Karumo had a small mission, something that may be a bit unprecedented and probably unnecessary on top of that. But his journey led him loopily through the village to where Taeru was, hoping to deliver her a set of news, but nothing too crazy. Rather, thanks to her help the other day against his would be killers and then her own mission track record and skills, he felt she was ready for that elusive promotion that every genin so sought. Further beyond that, there was the business he had in Sunagakure no Sato, and plans to drag Team Karumo along for some training and more... strenuous training in a better way than simple D and even C rank missions could provide. And on top of all of that, the pills that Karumo had received at the hospital for his injuries were simple antibiotics of a low dose that he would take every so often for the next few days but instead. Instead, he'd received a rather high dose of an innoculating painkiller, what was supposed to help with the deep tissue damage but since Karumo couldn't feel they were registered to cancel that one. Rather, they canceled the wrong one and let the unassuming and thoughtful fool of a Tsuchikage with a white bottle filled with white pills (coincidentally they were both white pills) to take and he knew none the better! Well, he knew he was much more relaxed and easy going about everything.

It was relatively early morning still, the dew on the grass in the village hadn't faded yet and it was a few days after their mission. Karumo's shoulder was still bandaged up and wrapped together with the white bandage, his black shirt and pants were all that he wore, no armor or anything else aside from his kunai pouches and the pouches on his back at waist height. Black sandals crunched lightly with each lazy step and he made his way through village and towards the grounds of the orphanage. A building he'd never seen before or really been in the area of at that much, but he did feel a strange connection to it.

Early in his life, losing his own family, if it weren't for his status within his own clan, he might have also ended up in an orphanage on his own, or adopted by some family out there that he may have never known. It was undeniably a tough life, being alone, one that he connected to a little bit more than most people might be. Or maybe that was just his own mind wandering about the subject again, looking for the arbitrary connection in it all. Still, in his rather unassuming form, he wondered if anyone would really recognize him, his arm still in the sling and bandaged up from his shoulder. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small white bottle of pills, taking one into the cap quickly and swallowing it. Gulping it down and staggering a step before continuing on.

He'd make his way there slowly, finding himself about the place and making an effort to walk up to the door and knock with his left hand, the good arm he had. Firmly enough for it to ring throughout before taking a small step back and shouting out at the top of his lungs, "WORDS!" He fell another small step back from leaning through it, before catching himself and waiting for someone to answer the door before he could start the search for his pupil within. The question dawned on him almost immediately after though, why was he yelling at a door that he knew no one was behind?


[622 words]

In unison, their hands would raise to cover over their lips a mild attempt to stifle their stunted chuckles as their other arms shifted to support their elbows resting the supporting arm across their chests in the process as they followed the assumed shinobi down the walk path to the orphanage. Their actions in perfect time like a mirror image. “what… do… we… have…here?” taking a word each to speak before coming to the last they would speak in unison under hushed tones as their brows arched. They would duck out of the way shifting to place their hands atop the small wall they crouched behind leaving their fingers curled over the top of the wall leaving nothing more than their fingers eyes and the tops of their heads on display for them to watch further as the male knocked firmly against the door only to shout, seemingly at the top of his lungs a single word at the door. The two would cup over each other’s mouths in an attempt to stop one another from bursting into a fit of giggles as they dropped down behind the wall to hide themselves landing in a pile there. When another voice could be heard from within the house they would again try to stifle another laughter, there thoughts a perfect echo ‘poor soul’. They would nod, their grins speaking for them as the one on the bottom turned over allowing the other to clamber off before they both sprinted for the back gate at the side of the house, both stealing a glance at the male one last time as they disappeared from view.

Meanwhile…

Little stomps could easily be heard pitter pattering down the wooden stares of the old orphanage, the house itself groaning under the stomp of this particular child, her little dirty pink, ragged dolly tucked un the crook of her elbow pressed to her ribs, the doll itself missing a few parts of random appendages, its stuffing littering every now and again showing a clear trail to the child from the places she had roamed. With her free hand, she would grip at the puffy section of her summer dress gripping it to tug it down raising a leg, the action not helping her attempts to straighten the back of the dress from her tights at the back. ‘Help’ was the last this this little madam desired after giving two of the owners of the orphanage the run about, now taking her time to avoid the elder brother of the household. She would plant herself in front of the door, her time to investigate the noise that had come from right outside of her stance. She would thrust her hand through the letter box before stretching up onto her tiptoes from her puny height of two foot flat, her head would twist after peeking out of the door catching sight of a set of legs. Giving a very audible sigh like grunt her head would tilt to the side to press her face against the letterbox itself her hand remaining trapped as she shouted through in retaliation to the voice on the other side, “L-ETT-T-T-ERRS!” almost spelling the word out as she shouted it at the top of her lungs, though the sound certainly wasn’t that of an angel’s voice, more like that of a bridge troll. Using the back of her hand that to scrub away the messy tangle of dull blonde knotted hair from her face only crushing the dolly further into her ribs in the process before hissing at her own action, opening her lips to snap at the stranger waiting outside.

