Oita's house wouldn't be called expansive, but it was more than the others had to be sure. They'd managed to fit three people in here with little problem, both girls had their own rooms, there was a bathroom, a fully functioning kitchen, and a workshop which Oita seemed to sleep in. It was a new house, not very personalize because Oita and his team mates were the first people to live there.
Oita's House1
Oita's House2
Oita's House3
Oita's House4
Oita's House5
Ishiaki entered the house and whistled loudly. "Alpha Squad front and center!"
Kami, who had been cleaning up dishes from lunch hurried out of the kitchen. "Yes sensei?"
Rin was right behind her, having been assisting with the clean up. She stood beside Kami with her knees locked and her heels together, as if ready to salute.
Oita opened his door, carefully sliding from his room. He looked tired, but he was smiling. He stood beside Rin... then wondered why she was there.
Ishiaki looked at the three of them curiously. "Where's Akane?"
"I think she's in the tub."
Kami said. "I believe she is part fish."
Rin's next move was to go into the ninja academy... but had not yet started. She had spent her time cleaning up and cooking with Kami for the others. Generally, she was a very bright, kind, helpful young lady. It was a shame she had Akane for a sister really. "I can go get her!" she offered and scampered down the hallway.
Ishiaki sighed and motioned for the other two to take seats. "Is she always in the bath?" He couldn't help but ask. It seemed like every time they had a mission, she was in the bath...
"I think she finds it relaxing."
Oita said with a shrug.
There was some bickering back and forth, then scrambling from down the hall. A short few seconds later,
Akane hurried into the room after throwing on her clothes. Her hair was still up in a towel and she left a trail of drips on the floor.
Kami tried not to smile, finding it amusing that they always seemed to be waiting on Akane... for the same reason
"Nice of you to join us."
Ishiaki said as she entered the room, stilling dripping. "We've a mission."
Meanwhile it was ruining
Oita's water bill. He would have to talk to her about that. For now he just nodded "What's the mission sensei?"
Rin rolled her eyes at her sister and walked in behind her to catch word of the mission. Not that she would be invited, but it was nice to feel included.
"We've officially gotten ourselves a reputation. As such, the Shimagunikage has assigned us, and the Beta Squad, an A-rank mission..."
Ishiaki told them gently, there was distress in his voice and he set the folders down on the table.
"Rank A?"
Akane asked, picking up one of the folders and opening it. Rin leaned over and tried to get a peek beside her. "No where with snow, I hope."
"A rank A?"
Oita asked, frowning as he cast his eyes towards the papers "really? Are we... ready for this?"
Kami said nothing, but she stood rather transfixed at the thought of receiving an A rank mission.
"Well...
you may not be."
Akane said cockily to Oita, mostly teasing of course.
"
None of you are."
Ishiaki stated, glancing at Akane sharply. "That's why we're being paired with Beta Squad. The 'kage is hoping that the greater number would be an asset."
Kami bit her lip trying not to smile at the prospect of another mission with Kano.
"Sensei, my puppets are not fully repaired."
Oita said at once "I have fully completed candle only, and that leaves only clock, who was not injured in the fight before."
"Can you repair them along the way?"
Ishiaki asked him curiously. If Oita was short puppets...not good.
Oita shook his head "These aren't simple repairs. I have to build some from the ground up again."
"What about your flying puppet?" Rin asked, stepping up, "The one you based on Akane and me. What about that one?"
"That... is... I've never tested it."
Oita said with a small frown "It would be a risk for me to rely on it... but it might do in a pinch."
"We're going to the Village of Merchants to guard a caravan of merchandise. Perhaps you can purchase some additional puppets before the caravan departs, Oita?"
Ishiaki offered, pulling a chair out and sitting himself down. "We need to be at the top of our game for this mission. I'm sure Tsu is telling the others the same thing right about now."
"That would be as bad as using the puppet I've never used before."
Oita said flatly "And good puppets can cost thousands." That rather squashed that plan.
