New Families [Makoto] [M]

Mission:

The night was a quiet one, the moon high in the sky above Kirigakure and the city asleep in this area. A residential one, the tall buildings of the more central kirigakure were not found here. The homes simple and well maintained. Especially with the homes of many a ninja in this area.

Mitsu lied atop one of the buildings. Waiting for his partner where the mission had said to meet them. A hunter ninja mask at his side as he thought. He wondered if his family got anything like this happen to them, and how often it was. A warning, a tell to be careful and not reveal the secrets of the village. Under implied threat to your child and to you. It was... disturbing a little bit. But he figured this was a necessity for ninja. Having to be agents of the village and the country. It was your job to undertake the covert or dangerous operations and having your family espousing it would only put them and others in danger.

He sighed. Sitting upright and looking around for whoever was meant to be his partner on the mission.

Hopping onto the rooftop is a hooded figure. The fact the hooded cloak is too dark doesn't help stealth, but it sure does make the figure look very stylish as she lands, approaching him slowly with her arms crossed behind her back. It's not like stealth was important for this mission, and deep black cloaks are very very spooky and make people think of getting spirited away in the night.

She'd know. Her father used to threaten her with that when she misbehaved. Well, it wasn't really hunter-nin, but removed from the religious context, Makoto figured it was basically the same.

"...Are you my partner for this mission?" Makoto asks, giving a small bow.

The centipede inside her says nothing. This sort of mission is unpleasant. He would rather his host did not have to resort to petty threats, it builds a bad habit when you learn to control people through fear. Moreover, was it really okay to send teenagers on these sorts of missions? The village really hadn't changed as much as he'd hoped with the change in Mizukage. A ninja's duty is a ninja's duty. It never got any less gruesome, and it certainly didn't get any easier. He just hoped Makoto wouldn't get too used to it, despite everything.

(TWC: 214)

"Seems I am" Mitsu says hopping to his feet. Slipping the mask of the Hunter ninja over his head. A pale white with the symbol of kirigakure on the forehead. A point of blue coming up from the chin to where the mouth would be. Two slits act as eyes.  "For this mission at least, we do not know each other. Sound good?" He cocks his head to the side, a bit. Seemingly a little bit more animated with the mask on.

Did he like having to do this sort of mission with her? Not exactly. But it was his mission. So he bore with it. He did wonder how she'd do though. She seemed right at home with threats and intimidation back at the library. How would she fare with random people.

There is a cheer from inside the house that gets Mitsu's attention. A celebration. An academy student graduating to Genin and truly becoming a shinobi. A wonderful occasion for many families and young ninjas. An opportunity for wealth and honor serving their country. But doubled as a signal for them. He looks back to Makoto.

[377]

"It's going to be so sad, isn't it? They're really not going to enjoy it once they know." Makoto sighs, wringing her hands. It did always feel like a bit of a tragedy to have other people take up this sort of thing. It's not like she was ahead of them, but she'd been made more aware, perhaps, than most people. After all, she'd seen the injured and sick ever since she was little, even if she'd never been to a battlefield herself. Still, it cannot be helped. She places a hand on her chest, the reassuring push against it from the inside making her calm down.

"...I'm ready. Should we use the Transformation Jutsu to seem more imposing, you think? It'd also help with keeping anonymity."

Idly, her hands half-run through the seals, making sure she remembers them properly. Yes, that should be right. She eyes the party again, feeling a knot in her stomach. "And when to go in..."

[TWC 337]

"Sure. Though I don't think it'll be much of a difference." He runs through the seals with her. "Biding our time won't do us any good"

It's a puff of smoke, and someone certainly not Mitsu stood before her. Tall, rail thin. The cloak reaching down to the ground lengthened for their new body. They didnt need to chaneg too much what with the cloak and mask but enough it didn't seem like himself. A shag of blonde hair spilling down and around the Hunter ninja mask.

"Let's go" He says, hopping down to the ground from the rooftops. His footsteps quiet as he approaches the home. His byakugan peering into it. The family seemed happy. All around the table cheering. The mother, brown hair put into a side braid, hugging their child who wore the headband of kirigakure proudly on his forehead. A wide smile missing a tooth as he flexed his arm talking about the exam and how his new team of friends formed. His younger sister looking in awe at her now shinobi older brother. The father balding and with an aging face congratulating his son on his achievements and talking about how proud he is.

Mitsu waits, giving Makoto the go to open the door.

