[OPEN] A funeral for the lost souls

[Trusted Grader]

The news had broken that Karuki, Hibiki, and Kenitsuna, Ken'ichi had perished during the war effort, sending a shock wave of sorrow throughout the village, some had been personally trained by the men, especially the former. Ken had a few followers who believed in him even though he had forfeited his run for Tsuchikage, while others still saw the potential the man had in defending the country, Hibiki, although a tough man was still beloved by the Jounin he commanded and was to mourn like the hero he was.

Amaya being one of them who had been on the battlefield with Hibiki felt especially guilty for not being able to protect him when he needed her, a guilt that was eating her insides as she was still reeling from the death of her friend, Wana, she did her best to let the mirror stay in one frame but cracked little by little every time someone asked her how she was holding up. The stress of not being good enough was getting to her and the failures were starting to mount, was she even good enough to be a ninja?

What good could she serve if she failed to even harm her enemy or the tower properly? Was she just a distraction? Someone who made it out alive while others had to pay the price for her existence? Kurai, Wana, Hibiki, and also Ken, when would this nightmare end? Ran gently pressed his shoulder against her as they walked down the path towards the funeral, they were all dressed in black to symbolize their grievances, all of the ninjas of Iwagakure no Sato were invited but not expected as there were still duties that needed to be performed.

Amaya looked around to see if she could spot anyone she recognized to share sympathies and grievances, her eyes had watered up but due to her black bonnet covering most of her face, she had managed to keep it a secret for now.

[Valkier]

Kotori's white hair stood out among the sea of black as she trudged along with the funeral procession, though she avoided meeting the eyes of the people around her. She was dressed similarly, and kept her head down, musing over the news of Rock Country's bittersweet victory in their latest campaign. The outcome had been astounding, but not without cost. Her own emotions were mixed. Honestly, she didn't know much about Hibiki—possibly the name had been mentioned once during classes in the academy, but she couldn't have put a face to it. And about the man Ken'ichi, some one-eyed brute with a sword, she knew even less. And yet, for some reason a deep sadness filled her upon hearing of his death. Something deep within her mourned his loss in particular, and she didn't think it was the Genma. Or not only. That, in turn, made her confused and curious.

Wana was a different story. Although she hadn't known the hyena well, they had bonded immediately during their brief encounters. This in turn made her feel a little guilty—who missed an animal companion more than they did two renowned and heroic bannin? Did that make her a terrible person? Probably not, but she kept her thoughts to herself all the same. She followed the group quietly, and wondered if anyone would be saying any words of remembrance, or to honour the fallen.

[Jinan B]

Two great men had lost their lives in Wind Country. The first had long been recognised by the village as a great strength among them. A colleague and a leader of great renown; a teacher to many of Iwagakure’s greatest. His loss would be deeply felt by the village; and his sacrifice honored by those who considered him friend and mentor.

The second was his uncle; the man who had raised him as a father. Though he was now declared a martyr of the village and buried with full honors, Ko’ichi was sure that there would be many who remembered him only as a stain on Iwa’s strength. The Bannin who had abandoned the chance to be Kage; and should have lost his title for his foolishness.

The boy was dressed in a fine black kimono complete with a light gray trim; clothes fit for mourning. He had long since outgrown the formal-wear that he had last worn to a funeral, and so the clothes had needed to be purchased specifically for the occasion. He must have looked a dismal sight, despite his attempts to keep an even countenance. He had already refused the offer to be among his new adopted family today. He could not allow himself to fall apart now.

Yet, within him was turmoil that defied reason and understanding. It coiled within him and some part of it could at least be identified as anger. Yes, he was furious. Furious at the Raikage, for murdering his uncle. Furious at the villages that had caused his death; at Suna and Kumo and even Iwa itself. Furious at Ken’ichi; at the sense of honor that forced him to face death in the name of those who cared so little for him.

For now, the boy followed the procession making their way towards the funeral proper. He paid little attention to the people that he was among, focusing purely on making it to the end of this dread day.

[Trusted Grader]

Having dealt with family members mourning, she kept an eye out after Ken's family, Ko'ichi, who she had been briefed about before the funeral started. Seeing as she was still a leader among the lower ranked, she had made sure to find out as much as she can in order to help the boy with the grieving process. Ironic, considering she was shattering into a million pieces herself, but due to this being somewhat the norm for her, the Shoshiki curse bit the bullet and carried the pain.

