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 Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:56 am
It was probably useless to appeal to Michishirube. The northern gate guardian was probably clueless to this whole situation. Pointless to drag bystanders in... However...this brat, on the other hand... Kensei didn't get very far as Haru...he could care less about the 'laying hands on a nobleman' crap... No handseals, but wood from the earth sprung forth and trapped Kensei from moving. Firstly, as the original royal family of Konoha, this brat has the audacity, the arrogance...? But for the sake of politics and not getting his ears chewed out by the captain...
"Excuse me..." Haru chipped in politely as he could, with as much patience as he could muster. "But one of those 'Senju bastards' are right in front of your face." There was something cold-edged in this hunter's emerald eyes. "I asked a question. Just how was Shiro injured?" The cold silence grew heavier. "He may be clumsy but I doubt his training story...obviously, he was covering up for that puppet girl, though I cannot imagine why."
The threat was clear: the penalty for harming a member of the royal family...
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:41 pm
Kensei was now mad but he knew he couldn't really do anything. "Let me go. That b***h drew her weapons first. me and my brother were unarmed. Gekkani was defending us and we were doing our best to avoid bloodshed." Kensei calmed down and just sat down in his cell. "That is the problem with you senju you don't use your minds. you attack first and ask questions later." Kensei had stopped speaking as he realized that words would get him nowhere with this Senju beast.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:11 pm
((They're all still in the courtyard.))
It suddenly became very clear...
If someone had drawn weapons on two main branch members - a berserker will arrive at only one conclusion: kill the offender. Meaning there could have been only one possible scenario: Shiro - stupid, big-hearted, reckless idiot... He must've tried to stop Gekkani, tried to talk to a berserker... Tried to reason. His eyes burned - fire burned in emerald orbs - but he wasn't angry at Kana who hurt Shiro, not even at Shiro for being so stupid, not even at the girl who was idiot enough to pull weapons in the presence of a berserker Sannin...but at Hyuuga in general.
It ticked him off. Seriously. The grip of the wood grew stronger - gradually but forcefully - as if caught in the constraining vicegrip of Herculean-strength Gouwan itself.
"The problem with you Hyuugas is that arrogance. What can your people do for this village - besides garnering problems every now and then? Thinks you are so omniscient - preaching of fate, while you are more blind than ever seeing. Be glad..." Snapped Haru, spitefully. "Be grateful that okami-sama sought it fit to at least place a few decent people in your clan. Otherwise, I would've added to the list of unsolved questions wondering how Hyuuga even lasted to this day." His words were biting: a sharp reminder that no matter what, Senju held the primary cards. It is their legacy that burned in the hearts of the villagers - and it remains so, even to today. Even that famous rivalry with Uchiha was no coincidence...
The one family who had tamed the feared tailed beasts (bijuus), and had given life to where it is devoid... The one who had united warring Fire Country... And this brat, who even understood so little as to exactly the meaning of Kana's puppet - the violation its existence broke - and of Kana's existence herself...
"Speak you, brat, of things you know nothing about. Say, what do you know about that girl's arts itself? Even you, who is in the same family, knows nothing of her position - not a person, not even a ranked shinobi but a berserker - a living weapon." Haru's glare bore into Michishirube. "...being feared by her own "family"...disgusting...when they were the ones who turned her like that..."
The one clan who had never raised a berserker for the sake of 'protecting clan interests' during the 'dark age'. Or, at least Haru was convinced so... There was just a slight problem, in the existence of the present clan leader - the Hokage Senju Zephyr - but we shall leave that story for another time.
