Too Long, Too Late

Taking a deep breath of the cool air, the female continued to walk down the road which became familiar after years of traveling. After a few steps, Ayumi came to a halt, scanning the area for anything or anyone suspicious before the continuing to walk down the path. Although her footsteps were light, the leaves which crushed under the force of those footsteps screamed out loud, warning others of her presence. Pulling her hood up to conceal her face, she continued to trudge down the wet road ahead, shivering as a chill run down her spine. Staring into the distance, the kunoichi gripped the sides of her cloak and pulled them closer towards her lean body as her footsteps became faster. Her mind was blank which suited her usual poker face.

It wasn't long before she reached her destination: Konoha gates. Stopping in her tracks, she lowered down the hood which covered her upper face. She could feel the heavy air weighing down on her weak body as bad vibes from the village creeped towards her and enveloped her body. Strange. The area has sustained some damage, an obvious sign of a conflict which she assumed happened not too long ago. What happened... the girl thought to herself as waves of guilt washed over her body. As if it was a cue, her heart rate started to pick up; it came to the point where it was pounding so hard that she could feel it in her head. 

Biting her lower lip, Ayumi took a big step, putting herself a little bit closer to the village. Staring at the gates with bleak eyes, the girl scanned atop of the wall for any signs of living, having decided that it was safer for her to keep her distance from the gate in case anyone were to pursue her; after all, with her body still in its weakened state due to a mishap, she wouldn't be able to stand a chance even against the weakest shinobi. At least with the distance, there was a slight chance of escaping should the situation call for it. Staring at the gate, the girl was still. Hidden by the cloak, her right hand was curled into a fist; it wasn't a sign that she was ready to fight, but a method of calming herself as she knew she needed to pull herself together before requesting entry.

Gate Duty. Before, it would have been a boring assignment that everyone had the misfortune of coming across now and then in their career as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. Now, however, it was both a an important duty as well as a punishment. A punishment. Yes. That's what this was for Jason, or at least that's how he felt. It was his atonement for failing the village so miserably during the battles fought for its future. Of course, having been taken down so easily by Kirigakure, security had been tightened to an entirely new level. Whether that was the doing of Risako or Xyxer, however, was another matter entirely. It pained him to even think that bastard's name. Alas, it was unavoidable with the situation Konoha found themselves in. 

Even still, with as important a duty as this had become, Jason's morning had been relatively quiet, allowing him to think a lot of things over. Where was his path leading him now? How did he really feel about the merger now that he had seen how little influence it had in changing his village? Sure, there were some major changes that couldn't go unnoticed, but for the most part Konoha continued to run just as it had prior to the unavoidable storm. These things and many more plagued the young Genin's mind as he stood alert atop the village wall on one side of the gate. As fate would have it, his soon-to-be teammate, Higuto Aburame, was also assigned to gate duty today. The Aburame was stationed on the opposite side of the gate from Jason, and too far for the two to have any actual conversations. That didn't keep them from trying to communicate via hand gestures and facial expressions.

Jason was removed from his musings quickly as he noticed someone approaching the village. His expression changed from that of dazed boredom to one of alert seriousness as he watched the newcomer get ever closer. She stopped before even getting close enough for the Senju to tell her to, lowering her hood to show her face. 

The mix of emotions he felt then was indescribable. He knew this woman. Not well, but it was a face he would never forget. Ayumi. The former Hokage who hadn't made it back to the village in time to face Kirigakure, earning Risako a broken back and Salzem a trip he would never return from. His hands clenched into tight balls, the back of his right leg throbbing where he had been injured. The sight of Ayumi had triggered something in his mind that brought the ghost pains back. He could feel his heart pounding hard against his chest, as if it were a rabid animal trying to escape a small cage. He wanted to run, he wanted to charge right at her and demand to know why she had abandoned them, why she had let Konoha fall. But he had a job to do, and do it he would.

