[center][b][i]Chizuko Irozaki - Kumogakure ANBU - Entering the Land of Fire (Part 1)[/i][/b][/center] The sun set and the moon rose upon the Land of Fire, and while the people and animals slept, Chizuko Irozaki glared upon a map she simply couldn't figure out. After sticking close to the main roads when passing through the Land of Frost and Hotsprings, she found herself suddenly going in circles. She perched in a tree high above the ground as she tried to catch some moonlight so she could better see the map. She assumed she had been heading in the right direction until she began to notice the same patch of flowers that grew next to a thin creek. Not only once or twice did she pass it, but five times. After the fourth time she assumed she was caught in genjutsu but that wasn't the case, and so the fifth time around, she came to terms with the fact that she was lost. [i]First solo away mission and i'm already screwing up. Dammit.[/i] she scolded herself. From the corner of her eye she saw movement and in an instant concealed herself from view in the large leaves of the tree. Looking down below her, she spotted a man who came from the bushes and walked on his cane towards the creek. He was skinny and pale... as if he were going to drop dead at any moment. Sighing in relief as the man appeared to be of little threat, Chizuko knelt and watched him as she waited for him to leave. He sat down upon the ground with a grumble and stuck his feet into the water and Chizuko frowned when with another grumble, he laid back down onto the grass. The old man stayed there just as still and silent as she was for at least an hour until the voice of a woman began to make him stir. [b]"Satoru! Oh, where are you dear?"[/b] [b]"Obaa-chan i'll go look for him!"[/b] said the voice of a little boy afterwards. [b]"Okay dear. Tell your grandpa that dinner is ready. And... oh, be careful not to hurt yourself."[/b] The woman's voice faded and the light tapping of a child's footsteps was heard getting closer and closer. [b]"Ojii-chan! Its time for dinner!"[/b] the voice of the boy repeated in a singsong tone. Finally the old man began to stir and he sat up just as a small white haired boy burst through the bushes and came at him running full speed. Though, midway the little guy tripped and fell upon the old mans chest. With a shout of pain, the old man sat up and after a moment, the two started laughing. Chizuko couldnt help but smile as the little boy helped his grandfather to his feet. [b]"Its time for dinner! Come on, come on, come on!"[/b] the boy squealed happily as he dashed back in the direction that he came. [b]"I'm coming, i'm coming."[/b] the old man said as he slowly started to amble away. After taking a few steps he stopped and turned. [b]"You there. In the tree. How long were you planning to watch me like that? A hello would have been nice."[/b] Chizuko's eyes widened as she crouched down and hid further. [i]There was no way he could have heard me... I was completely silent."[/i] she thought as her heart quickened its pace. [b]"Come on out so i dont have to hurt cha. This is private property you know."[/b] he grumbled as he stood there waiting. Chizuko thought for a moment, weighing her options and sighed when she decided she had to get down and apoligize anyway. Moving from her spot in the tree, she jumped down and landed on her feet in front of him only a few meters away. With a closer look at the mans face, she could see that he appeared to be completely blind. This brought more questions to her mind as to how in the world he noticed her if he was blind as a bat. Before she could say anything, he turned and began walking the other way. Chizuko simply stood there and after a few steps, he paused. [b]"Arent you coming?"[/b] [b]"Where?"[/b] she asked after a moments hesitation. [b]"To dinner of course!"[/b] he said turning to face her. [b]"Oh... I cannot-"[/b] [b]"It is an invitation. You young ones these days are always turning down my invitations. No respect for your elders i tell ya. Now lets get going, I'm not giving you any choice in the matter."[/b] he grumbled as he started walking away again. She was surprised as this was happening so suddenly and simply followed after the old man. It was not long before they reached a modest house in the middle of the forest and the little boy from before could be seen waiting by the door. When he looked up and saw Chizuko standing behind the man, he squealed. [b]"Ojii-chan! Behind you! A monster!!!"[/b] the boy said as he dashed towards Chizuko with a brave look on his face like he was ready for a rough battle. she had raised her hands to protect herself from the little guy, but just as he got within a foot of her, the old man stretched out his cane and the boy went smashing into it head first. He fell back onto his butt and looked up at the two of them pitifully with a red mark on his head. [b]"Kohaku this is no monster. She's our guest."