Chives and Mustard! Wait? What?! (P; No fightning/killing)

Posts : 372

The morning was just as it always was. Gloomy, wet, and peaceful. This was a normal morning in Kirigakure, as the village was known for its misty, rainy, and cloudy weather. Demo was awaken by a small dog barking that belonged to his neighbor next door, but he was used to the dog barking as it basically was his alarm clock. However, he had to wake up early today, as he was going to go relax come the afternoon during the small storm to come in soon. He put on his Jounin jacket, secured his weapon pouches and went on his merry way. By time he was done making sure no one needed help in the village, it would be around twelve o'clock in the evening.

As Demo walked around the village to see if anyone needed help, he noticed in the far off distance that large black clouds were rolling in to bring forth a powerful storm onto Kirigakure. As he watched the clouds pile over one another, he thought about how the sky would be stained with black blood as it roared through the heavens above. It was seconds later that a streak of lightning struck the forest that surrounded Kiri, catching a small tree aflame, but as quick as the lightning struck it, it was charred. Leaves, caught on fire withered on the ground as they were scorched by the intense flames until they were black. Could this be a omen? After standing there for a few moments, he continued on to do his next duty, which was to make sure the posts were up and running like they were supposed to.

The Kirigakure walls were just a few feet larger than his summon, Akasan, who usually did not like being summoned in Kirigakure because he's intimidated by the large walls that tower over him just a bit. Demo bent his legs a bit, and in an instant he jumped from building to building until he reached the post stations. As the time edged towards eight o'clock, Demo tried to avoid conversation with the postmen. The postmen stood there, not noticing him as they watched the horizon that could any moment be invaded by enemies. Demo smiled, swiftly jumped down. Now that he was off duty, he headed out towards the Marketing District of Kirigakure. Looking around, people were running to and fro shopping with their small, docile children. The old shopping for sweets for their grandchildren and couples enjoying a small day date. Demo smiled at each face he saw, none of them wearing a head band. As he started to walk up the stairs, he noticed something. In the corner was a small pocky cart, and Demo stormed towards it with a hungry look in his eye.

Posts : 423

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when the mirrors and the lights and the smoke clear
MAKESHI SUZU
HYUUGA DEMO
i never guessed how we ever could’ve got here
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Days? Weeks? Months? Suzu hadn't been keeping track of time since the incident in the forest, and with nothing to jog her memories, the recollection had died away. But her scars were constantly there to ressurrect the thought every morning. Though, daily, she witnessed the miraculous powers of her immune system, today she stood, gazing at her reflection with a placid look. She expected a much deteriorized face, yet two soft lines under her eyes were the closest of the sort. Rising, she walked over to the window, observing what it seemed to be a normal morning. The concrete building stood, yet another day.

She wouldn't call herself a stalker, though one of her morning routines was inspecting the townhouses that stood parallel to the apartment building she resided in. Seldom did Suzu see any life creep out from the concrete buildings, but it was one daily ritual she couldn’t miss. The poorly constructed windows and doors remained shut, the latter of the two creaking every once in a while, until it surrendered to the intentness of the cold wind and finally broke open.

Although her shift didn’t start for another hour, Suzu came to the conclusion that keeping herself locked indoors would be carelessly throwing away time. If she decided to go to the hospital, she knew she would have to complete the paperwork that had been piling up on her priority list, but signatures and surveys deemed more amusing than what she would occupy herself with indoors. Reluctantly, she rose, making her way to the streets of Kiri.

It was another somber and bleak day in the village. The less fortunate sulkily grabbed their man-made signs and situated themselves in their usual spot on the main street of the market district as they hoped for even the tiniest amount of cash. Shopkeepers lazily opened their businesses; some already knowing that it would be another slow day. Mothers tightly held their children’s hands, unwilling to let them wander off any deeper into the marketplace.

As she reached the staircase which led to the few restaurants in Kiri, she halted, noticing something off into the distance. It looked to be fairly tall and built, with hair as dark as the night. Off the bat, it was evident that he wasn’t just a normal villager in want of some pocky. Almost all wore the mournful grey or the occasional blue, but the obtrusive clothes on his back, along with the Hyuuga clan symbol, quickly categorized himself to be shinobi. She didn’t need a headband to assure her of her assumption.

Though it was quite odd for him to be anywhere near the marketplace at this time of day, she realized she was in the same predicament. She began to wonder how others assessed her when she was the only shinobi present in the busy streets of Kiri, as she had been in that situation quite a few times. Slowly, Suzu grew self-conscious.

