A Hesitant Homecoming [Village Entry]

After nearly two years of being on the run from Konohagakure, Auron finally decided it was time to return. Though he did not regret his decision to follow the guidance of his ancestral spirits, he could never shake the guilt that came with it. It had progressed into an unpleasant yet consistent reminder that constantly burned in the back of his mind. He had only done what he had done best, following the orders of someone...or something that he trusted. But in the process he took the life of someone that trusted him. It was sort of a double edged sword. On one hand he knew it was necessary, otherwise he never would have learned the things he had regarding his clan. However he couldn't help but question if that knowledge could have been obtained in another way. The Yamaguchi was unsure of who to talk with on this issue, seeing as he didn't know anyone who could relate to his situation. The few he had met in his time likely had stories of their own, but the only one that seemed to be of similar descent was not even aware of his lineage. Braska, the aged pirate...or pirate hunter. Auron had briefly studied the man, but could only discern that his chakra was faintly similar to his own. What was his story with the ancestral spirits? Or did he even have one? 

As these thoughts ran through the mind of the young man, the boy laid on the bed of his room within the inn. He twirled a kunai around the peak of his index finger, with each rotation generating a new thought. There were rarely times that he'd find himself this deep in thought and he really did not know how to act on it. He was so used to taking instructions from others and acting out of instinct that trying to formulate a plan of his own was foreign. But as the kunai spun, another thought came to his mind: The Hokage. Perhaps there was a chance that he could return to the Leaf Village and not be detained immediately. And even if he was, there was a glimmer of hope that he'd be escorted directly to the Hokage to atone for his sins. Or at least explain them. He'd lean up from his prone position, and in a quick motion stuff his kunai into his pocket. Was this actually a good idea? Or a pathway to imprisonment, or even death? 

Thinking back on his time as genin, there had been numerous passings of kageship. First there was Yensung, who ruled during the leaf village's subjugation by Kirigakure. Following this was Wan Senju, who disappeared miraculously. Then there were two of his allies who seemed to take the seat in rapid succession of the other. Around this time was when Auron departed the village, and if Konoha was anything like it had been back then, there likely was a new Hokage by now. Undoubtedly whoever sat in the throne had access to all current and former leaf shinobi records, meaning they may have heard of Auron. But perhaps their own views on missing ninja and the situation at hand were different than what previous leadership suggested. Hell, it was worth a shot.

Auron stood from the bed, gathered his belongings, and equipped his Kisatsutai Uniform. Overtop of it, he'd drape himself with his newly acquired black and white robes and attached his sheathed Shimmering Blade upon his hip. Once he'd have all of his possessions together, the Yamaguchi would leave out of his room and head downstairs to the receptionist area. He made sure to stop by the front desk, depositing his room key and a lump sum of ryo on the desk. That would cover the time he spent in the inn, and a generous tip as well. Following this, he'd exit from the Inn. And once he stepped outside he'd see a lone familiar face, standing in the middle of the rode underneath the bright rays of the rising sun: Grey. 

"Yo," Auron would call out while approaching his friend. "You're up early."

He'd give the shinobi ample time to respond, and following this he'd indicate his intentions for the day. "I'm heading to the Leaf Village...my original home. I'm not sure of what will come from this visit, but I hope to speak with whoever is in charge. And handle some business there." After giving Grey a quick look over, Auron would offer a slight smile and a proposition he was sure his friend would decline. "I wouldn't suppose you'd like to join me?"

Should Grey accept, Auron's expression would transition into one of equal astonishment and relief. It was nice to know his comrade in arms was willing to accompany him. "If you've got all your stuff together, we can set out now. It's not too far from this town."

Assuming Grey had his belongings together, Auron would lead the way out from the village. But if Grey needed to take care of any loose ends before leaving, the Yamaguchi would join him. But once the business was taken care of, the pair would make their way to the Eastern exit from the village they resided in. They'd make their way through the dense forest of lush greenery, across an old and long bridge, and towards the teeming walls of Leaf Village. With it in sight, Auron's heart began to accelerate a bit. He felt crept on by a sense of anxiety and uncertainty of what the future held, but nevertheless he continued until he approached the entrance to the village. Upon being greeted by the welcoming party, he'd prepare himself to present the gate guards with the information or identification they'd request. No matter how reluctant he felt about doing so.

