Oh, what a beautiful day. At least by all rights it should have been. The evening before had gone so perfectly right up until the last moment. Koga let out a little sigh. The wolf-nin had slipped. He knew it would happen. Dreaded the moment it did, but he had really slipped... It was worse than a little slip. He was starting to fall.
How could he be so stupid? He didn't deserve a woman like that. Asking to court her. If his father could see him now… But he couldn't. Dead bastard. Koga spit into the nearby trash at the thought. Getting the bad taste of acid out of his mouth that thoughts of his father always brought up. It was karma though. After everything the wolf-nin had done there was no way he could simply fall in love and live happily ever after.
The wolf-nin moved his legs a little. They were feeling a hell of a lot better. The woman was a medical marvel… There he goes again. Every thought always straying back to the one thing he shouldn't have.
"Koga-san," The loud flat voice of Isoshi came, "A visitor arrived as you predicted."
"You may enter," Koga called out. He had been waiting for precisely this. The door slid open and Isoshi's imposing figure entered in full armor. The man leaned slightly on his naginata. He seems a bit peeved by Koga. The wolf-nin noted to take some time to speak to the brothers. Such strength should be acknowledged and nurtured. "Describe her."
"How did you know it was a her?" The man questioned a bit of curiosity in his eyes.
"I can smell the fresh flowers on you. I believe I know who the individual is, but I need to be sure," Koga explained to the man noting a raised eyebrow.
"Younger woman by the name of Yugao. She has a stony face, brown eyes, red lipstick," The man thought for a moment, "Long straight purple hair."
"Her weapon?" Koga asked.
"A simple katana," The man shrugged, "Pretty non-descript too, but she refuses to relinquish the weapon before meeting with you." Koga chuckled and nodded.
"Then I think she is who she says she is, send her in please and she may keep the katana," Koga commanded. The man clearly didn't like that idea.
"Sir, you were attacked last night and you want me to let her in with a weapon?" Isoshi did not look pleased by the notion.
"Of course, you may wait outside of the room if you like, but I believe she is just here to escort me to the Hokage's tower so I may report what I know of my assassin. Also, send for Shizune-san please. If you do not mind," Koga added his face and tone completely flat.
The guard sighed and shook his head, "Hai." Koga watched his retreating form and waited patiently. Yugao soon after entered the room and gave him a once over with her eyes. He did the same. She was exactly as Isoshi described. Her outfit was simple. A flak jacket and black shinobi pants. Fairly standard except for a small detail. She wore a sleeveless shirt underneath the flak jacket and black gloves that ended just above the elbow with grey metal vambraces over the top.
"You know we must report to Kakashi-sama?" Yugao asked simply not wasting words. It was incredibly early, but she must have expected him to be ready to go anyways. Koga could admire that and so he just offered a slight inclination of his own head.
"I have a morning therapy session with Shizune-san I would soon not shirk, so you may wait where you choose, though I have been told the sight is unpleasant," Koga shifted slightly in his bed and grabbed a small piece of rubber from the stand. Soon Shizune entered and moved to his beside. He noted that she seemed to float over the floor. She was wearing her usual black kimono. No sense for theatrics today.
Yugao for her part simply watched as Shizune fussed over the man. Running her healing hands over his legs several times. She offered a small smile to both of them.
"Koga-kun, your legs are getting better much quicker than we originally anticipated," Shizune remarked looking them over, "Well, shall I get you up and ready?" Koga noted the happiness in her voice. The subtle bliss flitting through her eyes. The way her hair framed her face. Mundanely simple, but to the point of absolute perfection.
"After the treatment," Koga nodded at her and noted her raised eyebrow.
"Hokage-sama is probably waiting for the report now," the medic-nin replied sternly. That was just one more thing to love about her. She had the courage to admit when she was wrong, but the fortitude to stand her ground and fight when she knew she was right. Still, he wanted this treatment. Suddenly Chojuro's face appeared at his door and the swordsman entered.
"Chojuro, could you forge ahead and tell the Hokage I will be just a little tardy," Koga softly pleaded, "I am sure Hokage-sama will understand if you explain my predicament."
"Hai, Koga-san," The meek man answered before disappearing.
"You are sure? You will make Yugao-san late as well," Shizune admonished. Still holding her ground. He would have to think of something else.