Judging by his prominent apparel, Suzu came to the decision that the mystery man was someone of higher rank than her. Possibly a jounin, which reminded her of the last encounter with––

“What are you doing here?”

Did I just say that out loud?

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THE MARKET DISTRICT
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Posts : 372

Demo always liked pocky ever since he was a child. The cookie that was coated in a yogurt like coat was so delicious that Demo would do anything to get some pocky. As he neared the cart he pulled out some ryo, smiling as he approached the cart. "How may I help you today, sir?" said the clerk as Demo looked at the menu which listed all the wonderful flavors of pocky this small cart had. "I'd like a box of strawberry and vanilla pocky" he said as he handed the money to the clerk. "Alright sir!" he said as he got to work on making the pocky. As Demo waited, he turned around to notice the area around him. Children were running, no, skipping, as if there were no troubles in the world. However, there was, and someday they would realize it. Kiri was a target for most of the nations, and someday these children would see the horrible things that others are going to wish onto their happy lives. Demo looked at the sky, and for the first time, prayed.

As it neared the time the man would finish the pocky, Demo heard someone shout, most likely at him. As Demo turned to see what and who shouted, he noticed that it was not a civilian. There stood a very young lady, most likely a kunoichi. Demo noticed how beautiful she was, and seemed as if she were very similar to Saya. "The young ninja in the village keep surprising me...." he began to think as he was handed the pocky. Taking it, he left the money on the counter of the small cart and began to make his way does the long flight of stairs. "I must take into account as to why she would be yelling at me. Is it because I'm a ninja? Is it because I may look like someone she knew? Or could it be because she thinks I shouldn't be in a place like this, more so on duty or something.." He had thought all of these up as he approached her, taking one more step to secure their privacy space. "Well, I surely was here for pocky," he said smiling before saying, "However, my name is Hyuuga, Demo if you were wishing to know me." he finished. As awaited for her to reply to his few, yet cheerful words to here, he began to open the box of strawberry pocky and took two out. "Would you like one?" he said as he sat down on a step putting the other stick of pocky into his mouth. He drooled in satisfaction.

Posts : 423

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when the mirrors and the lights and the smoke clear
MAKESHI SUZU
HYUUGA DEMO
i never guessed how we ever could’ve got here
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The figure took his time assessing her, so Suzu followed suit. Although she had heard a fair amount about the Hyuuga clan and their striking white pupils, she never thought she’d obtain that privilege to see a pair in person. It was around the time when she had broke eye contact when he started his way down the flight of stairs. She began to wonder if he knew that she aswell, was a shinobi, or if he was merely just going out of his way to talk to a villager.

He spoke with uncanny manners which had Suzu taking a double take. Having met only one Kiri jounin so far, she had stereotyped the few others into the same category as she had once assessed him. Something about his crisp and youthful smile had Suzu feeling guilty. Either he was a man of few words, or he was indeed, legitimately in the market district for pocky. I’m assuming again..

“Pocky is nice. A simple, yet effective break from shinobi responsibilities.” She responded awkwardly, taking a seat next to him. “And I’m Makeshi Suzu. I do believe you’re one of the few Hyuuga clan members in Kiri. Perhaps, you’re the only one. Unlike my kinfolk, as I do believe there are a couple Kooris lurking around here and there.” She extended her arm for a handshake, kindly refusing his offer.

“May I ask what brings you here to the marketplace at a time like this? Of course, it’s none of my business, but--” she paused, pointing to a small crowd of people gathered behind the pocky cart, “--seeing as your entrance has caused quite a stir around here, I can’t help but to be a little curious.”

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THE MARKET DISTRICT
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After taking time to have sat down, he noticed that she too was a high ranking shinobi of Kirigakure. "She probably is a chuunin, seeing as she is out and about so freely.." he thought as the young kunoichi took her seat next to him on the steps. As she spoke, Demo listened intently as he ate the pocky he had stuck in his mouth. "Pocky is nice, very nice indeed. It's a very good snack as its very light and is full of delicious flavor." he said with a smile. "So your name is Suzu? Very beautiful name, yet very strong too." he said as she kindly refused his offer, resulting in him eating her pocky as well. "She is a Koori...?" he asked himself as he looked at her with his soft white eyes.

