There was a light chill in the air - the kind that usually came during that small gap between dusk and night. It was pleasant, albeit, not the usual in Kirigakure or Sunagakure. The sky was a beautiful shade of orange hues and shades of blue. The shops around the marketplace were beginning to turn on their small lights in order to cater to the next batch of customers. Closing times had been extended due to the festival and the income of travelers from all over the continent. Gin enjoyed it, though for other reasons - it gave her a chance to see her children without having to risk sneaking into Sunagakure. Right now, she was holding Shinji's hand as they walked down the busy streets of Takigakure.

The fourteen year old boy had silver hair much like her own. The resemblance had always been there. He was growing and now only stood a couple of inches shorter than his mother. He was well built and strong, despite his natural illness. Gin took refuge in the thought that his older sister - Chie - often took care of him and administered the proper medicines. "Is this really necessary, mom?" he mumbled, disgruntled. There was a slight hint of a blush on his cheeks. Gin let out a light laugh, genuine in all aspects. "Of course it is. You embarrassed of your mom?" she asked, stopping to give him a side hug and a kiss on the forehead before lacing her fingers with his again.

Shinji mumbled something unintelligible in response. He knew it had been long since he had last seen Gin. The least he could do was humor his eccentric mother, no matter the weird stares and awkward glances coming from the people that assumed her to be a cougar, given her reputation. He felt a tug on his arm and turned back to see that Gin had stopped to look at something. He rolled his eyes, thinking it was something superficial before catching a glimpse of her face on a wanted poster - well, not her face, only small details of how she used to look when she wore one of her disguises.

Wanted Dead or Alive - 50.000 ryo reward

Shinji's eyes widened as he looked at his mother. What had she done while she was away? His shock was evident, broken only when his mother spoke. "They got my eyes wrong," she mumbled under her breath, a frown on her face. Shinji looked at the picture. It seemed fine to him. He would ask for details later - he knew better than to do so in public.

The newly appointed seventeenth Hokage walked the marketplace of Takigakure in hopes he would find something that he was not quite sure what he was looking for. A clue, a fragment of the mysterious weilder of blades that had attacked him that night. The night that nearly cost him his life. Of course, he was initially here for the Chuunin exams, supporting his village for their talents that the Genin would be sure to show, but this was something of an errand that he took upon himself to see too. As opposed to his formal wear of the traditional Hokage outfit, he preferred to do this task with discretion and little distractions. He could be seen as just another man under a hooded cloak with a dull and flavourless shade of green with his long sleeved black jumpsuit underneath. His blade lay hidden at his lower back, fastened there so that it would not dangle as he walked, producing little to no noise.

He turned with his head tilted forward, hiding his face but enough for him to see the surrounding environment, searching the alleyways that he came across that the large crowd seemed to ignore. The marketplace of course, was a busy place, but it was that reason alone that brought him here. This time of day called for the criminals to awake from their slumber and take to the streets, robbing anyone who looked as if they carried any valuables. They were hidden among the crowds, a pick-pockets dream. But they would not fool him. He was searching for them as they searched for their targets.

'What is it I am looking for...' he asked himself over and over. What type of criminal would know the assassins, the higher-ups in the crime syndicate. The wolves who knocked on the doors that only the rich would answer and fear.

He stopped in his path before turning to a sheet of paper that lay in display on a nearby wall. It was her. That very woman he sought. He approached the wall and examined the piece of parchment that resided there, it may have been the only time he would look up. The bandages, the posture, the hooded outline of a figure that was familiar to him, it was indeed her. He looked down the street to his right to find a mother and her child staring at another piece of parchment that was also on the wall. They gazed at it with a look of disapproval. Sousetsu thought for a moment before approaching the two, his head still hanging low.

"Pardon my intrusion but... Do you know anything about this person?" he asked the woman and child who shared the same hair. The shade of silver that glinted authentically under the moonlit sky, almost entrancing to those who would stare long enough.

A tense silence passed between Gin and her son. She couldn't quite read the exact emotions in his eyes. Disappointment? No, that wasn't it. He had always known that Gin's sense of morality had never been purely good. He also knew that ever since she had defected from Sunagakure, she had had to do whatever she could to survive. But still... having a bounty from Konoha on her head - one that big, for that matter... he had to be wondering what it was that she had done. Her concentration was broken by Shinji's voice. She had been too deep in thought to even notice Sousetsu's question.

