A Secret Meeting

KingTDSJ: The day was mid-noon and the sun shined brightly over Hoshigakure without a cloud in sight. Shin Uzumaki was heading down the stairs of his home, adjusting the black long-sleeved shirt his was about to put on. He turned the corner of the staircase looking into his kitchen as he walked past to check the time. “Hm I have a few minutes to spare.” He thought to himself as he put on the shirt. He paused to fix his burgundy hair as he quickly styled it into the usual fashion. His sighed as he started to head towards his door. Next to his front door was a closet where he kept all of his shinobi gear and clothing. He paused in front of his door as he thought about where he was going. “Do I need anything for this meeting? I mean its just gonna be us jonin and the Kage.” He thought to himself for a brief moment before making his decision. He quickly turned and opened the closet door, looking in at all of his gear before walking in. “Let’s see...how about this?” He grabbed his black trench coat and quickly threw it on. He looked on his sleeves and brushed off the red swirl that stood as a symbol for the Uzumaki clan. He continued to look around before his saw a cardboard box in the corner of the floor. He slowly walked over to it as he bent down and started rattling through the contents of it. It was mostly filled with various scrolls that he had for emergency purposes just in case something tragic went down. He then found a white kunai pouch. He looked at it peculiarly before unbuttoning it to find a kunai marked with the sealing formula for his Hiraishin. He sighed as he strapped the kunai to his thigh before slowly standing up “Just in case...doesn’t hurt to keep a weapon handy.” He walked out of the closet and closed the door behind him before heading out of his front door. He made his way to the Kage mansion, greeting the various villagers that recognized/admire him for his rank and stature in the village. Shin was one of the more prominent shinobi in the village mainly because everyone recognized his burgundy hair and could always find the Uzumaki symbol somewhere on his outfit. After a few minutes of his stroll he was at the Kage’s mansion. A group of chunin guarding the entrance greeted him as he made his way through the door. He sighed as he started up the long winding staircase that led to the Hoshikage’s office. He stopped at the door, adjusting his outfit before knocking. A few moments passed before he heard the deep and strong voice of the Hoshikage giving him permission to come in. He opened the door slowly before peaking in “Good afternoon.” He said briefly. The Hoshikage sat at the front of his desk where three empty chairs stood in front of. “I see the others aren’t here yet.” He said to the Kage as he sat down in the middle chair. “Why did you call us in?” He asked as he leaned back in his chair in an attempt to get comfortable. The kage simpy sighed as he looked back down on his desk to finish some paperwork “I’ll explain with the other two arrive.” He said sternly. Shin just sighed as he looked around the room awkwardly and waited for the others in silence.

AlphaRai: Another sunny day followed with another meeting with the Hoshikage, when will the old man get tired of seeing her in his office? Most likely something else since other Jonins would be present. Auru had been standing infront of the mirror for about thirty minutes, not even observing how she looked, though she wore the same thing she wore for years. Not caring to change, there was no one to impress nor the need to stress over something so petty as a shinobi. The Hoshigakure headband was the main thing she was observing, it was still something she was adjusting to. One of her hands fondled into her bag, feeling the metal of her other headband and with ease pulled it out. Kumogakure was her home and being here was something she knew she would never get comfortable with. Becoming a Jonin at a very young age was her first step to prove herself for her village but instead other plans were made for her. Her nails dug into her old headband before tucking it back in her pack, the temptation to throw it out the window was becoming stronger the more she thought of her Kage moving her here. That's when her gaze fell upon the clock nearby. Of course, time always slipped by with her thoughts and she was going to be late. Auru moved her fingers through her long light brunette hair, letting it fall where it may before making her way out of her temporary home. She had been here for a decent amount of time but the villagers still looked at her as a stranger. Could be the fact she didn't dare get close to anyone here as much as possible. The less people knew, the less she would have to deal with attachment or even discovery of where she was placed. There was always a older lady though, selling produce of different varieties that wouldn't take no for a answer. It became a habit to take what the woman offered Auru, it was usually a apple or some kind of round fruit. Not sure what the woman was expecting from her. A smile? A thanks? Some kind of acknowledgement? But the one thing that she wouldn't take was her money. Auru grasped the ripe fruit that was offered to her once more before nodding slightly and continuing her way to the building. Once she made it to the entrance, the chunin, that guarded the doors, gave her the same look that the villagers did. Auru just gradually tossed the fruit to one of them before passing them all, ignoring any comments that came from them. The trip up the stairs gave her time to be absorbed in her own thoughts until she had to clear her mind of any distraction. She hesitated at the door when she sensed more then just the Kage inside, someone she didn't really recognize. Without even knocking, Auru made her way inside and not even acknowledging the stranger that sat with the Kage. "Well, it's been awhile.." Sarcastically she spoke her greeting as if she wasn't here almost everyday to discuss a issue about a certain chunin. Though there was enough seats for everyone, she preferred to keep her distance and prepared to move if needed. She positioned herself a bit closer out of the way of the entrance but far enough away from the two. Her gaze didn't even wander even if she was a tad curious about the other figure in the room. Auru kept to her silence, attempting to keep her thoughts from wandering by focusing on the Kage before her.

