Mika looked around at times. She wasn't getting the idea that somebody was on her trail. But she wanted to be sure that there was nobody around. With her dark clothes, it was hard to see her, creeping through the shadows. Her right hand was near her kunai holster, ready to pull out a kunai in order to defend herself or attack somebody else. But she couldn't spot or notice anybody around. The closer she got to the meeting point, the less she became tense. Coming to a halt, she stood in front of a large rock. The forest around her wouldn't allow much of the sun shine on the ground and Mika suspected it was around noon or so. The time for when she would meet up with the person she had to pick up today. Whistling in an odd manner, she waited for a reply back.
It was not too far away from where Mika was, that Haruhi Suzumori was hiding, keeping herself concealed in a thick patch of bushes. The only damn patch in fact that did not have thorns. And while this collection of smelly green bushes did not have thousands of sharp needles, it did have a whole lot of bugs. So as she sat there, her hands and feet a bit muddied, she scowled and thought about the earfull her sensei was going to get once she returned.
It was often that Mika would go off for hours and do work. That was normal considering everything that was curently going on. Mika was busier than ever. However, being the pouty girl she was, Haru felt no remorse for complaining to her sensei about making her wait in this horrible forest. As she waited in silence, she picked out leaves and thorns from her hair that had grown impossibly fast. It was odd that it had grown without her even trying to take extra care of it... but that was another story. Just as her mind had begun to wander, the heard the familiar tune someone in the distance had whistled. Haruhi knew that it was likely her sensei, but since she had to be careful, she would wait in silence a few moments before whistling a different tune in reply.
Glad to hear the reply, Mika waited also several moments. With her left hand, she would pull her hood down and use her experience with Silent Killing to try to see if she could track her student down. But the signs were vague and it was probably due the wind not being in her favor and the distance. Which made her glad that Haruhi had stayed serious. Whistling one more time, in a totally different manner, Mika waited for Haruhi to come out. Yet, she wouldn't lower her guard. Even while she was confident that she would be able to pick out any sign that she would have been followed, there was no telling in what kind of ANBU would be sent after her once they would figure out that they weren't in Amegakure or in Kirigakure.
Having heard a response, Haruhi shifted from her sitting position to one where she was crouching but still concealed. Quietly she would make a shadow clone to go and meet the one she assumed was her sensei, just to be 100% sure it wasen't some kind of trick. Her clone would swiftly move in the direction of the whistle, making little noise despite the crunching foliage beneath her feet. Meanwhile the real Haru changed positions to a few meters in the opposite direction in case her hiding spot was found out. These bushes had thorns, but she decided to just bear the discomfort for a few moments until it was all clear. Only a second later did Mika come into the view of her clone, and it stopped a few feet from her. "I must ask you a question only the real Mika would know." she stated. "What is Hayashi-sensei's favorite food?"
The question wasn't part of it all. Raising her eyebrows, Mika eyed Haruhi. But only Haruhi could come up with a question like that. Sighing, Mika closed her eyes as she lowered her head a bit. ''Noodles. Can we please get over that and just go already? We don't have all day.'' Though it sounded like Mika was a bit pouting, she was also quite serious. There wasn't much danger, but Mika didn't want to take too many chances or grow too bold or overconfident. ''How are you?'' Mika asked, throwing a glance at Haruhi before she would already turn around and walk.
The correct answer had confirmed it, and with a grin at her sensei's response, the clone would dissapear and Haruhi herself would quickly emerge from her hiding spot. She's the one who took her damn time coming back, and she's rushing me? Geez... Haru thought. Runnng over until she was a few steps behind the woman, she started to pick the tiny thorns that got stuck on her hands. "I'm a bit dirty but otherwise in one piece. ...Actually im quite hungry as well. I thought about eating some of the shrooms on the ground but I value my life too much to take that chance." she said smiling.
''That would have been quite... dumb, yes.'' Mika said back, briefly looking over her shoulder to glance at Haruhi. It was a glance to see if she couldn't spot anything out of place, like if she had managed to bruise or wound herself. As she turned her head back to look at front, she wondered if she was growing paranoid. Probably she was just tense with all the caution and care of not letting Haruhi getting kidnapped by any ANBU or loyal nin of the Mizukage. However, there was one thing she needed to discuss. ''What do you think about the Mizukage?'' Mika asked, though her tone was a bit odd. Like she was very cautious with even asking the question.
"I barely know the woman... its not like we're friends. Though she hasen't done anything to me that would make me hate her or anything like that." After she was done talking, Haru crossed her arms and frowned. She didn't really answer the question. Dodged it more or less in fact. There was only one time that Haruhi had been alone with the Mizukage to do some training, and even that encounter with her was just... odd after what she had done to her. Haruhi couldn't truly answer that question like Mika had wanted, because she had never taken the time to form an opinion of the woman. The tiny Mizukage was usually the farthest thing from her mind unless her mind wandered and she began to think about random things... like earlier. "You're always warning me of her, but you don't have to. I think I understand what kind of person she is, just a little. I don't think we entirely share the same values." she said seriously.