"You're Sousetsu Senju - the Hokage, aren't you?" he asked, bypassing the man's question for the time being. His interest in the poster... well, of course he would be interested. As Hokage, he was probably the one that had placed the bounty on his mother in the first place.

Gin turned to look at Sousetsu. It was a small world indeed. Of course he would be here in Takigakure for the exams - he was an important political figure, after all - but the fact that he was there at that specific moment made Gin's disbelief in the notion of fate temporarily falter. She smiled at the man nonetheless. She extended her hand - made out of flesh and bone, unlike the other - towards him with a kind-hearted smile. Her characteristic weapons were sealed into a scroll, away from sight. "I don't think I've met you yet. Gin Kuroka, at your service," she said simply. Shinji looked towards his mother and back towards Sousetsu. "I'm Shinji," he said, waving his free hand.

The boy had always been hesitant to present himself with his last name - Uzumaki. He preferred to be known as a Kuroka. Being an Uzumaki meant identifying with his late father. It was something that made him infamous back in the village. People hesitated to go near him because of his father's past and his mother's disappearance. He wondered if Sousetsu would comment on their current political status or if something in his expression would change because of it.

Picture of Shinji for Reference:

"You're Sousetsu Senju - the Hokage, aren't you?"

It came to his surprise that the boy, who stood a little shorter than his mother, had such perception that saw through his disguise. Perhaps his voice was becoming more well-known, or perhaps he had seen his face under the hood from his height. With a small giggle heard from the Hokage, he lifted his head up to greet the two formally. The grin on his face widened as he inspected the child further. Yes, he was definitely his mother's son. The mother turned to greet Sousetsu also with a smile of her own and an outreached hand for his. They gave him their names, Gin Kuroka and Shinji. He shook the mothers hand while his grin continued before retracting it to wave slightly at the boy in return.

"My apologies once again. Sousetsu Senju." he spoke, introducing himself formally. He removed his hood to find the strong complexion of the the Senju. His face-paint did not show on this day yet his figure and hair colour may have given him away to the young man's keen eye. "You have quite the boy there, Gin. He would grow to be a fine young man." he giggled once more guiding his hand over to pat his shoulder for approval.

He looked around him. People began to notice him also as they smiled and bowed as they walked the small group by to which he smiled back in return. He turned back to face the two, they did not seemed to be overwhelmed by his presence. They may have came from a family of high political figures themselves but Sousetsu had already intruded enough. He could however, treat them. He scanned the area once more in hopes he could find an appropriate place for the three. As it turned out, there was a barbecue restaurant close by.

"Would you mind accompanying me to a meal? It will be my treat." he asked curiously gazing at the two with an offer so unexpected. He did not want his cover to be blown just yet, he was not yet finished in his search. For the moment, he had to leave the streets and return with a fresh set of faces. "Maybe we could talk about this person in private?" he said pointing to the piece of parchment once more. He gripped the edge of the paper and ripped it from where it resided on the wall. He did not have a copy of it with him and may come in use later, or so he thought. Nestling it tightly within his inner pocket he grinned that infamous grin once more, warm and wecloming to his offer for the two before him.

What a small world this was indeed. Here she stood, in front of the man that would most likely be the person that wanted her dead the most in this entire rotten world. And yet he had never even heard her name beforehand. Here he was, complimenting her son, who smiled charmingly in response. "He already is, I'd wager," she said, wrapping an arm around the young boy's shoulders. "Isn't even fifteen and he's already about to become a Jounin! She didn't even try to hide the pride in her voice. That would be the third - actually, fourth - one of her children to become Jounin. Kik- Misao. Right, she had changed her name. She would be the only Genin.

At this, Shinji visibly blushed. He usually handled compliments like he expected them. When they came from his mother, however, there was something about him that felt both genuinely praised and oddly uncomfortable. "It's not that big of a deal..." he mumbled under his breath, eyes fixed on his feet. He looked up at the mention of dinner, however. "We were meeting my sisters for dinner. You're welcome to join us. We'd be honored." And there he was - Shinji's charming self shining brightly. He smiled at Sousetsu. "In fact, I insist you meet them," he added.

