Three long years.(O)d

[Hoarfrost Imp]

The touch of sunlight today was special.

It was a warmth that could only be found in the Land of Sound where the skies were cloudless and the sun swam across the sea of blue beaming down on the rice fields. That was just one perspective of it, Rahael's as it were exactly, the Hyuuga clanswoman who'd been on her years long pilgrimage to and from Leaf to study beneath her fellow Hyuuga, to develop upon their ways so that she could stay in touch with her native blood after all the time spent in Oto learning about loyalty, learning about determination, leadership and the things that made her the efficient machine she was today.

She was well on her way to the village carrying a set of the Sky Twins, a dual set of short sword crossed at the small of her back, a massive sword down her back from the Shitakuma clan, a Cryo/Pyro split katana on her right hip with the monstrous benehime set right above it as well and the legendary Tessaiga on her left ready the be drawn though since her acquiring of it several years ago during her time out of Oto. Compass and map too on person. Parts of her wondered how her Kage would react to her time away for so long... was she still even the Kage? She'd gone to the exams after hearing of them in Kusa and just swan the distance, was she out of line?

For the time being she just... soaked in the sunlight one last time int he chance she'd be holed up in the village for the rest of her life.

[Vara]

Bree had invented something new and wonderful. Not satisfied with being cooped up in a stuffy office, she had ordered a temporary office to be built in the form of a gigantic carriage. The first prototype was a failure, the foundations came apart before the moving box had rolled more than a handful of paces. She was on the fourth prototype, now, with its two rows of thick and leathery wheels slowly rolling new tracks into the road.

Of the five soldiers acting as her guardians, two of them employed large earthy oxen to pull the office forward. The other three kept watch on a little patio built on the ceiling.

The emblem of Otogakure, a music note, was printed upon the tapestries that emblazoned the sides of the roving office. Three windowed walls, a ceiling, and a floor held Bree's new oak desk and cabinets. A thick curtain was laced together at the ends of what would've been a fourth wall on an actual room. If the hazards of the world were ever too risky to enjoy the view, then the thick curtains would pull together to protect Bree and her possessions.

But, for now, the young Otokage sat at her desk and sipped at a cup of tea as she enjoyed the landscape lit by today's special sunlight. A pair of silver hairpins by her temples kept her green bangs from obscuring her eyes, and she wore a silky white robe with the Otogakure music note on its back.

[Hoarfrost Imp]

On the path she walked the sky seemed so clear and the closer she got to Oto the more she thought against just returning without at least hitting the embassy first, possibly seeing if she was even welcome back into the village after so long away without needing evaluation. Some time ago she and the man named Aimi Kaguya had fought a band of thieves and she'd lost a bit of herself, blow a hole in the land of Kusa's forest with her Tessaiga and nearly opened a chakra gate in the process.

Up ahead she saw what looked to be a guarded carriage with personal and two massive oxen dragging the sizable box along the road. This was Oto so it wasn't uncommon for carriages but for one of this size they must be noble. Out of respect she gradually moved off the path and walked in the tall grass to let the construct and it's people pass, proudly displaying her headband on her left arm considering Otogakure was in good standing with all of the people in the land of Sound.

She gave a curt nod at the passing carriage but stopped short when she saw the musical note printed on the side. Was Mayu out ere on business??? In a pnic she froze but recovered quick enough to jog far away at the side of the caravan till she could at least get to the front. "Pardon, please!" She was quick to bow, hands far out away from her weapons to suggest non of her intent was hostile. "I-uh..." How could she justify trying to stop a caravan of guards ad their charge on the beaten path of Oto with the village symbol on it's side.

"I am Rahael Hyuuga, The Eye of Otogakure, returning from my years long mission outside of the village to train in the house of the Hyuuga in Konoha. Is the Lady Kage with you? I wish to inquire from the Ladyship what she'd wish for me to do upon requesting a debriefing." She would bring up the Chuunin Exams when answered... but t clicked too the CE's had said the results were sent directly to the Kage's and no sooner had she stopped talking did her heart drop into her stomach. As far as she knew there was no bounty out... The thought of failing burt more than the idea of being reprimanded.

