So this is the Mizukage's Chambers? (Xyxer)

It was a chilling yet not too cloudy day as Hikari made her way down the streets of Kirigakure, leaving behind the shrinking home of Aryll. She was thankful for the heiress allowing her to stay at her residence while she remained in Kirigakure for an unknown amount of time. Hikari wasn’t sure how long her stay was welcomed, or when she would be called back to Konoha by Lady Hokage herself, if she even survived that long. Every day she had to be on her toes, cautious of everyone. If the wrong person found out she was from Konoha, it could very well mean the end of her, or the end of them if she was able to overcome them. It was for that reason, her weakness, that she was here in the first place, walking and living amongst those who survived and won the war. Their strength is what she sought to leave with.

A new woman is what she hoped she would become, someone who wasn’t afraid because she could trust in her abilities to keep her alive, like Xyxer himself. The man had taken down their strongest shinobi without using a single jutsu. He was the embodiment of fear and power itself, and exactly what she desired to be. The only question was how she could become a monster like him.

What did it take to completely lose your humanity?

Perhaps she would find the answers to her unspoken questions by visiting the man they pertained to. That truly wasn’t why she was wanting to speak with the man, but it would be an added bonus if she could walk away from their encounter with such knowledge. Instead, she was making her way to the Mizukage’s Chambers to reap her rewards from the tournament, more specifically her new title as Jounin of Konohagakure and twenty thousand ryo. She knew she could put the ryo to good use in the shops of Kirigakure, obtaining items one could not find in the typical ninja shop of Konoha that might come in handy later on either during battle or as tools to further her studying, and her title was one she wanted more for herself than anything else as a way to prove to herself that she would not be the weak little girl she had been throughout the war.

The Mizukage Chamber’s building was near the center of the main island, and she felt eyes watching her movement as she opened the door and walked into a lobby-like area of the structure, but she knew those keeping an eye on her had to belong to the Mizukage’s ANBU, for just like the ANBU in Konoha, their duty was to guard the Mizukage with their lives. So of course it was no surprise they would be keeping tabs on all who entered or exited the chambers, weary of even the most loyal shinobi under the Mizukage for anyone could suddenly betray him.

If there was a receptionist Hikari would greet them politely and inform them she was requesting to meet with the Mizukage while giving them her name, so Xyxer would know who to expect if he was available to see her. If there wasn’t a receptionist, she would follow the stairs and hallways until she hopefully found her way to the Mizukage’s office. Once there, she would knock twice and wait to be welcomed or dismissed before performing any other actions. Regardless of there being a receptionist or not, she would pull her Konoha headband out of her ninja pouch and wrap it around the top of her head (kind of like how a famous pink haired kunoichi of the leaf wore her headband). She had kept the headband hidden until then because she did not want to travel the streets with it on due to the trouble it might have brought her.

(WC: 646)

Alone the titan sat on the edge of the world. His legs dangling off the roof of the Mizukage chambers while he observed all that he owned. New constructions had begun beside the path that lead to the eternal prison of the Kage. Sometimes the thought even crossed his mind that his soul, if he still had one, would be imprisoned there, scrawling his name until it became nothing more than ink on paper, reading through declarations to the point where death seemed a superior alternative. Towering, faceless figures stood to attention on both sides of the path leading to the chamber, facing straight ahead with their lack thereof. They'd soon be given a face.. a name. Monuments to the fallen. So many had perished under the word of Xyxer; friend, foe.. it really made no difference. Did he have any true loyalty beneath the mask he so proudly bore? The caricature of a noble knight? His honour was nothing more than an illusion. When had it ever been truly tested in a situation outside of his control? An elite fighter wouldn't be forced to use underhanded techniques to defeat those inferior to him, only when fighting someone that could truly beat him.Someone or something that truly made him worry about his odds. He was no honourable man, just a dog of war that could no longer be challenged.

Hidden high above the village on his perch, there was a degree of satisfaction that couldn't be denied. A freedom from the throne that he'd started to cling to like gum to a school desk. Up here, where he had no responsibilities.. No petty squabbles from the committee to handle. No requests from the daimyo to fulfill. He peered down from the vast height, watching the movement outside of his chamber. The people he was hidden from, yet he had full sight of. They were permitted ordinary lives, no true burdens upon their shoulders. They were granted the blessing of being.. common. He'd always wanted a legacy, and now that he was creating one, he finally understood the price of it. Too little, too late.