That was one way to put it, Mika thought to herself. But she wasn't sure if Haruhi would understand really what was going on. What kind of role she was going to play or what would happen any day now. ''I hope you do. But the thing is that people have learned the hard way that she isn't the right person to lead Kirigakure.'' Mika slowly started. She wasn't afraid that Haruhi would suddenly turn against her. Somewhere her gut was saying that she could get a lecture about what was wrong and right, while her mind told her to not tell Haruhi anything. And much to Mika's own surprise, she ignored what she would consider wise. ''I have contacted several people and well... With the recent events, I have decided it is the time to end Rika's reign. Kirigakure has suffered enough.'' Mika's tone gained some stern and bitter tone to it as she continued. ''Certainly due the fact that somehow the Six Tails has been released after a few suspicious events. Due the fact that Rika hadn't appointed or arranged a capable staff or advisors, the village has been gravely damaged.'' Mika glanced at Haruhi, wondering if she would understand why she was seen as a dangerous weapon now. That what she held inside of her could also be used like that, to attempt to destroy a whole town like that.
''I am not trying to become Mizukage myself or trying to set up somebody else with that. Me and some others want to end the line of Mizukages to end the suffering of Kirigakure and announce a new time for the Mist. One where we won't need a Mizukage to lead us and eventually start to abuse his or her right.'' Stopping, Mika was wondering if Haruhi could follow where this was going and decided to wait for a possible reply.
Haruhi stopped walking and looked at the back of her sensei with a confused look. Yeah, she's finally lost it. Gone off the deep end. she thought as she pondered over what the heck she was supposed to say. Changing her mind was likely out of the question, but it was also not something Haruhi planned on trying to do. When she noticed she was being left behind, she quickly fast walked to catch up. "Um... well first I want to say that I think its a crazy idea. Obviously I haven't been around long enough to know exactly what you mean by Kirigakure suffering. I've accepted the fact that im insanely naive and probably never took the time to notice anyone else's suffering but my own." she paused and crossed her arms as she went quiet for a moment. She couldn't forget that the woman in front of her had gone through something traumatic beause of a former Mizukage, and she wasen't the only one. "I have to ask if there are really people who are wanting the same thing you are... and that you aren't doing something so reckless because of your personal feelings." she hoped that line didn't earn her a smack. "Getting rid of a Kage, won't just affect the Mist though... So, is it really worth it?"
She fell quiet after that last comment and nervously twirled the ends of her hair. This was some big news, and Haruhi hoped her role in it wouldn't be something too dangerous. For everyone's sake.
Mika slowly came to a halt as a light shiver ran down her spine. For her own personal feelings? Clenching her left hand in a trembling fist, she felt the cold anger boiling up, but she restrained herself. ''If I wanted that skank dead for what she has done to me, then I wouldn't have the right. I am not her only victim and you would do well to remember that, Haruhi.'' The words were spoken with a cold and almost venomous tone. ''I will not turn back on my decision to offer you to join what I am going to do, as I do know and keep in mind that you... that you can be a bit naive.'' The tone slowly started to sound less 'hostile' than before, but there was still some cold tone present in Mika's voice. ''And of course this will effect the Mist. It is worth fighting for change that have a promise of a better tomorrow than continue to serve as mere slaves for a woman who does what ever she wants without even trying to take care for us. Unless you want to debate if her decisions have prevented a rise in civil unrest, Kirigakure growing stagnant and the recent sudden outbreak of the Six Tails? Or let's be more personal, shall we?'' Mika turned around and frowned. Her eyes stared at first directly in Haruhi's eyes before they lowered towards the stomach of the girl. ''Would you consider the Mizukage still as a good person for what she had doomed you with? Do you think that a leader can just do that without consulting the person? Or are you now afraid that I am speaking out of my own personal feelings?'' The last line was clearly spoken out of spite towards both the Mizukage as to the question of Haruhi.
Haruhi's eyes fell and a hand absently rose to her belly as Mika hinted at the wrong that was done to her as well. "This isn't about me and you know it. I just wanted to make sure your doing this because its right, and for no other reason." her arms crossed and she looked away, pouting. She wouldn't admit it, but Mika was probably right.
''Don't worry about that. I wouldn't do this just for my own simple gain.'' Mika answered. She didn't feel sorry for being a bit harsh on Haruhi, even if the latter was naive or had not the full idea what was going on. ''We need to get it moving. Come.'' Mika gestured Haruhi to keep following her. They still had a distance to cover as Mika didn't just want to head straight forward to the place where she would meet up with somebody important.