"There is more to this than meets the eye." Snapped Haru. "I know enough about the berserker system that they serve the main family as a sort of knight order. Attack upon call - draw back with the order. If it was a mere case of 'teaching a lesson', Shiro would not have risked his life. Meaning...an order was given." He said flatly. "Answer. Did you give the execution order?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:17 pm
Kensei smiled and laughed slightly. "No I gave no such order. I even gave her a chance to put down her weapons. she has no one to blame but herself and her stubbornness. Now if you would excuse me I have things to do. I use my time well and I don't waste it by Barging into another clans territory and barking like a dog about things I know nothing about." Kensei said as he kept his mind and body calm as he began to wonder if he was going to have to break the cell he was in. "There was no reason for any blood to be spilled today. like I said before my brother and myself were in the Meadows armed with nothing but out instruments and looking for nothing but a peaceful place to relax." Kensei had no idea why he was even talking to this man. he wanted to find a peaceful solution to this problem but obviously the Senju were not interested in peace.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:30 pm
A double contradiction...meaning, unknowingly, Kensei had told the truth. Haru knew well enough from his dealings with Hyuuga: so used to speaking in encrypting patterns and inflecting different nuances in tone... They never lied, if even grudgingly somewhat to admit - they always spoke the truth. Just never take what they say for the direct face value. Think underneath the underneath. They were the same age, but this b*****d really knew how to get under his skin...
"I see. So you did." Haru said, in the greatest mask of calm, a feigned smile. The wooden roots immobilizing him disappeared. Could it be that Haru took the bait...?
...
So swift was Haru's sudden movement but Touka's keen eyes were able to catch them, long familiar with her clan's style to predict an attack from the barest, most slight stiffening of muscles...hardly noticeable but for her, who had him long as a sparring partner...coursed warning signs to her mind.
"Haru!"
Too late. Haru already punched Kensei straight on the face, on his right cheek: hard. Even without using the Senju clan's famous Herculean Strength, a sickening noise from the contact and sending the other flying into the wall. Senju was quite strong physically alone...
"You..." Haru's dropped his voice to a low hiss as he strode over and picked up the boy by the collar, shaking him. "...are not even worth the strength it takes to hit you!" Let alone the chakra needed! Such contempt in his tone... "Who do you think you are, to decide who lives and who dies!"
Touka didn't know whether to be miffed or pleased... They had come to demand the attention of the Elders of this place, instead, they meet the root of the problem. Fantastic. Utterly. But it was not guaranteed that the next time Haru hits Kensei, that it won't be at full force. In which then, the Hyuuga will be getting more than just a bruised face...
So she spoke:
"By order of the black ops forces, first division...Hyuuga Kensei and Hyuuga Gekkani shall be detained for interrogation..."
Michi sighed. This was turning into a disaster rather quickly. Too quickly for his liking... He wished Kensei would shut up, but unfortunately, the other main branch member took no notice of the flat glance sent in his direction. He couldn't say it directly either - besides, how will it look, to chastise a member of their own in front of the royal family?
Yet still, even if Kensei was being an idiot right now... "My apologies, Touka-san...but we cannot allow that. This isn't a formal matter that calls for the attention of the black ops but rather, a squabble between youngsters. As for the matter of the endangerment of Shiro-san's life, rest be assured, we will not leave any stone unturned..." As close as to a promise that Kensei and Gekkani will be questioned. The northern gate captain's gaze settled sharply on Kensei. "...if Shiro-san or any other of those involved will be so kind as to provide details, our family will be gracious to comply with the interrogation edict... However, if otherwise, Senju will owe to us an apology and the penalty for assault."
A pause. "But as it stands of now, details remain vague. The word of a single witness is not enough and it will be folly at this point to squabble over a simple misunderstanding. So I leave this to the black ops, if this truly is a matter of grave importance... I do not speak for the Elders but for now, I ask Senju for patience. Rest be assured, this incident will be reported - if necessary, the Council (of Elders) themselves may pass judgement."
Haru seemed ready to protest, grudgingly displeased with 'the request for patience when it was already so damned clear' but she laid a strong hand on his shoulder. "That is fine. Take care of it as you will. However, we come bearing Senju's warning to Hyuuga: Lady Hyuuga and her husband, Lord Rasen, were people we greatly respected. However, if it proves necessary...for the sake of Senju, Hyuuga shall pay the penalty to us."
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:45 pm
Kensei was now even angrier as his beautiful face had now been damaged. "Get the ******** off of me!" Kensei shouted as he forced himself from Haru's grip. "I leave the village with my brother to play some music and I get attacked by some savage and I come back for lunch to find another savage in my house uninvited. You walk around like you own everything you touch just because the Shodai Hokage Senju Hashirama was one of the founders this village. You senju really are mindless barbarians with no manners. who have fallen a long way" Kensei said as he was now furious. what had he done to deserve any of this. Kensei was seconds away from attacking but he held his temper as to not embarrass himself or his clan. or maybe he should attack. if the Senju were going to just barge into the Hyuga compound and attack an innocent man maybe they did deserve to be dealt with. "Now Senju you might want to leave this place before you do something you might regret."
