The Long Day [Open]

Kotsuzui sat comfortably in the sand with his legs crossed and his upper body hunched over. His hands felt awkwardly empty without the comfortable feeling of the sake bottle in them. Not knowing what to do with his hands he simply placed the tips of his fingers into the sand creating miniature holes. For a moment his attention had completely left the current conversation now being focused on two other things. One, his fingers in the sand. Secondly, fighting off the urge to dose off. The Kaguya was incredibly exhausted and sleep was clinging to him like an infant at the tit of its mom. It took everything he had not to just pass out on the surprisingly comfortable sand. But he did not want to seem rude to the two Kiri shinobi. Staying awake was the least he could do. 

Nobunaga had made a comment about Takeo not mentioning his family name. Kotsuzui had paid little to no mind at all from the Kiri Genin having left that bit of information out. He knew not why he had chosen to do so but he simply left it at that. Simply put, if the man had not originally done so then he likely did not want to. The Kaguya saw no reason to prod into the matter. The Hiyu did however. apparently he needed to know what family Takeo came from. Before Kotsuzui had just been looking down at the sand so he was oblivious to what was happening. But the lingering silence after Nobunaga posed his question for the Kaguya to look up and see what was happening. Nothing was happening. The two men were simply looking at one another as if trying to figure each other out. One trying to figure out why he wanted to know the last name, the other trying to figure out why he omitted his last name. Meanwhile Kotsuzui was just sitting there, not a care in the world what their reasonings were. One thing he had noticed was Takeo kept the bottle in his possession but was not drinking. How long was he planning on keeping it without even taking a sip?

Tadashi. The words hit Kotsuzui quick and hard and suddenly he was back and paying full attention to the conversation. His gaze snapped over to the Hiyu to see if the brute had picked up on what Kotsuzui had just done so himself. But Kotsuzui could not get a reading on the man. If ever there had been a walking, talking statue, it would be this man. Whatever was going through his mind, his face did not betray him. This Genin shared the same clan name as none other than the Mizukage. The first question that popped into the Kaguya's mind was how close were they even related? Just because one held a family name did not mean they were closely related. Kotsuzui had met a number of Kaguya, none of whom he had known prior to the primary interaction. Was it the same for Takeo and Xyxer? Or were they actual siblings? He chose not to ponder on the questions for any moment longer, instead keeping them in the back of his mind should a time arise where he could find out more.

They both offered a quick reply to Kotsuzui's remark about them being a strange bunch of people before the conversation got somewhere a little more interesting for the Kaguya. How Nobunaga came to be a Kiri nin. It would seem his question also intrigued Takeo. Although Kotsuzui wasn't sure at first. His remark forced a smirk to make its away onto Kotsuzui's face as he glanced briefly over to the Tadashi after his quick witted comment. "I'd wager against that" Kotsuzui replied to the quip. Kumo had not been attacked by Kiri and thus Kotsuzui believed that their circumstances would be vastly different. Little did he know that it would likely be a wager he'd lose assuming Nobunaga told them what had really happened.

He started with a bit of a backstory, explaining Kumo was never his home and he was forced to join because his home was taken. "So he's Suna too" Kotsuzui thought to himself as Nobunaga continued. Hearing this had happened in Kotsuzui's home surprised him. He didn't even know Nobunaga had been in Konoha. It was pretty clear Nobunaga elected to withhold some of what really went down which was entirely his prerogative. So Kotsuzui would prod no longer into his affairs. At least on that matter. He had another question. "Why didn't you join Konoha?" It was a simple question. One Kotsuzui would delve into a little more. "It's no secret we accepted refugees from Suna after you were conquered. We were allies after all. In fact, our Hokage is one of you... former Sunagakure shinobi. Why was he not conscripted, but you were?" 

He was prodding a little bit into the brutes affairs. But they were questions Kotsuzui did not feel like holding in. The alcohol was also making him looser with his tongue than usual. Which reminded him... was Takeo still holding onto the bottle?

The pressure of himself and the pink haired individual was enough to force the large man to begin to spill more information about how they came to be in this situation. Perhaps Takeo had misjudged the man, who at a glance did not look like the type to be so easily swayed. Though perhaps they simply had been looking for an outlet this entire time. Maybe he sensed a kindred spirit amongst the mist in the form of the individual to Takeo's right. The bottle in Takeo's hand that had once felt odd had slowly begun to find it's place, as if it had always belonged there. A slight shake of the head to gather his senses before he would move to hand it back over toward the Kotsuzui. It was an old habit, one that Takeo no longer deemed necessary to his survival and one that he was also not interested in picking up again for fun.

Takeo did not interrupt during the explanation presented to the pair, deciding instead to simply listen with his gaze once more cast out to the horizon. Something about the statement of Kumo not being the man's home resonated with Takeo himself. Since Tenga Takeo had not truly felt at home anywhere else. While he had stayed in many places over the last few years he had never grown comfortable in them truly. Even now while he lay dormant in Kiri his mind remained elsewhere. Thoughts of the sands of the country of Haven plagued his thoughts, not helped by the constant reminder that conversed with him daily. The insatiable hunger within his gut for wandering gnawed at him with each passing moment. A longing to be anywhere else, to see what else the seemingly downsizing world had to offer to intrigue him.

