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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 22, 2007 1:36:25 GMT -5
Konoha...
It seemed he couldn't stay away, after all. The place was surely full of memories, to give it credit for at least one thing other than escaping destruction at his hands. It brought back yet more recollections with the fact that it didn't seem to have changed a single bit from what he knew. Or maybe... not quite. Tsunade's hand was at work, obvious in a few minor lifestyle details.
But... memories, that was all. Orochimaru cared only too little about this village whose streets he was wandering once more. All that interested him was what he could obtain from here, to perhaps even use against the place.
He was disguised as a fruit merchant... rather unimaginative, if one thought about it. But it gave him a good vantage point over the entire street... a small market stand where he could sit and no one would find his apparently uninterested and bored observations questionable. Besides, it was also convenient because his followers had been able to pass for carters and infiltrate the village right along with him. They had now dispersed, doing a good job of looking like men who really were out of an occupation until the evening arrived and they had to pack everything and load it in the cart again.
Oranges, apples and strawberries... there was a point in picking such trivial fruit, too. He would be bothered less, since others offered the same things for sale, and so he could observe more of the young shinobi who crossed by with whatever business. With a bit of luck, he would see someone special before nightfall... then, once he had studied them enough to devise a strategy, he would make sure to approach.
That ought to find him at least a couple of rookies whose developments were worth supervising... if not something more advanced than that.
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Kane, Tsukiko
Genin
Mist Shinobi
Wow. I just relized I have been skating for the past like week. Lmao.
Posts: 200
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Post by Kane, Tsukiko on Jun 22, 2007 10:44:12 GMT -5
Tsukiko made her way slowly through the street of Kohona. This place was crawling with people, so she was a little uncomfortable. She passed a few people arguing and some joking. She punched one guy for hitting on her. 'Pft, Like I would take a second look at you.' She thought as she walked away from the guy. She started getting bored and was watching this one guy, something about him didn't feel right. Tsukiko never went agaist her feeling and decided that she would keep a close eye on this man. She sat near his stand, but not to close, watching his every move.
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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 23, 2007 1:57:38 GMT -5
Orochimaru wondered if that one really thought he wouldn't notice her, even despite the basic precautions she had taken, such as keeping the distance. There was no doubt about the fact she was watching him... though he couldn't know her motives. It couldn't be an exaggerated concern for Konoha's safety, though, not having in mind that, by what he could see of her forehead protector... she was from Kirigakure.
Maybe she was just curious. Curiosity was indeed an admirable trait, because from it sprang the desire to know more... and knowledge was power. The question was... had she given limits to that curiosity of hers? And if so... were they society's limits, or her own?
He continued to look as if he was distributing his attention equally between various trivial things on the street, like a veritable merchant would have. But he took care to fix his gaze on her for a very long second, conveying the clear fact that he had taken notice. If she wasn't naive... she would understand.
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Kane, Tsukiko
Genin
Mist Shinobi
Wow. I just relized I have been skating for the past like week. Lmao.
Posts: 200
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Post by Kane, Tsukiko on Jun 23, 2007 9:01:28 GMT -5
Tsukiko watched him, his glances at her made her shift in her spot. 'I know him, but I don't. He just seems to familiar.' She narrowed her eyes when he stared at her again.
She wanted to go up and just ask who he really was. But that would be pretty stupid, and she didn't want a big scene in Kohona. But once again, her curiousty got the best of her. 'Curiousty kills the cat!' Her head chanted.
She walked to his stand and stared at him. She looked down at his stuff and then looked at him once more. Tsukiko crossed her arms over her chest and spoke just loud enough for him to hear, "I don't know what it is about you, but something tells this" she motioned to his cart,"Isn't normal. Who are you really?"
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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 23, 2007 9:30:32 GMT -5
"Would you like to buy something?" Orochimaru asked, playing his part perfectly. He had been loud enough for anyone in the immediate vicinity to hear... and eventually lose any trace of interest whatsoever. He wasn't one to take such uncertain chances as to speak freely, though. He smiled pleasantly and stood up from his seat, pretending he was just trying to give her more room to see the fruit.
The cart was placed conveniently, he had taken care of it beforehand. That move only brought him by her side, where he could speak more, unheard by any eavesdroppers, intentional or casual. Nothing looked truly suspicious so far; it would only seem so to someone who had reason to think it should be to begin with. Such as his followers. They ought to be shifting in their spots right now, trying to pay attention without looking like they were.
He didn't try to see them; he quite honestly didn't care. The fact that the girl had chosen to approach him first was rather intriguing. "You're pretty perceptive," he tested her a little, his tone filled with subterfuge even as he didn't answer her question. "Maybe you have a reason to pay such close attention?"
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Kane, Tsukiko
Genin
Mist Shinobi
Wow. I just relized I have been skating for the past like week. Lmao.
Posts: 200
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Post by Kane, Tsukiko on Jun 23, 2007 9:51:04 GMT -5
Tsukiko made sure to watch the people around her from the corner of her eyes. Knowing that if someone was watching that he would change the subject. "Thats what I would like to know." She casually turned to look him in the eye. "Why would my interest spark on you?" She looked him over with interest.
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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 24, 2007 0:16:01 GMT -5
Orochimaru smirked a little, allowing a glimmer of satisfaction to flash in his eyes for a small second. Harboring an unmistakable expression, even for the smallest second... one that you could be recognized from by the right onlooker... There was, maybe, a tiny risk in that move, but danger was ever so... wonderful.
"Because you're different..." he told the girl plainly, taking an emphatic break that covered the other people swarming about with their own petty purposes, "...from them."