Cutting into his vision, a sole, stray raven soared before him. Its magnificent black wings brazenly spread as it carried itself on the wind as nature had intended. A beautiful specimen, he thought, as the bird continued on its destiny to a different part of the village, barely registering the man at all. It was humbling. In nature.. you were only respected when you displayed your power, so it was only human for him to follow that law. To brandish his strength to others.. to have them submit. The way of the conqueror, the path of the murderer, the tomb of the Abysswalker. A cycle that couldn't be ended until someone carved their justice from him.

What if he could fly? The thought pierced his mind as if whispered by some unseen entity. What if he could mimic the raven, and follow his own destiny? His hands dragged beside him while he peered down towards the ground, a great drop. Stranger things have been known in this world. People spewing fire, comrades turning on their allies, leaders abandoning their people.. He'd never know until he tried. The call of the Abyss wrapped him in its comforting bliss, promising him an answer to the question if he only dared. His feet pulled up, steadying his heels against the edge of the building while he continued to tilt over the edge, slowly.. 

THUD

The sound pierced the immediate area when the door to the rooftop opened up on behalf of Wraith, one of his trusted ANBU. "Hikari Hyuuga is requesting an audience with you, Lord Mizukage." The name he'd almost forgotten, yet the Hyuuga were an unforgettable bunch. Two had tried to end his legacy prematurely, how long was it until the medic followed the same folly? Nodding his head, he gestured towards the roof so that the ANBU knew where the meeting would commence. While Wraith closed the door and went down to the ground floor, he steadied himself back onto the roof, lowering his legs once more and sitting again, carefree almost.

In the reception, the sister of the Tadashi's handled the basic mundane tasks for Xyxer, such as interacting with those in the lobby. When she caught sight of the foreign kunoichi a smirk broadened her features, yet she made no outward comment. She tidied her desk with such finesse that it was difficult to imagine her not being an adept at any game involving hand-eye coordination. An audience with her big brother? Hooow surprising! She'd heard so many people enter this building solely to make an audience, yet none of them followed the secret trick. Assuming that Hikari revealed her details to the sister, she'd respond in kind with the trick; a little supplement to the medic's skills. After all, jutsu were one thing, but getting fast tracked by admin? A whole new level of being. Speaking in an almost excited manner, she'd nod her head a little while a figure in the distance moved through the halls. "Of course, we'll see if he's available, I'm sure he wouldn't mind a diversion. Future reference though? You should bring a gift with you next time, this one's just on the house or we'll make you actually schedule. I like my donuts with jam in them." She grinned cheekily, responding to any smallchat that might have occurred before the figure returned. "Wonderful, it looks like he's available, please follow Wraith." She waved her hand towards the figure from earlier.

Waiting for the girl to follow him, Wraith himself took the time to look her up and down. She didn't look too different. Not as alien as some people had professed these Konoha shinobi to be. Oh, how he'd laughed when he heard of their forced betrayal.. The Will of Fire had been smothered, and now even the ember sought refuge within the storm. The theatrical mask of the ANBU seemed both mocking and encouraging as it contorted from laughter to misery. Assuming the girl followed the man, he'd lead her up a multitude of staircases, explicitly avoiding the elevator. She could do with the exercise, as he could only assume she'd take the easy route when back at home.. if she ever made it there. Silent until the very end, Wraith pulled the metal door open to reveal the roof of the building, and the back of the sitting Mizukage. Once she went through, he'd enter behind her and shut the door, remaining beside it.

The roof was sparse other than a variety of plants and the beginning of a tree on one side. Although he would likely not confess it, part of it was dedicated to the Senju he'd almost killed. His own ally. The Senju that had woven the most tranquil of gardens on a rooftop in Tengakure.. if only he could approach that level of mastery. Xyxer shifted his hand out beside him, tapping the edge not too far from him, "I hope you're not scared of heights, Hikari. What is it you wished to talk about?" Xyxer asked, his eyes still peering down towards the scurrying of the ants beneath him.

When she walked into the Mizukage’s Chambers lobby, a woman at the front desk glanced up from her task and smirked when she caught sight of the unfamiliar shinobi. Hikari dismissed the smirk and the meaning behind it as her small stature covered the distance between the woman and herself in several strides, her snowy hair flowing through the air while she walked forward.

“Hello, my name is Hikari Hyuuga and I would like to please request an audience with Lord Mizukage.” Her voice rang out firm and monotone, withholding all traces of emotion. She couldn’t let her guard down, even for someone as harmless looking as the receptionist. Anyone is capable of wearing the softest mask, hiding the hatred and murderous intent with gentle expressions through years of mastery in the art of deception.

