[center][b][i]Some sad news, Told by a little bird. A collab made between Chromehound and Little Alice.[/b] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of the collab :[/i] Reyna and Michi about to head to the announcement and then on towards the arena of where she will have her match. But prior to the match, Michi whispers something in Reyna's ear.[/center] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [hider=Towards the match] The small nose of the armadillo tickled her hand as Akutō ate the treats she held for him. Smiling slightly at the strange sensation, Reyna scratched the small creature under his chin, turning towards where Michi was perched. [b]"Do you know who I am facing, Michi-sama?"[/b] She asked, her voice sounding a little more hollow than she hoped. Akutō caught the tone and looked up at her from where he was snacking. Seeing the look in Reyna's eyes, the armadillo decided to wisely say nothing, and instead he returned his attention to eating. The sparrow was looking out of the window and only turned around after Reyna had asked the question. [b]''Not yet. I do see people moving towards the arena or that big facility. Probably for the announcement.''[/b] Michi said. Somehow it sounded like he was trying to be careful to not sound rude or stern. Cocking his head to the right, the eyes of the bird were squinted as he observed the jinchuriki. [b]''Are you ready?''[/b] Michi then asked. Not answering for a moment, Reyna thought hard about the question. When she had first found out about... about Deidara, it had been devastating. Reyna had not known how to react. She hadn't been allowed to see Midori, nor was there anyone familiar around with whom she could properly grieve. And so, she had been forced to grieve alone, knowing that Midori was stuck in the same situation, and wishing she could be there for her friend. As the days had passed, Reyna had tried to grow strong, tried to put away her emotions so that she wasn't just an upset little girl. Deep inside she knew it was a lie, but if she could convince everyone around her, then maybe... just maybe, she would eventually end up believing it herself. [b]"Yes."[/b] She finally answered, patting Akutō on the head affectionately. [b]"And Michi-sama... just... thank you. For staying with me. I know you're under orders and probably wouldn't still be here if you had the choice... But thanks."[/b] The words of Reyna caused Micho to blink rapdily with his eyes and growing confused. The thanks of Reyna had caught the bird off guard and Michi wasn't sure why Reyna was thanking him. From her words, he was glad that she understood that orders were orders, but thanking him for just doing what he had been told? It was very strange in his opinion. Setting it aside, the bird hopped a bit around as he seemed to think. [b]''Then I suppose we should get going now. Have you checked your gear?''[/b] The bird asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable for some reason. Nodding her head, Reyna glanced at the bed where she had laid everything out. Her two sword-whips were shining faintly from the fresh clean she had given them, and the rest of her tools and weapons were laid out beside them. Sighing inwardly, Reyna set the armadillo down beside her. [b]"I think it's time to go, Akutō. I may be needing you soon, so try and get some rest."[/b] Scratching the animal's armoured head affectionately, Reyna watched him poof away in a small puff of smoke. Gathering her weapons and tools, she looked back at the sparrow. [b]"Ready when you are, Michi-sama."[/b] Spreading out his wings, Michi hopped off the desk as he would then soar to land on top of Reyna's right shoulder. [b]''I am ready.''[/b] The sparrow told her. He looked sideways at her before looking at front. [b]''I suppose that I don't need to brief you in that you will face now somebody more experienced than before?''[/b] The sparrow however continued. [b]''Lets hope that you will face somebody who isn't more experienced than you are.''[/b] Realizing that he had said that it could be seen that he was hoping it for her, the sparrow raised his head a bit. [b]''Not that I wouldn't mind to see a good fight.''[/b] Grinning despite everything else, Reyna threw a quick glance towards the sparrow. Exiting the hotel, Reyna thought about the match ahead. She had no idea what to expect, but Michi was right. From here out, the competition was only going to get harder. She had been lucky in her first match, and Reyna doubted she would have that same luck again. If she hoped to win this time, she was going to have to rely on her skill and her training. [b]"Do you know anything about the other participants?"[/b] She asked the sparrow, knowing it was a longshot. [b]''Not really, no. I have been keeping my eyes on you as I was ordered too.''[/b] Michi said. Spreading out a wing, the bird tried to gesture to the village they were walking in. All that rain, how annoying. [b]''I have some information that I gained over the times that I worked with Lady Asami. So if you are fighting against a well known clan member, I could provide some intel.''[/b] Folding his wing again, the bird's mood was growing more grumpy with each rain drop. It was very irritating for the sparrow and kind of depressing that he had to stay as long as Reyna would be in Amegakure. He longed for the cold and fresh mountain air that was easy to find in the Lighnting Country. Not this damp rain! Noticing the bird shifting on her shoulder once again, Reyna reached into her pocket and retrieved the small umbrella she had bought from the market two... or was it three days ago...? She had lost track of what day it was after spending so much time cooped up in the hotel room. Michi had let her out, under strict supervision of course, and even then she had only been as far as the market. The rain didn't bother Reyna as much as she had thought it would, but it was clear that the sparrow was not overly fond of the rain. Unfolding the umbrella, Reyna raised it above her head, shielding them both from the weather. [b]"I suppose we shall find out soon enough,"[/b] she said quietly. Glad with the small umbrella that Reyna used, Michi nodded a bit, as a sign that he approved the action. [b]''Though, keep in mind that my intel isn't that detailed or useful. I am not a combat summoning after all.''