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Post by Yun Luán on Sept 21, 2013 22:39:58 GMT -5
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[Invite]
“Bring me your best.”
The Awaikage clan district was particularly unassuming. So nonchalant and plain the holding was, it could easily have been mistaken for any unremarkable section of the village had it not been for the clan mon draped over the front gates. A crimson mon of the scorpion fluttered to the wind, swimming in the soft breeze and serene moonlight that had draped over Hidden Rock. The night was typically silent for the hour, encroaching to the early morning, the moon still had a few more hours before their rival, the sun, threatened to peer from the far horizon.
Within the meeting hall of the clan elders, the room, like the rest of the village, embraced the dark. Only by the small flickers of candlelight and a dying hearth fire was the room spared from being completely enveloped in shade. And as the flashes of orange and gold did the fire cast silhouettes against the rice paper walls, figures knelt amongst themselves as they murmured behind elaborate masks.
Only one of them however stood, radiating an aura of regal zeal and confidence that would have taken a glow of it's own if possible. Peering down before the disciplined agents of shadow, this one, bearing the mark of Yun, smirked behind the raised fan that flashed her clan's emblem. Her command had already died out across the walls, stirring the seemingly obedient Awaikage to deliver exactly what this agent of Iwagakure's ruling family desired.
 “There is so much work to be done...” |
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Post by Awaikage Hane on Sept 21, 2013 22:48:54 GMT -5
The Lady Yun had asked for the best of the Awaikage, and the best had arrived. Hane was hidden in the shadows along with the rest of her clan, adorned in red robes. A masquerade mask covered the upper half of her face, and a red cloth lined in gold draped itself from her nose down to her neck. With her hair put into a bun, Hane was as indistinguishable from her clanmates as they were from her. Only the Awaikage could tell the difference now, and perhaps the Lady Yun herself.
Whatever the reason for the meeting was remained unknown to Hane. She had been summoned by the elders of the clan, but there were dark whispers on the wind this night. When the Awaikage gathered, it was never to do good. Soon a mark would be known, and after that, blood was going to spill as it always has.
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Post by Awaikage Kaede on Sept 24, 2013 10:47:47 GMT -5
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Awaikage Kaede dared to lift her eyes to meet the ever piercing, calculating gaze of the Lady Yun. Adorned in robes needlessly lavish, poised with a slick sense of overwhelming authority, Kaede almost inwardly challenged the agent of the villages ruling power. Her attire cost more than what some villages had collected regularly in taxes, deliberately intended to inspire awe, let alone disgust, in the people who bore witness to the display of excess. The sight stirred something in Kaede, a feeling she nearly declared alien had it not been the same familiar sensation every time she basked in the alleged opulence of the clan.
And when their eyes met, Kaede found herself averting to her hands folded neatly within her lap.
“Uzumaki Naruto, has passed away.”
Though the words, weighted as they were, tore into the thick silence of the clan hall, the news itself was not new to the clan. The great hero of the Allied Shinobi War had long reached the age where he was beyond venerable, if only lasting as long as it did to his aptitude and Uzumaki heritage. Still, the audience feigned concerned murmurs and approving nods, their eyes narrowed into thoughtful slits that did not betray the smirks hidden behind ornate masks.
Lady Yun, with a flick of her hand, unraveled the spokes of her bladed fan and fluttering coyly, staring down upon the knelt audience with an oppressive regality that seemingly threatened to suffocate the dancing flames that illuminated her silhouette. “The great hero of the previous era has finally joined his peers. A person of intergrity, honor, and a sincerity that the world will miss dearly as he joins his fellows...in the footnotes of irrelevant legends and departed fools.”
Kaede listened to the Lady's monologue as she continued, illustrating the history of Iwagakure being a proponent of strength, the rock hard resolve of their shinobi and determination. Similar speeches she had heard before, often by other Yun who felt 'obligated' sermonize as many of the populace as they could, whether one wished to or not. Discreetly, she looked over to Hane, observing her sister with the veiled look of discipline and cold focus, even if her thoughts wandered elsewhere in the ambiance of Lady Yun's oratory.
“The Awaikage will strike first.”
Lady Yun had Kaede's attention once more.
“I will have your best,” she demanded, pacing over through the crowd that fluidly parted, a hall of knelt bodies at her steps. “to gauge the worth, the...potential of our neighbors. You, in the name of Iwagakure, will be the first to assess these threats, foreign and domestic. The other villages recognize the tenuous era that Uzumaki has left us in. And why we of Iwa never relented in our training or our preparations.”
Lady Yun's gaze shifted to the two sisters, a cruel smirk formed along painted lips. “Would you stand in service of my daughter's empire?”
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Post by Awaikage Hane on Sept 24, 2013 11:26:07 GMT -5
Hane met her twin’s glance and quickly looked away. She hated her sister, and loved her all the same. There was a connection between the two that was scarce in their clan, and it scared her greatly. She was a weapon, a tool, and a damned good one at that. Emotions were alien, or supposed to be, but every time her and Kaede so much as breathed the same air, a roil of something could be felt deep within Hane’s gut. Her fist clenched up on the crimson flowing robes, and she pushed away the thoughts to listen to the Yun’s words.
With Naruto dead, there was nothing stopping Iwagakure from doing what the Tsuchikage wanted: form an empire. There were other Jinchuuriki masters, yes, but only two, and one of them was in Iwa proper. And with no more sages running wild, there were few, if any, hidden superpowers left in the world. Hane cracked a smile beneath her cloth mask. It had been a while since such opportunities had opened up.