As the child had loudly announced her presents to the elders of the orphanage and to the homes Elder Brother, two of the adults would poke their heads out from different rooms as the elder brother emerged, all three of them realising what the child were doing. The elder brother limped his way towards the door just as the third adult made an appearance from the stairs as though in pursuit of the child still gripping a hair brush, the grimps evident on their weathered lips that they had in fact been left with sorting this child out alone. The youngest of the adults, the aunt though still aged to a stern wrinkle would scoop the child away from the door as the elder brother shifted still gripping his walking cane to open the door. The adults and the elder brother would all look at one another and nod, all straightening up as the attempt at drawing the troll child away. It wasn’t often that anyone other than the messengers would come so close to the house, adopters were few and so very far apart, they could only hope that the troll child’s reaction hadn’t scared the individual outside away. The aunt would slip her arms under the troll child’s before locking them around ready to attempt to lift the child ready to whisk her away, much to the child’s protest at such quick actions, as the two elders straightened themselves up along with the Elder brother. Much to their surprise as the door opened to it full expansion, stood the Tsuchikage. The Elders would immediately dip into a short bow, the Aunt would somewhat drop the struggling child placing her hands against her thighs as she herself dipped into a bow, as for the elder brother he would have already shifted to take a knee before the Tsuchikage despite the pain that rippled through him forcing him to bite back a grunt of pain, determined not to waver before the man, his position off to the side leaving the walk path into the house itself wide open for the Tsuchikage to enter if he so wished, none would attempt to stop him all save for the possibility of the troll child. All four speaking in unison “Tsuchikage Sama.” The small troll child now free would stomp around the elder brother just missing both his weak leg and his walking cane placing her little fist’s against her hips, scrunching up her face as she peered up at the Tsuchikage before looking back at the elders as a grin spread along her features looking back up at the Tsuchikage from her puny height to speak, “I like you mister, you’ve got a big gob an all’ but look” Her free hand would motion above the elder brothers head to the elders. The faces of all turning to a panic at the child’s actions and words to the Tsuchikage.


Just as the child were about to continue another child, a young teen to be more specific would step through clutching a long thin vase containing sprigs of a beautiful blossom its subtle pink matching the frill and sleeves of her blouse. Pausing she would look over the scene cheeks to gain an illuminating pink hue allowing a small ‘ouh' before dipping her head into a small bow still gripping the vase before disappearing back through the door from which she came, the sound of the back gardens hum of activity filling the air with a mix of voices and sounds, Taeru’s easily picked out among them.

The back garden…

Taeru’s brows would crease a touch before turning to look over her shoulder towards the back gate before lightly shaking her head, ‘That sounded like… no… It wouldn’t be.’ Brushing out the sound she could easily have mistaken for the Tsuchikages voice her attention would return to the small table adorned with a table cloth and an odd assortment of miss matched children’s tea cups and tea pots, sugar and all included, leaning again to rest her chin lightly atop the young lads head that sat in the space of her chair between her legs, filling a fair few cups with the hot water, almost like a little waiter for the young girls seated around the table awaiting their cup, only for her attention to be dragged back to the gate as she watched the twins struggle over the top of it. Speaking up she would continue to watch them as they somewhat scrambled over, “The gate does have a handle you know…” as they neared her hand would immediately shift to grip the table to keep it steady as the two sped through explaining what they had seen out the front of the house, “You should see what we have seen, you should see. There’s a man, a man at the front door. Swaying about like a drunk, just like a drunk, but he doesn’t smell drunk, no not at all, not at all. He leant back, leant back like so,” Mimicking the Tsuchikages actions in unison they would continue, “Just like this after knocking, knocking like an officer, before shouting at the top of his lungs, top of his lungs,’ WORDS’…” They would pause grinning at one another, “This ones different to the last odd ball that came around, very different…” just as they came to the end of their version of the events the young teen with the vase came almost sprinting over attempting not to spill anything from the vase in her little stumble as she crossed from the porch to the grass, her voice a little higher pitched than usual “Elder brother, elder brother there’s a man at the front door!” gripping the vase tighter and tighter as she spoke, just enough for Taeru to reach out placing a hand lightly atop hers to calm her. Taeru would shift slightly releasing the table to free up a hand getting ready to calm them as the man’s eledged word began to sink in forcing her to slowly turn back to the table in thought. “Teigyya Is at the front door.” The young teen would add in almost like giving bad news causing the twins to struggle to hold back a laughter as Taeru’s eyes opened just a little wider remaining still, the news itself had roused a few of the others littering about the back garden a shared thought easily echoing through the few ‘poor man.’



(Word count:1685.)

There were... fingers? Karumo had taken a step back but after a moment the first thing that greeted him were small child-like fingers pressing through the door and playing with the metal flap almost before the sound of a response rang through in shout from a small child. Karumo, already looking down, blinked and opened his eyes as he looked on the sight and chuckled a bit to himself at the response. After the response and a closing of the plate, Karumo stepped up and crouched down to look through the plate at his conversational partner. "Hello?" he spoke a bit quietly but at the notice of the hurry and bustle around him caused him to jump back up and return to his original position. He thought about responding in turn but straightened himself out, taking a deep breath and trying to blink away the odd response to his random call.

As the door opened and Karumo cleaned out his own stance, he was left with the image of three... adults? Well, two adults and a younger man and a small child. The adults went straight into a bow which Karumo awkwardly chuckled at, seeming that he was known out here as well. Karumo reached his hand back to his neck and held up his hand, preparing to usher them to not be so formal, that it wasn't necessary but as he began to raise his hand the child approached from behind them and scrunched her face at Karumo.

Blinking back in response, Karumo's smile faded and his hand dropped from his neck, she turned back to the adults as another interrupted the scene from behind. Another girl with a vase, seemingly caught in some awkward situation, Karumo blinked again as the chaos continued on, offering a small wave from his place in the door way as she shrunk back from where she came. The noise from the back yard didn't concern Karumo so much, he crouched down to the little girl in front of him and poked her in the forehead to break the silence, still wondering on what she meant by the word gob among it all?

Once he was eye to eye with the girl and after his poke he would speak up, his purple eyes focused in on her as he spoke up, "But what?" he looked rather intently, expecting some terrible insult to come after her words, the only natural order of progression. He was internally laughing though, he knew that she was the one who'd responded to him from the letter box, that much was a little obvious. As she'd tried to deconstruct his call out initially, he was a bit curious what else this little girl might have to say to him, and at the same time... no. He was distracted for the moment, he would ask about Taeru when his piece here was done.


[488 words, 1110 words total]

Mortified, the only word that could possibly be used to describe the aged aunts features as the child not only escaped her as she bowed to the ruler of the village but the little troll of a child had the gaul to approach the prestigious man in such a way without so much as a care for a bow or respect in the slightest. The women’s bloody boiled as she watched hopelessly for the split second. For now her own expression were saved from the sight of the Tsuchikage, her form hidden behind the door, out of sight out of mind, but how would she be able to peel the troll child away from the man without causing a fuss.