She made her way towards Ko'ichi, bobbing through the crowd, she would channel charka through her left and and right as she made it to the boy, she would give him the glass pin shaped like Ken with his sword, she would place it in the boys hand and share a long look of sorrow. What this pin represented was that the man who was once looked down upon--A feeling Amaya had gone through in the past--was now an admitted war-hero.

This pin would serve to not only show anyone who dared to declare that Ken wasn't who the boy claimed he was, would be deterred by the pin created by the master artisan. In Iwagakure, power was the leading dominance in idieology and military countries had a tenancy to respect the markings of a great warrior, this was her gift to the boy. With no words needed to be shared, she continued forwards.

[Valkier]

The procession slowly grew as it passed into the central avenues of Iwagakure no Sato. Most occupants of the village knew what it was for and what was going on, and though many dark-clad figures quietly slipped in to join the edges of the crowd, tenfold more watched them pass from windows and alleys, heads bowed or hands on hearts. This was not the first memorial for the casualties of the recent war, and likely not the last, but none recently had been so high profile. The mood remained sombre despite the size and importance of the gathering, with only a low undertone of hushed voices beneath an otherwise cold silence. The minutes passed like hours until eventually the gathering arrived at a small mausoleum near the middle of the village. Two large, laquered coffins rested atop a pair of raised plinths, just high enough to be visible through the crowd yet low enough that mourners could pass by pay their respects properly. A sensitive and considerate display.

Kotori let herself flow along with the mass of people. She was too short to see much more than the shifting black cloaks and passing black veils around her—she thought she recognised Shoshiki Amaya briefly, but the woman was soon swallowed further into the crowd—and so simply trudged along in silence. The crowd slowed and halted, and she slipped through an opening between two tall men and stumbled out to the front of the semicircular clearing around the memorial site.

"'scuse me, sorry—" she muttered meekly and slipped back into a vacant space in the crowd beside beside a young man in a black kimono, lined with grey. She glanced sideways at him for a moment, thinking it tragic for a boy so young to look so distraught and alone. It seemed to her that he was standing isolated, despite the press of the crowd around them. As other figures—those who had been walking with the caskets—rejoined the crowd she became acutely aware that she was very likely standing amongst the close friends and family of the deceased, quite obviously out of place but too self-conscious to move further back now that the memorial was about to begin.

A tall and commanding figure stood between the two caskets, dressed even more formally than the rest of those present.

"Citizens and soldiers of Iwagakure," the man intoned, his voice slow, heavy, but commanding, "We gather here today to pay our respects and honour the departure of two of our finest. They leave us as heroes, fallen in victorious battle, and will remain always in our hearts and minds as idols of that which we strive to become."

The man stepped forward and exchanged a few quiet, intimate words with a few people nearby, evidently close companions to the fallen. Then he spoke up to the crowd once again.
"We begin with eulogies for the departed. Is there anyone present who will speak words of remembrance for Karuki Hibiki and Kenitsuna Ken'ichi?"

SpoilerShow

[color=grey]speech color[/color]

[Jinan B]

As the procession moved forward, beginning to near the assigned burial place, Ko found himself approached by a most unexpected person. Amaya was just as much a legend as his uncle had ever been. Her looking this shattered must have been a rare sight. She passed him a small figurine, and he accepted before looking to see what it was: a glass pin, clearly depicting his uncle standing defiant against the world. It was beautiful.

Ko forced his expression to remain still, rather than fall apart at the gesture that had just been made. ”Thank you, Lord Shoshiki.” He affixed the pin to his kimono, treating it gently to ensure the fragile-looking glass wouldn’t crack or break.

The crowd had now arrived at the memorial site, gathered around the two coffins for the lost shinobi. It made a grand display to be sure, but less so for the boy. Perhaps those who thought both coffins had been filled would’ve been more impressed. At least Hibiki’s corpse would be interred honourably; here where only the most renowned came to rest. Some solace could be had, the afterlife didn’t care where your body returned, but not much.

For his part, Ko found himself near Amaya and a young girl whom he didn’t recognise. The man leading the ceremony began to speak; inviting members of the crowd to come and speak for the fallen. ”Lord knows I’ve said the words for him before…” Ko’ichi turned his head, seeing his uncle’s old companion Tomotsu a couple bodies down. The front of his kimono was stained with blood, where bandages must not have held up. Clearly, the Jashinist had been worshipping fervently earlier that day.

