Spending Time in Good ol' Sakyugakure

I dismissed the jounin that followed me in and began walking around the village, saying hello to the common people and other shinobi. Surprisingly enough, though, everyone remembered me and as a side note, the weather in the village was rather cool in comparison to the weather outside the walls.

For a couple of hours, I just wandered the streets of Sakyugakure, relaxing from the long journey from my home in the Land of Forests.

I was walking along the streets of the lower district, having just finished my meeting with Takeru about my recent encounters in the open desert, I was reading my history book of the empire once again as I went. Not paying much attention to where I was going I bumped into someone with my shoulder, I apologized and gave a slight bow at the waist. "Sorry about that, I should watch where Im going a bit better." I came back up to full height still standing there, I wasnt aware of it but this was the Tsurikage, someone I had never personally encountered before though the dragon on his headband at least identified him as a shinobi of the forest country just like the scorpion on the pocket of my jacket showed I was native to the sands.

As I continued walking down one of the many streets in the village, I noticed, but didn't pay much attention to, a man with an eyepatch and white hair reading a book. As I continued onward, I felt a slight nudge against the lower side of my shoulder and looked to see that it was the same man who I saw with the eyepatch and book. The man bowed at the waist and spoke, "Sorry about that, I should watch where Im going a bit better." He then stood back up and I noticed when he actually took sight of me, his eyes widened. I then spoke kindly, "It's quite alright. Just a nudge to the shoulder would never bother me. I'm curious. Are you a jounin of this village? I could tell by your clothing and posture that you aren't an average joe."

Luckily the man didn't seem bothered by being bumped into which made this alot less awkward for the socially impaired Aburame. I shook my head slightly to show that he as incorrect about my rank, he was however not that far off. "Close, I've actually been promoted to Tokubetsu level due to my skills in the medical field but the rest of me needs some work. I notice the same thing about you though, what rank have you been given in your village?" Since we had never met I was still unaware of who I was talking to but this should be interesting soon enough.

"Close, I've actually been promoted to Tokubetsu level due to my skills in the medical field but the rest of me needs some work. I notice the same thing about you though, what rank have you been given in your village?" I was rather astonished that the younger man didn't recognize me, but then again, it's not like everyone could know me in the first place. I'm glad that I aimed higher in my assumption of his rank. If I had said chuunin, things might have gone sour. "Well, first, I must congratulate you on your achievement to tokubetsu jounin. I'm sure you worked hard." I then took my Kage hat off my back and placed it on my head and aimed the kanji for Tsurikage toward the younger man. "I do not know your name yet, but I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Yonoowari, and am the Tsurikage of Morigakure." I said this calmly and rather humbly and grinned at the younger man.

As he revealed his rank my eyes would slightly widen, it wasnt every day I met someone of such power. I would bow again, this time at the neck out of respect, though it was more of an extended hold nod the gesture was there. "My apologizes, I knew I sensed a great power in you. Have you come today to speak with Lord Neo?" I was curious now, a kage from an allied nation visiting the dunes, while not totally uncommon, always had some sort of purpose to it even if it was just a short meeting between leaders about day to day things like trading.

"My apologizes, I knew I sensed a great power in you. Have you come today to speak with Lord Neo?" His speech changed drastically and I couldn't help but chuckle. This younger man is quite entertaining. "Actually, I'm here to relax and catch up on some much-needed training and work-outs. It is true that I wish to speak with Neo, but it is nothing official. Just a few days to relax and get back in shape. May I ask your name? It's the least you could tell me, now that I told you mine." I grinned again and lifted my hat out of my line of sight and looked directly into the younger man's eyes.

He chuckled a bit and rubbed the back of his neck when what the kage said showed him he had forgotten to give his name again. "Right, sorry about that. I am Aburame Shitai, pleased to meet you. If you'd like I can show you the sites for a while, I'm taking a day off from my research to relax due to my meeting earlier this morning."

The younger man chuckled at what I had asked and said, "Right, sorry about that. I am Aburame Shitai, pleased to meet you. If you'd like I can show you the sites for a while, I'm taking a day off from my research to relax due to my meeting earlier this morning." I pondered for not even a moment about the nature of his research and then spoke kindly to him. "Nice to meet you, Shitai-san. I would enjoy a tour guide of sorts, though I have been here in the past. Lead the way, if you will. I shall follow your lead."