The troll child’s face would remain scrunched as it had twisted into a glare watching the spot the other child had been in, as though the other child had rudely interrupted her, no matter how ridiculous that was, a child’s perception wasn’t always on point and this were painfully truthful of this child. Teigyya’s attention however were easily gained as she noticed movement immediately causing her to turn back to the Tsuchikage as he shifted into a crouch, still towering in height above her short stature. Her features straightening in the process of turning around only for her brows to furrow feeling the prod against her forehead. Her scrawny hand would shoot up to cover over the poked area as her other hand reach out to its capacity to waft at the male whilst still attempting to trap her rag doll trapped between her ribs and elbow, the action not getting far at all. Her response to his question would be met with a grunted sigh as she indicated again this time not bothering to look where she were actually indicating, simply extending her arm off to the side with her hand open and palm exposed, her voice a tad snappy as though she had already spoke and were repeating herself, “You get all the crinkly ones to shut up and…” her expression would softened along with her voice as it took a mischievous turn, grasping roughly at her dress to tug it out to the side as she leant into a messy bow her self, mocking the elders of the household continuing to speak, “bow… like your someone that could tell them off” the thought of them being told off clearly brought a spread of joy to the child’s thoughts, turning back to look up at him. As she looked up at him her own lagoon blue orbs would lock with his purple hues immediately cutting her progression off instead twisting her expression to one of shock, something that didn’t seem like it could ever be an expression the child knew. Her head would tilt a touch to one as she stepped closer, just enough to reach up placing her tiny hand against his cheek though she were usually quite heavy handed her touch would be somewhat soft yet most defiantly careful, raising a little to her tip toes as she observed his eyes. Her oddly sweet moment tarnished as she spoke up again, a grin tearing up along her lips in the process, “Say Mister, ow’ do I get eyes like that?”

In the rush of the moment the adults seemed to close in a little more as the child shifted to touch the male, they were of course too far and too slow to stop her instead saving a distasteful look for the Elder brother as he remained on a knee to the Tsuchikage. Though their expressions would quickly fade knowing the lad’s reasons all too well. The elders of the house hold would slowly straighten up, the aunt would step around into a full view giving another bow as she spoke up “Tsuchikage Sama, I apologies for Teigyya…” Her voice would become somewhat strained as though she struggled to keep her composure, “She hasn’t grasped yet, about personal space nor respect.” Her voice would muffle for a moment as she spoke under her breath, “like some here” her voice would resume as though it had never dipped now a tad lighter as she placed her hands atop the child’s shoulders, her intent to guide the child away “But she will learn.” The aunt herself seemed like a tall thin creature with hard pointed features, quite like what you would expect from a strict head mistress her clothing only adding to that, from her blouse and her long pencil skirt, right down to the glasses on an ornate chain that rested at the tip of her nose.


(Word count:770.)
(Total word count:2455.)

Karumo smiled after his poke, the child waving away to separate his arm away and placing a hand to her forehead before continuing on. His smile shifted towards a full blown chuckle, laugh even, as she spoke about the elders of her house as 'crinkly ones' and continued on to mock them outright. A sort of response that Karumo could respect as he so often times butted heads with the council of elders and shinobi of the village, often times liking nothing more than to mock them from occasion too. But before he could respond his gaze locked eyes with the child and she went into a sort of shock for a moment, Karumo's eyes widened as he wondered and she brought a hand to his face, questioning about how to get eyes like his.

This child was certainly an interesting one, Karumo kept his laugh and stood back up as an older woman approached forward and placed her hands on to the shoulder of the little girl, noticing another that still remained bowed. Karumo blinked curiously, of course he'd forgotten to let them at ease in the same motion. He sighed a bit and smiled as she continued on, finishing with some reassurance that he'd learn, he chuckled a bit more and nodded as he spoke, "It's not a problem," his head turned towards the one that was still knelt and he spoke directly, "And please, there's no need for such formality... truthfully, I just came by to find Taeru and deliver some news fairly quickly," his chuckle moved more awkwardly and he rubbed the back of his neck, hoping that he would stand up soon enough.

But with that piece said he would crouch back down to the little girl, aiming to catch her attention again to speak to her directly, "Now, you can't have eyes like mine... they're a special thing called Dojutsu. Only people who were born within the clan I'm from can have eyes like mine..." he smiled and nodded to her before continuing on one last bit, "Now, you're right! I probably could tell them off, huh..." he glanced up and smirked towards the old woman, "But is there any real reason to tell them off?" he would end with a single eyebrow raised, wondering how the child would respond, remaining crouched down in front of them to meet the gaze of the trouble child.


[410 words, 1520 words total]

Soft beneath her dainty hand, almost giggling herself not only at his laughter and the fact she knew she had created the joyous sound but also the sensation as he smiled causing his cheek to crease. As the male stood and the sensation of the aunts hand took a firm hold on her shoulder the child would grims turning her head almost instantly to snap her teeth at the hand causing the aunt to flinch away before getting ready to place a hand either side onto the child’s upper arms ready to guide her away. The child ready for a fight, quite adamant of her position, the aunt simply waiting for Tsuchikage to finish. The aunt would position herself just behind the child the hair brush still in hand as she dipped her head into a quick bow once again raising as she spoke, “Thank you Tsuchikage Sama.” Her actions and word spoke with a strand of elegance and a touch of something more as she took in the sight of the man himself, her own hazel orbs drawn to the Tsuchikages when the child had mentioned them.

The elder brother would rise with the permission speaking as he did so “Thank you Tsuchikage Sama” though he would keep his head tilted down, over shadowing his features for a moment, though his movement to his feet were smooth enough it were evident he still needed his cane, of which still remained propped against the wall. His head would slowly raise as he took control of his features once more, “Taeru is…” being cut off almost immediately by the child as his sentence began would quiet once more knowing the child would in one way or another answer “I know, I know where he is!” Giving a little bounce as she spoke.