''You know, this is a perfect moment.''
The ominous voice started to speak out of nowhere. A sort of chuckle was heard before the voice spoke again in Haruhi's mind. ''I can try to wrest control of your body now and with just only one person watching over you. One that is too concerned about other affairs... Let's make it more interesting? What about a deal?'' The voice of Gobi had both a semi-serious as amused tone in her voice. ''And don't speak up loud. Just hold your breath in for a few seconds. No need to alarm that woman, am I right?~''
The sudden sound of Gobi's voice in her head was not welcome at all and it had sent a shiver down her spine like it always did. Earlier she had wished for conversation from Gobi when she was alone and bored, but of course the beast had to start mesing with her at a time and place she could not speak freely. Haruhi wasen't particularly upset however, seeing as Gobi had followed her request of not waking her from her sleep or something. But what was she talking about, making some kind of deal? I dont know if I can fully trust her yet to make some kind of a deal... Haru thought to herself. However, there would be no harm in listening, and it was not like she could avoid it anyway. Doing as she was told and holding her breath for a few moments, she let it out in a quiet sigh before continuing to follow Mika. Who knew where the two were headed now and how long it would take to get there anyway.
Suspecting nothing strange going on and still wary of anybody that could be around, Mika had no clue of what was going with Haruhi. Much to the pleasure of Gobi, who was happy for that the womaan wouldn't step in. ''Good girl. I knew that you would be reasonable.~'' The voice of Gobi was polite and soft, at least as far as she could do so with her voice. ''I want to propose a rather simple deal. You aren't probably keen on letting me meddle my way out of you as that would be quite troublesome for you. Though we could head that way, let's try to remain civil, shall we?'' The beast grinned in her dark place. The irony of the last words were quite fitting, for her at least. ''What about if I lend you some aid and in return, you will do some bidding for me? Just simple tasks. No need to worry about yourself as they aren't that difficult. What say you?'' Gobi remained silent for a few seconds, until she realized that Haruhi couldn't speak out loud. Finding it a bit annoying, the beast spoke again. [i]''Hold your breath for a second or two if you agree. If not, then cough.''
Somehow the polite tone of Gobi didn't make Haruhi feel any less at ease as the beast spoke. Somehow, the thought that there was a way for it to get out of her on in own was quite scary considering Haruhi didn't want to die so soon. When Gobi had suggested the two remain civil, she nodded slightly, even though she probably wouldn't catch the gesture. As the beast continued speaking, she looked around and wondered what kind of task Gobi could possibly want when they were surrounded by thick forest on all sides. Despite an initial feeling of hesitation, Haru took in a deep breath and held it before letting it out silently.
''Very good, Haruhi-san. Very good.'' Gobi's voice was still the same as she continued to praise Haruhi for agreeing. ''Right now, I won't hold you up to the deal as you won't be able to perform my tasks at this current moment. And for now, I'll aid you. Sounds very reasonable, doesn't it?~'' Gobi asked, but she remembered that Haruhi couldn't answer directly back. ''Same as before. Agree, hold your breath. Disagree, cough.~'' Meanwhile, Mika kept walking and seemed to be unaware of what was going on with Haruhi. Crossing her arms across her chest, Haruhi thought for a moment before answering Gobi. Even though she didn't know what she'd be getting herself into, maybe this was one of those times she had to just put some trust into her beast. Maybe good things could result from this. She did however, think that a simple yes or no was not going to work in this situation. She had to say something, but in a way Mika wouldn't suspect anything. Thinking a moment longer, she thought of something that her sensei would maybe assume was adressed to her.
"I'll help you as much as I can, as long as I don't have to hurt anyone I care about," she said at a normal tone.
The words made Mika turn her head and glance over her shoulder to Haruhi. Slowly frowning, Mika replied. ''Then stop caring. It is our job to hurt people in order to protect them from others.'' Mika said, after which she focused on the path ahead. They still seemed to be walking towards something, but Mika wasn't much in a talkative mood. But inside Haruhi's mind, she would hear a soft snickering sound. ''My, oh my. Clever girl. Don't worry about that. I think you might... enjoy working for me.~''
Though she knew her sensei would turn and respond, and she also had an idea she would say something bitter, it didn't help the scowl that formed at the response to her question. Haruhi didn't say anything, just rolled her eyes and looked somewhere else. Though the first thing she had thought as a retort was something along the lines of "Look how well that worked out for you." In an attempt to not get inured and disturb the peace, however, she decided to keep that little bit to herself. As for Gobi's response, aside from the creepy snickering that made her feel like it was planning something, Haru just ignored it as well. She was slowly starting to reach her point in curiosity and boredom that she was going to start asking if they were there yet.
