〚In the halls of the hospital, a bizzare train had begun at Sypher’s room and was walking down the halls. Aika was in the lead, tail high, nose up as she followed the faintest scents floating through the vents. If she were more dog, her senses would not have allowed her to do this but, as it was, she was more wolf. Her ears perked every now and then, isolating the sounds above her head from the sounds of the hospital. It was strange, she didn’t know why the new friends had run away but perhaps this was hide and seek. Syy sometimes had played with her like this back when they were wild. He didn’t do it as much in the last few days but Aika was getting to see all new things and smell new things and make new friends so she didn’t mind that much.
Behind Aika was Sypher, who didn’t appear to be paying much attention to where Aika was leading him. She had never needed a leash and it seemed even less necessary now, especially since she was interested in whatever had gotten in from outside I hope it is not a squirrel. he thought, absently pulling at loose strands of hair that were falling free of his braid. He wondered, very briefly, if he should cut his hair. But no, that was not something he would ever willingly do. Long hair was just...something he had always had. It was a part of him But I do need to change these clothes... he frowned at the hospital pajamas, picking at the collar of his shirt. He would need to get new clothes from the streets no doubt. Maybe he could borrow some money from someone to get at least a decent shirt and pair of pants. Oh, and shoes. No more running about barefoot. he thought sadly, then sighed as Aika took a left.
Behind Aika and behind Sypher was the poor Jonin the Hokage had ordered to protect Sypher, following the strange pair as they traipsed through the halls. Since the doctors had verified that the man was in fact Sypher Senju, missing Sandaime of Kirigakure, the Jonin felt a bit more pressure to protect the man than before. But...were all Kiri nin this strange? First the silent communication that seemed to be Sandaime Senju’s only form of communication, then the very large wolf-dog that seemed to be a support to the Sandaime, and now this. When the Sandaime had said walkies, he’d assumed that would mean outside. But instead, they were just following the wolf-dog through the halls. It was truly strange. Granted, he was the last link in this train of strangeness so perhaps he would be lumped in with the strangeness. Did Kiri jonin have to deal with this?
Aika stopped outside a door and scratched at it, whining, tilting her ears back and forth before looking over her shoulder at Sypher. He didn’t appear to be as bewildered by the door as she, reaching over and testing the handle. But the door appeared to be locked Well I don’t have the key. he thought, giving Aika a look. But the wolf-dog would not be deterred and she sat in front of the door, staring up at the small window that revealed a large darkened storage room “Sandaime Senju? I’m sorry but that room is for storage. You can’t go in.” said a resident, speaking kindly but also curious why the man would even want to go in there. It was just filled with old bits and excess items for the hospital. Sypher nodded to her, but didn’t respond as she walked away. The Jonin had paused several feet away, standing at the corner of a hallway intersection. Aika made another sad noise and looked at Sypher who frowned down at her What? she lifted a paw and scratched at the door again, nails clicking ... Sypher leaned against the wall, half covering the door, ...I can apologize later. he turned so that he was slightly out of sight of the Jonin, at least his left side was. Gripping the handle, he applied a tiny bit of chakra to the inner workings of the bolted lock above the handle and heard and felt a satisfying crack as the lock shattered on the inside. He may not be able to use jutsu, but he still had excellent control of his chakra. Waiting for a large crowd of doctors and staff and patients to pass between him and Jonin, Sypher popped the door open and Aika vanished inside in excitement. It….will look very guilty if I am out here and Aika is gone. Sypher thought and slipped inside to join her, closing the door silently. However, the instant assault of dust on his nose made him sneeze “K-tch!” Aika glanced at him but he waved her away Her tail will just stir up more dust. Better that she get whatever this need is out of her system. Then we can apologize for the door. Sypher rubbed his nose, feeling the beginnings of another sneeze. Aika started to walk away, her nose up, tail wagging gently, as she sniffed around for the scent she had smelled earlier which was now semi cloaked by all the dust.〛
He didn't have to knock, he knew, especially when the door had already been opened for him. But Inka reached in, allowed his knuckles to rap on the door to announce himself and show some level of politeness, even though the current situation couldn't really be called that. Walking in revealed more traditionally orientated attire, armour stitched inside and somewhat concealed by more intricate (and costly) adornments but overall appearing quite reserved and practical without being plain. Inka's usual tan had paled slightly despite the fact that Konoha got more unfiltered sun than Kirigakure ever does. Ember eyes peered into the room, landing and locking onto Takeda's form. He didn't speak at first, just taking in the sight of the young man for a few long, silent, seconds - before letting out a sigh of relief.
