Fog and Grass [P, NK]

Youta was some few kilometers from the village, in plains. A specific part of it called the fields of solace, probably because of how quiet it was. Everywhere else it was always something, maybe winds, maybe bugs, maybe grass or trees, maybe people or their creations and activity. Out here it was silent and nobody to disturb you. Youta would come here to train from time to time. She was trying to unlock the secrets of her master's two styles - the Flash Blade and the Singing Blade, so far without luck.

At the moment Youta was repeating her swing. After the warm up, she had done a few repetitions of certain exercises for chakra and strength and now was honing her movement, burning it into the muscle memory. In the mean time, somewhere in the background her dragon Cael was playing around the field, maybe chasing a mice, she wasn't sure. Whatever the case, the time in the field, the activity was good for him.

As chance would have it Shinji, after watching the handy defeat of a bijuu by Den, had backtracked to one of the few places to get food before heading out to the borders. The place he went was run by an elderly couple who had not been into Tengakure or heard any news for a good while. Den had left Shinji on a solo mission of sorts after the defeat of the bijuu and oddly enough the encounter with the chakra beast left the former kage with an empty stomach. Luckily the elderly couple was able to provide a small bowl of some kind of soup-Shinji could not place his finger on what kind it was exactly and did not want to offend the couple by asking. Thus, Shinji now found himself walking back out towards the borders and Amegakure.

As chance would have it the path the Uzumaki took brought him through a very little traveled part of the plains, the fields of solace. The former kage took this route as there was very rarely anyone around. However, this day was different, instead of only seeing a field of swaying grass Shinji also saw a figure practicing with a sword it would seem. Intrigued as to who would be out here so far from the village the Uzumaki approached from behind the figure with a few long strides. Upon reaching a point ten meters behind the figure Shinji would call out a simply greeting in a cheerful tone, "Hey, how goes the training?" If the figure turned around she would be greeted by a friendly smile adorning Shinji's face as the headband of Tengakure shone brightly on his forehead holding back his dirty blonde shock of hair. As for the rest of his body it was obscured by a long flowing brown traveling cloak that had quite a bit of wear on it.

In an instant Youta would feel a strong presence behind her and she would also hear a heartful greeting. Turning around she would see a cloaked man with a tengakure headband and a big smile. Based on the chakra the girl guess he was a Jounin at least. He looked somewhat familiar, but she wouldn't know yet. Seeing as the man did not appear hostile the girl would reply with a smile as well. "Hello. It goes rather well, since these part nobody can bother and disturb me - not that you are disturbing..." She would quickly realize what she was implying and try to correct. "A fellow ninja is always welcome."

Only then she would recognize the man. Mostly from his face. The guy was the second Tenkage, Shinji Uzumaki and she didn't recognize him immediately only because she had not met him in person before. He was also recently declared a missing ninja by Takeo, after he became the new Tenkage. This realization would change the girl's expression, the smile fading away and she slightly tensed up. She hasn't heard anything bad against the two kages, except what Takeo said, and the other one Denkiteki even saved her life. But knowing their status and sensing the wide gap of power between herself and the man before her was rather uncomfortable. It was mostly the doubts.

Luckily the shinobi Shinji had come upon was rather friendly. Sometimes people were rather hostile to strangers they met traveling through the wastes of Tengakure. However, a marked change overcame the girl that the deft eyes of the Uzumaki picked up on instantly. A bit worried the former kage quickly glanced over his shoulder and saw nothing, but a grassy field. Returning his gaze to small figure, Shinji cocked his head to the side ever so slightly in confusion and inquired as to what the girl was so worried about, "Sorry, but is something wrong?" Honestly Shinji was rather unsure what brought the change over the small girl. From what he could tell there were no chakra signatures for a while save for their own. This odd change put Shinji a bit on edge as he waited for a response from the girl.

Her own change obviously alerted the man. Youta would observe as he looked over his shoulder. If she was to try to fight him, this would be the best if only chance to make a jump on him, but the girl would restrain herself. And when asked what's wrong she would first try to confirm her guess. "Are you the former 2nd Tenkage, Shinji Uzumaki?" she would inquire rather timidly, then realize the mention of 'former' might have given it away.

