Starring:
Date: August 8, 2015
Summary:
Kiyoshi goes as far as the Land of Wind, seeking a seal master capable of removing barrier on Kiji's mind. Although help is found in the form of an ex-councilor of Sunagakure, no guarantees are made in regards to future success.
"Bloody Pursuit - To the Ends of the Earth"
Kazekage Administration Dome [Sunagakure]
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The opening of the Kazekage Administration Dome leads up a flight of stairs, into the lobby of the expansive building. Looking upwards, the entire building is open to the sky. Each floor is a ring, built with a hole in the center to allow a view both upwards and downwards. It is a very impressive sight, with many people visible moving around the upper levels, and stopping to chat around the railings.
The lobby has a tiled floor, with a intricate concentric circular pattern, and the walls themselves have been actually painted, and have designs etched into the hardened sand. The only piece of furniture on the first floor is a desk, and directly behind that, a stair case moving up to the next level. On either side of the desk are Male guards, their faces covered, and a make secretary is seated behind the desk, ready to take any questions or arrange appointments.
No one proceeds to the upper levels without the secretary approving them, and in most cases the armed guards also check them out to make sure they are carrying no weapons. However, there are a few people who can walk back and forth easily without the guards checking them, although all of them must first speak with the secretary.
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Kuoroke has received a message from one Kiyoshi of Kirigakure that appears to have worried him. After requesting to use one of the meeting rooms for this meeting, he has informed the young man to meet him there. Kuoroke sits at a table, much like once he sat at his desk: with papers beside him, his fingers steepled in front of him, and his eyes directed at the door. Only this time, the table is standing so that he is to the right of the door, as is the entire table.
Kiyoshi steeled himself with one last solid breath before entering the room. He could do no less after finding no other solutions back in his own lands. That is to say, none that promised to become available to him any time soon at the rate things were going…
"Wha.. oh.. Mn… Greetings, Kuroki-sama." He says, then awkwardly bows fully at the waist. Immediatly after, the door is belatedly closed, removing them from most prying eyes. Kiyoshi… did not know where to go from there exactly. So until Kuoroke decided to speak, the blonde-haired giant would stand there before his desk in such a manner as to resemble a soldier waiting instructions.
"Sit down." Kuoroke motions to the chairs set around the tables. "And let's begin. First, I will ask questions. Beginning with, what gives you the idea that I -can- help you, at all?"
Kiyoshi warily complies to Kuoroke's wishes, though only after setting aside the over-sized scroll he had the tendacy to carry about with him. Ignoring any complaints from his new found seat, the Moto shuffles about for comfort until Kuoroke catches him off guard with his first question. He furrows his brows, answering with a perhaps annoying long pause for such a simple question.
"Honestly, I was — am uncertain if you can or not. But considering Suna's reputation, and your—" Kiyoshi winces, realizing in hindsight that assuming Kuoroke's age had anything to do with knowing anything about seals. "Experiences… I had to hope you might at least be able to point me in the right direction."
Kuoroke nods. "Very well." He replies. "I may be able to help you - information is our trade after all. However, the problems you describe appear to involve some very sensitive information. In any case, I will likely have to confer with my Kage before I do, but at the very least I can hear you out." He makes an inviting motion with his hand. "Describe your problem, please. Or, problems, perhaps."
Kiyoshi visibly breathes a little easier upon hearing Kuoroke's agreement. While no promises were made just yet, having the proverbial foot in the door was a lot better than leaving with nothing at all. "Its this right here." Kiyoshi says as nimble fingers dig about one jacket pocket after the other until a folded piece of paper is produced. "There are two, technically, but the most important one is on here." He says, offering what had been idly unfolded for Kuoroke's sake.
He starts to, at least, but upon remembering Sunagakure's infamy as a village full of the paranoid, the paper is slid forward. Inscribed upon its surface is — to say the least — extremely complex arrangement of seals. Among the Kanji set towards the center, the one for "Memory" stands out the most. Overall, the complexity of the array suggests a level of skill that might even trouble a very experienced Uzumaki.
"I need this removed from a friend."
Kuoroke examines the seals. "I see. I may know someone, but I will require more information." He answers. "Starting with, who the bearer of this seal is and, perhaps more importantly, who placed it. If this seal master has any distinctive tics, that may aid - and I'd like to make sure that we are not, for example, treating a punishment inflicted by an ally."
