Slightly out of breath and more than a little ragged, Nozomi finally slowed her pace once she was in sight of the manor in which Sero resides. Hopefully he was home, because Nozomi had traveled quite a way and she really wanted to see him first before she did anything else. The Manor loomed in front of her, a moment of trepidation finally entering into Nozomi's mind. She was a bit nervous. Maybe Sero would have been expecting her, as he had to know that she would be royally pissed off that Kaekio was labelled a missing-nin of Kirigakure. Even if she couldn't get convince Ayakashi to rescind that, she would make an effort to talk to Sero and try and convince him to not go after Kaekio. If he hadn't left already, it was likely that he probably wouldn't, but she didn't want that fight to happen. She would side with Kaekio, and it wouldn't be pretty. But if he planned on going after Kaekio, she knew she'd have to fight him, and a full blown fight with Sero wasn't something she really wanted. It was something to look forward to, a true test to her skills, but it wasn't something she really wanted to do, because one of them would end up dead.

Advancing up to the door of the manor, Nozomi pushed it open, leaving her thoughts behind her. What would happen would happen, and there wasn't much point in her trying to think about scenarios that might be best left in her imagination alone. Flaring her chakra up as an identifier, Nozomi called out loudly to get his attention wherever he may be in the manor. "SERO, IT'S ME, NOZOMI!" Even if he wasn't in ear shot, the feeling of Nozomi's chakra flaring was something that Sero should be able to do rather simply. If not, there were sure to be safeguards at the manor to help identify people who just walked in the front door. For now, she'd wait, and she was sure it wouldn't be a long one.

For now, she leaned against the wall near the door, and folded her arms. She wore rather simple black clothes, most of her items stored in scrolls in her backpack. It was a hassle to carry everything on her, and the addition of scrolls aided her immensely. She had Syn to thank for that of course, because she'd really never thought to buy her own. At least it saved her a few Ryo. On her person was the 3 Bladed scythe that had once been the main weapon of Syn strapped to her back, the Camelio suit worn under her Kiri Flak Jacket. She'd have worn her ANBU gear, but it might have inhibited Sero's ability to sense her chakra flaring, as he might not have been actively trying to sense someone. Other than that, she had her ANBU Katana strapped to her left hip and her best Tanto strapped on the lower part of her flak jacket, horizontally. Her headband had been stored in her backpack for the time being.

WC: 516

The walk up to the manor itself may have seemed almost normal to her. Of course the bridge was gone now so she had to either walk on the water or arrive via the ferry man that heavily prefered to stay on the shore side of the village. Claiming he wouldn't dock for more than thirty seconds on the side of the island. Once she set foot on land he was pulling the rope and away he went. As if determined to stay away from whatever was present there. The ferry itself rather large, enough for two carriage teams to sit side by side. However the water around the island never shifted or moved. Simply remained still only disturbed by the ferry man himself. So it was a simple task for him to pull it back and forth. There was a crank for heavier loads but he said the noise attracted the beasts. Once upon Sero's shore she would find she could not see the main land through the heavy mist. The road itself seemed to have been repaired though as any debris on it had been cleared and holes filled. Still a dirt road with barren tree's crouched over it but a serviced road all the same.

As she walked the road she would notice a few things had changed. Now spiders seemed to roam in packs just within view of the road. Keeping clear of it though. It was hard to tell through the dark, the mist and the webs but they appeared to be the size of small dogs. One time one the size of a horse shifted deeper into the brush, watching her with several beady eyes. Once she cleared the forest though the Manor awaited on the hill. The gate open but as before there was a sign on it, warning away trespassers from crossing the threshold and claiming they did so at their own peril. Written in fine penmenship in old blood it appeared. Still she would cross a repaired hedge garden with a running fountain and statues repaved here and there. Mostly gargoyels a ghouls. The manor itself was in a devent shape these days. Heavy redwood double doors she would need to push open. Each window filled with stained glass. Some of the larger ones even depicting scenes of battle. The manor itself seemed to breath at her entrance.

