The Telling Truth. [Mei Terumi]

[Kaeru Ankoku]

A series of repeated splashes were heard in the cool night just outside Kirigakure. If one listened closely, or simply was knowledgeable enough, they’d know that it was a Kiri Shinobi back from a mission. It was apparent that it was a Nin taking his time, perhaps enjoying the weather. It was a clear night, tranquil yet eerie. All was still, all except the sole ninja walking across the water and high in the sky the moon’s hung like a watchful mother, like an eye of Kami.

A soft popping was heard and a small splash as a large cork stopper began floating away. A long swig later the killer softly burped, obviously enjoying his liquor. Moonlight reflected off of him, and it was easy to make out a fairly tall silver haired man with a sword across his back getting closer to the hidden village. The Nin in question reviewed took another long draft and began to whistle.

Kaeru‘s whistling was the only sound breaking the silence of the night. Reviewing his mission – the first he was given by the Mizukage – he marveled at the ease by which he completed it. Although, by what he had seen of Raiga he had gotten weaker since taking care of that Ranmaru brat, so perhaps it wouldn’t have been as difficult as he thought.

Leaping to the outer wall Kaeru surveyed the village with an undistinguishable expression on his face. The Ankoku clan, and by extension him, had finally settled down after generations of wandering in Kirigakure.

Shrugging he leapt off of the wall and made his way to the Mizukage’s tower. He landed on an open window and peered into her office. Kaeru had mixed feelings about the Mizukage. She was strong for sure, an S class monster like himself, but he didn’t know what kind of leader she was, she’d never hired him or his clan before they joined Kiri. “Hey Mei-kun! I’m back!” he called into her office hoping she was there, he really didn’t want to have to wait and take the proper entrance to her office, her window WAS open after all.

[mei terumi;;]

“Hey Mei-kun! I’m back!”

The Mizukage stifled a small groan. One of the shinobi she had sent on a mission had returned. Normally she considered that to be a good thing, but at the moment... It was quite less than favorable. After managing to crawl back to the damned village, she had gotten blood transfusions and other healing done at the hospital, and was now confined to her desk.

"That's Mizukage-sama to you." Mei corrected tiredly. She was pale, face drawn, with dark circles underneath her eyes. It had barely been any time at all since her fight with Kisame, yet it felt like it had been at least two weeks. This is why I hated sitting here... It feels like time has slowed down, maybe even stopped. Goddamn it all.

She really needed to remember to close the window, she thought absently. Then all the shinobi would be forced to come to her office the proper way. She tapped her lacquered fingernails on her desk, waiting for the nin to finish entering to give her the mission report. "Well then? Hurry it up." she snapped.

[Kaeru Ankoku]

“Well then? Hurry it up."

Kaeru hopped into the room and looked around, it was still as messy as ever, with stacks of paperwork and files surrounding Mei’s desk. His eyes went from the clutter to her desk, and finally to Mei herself. He had always thought that she was a looker, hell he flirted with her all the time, but now, she just looked like warmed over death. He could still sense her chakra, but it was weak and fluctuating. Looked like she had gotton into one hell of a fight.

“Well, don’t you look like shit, Mei-kun.” Kaeru looked her over even more critically, her hands were twitching, she could hardly write. He walked over to her desk and sat in the chair opposite her and leaned in a bit. Judging her mood correctly he pulled out the two scrolls and set them on her desk.

"The one on the right is the body of Kurosuki Raiga and the one on the left is his two swords." Maybe a rouge ninja's body and weapons would help her feel better and less cranky. Kami knew she was moody enough as it was.

[mei terumi;;]

“Well, don’t you look like shit, Mei-kun.”

"Oh, thank you." Mei muttered sarcastically. "I love to hear that when I already know the fact." And because all women simply love hearing that guys find them to look shitty. She wasn't in the mood to chat with him today, anyways-- what she really wanted was a good rest, but apparently once you became a Kage rest was a thing of the past, even if you had just escaped death.