The rest of the crowd was silent for a moment; no one appeared eager to do what was needed. The boy focussed, finally succeeding at pushing back what was coiling within him, and raised his voice. ”I will speak for Ken’ichi.” He took a step forward, now standing out from the crowd, and met the official’s eye. He nodded, ”Come then, young one.”

The boy moved further to stand between the caskets, looking back at the crowd. For a moment, he faltered, scratching against the family marker on his wrist. Fear threatened to force him back into the mass, yet he held firm. His uncle would never have tolerated such a display.

Ko began to speak, his voice echoing out in the silence. “Kenitsuna, Ken’ichi. Back to the mud… He was a teacher, more than anything. Loved to brag about his students. Not all of them had good ends; some of them despicable ones, but he kept them with him no matter what they’d done. He taught some of us here now; pretty much everything I know for one…” They were good enough words, he thought, but there was more that had to be said. The rage began to threaten him once again.

“He didn’t always make choices people liked, but it never much mattered to him. Used to say anyone could face ease with confidence. Well, no one could say he didn’t face enough hardship in his life, and he faced it all fiercely. All’s left for us is to live up to that.” With that, he stopped. He could hear the shift in his tone already. Nothing else was in him other than accusation.

So he moved back into the crowd, keeping quiet. Meeting no one’s eyes as he tried to make himself beneath notice.

The man leading the ceremony became known once more. ”Thank you. Who will be the next to come forward?”

[Trusted Grader]

Amaya peered over at Kotori and nodded at her when she had picked up her scent (The years she had spent hunting with Wana had finally payed off) a crocked yet sorrow filled smile dissapeared as fast as it had appeared. Her arm gently rested on Ko's shoulder as she stopped next to him. She intently listened to the speaker, and her eyes fell to the ground as she listened. Her mind was swirling and countless questions danced within her mind, was there anything different she could've done? Or was she just wasting her time making upp scenarios which tended to kill her spirit?

Her eyes landed on her bandaged left wrist, a mark left by the cursed Konoha ninja that kept her busy, she clenched her fist and sighed. If only I had been more efficient then I could've maybe taken down the tower and focused on assisting the others, made sure that my poor hyena didn't die... There's so much I could've done... Yet... Here I am again, the unkillable... Her head hung low until Ko chose to speak for his family member.

Her eyes tracked his movements as she herself moved closer to Kotori, her arm gently rested on her shoulders as she gave her a side embrace (It was more for Amaya than it was for Kotori but she would never admit it) and took a deep breath as she listened in on his speech. Tears had welled up in her eyes but she would blame it on the weather if asked.

Ko's speech got her thinking about Ken and how she had heard when she herself was but a Chuunin about this legend who had convinced Hibeki to allow her to not only become a Chuunin but how if she ever stepped out of line he would personally deal with him. A feint chuckle escaped her breath, she had always wondered what would've happened to her if he hadn't stood up for her, she always figured that one day she would reach his status and try to return the favour but when they finally had the opportunity to stand shoulder by shoulder, she was sent to another field.

One where the legendary Jounin Commander was on, Ran was originally placed to protect him but his willingness to prove to the kage that we was a worthy ninja had backfired. Her eyes landed on Ran who seemed to curse himself, his eyes hadn't met hers since they last splitt up in the war, she knew that guilt was killing him on the inside, Amaya was too wounded to speak to the kid but she knew that she would have to eventually, especially if they wanted to get Kurai back as only he knew how Iji thought.

Amaya shook her head and returned to the moment ahead, she watched Ko finish his speech then gently rested her other arm around him, she planned on staying here until the speaker asked if anyone else wanted to speak, which promted her to breath out, she knew that she had to if she wanted to get this weight off her shoulders. The Shoshiki moved towards the podium and cleared her voice once she finally stopped moving, her nerves where getting the best of her but she had to save face for the greater good.

"As many of you may know, I am Shoshiki, Amaya. The problematic child that has caused a massive headache for the clan and Iwa..." That wasn't really what she wanted to say, but she knew that it was best to start with the bad, to show the people of Iwagakure that everyone had a past. "Ken... Was a great man, who stuck his head out for me, he convinced the higher ups that I wasn't just a waste of space, he believed that there was something hidden behind these blue eyes. He may have only had one eye but he could see far better than most that I have met and it is safe to say that if it weren't for his actions then I would still be locked behind bars... He was a man who went out of his way for others and even in death he attempted to go out of his way for others.