[/b] he said before turning to look at her over his shoulder. [b]"Take off that crazy mask or you'll be gettin some of this too, ya hear?"[/b] he said waving his cane before limping away. Again, Chizuko was stunned as to how he even knew she was wearing one. Lowering her head in defeat, she removed her mask and attached it to her belt for safe keeping. A glance down at the boy let her see for a moment that he was staring at her with wide eyes. She reached down and picked him up by the collar to with he squirmed and started throwing fists. [b]"Unhand me you beast!"[/b] he squealed. Becoming slightly annoyed, Chizuko simply carried the boy by collar towards the house up to where the old man was holding the door open for them. Stepping inside and tossing the little boy aside like a rag, she glanced around the place as the most wonderful smell in the world filled her nose and brought tears to her eyes. A loud growl came from her stomach and the old man laughed. [b]"Get ready to feast young one. My wife makes a killer curry."[/b] he bragged as he led the way to the kitchen. [b]"Sora, we have company today. Hope you made a lot."[/b] [b]"C...curry!?"[/b] Chizuko said happily as the elderly woman turned and started to bring a large bowl of curry to the table that was set with three plates of rice. [b]"Oh, I love it when we have guests. I've got it dear, sit and i'll fetch you a plate,"[/b] she moved out of Chizuko's way when she had reached out to help with the bowl that looked rather heavy. Awkwardly, she sat down across from the little boy who was glaring at her. [b]"Obaa-chan we cant serve this lady! She looks like a man!"[/b] [b]H-hey! At least I dont look like a dog."[/b] she retorted childishly. [b]"Kohaku hush up and eat. You too young lady, no bickering at the dinner table."[/b] the woman said as she served the boy some food. Him and Chizuko both mumbled a 'yes ma'am' and then glared at each other from across the table. Once everyone had their plated filled, the three shouted in unison 'Itadakimasu' before digging in. [b]"Itadakimasu."[/b] Chizuko mumbled quietly before she too began to stuff her face. She swooned at the taste of the curry, as it was probably the best thing she had ever tasted. While the family talked about their gardens and Chizuko ate seconds and thirds, the winds outside began to howl and get stronger. It was around that time when Chizuko had gotten her fill of food and was wanting to ask for directions to Konoha, but was hesitant to interrupt the conversation between the three. After a few minutes, the older woman looked to Chizuko and spoke. [b]"Where is it your coming from, dear?"[/b] [b]"I come from the Hidden Cloud village. I need to get to the Hidden Leaf, but it seems i have missed my way."[/b] she said simply. [b]"So what, your one of those travelling ninjas?"[/b] the man asked with a scoff. [b]"Eh? Um... i would not call it that exactly.[/b] she replied. [b]"Whatever. Let me see... you got a map on ya?"[/b] Though she was going to point out the fact that he was blind and wouldn't be able to see, instead she just sighed and pulled out her map and unfolded it before handing it to him. A long moment passed before he frowned. [b]"Well, we live about here."[/b] he said, pointing on a spot on the map. She leaned over to take a look but was skeptical that it was even right. [b]"About a mile west of here is a road that should lead you straight there. Yer not too far out of your way, you just need to head backwards."[/b] Chizuko gave him a look that was very questioning. [b]"Are you certain that is the way?"[/b] she asked. [b]"Of course im sure! I been living 'round these parts all my life!"[/b] he hollered and tossed the map back at her. She folded it and stood up. [b]"Thank you for your hospitality, but i must leave at once."[/b] She took a few steps away from the table and retrieved her mask to put it on. [b]"Thank you for coming today dear."[/b] the woman said. [b]"Next time you visit, bring the whole family."[/b] Her last statement caused Chizuko to blink and hesitate. [b]"Whole family? I dont understand."[/b] [b]"Well, pretty young girl like you must have some kind of family."[/b] [b]"Um... that is... you see, I dont really have a family. I live on my own for now."[/b] she said, looking down at her mask. She traced the lines of it with her nail and stayed quiet. [b]"Oh I see. Still waiting for the right man to come around? Word of advice, woman to woman, sometimes you have to go and get what you want instead of waiting for it. Thats how i met my husband, the old coot."[/b] [b]"Heyy."[/b] he mumbled. [b]"He was blind by the time i met him, so its not like he was going to see me."[/b] she pointed out, This conversation was starting to make Chizuko uncomfortable, and she wanted to leave before she said anything embarassing. [b]"I really have to go now..."