KingTDSJ: Upon the arrival of another Shin turned his head to quickly glance at the newcomer. It was a person he barely knew personally but heard much about. She was the young genius from Kumogakure that was moved to Hoshi for reasons Shin didn’t quite know yet. All he knew was her name, Auru, and that she was placed in charged of the jinchuuriki by the Kage himself. Shin was kinda jealous of her mainly because wanted the opportunity to work with the jinchuuriki of the nine-tails. She didn’t seem interested in speaking to him which was what he had expected. Most kids who reach jonin at such a young age aren’t really the talkative type. Shin just sorta greeted her with a slight nod before turning back to face the Kage. The sat there for about firteen minutes as he worked on some paperwork, waiting for the third member jonin of the meeting. The Hoshikage finally finished his work. He stood up and looked out of his window down towards the village as the all continued to wait. Eventually the Hoshikage sighed and turned to the two. “I suppose you’re wondering why you’re here.” He stated briefly with his usual loud tone. “Well thhere are two things we need to discuss...First one of course being the internal threats to village safety. The second being external threats.” He continued on. The way he emphasized ‘internal threats’ automatically would make Shin think of the jinchuuriki. “I’ve assembled my three strongest ninja..well 2 out my 3. I brought you all here to help devise plans to handle various threats to village security.” The Kage then look to the corner. “Shin has already delivered me a scrolls apable of temporarily restraining the Kyuubi in 6-tails or less form. However that is not enough. What ideas do you two have in the case of a nine-tails attack?”....Shin sat there in silence for a moment, waiting to see what the younger jonin would say before he gave his input. He wanted to gauge her planning and intelligence and compare it to his before just randomly blurting ideas.

AlphaRai: It was a challenge not to go into her own mind once the silence took over the room, but she had to let her gaze wander including follow upon the burgundy hair man. Assuming by his features, he could be a Uzumaki but other then that, she didn't pay much attention anything else. Her gaze then fell upon the moving Kage who was obviously wanting to wait for the third arrival but being late was more famous then the rumors that spread around the village. It didn't take the Kage long to give into speaking to them anyways, the threats were already known to Auru since he spoke to her often about the host of the Nine Tails. "We already discussed what needed to be done about Kaiiaki. As for external threats, you can probably leave those plans to fancy hair over there." Without even looking at Shin, she gestured towards him while her gaze stayed on the Kage. "The scroll with be helpful with the plan that was already made for her. The person you should be worrying about is not Kyuubi but the host he can control if he seem fit to. If we going to keep discussing different methods to dealing with something that isn't for you to control, then I should already walk out that door." Her voice had a hint of irritation at the thought that the Kage would go against what they had already planned for the young chunin host. "Now, go ahead and explain the external threats. That is something you can control." Before the Kage could even continue, her gaze fell upon the seated Jonin, her greenish blue eyes were the calmest sight from the rest of her. "Do not interfere in something that has already been placed. If you do, then it will all go to hell." With that, she went back to not acknowledging his presence.