"Well, I don't know quite why I'm here." he said as he put the two boxes of pocky aside. "I had just got done finishing my duties about an hour ago, as for my team I haven't been able to get around to them. Plus, Saya is usually out and about a lot...so she makes it difficult for me to assemble the team, so I really had nothing else to do some I came here." Demo said in reply. As she hinted towards the cart, which was now swarmed with citizens, he laughed. "Oh, looks like I did cause a bit of a crowd. Well to be honest with you, I had summoned Akasan, my frog summon awhile back. He is pretty big, a bit taller than the gates that keep Kiri safe from the world outside, so I guess they think I'm some strong ninja.." he said as he looked at her cheerfully. "I bet your thinking I'm a pretty relaxed for a Jounin that is part of a village that is known for its cruel ways," he said as a small ball hit him. Demo stood up as the young child ran to retrieve his ball. Picking it up, Demo gave it back and ruffled the young child's hair as he ran back. "To be honest, I don't like to be stereotyped as a ninja that just loves the sight of blood. I believe that someday peace can be achieved and that war does not need to be the way it is. These young children are our future, and their children will be our future. To secure that future, us, the shinobi of today need to make it to where tomorrow will be safe" he said and then looked towards her, "What do you think? Do you think I'm just some foolish ninja, who's dreams and ideals are nothing more than a fantasy?" he said.

Posts : 423

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when the mirrors and the lights and the smoke clear
MAKESHI SUZU
HYUUGA DEMO
i never guessed how we ever could’ve got here
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She felt a bit jealous as he reminded her that jounins were able to lead a team of genins. Though she wasn’t a very strong leader, interacting with other shinobi was something Suzu was deprived of since day one. The neglection and refusal from other chuunins when she had been granted the promotion was something she wasn’t able to forget. The name ‘Saya’ sounds familiar.

“Your summon?” Glancing towards the horizon, couldn’t see anything unusual, nor any giant overcastting shadows. Pity, she was looking forward to seeing a giant frog, but God knows how the people will react.. “The village council keeps our shinobi records a secret. So until we actually converse with other shinobi, everyone knows nothing about each other. It explains how the fact that I was a Koori was unknown to you, and the fact that you could summon a giant frog would have never crossed my mind until you told me. A bit sad, if you ask me.”

He went on to speak about the false labeling of shinobi. “A regular man cannot simply understand our hidden intentions.” She began, folding her hands. “It can’t help but to look like we’re out on a mission for the heck of it. Sometimes, we end up coming back having killed many, but achieved very little. And it seems like they’re only able to understand our failures; not our hard work. Accomplishment only gets you so far.”

Suzu didn’t have an opinion on peace. Her ideals of a perfect world were, and will be forever blocked by the constant evil in the world. “I believe peace isn’t something you can thoughtlessly gain, and it also isn’t something that’s quickly achieved. Peace takes time and effort, and that’s what our ancestors have been trying to do ever since. For all we know, world peace won’t probably be accomplished until far after we die. All that matters, is that we tried.”

She looked straight ahead, catching the feint ray of sun, shining through the thick clouds.

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THE MARKET DISTRICT
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Posts : 372

Demo looked at the horizon as Suzu did. He noted how the golden rays that reflected off the distant ocean mirrored themselves back onto the sky, which was what Demo thought made the sky such a beautiful dark blue as the sun began to lower into the sea, as it seemed. "Yes, it is sad. As ninja, if we knew each others abilities, strengths, weaknesses, we'd probably have better communication amongst the shinobi of this village." he said as he looked at her and said, "If you would like to know, I use katon and doton, and I specialize in ninjutsu and taijutsu," Demo said as he looked at a small child making a fuss about not getting a certain toy they wanted. "Kids...haha" he thought as he began to listen to Suzu once more.

"Accomplishment, I haven't heard that word in a good while. I myself do not like to kill. If you kill the innocent, your a murderer. If you kill those who threaten the lives of the ones you love, your a hero," he said as he too folded his hands, "The way of the shinobi has probably been twisted, misinterpreted, maybe misunderstood. However, its the small things that can make the biggest difference. For example, you can win a very large battle in war, and still lose. That's because the smaller battles really make the difference in whether you lose or not." Demo preached as he flicked a mosquito from off his leg.

