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Sorain hardly twitched as Saru climbed her away up his leg and nestled herself around his shoulders, idly playing with her fingers and clinging onto the cloth of his robes but before he could answer Sai's question he stopped to react to Arina's pseudo declaration of loyalty. Shaking his head passively for a brief moment Sorain raised his hands into a shrug, "..and thats Sai for you. A solution to everything." he said. Heading forward, Sorain began to stride out of the compounds area, making sure to keep his head down and an eye out for any scouts that could potentially spot them leaving the area. His plan was to get out to the main streets where they could either head directly for the gates, or they could further discuss their plans. It wasn't as if Sorain didn't trust his brother, but more so he knew that there was always a reasoning behind everything that Sai did, despite his brothers constant attempts to try and fool everyone to believe that he was impulsive and rash. The truth was Sorain knew that Kirigakure was the best place for him to go. It was after all his home land, the place that he truly did belong. Plus he knew that the bounty that was currently on his head was a measly one for show, an idle threat to interest him to come back to the village. They didn't care much for the explosions, or the crimes that Sorain had committed. They were for more concerned with keeping the Orasakai twins securely under the banner of the water country. If he were to return, Sorain had no doubt that just as his brother predicted he would be welcomed back into the village, with supervision of course. Maybe it would be worth just turning himself in, after all he had been assured that anyone that would be tasked with his reinstatement would be under control by Sai but still. Even though he loved his brother dearly, he did not outwardly enjoy the scenario of being subjective to Sai's wrath that could result from allowing him such a position over him. Unfortunately however, he couldn't escape the fact that the offer was solid and would provide him the best possible circumstances to further his true goals. He could betray them once, he could easily do it again. Being a native of the little known Kirigakure there lingered many secretes and myths about the tiny island nation. This was a place that was once known for it's bloody contest of even the youngest of shinobi. Where the rest of the world saw young genin, Kirigakure bred men, men that could be sent into war and not hesitate to take the life of his enemy in what ever way necessary. Such practices however did not go completely unnoticed. The village of mist soon became infamous to their aggressive political stances, preferring a swift and silent kill over a long drawn out diplomatic course. It was because of this that Kirigakure slowly became the enemy of the world, the unofficial black sheep that was never to be trusted. In order to thrive, Kiri had to always be powerful, to always have the strongest army with the most powerful boarders, despite their small size. So what if the Orasakai twins were traitors, and who cares about any of the harm they caused outside their walls. The fact remained that they were both Jinchuriki that held a potentially unlimited strength, and they both where born under the Orasakai clan name, one of their villages most noble of clans. "Se be it, let us head home brother."

Arina meekly followed behind Sai keeping a fair distance between the two of them. She was not for sure why she felt so compelled to follow after him like a child with no particular direction. Looking around at the small group, they seemed to hold nothing in common whatsoever. What drew the group together; what bonded them? Obviously, Sai and Sorain shared their family’s genetics; even so, they seemed so contrasting when it came to their personalities, decisions and ideals. However, who was Arina to make that assumption? She had barely known them; she had only been observing their mannerisms and behavioral patterns with one another.

Arina shook the thought from her head looking towards Sai who seemed deep in concentration when a woman began to address him directly. She giggled slightly as Sai was brought back to reality if only momentarily. ‘Time to get out of this place,’ the young girl spun around slowly letting the beautiful imagery be captured in this moment. She wanted to never forget how gorgeous the area of the land of fire really was. Then, she turned her head to let her eyes rest upon her traveling companions who seemed to be gaining some ground on the young girl.

“Wait up!” Arina smiled turning to a light jog until she had fully caught up to the others.

[OoC: xx/60 words Lines to exit fire country]

As they walked into the village Shinken could feel the tension in the air. There was something off about the town but he couldn’t quite place it. It was like the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end, but he couldn’t place why. After taking a closer look around Shinken noticed how quiet it was. There were far less people on the street than there should have been. It was almost like they were hiding from something. That put his nerves on edge. He made his way over to Kazumi and whispered in her ear.

“Eyes sharp, somethings not right.” He warned. Kazumi had been a little uneasy but now she was fully on her guard. Her eyes scanned the area and she noticed the same things Shinken had. The few people she did see appeared to avoid eye contact and quickly move out of sight. These people were scared alright, but scared of what? Shinken leaned in close to Kazumi again and began to speak quietly.

