The Investigation: Hunt for the Protector

I had just gotten back from my meeting with the ANBU of Harikengakure and he was correct, I had to search for the man that fought to defend my village. My villages ANBU were too preoccupied with the investigation dealing with the ones who actually assaulted the village so I had to take it upon myself to search for this man. I exited my kage tower into the village plaza below wearing my usual covered head to toe attire with the exception of my robe being the one of the Honokage. The people seemed busy and bustling, running into each other and hurrying to their own places of interest. I would walk through the crowd with barely any acknowledgement from the people which I was fine with, they needed to focus on their own work and let me work on helping the village. I would go to the main street and hop up to the top of a three story building and survey the area through my mask. I couldn't see anything but perhaps I could get a better view from the air. I continued to scout out over the horizon while charging hyouton chakra into my back, I had to find this man no matter the cost.

At an inn, relatively close to the gates of Houshangakure, the man who had stood against many was getting prepared in his room. He had been staying for quite some time now, and it seemed that things were a bit too unstable for him to stay. He was looking for structure, and now that there was no leader, it seemed his hopes for a permanent home were shattered. After a shower, proper grooming and being fully packed, he would make haste to the innkeeper's desk.

"I will be checking out now."

Since he was staying for free under Haru's penny, he simply walked off without waiting for a reply and entered the busy streets of the Land of Blazes. Civilians were everywhere, able to carry on with their lives. It reminded Sesshomaru of home though his blank expression did not give off the warm smile that his heart had felt. He was forever neutral in expression as he took a few steps onto the streets from the inn entrance and began walking. With only his blades on his side and a bag on his back, his next destination was unknown even to him. He would see where the tide would take him.

Wings would then appear on my back made of solid ice and I would take flight above my village. I then with great speed flew from district to district in an attempt to point out the man that was described from preliminary reports. The fight had happened days before so it was quite possibly that he had left already but I had a feeling in my gut that he was still here and that I would find him somewhere. I went to the market district and hovered above, my wings flapping and ice crystals falling from my wings. I looked around and couldn't find any unfamiliar faces, there were nothing but the usual civilians and harmless little genin running around doing D-rank missions. The first sign of recovery in my home. After being side tracked I shook it off and began to fly towards the direction of the village gates. I hoped he hadn't left already or maybe I could catch him as he was walking out the door.

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Through the bustling streets, Sesshomaru would walk. His silver hair swayed to the pace of his footsteps as his yellow eyes scanned nothing more than the direct path he was on. He could see the usual females falling hard in love with him on first sight, something that he had grown accustomed to during any visit basically anywhere. He would ignore the panty wetting party and just stroll along. He thought back at what could have been here in the Volcano Village but things seem to happen for a reason. It was time to move on.

As I reached the gate I would hover above it looking down at the traffic below me. There were traders and ninja going in and out of the village, the usual amount for this time of day but there was one person I didn't recognize. He had long silver hair and was easy to spot as almost every woman in the area was screwing him with their eyes. He also didn't have any bulky supplies or a headband for my village so he obviously wasn't a trader or one of my ninja. As he would prepare to leave through the gate I would land in front of him with my wings extended outward. I would look him in the eyes through my mask and ask him in a neutral tone "You...you don't look familiar, are you from around here?" I stood with my wings flapping slightly causing ice crystals to fall to the ground waiting for his response.

As Sesshomaru walked the isolated path of a wanderer, he couldn't help but catch the view of a man flying overhead, carefully keeping his eye on him but not breaking his stride. The man couldn't help but think that another thing would go wrong. After sometime, Sesshomaru had the feeling he was being followed by this figure so he tried to break concentration from it, and just look forward. Then in a matter of nothing, the figure stood before him, clad in frozen wings, something a bit odd for a land famous for sweltering heat. The winged man posed a statement in the form of a question.

"No, but I was just leaving. There is nothing for me here now.."

Sesshomaru would reply in the neutral tone in which he received his question, his yellow eyes looking into the soul of the man who stood before him. It was obvious to the male that this man had pursued him, so he stood in idle to catch a response from him.

Hmm there was nothing here for him here anymore. That clearly means he was here for a reason and something just didn't sit right about this man so I intended on finding out what that reason was. I began to speak, locking eyes with the man through my mask "Out of curiosity, what were you here for? Was the village capable of giving you a proper stay? I feel the need to ask if my village is standing up to the standards of tourists." I would chuckle lightly to attempt to give off a friendly vibe but under my mask my face would be serious, I wouldn't lighten up until I was certain as to why this man was here.

His village? The day Sesshomaru was battling the monkey warrior, the village belonged to Haru Satsujin. Did this mean that he was the replacement Kage? It seemed that way, yet Sesshomaru had neard no rumors of his taking of power. This didn't break the nothing that was Sesshomaru's expression however, so the man's internal process went unnoticed.