Kuoroke examines the seals. "I see. I may know someone, but I will require more information." He answers. After a few seconds of study, he folds up the parchment and slides it into one of the folders lying beside him. Then, he focuses entirely on the young giant again. "Starting with, who the bearer of this seal is and, perhaps more importantly, who placed it. If this seal master has any distinctive tics, that may aid - and I'd like to make sure that we are not, for example, treating a punishment inflicted by an ally."
'I hope this was the right thing, Surumu' Kiyoshi thought as he warily watched the seal get set aside. Kirigakure and Sunagakure may be allies now, but the future held no guarantees regarding if it is an alliance that may be maintained indefintely. His growing frown falters as Kuoroke speaks up again.
Again, Kuoroke is met with hesitation on the giant's part. Although this time by the end it seems largely as the result of containing some inner conflict; rage. "… Her name is Shimizu Kiji, and I can't.. say for certain who the seal master might be. All I know is that when my brother tried to remove it, things…" Kiyoshi inclines his head and scowls. Following another long silence on the Moto's part, the minute trembling in his arms stops from tension being released as one big exhale. "All I know is what my brother told me. And that is that whoever did this wasn't beyond the means of erasing everything from her if it meant keeping their secret."
"Your… brother?" Kuoroke glances to the stack of papers beside him. He frowns, the frown of someone thinking rather than someone worried. "I do not believe I have any information on -his- seal-working prowess." The Jounin leaves a pause. "Our seal master may require further information. I understand some of this may be hard- when our friends' minds is difficult, but I need to know as much as you can possibly share to be certain any treatment is efficient. There is -one- concern I would like to put to you, young man. Say, this memory seal is undone. How much would she remember? How much would she -change-? Would the person you love even still exist?"
A faint, toothy smile spreads, if only briefly, at the mention of his brother's prowess. Kiyoshi couldn't account for its maximum scope, but he knew enough from past experiences to not doubt his Surumu's abilities. They were the only real reason why —
"Wha-what? I never said-…" He stops short there with cheeks burning brightly. Regardless of whether or not it was some instinctive understanding of Kuoroke's ability to read between the lines, or simply a realization that he had not been so 'discrete' about things, Kiyoshi settles down quickly, refraining from further protests. "….. It doesn't matter. She wants this as much as I… Perhaps even more so."
Kiyoshi's smile returns, but only as a ghost of its former self. "And who am I to deny her being whole?"
Kuoroke nods, an understanding smile appearing on his lips. "Very well. It was simply something I felt you may need to consider. These seals, from what I understand, are fairly rare - and the one who made this one was -particularly- skilled. I'll tell you what. I will present this to the Kazekage, and see if I can gain her approval to call on some people I believe may be able to help. I make no guarantees, but it's worth a try. Meanwhile, please ask your brother to write me a report. In the greatest detail of what he's done and found out so far. And if -anything-, the smallest of hints, comes to memory, let me know as soon as possible. Apart from that," He continues, "I may require to speak to Kiji. She may be able to provide further useful information."
He did not shed a tear, or leaped up in joy from the news. It wasn't the Kirryu's way. The same cannot be said of yearnings to hug the man, but just one look at Kuoroke offered the right amount of reinforcement behind restraining the temptation. Ultimately, Kiyoshi nodded curtly in agreement, and just barely stopped his forehead from slamming into the desk from bowing his head so quickly. "You have my word that I'll see these things done, Kuroki-sama." He says a touch more loudly than necessary.
When Kiyoshi straightens out once more, his broad smile lingers only for a few moments. Another thought had a occured to him, prompting him to look away again and scratch at his head. "About.. the other thing…. If you know anyone that might teach me how to use seals, that would… I'd appreciate it."
"-That- would be difficult." Kuoroke answers. "But if find a seal master who can undo what appears to be a complex seal," he shrugs, giving another friendly smile, "perhaps they will want to, and have permission, to teach you. We'll consider that."
Kiyoshi's shoulders sag in relief. "I can ask for nothing more. Thank you, Kuroki-sama, for… honestly, everything." He says before rising to his feet. "While I can't make any promises myself, hopefully everything on my end will be ready in a few days." He says aloud, clasping the scroll back in place. "Is… there anything else I should have prepared or…?" He trails off there. Regardless of what answer he may recieve, short of a more direct question, Kiyoshi would bow fully again in acceptance of any addendum before making his way out again.
Kuoroke rises as Kiyoshi prepares to leave, bowing respectfully to the foreign visitor. "I don't think so. While you're preparing, I hope you enjoy your stay in Sunagakure, young man. I will let you know when there is news."
