Starring:
Date: July 12, 2014
Summary:
It had not been long since the Cobra and snake gang had been stopped. After a small talk with Sora, the ferret had requested that Tsuchi come with him to present the cobra to his elders to prove that he deserved to be a warrior. She wasn't sure why she needed to come along but Sora insisted and so she helped him heft up the Cobra so they could move. However, given the requirements of the small journey beyond the edges of the Land of Wind, Tsuchi had approached Kuoroke about accompanying them as a diplomat of Sunagakure given it seemed they'd be seeing the Elders of the Ferrets… with the Ayumu corps brought along to handle the menial labor.
"Ferret Summon - The Big Presentation & Unexpected Rewards"
Ferret Lands
It had not been long since the Cobra and snake gang had been stopped. After a small talk with Sora, the ferret had requested that Tsuchi come with him to present the cobra to his elders to prove that he deserved to be a warrior. She wasn't sure why she needed to come along but Sora insisted and so she helped him heft up the Cobra so they could move. However, given the requirements of the small journey beyond the edges of the Land of Wind, Tsuchi had approached Kuoroke about accompanying them as a diplomat of Sunagakure given it seemed they'd be seeing the Elders of the Ferrets, one of the rare groups of speaking creatures that could be entered into with contract.
During this time, Ayumu was enlisted as well, requested to come along for both protection and to help lug this massive cobra along. Even now, the trio of shinobi approach a large tree network that looks almost like an odd city that goes from ground all the way up to limb. Tsuchi simply stares in awe and looks at the others, "Pretty amazing…"
After having read up on both normal ferrets and what they knew about these ones, Kuoroke has agreed to come along. He helps carry the snake in a withdrawn silence, very closely watching both the surroundings and his companions. The ferret in particular is interesting: by the time they arrive, he's studied it in some depth. The tree city, however, draws his attention entirely quite quickly as he seems to get slightly on edge, uncertain what to expect.
Invoking the power of three, Ayumu summons a trio of shadow clones to "handle his light weight" in place of lugging the cobra himself. The clones did not quite appreciate it, but kept their thoughts to themselves for now to scheme of how to take vengeance later. Meanwhile, Ayumu kept pace with the others, and mentally marked down the route. Naturally, his chances of returning using the same means and doing so discretely may have been virtually nil, but dismissing the prospect outright was not in the Iga to do so. "Certainly refreshing." The Iga admits nonchalantly from a few paces behind Sora and Tsuchi despite not apparently look around at all like the other tourists.
A look at the city would make one wonder how long it took. The whole thing is built into various branches, little huts of wood all over the place with various bridges from one side to the other. As they come in, various ferrets of various sizes stop to stare at them, as they come dragging in such a cobra. Many whisper in various chitters and chirps that are quite unfamiliar to the human shinobi there. Even a few up in the trees, stop and stare with headbands on in groups that watch the lot. Even as they start to move into a central location with the cobra, Sora runs off to the side for a second and calls, "Just, just take it there." He points at a circle ahead, "I'll go get the elders!"
With the ferret running off, Tsuchi shrugs and looks to the others and then to the circle that is before a platform with pedestal like chairs on it, "I guess that is a presentation area." She nods her head and smiles at Kuoroke and then at Ayumu with a nod before looking ahead and helping to get the snake to the presentation area.
Kuoroke nods, letting Ayumu and his clones handle the heavy lifting. "Present the snake carefully. Coiled up, head visible. First impression is important." He turns to Tsuchi. "I'll let you do the initial talking if you prefer, and cut in if I feel you need help."
"Hmm… I wonder about that elder bit." Ayumu murmurs absently, only to dismiss the thought a few seconds later. His clones meanwhile nearly collapse under the weight of the snake thanks to Kuoroke abruptly leaving it up to them to handle arrangement. If not for their original having learned to augment his strength with chakra they might've done just that. Instead, they grudgingly maneuver the snake as expected with the tail end blowing a raspberry at Kuoroke when he's not looking. With Kuoroke's guidance and Tsuchi's support, the over-sized Cobra is artfully set-up. Throughout this entire time unless disturbed, the original walks about the outer edges of the presentation area, studying it and whatever few ferrets began to fill up the places audience section.
A group of ferrets is now gathering around the circle as the coiled snake, at least somewhat coiled, is set up for the so called elders. However, it becomes clear before very long that they did indeed mean elders as two very large Ferrets come walking out from above along with Sora. Sora precedes them by quite a bit as he rushes down along a tree and gets next to his Cobra to the right of Tsuchi even as the easily 12 foot tall Ferrets come crawling down and settles into the spots on the platform with greying fur and squinting eyes, a slight sagging in their fur here and there. They looks down at Sora and then at the Cobra before looking at the others, Tsuchi first.
