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[Entrance from Amadeus's Office]

Nakamura walked silently towards the Great Tree, her head keeping level to the ground while she walked. I don't want him to go... but nothing I can say could stop him. He's far older than me, and probably understands how things work better than I do... but WHY the Sound Village? Of ALL places to go? WHY THERE? Why does it always seem to lead me back there. First the Leaf Village, then the Mist Village, and then the Sound Village. My problems just seem to lead me in a perpetual circle. her thoughts were coming in clear, now that she was out by herself. Her abilities to think with a level head seemed to be heightening with each passing step. She didn't understand what was happening, or if she was even doing the right thing.

Her body soon dissappeared after three more steps, her body seeming to shimmer in and out of existance before she was gone.

When her body re-appeared, she was staring at the large gates to the Shrine of the Summoning Scroll, her eyes scanning it once over. "I wonder what Ayala would think about this situation." she whispered softly, her voice reverberating off of the doors. Her body slowly sank down into a sitting position, her eyes slowly closing for her meditation to begin.

Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique)
A high-speed movement technique. It is described as 'appearing with the wind and disappearing like the wind.' A very basic jutsu, it appears that most shinobi above Genin-rank know it. Using chakra to activate the body, the user is able to move from one point to another with extreme speeds. This super-fast movement is almost impossible to see with the naked eye. To a normal person, it would seem as if the user has teleported. The amount of Chakra used depends on the distance and elevation between the user and the destination.
Cp cost: 1 per ft
Damage: N/A
Requirements: Dexterity 20+
Training days: 3 days.
Special: When rolling initiation checks or racing, or anything that involves speed, add chk mod to the dice roll.

[Rolling for Listen
Listen (145) + d20 (18 ) = Enough to beat the highest of all DC's. razz ]

If I had one of the others come to the village, it would seem as if I really needed help... but all I would really need is some advice. she thought to herself, her ears picking up the distant footsteps of someone approaching. Instead of worrying about that matter, she continued on with her own thoughts. Her meditation calm and smooth, much like the flow of the chakra in her body. The temperature around her began to slowly drop, a chilling breeze flowing rapant within the Great Tree. The wind forcing it's moans out into the village if only for a moment before it was hushed by another radical drop in the air pressure. Hyousetsu, I need some advice. she began, taking note that she could feel another presence beside her.

Nakamura, it is good to hear from you. How are things in the village of the waterfalls? Hyosetsu's voice came strongly inside of her mind.

It's all coming back to the Sound Village. Amadeus wants to go there. You know how I feel about that village, but even if it's for a diplomatic purpose, should I just sit back and do nothing? After everything they've done... Nakamura asked, her voice trailing off.

There was a remote silence while Hyousetsu thought. He knew all too well what she was referring to. Back to when she was but a Genin several years ago. I would suggest you look deep into your heart. Do what it tells you, for it won't lead you astray. If you ever need me, you can call upon me and I will be there. he answered, a second voice trying to make it's way inside of her mind.

Nakamura! Don't forget that we will always protect you. Yukigakure is doing fine, and well, a certain little girl you know is doing rather well. She's still in the clothes that you gave her. There is also some other news, but that can wait for another time. And don't forget to tell Zenjin I love him. Ayala chimed in before her voice faded from her mind.

They always knew how to make her smile, but she knew that the discussion would need to end. "Thank you both... I will..." she whispered to them, noting how close the footsteps had become.

"STOP! Left two, forward three, right one, back two, leap, duck, jump to the left, hug the wall, roll, forward three, to the right, upon the ceiling, dash." Nakamura commanded loudly. She wasn't stupid, the chakra signature was obvious to her. These commands were to keep him alive while he tried to enter the Shrine. He was new to the village and didn't know the secrets that the Shrine held. She was sure that he would comply, all she had to do was wait untill he managed to get to her. The temperature took a drastic turn as the area beneath her shifted from solid ground to having an ice sheen upon it, reveling in her meditation. Her eyes never opened while she waited calmly, her chakra flowing, the walls coating themselves in a light frost while she waited.