"The one on the right is the body of Kurosuki Raiga and the one on the left is his two swords."

Mei raised an eyebrow. The body and swords she'd been waiting for ever since Yagura's death had finally arrived. Her lips curled into a small smile as she picked up the scroll with the swords and handed it back to Kaeru. "A reward." she told him.

Somehow, Kaeru managed to brighten up her day even when she was feeling as shitty as she currently was. What it was about him, she probably would never know, but she never could keep from cracking a smile around the nin.

[Kaeru Ankoku]

"Oh, thank you. I love to hear that when I already know the fact."

Kaeru grinned at her, and the vein that sprung to life along her forehead, Ouch, must've hit a nerve. She would feel much better in a little while, once she realized that he had more news for her. Information on Konoha, it was dangerous to obtain, but ultimately worth it. But, for now, he would distract her a bit, try and lift her spirits. "Mei-chan, Raiga wasn't shit to fight. i mean, just the fact the Konoha sent a few chunin to fight him proves it! when I got to him, he was childsplay, and i didn't even get to use any of my signature jutsu! You made it seem like he would be a threat and a challange, you viscious tease."

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Before he left she had taken him aside and made him promise to be carefull, and to take Raiga seriously. If a small team of Chunin could take him out then he must've been washed up. he saw the smile flit across her face as she held the scrolls this was a good sign in his eyes. even if it was in the death of another, as long as she was smiling. . .

"A reward"

Now, Kaeru grinned brightly, it was turning out to be a damn good day! He reached out and took the scroll, but his hands lingered on her and he pumped his chakra into her still-near-empty reserves, focusing until he was nearly empty himself, which meant she had to be full. "You keep giving me gifts like this" He mused aloud with a now tired smile, "And you'll make a guy think you're intrested" he let her hand go and sank into his chair. The Chakra transfer was a jutsu created by his clan to help teams in battle, very simple, anyone could use it if taught. Mei needed the chakra more than he did. "Do these blades mean i am one of the Seven Swordsman? Or is it just 'cause you like me?"

He winked at her before pulling out his saki and putting out two cups, gesturing with the bottle in a silent offer, before pouring himself a steaming cup of it. Downing it he made a happy sigh as the warmth spread through his chest. he put the scroll in a pocket and patted it with a contented smile. Another weapon in his arsenol. Wheteher Mei meant it as an invitation to her elite group of not, it was a gift much appreciated. [/blockquote][/blockquote]

[mei terumi;;]

"Mei-chan, Raiga wasn't shit to fight. i mean, just the fact the Konoha sent a few chunin to fight him proves it! when I got to him, he was childsplay, and i didn't even get to use any of my signature jutsu! You made it seem like he would be a threat and a challange, you viscious tease."

"Child's play? Interesting. He scared the shit out of Yagura, from what I could gleam-- just passing on the mission to someone better, that was all I did." Mei told him, expression bemused. "And a vicious tease I may be, but you're worse, and you know it!" The light banter was already improving her mood-- something that wasn't easy to do for anyone but Kaeru, oddly enough.

Oh, he didn't! Mei thought with a little disbelief. Not only was his banter making her mood improve, the man was giving her his chakra! He's just the kind of man to notice and want me to feel better-- if he thinks he's going to get something out of it he's wrong. Her own thoughts ashamed her. Kaeru was an honest man, and he was helping her heal-- she shouldn't be thinking like that.

"You keep giving me gifts like this and you'll make a guy think you're intrested."

"A reward isn't the same as a gift-- you have to earn rewards, Kaeru-chan. And you'll never know just exactly who I'm interested in-- maybe you can figure it out, if you've got the brains." she teased him lightly. She wasn't really interested in anyone, to be frank, but a little mind torture never hurt anyone... Okay, so it did, but this was all in fun.

"Do these blades mean i am one of the Seven Swordsman? Or is it just 'cause you like me?"

