Adios

The sun was barely peaking over the grand wall that separated Konoha from the forest they called home. Risako was standing in the shade next to the gate as she waited for her escort duo to arrive. While she waited, she double checked to make sure her armour was secure and fastened before going through her pack to ensure its contents consisted of:

Snacks, enough for three people.
Robes, gotta look fancy for the summit.
Hat, ^
Extra snacks, not to be shared between three people.

Satisfied, she zipped the pack up and slung it over her shoulder. Once the duo would arrive, she gave them a nod and started their journey to the Land of Iron.

[Exit to country borders, once Hikari and Kots post]

Shinoskay was standing gate watch today, the sun was cooler than normal so he felt like it would be a good use of his time today after a genin had recently tried to sneak out. Besides, with the Chuunin exams over, the young boy was hoping to watch the Kiri nin off to see how many left the village in relation to how many had arrived. There was also a small part of his interest that was his hope Naoki would finally make some kind of acknowledgement of the boys existence but it was only a small part.

Been that he was watching both for any strange activity from outside the village, as well as any from inside, he had a Rock Clone next to him watching the inside of the village. He wasn't so versatile and capable as Higuto the Aburame who could summon forth swoths and swarms of insect to aid, that could be changing soon, so this was the best the genin could manage.

It was the Clone, watching the village side, who alerted Shinoskay to the approaching Kage.
"Hey," the clone jabs Shinoskays back, its strength was greater this his and his health so the jab hurt and the boy quickly lurched backwards with a 'Gagh' before turning to look as the Clone continued "hey, its the Kage."

In quick reply, he had the clone turn to watch the outside of the village "ok," a wince from the pain "Switch" while he himself would quickly semi step, semi slide, down the inside of the walls and to the ground in order to make way to the Kage and greet them...Upon reaching the ground, he would make one or two steps in a limp as he quickly adjusted his walking form to lessen the pain so that it wouldn't slow him down while it slowly, but more quickly than normal, healed. He wasn't privy to this Kage Summit and so he could only assume the Hokage was there for some other reason, one that may involve the gate guard.

Higuto had been actually doing things a bit differently with his gate watch today as he resided, instead of on top of the gates, right at the side on the road. A lone shadow clone would patrol for him on the top instead with it's insects flying all around the entrance for anything suspicious or dangerous that may be approaching. He had made this change specifically due to the fact that the Hokage was going to be leaving the village today and he wanted to show his respect in some form of manner. He wouldn't have long to wait as his eyes wandered the streets of the village and he saw the familiar robes and hat of the village's strongest shinobi as she made her way to the gates along with two others. He would not speak as he knew she had quite a journey ahead of her and thus didn't want to take up any of the three's valuable time as he would simply offer a bow as they passed him by. If they continued on their way he would stand back up and take his place back on top of the gates in order to continue his patrol correctly.

Not even a day. Kotsuzui hadn't even been back home in Konoha a full day before he found himself leaving it once again. He had not even gotten the time to go around and visit his usual spots, see familiar faces, see Kisuke. He spent the remainder of yesterday and the majority of the night preparing for today, and staring at the three animals masks that he had placed on a table. The memory of yesterday still fresh on his mind as he thought back to the Hokage's words. He was still confused to say the least on the whole matter. But before leaving his home, he closed up the package and hid it in a safe place, removing it and everything that had to do with it from his mind. There were more important things at hand on this day. He would have plenty of time to think things over on his way back home after the Kage summit, assuming all went well.

Kotsuzui left his place with all his belongings and everything else stored in his weapons pouches and the pouches of his chuunin flak jacket. As per usual, aside from the flak jacket everything he was wearing was white, topped off with a massive white cloak that covered everything from neck down to ankles. Like every other day, the Kaguya was barefoot. There was a cool breeze out, telling signs it was morning and the sun and not yet woken up to fill the village with its warmth.

In no time Kotsuzui arrived at the gates to see that the Hokage was already there waiting under the shade from the now rising sun. But she wasn't the only one there. Two gate guards had made their presence known, both of them on the ground to greet the Kage. To be quite frank, Kotsuzui didn't pay attention to either of them not even giving them the light of day. With the exception of one. The main reason Kotsuzui never wore anything on his feet was because he could feel vibrations through the ground. The soles of his feet were the main receivers of such input. One of the gate guards was producing a tremendous amount of vibrations, each one coming from within him. It piqued the Kaguya's interest ever so slightly, but not enough to actually have the Chuunin act upon it. He simply approached the Hokage and returned her nod. No doubt Hikari would be here as well, or arriving. Kotsuzui would give her a nod as well, a slight smile to go with it. 