Yet here he remained, on this misty beach listening to a man's tale on why he two now sat here.

So he continued to listen. Based on the dialogue between the other two so far Takeo assumed they had both been at the Kage summit, the one that Takeo himself had missed. He was unsure of the exact details of what went on that day still, though the joint Chuunin exams that were mentioned thereafter by Nobunaga was likely the main takeaway. The man's last statement struck Takeo as odd. Xyxer was never one to make agreements with others, at least not to his own knowledge. The activities of his brother as a Kage were still foreign to Takeo.

Takeo opened his mouth to reply as silence beckoned, however it was the other man who spoke first. It was there that he produced another piece to the puzzle. A former shinobi of Sunagakure? Takeo had been there on that day. His own memories were hazy at best, he recalled a man in tight leather pants and something to do with burgers. The man had seemed angry for some reason. Perhaps due to the other person who had been with him. It was likely he would never know why, a mystery to the end.

He allowed himself a wry smile. "How can one be an ally to a village if they only help after a village is conquered." Takeo wondered, addressing neither one of the two in particular. "Konoha benefited quite a bit from that I guess, getting a bolster to their own forces from the dregs of Suna after the fact. Though..I suppose it didn't really matter in the end." There was a slight pause as another thought came to his head. "It seems you would have been destined to become apart of Kiri either way, as a member of Kumo like now, or as a member of Konoha when it had been taken over." The tone of his voice hinted at his own amusement of the situation of the two men. To be bound by family ties is one thing, but to be bound to serve through the act of a conqueror was a different matter entirely.

The stern gaze of the brute would casually shift to face Kotsuzui as they duo continued their questioning of the Hiyu. He wondered why they were so intrigued by his story. Perhaps it was because of its peculiar nature for not many people experienced the life Nobunaga had. From being raised among the sand dunes of Suna, guarding the infested rot fields of Kumo to now, serving under the conquering war lord of Kiri and unknowing to the others, he served as ANBU for all three of those major villages. He had failed his previous two posts, would this assignment be different?

"The successor to the mantle of the Kazekage was not granted the choice of seeking refuge in Konoha. He was forced to join the ranks of Kumo unless their assault continue, therefore I chose to follow my Kage." It was as simple as that. Instead of seeking refuge in a peaceful village, Nobunaga chose to subjugate himself to the grotesque, criminal village of Kumo, doing what he believed was his duty and that was to serve his leader. Nobunaga was surprised to hear that a Suna nin had become the Hokage. The only one he felt was capable of such a feat among the Suna ranks who went to Konoha was his old friend Kinzoku. How different their paths had been since the fall of Koroshi and its subsequent destruction. "Including myself and the successor Kage, only a few select individuals came along to Kumo, the rest going to Konoha. I know not what happened to them afterwards." Along with Kyson and himself, two other had gone to Kumo with him. A friend of Kyson and some red headed kunoichi who Nobunaga could not remember either of their names. 

Once more, Nobunaga's attention would turn to the Tadashi who seemingly asked a rhetorical question therefore the Hiyu remained silent. It seemed he was fond of teasing and trying to get on people nerves. However, the Hiyu was chiseled from stone. He was built sturdy both on the outside and in. Never had he let the ramblings of an individual get to him and today would not be the first time. 

"It would seem so." Confirmed Nobunaga. Takeo was right. Despite having chosen a different path from his former brethren in Suna, they now both found themselves under the rule of Kiri. They because Xyxer challenged them, Nobunaga because he challenged Xyxer. Funny how the world worked "Destiny is an odd thing. What is the saying?" Nobunaga asked no one his particular as he looked over the sea at the horizon stretching out of sight. "All roads lead home?.... Whether it be by chance or design, we all find ourselves here." Turning back to Takeo whom Nobunaga was responding too, the brutish Hiyu would continue "Make of it what you will but we are here now, the same as you are. The method of us being here is irrelevant at this point."

Finally, the bottle was handed back over to the Kaguya. He had been waiting for it but did not want to seem rude in asking for it back. So he waited until Takeo was done with it, unsure whether or not he had even taken a drink from it. Grasping the bottom by the neck, he slowly but methodically brought it to his lips as he had done over a hundred times. After a number of sips, he brought the bottle back down before whipping his lips on the back of his sleeve. His focus during this time remained on the brute. He did not seem opposed to responding to the Kaguya's questions for which he was grateful for. Had he simply chosen not to respond it would have left the trio in an awkward silence. If that were to happen, Kotsuzui had his drink to fall back to.

The Hiyu's response was simple enough. One Kotsuzui took to heart. Had he been under the same circumstances he was more than certain he would have done the same to follow and protect his Kage. The Kaguya was loyal to his village. Even under his own circumstances where he was essentially being forced to leave his home and come to Konoha, Kotsuzui saw himself as still being loyal to his village. It seemed Nobunaga was not the only one to join Kumo's forces. The Kaguya wondered what their reasons must have been. Were they similar to that of the Hiyu or did they have their own. He would find it odd that given the choice one would remain with the village that conquered them.

