Preparations for the Road Ahead [INV]

[Yōsuru Shin]

"Well, Land of Fire...farewell for now, but I'm sure I'll be seeing you again before long." Yōsuru smiles softly. Lighting his pipe as he sits cross-legged near the river bank. Taking in the relative serenity of the village's daily hustle and bustle as he waited for his travelling companions to arrive. His hat was on his head, tilted down slightly to keep the sun from his eyes.

He liked the small village in Yosuga Pass. It was a sign of good things to come in the future. If a place that had once been a fortified outpost due to its dangerous position on the border could relax and become a prosperous village, maybe things were indeed looking up for the side of peace.

He takes a few puffs from his pipe before setting it down. He looked up at the sky briefly to check the time. Kuroda and his companions should be here in a short while. And if Arata didn't arrive around the same time he would assume the Namikaze lord wasn't tagging along.

In either case, it gave him some space to check something.

Slowly he rolled up both legs of his trousers and gently traced his finger down the skin of his legs. It wasn't pretty. The flesh was starting to turn a blackish blue, and a strange vitiligo pattern had begun to form, showing that the skin grafting wasn't blending well anymore. Something was off with his implants, and he wasn't exactly sure what. And it was likely only a Shin Doctor could tell him.

He didn't look for long, quickly rolling his trousers back down to cover the affected areas before any of his traveling companions showed up. No need to worry them if this situation was easily fixed.

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    It was a good day, all things considered. After recent events, it was now more important than ever that the Uchiha Clan fortify itself. Towards this goal, Kuroda had met with the Uchiha Elders, and after more than two hours of deliberation, it was finally settled on that Kuroda would travel to the Land of Wind to meet with the Shin Clan.

    The Elders, and those privy to the rumors of the Clan's penchant for thieving Kekkei Genkai, did not sit well during that discussion. It was used several times as an argument against allying with the Shin, for fear that they would use the alliance as a means to steal the Sharingan. In the end, Kuroda had to put his foot down as Clan Head, and the discussion turned towards who would travel to meet them.

    Which, of course, began a second argument when Kuroda insisted that he should go. Eventually, Kuroda capitulated the argument to have an escort. He had intended for just himself and Hana to travel with Yōsuru, but after the recent attack, the Uchiha refused to let him travel with less than two others. So it was that Hana and Yagura both came with Kuroda.

    Yagura had been seen to by the village medical nin, and rested for a few days before returning to Captaining the patrol. Unlike before, Yagura was now at full strength. Of the three Uchiha, there was no doubt that Yagura was the strongest.

    All three Uchiha sport the typical long coat bearing the Uchiha symbol upon its back, and wear broad straw hats with trailing cloth to protect themselves from potential difficult weather. Kuroda walked in the lead, with Yagura to his left, and Hana to his right. Kuroda's long overcoat is black, Hana's coat a light but mild blue, while Yagura's coat is dark green. However, unlike Hana and Yagura, there is a small symbol at the center of Kuroda's chest - an item summoning tag, just in case he needed his combat armor. Fortunately, this was a great way to travel while looking unarmed, when in truth he could summon his armor and weapons in a moment's notice.

    The three Uchiha spot Yōsuru, with Yagura pointing the man out. They had not seen Yōsuru's condition, having arrived into view only after the man had rolled his pant leg back down. Smiling, Kuroda leads the small party to Yōsuru, stopping and raising a hand in greeting.

    "Lord Yōsuru Shin, I hope we didn't keep you waiting long?" Kuroda says. A formal greeting, but a necessary start. This was to be a formal act, in travelling with Yōsuru to the Shin village to negotiate the alliance he and Kuroda had spoken of. In addition, Yōsuru had also promised to show Kuroda what information the Shin had managed to gather on the Sharingan, which is what interested the Uchiha Elders the most.

    "We didn't get to make proper introductions last time..." Kuroda says, looking apologetic. He gestures to Yagura first. "This is my elder cousin, Yagura Uchiha."

    Yagura nods, and holds up a hand.

    "I appreciate you being there to help us before - if you hadn't been, well, we wouldn't be meeting today." Yagura says. His expression was unfriendly, but his tone suggested otherwise.

    "And this is Hana - my wife." Kuroda says, gesturing to the other. Hana steps forward and takes off her straw hat, letting her silver hair and tan complexion meet the bright sun.