"Yes, you're a Swordsman now." she told him with a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "You're certainly qualified enough-- and I do rather enjoy your company." Don't take that the wrong way, Kaeru, or I'll have to kick your ass.

[Kaeru Ankoku]

"Child's play? Interesting. He scared the shit out of Yagura, from what I could gleam-- just passing on the mission to someone better, that was all I did. And a vicious tease I may be, but you're worse, and you know it!"

Kaeru blew her a kiss and laughed at her comment internally grining at her gradual change in mood. shrugging his shoulders he poked a tongue out at her, "Yeah well, I am on a different level than Yagura, it seems." he boasted with an edge of sarcasm. "Yeah, so I am a worse tease. I've dont nothing but break kunoichi hearts since I've gotton here." He poured Mei a cup of saki and slid it to her before foregoing the cup and taking a quick swig from the steaming source.

She was looking much better now it seemed. there was color returning to her face and she had stopped shaking. He nodded in satisfaction, She seems so surprised, he mused, why wouldn't I? She is my kage and friend. He liked Mei Terumi., she was a definate refreshmant from the typical Mist ninja, for sure. Mist ninja, a decade ago, he'd never have thought he would end up as a Kiri-Nin.

"A reward isn't the same as a gift-- you have to earn rewards, Kaeru-chan. And you'll never know just exactly who I'm interested in-- maybe you can figure it out, if you've got the brains."

He visibly pouted and wilted at being the chan suffix added to his name. but took it as a sign she was feeling more like her typical self, if she was teasing him. "Oh please Mei, you've turned down so many dates i'd say u were a rug muncher, unless you are actually interested in Chojuro." Poor kid, he had been after her for years and Mei had been giving him the same response for years. Though that did pose a question. Who was the beautifull Mizukage interested in?

Yes, you're a Swordsman now. You're certainly qualified enough-- and I do rather enjoy your company."

A satisfied grin stretched across his face at the thought of him being one of the seven swordsman. He could finally complete his Divine Strike jutsu. it harnessed all of the power of a storm, his ultimate attack. "You do realize that I can finallycomplete the jutsu that gave me my nickname right?"

[mei terumi;;]

Yeah well, I am on a different level than Yagura, it seems."

"Yagura couldn't fight without the three-tails helping him out." she scoffed. "That's the only reason a person that insane could ever become the kage." Yeah, most of them went insane after taking office... me included.

Yeah, so I am a worse tease. I've done nothing but break kunoichi hearts since I've gotten here."

At that, she had to let out a short laugh; not because it was in any way a fallacy, but because of how true it really was! I don't know how half those fools can even call themselves kunoichi, as they mostly focus on their looks and whatever male they can string along. She had never been that type of kunoichi, always focused... Couldn't care less about others. Strange, then, how she managed to become such a flirt.

"Oh please Mei, you've turned down so many dates i'd say u were a rug muncher, unless you are actually interested in Chojuro."

"Chojuro! Are you all insane? He's just a child to me! A very skilled and likable child, but a child indeed." Mei protested vehemently. "And I'm not a lesbian either! I just have better things to do with my time than pursue a relationship; running this village isn't easy, you know."

"You do realize that I can finally complete the jutsu that gave me my nickname right?"

"What kind of kage would I be if I didn't know those types of things?" Mei responded in kind. "Of course I know! If I didn't, you wouldn't have been promoted." She finally looked down at the cup of saki he had poured for her; it wasn't very professional to drink on the job... but since when had she been professional, especially with Kaeru? Never. She took a small swig, letting out a small chuckle.

[Kaeru Ankoku]

"Yagura couldn't fight without the three-tails helping him out. That's the only reason a person that insane could ever become the kage."

Kaeru shrugged his shoulders and grinned at Mei. He had heard about the insane Kgae's insanity and bloodthirsty nature. It was the only reason why he had never worked for or with Yagura before. Another big reason would be the fact that Kaeru's kekkei genkai was unusually potent for an Ankoku. Going on a bloodline purge when he himself had one, his morals weren't that flexible. not quite yet. " I've always wanted to fight a jinchuuriki," he confessed to his drinking partner, "I figure killing one would be a definate challange and test of my skill."

