.22
"You're wrong. It's not the world that's messed up; it's those of us in it. Yes, some ghouls walk a path that leaves sorrow in their wake, but just like humans, we can choose a different path altogether. We have a lot to learn, both your kind and mine. We need to stop fighting, and start talking. Because when it comes to the state of the world, you can't point your finger at ghouls or humans. We're all to blame."~ Tokyo Ghoul
…
Ino by no means could say that she was all that familiar with the red head. Sure she's seen the Jonin around the village and remembered her from her brief time at the academy with the rest of them. But they were not friends. They weren't close, they didn't talk. All that being said it didn't take a genius to see that something was wrong.
Mitomi appeared to have lost at least twenty pounds, she looked dead on her feet with dark circles under her eyes, and hallowed out cheeks. The Yamanaka heir could not figure out how the teen had even been cleared for this mission in the first place. She had the vague recollection that her dad was the one who gave the other girl her last psyche evaluation. So it just didn't make sense, her father would have never allowed anyone in that sort of physical condition in the field.
For someone to get to that point physically meant the mental state was in full on disarray. That whatever inner turmoil they were dealing with was bleeding out. It was absolutely appalling to think that there village had allowed one of its shinobi to even get to that point and was still allowing them to run missions.
She wasn't the only one thinking this either. Ino knew her boys better than anyone, and she could tell they were all thinking about the same thing. What the hell was going on with Mitomi?
Ino cast one last look over at the younger girl. The red headed jonin was doing her best to ignore them, she had been since they set off this morning and the only person who could get anything out of her was Asuma-sensei. And he was just giving her whatever space she needed. It just didn't make sense.
This was supposed to be a team, even with the added member for this mission. But Ino couldn't shake the feeling that Asuma-sensei was hiding something from them about Mitomi, about what she was really doing on this mission.
A hand landed on her shoulder, Ino looked back at Choji who was watching the girl as well Shikamaru standing behind him. "It's best if we don't think about it right now." This wasn't something they were going to be able to piece together easily or if they got caught. Choji gave her a soft smile, he agreed with Shikamaru. Typical.
And as much as she hated to admit it, Shikamaru was right. They had other things to worry about.
..
I stayed at the back of the little group as we headed into the populated city. As we drew closer to the destination I let La and Ra return the summon realm. Kei remained at my side, my faithful companion. The oldest and largest of the sisters was a fierce protector, she would not allow any harm to befall me as long as she remained. I felt better having her here with me. Kei nudged my leg softy as we came to a stop in front of the place we were to be meeting our client.
I remained behind the group as we headed inside, I needed to figure out what kind of people we would be dealing with. They wanted a fuinjustu specialist, and so they got me, but I always had the last say in if I would give them what they desired. Self-preservation at its finest. Carefully a made an account of our surroundings. They painted a picture I was already beginning to hate.
"Greetings Leaf shinobi, my name is Tenzai Shou, I am here on the behalf of my client-" A man in diplomatic clothes begins. His voice is grating and shallow and I have already heard enough. This man is a representative of whoever our client is supposed to be.
I let the rest of his well-rehearsed speech drown in the back of my mind as I try very hard not to kill this man. I loathed politicians of any kind and that's what this creature standing before us was. He was not someone who I personally could work with, not someone I would be willing to make seals for. No matter what the reasons were.
I would never play with politicians again. No, never again.
"And who might you be?" Blinking I realize that this terrible guise of an actual human being is standing a few feet closer to my person that I appreciate. I take a second to remind myself that stabbing him through the eye socket is probably not in my best interest and lay a hand on Kei's head to calm her. Her fur is raised and her ears down. If given the chance or my approval she'd eat this man alive.
I just might let her.
I blink one more time, ignoring the man completely as I take in the looks of Asuma and his little team. They're a bit on edge it seemed, I wonder what this man said to make them like that. Finally I turn my head back to look him the eye. My own eyes narrow.
"Step back." There is a hint of a warning, and he only inches closer. I draw in a breath, turn on my heels and walk away. Team ten remains still in there spots watching my movements closely.
As I reach the door I look over my shoulder and meet this snakes eyes on last time. "The fuinjutsu specialist. Who will not be doing business with you." I leave them all standing there as Kei and I head back into the crowded city.
..
Asuma watches as she leave, that's it, he just watches. He doesn't try to stop her, doesn't allow any of them to go after her. Their sensei just let's her leave after what appeared to be disrespecting a client. Shikamaru frowns as they walk away from the building, his hands long stuffed in the pockets of his chunin vest. Ino and Choji are quiet.
"Asuma-sensei what was that?" Ino finally ask after they sit down in a small barbeque place to eat. Her eyes half curious and half concerned. Asuma actually sets his chopsticks down with the question a serious look takes over his usually jovial facial expressions.
"Her call, and I would have made the same one." Asuma is actually thankful that she did what she did, because he didn't know if he'd being able to work with a man like that.
If Mitomi had actually been paying attention the whole time, he positive she would have killed him. Some of the things that he had insinuated were just terrible, not to mention the obscurities the man threw at her as she left.
"But what about payment, he said they paid upfront?" Shikamaru questioned after a moment. Something just didn't make sense here. Asuma sighed while shaking his head.
"Missions that request a fuinjutsu expert at that level require half the payment of the mission of front and they are warned at the desk that the expert has the right to turn the mission down even upon arrival with no refund." Asuma wondered if those three realized how spares the amount of fuinjutsu users there were in the village and just how much Uzumaki Mitomi was requested for missions like this because of her specifies in that field were.
"Why did she say no?" It was Choji's turn to ask a question it seemed and before Asuma could offer them his best guess, the red head in question walked up. Apparently having heard a good majority of their conversation too.
"Because I hate politicians. Politicians get innocent people killed. They try to mess with things that they simply do not understand so therefore I do not work with politicians." She slid into the empty spot next the Asuma.
"We can leave in the morning if you still won't take the mission." Asuma tells her, Shikamaru watches. She furrows her brows together thinking, contemplating the next move. He briefly wonders what playing shoji would be like against her.
A thought he pushes away just a fast. Not the problem on hand.
"Unfortunately I do still have a mission here, but you and your team are welcome to return to Konoha at first light." She tells him while glancing up into the ceiling, Asuma frowns at her.
"I figured, how long do you need?" He questions. Shikamaru finds the whole exchange odd, what other mission did she have? Why weren't they told?
"Another day at most." She answers easily, never taking her eyes off the dirty ceiling. Asume lets out yet another sigh.
"I think we can manage another day." This time she doesn't reply, Shikamaru watches as she nods her head before sliding back out of the booth and leaves them.
The three chunin share a look then, one that their jonin sensei does not miss. Each thinking that same thing. What the hell is going on?
XOXOX
What is Mitomi doing? That is what I'm sure you are wondering, and I promise that all will be revealed in time. Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you think!
Also if you were wondering about the anime or cartoon quotes I use, I haven't seen all of the titles associated with them. Just some.
Sincerely, La'Rae
To everyone who reviewed the last chapter you guys are awesome and I love you!
:D