make way; [open/takeover]

[daisy]

I smiled. The warmth of Iwagakure surrounded me, the sun shining overhead as I walked through the streets. I had truly missed this place. As dreary and dusty as it was, Iwagakure was my home. And I was home again, with Akira by my side. I couldn't have pictured it any better.
"Is this your first time here? I'm ashamed I never invited you, after I had such a pleasant time with you in Kiri. Iwa lacks the excitement of your village, but I assure you it has its own charms." I said idly, my heels clacking against the dusty stone. Perhaps my small talk was my nerves. I had no idea how I would be recieved, but I would see this through to the end. Having a rugged, seven foot bodyguard didn't hurt matters either.

I made my way towards the center of town, observing my village. The atmosphere was different, slightly. Before, I'd known a sleepy, quiet people, but mixed with the content of a peaceful life. There was a small charge in the air now. But perhaps that was merely my imagination. I stepped up onto the steps of the main hall, removing my sunglasses.
"Iwagakure! My name is Coco von Alexandria Valentino, and I have returned!" A rather uninspired beginning, but I was a little rusty on the speech front.

"We faced a great battle against Sunagakure, and we won. We survived. After this battle, I underwent a difficult and harrowing quest, to obtain something to benefit our village and our safety. I was defeated. I was tortured and broken. But this man, the Yondaime Mizukage, saved my life. Then, I abandoned you all. I fled. Fled from my pain, my insecurity, and my failure. For this, I have no suitable apologies. Only the promise that I shall perform as your Tsuchikage triplefold, and we shall have success after success, greater than even the Shodaime!"

The reaction was better than I could've hoped. I had not been forgotten. They remembered me, and not all only with hatred. With perhaps only a tad of arrogance, I believed that my reign was exceeded only by Kikkawa's, in Iwa's long history. I loved this village, and I loved my people. I would just have to prove that as I once did.

"Join with me to return our village to the beauty and power that it deserves!"

[Nujabes]

As vivacious and elaborate as ever.

Coco's reemergence was grand, to say the least. Is there was one thing she certainly had a knack for, it was theatrics. Personally, I would've just stormed the gates and took back what was mine. But no, she liked to handle things with words before fists. I'm not sure why, either. I know for a fact she isn't weak, and is quite capable of handling more than her fair share of action. Then again, to each his (or her) own. I'm certainly not one to complain about whatever gets the job done.

I was standing no more than a handful of feet to Coco's rear as she delivered her announcement, casually scrutinizing the area to the best that my uncovered eye allowed. Samehada began to churn and writhe upon my back, noticing the stirring of chakra near and far before either of us (Coco or I) did. The Tsuchikage's voice was beginning to draw attention, and from the steadily growing crowd before us, it wouldn't be long before the entire village was answering.

Letting my gaze fall off to our side, I noticed something peculiar. There was a distinct lack of a shinobi presence here; nearly all of the attendees were civilians, from what I could tell. This was going to be a bigger challenge than either of us suspected.

"I don't think there will be anyone opposing you," I mentioned off-handedly. "From the lack of a shinobi presence, I'd say that the previous Tsuchikage is either on the run or dead. Looks like your time is impeccable, as always."

[daisy]

"You may be right. Everything looks so... unguarded. Not that we ever had a heavy shinobi presence around town, but still..." I replied quietly. A few people were breaking from the crowd to approach me, some with trepidation, and a few with smiles. I recognised some, I could hardly be expected to know each member of the village individually though. I smiled warmly, grasping a few hands and exchanging pleasantries. I wasn't sure what I had expected. An armed resistance? A welcome parade? But truly, all we were met with was... quiet. Acceptance, thankfully, but a lack of emotion either way. The only way to get to the bottom of this was to meet with the elders, speak with my contacts, and establish the situation. None of which I expected Akira to accompany me to.

