Unpaid Dues [Koza]

[Tsukuru Shirogane]

Tsukuru wasn't sure if he particularly cared for the concept of trees. It wasn't that he hated them, or anything silly like that. It was just that he found them somewhat terrifying. The sheer size of them, for one, it was like a tree could grow so tall it could disappear into the sky. And all he could imagine is what if a person did that. It'd be very scary.

Not to mention how wide they were, or how still they stood or the fact that they seemed to be judging every movement he made. Indeed, he enjoyed the concept of woodworking, and the things you could make out of trees. But trees themselves? Those were terrifying.

He stared at the sealed scroll he had been given once again. It looked very important, the seal on it seemed expensive and very official. And the man in uniform had said it was Tsukuru's "Duty as a Citizen of the Land of Fire" to deliver this message to the Senju clan. Tsukuru had wanted to correct him, to tell him that he wasn't from the Land of Fire and was actually quite far from home. But the man had looked so official, and kind of scary, sort of like a tree in a way. That Tsukuru couldn't even fathom bringing out Mother Spider to speak for him. So instead he had just nodded, taken the scroll and hoped the man didn't realise he had no idea where the Senju even were.

It had taken him hours just to find out they apparently lived in this forest. And that was only from eavesdropping. He had wanted to ask someone, but he had gotten nervous and chickened out every time. But he really didn't want to fail at this job, in case it made the man angry with him. So now he was just stuck wandering aimlessly, holding a scroll he had no idea the contents of.

That was until he suddenly impacted with...something...he grunted in pain and surprise and fell back, looking up at a person...a Shinobi he thought...who didn't look angry but looked more, suspicious? It was after that Tsukuru noticed the gate that was also nearby, and started to put together that this might be the Senju clan...or where they lived...or however that worked.

He scrambled to his feet and collected the scroll again, dusting himself off and trying to look official. A few chakra strings emerged from his finger tips, manipulating the head of Mother Spider to come forth from her packed position on his back, and he used her mouth to speak. "I bring a letter to the Leader of the Senju Clan." The feminine voice of his puppet spoke in smooth, dulcet tones.

[Kozakura Senju]

unpaid dues It was not often that an unexpected letter reached the Senju Conclave unhindered. It was even rarer than a letter, however unexpected, had not at least been anticipated. This letter was neither; it had been a few weeks since the last letter from the daimyō had attempted it's way through Maboroshi Forest, and the Senju had anticipated another attempt. Each time the daimyō's court sent their mail, the Senju had allowed the courier to make it a little further into their forest before intervening. Kozakura had enjoyed this... it was a sort of game to her, a way of playing with Itsuki's expectations, of seeding in him the belief that wasting resources was getting him somewhere. Today, however, a rather young looking shinobi had been tasked with the letter. From in her home on high, in the branches of the tallest tree of the Senju village, she spied them through a monocular. She watched as her guards were shaken for a moment as the puppet crawled up from the shinobi's back and spoke to them. Interesting. This was no ordinary courier, and no denizen of the land of fire. She had seen puppetry across her nation, but nothing fashioned in this style, and nothing this well crafted, especially by a child. Had Itsuki employed them for their youth, to play on the goodness of them? Or was there more to meet the eye here? Kozakura wanted to find out. Whatever Itsuki's motive, he would get his wish. She would read this letter, and allow audience from the stranger. They had captured her interest. With a small tap against a knot in the wood of her tree, she vanished and appeared at it's base. She whistled a small bird-like sound, forming a hand seal across her lips to magnify the sound, signalling for the guards to bring him too her. She headed inside to her tea room, and waited. "Alright kid, follow us. The Keikan will see you. The guard said, his eyes glancing nervously at the puppet as he lead Tsukuru towards the largest tree in the village. Items: Shinobi Armor | Koza used [Wood Release: Mayfly]

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Tsukuru Shirogane]

The puppet head continued to move and sway, almost as if it was independent of the boy's machinations. Although his fingers showed gentle movements it seemed practically impossible how he was achieving this level of precise movement with such subtle manipulations. Regardless of the strange or disconcerting nature of his puppet. He was allowed in to speak to the Keikan.

Kei...kan...Kei...kan...

Some strange Fire nation term perhaps? Or maybe just a word he hadn't heard yet. Would there be cake at this meeting? Tsukuru had tasted cake before, but it was savoury cake made out of desert flowers and other strange things like cactus, and he hadn't liked them much. But he had heard other lands having amazing substances that could sweeten foods, so perhaps the cakes of the Land of Fire would be tastier?

As he was escorted to a massive tree, perhaps the biggest in the forest he stopped and stared in awe at it. Part of his mind was filled with fear, as this oaken behemoth stood tall over him absolutely dwarfing him in size. At the same time, the engineer and artistic side of his brain worked in tandem to wonder what would happen if one was to make a puppet out of such a thing. Could one puppeteer even wield it effectively or would one require a whole army? So many questions running through his mind.