It was then Lady Yun came to stop before the two sisters. Hane almost clammed up, almost. The twins were well known for their near legendary teamwork on missions, and they had yet to fail one, no matter the difficulty or obstacles.
Hane was the first to respond. “I would, Yun-sama.”
She bowed her head slightly as she spoke.
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Post by Awaikage Kaede on Sept 24, 2013 21:40:54 GMT -5
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Her sister was the first to respond, but her words were appropriately echoed by Hane's other half.
“I would, Yun-sama.”
The words, in unison, rolled passed Kaede's lips faster than she had realized, though the notion of synergy was not uncommon between the pair, who retained as many parallels as they did opposites. Head bowed, body tense, she conveyed the staunch sense of loyalty and determination that the clan was feared for, more so than their gifts in subterfuge. The room stirred in silence, figures nearly floating back into the shadows without a sound until only the bowed Kaede and Hane remained at point before the feet of the Yun clan's matriarch.
Lady Yun maintained that cruel, serpentine smile. “It moves my heart to see such eager, noble proponents in the agenda of our nations prosperity.” She cooed, extending her fan to tap each on the shoulder in a knightly gesture. “Thet Awaikage's loyalty has not gone without recognition, even if you prefer to dwell in shadows...”
Kaede couldn't help but feel the Yun was taunting them. The Awaikage were revered clan, who had committed a great deal to the security of the village, yet it was inevitable that their deeds would always be indulged by others. Some, she felt, were far less deserving as her gaze followed the tail of flowing robes and finery.
Lady Yun, through the folds of her endlessly moving robes, handed the pair a unraveling scroll.
The image of a familiar nation was clear, even in the orange lowlight.
“Isolated, reclusive, and once a force to be reckoned with...these people have been quiet within the shadow of our glorious nation for too long.” Lady Yun purred. “Your mission, is to see if they have any voices worth hearing...and to silence the foolish who speak of ill intent regarding this impervious legacy of strength...”
Kaede nodded in confirmation. “We are your shadows.” The pledge was traditional, robotic, and there was a genuine feeling to it, even if she personally was having apprehensions with the Yun who pranced before her.
“Good...” The Lady pivoted, her attendees immediately flocking to her side to drape another lavish coat and festooned umbrella. “Go in strength, for our glory, for the future of my Iwagakure...”
The way she said “my Iwagakure” did not go unnoticed to Kaede, but she merely saluted. “Hai.”
As Lady Yun left, the rest of the clan vanishing to muse over the evening's events, Kaede looked to her masked sibling. Whether she was impassive or offered a smile was hidden behind their traditional masks. “At least she picked the best, hm?”
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Post by Awaikage Hane on Sept 24, 2013 22:00:24 GMT -5
Kaede was uncomfortable, and Hane saw it. True, Lady Yun wouldn’t see it, nor would the other Awaikage who lingered for a moment before fading away, but Hane could. She knew why, too. Lady Yun was a rich woman, and dangerous as well. It was no wonder Luan had been born with such a cloud of controversy sticking to her; anything from the loins of Lady Yun was sure to be as wicked as the snake she embodied.
But she was their Lady, and they were bidden to be her shadows. Hane was silent as she spoke, and though her twin didn’t like what the Lady said, Hane ate up every word. The praise fed her ego, and her ego fed her motivation. She bowed gently as the mother of the Tsuchikage left, leaving both sisters alone.
“Of course,” Hane replied, “I’m the Scorpion of Shadow, after all.” The title was one given to Hane by some of her peers. Out of all the Awaikage, there were only a few as skilled in the use of scorpions and poisons as she. The moniker did little to cut down her swelling arrogance. “I guess as my twin, you are expected to be somewhat close to my level.”
Hane’s eyes were cold as she spoke, and she didn’t even look at Kaede. It wasn’t that she actually looked down on her sister, but she had a lot to prove to Lady Yun. She wanted to lead the Awaikage eventually, and this mission was the perfect way to catapult her infamy in the clan.
“I suggest we find the weakest point on the border, enter through there, and then move through the jungles to Amegakure. That will be the most secure route.” She wanted desperately to lead the mission; she was unable to hide that twinkle in her eyes.
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Post by Awaikage Kaede on Oct 1, 2013 23:18:46 GMT -5
| [atrb=cellpadding,10,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=width, 460, true][atrb=rules,none][atrb=valign,top][atrb=style, background-image: url(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/WholeLottaChaos/asian-rice-paper_zps6ad0fe3b.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; -o-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; -webkit-border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-radius: 20px 20px 20px 20px; border-bottom: #101010 solid 6px; border-right: #101010 solid 6px; border-left: #101010 solid 6px; border-top: #101010 solid 6px;][atrb=style,padding-top:10px;][atrb=align,center] Hane's bravado did not go unnoticed to Kaede though she merely acknowledged with an affirming nod and a shrug, fluidly, if not languidly moving to the exit of the hall where only a few shuffling characters and the silhouettes that moved behind paper doors, gave any indication that life stirred in the quiet district. “If I have to be under someone's shadow, it might as well be yours.” Kaede snickered, folding her arms as she took in the scenery, opting-this time-not to bout with Hane's pride.
Though she knew her cold stoicism was just as piercing as any insult.
“The weakest point, I would imagine, are the trade routes. No one bats an eyelash to the usual traffic of merchants beyond making sure the goods aren't illegal.” She palmed the side of her ornamental mask, tapping the porcelain thoughtfully. “I know traders that could get us in. Beyond that-we're of course going to be on our own.”
Kaede looked over her shoulder, meeting the gaze of her sibling she left in the lowlight. “We can move out in the morning and should reach the border before sunset that same day.”
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