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Tamao braced herself to endure the flames for the moment that they were in existence. They scorched her slightly, she could feel the superheated air suck the oxygen right out of her lungs, and had to hold back a cough. Saikou had already moved to recover his sword from where it had been sent to plunge into the building's roof. She waited for him to ready himself, she wasn't about to attack in that window of opportunity, she had her honor and pride. Instead, she waited for him to ready himself and beckon her to start. Only then did she go into motion. First, she pointed her blade straight out, the point aimed directly at Saikou, not even wavering. Then she rushed forward, nearly a blur, as she closed the distance in an instant. She had pulled her sword close as she reduced the distance between them, and now thrust it out in a point first thrust, aimed to just ever so slightly cut his cheek unless he parried it. At the speed he had already shown, there was a chance he could. About a fifty fifty chance. But would he, or would he not?
(+197)

Tamao hadn't expected Saikou to close the distance, they had been dueling with swords, once you got too close, you wouldn't have room to swing your sword very well at all. But rather than using his blade, he seemed to have another idea. Moving his sword behind her, he used his free hand to tear her mask free, finally revealing her face. Her eyes widened in shock as the barrier she wore to keep the bitter world away from her was forcibly removed, and in a fit of anger, elbowed Saikou hard in the stomach. She strode over to where her mask lay from where it had been tossed, and picked it up, looking at it for a moment. She looked up from her mask to frown at Saikou, that might not have been the wisest course of action he could have taken.
(+145)

Tamao slipped her mask back on, and with it's familiar presence over her face, she felt calm return to her. Turning back to face Saikou smartly, her cloak flapped in the foggy wind, and she leveled her sword to point at his kneeling form. She gave no sign that she had even heard his words, but she had been listening. She wasn't about to call it quits yet, she had yet to see what his true potential might be. So instead, she pointed her blade at him and announced her reply. "Is that the limit of your blade's strength? I think not. Rise, and finish what you have started, if you trust in your blade at all. There is no need for anything else." She shifted her stance to hold her own blade in front of her at an angle, holding it low in her left hand, with the point rising up to cross her body and angle to the upper right. The air was still clammy and cool with the ever present fog, that showed no sign of being burned away anytime soon.
(+184)
(Sorry about not replying sooner.)

Tamao grinned behind her mask when she saw Saikou move into position again. So he hadn't given up yet, good. Perhaps she could see a bit more of the strength of his sword. She was focused on his movements, preparing to block or parry his next sword strike. Instead, his Four Gods attack almost seemed to take her by surprise. She made no move save to regain her footing when the large shell rose up beneath her, nor did she attempt to leap out of the way when the twisters formed once more. Finally, when all of the technique's destruction coalesced onto where she was, still she did nothing to avoid it. A fraction of a second later, she stepped forward calmly from behind Saikou, walking up to him and holding her sword at his neck. He would likely be focused on where she had been, instead of where she was now. "A powerful technique, but it does have it's weaknesses. Stationary, if the enemy can move from the center, it is almost worthless. As well, with the shell being it's first facet, it gives far too much warning to the enemy. But well done regardless."
(+196)

Tamao remained where she was, the blade still held at Saikou's neck, listening as he replied to her analysis of his last technique that he had used. His next words seemed to catch her by surprise, both at the compliment, and at the fact that he seemed to be done. She lowered the blade, and even as he hand returned to her side, the blade vanished, back to the non-place that she kept it in, along with all of her other blades. Only then did she finally reply. "If you have unearthed the strength of your blades, then you have but one more question to decide upon. What is the strength of your blade, and for what purpose is it there? Once you find your own answer to this question, then come find me again, and we shall cross blades once more. And I won't hold anything back, so be prepared." She nodded in thanks for the brief but somewhat enjoyable spar, and turned on her heel to begin to walk away into the foggy village, her frayed cloak flapping in the clammy wind. Behind her mask, there was a shadow of a smile upon her face, a small bit of pride at having uncovered a potential future challenger in the way of the blade. The proper path to the way of the blade often led such fighters together, only to move on and set them against yet another opponent, and so on. The path never ended, if you had but the simple courage to keep moving forward.
(+261)

