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| - Jishin followed shortly after his sister who took proudly to her title. But he cared little. Titles..Honors..It all meant nothing. Jishin simply lived for thrill and thrill alone. And Jishin knew that Tengai understood his state of mind. Which is why she returned despite splitting up. One could say he disliked being treated as a baby, since they were only minutes apart in age. But Jishin felt relieved as Tengai walked before him. At first, Jishin's feelings were that of extreme jealousy and inferiority. He thought her existence was to place his second. As if the gods created Jishin from Tengai's left overs. It took extreme training, and multiple emotional sessions to turn this feelings into love. Every time you watch mines, I got yours sis. A phrase he constantly repeated to himself. Tengai was the gifted child but the gods blessed Jishin with ambition and determination. He had to truly learn such a thing from himself. During their younger days, Jishin had plotted many times to outdue his sibling. One on occasion almost having her killed. It was a dark time as a family. They couldn't exist in the same room without a fight breaking out. And as their home basked in Tengai's glory, Jishin's darkness grew. He became her shadow. It wasn't till he saw her cry that Jishin realized his mistake and made that promise. Still, Jishin remained a little trouble maker. Which caused trips such as these to bore him. So much so, he often found himself attempting to find trouble. Jishin challenged rogue shinobi, started bar fights, even caused a town to rebel against it's leader. Where'd he get such a hot headed streak? No one truly knew. Tengai was calm like their mother. Prideful and powerful. But Jishin..Well he had childish and playful habits. God I bet this place is going to suck major- A loud noise caught his attention. As they stepped into Yakigakure, monorails sped to and from it's inner walls. To think this man created all of this is scary. I bet he's some old baggy sage. "Tengai," Jishin broke the silence of the night. "This guy must really be something. But I bet I'll beat him in a fight!" A smile which she would know all too well broke upon his face. "I wonder if they'll make me Kage. Imagine that! ME, YAKIKAGE." As she walked side by side with her brother, her thoughts wandered back to the time when such a thing wasn't possible. As the well noted gifted child of the family, she received the lions-share of attention, as the village and the daimyō focused their efforts on her. Their end goal was to harness the talent she displayed for both ninjutsu and the Inuzuka clan techniques, as well as her aptitude for learning and applying the mechanics behind other techniques. This focus did little to help the relationship between Tengai and her younger brother, whose darkness grew in exponentially with her light. It reached a point where they couldn't be in the same room, and where her brother attempted to her have her assassinated. While she quickly dealt with the would be killers, the fact that he made this chain of events happen led to a breakdown on her part. While she trashed her room, she realized the chasm that existed between Tengai and her brother, not in ability, but in understanding. This breakdown carried over to a mission that resulted in the death of her two of her squad. While her talent made sure the mission itself remained a success, the fact that two teammates were dead led to her shutting herself off from the family. It was through this revealing of a more vulnerable side that the siblings' relationship took a turn for the better, as they finally began to understand each other for who they were. Tengai began to see the impact of what she had done in her early years, and sought to fix the damage that she had delivered to her brother. As such, they had since become more like twins in the stereotypical and metaphorical sense, understanding each other on a level where verbal communication was no longer necessary. It was for this reason that when Tengai saw her brother smile, she knew it spelled trouble. "Don't even think about it," Tengai warned. "We came here for diplomacy, not to incite a rebellion or defeat the current leader. Besides, doing so would mean the world would be short one promising leader, and we all know such leaders are in short supply in this day in age," Tengai went deeper into thought, getting a faraway look that he could decipher from her silence. "I wonder what the Yakikage's like," as they closed in on the Yakikage's office. As they trekked through the city, several of its citizens stopped and stared at the shinobi, noting their headbands did not carry the symbol of Yaki, but that of another shinobi nation. However, the citizens did not bother them, instead preferring to gossip about the reason for their arrival. "Besides, you're too much of a softie. The Yakikage will probably glare at you and you'll wet yourself," Tengai teased. "Promising leader? God the world would be so boring if everyone was fit to lead. Imagine history but put the First Hokage as every leader....I couldn't exist...I'd slice my own fucking throat, I swear to you!" Jishin barked. He absolutely hated boredom. It was for this reason his own country shunned him at times. They wished he behaved like Tengai. Did as he was told, fought towards a peaceful future. But Jishin couldn't. Something inside of him constantly scratched at the surface. Easily bored. Adventurous. Powerful, a