WC = 969

Aihara hadn’t slept that night, instead she had been sneakily following the man from before; following each move he made as she watched him buy and sell across the outskirts of Konohagakure… Several times she had wanted to approach him; but found herself unable to do it. As she watched carefully in the distance; hidden within the forest outside of the walls of this strange village; Aihara would mentally take note of him standing in the line up and going through some process to enter the village… Puzzled by the concept, she would daddle for several moments before deciding that she should perhaps turn back… Only now realizing the time of day it was; and that she had been out all night without her brothers knowledge.

As she began to gather her candy and place it back in her bag; she would notice a familiar figure heading towards the villages gates; it was Auron; her newest adopted Uncle against his own wishes… With a small moment of hesitation— Aihara would look down the way; noticing another familiar body along side Auron — her very own big brother Grey… She would certainly be a lot of trouble; he was awake… And very aware that she hadn’t been where she was suppose to be.

As the small girl stood there, bitting her bottom lip trying to formulate a plan; as to how she would get herself out of the trouble she was about to receive from her brother… With a few moments thought; Aihara would finish gathering her items and begin taking off back in the direct she had originally came from before taking a hard right turn brining herself to the road that would bring her to the gates of the massive village.

Stopping a few feet from where the road would begin, Aihara would take a deep breath, stepping onto the dirt as she brought her attention towards where Grey and Auron were standing; hoping that her Uncle Cid hadn’t been trailing behind to see her come out of the forest to rat on her whereabouts, she would begin running towards Grey and Auron — “Big Broddaaa!” Aihara would cry out as she raced towards them; praying that she wasn’t about to be scolded over her disappearance.

Aihara finally reached the others, coming to a full stop just several feet in front of Auron and Grey, standing on the back of the heels of her shoes as she placed both of her arms behind her back as she looked up towards Grey, “ Why leave with meeee…” she would pout, hoping her small fib would cover up the bigger story.

As the small girl stood there, rocking back and forth on the heel of her shoe to the tip of it; her long pink curls would sway with the wind; as would her rather large, pink ruffly dress, and the large bow in the back of her attire would be slightly lopsided from her events of the night. She hadn’t changed clothes from the day before; hoping that Gray wouldn’t notice.

Conflicted feelings occupied his mind as he stood in the middle of the road, one arm aimed at the sky while the other rested on a katana on his right hip. Grey's mind was filled with countless thoughts, images of the past playing off inside his head over and over, reminding him of what once used to be. Taking deep breaths, the Hyuuga looked up, his left hand still protecting him from the bright sun in the Land of Fire. Ironically he felt at peace, the warmth and silence that felt so familiar calmed him down, his heartbeat slowly decreasing.

His worries subsided, the owner of the inn they were staying at not recognizing him when he entered nor when he left. Luckily for Grey, it seemed that any traces of his past had long been erased. By then his companion exited the establishment as well, preparing for travel and the journey ahead of them. "Hard to sleep when you have a seven-year-old worrying you to death" the swordsman replied, referring to Aihara who yet again wandered off somewhere on her own. Auron would reveal his intentions, sharing he planned to head to Konohagakure with hopes of speaking to the person currently at the head of the village.

Grey remained quiet, aware the Village Hidden in the Leaf once was Auron's home, just how it used to be his. "Might as well, the last of her tracks ended somewhere around here". Wherever she was, he knew the brat had to be close. While one of them had business with the Hokage, the other needed to deal with something smaller, which didn't mean it was less difficult. Running off on her own became Aihara's habit, similar to how chasing after her became his. Having decided on their next location, the two swordsmen set out as they made their exit and started heading towards Konohagakure.