    "It's a pleasure to properly meet you, Yōsuru." Hana says in a breathily tone. "Kuroda has had a lot of good things to say about you."

---

Kuroda arrives with Hana Uchiha and Yagura Uchiha

Items in possession: Shinobi Armor, Elite Shinobi Armor, Chakra Armor, Forehead Protector, Chakra Meteorite

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 360 (460 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 17 | Regen: 5/post

---

TAGS: Kuroda Uchiha Yōsuru Shin

---

NOTES: Notes here

With the sun approaching noon, Arata crested the final hill which overlooked Yosuga Pass. Below him, the valley opened up, and the still-fortified outpost, so prized by the Fire Daimyo, came into view. The little village which had sprung up around it, largely populated by veteran shinobi, was certainly a beautiful sight. It had hints of what life should be in the Land of Fire—the life which he desired for his clan. Adjusting his pack on his shoulder, he began his descent into the town below.

As he walked, he considered the past few days. It all seemed to happen in a whirlwind of activity. The rebellion was escalating as plans to take Tonika Village and the Pass were coming to a head. The Elders—those that were left, at least—had hesitantly accepted his plan to ally with the foreign Shin clan. As the Namikaze most experienced with the Land of Wind, it had made sense to send him out to cement the details of the alliance. Along the way, he hoped to visit a few old friends, drum up support for the rebellion, and take some time to figure out what in the world the Uchiha were up to. For what was meant to be a short trip, there was certainly a lot at stake.

As he entered the village proper, he looked around with a twinge of sadness. It wouldn’t be long before this town would taste war again, and he would be the one partially responsible for that. It was a necessary unpleasantness, though, he told himself. Like lancing a boil. Like pulling out an arrow. A few moments of suffering could secure a new era of peace for the whole Land of Fire. Possibly.

As he made his way down the main street, he spotted two familiar figures—one with a smoking pipe and the other with a long Uchiha coat. He smiled, the twinge of sadness fading to the back of his mind, and picked up his pace. As he stepped up to the two men, he gave a respectful nod to each. “Lord Shin, Lord Uchiha—it’s always a pleasure.”

Looking at the other two figures in the Uchiha coats, he gave a similar nod and a smile. “And I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting either of you. Arata Namikaze, head of the Namikaze clan.”

Made by Zeref of THQ

[Yōsuru Shin]

As he heard footsteps approaching he stood and turned to greet the arrivals. Bowing his head at the three Uchiha. If he was surpised to see a third among them he didn't show it. He could imagine it was an extra security precaution. If it was some sort of ambush he would hope Kuroda wouldn't be sloppy enough to let him see it coming.

"Oh enough with the Lord." He laughs, gently chiding Kuroda. "You Fire Shinobi and your titles. I am Yōsuru to all, even those under my care. Though to some I suppose I'm just 'hey ugly' if that suits your preferences." He shakes his head in regards to Kuroda's following question. "No you're quite on time. Honestly I could quite happily pass the time here, but I'm sure the villagers would get sick of me sooner rather than later."

He turns his attention to where Kuroda gestures at the mention of proper introductions. It was true, after the scrap in the Forest there hadn't been much time for exchanging niceties. He nods his head to Yagura as the other man is introduced but swiftly shakes it as he speaks. "Nonsense, I think you had that all well in hand. A simple fake unconsciousness trick to lull them into a false sense of security." He winks, making it clear he wasn't actually admonishing or belittling Yagura for what had happened, instead he was quite happy to gloss over his own involvement.

He next turns and nods to Kuroda's wife, seems he had guessed correctly after all. He was pleased that she had taken what he said to heart, and not addressed him as Lord. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance my Lady. And I assure you anything good your Husband has said about me is most likely fiction." He smirks, his gaze moving for a moment into the middle distance as he spots Arata.

"Ah forgive me, I didn't have time to explain before. I've invited another guest to travel with us. I'm told you two are familiar with each other though." He explains to Kuroda, nodding in Arata's direction.

The Namikaze soon arrived, and Yōsuru could only scoff and roll his eyes as he as well greeted him as Lord. "I swear if you two call me Lord when we arrive at my home you're going to be laughed at." He shakes his head and chuckles softly. "I hope you aren't both expecting me to call you Lord for the whole trip. Because I'm not going to."

