Politics as Usual

Today was a rather auspicious day for the trio as everyone had been given their due diligence based on their hard work. Ibari had thought the meeting was over and was beginning to get up until he had heard Kenshin mention him by name and to also stay behind. Giving a small tilt of the head he sat back down and looked at the other two wondering if they were going to stay around to see what the mission was. If it was something of great importance he would want to have the two in the room accompany him, but then again that would put the village at a considerable, but minimal situation if something were to happen while they were gone. So he kept his mouth shut and gave a two finger salute to Guren if he was going to head off and then turned to see if Mizuki had planned on staying behind. He waited to see what she would do before turning back to Kenshin and tapping his own knees in anticipation as he waited to see what the mission was," Now you have me curious as to what the contents of this mission would be. Besides the other missions you've given me this sounds like it has a greater importance in the grand scheme of things," the words came out as a surprise to himself, as of late he had been really...upbeat about certain things. It was as if being in a place that rebuilt him and made him stronger brought some sense of happiness into his life. For the moment however he would wait to see what this mission entailed and what he would be doing.

Sitting up straighter in her seat she leaned over and smoothed out the scroll carefully with her hands, taking extra care not to let her nails snag on any bit of the paper so as not to tear it with the razor sharp edges. Gazing down her eyes would finally light up with flame as the idea of both jutsu became fully realized - the possibilities coming to life in her mind one could almost hear the gears turning faster as the devious smile spread over her lips. Looking up she would raise her eyebrow slightly at Kenshin before looking back down at the element under her hands. 

“Guren is right, this is an honor Kenshin… Thank you for the praise and trust in my skill to show me something so impressive as this, its applications are immense and I can’t even begin to imagine how well it will work with my already existing abilities.” Heaven help the souls who decided to come to Sunagakure looking for trouble… they will have their work cut out for them for even a retreat. She was engrossed in the scroll for assimilating aura once more when she was brought to the present by Gurens’ voice - he had been silently taking in the scrolls near her and she had almost forgotten he was there as she was flying through hand seals over and over in attempt to get muscle memory down pat; of course she was not using any chakra to actually activate the technique in the room only forcing her hands through the hand seals simultaneously one handed to master it on either her dominant or non dominant hand. “Have a good one Guren, don’t stay out too late training.” She gave him a teasing look as he left, knowing full well he was about to slave over this new information as he did everything that was new - the man was a black hole for new information and there was just simply never enough for his mind. 

A half hour later it seemed and she could fly through the handseals for both jutsu, simultaneously, on either hand, with her eyes closed and focused solely on the many heart beats of Kenshin to distract her. This seemed to be enough for her and she gave herself a nod of finality and cracked her fingers to release the tension they had been building. She had sat through the conversation that was to come so she would be privy to whatever mission he was to sent on - she couldn’t help but need to be in the know and while she knew if she asked he would tell her it was nothing in comparison to being in the room and feeling or seeing the reactions herself. Much was to be gauged in those crucial moments. 

As she was sure neither needed to consult her for anything she would slowly and deliberately re-roll the scrolls and set them neatly on the desk top once more before half bowing to Ibari and Kenshin - formality was … unbecoming of her but she felt it was needed in this moment if any. Appearances were important after all - “Have a good evening you two - don’t stay up too late?” The last question was more so directed at Kenshin before she turned and left the office, glancing once more at the fiery red hair of her direct boss Lilith, who sat dutifully in her spot at her desk. Mizuki would pause and incline her chin up while narrowing her eyes in an analytical fashion - did Lilith know she shared the same DNA as her now, even in a small fashion they were closer to clansmen than before. This was the first time the thought had crossed her mind honestly and it made her uncomfortable to say the least, being so used to be the last Kyuketsuki… it made her stomach turn to have something so deeply in common with someone.

Her prolonged staring had, of course, caught the attention of Lilith as she finally looked up with a hesitant smile and eyebrow raise - what she could be thinking was beyond Mizu but she wasn’t going to sit and analyze the sudden heartbeat of the woman; she had blocked her out from her mind so wholly that even her heartbeat was unregistered until now… and it beat with a slightly faster rhythm than normal. Mizu turned her gaze away from the blazing red head and lifted her nose haughtily and strode away as fast as her short legs would take her - nearly slammed her hand into the seal that transported her to the ground level. Only once she was outside the doors did she take another breath…. Why she had been holding it, even she couldn’t answer.

EXIT

WC 791 
TWC 1642 
Claims - Max AP using 25% max stat jutsu discount
1 word to Assimilating Aura V7 5000/5000 previous words from True Blood
1641 towards learning Mercury Release 
Claiming Jounin Rank and Jounin Flak Jacket

Approved @ Mizu

A retrieval mission? A quizzical brow slowly rose as he looked at Lilith and then back to Kenshin as he continued the story. For some reason he didn't feel as if the mission was of super importance. His definition of family was...loose at best, but this was a different circumstance. After Kenshin had finished and Lilith had asked her question, Ibari would hold up a finger as he leaned up from his crooked sitting position, " With all that being said I dont think its necessary to go and retrieve them. If it was a fling it was a fling. You have more important matters to tend to than a woman wanting to play family after all these years. Besides if it was that urgent she would have told you before you left Hoshigakure yes?," he would let that sit for a moment for continuing, " However not knowing them gives you a certain...disposition if in the future that village tries to weaponize the kids against you or anyone for that matter. My opinion is probably a little low on the totem pole, but family has never been... a big thing for me. Until recently," he was eluding to the sense of family he felt between those in this room. 

After that he would grow silent,  resting his back on the arm of the chair and his feet weirdly dangling just off the floor. He wondered if more would come from this conversation,  but judging by the atmosphere of the room it could go somewhere.

"Not a problem. While I know family issues aren't my...forte of sorts, having a group of friends and family that will help you through those times are amazing. Also. There's always an important mission if you look for it in the right places...as for what i'm going to do for the rest of the day? Figure out what i'm going to do tomorrow. That walk up those stairs? Chaotic!," it was a small joke in jest, but he did overall enjoy the couple of the other three that were in the room. As he stood up, he would give a two finger salute to both Kenshin and Lilith before making his way out. At some point he stopped at the base of the building, looking up to its immense height and wondering was he finally building a bond with people that would turn into his family? A small smile appeared on his face as he tucked his hands into the darkness of his robe and continued walking, finally finding the stigma of not having a family to finally be lifted off of his shoulders.

[Exit]
TWC: 1,643

Putting all words into learning Verdandi putting the new total at 2,500/2500 finishing it
Claiming 16 AP

Approved of both claims.