"Actually, I am curious. I have heard rumor of these treatments. That and Kakashi-sama has it coming for having made me wait countless times," Yugao announced her own thoughts on the matter.
"You both are so bad. Alright Koga-kun, ready whenever you are." Koga offered a small nod before inserting the piece of large rubber into his mouth. He bit down and composed himself. The first part of the process called for segmenting a sliver of the leg for treatment. Shizune did that part for him and already he could feel the tingling from her healing jutsu. Then he had to feel it out. Let his chakra guide him to every last little fragment of bone.
There were quite a few of them today. He rechecked twice making sure he wasn't missing a single fragment. The next part was painful. He dreaded it every morning when he woke up. While his legs were in nearly constant pain, it was nothing next to this. He had to take all those fragments and reposition them like putting together a puzzle. They hadn't moved that far. But every tiny millimeter was excruciating. He chose one and began.
Immediately he bit hard into the rubber and let out a powerful pained groan. The rest of the world blotted out and stars filled his vision. This wasn't a fast process either. Even the small section that Shizune had chosen today took just barely under an hour. Every fragment eliciting blinding pain. Koga persevered through it all. It was either that or never walk again. A fair trade for the life of a comrade.
Once those fragments were back together the way they were supposed to be, he gave a small nod and Shizune started her part of the process. He would hold them together and she would weld them back into one solid bone, just the way it used to be. This part hurt less. It was a strange sensation. Some might call is pleasurable. It was that feeling of euphoria your brain sends out telling you the problem is fixed. That the constant pain or tension that bothered you for so long had been set straight.
By the time the entire process was complete Koga lay panting. The rubber piece had fallen out of his mouth a while ago. On top of it all, he was drenched in sweat. It was not a casual ordeal. His body was heavy and the leg still throbbed with residual pain. Already he could feel that easing as Shizune was finally able to numb the area. The process used quite a fair amount of his minor chakra reserves as well. Would that he had the stamina of an Uzumaki. Then again, it would be impossible to control so much chakra to such a fine degree.
"Yugao-san, I am going to assist Koga-kun with showering and making presentable if you could wait outside please," Shizune announced helping Koga sit up. Koga passively noted a slight twinge of pink in her cheeks. It seemed more from embarrassment than anything.
Koga didn't stop Shizune when she stripped him completely and helped him into the bath water. He didn't even stop her when she washed him down. He was not entirely lucid. The time passed in a sort of blur for him. Without her assistance he usually soaked in the tub for an hour before he had mentally recuperated enough to start bathing. All this without asking too. She was far too perfect for a guy like him.
There was a certain grace to her movements. More than that of a simple shinobi. Her years of experience in taking care of patients made every one of her movements precise. Not a single clumsy stumble throughout the entire process. Even as she began to assist him with getting dressed. By now he had snapped out of his daze and took over most of the process. He had some dignity.
Once he was presentable he found his butt back in the wheel chair and was being pushed along by Shizune. The woman hummed a little tune as they bumped along with Yugao in tow. The journey was quick and silent. Of course, they were still late. Even though no time was scheduled, the etiquette was to handle these sorts of things quickly, which they had failed to.
This didn't matter to Koga. It was all part of a simple strategy. Erratic behavior. The easiest targets reacted as expected at all times. The hardest targets were unpredictable. They might show up on time, maybe a little early, or horribly late. They never take the same path and never stick out. If possible, Koga preferred the simple answer.
It wasn't long before they had found their way into the meeting. Koga could smell it before he even entered. That wet dog smell. Inside was his answer. Three large dogs and three shinobi were present. They were speaking with the Hokage, but had stopped and glanced at him with more than a simple irritation.
The room itself was rather fitting. It was separate from the Hokage's office. A sort of long planning room. There was a table dominating the center of the long narrow room with over a dozen chairs surrounding it. When he entered an assistant removed one of the chair to allow Koga to take that place.
"Ah, glad you made it Koga-san," Kakashi announced offering an eye smile as he did so. The three present sweat dropped at a lack of ridicule or even a comment as to his tardiness. Kakashi wasn't much of a hypocrite.
"I apologize for my tardiness," Koga announced as he took position in the room. The wolf-nin offered those present a bow to go with the apology. A very formal and apologetic bow. This seemed to relieve some of the tension to those present. Every move a measured tool.