I followed the tokubetsu jounin, Shitai Aburame, wondering just where he may take me.

I would nod as he accepted my offer and then change over into something I was more comfortable with than just general conversation, the sharing of factual knowledge. The streets were getting even more crowded now as the morning was growing on and people were starting their day in full. This would make walking around slightly difficult so an idea popped in my head, the rail system was always a great alternative. As I started walking I would begin speaking, "As you can see people are starting to come out for their day to day duties, thus to get around and get a better view of things as a whole we shall use the rails." I would point towards the closest station a fair distance away and continue on towards it, at this calm walking pace it would take us a few minutes to arrive at our destination.

The rail system? I've been gone for too long. I listened to him say, "As you can see people are starting to come out for their day to day duties, thus to get around and get a better view of things as a whole we shall use the rails." When I heard this, I made a rather firm but enthused expression and spoke. "I said you lead the way, did I not? No need for such speech, as I already figured you were going to take me somewhere more fitting for conversation. I'm glad you mentioned the rail system, though. Makes me feel excited to try it out."

I then smiled and raised my hand straight out ahead of me to signal to Shitai that we should move onward to our destination.

His words and gestures were slightly confusing, it seemed as if he was confused himself and thought we had stopped moving when really I had never done so but when you have as much power as a kage you are allowed to be a little strange. Soon the two of us would arrive at the station where I would walk to the booth and purchase two all-day-passes. Signalling that everything was ready I walked up the steps, pausing only for a moment to hand the kage his ticket and then moving on until we were on the train itself. As it took off we passed through a short tunnel which added to the effect of being so high up in the air when we exited it, I would wave my hand towards the windows, "Welcome to the hidden dune village." Laid out before us were dozens of miles of buildings and parks in every direction. Far off in the distance was the great outer wall that surrounded the village which had the sun starting to rise above it at long last, truly a beautiful site to behold.

I thought to myself, Wow, where is my brain right now? We're already walking and I make a gesture for him to lead the way? I'm such an idiot...What a Kage I am. Minutes later, we came to a booth where Shitai bought two tickets for the railway and, as we walked up the stairs, he handed me a ticket which said on it "All Day Pass." I then followed behind him into the train and walked to one of the many large windows throughout the train. As the train began to move out of the 'docking area,' the great view of Sakyugakure became apparent in front of me and then Shitai spoke, "Welcome to the hidden dune village." I marveled quietly at the unique beauty of the village and after a few moments, I spoke. "I have always enjoyed visiting here, but this time around truly excites and fulfills my sense of sight to the highest degree. I realize I may be contradicting myself, but I'm going to inquire upon our destination from you." This was very entertaining and was excited to find out what was next on this makeshift tour.

I continued looking out the window as I listened to what the village's guest had to say, I to was amazed by the view as no matter how many times I got to see it the wonder and magic never seemed to fade. Looking outside still as I spoke I responded, "Not a terrible amount of places Im afraid but there are some things you may enjoy. Eventually ending with the Sabakukage's Palace so that you can meet with him for a while." The train moved on quickly, the magnet element beneath their feet holding them on the single rail the village outside the window was constantly revealing new things about itself. Everything from small lakes to tall towers was just outside just asking to be looked at.

Takeru looked up from his contemplation on the train, he had briefly met with his son at the academy before moving on. He didn't have any further business until later on so he had decided to take a trip on the train. He recognized Shitai's voice from earlier in the day and was surprised to see him with what seemed to be a young member of Morikagure. His interest piqued Takeru lifted himself from the seat and walked over to the pair. "Hello again Shitai, i see there is never a dull moment in your life." Turning to the stranger he held out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you young man, my name is Bokun Takeru, i am a jounin of this village. What brings you here? I know there are several Empire chuunin frequenting the village for some co-operative training, might you be one of these?" He wore a slight smile on his face and softened his expression, not wanting to appear rude to this young visitor.

I continued looking out the window at the village in awe of its unique beauty when I heard a familiar voice. "Hello again Shitai, i see there is never a dull moment in your life." There was an older man, probably in his forties, who spoke to Shitai and then turned to me while motioning his hand forward to shake my hand. "A pleasure to meet you young man, my name is Bokun Takeru, i am a jounin of this village. What brings you here? I know there are several Empire chuunin frequenting the village for some co-operative training, might you be one of these?" I then replied kindly and without studdering, while taking his hand in mine and looking him straight in the eyes. "If I said that I am a chuunin, I'd be lying. Nice to meet you, Takeru. I'm the Tsurikage of Morigakure, Yonoowari. I'm here to take a small vacation from my paperwork and catch up on my training and work-outs."