KingTDSJ: The Kage sighed as he could see that the two jonin already would have two different viewpoints on the subject matter. He leaned back in his seat as he observed Shin, waiting to hear his reply to Auru’s comment. It was evident that she didn’t know that Shin creating the scroll was a mission set into effect a while before her assignment to teach Kaiiaki. Shin simply sighed as he kept his face away from the young girl. “I guess the subject of the jinchuuriki is a little bit too touchy right now.” He stated as he looked up at the Kage. “I suppose nobody else is going to show up to this meeting either so we might as well drop that subject now. You’ve heard both of our opinions on it and there’s no point in wasting our time arguing. “ Shin said as he leaned back a bit in his chair. The Hoshikage sighed as he move his chair closer to his desk. He pointed to a map of his desk. “We have three large assets as far as military strength is concerned. One being our star chakra. The second being our diversity. The third of course being the nine-tails” He looked up at the two to make sure he still had their interest. “That’s a huge advantage for us however the disadvantage is our location and size. Our geographical features may act as our first layer of protection but it’s going to take more than that to keep us safe. The star chakra and the nine-tails has already attracted the attention of the surrounding village who greatly outnumber us in military strength. Iwagakure is our first priority considering how close they are and that they are a smaller villlage which means they’ll be the first to train and steal something from us, whether its a kekkai genkai from a fellow shinobi, the star chakra, or even the nine-tails we must stay prepared.” He looked up slowly, glancing at Shin first before looking over to Auru. Shin sighed before clearing his throat and speaking up. “Well before we worry about our counterattacks and attack methods I think we first need to address the loyalty of certain shinobi. Those coming directly from a different village are the biggest threat since they have the highest risk of being spies.” Although he didn’t say it directly his comment seemed to be geared towards Auru. “Don’t get me wrong I support the decisions to transfer Shinbo from village to village, it keeps intervillage ties strong but we also have to realize that it is a threat to our security if certain shinobi are tasked with the mission of gathering intel on us.” Shin sighed as he leaned back in his chair to get more comfortable. “We need to monitor who we can truly trust” He said confidently, his eyes stayed on the kage as he awaited to hear Auru’s thoughts.

AlphaRai: Though Auru wasn't fully interested in the affairs of the security of the village, she kept her gaze and attention on the Kage. In her opinion, she wouldn't dare put trust in the Nine Tails being some kind of help especially when the host didn't even have control of it. It was a touchy subject, because they had put too much on a young girls shoulders to keep a village safe. Any moment the host could lose all control and nothing would be able to be kept safe even if they had help from nearby villages. And the thought that Iwagakure would even steal from Hoshigakure was a bit odd to her. Why would they risk training to do such a thing when they have their own skill set that could wipe out mountains if they wanted to? The fact that they are trying to rely on only a few is a big mistake right there and also pointing towards another village as a enemy.  It wasn't until Shin brought up the immigration of Shinobi into Hoshigakure that brought her back down. It didn't bother her much, this wasn't her village and her loyality would never be here fully. Though, Auru being in that room at that very second should give Shin a hint that the Kage did truly trust her. Not only is she blunt about decisions and not frightened to stand up to authority but even though her village sent her here, it's just another village filled with more civilians. It wasn't home but there was still life here. "Maybe you should question the trust you two have on one of your layers of protection before questioning the mind of a Jonin who was created to protect." Auru's tone was quite soft, even a bit too calm. "You assume that someone will come to take what they want, but do you realize that one of your dangers is right inside your security." Kumogakure knew that when it came to her, someone that was created to protect but was also being hunted. "At least I didn't let hate drive my decisions.." That part wasn't meant to come out but her thoughts were becoming a bit overwhelming. The mission to at least help the host get control so the village wouldn't need her anymore would be final. Then her real goal in life will be set in motion even if it costs her life. "Let the others protect until Kaiiaki can control the fire inside her belly." Auru used the Chuunin's name because she was a person as well, not just a host. And it wasn't only about her control of the Nine Tails but also the control of her own emotions. They needed to think of Kaiiaki's life first before pushing a ticking bomb towards guarding the very thing they want to protect. The village and everything in it.