Koga for his part sat quietly and waited for them to proceed. The three Inuzuka had a low growl in the back of their throats as the scent of wolf touched their noses. At least, Koga presumed that to be the case. In truth, he could barely suppress his own urge to do the same, but Konoha was far from his own territory. The tension continued to subside as civilized heads prevailed.
"We were just speaking of the attack on you last night. Unfortunately, we were unable to turn up any evidence and we were hoping you would be able to shed more light on the situation," Kakashi brought Koga up to speed. The wolf-nin offered a slight shrug in response.
"I will tell you what I can, but I am afraid it isn't much," Koga began bringing the full attention of those present, "Nothing was particularly out of the ordinary during the festival. Minus the atmosphere in general."
"What do you mean?" One of the Inuzuka asked. He was a young man, probably just over twenty, with one fang painted on each cheek, tracing the jawline from upper cheek to lower jaw. Complete with medium length messy brown hair, sharp black slit eyes and pronounced canine teeth. He was wearing a fur coat over a standard Konoha flak jacket, black fingerless gloves, grey pants reaching to the calves and shinobi sandals.
"I felt compelled to be festive," Koga replied simply feeling a little stupid suddenly. "Something in the air, I am not sure. Just never been in a festival like that." No one seemed to comment, but everyone exchanged knowing glances. He assumed they knew what he meant. "Continuing on, most of the festival was normal. Eventually, after the festival had already peaked, Shizune and I departed from the main festivities to catch a breath."
"We talked for a bit and after the talk we shared a hug. During that exact moment of vulnerability, I heard someone muttering the words to an air bullet jutsu. I shoved Shizune out of the way. Upon doing so I noted three kunai which must have been thrown prior to the jutsu cutting through the air towards us. I caught them with my Masu and began forming signs for water bullet to intercept the air, since I was unable to dodge. The move was a success." Every eye was glued to him as they drank in the information hungrily.
"I was unable to pick up on the individual's movements after the jutsu had collided, and I had detected them moving from that location. I couldn't figure out where they had relocated so I wasted no time in summoning a thick mist to the area. Shortly after, Yugao arrived on scene and we never witnessed, nor could either of us sense the attacker any longer. It was possible, they retreated immediately after I blocked their jutsu, or at any point during the mist technique," Koga concluded glancing to them all.
"You Ookami are supposed to have a nose like our own though," That same young man mentioned leaning in a little, "You didn't smell anything?"
"I assume you were unable to find a scent in the area either?" Koga assumed, surprising everyone as to the intuition. The Inuzuka shook his head. "I had thought as much. They were well within my range of smell, but I never detected a scent even actively scanning for it. I can only speculate as to why, but perhaps something was developed to counteract my sense of smell, or more likely the Inuzukas' senses of smell."
"Anti-pheremones," The Inuzuka seemed to consider.
"Anything else to add?" Kakashi asked with his lazy eyes glancing over Koga. The wolf-nin replied with a shake of the head. "Then everyone is dismissed."
"Kakashi-sama," Koga interjected offering a slightly bow.
"Please, drop the sama," Kakashi sighed offering Koga his attention.
"Hai, I would like to issue a mission to Konoha in regard to the incident," Koga suddenly requested, glancing around to see how the news would be taken. Most of the Inuzukas frowned, but Kakashi remained indifferent. When it seemed they were waiting for him to continue, Koga bowed his head a bit and offered an apologetic smile, "Privately."
It had been a long meeting, but in the end, things had panned out. The wolf-nin found himself being pushed along again. The stop this time would be the embassy. Even though it was almost the middle of the day, the streets were far from bustling as was typical. Not that he could fault anyone. Most were incredibly hungover and Koga himself would be lying if he said he had escaped unscathed.
Koga saw the Mizukage with a strong escort emerge from a rather nondescript building. She immediately headed in his direction causing him to raise a brow and tense. The air around her seemed strained and as she passed by Koga she stopped and whispered into his ear.
"Watch your back Koga-san," Mei whispered no hint of her usual seduction, "Our circle of trustees is evaporating faster than morning mist." Then she was off. He stared after her for a while. Wondering just what the hell that was supposed to mean. Shizune offered him a confused smile as well. Not that she likely heard the warning anyways. With a shrug of his shoulders Koga nodded towards the path.