[Vara]

The office ground to a halt as the guardians' attention was called for. Each earthly ox slowed and kneeled onto the dirt, before they stilled into statues.

Bree heard the young woman's claim and thought of it as a nice coincidence. Her mobile office hadn't been built in the village, but they were near enough for the chance meeting to not draw much of her suspicions.

The guardians muttered amongst themselves, and one of them went inside the office relay the information Bree already heard. The most muscular of the guardians, a dark skinned man with a ponytail, went a few steps closer to Rahael to confirm the headband secured on her arm. Once he was sure it was authentic, he showed a raised thumb at his companions.

"Please, Rahael, come on in," Bree called out from the office's opening as she shooed out her messenger. "You're right about me being the kage, but we've never met. I'd love to hear your story, though, and I hope you like tea."

One of the lankier soldiers performed some handseals, then slammed his hands onto the ground and summoned a small staircase going up to the office floor. The wheels were large, so the staircase had four steps.

Bree retrieved a few documents from her cabinets, pulled a second chair up to the other side of her desk, and then sat back down in front of her tea set. On one paper was an overview of diplomatic relations with a couple of her notes and doodles. The other pages were about Konoha, the Hyuuga clan, and some other dossiers about the region.

The detailed information about Rahael wasn't on hand, but Bree did indeed have a letter regarding examinations, and she double checked that the shinobi's name was present on the older rosters.

Storytime. Always a good snack to have with tea.

[Hoarfrost Imp]

The cart stopped and thank the heavens and the proper levels of scrutiny were offered up and she waited her due to be permitted or denied the audience she sought out with Mayu. When the guard approached her she didn't move an inch and let him look her over as much as he needed to assure the caravan she wasn't a threat in the slightest. She got the go ahead and from there things sort of spiraled out of control.

This was not Mayu. The surprised on her face was obvious and every nerve in her body went into hyper drive. Had Mayu been impeached? Was there something going on? Had her secret plans to tithe and bully villages with the wandering Hyuuga finally seen like and she imprisoned? What did that mean for Rahael?

When the staircase emerged she ascended it with shaky steps, climbing up into the carriage with the woman and licking her lips slightly. Oh hell. "Lady Kage." She initiated with a short nodding bow of her head, "I was on my return to the village from the Chuunin Exams. I had attended with the intention of impressing the precious Kage with my hopeful achievement but.. it ended abruptly and I fear that my time as being a warrior was not reflected properly in the written test. That was all we were given... the rest was keelhauled."

So she started from a beginning, "Unfortunately I ran into two prior subjects I had engaged in a deadly contest with about a year and a half ago. I do not know if they recognized me but I didn't have my headband on when I first fought them. If they discover I am from Oto I will do absolutely anything necessary to wipe the risk of retaliation off the board, Ma'am." This Kage might not be the kind to let the hair trigger fighter off on a killing spree if it meant no one knew it was Oto, as some ploy to pin it on another village but this was all she knew. Rahael had been groomed to be a privileged weapon of the Kage, a tailored animal to be pointed in a direction and ordered to "Maul."

"My original journey was to the Hyuuga mansion in Konoha. From there I ventured to River where I met a nomad and then Kusa, our ally, to meet with the Kage Aimi Kaguya. I have not backtracked since. This is all I have to report, ma'am."

[Vara]

Bree nodded as she listened to the report. She didn't receive much information from the exams, but from the sound of it maybe there weren't many details to begin with. The deadly contest sounded interesting, though. What exactly had that been about? She was a bit concerned, since apparently it presented the possibility of retaliation, but more information was needed.

She had never been inside Konoha. What did their village look like? And... Aimi Kaguya? That must've been the leader before they switched, or perhaps the leader before even that. Kusa had been experiencing some turbulent times.

"Good," Bree said as she refilled her teacup. She pushed a second cup of oolong toward Rahael and gestured for the shinobi to take a seat. "I was disappointed at where you ranked in the written tests, but I understand that you were simply not blessed with the fortune of being able to show off. My goddess is fickle in that way. I don't like to delay, so I hereby promote you to the rank of chūnin. However—like you had originally hoped—I want to be impressed, and soon."