Speaking of repairs and woodworks,
Akane wondered if El had gotten the chance to repair his guitar. With Oita without his puppets and El without his guitar... it really hindered the two teams.
"It was a suggestion."
Ishiaki said with a sigh. "How about the Inner Gates, how far have you delved into that book, Oita?" He knew he had told the boy to be careful about that type of jutsu, but if he was without puppets, the boy needed to be able to do something...
"I... might be able to do something... if it is needed."
Oita didn't sound too confident in himself. He could try, but he might injure himself severely. And judging by the rank of this mission, he was going to need to do this.
"If you are not confident in the jutsu, do not use it Oita."
Ishiaki ordered him. He hesitated a moment and then added, "Please. This mission is more dangerous than needs to be, especially for those as inexperienced as you. I don't want you three taking any unnecessary risks."
"I could purchase a good puppet."
Kami said speaking up. "If we come across any I mean. If you need one, Oita... I will bring extra currency."
"It would still like relying on a jutsu that you've never used before."
Oita said gently "I will make do if I must. I am capable of control while breaking the inner gates, I have... a few puppets that work..."
"I will bring extra currency any way."
Kami said, placing a hand on Oita's shoulder. "Just in case."
Akane was still with her nose in the paperwork. "Jeez..." she muttered.
"What?" asked Rin.
Akane lowered the folder so that she could see the profiles of their rivals. They didn't look all to friendly, that's for sure.
"All 5 are of Jonin rank. Ideally, we would not be sending 6 Genin and 2 Jonin to combat such a threat."
Ishiaki explained, sighing deeply and running a hand across the top of his head. "However, as you are all aware, we two squads are the primary fighting force for the Coalition. Not only that, but our presence was actually requested by the client themselves..."
"What does this merchant sell?"
Akane asked, not sure if it was in these papers or if she just hadn't gotten to that part yet.
"The Merchant Village sells anything and everything you could possibly imagine."
Ishiaki clarified for her. "Which is why I mentioned that Oita could purchase a puppet there. No two stores are the same, each one offers an entirely different selection. And the entire village is nothing but stores."
"So ... after the mission, can we get a discount?"
Akane asked with a smile, sounding confident.
Kami shook her head. "May we have permission to get ready Sensei?" She asked. "You can brief us on the way..."
Oita was chewing on his lip slightly. This was going to be a difficult mission, and he didn't have any of his real big hitters. "Why did they ask for us by name?" he asked gently.
"No one is leaving until you Genin are fully debriefed on the situation. There won't be any time for second guesses once we get there. What we'll be working on during the journey is our plan of attack."
Ishiaki explained, looking at each of his students in turn. "We're were requested because word got around about what went down in The Frost. Apparently, we've developed quite the reputation."
Behind Ishiaki there was a knock on the door.
Oita twitched a finger, the door opening by itself, revealing El on the other side. "Come in." he called out to the boy.
"I just came to ask Kami a question..."
El.
"I would be happy to buy you a guitar if we run across one El."
Kami said smiling. She knew he had not yet fixed his. He hadn't carried it since the Frost mission.
"Oh..."
El said, having not expected her to know exactly what he needed. Then he realized Oita's puppets probably weren't up to snuff yet either. "I'll pay you back."
"Is that all, El?"
Ishiaki asked him gently. He was a little annoyed at being interrupted, let alone that Tsu would let one of her students come all the way over here during their own briefing...
"Yes... yes, sorry."
El bowed deeply, which was not the custom of his people. "Thank you Kami." and he hurried off to the
Kazankage's commissioned apartment
"Well that was weird."
Akane said, having just observed the message interception.
"As for your question, Akane. I suppose that's all up to Vannor and the rest of the Merchant Guild,
and how well we do on the mission."
Ishiaki answered her
"El hasn't fixed his guitar."
Oita said softly "Both teams are... unfortunately weakened."
"Which is all the more reason for us to be fully briefed."
Ishiaki pointed out...for once not being irritated at having to repeat himself
"Which is why we should all be quiet for five minutes so Ishiaki Sensei can tell us."