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:14 pm
Syrius walked slowly towards the gates of the Hyuga Compound. But with every passing step the voices inside became louder and louder. The gates had clearly been open by more than his brother in the short time passed. With the blink of an eye, the boy activated his bloodlines special trait. He could see clearer now, he could tell there where other in his home. Others who did not belong. Quickly, Syrius' face turned back to normal as he moved hastily inside. He then followed the heightened voices to the people in the compound.
As he entered the kitchen of his clans home, there stood others. One man who he had seen known as he Northern Guardian. His eyes flickered to his brother, who he knew was here. On the right side of his face, stayed a mark. One that suggested a heated dispute. Syrius quickly ran to his brothers right side.
"Kensei! What happened to you?!' the boy said in an obviously excited voice. Syrius closely examined his brother. He clearly wasn't hit very hard, but still, it was his brother. "What the hell is going on here?", He questioned those present in his home.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:23 pm
Kensei looked up at his brother who he did not want harmed. "Sy get out of here this doesn't concern you. these beasts barge into our home and demand answers to questions about a situation they have idea about." Kensei said as he thought for a moment. then it hit him. "Sy wheres Gekkani." Kensei calmly asked. afraid of the answer he might receive. "I swear if you Senju harmed one hair on Gekkani's head." Kensei said as he then calmed himself down. "Im going to take a shower. then the Hokage will hear of this matter." Kensei said as he stood up and left the room and headed towards his room and his private bathroom to shower and do something about his face.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:37 pm
Haru cracked his knuckles. "Bring it on! Why don't I add one on the left side too, to complement? Let's see how beautiful you are with bruises!" This time he won't hold back too!
"Haru - there's no need! Our orders were..."
"Shuddup, Touka. I'll leave as many marks as needed on that damned narcissist. Thinks he's frigging god..."
"W-wait! Stop..." A soft voice, a child's...Kana was at the door, breathing heavily. Senju and Hyuuga lived on near opposite sides of the village: meaning she had either Shunshined or ran all the way here. Above her, floated her usual puppets: that of her parents, but the Senjus probably would be surprised there was no hostility in her stance. "Ken-sei-sama...gave no...such order... That...girl...she pointed weapons, she's the enemy...so she...deserved to die..."
Haru stared. That's her? On the outside, she looks just like a normal, cute kid...
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:48 pm
Kensei was furious with the current situation. "You barge in here after your clan member drew her weapons on me and my brother now you want to fight me. for what reason. You pitiful waste of space I should drop you where you stand. however I'm not going to stain the ground my ancestors walked and trained on with the blood of a mindless beast like yourself. now I will only say this one more time. Leave this place now or you shall suffer the consequences." Kensei said as a look of relief washed over his face as he saw Gekkani standing in the doorway. he was not relieved for his safety but for hers.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:52 pm
Things where so crazy recently. The strain between the 'main' families of Konohagakure was getting out of hand. Couldn't they just stay away from each other? Of course they say they do, but that means not speaking either. His brother asked of Gekkani's whereabouts and to this the boys simply replied.
"I really don't know.", he had not seen her since the fiasco in the meadow. He then thought back to that time. "Though I think she could handle herself. She came to our defense. She will be just fine.". But someone was talking over him. The Northern Guard it would seem. Syrius shot him a look. "What they say is true. The girl did point weapons at us. And it is not the best idea to do this to members of the main branch of the Hyuga." The boy paused, making sure he was heard. "Gekkani was defending us. Making sure we weren't hurt. Gekkani may be a 'loose cannon' but she wouldn't attack if she didn't feel it was necessary. That is the only answer you need to your questions." Syrius turned around quickly to follow his brother. He would help him if need be. Before walking off into his brothers room Syrius turned back to the group. "Please leave my home." he was being nice. Walking through the door he yelled, "Now!"
