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"She was in the hospital when I retrieved her. Simple heart-monitoring machines, and an oxygen tank nearby- seemingly for just in case." Ouken rolled his eyes as he followed, doing as told. He slowly hefted her to the other shoulder as they traveled. "Is she really necessary?" he asked, a low whine in his voice.

The Hokage nodded his approval.

"They smell the same to me, I don't have as strong of a sense of smell as you. I also think there were calling for a storm later tonight, but I'm not sure. At least I'm here for you again if you need me." Kei gave her another smile and made his way to the stone bench beside the small pond.

Yuhi said nothing but gave a nod of his head. Takeshi's too dangerous to keep alive. So was that Orochimaru and now look at what's happened. Our Hokages are too soft sometimes I think. "Is there anything else, Hokage-sama?"

Takeshi circled around Konohas walls until he reached the next gate. The guards are still here and seem to be on high alert for something. Too bad they won't see me. He slipped into the trees and made his way towards the falls where he was to meet Tori.

Ouken returned the glare, but whined no more. "If she has what he had... wouldn't she have to be hooked up to more machines then just a heart-monitor?" He asked, ignoring the tone of malice. Even with his threats, he knew Orochimaru couldn't get rid of him, that easily. He was too useful a pawn, even if he did complain on a regular basis. Not even the newer recruits would be able to top him. "Would Kabuto-san be able to treat it, this time through?" He was wondering why the kid's sickness suddenly sparked his interest, but it did.

"Go. May Kami aid you if you ever become in need of help." the Hokage said, dismissing them.

Yuhi nodded to Anekio to go ahead, then turned to the Hokage. "Sir, when this is over I wish to speak about making arrangements for my fathers funeral. Also...when you get what you need from Takeshi, I plan on killing him." with that he turned and left. "Anekio, should we met up in a few minuets so we can get supplies? I think I still have my bag packed from our last mission so I shouldn't be long."

"Nothing to be sorry about, Mai-lin. I wish I could communicate with dogs like you can, it must be nice. You always have someone you can talk to and share secrets with." Kei gave a bit of a sigh as he too stared at the water.

Mai-lin splashed her own reflection, srayting some of the water up into Kei while ruining his waterself. "What are being all sad for?!" She chirped. "We're going to be the strongest team and we're really close to it so all the other teams take forever to catch up!" She threw a fist up into the air and quickly brough it back down, a slight blush on her face. "Heh....sorry about that...It was just getting kinda akward."

Kei stared at Mai-lin blinking as water dripped down his face. "Did you...just splash me?" A mischievous smile came to his face. "That's it, in you go!" He shoved Mai-lin as hard as he could towards the pond, hoping she'd go in.


Takeshi emerged from the cover of the foliage to stand a few feet from Tori. She was sitting on the ground leaning against a large boulder, appearing to be asleep. He walked over to her and knelt beside her, then reached out and brushed her hair out of her face. "I'm surprised to see you here, Koneko. It's not like you to make things easy for me." When she didn't stir, he moved his hand to her shoulder and gently shook her. When she fell over sideways, still appearing to be asleep, he cursed and jumped to his feet. Somethings not right! His blades were out in an instant, his gaze examining his surroundings. "Someone wants to play with me, hmm? Well then, show yourself!"

((Ooh, Kaebu sounds hot, you should draw a pic of him! Ouken looks lots like Deidara xd Also, if someone wants to be the one Takeshi's talking to, go for it. I don't care either way, no one has to be there.))

A gloved hand pushed eye coverings up over grey eyes as a Konoha nin stepped out. Tautaumi Mamoru glanced over Takeshi. Short brown bangs fell over one eye. "So, your Takeshi, nee? I don't see why Tori-san would want to go with you all that much." A kunai rose up from the ground as the 19-year-old moved into a fighting stance. "I wonder if you're anything like your father. Are you, nee?"

The maleish female smiled widely at Takeshi as she sliped out of her red ninja sandles. "It's your lucky day, nee? You get to fight and die by a Tsutsu Earth user, nee." If I don't wast my chakara, that is, nee? Her brown/cream t-shirt was already covered in grass stains from the time she had spent waiting for the Mist man. Her black shorts were also a bit muddy. "You should never make a woman wait, nee. It'll make me do so much more work. Try not to get blood on me okay, nee?"

((Ugh...Must make a picture for Mamoru! Or a cosplay!))

Mai-lin blinked as Kei pushed her and she stumbled backwards. She almost had contorl when the back of her legs hit the bench they had just been sitting on. She fell into the water, blinking as she let the bottom half of her clothes coak up the water, slightly confused as to why she was suddenly sitting in the middle of the pound.