[/b] [b]"All i'm saying is that its okay to assert yourself. You have someone you like, am I right?"[/b] the woman cut her off. [b]"Yes, I suppose i do... And thank you. I'll keep that in mind."[/b] she said, sighing. Why were they even suddenly talking about this? What was with old people and suddenly changing subjects? [b]"So, bring him next time you hear?"[/b] [b]"He is very busy.... but if I get the chance to steal him away I will bring him."[/b] [b]"Promise?"[/b] the older woman prodded. With a long moment of hesitation Chizuko said [b]"I'll try my best."[/b] before placing her mask back on and disappearing. The older woman looked at her husband who shook his head then smiled. [b]"She will be back. No doubt about that."[/b] --- It was not long before Chizuko found the path that the old man had told her about and was surprised that she had missed such an obvious route to take. With a sigh and a stretch, she began walking casually down the road, not sensing the presence of anyone nearby. The only downside of having as full belly was the fact that she didn't have the energy to run anymore. In fact, she would have taken this time to sleep in a tree had she not been sent on a mission directly from Chase.... or Takeru? She didn't really know what to call him now. Sighing heavily as she walked, she thought back to their conversation before he had sent her away.... when she had seen it was Chase who was Raikage now, she had felt multiple emotions at that time. The strongest impulse she had felt was to run to him and give him a hug, but she couldn't do that. Finding out who he really was didn't change anything... did it? Chizuko went to his office looking for answers, and in return she got them and more questions to fret about. [i]Ah... why am i suddenly thinking about silly things?[/i] Whenever Chizuko thought back to the old woman, she questioned why she had told her that she had no family and why when the woman asked about bringing a guy next time, the first person she thought about had been- [b]"Chase!?"[/b] she said in a panicked voice as she heard the sound of footsteps suddenly very close to her. In a second, she spun and threw a kunai in the direction of the sound and frowned when she heard a familiar voice. [b]"No not Chase, Koha- ah! Geez crazy lady are you trying to kill me!? Watch where you throw those things."[/b] Blinking as she saw the kunai landed at the feet of the little white haired boy from before, she crossed her arms. [b]"You better watch who you're following Kohaku.... and what are you doing here?"[/b] [b]"Obaa- chan wanted me to give you this lunch for your trip."[/b] he said walking over and handing her a bag. Chizuko looked inside and saw it was a small bento lunch packed with a note that read: [i]Some food to keep your energy and your spirits up. ~Sora and Family[/i] [b]"This is very kind of you. Thank you."[/b] she said before turning around and continuing her walk along the path. [b]"Hey, wait! Can i walk with you for a bit?"[/b] Kohaku asked her. [b]"Uh... no. I'm on a very important mission right now and-"[/b] [b]"Who's Chase?"[/b] he asked suddenly. [b]"I... that... no one."[/b] [b]"What do you mean no one? I heard you say that name. Is it the guy you like?"[/b] Behind her mask, Chizuko felt her face getting hot. [b]"No. Our relationship is strictly professional."[/b] [b]"Ooooh so he is somebody?"[/b] he said in a weird tone as he did a weird wiggle of his eyebrows. [b]"Will you just get lost?'[/b] Chizuko said, pushing the boy away from her. He stumbled for a bit then laughed and jogged to catch up with her as she started fast walking. [b]"Aww, come on. How about this. You tell me about him and then i'll leave you alone."[/b] [b]"No."[/b] she said firmly. [b]"Come oooon! Grandma said i cant go home without something."[/b] [b]"No."[/b] [b]"Pleeeeeeeeease!?"[/b] [b]"....... You promise to leave me alone after?'[/b] Kohaku nodded and when she sighed he yelled "Yes!" as if he knew that was the sound of her giving in. Once again she took off her mask and put it away before fixing her hair and turning her head to face the little guy. [b]"Pay attention... i'm only going to tell this story once. You also have to promise me that you and your family wont tell anyone else. Can you do that for me?'[/b] [b]"You got it crazy lady!"[/b] [b]"My name is Chizuko."[/b] she mumbled and crossed her arms. [b]"Whatever, just start telling!"[/b] [b]"Okay...."[/b] With a smile she looked up at the sky and thought back to when she was a little girl. [b]"Ever since we were little, Chase and I were pretty close... we both tried our hardest to be really great shinobi and somehow, he always ended up being better than me. I guess that is the quality in him that i have grown to admire the most...."[/b] [center][i]~To be continued...~[/i][/center]