Still Sero would feel her chakra well before she flared it. The spiders sending whispers back to expect company. He was in the process of decifering some old texts about the origins of jutsu when her chakra did indeed flare. His pen hesitating on the paper as he would turn cold grey eyes in the direction of her. Contemplating what it meant. Had the vision of her in his test turned out to be more truth than fiction? Her voice bellowed and echoed through the house met with an echo of whispers from all over the manor. As if in the walls. Whispering her name and giggling. Sero would rise from his seat and collect one of the weapons nearby he had recently aquired and was studying as well. A yari of the villages make. A fairly new shop in comparison. Quietly he stepped forward walking down the hall until he reached a point where he was simply on the other side of a wall from her. Idly he touched the wall. On both sides a seal seemed to burn itself through and then the wall would fade like mist. He would step through and stand there in his grey robes with a black peice going from his left waist to his right shoulders with samurai stitched into it. Standing in padded shoes with his kiri headband stitched into a breast plate over his chest and heart. He spoke calmly as he held the yari with the base of it leaning against the ground at his feet. The seal behind him fading as the wall returned to normal.

"You have indeed returned. Is your intent peaceful or do you intend to bring harm to me in my home?"

As Nozomi waited for Sero to show up, she took the time to look around at her surroundings. To be honest, they looked quite a deal better than they had the last time she'd been there. The Manor definitely was fixed up quite a bit. Had Sero done it himself, or did he have some people that lived there with him too? Probably the latter, if she was going to be honest with herself. Sero didn't seem like the type that would fix something just for himself, and she remembered he had a number of projects he was completing that he had her get some supplies for a while ago. No, it wouldn't make sense for this place to be fixed up unless he had someone else staying here temporarily. Did that mean that Sero had built up a squad? A small smile formed on her lips at the thought of it.

Her wait didn't last long, a noticeable shift in the air as Sero made his presence known. A quick look around and Nozomi noticed the seal as Sero seemed to step out of the wall. She took in his appearance, one which seemed suited to combat especially considering the Yari he carried. The smile flickered slightly as she wondered whether or not he had actually come intending to kill her. But his question seemed to suggest he was more interested in what her own intent was. So it really seemed to depend on her answer then. She supposed that they were both unsure of what the other would do, and there was valid reason for both to be suspicious.

"I guess that is the question, isn't it? I didn't come here with any intent for violence, but I did come with the knowledge that it was a possibility." she said truthfully. She trusted Sero enough not to lie to him. "I came for two reasons, potentially three. The first of which was to see you before I saw anyone else. You are my best friend after all. I wanted to make sure you were still okay. The other two tie in together. I wanted to ask you a favor. I know Kaekio revealed herself and now is a missing-nin to Kirigakure. Don't go after her, please. Don't collect her bounty. And if you can agree to that, I have another request. I know the Lady Mizukage trusts you. I want to convince her to remove the bounty or lessen the sentence if possible. I want to stay loyal to Kiri, but I can't do that if I have to fight people who try and take her in. I'm torn between my duty as a Hunter-nin Captain and Jounin of Kirigakure, and as Kaekio's girlfriend, but those bounties never need to be collected."

Bowing her head, Nozomi awaited his reply, knowing her answer could have very well sealed her fate and depending on how Sero took it, could lead to a fight here and now, but she really didn't want that. He was her best friend, but she would fight if she needed to. Hopefully they wouldn't have to fight, because one of them would surely die, and there was no guarantee that she wouldn't be the one to lose the fight. They'd never had a full out fight, but as far as she knew, they were very close to evenly matched in terms of skill.

WC: 570
TWC: 1086

Sero watched her for a time. Leaning on his spear like a pillar to hold him up. He was acting fairly lazy in comparison to his behavior before she had left. Some drive within him having been met. A piece that had pushed him to the brink of vomiting from exhastion before had finally been accomplished. His grey eyes took her in for a moment as she spoke. She was a soldier like he was but had taken a different path. While she was likely one of his most meaningful connections in the world and they had stood shoulder to shoulder and back to back before, someone he hardly knew threatened to break them. She would defend the woman to her dying breath. Her plea to forgive refusing to go unspoken. She was driven by this to the point he had to question her loyalty to the village over a foreigner. It was an odd concept really. The village was everything. Not the country, nor the people so much as loyalty to the village. He drew his blade for what his father created and now he was destined to make whole. One woman had threatened all that.