"Chojuro! Are you all insane? He's just a child to me! A very skilled and likable child, but a child indeed. And I'm not a lesbian either! I just have better things to do with my time than pursue a relationship; running this village isn't easy, you know."

He laughed at her veheament response before refilling her cup and taking a long swig of the bottle. as the fire spread throughout his chest he sat back and sighed. "I think you are protesting far to much Mei-chan.' he winked at her, "All work and no play. . . Well you know the rest."

"What kind of kage would I be if I didn't know those types of things? Of course I know! If I didn't, you wouldn't have been promoted."

To that he just shrugged his shoulders, figured she would have an agent posted at the Ankoku compound, after all it hadn't been even a year since the clan had merged with Hidden Mist. It was still a fairly trying period, and very tense as the Ankoku got used to staying static and non nomadic, and Kirigakure to having a large major bloodlne clan in the village proper again.

[mei terumi;;]

this post... sucks major ass, i know. but at least it's a reply. =(

" I've always wanted to fight a jinchuuriki. I figure killing one would be a definite challenge and test of my skill."

"Trust me, hon; you don't want to go there. You really don't." Mei cautioned him with a roll of her eyes. The blue-haired woman let out a tired sigh and took another swig of her saki. Ooh, and then he refilled her cup, which Mei was utterly grateful for.

"I think you are protesting far to much Mei-chan. All work and no play. . . Well you know the rest."

"Unless this village's gonna go even closer t' hell than it already is, you want me doing my job, Kaeru-kun." Mei told him with a slight admonition. "Hehe, it's almost like you're trying to distract me... oh wait, you are." She shot him a grin, raising a finger to poke him in the chest.

[Kaeru Ankoku]

_{It's fine, everyone has those moments. hopefully this time ive give you more material to work with}

"Trust me, hon; you don't want to go there. You really don't."

At this Kearu raised an eyebrow, Seems like she had a first hand account. Being Yagura's succsessor it makes sense that she'd had fought and killed the Yondaime. He imagined the might of a ninja with the power of the Sanbi behind him. a light shudder went through him, but not ou of fear. Now he was more determined to fight a jinchuuriki than before. "I have to admit Mei, I still feel as if fighting a jinchuuriki would be a. . . exhillerating experience. The trick would be staying alive though. Don't you have faith in my ability? Or are you simply afraid I'll get killed?"

"Unless this village's gonna go even closer t' hell than it already is, you want me doing my job, Kaeru-kun."

He stuck out his tongue at her in a childish display, "well, well, i suppose your right, but there is no need to burn yourself out Mei-chan, no need at all. after all, what good would you be to Kirigaklure as a burned out shell?" It was a definate truth, even if he did say it in jest. Working to much was as bad as not working at all. And the beautifull Godaime definately worked too much. There were times he'd find her at her desk asleep and he'd pick her up and carry her to her home and in her bed.

"Hehe, it's almost like you're trying to distract me... oh wait, you are."

At her teasing tone the Son of Thunder laughed, it was true he was trying to distract her. it wasn't as if he were trying to be subtle or covert about it. Hell, he had walked into her office swigging a jug of saki with two cups. Ever since he had started befriending and getting to know her, he'd made it his personnal duty to relieve her of her duties as Godaime from time to time. The Ankoku enjoyed spending the time with Mei, she was one of the few in the village that saw him for him instead of an avatar and go between for the Ankoku and Kirigakure. He admired her, and was quite definately attracted to her. "Sad day Mei-chan, am I that transparent really?' he took anohter swig of Saki, "Can you tell what my intentions are, since you see me so very clearly?" a different tone had slipped in under the teasing, if one knew Kaeru like she did, it was clear that he was not simply talking about distractions from duty anymore.