/ reflection

[oda namazu]

/ reflection.

Ever since his abrupt return to Kirigakure no Sato, Namazu had been struggling to come to terms with the vast amount of change that had overtaken the village. The biggest problem with living a long life was the fact that one never became accustomed to the vast change that took place; people, villages, customs, they all evolved and progressed faster than one would think possible. It had been nearly a decade since the old fish man had left the village for his position within the Daimyō's inner circle, and in such a small amount of time the Nanadaime had changed so much. The village was not the same Bloody Mist that he left those many years ago, still suffering from the havoc wrought upon it by the Rokudaime. No, Rinruri had done a fantastic job revitalizing the spirit and soul of the village and its people. She had, however, left that damned wall standing.

Seated atop the massive metal wall that surrounded the village, Namazu's legs hung carelessly off the edge of the barrier as he gazed out across the far away water, admiring the setting sun. Decades ago there had been an old lookout post here that he could come to for quiet reflection, but now the tower had been torn down and replaced with the gargantuan wall and running pipes of water. His little piece of Kiri was gone.

Sighing, the massive man that was known throughout Kirigakure as the Ningyō [ Fish Man ] scratched the back of his head and closed his eyes, imaginings the village as it had once been, in its glory days long past. Several minutes passed before the old veteran chuckled, his deep laugh echoing out across the wall.

"Hahaha, it seems as if you've found me, Terumī-kakka."

[Terumi Rinruri]

The walls were object in her mind as of late. Sure, they were gaudy, and were a monument to the paranoid nature of the previous Mizukage. But at the point in time they were in, she couldn't afford to tear it down and build a new one. She had felt an all too familiar feeling, something was approaching the village. More like a vibe, and with the current climate, she didn't know if it was a good or bad thing. Taking matters into her own hands, rather then sending her Mei Kiri or Nami, she disappeared in a whir of mists, only to re-appear elsewhere in the village. Assuming a disguise, she made her way, following her instinct to the great wall of Kirigakure no sato. Another such blur, another such emergence, as she appeared atop the wall and saw someone not too far from where she stood.

Cautiously she approached, feeling something stir within her. It took her back, a feeling she hadn't felt since her days training under Master Wu, a former Shinobigatana, and her mentor for a time. Her hand idly fell to the hilt of the blade, as she felt the Izanami pull to release it form its bonds. But she stayed her hand, as she approached. Finally within earshot, she heard the man address her, which was odd, but then she remembered who he was.

"Figured it was you, I don't usually get this vibe for other people, Namazu-ue"

She said, in a simplistic way, that didn't have any emotion to it. For being a Terumi, with Lava in her heart, she certainly had a demeanor of Ice. But that was too be expected, she had been through a lot.

"Not that I mind you coming here of course, but what brings you far from Mizu no Teito in these days?"

She asked, as she stood near enough to hear him, but distant enough to show reluctance. As if she enjoyed his company but didn't trust his presence, which given the climate, was just about right for her attitude.

[oda namazu]

Namazu chuckled once more, showing apparent amusement in the Mizukage's question. Many in the village had felt personally offended when the veteran retired from active shinobi duty to take his place as an adviser within the Feudal Lord's inner circle; could she perhaps be one of them? There was a fine line between allegiance to one's Village and one's Country, a line which Namazu had always managed to quite clearly sit directly upon.

"Ahh, well let's just say that things in the capital were getting a little bit... tense."

Winking his right eye, the old fish man withdrew a flask of water from the inner folds of his kimono, proceeding to chug it back as if he was parched. It was well-known that those who used the Hōzuki clan's secret techniques needed to keep themselves well-hydrated.

Namazu had noticed that the Water Shadow chose to keep her distance from him, although he feigned ignorance as he eyed the woman up and down, slightly entertained by her disguise. For the leader of the once-glorious Bloody Mist to have to hide in the shadows within her own village; well that was a clue as clear as any that things were not right within Kirigakure.

"How have you been, Lady Mizukage?"

[Ðr. Tran]

It as true, she shouldn't have to do things this way. But the alternative, meant that others would know of Namazu's presence which depending on the side you worked for could be a good or bad thing.

"Well, dealing with a war the Council and your boss seem adamant in prolonging"

She said, as she stepped a bit closer.

"and if we lose, there wont be a Kirigakure to come back to, wont be a great nation of ninja here, there will only be the Mizu no kuni standard army and everything we have lived for will be gone...

Other then that though, I would say I am okay"

She said as she turned to look out over the village a bit, her eyes trailing over their legacy, and the legacy of those to follow them. Their actions in these days, would dictate the outcome for thousands upon thousands of people, not just here but in the future. Her only question was when the time came would she do what was needed, for them?

[oda namazu]

Grumbling, the tusked fish-man took a moment to think and digest what the Mizukage said, choosing his words carefully. Despite the fact that he'd been an active shinobi since before the woman was born, this was her village and he was here because she allowed it. As soon as Namazu was deemed hostile he'd be shown to the door, and the oldtimer had no doubt that the lava-spewing Kage could kick his ass to the curb as she pleased.

"Hohoho--!! I am merely an adviser to Daimyō-dono; I do not make the decisions nor do I have any significant influence. Within his inner circle my voice is just one of many."

Licking his big blue lips, Namazu pondered the second part of that Rinruri had said. The woman had struck a chord within the gargantuan man, for it was true that if things went in a certain direction the village as he knew it would cease to exist. Although Rinruri had a point, Namazu also saw a flaw within her thoughts.

"I urge you to not look at this as a war, or a matter of winning and losing. This is a disagreement, and we both know that solutions are rarely as black or white as they'd have us believe."