KingTDSJ: A silence had grown in the room after the remarks Auru made. The Kage had placed his hands on together as he leaned his head on them, he appeared to be contemplating on her remarks, grunted and clearing his throat as he prepared to speak but before he could get a word out Shin sat up and spoke. He had been contemplating on Auru’s words for a few moments now. “Everyone has a price…”He stated briefly before adjusted how he sat to get more comfortable. “And Kurama is dual-edged sword. Everyone shinobi and kunoichi has a goal. There’s always someone we want to kill, something we want to obtain or something we want to protect. Kaiiaki is still a blank canvas and can be painted by any artist. But you see she’s the type of canvas whose artwork has the potential to be influence the lives of thousands and its up to the gallery to mediate that influence. Her color is to be determined by the home she occupies, which is us, and the life she lives. The influence is obviously the Kurama and the gallery is Hoshigakure. Kaiiaki not only has potential as a jimchuuriki but also as a kunoichi...she can either be our weapon, our protector or our destroyer but ultimately it decides on her and how we treat her. I say we leave the child alone until that first drop of paint hits that blank canvas...then we decide. As for now we should let her be.” Shin knew that Kaiiaki had the potential to eventually pass him up as a shinobi so he somewhat admired her but at the same time was envious of her potential. Shin’s comment showed that he was ready to drop the subject of Kurama, not in the sense that he was tired of arguing but he had just gotten bored with the conversation. “Now like I said every shinobi has a goal.” He stood up and paced around a bit, stretching his legs and his arms as he looked around the Kage’s office a bit. “Lord Kage yours is the village’s protection. Mine is as well, along with the growth of my new apprentice Masaru...those are my only priorities at the moment.” He turned to Auru and smiled a bit, this was actually one of his more genuine smiles that he rarely gave. “Auru is it?” He asked briefly just to make sure he had the pronunciation correct. “What is your goal? To me it seems that you’re after something more personal than this village or even Kumogakure. What is it if you don’t mind me asking?” He asked as he leaned against the Kage’s desk, crossing his arms. The Kage remained silent as he became more interested in the conversation the two ninja in front of him might have.

ChikaKururugi: Kumiko had been invited to a ‘secret meeting’ of which was being used to apparently discuss the Jinchuriki of Kurama. Which was something, that was well known in Konoha. Especially to her clan which had written chronicles of the times and those after. Though Kurama had faded away over time. The woman had arrived at the meeting, as people started to talk and argue she did the most intelligent thing that she could possibly do. She turned out their fighting and dropped down into a seated position, her hands coming before her in a meditative gesture. Her chakra flared around her, as the soft lilac color of her chakra flared across the Kyoko markings. She buried herself in the Sosen no Michibi in that moment and swirled herself back into the recessed of her Ancestors memory. How was Kurama controlled? How was he maintained? What was the nature of the Jinchuriki of Kurama, and how could it effect the village for which it was tied. Her mind flashed as she lived from the point of view of a Kyoko woman during those wars. She yanked herself away with a gasp for a moment, her head pounding as she struggled to stand. Those that had known the Kyoko in the village of Hoshi, the Renegade of her clan, had come to understand that a specific posture and chakra flare denoted the Michibi form of the Sosen no Kioku. She swayed for a moment as she watched them, drawing in a breath. “You need to show her love. That is how the Kyuubi can be ‘controlled’. Love, and the knowledge of love and caring for others is the only way to tame the beast. This I know as true for the Michibi took me to my Ancestor who witnessed the story of The Great Naruto Uzumaki, in times far past.” She said as she took in a deep shuddering breath. She reached into her pouches for a flask of water and began to guzzle it, and chewed on and herb she used to nullify the headaches that Michibi brought.

