Kumogakure Medical Center.

[Yuki-chan]

The older male glanced at the duo with a kind look in his eyes. "That's very kind-- of both of you-- to have visited." told Sozin. "Sure...you are the leader of our team after all" replied the female with a small grin.
"I've heard rumors of the person they've chosen to lead Gunjin. And, they're not exactly... friendly." informed the man while he looked out of the window.

'They? Will we get more than one leader?' thought Yukiko while she wondered who this could be.
"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." continued the Jounin with a raspy voice.

Ice blue eyes widened in fear while the young woman felt her skin become as pale as her name. A team leader that left death in their wake would probably quite ruthless if not downright sadistic.
"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." warned the male. The Chuunin nodded while she tried to calm down her heartbeat a little bit.

"I truly care for you both. And, I know you'll both be alright... you'd better be." finished the raven-haired man with a grin. "You got it bro" answered the younger male with a grin on his face.
"Yeah...I just hope we don't get killed in the process" muttered the female. She felt a wee bit nervous since she was not the biggest fan of killing.

One thing was if it was in self-defence or if a person threatened to kill someone who were unable or less able to defend themselves. Same if the person was a ruthless serial killer or something along those lines that had failed therapy. But killing people on a regular basis was something that the brunette did not like.
The mission they had just done was a good example of this; they had killed more than necessary. 'Oh well...at least I know the name of our new leader' thought the young woman.

She better check it up as soon as she could when she got out of her. Being a Chuunin had some slight advantages when it came to information and similar things. Not to mention that she had a good understanding of the language to help her.
'I better bear with it. This guy or woman will only be our team leader for a month or two at the most; Sozin-senpai should return by that' remembered Yukiko.

[Estilo]

NPC Sozin Hallstrom

---

Reassured by Kai's response, but then promptly disheartened by Yukiko's own, Sozin's smile dipped into a slight frown. After all, what other expression could he expect, when reminded with the possibility of their deaths over the next few weeks. Without him there, Sozin felt as though his newfound companions would simply slip away, just as many others had done so before-- through death, or moral decline. These two... unlikely teammates, these students of his, had become two of his most treasured comrades. The trauma they had all gone through as a squad created a strong bond between them, but it wasn't just that. These two represented, in Sozin's view, any hope for the new generation. For Kumogakure no Sato's future.

And he had to believe they could make it.

So, urging himself to push those thoughts of death away, he regained his false grin. "Well then," He spoke. "I suppose you should both get going now. No need to keep the 'Spectre' waiting, hm?" Aware that the nurse is about to arrive anytime now, to inspect his slowly healing wound, the grey-eyed veteran would prefer that his teammates weren't here to see it. After all, it wasn't a pretty sight. And, it would most likely serve to remind them of that day again, giving their minds a visual representation of the toll it took on Gunjin. He'd saved Yukiko's life that day and, though he would have done it a million times over, it had come with a cost. He'd been forced out of the engagement, and so had she. And people had died, because of it.

But he couldn't let that obscure his plans for the future.

So, satisfied with the fact that he had said all that he had to say to them, he gives his young students an affirmative nod. "You both should know that I'm always open to your visits. If you need advice on anything, or if you're just looking for conversation, I'll be here. Otherwise, I'm assuming headquarters will contact you both when I'm out." With that, he extends a single hand towards Yukiko, grasping hers reassuringly should she accept. Then with a bow of his head, he pecks the top of her hand lightly. "Stay safe, Miss Fuyumori." He utters, his raspy voice suddenly so smooth. Then, after slowly releasing her dainty paw, he extends the same hand towards Kai-- looking for a firm hand shake. "Take care of each other, Kai. And never forget."

Eyes hardened with determination, he still manages a smile.

[Etherion]

Yukiko's demeanor brought a similar frown to Kai's features as they had with Sozin's. With a light shake of his head he strolled over to the open window, Kai personally didn't have a problem killing as long as it was rightful and not accidental or in cold blood for no reason. When Sozin spoke again he turned away from the opening back to his commander, he told them they probably shouldn't keep the man waiting to which Kai simply scoffed, he didn't give a damn if he made the Sage of Six Paths wait on his ass when he was checking on his friend. "The 'Spectre can sit his happy ass down and wait."

After his brief mock and air quotes he would lean against the window sill watching both Sozin and Yukiko. He then told them both that he was always open for visits no matter what they needed, also that headquarters would get a hold of them whenever Sozin would be released. In Kai's opinion that couldn't be soon enough, he didn't mind working with Yukiko at all but her frigid personality wasn't nice to be around in his experience. Sozin then took her hand while looking ever so deeply into her eyes as if they were lovers before uttering so quietly for her to be safe. The display made Kai feel as if he shouldn't be watching the the actions unfolding so he simply turned to look out the window over the vast canyons of the village.

