Kumogakure Medical Center.

[Estilo]

K U M O G A K U R E M E D I C A L C E N T E R

ROOMS OF INTEREST

---

--- Training Center.
--- Morgue & Research Lab. (Off-site.)

PEOPLE OF INTEREST

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--- Grey, the Hospital Administrator.

D E S C R I P T I O N

SPOILER: Click to show

The Kumogakure Medical Center is one of thee largest and newest structures within Kumogakure no Sato. Kumogakure’s Medical Center lays host to a hospital, a morgue & research lab, and finally a medical training center for aspiring medics. The interior of the Medical Center is state of the art, with calming white and beige coloring, and lighting. The exterior is like most other Kumogakure buildings, the strongest of glass like structure that can closely relate to steel.

Most patients' rooms have massive windows, as to have visible access to the outside- and prevent depression or increasing the chances of PTSD. Most patients have access to a suite in which they will have a bed, a shared bathroom, two guest chairs and a night stand. Patients have access to other features upon request. The windows often give the patient a clear view of the skyline of the village, or if they are in the east wing, a beautiful view of the mountain range surrounding the village. The large windows also assist the ninjas in staying calm, as the rain against the pane has been found to soothe the anxious hearts of wounded Kumo-nin. While in their weakened state, ninja are often subject to secure 'check-ups' in which a chuunin or ANBU will secure their health every hour- unless told otherwise by the patient's physician.

Aside from the care center, the medical center is also known for its ability to accommodate would be med-nin. Often visited by Academy Students and Genin, the program is held by the Kumogakure Ninja Academy every weekday, and special night classes for Chuunin and Jounin still curious about medical ninjutsu. With a handful of classrooms as well as a mock ER room, the program has yielded incredible results for those interested.

M O R G U E & R E S E A R C H

SPOILER: Click to show

The morgue & research lab finds itself in an off-site position somewhere only known to a select number of medics and village officials. It is here that captured bodies find themselves for either research, dismantlement or in some rare cases- interrogation. The lab is loaded with various equipment and toxins that are all used to reach the desired effects of discovering new information that would benefit the village.

R U L E S

-- 1. All OOC posts will be deleted.
-- 2. ANBU operatives guard this place 24/7.
-- 3. Only the Raikage can control the NPC's.
-- 4. Visiting hours are strictly between 12PM - 6PM.
-- 5. Acts of violence will not be tolerated within the base.
-- 6. Permission is needed to enter "authorized personnel only" rooms.

[Estilo]

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

---

Days had passed since the incident.

And, remarkably so, Sozin had managed to survive. Despite the almost fatal loss of blood, Yukiko Fuyumori had managed to bring him to the Medical Center quickly enough for treatment. Now, after the amazing techniques practiced on him by the medical experts here in Kumogakure no Sato, the gaping hole in his neck was finally on the verge of being completely healed. He kept a series of white bandages wrapped around it, having been asked to conceal it for the time being, lest it be infected in some manner. Garbed in a hospital patient's robe, the grey-eyed Jounin wakes to the touch of a cool breeze on his right cheek. The window of his room has been left open, and he can pick up the fragrance of white lilacs, a flower native to Kaminari no Kuni, and abundant in its home village.

His eyes slowly open, stopping at their customary narrowed state. Then, with a slight grunt, he pushes himself upward into a seated position. His mind struggles to remember where he is for a second. Then it all comes back to him gradually: the crossbowman, pushing Yukiko out of harm's way, and the sharp (literally breathtaking) pain in his neck that came afterward. He remembered struggling to breathe, gasping for air that wouldn't completely enter his lungs. And, he remembered seeing a black snake out of the corner of his eye, confirmed only by the sensation of its wriggling body within his esophagus. He blacked out for moments after that. But, he did recall seeing multiple Yukiko's carrying him away, and the trees of the forest above him, before completely losing consciousness.