"Let's press on," the wolf-nin suggested.
Koga took a moment to steel himself as he looked up at the massive doors to the debate room of the Embassy. The debate room was where all serious decisions regarding the Shinobi Covenant would be discussed and voted upon. That meant that beyond those doors was possibly the most important battlefield of the past decade. Koga nodded and Chojuro opened the door, allowing Shizune to push him in.
Loud and quite heated voices could be heard momentarily before they cut off to stare at the newcomer. Koga took a moment to take in his surroundings. The room was circular and domed. It was mostly solid walls, but at the top of the dome was a small window that shed a beam of light down into the center of the room. A spot where a speaker may address the council if they so wished.
Surrounding this central pillar of light was a round table dominating most of the room. Banners of various villages adorned the room and in front of those banners at the table sat the delegations from those villages. All were accounted for within that room. Amongst those present was Temari for the Sand, Shikamaru for the Leaf, Kurotsuchi for the Earth, Mabui for the lighting, and many more that Koga didn't recognize to include support staff for each of the primary ambassadors.
Of note, one individual seemed particularly irritated as to his tardiness. Koga looked him over more seriously. The man held an easy air of authority. White, perfectly groomed and closely cropped hair framed a bony, gaunt, slightly elderly face. Small grey eyes, bulging from their sockets, studied him with an irritated and confused tone. A burn mark marred the man's neck covering all the flesh below his chin and disappearing beneath his clothing.
The man held his lips in a thin line, showing his distaste. There was something off about him. Maybe it was his attitude that flitted with curiosity, anger, and what seemed like intense hate for the briefest of seconds at a time? Or maybe it was just the air of authority the man held? Nonetheless, the delegation in his immediate vicinity seemed to shy away from his gaze.
Koga cleared his throat as he took his place at the Mist's appointed piece of the table. He then graped the table and stood up relying entirely on the table and his arms, earning a displeased hiss from Shizune who surged forward to assist him. With one hand, he waved her off quickly, using the other to support his weight. Then he offered an awkward, but deep bow.
"I apologize for my tardiness, but there was urgent business I needed to conduct," The wolf-nin apologized to the council. Most seemed unconcerned, but there were a few who seemed a little irritated. It would matter little in the long run.
"It is of no issue, we were idly discussing some topics for the day and awaiting your arrival for proper introductions," Temari called out. Most offered a nod in agreement, but that intense man offered another look.
"Of course, there would be no issue. Considering your very recent close brush with death," The intense man commented, causing Koga to dangerously narrow his eyes at the man and a murmuring to fill the room. What was that? A play about what left him in a wheelchair? Or was it a play about what had just occurred last night? If it was the latter, then the man either had well placed contacts in Konoha or one specific contact indeed. Koga's eyes flicked over the Grass hitai-ate. The wolf-nin didn't know this man at all.
"Well, we should begin. I, Subaku no Temari, sister of Kazekage Gaara, will take the place of lead ambassador of the Sand," Temari announced before taking her seat.
Shikamaru stood up next and it was clear that introductions would go clockwise. Following Shikamaru was Mabui for the Lightning. Then came one Koga wasn't familiar with.
The short young woman stood offering a little bow. She had light blue, long wavy hair which hung somewhat awkwardly over her furrowed brow and comely face. Her eyes were violet and seemed well sized. They portrayed a sense of peace or even happiness. The only blemish was a scar stretching from her bottom right cheekbone and running towards her left nostril, ending on her chin. Her mannerisms and word were almost seductive, or it could have just been her good will. The delegation surrounding her seemed comfortable and friendly in disposition whenever she spoke.
"I am Kira Suko and I will be primary ambassador of the Rain," She offered an eloquent bow. Koga noted her attire almost reminiscent of the Mizukage. A long black dress which left the tops of her shoulders uncovered, but did cover the sides flowing down into a square somewhat fancy neckline. It seemed comfortable and subtly removed the focus from her breasts without seeming too sloppy.
Her arms were completely uncovered. The dark fabric of the dress accentuated her gorgeous pale skin while maintaining focus on the dress. The dress' waist was narrow, but the fit was quite slim. Her hitai ate was wrapped around her waist the metal protector covering where her belly button must be. The dress reached to her shins, but was slightly longer at the sides and back reaching all the way to the floor.
