. It's this reason that we can never have peace... because everyone wants something or someone to blame."

To him, that's the crux of the matter. He knew that the other villages were obsessed with power. He experienced it from just their Genin when he was almost killed at the Chuunin Exams. In a way he was similar, because he hated this chaos and blamed it for how the people in general were suffering, especially in a place like Kusa no Kuni, where the other nations used it as a battleground for the other nations' wars. With Kouketsu here, other nations will know that power has shifted to Kusagakure... and they will not like it.

"I also know what it's like to live with decisions parents have made in the past." He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly as he talked to his student. "There hasn't been a day that went by where I wonder when Oinin would arrive to try and claim my head. Even when I was a wilder person all that time ago."

He opened his eyes and looked right at her's.

"My parents fled Yuki no Kuni and came here before I was born. From what I hear the government over there is somewhat dictatorial and somewhat tyrannical. They aren't concerned about the people as much. I may be born and raised in Kusa... but I hold abilities and genetics of someone from Yuki no Kuni. Secrets other villages would just love to pry from me in any way. Or would love to force me to work for them or would kill to get rich. I like Kusa... it is my home, but I have to live with the consequences of my parent's actions forever. It will be no different to their child. It hasn't done anything, but because of others it would suffer."

"That said... I never hated my parents. They are a huge reason why I wanted to be a shinobi."

He looked at Kouketsu once more, having heard his claim that he had been among them for months. A small smile could be seen on his face before he spoke up again to the duo on the balcony.

"I see. Then welcome to Kusakagure Kouketsu. Most people probably wouldn't say it, but I will. Perhaps some time soon we might be able to have a drink, talk about things, possibly as friends. Maybe learn from you as well."

He knew his words just now would shun him from the majority of the village... but he was used to such treatment since he was a rowdy child.

He looked at Kasumi and spoke once more to her.

"If you want to leave the team, then I won't stop you. But know that a shinobi cannot put their heart before their duty. It is fine to be in love... we aren't people who fear passion and consider it evil... but if it causes a major catastrophe, then they shouldn't be in a position where countless lives are at stake. I am sure Lady Kusakage knew this... and I truly hope her gamble paid off. I am sure the other villages won't see anything good from this."

"If you still wish to remain on the team, then I will need you and Aramlyis to meet up with me at the Grassforge. We are going to step up your training, and do many missions to prepare for the inevitable."

He may have been recently promoted to Chuunin, but even an Academy Student or a civilian would know that war was coming to Kusagakure once again. With the people divided it's possible that this would weaken the village, which others would seize the chance to strike.

The slight blood stain on his hands will likely become much larger soon. All for the sake of peace.

[spade]

I had nothing else to say, my allegiance to this village and it's leader have been proven time and time again. The only reason I remained stationed in the same spot I had been for the past half an hour or so was because I didn't want to be rude and leave before this meeting ended.

I just couldn't believe that people were going to blame the baby for the things it's parents did, what was wrong with some of these individuals? Were they really saying a kid who has yet to make one significant step in this word is the one at fault here? I couldn't believe I knew some of the people and still associated with them to this day.

Did these people really think that if Kouketsu hadn't changed, he would have let them stand there and insult Blanche like that?

[Apple]

And now - it was my turn again to take silence as to my side, Kouketsu began to speak. My eyes now instead directed distantly towards the armor on the floor, I focused myself on what he was explaining to the crowd, and despite the controversy that surely surrounded his sudden appearance - questions as to how long exactly he'd been ready for - I was glad that he'd turned up. I was sure that I could handle the crowd myself, but despite the fact that I had allies in both Kasumi, Esei, and surely a few other accepting people within the village, it was nice to know that he was prepared to stand up for not only myself, but the family that we were due to become, and I appreciated it. I understood just why they would be so anxious - so disbelieving that Kouketsu had changed, but that didn't mean that they could act in such a way - my own cousin, as an example. So protectively my had still curled around my stomach as I listened to him speak, the grasp on my free hand becoming ever tighter as he finished on a powerful note - he was speaking the truth, of course. I knew better than any just how long he'd been in the village for, and not once in those days, weeks, months did he do anything to risk the safety of the village, nor its people. I'd made sure of that from the start.