Although his words were slightly cryptic, Namazu hoped that the Mizukage would understand his meaning. The old swordsman had lived in both camps, so to speak, and understood the wants and needs of both sides. Although he may not agree with everything that the daimyō thought, he understood why the feudal lord felt the way he did. Similarly, he understood the desires of the village and its people.

A war was brewing between Kirigakure and Mizu no Kuni, and Namazu did not want to be a part of it. If the children wanted to fight, so be it, but it was childish on both of their parts. In the end, there would be no winners, only losers. The only way to ensure both parties won would be to come to a compromise; to understand one another's needs and make concessions to help reach them.

Then again, that was easier said than done.

[Ðr. Tran]

She nodded. His words were wise, but he had only seen on side of the conflict, the Daimyo's side, and as it was she didn't think it wise to let him base his ideals off the lies of the opposition. But to each their own, Kirigakure was trying to be a place of tolerance and prosperity, so to infringe on his beliefs would not be conducive to the villages new ideals.

"Be that as it may, I do not have the luxury of staying idle---especially when forces decide to break down one of our strongholds and free dangerous men, captured enemies and miscreants whom have wrong our village and land.

Yes, a war is coming, Namazu-ue, we have been through the first skirmish and it does not seem like the Daimyo intends to stand down and stop threatening our way of life and the existence of our village itself...

Until such a time that he does, we have to continue being reactive and proactive to ensure the safety of our people, and those who depend on us..."

She said, as she turned to look off into the village. Already the villagers were being evacuated to the countryside, a safer place then the giant target that was Kirigakure no sato. This would ensure when the inevitable attack on the village came, that no helpless person would be harmed. The ninja who lived here would be the only ones here, to show the true strength of the mist.

"The only question I ask, of you...is where you will stand when the lines are truly drawn?

Will you stand for honor, valor and prosperity?

Or will it be for greed, corruption and desolation?"

She said, leaving her words at that note, as her cold blue eyes gazed into his. He could see the conviction in her eyes, hidden behind the ice, there was a fire, not hot but cold and strong as any flame that had ever been sparked.

[oda namazu]

Namazu listened quietly as the Mizukage spoke, showing her the respect that she deserved. The woman was a fierce kunoichi and brave leader, but she had yet to surpass the reputation of her grandmother. This conflict, however, was the challenge that would make or break the kage. She'd either succeed in maintaining Kirigakure, in doing so surpassing the feats accomplished by Mei-sama, or she would fail and see the village torn down. How would this diamond fare under pressure?

"I will stand where I have always stood, my dear. I take my orders from both the daimyō and yourself, but ultimately I serve the people of Mizu no Kuni, of which the citizens of Kirigakure are part."

The man had answered the question asked of him, but the answer didn't quite select a side. Despite the conflict that was going on, Namazu's duty was to the people, and protecting them. The question was, did the people want what the Daimyō did, or what the Mizukage did?

Sighing, the old fish man scratched his massive belly, apparently lost in thought. It was a touchy situation, and he'd refused to take a side thus far. But the Mizukage was right, lines would be drawn more definitively soon, and he'd be forced to make some difficult choices.

"I do not side with the Council, Terumī-sama, but that is not to say I side with you. Take heed that because you stand for honour does not mean the other side does not. Each has their own goal, with a different sense of honour and loyalty."

Leaning back a bit, Namazu took in the sunset, remembering a better place. A Kirigakure free of such squabbles. What would it take for such a Kirigakure to return? Was it possible?

[Ðr. Tran]

She nodded, as she absorbed his words. Each thought posited made her wish to show him, but she didn't. He was his own man, and was free to make choices as he deemed. This showed greater resolve for her actions, not those of a squabbling child, not arrogance but a sense of freedom. She didn't wish for her choices for this village to lead them to destruction but when faced with opposition that wanted to take away what they were, she could only be reactive enough to show her cause was just. As it stood, her actions in this conflict have only sent a message of someone who cares for the people more then profit or land. It was the people who were protected first, and put before herself or even the village. It was the village that was made to stand with only those set to defend it, not its walls, not its buildings but what it represented to the hearts and minds of this nation.

Wals could be rebuilt, buildings as well. People can live and die, but a nation of freedom, last eternal. This was he stance, these lands were hers to protect and guard against the night. She was the shield of which Kirigakure could stand behind, one which would give itself to annihilation to see them free. As the incarnation of her grandmother before her, she was going to set this land right, and free her people from these tyrannical oppressors, and free them from the burden of their war mongering. But she could not do it alone, for a shield is only as strong as those who wield it.

"I understand Namazu, and know you are free to make your own mind about this... Whichever you see as right, you must follow and I hope you do so, as it is right for you.

I do not seek to sway you or claim our cause is better, for in their own mind, I do believe they think what they are doing is right... But their difference in opinion is they alone should have such choice, when I feel everyone should be given it...

In the end, this conflict is about choices..."

She would say, as she came to sit down upon the wall, gazing out and away form the village.

"Do we choose money and power over freedom?

Do we choose life over death?

Do we even choose honor?

I don't know, I can only say what I feel in this heart...

I choose this path, because of what lies behind me, but walk it because what lies before me... I cannot sway or falter from this path, because of those who walk it with me---for I hold it up for them, and were I to falter they too would as well...

Others may come down a different path and bear the same burden likened to which I do, but I cannot stop them of their path, only hope the way mine leads is the right one...

In the end, you must decide for yourself, which one you walk or if you are ready to make your own... and that is what I am doing...

Walking"

She said, as she looked to him. A note was struck in her, something that showed her lineage, it echoed of the Terumi long since gone and their ability to sway hearts and minds, not with their beauty, not with powers, but with truth...

For a moment, as Namazu gazed to her, and listened to her words, it was is if he was speaking with Mei herself.