Kami told them.
Akane didn't want to push it and sat down on the sofa with Rin, waiting,
Oita just stared at Ishiaki. The door slammed after El.
"Time is short and we have a lot of material to go over guys."
Ishiaki told them with a sigh. He took out the first packet of intel and held it up. "The Assassin Archer, Iteza Locksley, single-handed struck down as many as 38 Jonin ranked ninja throughout the Island Nations. 38 Jonin ninja never saw the guy coming. By his title, we know he's a ranged style user. He specializes in the bow, a little strange as far as ninja go, but effective."
Kami nodded, absorbing the information.
Rin wondered if she should leave. If she was...butting in on something private. She watched Ishiaki, looking for a hint.
Oita frowned at this. Who would be best against the archer? Akane probably. She could direct the winds, stop arrows from hitting their targets, and she was fast.
"The thing we need to remember about these five is that they are primarily used to working alone...with the exemption of this Master of Blades."
Ishiaki explained with a slight shake of his head. "The three of you are not to engage him under any circumstances, is that clear?" He wanted desperately to be sure they understood that part.
Kami nodded, not wanting to interupt.
Oita opened his mouth, then frowned, closed it again, and just stared at the files. This wasn't good.
"Aww... saving the good ones for yourself, huh?"
Akane asked, lifting her gaze from the sheets.
"This isn't like the Frost, Akane. The Master of Blades would kill you all, in a heart beat."
Ishiaki explained. He sighed and laid his sword down on the table. "He wants this. Always has."
"Whoah... you know him?"
Akane asked right away, a bit beside herself.
"Is that really so surprising?"
Ishiaki retorted, this was not a laughing matter, but he couldn't help himself. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose gently. "The Master of Blades is from the Village of Crashing Waves, my home."
Oita let out a tense breath. "So... are you aware of any of his weaknesses?" he asked, looking up towards Ishiaki "If... you should fail against him. We need to know."
"
If I fail against him...he may just leave."
Ishiaki told them carefully, not really liking the idea of it personally. "What he wants, what he's always wanted, is this sword. As this so called 'Master of Blades' he feels it is his right."
"Story time?" Akane asked, thinking it was necessary for Ishiaki to reveal in the details of this man and his connection to Ishiaki.
Ishiaki sighed and shook his head slowly. "I guess I do owe you all
that much, don't I?" He looked around at each of them and his face settled on Rin. "Would you mind getting us some drinks Rin? I hate to tell a story without something to wash it down with."
"Yes sir!" Rin piped up, more than happy to help. To be honest, it was nice doing things for their sensei. She felt useful when she did and left for the kitchen.
Kami decided to sit and get comfortable. He had never really told them any stories of his past.
Oita nodded to his sensei. This was going to be rough, he could tell. "I'm afraid we don't have anything... strong." he said gently to Ishiaki.
"I would not expect you to, Oita."
Ishiaki told him with a nod, "But thank you for the notion." He eased back in the chair and laid his head back until the space between his shoulders popped. "His name is Rath Cohan. I don't know when he picked up the title of Master of Blades, but when I knew him, he was just Rath. In the Village of Crashing Waves, we did as many ninja villages do and worked with 4 man cells, one Jonin and 3 Genin. You three can probably imagine where it is I'm going with this?"
"Hypotheticall
y, say we don't." Akane said.
"Rath was one of my squad mates. We were as close as the three of you will become." Ishiaki explained, finding it hard to believe that she couldn't have come to that conclusion.
Oita coughed gently. "Hypothetically." he said again. Akane still acted negative towards him and Kami. He wasn't certain how close Ishiaki thought they were.
"So with a name like 'Rath', he was destined to become an ass? What happened?" Akane encouraged.
Kami simply sat and listened, not feeling it her place to interrupt.
Ishiaki shook his head at both of their comments. "Nothing hypothetical about it, Oita." He smiled warmly and nodded, "Trust me." He looked at Akane and pointed at his sword. "That happened. You three know what is sealed within that blade, yes?"
