[h1][color=DarkOrange]Tatsuya Kajiya-Terumi[/color][/h1]
[hr]Sunagakure, Meeting Hall, Hamajo Confederate[hr]

[i]Fuck, for a guy whose main fighting style involves slapping people, fucker can throw a punch.[/i] Tatsuya thought as he sat by himself at the table, doing his best not to hold his aching jaw. While it hurt like a bitch and Tatsuya was quite sure that one or two of his back teeth had become quite wiggly afterwards, he had been expecting to get a chakra enhanced palm strike to his gut, so he thought he'd gotten lucky all things considered. Of course, now he had a definite enemy in Higoho, so that was a long term problem he'd have to deal with and confront eventually. [i]Stupid fucking clone with the stupid fucking name had to insult the crowned prince of douchebaggery, as well as his whole clan of very influential people. Fucking hell, I hope that this doesn't backlash on dad's business.[/i]

Tatsuya let out a hissing sigh, still cringing everytime he moved his mouth, ignoring some of the others in the room looking at the big fat bruise on his jaw that was slowing beginning to take form. Most probably though he got it in the fighting, and as long as nobody asked, he'd let them continue to think as such. The cat had also begun it's speech, and it was a rather rousing one, he had to admit. Short, crude, and straight to the point, it served it's purpose and the source of it's delivery was so odd in it's manner that it gave the entire monologuema weird charisma to it. Tatsuya himself might've gotten caught up in the throws of patriotism as well, except for one tiny detail. He had a friend amongst the Red Sages, and a dear one at that. He very much doubted he'd be half the shinobi he was today if not for her, and the day he discovered her true allegiance was one of the worst in his life. 

He was stricken with fear at the thought of her being discovered, or worse yet, meeting her on the battlefield. He could never strike down a friend, and he'd like to think the same would apply to her, but if he didn't . . . what would happen to his family. Would they be suspected and interogated because of a plausible connection with the rebel forces through him. That and other such questions had plagued his mind for quite sometime, and yet, he foolishly thought that the day he'd have to face such a choice would never come. And while it still had yet to place itself before him, he could now feel the weight of it on his shoulders. They were at war now, and he was in a very compromising position. Actually, he'd always been in this position, it was just now that he was becoming aware of it.

[i]Well . . . this day is fucking perfect . . . hell, when was the last time I even saw Naomi-san? I wonder if she was apart of today's attack as well, killing other Confederates, people who are supposed to be my allies . . . fucking hell, why do things have to be so damn complicated!?!? Can't anything be fucking simple in this piece of shit world?!?![/i]

Needless to say, the speech left him feeling less then elated after the thing had finished it's speech, and was quick to do as it said and walk out the door. He wasn't paying any attention to where he was going or who was in his way, he just focused on moving one foot after the other, not wanting to let his thoughts linger on anything right now.

"Well . . . ain't this the cherry on a big ol' 'Fuck-my Life' sundae. I must've have really fucked people over in a past life. That, or Kami just loves to watch me suffer."Tatsuya let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair, the pain in his jaw only adding to the overall sourness of his mood.

[@Anyone who wants to take notice of Tatsuya's departure or general mood

[h1][color=Gold]Akio Tendou[/color][/h1]
[hr]Sunagakure, Meeting Hall, Hamajo Confederate[hr]

[i]I hate to compliment that vulgar shit on anything, but I have to admit that they know how to keep things to the point. Now if only it coukd work on being a genuine Psychopathic bastard, and who knows, might even get some respect not based on people pissing their pants when they walk by.[/i] Akio thought as she took a small sip from her flask, enjoying the acrid sting of Sunagakure brandy as it made it's way down her throat. She continued to take this sip for another second or two, then regretfully let it part from her lips as she put the cap back on. Normally, she would avoid drinking at meetings as she was still techinically on the job, but today was a special occassion. Why? Because, as far as she was concerned, her fuck-up at not being able to stop that Silver haired bitch from killing the general of the 11th Corps had thrust them all into a full on war with the Red Sages. While she knew that this war would happen eventually, she'd never thought it be on her watch. 

She looked around the room as Yakoul spoke, taking in all the young faces she saw before her. How many, she wondered, would actually survive the coming conflict. And how many pieces would they be in by the end of it. Because of her, they'd be exposed to true hell on earth, having to see friends, family, and comrades die in who knows how many brutal and painful ways. Given the nature of this war, some would even have to kill the ones they love because they lie on opposite dudes of the battle lines. War was coming, and who knows how many lives it would destroy once it arrived in full. 

[i]And with that sobering thought, here's a little more brandy.[/i] She thought with a sigh, pouring more of the mind-numbing nectar down her throat. As she looked around from her place in the corner of the room, partially hidden in shadow, she couldn't help but feel her eyes drift over to Aoi. A million words bubbled into her head, a thousand actions she wanted to perform, but instead of freeing her from inhibition, the dull burn of alcohol in her gut held her back. 

What could she say to her former lover that wouldn't just come off as weak or pathetic. She'd pushed her away long ago, and she'd been able to move on with her life just fine without her. She had become a person of importance and influence, while Akio, on the other hand, had become a depressive expendable with a drinking problem and no real reason for living except her work. She was a failure in every since of the word, and Aoi's success only seemed up intensify the feeling.

[i]Look at her. . . She's famous, beautiful, adored by thousands, and has risen to a position of high influence. She was always better on her own. . . I was just holding her back. If I go to her now it'd only be bringing up memories and feelings that have no chance of coming back. Just because I can't move on doesn't mean I should try and drag her back with me.[/i] It was at this moment that Akio caught herself staring at Aoi, and while her face was an impartial mask, that had never managed to fool the harlequin before. Whether Aoi had turned to look back or not, Akio would cooly look away, taking another swig from her flask before making her way for an exit. The world was shifting ever so slightly as the alcohol began to effect her head, but her gait was stable enough to give the illusion that she wasn't as buzzed as she really was. She had no idea where she was going, and honestly didn't care as it was away from here.

[@Savato]