Still he would listen to Nozomi speak without moving a muscle. Not blinking, no finger tapping. As still as a statue he listened. The room itself seemed to grow more still with him. Nozomi the only thing moving or making a sound in sight. As if the island waited with bated breath. She was here to check on him? She viewed him as a friend and to him that meant a great deal. A comrade you fought with and died for. Yet her words after seemed to deny the fact. As if she were ready to draw a line and end their friendship for Kaekio. He had met her before, even spared her once in order to protect her identity. Placed a part of himself within her. He was as much an accomplice to hiding her as Ayakashi had been. All for Nozomi's benifit. Because he had wished her to stay loyal next to him. How selfish that must have been. Yet for all that, even identifying her as an Osada and related to him, she had tossed it all away and smeared Kiri's name to her allies. A liar. The nation that decieved the world. He was no fan of Kaekio any longer.

Still even with all Kaekio had done to threaten the village Sero had not made a single move or order to persue her. He wasn't known for being afraid. Even the past Raikage had never frightened him. Still he had remained closer to home. He would finally let out a sigh and shake his head before turning from Nozomi. His long grey hair trailing behind him as he spoke. His words dull and without emotion. The spear fading to mist as he spoke and reforming to a sheathed Katana on his waist. "Come along Nozomi. It's tea time. Best we discuss this over a beverage." With that he seemed to have no interest in combating her. Though if she was still interested in taking out a threat Sero had done something unusual she had perhaps never seen of him before. Something extremely out of character. The sword was put away on his left hip and he had positioned her behind him on his right. He had to be aware his flank was exposed to her and vulnerable. Yet still he did not seem to mind since it was her.

While she spoke, Nozomi's nerves relaxed a bit as Sero didn't appear to take any immediate action against her. Even though she couldn't read his thoughts or figure out what was in his mind, she had an inkling that he wasn't going to actually attack her. That being said, until he spoke, Nozomi wasn't sure that he wouldn't just throw her out, as he didn't seem particularly happy that she was around. However, it wouldn't be long before Nozomi was sure that no combat would take place. Sero's weapon disappeared from his hand, resheathed at his hip in a rather strange position. There may have been a little bit of trust shown in that moment, as Nozomi was now in a position to flank him if she chose to. Of course, she wasn't going to do that, as Nozomi wasn't the type to take advantage against someone who she considered an ally. If he would trust her, she would do the same to him.

Following along with Sero, she would let him lead the way without any issue. "Tea time? Do you have some sort of strict regimen now?" she asked. It was more of a rhetorical question, not one that required any sort of answer, as she mused to herself. Truth be told, Nozomi was glad to be back in Kirigakure, especially after all of her time away. Sure, she didn't have very many friends out there, but this was her home. In Kumogakure, she really didn't have anyone, and she'd been alone for the better part of the last few months. Now though, everyone around was at least a familiar face in some sort of way, and her surroundings brought upon a new feeling of comfort and a thought of home.

And in some way, this was her home. Not Sero's manor of course, but Kirigakure as a nation. The unfortunate part was that in all honesty, Nozomi wasn't sure if she could call it as such for much longer. She still needed to discuss some things with the Mizukage. In all fairness however, she was still a Jounin of Kirigakure, and much more than that, a Captain of the Hunter-nin, which meant that until such time as she relinquished herself of those titles, she would still claim this place as her home. She had no urge to attack anyone who flew the banner of a citizen of Kirigakure regardless of who they may or may not be. Perhaps Sero felt the same way. Nozomi may have loyalties to Kaekio, but she was still a Kiri-nin. She still had loyalties to Kiri that hadn't been broken. And it wasn't his way to just attack without provocation when it came to matters as these. She hadn't broken the laws yet.

"I did miss you Sero. Kumogakure is lonely when you don't have anyone to call a friend there. I wager any place would be." In truth, she was glad to see him. There were things that could be said to sway her allegiance fully to Kiri, and if anyone could do it, it would be Sero. He had been one of the few to have had her back since they had been on a team together. He hadn't cared that she couldn't fight against Kaekio in the Chuunin Exams. He hadn't held it against her when she'd been exiled from her clan. He hadn't questioned it when Kaekio ran from Kumo to return to Kiri with them. He'd helped her out, and maybe he was the one person she couldn't fight on this matter. It was obvious that he loyalties were divided, and she was unsure of the course of action she would take next.