He held her gaze, his eyes slightly narrowed for the crucial moment of the conversation. It was a matter of one's own decision... always. The best asset was to know when to include it.
"You will have the rest of your answer..." he said slowly, letting her see that he was intrigued, but leaving the outcome entirely up to her. "If you come meet me outside the gates of Konoha at late dusk."
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Kane, Tsukiko
Genin
Mist Shinobi
Wow. I just relized I have been skating for the past like week. Lmao.
Posts: 200
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Post by Kane, Tsukiko on Jun 24, 2007 8:38:52 GMT -5
Miyako eyes wondered to take his full apperance in. She returned to his eyes and turned quickly on her heal. "Late dusk." She said looking over her shoulder. Why she was trusting this man she had no clue. The mystery of him just seemed to suck her in. She even hesitated to leave him. But knew it would be best if she did leave.
But it wasn't like she was going far, she sat where she was watching him from earlier. She needed to know what was this...thing about him. So, she began to study him, well what she could of him. Watching his every move with curious eyes.
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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 24, 2007 9:54:51 GMT -5
So... Orochimaru thought to himself as he returned to his seat and occupied it like nothing had gone on at all. You've chosen to be an observer yourself.
There were mainly two types of shinobi. Those with talent and... those without it. He was purely interested in the former and too dismissive of the latter. As far as observation was concerned, its uses were many, but all depended on how quick one could form conclusions based on what they had seen. What this girl would have to say when they met later on was to decide whether she had that necessary talent or not.
He gave her ample opportunity to study him during what was left of the day, and he did not shy out from showing her he was interested in people. He gazed at the faces of his customers and at the moving backs of those who passed by, intently, ever so often. And he made sure the angles were right for her to see. He was playing a silent and distanced game with her...
Finally, the afternoon came, along with the time to set in motion. He instructed his followers - or... the carters - to take care of what merchandise was left, as if it were truly important. They would abandon it on a dark alleyway, anyhow... such blatant insignificance always made him smile.
Meawhile, he walked, agonizingly slow, heading back for the gates. The girl would eventually follow if her intrigue was still in place... and at a safe distance if she knew not to attract attention. Accumulating tension with the approach of truth.
Yes... Spend time watching my back... and wondering. Your mind will be ready by the time we get there.
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Kane, Tsukiko
Genin
Mist Shinobi
Wow. I just relized I have been skating for the past like week. Lmao.
Posts: 200
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Post by Kane, Tsukiko on Jun 24, 2007 10:05:20 GMT -5
After the hours of sitting there, she seemed to calculate a few things.
1) Whoever he was, he was very powerful. And hid it very well. 2) He was looking for something. How he studied the faces of the people walking by. 3) He was testing or messing with her. Making sure she saw his every move.
Those three things only brought more questions and frustrated Tsukiko even more. 'What was it about him?'
She made sure to let about 8 yards space between them before she stood and casually followed him to the gates. Wanting the questions she held about him to be answered.
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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 24, 2007 10:11:21 GMT -5
Orochimaru didn't stop at the gates, where he could feel the intent gazes of the Chuunins assigned on guard duties. He didn't worry much about them, since their attention had to be distributed among many other travelers aside from him. But that didn't mean one couldn't casually galnce out along the road and see him stopping to talk to someone.
Therefore, he walked another mile, as the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon, far away. Until the trees obscured him from sight. And another half of a mile, just to play on her patience.
By the time he stopped and waited for her to come close eanough for a decent dialogue to be had, it was late dusk as he had indicated. He didn't turn to face her, he just stood there, staring ahead indefinitely and letting her catch up.
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Kane, Tsukiko
Genin
Mist Shinobi
Wow. I just relized I have been skating for the past like week. Lmao.
Posts: 200
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Post by Kane, Tsukiko on Jun 24, 2007 10:17:27 GMT -5
Tsukiko noticed the guards. 'Forgot about them' she thought and jumped onto a roof and then over the gate. She made sure she was hidden by bushes before she took off. Tsukiko's patience was running thin by the time he came in sight.
"Was this really necessary?" She questioned him while coming onto the road. She dusted herself off and stared at him with her hand on her hip and one on the tip of her sword. She still had her cautions about him.
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Usagi Taranabi
Genin
Sand Shinobi
Waaah, school starts today *sob sob*
Posts: 472
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Post by Usagi Taranabi on Jun 24, 2007 15:01:44 GMT -5
Usagi waited at the gates for her friend, Talim.
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Post by Talim Ranma on Jun 24, 2007 15:05:58 GMT -5
"hey Usagi ,woah really pale dude i'm board wanna fallow him he's like two shades whiter than me it's amazing!" Talim whispered to Usagi
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Post by Orochimaru on Jun 24, 2007 15:06:56 GMT -5
His back still turned casually on her, apparently open to any attack, Orochimaru laughed lightly, giving his amusement somewhat of a benevolent tinge. The rhythmic moves of his torso were visible through the shifting cloth of his large merchant attire. With a light toss of his hair, he lost the straw hat that had been protecting him from the sun during the day. When he did turn to face her, taking his time, he was smirking.
"Actions do speak louder than words... after all," he told her, narrowing his eyes again and affording to look like his usual sly self now, that they were out of Konoha. His hand rose to his forehead, tucking locks of black hair to a side, then the fingers twitched slightly and grabbed.
Like the simple mask it was, the skin - and with it, the merchant's face - was shed, discarded and tossed away. Instead of a merchant with battered, sunburnt facial features, the girl doubtlessly saw his actual countenance this time: a pale complexion and piercing golden eyes. He waited to see whether further introductions were required, keeping his smirk the whole time.
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