Private Talk (Koro)

Salzem stepped into the Kazekage's reception office, holding himself as passive as he can while in the presence of his guards and secretary. He figured the Kazekage had alerted his staff to Salzem's.... unique appearance and therefor wouldn't be immediately hostile to his presence. Despite the passive air he tried to put on, Salzem was still a tad anxious for a couple of reasons: 1. The Kazekage wasn't quite clear in what he was offering the wolf nor did he explain for what purpose he wanted to see him and 2. Armed guards always kept the wolf on edge, even if their purpose wasn't to necessarily protect the Kazekage from him. Their presence was something of an informal challenge that made it hard for the wolf to keep his restraint in order. His eyes kept flicking to them anxiously. Maybe it was because he was anticipating something from behind the door they protected. He certainly did, though he didn't know if it was bad.

Salzem approached the receptionist desk, keeping his sharp fangs and claws as hidden as possible to avoid anyone getting the wrong impression.

"I'm Salzem. The Kazekage requested I'd speak to him." Salzem explained quickly, not wanting to waste both of their time. It was only a day or so since Salzem was asked to talk privately with Koroshi and his anticipation hadn't exactly quelled in that time. The wolf hadn't forgotten how the last time they actually "talked privately" Salzem was beaten to near death in an underground dungeon. The event hadn't scarred the wolf, but it certainly made him less than encouraged to talk to the man in private. Salzem had speculated the chances Koroshi would try something like that again, how he'd crush him beneath his vast power for some arbitrary reason like proof of his loyalties. Despite his fears, the wolf trusted Koro just enough to believe he wasn't that kind of person. That didn't stop him from being wary though. Anyone powerful enough to break him like that so easily.... Lets just say it's fitting to have doubts.

When he would walk into the the building he would see some people going in and out, some holding folders, some are ninja's coming back from missions or getting information on missions before departing. However despite the busy look everyone is friendly, waits their turn and would leave once their business is done. Before long it would be Salzem's turn to approach the desk, he would be greeted with a friendly smile by Suki, the offices receptionist. Her hair is light brown and comes down past her shoulders, she looks up to the beast man in front of him with her emerald green eyes "Why hello there you must be Salzem, Koroshi told us that you may be stopping by soon, please just head up the stairs to the left, his office will be the first door on your right" She would say in her normal happy tone. Should he want to ask any questions he could and she would reply in kind, however if he goes up the stairs she would go back to assisting other people in the office, or sorting out some folders.


Waiting up the stairs would be two guards standing at the sides of the door, seeing Salzem, and knowing that Suki must have sent him up, given that there was no sounds of struggle, or spike of chakra. Not feeling or hearing any of this they with a smile greet him before opening the door to the Kazekage's chambers where Koroshi sits at his desk signing a few papers and such before the door opens. Once he sees Salzem he greets him with a smile "Please come in, we have some things to discuss" Should he enter the room Koroshi would put some of his papers away to clear the desk off so that Salzem may rest his arms or even elbows on it should he choose to sit down.

Salzem nodded in thanks before heading up to Koroshi's office, glancing at both guards with a certain amount of wariness even as they smiled at him. Perhaps especially because the did. He entered Koroshi's room, witnessing him clear his desk just before he smiled and stated that they had things to discuss. Yes.... this is true, but of what? The white wolf sat upon one of the larger chairs, adjusting himself so that his tail wasn't uncomfortably crushed under his weight. Salzem noted that this chair was just bight enough for him in both height and width, thankfully. At least he wouldn't be accidentally breaking Koroshi's furniture today. Salzem leaned forward, his sanguine eyes locking into Koroshi with a serious gaze. It was about that time to get down to business.

"Thank you for seeing me Lord Kazekage." Salzem said. "What is it we have to discuss?" This was where they go into the meat and bones of what this whole thing was about. As said before, Koroshi never really specified or implied what they had to talk about. He assumed it had something to do with Konoha or something to do with Dachi. That was their last conversation topic. Perhaps he wanted to expand on it. It would make sense, wouldn't it? On the other hand, Salzem suspected this had to do with him personally. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about himself. T'was his least favorite subject. The questions always seemed to be ones of sympathy. "Are you okay"s and "Can I trust you"s were the norm. Sometimes they didn't need to even say it. Salzem could see it. Smell it. Repeated exposure to a good smell turns it into one you hate. Sympathy no longer caused him to feel concerned for. Now it only made him feel frustrated and angered, as if he was being accused of being an enemy. An Outrage.