"Always welcome to see someone is still alive." Inka finally says, walking further into the room to take the closest seat to the Genin. "... is there anything I can answer for you?" He asked, his hesitation showing briefly before he spoke. "I'd ask if you're okay but, I have a feeling you might have been asked quite a bit already." He reveals, leaning forward to rest his weight through his elbows onto his knees.
[ entry : dojo ]
ch 15 // 15 | 15 // 15 st ⧼ Father ⬘ Mizukage ⬘ Godaime ⬘ Bukijutsu ⬘ Performer ⧽
T e c h n i q u e s :
• Speed ► Slight [Moderate Buki] [Heavily when drawing Small Weapons] [Moderate in smoke] [Heavily Buki in smoke ] [ Supreme when drawing Small Weapons in smoke ] • Reflex ► Supreme
Following in behind the Mizukage, dressed in a standard oinin uniform and with the kanji for North emblazoned upon the mask, was a male figure with clipboard and files. He briefly nodded at Kessho as he entered, the extent to which he could thank the Leaf Anbu for his hard work while he was on duty, but markedly without making eye contact. Familiar green hair framed the fox-style mask and glowing red eyes of another familiar shade shined from the shadows cast by the mask. Shaped by the blank expression and angled eye holes of the mask, those piercing crimson orbs dotted with three black tomoe carried a severity that was completely at odds with the man behind the mask. However, for the time being, as he stood on standby behind and besides the seated Mizukage, he remained imposing in his silence.
Tenshuyami
BlackFruity
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 4:59 am
"Well well." Voice chiming from the other side of the room, Takeda watched the two visitors with a gaze that bordered between inquisitive and amused. An ANBU fell within his expectations, but a possible audience with the Mizukage eluded his predictions. They didn't get off to the best start, but a combination of his friend's advice and the political assault Inka went through led the former jiongu to reconsider his first impression. Takeda's dark red eyes peered through the gaudy adornments and lofty position to perceive that they weren't so different. It was because he acknowledged their similarities that he continued to do his part for Kirigakure regardless of their initial encounter, moving their relationship from tense to mutually beneficial.
Kagerou always talked for him, though, so directly speaking to the Mizukage again felt odd, but not so strange that it overwhelmed the other feelings he was doing his best to keep in check.
"It's welcome, but I didn't expect it. I was prepared never to see the light of day again, so making it out alive still feels surreal." He admitted in a tone that was suddenly somewhat detached, looking around the room until Inka eventually took his seat nearby. He shook his head in response to the Mizukage's following words, meeting the man's gaze again after.
"I woke up every day in a different room, on another floor being tossed into a pit by other people for I don't know how long. Before waking up here...I think they were sedating me. Preparing me for a test or operation." He started, keeping a steady tone. He'd get into the nitty-gritty of things when the ANBU asked his questions, but there were some things he needed to address about that place to answer a question like Inka's. "It must have been some time between then and now that I was saved, and so here I am, but..." He wavered for the first time since speaking, breaking eye contact to let his gaze travel slowly around the room once more. A dreadful feeling caressed his heart before squeezing tight around it, and it reflected in his tone when he spoke again. "...I'll repeat it. It doesn't feel real. I can't stop thinking that the next time I close my eyes for too long, I'll wake up in that place again. It feels like I'm still there, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to sleep normally again because of it."