Hikari was informed by the elegant lady to wait while they checked to see if Xyxer was available to meet with her. The woman sitting at the desk in the lobby greeted her with far more warmth than the pale haired kunoichi would’ve ever thought possible for someone working in the same building as the Mizukage. The people of Kirigakure were continuously amazing her, breaking the stereotypes that had followed them ever since she first time she met them on the battlefield. It seemed the war had brought out the cruelest of their army. However, such an occurrence made perfect sense for war and bloodshed undeniably intertwined with one another. Where one went the other was surely not too far behind.

She was then given a hint of advice: to bring a gift with her the next time she wanted to see the man in charge. The woman grinned widely after divulging that she enjoyed donuts with jam in them as an obvious hint of the gift she would need to bring next time to ensure she saw the Mizukage. “Thank you for the tip, ma’am. I will remember it for next time.” She smiled softly after she spoke, returning the kindness the receptionist had shown her while they had waited for the person to retrieve her to arrive.

As if on queue, the person in question arrived and was announced by the receptionist with the name of Wraith. Hikari turned swiftly on her heels, her light colored eyes resting upon a person wearing a mask. It was her first time encountering a member of the ANBU, and the skilled assassin towered over her petite frame. She hurriedly bowed and thanked the receptionist again, making sure to not hit her head on the desk as she did so, before walking over to the man whose mask seemed to mock her mixed emotions. She then followed Wraith up many winding staircases, her heels clacking every step they took was the only noise between the two of them. She had expected as much from one of Kirigakure’s elite shinobi for they would have no interest in talking with a lowly medic such a herself, especially someone who couldn’t do a damn thing during the war.

She hated Yen for what he did to Salzem, but she couldn’t deny a part of her hated herself for not being stronger and able to do something. If she wasn’t such a weakling, her brother would’ve been alive and she would’ve been with him instead of in Kiri.

It was a strange time to come upon such a realization, when she was moments away from coming face to face with the man who took over her home practically by himself. While Wraith opened the metal door a gentle breeze greeted her from the other side. It appeared they were not going to meet in Xyxers office but the roof. She didn’t mind the change in scenery due to the pleasant weather they were having.

“Thank you for guiding me here.” Her voice and expressions were monotone as she bowed to Wraith, showing him her respect and gratitude. She then stepped through the metal opening and took in the scene before her. Green plants and a small tree were growing to one side of the rooftop, a sight she had no anticipated for it didn’t seem like greenery was common in Kiri. On the other side of the roof sat the Mizukage, and he called out while motioning for her to join him by the ledge that he hoped she wasn’t afraid of heights. “Hello Lord Mizukage, thank you for meeting with me today.” Her voice called back to him as she followed his request without hesitation by making her way to the edge where he had tapped for her to go to.

When she made it beside him, a good distance away so as to not be encroaching on his personal space, she knelt and bowed her head to show her respect for the monstrous man, making sure she was safely still on the ground and not too close to the rim of the roof. “No I am not afraid of heights, Lord Mizukage.” She gave her reply to his previous inquiry while she waited for him to dismiss her kneeling and allow her to sit on the ledge next to him. If he allowed her to stop kneeling she would react respectfully and politely to anything he said after that while she moved to dangle her legs off the side of the building in the same fashion as blue haired leader who owned the place. “I would like to please discuss with you the two other rewards that were promised for winning my tournament fight.” Her eyes would look ahead, trailing across the tops of the buildings in her view unless Xyxer demanded for her to look at him or if he shifted his gaze to her. She didn’t want to make the man uncomfortable or anger him for looking at him if his attention was down turned to the people meters below them.

If he did not allow her to stop kneeling she would still react in a polite, respectful manner to anything he said, and if she was able, would still continue to answer him by saying, with her head still down unless he ordered for her to look him in the eyes, “I would like to please discuss with you the two other rewards that were promised for winning my tournament fight.”

(WC: 1,703)

As it just so happened, the girl was also soaking in the calmness of the situation. Perhaps there was a tranquility about being in the presence of danger yet fearing nothing at all. To know that at any moment you could be destroyed by the force you linger close to.. but no terror beats beneath the breast. His eyes glanced around the rooftop once more, a few minutes passing before he remembered that the girl was here, which was very convenient for him given that he had events in min that would require her to leave his village.

Turning his head in her direction he'd speak out to her, his voice almost free of the constraints of authority as if he was speaking to someone that didn't need to be intimidated, "While you're here, Hikari, that reminds me. You'll have to return to your village as soon as possible, you'll be free to return once the dust settles and if you can gain the approval of your Hokage once more. You can catch a boat to get outside of the storm circle and to your own village." His focus was turned away from her unless she should say something, homing back in on the business of the villagers.