The next delegate had been a surprise last minute addition. A man with short brown hair framing a thin, worried face. Fairly unremarkable, with simple black eyes. He had an almost mousy disposition which was explained away by the Sound Hitai-ate on his forehead.
"I am Aya Iesue of the Sound," The mousy man squeaked out offering a little bow before quickly sitting down.
Koga didn't expect much of anything from that area. In fact, it was likely Otogakure had simply staked a place in the council in the hopes of obtaining relief funding for their reconstruction and reformation. The wolf-nin didn't blame them.
The next man was withdrawn, with a sad aura permeating his being. He had short, brown curly hair and small black eyes. His outfit consisted of a violet jacket, black top, chest exposed and dark pants. Two holsters were located near each of his elbows and adorning his forehead was the Hitai ate of Takigakure.
"I am Kegon, standing in for the Waterfall," The man spoke quietly before sitting down. His eyes hadn't raised the whole time and he fidgeted with a deep scar carving a trench across the right side of his face.
The next man caused Koga to flicker his eyes with interest. This was the intense man who had challenged him so openly. He stood, his gray eyes boring into Koga for several moments of silence. Long enough for more whispers to be heard.
"I am Soga Taketaka of the Grass," The man announced in a voice that seemed to take full advantage of the acoustics of the room. His commanding voiced reverberating through the room with ease and seeming to make most sit a little straighter in their chairs. The man wore a traditional blue male kimono, tied with a black obi. Somehow the simple garment made his aura stand out more. Taketaka remained standing for a few moments longer than most before taking his seat.
The point was made. He intended to be a major contender. The remaining two villages were fairly unremarkable. That of the Star and Hot Water. Neither were major contenders on the shinobi stage, nor were they shinobi of repute. Then came himself. Koga once again made the point of using his arms to prop himself up into a standing position in front of the table. He took a small breath and simply pressed on. His mother had taught him the key to powerful public speaking. Care about no one present and only your own objective in speaking.
"I am Ookami Koga, ambassador of the Mist," His voice was clear and resolute, a clear contender to the powerful voice of Taketaka. If the man wanted to mark Koga as an enemy, he had certainly found one. More than a few heads turned to study the previously unknown wolf-nin. Many present would question his origins and that suited him. Let them confer and talk and become more interested. It would make them easier to sway in negotiations.
Taketaka didn't seem to take this lightly. Koga having been the last to make an introduction and also having shown up late to the delegation, which was intentional, would be by far the most memorable character of the delegation at its conclusion that day. And that intense man seemed to make it his mission to top that.
"A war criminal of the Fourth Shinobi War on this council," Taketaka murmured. It was a measured response. Only the two villages to his either side could properly hear the statement, though Koga with his advanced ears had also clearly heard it. What was the game? Koga's mind processed at an intense speed breaking down the ploy in a matter of seconds.
Taketaka was clearly familiar with Koga's background and likely knew he could hear that statement. It was a challenge and a test. To see how Koga would react to the statement. If Koga left the statement unaddressed it would help Taketaka to begin ebbing away at Koga's image and putting the wolf-nin at a disadvantage. Additionally, it would prove that Koga had little spine to confront difficult topics. On the flip side, if he challenged the statement poorly it might leave him even more disadvantage and could be a simple trap.
In fact, Koga knew it was meant in both such ways. Taketaka, must have been unaware that Koga's mother was former head of the Ookami Clan and had well-versed her son in the ways of diplomacy. Without taking his seat and mere seconds after the man had made his statement Koga shot him a sharp glare, killing intent filling the room and causing those around to shift uncomfortably.
"Soga-san," Koga began his voice powerful, yet measuredly calm, "If there is something you wish to address please speak plainly in front of the council. I don't believe all of us could hear." Taketaka frowned. He must have been hoping for Koga to either back down or immediately shoot insults back. Not draw the fight into the full light of the shinobi council. Koga's intent was clear. If Taketaka backed down he would lose face. If he addressed the notion in front of the whole council he would lose the benefit of a rumor spreading and eating away at Koga's image.
To his own credit Taketaka stood unflinching in the face of Koga's killer intent, "I was stating my displeasure over having an individual who committed crimes during the Fourth Shinobi War having a seat at this council. Namely you."