AlphaRai: Auru took a deep breath when the silence grew on until Shin had spoke, his words were pretty much drowned out. The thoughts that had been invading her mind had to take over for a tad bit, relief that she didn't have to keep her focus on the shinobi in the room. It wasn't until Shin had questioned her that her focus came back, with ease she was able to answer. "My goals are my own and mine alone." Though a presence of another had presented herself during the arguments, or what some would say discussions. Her focus was more on the two men, "Don't worry about someone that isn't part of your village, it won't matter if I die." Her death under their roof wouldn't even be acknowledged most likely even if she had family here. It wasn't long after that, that the woman that joined them finally put in her intel of her own thoughts or just her Ancestor's. Auru had a lot of questions running through her mind after that, a very unusual way of getting knowledge. But Kumiko was right and that's what she had been trying to get through the Kage's head since she stepped foot in the village. Kaiiaki needed something to grasp instead of the hate that boiled through her heart. Peace, hope, or even love. "I had spoke to you about this as well." Her words directed towards the Kage as well as her gaze, "She needs something else to feel instead of the hate. For her to have control or even a piece of happiness, she needs someone or many someones." She gestured to the lot of them, anyone that could get close to her and show her kindness instead of betrayal. "She also doesn't need to be used as well. She will protect this village because she cares for it, not cause hate drives her to." Her gaze moved onto Shin for only a moment, "We can't let her do what she wants at this moment cause only one emotion drives her. And she will be stuck on that path until we are all gone if she isn't cared for as a human, not as a weapon." At this point, Auru was finished with this ordeal. That quiet time was definitely needed after this, no civilians or other shinobi in sight. "Now, excuse me." A slight nod was given to the Kage before existing the office, already setting back into her own thoughts.

KingTDSJ: Shin had ignored the newcomer as he was focused on getting
Auru to talk. His attempt failed however as she excused herself from the room.
Shin turned to the Kage and shook his head in disbelief before turning to the
newcomer. She appeared to be older than him but it was a face he hadn't seen
before which was weird considering he knew most jonin and most of them knew him
for being the head of the Uzumaki clan. The Kage spoke up "Shin this is
Kumiko..she's an experienced jonin from here in the village. Senior to you in
fact" He stated briefly as Shin sat down. " Is that so? " He
inquired briefly beofre smiling a bit. "Well then hello, I'm Shin Uzumaki...sorry
you came in at such an awkward time." He added before turning to the Kage.
The large man cleared his throat. "We just finished discussing the Kurama
and other threats and assets to the villagge Kumiko.Is there anything you would
like to add?"

ChikaKururugi: "Yes, that if
you treat her like a weapon - she will only ever be a weapon. If you treat her
like a human, she will flourish. As an Uzumaki I think you would know this. As
it was one of your family members that was the greatest holder of Kurama. I am
guessing you are more from the Karin Uzumaki line? Or are you actually from
Naruto's son Baruto?" The woman asked as she watched him for a moment, her
head cocking to the side. "And a pleasure to meet you Shin, I am of the
Kyoko clan." She said a flash of something dark and angry flared in her
eyes at the mention of her clan. "I wish to see this young woman nurtured
and aided towards learning what it is to control the beast within. If she is
pushed towards hate, all she will ever be is hate. This is not the way she
needs to be. Or even should be."

KingTDSJ: He smirked at her comments a bit as he fixed his hair,
looking at her intently, mostly her peculiar eyes at the moment she said her
clan. "I actually hail from neithr Naruto or Karin as far as I know and
I'm surprised you know so much about my lineage. I assume I hail from a
relative of Mito Uzumaki however, perhaps a family that spread out during the
destruction of Uzushio. " He said briefly. "We have different ways of
handling her if she leans towards hatred. The first one being my scroll that I
developed. We were thinking off ways to raise our defense from foreign attack
as well. " He paused for a moment as he thought to himself for a bit
"I don't think I've heard much about your clan Kumiko. Except you all are
known for your exceptional mental capacity if I'm not mistaken."

