Don't suppose I've been Missed

Salzem waited outside the gates of his former home with no small amount of anticipation. Although his mind should be dead set on finding Adam, Salzem couldn't help but he couldn't help but mill over what people must think of him now. Perhaps they've thought he'd abandoned them. Perhaps they vilified him. Perhaps all they wanted of him was his head. One less potential threat shoved in a corner.

"Anyone there?" Salzem would call to anyone on gate duty, hoping to get their attention.

The day began with him on guard duty, standing forth on the gates of Konoha watching the fronts of his home into the distance for any sign of people. Behind him the gates were closed as per usual during the moment, the coal colored eyes staring into the distance as something approached the horizon. Upon this person entering the full sight of the village he is instantly inspected by Hideyoshi and the guards already present, a slight murmur between the others while the latter remains silent and waits. As the male speaks, Hideyoshi holds his hand open, his palm facing the male haltering him to a stop as he spoke," What business do you have with the Leaf and present your information," the questions were simple and to the point as he waited for his response, however if met with a false tale or refusal the male would be quickly removed from the gates.

Salzem noted the guard who approached him, holding up a hand which indicated he should stay where he was. What confused him was what he asked for: Business and information. The heck did that mean?

"Uh..." Salzem started. "My name is Salzem and I wish to gain entry to the leaf because I'm looking for someone. I don't intend to cause any harm, or start anything. If you require proof of my intentions, its the fact that I'm complying with your requests." What Salzem stated was true enough. For further confirmation, he would've shown the guard his Konoha headband had he not discarded it. Instead, Salzem simply shrugged nonchalantly as the guard processed the information he had given. Likely, he would be recognized as a traitor or something like that, having left the leaf to search for his friend's murderer. Salzem prepared a mental list of the many things he could say to the possible accusations. He just hoped that he wouldn't have to use it.

Risako, who came to take her shift watching the gate, noticed a slight commotion as she strolled up. All of the guards actually seemed to be paying attention to something, which was slightly unusual, considering the lack of visitors the leaf had seen as of late.

Something compelled her to get involved, but really she wanted to trot on home and go to bed. But, duty calls, so Risako used the surface walking technique to walk straight up the wall like she was magnetized to its sides. Upon reaching the top of the wall, her silvery eyes saw a sight the chuunin certainly didn't expect.

Of course, she didn't know what the conversation at hand was about, but the male gate guard that was about 5 meters away seemed to be pressing Salzem for information. Just in case, she'd wait to see where the conversation went. Risako was a bit curious, as to why Salzem wasn't let into the village already, seeing as he was technically still a part of their ranks.

A name. With that simple word a few of the guards went off into a nearby post and sent a message to the office to find any orders for one under the name to be allowed out of the village. In the meantime, his eyes glanced over his shoulders to the others before looking back towards the male. He simply waited for a moment before speaking, his tone both hollow and stern as he spoke," So Salezm why is it that you are wanting in the village and you-," his sentence cut short as he was tapped on the shoulder by another guard who had whispered something to him. His eyes instantly narrowed for a moment as he turned back to the male and sighed," So mind telling us why is it that you, Salezm, are marked as a traitor to the village? It would appear that you are in a hefty sum of trouble by this offense it seems," though he wasn't "trying" anything, he stood there arms at his side waiting for the response of the male, knowing that he would be taking him in for questioning or if resistance was met...other options were available.

Hearing that he had been branded a traitor sent a flare of anger course through his being. He wasn't even shy about showing it, letting his brow furrow in both confusion and anger.

"A traitor...?" Salzem whispered. "Is that what they call me?" He shook his head lightly, ignoring the rest of what this ninja had said. He couldn't believe it! He's gone for weeks, hunting a murderer for the benefit of the village and they have the nerve to call HIM at TRAITOR? What audacity! What nerve! What... Salzem stopped, seeing movement above the gates. There, standing atop the wall was Risako. Salzem's rage boiled in his gut. Seeing her again should have brought him joy! His friend! But he also remembered she was the last one to see him before he left to search for a murderer. His eyes had only flicked up for a fraction of a second before landing back down on the guard.

"I'm not a 'traitor' as you so delicately put it..." Salzem began. "I did leave the leaf for a time. This is true. I left because I was hunting a murderer. I was HELPING the leaf!" Salzem spread his arms to either side. "I spent the time I was gone helping my birth-village with every step I took outside. I was not granted a title as wanderer because the Hokage was too busy." Salzem lowered his arms slowly to his sides.

"As I said, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to help my village, just as I did out there." Salzem gestured behind him, down the road with his thumb. "I assume you don't believe me though."

Risako was in a little predicament. So, she did the best thing she knew how to do. "I will not stop you from detaining Salzem, but I can assure you he is no traitor." Her voice would stop, and she would take a step in the opposite direction. "If you want, you can take him and I can start my shift at the gates, or I can take him. Again, I don't see the need to detain him though." Then Risako went about her stuff. Awaiting an order from the jounin.