The irony is, if he hadn't then we might have lost that battlefield, meaning a man of his calibre managed to score us a new line on the map. A dream most of us might never even get close to, but Ken did it, with pride..." Amaya looked over towards Ko then towards Ran. "Then we have the man, the myth, the legend, Hibeki, a man all Jounins in Iwagakure no Sato owes a massive favor to, the man that made sure that we were all up to scratch, that we all carry the will of Rock. A man that punished me, bent my will and nearly broke me in order to become the weapon you all see before you.

Hibekis and Ken's wills will forever live on as all of us carry their message and lessons with us. Each generation from here on out will always have been touched by their action, we will pass down their knowledge and skill from one generation to other generation. For without Ken and Hibeki there is no Amaya... and I will make sure that I live up to their examples and anyone I lead will as well." With that she cleared her throat, turned around to face the two coffins then performed a full dogeza in honor for the two fallen members.

After a full minute had passed the ninja would rise to a standing position before she moved towards Ko and Kotori, her eyes finally met Rans who tried his best to keep the tears from rolling down his face but had failed miserably, a nod was shared before Amaya stopped walking and once again rested her arms around their shoulders.

[Kaitos10]

Hiroko had been training the entire time during the war after sensei Amaya left to do her duty when she got back she heard the horrible news about her hyena and would try to think of a way to comfort her. But she wasn’t that good with people and Otsukoki didn’t care and was no help at all. So she spent the whole time worried and thinking as she continued her training. When it was time for the funeral, for the shinobi she attended like the rest but just listened to what everyone else was saying trying to get a idea on what she could do to help.

She listened in as her sensei or rather one of them gave an interesting and impassioned speech about one of the deceased.

[Valkier]

Kotori remained quiet, head bowed respectfully, as Ko moved forward to speak. She hadn't realised who he was—not that she could have, really, stranger as she was—and it made her feel all the more conscious of where she stood. Ko spoke only a little, but his words carried a depth of emotion and meaning which drew all ears in the gathered crowd. There was a heavy moment of silence after him, and Kotori again considered moving backwards and losing herself in the crowd, but then Amaya was there beside her too. So she had been here, after all. The older woman touched her shoulder, eyes wet, and tried to hug her. Kotori squirmed uncomfortably until she could worm a hand free and used it to pat Amaya awkwardly on the head until she pulled away. She offered a sympathetic look instead, meeting her eyes just for a moment before Amaya stepped foward to follow after Ko.

She stayed to listen, then cocked her head. It was an... unusual way to start a speech, for sure. But soon enough Amaya got into the flow of it, and Kotori clung to the words just as much as Ko's had gripped her. It was interesting to hear Amaya, who was something of a sensei figure to Kotori herself, speak of her own experiences as a student of Ken and Hibiki. It explained much of her style of mentoring, as well; Kotori had been left with some concerns over Amaya's methods so far, but if it had worked in her own case...

Kotori joined the bow along with the rest of the crowd at the end of the twin eulogies. When she rose, Amaya and Ko were back standing beside her, and the priest leading the ceremony was front and centre once more.

"We all thank you both for your moving words," he began and nodded towards both Ko and Amaya. "I have no doubt that all of us gathered here have our own heartfelt memories of Karuki-sama and Kenitsuna-sama, and their deeds will remain immortalised in the annals of Iwagakure no Sato for all generations to remember."

The priest slowly turned around to face the two caskets, and with his back to the crowd, began laying some personal effects from the families of the deceased upon each.

"Your lives, we honour. Your deeds, we remember. Your departure, we accept. Your memory, we cherish. We pay to your passing with grief for the great loss, and with gratitude for that which you leave behind. Pass now, and rest. Rest in the hearts and minds of us all, rest with our love, and rest well earned."

The loved ones were joined by another smaller group of men and women dressed similarly to the priest, who took up thin ropes running beneath the two caskets. Slowly, respectfully, they began to lower the two coffins. The priest stepped up to each and sprinkled a pinch of hard earth and white chalk.

"May the final embrace of the Earth welcome you home, brothers of Iwagakure."

He hung his head, and waited with the silence of the crowd as the ceremony completed and the two caskets sank out of sight, and then a minute longer. Finally, he turned back to the crowd one last time.