However, just when I believed for this to be over - I soon heard the same, familiar voice chime out in the crowd, and alike so many other people, my eyes followed to her from the trail of her voice - It was Kasumi, but this time she seemed not focused on Kouketsu and I, but instead - Ujiyasu. I was aware that the two were on the same team - he was the one to lead her - but it seemed as if she'd picked up on what he'd said or she was the one that he'd previously been talking to. Either way; she began to shout - screaming her opinion out to the crowd, and although it felt.. strangely warm to hear someone do that, I simply hoped that her strong choice of words and opinion wouldn't get her in to trouble later on if someone recognized her from the meeting. However - if that did happen, then I'd be sure to take care of the problem. I couldn't have such violence in my village - especially violence directed towards a young girl who merely spoke her opinion. The village wasn't the one of old where crime ravaged the streets and people were scared to go outside at night - I wanted it to be a place of a freedom. But even I knew that with so many people, that was impossible in some ways. Blue eyes met with her red hair and I stood silent as she shouted, a few members of the crowd nodding their heads in agreement whilst other simply gazed over at her as if she was speaking absolute trash. For a young girl she had a strong, effective choice of dialogue and for that - I respected her and her brave decision to speak her mind.

"..Regardless of whether or not you accept what has been said today.."

"..Thank you for coming here."

[/b][/color]
[/right]A pause, on my behalf.

"..For those of you who remain opposed.."

"..I merely hope that upon your return back to your homes that you consider what has been said and try to truly understand our reasoning before taking your own further."

And on that note, paying one last look to the crowd below and another to Kouketsu to my side, I turned, a single hand still entwined in Kouketsu's own as I guided the both of us away from the edge of the balcony, and back in to the confines of the Atrium.

EXIT![/center]
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[spade]

[EXIT]

[Nickito]

"Maybe you should be more clear then," Kasumi responded to Ujiyasu, quiet enough so that it was between the two of them. "If you yourself don't truly believe that a child's duty is to carry the sins of its father, maybe you should have made it known before I went off on you. From the way you spoke, it sounded as if you were just like the others," she said, her arms crossing over her chest snugly. She understood why peace was such a difficult and almost impossible goal, though perhaps not as well as she thought. Regardless, she didn't respond to his explanation, and simply listened as he continued to talk. She had spoken more than her share at the meeting, and realized it.

Her eyes softened as she detected elements in his story that were similar to her own, and the tenseness that had built in her shoulders was released, her arms becoming a little lax against her body. "It appears that we can both relate to this situation in our own ways. My parents were in a similar situation, and though I can't say much about Mizu no Kuni being keen to get me, I know what its like to be afraid of being found." Her words were softer than she had allowed them to be when she spoke before, but still carried a type of strength to them. As he continued to address her, responding to her comment about not being able to serve someone such as she had perceived him to be, Kasumi's eyes grew bolder, and in a way, more clear.

"Just because a shinobi is not supposed to put their heart before their duty doesn't mean it doesn't happen, and it certainly doesn't mean that when it does happen it is always bad. Controversy often leads to change for the better. It's like the old adage... How does it go? 'No pain, no gain?'" she said, her voice raising slightly in volume, perhaps loud enough for the crowd to hear. "Though her decision might cause trouble, maybe even hardship, that is the nature of the world, and the nature of the shinobi life. Like you said, we can never have peace. Eventually, something else would come along to cause trouble. Better we have a Kusakage that is clear headed and has a partner that is strong than a Kusakage that is distracted and in misery when it finally does a happen."

She slowly began to step away, backpedaling as she listened to his instruction about returning to Grassforge. "I'll let you pass that on to him, I don't see him at all. It's almost like he fades from existence for extended periods of time," the kunoichi said, turning to walk in a normal fashion. "Set up a solid time, I'll be there," she called back, a weight strangely lifting from her chest.

EXIT~

[Yahiko]

I was right to assume that returning to Kusagakure, even if only for a day, would prove to be a bad idea.

I turned on a heel, having seen and heard more than enough shit for one day, and vanished among the masses.

(exit)

[/justify]

[Krethean]

With nothing much else to say, Ujiyasu turned and left the scene, exhaling deeply as he began to take stock of what happened just now.

He wasn't sure just how things will pan out now, but he was sure he wasn't going to like it, even if Kouketsu was true to his word and would guard Kusagakure. Where ever that man went, chaos was certainly going to follow him.

OOC: Exit.

[The Dude]

Apple: 48
@ak: 30
Yahiko: 17
@spade: 30
@ar: 6
nickito: 41
Krethean: 29
@narrator: 18