He didn't have a chance to thank any of his students yet-- Yukiko Fuyumori and Kai Kage-Hebi. They had saved his life, and he was eternally grateful to have met such remarkable youth. But, within a day of his recovery, he had been visited by a CROW operative. And, he knew exactly what had occurred after his "departure". Although classified to everyone but the highest ranking generals, the document detailing the mission was said to have been titled: "The Massacre at Wynona Point". Sozin sighed. Wynona Point. So, that was the name of the shanty town. And, he could only surmise that one of the survivor's had been interviewed (or interrogated) to have acquired such information. Considering CROW's reputation in either manner of information retrieval, he had no doubt it had been fairly easy for them.

Sozin wasn't certain whether any of his students would pay him a visit today. He sure hoped so. Because, while the Jounin was recovering within the hospital, his team would receive a new, temporary squad leader. A person of interest he had cast his scrutinizing eyes on quite some time ago. With such a development under way, and with the aftermath of the "Massacre of Wynona Point", there was certainly a few things the grey-eyed gentleman had to speak about with Yukiko and Kai. He was going to be here, in the hospital, for a few weeks-- at the very least. And even if he managed to leave earlier, he was asked to report to the council soon thereafter. To "evaluate his capabilities, mental state, and recovery from the duress".

In other words, bereaucratic crap.

[Etherion]

Kai waited outside in the hall leaning against the opposite wall while he listened to the building the nurses conversing and moving through out the floor. He slowly opened his eyes, the pitch-black scelera had shocked away many of the women that had approached him during the long stretch of hours he had spent waiting for his commander to be well again. His golden iris sat on the door quietly as he felt a deep ripple of unease, Kai himself didn't regret what he had down and people where claiming it to be a massacre which brought a sick sense of satisfaction deep within him as his mark pulsed, though what his commander would say about did bring a bit of fright to him.

His curse mark had become a passive trait of his while he had been mulling over the massacre, the black scales had spread over his neck and shoulders while his eyes were now black and gold. His physical appearance didn't bother him at all though how some people approached him set him on edge. That village was kidnapping our people and now they looked at him like he was a murderer. He felt a deep sigh empty his chest and slip from his lips, the nurse responsible for caring for Sozin had told him that he'd be able to accept visitors about an hour ago but even though he could become a giant hydra capable of decimating a village in minutes he feared the disappointment of his leader.

With a light breath he would walk over to the door and grip the metallic handle of the wooden passage before twisting and pushing it open slowly letting his eyes scan the room until he found Sozin over by the window. With a polite bow he'd step in and to the side standing beside the door as it slowly shut. He wasn't sure how Sozin would look at him, he looked up to the jounin but now he wasn't so sure he even wanted Kai around. "H-hey commander... Glad to see you're recovering..."

[Yuki-chan]

[Enter]

It had been about five days since the mission had been completed. The female had managed to get him to the hospital in time, which was a relief. She reminded herself to thank the medic-nins that had taken care of him.
Yukiko then went towards the counter with a small smile on her face. "May I help you?" inquired the nurse who sat behind the counter.

"Yes...I'm here to see Hallstrom Sozin" inquired the young woman with a neutral voice. The other female nodded as she looked at some papers at her desk "He's located at room 212; visitor hours are until 4 PM" replied the medic nin.
"Thank you" replied the Chuunin before she gave the woman a polite bow. She then jogged up towards the second floor with a bit more vigor in her step.

A part of her was happy to hear that the male had made a complete recovery from the injury. Not to mention that he was now able to accept visitors. She noticed that her male teammate further down the hall, right in front of room 212.
He entered the room while the female slowed down her running speed a bit. There was no reason to run anymore...Sozin was going to be all right.

She entered the room and positioned herself right next to Kai. "I'm happy to see that you're alive senpai. How do you feel?" inquired the brunette with a somewhat relieved look at her face.
But it then hit her that she would be the one in command now. Or was he going to be replaced with someone else?