WC: 618
TWC: 1704

Sero would glance at her with a steady but dull grey gaze when she questioned his timing for tea. Wondering if he had a regiment of some sort. His gaze seemed to question as to just why he wouldn't? Of course he had a regiment. A schedule designed to keep him at peak functionality whenever he needed to be. Hydration, nutrition, Sleep, training, hygiene and anything else necessarry all followed a strict time line. One he did not waver from. Nozomi being back was a pleasant enough surprise though even if he were warry of her intentions. He had a duty and of those he knew of, Nozomi was one of the few he was not certain he could leave nailed to a wall bleeding to death. Both from capability of doing so since he knew she was not lacking in combat skill; and for some other odd sensation he felt when contemplating her as an individual. He wasn't attracted to her nor anyone and yet there was hesitation as far as drawing his blade against her. He actively didn't wish to draw her blood. Such an odd sensation for someone who let blood soak the lands from the border to the village.

As they walked Sero noted she didn't actively move against the provided blind spot. Perhaps he was testing her. Seeing if she would willingly take the best oppertunity she could. They were trained to leave no openings, to strike when a target was vulnerable. For him to release his practiced form long enough to expose weakness, it was decent of her to release the instinct to strike at it. Both survival and restraint practiced by both. Perhaps they were meant to have a civil conversation after all. Still she spoke as they walked. Moving down the hall to the dining hall. Speaking of having missed him and how Kumogakure seemed to be a very lonely place while she had been there. They stopped at the door way to the dining hall. The tall white door with the metal handle resting closed as he paused and turned to her. Watching her a moment before he spoke in return. His concern for the Kiri shinobi in Kumo made clear and laid out to bare.

"There were a few of you that went that way. Being as relations are strained with that nation as it is, I was not sure you were bound to return unscathed. There is a soft relief in your return. One less to worry for."

He would search her face for a response to see if he had stated that strangely before turning back to the door. Pressing his pale hand against the handle and pushing it turned. The tall white door would release with a click and swing slowly inward. Sero would enter first, ignoring manners for that part as he didn't want to pressure Nozomi into exposing her flank in turn. Leaving the door open behind him as he entered. However as they entered the main hall Nozomi might notice something new. Although the dining hall was well lit by tall painted windows, neither the windows or the silver tea set with little sandwiches were what drew the eye. On the ground next to the table was a large hound sized spider with a tray on its back setting the table two two while dangling from a string of web another spider of equal mass hung above the table and poured tea into a cup for each of them before setting the tea pot down and hauling itself back to the ceiling. The room smelled of mint. Still Sero would pull out a chair for her and wait. Looking to Nozomi with that empty, unblinking stare.

1909

Nozomi understood his concern about the Kiri-nin in Kumogakure, but she had little reason to suspect anyone would act on any of those tensions. If what she knew of Lin was correct and she hadn't misjudged the girl's character, then any violence between the two nations would not be condoned by her. Any actions would be of individual merit, and would be met with great displeasure by the new Raikage. At least, that was Nozomi's prediction. "Well, honestly, the main cause of concern, Sanosuke, is no longer an issue in the political realm of things. A new Kage comes to the board, a girl named Lin. Funnily enough, Sero, she's our sister student, trained under Gin's watchful eye. Interesting how our Sensei seems to attract the talented. But anyhow, I'm not worried about the Kiri-nin in Kumo, I don't think she wishes there to be any ill will between our nations."

She smiled slightly. "No, I don't think I would have been attacked once Lin became the Raikage. We had a few smaller encounters, but non were violent. Perhaps retaliation would have been sought for my killing of one of their Jounin, but I suspect he was coming after me not as a Jounin of Kumo, but as an individual so as to not garner any sort of retaliation from Kiri. That was back when Sanosuke's reign was coming to an end though, so Lin had nothing to do with it. And with the Jounin, Syn I think his name was, dead, there really wasn't much a threat to me left. Even that sharingan didn't help him, not that he used it and now that and his gear are mine, so..." she trailed off, shrugging. Her point was made, there wasn't much to be gained by further talking about it.

Entering the dining hall, Nozomi's eyes would fall upon a spider with a tray strapped on its back. An eyebrow raised quizzically, but no questions came out of her mouth. That, coupled with the spiders pouring tea raised an interesting sight for the girl. It was a good thing she wasn't afraid of spiders, they were enormous. That was probably a good thing though, made them more noticeable. Small things were the ones that were the problems. Taking the offered seat, Nozomi picked up a cup of tea and dumped some sugar into it, stirring it into the drink and waited for Sero to take a seat as well. Her eyes closed briefly as she let herself relax, taking in the sweet smell of the tea, and the smell of mint in the room. She assumed that their conversation would take a turn for the serious in a short amount of time.