Bree sipped at her tea. She let the mellow, slightly bitter liquid linger with her tongue, and then breathed out its warmth. It was such a nice day outside. The sun shined as if it were a spotlight from a play. Everything was lit to full radiance—and there she was, Rahael Hyuuga, the newest actress she had the pleasure to meet. How kind of performance could be expected, here?

"Boast for me, Rahael. Tell me where your greatest talents lie."

[Zetsumei]

Anastasia walked through the land of Oto no Kuni looking around, she had hoped to run into someone she could bring on her mission, but alas no one had crossed her path. It was about time she head out for real when the former slave took note of something, a quite large carriage which she noticed was emblazoned with the emblems of Oto. Approaching quite heavily armed with two swords at her left hip, the medium barrel filled with iron sand strapped to her back and made easier to carry by a slight help from her magnetic field, ninety meters of silk thread in a small sewing back at her right hip, and a gas mask hanging from her utility belt. That was not even mentioning the contents of the utility belt which included five filters for the gas mask, a dungeoneer's compass, and ten throwing knives.

She still carried the folded up mission she wrote up herself in one hand and steeled her courage to step up to the large carriage and men guarding it. With a stammer she spoke, "U-Um... M-m-my name is A-An-An-Anastasia... I'm a Ch-Chuunin from the V-Village.... Wh.. Who is here?" She gestured to the forehead protector while speaking of the village and her position, she was curious about what was happening here and who would have such a carriage.

[Hoarfrost Imp]

A welcome home party it was, offered a sit down with the Kage and a certain tea that she'd never been given before. The whole interaction was fast paced but simple, from one directive to the other. Almost all in one breath she went from debriefing to being promoted to Chuunin without hitch. It was shocking in the least. "Thank you, Ma'am." Was the first and only thing she could think to say.

Now on to the preliminaries. Impress the new Kage. "I am a capable fighter on all aspects, armed and unarmed. I am proud but not prideful. My skills lay on the battlefield logistics, strategy and combat,not written exams unfortunately. I am absolutely and unflappably loyal to Oto. The difference being I follow my orders but I am not blind to them, I simply know when and where it is my place to question." There were many things she could do if offered the chance to. She was ready to continue on when the interruption from outside came up, a meek sound she'd never heard before and the audacity of the words that went along with them.

Who is here? The wagon had a massive music note upon it. The village of Oto bore this, not the minor villages that lay scattered around. It was the symbol of a village not a country. Her first reaction was to stand and address this person, this womanly voice but the madame Kage had her own personal guards for this. It'd be disrespectful to up and leave her carriage. Instead she closed her eyes and let her chakra roil through her system, awakening the dormant power in her blood. It was a rush to use her eyes again, after so long without needing them. She used this, her all seeing eye, to look for the girl, the veins about her eyes pumping chakra wildly, preventing her need to blink.

"This one is a bit mix up, isn't she?" Rahael quipped, shaking her head. Who else would be riding out with guards in a vehicle of this construct bearing the sound symbol?

[Vara]

Today's road seemed to be a popular route for traveling Oto shinobi. The muscular guardian, Yumata, approached the armed visitor. He inspected the handband to affirm its authenticity, then nodded.

"Her Kageship speaks often of her lucky goddess. I guess this is one of those strange days of chance she always goes on about," he muttered. "Good day, Anastasia. We are the field guardians of Her Kageship, and our leader is currently meeting inside this mobile office with another kunoichi."

---

Bree watched Rahael's eyes change with a small smile. The ability was fascinating, and she wished to know what it was like to see the world through it. For now, she left those musings behind to listen to Yumata's greeting.

Anastasia. Another person she hadn't met before, and this one was already a chūnin. The halting manner of her voice was heavy, so her greeting took a few seconds longer, and Bree couldn't help but wonder about it. Was that from her current emotional state, an ailment, or a trait from her personality? Or, not unexpected among shinobi, an act?

Bree frowned at Rahael's head shake. "Be careful," she warned. "She might be one of many people who know it's better to act like fools, weaklings, or innocents, rather than actually being one of those things. A chūnin, though, and she has been one longer than you. I think this is very much a fortunate meeting to be having."