Once everyone had a small chance to talk, make their introductions and get their bearings he would secure his pack and stretch his back. "Right! We'll be off then. We're going to make a brief stop over in the Land of Rivers. Rest, eat, resupply...then it's into the Desert from there. I hope you're all prepared." With a determined grin he turns around and sets off, the first steps on their long journey to the Land of Wind.

EXIT! And we're off!

[Kuroda Uchiha]

    Kuroda smirks at Yōsuru's discomfort with a title - well, if he preferred to be without it, then far be it for them to ignore the request.

    "I haven't seen one old woman chasing you off with a broom - I'm starting to think you aren't half the vagabond you claim to be." Kuroda japes in return. At Yōsuru's response to the two other Uchiha, the two offer quite different reactions.

    "...Yes, well, there won't be any pretending this time around." Yagura says, throwing a leer at Kuroda. "This time, if there's an ambush, I'll be ready."

    Hana rolls her eyes and nods at Yōsuru.

    "I doubt that - Kuroda is a terrible liar." Hana laughs. She ties the string of her hat across her neck, letting the broad straw hat rest on her back. Kuroda and Yagura do likewise.

    At the mention of another member to the party, the three Uchiha turn in the direction Yōsuru gestures, and a familiar man approaches them. Kuroda smiles and turns to Arata.

    "It's good to see you in good health, Lord Namikaze." Kuroda says, using the Lord title just to rankle Yōsuru a little bit more. Kuroda gestures to Hana first. "Yes - you never had the opportunity to meet. This is my wife, Hana."

    Hana beams brightly at Arata, Yagura on the other hand...

    "You saw me briefly. I was watching with my patrol when you arrived to the village with Kuroda." Yagura says gruffly. "But yes - I am Yagura Uchiha."

    Yagura glances around the group.

    "I hope this parade won't have too many more joiners, or we may as well walk with our clan banners aloft." he grumbles. Hana frowns and kicks at Yagura's shin.

    Kuroda shakes his head and follows after Yōsuru.

    "The Land of Rivers? I wonder how well the country is recovering." Kuroda says, recalling that the small nation had the unfortunate luck to sit between the Fire and Wind during a period of war.

---

WC: 330
EXIT!

[Arata Namikaze]

HP: 360 (460 w/ C.A.)| Chakra: 17 | Regen: 5/post

---

TAGS: Yōsuru Shin Kuroda Uchiha

---

NOTES: EXIT -- See you again soon, Land of Fire!

Arata laughed at Yōsuru’s distaste for titles. It was refreshing to be around people who worried little about such things. Still, he’d have to be on the lookout for a good time to drop another ‘Lord Shin’ here or there. The opportunity was too great to pass up.

The Namikaze returned Hana’s smile, nodding respectfully. “It’s an honor.” He hadn’t known that Kuroda was married—an interesting development.

To Yagura, he offered a similar nod and smile. The man was gruff, but Arata got the sense that was just the type of person he was. There seemed to be no ill will behind his comments. Still, he had no recollection of him from his time in the Uchiha village. “It’s nice to meet you in more than just passing, then,” he offered, refraining from pointing out that over half of their aforementioned ‘parade’ was from the Uchiha clan itself.

The numbers—five shinobi in total—were not all that high, all things considered. He was unsure about Yagura and Hana’s skills, but Arata knew that he, Kuroda, and Yōsuru would have little difficulty traveling unnoticed if the need arose. There were ways, even in the open expanses of the desert, to keep oneself hidden from prying eyes.

Before they hit that stretch of their journey, though, it was true that they would pass through the Land of Rivers. The last time he had gone through there, it had been in shambles—countless refugees, orphans, and injured shinobi had taken up residence wherever they could. While the countryside was beautiful, the country itself had been on its last legs. He hoped they had managed to begin to heal over the handful of years which had passed in the meantime. He said as much to his companions as he readjusted his pack and they set off.

A few steps beyond the village, he paused. Glancing back at the Yosuga Pass, he spoke softly, “I’ll be back.” Then, turning back around, he jogged to catch up to his companions, offering a friendly jab at Yōsuru: “Alright, lead the way, Lord Shin!”

Made by Zeref of THQ

[TimeCraked]

Grading thread!
Arata +5 XP (52 > 57)
Kuroda +5XP (0 > 5)
Yōsuru +5XP (25 > 30)