The relief Inka's face displayed was slowly muted, then wholly consumed, by a sedated anger. One that displayed... a familiarity to what what was being said. When you question reality, is it deja vu because it was a nightmare on repeat or just a continuous cycle that, sometimes, you thought you had glimpsed something different along the way. Blond hair in bloody sand. A mission report that always ended the same way. "Maybe you wont." Inka spoke honestly, his words worn down by a truth that, for a very long time, he didn't sleep either. Or maybe he did but his dreams were just a snapshot of when he was awake; dead eyes peering out from the shadows. "But don't give up on trying." Sleep. Peace. Being able to breath without feeling the presence of some metaphorical rock lodged so fully and prominently in the back of his throat. "You'll fail." He says. "... But I hope you wont give up." Takeda was always called strong. Always acted strong. But Inka knew it wasn't always the fight that killed a soul, and it sounded like the Genin had been dragged through a hellish whirlwind of mental and physical torture.
ch 15 // 15 | 15 // 15 st ⧼ Father ⬘ Mizukage ⬘ Godaime ⬘ Bukijutsu ⬘ Performer ⧽
T e c h n i q u e s :
• Speed ► Slight [Moderate Buki] [Heavily when drawing Small Weapons] [Moderate in smoke] [Heavily Buki in smoke ] [ Supreme when drawing Small Weapons in smoke ] • Reflex ► Supreme
O t h e r :
Tenshuyami
HeadlessKoko
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:55 pm
First at the young teen then the Mizukage, crimson eyes stared in soft sympathy, hard as it may be to see that. It should be the duty of the older generation to protect the younger from such experiences, but somehow or other, somewhere along the way, they had failed. In the Mizukage's case, it was too late to rectify their mistakes. He was all grown now. However, eyes returned to look at Takeda, even if they couldn't stop it from happening, he tried to take heart in that the boy had been saved as soon as he did.
Now wasn't the time for sappiness, however. Being familiar with hospitals, the other was sure that it wouldn't be long before a nurse or some such came over to nag all guests out, regardless of their rank or file, to give the patient time to rest and recuperate. Judging from small broken objects on the table, the scuffs on the floor, the scratch marks catching the light on the walls, and the glimmers of some glass-like dust here and there, he'd been awake long enough already to start, end, and clean up after a fight. That was a pretty long time.
If Takeda had something he wanted to say to Inka, Suigetsu would wait a little longer, but he would make sure to not miss his opportunity after that to cough lightly in order to draw attention to his presence. "Inka-sama," the oinin tilted his head slightly in the direction of the Mizukage, while still avoiding eye contact, "Apologies, but perhaps I should begin the questioning?". Contrary to the searing eyes that peered through the mask, the voice was warm, jovial. Not that Suigetsu sound like he felt happy, but rather that, even when speaking solemnly as he did now, in his position as the Mizukage's guard, his words felt as if they were effused with a friendly glow.
Minowa stared down from the newly opened vent, Itoko doing the same, their shoulders pressed tight together. The Genin radiated an aura that could only be described as 'displeased.' "You want to walk into the main passages?" He asks, voice a low whisper. Not even a stage whisper that kids their age we known for but an actual, fear-trained muted way of speaking to avoid being detected. Itoko's tail swayed in agitation - then both boy and binturong flinch back and away from the opening, hiding in the shadows of the vent. He wanted to call down to Chihiro but she was already rummaging away further from the entrance they had gotten in from and she might go without being found if he didn't call out. Itoko shrunk further back as the scent of animal, predator, danger, wafted up from the entrance just opened with a muted crack.