Subtle movements made the ninja on edge slightly, the twin personality forming yet again as his hands clenched. On both appeared his gauntlets in the form of gloves at the moment, the armor of Itegomai releasing them without haste as his hands remained at his side," I'd keep calm if i were you. Regardless if you left to find some "murderer" you didn't have permission and thus were labeled a traitor. Regardless of your disposition you left the leaf of your own violation and thus are in trouble," pausing he motioned for the Jounin that had been at the gates to move to the sides of the male as he continued," For that you are going to be detained and taken to the cells until this ordeal is properly handled. It would be in your best interest to come along quietly if you want to uphold your....good standing as it were," of course as he said this his senses picked up the young female coming towards them in which he would simply listen.

She was vouching for the male which meant she knew him, but he knew all to well of what the implications could be. For this he shook his head and nodded for the other ninja to detain Salezm although rather "nicely". Simple hand cuffs and making sure there was no resistance as he spoke," I will take him to the cells, you may simply watch the gates until I return. If you must know my reasoning for detaining him it is simple. A ninja of the leaf should not leave for personal vendetta's. Murderer or not, he should have alerted the Hokage to this. Whether or not he thought his intentions were of the leaf, they were not," his body now turned to where he could face the two of them, weary of those behind him, Zero now stood and waited for their responses.

Salzem's face contorted in frustration and anger at the guard's short sightedness and stupidity. He was just like all the rest of these stupid fools. They could've at least waited until he found who he was looking for, then Salzem would happily face judgment. This is out of order. This is all wrong. How could they just allow this stupid shit to happen? Every cell in his body told him to run. Or fight. Or resist. Snap this fool's neck and be done with it. He was obstructing justice, putting away the only man searching for him on the mere fact that he left the village without permission? DID HE NOT HEAR A WORD HE SAID!!!? Despite the rage that was clearly obvious on his face, Salzem forced his body slack and held up his arms for the guard to shackle him.

"You're making a mistake." Is all Salzem would say to the guard before turning his gaze back up to Risako. She defended him. Even though she didn't do anything to stop this procedure, she backed him. He might've smiled if rage hadn't infected every system in his body. He waited for the guard to send off into the cells of which he filled himself. He couldn't help but marvel at the irony of this entire situation. He's always been honest, helping out who he could when he could, teaching, learning, with the end goal of benefit to the leaf. Here they were, packing him away like luggage until they were ready to deal with him. Salzem didn't cry, nor did he struggle or resist. Salzem didn't curse the guard, nor did he congratulate him sarcastically. He waited quietly, brewing in his own silent cauldron of vexation. Many things crossed his mind in that single moment. His potential ends at the hands of an executioner, his life in the concrete walls of Konoha's prison, guard and his act, many things he'd do when he got his hands on his throat. One by one these thoughts came and passed. Each one reaching a climax before eventually disappearing. Even as these thoughts swept by, one question remained. One seemingly insignificant question that scratched in the back of his head like a rash that had been left unattended. The question was incomprehensible at first, but he could feel it. Slowly, as more attention pointed inward at it, words were slowly deciphered. The itch went away, replaced by a throb and with each one, the question seemed to grow larger, and as it grew larger, the throbbing began to get louder. He heard the question, but he did not know what it meant. Sounds changed. The throbbing stopped, replaced with an a-matter-of-fact silence. The question was so simple, yet, so meaningful. Why had he EVER given into his thirst for vengeance? Why did he allow himself to see retribution where there was mindless bloodlust? stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid... Each word pulsed with a new flame. Not one of frustration or anger. No. This flame had no heat. It was cold. Hollow... feeding of the fuel of the reality of the situation. He brought this on himself.

All of this passed in a second. A second that was now the most significant moment in this 15 year-old's life. No matter how small the infraction seemed to him, the village elders clearly thought his silent exit was alarming and dangerous. People believed he was a threat because he put his own ambitions above those who housed and clothed him for most of his life. It wasn't that they were stupid. He knew that now. But it didn't matter. Not really. Not now. He was going to end up in a cell and more or less his ninja career will be over. All he had to do now was wait. A maddening concept, especially for Salzem. To just wait for the hand of fate to roll his dice. Then again, he did break the rules. Now, he had to take what he was given. stupid stupid stupid stupid...

Well that's how the cookie crumbles. Risako just sighed and erected her spine, fixing her posture as she took her shift at the gate. Aside from waving to Salzem she neither moved nor said a thing. Her face wouldn't show it, nor would her eyes give the slightest hint, but she was starting to feel little spikes of anger rising in her heart. Oh well, what can't you do? "Kasai and I will drop by," she thought, as Salzem was likely being escorted.