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:51 pm
"Pardon? I don't know about the girl who got attacked, but there is a clear problem in that a member of our family got injured stopping a clear execution strike!" The misunderstanding was getting worse by the moment... It was true, in Senju's opinion and with good reason too, Hyuuga had committed unforgiveable violations. Crossed the damned line. Not just near fatally injuring a member of the Senju royal family - but of the founding (main Mokouton carrying) line to boot. And then, there's also the problem about that girl's puppet...
But of course, all the ones present were young. Perhaps not even Haru was fully aware of the full extent, the full gravity, of forgotten and outlined legal violations...
It wasn't just a mere squabble. No, bystanders were forced to step into the mess and a Sannin had aimed to kill someone of their own village. By the holy Will of Fire, how could a village run if such a thing was allowed? Villagers killing each other? The roots of dissent ran deeper though, too: Senju clearly regretted graciously allotting too much freedom from the start. And to think, the half-abolished and new abominable traditions... If only that dumb edict wasn't in the way. When it comes down to it, Senju disliked Hyuuga for obvious reasons. Those hailed from this ancestral limit, the line which spawned that abominable demon changeling clan (referring to Uchiha)...when it came down to it, it was a matter of morals.
From the beginning, Senju was a vast clan made of a vast diversity of people...the 'thousand arms' clan - the family with the 'thousand skills'. They were fortunate and had the luxury to, from the start, be raised with less strong clan sentiment so as for that to have never become a barrier hamperment. From the beginning, it was no rare sight to see non-blood relations being welcomed as family. What connected them to the village wasn't the clan...but the people that made the village important: the same ideal the Senju line of Hokages had strongly immortalized into the hearts of their people. Many had even voluntarily given up a name's glory for greater glory in turn - immortalized by selfless actions for the village's glory.
But Senju flatly disliked the war-like clans, in their eyes the most selfish on this earth - the very reason why their ideals clashed so often with Uchiha - Hyuuga too was, in the end, another of those social darwinistic families... What was truly greater? One group of people's interests, or a greater group as a whole? The superiority show becomes unnecessary. It is one thing to take pride in tradition...
It is another to be ruled by them.
Touka and Haru were sent ahead to deliver the message, so they didn't have a really good chance to get a good look at the little red-haired girl who came upon their estate's doorstep with an injured Shiro. It was a surprise that this girl...well, let's just have it put Shiro was by no manners a poor fighter. ...never judge a book by its cover. For now, she watched...if the young Sannin would provide any other useful details that may help this case...
"Senju happened to be around..." Kana answered, her soft voice drifting off. It was true enough. "That is correct. It was I who had injured him, on my own account. He was not the target...merely..." Merely what? In the way? But she couldn't somehow say those last three words...
...she hadn't...considered Shiro a hamperment...
"Kana-chan...was anyone killed?" Interrupted Touka.
"..."
A long silence fell over the compound.
The girl's expression was unreadable. "...no." She finally replied.
What was this?
She didn't carry out that order...? Could the doll...was it possible the killing doll was becoming self-aware...? Or... Kensei and Syrius had left after Kensei gave the execution order, so they would've not known the exact ensuing details past Shiro having chancing through the area. None would have known the exact why but...
The young Senju had taken a habit to often visiting the fields. Some in the village whisper, it was to visit the memorial stone...and to pray for his deceased former ANBU squad captain. Well, there was none with a nastier habit than Shiro's for being late to every damned occasion. And even when not on missions, on days off...he disappears in the mornings, for okami-sama knows how long...and doesn't return until very late in the evenings. Certainly wasn't for training, it didn't appear to be that way...
Perhaps the rumors have more truth than expected.
"Let's go, Haru. Our orders had been to deliver the Elders' message. Because no one has been killed, there is no need for immediate confinement. However..." She nodded at the western gate captain. "Kana-chan..." Touka suddenly felt very unfair saying it to the child.
"I am very well aware..." A soft pause as she turned, long red locks briefly suspended in the air. "...the penalty for injuring the royal family."
"...good day then. Haru, come."
((exit Touka and Haru))
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:11 pm
Kensei walked into his room trying to keep his anger in check. he walked over to the heavy bag he had in the corner of his room. Kensei shifted his weight and in one swift movement he hit the bag with his fist instead of his palm which put a hole right through the entire center of the bag. "Dammit! I hate those damned Senju. they barge in here and complain that their worthless pet was almost killed because he got involved in a situation that he had no business being involved in. I was attacked for no reason whatsoever. and my face, my beautiful face. Those Bastards are going to pay. I swear on my ancestors they will pay."
