In search of answers. (Kaji&Mika)

The border of the two lands could be easily spotted considering their apparent contrast. Kusagakure was a vividly green land sprouting with life and vegetation. Grassy plains, hills and forests adorned its rich landscape, something very different from the dry lifeless lands of Sunagakure. Mika groaned as Kaji mentioned something of moistness, "Ew. I hate wet things. Dampness is just so gross and sticky. I can't stand it." She snarled, it indeed was one those things she greatly detested. But, now was not the time to complain. Now was the time to look for the answers to questions she ravenously craved to know about. They took their first steps into the mossy land and made their way into the plains, tall grass biting at their legs.

Kaji snorted at her little rant " I live in a village hidden in mist Mika... your village is awful so dry and horrible of my skin " he said with a chuckle " ive never been to Kusa ... its times like this I had toshi here " he said smiling " this is her homeland well her clan is rather diverse but the center comes from Kusa if I recall correctly "

Mika shrugged, "Hey, I rather be dry, warm and have a great tan than be shriveled up like a prune cause of all that exposure to water." She laughed, placing her arms behind her head. She nodded as he informed her about Toshi and her clan, "It would be nice to have someone around that knew these lands." She added.

yeah it would be " he said taking a map out but if we keep going straight eventually we will hit the village " kaji said walking with the map infront of his face

-3 hours later-

the sun was setting and they just arrived outside of the village after getting lost a few times along the way

Mika could see the meager silhouettes of the village's buildings close by the horizon. "Finally!" She shouted, jumping in the air over-excitedly. "Come on let's go I can't stand this mucky grass any longer!" She hollered, grabbing Kaji's shirt and pulling him forth. They appeared at the village gates and walked in, looking around curiously.

Kaji sighed as the younger girl dragged him into town " first stop aan inn then a bar " he said trying in vain to free himself from her clutches

Mika let him go and immediately spotted what he had requested, "There is an inn and over there is a bar." She pointed out, walking into the inn and approaching the lady innkeeper at the front desk. "Good day Ma'am, We would like to rent a room for the night, please." The lady nodded and slid her a key, Mika handing her the sufficient amount of ryo. "Thank you very much." She wandered up the steps and down the hall of the inn, looking for the number on the key. When she reached the room she unlocked it and to her dismay their was only one bed, "Uhh, Its ok Kaji I can rent another room, Here." She sighed, tossing him the key.

Kaji shook his head ill sleep on the floor ... you can have the bed " he said " by rights as ninja we shouldnt be renting a room but sleeping outside however im in no mood to suffer in the heat " Kaji said unpacking a sleeping mat from his storage scroll case

"Yea. Its all humid out there. Thank-you by the way." Mika spoke, removing her bag and throwing her worn body onto the feather stuffed bed. A content sigh escaped her lips and she sat back up, looking at Kaji. "So, are we gonna go to that bar?" She asked, a hint of excitement present in her voice.

Ask around about Ran single mom blond hair green eyes and I guess we can ask about your father too though I dont know what he looks like " kaji said with a shrug

"Alright, we can do that. Reizo was my father, anbu from Suna, fiery auburn hair and golden eyes." She stated, getting up and searching through her bag for a different set of clothing. "I'm gonna get changed so we can go over there. People tend to take more of an interest in what you're saying when you dress nicer" She said, stepping into the bathroom. She stepped out minutes later wearing a jet black kimono with a simple spiral motif on the side that reached mid-thigh. She put up a strand of her hair with her usual beaded feather clip and looked over at him, "Lets go investigate!" She smirked.

Kaji was wearing a royal blue silk dress shirt and black pants he used genjutsu to hide his scars " Hai " he said with a grin
they walked into the bar across the street the Bartender looked at them

" what'll you 'ave" he said
kaji looked at Mika and grinned " can you handle your booze"

Mika rolled her eyes at the Nara boy, "Please Kaji-chan, Don't be silly, of course I can. Try me. Give me some of your strongest stuff. I won't even be tipsy." She replied, taking a seat on the bar stool and immediately receiving attention from the male stranger beside her. This gave her a chance to strike up conversation with him, smoothly bringing up the topic of her father. The man shook his head stating that he had never seen such a man. Interested in him no longer, Mika turned to Kaji and sighed, the man beside trying to capture her attention once more.

you heard the woman your best bottle of sake " kaji said
"sure thing kid"
Kaji looked around for a waitress matching Ran's description
when the bartender returned kaji struck
"So you must see alot of strange characters and fine looking women passing through here eh "
he nodded a poured the sake for them after taking the money from kaji