Her free hand would swing to grasp at one of the dolly’s appendages to keep a tight grasp as the Tsuchikage again crouched to draw closer to her height, the eyes of all watching the shift. The child smile would return as she, quite forcefully shrugged off the aunts unwelcome hands to stand before the Tsuchikage, only for a pout to form at his words before the pout twisted into something a little different as she chose to question him on the subject, “born in the same clan? How do we know if I was or not?” though her thought trail would end just as quick with his next words simply spready a devilish grin along her lips further, more than it had before, craning her head to look up at the aunt with aid grin.  The aunt eyes still set on the Tsuchikage, his look up and the smirk simply enough to bring a deep blush along her cheeks, her mouth gaping just a touch.

At the sight the child face would screw up into a form of disgust, almost missing the last of his words as she announced with a good volume to say the least, “Ouh ew!...” releasing her grip on the dolly’s a appendage her hand would shift to grip at his available hand hoping to catch a couple of fingers before raising her hand in the expectation that he would stand and follow with her still gripping his hand as she bustled past, somewhat barging the aunt in the process, continuing to speak as the others shifted to give space, “She fancies you Mister!” the elder brothers hand instantly shifting to the wall to support himself as he moved. Her intent to take him through the house to the ‘safety’ of the back garden away from the aunt. Looking up at the male she would keep the distasteful look as though a bitter taste were in her mouth, “Don’t worry Mister she doesn’t come out here and Taeru is here” her grin would lowly return as she guided him into the garden, right through the house and out of the back door. Leaving the muffled voices one at the very least holding a frustrated tone whilst the others a somewhat amused one, the voices barely audible “what has that monstrous child done to warrant a visit from the Tsuchikage himself?” the voices becoming more muffled as such continued, “He’s her Sensei…” The voice would continue for a short time longer easily interchanging, “really, you shouldn’t speak about a child in such a way.”

The back garden…

The sight before them as the little troll child guided the male forwards spread out over a good chunk of land leading right down a little far off to a body of running water whilst off to one side a flourish of trees whilst facing were a few odd looking devices not only the scent but visibly used and somewhat bloodshed, such easily seen as training equipment. Whilst children and teens of all ages seemed scattered about, the total easily covering over twenty. Just off to the right, a short table stood with stubby chairs to match, the perfects height for most children. Scattered around the table sat a few youngsters their ages varying easily.  Though sat with her back to the door where the only fermillair face the male would recognise turned to one side looking between the young girl with the vase and two look a likes.  


(Word count:881.)
(Total word count:3336.)

Karumo was thanked in succession as he tried to end the formality but for some reason he still felt the tension of it all. Perhaps it was just their age and respect for his position wouldn't let them fully acquit themselves of the right but as Karumo went on and knelt down to the girl who knew where he was. An odd fruedian slip perhaps? Either way Karumo shook it off as she pouted about, wanting to know about if she were born in the same clan as him. He chuckled a bit, knowing that she wasn't by the color of her eyes already but it wasn't so easy to put down a child's sense of bewilderment and enchantment about a thing. He had paused a short time to think on how he'd put it, the complexity of clans and genetics to a little orphan girl but still, he was cut off as his offer of what they should be told off about seemed to strike quite the funny idea in her mind as she looked about the elders themselves.

That was quickly cut off as her face changed into a hole new direction and she grabbed hold of his free hand before dragging him away while shouting about the older woman. Karumo stood up rather quickly and smiled awkwardly, speaking as he was pulled past them, "Sorry, excuse me, sorry..." he'd go on as he was pulled through the building, not given much time to really look through things he focused his attention past the girl as she continued on about the back yard area and its own safety from the elders as she might have put it. He felt a bit awkward being dragged away so quickly from the adults, feeling like he owed them some proper explanation or response to his arrival. Still, in his mindset and own goal to end such formality, he let it happen and instead gave an awkward smile as he was ran past and dragged along by the child, back slumped slightly and his hand pulled by the child.

Being dragged out to the scene in the backyard, Karumo blinked in and took in its contents, the body of water and forest in the background but the table and the people around it. Still, he recognized the one he was looking for fairly quickly but the mass of children running around all over the place almost began to overshadow it in some regards. Dragged further on by the child in his slightly inebriated state he would look around and take the scene in for a moment, not fully realizing how close he actually was, he'd just pause to look around, or continue to be dragged around by the child for a moment longer.


[468 words, 1988 words total]

As the sound and scent of the troll child flooded the outside space so too did the scent of the Tsuchikage, just moments after Taeru had already figured out who had actually made it to the doors of the orphanage. Still a shock and a sight to behold. The young lad sat on the same seat just before Taeru would raise shifting over to allow her to stand just as the teen with the vase and the twins stepped back to give room as they stared at the new male before them. Taeru would raise before turning fully to face the approach of the Tsuchikage and the Tigyya. As she turned her pastel hair would flow grazing past her waist easily, pin straight the exception in length only showing as the sections of hair that usually framed her face were held by two heavy beads separating the sections of hair from the rest allowing it to take against her bust. Clad in white and crème loose fitting cloths hanging from a feminine form, her appearance most defiantly screamed out female in comparison to her usual look. As she turned she would dip into a low bow her fixability showing as per usual. “Tsuchikage Sama.” Speaking as she rose drawing her miss matched hues to his lips as per usual her features revealing the wound she had taken from the arrow as a thin dark red scab along her cheek bone, her usual face paint gone leaving the odd thin vein like strains that seemed to spread around half an inch from the healing wound, vibrant and outstanding against her pale features, that hadn’t received healing from the hospital. The troll child would tug the Tsuchikage along before dropping into a mocked bow herself in response to Taeru which would only cause Taeru to incline her head in response to the child dipping a touch as though giving a half curtsy to the child, “Madam Tigyya.”