Sora pipes up first, "I present my kill! With the help of this human, I was able to bring down a Cobra of this size to prove that I am truly a proper warrior!" He smiles and stands up, "And then also these others." He gestures offhandedly at Ayumu and Kuoroke. Sora then looks back full of pride to the elders.
The right Ferret chortles like an old man, idly shifting and nodding his head, "What a catch!" He declares in an old man voice and then chuckles, "And the snake is impressive, too!" He states as he squints at Tsuchi before the other ferret swats him and then looks over, "Sora, you have done well." The old woman voice obvious as the ferret speaks and then looks at the other shinobi, "We welcome you." She nods her head, "You are welcome in our village and we thank you for your assistance in helping Sora to achieve this."
Kuoroke gives a reserved, solemn bow to the elder as his presence is acknowledged, but with their attention apparently focused on Tsuchi, he begins examining the crowd, studying the ferrets in their natural habitat. It's a rare chance to do that, after all, especially for someone withou an emotional investment in them.
Sensing the beginning of the ceremony (or whatever this was to be called), Ayumu slips back over to the rest of the group with clones popping their joints as they followed in his wake. Like Kuoroke, all Ayumu give a bow, though less reserved than Kuoroke. Afterwards, they all lined up next to one another with the original at the fore, listening attentively to proceedings.
A breath escapes Tsuchi and she gives a slight bow and a nod, "Thank you." She states and then the elders simply look at the snake, "Typically, a young ferret will go with a trio or duo to take on this task and yet young Sora demanded to go it alone." A chortle again from the older snake. His paw slipping up over his mouth before he nods to Sora, "And here you say now that this human helped you. How amusing." He laughs and then both elders do together and Sora frowns, the ferret giving a slight pout before stepping forward and grabbing at his little bandana.
"Well…umm, she was very helpful." Sora states and then looks at Tsuchi before looking at the elders and one of the elders gives a slight gesture of go on type move with its paw and then Sora steps further out into the center of attention. The ferret shuffles, obviously torn or perhaps embarrassed before saying, "With…permission of the Elders and with your permission>" He turns and nods to Tsuchi, "I'd like you to be my squad mate!" He declares and nods and then looks at the elders and then at Tsuchi, peering hopefully. The elders seem hardly surprised.
Tsuchi blinks at that and then looks at Kuoroke and then the elders before looking at Sora, "Your what? I don't…what do you mean?" He blinks a few times before looking then again to Kuoroke and then back to Sora who then states, "It means we'd be partners!" He declares and looks at the Elders.
The Elders look at each other and then they both simultaneously seem to look past Tsuchi right at Kuoroke as if they were waiting for him to speak up.
Kuoroke steps forward a bit as attention shifts to him. "Sunagakure would have no objections to the situation in principle." He says. "I would, of course, like to go over the details, if only for clarity, before giving any final verdict. But even so," he gives a slight bow, "as we are guests here and the suggestion comes from one of yours, I can offer merely my lack of opposition and leave the decision to you."
"Awww look at that. I think he likes you Tsuchi-chan." Ayumu teases after leaning over her shoulder, then back again. He speaks just loudly enough for Tsuchi and Sora to hear, but quietly enough that it may be overlooked by the audience. He doubted the elders in particular might hear the sly comment, but quickly changed his mind upon recalling his own grandmother's uncanny hearing.
The elder male chortles and nods his head though the grandma Ferret whips her head over at Ayumu and eyes him. The grandpa Ferret simply nods to Kuoroke even as Tsuchi blinks at Kuoroke and then looks at Ayumu. SHe squints at him before whispering, "Remind me to show you my new attack…up close and personally, later." She growls and then looks forward even as the ferret simply looks eagerly back over at Tsuchi and then at the elders.
The elders simply nod to Kuoroke, "You have our permission and the permission of your leaders." Grandma Ferret nods to Tsuchi, "What do you say?"
Sora looks at Tsuchi carefully and Tsuchi looks around at the others before nodding her head, "Umm…works for me." She chuckles and then nods to Sora, "Sure, I guess we can be partners…" Sora jumps a little and grins back at his elders even as Tsuchi then adds, "I'm in charge, of course." She nods, "Squad leader."
Sora blinks and looks at Tsuchi, "Hey!" He declares even as Grandpa Ferret nods, "So it is decided!" And Sora blinks and looks over, "Hey!" and then the elder nods, "We will have the ceremony tomorrow! Tonight we celebrate not only Sora's promotion but also his new journey with his new squad!" And ferrets give a cheer even as they start scrambling to create a party.
Kuoroke gives Ayumu a glare, and mutters, only barely moving his lips, through clenched teeth, "-You- keep your mouth shut. You're neither a negotiator nor the invited guest." He gives an approving not to Tsuchi claiming the squad leader spot. Very good.