Placing the cup onto the table, Nozomi twitched her pack onto the ground, rummaging around it for a second. Taking out a scroll, Nozomi formed a quick seal, the scythe on her back transferring into the thing. It was a cumbersome weapon that she didn't really want to have on her for the moment. Besides, it made sitting in the chair a bit annoying for the girl. The Katana on her hip fell to the floor as she untied it, and she picked it up, leaning it against the table. Free from her weapons, Nozomi slouched into the chair and waited.

WC: 555
TWC: 2259

Sero would listen to her as they walked. It appeared the village of Kumo was settling and eager for a peaceful course of action. Even the new Kage was condemning any actions taken against Kiri. However he was fully aware of how easily they could just provide a level of deniability. If they marked anyone that took action against Kiri as terrorists then Kiri couldn't really lash back at the country. It was possible it was done in good faith but he doubted it. Hearts didn't typically forgive and forget so easily. Still it seemed even though Nozomi had been engaged by one such individual she had overcome the difficulty provided by the encounter. None the worse for wear though. However the mention of her having gained a sharingan made his left hand twitch ever so slightly. A memory of the mock battle Ayakashi had pitted him with against her for his trials. The memory of her with the sharingan in the burning village. The black flames that had attempted to burn him to nothing having come from her. Her rage towards him. That eye that seemed to stare at him with hate. She had a sharingan in that vision. One could hope this wasn't an omen. Even the scythe was the same.

He shifted all the same as they entered the dining hall. Assisting her with her seat as she removed her weapons from herself that seemed a little on the bulkier side. Storing them nearby. Sero would shift and almost float to his own seat as he settled into it. His seated position a practiced one to allow the sword to remain on his hip with out clattering against anything or catching. It seemed almost comfortable and appeared natural. His body positioned only slightly to the side. He would pick up his own tea as she did. The smell of mint filling the air and overpowering any other scent. The cup was a decent bit of red wood as he lifted it to his lips. The wood was warmed by the hot tea but he could feel or taste none of it. He didn't seem to even mind the heat of the tea as he took his sip. His pale lips turning red a moment before fading back to pale. As if a moment of life had been breathed back into them. After a sip he would glance down at the tea before setting it to the side. Collecting one of the small sandwiches and speaking as he collected it. As if in idle conversation.

"There is something I wish for you to consider. Do you think me a cautious man? Afraid of what might face me should I enter a potentially enemy country? I do not hold back on collecting the bounty because its difficult. Nor because of the relativity to you. Simply put, I have not been asked to pursue it. No one has. If anything her bounty is simply a way to keep face. I doubt any one in Kiri will even consider hunting her. Regardless of how she used us. How you asked us to be used."

He would quietly shift and take a bit of the small sandwich. A bit of sliced ham and provolone on white bread. Not that he could taste the difference from that and the tea. He would consume five star food the same as a corn dog. To be chewed and swallowed. His curse was not being able to feel. Which included tasting anything. The smells were pleasant enough and he knew the food was something others enjoyed. For him though it was just a scheduled necessity. Something he needed in order to keep himself strong. His grey eyes shifting from the sandwich to her idly as if he wasn't so much blaming her but reminding her of her part in all this. Her love was the cause of a war. However short lived it was it quickly reenacted Greek history. Lines had been blurred and one had to question who the villain was in this story. Was it Sanosuke for his reaction being so blunt? Ayakashi for allowing it to happen? Or perhaps the two lovers for seeking to be together no matter the cost. Sero of course not forgetting that he had escorted her here and covered up a lie.

2638

She supposed that Sero made some amount of sense. In honesty, nobody had made any moves to attack Kaekio or to track her down from what she could tell. And Sero would more than likely have been the first to do so, if she was being honest with herself. He did take his job very seriously after all. She nodded in response, knowing that he was likely correct. "No, I get that. I don't think that anyone is going to be directly ordered to go after her, nor would most of the Hunters that I personally know. The thing is though, I don't trust that it will always be that way. Someone's going to go for it some day, and the longer she has a bounty, the more likely it is that someone will try and claim it. We'll train new Hunter-nin, and they'll not know her. They'll not know me. They'll go after her. I don't want that to happen."