[/b] There was some tone in Michi's speech that caused him to sound like he was pouting. [b]''Not to mention that times change, so perhaps my intel might be even a bit outdated.''[/b] Already the bird was thinking and trying to remember all the clans he had heard off or seen in action. But there were so many clans and a lot weren't really alike, thus Michi decided that he would wait and see who Reyna's opponent would be. Smirking at the bird's tone, Reyna would have been tempted to bug him about it, if not for the flurry of other thoughts racing through her mind. [b]"I am sure that anything you can tell me will be useful, Michi-sama."[/b] They neared the spot of the announcement, and already a crowd was gathering. Reyna could feel her stomach churning with the nerves as she waited to here who she would be facing. A few names were called out and it took Reyna a long moment to realize that hers was one of the ones that had been mentioned. [i]Ko-Koike Hon?[/i] The name was not familiar to her at all, and Reyna wished she had paid more attention to the previous matches. She hadn't had much time to study after... Turning to Michi, Reyna whispered, [b]"Have you heard that name before?"[/b] The bird remained silent, thinking about the name of Reyna's opponent. Then the bird produced something that was close of what could be considered as a sigh. [b]''Sadly, the name doesn't say anything to me. The surname however,''[/b] Michi paused. [b]''The Hon clan is one infamous clan in the Fire Country. They have produced some capable shinobi, like the Third.. Hokage? I believed it was called Hokage.''[/b] Michi shook his head lightly, trying to focus on information that would help Reyna in her coming fight. [b]''Mostly renowned lightning users and other than that, they don't have a bloodline ability. At least, I thought so.''[/b] Michi wondered if he was thinking about the correct clan. Pondering about it, he decided it wouldn't matter that much. If Reyna would be careful, then she could perhaps gain a win. Nodding her head, Reyna thought about what the bird had said. Michi hadn't been able to share too much information with her, but at least she knew that her opponent was likely quite formidable, and a member of the Hidden Leaf village. The ones who had killed Deidara... A small amount of lightning began sparking out of her, as Reyna's eyes filled with cold anger. [i]How could they!?[/i] Someone from the Leaf village had murdered her teammate, her friend. They hadn't told her who, most likely because that person was still a participant in the exams, and they didn't want Reyna to attempt to get revenge. Not that she was capable of it anyways... she could barely take care of herself. Shaking away the thoughts of self-pity, Reyna could feel her rage building. Seeing the arcs of lightning that began to shoot from her body, Reyna stepped away from the crowd, trying to rein in her emotions. The crackle of lightning in the air had caused Michi to hop off Reyna's shoulder. The rain was a better option than to be zapped by the girl's lightning. Flapping his wings, to remain in the air, he noticed that Reyna's attitude changed. Wondering for a second why she had shifted to a more cool stance, he remembered what the cause was. Not sure if he approved it or not, the bird waited until the lightning had vanished before landing back on Reyna's shoulder. [b]''Getting angry, are we?''[/b] Michi whispered. [b]''You know, this could be the perfect chance to vent out and who knows? A bit of vengeance?~''[/b] Biting her tongue, Reyna slowly shook her head. [b]"It wouldn't be right. Not unless I knew for sure it was the person who... Not unless I knew."[/b] Sighing, Reyna felt suddenly defeated, as if all her energy had been sapped out of her. Making her way towards the arena, she knew her match would be starting soon. [b]"What do you think I should do?"[/b] [b]''Try to win.''[/b] Was the simply answer of Michi. The bird seemed to consider something. [b]''And why wouldn't it be right? Was it right of Deidara to die at the hands of a Leaf nin? If that is your justice, then I suppose that it is perhaps better this way.''[/b] Michi said. If a sparrow could smirk, Michi would have done so, but seeing that he couldn't do so, the bird decided to add something. [b]''I think nobody would batt an eye when you would try to go for a kill.''[/b] Clenching her fists, Reyna's mind was at war with itself. A part of her kept screaming that it wasn't right, and that murdering someone else in cold blood just because he might be the one who killed her friend, would lead her down a path she didn't want to go down. But, on the other hand, she found herself agreeing with Michi. Her goal was to win this fight, and, if something somehow happened along the way, well... accidents happened all the time in the exams, right? [b]"I should head to the field."[/b] She told Michi, [b]"I'll need to prepare myself for this."[/b] In reality, Reyna thought it would be best if she had some time to herself, even if it was for a single moment. The match would start soon, and she needed to get her thoughts in order before the fight. Moving to the edge of Reyna's shoulder, Michi couldn't say that he was disappointed. He wasn't sure if he had seen it alright, but he thought his words had delivered the poison he wanted to give. They weren't his orders and he wouldn't really care, but it would prove interesting to see if the girl was vurnable to words like these when she had lost somebody close to her. [b]''Best of luck then. I will be nearby.''[/b] The bird told her as he leaped off her shoulder and would fly away. Probably trying to find a spot where he would be able to watch the match of Reyna without the risk of getting zapped or what so ever. Nodding as the bird flew away, Reyna headed towards the entrance of the arena. Trying to steady herself, she walked slowly. Not for the first time, she wished Midori could be there with her. She could use a friend right now, and Reyna didn't have many left... Fighting back another surge of emotion, she approached the gate. [i]This is it.[/i] [/hider]