Soon enough he was nudged forward, cutting short his contemplations as he entered into the tree. Sat there was a woman, with dishes filled with...CAKES...so that must've been what Keikan meant, room of cake! It all made sense now.

Tsukuru was interested on if these cakes were sweet or not. But he knew enough of manners to not just start stuffing his face immediately. Instead he sat down opposite the woman, placing the envelope on the table between them. The head of Kumo On'na swung round to observe over his shoulder. Blue chakra strings still emanating from his fingertips. "A letter for you...From the rude man in the city." The puppet spoke.

[Kozakura Senju]

unpaid dues Kozakura had set up her tea room very quickly as the young shinobi was lead toward her home in the largest tree of the village. The table had been set out with a large selection of cakes and biscuits, with a small ceramic tea pot and two small cups. "Please, have a seat," she offered as the boy entered the room, the large puppet on his back seeming to address her directly as the boy placed down a letter. "Ah yes, a letter. Itsuki's demands, I suppose." she sounded rather disappointed that the boy had been so quick to get to business, but she could not fault him. At his age, she had been reckless and undisciplined, but other shinobi around her were strict, capable and reliable. She was not sure she could make the measure of his kid, but she could see his eyes were on the cakes. "Why don't have you have some cake? You've journeyed a long way, through dangerous territory to make it here." She tapped the wood of the table twice, and it began to move, cycling the cakes around the center like a small wooden train, ferrying the cakes of different kinds around. "Take what you like, and tell me, why did Itsuki send you? It is not often I see someone so young working as a courier for the daimyō." Items: Shinobi Armor | Koza used [Wood Release: Mayfly]

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Tsukuru Shirogane]

If he noticed Koza's disappointment at his immediacy. He did not show it in his face. In truth he could not read the Senju leader that well. And he was far too nervous in this unfamiliar environment to risk being seen as someone who dilly-dallies when there is business to be taken care of. To him there would be nothing worse than getting growled at to hand over the letter after trying to make some idle conversation. So he figured he had done the right thing by handing it over immediately. Although he had no idea what an 'Itsuki' was.

It seemed he was not so subtle about his desire for the sugary treats in front of him as he thought he was. As Kozakura almost immediately noticed the fact that he was staring at them with wide and curious eyes.  He jumped slightly in surprise when the wooden table began to rotate but he soon realised it was just a small thing and he was not in any immediate danger. He took one of the smaller cakes and took a bite, sweet sugary goodness touched his tastebuds and he swallowed the rest of it in short order. Though he noticed the cakes rotating away, and seemingly he believed that once they were out of sight they would be gone. As if this was some kind of challenge. He grabbed another cake and swallowed it, then another and another, but the rotation went so fast he couldn't possibly save all the cakes in this manner. He couldn't bear them going to waste.

About a minute later he had numerous different cakes on his lap and in his arms. And there were none left on the table. He had rescued them all from disappearing. Thank goodness. 

In the interest of not being rude he did offer Koza some from the pile he had amassed. Treats tasted better when shared after all. However, it seemed Koza had a question for him regardless. He would move some cakes aside and return to manipulating Kumo On'na to speak on his behalf. "I do not know an Itsuki...or the Daimyo...unless that is the man in the streets who likes to bark orders and shirk his duties." The puppet explains. "I do not think we were chosen specifically. I simply looked the least likely to fight back against his orders, and I suppose he was right." The whole time the construct spoke, Tsukuru was enjoying yet another cake.

[Kozakura Senju]

unpaid dues "Tsk, tsk." Kozakura playfully scolded, as she took one of the sweet cakes from Tsukuru's pile as he offered to to her. "Returning food in the home of your host is ungracious," she said, feigning a stern demeanor, before allowing herself a small smile after Tsukuru had answered her questions about Itsuki. "I will forgive you, this time. But only if I can ask you another question. Would that be alright?" She was surprised by how much of her stoic personality melted away in the presence of children. Maybe it was their innocence? She was trying to be more approachable, but it was not as difficult as other roles she'd found herself in. "Your companion here, is quite the fascinating thing. I assume, they are a kind of puppet, correct?" She did not lean close, as she did not wish to make the young shinobi uncomfortable, but she did heighten her examination of the puppet on his back. "Did you make them yourself? The work is quite well done. Though it is not of any make I've seen within the Land of Fire before." She realized as she asked these questions, that though she was certain the guards had relayed her title, neither of them had properly introduced themselves. "Do they have a name? Mine is Kozakura, which I hope is an easier name for you to remember than my official title. You may call me Koza, if you like." Items: Shinobi Armor | Koza used [Wood Release: Mayfly]

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Tsukuru Shirogane]

In the moment of the disappointed look he felt his heart freeze. This was it, he had died. In this very moment he had suffered cardiac arrest and perished never to be seen again. He had committed a faux pas so unseemly that he was quite ready for the earth below to swallow him whole.

