[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/LzLsOEI.png[/img][/center] Sitting at the table at which the Akatsuki were to meet, cross legged at her seat and slowly rocking back and forth, one would find the hero of every story she found herself in. Kareha leaned over the table, propping her chin up with the palms of her hands, resting her elbows against the table. [color=577dbf] “We make a cute family.”[/color] She said through a clenched jaw. Her eyes were bright and beaming with excitement. She stopped rocking back and forth and looked Seijuro right in the eye. A glimmer of something, anything other than her usual exterior mood leaked out of that gaze. Just one moment later she started snickering and muffled her laughter by burying her face in her arms on the table. She couldn’t take such a stick in the mud guy so seriously. He bored her. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ULjet9J.png[/img][/center] “Madame Kazeka-“ An orderly started, only to be immediately interrupted by a nurse. A hand quickly and carefully placed over the orderly’s mouth. “She’s in surgery.” The woman whispered, pointing to Ishi Kakumei, currently trying to save the life of a young boy who fell from the roof of the Kazekage’s building. The large dome building did not offer much in the way of a grip for the poor boy on his way down. “I have a message for her.” The orderly said in a hushed voice. “It’s the Leaf village.” [color=f1bb86]“Come in.”[/color] A third voice entered the room, booming over the others. The Kazekage herself. The orderly walked in, bowing to the woman as the sounds of bones snapping into place echoed over the room. The boy screamed, though it wasn’t entirely clear whether he was conscious or not. Perhaps it was his body forcing energy out of him, Ishi was doing so much for the boy so quickly it must’ve been horrendously painful. [color=f1bb86]”What news does the will of fire bring to us?”[/color] Ishi said in a charitable tone, even smiling warmly at her orderly. All the while repairing the broken body of the boy in front of her. Finally, after setting his shoulder and knee back to their original position, and closing the incision she had previously made with her scalpel she walked over to the sink to wash her hands while nurses rolled the boy away. “The Hokage has died.” The orderly said, rather matter-of-factly. Ishi took a few seconds, peering at the girl in the mirror before sighing. [color=f1bb86]”I see.”[/color] Leaving the surgery room her foxes quickly found her, skipping alongside her feet and playing with her. “Hey mom, are you headed over to the river to read?” Ishi called, scrambling up beside her, stepping over his brothers. [color=f1bb86]”No, I have business elsewhere unfortunately.”[/color] She replied, letting her right hand fall to the fox’s fur. She pet it soothingly before crouching down to get on their level. Within an instant they were all lined up to face the woman. [color=f1bb86]”I’ll be gone for a few days, travel between our countries isn’t always fast. I’m leaving Tokuina in charge.”[/color] She said calmly, but was met with a loud chorus of groans from the foxes. “Why is it always the old man?” They asked among other various statements of disagreement. [color=f1bb86]”He hasn’t failed yet.”[/color] Ishi stated simply patting the heads of her foxes before continuing on her walk to meet Tokuina. But before she could make it she felt the scurrying of Chitose up her pant leg, through her shirt and finally on her shoulder. It didn’t say anything, it simply awaited command. [color=f1bb86]”Watched over them, be vigilant while I am gone, please.”[/color] Ishi stated, allowing a single finger to stroke the mouse from head to lower back. It ran off on its way quickly. “Ishi.” Tokuina said, his voice so deep it felt as though the very Earth itself was speaking to her. His cubs lay tiredly by his massive maw, seemingly tuckered out from training. [color=f1bb86]“Hello, old friend.”[/color] Ishi said, placing her forehead on the lower portion of Tokuina’s mouth. [color=f1bb86]“I must leave for the next few days. I need you to protect them.”[/color] The Kazekage spoke quietly. She refused to be heard by anyone but her closest ally. “I understand, you’ve stood vigilantly for two years. We wouldn’t want the other Kage thinking your some kind of recluse.” He uttered, his voice threatening to wake his cubs. “Go, little one.” He said, his age transparently displayed in his booming voice. [center][h3]At the Funeral[/h3][/center] Ishi watched silently at the front of the crowd, alongside the other Kage as the Hokage was lowered into the ground. It wasn’t a second sooner a ruse was revealed. The supposed assistant to the Hokage immediately began to explain his life’s sorrows to the crowd, making sure his new position as Hokage was heard, loud and clear. Ishi’s face formed into a scowl in a matter of miliseconds. She was miles away from home and this damned Hokage thought she needed to be dragged out for half of a Hokage’s death. She wanted to leave immediately, but of course he refused to stop opening his mouth. [color=C68449]“One last thing, there will be a Summit for the Five Kage and any leaders who would like to participate. I may require a few ninja as my entourage. That is all, thank you for coming, you can mingle amongst yourselves there will be tea and treats for you all. Oh by the way I will be your new Hokage.”[/color] Ishi’s brow furrowed. This all smelled somewhat… Suspicious. She knew not that this Hokage had a twin. She wasn’t sure anyone did, given the theatrics being employed here. She would reach out to the Amekage and the Tsuchikage in order to clarify a few things with them. Even worse than being required to attend a damned funeral for a leader halfway across the world, being told at the funeral she was required to be at another meeting. She needed a drink before she would leave. [center][h3]After the Summit[/h3][/center] Ishi found her gaze transfixed on a girl who looked tired out of her wits that bore the hat of the Amekage. She was certainly not the Kage, however. As long as Yogensha was still alive. However, she had acted with grace and dilligence, and stepping in for a Kage was no easy feat. Even for a village as small as Amegakure. She gave the girl a reassuring nod before moving on.