Her gaze would shift to the Tsuchikages arm, her brow creasing at the sight having expected him to be at the very least healed enough to not have to have it bandaged up, her own wound with the exception of her ribs almost completely healed, if saw at any point they too would hold the off vein like look. Many questions would fill her mind though one will spill from her lips, “You’re still wounded…” only to realise the amount of concern evident and ladled heavily into her accented voice. Though that shouldn’t really have been her first question it would seem she couldn’t help herself. Throughout the interaction more of the children would leave their activity to come closer to the scene watching intently. Tigyya would speak up as though Taeru hadn’t spoken after her greeting her voice as loud and obnoxious as ever “I found imm’ behind the door. And now one of the crincklies fancies imm’ but hes save out here yeah… yeah” She would pause simply to take a breath nodding before looking around, she would look back at the Tsuchikage of whom she still held on to as though he may run away before looking up at Taeru, whos brow had already rose, biting on the soft pale pink flesh of her bottom lip as she tried to stifle a laughter in which she struggled, her hand up to cup over the still healing wound of her ribs, resting her forearm under her bust in the process. “He’s kinda big were can we keep imm’?  cant in the ouse’ cuz she’s in there.” Tigyya’s face would crunch up as she spoke.

Taeru’s free hand would shift to conver over her lips for a moment as she attempted to compost herself still watching the child as the child waited on an answer. As her composure came back enough to talk her accent would sit thickly in her words, “Madam Tigyya, The Tsuchikage is an important man to the village and everyone in it, he has to live close to his office…” As she continued her gaze would shift to the Tsuchikkage, continuing to speak, “He’s a busy man, I don’t think we’d be able to keep him like that.” Her gaze would shift back to the child as she dipped into a crouch, without fear that others seemed to hold of the child she would reach out to softly cup the child’s cheek stroking her thumb over. The child looked for a moment as though she might snap a bite at the hand as it approached before simply leaning her weight into it giving a hefty sigh before turning to look up at the Tsuchikage herself, the action drawing Taeru’s attention up to the Tsuchikage too as she removed her hand resting her forearms against her knees, as Tigyya mouth opened again to speak, “Iz He right, you can’t be staying ere? We can feel you and play and, and …” She would pause looking back at Taeru as she whispered, “I don’t know what else we do ere…” Taeru would again nip at her bottom lip trying not to chuckle as she gave a light shrug. Turning back to the Tsuchikage she would simply continue “Yeah all that stuff, you can even hold my dolly and share sweeties wiv’ uz.” The child would smile up at him trying to be charming in her coaxing, attempting to test what Taeru had said. As the child had continued to speak Taeru’s mind had wandered a little ways, trying to figure out why he might have come all the way out to the orphanage when he were still wounded unless the news were bad, she had in a way disregarded and failed to carry out an order from the Tsuchikage himself only a few days prior. The sensation of her stomach dropping and her throat clogging with something heavy would set in as she looked up at the Tsuchikage another type of worry seeping deeply into her usually strict gaze. Right down to even forgetting that he had in fact get her riddle right, but what would become of her now?

By this time the Elder brother had made his way to the door closing it behind him as he gripped to his cane, remaining close to the wall out of the way, though his face stern as he had already found out about what had happened when he came to have Taeru discharged from the hospital, finding out that she had even disobeyed the Tsuchikage, something she had been so far punished for. The other three adults though out of sight for the most part had crammed themselves close to the door in an attempt to listen in. would more punishment come? The thread of her life holding on the balance of a pin point causing her heart to sink feeling heavy against her chest.



(Word count:1160.)
(Total word count:4496.)

As Karumo had entered the scene of the backyard he had gained the attention of quite a few of the people standing around, especially those at the table as Taeru stood to greet them. Taeru greeted both Karumo and the child that had dragged him along, pulling him forwards a little more by his hand, Karumo couldn't help but smirk each time he was pulled along. As she finished, Karumo would nod slightly in a less than partial bow and speak up in response, "Taeru." to give his own greeting in return after she'd greeted the child.

As she turned she chimed in briefly about his wound Karumo would respond quickly in turn, "It's fine, only a few more days and it'll be set." he would end and leave the child that dragged him along to her own rant. Smiling and chuckling as she went on in detail shortly about the circumstances of the situation in her mind, wanting to keep Karumo somewhere. He couldn't help but chuckle at the child's innocence as she had ranted on, Taeru crouching down to respond on his behalf. Karumo held his smile though, looking down to Tigyya as she turned to him and began to question it, Karumo nodded but she continued on, further trying to convince him to stay or something along those lines. Karumo smirked as she ended, but his ear flickered as he heard the sound of the door closing and a body rest near it. His eye turned a bit but he held his smirk, and took his hand from the child to pat her on the head briefly. "You'd even let me hold your dolly, I'm honored!" Karumo would chuckle on a bit longer.

"Here, we'll do this..." if he were able to free his hand, he would form a sign with hands, crossing over two fingers from each hand and letting a shadow clone of himself form in a quick puff of smoke behind him and to his left. He would then crouch down onto his toe as well and pat her head again before speaking up, "You can keep this me for right now," Karumo would point back to the shadow clone version of himself. Almost snickering now he would continue on, "You can play any games you want with him, just don't take him too far from here though, you can play with him while I talk to Taeru." he paused and looked at Taeru before back at the child, "Well, I should say, his favorite game is to build a castle of dirt over the top of him..." his snickering continued on as his clone glanced down to the actual Karumo with a raised eyebrow.

Depending on what the child would say or respond with, Karumo would stand back up regardless and turn his attention to Taeru, waiting for a moment for the area to clear before he would comment, "We need to talk." Karumo would smirk and try to relieve the obvious tension that had built in her demeanor.


[516 words, 2504 words total]

Taeru’s miss matched orbs would narrow slightly at his reply, her mind already mulling over the time it had already taken to get this far, the only part that could in any way be classed as ‘fine’ would be his anability to register the sensation of the pain caused. The thought itself would cause her to internally flinch causing her hand to grip tighter at the wound at her ribs, the one thing that had her physically uncomfortable as it prevented her from wearing her bindings. Placing her free hand atop her knee she would push to rise up from her crouch beside the child drawing her form back up to attention, yet keeping her hand in place over her ribs. Watching her brow would arch just a little, causing it to hitch up behind her pastel lilac fringe.