It was hard to know exactly what he was planning. Gin eyed the boy carefully, which Sousetsu would likely interpret as disapproval of the sudden invitation. She was skeptical. This was likely his way of finding out as much information as he could from the situation. Gin looked at Sousetsu and smiled. Something in her expression - the light downwards tilt of her eyes - made her seem tired. "We'd be happy to have you," she finally said. "Come. We might not know much about the person you're looking for, but we'll try our best to give you a good time," she said with a suggestive wink - a part of her nature.

It seemed Sousetsu's hunch was right to assume that the young man would grow into a finer one. Not even fifteen and already a Jounin. With a raised eyebrow, Sousetsu scanned the boy once more. He seemed withdrawn, embarrassed with his mother's praise and attempting to ignore the words and shrugging against their meaning. It was an impressive feature to be Jounin at such an edge, the Hokage himself did not turn Chuunin until he was sixteen. Could the young man before him surpass him in the next few years? If he continued at this rate, Sousetsu would not doubt it. He grinned once more to the two once more before giving off a slight giggle as Shinji glanced at his feet. He's was at that age after all, the age where we turn rebellious and try our best to find our own path and not the one our parents had sought out for us.

"We were meeting my sisters for dinner. You're welcome to join us. We'd be honored." Shinji spoke once again. Sousetsu was a taken aback slightly at this proposal. He had set out for clues on the whereabouts of the figure who occupied the parchment, the meal that he had offered would not have lasted long before he took to the streets once more. Meeting more of the family could prove to be troublesome in a way. They may have many questions for him, asking him how he rose to the title of Hokage or the relations of the village, anything that may take more of his time than needed. His attention was taken once more as the boy insisted before he could even reply. His eyes widened slightly. It was not in Sousetsu's nature to be rude, it was an invitation, but it was not from the house owner of the family of course.

"We'd be happy to have you," she spoke with a suggestive wink.

He turned to face Gin once more. Just like that, the parent in charge agreed. Now it would have been rude to decline. With a clenched jaw and swallowing the saliva that lingered in his mouth he could do nothing but nod in agreement. Dumbfounded for a slight moment, the Senju glanced at his surroundings once more. "Your offer is rather enticing. I must say that my time might be cut short, however." he spoke with sincerity and a formal bow, thanking and apologizing in advance. He still needed the new set of faces in the crowd, the sooner the better. He gestured with an open palm to lead the way and began to walk alongside the two, patting the boy's shoulder once again and sharing his infamous grin once more.

Gin eyed Shinji from the corner of her eyes. He had grown to be clever, smart - much like his father had been once. Gin's stare softened. She would never say that out loud. The subject of her ex-husband had become somewhat of a taboo after his death. There was too much pain, too much anger to be brought up within his name. Of course, Shinji looked more like Gin than anything else, as did Chie and Reiko. It was Misao that was the spitting image of her father. She wondered how the family would fare with a visitor. It had been a while since they had last had anyone over for dinner - Sanosuke didn't count.

Nevertheless, Gin was pleased that Sousetsu agreed to come with them, even if it was for a short time. "The girls'll be happy to meet you," Gin said as she began leading the way towards the house they had rented for their stay in Takigakure. A hotel room didn't fit all of them. Sure, Misao often stayed at the local shrine with the rest of the priestesses, but Gin had insisted that the youngest of her daughters stay with the family at least twice a week. "Don't worry about being annoyed. We have the Raikage over all the time - hell, I used to be Kazekage myself once upon a time. They won't bug you too much," Gin clarified. She felt the need to, sensing the man's hesitation. The walk wasn't long, however, it allowed Shinji to start prodding for information.

"So this person you're looking for... What did she do?"

Gin felt her stomach sink. She wasn't proud of her actions that night. The way she saw it, she had done what was necessary to protect her identity and therefore the safety of her family. That was her priority, after all. She was their protector, their shield, no matter how capable they had become. Now Shinji knowing her crimes... Well, it couldn't be helped.

She could always play the role of overprotective mother and say that details of such crimes weren't suited for the ears of someone so young, but he was almost a Jounin now. He was expected to see and hear about these things without flinching. She fell back a few steps so that she could walk next to Sousetsu and Shinji. "If you could tell us the details, whatever you know, we could help you. I still have some old contacts I could call up," she said instead. Only a few more minutes and they would reach the house.

It was Chie's turn to cook. Reiko would make sure that the house was still left standing after that. She wondered if Ren would be home as well or if he would still be off exploring the village. Well, she would find out soon enough.

