BOYKAGE00: BROTHERS

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] "Why are we stopping so soon, D?" the taller of the three dark-skinned shinobi asked the white-haired boy kage who walked in the center. They all looked exhausted, but it was completely mental; physically, they were still in tip-top condition. D scratched the back of his head lightly, thinking hard about what'd just transpired not more than two hours in the past. It was night now, and he simply needed time now to digest. "I need to think. I think we all need to think. There are things to discuss amongst the three of us. You're my cousins. Elder cousins, I'd like to seek your counsel without risking being overhead while traveling, Tsuyoi." "Makes sense," replied Sukui, his eyes scanning about the avenue they walked. "Perhaps over some drinks?!" "D is too young to drink, still." Tsuyoi chimed in, towering over his kin with whom he traveled. "Fuck that. I'm Raikage. Let a hobitch turn me down." "Using that power..." Tsuyoi laughed. "Just like gramps." Sukui laughed as well. "Fuck yeah, just like gramps." D said, joined them in laughter. Sake littered the table now as the moon hung high over the earth. Midnight. D released a belch and felt his warm cheeks, trying to regain some sort of semblance of himself. "So... you're telling me you're torn now, huh?" Tsuyoi questioned before taking another pull from the sake bottle, all sense of class lost to the group now. "Hn," responded D. "It's highly unfortunate, all of it. That painted bitch has removed the Gobi from Iwagakure and now Sunagakure has lost its only Tailed Beast. It seems Konoha is the next likely target. We, however, retain both the Nibi and Hachibi. I would be a fool, as the Raikage, to consider the leg-up we have on two competing villages." "But we live in peace now, coz," Sukui said, his cheeks red with drunkeness though he retained genuine concern. "I know, I know. I'm just saying that it's a position to consider. I don't want any of the Jinchūriki to die either but maybe the other villages losing theirs isn't so bad for us." D responded, his arms crossed over his chest as he considered the situation. "So you're proposing we militarize after a period of peace?" Tsuyoi asked, now leaning back on the seat of the booth, his interest piqued. "Not militarize, I would say, but sit back and watch. Keep out of the world affairs and protect our Jinchūriki until we see how it all plays out." D responded, his arms crossed over his chest as he pondered the whole situation. "Coz, I see why you would think such, and want to do so for the good of your people, but isolationism has never really worked for anyone in the past. The other villages will think we've abandoned them and grow resentful of us." Sukui said, his head hanging now in a mixture of drunkenness and confusion. "You two drank too much," D smirked. "Yous should get some sleep. I left word for someone from Konoha to meet me here?" "If it's who I think it, be careful with your words. He might be our cousin, your brother, but he still has a responsibility to his village over you." "Yeah..." D responded, looking off to the side now as he considered how the meeting with his half-brother would go should he ever arrive there.

[Osa]

Today had been a hell of a day. Between the already high emotions of dealing with the death of one of the village's greatest leaders nobody needed the added stress that Ōjin brough with him. The Ichibi had escaped. Nobody in the department of Sunagakure relations had heard any mention of this fiasco. It was made worse hearing that the beast had made its way to Hi no Kuni as well. Fortunately, that was not Osa's problem to sort. The troubles did not stop there. That flamboyant freak wanted Sio as well. Moreso the Kyūbi, but you could not have one without the other.

He was concerned for his cousin. While the clan would rise up in her defense there was little that would make the others stand up for her. Many feared that the beast would simply overtake the child and rampage as it had done in the past.

Unfortunately, Osa would not get the chance to check on Sio as he received word that the Raikage wished to meet. As the ambassador to Kumogakure it was his duty, but beyond that he desired to speak with his brother.

Arriving at the location specified Osa couldn't help but sigh. The kid kage was still too young to be drinking. Then again, who could tell him no? He held status and strength. The only things that ever seemed to matter in this world. One of the few lessons that he would learn from their father.

Stepping into the dive it would not be hard to find one another. Osa was large, towering over a number of people, and D and their cousins stuck out like a sore thumb. Picking off an unopened bottle of sake from a random table he ignored the protest as he approached their table. "Raikage-sama," he disliked having to use such an honorific for someone younger than himself, worst yet his own sibling, but his voice would not betray that. For the time being, this was a business meeting. "Tsuyoi-san. Sukui-san," he said in greetings to the others.