Seeing Salzem walk into the room and take a step on a chair on the other side of the desk, Koroshi would look toward the jounin who close the door giving them privacy. This room would be adjusted to be slightly sound proof, not so much that someone could scream without being heard, but enough that someone could have a calm conversation without anyone from the outside hearing, this is so that they could have their private meeting. Once the door is shut and Salzem is seated he hears him thank him for seeing him, to which Koroshi would nod "Please I should be thanking you, I am the one who offered this meeting" Koroshi said with a slight chuckle. However the next thing Koroshi hears of course is him wondering why it is that Koroshi called this meeting, and what it is that they wanted to discuss. This was going to be more of a sensitive topic, one where Koroshi would be telling Salzem more about himself, while also touching on some of Salzem's new emotions.


"Right, to business. Recently I have gained an ability that allows me to sense some emotions, and feelings. With this new ability I have noticed a different aura about you in some cases. I know this must have something to do with your new wolf like form, as I doubt you would have any reason to want to commit any ill actions toward Suna what so ever, and I trust that you would never act on such feelings. However I did feel like we needed to discuss them to see if there is anything I could do to make your stay in Suna more comfortable, or if you needed help with these emotions, or adjusting to your new form." Koroshi says to inform his wolf like friend on what he has been sensing, of course he is not blaming him for these feelings, and given his helpful nature toward the people of Suna, being a sensei to some, and of course requesting Dachi when he did not have to shows that he is still human, and is still a good person. However if the beast form is gnawing at him, or he is having trouble staying on the right path Koroshi wants to help him in anyway that he can, whether that be offering counseling, seals to keep the beast at bay, or even trying to recreate his human body or come up with a way to return him to his former self.

Of course it was about him. Should he have even be surprised? Koroshi said that he had sensed a "different" Aura about him. See, Salzem knew that this is the nice way of saying "Hey! I felt a deep malice ring in your soul! I worry for your safety and my village's!" Salzem didn't even feel outraged at this statement. More or less, he felt like he had failed, again, being unable to keep his own emotions in check. While people like Koroshi would like to believe that is was purely the wolven form of him that made him like this, Salzem knew that was just wishful thinking. All the wolf did was offer an outlet, give him a reason to tap into those emotions... That hate... that fear... all of that the Wolf just provided another choice. An easier choice. If it was any consolation, Koroshi offered that he knew Salzem wouldn't act on these feelings, that he trusted Salzem. Feh. Yeah. Sure. Either Koroshi was ignoring the times he had since his arrival or he simply didn't want to mention them to Salzem's face. Was he trying to make Salzem feel better with this talk? What did that even matter? He was leaving soon anyway. He'd soon be out of Koroshi's hair so what was the purpose of this? The white wolf remained silent for a moment, unsure whether to be grateful, to be sarcastic or anything else.

"So... what?" Salzem asked. "I'm leaving soon enough, sir. You won't be obligated to worry about me. I've got everything under control." Salzem didn't even know if he was telling the truth. He wanted to believe he was because, if he was, then the Kazekage wouldn't have anything to worry about and he could go. The wolf REALLY didn't want to bring up any of those old wounds. They've been opened too many times already since he came here. If they were opened again, Salzem didn't even know what would happen.

After saying what he needed to Koroshi can see that Salzem may not have liked everything that Koroshi had said, he doesn't know if this is because of him thinking that Koroshi does not trust him, their first meeting when Koroshi thought he might have been a threat, or some other personal matter that might be eating at him. After a little bit Koroshi hears him begin to speak, his words are that of someone that has been hurt, and doesn't want help, or at least doesn't think they need or deserve help. Sighing slightly Koroshi would begin to speak once more "Salzem, regardless of if you are living in Suna, or on the other side of the world I will still continue to worry about you. I know that you have not been here for long, but I do see you as a good friend, and I care about your well being." Koroshi says to Salzem, hoping that he will see that Koroshi is there willing and able to help him, while also letting him know that he will always have a friend no matter where he goes.