horrible combination. Their relationship, despite having a short history as actual twins, Jishin could feel her admiration. Just like her to swoon over a loser like the Yakikage, Jishin thought to himself. He rolled his eyes instinctively. Jishin knew Tengai would know he was teasing her. That was a signature trait of his. One only someone as close as Tengai knew of. However, Jishin actually wondered himself. He'd heard promising thing about the Yakikage. An Inuzuka himself, he founded this country on his own. "Wet myself?! Please, I can tell you've already wet yourself just thinking about him! As if someone like him would date you, you stink Tengai!" Jishin stuck his tongue out playfully. After their debacle as young adults, Jishin worked on his own self confidence. He realized that true strength meant believing in one's self rather than requiring others. Jishin also came to the conclusion that his belief in his sister was the greatest strength she could draw upon. As they worked together, Jishin witnessed Tengai perform miracles by his side. How could he step away from her? A sword had no master. Instead, it was nothing more than an extension. An external source of power. Jishin followed Tengai as they reached the inner city. "What type of diplomatic nonesense will we need to even discuss? Why couldn't mom do this bullshit?" Tengai sighed at her brother's teasing antics, "You think I plan on dating him? Why are you trying to set me up with every guy we meet? Do you plan on marrying me off?" Tengai raised an eyebrow behind her ANBU mask. She knew that her brother was hyperactive much like the ninken that she considered her extended family. "Besides, I know that as soon as this is done you are going to be 'adventurous' with the local women of Yakigakure. All I can hope is that by the end of the night you don't have an STD," Tengai said while shaking her head in exasperation. She continued to hope that he would one day find a productive use for all that untapped energy that she possessed. "Put simply, he sounds like a good guy that cares for his people," Tengai continued, "the world could use more people like him, it would create less war," As they moved even closer to the Yakikage's office, she thought of a question. "What do you think he's like?" she asked her twin, "Do you think he's hyperactive adventurous person like you, or the quiet organized type like me? Or something else entirely?" Tengai yawned as the approached ever closer to their destination, with the Yakigakure escorts coming into their line of sight as the Yaki office stood in view. As far as buildings went, it blended in with its surroundings while maintaining an understated sense of nobility. "Why? Well first of all, she is running a country, so she doesn't have time to just casually step out for a chat. Second of all, it's between hidden villages, not countries, and last time I checked, we are shinobi of Ei. Besides, we are here to make connections, as far as villages go we are on the younger side, so establishing good relations with other promising young villages is critical to our continued development," Tengai said, giving her brother the rundown, though she wondered if he was actually paying attention. "WHAT?!" Jishin exaggerated. She had a point though, how he remained clean was beyond him. His mother always told him he had his father's charm, and inherited the beast within his pants from him. "Besides, no man shall lay his paws on you, or so help me-Wait, you're still a virgin right?! Tengai I swear to good you better be a virgin! I will perform a hymen test if you don't answer me dammit!" Jishin's temper became appearant. His sister's innocence meant everything to him. He'd chase off hundreds of suitors before turned thirteen. Even during their dark years, Jishin kept a close eye on Tengai. No man was good enough for his sister. But Jishin calmed rather quickly. "He's probably ambitious but arrogant. An arrogance which he is able to prove with action. Caring but stern. I heard that this guy murdered an entire bandit camp for one girl." Jishin relaxed a bit, attempting to hide his excitement. "Either way, I doubt he's one for wordly pleasures. He's probably one of those enlightened tools that think they reached a level beyond mortal understanding...Huh. Now that I think about it, this meeting is going to suck." Jishin listened calmly as his sister lectured him. The same one she used during holidays and birthdays. Word from word, he could probably recite it perfectly. Once she finished, Jishin sighed. Obviously focused on everything but her. "Fiiiine...But you're doing all the talking. This diplomatic bullshit annoys me." They neared the castle. It's massive doors opened, revealing multiple escorts who bowed before them. After exchanging greetings, the escorts lead them to a massive throne room. One made from green stones. "Lord Inuzuka shall arrive in a minute.." The eldest told them before disappearing. "Hmm," Tengai thought, as her brother gave his personal prediction for what the Yakikage might be like. To her, it was perfectly reasonable for a person who had managed to form such a sprawling yet cohesive village to have a fair bit of arrogance. It came with the territory of pulling something big like this off. Then again, she hoped that he wasn't too arrogant, otherwise negotiations might quickly become a chore. Personally, Tengai hated it when she had to do negotiations, especially given her station as an ANBU operative, but