I t o k o : Chakra Pool: 180 // 180 Stamina Pool: 230 // 230
T e c h n i q u e s : Element : Element Jutsu
• Name Rank: X :: Simple/Spiritual/Complex Details
Jenni Deer
astrasinthewild
Quote:
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 2:04 pm
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[ Promise me you'll remember ]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ you arebraver thanyou believe; ✧
Chihiro; Chakra 160/160 Stamina 210/210 Raiton l Katon
Chihiro hears him as she glanced towards the entrance and back at Minowa, making her decision. Hiding was fun but having people think they heard something but it's nothing was even more fun until they get caught! She whispered very low and quiet, "Well," Then she stopped as the door opened. She heard the footsteps as she noticed one of the sounds sounded like Soy or Rice when they were walking on hard floors. Botamochi's nails are very trimmed in punishment for digging where he wasn't supposed to be digging so he doesn't have that clicking noise on the floor. Someone sneezed as she paused for a moment. Pushed herself up on one of the boxes silently, she peeked through the corner and joy overwhelmed her. It was the happy dog she saw earlier! And it was so much bigger than she thought! But then she frowned. She needed to do something. Now, on top of the tower of cardboard boxes, she stood up, loud and proud, and growled at the pair of them. She was the alpha here and they needed to know that! The pair of them would hear a 'plop' sound and if they look down, it was Botamochi who was belly-up due to Chihiro's growl. "I'm the bos- WAAH!" Chihiro yelped as the cardboard boxes, weak over wear and time collapsed over the fifty-pound child as she crashed into the ground below and cardboard boxes piling on top of her.
Botamochi; Chakra 60/60 Stamina 60/60 Doton l Futon
►Stronger than youseem; ♥ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬WANNAPLAY▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬- ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Smarter -- than you think]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Konohagakure l Genin l Tamer l Taijutsu l Inuzuka Clan
〚Aika froze as the waving girl appeared around the corner of a box, just a little bit of her, and her tail immediately went up. Her jaws popped open in a huge doggy smile, tongue lolling out, and she dropped into a play bow immediately. She was so low, her chin brushed the floor, and her tail was a waving flag that Sypher could see from his position by the door. Her tail was wagging so hard that it seemed like she would take flight by the time the puppy flopped down belly up. Seeing this, Aika flung herself over to go belly up as well, starting to give off happy whines of ‘please please please pet my belly’.
While Aika was busy making friends, Sypher had pulled his hair loose from the braid and was combing his fingers through it. He’d spotted the open vent after glancing around the room but he didn’t move towards it I don’t think a squirrel could break a vent. as Aika continued to stir up dust, Sypher brushed his hair out of his face and used the tie from the braid to pull his hair up into a ponytail. Normally, he preferred to have his hair loose but Right now it’s just not worth it. All this dust... he sighed and then sneezed again as Aika went into a play bow. Sypher watched her tail go a mile a minute as she kept up the play bow That is definitely not a squirrel reaction. he thought, pushing off the door frame to walk over carefully. He passed the open vent but avoided looking at it If it’s what I think it is, then the likelihood is that there are more than one. Then suddenly her tail was not in the air anymore and Sypher shook his head, smiling Yup, she’s found a friend. Knowing Aika, she had rolled over for belly rubs of some sort. For a wolf-dog, she was an exceptionally friendly animal. He was moving around the boxes when there was a sudden growling sound from above his head. Being a large person himself, that in itself was startling and he glanced up Well, that explains Aika’s behavior recently. Aika had a love for children that was probably stronger than her love for Sypher. He blinked at the small girl as she suddenly began a declaration and then “Wha-!” he watched her slide down the boxes, his eyes widening in shock, and then the boxes piled on top of the small child.
Aika had been in the middle of rolling over to look at Sypher when the girl spoke, causing Aika to jump back to her feet. But when the boxes began falling, she yelped and darted away with a whimper, avoiding the tumbling boxes even as the girl fell. Sypher felt his panic rise as the boxes covered the tiny child Oh nonononono he jumped forward, grabbing boxes and flinging them away until he uncovered the girl “Hello boss, I’m Syy, are you all right?” Aika was circling and whining behind him, poking her nose under Sypher’s arm to lick at the girl’s face if she could reach. Sypher put the last of the boxes down and knelt, hands on his knees, to watch the girl anxiously “If you hit your head, don’t sit up.” he said cautiously, his hair fanning over his shoulders. He really wished he wasn’t wearing hospital pajamas but at least he wasn’t wearing the ratty clothes from when he arrived “Oh, and this is Aika.” Sypher said, pushing an arm out to keep the wolf-dog from clambering over to the child.〛
The words weren't exactly reassuring, but that wasn't what Takeda expected from the Mizukage. Once he picked up that Inka wasn't beating around the bush, he returned eye contact directly, willing to listen to him.