Walking through a forest and past an old bridge, the village walls finally came within sight. Reaching for his papers in one of his side pockets Grey could suddenly hear a sound he was all too familiar with, a sigh escaping the Hyuuga's mouth knowing what he would have to deal with. "You can drop the act, I know what you've been up to" he scolded Aihara, pinching her cheeck as the young girl was standing right in front of them. Wherever they went, she always made sure to cause him trouble. 

(WC: 405)

The day was young, amicable as the streets of Konoha were civilized for once. A change in pace from its otherwise unruly degenerates that boast of being more than what they truly were…excrement. Aokidanza, The Demon legitimately found the shinobi of this village agonizingly a waste of space. But, out of…effort, he decided to tolerate them. For Takara’s sake. She found this loathsome place adorable. The Demon finds her taste in village troublesome, more so questionable. 

His surrogate daughter did not accompany him today, she was off with Aurora, someone within the village she’s been spending time with. One would think that the Demon would find concern somewhere along those lines, but in truth, he has been spending adequate time with her as well. Something about that woman…didn’t annoy the Senju. 

Roaming the village, taking a day to himself. Apparently he was declared as one of the legendary sannin of Konoha, Goto and Ishimaru completing the three. The Senju stood at one hundred-eighty-six centimeters. His attire drastically warped from dapper quality to that of comfort. His long black hair partially tied up behind his head while the rest drapes down his back, a bang that occasionally covers his eft eye. Masquerading himself as a Buddhist priest, Aokidanza dons the appropriate attire. Sporting a gold-colored kasaya garment over black yukata robes. His monk attire complete with white tabi socks and zori sandals. 

The Demon, along his walk would take notice of the gates, flaming iris, home to three tomoes in triangular design, hugged in to the center by raven scleras. The Senju decided to take a peak, sure that his brother, Goto was elsewhere at the time. 

Before his pending arrival…

The gates were under order to establish a single filed line, entering and exiting the village. This was to ensure there be no hiding within the groups to slip past the gate guards. There were a total of three guards, due to the number of visitors this day. Two lesser known shinobi and one Hyuuga. Dark blue hair, lavender-white eyes, done in Anbu gear, mask out of site, but not off her person. Draped by an all black cloak with high collar. The expression on her face was one of utter irritation. “To those of you wishing to enter the village, have your identification papers, or cards at the ready. We want to make this a smooth transition. Those of you exiting, the same applies, return the access passes to the gate guards and be on your merry little way.” Her snide remarks wouldn’t go unnoticed, yet she couldn’t care any less. This was her fourth double shift and she was growing furious as the second accumulates. 

She was positioned between the two other shinobi. One was checking entry and the other was inspecting exiting. Her hands hung loosely at her sides. Her demeanor would shift subtly as she noticed someone within 10 meters abaft of her. Turning completely, she would take a knee before the person…or Demon. “Sir? Is everything alright?” Head bow, she inquired. The Senju would stand over her, one meter away as his demonic eyes analyzed the chakra mass clouding about her. Drifting his gaze from her to the lines, this seemed routined by this point. “I was just about to ask you the same thing, Karruchi. Why are you even here? I thought this shift was Ryuza and you were off for the day.” Raising a brow, he would cut an eye at her.  The Hyuuga raised from her knee and scuffed. “That bastard, Ishimaru sent Ryuza to do a task, calling me in to do his job and the ones he was covering.” Her voiced carried the displeasure. 

The Demon would chuckle as he stepped closer to stand at her side, she turning to look at the line that held those desiring to enter. “Perhaps it would serve you better to cut him some slack.” Shifting her eye at him, his words were almost amusing to her. “You’re one to talk.” his eyes would again find hers. “And yet I am also the one that’s still off duty.” He smiled gently, Karruchi would sigh and nod.  

They would continue to supervise the workings of the gates. 