sometimes it just couldn't be helped. The two appointed Head Ninja were away on business anyways, so whether she liked or not, she was going to have to talk with this guy. Her personal debate then moved on to whether or not she should remove her ANBU mask while negotiating matters. Tengai ultimately decided to leave it on, as she wasn't sure how good of a poker face she had right now. Her thoughts were then interrupted by her brother rants about her virginity. "Yes I'm still a virgin, so calm down. If you keeping going the way you are, you'll have High Blood Pressure," Tengai teased as the gates opened. As she expected, the relatively small platoon of escorts quickly directed the lone visible ANBU operative and the squad of jonin into a room that could seat them all comfortably, including the Yakikage. Tengai noted that there were a few open seats after everyone else had found their places. While she knew one of them was for the Yakikage, she had no idea who would be occupying the remainder. Instead of sitting, Tengai leaned against a wall, reminiscing about the many suitors that her brother had chased off. "Heh, I'll do the talking but don't think you're off the hook," Tengai said. "Now all we do is wait," Tengai thought as the eldest escort left to go fetch the kage. "Blood sugar my-" Jishin had been interrupted. Two massive doors creaked open before them. They were massive enough to cast large shadows. Inbetween their edges, the Yakikage and his assistant appeared. A blinding light masked his true features...Well to say his was a bit much. Rather, three shadows emerged. One of which being the escort. The other two shadows however often confused visitors. One was that of a large wolfish dog. A true silver hell hound with demonic muscles. Able to step on grown men. It had sharp teeth used to tear men piece by piece. And a massive yet fluffly mane which flowed behind in the breeze. It's red eyes were hellish. Like looking into a demon's spirit. From this beast, a feeling far from chakra overtook their room. Next to this beast was a smaller dog. An organge beast itself with fire as a mane. Yakigakure officials stood before these two animals. Bang. Behind them, Yakigakure's coucil doors closed which proceeded a clicking noise. Obviously their lock. As these demonds approached, the silver beast began shifting. It's muscles started to morph. Within a matter of seconds, A grown Man stood before all. A porcelain warrior with silver hair. His tail became a large fluffy scarf. "Hello," His voice held power. "I am the First Yakikage. Dan Inuzuka. Pleasure to make your appearance." His aura almost silenced their mansion. "I understand you're from Ei? I've looked forward to this meeting ever since..." Dan stopped. "Well, I'm just joyous overall." Jishin shivered. He imagined the Lord's power but hadn't expected such a powerful aura. He felt his legs rattle against each other before... "Tengai, you were right..." Tengai had the nerve to yawn. Yes, yawn. While the Yakikage's appearance was spectacular, even intimidating, it lacked impact, seeming to be all flash and no substance. If she had her ANBU mask removed, they would have never seen her expression deviate from neutrality. She admitted that his transformation from dog to human was rather surprising, and she was curious to how he achieved it. "Then again, he is a Inuzuka," Tengai thought. Tengai also noted the Yakikage's hesitation as he spoke for the first time, greeting the Eigkakure entourage with a little bit of awkwardness, maybe even timidness, after his entrance. "I wonder what that's all about..." Tengai thought before introducing herself, "Hello, my name is Tengai Okasu, a Captain of Eigakure ANBU. The shivering kid next to me is my twin brother Jishin Okasu," at this Tengai's voice turned teasing, "Thank you for hosting us. I believe there are some activities by your village that we should discuss as a method of clearing the air?" Tengai's thoughts drifted to the Yaki ANBU that she and some Ei jōnin discovered before the Yaki-nin disappeared. While most people wouldn't have the nerve to bring that up, especially after that display by the Yakikage, Tengai was ready to play some hardball. Many said that she gained this tough yet calm attitude from her mother. "So shall we address the small matter of your ANBU being found in our country?" Tengai asked, waiting for Dan to sit down first. "Well," Dan started. After his grand appearance, he seemed rather normal. He nervously paced around the table, feeling different after hearing their last name. "I'll explain that later. First, I have a question." Lord Inuzuka danced with ideas on how to ask such a question. It was far-fetched, maybe even unnecessary but Dan had to know. He took a deep breath and stopped. "If I may ask...Have you ever heard of a women named Sōsui. She's an old....friend of mine." A short break. One that almost went unnoticed. But inbetween words, one could feel immense lost. Great pain. A heart longing for ai as it drowned in sorrow. Dan found peace after that eventful night...But it still haunted him. He had to know. "Y-you don't have to answer but...It'd make me very happy to know how she's doing." Dan spoke with gentleness. One that only a lord loved by many could possess. "Afterwards, we can discuss everything. And you all can eat as much as you want." Tengai was shocked by the Inuzuka's question, and the fact that he knew her mother. "Sure..." she replied to Dan's initial question, "Sōsui is our