The former Jiongu was no stranger to trauma. The events following the flood in the water country years ago left a gaping wound that never truly healed, but the circumstances were different. Having loved ones taken away was a unique, inimitable pain unlike anything else. It was a testament to Takeda's strength that he could move forward at all after losing everything he ever loved, but his experience in captivity was different. He had to keep himself grounded and sane despite the torment that was inflicted upon him. It was a prolonged horror, one he may have given in to if he didn't have someone to save his thoughts when he started to crack. If it weren't for them, the damage would have been irreparable.
"Mm..." He exclaimed a small sound in response and nodded his head. He wasn't prepared for the restless nights that awaited him, but he didn't plan on giving up. It was just one more of several things he couldn't afford to back out on. "I wasn't expecting that sort of candor from you, Inka. Thanks." It wasn't that he thought the Mizukage was the type to dance around words, but it wasn't often that someone in such an imposing position laid things out so directly in a situation like his. "I learned a long time ago what kind of damage it does when you let something like this run your life. It's not fair to the people who helped me learn that lesson if I give up." A small smile punctuated the words he spoke in his steady, soft tone, and he subconsciously wound up messing with the bone structure in his hands again. It wasn't like Inka's words cleansed him of his inner turmoil, but it helped in some way to know that he wasn't the only one he knew going through it.
Of course, there was another issue as well—something else he couldn't give up on. So long as he was in his new, advantageous position, there were other people he couldn't fail either.
Takeda noticed the ANBU operative's sudden cough and recognized its intention. Inka, at the end of the day, was an outlier in the present situation. He knew from the Konoha operative that questioning was the final formality before he was allowed to run free. There was only one person in the room capable of doing that efficiently. "I'm ready to answer any questions you might have. If you want me to recite everything I can remember from start to finish, I can try doing that too."
"Mhm," Inka responded in reply. "Not so long ago, I don't know if I'd be willing to give such candour." He admitted. "And it's fine to live in the memory of what people have given to you, but don't forget to live for yourself as well." Amber eyes drifted down to Takeda's hands for a brief moment. "Even if it takes time for you to work out what that means." The words were slightly softer, the only sign besides a small glint of guilt in the Mizukage's eyes that he too had needed time.
Amber eyes darkened as they flashed their annoyance without hesitation at the Anbu that had interrupted him. He had never appreciated the chipper tone from this particular individual for reasons he had never expressed beyond a flat look and a dismissal from his presence. It was only exacerbated now, when he felt like he was actually making ground with the Genin despite the past mistakes Inka had made with the former Jiongu. The Godaime gave the smallest huff through his nose before redirecting his attention to Takeda.
"Take your time," Inka encouraged Takeda. "I'd like to hear as much as your willing." The Hizara did not have the same concerns as the Anbu regarding being 'nagged' out of the room, willing to throw his title's weight about in this instance if it meant acquiring what was best for his village - including getting the hardest of Takeda's arrival out of the way so he wasn't left in uncertainty about the next steps of his recovery and, potential, reintegration into the shinobi forces.
ch 15 // 15 | 15 // 15 st ⧼ Father ⬘ Mizukage ⬘ Godaime ⬘ Bukijutsu ⬘ Performer ⧽
T e c h n i q u e s :
• Speed ► Slight [Moderate Buki] [Heavily when drawing Small Weapons] [Moderate in smoke] [Heavily Buki in smoke ] [ Supreme when drawing Small Weapons in smoke ] • Reflex ► Supreme
A soft click was all the announcement the Anbu - unintentionally - made upon arriving at the entrance of the storeroom, its porcelain mask staring, unmoving, from the entrance and straight at Syy. Dressed in the standard Anbu garb, the only signifier of their alliance was the symbol of Mist painted on a bandana wrapped around their upper arm. On their shoulder a harrier bird with unblinking, gold, eyes had its gaze locked on the long-haired male as well. The kanji for the cardinal direction of South was painted on the mask, slightly framed by short, shoulder-length brown hair, the top half of which was tied up.