Her mind played forth the actions inside of her head, picturing the dance-like movements that were needed to avoid all of the traps within the Great Tree. She simply waited for that simple stamp upon the ground beside her amounting the safety of her comrade. Zenjin, keep Amadeus safe, and, Ayala sends her love. Nakamura called out, knowing quite well that there would most likely be no response from him. The faded words of gratitude that echoed from inside of the Great Tree's hollow walls magnified with the coating of ice that Nakamura gave to it. She didn't need to aknowledge those words, for it wasn't like she wouldn't have done it. As if to change the subject, her eyes remained closed. As if a sage delivering words of wisdom, she spoke calmly, her breath flowing freely with nothing to hold her chakra back.

"You know, without me, the Great Tree would probably die. To be hollow, as it is, it would need much more liquid to maintain it's life." she paused, her eyes opening slowly to reveal the teal iris' that were made to stare straight ahead before they looked towards Kusari, her head remaining stilll.

"Your hearing must have improved alot to have heard me without extreme strain." she gave out a soft sigh and then continued. "As a matter of fact, I was speaking to them. Ayala says she has news, but that it can wait for another time. If I know her, I have a feeling we'll be getting a visit in the very near future."

Nakamura didn't blush, even though she felt the blood flowing faster to bring color into her cheeks. "It's nothing, really. Just my meditation." she said rather non-chalantly. It was as if she was trying to avoid the direct compliment so she wouldn't have to feel it's effects on her. "Always try to keep your abilities hidden unless you need them. You never want to reveal your power to those that you protect." she recited the final lesson she had learned from their sensei. It was a hard lesson for her to learn, but she finally understood it. "The Shrine was an idea of my own. It's rather complicated, just the way to keep out intruders. I also added my own special touch for those of the Sound." she added, an almost bitter undertone could be felt. She seethed at the thought of having to possibly ally her village with that scum.

After answering everything she could, it came to the part she avoided. "It's been... a long time. It's been a little over two years. I wonder how they've all changed... what's happened to the village without me there... and... has anything happened to the village in my absence?" she asked, putting on a strong front, but knew that Kusari would see through it.

"I just... it's so hard..." her voice trailed off. She had to grow up at such a young age, always taking on more responsibilities. It was beginning to wear on her now that she was able to catch up on things. Let alone, did she expect to see Kusari in Takigakure. Her body lifted up from beneath her, as if her legs had a mind of their own. Her body turned to face him, her lips opening to form a smile. Her mouth parted slowly, giving her the chance to speak, the frost from her breath leaking out as she spoke three simple words... "I missed you."

She knew that shinobi were not supposed to show emotions, but this was one private area she was positive that she wouldn't be spied upon. Everyone had their own way of letting the stress roll off of them and her's happened to be her meditation.

She got the feeling that he seemed to be looking past her, ignoring most of her comments about the village with little to no reassurance of her wolven companion's capabilities. Instead, he just seemed to repeat her own words back to her. Something that wasn't very re-assuring to her, but his actions seemed to bring a comfort to her.

What's he doing? she asked, taking in how he seemed to close the gap between them with a single reach, wrapping his arms around her in what felt to be a warmth that would no doubt be consumed by her unnatural cold skin. She let out a soft gasp of fright from the unexpected manuever, forcing her arms to lock themselves at her hips. Her arms stayed at her sides, unsure of what she was supposed to do, merely standing there in his arms. What do I do? she asked herself, trying to think of something, but was unsure of how to take things. With her wolven companions, when one did this, they merely pressed their maw upon her shoulder. Seeing as how Kusari was much taller than she was, that was out of the question, for the top of her head barely reached Kusari's neck.