[587]

Such a bothersome thing. The form she takes using the Transformation jutsu is more wide set, based on one of her clan elders. Imposing in a different way, in a way that radiates dissaproval and concern like waves. She knocks on the door before opening anyways after a second's pause, walking in slowly. The centipede inside her coils tight around her spine, forcing her back perfectly straight. It pushes against the bottom of her throat, keeping her quiet when she was going to stammer out a line and giving her a moment to think, imposing as  she may look in the doorway.

"Congratulations. Could we have a moment? I'm sure you'll be able to return to the celebrations soon." Her voice is gentle. The way Makoto makes it sound so caring has to be practiced, as much of a mask at the moment as the hunter-nin one  over her face. "We've just come to deliver a message. It's not too important, but please."

She moves silently through the room, taking a glance at the other genin. How long till he has to do this same mission? How long until he's on the other side of this mask? Maybe he'd understand, then. Her movements are gentle but visibly stiff as she taps the mother on the shoulder, heading upstairs. Her feet feel like they're made of lead.

[TWC 599]

Mitsu follows her inside. Letting her take over the talking portion of this for now. Standing by her as an imposing figure rather than a vocal one right now. Peering through the house. A second sister on the next floor busy doing some art on her own while the others were down here celebrating. Pictures of the child on the walls. Food in the kitchen ready.

The family seem shocked, the mother fearful and the father angry before... they can see it. The symbol on the heads of the ninja. The white masks. The rumors and stories of hunter ninja. It freezes them in place. The father looking... ashamed almost. Intruders in his home and he could do nothing. The children seem fearful but the mother sends them off saying "Go to your older sister. We'll be down soon okay" With an assurance in her voice to them. The sister doesn't want her to go but it seems the genin can understand. Nodding. The two of them head on up before the two on duty shinobi. To their sisters room. She's mad but seeing the look on their face she lets them in

The parents follow up behind Makoto and with Mitsu behind them.

[791]

"Really. You've no need to worry. It's just a simple matter regarding what you'll be doing from now on, and I'm sure it won't even be difficult for you"  She motions for them to sit down in a room upstairs, crossing her legs as she does the same, getting comfortable physically. "It is, however simple, still a matter of vital importance for the safety of your family, especially your son."

She gestures with a hand towards the stairs, towards the party. "You see, this is quite the uncomfortable position, I'm sure. Because your son has become a shinobi, you will be hearing and learning things most civilians aren't allowed to know. Therefore, it's very important to remember that you're not supposed to know those things. And most importantly, nobody is supposed to know you know those things." Makoto leans forwards a little, that same hand sweeping over until it's pointing at the parents. "Naturally, if it spread that you knew things you shouldn't... well, it would put everyone in danger, wouldn't it? The village, your son, you... It would be quite a mess. I don't think I need to tell you that, but I figured it was important to bring it to the forefront of your mind."

The Honest Worm writhes within her, making her bend forwards even further. She pauses, collecting her thoughts, though it looks dramatic rather than awkward from the outside. "I hope I'm making myself clear, and don't need to make what I'm saying any more explicit. I would rather not have this turn into an... issue."

[TWC 860]

The parents sit with fearful eyes directed at the two shinobi. They listen without speaking. As she talks about the danger, the emphasis on the issue in her words. The wife clings to her husbands arm. Listening intently to the words the shinobi says nodding along and hoping to not provoke or antagonize the two of them.

Mitsu does not keep quiet though. "We have things on the horizon. Your son will be privy to many of them and will be a part of the shinobi forces as much as any other soldier. So now more than ever our words will be important. As much as you may wish to celebrate. We want you to understand the severity of his position"

The parents nod, more... morose than fearful. The reality of everything sinking into their bodies as they hear the words of the masked shinobi. That their son will be a soldier, a weapon of kirigakure.

Mitsu's own words weigh heavy on his heart and he wonders if this is the real importance of the mission. To ingrain this onto the ninja performing it. The importance of what they do and what they'll have to do. Their mission to their country and their people. To protect them and to keep them safe with war and more on the horizon.


[1010]

"Well." Makoto stands up. A bag of candy incospicously slips out of her pocket and lands onto the chair. Well, at least it'd make her feel better about this whole thing if the kid got it. "That'll be everything, I do think."

"Are you okay, Makoto? The Centipede asks. She nods very slightly, not really meaning it at all, making a sign with her hand, a motion he could feel even if she hid it under the cloak. Drawing with her finger the word "Later".
"I understand. Come on. Let's not linger."

Makoto looks to her "partner", then to the window. It has started to rain. The sounds of the party continue as she hops outside, waving at him slightly. "We should avoid disturbing the party much more, shouldn't we?"

She so desperately wanted to not have to deal with anything like this again. It was bound to happen, but a girl could dream, if she ignored her brain's anxiety for a good bit.

[TWC 1029]