mother. As for how she is doing, well she is I guess, definitely busy, considering she is running our country," Tengai stood as she watched Dan pace back and forth, his nervousness audible. From the way he reacted to her clan's name, she had a feeling there was some history between her mother and Dan. While she didn't know the extent of the relationship, it was clearly more than old friends, especially the way he paused with a depth of emotion that Tengai couldn't quite grasp. Then again, she could tell that it resulted from an experience that was not within her own repertoire, so until she was met with the same situation, Tengai doubted that she would understand it anytime soon. "Why do you ask about her?" Tengai said, her voice holding a thin layer of suspicion. Part of her wanted to remove the ANBU mask obscuring her face, but at the same time she wanted to have the advantage of keeping if facial expressions hidden. It was this point that she remembered the scroll that Sōsui handed to her for the Yakikage. Now that she thought about it, she remembered receiving similar vibes when she was given the scroll by her mother. Tengai summoned the scroll to her hand, as Jishin remained unusually quiet, for him anyway. "That reminds me, my mother wanted me to give this to you," Tengai said handing the scroll to Dan. At first, Dan had experienced extreme heartbreak. How could she move on in such a short time? How could she...hurt him like this. To have children...After Dan invested so much resources into her. The very thought of another man in her embrace...piercing her dignity repeatedly...It burned his heart. He instantly felt a certain hatred for these two before him. But chose to read the scroll before acting. Without looking those two in their eyes, Dan went straight to reading. Slowly a smile formed on his lips...Then an expression of shock. He looked at Jishin, almost analyzing him completely. His purple hair..with a silver part...It made so much sense. Slowly, he approached Tengai and removed her mask. Smashing it upon touch. It rained down in a million pieces of sparkles. It was her. Not the woman of his dreams but...A spitting image. "My...children." Those two words shocked his council. All in presence gasped, guest already planned to sell the story for fortunes. The First Yakigakure meets his Children. Before they could react, Dan grabbed them both in an embrace. Smiling greatly. Unaware that they had nought a clue themselves. Jishin felt awkward. What did he mean by children. One, Jishin is an adult, or so he believed. And second, his father died an honorable death. Something their mother's best friend told them. How dare this man attempt to make such a crazy claim. Without hesitation, he quickly broke off and attempted to scratch Dan. "You bastard, don't touch me!" Before Jishin could strike, Dan had grabbed his sons hand. Almost breaking it upon contact. But what was a stern grasp turned into a loving grace. He showed Jishin a particular mark which matched his own...To which Jishin stood amazed. "I-I can't believe it..." Jishin whispered before turning to Tengai. Tengai was for the first time in a long time speechless. The atmosphere around Dan changed with dizzying speed, and before she could even attempt to stop him, her mask lay broken in several pieces at her feet. It was then that she noted Dan's eyes, a feral gold that was an exact match for her own. At that point her mind began to connect the dots, slowly but surely, as Dan wrapped her and Jishin in a loving embrace. She knew that her father was an Inuzuka, but other than the story of his honor-ridden death on the battlefield, there was no other information to be found. Yet now the father that they had been missing from their lives for so long stood in front of them, having just uncovered the word of their existence. "So that was what lie in the scroll....." Tengai thought as she awkwardly returned her father's embrace, "But how did we come to be?" At that point she stepped away from her father and her brother, her golden eyes murky with thought. She tried to create a timeline of their existence, namely from the moment they were born to now. "When did he meet her?" Tengai thought looking at the labyrinth of thought that lay before her. Frustrated by the complexity of the situation, Tengai turned to her brother as he turned towards her. Even now, their new-found twin actions were still reliable. "How did this happen....." Tengai pondered aloud to her brother. There was a fair bit of explaining to be done, by both her mother and the father that stood in front of her, displaying a bit of awkwardness after his loving hug before. Dan handed over the scroll to Tengai while smiling. It brought him warmth to see those two standing before him. The room was absolutely silent. Except for Konmei chuckling. "Your mission is not for diplomatic purposes. Our lands lie to far apart for any formal agreement...Sosui sent you two so we can meet. To erase all lies formed in the past." Dan smirked, pointing towards the scroll which told him Sosui's forbidden truth. The First Yakikage couldn't resist hugging his children, but he held his place. Such a beautiful sight. "I met your mother during a mission...Where we fell in love. Not long after..." The thought of explaining babies made him blush. He never thought in a million years that he would be giving children the talk. "Well you guys were born. Know what! No questions right now. I shall have the best rooms prepared and