“We’re going to pretend to split up. I’ll head down this alley way up ahead and you continue onward. Circle back, but be stealthy about it. I want to see if anyone tries to take a shot at us… Be careful” Shinken instructed in a whisper. Kazumi wasn’t completely sold on the idea of splitting up, even if it was only for a moment, but now wasn’t the time to question orders.

Shinken made a right and turned down the alley way. As he did so Kazumi continued to walk toward the center of town. She remained vigilant as she walked, aware of everything around her. Nothing jumped out at her as dangerous, and when she saw the opportunity she slipped into the shadows before circling back toward Shinken. She didn’t realize it but she was a key part of his strategy. If anyone attempted to ambush him she would have eyes on him from a distance, making it that much more difficult to catch him off guard.

Shinken for his part did his best to appear like he wasn’t paying much attention. Really he was focusing on senses other than his sight. The sounds and conversations of those around him to be precise. Whenever people spoke it was in hushed whispers but he did manage to make out something about a group of people in town, and it sounded as if the townsfolk were afraid of them. He needed more information before he could make a decision on what course of action to take. It might just be a typical gang, but on the other hand it could be some of Kaji’s men with valuable intelligence.

If he acted rashly Shinken would give away his position in fire country so he made the decision to wait. He noticed a store in the distance and decided it might be a good place to gather some intel. He altered his course as if something in the window had caught his eye and stepped into the shop. The shopkeep heard the bell and immediately jumped up from behind the counter.

“Sorry! We’re closed! Go away now!” The woman said forcefully. Shinken could hear the fear in her voice, hidden behind fake bravado. He raised up his hands apologetically.

“I just saw that statue in the window, and I have to have it. How much?” He said as he took another step inside the shop. The woman glanced over at the statue and then back to Shinken. It was clear she was debating her course of action. That was a promising sign. Before he could take another step into the shop the woman spoke up again.

“50 ryo, and then you leave.” She said firmly. Shinken nodded his agreement and began to look through his pockets. Of course he knew exactly where his coin purse was but he was buying time to make conversation.

“It’s really quiet in this town. Is it normally like this?” He asked as he pulled out three times the cash she had asked for. He held it up for her to see and gave her a knowing look. The shopkeep swallowed hard and took a step back. She was very clearly afraid of getting involved in what ever was going on in town.
‘Just the money for the Statue.” She ordered as she hid behind the counter. She flinched when Shinken walked up to the register. He gently placed two hundred and fifty Ryo down on the counter.

“I can help. Just tell me what’s going on.” He whispered. The woman looked down at the money and then back up at Shinken. She swallowed hard again and now Shinken could see the sweat on her brow. Her hand was trembling but she took the money off the counter.

“There’s a group staying in town. They’re making us pay protection money… I don’t know where they came from but they are dangerous...Some of them might be Shinobi…” She whispered quickly.

“You can take the Statue on your way out.” She said at a normal volume as she shooed him out of the store. Shinken grabbed the item so as not to arouse suspicion from anyone watching, but he had gotten at least a little of what he had actually wanted. If this group had Shinobi in it the least he could do was look into it. He might find a connection to Kaji, and if not he could send the information he gathered to the hidden leaf village and they could send someone to help the town.

Kazumi had watched as Shinken went into the shop. From her vantage point she had noticed someone watching that particular shop a little too closely. She didn’t want to act hastily so she had stayed hidden. As soon as Shinken had emerged from the building they had disappeared down an alleyway. From that observation it was very clear that Shinken was being watched, and perhaps followed. She noted which way the observer had gone, before heading to meet Shinken. When she caught up with him she grabbed his arm as if they were a couple.

“You’re being followed. Someone was watching that shop.” She whispered in his ear. Shinken for his part didn’t miss a beat. He smiled as if she had said something pleasant and leaned in close to her.

“There might be Ninja here. Follow my lead.” He instructed in a hushed voice. She giggled and slapped him on the arm.

“Of course we can get something to eat. I think there’s a restaurant down this way!” She said as she pointed Shinken towards where the observer had gone.

“Well then what are we waiting for?” Shinken asked with a laugh. Then the two of them headed down the alley prepared for whatever came next.