She took a sip of her tea, letting the hot, sweet drink wash down her throat, noting that she could only do small sips due to its heat. She didn't mind though, as she was able to taste it, and the sips gave her a lot more time to savor it, and that was what she really enjoyed. "I didn't think you'd go for it, but there was still a little bit of doubt. I know if anyone could actually do it, it would be you. Kaekio is a good fighter, and is under guard. You'd be one of the few I know who could actually get in and out without igniting another war." she shook her head. "And someone might be dumb enough to actually try, and then fail. Despite the new Raikage's intentions, if someone tried to do anything in Kumo, the shinobi there would riot. I know how this works, I'm not stupid. I don't want any of ours hurt either. I'd rather it just be dropped completely, it's just better."

She stopped talking, realizing she was being a bit rambly, and needed to reel in her thoughts. She didn't particularly like dominating a conversation, but despite all she'd said, there really hadn't been anything of merit said. "In honesty, I have no urge to leave Kiri. I'm a Hunter-nin Captain, and I pledged my oath to Kirigakure. I love our people. My concern is that my faith in Mizukage Ayakashi is shaken. I'm not sure that her actions have kept my faith that she's what's best for Kiri. Of course, I do have to admit, nobody is perfect, and I know her actions have been done in the interest of Kiri, but intention isn't everything. I've had time to think about it. She was too eager to go to war. Too eager to save face and place fault in Kaekio. And then, nothing even came of it. We went, we skirmished, we left. It was Kumogakure that switched Kage. The prisoners had already been freed by someone else prior to our arrival. Everything was... too quick. Condemning Kaekio was wrong, for more than just my personal reasons. She was the one who ultimately had decided to take her in. No laws were broken. Just an attempt to avert a full blown blood bath. Almost child-like was her response. A tantrum that someone had gotten in her way, and our allies angered that she had hidden the truth from them. And even still, with Sanosuke being labeled such a villain, and even with Kaekio marked a traitor, she left. Ayakashi left that man alive. If her intent was as just as she made it out to be when gathering our allies together, she would have seen the mission through and fought Sanosuke. There was no way of knowing that our prisoners had already been sprung from their prison. But instead, Kaekio got in her way, and Ayakashi just gave her back and left. Do you understand me? Our Mizukage.... my faith is shaken. But I still think it can be gained again. Nobody is perfect, and even the Mizukage can make mistakes in judgement. Even you aren't truly without emotion."

WC: 698
TWC: 2957

"No, I get that. I don't think that anyone is going to be directly ordered to go after her, nor would most of the Hunters that I personally know. The thing is though, I don't trust that it will always be that way. Someone's going to go for it some day, and the longer she has a bounty, the more likely it is that someone will try and claim it. We'll train new Hunter-nin, and they'll not know her. They'll not know me. They'll go after her. I don't want that to happen."

She had nodded and acknowledged what he said. However her concerns went deeper than that. She wasn't looking to the current times but rather what the future could hold in the most pessimistic outcome. He would smile a little at the thought of young new hunters trying to go after someone on their mentors level. Kaekio was a fierce fighter. They had fought once and even unarmed she kept him on the move. It had been a challenge at the time to defeat her then. If she were armed and ready Sero had little to no doubt the woman would merely be sending back blood stained masks. Even his own Teru wasn't someone he was willing to send to Kumo. There was far to much danger there and with Kumo holding to the policy of not executing a wanted fugitive but rather offering her protection, It was clear that no one outside this room was capable of the deed for some time. Still he would nibble his sandwich as she continued.

"I didn't think you'd go for it, but there was still a little bit of doubt. I know if anyone could actually do it, it would be you. Kaekio is a good fighter, and is under guard. You'd be one of the few I know who could actually get in and out without igniting another war." she shook her head. "And someone might be dumb enough to actually try, and then fail. Despite the new Raikage's intentions, if someone tried to do anything in Kumo, the shinobi there would riot. I know how this works, I'm not stupid. I don't want any of ours hurt either. I'd rather it just be dropped completely, it's just better."

So the concern was that even returned to Kumo her girl friend was still a danger to Kiri. He would set his sandwich down and take a napkin cleaning his mouth before clearing his pallet that he couldn't taste with a swish of tea. He had no doubt that stupidity held itself strong within their own ranks. Either side of those borders was just one spark away from a lot of death. He still patrolled their northern border at times himself. There was a lot of work to catch up on. Kaekio was a distraction they could not afford. Nor one that ever needed to be addressed again. The reenactment of Helen of troy had taken its toll already on resources and the hearts and minds of the people. Likely her death would never settle that but rather cause more tempers to flare. Still he remained silent as she continued her speech. Likely she had been preparing this her entire trip back or longer.