[Exit]

2084 WC

http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t38275-what-lurks-in-silence-p

Made an error last time by forgetting the 1/4 discount, hopefully pulling it back now
1900+1100 = 3000/3000 Rain Shark Mastered, no handseals

900 left

900/3188 Swamp Of The Underworld mastery

Approved

A small, swift breeze of air above her head caused her eyes to flicker upward briefly, but enough for the young kunoichi to recognize that the man before her had signalled for her to rise with a gentle flick of his wrist. Hikari then lifted her head and knee before moving to sit on the ledge beside the Mizukage, with enough distance between them to be comfortable. The last thing she needed was to sit too close to the man and for him to shove her off the edge because of it.

While Xyxer mulled over her reason for disturbing him in silence she took a moment of her own to think about the man next to her. She should’ve hated him with all her being, desiring to see his descending figure as she threw the towering monster off the roof. Yet she felt nothing like that for the man who had taken over her home, instead she wanted to learn from him, to be taken in under his wing as a student to become more fearsome as he was.

Hikari was glad he couldn’t read her mind, just the thought of him actively mocking her for thinking he would ever consider taking her in as a student would be enough for her to never show her face in front of him again. Why would a man like him want a student like her?

Even just the sight of them as they sat side by side, their legs dangling with nothing but the wind keeping them company, was comical. A blue giant and a pale little girl. Nothing could be more contrasting than them, and if birds of a feather flock together, they would be soaring through the endless sky away from the other, destined to be apart.

With the grace and elegance of a skilled magician, a leather pouch appeared, from seemingly thin air, in the outstretched hand of the blue giant, and a smile danced lightly across his features, brightening his usually hardened visage. “Thank you, Lord Mizukage.” Her voice echoed her respect for the man as she showed her gratitude before even moving to claim the item in his open palm. Once she finished speaking her right hand would then reach out and grasp the bag full of money, her slender fingers wrapping around the rough leather. She didn’t linger as she retrieved the pouch from his palm, placing it in the left pocket of the light, pale lavender coat she currently adorned on top of her regular ninja attire.

Once the pouch was safely put away so it wouldn’t accidentally fall from her hands, her lilac tinted orbs followed those of the Mizukage’s, staring at the natural defense of Kiri in the distance. Hikari had seen it when The Silence and the other ships from the war had first reached the village hidden in the mist. It was an impressive force to aid in keeping outsiders away from those who call Kiri home, protecting them from those seeking revenge on Kirigakure and its shinobi. She wistfully wished that Konohagakure had such a defense, maybe then Kiri would not have paid her home a visit in the first place and the bastard Yen would not have been given the chance to reveal the man he truly was.

“Thank you for that as well, Lord Mizukage.” The air around them chilled slightly as the silence enveloped the mismatched pair. Hikari wanted to continue talking with the blue haired leader but didn’t want to disturb him in the tranquility of the quiet moment. He seemed to be focusing hard on something, although what he could possibly be distracted by she had no idea, nor would she have been able to fathom what it truly was.

Seconds passed and then minutes followed, neither of them uttering even a quiet whisper. His eyes glanced around the solemn roof and she felt compelled to speak up, but was shot down as his deep voice cut through the air. His head turned towards her as he spoke, his words cutting like daggers into her hopes at first. He was sending her back home, to the one place she no longer wanted to be a part of or step foot in again. Her mind, which had been racing at the thought of her time with Kiri being cut short, eased slightly as Xyxer told her that she was free to return after the dust settled, although his cryptic message left her bewildered. She couldn’t think of any reason for the ties between their villages to become chaotic and break, unless a rebellion had been formed or started. Something she could see her village doing despite the fact that they were still in no shape to do so. Their man powered depleted significantly during the war, and there would be no hope of a rebellion working in their current state.

She brought her legs back over the ledge and knelt once more to the Mizukage, this time out of gratitude for his generosity. He could have kept the invitation for her to come back to his village to himself, forcing her to stay in Konoha until she could ask for his permission again herself, but he didn’t, and for that she was thankful. “I shall return to my village at once and will wait until the right moment to try and return. Thank you for this opportunity, Lord Mizukage.” Hikari would remain kneeling for about a minute before rising to her feet, preparing to excuse herself from their meeting in order to gather her belongings from the house of the Hyuuga heiress. “If that is all you wish to say Lord Mizukage, then please excuse me sir.” If nothing more was to be said, she would bow and then turn to her heels before walking towards the door to exit.

(Exit)
(TWC: 2,678)
(Claiming Jounin rank and everything that comes with it, 20k ryo, and will post WC claims later)

Approvamundo (post your wc claims in another post instead of editing your old one so that they can be approved seperately)

(TWC: 2,678)
(Claims: 2,600 words for 26 ap ^_^)

Approved