Rahael was on her way back to the village. What was Anastasia's path? Were they minutes away one another, on the same route and road? Or, is this the spot that they would've met one another alone, if Bree had not chosen this fateful day to ride out in this contraption of an office?

Goddess Listral's hand was guiding them. Today was a special parade.

---

"If you would like to wait here for her current conversation to end," Yumata said, "I'm sure Her Kageship would welcome a meeting with—"

"No need to wait," Bree called from inside the office. "She's truly from our village, yes? Let's not waste our mounting luck, and instead bask in it. Come on in, Anastasia."

[Zetsumei]

A female voice called from inside to pass Anastasia into the carriage and once she entered and noticed that it was only women in there began to relax visibly. In her new relaxed state she began her greetings to the two, "Ah, it is a pleasure to meet you two, I am Anastasia of the Masamune blood, I was never graced with a family name." She gave a polite curtsy during the introduction and then froze, her mind finally processing what the one checking her credentials had said about the one in the carriage. Her Kageship. That was what the person inside, most likely the one behind the desk, had been called.

On reflex Ana's body began to move, her mouth opening and the words forming. The conditioning she had been put through had been quite extensive. Her body was immediately flattened to the ground in a fluid, somehow graceful motion, her forehead touching the floorboards quickly without a sound. The control over her magnetic field was even cut off on reflex and the full weight of her steel drum of iron sand fell upon her back, which refused to yield. "This disgraceful creature may only offer its most sincere apologies for disgracing her Kageship with the lack of due respect. Please punish this slave in whatever manner you deem fit to appropriately atone for this egregious behavior."

The Masamune took a moment to realize what had happened and reapplied her magnetic field to the steel drum, visibly raising it slightly off her back, but it was far too late to stand now. The woman could only hope for the best right now.

[Hoarfrost Imp]

There was A LOT of information coming in right at that moment. Bree was warning her about making presumptions which...was fir. Perhaps she hadn't noticed it herself, the Huuga, but she was so used to being the most dangerous thing in the room that it'd conditioned her mind to such. At the reveal of her eye she looked over the group as a whole,. Bree, the guards, the one woman now entering who announced herself as Anastasia. Her aura was different, her eyes picking up on her unique chakra to which she immediately blurted out her heritage.

A masamune? Her eyes picked up on the field around her, if it was close enough even the hairs on her neck stood up from the prickling sensation. This was definitely something different from what she'd seen before in every aspect. She was so obedient, like herself, willing, like herself but she was on her knees with her head to the floor, calling herself a slave. That was not Rahael. It was this level of servitude that scared her, like a slave from the rice fields where she'd been raised.

Bree was very much correct. This woman could be very dangerous, the way she threw herself down, nearly buckling in half from the weight of her own barrel. With a quick look over for proper identification before simply letting the chakra flow seep from her eyes, lapsing back to normal. Rahael was loyal, dedicated even but her time out of the village must have made her entitled or this was just what indentured servitude looked like; Courtesy of the Rice Fields.

A chill ran down her spine.

[Vara]

Well, the Otokage thought, I didn't expect that from a chūnin.

Bree frowned at the kneeling Anastasia. "That won't do at all," she said, standing from her seat. She walked to Anastasia's side and crouched besides the older woman. Her arms crossed over her knees. "I'm glad your voice evened out, but please never consider yourself my slave. All I have is a title, and that doesn't deserve as much respect or—what's the right word, humility?—as you're trying to give."

That strange barrel looked heavy. Masamune. Bree tapped the side of the container with her knuckle, and her frown deepened further. Unique abilities aside, such a thing would be ridiculously heavy, and she had earlier noticed how it sagged.

"You are one of my shinobi, though, and you do me a disservice whenever you hurt yourselves." Bree brought her hands together for a long set of seals. She tapped the container again when she finished, and it would glow with a smooth, healing light for the next fifteen minutes.

"Rahael, I hope your eyes aren't weak to light. I'm guessing not, since we're having quite a sunny day, but I'd like to be sure. This is a chakra healing light, after all."