"It seems this will all be settled sooner than I anticipated. I apologise for dragging you all the way here. I think I can handle the red tape, if a brawl in the street isn't coming my way. You'll stay for the night, at least?" I said over my shoulder. It would be nice to have him here, even if the matter of my ascension wasn't a dangerous one. But of course, I would give it some more time. The naysayers would have their chance to denounce me, if they wished. So I would remain here, in the square, for a while longer. It was nice just to speak with the citizens again.

Their glances at Akira amused me. I supposed the stories of the Mist were known world over, and seeing the Mizukage for the first time, as imposing as he looked, was no doubt quite intimidating. If only they knew just what he was capable of. Even I didn't know the full extent of his power, which was quite unsettling. And that sword he had taken with him, I felt like I recognised it. When I first met with Blanche, I was sure she carried something similar. And then their meeting just before my arrival... Perhaps there was something there?

Her connection with Kouketsu was one I was intensely curious about, and then there was the matter of Nagato... Still so much to learn! If I could coax Akira to stay a while longer, I knew I could get some answers.

"Oh, how lovely, he's still around? I simply must get him to resole my shoes. And how's business with the flowers? I do hope you kept the gardens in fine shape, you were always so good with the plants!" I laughed, happy to simply see some familiar faces.

[Nujabes]

"Yeah, I don't see a reason not. It's been a while since I've been to Iwagakure; it'll be nice to see how you've fixed things up." I yawn, raising my arms over my head and arching my back; a series of cracks and pops rippled from beneath the flesh, loud and sharp. "Besides, I'm sure you could use some help with the heavy lifting. Help both I and the Hachibi would be more than happy to lend, yes?" My eyes drifted down, though I couldn't see the seal etched around my navel. He knew I was talking to him.

Why do I always have to help you impress your lady friends?

Because you're my best friend, and that's what best friends do?

Oh, now I'm your best friend?

Don't be like that. >:[

Flicking my attention back to Coco and her growing audience, I smiled. It was warming to see the people remember her, considering how long she's been gone (and her history of fleeing from the problem). Even so, here they were, sparking up regular conversations and old memories as if she hadn't been gone a day; as if she were simply strutting down the streets on one of her daily routines. And knowing she had a great deal of which to catch up on, I decided it would be best to take my leave.

"Coco," I lightly called out from behind her. "I'm going to head to the tower. I'll wait for you there." I was already walking off in the direction of the tall building, glancing back over my shoulder with a crooked grin. "Don't keep me waitin' too long. I don't wanna get lost."

[daisy]

And it was done. As peacefully and as casually as you like, I reclaimed my village. Perhaps there was yet resistance to face, aggression to stare down, but for now, I was reinstated. Some small part of me, however, was unsettled. Perhaps if there had been a fight, a debate, simply some form of resistance, I would feel I had earned it once again. But there was nothing. Nobody. Perhaps it was a testament to Iwagakure's current position? Truly, we lost a great deal in the war, and without me to carefully heal those wounds... Nobody had fixed Iwagakure. Whoever may have held office while I was gone, did nothing to help its people.

In the end, that remained my duty alone. But I was content with that. These were my people, and this was my responsibility. I had disappeared twice, leaving the job to somebody else. But I had always returned. Was there not merit in that alone? Iwa had known prosperity under me, twice over, something that no other Tsuchikage, save perhaps the Shodaime, could claim. Did that not make amends for my disappearance? I deserved this. I was not as powerful as Akira, or Nagato, or even Blanche, but I was one of the shadows of our land, and nobody could dispute that I performed equally to all five of my peers.

Maybe they held powerful jutsu, or great combat experience over my head, but with charisma and nerve, and a great deal of glamour, I had always held my own. And I would continue to do so. I needed no Bijuu, no lost relic of a weapon! I had all I needed right here.

"You have my thanks, all of you. I fully believe we can reclaim what has been lost, and know peace and prosperity both. As always, my door is open to each and every one of you. Now allow me to take my leave. There's work to be done, no?" I cooed, slipping off after Akira.

Perhaps it lacked drama, lacked performance. But for now, the return to my role would be a modest one.

/exit!