[Tou-kun]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] 'There he is', D thought when he saw his brother cross the threshold into the establishment. He scanned him for a moment, having finally actually seen him for the first time now on this trip. He stood behind him in Naruto's procession, but they never exchanged words. D awkwardly avoided his glances and didn't even ask about him when he met with Masahige. It was a strange dynamic. They had political business that obligated them to one another but D couldn't forgive him for being the product of his father's various love affairs. He couldn't really forgive any of his half-siblings who littered the world. He was the only true heir. A married his father to his mother of the Yoippari clan and only such a line produced legitimacy. But then again... Osa was still his older brother. Maybe he hated him more because he didn't get the opportunity to have an older brother. Someone to share the pain of growing up as he did. He looked away momentarily, collecting his emotions that were spilling out of his head and onto the floor. Nobody has time for that. "Tsuyoi, Sukui, leave us. Take to our room and run the check and then go to sleep. Don't wait for me." "As if," Tsuyoi grunted. "I'm gonna go drink some more, I'll be up when you get back, most likely with one of these fire bitches." Sukui cringed at the words, slapping his forehead with his palm. "I find the lack of tact in this family astounding." he said, turning to their estranged cousin. He smiled, "It's good to see you, coz. I hope you'll make your way to the Cloud soon enough." "Yeah, maybe uncle'll make an appearance too. The dick's been gone for like two years now." "Go." D stated more harshly, prompting his cousins to somewhat straighten up and leave without further discussion. He looked up at his brother once again before standing and extending a hand. Such was a formality. It's how A greeted him so long ago before he died. But he remembered that their grandfather was always warm with Osa at the same time. He'd be as warm as he possibly could be that was. D hoped that he could do that so he offered a smile, like A would do. 'Fuck,' he thought, 'this is the fucking ugliest, most fakest smile ever!!!' "Brother...," he began, feeling the awkwardness that accompanied the word, "I wanted to speak to you about our political agenda going forth." He looked off to the side slightly, showing his discomfort with what he'd say next. "And also to see how you felt about the whole thing... I know the girl... what is her name? I know she's kin to you by the Sarutobi clan. I wanted to see if you were okay."

[Osa]

As the cousin's departed Osa was left with mixed feelings. There were very few instances of anyone on that side of the family out right disrespected him. For the most part, after the initial reveal, they were pretty accepting. So Sukui's words were rather comforting to hear. But despite all the niceties, Osa knew that he was still an outsider. He would be as long as he called Konohagakure his home. Tsuyoi bringing up their father also didn't help with the heightened tension either. But to Osa's relief D was at least making an effort. Shaking the Raikage's hand he would offer him a slight smile of his own. With all that had happened today it was kind of tough to appear cheery.

"Today certainly left everyone a little shook," Osa said as he placed the bottle he acquired on the table. "So, I won't lie and say I'm not feeling some type of way about all this." Sio was a good kid. She had a troubled life and issues to work through, but she was a good kid. "She's family after all. Even as a shinobi, that means something to me," he said as he took a seat. That statement, of couse, applied to D as well. Even though they hadn't had much time to get to know each other, blood is blood. "That was an impressive display you showed, though."

[D]

[atrb=style, width: 350px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/dDxps.png);][atrb=valign,top] "Haha," D laughed at Osa's last remark. "Sukui chewed me out for it immediately once we left your village. He said it was in poor taste or whatever. You've seen how stuck up and in love with appearances he can be. But..., I kind of see his point." he looked down. "I acted rashly... outside of my rank and most likely made an idiot of myself. I even disrespected the Kazekage directly to his face, so I assume I won't be getting envoys like you from the Sand anytime soon to the Cloud. "But I'm talking too much about myself. It's your village that is feeling the most pain right now." his demeanor returned to seriousness, somewhat business-like. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in what you think Konoha's future moves would be. I would like for you to tell me what you think and in return to know that Kumo will be in full support of Konoha, perhaps even give troops to ensure Sio's safety. I know Masahige is somewhat of a hard ass, but... I don't know, it's an idea."

[Osa]

In response to D's feelings about his actions at the funeral Osa simply shrugged. Picking up the bottle of sake he could feel that it was getting a little cold. Were his actions a little rash? Possibly. On the other hand it showed that he gave no shits in response to bullshit. A trait that seemed common among Raikage. "Don't beat yourself up about it," he said as he poured himself some sake, which he had just warmed. "Besides, Suna has a lot more to answer for. Letting the Shukaku run free like this. Especially in our land," Osa shook his head and took a sip of the warm sake.

Then the elephant in the room was brought up Osa poured himself another drink. As the ambassador to Kumo it was always important to speak carefully. He constantly had to determine the right amount of information he could divulge in order to keep everyone happy. Which is why he always preferred operating when alcohol was involved. People tended to be easier to work with when they were a little intoxicated. "As of right now, I do not know what the Hokage is planning. He's never been one that I've found easy to read," Osa admitted. Taking the idea of asking Kumo for troops to protect Sio didn't leave him with much confidence. The two villages had come to form a rather tight bond during Naruto's reign, but history was not so easily forgotten. Some might think it was another ploy from Kumo to snatch the Kyūbi for themselves. If ever there was a time it would be now. Sio had little to no control over the beast. Which is likely why the Bijūtsukai made their appearance.

"We're not a village to back down to such threats though." He poured a saucer of sake for his brother and leaned back. "Do you have any plans? We only have the Kyūbi to worry about. You have two to deal with."