"The goodwill of Iwagakure upon you all for coming. The families of the departed would like to thank you for your support, and would welcome you to join them in a repast, beginning now in the courtyard of the Walk of Legends, to celebrate and honour the lives of the fallen." He bowed one final time, and from somewhere on the fringes of the crowd, a harmony of strong voices began to rise and fall in a sorrowful, traditional requiem as the gathered audience began to depart. A mournful tune dating back to the ancient early years of Iwagakure, sung to accompany the passage of the honoured dead.

[Jinan B]

For a moment after he returned, Ko’ichi felt Amaya wrap her arms around him. The physical comfort was far from his preference – not after the physically distant household he had grown up in – but he made no attempt to escape from the Bannin’s grasp. If this was the comfort that Amaya needed he wouldn’t keep it from here, and as unfamiliar as it was something about it was soothing for him as well.

The embrace lasted only a moment before Amaya moved away, presenting herself before the assembled crowd and beginning her own speech. The words she offered were foreign to his words, so different from the style of his family. He could see the more staunch traditionalists in attendance bristle at how she spoke of Ken’ichi. Even the girl who stood alongside him, a close friend of the Bannin’s and apparently (if the family coin around her neck could be trusted) a lesser member of the house, seemed uncomfortable. Yet, as Amaya’s speech unwound it began to find its place; giving praise to what set aside the two fallen being honoured here. The bristling calmed, and welcome took its place.

Then, Amaya returned. It seemed no others were prepared to speak, but there was no longer any need for it. Each of the fallen had been offered their recognition. So it was that the priest spoke once more; concluding the ceremony and inviting the attendees to continue with a traditional repast. Traditional for the village, at least. As the crowd began their march, Ko’ichi saw many members of his house silently detach from the crowd. These were not their ceremonies nor their gods, and the obligation to the village ended with the funeral ceremony. There would be private events in the coming days, prayers offered to the Reaper for the souls of Ken’ichi and Hibiki both, but they would not sing today.

Ko’ichi sang, keeping in step with the remaining crowd as they began the journal out of the Walk of Legends. His uncle had taught him how Iwa honoured its dead years ago; had taught him the ways of a myriad of traditions all across the world. Even if his elders would scoff or seek to punish him for becoming too distant from their ways; he had every intention to stay with the mourning tide until its end.

[Trusted Grader]

One could tell by the way the others seemed to move about what they actually thought, half of the crowd seemed to fully respect Hibeki while the other still had some reserves when it came to Ken, but what was clear was that would certainly remember this day. Kotori being the outsider was certainly doing her best to follow along, while Ko who was part of Ken's family was leading the way.

Amaya couldn't help but to sing along with Ko as they chanted the song togehter, she continued to walk with the crowd that slowly began to depart, her eyes locked with Ran who nodded and began to leave. You and I will talk later. Was what her eyes told her student, they still hadn't discussed what had actually happened, nor had they had the time to burry the animal.

Everything had gone so fast that they couldn't even grieve properly, the death of the hyena had created a strain between the two of them that would have to be dealt with when time was appropriate.

Amaya made sure to leave space for Kotori and if she didn't know the lyrics then she would assist her by creating a small display that fit in her hand, it revealed the text as they sang along.

[Kaitos10]

Hiroko would listen to the sermon and stand there even singing along as to not stand out then when people started to clear out she would see Amaya sensei and walk over to her saying “how are you feeling sensei? I’m sorry to hear about your loss do you want to talk about it?” she would then wait to see how her sensei would respond. She didn’t really care about the two that died since didn’t know them that well. But she did feel bad for her sensei when she heard that her beloved hyena had died

[Valkier]

Kotori fell into step beside Amaya as the crowd began to depart, walking along on the opposite side of the Shoshiki as the young lad from the crowd. She did not sing, even when Amaya encouraged her and showed her some words formed from glass in her hand. Kotori read them and glanced up at Amaya, but kept her mouth shut all the same; where she came from, a loved one might speak words of a lament for the departed, but it would be an intimate and personal affair. Not a crowd of strangers, singing along to some recycled tune. No, it was not her place to sing for these two, not when their own kin were here to honour them properly.