ChikaKururugi: "The Kyoko's are
well known for their intelligence and their intel work. Mostly as strategist or
interrogation officers." Kumiko said as she took a moment to look away
from him. She never looked anyone in the eyes, even after years of being more
firm in her confidence. Old habits, beaten in from child hood, died hard.
"And I know a lot, as it's all here in my memories. In my clans memories.
Our Kekkei is memories. We have an access store to any memory that a previous
bearer of the mark, activated that is, has had. This is useful in many ways.
But unlike others of my clan I can reach back many many generations."
Kumiko said as she turned her gaze towards the wall. Still avoiding contact.
"As for strategies for raising the defense on the village, most people
have to have gas masks to come in - because of the poison. I only managed to
survive getting to the village because of my wind jutsu. What I would suggest
is making a special squad of ANBU that have built an immunity to the poison, to
hide in the poisonous mists." The woman said softly as she continued to
stare at the wall, her arms crossing over her stomach, her body language
becoming very small and non-threatening.

KingTDSJ: "Hm the poison is one thing but its only one layer of
defense...anybody with enough speed and lung capacity can make it through the
gas." HE stated briefly. "I believe we need a barrier jutsu or maybe
a response team or some sort. Perhaps a sealing ninjutsu or escape system"
He said as he adjusted himself in the seat. The kage looked at the two as he
spoke up "If we were to make who would you two suggest. I believe we need
two. An outer and inner guard so to speak.If you have any suggestions speak up
now. Or perhaps even volunteer. Also try to give me some more creative
things..something the enemy won't prepare for" He stated

ChikaKururugi: "Could apply pit
traps at strategic locations through the valley. In pathways people would run.
Our Shinobi are always equipped with masks, and most have a tolerance for what
is in the valley. This means they can easily avoid anywhere those may be."
Kumiko said as she kept her attention on the wall. Still not looking anyone in
the eyes. "I am not good for defense or barrier, I am a Genjutsu
specialist. I can blind, and I can put to sleep and give them their darkest
fears. But not barriers or defense." She said softly.

KingTDSJ: Shin
 sighed "I don't know any barrier ninjutsu either however I'm sure I
could think of a few creative ways to use my Hiraishin to help respond
to a threat." He stated brielfy. "Perhaps I could place my seals more
around the village and program them to force summon me when the seal is
exposed to danger or something" He added as he placed his hand on his
chin. The Kage interrupted by putting his hand up to signal them to stop
 "I've heard all I needed to hear. Shin I want a report from regarding
who you suggest should be our primary defense against attack. As for now
 I'll be sending out multiple teams of chuunin and anbu to gather
intelligence on potential threats. 3 squads of genin will guard the
gates with a chunin advisor. My jonin will handle any other type of
defense prepartions for now." He stopped and looked at his clock on the
wall. "I have another meeting to attend soon. You two are dismissed. I'm
 giving both of you access to any records and reports you need in order
to devise a special guard team. Take care." He said as he stopped up and
 started putting on his cloak and hat, looking out the window and
waiting for them to leave. Shin stood up first, adjusting his jacket as
he quietly turned and headed out of the door.-

ChikaKururugi: Kumiko
 listened to his words and tapped her fingers on her lips. "You know, I
do vaguely remember a jutsu like that. When I do my next Michibi
session, probably tomorrow, I can look into that information for you. I
need to review it more completely, to find the Jutsu and it's name...
perhaps it's something you can work towards learning?" The woman said as
 she turned her attention now to the leaving Kage. "Hai! Hoshikage-sama,
 have a pleasant rest of your day." She said as she swept him a rather
formal and traditional bow. The one a Lady might give to a Lord, showing
 more of a history of the woman there. "I am going to go to the records
than and start reading everything I can about every shinobi in this
village, to work on defense plans. When I have the information
memorized, Shin-san, I will be in touch." The woman said as she
straightened and turned to leave.

-completed-