His gaze shifted slightly over to Takeo as he spoke up making a comment of his own on how Konoha's forces must have gotten a bolster due to this. Although they had, it was a minor bolster and one that had proven ineffective. No doubt Takeo had brought that very fact up. Kotsuzui couldn't tell if it was another slight jab from the Kiri Genin so he didn't dwell on it for too longer. Instead he continued listening as he brought up the point that no matter what decision Nobunaga had made at the time, his final destination would have been the same. Kirigakure. It was an indisputable fact. One Nobunaga agreed with as he responded with a common saying about all roads leading home and about destiny. it was telling about the Hiyu and his perspective on life.

The phrase caused the Kaguya to look at the surrounding beach and waters. "Home..." he thought to himself as his eyes wondered to the surrounding environment. Whether he was foced to or not the Kaguya wasn't sure he'd ever be able t call this place home. Home was a special place to people. At least it was to Kotsuzui. As far as he could tell, this village would never hold the value of being that special place. Kotsuzui disagreed with Nobunaga's final statement about the methods to how they got here were irrelevant. But he felt no need to voice his opinion on the matter. He had already prodded into the man's business enough as it is. There was no need for starting an argument. So instead, the Kaguya chose to continuing drinking his sake instead fortunate that there was still some alcohol left in the bottle to occupy his time instead of talking.

Today had proven to be far more eventful than Takeo could have imagined. He had gained information about his brother's exploits, and about the new forces he had brought in, which would prove valuable in the coming future. What he would do with said information was unknown to even he at this moment. Though to know that there were others who may be easily swayed away from the heavy handed reach of Xyxer was excellent to know.

It was time to call it a day, there was little else that he needed to know. Takeo curtly excused himself and would make his way back to the Tadash complex to go about the rest of his day.

[Exit]

3984 words


3308 to The Right to finish learning it.

676 toward Telepathy Seal making it 676/1875 to learn

Only silence remained. After the Hiyu spoke his words, both of his audience members had not spoken a single word. They simply sat there, mulling over his words it seemed, whether in agreement or disagreement, it did not matter. The Hiyu sat there, back perfectly strait and hands gentle placed on top of his shoulders while he sternly gazed at them. It seemed their time was coming to an end for there was no more to say and one of the trio had decided to take their leave. It was the Tadashi who stood first and left before formally saying his goodbyes. Nobunaga curtly offered a simple nod in response, stoically following with his unwavering eyes while Takeo walked up the beach and back into the village. 

Once his figure had vanished behind the buildings that formed the boardwalk, Nobunaga would turn his attention back to the Kaguya, the last stranger who remained. "I too will be taking my leave." Uttered the Hiyu. He had only come here to speak to the strangers because the Rokubi had suggested he do so. However, now that Takeo had broken the ice in leaving first, the antisocial Hiyu would take the opportunity to leave as well before the Kaguys held him down in more questions. "However before I do, you mentioned a Sunagakure refugee had become your Kage. Who might that be?"


If Kotsuzui answered and told Nobunaga that his old Nazar friend had obtained the mantle, the Hiyu would response with a short nod and a small grin on his face before it swiftly morphed back into its usual stern expression. "An old friend of mine. I hope he serves them well." To think, that if Nobunaga had gone to Konoha instead of Kumo and had he survived the Kiri invasion, he could have been serving under his old friend as a guard to the Hokage. 


Whether Kotsuzui told him or not, the Hiyu would rise from his seated position to his full height and stand there for a moment, letting the sand slide our from the creases of his plated armor and off of his weather worn cloak. Gazing down at the not so sober shinobi, Nobunaga would say his final piece. "I bid you farewell Kaguya and luck in your future endeavours." With a soft nod, the brutish ANBU would readjust the massive great sword strapped to his back while he turned to place Kotsuzui behind him and also headed into the city. 


"Look at you, you made some friends."


EXIT:


3421 all into Mastered Cloak

Approved unless interrupted Takeo & Nobu <3

Kotsuzui nonchalantly turned his gaze over to Takeo as he decided to take his leave while excusing himself politely. Kotsuzui have a slight nod in his direction while raising the bottle of alcohol. "Thanks for sharing a drink" he said to the departing Genin before turning his attention to the Hiyu who evidently was also taking his leave. He offered him a similar nod as the one he had given to Takeo, opting not to raise the bottle of alcohol since Nobunaga had decided not to partake. Before he left he had a question of his own, inquiring about who had risen to the mantle of Hokage. "Kinzoku Nazar I believe" replied the Chuunin without hesitation. Turns out the two actually knew each other from their time in Suna. How their paths had diverged. "Ditto" he replied to Nobu's statement about serving them well. 

"Be seeing you are, Nobunaga" Kinzoku said, a slight grin forming on their face. No doubt their paths would cross one way or another, both being in Kiri. Being the last of the trio, Kotsuzui decided to remain on the beach and enjoy some quite time while he continued to finish off the bottle of sake.

[Exit]
TWC: 4191

1350 words into D and C version of Smash
2800 words for 28ap
41 words stored I guess
Memorize both chakra sigs

No storing wc but approved for the rest