"And what crimes have I been accused of Soga-san?" Koga asked, his voice flat and even, no trace of emotion flickering through his façade. By now Taketaka must realize he was against a worthy well-disciplined and diplomatic shinobi. Koga could see a small bead of sweat form on the man's neck.
"You engaged a platoon of the Fourth Shinobi Alliance with malicious intent, barring them from taking key terrain. How could such an act not be considered a crime against the Shinobi Alliance?" Taketaka explained projecting his opinion to those of the council. Some murmured amongst themselves with interest others seemed less interested, but were still paying acute attention.
"By that definition you are saying it is a crime to protect your village from invasion. If that is the case, I think we are all criminals," Koga replied casually dismissing the notion. There were some chuckles. His mind was turning over the facts faster and faster as he began to anticipate his opponent's rebuttals.
"Defending your village? Hardly the case," The man blustered for the first time clearly angry, "That is what the Shinobi Alliance was doing!"
"My lands did not put forth any mission consenting to the presence of shinobi of any sort, for any reason, from any origin. The deployment of shinobi without express permission of the recipient territory is nothing short of an invasion. I acted accordingly. That strip of useless land is claimed by no country and falls outside of Shinobi Alliance jurisdiction even now," Koga calmly, but very firmly explained. He thought he saw a flicker of interest from Shikamaru. The smarter shinobi seemed aware of Koga maneuverings. There was but one path Taketaka could take to salvage the argument and it was a trap.
"You could have caused serious injury to the Shinobi Alliance," The man's voice died down halfway through as he realized his bluster had shot a hole in his own argument.
"Could have? No, I could not have. My responses were measured. I intentionally targeted supply caravans to force the shinobi to retreat with the intention of causing no fatalities and limiting wounds to superficial only," Koga continued, causing more positive murmurs to sound throughout the room. "Also, you seem to have left out the part where we defeated a landing force of one thousand White Zetsu, effectively and single handedly screening the rear of the Shinobi Alliance asking nothing in return."
Taketaka seethed, but nodded his head. "You have made your point Ookami-san," The man sat down knowing any further argument would dig himself into a deeper hole. Koga wasn't sure if he should hate the man, or thank him. His reputation would soar as word circulated of this meeting. It would be important to use that influence to properly shape the Shinobi Covenant. First was fixing that name.
Koga offered the man a nod and sat down with a little flop. It was hard to be graceful without use of his legs. Any pressure on them could shift the bone fragments again making his healing much more difficult.
Shikamaru cleared his throat before standing up. "Now that we have cleared up that misunderstanding and properly introduced ourselves shall we continue into our first topic?" Some seemed to nod in agreement. Koga himself was a little fatigued and willing to get out of there, but it wasn't something he could voice at this juncture.
"Uhm, suimasen, Nara-san," Kira Suko interjected with a smile. "Us from Amegakure have yet to settle in, I was hoping we could resume after a short break to properly assign lodgings." Koga inwardly sighed. Someone had saved them all anyways.
"Very well," Shikamaru nodded, "We will reconvene in one week's time. The topic of discussion will be the purpose and proper name of this Covenant. Everyone is dismissed." With that, murmuring broke out as everyone discussed the meeting amongst themselves.
"Very sleek Koga-kun," Shizune mentioned squeezing Koga's shoulder causing the Wolf-nin to crack the smallest of grins. She could pierce his façade so easily.
"Shizune-san," Koga began, receiving a slug on the shoulder.
"You don't have to be so formal," She scolded and Koga knew she was right. He must seem cold being so proper.
"Gomen, Shizune," Koga restarted, "If we could depart I want to start putting out an advertisement for an assistant to help the Mist conduct their duties." She smiled and nodded and they made their way out of the room.
As they left, Koga heard someone walk alongside them and felt a hand on his shoulder. In that instant his Wakizashi was half drawn as he glared up at the man. Taketaka.
"Remove your hand Soga-san, or lose it," Koga growled a deep throaty animalistic growl that sent a chill down the spines of those present save the man in question. The man simply looked upon them with unbridled disgust.
"My organization will be watching you," The man threatened, before departing. Koga sheathed his short blade as he stared at the retreating form of Taketaka. It might be that they had already found the face of this mysterious organization. Koga wondered idly at the bravery of the man to challenge him so openly. The only proper conclusion was that the man must think he had the support to, which alarmed Koga more.