"Your right, peace can not be thoughtlessly gained, however the dream and the determination for peace can help make the world just a bit more peaceful. Our ancestors, some fought for the peace of Kiri, yet not the peace that should belong to all nations and peoples. I think that if someday Kiri has a leader that can accomplish peace by trying to bring it to others, then Kiri could someday lead the whole world into peace, and, to be honest, I want to help make something like that possible so that the generations after us can accomplish something that we, this generation, could not understand. The true way of the shinobi." he said as his eyes watered up a bit. Clearing his throat, he stood up and asked, "Well, Suzu, how would you like to join my team and I sometime to train or have an all out spar? I could show you my summon then." he said with a hint of excitement in his relaxing, masculine voice.

Posts : 423

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when the mirrors and the lights and the smoke clear
MAKESHI SUZU
HYUUGA DEMO
i never guessed how we ever could’ve got here
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Time passed, yet the heat continued to beat down in small rays, every so often. The scene before her still looked bleak despite the liveliness the street posed. Rain started to descend from the heavens, its irregular precipitation patterns throwing off even the elderly villagers. A view of a feint rainbow was visible at the pond which lay at her feet.

He was right; ignorance could lead to arguments and arguments could lead to wars. “We have no way of preventing it because we know so little about the world outside of this island. Though other countries may pose as a risk to Kiri, the village officials are keen on keeping us out of the loop. This, in my opinion, isn’t a very smart decision on their part.” What if we’re in the middle of a war right now?

Suddenly, it felt her surroundings didn’t exist, as her brain only allowed her’s and Demo’s voice to get through. She felt intrigued by his perspective, and knowing that someone had also, a pure heart, was encouraging. Reassurance was good. “Yes, but what if you have no choice but to kill the innocent? If we are at war, we don’t know who’s the convicted or the innocent. Murder is wrong, yes, but can it be tolerated if it a greater price in the end was achieved?” She felt like she already knew his answer.

The rest of his speech satisfied Suzu. His words were whole-hearted and meaningful, but at the same time, it did seem like he was searching for the impossible. But he has hopes and dreams, I like that. And it seems he’s quite confident about what he’s saying.

“Your team?” A 4-man team consisting of three genin and one jounin leader was a customary team-style. “I’m a chuunin; even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t work out to anyone’s advantage. I don’t consider myself as a leader, so I don’t think I’ll be able to actually lead any of your pupils, and I’m much too high of a rank to learn with them.” She pictured the image of Demo leading three genin shinobi, but couldn’t find a place to arrange herself in.

“But if you have an idea as to how I can be of some asset, I’d like to know.”

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THE MARKET DISTRICT
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It was just in a few moments that the skies seemed to cry lightly onto the village of the mist. Rain got Demo in a good mood as he loved rainy weather. "Your right, it is hard to try to prevent something you don't know about. The village officials are at no level strength to defend Kiri, they only use words. However, when the time comes that a nation takes action onto Kiri, they expect us who they have kept out of it, to defend them when words are not going to do anything to protect them. Now for our Mizukage, I just don't know..." he said as he smiled slightly and looked up at the sky as water sprinkled on his face.

"What if I had to kill the innocent? If I had to do that, you might as well kill your own family. If you kill the innocent, your no better than a murderer, like I said. Sure, sometimes we don't know who the convicted and the innocent are, however its because of what you just told me about our village officials that makes it to where we don't know who is innocent," Demo replied while trying to hint some wisdom in his voice. "In my opinion, everybody has a tolerance point. Some can tolerate more than others can a certain subject. However, I, I won't risk innocent lives to achieve something that only benefits myself." Demo said.

"Ms. Suzu, I have dreams, and I will bet you do too. Its those dreams that can help make a difference. Dreams that won't be nightmares for others.." he preached as he keenly listened to the rest of what she was asking. "Your a chuunin? That will do fine. I don't think I'll have to teach you. Basically, I want you to be an asset to the team as in aid, or a substitute for if I'm away." he said and quickly added, "You wouldn't be a medical ninja, or a fuuinjutsu user would you? Maybe something other than those that can be helpful to a team of shinobi?" he asked as he smiled at her. "Oh, and we should get out of this awful rain. Don't want to catch a cold." he said to her with a little cough.

Posts : 423

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when the mirrors and the lights and the smoke clear
MAKESHI SUZU
HYUUGA DEMO
i never guessed how we ever could’ve got here
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Suzu had her own personal hatred against the higher officials for keeping their shinobi so ignorant. With their iron fists, they had the power to control the way of life. Media was censored and news of anything beyond the island of Kiri was scarcely told. Everything came off as a surprise to both the shinobi and villagers, so communication between the two distinct groups were seldom. The people’s relationship was pitiful. “Perhaps they haven’t been touching base with us because there’s nothing out there that we should really be prepared for, in terms of a war.” Though she had tried to convince herself that whatever they were doing, they were doing for the benefit of the people, she had never been quite successful.