"None." Akane said flatly.
Placing a hand upon his forehead, Ishiaki sighed, then stroke his chin. "Alright. I suppose I will have to explain a little more...from the beginning I imagine would be best." He 'looked' around, "Where's those drinks?"
"Rin?" Kami called, figuring the girl might have gotten side tracked.
"Did I miss anything?!" Rin asked hurriedly, running out of the kitchen with a tray of finger sandwiches and tea.
Ishiaki smiled fondly when the girl brought tea and food. "Of course not. I was just about to begin. As you know, I am a well renowned and widely revered ninja. However, I was not always so." It was a little silly to mention, but he felt it necessary to the over all story. "It was...awkward for me, growing up that is. My mother died as a result of my birth, and to my father...To my father, I was merely an untempered weapon, hardly anything more." He sighed and reached up behind his head, untying his forehead protector and slowly taking it away, to reveal what was, or rather not, beneath. "I was made aware, very early in life, at just how much I differed from everyone else. Naturally, I was unable to see the difference myself, but once shown to me...it was difficult to accept."
Oita tried not to stare. He merely looked up, recognized the... deformities, then looked away, towards the floor again, as if bowing to his sensei. This was going to be a painful story, he could tell.
Kami said nothing. Where even a blind man's eyes would have been closed, Ishiaki simply had none. It was as if his face forgot to give way to the shape of eye sockets and brow and just continued on to make more forehead.
Akane was fairly unimpressed really. He never had the agony of experiencing his eye getting ripped clean out of it's socket like she had. He was lucky in her opinion. Saying nothing, she waited for him to progress with the story.
Rin was in slight awe, having never seen anything like this before. "Whoah..." she slipped out with her mouth open. "Oh... sorry." she said, realizing she was staring.
"I drowned myself in my training, not wanting to be reminded that I was...a freak. The jutsu my father used, to make me this way, granted me vast chakra stores and a natural affinity towards elemental ninjutsu." Ishiaki started again after refreshing himself with some tea. "Under Father's watchful eye, I became the weapon he had so hoped and sacrificed much for. When he was confident that I had some sort of control over my chakra, he enrolled me in the Crashing Waves Ninja Academy. My inborn talent propelled me swiftly through the courses, and I graduated at the age of 8."
"Eight?" Kami said to herself, forgetting her promise to herself about not talking out of turn. Though her village had no academy, eight still seemed rather young to graduate.
Ishiaki couldn't help but smile, at least one of them was impressed by that piece of information... "Upon graduation, I was assigned to my squad. It consisted of myself, Rath, and another, who to this story is unimportant, and our sensei. Both of them were 6 years my seniors, so you can imagine their animosity at being partnered with an 8 year old eyeless freak, like myself? That is how I know the three of you will become close friends, because if we could, then you have no excuse."
"Well we don't have to babysit anyone. Seriously... EIGHT? That is insane, sensei." Akane said. Kind of sad really...
Oita merely nodded to Ishiaki, staying respectfully silent. He was a little surprised about his sensei's early graduation, but chose not to show it right now.
"There have been younger than I to graduate from Ninja Academy. I am the youngest of my village to do so, however. Why would you say it was insane? I was born and raised to do precisely that and more." Ishiaki responded to Akane's outburst. He folded his hands together and looked at her, demanding an explanation with his silence.
"Doesn't sound like you had much of a childhood is all." Akane explained. One of the reasons she didn't want Rin training was for that exact reason.
Oita glanced towards Rin himself, but gave her a small smile, as if supporting her. Or at least trying to. He coughed however, glancing at Akane now, trying to get her to stop interrupting.
"It isn't, but I knew nothing more and therefore was content." Ishiaki replied with a shrug. "I would not be the man I am today, without being raised as I was. Though I do not condone my father's actions, I would not have those years replaced for anything in the world." He took one of the sandwiches from the tray and took a bite. After he swallowed, he looked back at Akane. "Does that satisfy your curiosity on that particular matter?"
Akane shrugged, "Sure... carry on."