After giving this a moment to sink in Koroshi would take a breath before telling Salzem something about himself, something that he has not told anyone in the village yet as there hasn't been a reason to. "If your recent feelings, emotions and thoughts are coming from the beast within then I may be able to help you, as I can relate in more ways then you think" Koroshi says, if questioned he would continue to tell him about the tailed beast, however if he does not comment on this then Koroshi would choose his next words accordingly

How can one even begin to answer the question Koroshi tossed back at him. Koroshi said that he related to Salzem more than he might think and that gave the wolf momentary pause. The hell did that mean? Another person who felt a pain comparable to his? Whatever. It didn't matter. Koroshi seemed to be of the belief that it was the Wolf was in control and maybe, when he goes hunting, maybe it was. The emotions he feels may be influenced by the foreign body type his mind inhabited now but the core of them were all his. It would be easy to blame it on his form, this body. While it may be true that he'd have better control over himself if he were human, restraint was something learned more than it was biological. Koroshi says that he may be able to help him... Feh. No. No he really couldn't.

"These emotions, you sense, are mine." Salzem said just barely not making eye-contact with the Kazekage. "This form just....... makes them more obvious." Now, While Salzem didn't believe Koroshi could relate to his beast situation, he did believe the Kazekage could help him wash some of the old crusted blood from his mind. The wolf cleared his throat before speaking again. Somehting had constricted his windpipe.

"I have a lot of.... baggage I'm still dealing with, sir. Baggage I'll probably always be dealing with. I hold so much guilt, so much blood on these hands I don't know If I'll ever recover. Those emotions, you feel? I'm trying to deal with it all..."

Hearing his words Koroshi would think on them, he finds it hard to believe that the emotions are his own, and not the wolfs. He has felt a dark aura, one that wishes to kill within the village many times, not just when he is sparing or in the heat of battle. This emotion popping up seemingly more often then not. He says that the wolf just makes these emotions more obvious, if that is the case it could be amplifying his emotions, and feelings about his past. That could make some sense, however Koroshi wanting to see the good in him would rather focus on the wolf like form, thinking that if he can help him get past its possible control on him, or maybe even help him return back to human again, he will be better.


His next words begin to mention how he has a lot of baggage he has to deal with, as well as a lot of blood on his hands, Koroshi hoping that this is when he hunts and kills animals, or maybe something he did when looking for his target. However it could also be something similar to how Koroshi feels, it is not him killing someone, but rather not being able to protect someone close to him.

"So your emotions are wanting to kill those around you? I find that hard to believe that these emotions are yours alone. You are kind I could see that clearly when you joined us, you care for your friends, your family, and those around you. As for baggage and blood on your hands I can try to help you through it, however to be honest I am still dealing with my own. I don't know if you looked into the history of Suna at all, but it was attacked a few years back by the one tailed beast. I wasn't able to save everyone, many were injured and some were killed, I live ever day knowing that their death was because I could not act fast enough. For a long time I kept to myself, I trained hard, increased my power even more, and then I took over a power and a burden that was once my late brothers." Koroshi says confessing some of his feelings and experiences in hopes that Sal will open up to him and that he can begin to help him go through whatever it is he is going through. After a brief pause Koroshi would speak again "A few months ago I fought the nine tailed beast Kurama away from a missing ninja near Kumo, and I sealed it away in side of myself for the betterment of the world, to ensure that no one would be hurt by its power. In doing so it has tried to control my emotions, has tried to get me to do horrible things, and has haunted me for awhile. I can relate to what you are going through Salzem, and I am here for you if you need me"

"I'm..... sorry..." Was just about all he could say as Koroshi explained his history. it surprised him how much Koroshi could actually relate to him, how much they actually had in common. It made the wolf feel a little more at ease around the man. However, Koroshi was also highly perceptive, and called Salzem out, saying that he didn't quite believe that these darker emotions were his. Koroshi didn't want to believe that Salzem was capable of such primal anger and hate. He said that Salzem was kind, that he cared for people, for his friends, and this was true. He did care for them. This hatred, however, was also his. Maybe it stemmed from his tainted blood, but one cannot blame one side of him for it's actions. One cannot simply prosecute one side of a man if only one side committed murder. All of this was Salzem's burden. The body he was locked in now, it gave him these urges. He had to fight them off on a daily basis. his drive to hunt, to kill, to revel in bloodshed, all of these came with the form he was "blessed" with. Koroshi made a choice to take in that beast. He holds it now because he chooses to keep it's own hatred buried within. Salzem's hatred stems from a beast grown within him. It was his beast. His darkness manifested and contorted into the body he now possessed. Even now, his hatred demanded Koroshi's blood, his flesh in his stomach. It's pull was no stronger than before. Salzem just noticed it. If Salzem noticed it, Koroshi surely noticed it.