“Yes, the current situation about our Mizukage is sketchy. It’s a bit sad that most only know of his gender and his quick ascension to the kage rank. Nevertheless, we can’t be so quick to judge..” Some had said that the Mizukage wasn’t very keen on revealing himself to Kiri as he had been in a terrible incident where his face had been brutally scarred. Others have said the village officials were intent on keeping him hidden and protecting him from harm.

Suzu personally knew the Mizukage and she remembered every minute of her first encounter with him. It was their first and last assembly where Suzu had been granted a promotion. “Surely you’ve heard the rumours about the Mizukage having a sexual affair with me?” The foolish inaccuracy finally brought a pathetic smile to her face.

Her lips curled back into a frown at the sound of his answer. “I guess we don’t have the same views after all. During wars, I believe that our main priority should be to figure out the source of this argument and try to solve it a mature way. But if that fails, we’re left to use whatever we have in order to bring about peace. If that includes killing the innocent, then so be it. In such case, I like to think of them as sacrifices. For peace.”

She had never been ‘in charge’ of anyone, excluding needy patients. Though she doubted that her leadership abilities would excel even in the littlest of tasks, let alone in charge of her own students, she took it as a sign that pointed her in the right direction. “I work at the hospital as a medical ninja, and I know my fair share of suiton and futon techniques.” She responded, walking over to a roofed area. “But I can say that my true talent lies within my medical abilities.”

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THE MARKET DISTRICT
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Demo walked and sat himself down at a table that had a small umbrella over it. Thinking Suzu would follow, he folded his hands and began to reply to what she said, "Suzu, I really wished it were like that. Konoha, I think they are our biggest threat. Someday, probably soon, our village officials will fail to share with us critical information. Then, when its down to us, not even our own Mizukage will fight to protect us." he said and then his hands began to become fists. "No matter what. If our Mizukage is not even able to protect us, and if it is so, I will become stronger and protect what I can." Demo said, relaxing a bit. In his eyes you could see the disappointment, the sadness, and the waiting.

"We can be a bit quick to judge. If he does not reveal himself to us like most kages do with their people. Don't you think that indicates that he doesn't care for us, or he does not trust us?" Demo asked, closing his eyes he said, "The Mizukage, what if he might be using us? Pawns to just...get what he wants? I'm not the type to go through with a overthrow of our government, I just feel very insecure about him. However I will show my respect for him when needed." Demo felt as if all was lost already, though, he wasn't the type to give up on his dreams. "Actually, I've never heard about an affair with you and the Mizukage. If I had, don't you think I would've known your name?" he asked with a slight laugh. Things were going great, Demo hadn't had such a great conversation in a long time.

Suddenly, Suzu frowned. "We really do have somewhat, the same views. I said, I won't kill the innocent, never said others can't. I think that sacrifices should only be made only when there are no options left. However, if I must result to the option of killing the innocent, then I won't. I will try, and even risk my life for the resolve. I honestly think Konoha will strike one day. The other day, a lightning struck a tree when I was thinking about what would Kiri's future be. Then, I looked, and the tree was lit on fire, its leaves burning. This indicated to me that fire and leaves may be the our demise. Which, that is Konoha, Fire country." he said and then he unfolded his hands, saying, "Like I said, even if I must take on the Hokage come the day when they attack, I will go against him and risk my life for this village. I will put my everything into fighting anyone who dares come into our domain, and I will crush them with all the power and faith I have in my students, village, citizens, comerades and the future generations." Demo preached, leaning back in his chair.

It seemed like Demo was a bit more relaxed now, having vented most of his ideals to this very young, but beautiful kunoichi. "Medical Ninjutsu? That is great! Our team needs a medic, plus, I really need someone to help me a bit!"; he said and then smiled saying, "Oh would you please be a medical asset to my team? You know, kinda like my teams big sister?" he said laughing at the analogy he had just made. The rain, stopped, Demo smiled looking at the time. "Well, Ms. Suzu. I must be on my merry way. Nice chat though. If you could, meet me sometime, somewhere else. If you meet Saya, you could ask her to accompany you." he said and then, in a flash, disappeared in a gust of wind.

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ooc: topic end.