[Estilo]

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

---

The grey-eyed Jounin turned his head as he heard the door creak open, his otherwise flat expression slightly brightened with an almost unnoticeable smile, and directed at the young gentleman who had just entered. It was clear that he was trying to mask a sense of sadness behind his seemingly pleased mien, but he wasn't doing a very good job at it. Regardless, he acknowledged his student's visitation rather politely, and spoke only after Kai had spoken. "They said my voice will return to normal in a few weeks-- the nurses." He informed, his tone a raspy and deep vocalization.

What was once a suave and cool-headed timbre is now, almost entirely, forgotten behind the disturbing and baritone growl that exists at this moment. Despite what the nurses said, such sounds that Sozin makes (every time he opens his mouth to speak) would suggest that he is at the brink of dying. The squad commander of Gunjin realizes how he sounds, but he tries to ignore it as best he can. Tentative to entirely acknowledge the aftermath of his injury-- or the events that transpired. But aware that, eventually, he has to.

Before he even has a chance to, however (but not before the silence between him and Kai grows into a long, almost awkward, pause), another person enters. Yukiko Fuyumori, the apprentice of his war-time companion the Nidaime. The moment he sees her face, he remembers snippets of what had occurred after he'd been struck: seeing the forest leaves swaying above him, the dull gray sky, and glimpses of her clones as they carried him away. Mildly dumbstruck, he stares for a moment before realizing he's forgotten to offer her a smile. Doing so, he answers her inquiry promptly.

"Miss Fuyumori," He starts, once again in his raspy tone. "I'm happy to see you're fine, as well. The both of you." He adds, his grey eyes shifting between his two admirable students. "I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany this squad for the time being. I've been told that I'm going to be kept here for a while longer-- but, otherwise, I'll make a full recovery under their careful supervision." Pausing for a moment, Sozin gauges the expression on both of their faces. His own countenance is nonchalant and blasé, yet clearly trying to discern something from both of the young adults standing before him.

Then, finally, he speaks once more.

"... What happened back there?"

He asks softly, referring to the incident at Wynona Point, which had (thankfully) been kept under wraps from the community of Kumogakure no Sato. He'd read the classified reports, he'd seen the gruesome pictures. He just wanted, for whatever reason, to hear it from them. 

[Etherion]

The sound of his voice seemed like a slap to the face as he was reminded of his inability to protect his team and slowly mulled it over in his mind. He was glad that he was recovering well no doubt but the fact that he had gotten hurt at all was what pissed him off. However he was brought out of his thoughts as Yukiko came in to send beside him.

Sozin then told the both of them that he was glad they were okay which brought his gaze up a little to the man, Kai was perhaps the least bit worried about his hide, he was a member of SOLDIER after all he wouldn't get taken out that easy. He then said that there was a good chance they would be receiving a temporary replacement until he was better. After a short pause he looked up and asked what had happened at Wynona Point. With a quiet gulp Kai would step forward his conviction evident in the black marks that covered his body and the darkness held in his eyes.

"I finished the mission and took revenge on the people of the village for hurting my comrade. My team means more to me than anything else in this world. The shinobi says the missions i absolute, but I say that if you treat your comrades like an expense you're nothing better than trash! I WILL NOT let anyone get away with hurting my squad!" Kai's voice was more solid than a yell as he stared into his commander's eyes feeling stronger in himself than if he were under judge jury and executioner.

[Yuki-chan]

Grey eyes looked at the duo. "Miss Fuyumori, I'm happy to see you're fine, as well. The both of you." told the man as he glanced at both of them.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany this squad for the time being. I've been told that I'm going to be kept here for a while longer-- but, otherwise, I'll make a full recovery under their careful supervision." informed Sozin.

"...What happened back there?" inquired the male as he looked at the two. "I finished the mission and took revenge on the people of the village for hurting my comrade. My team means more to me than anything else in this world. The shinobi says the missions is absolute, but I say that if you treat your comrades like an expense you're nothing better than trash! I WILL NOT let anyone get away with hurting my squad!" told the guy with a solid voice.