"In honesty, I have no urge to leave Kiri. I'm a Hunter-nin Captain, and I pledged my oath to Kirigakure. I love our people. My concern is that my faith in Mizukage Ayakashi is shaken. I'm not sure that her actions have kept my faith that she's what's best for Kiri. Of course, I do have to admit, nobody is perfect, and I know her actions have been done in the interest of Kiri, but intention isn't everything. I've had time to think about it. She was too eager to go to war. Too eager to save face and place fault in Kaekio. And then, nothing even came of it. We went, we skirmished, we left. It was Kumogakure that switched Kage. The prisoners had already been freed by someone else prior to our arrival. Everything was... too quick. Condemning Kaekio was wrong, for more than just my personal reasons. She was the one who ultimately had decided to take her in. No laws were broken. Just an attempt to avert a full blown blood bath. Almost child-like was her response. A tantrum that someone had gotten in her way, and our allies angered that she had hidden the truth from them. And even still, with Sanosuke being labeled such a villain, and even with Kaekio marked a traitor, she left. Ayakashi left that man alive. If her intent was as just as she made it out to be when gathering our allies together, she would have seen the mission through and fought Sanosuke. There was no way of knowing that our prisoners had already been sprung from their prison. But instead, Kaekio got in her way, and Ayakashi just gave her back and left. Do you understand me? Our Mizukage.... my faith is shaken. But I still think it can be gained again. Nobody is perfect, and even the Mizukage can make mistakes in judgement. Even you aren't truly without emotion."

He would pause at her concerns. His grey eyes studying her own gaze as he contemplated his response. His fingers tapped idly on the table as he shifted in his seat. Signs of discomfort. He was sworn to protect the Mizukage and the village and yet someone of influence and power was expressing to him concerns close to mutiny. Had it been another he might have removed their head for the lack of careful wording but Nozomi had some good points. However he understood another point of view. He would use his right hand to slightly push the tray of sandwiches in front of her before folding his hands before him on the table and leaning forward. A last meal perhaps? His face was unreadable. Blank as always with no hostile or lack there of intent displayed. He was a dangerous man at any range but this close Sero was more lethal than perhaps anything in the world save the Kage herself. Some argued he was more deadly than her. Not on sheer power but from the fear they had of him. His eyes held no remorse for the lives he had taken and no urge to stop. He was a slayer. However when he spoke it was a calm tone.

"So you want the bounty removed. You feel our Mizukage at fault almost as much as Sanosuke for the whole incident. Yet I wonder if you considered a few other things? Your partner came to us for freedom. Presented a case for us to conceal her. In return Kumo reacted by holding our people hostage in mass. Because of your need to be together our nation was nearly dragged to war over a lie we were asked to tell. In return for going to that battle, she revealed us as liars to the world and for what? For the man she chose to betray and run from to begin with. Minds so easily swayed back and forth are the cause of this. If we were to save any face a bounty had to be placed publicly. Now you intend to confront the Mizukage and have it removed. I urge you to mind your words if you do and not try and place this blame on her to her face. Not with how deeply involved you were. However you aren't here telling me all this simply because you wanted it off your chest. I assume you want my influence with the Mizukage to help with the debate."

3951

After finishing, Nozomi drained the cup of tea she had and held it for a moment, awaiting a response from Sero. As Sero slid the tray towards Nozomi, she placed down her cup of tea, picking up a sandwich. Nibbling away at it as Sero spoke, she absent mindedly just ate at the sandwich. She wasn't particularly hungry, having trained her body to survive on little more than rations, and she'd had her fill of them not long ago. To her, eating food beyond rations was just a matter of enjoying the taste of food rather than for sustenance. If she ate too much foods that weren't rations, then she'd start to untrain her body to be used to them.

"So you want the bounty removed. You feel our Mizukage at fault almost as much as Sanosuke for the whole incident. Yet I wonder if you considered a few other things? Your partner came to us for freedom. Presented a case for us to conceal her. In return Kumo reacted by holding our people hostage in mass. Because of your need to be together our nation was nearly dragged to war over a lie we were asked to tell. In return for going to that battle, she revealed us as liars to the world and for what? For the man she chose to betray and run from to begin with. Minds so easily swayed back and forth are the cause of this. If we were to save any face a bounty had to be placed publicly. Now you intend to confront the Mizukage and have it removed. I urge you to mind your words if you do and not try and place this blame on her to her face. Not with how deeply involved you were. However you aren't here telling me all this simply because you wanted it off your chest. I assume you want my influence with the Mizukage to help with the debate."