"Despite the gap in our ages, Rath and I became friends. It took a little while, truthfully, for him to warm up to me." Ishiaki began again with a sigh. "I was a bit...brash when separated from my father's watchful eyes." He couldn't help but smirk and looked at each of them after that part, wondering what they would think of him
"Understandable." Oita said with a little nod to his sensei. He'd been constrained for almost all of his life, then set free. Of course he went a little wild.
"Over the years, Rath and I grew close. In my village, it was common for ninja to specialize in a single weapon, along with the traditional tools. We three took after our sensei and took up swords. It was uncommon for the entire team to specialize in the same weapon...However, we made due." Ishiaki delved deeper into the tale. "Rath and I became sword brothers, warriors who live and die side by side, sworn to protect each other. He was far more skilled than I with every blade he touched. Handling the sword was like a second nature for him. But when the bearer of this sword," he lifted his, "was chosen...it was I and not Rath, whom the elders of the Village selected. It was I that took the rites and proved worthy of the blades. He did not take it well. He left the village, under the basis of 'furthering his studies,' but the rest of us knew it was because he wasn't chosen. He viewed it as a failure; he has improved his skill through the years and multiple times has sought me out, in hopes of gaining what was slighted him long ago."
"He..." Kami didn't want to say it, but the question needed asking. "Is... is he better than you sensei?"
"Always has been." Ishiaki told her grimly. He tightened his grip on his sword and pulled it back across the table. "This makes all the difference. As long as he seeks this with all his focus, he will never win against me."
"Then he will always lose against you, and your victory is assured." Oita said with a small nod "You will take him on alone?"
"It will be too dangerous for any of you to try and assist." Ishiaki explained simply. "The other four will be more than enough to keep everyone else occupied. I will lead Rath from the others to weaken their force." He replaced his sword upon his belt and turned his attention back to them. "Make sure you have plenty of medical supplies. These are very heavy hitters and we do not have the luxury of the Heart of Ice this time."
Rin frowned, a bit nervous for her sister and newly found friends.
"When do we leave?" Akane asked simply, her hair still wet from the bath.
"As soon as everyone is ready." Ishiaki told her with a nod. "The Shimagunikage is not rushing us, he wants us fully prepared before we depart."
"Are we dismissed?" Akane asked.
Oita might actually have to empty his bag out a bit for this one. It was sounding as if it would be rather dangerous. A lighter bag might help. Or at least a bag with more medical supplies in it than usual.
"Unless any of you have more questions." Ishiaki replied and looked at them expectantly. He hoped they didn't, but at the same time, he wished they did as well. They needed to start preparing their supplies, but they also needed to be well informed.
Kami, having no questions got up and went to her room to gather her supplies and the extra currency she had promised she would bring.
Oita shook his head and moved off to get ready. This was going to be a rough ride.
"In that case.. I have to rinse my hair." Akane said and left for the bathroom.
Rin was left in the living room with Ishiaki. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Did you...really graduate when you were only eight?"
Ishiaki nodded, "I became a Genin at the age of eight, though I was more like 8 and a half." He smiled warmly and looked at her, "Have you given any thought to my notion of enrolling you in the Coalition Academy?"
Rin smiled, "Yes! Oh but... shhh..." she held a finger in front of her mouth. Lifting a hand to the side of her face, she leaned in and whispered, "Akane doesn't like when I bring it up."
"Is it her choice, or yours?" Ishiaki asked her quietly. He understood that Akane was Rin's guardian, but did that give her the right to stop the girl from doing what she wanted?
"Mine, I know... and we had a talk about it. Akane is letting me do it... but I just think she worries about me, you know?" Rin shrugged. "I guess Mom never really liked being a ninja as a career choice."
"It is a dangerous and harsh life, but it does pay well." Ishiaki cautioned and tried to assure her at the same time. "Let me know when you're ready and I'll take you to enroll. Alright?"
"Will I not be able to see you guys anymore?" Rin asked, not sure how all this stuff works.