'Gee. Calm down a little bit would ya?' thought the female as she gave Kai a rather blank expression in response to what he had said. "I agree with Kai-san to a certain degree here...I created two mizu bunshins that carried you here while he destroyed the entire brewery by himself" informed Yukiko with a neutral voice.
"I don't really know what happened after his attack, but there was quite a lot of smoke. It's not unrealistic to assume that several people died during the destruction of the brewery" continued the young woman.

Her voice was slightly shaky since the memory of that was so fresh in her mind. She could still easily imagine the dark clouds of smoke that were rising towards the sky.
Not to mention the fact that she had managed to knock so many people unconsious and killed at least one person. But the Chuunin then remembered what the Jounin had said about being unable to continue.

"But if you're not able to be our sensei, who is going to take over that role? Am I going to take responsibility of our missions and stuff until you are healthy enough?" inquired the female. She felt that she had the right to know because she was the second in command at this team.
Not to mention that the brunette did not have that much experience in leading a team. In fact, Kai had even told her that he was going to take care of the team during their mission...which was not a good thing in her book.

[Estilo]

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

---

Listening to Kai's explanation, the grey-eyed Jounin's expression remained nonchalant, his gaze unrevealing to the thoughts that roiled within his mind. This solemn glance was then directed towards Yukiko as she spoke, his seated form still, as a cold breeze of air swept through the window softly. When they both finished speaking, Sozin took a brief pause. He looked at his hands, wrapped in white gauze, and laid upon his lap. Then, he spoke, saving Yukiko's inquiry for later. "Can any of you tell me... the main priority?"

Another moment of silence. And, before any of them could answer, he continued once more. "The main priority? Of our assignment? The task we were expected to complete at all costs-- the task I spoke of prior to us leaving the boundaries of Kumogakure no Sato." His ragged (almost monstrous) voice wasn't built with a purposely harsh tone. But, rather, with a tinge of regret. He should have reminded them when they'd reached the shanty town. But... he hadn't expected all of that sheer destruction.

Finally, his eyes turning briefly to the serene scenery outside his window, he answered his own question. "The main priority... was the discovery and extraction of our captured civilians. Innocents-- belonging to our village, tortured, and now... burned, with the rest of them." His eyes narrowed, his mind yet again captured in thought. "I would have gladly bled out to death, in exchange for their lives..." With that powerful statement, he turns his eyes back to his students. "I'm not casting the blame on any one of you." He assures. "We are a squad, after all. And, the blame is therefore on all of us."

His eyes seem to see through the veil of their expressions.

Piercing, and sharp.

"But I want you both to remember that day. To never forget those sacrifices. The mistakes we made. And, to keep their families in your hearts, until you reach the grave yourself." He manages a sigh, bringing a single hand up to his face, and pinching the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. They messed up, all three of them. And, the worst that could have happened, had. But, at least he could take solace in the fact that Yukiko was still alive. That the shinobi force of Kumogakure no Sato still accepted them, despite the massacre of innocent folk in the mountains far beyond their village.

"They say this is the life of a shinobi, built upon senseless deaths, and means to an end. But, I need to know that there is still hope. That you've both learned from this ordeal. That you'll strive to never let this happen again. And that the death of those separate from our conflicts will not become a habit."

[Etherion]

Yukiko explained that she hadn't seen much but the plume of smoke Kai had created through his destruction and shortly after Sozin had explained that he would be MIA for a short while she asked if she would then be the leader of their team. The idea wasn't exactly appealing, she hadn't taken an interest in him as Sozin did, she was his comrade but didn't have the respect that Sozin did.

Their commander then asked if the two of them had remembered the original purpose of the mission, The thoughts echoed within his mind like a skipping CD. Since that day he heard the cries and echoes of the Cloud villagers that had burned by him, they were caught in an inferno that hell itself would envy. He felt the searing as the edges of his mark began to burn a bloody red while the scales moved along his body and the black of his eyes became more resolute to a point that made the gold ring of color seem like nothing more than a layer of paint.