Oh...she's smiling...

Oh thank goodness he wasn't actually in trouble. Kozakura most likely heard the first audible sound from the boys own mouth since he had walked in as he gave a quick sigh of relief that he wasn't about to suffer the wrath of a scorned host. He popped another small cake into his mouth to help himself calm down. The tension in his body soon retreating as he enjoyed the sugary delight. The Senju explained he would earn forgiveness if she could ask another question. This seemed more than acceptable, so he slowly nodded in reply.

As she noted his companion, his puppet. The construct's head seemed to tilt slightly as if it was curiously listening. And though perhaps the movement of the strings was just so subtle Koza didn't quite catch it there was a sense that the puppet had moved by itself. 

Tsukuru blushes slightly as his handiwork is complimented. And the puppet seemingly preens to the praise as well. Rising up serpentine with her extended neck to almost pose for Kozakura, a complete contrast to the puppet master's bashful reaction. "It is my creation. I was instructed well on how to fuse the art and mechanics into one." The puppet explains, small hands emerging up from her packed away form on Tsukuru's back to better help gesticulate her point.

At Kozakura's next question the puppet looks down at Tsukuru and ponders for a moment before answering. "Their name is Tsukuru..." A brief pause before its hands move up mechanically to clamp over their mouth as if surprised at their own words. Tsukuru appears surprised in a similar fashion, moving his fingers gently to get the puppet to speak once more. "Forgive me...I meant to say my name is Tsukuru, Tsukuru Shirogane. The puppet is Kumo On'na. It is very nice to meet you Miss Kozakura." The puppet cordially extends a hand to shake the Senju leader's own. The clinking of servos and joints evident in every movement, though the smoothness of its motions could not be overstated.

"If I may ask a question now. What or who is an Itsuki? Is it your friend? Is this why it sends you letters?"

[Kozakura Senju]

unpaid dues "Kumo On'na," Kozakura repeated the name with a fondness, and bowed her head to the puppet playfully. "A lovely name for a puppet so exquisite in it's make. And Tsukuru is a fitting name for such a skilled puppeteer." she clasped the extended hand of the puppet and shook it cordially, before snaking her hand elegantly back to her teacup, enjoying a small sip. She pondered the name she was given in full, pouring back over her years as a shinobi and the tail end of the Warring States era. The Shirogane clan; she had heard of them before, faced one or two of their members indirectly more than once. Master puppeteers world renowned. It was uncommon to see one so young so far out on his own, and in a foreign nation to their homeland too. She witheld comment, instead choosing to answer the boy's own line of questioning. "Prince Itsuki Madoka is the daimyō of this Land, and despite the facade he puts up of having good relations with all the noble clans of our fair nation, he and I are not friends." she wasn't sure what experience the young puppet master had with brushing against the true nature of things in the world, but for all she could see he seemed rather innocent compared to the shinobi youth of her village. "Tell me Tsukuru, have you ever met a bully? Not someone who's just a bit mean, but a real bully. Someone who picks on anyone they can to get whatever it is they want. If you have, our daimyō is a bit like that." she looks to the letter Tsukuru had delivered, and tapped the wood on the table to form a wooden hand to hold it up. "Not many in this land are willing to stand up to a bully as big as he is. But I am! That is why he writes these letters to me. Because I refuse to bow to him the same way others do." Items: Shinobi Armor

Ninjutsu: 5 Taijutsu: 2 Genjutsu: 1 Technique: 1 Toughness: 2 Speed: 2 Stamina: 2 CP: 17/17 HP: 560/560

MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS & THQ

[Tsukuru Shirogane]

"I see, so this Mr. Itsuki took your toys and is refusing to return them?" The motherly voice of Kumo On'na spoke once again, head cocking slightly to the side as if to mimic a curious child. "Or perhaps he has taken your allowance money and spent it without your permission?" In truth, Tsukuru had never experienced bullying for himself. He had been marked as a prodigy from a young age, which already meant very few of his peers even wanted to get near him. And a majority of the time he had the eye of one of the clan's older members on him, which prevented any such incidents. His experiences of bullying all came from stories he'd read and words he'd been told by his teachers. The closest he'd come to actually being bullied was probably from the Daimyo soldier who had commanded him to take the letter to the Senju.

"If he does these things, it is understandable why you dislike him. But if that's the case, why does everyone not tell him to stop? Surely if everyone in the Land of Fire told him to stop bullying people, he would have to stop doing it..." He asks through his puppet, the boy himself still seemingly sat silently watching Kozakura in curiosity. Even under the most scrupulous perception she would struggle to see his lips moving even a fraction, well...except when he had another cake of course.

His expression changes to a more excited curiosity as the wooden hand emerges from the table. Kumo On'na's neck extending down to look intently at it. One of her arms sliding forth from her compacted form on his back to point at the wooden manifestation. "How is your magic table constructed? It moves by your will, with no strings attached." He asks, changing the subject on a whim.