Tigyya would step back, such being just a little step as she felt the activation off chakra. Her gaze intent of the Tsuchikages as a subtle ripple became evident in her hues as though a single droplet of water had fallen into her lagoon blue orbs before disappearing to leave the waters of her eyes calm. Tigyya’s mouth would open to speak only for Taeru’s fingertips to graze past her cheek, her touch light as a feather, yet so very brief. Instead the child would grin before looking between the Tsuchikage and his clone speaking up as she patted the Tsuchikages side at the extension of her arm, the little troll child a tad heavy handed, such displaying an abnormal amount of strength before stepping away to take the clones hand to guide him off down the garden, unpleasingly close to the water, muttering the whole way their.

Taeru’s gaze would follow them allowing a subtle apology to the clone sit evidently in the hue of her miss matched gaze before passing her gaze to the others surrounding them. “Privacy please.” Though there were an aray of different looks about the surrounding children’s faces they would simply take another look between the two before charging off after Tigyya and the clone, leaving only one child behand. The young lad that that hand been sitting just in front of her before would come to her side, though silent his hand would shift to her ribs just atop her own before nodding lightly. In turn, she would give a light smile and nod before inhaling to draw her gaze to the Tsuchikage. The lad would take up the Taeru’s usual stance before dipping into a bow to the Tsuchikage before heading to the porch to join the elder brother. The silent lad looking around five years Taeru’s junior.

Taeru would give a light nod at his words yet register his smirk, the action at first cramping her stomach before allowing it to relax once more as she placed pieces together. This man though he were most definitely cryptic he hadn’t yet in any way seemed sadistic, even so with the light calm in her stomach it would still feel as though her heart sat in her throat as she waited in silence for him to continue, her stance ready to remain or follow him if he did wish to walk.  


(Word count:545.)
(Total word count:5044.)

Karumo's clone was taken off with the young Tigyya, Karumo's smirk almost remaining the entire time as he glanced briefly to the small adventure they'd set off on. But Karumo himself would bring his attention back to Taeru as she looked around and dispersed the others. The last child lingered about with Taeru, Karumo watched but his smile faded a bit, seeing a bit more innocence and caring in Taeru, another side to her perhaps? The other child bowed and Karumo nodded into a bow in return before he ran off to behind Karumo instead of chasing off after his clone like the others.

Once that was done and Karumo had made their piece, he stretch a little and sighed out, "So, I have to leave the country for a time... I want you to go as well." he would pause and let the words register in her mind for a moment before he would step back and lean against the wall of the building just beside himself. His demeanor shifted and his arm ached to grab at the cigar in his shirt pocket but he held back for the moment. "I received a letter from the Kazekage herself, she would like me to meet her down there for quite the discussion."

He would nod and sigh slightly before continuing on, his gaze focused on the children running around with his clone and wondering on their adventure, a small smirk ran over his face as he debated telling Taeru the rest of the details. Beyond that, his mind was concerned over the onlookers not too far off to the doorway hearing what he had to say, knowing his cryptic self, it was the kind of gossip and information that could send rumors around, even word of his leaving the village was dangerous enough. He knew he should take better care of when and where he spoke up but that didn't matter so much to him right now.

His gaze still on the children running around, he let his smile fade as he continued on, "There are two things to be discussed, the rekindling of our stance with the Land of Wind and specifically with our village and the Village Hidden in the Sand. And then reports the Lady Kazekage sent of some Iwagakure nationalists dying in their border. No one important, some vagabond members of that Infinity Gang but it does pose a larger international criminal problem if it's true." Karumo's tone had fallen more sullen and he spoke just below a conversational tone.

"The Kazekage offered me to come and discuss and whatever body guards I might like to bring around, however, I think I'll opt the offer to our squad as well. If you want to go, we leave soon, in just a few more days time... but it's completely optional. Really, I think going would be foolish as you'll be in extreme danger but..." Karumo's gaze shifted from the other children back to Taeru as a smile formed on his face, "You handled yourself well the other day and surprised me, even if you did have a bit of trouble listening..." he chuckled as he teased around it again, a small exhale and his attention rotated back to his clone to see whatever vice he may have been entered into as he was at the whim of the young girl and other children.


[576 words, 3080 words total]

‘He has to leave the village?’ The Tsuchikages words would register leaving an odd taste in her mouth and a pull in her gut only to be immediately settled as his words repeated within her mind ‘He wants me to go with him?’ her head would tilt a touch, splitting her mind between two thought trails, firstly that fact he stated he wanted her to tagalong and secondly, why did the sensations within her body react in such a way only now finding the tension that had built up within her gone almost completely so and yet she hadn’t even felt it leave her system. No matter the turmoil her mind would fall into her expression would remain neutral even catching the change in the Tsuchikages features just before speaking, maybe taking in the disposition she found herself in, in this place.

She would follow his movements stepping closer as he shifted to lean against the wall, sensing more the delicate nature of their conversation and knowing without a doubt that the elders were attempting to eavesdrop on their conversation whilst the Elder Brother were simply doing his duty in case something went amiss. Her gaze would follow the Tsuchikages to the children only end with her expression twisting into a mix of feeling sorry for the clone and amusement, almost wanting to join with the antics of the children. Watching each take a turn to pack the clone against the ground using not only the mud but the water and debris of leaves around them to aid in this. The nature affinities of some of the children showing through clearly, the spectacle even drawing the older members into the fold. The girl having let her vase having dipped her hands into the water of the river before raising them out gripping what could only be classed as a bag created from Sutton chakra itself carrying the water for the others allowing for a steady drip or trickle of water, occasionally rubbing her face against her inner arm, more so out of habit than anything else, the girl being so used to working with her hands as others pressed their hands into the ground to force small ripples in the mud churning it to a softer form for easier use. Their voices muffled yet seemingly quite business like, as though they were on a mission, though on occasion two voices simply being louder than others, one own by a young male teen catching chunks of his sentences such as “The boss man said” and so on whilst the other were clearly Tigyya on some rant of her own regardless of the other children’s conversations.