"With all due respect, you're wrong, lord Kazekage. These feelings are mine. When you absorbed the 9 tails, you took in a foreign entity, trapping it within your flesh. Despite it being locked inside you, it is not yours. This..." Salzem patted his chest was a clawed hand. "This form, it was grown from me, almost entirely from my own flesh... All this hatred... all this pain and anger and..... hunger.... It all came from me... The beast demands flesh, it demands death... It is why I go hunting so often in the desert. I give it what it wants... When I spar, It feels not as if it's training, but some form of compensation for this thing..." The wolf's voice became sorrowful, hollow, dark. "I care about everyone... I don't want to kill anyone anymore... But this thing... It demands it. And it.... it is spawned from me.... I am it and it is me.... It took my body, but I have it's mind. In that way, we've reached a stalemate..." Salzem laughed bitterly. "It plays on my darkness, it makes it easy for my emotions to be obvious, for them to fuel my actions.... I almost hurt people because I couldn't control myself...." Salzem looked up at the kazekage, his sanguine eyes seeming to ask a wordless question. "I'm slowly learning how to break from it's manipulation... but I fear it's not fast enough..."

Koroshi hears Salzem apologize to him, the Kazekage shaking his head slightly would speak "You have nothing to be sorry for" Koroshi says to let Salzem know that it is not his fault for what happened with Koroshi, and that he should not feel sorry for him, his choices were his own, and so were his failures. However while Salzem sits in silence, he begins to feel that same hunger, that same feeling of wanting to kill emanating from the young chunin in front of him. Normally and with others that have had this power they would act on it, trying to subdue the beast in front of them, or to strike first before they are attacked, however Koroshi trusts his friend, and sits in his sit as if nothing is happening, knowing that he would not try to hurt him. After a few moments Salzem begins to speak once more. He listens to the chunin's words as he speaks about the difference in their beasts, as well as what he has to go through every day, and every time he wishes to spar with someone. it is true that there is differences in how they got the beasts, and how they act and the meaning behind them, if Koroshi had the choice again on starting over with the beast, or even taking the place of Echo in the Leaf he would have done so in a heart beat, it was his choice and he would make it again. However Salzem was born with his, like a curse, and being different from a tailed beast he cannot make peace with it as they share the same mind and soul, and if he had the choice to start over without such a beast Koroshi feels as though he would choose another path. Their feelings however were the same with their beasts, although Koroshi feels as though he was able to handle his emotions a bit better with the nine tailed beast, as he only showed up when Koroshi was angry or upset, which rarely happens. In fact Kurisu had to tell him over and over again to let his emotions go about to let the beast in to try and let him take control. Despite this, and despite the differences in their beast one thing still stands, Salzem is trying to over come it, and Koroshi is here to help.

"Yes the way that we got our beasts are different, however I am one with my beast and it with me. We share one mind, one body, one soul. Much like you and the wolf I see before me. These emotions that you are feeling of pain and hatred I can help you with them, I have mastered Kurama's power, his hate, his pain as well as my brothers, allowing me to help protect those around me." Koroshi says, his eyes not leaving Salzem, he wants him to know that he is someone that he can trust, and that he is truly here for him despite what he may be feeling. After a brief pause Koroshi would begin to speak once more "What I want is not for you to get rid of your beast as that is something I cannot ask, it is in your blood and it is a part of you. What I would like to do is to help you gain full control over yourself so that you are not pledged by these feelings, and so that you may call upon the power of the wolf when you need to, in stead of it being active at all times" Koroshi says explaining further that he is not wishing to seal or remove the beast within him, but help him control it, or possible revert it back to how he was before, allowing him to turn the power on and off.