[Word Count (for event purposes): 1648]

As they began their short journey to the place where the two resided, Gin spoke of her daughters and how they would be delighted with his arrival. He let out a soft chuckle, happy to hear that there were others who acknowledged him for who he was. He was not feared which was more than he hoped for. He was not a man who would want to rule with tyranny. He wanted to be a man of benevolence as opposed to being a tyrant. The Hokage then wondered if they shared in their likeness, Gin and Shinji. How close was the family? What would the father think of Sousetsu entering their domain under unexplained pretenses. His thoughts soon came to a halt however.

"...We have the Raikage over all the time - hell, I used to be Kazekage myself once upon a time..."

His eyes widened. He was in the presence of a woman who used to hold the same title of 'Kage'. He looked at her with disbelief, almost frozen as he stumbled slightly during their walk. His hood still covered his head while he remained looking down at the smooth pavement that led the way through the crowds. His gaze returned to her and Shinji once again.

"Well now it doesn't seem so surprising that Shinji is a Jounin. It must run in the family!" He smiled to the young man who walked beside him, encouraging him to proceed in his career as a ninja. It dawned on Sousetsu that this family was from the village hidden in the sand. Quite renowned for their unique brand of techniques and many legends. His thoughts lost in the sea of voices from the neighboring crowds once more. He admired them. Harsh living conditions of deserts of sand and few supplies yet managing to muster quite the force regardless. They were survivors and earned that title as history made it so.

"What happened? You must have stepped down for a reason?" he reverted back to Gin. He almost looked concerned. It is not common for a Kage to step down without great cause; be it corrupt government, or fear of their life. This woman was strong however, her parenting had shown that. She was God in the eyes of her child, he could see that, he did the same with his own mother. Regardless of being Jounin or family related, she seemed to still intimidate him with her pride as if he was following in her footsteps.

"So this person you're looking for... What did she do?" the boy spoke with wonder.

He looked down to meet his question with a mild surprise lingering on his face. How could he answer delicately. It was not dinner conversation, but he was still Jounin. Then again, he was still young and in his mother's company. How should he approach this?

Shinji's mother had then stepped in, making it easier for the Hokage."If you could tell us the details, whatever you know, we could help you. I still have some old contacts I could call up,"

Sousetsu let out a soft chuckle once more. A past Kage could still call upon people to help her. It was intriguing still how she stepped down in Sousetsu's eyes, but he could not turn down help when he sought it. Any leads, any hints to finding the masked woman would only serve him well. He retrieved the parchment once more from his person and looked down. Analyzing for a brief moment, he relived their fight with such vivid memory.

"A kunoichi with a masked voice. The appearance is too similar to this page, it was dark that night after all. She wielded such... 'demonic' looking blades. One glowed with an wicked shade of green hue. She possessed elements of wind, lightning, and fire. Her strength matched her blades ferocity, but that hindered her speed greatly. Her arm was not her own, some form of puppetry perhaps? A prosthetic nevertheless. A kunoichi of S-rank no doubt with that jutsu she possessed. I may be bold to call her careless... but I do believe that still rings true." He rolled the parchment once again and placed it back into the inner pocket he withdrew it from before looking at the two. It seemed they were upon their arrival at their household during their stay for the Chuunin exams.

Before they would enter, Sousetsu stood firm. His jaw tightened, teeth coming to a grind and determined eyes as he reminded himself why he fought that night. "I barely made it after that fight. But I know I will find her one way or another. The fight arose from her assassination of fellow clansmen. The man was the target but she was careless, allowing herself to be caught in the act. The woman and her child were not involved but no mercy was given..." he paused as he looked upon the home before him. It was warm and welcoming and so he returned its feeling of acceptance with a smile. "And she continued to be careless, even after the battle..." he grinned once again, forwarding his movement into the household as his details came to a halt.

Gin was honestly surprised that Sousetsu knew nothing of the circumstances behind her exile. Then again, it made sense that Sunagakure would try to keep it all as secretive as possible. It had been an embarrassment for them, after all. Nevertheless, the fact that the village tried to sweep it all under the rug and act like she had never existed in the first place pissed her off. It was beyond insulting, considering everything she had done for them, everything that she had given up for their sake. Now, however, was not the time to dwell on things like that. She would do something about that eventually.