Bree stood up and offered her hand down toward Anastasia. "Stand yourself up. If visitors from another village somehow stumble on us, I won't have you embarrass me by making them think I'm a teeny tyrant. Take a chance to learn from this brand new chūnin. She says she follows without being blind, and knows when it's right to question authority. I like that."

Bree switched to a smile, pulled a third chair up to the front of her desk, and then returned to her own seat. She flipped a new teacup upright and poured in some more oolong tea. "Sit. Drink. What brings you down to this road? If you're on your way back to the village, I think the two of you could have a nice walk together. I'd have you boast to me about yourself, too, but you don't seem the type for that."

[Zetsumei]

The woman's cheeks colored red slightly at the voice of the short Kage and took the offered hand, using it only in part to aid in her own standing.
"I apologize for my behavior, as you may know the Masamune are born into slavery and a curse is placed upon us to seal our powers and keep us under control." Looking down at her feet and catching a glimpse of the top of the Otokage's head she would continue,
"Certain behavioral desires were very strictly enforced during my time in the care of my former Masters and some habits are hard to break." She would look back up at the two and give a smile, twisted and pained in it's own right,
"I was able to refrain from licking your boots as I did so, so I am making some progress."

With a seat offered the scantily clad giantess of a Chuunin would accept it gratefully, along with the tea. Giving the aroma give off by the steaming cup and gentle sniff before taking a small sip, the process would be elegant in it's own right. A slave meant to be seen was not allowed to have poor manners after all. It was the question of her business that caused the next reaction, though, and her face was dyed a deep shade of crimson as she placed the sheet of paper she held on the desk. The letters were childish and blocky, as if written by someone who was still in the process of getting used to the written word, but there was a stamp of approval on it from the Otokage Tower.
"I... I guess it's not needed anymore, is it?"

[Hoarfrost Imp]

"No Ma'am." She muttered, watching quietly as the transaction of movements took place and the seemingly subservient woman was gathered to stand at least. This was forced servitude of some degree but if she was released from it how long would it take for her to truly embrace the idea that she was 'free' of that seal and expectation? There wasn't much for her to comment on at all and she did just that, staying quiet all the while and not speaking a word out of turn less silence lapsed and the opportunity was there for her to speak out of tandem.

She looked to have a signed slip which meant she had to have come to the village but how old was it? If she was the meek type they'd have a hard time meshing. It was in moment's like these she missed Riza with a burning passion and that was a tough thing to admit. For the time being she sipped her tea that'd long had the time to cool.

[Vara]

Born into slavery. That's was a mess, but it was hard to break traditions Bree never had a hand in. Oto no Kuni was a large country, and she only lead one village—hardly a catalyst for major changes, no matter how proud she was of their strengths. If she ever set out to do anything about the long held practices, would it lead to a civil war? That'd be a whole new nightmare. Was that what she wanted? To be an instigator of great, bloody conflict?

"Good," Bree muttered, "progress is good."

One step at a time. More information. Something for the future.

Bree read the sheet of paper detailing the mission being undertaken. It was a little vague as to what was needed, though the idea was fine and it was already approved by an official. That would've been the assistant in the tower. Interesting man.

"We have money to spare, so supplies are a low priority. Manpower would be nice, though. We could always use more of that, so I wouldn't say it's not needed. That does remind me of something, though."

Bree whistled, and as the sound echoed out from the mobile office, a pair of eagles few in. That was one extra eagle she didn't expect to see. The one she intended to call had a letter in its scroll holder. She skimmed the message, smiled slightly, and then read it aloud.

Dear Lord Otokage,

I write you today informing you that the Title of Kusakage has been passed over to me. Anri Hyuuga has stepped down. I would like to meet you personally to discuss village relations. I also hear that your land in home to wondrous art and music. I absolutely love music and would enjoy to visit your land very much. I hope to hear back from you soon.

Yuri Hyuuga~

"A lot seems to have happened since you last spoke with Kusakage Aimi, Rahael. For Yuri to inherit the title of Kusakage from Anri means Kusa went through at least two sovereigns after Aimi. I can't tell if this means your fellow Hyuuga are popular in that village for getting the position twice in a row, or terribly unpopular to have switched hands so quickly."