Aokidanza while cutting an eye at Karruchi:

TWC: 702

He couldn't help but chuckle at Grey's admission of the stresses that Aihara brought to him. Though he still wasn't sure what the relationship between the two was, he had his assumptions. Judging by Aihara's interaction with Cid and himself, the young girl seemed to sort of assign roles to the people that she met. These two had been her self proclaimed uncles, so for Grey to be her..."brother"...that could have been by choice as well. So why would the man willingly decide to go along with the roles and responsibilities of being an older brother? Maybe it wasn't a choice. Whatever it was, Auron had a level of unspoken respect for Grey. It seemed to require the upmost patience and maturity, two things that the Yamaguchi was unsure if he even had. He smiled to himself, crossing his arms and tucking the tails of his sleeves into the wells of his arms. He'd exchange a soft glance at Grey, "I don't know how you deal with it."

The short conversation would subsequently shift, where Auron would inform his friend of his intentions to go to Konoha. Though he thought his offer was a long shot, it seemed as if Grey was unusually willing to join him. His motives were more so to track down his sister, Aihara. But it didn't really matter to Auron, it was just comforting knowing that he would not be going alone. The pair proceeded to follow the route to exit the village and head on to the Leaf Village, and as they walked Auron would suddenly detect another presence coming towards the pair. With haste, Auron would turn in place and his hand would maneuver towards his blade. Yet in that same motion his eyes and his chakra sensory would pinpoint that the one approaching was none other than Aihara, crying out to greet her brother. Grey seemed unfazed though, immediately scolding the girl as she revealed herself. The Yamaguchi's stance and composure would instantly relax, moving his hand back towards the confines of his pocket. He'd subtly sigh, nothing seemed to be straight forward or predictable with this group. Perhaps that was why he liked them. Under his breath and the shroud of his mask, he'd smile to himself. Once again, Grey's level of patience was put to the test.

Though he had his comments, he'd keep quiet. His commentary was unnecessary, and would likely only exasperate the situation. Instead he'd wait for their banter to end, and when the moment presented itself he'd interject.

"The line to enter the village is right over there," he'd point as his eyes fell upon the familiar sight. In an instance all of his memories would return to him, those fond and unforgiven. "I guess it's now or never..."

With each step he took towards the line, a wave of emotions would stir within him. Guilt, regret, nostalgia, and many more. It was almost as if the world around him melted away and he could only faintly hear the voices of Grey and Aihara as they caught up. The words of the gate guard would pierce his ears, informing everyone that they'd need their identification papers ready to make the process as quick as possible. Auron didn't recognize the women's voice or appearance, though it would be difficult to considering her mask which hid her face. He also didn't recognize her companion, whose hair and frame seemed to strikingly resemble to Grey's own. How strange. Nevertheless it was a testament to the revolving order and hierarchy within the Konogakure military, something Auron was all too familiar with. He'd retrieve his identification card and Leaf headband from his possessions, both of which would honestly inform the gate guards of his status as a former shinobi of the village. And as he made his way to the front of the line, he'd present both and look into the eyes of the guards. 

"Auron Yamaguchi...former genin of Konohagakure."

WC = 659. TWC = 1628

Aihara found herself exactly where she didn’t want to be; being scolded; whining gently as Greys fingers pinched her cheek; leaving a small reddish mark behind against her soft ivory skin. “Meanie! Aihara good girl!” She would stick her tongue out at Grey, before folding her arms across her chest, her bottom lip raising above her upper lip with very little effort as she pouted.

Her concentration being broken as she heard Auron speak, former genin of Konohagakure? Was that the name of the village behind these walls? She was unfamiliar with it… She was unfamiliar with most things. Her large pink eyes staring as she watched Auron announce who he was; her own sensory abilities picking up on the fear… was it fear? Or perhaps nerves were just simply getting to him… Aihara wanted to help the man, but found herself unsure how.

Her full attention pushed towards Auron, ignoring almost all the other emotions fluttering around the small girl; she would move forward, touching Auron’s wrist with her left hand; in an attempt at a child’s way of reassurance. It was; Aihara might be a child; but she was a dangerous one; her fits of rage, or even when she needed to protect someone she cared for. The small girl was a force to be reckoned with. “Be okay.” She’d whisper towards him; “We here.”