It was good that he understood what it was that she wanted, and her intent behind her reply. And in truth, she had given thought to the same things he brought up currently. A small smile twitched on her face as her eyes closed for a moment to better listen and understand his words. His points did make sense, but of course he'd had time to think about it as well, so they should be. On the surface, the Mizukage's decision had been the correct one, but that didn't mean that it was the only one. "Of course I'd use more tact when I speak to her. And yes, you're right. I would like your help and influence in this matter, but I've resigned myself to do it myself if I can't convince you to assist me. I know I have more to do if you're going to help me, I can tell you're skeptical. But first, if you wouldn't mind, could I bother you to allow me to bathe? It's been a while since I've had a hot bath. This isn't something that is completely urgent for us to discuss, and I'd like to give you time to think."

Assuming he allowed it, Nozomi would stand up and pick up her bag to head to the bathing area. Grabbing the Katana that leaned against the table to take it with her. She needed some time to think and destress as well, and this was a perfect opportunity. She trusted Sero enough to not try and kill her at the moment.

WC: 588
TWC: 3545

EXIT ATTEMPT

"Of course I'd use more tact when I speak to her. And yes, you're right. I would like your help and influence in this matter, but I've resigned myself to do it myself if I can't convince you to assist me. I know I have more to do if you're going to help me, I can tell you're skeptical. But first, if you wouldn't mind, could I bother you to allow me to bathe? It's been a while since I've had a hot bath. This isn't something that is completely urgent for us to discuss, and I'd like to give you time to think."

Sero would nod his head as she finished speaking. Rather resigned to the idea of having to discuss this himself. He needed time to contemplate after all. His position as captain of the seven swords was rather recent. He wondered if she even knew of it or was simply asking him as a high ranking Jounin. The festival hadn't been announced yet so his position wasn't public knowledge. She was resourceful though. So he didn't doubt it. Still it would be something they could cover later after she had a moment to renew herself. His grey eyes would follow her as she picked up her weapon and made her way out of the dining hall. Making no move or indication to bar her path. The bath was an easy place to find.

Still he would wait for her to be fully removed from the room before rising to his own feet. In a moment he had snagged up the remainder of his own sandwich and nibbled on it. The tea remaining empty. He had partaken in tea time. The rest of it could be reheated for later if he wanted it. Perhaps even, He would glance to the nearby two spiders coming to clear the table. Speaking to them plainly. As if they were people. "Jacobi, Harvest, Bring the tea to the library when she exits the bath. Make sure its warm. Once she comes out of the bath into the haul escort her there. I will be waiting within." It was true enough that they had chosen odd names but he hardly minded. It was just a designation they each chose for themselves. They had learned a great deal as servants of the manor. He didn't mind if they occasionally fussed over him. Both of them preformed a strange curtsy before skittering about and making preparations.

Sero himself would exit the dining hall and moved down the hall. His shadow playing tricks on the wall like some sort of hunched beast as the light shifted it behind him. His inner beast waiting for a moment it would be needed. However Sero paid no mind to the dark taint in his chakra. He no longer served it but it bowed to his will these days. He had mastered it rather recently but it knew not to cross him. He quickened his pace to the library though as he felt like he was ignoring the writing on the wall. If this went south, and it had a high probability of doing so, Putting Nozomi down was not going to be an easy thing either physically or mentally. Regardless his hand fell on the pearl white door handle and turned it. Entering the round library before leaving the door open behind him. Most of the books had been placed back where they were intended instead of on a table or in a pile on the floor. The spiders did well cleaning up. A desk in the back held less important notes of his. Quietly he shifted over to it to begin to gather up his notes on Nozomi and Ayakashi. Opening a drawer and placing them in before closing it. Taking a seat at a nearby table and opening a book on Katon chakra natures. Reading it while he waited.

4618
Exit thread
Name: Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave S rank 2500/2500
2188 Katon S to SS

Training:

A rank jutsu: Thousand Flying Petals of Death [2000/2000]
B rank jutsu: Ion Spike [1500/1500]

[3500/3500]
TWC remaining: 45