The self-hatred Kai felt nestled deep within himself, how did he expect to be someone that could be counted on by the village when HE was responsible for all those deaths. Maybe he would be better off leaving the village rather than burdening them under his failed cursed ability to do what needed to be done under circumstance. The thoughts within him began to swirl and rot within him dragging himself deeper into his black reverie.

'GOD DAMMIT I COULD KILL 5 REANIMATED SHINOBI CALMLY IN ONE STRIKE AFTER MY TEAM HAD ABANDONED ME BUT I COULDN'T EVEN KEEP MY CALM SINCE I'VE BEEN OPERATED ON!' The dark thoughts shot through his mind like bullets riddling his psyche as his curse continued to destroy his soul. The slow progression had reached from mid-bicep to elbow and from neck to his face. Sozin's next words cut through his self-loathing though it simply spilled out, he said that as a squad the blame was on all of them which was wrong. "How can you say that? you got shot in the neck and were bleeding out, someone had to try and save you, and I was the only one with enough chakra to finish the job. I flew off the hinge. I lost site of the mission. I KILLED OUR VILLAGERS!"

Fangs and claws had now been added to his features as the marks along hes neck and shoulders became more defined as if they were more than just marks. His conviction was sharp and his self-hate deep as the dark abyss, but he didn't step up or stand done, he was too conflicted to do much of anything more than he already was. Though his next words cut him deeper than he had himself, they were expected to engrave their mistakes within themselves and never forget them. Kai knew within him that the villagers would hate him and they had the right to, many of them saw the shinobi and villagers as separate people within Kumogakure and this incident undoubtedly wouldn't help that. He next said that the life of a shinobi was built upon death but he wouldn't tolerate the deaths of others due to our conflicts. With that final bit Kai had nothing left but for his despair to grow stronger and deeper.

[Yuki-chan]

"Can any of you tell me... the main priority?" inquired the male. The female knitted her ebony eyebrows for a moment as she thought on that.
"The main priority? Of our assignment? The task we were expected to complete at all costs-- the task I spoke of prior to us leaving the boundaries of Kumogakure no Sato." continued Sozin. His grey eyes were sharp, resembling the edge of a sword.

"The main priority... was the discovery and extraction of our captured civilians. Innocents-- belonging to our village, tortured, and now... burned, with the rest of them. I would have gladly bled out to death, in exchange for their lives..." stated the young man before he turned his eyes back to his students.
Yukiko felt a bit nauseous since she had most likely killed a couple of those people she had attacked. But at least she did not feel as guilty as the male standing next to her.

"I'm not casting the blame on any one of you. We are a squad, after all. And, the blame is therefore on all of us." assured the Jounin.
"Good to hear that" replied the young woman. 'At least I did what I could to not kill anyone without reason' mentally added the Chuunin before glancing towards Kai.

Her eyes widened a little when she saw how he had changed. His body now had a lot of scales while his pupils were gold instead of black.
"How can you say that? You got shot in the neck and were bleeding out, someone had to try and save you, and I was the only one with enough chakra to finish the job. I flew off the hinge. I lost site of the mission. I KILLED OUR VILLAGERS!" stated the guy.

"Please calm down Kai-san! You heard what senpai said; it's not just your fault. We went in this as a team remember!?" informed the female with a slightly worried and frustrated look at her face.
She was not a big fan of people like him, but she had to try her best to cooperate. They were on a team after all plus that he was just as valuable as she was.

[Estilo]

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

---

"Leave him be, Miss Fuyumori." Sozin intervened.