She would glance back towards Grey, she could feel a chakra, within mer feet of her —— a chakra that felt rotten… The despair; the darkness caused by the feeling of the chakra… Aihara would glance about; trying to locate where the feeling was coming from — the very weight of it felt as if it was crushing her…

The attention of the fact the three of them were coming in as a group was obvious the moment Aihara touched Auron; she would smile towards the person who took Aurons name; “I is Aihara!” She’d announce brightly.

As expected, it didn't take long before their presence was noticed and met by a couple of guards. Instructed to form and stand in a perfect line, the visitors did as they were told as they prepared their identification papers at the same time. "If it means keeping you safe I don't mind being a meanie". Aihara was too young to understand, but someday the girl would come to realize that everything Grey did was in order to protect her, even if it meant getting her little cheeks pinched once in a while. The role of big brother wasn't one the Hyuuga was born with, but he tried his best to fulfill it the best he could, with a couple of road bumps along the way. 

By then he had taken place in the line of people, standing behind Aihara and Auron who'd be the first of their group to approach the village gates and the guards standing nearby. With paper in hand the Hyuuga would listen in on their conversation, picking up on a couple of details and noticing how his fellow swordsman introduced himself as a former Konohagakure genin, much to Grey's surprise. Not because of what he said, that much he already knew, but more why he did it. Was there an angle he was playing at or could he simply be one of those pure and honest souls, incapable of lying and always feeling the need to tell the truth?

Auron hailing from said village would be information Grey already possessed, the fact he told the Hyuuga before they departed more than enough reason to make him aware his companion wasn't hiding anything from the rest of them. Besides his reason for coming clean of course. He could hardly expect the guards to simply wave it away, so the only logical explanation was that Auron hoped they would take him in to see someone and go from there, or at least that's what Grey could make out of his friend's actions. In the meantime Aihaira introduced herself as well, in her usual fashion, what else did he expect?

Once it was his turn, the young Hyuuga offered his papers to one of the guards before speaking up. "Grey, sword for hire, traveling with those two". He would then wait, wondering if and when Cid would decide to show up or if the pirate's drunken ass caused him to get lost somewhere in the Land of Fire.

(WC: 410, TWC: 815)

“What was that? Karruchi, the female Anbu would growl, snapping her false face in the direction of the one who announced himself as Auron Yamaguchi. Her body language did not speak subtly, not in the slightest. Policing over towards the group as they all began to introduce themselves. The Huuuga collecting their documents, examining them over as she questioned the situation mentally. 

The Demon, not blind to the event occurring, glared in their direction with curiosity. Before long making his way towards them ever so casually. “What seems to be the issue, Kitsune?” Kitsune? A code name referencing to the fox mask that she wore. Karruchi immediately caught on to what Aokidanza was doing - “This one is a deserter, Auron Ya-” “Auron Yamahuchi, I know who he is… as well as the other two, Aihara Kuni and Grey Hyuuga. All three are missing-ninja.” He stepped forward, Karruchi handing him the documents. She knew from that moment that he took over the scene. 

Aokidanza was knowledgeable of other Missing Ninja, big and small. Also understanding the scrutiny that came with such a stigma. Those crimson eyes with tomoes would drift from each set of eyes as he stood before them. “My, my, two find you three here is quite the surprise, especially you Auron. Tell me, what are you thinking openly telling Anbu that you were a former shinobi of this wretched village. And that particular Anbu, no less. I dare say it I wasn’t standing there she’d executed you on the spot…and your peers.” A malevolent smile would form on the face of the demon - it shouldn’t take them long to realize who he was, being a former missing-ninja himself. But, just in case. 

“Where are my manners, I did not introduce myself. You can call me…Aokidanza Senju.” It was like speaking his name caused a spike in his own chakra, such density and foul emotions and traits rushed the very area. Many listening would find themselves shivering uncontrollably, the hairs on their skin lifting, chills running down their spines to an uncomfortable degree. This…this man before them was the embodiment of pure evil, this was the Demon of Konoha. 

TWC: 1064

Aokidanza Smiles:

Assuming nothing else was required from him, Grey would take back his papers before finally entering the village. 

(Exit unless interrupted)

(TWC: 833)
Claims:
- 833 towards Dominion
- 16 AP

Approved