"Lady Ayumi," he said, doing his best to not let his voice waiver, "You came back too late; much too late." The words came through clenched teeth, the anger and betrayal he felt beginning to shine through, though he wouldn't allow it to take himself over. "You've been branded a rogue and traitor to the village. I'm afraid there's a price on your head now," he said, taking no pleasure in the words, but hoping she would get the gist of it and turn tail. If not, this was surely to end up a meeting that neither of them would enjoy.

(603)

Higuto was walking along the gate of the Village as he was looking up to the sky in order to enjoy a bit of daydreaming as he watched over the land. He couldn't help but feel something was coming as often times when his insects grew restless they could sense that trouble was near. It was then he felt them call upon him as he looked down to see a person making her way to the gate as his insects, which he had flying around and keeping a wraps around the road into the village, zoomed back to him and skittered their way back inside. The possibility that this was an intruder dawned on him, even though he couldn't help but hold a sense of familiarity upon the stranger, as he noticed another ninja speaking down to the figure below.

Higuto heard the ninja, who he later affirmed to be Jason of the Senju clan, claim the other was named Ayumi which caused Higuto's mind to stir. He had heard the name before and had known it as a powerful name which had once occupied Konoha. He felt that it was only right to meet this ninja face to face as he hopped down from the gate and landed on his feet softly as he looked forward to the ninja. Ayumi, someone who was accused of being a rogue, was back and possibly dangerous and he planned to defend the village to the best of his ability even though he felt he may have been over his head a bit. He kept quiet as Jason spoke to Ayumi and watched what would happen next with caution.

Lost in her thoughts, it wasn't long before a boy called out to her, addressing her by her name which took her by surprise. Taking a quick glance at his face, the kunoichi shifted her gaze towards the ground. She didn't recognize him but he didn't seem unfamiliar. Perhaps it was one of those kids she had seen whilst flipping through the files. A little while later, he was joined by another male much to her dismay. How many more unknown faces would she have to see before a familiar one enters the picture? If this were to continue, more people would soon crowd over—something which she wanted to avoid. She didn't need half of the village gawking at her and making a fuss over her appearance.

The girl stood in silence as the boy started to speak. Staring right into his eyes, she had nothing to say in response to his claims—at least not out loud. She knew the shinobi system well enough; once one is absent long enough, they would be labelled as a missing ninja, a title which she'd rather not acquire. It wasn't a surprise, but that didn't stop her from getting annoyed. To be frank, his short-lived speech irritated her more than anything; he was only rubbing salt to the wound. Of course, talking back would be of little use and would only paint her as a petty individual, and thus it was better to keep her mouth shut. Taking a deep breath, she ignored him and continued to stare at the gate. From the corner of her eye, she was able to see the two shinobi having decided to keep an eye on them just in case the two ever decide to attack her. The girl knew too well that she wouldn't be able to put up a fight with both of them, much less with one. In her current state, the most she could do was run away and even then, she wouldn't be able to go far. She desperately needed to rest after the journey and this gate situation wasn't helping. Instead, it was draining the energy and life out of her.
 
A minute would pass before she’d finally open her mouth, “Bring Risako here.” The kunoichi’s voice was soft, but a hint of sternness could be heard. Although it was more of a request, her choice of words made it seem like an order instead. Either way, whether or not the two would obey said request was up to them. Until a decision has been made, she would continue to stand in the same spot.

Omniscience was a powerful tool indeed. The ability to see all, through the prized dojutsu of the Hyuuga clan, was the greatest boon that the heiress could ever wish for, especially in her hindered state. Patrolling the city, she sensed three presences at the gates, and recognized none of them. For Aryll, this was enough to rouse suspicion, as it seemed that two were speaking to one, who stood outside the gates. As she recognized no Kirigakure ninja, the Hyuuga directed her metal body towards the three.

A ten meter tall giant constructed of strong Kirigakure steel and Tengakure technology was quite a sight to behold. The massive blade it held, as long as the puppet was tall, was just the icing on the cake.