The Anbu tilted their head up and to the side slightly, silently regarding the man who so very eerily appeared to be a man long since missing. From the vent, a Genin and Binturong did the same.
I t o k o : Chakra Pool: 180 // 180 Stamina Pool: 230 // 230
T e c h n i q u e s : Element : Element Jutsu
• Name Rank: X :: Simple/Spiritual/Complex Details
Behind the mask, the guard didn't hesitate to smile, already accustomed to this sort of glare and treatment, and of course, he understood himself the kind of moment he had interrupted, despite being nothing but the kage's shadow. He took the cue and, to avoid being chased out of the room with orders, resumed being mute. This was, evidently, a regular enough occurrence for this guard to actually carry flash cards with pre-written messages on them as he flicked one out of his sleeve, like a magician with a playing card, and flipped it over for Takeda to see the generic message, "Per the Mizukage, please."
Then, following that and a few swift scribbles, the clipboard was also flipped over, this time to reveal a message in such neat, symmetrical handwriting that it was hard to believe a human hand had written it: "Please speak comfortably. When it becomes too much we can always continue later."
Two new cards were pulled out of the sleeve while the first was slotted back on. One held over the other, they read, "Please begin," and "Please tell us everything."
The cards were flipped back into the oinin's sleeve after long enough and the notepad clipped to his clipboard was turned to a new page, fresh for the taking of notes. His eyes, which had continued to avoid eye contact even now, rested upon the page, ready for Takeda to begin.
Tenshuyami
BlackFruity
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:39 am
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[ Promise me you'll remember ]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ you arebraver thanyou believe; ✧
Chihiro; Chakra 160/160 Stamina 210/210 Raiton l Katon
On the way down, she remembered her mother's words while she was going up to always tuck in her chin so she did exactly that! Tucked in her chin in case she landed roughly but really, all she did was landed on her butt as the annoying cardboard boxes were shifting around. Thankfully, they were empty but they were still rather dusty. Her mother wasn't going to be pleased. Her clothes, now dusty along with some dust bunnies in her hair, she heard the other guy helping her out. No! She doesn't need any help! Botamochi even tried to stop the guy but being a pup, he didn't have that much power behind him. Too late. He was fast. With a single canine tooth flashing at him, she stopped as she sees Akira, a big smile crept on her face. "Aika!" She said once she found out the dog's name, shoved Syy's arm out of the way, and went to hug the dog. Her arms barely reached around the neck as she noticed the ANBU standing behind Syy. With an angry growl, she let go of Akira, and her brows furrowed in rage. Botamochi was right there between her legs and snarling at the ANBU himself. "Get out! You don't play here unless you a pack!" Chihiro placed her hands on her hip. For a six-year-old child and barely three feet, she had a lot of courage and spunk along with that pup.
Botamochi; Chakra 60/60 Stamina 60/60 Doton l Futon
►Stronger than youseem; ♥ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬WANNAPLAY▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬- ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Smarter -- than you think]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Konohagakure l Genin l Tamer l Taijutsu l Inuzuka Clan
〚Aika was thrilled. The small child had been threatening towards Sypher, with the canine, but now she was hugging Aika! Oh yes, this was quite-a click. Aika’s hair stood on end and she twisted to stand guard against the silent arrival, the hair along her neck and spine rising up. Her lips drew back in a silent warning, even as she crouched lower while the child and the dog declared against the Anbu. She shifted sideways, pressing into Sypher’s thigh and hip, into her pack leader, a nonvocal rumble starting in her chest and vibrating through to Sypher’s leg.