"I came as a man seeking to make a place my home. This village looked to be in the most need, and it appeared to be true by the actions that transpired at the hands of the intruding forces. However, there is no order here, and no order means no work, and I am looking for more than just a job. My skills are far above and beyond that..."

He would look towards the man, and it would be stone cold. A small humid wind would sweep by, and take the hair of the man in a sway. He felt as if the man would try to interrogate him, but he always had the choice to not listen. The man had the floor to speak once more.

Hmm no order? He obviously wasn't aware to the fact that I had taken over for the old kage, I wasn't just a temporary replacement. I continued speaking, not breaking my gaze with the mans cold eyes "There may not be much order now, but I have taken over now. The past kage Haru Satsujin has abandoned the village sadly and I have taken over permanently as Honokage. I plan on bringing this village out of its misfortune but I can't do it alone, I need the support of the people." This would be indirectly aimed at the man for the assumption that the village would have no hope of development now, I was striving to proof the people who thought so wrong.

"If that is the case, then what does this have to do with me? I am not one of your people.."

The male would look towards the new Honokage, unsure of what to make of him. There was an odd placement about him, as if his timing was all wrong. If this were the case, maybe Sesshomaru had a place to call home after all. The people here were going to need motivation. Maybe he would be that for this place. He waited further speaking from the new leader.

"The support of my people is not the only thing I need, I need the support of anybody. If one person begins to doubt the village their ideals may leak into the minds of the people and make them lose hope, and I don't want that, not in the slightest." I would have my arms crossed and ice crystals flowing around me from my wings waiting for this mysterious man to respond.

"Then in this time of instability and uncertainty, allow me to be the bridge that balances the scales."

He watched as the man kept his arms crossed in front of him. It was a rather rude gesture, for along with the mask, he seemed very closed in. However, Sesshomaru could be the open book for the people to help them understand this man. The warrior would wait for the response from the man, then there would be formal introductions along with some requests from Sesshomaru.

Did this man just offer to join my village? Had I done that good of a job convincing him? I would unfold my arms and dismiss my wings in an explosion of ice before continuing to the man "Are you offering to join my village? I am fully willing to allow you entry but I don't know which rank to instate you as, do you have any amazing feats under your belt?" I would keep eye contact with him, my eyes showing excitement of recruiting a new ninja, as I waited for a response.

"Im standing after confronting your attackers aren't I? I believe that is feat enough. However, it isn't me who should be asking. It seems you may need me more than I need you. So, that is the truth. So speak your wishes on the subject or I will be on my way.."

Sesshomaru spoke his final word on the subject, and stood still before the Honokage. There still was no names given between the two men and yet, a deal was being made to give Sesshomaru a place for him to rest comfortably. There was still too much smoke about this man, and where there was smoke there was fire. However, the man dawning the mark of the Crescent Moon decided to put trust in the situation for now.

So he was it! This was the man who had stood against the attackers who assaulted my village! And I was interrogating him like this? I bowed to him and spoke in an apologetic tone "I'm so sorry sir, I was unaware to the fact that you were the one to defend my village. I was looking for you to thank you for your bravery and reward you, and I plan on doing so by making you a jounin of my village." I would raise from my bow and make eye contact with him again, though it seemed like his face was blank, under the mask was a look of happiness and gratitude.

"Before I make a commitment, give me your true name. I won't make you take off your mask in front of everyone, however, secrecy isn't something I value in someone who I work with. But there will be a time where I will see your face, and it will be soon. As long as we are clear on that, I will accept your kind offer..."

Sesshomaru would not raise his voice, nor would he break face, even in the most intense of the negotiations at work between the two. That being said, it would show just how serious he was. A neutral facial expression was more dangerous than a tense one. Once this was out of the way, things would be right where Sesshomaru wanted them. He stood ever still, waiting again on the reply of his counterpart.

My true name...could I trust this man to not tell any of the villagers my name? It was on the top of my list for me to remain faceless to the crowd and help them bring themselves out of the hard times they've been having. I had to tell him though, this man defended my village and I believed that he had done enough to earn my trust to know my true name, and I didn't want to risk losing the ninja who had the strength to hold off three powerful ninja. I sighed from under my mask and leaned forward towards his ear and whispered "My real name is Toketsu Shokan, I trust you won't tell any of the villagers." I would lean away and make eye contact with him, serious under my mask waiting for a response.

"No further mention will be made. However, I need to find a home. So I will search for one I like, and report back to you at your headquarters...."

Sesshomaru stood still at the beginning of his sentence and slowly began to turn his body around to walk back inside his new home, The Hidden Volcano Village in The Land of Blazes. His head was the last thing to go as he still had eye contact with Toketsu before starting his walk.

"...I expect to see your face and hear your entire story. Until then Honokage-sama.."

With that, the man turned and began walking away, his hair swinging left to right to the rhythm of his steps. The Village was now one man stronger, and even more so, safe from initial disaster so as long as the now former wanderer was here. He would slowly fade into the population of the people, off to find himself a house of some sort.

[Exit]