we will discuss this over dinner!" With a clap, Dan gracefully smiled. Jishin stood shock...He turned over to Tengai, taking a few steps closer. Also reading the scroll. "How could this be?" Almost thinking in sync with his sister. It drove him mad. But Dinner sounded absolutely wonderful. At this point Tengai wanted to go into denial, but she couldn't deny the evidence that lay in front of her. "But why didn't she tell us?" Tengai whispered, a cold anger starting to color her mood. However, the rational part of her brain knew the answer to that question. As a child of the daimyo and an elite member of the ANBU, the target on her back was large enough. Add in the fact that her father is the kage of another prominent would make that target even larger. However, Tengai didn't feel the need to be logical at this point. "I hope you plan on giving us more of an explanation that," Tengai said, straightening up more preparing to leave the room, letting the people know her position on the subject as she walked through the doorway. She needed some air in order to get her head on straight. The wind whipped around her as she left the building, the night air greeting Tengai as she looked up at the most visible stars. "I can't believe this, a mother who is a powerful young daimyo, a father who is a increasing prominent kage. Where do Jishin and I fall on this spectrum?" Tengai thought, feeling lost and unsure of herself for the first time. She wondered if this is what Jishin felt like during their dark years. "To think she would do such a thing," Dan told himself as he prepared a personalized dinner. One for beastfolk. Meat. Nothing but pure animal corpses cooked to perfection. If they truly were his children, they'd appreciate a good carnivorous gathering. His fangs gleemed in the kitchen's light. "But I understand nonetheless. She would hate to have them choose between me and her. At least she's being honest now, right?" Dan turned over to find his loyal brother fast asleep. "Of course you'd be tired at a time like this. I bet you're loving this." Dan continued helping with setting the table. Preparing to answer a ton of questions. He could feel their despair. Their confusion. Such an announcement would shake his own world...And it had. To think he had heirs to the great kingdom he had created. It brought a smile to his face. But Dan still worried for they had not been properly trained...If they even wished to stay. Jishin knocked on Tengai's door. "Open up sis, I want to talk about this madness." As with his usual blunt behavior, Jishin simply bursted into Tengai's assigned bedroom. And rather than ask, he found himself a comfertable spot on her bed. "I know what're thinking sis...This is fucking crazy...I can't believe mom would lie to us like this...I can't...UGH!" Jishin ripped a rather expensive pillow set out for Tengai. "Lets go...I don't want to be here anymore..." But as Jishin said that, he looked upon the wrist which Dan grabbed. How could he.. Tengai stared at the pillow that Jishin was severely abusing. "Do you think he's watching us?" she asked, remembering the Yaki ANBU that had been sighted around the village prior. "That's the only reason I can think they were near the village, if not to look after us, seeing as he did not know of our existence but to look after our mom. You can clearly tell that there is some level of feeling for our mom. Is it deep enough to send ANBU into a foreign land that could potentially hostile? Maybe," Tengai pondered aloud. She had cooled off a little from that outburst, but she was still very much ticked off with her mom for lying to her and Jishin about the truth of their parentage. Unconsciously, she activated her limit causing the stagnant air to rustle into an unsettled wind within the room. "I'm not sure I want to stay either, but I need answers, and the Yaki-our father," she winced at the word, "Is one of the few people that would be able to provide them. We don't have to be civil about it, but at least we need to be decent enough to force out those answers," she stood up, not bothering to change. "Let's go, they'll probably be looking for us soon," As an impulse brought her extended family hoping they would be a calming mechanism. His sister's powerful limit calmed down Jishin. A trait he hadn't inherited from his mother. But Dan's little display exposed where Jishin got his bloodthirst. "Who knows. Love is such a stupid feeling." Jishin answered indifferently. A true savage. A barbaric warrior who only enjoyed bloodshed. But deep inside, Jishin also wished for answers. Which erased his previous wish to leave Yakigakure before dinner. "Let's go sister...We'll get the answers." Unfortunately, The Yakigakure chose to enjoy his children's company rather than discuss anything of importance. He told them the story of meeting Sosui of course. Sometimes breaking into more intimate details. Dan laughed heartedly. Despite his childrens feelings towards him, Dan truly enjoyed seeing both Tengai and Jishin. Even his eyes watered just at their sight. Finally a family. If only he'd been there earlier. In Yakigakure's light, Tengai's resemblance shined. As did Jishin's. Eventually dinner concluded on a happy note. Dan promised to visit each during the upcoming days to answer any personal questions. And to even bond a bit. "A lifetime cannot be told during a single mean. So I'll try my hardest for each of you." Dan spoke with sincerity.
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