With the Hokage leading the way, Kotsuzui would take his place a few feet behind her and beside Hikari as one of the guards. Along with the rising sun Kotsuzui followed their leader to the Land of Iron, all senses now on high alert. 

[EXIT]
TWC: 472
472 words into Gate of Opening (606/750)

The sky was still a dark purple blue hue when the snowy haired woman arose from her slumber, awaking the giant, midnight beast beside her as she stirred and sat up. Kuro’s blood red eyes looked up at her, sadness filling the predators eyes in place of the ferocity usually associated with the canine orbs of wolves. Hikari had already informed him about her trip and how she could be away for a week or so, the news having struck a chord in her best friend’s heart. She had just gotten back from her excursion in Kirigakure, yet was turning around and leaving right as she arrived home. 

“I’ll be home before you know it, okay buddy? Please don’t look at me with such sad eyes…” Her voice was gentle and soft as she stroked his fluffy head, making sure to scratch behind his ears too. Even though he couldn’t speak the human tongue, he understood it easily and as a sign that he acknowledged her words, he nuzzled her hand lovingly. 

After a few moments of the two bonding, the Hyuuga knew it was time for her to get ready for the long journey to come. Luckily she had already spent a few hours preparing yesterday when the Hokage dismissed her from their meeting, which have her ample time to clean and organize her belongings. She left the things she didn’t need at home, changed around what she kept in her storage dimension and in scrolls, and picked out the outfit she would wear to meet the other kages and their bodyguards in. It ended up being her usual ninja attire because she felt it was easiest to go in something she knew she could fight in. That way her clothing wouldn’t hold her down any if she needed to go into combat, which she hoped wasn’t necessary for that would mean peace wasn’t achieved between the villages.

She finished getting ready and having breakfast, making sure Kuro had everything he would need for the extended amount of time she anticipated they might be away. Once she was sure her room was in order and her compassion was taken care of, she hugged him goodbye, “Please keep the room neat and safe while I’m gone. And don’t forget to keep helping out at the hospital, they love having you around because you are the best medical wolf in the whole world.” Kuro barked in response, his tail wagging softly. He was going to miss her again, but would patiently wait for her return as he had done the last time she was gone. 

Waving goodbye to him for the last time before she left, Hikari closed the door and briskly left the Hyuuga District, the sun slowly beginning to peak out and greet those who were already up. Despite her short legs, her pace to the village gates was speedy, and she arrived just as the yellow rays waved from behind the walls of the village. Lady Hokage was already there, keeping herself cool against the summer air by standing beneath a nearby tree. It didn’t seem like Risako had been waiting long as she was opening her bag and parsing through its contents, double checking that she had everything she needed with her. It would be quite the predicament if she had forgotten something important and they had already arrived in the Land of Iron.

Hikari noted, as she continued to move closer to the Hokage, that there were two guards on duty. She would nod to each of them, acknowledging they were doing their job and thanking them for ensuring the safety of Konoha. The gate guards were going out of their way it seemed, at least one of them having clones so more eyes were out surveying the area. Perhaps it was because they were informed that the Lady Hokage was traveling, and they were trying their hardest to protect her even from the village gates. It was admirable of them to go above and beyond what the usual guards would’ve done.

“Good morning, Lady Hokage.” She gave their leader a small smile as she bowed out of respect for the woman. She then moved back to an upright position and turned her head towards their last arrival, “Good morning to you as well, Kotsuzui.” He nodded back at her just as Risako had done, both nonverbally requiting her greeting.

With the formalities out of the way, the trio embarked on their journey to a new land. Hikari walked beside her fellow bodyguard, Kots, and followed their young leader, trying to calm her ever growing anticipation at what may await them upon their arrival. She prayed that whatever happened they would make it out okay, but wanted more than anything for everyone making the same trip as them to leave the summit in the same condition as they had began it.

(Exit)
(TWC: 816)
(Claims: May I please make claims once I can get on a laptop to properly link stuff? ^^’)

(Claims now that I'm at a comp:
344 words towards Eight Trigrams: Mountain Crusher, putting it at 4000/4000 (previous words from here),
and the remaining 472 words towards Split Second B rank, placing it at 472/2250 with 25% off max stats discount)

Approved