In search of answers. (Kaji&Mika)

"Yes, he is a vital component of my journalism and without him, quite frankly, I wouldn't be able to do much." Mika said with a reassuring smile. The kage nodded and proceeded to speak, "Very well then. Well, if it is information on Reizo Anzai you require, then I will be glad to give it to such a successful and striving young woman such as yourself. Reizo was a gifted shinobi. Always ahead of the game and extremely smart. He came to our village several years ago with not a trace of history and wouldn't speak a single word about his past. The only thing I did manage to get out of him was that he left his old village because he had some sort of feud with his family and clan. Only a few months ago, he began to act fairly strange, taking in hostages from missions and killing them torturously. A sudden blood lust and darkness rose from within him and no one understands why. He killed a young girl in the village recently and hasn't been spotted ever since." Mika shifted uncomfortably in her chair and her throat closed up. Clearing her throat she spoke in a hoarse tone, "Ryuji, did you get all of that?"

" feud with family. Left old village behind, recently started acting strangely took hostages. torture. killed girl in village not seen after" he muttered and looked up at the group " hai can you tell us more about this last girl "

"Well, the village never really had much records on her, just that she was found decapitated and that she had a young child. I believe the child is in the orphanage at this very moment." The kage mused, sipping his sake. Mika looked over at Kaji, "Did...did you get that?" They both knew very well that the girl he was speaking of had to be Ran.

"hai" kaji said faking a wince " victim decapitated "

Mika picked at her rice and pushed the plate away from her, looking back at the two. "So, are there any theories as to why Reizo could've turned into this sinister being?" She asked, picking at her nails. The kage lit up a cigar and puffed on it, "Well, we do think he had something to do with some sort of evil organization or, that someone had been manipulating him like some sort of toy. But, those of course are just educated guesses."

Kaji nodded "Anything else you know about the man named Reizo" he asked tapping the pen to the paper

Kage shrugged, "I think that is about it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have loads of paperwork to do. A pleasure to meet you fascinating people and I will look forward to seeing our brilliant article in the paper." Mika flashed a golden smile and waved, "A pleasure to meet you yourself and don't worry, that article will be there for sure." The kage left and stumbled back to his extravagant home, Nariko lingering behind. "So Mika, mind if I take you out for some drinks tonight? Just like last night?" He asked, running a hand through his glossy black hair. Mika clicked her tongue, "Hmm, I'm not so sure if I can Nariko, me and Ryuji have lots of work to get done with all this new data. Maybe some other time?" She said regretfully, cringing dreadfully inside. She rose from the table and began her departure, "Come on Ryuji."

Kaji nodded. he slowly got to his feet and bowed "thaks for the tea" he muttered trailing behind Mika lazily. once they were out of hearing range from the guards he walked up beside her . " we should do lunch more often its so ... nice" he said sarcastically

Mika snickered and grinned, "Right? Or maybe we should go out for some drinks!" She laughed, mocking Nariko's ridiculous offer. They tumbled down the marble steps at the entrance of the house and exited the gates, Mika giving a flirtatious wave at the front guards. Drifting down the quiet streets, she looked at Kaji, "So now we go and pick up Ran's daughter?"

Hai " he said thinking about everything that they had just learned. He swallowed the bile which rose in his throat " yes we should ...go ...collect her " he said looking at his feet. " Poor girl " he muttered

Mika sighed, crossing her arms, "Poor girl, indeed. I can't even begin to imagine what she went through." She muttered, shaking her head as if trying to get rid of the terrible thoughts and images that invaded her mind. Arriving at the orphanage, she opened the creaky gate and stepped up the stairs cautiously, wryly knocking on the door.

A white haired Red eyed man opened the door. He was tall, well built and somewhat handsome. he smirked " Mika and Kaji or should I say Ryuji... Its so nice to see you again " he said

Kaji took a step back " you, you aren't "
" Oh but I am Now I assume you have the paper work " he asked
"and I also assume you are here to collect the girl "

Mika raised an eyebrow at the man who opened the door and easily recited both of their names. Her mind was boggled, "Yes, we are here to retrieve the girl and we have the paperwork right here." She spoke firmly, searching through her bag and fishing out several signed documents, "But, who are you?" She asked curiously.

" Kuma " the albino said letting them inside. Once Mika was done taking out the paperwork out Kuma took them " I do more work than that fool of a 'kage' " Kuma said " Sometimes I dont eat "

Kaji blinked " but you...you were so frail yesterday " he said
" like i said I didnt eat and well you'd be amazed what lighting can do "

Mika walked inside wearily and studied the man. "What do you mean a fool of a kage? I thought you guys worked side by side with one another?" She inquired. This man Kuma seemed rather sketchy to her. He had this air of distrust and unreliability about him that made her uncomfortable. A shiver ran up her spine and she clutched the sides of her body, still staring closely at the man.

he snorted " he is blind to the underbelly of this village ... what lurks in the shadows " Kuma said undressing Mika with his blood red eyes. " Dont mention your fathers name around the girl." kuma paused and licked his lips " she may have in fact know who killed her mother "

Kaji nodded he would not mention that name
Kuma led them through a maze of hallways and they came to a door which said #35 " this is namis room " he said with a frown " if you will pardon me I have some children to chew out "

"Well, he is rather ignorant. Much too blinded with his own wealth to notice anything else." Mika added, following the man and nodding at his request to not mention her father's name while in the presence of Nami. They arrive at a door labeled #35 and followed the mans figure until he disappeared in the maze of halls once again. "Shall we?" Mika spoke, turning to face Kaji. She had to admit, she was a little nervous about meeting said girl.

kaji knocked on the door
"come in " came a reply. kaji opened the door. Inside the white room was alittle girl. long bright blond hair fell down her back to her elbows, bright green eye bored into mika and Kaji for a minute or two " who are you ?" she asked confused

Mika meekly peeked in and saw the small girl sitting, stepping inside more so. Clearing her throat, she clapped her hands together and put on a kind face. "Nami, we are here to take you away from this place. We are your godparents and your mother liked us very much." She said softly, her voice as sweet as sugar.

Nami looked at her "If you talk any sweeter Nami will throw up " she said walking over to a dresser. the girl began taking out clothes

Mika laughed, "Alright, I'm glad I don't have to put on that annoyingly sweet motherly attitude with you." She mused, crossing her arms and returning to her usual self, her smirk appearing once again on her lips.

nami packed up her clothes in her suitcase " im seven but I feel much older sometimes " she said quietly " so " she turned to kaji " your papa"
Kaji nodded " yeah"

Mika watched silently as Nami packed up her belongings and readied herself for their departure. She leaned against the door and let her hands graze the surface of the cool door knob, waiting for her to finish packing. Hopefully the issue of her father and Nami's parents wouldn't interfere with her relationship with the young girl.

Once she was done kaji sealed her suitcase in a storage scroll, Nami was amazed she had never seen anything like it before her mother only used medical jutsu infront of her sealing and other things had not been shown to the girl " papa is sooo coool " she said hugging Kajis leg. Kaji smirked " such a good girl "

Mika could only smile at the sight. "So are we all ready to go?" She asked, leaving the door ajar and tapping a rythym with her fingers on the wooden frame.