"My husband was a member of the Shichiouza - Uzumaki, Trilby. After his death, I was suspected of treason and of aiding him and Hao in their cause. I was forced into exile, my children taken as hostages," she explained in a surprisingly nonchalant tone despite how grim the situation had been - and still was. It had almost caused Chie and Reiko their lives recently and had torn the family apart for a time.

They were arriving at the house now. Gin took the posted in her hand and examined it carefully. Shinji only nodded at Sousetsu's tale, silently urging him to continue. Gin had to give it to him - if the boy had any adverse reaction to Sousetu's words, if he thought any less of Gin, he didn't show it in any way. He was built for the ANBU, a master of stealth and secrecy behind the facade of a sweet and innocent boy. As for the image... it wasn't accurate enough to pinpoint anyone as the culprit. The image itself was vague. It was a relief to Gin, not that she had been worried much before.

"Careless?" Gin repeated, her voice embedded in genuine curiosity. Yes, she knew that she hadn't been in the least bit cautious. She had raised hell that night, her blade colliding against the flesh of dozens of people. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but wonder how it all seemed through Sousetsu's eyes.

Just as she asked her question, she twisted the doorknob open, unlocked as it always was. "I'm ho-"

Gin hadn't finished the phrase yet when Misao's arms curled around her waist. "Mom!" she greeted happily, soon diverting her attention to Shinji and Sousetu. Her eyes widened for a moment in surprise. She knew better than to overwhelm the man with attention, however. She simply offered him a kind smile. "Welcome! It's good to have you here, Sousetsu-sama," she said, bowing to show respect. As she did, Shinji patted her head, ruffling her hair. The small girl blushed as she stood up straight again. "This is my twin sister, Misao," he introduced her to Sousetsu, beaming widely.

The 'Shichiouza.' Sousetsu had only heard stories of this organization until he got to experience their power himself when he faced Uchiha Hao. Those men were told to be without equal and it was only until Hao that he understood why. His old friend Mitsuo was prey until the Senju stepped in as he wandered the forests that night. He was then joined by the Hokage, Takeshi and another member of the Senju, Ukiyo. A great wall of fire would have been their downfall if it weren't for Sousetsu and his proficiency in the water affinity that day. Even still, it helped shape the man who was now. The name 'Azure Beast' stemmed from that day. Word had passed with each breeze, carrying the story of Sousetsu's counter attack and his contribution to the assault. Little did he know, it was his foothold to becoming eligible for Hokage. In a way, he could thank the Shichiouza, but his praise would go unheard.

The look of surprise crept across his face. It was a serious accusation against a Kage to be a part of an organisation that possessed such raw talent for destruction when she sat a position to run an entire country. The suspicion was understandable however, being married to one of the members could not go unnoticed but his heart did sink when he heard the children were taken from her. A mother should never be taken from her child and upon meeting the two before him, he could see just how close they were and the emotional development was healthy. He smiled sympathetically towards Shinji, happy that he was back with his mother and then to her also. There were no words that could be said.

"Careless?" she repeated, hinting towards an explanation.

Before he could continue, the door was opened and a little girl called to her mother in high spirits, wrapping her arms around her for a tight embrace. Sousetsu raised in head slightly and slowly as he saw the affection for one another spread within the family. They seemed happy now, and it seemed to remind Sousetsu of Chisaki. She would make a great mother, but what could he make of himself as a father. Would he miss her growing up with all of the work that he had to tend to? Personal matters such as finding a killer to be put down for his own sense of moral justice? His eyes grew sincere as the little girl looked up at him and found them. She was beautiful.

"Welcome! It's good to have you here, Sousetsu-sama," she welcomed him with such warmth and a formal bow to match. It appeared that his reputation still proceeded him, but he only hoped that kind words were primarily used. He grinned and approached the little girl that now stood before him.

Her hair was ruffled during the process, "This is my twin sister, Misao," Shinji spoke with pride. He could not help but giggle at the kinship between them. They were friendly with each other, raised with mannerisms that would get them far, strong and intelligent little individuals. They were raised in way Sousetsu could only hope to raise his own one day. He formally bowed before Misao, "The honor is all mine, Misao." he returned. He then got down to one knee and placed his hands together before reopening to find a flower growing hastily from his palm. A yellow tulip sprouted fully before he offered it to the little girl. "This is for you." he gave off another small grin. He looked up to their mother, hoping that he did not cross any bounds, he stood up and tilted his head forward as a nod that he was ready to enter the home.