She raised a hand and waved as her senpai Hiroko appeared from the thinning masses of people, but frowned as the other girl ignored her and only spoke to Amaya instead. Feeling very out of place still, she let herself slip back into the crowd and followed at a distance. Only when they had moved several streets away, when the sound of the singing had faded, did she realise that spirit of Nolosha within her was humming its own mournful tune, a surreal chorus echoing quietly only within her own mind. Between the muted harmonies, a small voice encouraged Kotori to stay the course and see the event through. It felt right, for all that she was not really part of the procession.
--

---

--
The Walk of Legends had been prepared well for the occasion. As the guests arrived—only a few dozen in total, now, those who actually knew the deceased personally—they passed through a great gate hung with banners of Iwagakure, and walked onwards to a beautiful plaza lined with autumnal trees, featuring aged statues of the first four Tsuchikage. The procession passed slowly beyond these and down a raised stone walkway bordered by further statues of the previous fifteen Tsuchikage, growing newer and newer with each passing face. At the end of the walkway a second courtyard opened up, wide and welcoming. A blanket of orange-red leaves splayed across the stones, and tables had been placed containing a feast of various edibles and drinks aplenty. To one side, a small wooden stage had been constructed, where some musicians and orators were preparing to entertain the gathered party.

Kotori, ever true to her nature, made a beeline straight for the food.

--

[Jinan B]

The procession resounded as it continued, even as its members drifted apart as the non-committed made their exits. To Ko, it was as if the whole world were taking part, drowning out the sounds of the village with the low baritone of the hymn. Even when one among the group made to speak to the Bannin by his side, he heard no word of it. He would not have listened even if he could. He paid little attention as the other ward of Amaya’s, the unknown family member, slipped away from the crowd. All of the boy’s focus was on the song, on the outpouring of devotion to the departed.

It felt… Right, being a part of this all. Ko lacked the words to describe it, but the pain he had been bearing somehow eased as he walked. As if it were being filled out by the worship itself. Even if it would not take away his loss, even if Ken’ichi would not return home again, the world without him was something Ko could face; at least in that moment.

And all too soon, the moment was over. The song dimmed until it faded entirely, and in its place was the courtyard where the wake would settle for some hours. The old turmoil returned as he took in the sight of the preparations. Food and drink held little interest to him, but his gaze fixed on that of the statues surrounding the courtyard. One statue in particular: that of Chuutetsu Ishidai. The man who had tried to take his uncle’s rank from him. Who had gone to war with him and returned unscathed. Who had abandoned Ken’ichi to his fate. Ko would not forget, no matter how mournful Ishidai seemed to look as he strode among those present.

He forced his eye from the former Kage and glanced over those who remained. There were only a few faces that he recognised. A scant handful of shinobi who had visited over the years, and Tomotsu; alone and watching him. No doubt he would have departed earlier had Ko not remained.

The girl with the white hair was there, picking out morsels from the feast. Had she not left during the procession? As far as Ko could tell, they were the only members of the family remaining. Before he could really think about what he was doing, his feet carried him to the wide tables right beside her. Looking over the array, he grabbed a plate and half-heartedly took a small beef pastry. Then, he spoke, half at the table and half to the girl beside him.

”You shouldn’t have stayed. Bet the elders will have us both punished for it.” It was meant to be friendly, but the boy couldn’t muster the mood. It would hardly be a stretch for Kotori to interpret the words quite differently than they were intended.

[Trusted Grader]

It was beautiful to sing for the lost, in her mind she also made sure that she sang for Wana, she knew that there wasn't going to be enough time for them to mourn her hyena, besides, who would even care? The lives of two bannins triumphed the life of a pet, or so she thought. I need to be better, I need to remain strong for the next generation for one of these days they will sing this tune for me and then Ran will take over until maybe Kotori does and so forth, this is the way of ninjas. A sigh rolled off her breath as she finished singing.

She followed them up to the courtyard and was rather apprehensive about whether she was allowed to follow with them, but when she saw that Kotori moved along she chose to follow, she gently nudged Hiroko, she would sit down next to her but stopped meal prepping as she saw Ko move out, he stared at the Ishidai's statue and felt some type of way about him, she could tell, for he had the same facial expression Amaya had when it came to her own clan leader.

Amaya wasn't sure what happened on their battlefield, though from the reports that she read it clearly stated that Ken was caught within a massive jutsu cast by their enemies, while the mercenaries and Ishidai managed to destroy the tower, after that the former kage fled the scene only to meet up with one half of the mercenary team dispatched with them, it seemed that the battlefield was chaotic and no one truly knows how Ken died, except that there's nothing left of him.