Bree folded up the letter and took in another sip of her tea, emptying her cup. "So, what do you two think? Want to visit Kusagakure? A mark on the mission for you, Anastasia, and meeting with a Hyuuga-in-command for you, Rahael."

[Zetsumei]

What was this? She was going to be going through with the mission after all? Ah, several points were brought up, to which the red on her cheeks deepened slightly. "Ah.. Um, well... I wrote that not knowing your whereabouts, which would mean there was no means to access the resources of the Village..." Her hands fidgeted in her lap a bit before she took a moment to breathe and calm down before stilling them. This was an important discussion that needed to happen with the Kage, but first there was something else to address. The Masamune turned her body slightly to face Rahael, "I was planning on seeking a companion for this mission and would be happy if you were to join me." After receiving a response one way or another she would once again face the Otokage. "So, Kusagakure is to be the first stop then? Do you have any points of discussion you would like me to go over during the meeting? Specific requests or anything of that sort?"

[Hoarfrost Imp]

An incursion into the land of Grass to meet with the new Kusa lord? It seemed that that seat was indeed impossible to fill in light of all the terrible Pandora's Box like events going down around those parts lately. Aimi had been Kage too? When had that happened? "I wouldn't mind returning to see the rolling fields once more or to secure our allegiance if that is what you desire madame. I've no particular reason or need to return home other to offer up my 2 years debriefing and possibly get started on my Jonin requirements post haste. I trust being out in the field to collect my last few missions will be a perfect time to learn about being a Chuunin hands on."

To which she turned to Anastasia and nodded curtly, "I'd be happy to assist you in your mission. Two heads is always better than one. With the Otokage in our charge we should be able to cover twice the land without issue or bother. Few people are foolish enough to attack a vessel with the Sound Emblem grafted on in plain sight." She set her tea down, rose and offered her hand.

[Vara]

Bree smiled and tilted her head back a little. "Freshly a chūnin and already having your eyes on the step ahead? That's a pretty streak of ambition. Yes, have Kusa as your first stop. Get whatever audience you can, and as high as possible."

A jōnin. She didn't have much of those, or at least not in active service. If someone was willing to brave the dangers to become one, she didn't mind. If the two shinobi before her were both interested in the rank—it was all the better.

"The world's so silent, nowadays. You can't even hear a speck of warmth or malice across the lands. That's dangerous. You don't know what'll pour out when the dams break.

"Anastasia, get shinobi from other villages to come by our lands. I will have missions for them, and their superhuman accomplishments will surely be a worthy favor for our country. Every noteworthy person you bring along, and every leader you formally meet, will earn you a fair payment and credit—same as the mission outlined and approved.

"Rahael, keep her company and keep her save. I trust your perceptions. Study every person you meet and deliver me an analysis of their character and will. Get an idea of who you can and can't overcome if it comes to a fight, and be honest about it. Anastasia will be responsible for the meetings and shinobi, but you'll be credited for your analysis and escort."

Bree grabbed a small bundle of blank scrolls and slid them onto the table. "And Rahael, you mentioned your debriefing. Feel free to write down everything you think is important. It'll do until a formal meeting, when we're all back inside the village at the same time. For now, once you've finished recording, feel free to head out by whichever paths you wish. Call me by messenger bird if you need my audience."

[Zetsumei]

"I will give it my all, Madame Otokage." She stood and gave a respectful bow before turning to walk out of the office-carriage-thing. I stepped out of the door and took a few steps forward and a chill ran down her spine. A moment passed as she wondered what such a thing could be when the world went black. It was that moment when a crossbow bolt pierced her eye and through the brain with with a wet noise. A beat passed when the Cold Exploding tag went off and the ice which was contained within the girl's skull decimated the remains of her mind with a bit protruding from the socket of her eye. The Masamune was dead before her body crumpled to the ground and a shout would be heard from the nearby brush.

"Take that you stupid slave cunt! Die like the animal you are!" Before a rustling was seen from the bushes as the trigger man, a former noble of the household that owned Anastasia, fleeing the scene.

{Scrap. Nira, Isley, I'm sorry about this. I will try to be more active with Karissa to continue helping out in Sound. Please guide her properly.}

[Skulking Shinzu]

Death approved! What a way to go...