Having heard everything either of them had to say, his slate-grey eyes were now focused on Kai, witnessing the effects of his cursed power leaking from its core. A power reliant on hate, and self-loathing, and pain. Oh, Sozin did know of it. In fact, he knew much more than most people imagined. Having called three different countries home for pieces of his life, and fought in five different wars, the veteran descendant of the Nara clan wasn't lacking in wisdom. So, seeing Kai struggle with the realization of those deaths, he spoke. "Until you gather the strength to overcome this regretful turn of events," He utters. "You'll finally realize that this is not your fault alone."

A lilac-scented breeze wafts in. "You don't get to shoulder this burden by yourself. And, you never will." He nods deftly towards Yukiko, his eyes narrowing sharply, and still focused on Kai's golden irises. "Because, as long as we live, Yukiko and I will also be tormented by our mistakes. Why I didn't go look for the captives sooner. Why she didn't do the same. These questions will linger at the back of our minds-- just as the actions you made will linger within your own. We all lost sight of the severity of this assignment, and we all paid the price." Pausing for a moment, for the sake of letting this statement sink in, he then sighs, and lays back onto his bed.

"The people of Kumogakure no Sato will not know any of you were involved. And, even if they do, they will not know what happened. For the sake of any reputation you might hold, or for the welfare of any family you have left here, no one outside of the highest-ranking shinobi of Kumogakure no Sato will know." Such was protocol, under the Nidaime's regime. And, Sozin supposed, it was for the best. The majority of Kumogakure no Sato citizens cared not for the mountain-folk, or the innocent natives that may have perished. But for their own... surely, knowing Gunjin was responsible would bring the torment of the people down upon them. And his students... they were too young to have the rest of their lives tainted in such a manner.

He wanted them to hold themselves accountable for their own actions, of course. But he also wanted, through his inherent care as a mentor, for them to have the strength to move past it. Avoiding the punishments of the people was one thing-- but learning to keep one's self from excessive self-punishment was another. They all felt like crap. That much was certain. But, there had to come a point when they would pick themselves up, and try again. Certain that the previous conversation had almost nowhere else to go, with everything on their minds seemingly having been said about the subject, he turns towards the two of them once more.

"... Did any of you receive a letter already? For a meeting?"

[Etherion]

After Kai's outburst Yuki turned on him with a look of frustration in her eyes. Before he could lash out against her Sozin spoke up telling her to leave him be. His eyes seemed to scan him understandingly before telling him that until he grew strong enough to overcome his his regret he wouldnt see that it wasn't his fault alone. The reason he gave was because both he and Yukiko now doubt felt the same regret he had even if they hadn't done the action.

Sozin then told them that the villagers wouldn't be informed of their involvement with the massacre. Kai figured this could happen, most of the time shinobi's affairs were kept private from the rest of the village. Though it brought some since of relief at the same time he felt a bit worse that the people wouldn't know who was truly responsible for their loved ones deaths. With a deeper thought he drew in a breath before forcing his mark back, but this time it burst away from him like a fog of blood before being drawn into his mark returning his eyes tot heir aquatic state.

He would then lean back into the wall crossing his arms over his arms having taken to atonement rather than self-hatred. His eyes then lifted back to Sozin as he asked them if they had received a letter yet, with a blink of recognition Kai fished out the letter from his right pocket before holding it up between two fingers. “Yeah I did I was going to head over after we were done here.”

[Yuki-chan]

"Leave him be, miss Fuyumori." told the male. The female blinked before she stepped back a little. A part of her felt a bit ashamed since her pride had gotten the worst of her.
"Until you gather the strength to overcome this regretful turn of events, you'll finally realize that this is not your fault alone." uttered Sozin. Yukiko just nodded while looking at the floor. She felt a bit bad about this mission despite that her body count was not that high.

"Because, as long as we live, Yukiko and I will also be tormented by our mistakes. Why I didn't go look for the captives sooner. Why she didn't do the same.
These questions will linger at the back of our minds-- just as the actions you made will linger within your own. We all lost sight of the severity of this assignment, and we all paid the price." informed the older man.