Taeru’s attentions would return however to the Tsuchikage as he continued to speak, allowing her miss matched hue’s gaze to rest on his lips as per usual. Mulling over his words she would make sure to keep the fine details that were given about the intentions of the travel to a different land along with the news about the possible disturbances within their village. Taeru’s fingers would curl a tad more over her ribs as the Tsuchikage continued on, her retort on the mention of foolish would come without thought, slipping easily between her lips carrying her accent quite a bit thicker than it usually would, “It would appear that I’m about to be very foolish then.” He couldn’t say he wanted her along and then expect her to back out as though backing down were even an option to her, the though only risible of a short internal laughter. As quickly as her mind worked the last part of the Tsuchikages words would catch her off guard, had she handled herself well? Even surprised him? In her mind, such were far from it, she had been the cause of the wound that still plagued him and sustained far too many wounds herself, she was in simple terms a liability at best. Her stomach would cramp, the reaction to her own condemning thoughts. She would lower into a bow to thank him for the kindness of his words only for the notion of not being able to keep her mouth in line for one reason or another as a smirk filed along her usually stern setting her hand shifting from her ribs to her ear lightly tugging on her lobe at his mention of her trouble listening.



(Word count:739.)
(Total word count:5783.)

Karumo's clone was left at the mercy of the children, laying back into the ground with his hands folded over his body, he would nod and laugh and continue on with each of their conversations as they all worked. A smile would come across the clone's face and he would interject in the gap of their conversations where he found it suitable to do so, "Do you guys want to see a magic trick?" the clone would smirk to the various children around him. If they obliged he would continue on, instructing them to gather as much dirt as they could and to fully bury him, saving his head for last and to pile the dirt and all else on quite high. At the end of it, they would bury his head and he would show them a trick where he would escape by disappearing under the mound of dirt entirely, not leaving a trace! Well, really, it was a simple game of escaping this task by dispersing the clone himself. But for some of the kids who may not know any better, it might be a fun trick.

Karumo's real self would occasionally smile and smirk as he watched it go on, thinking about how torturous it might actually be. Taeru spoke up in response and then bowed to him, Karumo blinked, seemingly still not past the little formalities of things he would comment towards her, "You know, you don't have to be so formal about things..." he would leave off and blink for a moment, not giving her much of a chance to respond before continuing on, "Anyways, I was more meaning foolish on my part. I will take some ANBU squads but they won't be joining us fully, only accompanying us to the border and such, but maybe I would be better off with bringing one of the actual advisors..." he began to muse on whether bringing a few genin to a diplomatic meeting would send a bad message? He shrugged it off internally, not a worry he cared for in the end to be frank, the Kazekage would either accept it or he would deal with it on the spot.

Still, Karumo would add one last anecdote before leaving her to respond, "Still, we leave in two days time, and may be gone but we'll be guests of their village so things may be somewhat nice in the end. I will trust you to be on guard, you'll be acting as guards to the Tsuchikage if you go, and emissaries of the village itself. Best behavior and all of that will be necessary as well." He would nod a bit further, knowing he didn't really need to worry about that with Taeru, outside the off chance she try to tackle the Kazekage and pull a kunai on them as well. In which case, Karumo would have to be worried about a foreign leader trying to kill one of his students instead. Really, a foolish move on his own part but he'd get past it.

With his bit done for the moment and his clone continuing to be buried, laying there in the dirt. Karumo would smile, if everything went to plan, the clone would dispel and their conversation would be near its completion. As much as he'd like to linger and spend time with inquisitive and questioning children, as fun as their minds could be. He did have other things to tend to, probably not important things which meant he didn't care. But his intrusion was playing its end well enough.


[606 words, 3686 words total]

Tigyya would crouch down before leaning over drawing her face a little closer using the flat of her clean hand to wipe the hair from her face still gripping onto it to keep it from her face, pausing mid sentence to watch as the Tsuchikage’s clone spoke up. Her gaze would flicker to the real Tsuchikage before returning to the clone wielding an over sized grin nodding profusely as her answer. The other children would mutter or respond in one way or another, the loud lad in particular with “Yes Boss man,” every now and again as all but Tigyya complied, she would continue to natter away watching the Tuchikage’s clone, almost without blinking.

A soft smile would dance along her lips her features somewhat softer than her usual stern setting giving a light nod, acknowledging his words yet not all that comfortable enough to drop the formalities any further than she already had up to this point. Her hand would shift back to cup over the healing wound of her ribs resting her forearm just under her bust, the action not out of pain nor discomfort but more so being very conscious of not having her bindings on, a sense of feeling to some extent exposed or even vulnerable, things she hadn’t felt in quite some time, yet all at the same time having a sense of confidence.

She would continue to listen to the Tsuchikage speak allowing her head to again tilt a touch to one side again taking in the information he gave, patiently as always, knowing he would ponder on the subject part way though speaking such aloud. She would give another somewhat firmer nod, mentally tallying up the things she would need to pack and take with her on the travel as the old nostalgic feeling crept into her lungs threatening to quicken her breath, her reply coming simply, “Its been a little while since I’ve travelled anywhere.” The sense of nostalgia even pushing to creep into her features for a moment before regaining it back in, in truth she was quite excited at the prospect of both traveling and visiting another place, something she hadn’t realised she had missed so much even if she didn’t quite enjoy so much her last travel. Perking up for a single question her lips would part almost as though she hadn’t actually spoken up previously, “Is there an estimation as to how long we will be gone for Tsuchikage Sama?”