Amaya sighed, she shouldn't be thinking about these things, especially not around his family members. "You know Hiroko, if you don't take your training seriously then that thing in you might revolt you know." Amaya nudged, she had noticed that Hiroko had become distant lately and training was one of the ways that Amaya knew could cheer a ninja up, for what could make a weapon more joyful than the idea that they became more powerful?

What a twisted way of seeing things, the Shoshiki had during the later part of her years become more accustomed to the fact that ninja's emotions meant less than their usefulness, all the loss had shaped her to become emotionless, though with friends like these she was sure that she would find her way back to her old self.

---

417

[Valkier]

Kotori's position, hunched over a tray spread of food at one table at the side of the courtyard, was a tactful one. She was still keenly aware of her lack of kinship with the others here in what seemed like it should be an intimate, familial affair, and so instead of mingling openly, she watched the gathering from the sidelines. She saw Amaya and Hiroko, the only two she really knew, moving to sit together across the plaza, as well as the young boy with whom she'd stood at the funeral rites. The rest of the attendees were foreign to her, though their commanding bearings and their array of rich robes, vibrant and spotless, told her plainly enough that most were far beyond her own social standing. For now, at least, she reminded herself, while scarfing down a slice of moist and delicious cake in too-few bites.

Her eyes followed the boy as he walked the courtyard and looked at the statues, and she caught a brief glimpse of his expression at one of them in particular, before he spotted her and began making his way in her direction. She hesitated, mid-way through biting into some sort of sweet sauce-filled rice ball, but there was nowhere to which she could slip away. So instead she stood back up straight and forced herself to swallow, fought down a gag, then finally remembered to quickly wipe her mouth clean on a ragged sleeve as he reached the table.

She felt herself go cold as he spoke, his words and his tone obviously unamused at her presence. She opened her mouth to answer, but what could she say? He was dead right. She didn't even know who "the elders" were, but the title alone did not sound good.

"You caught me," she sighed, deflating a little. "People don't normally take much notice of me." Not until recently, anyway. But, they'd walked here together, hadn't they? Why hadn't he said something sooner and stopped her entering at the time? She watched him pick over the food and, seeing that he wasn't too enthusiastic about kicking her out right there and then, decided to take a risk instead. When he next glanced up, her frown had been replaced with a faint smile.

"But I won't tell if you won't. Deal?" She pushed a small glass into his free hand and sloshed some clear liquid into it from a nearby bottle, then poured another for herself. She clinked it against his before he could move away, then quaffed whatever it was in one gulp. Then her eyes went wide and she spun away, bent double, and retched for a good few seconds before drawing a shaky breath.

"Wh—What the hell is that?" she croaked between gasps, scrambling for support on the table. Her throat burned and her eyes watered, when she grabbed the bottle to read the label, the smell of its contents turned her stomach. "Wow!" And she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

"C'mon, let's look around." she nudged the boy and beckoned him out with her into the courtyard. If he wasn't going to kick her out just yet, then she was at least going to try and win him over to try and lessen the insult of her transgression. She took two steps and then hesitated, running her tongue around her numb mouth, then turned back and picked up the bottle again. If this was his kind of scene then maybe he liked the stuff. But she made sure to keep it at arms length herself.

"I've never been to an event this fancy before," she admitted as they walked. "Shame about the circumstance. I'm sorry. For your loss, I mean. I didn't really know the two bannin, but it's clear they were really loved." She thought it best not to mention that she barely even knew their names before this morning, and instead try to be sensitive. The young boy must be dealing with a lot right now. Maybe a distraction was in order instead. If Kotori had one skill, it was being distracting.

"C'mon, let me introduce you to Amaya-sensei and Hiroko-sempai. I heard Amaya just got promoted to bannin, too, and I ain't congratulated her yet." She pulled on Ko's sleeve and directed him across the courtyard, but their route took them back past the statue he'd glared at earlier. She glanced at it, maybe felt a hint of recognition, then at Ko. She nudged him again and grinned.

"Wow, look at his face! Poor guy couldn't catch a break even as a statue, huh?" She pinched her own face up in imitation. "I wonder how the mason managed to capture it so well? Probably had to swap hands and carve it with the hammer instead of the chisel, huh." She held the bottle up to the statue in commiseration and then took a sip without thinking, and very quickly regretted the mistake.

"Blegh!" This time the pinched expression stuck.