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:04 pm
((Michi uses nuances in his language. The first time, Senju is being referred to as a royal family by general context - as how villagers addresses those from Senju in general.
The second intonation is more specific: referring to as among Senju themselves the royal family defines those who is either from the head/main family - the closest relation to the head of family, or those who inherited Mokouton. While inheritors are considered part of the royal family during their lifetime, their descendants (if they don't express the trait) are not, unlike the head/main family, which remains so regardless.
So the main branch is kept small, with the pureblood members (meaning ancestry traced back to Hashirama's original group) - those without a single of those 'outsider Senju' (e.g. those like Sandaime Sarutobi Hiruzen's status) in their lineage.))
"Kensei...be quiet." Michishirube was not done. There were things that must be said. When Senju was present, he avoided it but now that the estate was back to peace and quiet... "This is no joking matter." Snapped the weapons-master Sannin, his usual calm tone sharp. "I know you haven't lived in this village until fairly recently with your brother. But keep this in mind: in this village, though Senju and Hyuuga currently holds equal political influence...as the founding royal family, I would say if it's a crisis, they would hold unrivaled support. Another thing. Their limit isn't like ours..." A pause. "The inheritance rate is considerably even lower than the rare Hyouton Creation limit, their cousin kekkai genkai...even among the pureblood descendants it is never a guaranteed inheritance. Meaning, regardless of circumstances, attacking a member of their royal family is an unspeakable crime."
The Mokouton line was protected just by the clan itself...
...but by the very village.
"I don't know why that Senju covered for Kana (referring to Haru's words on Shiro's 'training accident account')...but be glad you only got punched." His tone was flat. Clearly, Michi as a master diviner had no problem seeing through Kensei's lie. A lie that clearly Senju recognized. That was not surprising...the two families had been working quite closely together for centuries. Many times often than not, members of Hyuuga family will find themselves working with Senju partners. Learning to tell from body language, due to Hyuuga's taciturn nature, became a sort of necessity. Missions were learned to be carried out with the least spoken words possible.
...and they knew very well Hyuugas, even if they try to intentionally lie, there are signs that give it away... Just a matter of how those slight signals are read.
He sighed. This was so troublesome... Why did he have to end up teaching how to deal in situations with Senju? But the twins weren't raised in Konoha. Course they wouldn't know how... "Senju may be destructive but they don't do things without reason. Thinks they're the champions of justice, nothing that troublesome really but a bit of a recurrent habit...plus, extremely short temper. If it's a demand for urgent answers, then they want those questions answered - with celerity - or will wreck a radial damage..."
But there was a more pressing problem.
"Anyways...why on earth would you give the execution order? And you, Kana..." Michi looked back, over his right shoulder. "Stop covering for him in his pathetic attempts at deception..." A pause. "Even if weapons were pulled, you do happen to realize it's a member of the same village, right? If she attacks, the espionage penalty is on her. But from what I could gather, it appears to be a lower ranked child too. You do realize you could've just given the order for immobilization, right? ...Kana DOES know the Kanashibari (Temporary Paralysis)..."
It's a requirement for the sentry exams, too.
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 8:54 pm
Those Senju beasts are lucky I'm not the Hokage. If I was I would Keep them on a very short leash. Kensei was now even more angry then he had been. "The only reason that Senju was hurt is because he stuck his nose into a situation he didn't belong. that idiot Lula raised her weapons against me and Syrius. we were completely unarmed. Gekkani attacked feeling we were in danger. I gave her a chance to drop her weapons and leave peacefully but she wouldn't hear me so I told Gekkani to get rid of her. I never gave an execution order. that was when that moron butted in. Hes lucky he wasn't poisoned or he would be dead by now. forgive me but if I find anymore Senju here uninvited I will show them no mercy. Now I you would be so kind as to leave me alone." Kensei said as he slammed his door so he could have a private conversation with his brother. "Sy you know my feeling on this situation. how do you feel about the little problem this village calls the Senju clan."
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