Instead of trying to fight it, her arms withdrawn at her sides, twitched when her brain told her to arms to move. Again, her brain commanded them to move, only causing them to shake slowly, lifting from their confinement at her sides. She still felt no warmth, no heat penetrated her perpetually cold skin. With her arms shaking, she placed them upon Kusari's back. "There, there?" she asked, rather confused at the situation. Her compatabilities always made it so she was more comfortable with her wolves rather than another human. By the time she had opened up enough to experience interaction on a personal level, it was snatched away by the Sound Village. Following her hatred for the Sound Village, it left her with wounds that wouldn't heal even with the flow of time. She constantly battled herself from within to try and find what was the right thing to do. If anything were to happen to those I cared about, then what would I be capable of if they were hurt. Could I even allow myself to become that vulnerable again? she fought with herself to try and show Kusari how she really felt, but she just couldn't find it within her to do it now. It was not the right time to do so, the Masters were still about, and ending their threat to existance had to take presidence to her own sanity.

"I sense a battle coming... something will happen soon... I can feel it. We can't let our guards down now... it's just too soon." Nakamura spoke softly, almost in a cryptic manner, her arms sliding off of Kusari's back where they limply retained themselves at her hips once more.

She felt her body become released upon her words of battle. A presence for whom she had only felt once before, albeit feint and far from her memory. It was as if she had heard those words before, in the past, on the night of the Twilight Festival.

"Those are rather bold words. The question is, can you guarentee that you will be able to back them up when it comes down to it." she whispered, keeping herself at an emotional distance. She has heard that statement only too many times from each of those that managed to break through her guard. Yet, most of them were dead, and the others had yet to be found. She let out a soft sigh, for she knew what was next. They had to train.

"A test of skills would be my suggestion. To possibly learn a new jutsu while Amadeus is away. One that would aid in the protection of the citizens and shinobi of the village." she stated, bringing her hands up in front of her face. She quickly moved through her seals, concentrating upon each one, allowing no errors to befall her. Upon completion, the rush of wind that familiarized the Spatial rift opened before her, in her mind she stated the jutsu's name quite clearly. Mist Warp Jutsu, to the Training Field in the Forest Marsh. her thoughts becoming clear in the location of the portal itself. The glossy-like frame that held the watery image that rippled with each breath showed quite clearly what her plans were. "After you." she stated, holding the Ram in front of her face. She was always the last one through to keep those out that should not enter.

((kiri yugami no jutsu) Mist Warp Jutsu- This is a more powerfull version of the Transporting Mist Jutsu. Instead of only transporting Nakamura, she is able to create a mist portal, that is able to carry a multitude of people through it. The strength of the portal is determined solely by Nakamura, allowing her to choose who can go through and who can't.
CP: 90
Rank: S-Rank
Requirements: Ninjutsu +55
Special: This jutsu costs Nakamura an additional 20 CP per person that goes through the Mist Portal.
Owner: Nakamura Michyo

Remaining Cp before Kusari enters Mist portal *if he enters* = 2490
Remaining Cp after Kusari enters *if he enters* = 2470

After Kusari left through the portal, Nakamura gave a soft sigh before looking over her shoulder. "Kyoudai and Rasen both said that same thing... and look where they are now..." Nakamura whispered more to herself than to anyone else.

Quickly shaking the thoughts from her mind, she placed her hand upon the large steel doors. Her chakra flowed through the seals, causing them to open and force the doors to part their locks. Now... I think I know the perfect jutsu to teach him... I've got it. she thought to herself, quickly entering the Shrine. As she searched through the scrolls that she had hidden away, she searched for the Water Release: Huge Explosion Technique.

To her suprise, she managed to find it rather quickly. Great. This will be the perfect jutsu to learn. she told herself, taking the scroll in her hands. Without skipping a beat, Nakamura exited the shrine, leaving through the Mist Portal that she had made.

Before the portal closed, she heard the sweet sound of the Shrine's door closing, locking themselves upon her leave.

**Find the Scroll
1 Dice roll of 5 or higher to locate the scroll with Spot**

[Exit to the Forest Marsh]