"Why would you think that?" Ishiaki asked her curiously, tilting his head to the side. "It's not as though you'll be sent away or anything. It's school, you go for a portion of the day."
"How long of a portion? And..every day?" Rin asked. She never went to a school before and didn't really know how things like that worked.
"Five days a week, you go Monday thru Friday. Somewhere around 6 hours a day." Ishiaki told her with a thoughtful nod. "It's in the morning until about midday. Not a particularly bad portion of the day really."
"Is it expensive?" Rin asked, knowing Akane would probably be having to pay for it from her earnings as a ninja.
"You pay for your supplies and your food. If you pack your own lunch, then you don't have to worry about that part." Ishiaki informed her, only happy to oblige. "As far as supplies go, if you are truly willing to attend the Academy, I will purchase all the necessary supplies for your first semester."
"Oh my.. I couldn't impose something like that on you. Really... Akane and I will figure something out." Rin said politely.
"Never turn down a good deal." Oita said, emerging from his room with his pack over his shoulders. "Take up his offer Rin."
Ishiaki couldn't help but smirk when Oita entered. "All set, Oita?" He asked him curiously. It hadn't been all that long at all.
"Never a hundred percent." Oita admitted "But I have attempted to pack the correct tools for the job. It does mean I've had to leave my carving instruments and swapped out some of my weapons for lighter, more expensive versions..."
"Did you grab the flying prototype?" Rin asked Oita, wondering if he was going to give it a whirl.
Oita gave a small nod to the girl. "Yes... Just in case." he said, though he didn't seem very content with this fact "Thank you for helping me complete it Rin. I could not have done it without you."
Rin smiled, "Of course! I hope it's a help to you out there."
Kami emerged from her room dressed and ready. Her medical supply pack had increased in size since their last mission.
"So the two of you are prepared now?" Ishiaki asked when Kami entered. He rose to his feet and settled his sword to its proper place. "I want you all to be certain that you're ready."
"I believe so." Kami said. If she carried much more weight she'd have to leave her weights behind.
"As prepared as I can be at the moment." Oita said with a small nod.
Rin rolled her eyes a bit. These two were very well put together and Akane was probably still drying her hair.
Ishiaki sighed and took to leaning against the wall as they waited for Akane. "Is there anything the two of you would like to know about this mission? Just standing around doesn't seem right when we could be briefing further."
"Mortality percentages." Oita said flatly. "How likely are we to come out of this alive." It wasn't a nice thing, but he wanted stats.
"Truthfully? This will be the most difficult thing we've done thus far." Ishiaki told him, turning his attention towards him. "As it stands right now, our chances are probably along the lower 50% range. You Genin are not nearly trained well enough to endure such difficulties. As long as the 6 of you work as a team, the chances will increase dramatically." He was not about to sugar coat it for them. They deserved the truth, no matter how harsh. "There are countless possibilities that will work in our favor, as well as some that have every chance of working against us as well. Rest assured, I will do my best to keep the three of you alive. Even at the cost of my own life."
Rin frowned at Ishiaki's explanation. He wasn't the best motivational speaker, that's for sure. She was confident in the others, but after that...she didn't know. She frowned a bit, definitely not wanting to lose her sister.
Kami also frowned. She hadn't done very much during their last mission but she had seen the state the others were in at the end. "Sensei... if... if we're not ready, why are we even going?"
"Hey Rin!" called Akane from her room, "Can you come in here for a sec?" In turn, Rin bowed to Ishiaki and left to assist her sister.
When she walked into her room, Akane was half dressed with her hand covering over her breasts, "Could you help me with this torso wrap thing?" she asked. Rin smiled and moved in the assist. Akane was wearing new attire for this mission. One that had more clothing than her usual 'swimsuit-like' garb. In all honesty, she looked more like a REAL ninja now. Akane wore skin tight suit with fishnet that went down to her knees, ending with a pad. Her top was just as tight to her form with a wider collar, exposing more of her shoulders. Over this she would eventually place small garments from her home island in the tropics to emulate her heritage.