Sypher was relieved the child wasn’t hurt, allowing his arm to be moved away as the girl flung her arms around Aika. It appeared children remained as resilient and defiant as always and it brought a gentle smile to his face to see Aika being loved. As such a large wolf-dog, and black at that, she often was treated with wariness. He turned slightly to watch Aika and then stopped ... Aika and the child reacted to the presence of the Anbu, the girl yelling and defiant, Aika silent and on guard. Sypher didn’t react. It wasn't that he was unsurprised by the Anbu's presence, he was. He just knew that his position at the moment was tenuous, at best, and dangerous at worst. Reacting too strong, and he would lose all chance of seeing his family. Reacting too meekly, and he would have to suffer under suspicion and distrust for even longer. He pet Aika’s head as she leaned into him, applying comforting pressure, as he thought about how to deal with this. It hadn’t taken much for him to identify the Anbu as one of Kirigakure, a bird, the sigil of Kirigakure on the armband. But he didn’t speak If the Hokage had sent them, they would have announced themselves. he rubbed Aika’s ears, turned so that he was facing her and his left side was presented to the Anbu. Her silent rumble worried him and he leaned his face into her head, making a gentle noise similar to a dog comforting a pup If they’re not sent by the Hokage, then they aren’t sent by Kirigakure either. he rested his chin on Aika’s head, his eyes closing slightly And if they weren’t sent by Kirigakure...then...
“I’ve spent almost all of my life being suspected.” he said calmly, running his hands down Aika’s sides, “First because I was an orphan, then because I was a rogue, and finally because despite being a rogue, I attained the status of Mizukage.” he tilted his head, ruffing Aika’s ears “It’s an uncomfortable situation, to always be watched. To always be doubted. It’s tiring. Especially when the doubt and suspicion is from my own village.” Sypher stood then, turning slowly so that he was facing the Anbu fully. “But I’ve withstood it. Accepted it. To an extent, because I want my family back. I want to go home, wherever that home may be.” His tone had slowly drifted from amicable to distant. And now, facing the Anbu, it changed again. To an icy cold, confidently powerful, and decidedly calm tone “I’ve taken all of the Hokage’s tests and proved who I was. I’ve provided evidence to back up those tests. I am who I say I am.” his eyes weren’t unfriendly but there was that same coolness in them as could be heard in his voice “I assumed, incorrectly it now seems, that the Hokage would have alerted the shinobi of Kirigakure that I was here. That he would have done so once I had finished all his tests and all the prodding by the doctors here.” He kept a hand on Aika, keeping her at his side, and he had cautiously held a hand out to stop the small girl from saying anything more. Cautiously because he suspected she might bite him if he tried to protect or help her. It was just a feeling but so far, his instincts had not yet failed him. Though he was taking a big chance here “It appears I’ll have to introduce myself properly. Again.” Still cold but clearly showing a willingness to submit to the Anbu’s attention, Sypher lifted the hand that was stopping the child and placed it on his chest, speaking calmly “I am Sypher Jaeger Senju, formerly Mizukage of Kirigakure, sanin of Kirigakure.” How much information to share…“I have been held captive until recent and have come to find my son.”
Three years. did he still dare to call Inka his family? He didn’t know. He knew in his hear that Inka was probably the only person he would ever love as much as he loved his son. That Inka was the only family Sypher had ever truly known. But a lot could have changed in three years. Inka would have changed. Minowa would have changed. He knew that. It didn't make it any easier for him to speak as if Inka was not everything to him “I am not in a position to demand anything.” he acknowledged “But I would like to speak to Mizukage Hizara. And I want to see my son.” His voice broke just a little on the last sentence, cracking the calm exterior he was presenting. Sypher knew Minowa was alive. The Hokage had given him that much information at least, that Inka and Minowa were both still alive and were here. He had done everything that had been asked of him. The desire to see his son had been building since he’d seen the little girl. It was a desperation, a hole in his being, and it was going to break him if he wasn’t careful. Aika was still pressed into him but she was no longer as ruffled as she had been, her tail low and ears pressed flat against her skill in a cautious manner.〛