I turned to see Takeru, "Well hey there, fancy seeing you again. I trust your errands are going well?" After this he and Yonoowari would introduce themselves to each other, I was still unaware of what would probably follow the revelation of such a youngling being a kage being revealed to my older friend so I just stood there and watched.

Takeru only just managed to keep the surprise from his face, he had never expected the Tsurikage to be on the train with Shitai, though he supposed the young man could be an escort of some sort for the Kage. He briefly studied the man, and deemed him still in his twenties, it really was a plauge of young people in power, they seemed to be everywhere these days. "Yes Shitai, i must thank you again for your earlier discussion, it has given me a lot to think on." Turning his head back to the Tsurikage he inclined his head, "I am honoured to meet you Tsurikage, you must be quite talented to have attained such a rank so young. Not an easy feat, i fear that you may be hard pressed for training partners as skilled as one such as yourself."

I listened to every word that Takeru said. "Yes Shitai, i must thank you again for your earlier discussion, it has given me a lot to think on." This statement, however, made me think just a little of whta he might've been referring to, but then he continued as he looked back toward me and inclined his head. "I am honoured to meet you Tsurikage, you must be quite talented to have attained such a rank so young. Not an easy feat, i fear that you may be hard pressed for training partners as skilled as one such as yourself." When he said this to me, I couldn't help but chuckle a little and then I spoke in reply fluidly. "It is I who am in fact more honored to meet you. Regardless of your rank, you have far more experience than I do, and I believe I can in fact learn many things from older generations, so I am inclined to say that finding a good match would be rather simple." As I finished my last words, I inclined my own head toward Takeru as a sign of respect and true honor.

I simply nodded and responded, "Im honored that our words are still on your mind, our talk has given me something to truly look forward to which is exciting." I of course has waited for the others to finish talking before responding to the older man, simply sitting back for now and every now and then casting casual glances out the window at the view.

Takeru chuckled a little at the Tsurikage's remarks. "It isn't often you meet someone who appreciates the effect time can have on a man. Thank you for your compliment, if you cannot find another to train with perhaps I'll help you out." The train gave a soft jolt and Takeru glanced around, the train had halted at a staion. "I fear this is where i get off, Shitai, Tsurikage, Good Day." Turning on his heels Takeru moved off down the train and onto the platform, he allowed himself a slight chuckle, this was becoming an interesting day.

Takeru chuckled at the comments I had made and spoke. "It isn't often you meet someone who appreciates the effect time can have on a man. Thank you for your compliment, if you cannot find another to train with perhaps I'll help you out." Just after he finished speaking, the train came to a swift but soft stop, as we had reached a station. "I fear this is where i get off, Shitai, Tsurikage, Good Day." He then walked out of the train, chuckling a little again. I then turned to Shitai. "Where shall we head to from here? The palace?"

When the kage asked where to next and seemed to suggest the palace I looked at my wrist, pulling back the cuff of my sleeve and looking at my watch to see what time it was. It was getting late in the morning and while I was taking the day off from work there were still things that I needed to do before sunset so the tour would have to be cut short for now. "Considering the time I think that might actually be the best option. The palace is the end of the line before it turns around so we have a little while to wait." I sat down at long last, setting my chin on top of my fingers which I laid flat across each other to stare out the window on the opposite side. It wold be about fifteen minutes before we reached the palace and I was getting ready to take a mid morning nap when I got home.

When I asked if our destination was the palace, Shitai pulled is shirt cuff and sleeve to look at his watch, and then he said, "Considering the time I think that might actually be the best option. The palace is the end of the line before it turns around so we have a little while to wait." I nodded silently and turned my entire body to the window and gradually my face turned rather solemn and serious as he thought of his home, Morigakure, and wondered how everything was being handled.

We would sit there just enjoying the ride and clearing our heads until eventually after several more stops we found ourselves at the end of the line and the front gates of the palace. "Well I guess this is your stop, Ill be waiting a few more on the way back to get to my home. It was a pleasure to meet you though and I hope you enjoy your stay here." Most men would shake hands or something at this point but my knowledge of social protocol often was on par with that of a stone so I simply looked to him and nodded as I said this.