Oita could guess why. But he didn't want to say it. It made their profession sound cheap and tawdry. But they had to. That didn't mean he wasn't going to enact revenge if one of his team mates died however.
"We are going because we must." Ishiaki replied with a shrug. He didn't like it any more than they did. He would rather go in alone, without any constraint and ferret the would-be thieves out without worry to others.
When Akane and Rin returned into the living room, she noticed everyone was already packed and ready to go it seemed. "Oh... sorry. Didn't mean to take the longest."
Kami raised her eyebrow when she saw Akane.
Oita refrained from saying "why break the habit of a life time?" and just nodded to Akane "Are you ready now?" He really hoped it was a no. He wanted more time not on this mission.
"Yeah, I'm all set." Akane said with a nod.
"Good. I suspect the others are about ready as well." Ishiaki said with a sigh. He pushed off the wall and looked at the three of them. "I wish there was an option for you three...I honestly do."
"We'll make it work Sensei." Kami told him. "We have to."
"There is technically still a choice. If we all refused to go, it would be difficult to justify forcing six untrained ninja into this fight." Oita pointed out "Against their will and against deadly assailants. But it would have to be unanimous." He looked at the others, wondering if they were going to suddenly dissent.
"What the heck do you mean 'untrained?'" Akane asked, "Don't know what you've been doing, but I've been busting my balls for months."
"You are untrained in comparison to these enemies. We still have a sensei for goodness sake. The very definition of a sensei is someone who teaches us. If we still have a sensei, our training is not finished. We are untrained." Oita actually snapped at her. He was getting nervous.
Even though Oita was right, Akane didn't like people talking down to her. Especially not a little nerd like Oita. "Hey!" she snapped right back. "Maybe you would be better prepared if you weren't lolly-gagging around with my sister!" This sure wasn't a good start to such a serious mission.
"Enough!" Ishiaki said hotly, snapping at the both of them. "This is why you are not ready! But you are wrong, Oita, there is no choice for you three. When you became ninja, you waved that right, and you know it."
"Ishiaki Sensei is right." Kami said. "We aren't ninja for us, we are ninja for everyone else. We don't have the right to say no and we never have."
Rin began clearing the table of their teacups and plates while they chatted. Akane doubled checked herself over, mentally reassuring herself that nothing was forgotten. "Can we get moving now?"
Oita tried not to say the words "I'm a ninja for me." He felt as if he was one of the few people here not trying to 'prove themselves' to anyone. He didn't like this. People were meant to have a choice in things. Sending them, knowingly, to their death just felt... well, it made him not want to hang around.
Putting the dishes down into the kitchen, Rin soon returned and walked over to Akane. "Be safe, okay?" Opening her arms, she gave her sister a hug and wished her the best. To be honest, it made Rin a bit nervous....these other ninja seemed very strong. Akane was all she had and the thought of losing her made her stomach go a bit queasy.
Ishiaki held the door open for them and nodded to Rin, hoping she would take this time of their absence to go and register for the Academy. Akane couldn't say no, if she wasn't here to do so.
Akane and Rin let go of one another and exchanged words before Akane headed out the door with her things.
Kami followed her out.
Oita, before he moved out, walking forwards towards Rin. He pulled her close into an embrace, planting his lips gently on her own and holding her close for a moment before nodding silently to her and walking after the others.
Rin's eyes bulged out of her sockets when he kissed her. As Oita moved out, her expression stayed glued to her face, completely in shock as red flushed over her entire complexion. Rin was still young and had never been kissed by a boy before...yet alone an older boy like Oita.
Ishiaki tilted his head curiously and looked at her. "You gonna be alright, Rin?" He asked carefully
"Uhh..." Rin trailed off, a but stupefied. "Yes..." She slowly snapped out of it and suddenly grew very bashful, wanting to run into the back of the house to hide.
"Take care, Rin. And think about what I said before." Ishiaki told her softly before turning and exiting the house.
Rin nodded and waved, hoping they would all return safe and soundly.
Stumble!