It was a hazy morning in the Water nation. Just like it usually was. The Village Hidden in the Mist was plagued with uncertainty. Their Hokage had been gone for so long, it was expected that she was never to return. ANBU and Hunter nin were dispatched to find any traces of the Mizukage, only to find a cloud of mist shrouding the mystery to her disappearance. The country itself was on the verge of civil war. Torn in half by those who called for a new leader and those who remained faithful to their missing leader.

The village council had been meeting for months trying to decide how to lead the village. Aozame was requested to attend every meeting. Oh how he hated these meetings. It was always the same. The village council shouting at the top of their lungs back and fourth on the same subject. "We have to decide on a new leader now! We cannot wait any longer for a leader who is probably dead!" Shouted an bald elderly man. A few of the women gasped. "How dare you speak such treason against Mizukage-sama!" young female council member shrieked.

The elderly woman next to her stood up to address the entire council. " Although we all wish to believe that Mizukage-sama will return to us, after over two years, we can no longer deny that this village needs a head. A leader. An Authority figure to bring hope to the people. Its a miracle the other nations haven't seized the opportunity and plundered our nation. I propose that we elect a new village Kage being of the same clan as Mizukage-sama." There was an uncertain murmur among the council.

A few eyes darted to Aozame who was dressed in full hunter attire with his mask askew on his head. He was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. He didn't dare open them to gaze at the few council members staring at him. Some with admiration. Others with disdain. The elderly woman cleared her throat as she continued "By making a Hoshigaki clan member as the new Mizukage, it shall show our loyalty to Mizukage-sama's family and that although we haven't given up hope seeking her out, we address the concerns of a leaderless nation." More murmurs broke out amongst the council members and even more eyes went to Aozame. He was growing quite uncomfortable as if he could feel their stares burning holes into him.

"Therefor, I nominate Aozame Hoshigaki, leader of the Hunter Deep Sea Division, as our new Mizukage" she added pressing her glasses up her bridge. Aozame had no choice but to open his eyes. A few council members responded in approval. "He has displayed his capabilities as a Hunter Nin captain. He finished the insane leader of the Waterfall Village on the road to conquest, and even claimed their village's most sacred treasure, the hero's water." There were many nods and comments of praise among the council. "Here, here!" The woman spoke again now waving a fan in front of her "All those in favor" Aozame couldn't deny that he was curious to see how many votes he got. He was surprised that more than half of the village council had their hands raised.

"Then its settled. Aozame Hoshigaki. You shall be the new Mizukage. We will make the official announcement to the village in three days time. Until then you will be sworn in and begin your duties as the village leader immediately" She said folding her fan as she addressed Aozame. He uncrossed his arms and stood up straight. "I would rather the decision hadn't come to making me as Mizukage but in this time of desperation, I will do what is necessary for my people." The majority of the council members nodded while others crossed their arms stubbornly. One in particular who had spoken at the beginning of the meeting said "Be mindful Aozame-dono. Although you are now Mizukage, any decision you make will ripple through the country like a drop of water in a dead calm lake" Aozame knew the comment was more of an insult he merely gritted his teeth, preventing from snapping back at him.

" I can't see a thing..." Matsuri said as she tried to look around. She had just gotten off the docks but now all she could see it mist. " Last time we visited here it wasn't that bad,.. " She muttered to her self while taking a few steps forward only to snack her knee cap on something hard, making her pull back. 'Damn it what the hell did I hit?' Thinking this as she reached out in front of her self, trying to find her way around.








" Damn this f-cking mist," Ryuko muttered to her self as she crossed her arms over her chest. 'If I ever find out who's doing this I swear I'll castrate or spay them...' She thought while a small smirk appeared on her face.