'You're right about that' thought the young woman as her eyes moved upwards again.
"... Did any of you receive a letter already? For a meeting?" inquired the Jounin.
"Yeah, I did. I was going to head over after we were done here" told Kai.

"I got a letter too...but I decided I should check up on you first. I would feel kind of bad if I didn't since I brought you back here" admitted the Chuunin with a sheepish smile. She felt quite responsible upon checking upon him because she had carried him here for just a couple days ago.
The doctors had then intorregated her for an hour before they checked her as well. The female was then allowed to go home without knowing how the male would cope with this.

[Estilo]

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

---

Sozin's eyes glanced over at the letter between Kai's fingers, then offered Yukiko a kind smile when she spoke. "That's very kind-- of both of you-- to have visited." He spoke, his intent half-determined to put some distance away from their previous conversation. The life of a shinobi wasn't all sorrow and gloom, after all. Not in this country. It was also a life of duty, and discipline, and the comrades made in the practice of it. Comrades who would gladly make time to visit you in the hospital when you're injured. Point being: there were often good times to go with the bad. And, the struggle shinobi go through on a daily basis often proves to be worth it, for friends like these. A fact that may have, very well, saved him through the War.

During the prolonged pause that followed, however, the grey-eyed Jounin's thoughts mulled over the confirmation of Gunjin's new squad leader. He had predicted this would happen. He had been told it would. And, if this new squad leader had been anyone else in the ranks of Kumogakure no Sato's elite, he would have paid no mind to it. Just because he's been benched, after all, it doesn't warrant keeping Yukiko and Kai from advancing in their careers. But the operative that had been chosen, for some incomprehensible reason, wasn't exactly what the Nara descendant had in mind. "I've heard rumors of the person they've chosen to lead Gunjin." He speaks, gunmetal grey gaze peering out the window, and towards the great blue sky.

"And, they're not exactly... friendly."

Turning back to his students, he continues, his raspy tone serious and straight to the point. "Whoever this person is, they've managed to create a reputation for themselves within our ranks. A reputation as the 'Spectre' of Kumogakure no Sato. No one can really confirm what this person looks like, or where they come from, but one thing is common amongst all the rumors: wherever they go on assignment, they tend to leave death in their wake." A beat, eyes shifting between both of the young ones, his latest statement slowly sinking in. "I want you both to be cautious... and try not to do anything you'll regret later... even if it goes against following the orders of higher ranking personnel." He didn't, of course, mean violence. But, conviction.

For Sozin, suspicion of this strange-- and practically nonexistent (at least, on paper)-- individual was high. He wasn't comfortable with the thought of having such sleuths in their government. And, if the rumors were true, he struggled to imagine how his comrade (the Nidaime Raikage) could accept having such a ruthless killer call this place home. As soon as he was checked out of this place, he was determined to pay the fellow veteran a visit. But for now, he offered his trusted comrades this warning. Should this person ask them to do something horrible, and expect them to do it out of regulation, he hoped they had the sense to stand against it. "I truly care for you both." He suddenly continues, yet another smile gracing his countenance. "And, I know you'll both be alright... you'd better be."

He adds with a taunting, 'older brother' smirk.

[Etherion]

Next Sozin expressed his gratitude at having both of them come to see him while he was recovering, Kai nodded to him understanding that but he had felt compelled to look in on his commander. He then said he had heard rumors of the person who would be taking command of their squad while Sozin was out of commission. The rumors weren't exactly good news.

Apparently the Man was hardly known to exist and was known as the 'Spectre'. Kai stood up straight listening more intent to the details. There were no concrete details about the man not even about his physical appearance. Sozin warned them to be cautious and stay true to themselves, Kai understood that because at the end of the day you only have yourself to face. Though his next comment had thrown him off a little as he told both he and Yukiko that he cared for them. Then a wide grin came across his lips before telling them he knew they'd both better be alright, which brought a similar smile to Kai. “You got it bro.”