However no sooner had he turned away then did he see Sozin turning towards him and extend his hand out to which he turned to be presented with Sozin's open hand waiting for a shake. Kai simply shook his head and grinned before holding up his fist nudging Sozin's hand to make him do the same. The two of them weren't just some business associates closing a deal, they were comrades, brothers in arms. He told Kai then to take care of each other and never to forget what happened, with eyes hard as iron but a smile as assuring as a fathers, one Kai never had. In response he grinned and placed his index and middle finger against his forehead then pulled them away in a half-ass salute before grinning over at Yukiko, teasing her for her height comparison. "No problem, I'll take care of our little sis"

[Yuki-chan]

"Well then, I suppose you should both get going now. No need to keep the 'Spectre' waiting, hm?" chuckled the male. "The 'Spectre can sit his happy ass down and wait." mocked the younger guy.
The female let out a small laugh when she heard that. Even though Kai was a bit rude, he was sure not as scary as he looked like all the time.

"You both should know that I'm always open to your visits. If you need advice on anything, or if you're just looking for conversation, I'll be here. Otherwise, I'm assuming headquarters will contact you both when I'm out." told Sozin.
He then extended a hand towards her to shake. Yukiko stepped forwards before she shaked it with a semi-firm grasp; her hand was not as strong as his.

But his next gesture made her blush a bit. The man bent down his head a bit and gave her bony hand a peck."Stay safe, miss Fuyumori." uttered the man with a voice that was smoother than usual.
"I will...don't worry. I'm a Chuunin remember" replied the young woman with a small grin at her face.

She stepped backwards before the Jounin extended his hand towards the other guy. "Take care of each other, Kai. And never forget." told the male with a firm look in his eyes.
The Genin gave him a mock salute and stepped back. "No problem, I'll take care of our little sis" teased the younger male.

"Hmph" half-snorted the female with a small smile at her face. She did not mind to be teased by him since he was not meaning any harm. Besides, the brunette was higher than him in rank anyways.
"I'll watch out for our big boy here too. I'm supposed to be the oldest one here anyways" laughed the young woman while glancing up at her teammate.

[Estilo]

N A R R A T O R

---

Just as Yukiko finishes speaking, a nurse steps in, the door creaking as she enters. With a smile (that doesn't nearly compare to the one Sozin bears at the moment), the petite blonde politely bows. "I'm very sorry for intruding, but I'm here for Mister Hallstrom's check-up, and our visiting hours are coming to a close now." Holding the door open for the two, she then quietly waits for them to say their last goodbyes for the day, before attending to her patient.

Sozin, in the meantime, can't help but continue on with his proud smile. "Thanks, you two. That's good to hear." He utters, eyes shifting between the two brightly. The world was, after all, a bit less dangerous with someone watching your back. And, knowing Yukiko and Kai could see past their differences, he was reassured that they would remain a squad, even without him there to see it. And, even with the devil at their doorstep.

And so, with the visit coming to a close, all that remained for the intact members of Gunjin was the meet-- at a place called Athena's Vigil. Awaiting them there: a mysterious new member, and an infamous agent of Kumogakure no Sato, next in line to be their squad captain. What triumphs (or tragedies) await Gunjin in their next chapter? And, how will it play a part in Kumogakure no Sato's evolution? Well... only time will tell.

END INTERACTION.

[Etherion]

Yukiko's now brighter demeanor kept Kai smiling though it dropped as the door opened and the nurse came in signalling visiting hours were over. Sozin thanked them showing his gratitude for their solidarity, with that Kai nodded before vaulting out the window onto the lower floor's roof and before heading out across the village he would wave to his team mates. "See ya there Yuki, no hitting on the nurse Sozin."

/exit

[Yuki-chan]

A creaking noise could be heard as the door opened. The person standing in the doorway appeared to be a young woman in a nurse uniform.
"I'm very sorry for intruding, but I'm here for Mister Hallstrom's check-up, and our visiting hours are coming to a close now." informed the nurse. "Right. Thanks for telling us" replied the female with a small wry smile at her face.

"Thanks, you two. That's good to hear." told the older male. The other guy went towards the window, preferring to take the other exit route.
"See ya there Yuki, no hitting on the nurse Sozin." said Kai. "You heard him...bye senpai!" stated Yukiko with a bright smile at her face.

She then exited the room while trying to remember where they were supposed to meet up. Her new team leader sounded like someone who did not accepted fools or cowards at their team. But the killing part had sent chills down her spine...this did not sounded like a person the young woman wanted to befriend.
'Maybe the best idea is to show up with an open mind. Perhaps this person is not as bad as they sound' decided the Chuunin as she exited the hospital.

[Exit Yukiko]