Once fully packed snug as a bug under the pile of dirt the children, all but Tigyya of course would jump back by at least a foot to watch in anticipation, not that they hadn’t attempted to coax Tigyya to do the same, but were simply met with a snap of her teeth and a small wild like growl that seemed to emanate from the pit of her stomach. Once the clone had disappeared having been dispelled the children would pause as Tigyya reached to prod against the empty head space slowly leaning up allowing the others space to come closer again, a couple even reaching their hands down into the mud relaxing small pulses of chakra as though searching through a tremor sense to find him if he were there at all. Though as the other children took the time to look at the upturned earth in front of them Tigyya’s gaze would scour the land in search of the real Tsuchikage, grinning for all her worth, the lagoon ripple back in her orbs for a short moment.


(Word count:600.)
(Total word count:6383.)

Karumo' clone would smirk as they would continue on, burying more and more dirt on top of him to bury him. Carrying on little conversations with each of them as they continued about and Tigyya continued her rant towards him.

The real Karumo smirked as the kids really started to move, getting more dirt, as much as they could readily move at each time. Taeru had smirked and made some comment about traveling as they had paused and waited there, Karumo's head turned slightly as he lifted a brow, a simple, "Hmm?" came out in retort as he wondered if she would have some continuation to make in addendum. Karumo's eyes would flicker back quickly to the point of order of the children and the mound that once contained Karumo, curious children patting around as the memories and experiences of his clone flooded into his mind at once. A small blink as he looked on towards Tigyya who was staring back at them from where they started; wondering what was running through the child's mind as Karumo had hardly paid any attention to Taeru's words and instead let them fall as background noise at best.

Karumo would snap out of the small scene and look down towards Taeru to respond, "I'm not sure, it could be a fairly short trip or we could end up there for a few weeks." he let his gaze fall back on the children and their curiosity. With a small exhale he would push himself off the wall with his shoulders and would stand at the ready, with everything mostly covered, he would be making his departure fairly soon.


[279 words, 3965 words total]

It were easy to see the Tsuchikage almost seemed last in the sight of the children's wonder enough for Taeru’s mind to ponder on weather or not the Tsuchikage had yet a family of his own creation, seeming so tolerant and fond of children. They seemed to have some change in him, quite like they did in her. This would guide her gaze back to the children as her word fall until the empty space between them. As the questions within continued to flow through her mind, did he long for a child of his own? They seemed to, at the very least entertain the Tsuchikage, maybe he even felt that he misses the sense of being a child? Throughout all of the possibilities and thoughts Taeru would decide to remain quiet on the matter s her miss matched gaze slowly returned to him, to watch him over watching the children.

Tigyya would remain for the time being in place, her gaze intent on the Tsuchikage as the others continued to search about along the ground, working around the child as though used to doing that sort of thing. The fingers of her free hand would move to her teddy as it remained trapped against her forearm and ribs to simply play with the stuffing that hung from it, the look on her face as though she were deep in thought for the moment in time.

As the Tsuchikage responded she would nod before inclining once more, “I shall be ready and fully equipped for the travel and stay shortly.” Her body would naturally dip into another body before raising slowly as he moved, assuming he were readying himself to leave. Allowing her mind to shift to what she would need to do before leaving to travel to Suna with the Tsuchikage, only for another question to crawl into her mind, He’s going to travel whilst he’s still wounded? Her brow would crease as it had before as her gaze slowly fell to the wound at his shoulder, a pang of guilt causing her stomach to tense.


(Word count:350.)
(Total word count:6733.)

Karumo sat in the brief pause after his words watching the child before him, she'd seemed stunned for a moment but gripped onto the stuffed animal at her side. Both looking back at each other but Karumo's face would show thought with an empty mind as nothing really passed through his thoughts, too confused to really focus on any single thought in that moment.

Taeru had already given her affirmation, that she would be ready to go and travel, ready for whatever fate would meet them on the road. Karumo would speak up after she had finished her piece and comment further, "Good, you'll receive a letter before we leave as well to reinforce it." Karumo would shift his body away from the building with a step and turn his attention from the children that had been searching for him. Looking off into the distance he blinked and shook his head before turning his attention back to Taeru to speak fully, his body language shouting out that he had forgotten something. "By the way..." he would pause and make sure that he had her attention before taking another step. "I'm going to be promoting you to chuunin status as of right now... tougher missions but you'll be paid better." he smirked a bit, having almost forgotten that ending to their conversation.

"Now, I'm off. I'll let you explain my magic trick to them... or just, you know, make something up..." he would laugh and wave to her by placing a finger against the inner end of his eyebrow and move his hand away. With that said and done, his attention would turn and he would flicker away from the orphanage in a single motion, using his absolute maximum speed before disappearing off in the distance to return to his office and whatever work would be left awaiting him.


[315 words, 4280 words total]
[Exit Thread]

Training:

Taeru’s brow would arch, hitching up behind her lopsided fringe looking between Tigyya and the Tsuchikage before turning to look at the Elder and little brother raising her shoulders to give a light shrug noticing that they two were watching the exchange of blank faces before returning her attention to the Tsuchikage as she shifted, the movement itself enough to draw her attention back again.

She would nod to confirm that she was both listening and understood there would also be a message come to confirm the timing and the like for the travel. With the pause her gaze would lower briefly only to be drawn back to his lips as he continued speaking. The information would process far slower than usual leaving her stood there with a dumbfounded expression of slight confusion and she repeated the word “Chunnin...” under her breath, such being under her accent, barely audible. The rest of his words about leaving being drowned out into the back-ground noise of her mind.

Her brow would crease and the sound would return at full volume at the sound of Tigyya’s pitched voice hollering out followed by the other children’s as the Tsuchikage pretty much disappeared before them. Her attention would slowly shift to the Elder brother in silence.

Her mind would race a swell of emotion swamping her all at once only leaving her mind a wasteland of thoughts. There would however be one most prominent, ‘ But I failed to protect him…’ the one thing she couldn’t figure out as to why she would get a promotion, she had not only failed to protect him in her own point of view but he had also saved her and took damage for her, for this in her mind she had failed and yet he had both complimented her and promoted her.


(Word count:311.)
(Total word count:7041.)

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