She would arrive just in time to hear the name of the woman: Ayumi. As she recalled, that name belonged to a criminal whom had once resided in this village, and the boy's words soon confirmed this. 

Her form was still hidden untill she rounded the corner, just as the woman asked for Risako. From inside the massive metallic form of Ludwig's, Aryll spoke in the raspy, metallic voice of her puppet.

"So glad to have you back. I'll take you to her."

The puppet would stop 20 meters from the girl, brandishing it's blade out at its side.

It seemed Jason's words only served to annoy the prior Hokage, though the woman didn't move from her spot. It was no surprise really, though she hadn't turned and ran like the young Genin had hoped she would. Even with his misgivings about her not being there to help the village against Kirigakure, he didn't want any harm to befall her. Yet here she was, demanding that he bring Risako to her. She had no right to do such a thing, no right to make any type of demands at all. He was about to say just that to her when another shinobi entered the fray. He didn't know their name, but he recognized the large metal contraption from the battle. It was a Kirigakure ninja. Jason frowned at the newcomer's words, but found no fault in them. As far as he knew, the new hierarchy put every Kirigakure shinobi above himself, which didn't really allow him to go against that. Gritting his teeth, he would say "Do as the metal thing says. It will take you to Risako. I highly recommend not putting up a fight." The words came out begrudgingly, but there was nothing more he could do about the situation.

Higuto would watch the puppet appear as it came to float beside him with it's sword brandished as he watched it speak to Ayumi for her cooperation. As far as he could tell the situation was being handled by those above himself which allowed him to relieve himself from the ordeal. Even though there were questions he wished to ask Ayumi he knew there was the possibility he might get to ask them later on down the line. As he took a step back a beetle landed on his shoulder as he was told something from it and he got out of the way of the puppet and Ayumi underneath the threshold of the village gate.

Seemingly as if having received a cue, a new player would enter the scene not long after Ayumi shut her mouth. Looking at the uh... heap of metal or something akin to it, her brow would furrow ever so slightly. She had never seen such a thing before. As if she wasn't in the middle of a tragedy two seconds ago, the girl's curiosity started to come to life as questions filled her head. That instance, however, was short-lived as she snapped herself back to reality. Keeping a stern gaze on the thing which made its appearance not too long ago, the kunoichi's body became tense as a blade popped out from its side. According to it, it would take her to Risako, but to be frank, how trustable would a pile of metal be? Pursing her lips, she'd look away for a moment. She didn't seem to have much choice so it was better to take what has been offered to her. Looking back at the robot thing, she'd give a small nod, a sign of agreement. Turning her gaze towards the two shinobi atop the wall, she'd give a slight bow to them; it was a way of expressing her gratitude for not going out of their way to go off on her when deep down, they probably wanted to. It was also her way of apologizing. She could only hope that the village would one day forgive her for her wrongdoings. 

Letting a sigh escape past her lips, the young girl pulled her hood up and turned her gaze towards the metal robot thing—whatever it was. Starting to walk in its direction, she would continue to look straight as her hood fell over face, covering the upper half of it.

[Exiting topic; entering village or something like that]

From within her steel cocoon, the features of Aryll curled into a grin. Under her mask of steel, the girl became far more cruel, and the sight of the woman's shame was a treat to witness. Without any more ceremony, the machine would lift its bladed hand, resting the blade upon what would be Ludwig's shoulder, his other hand gesturing for her to follow. Normally, if one was to escort, they would follow from behind, but Aryll had no need to watch her back. She could see everything, after all. 

"This 'Metal Thing' will escort you there." She told the girl, a pointed glare from Aryll being sent towards Jace, who of course, nobody could see. "And the current guard's hesitance to act will be noted." She added threateningly. She would examine his face for some semblance of fear, contemplating reporting this incident to Xyxer.

(Exiting topic, leading Ayumi to the Kage Chambers)

(TWC: 377)

+2 AP and 377 words to Ranton

[just gonna exit]