Shinji had heard himself called many things: idiot, lazy, former kage, but the wording sounded a bit off the way the girl spoke. However, he discounted and it and simply responded to the girl in his same cheery tone, "I am indeed Shinji Uzumaki, second Tenkage of Tengakure. Who, may I ask, are you? And, sorry to press the subject, why do you look so worried?" The girl had not really answered this question before, so the Uzumaki simply restated and hoped for something more than another question.

A confirmation. Maybe in other circumstanced Youta would grip her sword more firmly, but the man's cheery attitude did not change and he gave her no reason to be on alert... well, other than being wanted. "Ah, excuse my rudeness, my name is Youta Rentei. I'm a Genin from Tengakure." She would introduce herself, then try to gently explain the issue. "...Ugh, how should I say this. While you were gone the Tengakure's leadership changed and the new Tenkages outlawed you and the 3rd Tenkage, branded you criminal for abandoning the village." She was honestly not sure how this news would be received.

Well.....that was a bit of a buzzkill and a huge surprise, Shinji, not once in a million years, did not see that answer coming out of the small girl's mouth, yet it did. This response brought many questions to Shinj's mind. However, he only wanted to ask the most important ones, so as to not overwhelm Youta. Thus, in a much graver voice almost void of emotion, the Uzumaki started his questioning, "Well, it is pleasant to meet you Youta....." Pausing for brief moment Shinji continued steadily, "Now, please tell me: are the citizen's being treated well?" This was Shinji's number one priority right now as it has always been: the well being of Tengakure. "And you mentioned...." Scrunching up his face rather oddly he continued, "....Tenkages-there is more than one?" Finishing at last the former kage, and newly christened missing ninja, allowed his mind to race. He had work to do, lots of work. He had trusted Denkiteki and knew generally what his rule would be like. However, the idea that he was now a missing ninja and new leadership had sprung up in Tengakure was greatly worrying. This would have to be fixed as soon a possible, but first information, yes information-that was what he needed, no, craved.

The former Tenkage's expression changed. His new, emotionless voice scared the girl, but she wouldn't move. This must have been new and surprising to him. Soon she would realize he intended to question her, but unexpectedly his first question was about the well-being of the villagers. Maybe she simply didn't know what kind of person he truly was. "N-nothing has much changed for the citizens, I believe..." she would reply, rather shakily at first. It was true though, the new leadership did not abuse anyone, as far as she knew anyway. The next question she already expected, given that her own words hinted at it. "Yes. There are two Takeo Tadashii and Xyxer Gyojin have claimed leadership as joint Kages." she would say making a single step back, feeling rather pressured into answering.

Sighing at the response Youta had given the former cage's brow furrowed in concern. Xyxer had been promoted to anbu so that he could hopefully be watched by the other anbu and take out his bloodlust on his missions, Shinji naturally feared for what was to become of the village. As for Takeo, well, he did not know all that much about the boy either save for the fact that he also had a bad track record for bloodshed. As these thoughts floated through the Uzumaki's mind he decided he should probably reassure the young genin as to his status. With his voice returning to its more jovial character he spoke up, "Well, thank you for this information Youta, it is invaluable." It really was, otherwise the former kage may have returned to his own village only to be killed on the spot. "Also I can assure you that neither I nor Denkiteki have gone rogue. We both went to investigate a plot in Amegakure that threatened the five great nations, but alas it seems our absence was taken advantage of." Pausing once again to think Shinji figured he should go one step further. "However, you may do as you see fit insofar as reporting my appearance here. No doubt the entire Moon country is looking for me.... Farwell, I must be off." Trailing off the Uzumaki knew he had to end this insurrection and quickly, it was odd being a wanted man. Alas it was a shame that Xyxer, a man he once considered a friend, now had to be done away with. How the tables had turned. And so did Shinji in a blur of movement the former kage was off at a breakneck pace to find Denkiteki and time to think, yes, think.

{Exit}