Mika gladly took a glass and downed it in one gulp, slamming the glass back on the counter. She watched to see the guy who she had previously talked to walk away and a more handsome one take his place, "Hey there." He cooed in her ear. "Hey there stranger, what is your name?" Mika spoke, beaming a ravishing smile his way. He grinned and smoothly said, "I'm Nariko, and you are?" "Mika" She responded, toying with a strand of her hair. "Mika eh'? Thats a very pretty name. I believe it means new moon, does it not?" She nodded, "That it does. Thank-you. So, Nariko; Do you live in this here village?" The ebony haired male nodded, bright purple eyes scanning her, "I do indeed. Lived here all my life." "Really? Thats quite impressive. So since you've lived here all your life, you would know of all happenings in the village, correct?" "Well of course Mika, I am the son of the kage here after all." Mika cocked an eyebrow at him curiously. She had just hit the jack pot. "So you don't say! The son of the kage? Cool. Well, since you seem to be well-informed, Have you ever heard of a man by the name of Reizo Anzai by any chance? Bright auburn hair, golden eyes?" Nariko nodded, "I think I heard my father talking about him once or twice, I'm not to sure though. How about I buy you a drink, hmm? Bartender, two glasses of your finest sake, please!" "Yes sir." The bartender returned and poured them both a glass, "Here my dear" He said, passing her a glass. "Thank-you" Mika said, sipping it tastefully. "So, what was I saying? Ah! The Anzai fellow. Yes, well, I know he is someone my father has talked about quite a lot. Maybe, I could take you to him sometime and you can talk to him then." Mika smiled and gulped the rest of the drink, "That would be great!"

Kaji was talking to the bartender " So im looking for this blond, she would have a kid kinda on the young side Im sure they would both have stunning green eyes " the bartender set the sake bottle down
Kaji looked at him " her name would be Ran " he said
the man behind the counter looked down " she's dead some thugs attacked Ms. Anzai on her way home ... her kid is at the orphanage."
kajis eyes went wide " how long "
"a year or two now for sure "

Mika poured herself another glass of sake and took a swig of her drink. At the sound of the bartender behind her mentioning something about a "Ms.Anzai", she began to cough on her drink, covering her mouth as she heaved violently. "Woah Mika-chan are you quite alright? Maybe this sake is to strong for you. Bartender get this lady something light and fruity." Nariko said, patting her back gently. Mika rubbed her hoarse throat and swallowed, "No. Don't worry about it, I'm quite alright. I think I just chugged it down to fast. Excuse me for a moment." She said, turning her swivel chair to Kaji, whispering in his ear in shock, "Ms. Anzai? Who is is Ms. Anzai?"

" Anzai Ran ... apparently thats who raiden had alittle trist with years ago ... related to you maybe " he replied

the bartender Looked at them " Ran was a great doctor ... I would have taken her kid in but my place is to small... you wanna find the girl go to the orphanage "

"thank you" he said to the bartender. he looked back at Mika " ready to go "

Mika was in a state of shock. 'I thought all of our clan members remained in Sunakagure. Why hadn't she been mentioned before?' She thought, deeply enveloped in her thoughts. The sound of Kaji's voice brought her back down to earth, "One second, please." She said, swiveling back to face Nariko, "I'm staying at the inn across the street. I would love to meet with you and your father to speak more to him about this Reizo Anzai. Tommorow?" The violet eyed ninja nodded, "How about over lunch? Just come to the kage's building at noon." Mika smiled and gave him a quick hug, "Sounds great. Thank-you. Until then!" She waved, walking out of the bar with Kaji, "Where to now?"

Kusa's orphanage " he said simply. Kaji got up and walked out of the bar. he looked around but he couldn't make out the slugs chakra " Kusagakure demon capital of the world " he said to himself

"Hmph. Maybe so." Mika huffed, walking down the Kusa street and stumbling upon a massive brick building that loomed overhead. It read Kusagakure Orphanage in large deep depressions carved into stone blocks above of its entry way. "I guess we're here." She spoke, stepping up its cobblestone pathway and opening the large oak door.

Kaji followed her up to the door which had an old bronze Lion knocker. Kaji hit it twice. there was some scurrying around inside and the door was opened a lanky teen with black hair and brown eyes " hey welcome to-" he stopped " you'll wanna talk to old Kuma follow me "

kaji bllinked "er alright"

Mika raised an eyebrow at the boy's hastiness but, followed him as he instructed. The orphanage seemed fairly clean with only a couple of cobwebs and specks of dust at its corners. 'It might be clean but, this place reeks of melancholiness. The poor children.' She thought, placing both of her hands atop of each other and tucking them close to her body, her kimono sleeves hanging together.

The boy knocked on a door "Kuma - sama you have visitors" he said.
the old door creaked open. "Im gunna get the F**k outta here " said the teen. kaji blinked and looked at Mika "is it just me or do you think this is getting really strange"
smoke wafted out " Come In " came a raspy voice.

Mika was startled at the boy's comment. Who was this person that they were dealing with? Her fingers touched the cold metal of the door knob and she looked down to her feet, smoke seeping out of the crack at the bottom of the door in hazy fumes. She turned the knob and cautiously opened the door little by little, a thick cloud of smoke prohibiting their vision.