[center][img]http://i59.tinypic.com/wvpkww.jpg[/img][/center]

"[color=007236]I'll go after him.[/color]"

Balancing one's own morals with the necessities of their vocation. That was the fine line that he had to walk upon every single day. To juggle his sense of mercy, of justice, with the greater good of the village. At times, he wondered what it would have been like had he not been a ninja, to avoid becoming a man who could kill so easily. The life was taxing on the soul. Some people chose to dull the pain, others to relish in it. He was of the former, trying to disconnect himself from the knowledge that everyone he killed had their own dreams, their own little habits, their own ideals ... all the little things that made people human.

It was easier that way.

Some people glorified ninja for their jobs. It could be exciting, Haruka admitted, but for all the heroics that they could perform, there was always suffering involved; always a disconnect to what should be good and proper.

"[color=00746b]Aoi,[/color]" said the green-haired chunin in a quiet tone, emphasising the fact that he had finally utilised her given name. "[color=007236]Don't do anything. Don't let anyone do anything. I will return shortly.[/color]"

He stood up to gaze into the Maquia's eyes, his own bright blue ones shining with resignation and a sense of pleading. He knew that if he left to go after Dotorame, then the old man would likely die while he was gone. It was how his fellow chunin was; always in motion, always unhesitatingly in action. But ... that wasn't something they could really risk right now. The old man was essentially at their mercy, harmless while they were present, trapped. For all that he sympathised with the man's plight, his death was the only means necessary to ensuring security. But that could wait a little longer.

Right now, what was important was Dotorame's emotional health.

Maybe it was simply a flare-up of anger, but the disparity between the young genin's ideals and what had just occurred ... that was something that could bring about more than just simple anger.

People forgot that how emotionally fragile they could be, at times.

"[color=007236]Please don't act, any of you,[/color]" he reiterated, voice firm. "[color=007236]Not yet. We can wait a little longer. Just a little longer.[/color]"

Haruka hoped they would listen. He needed to help Dotorame come to terms with it. For the young genin to come back to a dead body ... what effects would it have? He didn't know.

Quietly, the green-haired chunin exited the teahouse, making it out into the rain. The pitter-patter of water drops against his clothing was uncomfortable, but he could manage. It was just rain. The dark clouds crackled above him.

There was Dotorame. Sitting there.

Haruka stepped over, footsteps the only source of disturbance against the pitter-patter.

In silence, he sat down next to the younger ninja.

He waited.