sunshineverse | [OPEN/CLOSED] We are not alone in the dark with our demons..

[ He never likes wearing his funeral clothes (though he supposes no-one really likes it, you're definitely not supposed to like it) but this particular time feels a lot more uncomfortable than the rest. He's dressed to respectable standards in a straight pressed black tunic and a black pair of salwar, has foregone his paint and his head-dress, and is standing in the middle of a room decked out to house the beginning of the funeral parade looking as though he'd much rather be hiding under the desk.

Typically, he's respectful at funerals... This time, he wants to be anywhere other than in the procession following Rasa's body to the podium in the middle of the town. It's not like he isn't sad about his father's death - he is, really - but... it's awkward to be out in public right now. By this point it has been common knowledge for some time that Rasa was grooming him to be his successor, and most of the village are now assuming without any official confirmation that the role will fall into Kankuro's hands. There's a general amount of speculation and dubiousness, but for the most part anyone he speaks to seems like they don't know whether to be happy or sad for him given the circumstances.

He grits his teeth. It will be a long two days, and with the temperamental attitudes of both his siblings as of late - Temari with her short temper and Gaara with his... eerie happiness - he has a feeling it won't be an easy ride.

It's Temari's attitude that sets him most on edge, which is why he'd asked her to meet him here early under the gauze of preparation. It's times like this that they have to stick together, not break apart, and Kankuro is determined to sort this out before it gets any worse. ]

[She isn't unaware of her less than stellar attitude. She's keenly aware of how many people she's snapped at. Aware that she's being looked on warily by those she passes. It takes so little to set her off lately. The angers she's felt since her father died, hot and raw churning in her stomach.

She's made at everything. She knows that too, mad at the funeral arrangements and the coming procession. Mad that she's wearing the most uncomfortable black dress she owns. But it's conservative and respectable. And it's exactly what funeral clothes should be and that angers her even more.

She's pacing the floor as she waits for her brother. He called her to meet him, so the least he could do was show up on time. But that thought makers her feel still, it's too much a thought she could see her father having and she hates that. Kankuro had grown changed, he was the leader of their Puppet Corps. for crying out loud. What more could that empty bag of flesh hope for; want of his eldest son? Why could he have just...

Temari shakes her head. That thought wouldn't help anything. She'd already asked it so many times and she never felt any better. Just more anger churning in her endlessly with no outlet. Hotter than it had been mere moments before when she finally gotten it to cool somewhat before the thought hit her.

No she was in no shape to be at the head of t procession with her brothers just behind their father's corpse. She wasn't sure she could manage an appropriately somber expression in place of the scowl she'd worn since the tears dried up. And don't even get her started on Gaara...how was she supposed to tell him to stop smiling when for him their father's death was a blessing?

She should have done more, something so her father could see just how wrong his opinions were about his sons. Even if he died shortly after recognizing it, that would have been better. And what did it mean that Gaara's sand had taken that form?

She can feel the tears welling just trying to puzzle it out again and hastily wipes them away. She was done crying. It didn't matter that there was heat behind these tears instead of any inkling of sadness.]

Temari- [ He doesn't know what to expect, and he approaches her with a steadfast air... only to have it fall as soon as he sees the expression on her face. At a distance she had looked irritable and angry, but up close there is a thread of anguish clear in her eyes. He never likes seeing his sister upset - what brother did? - so he rearranges his tactic. ] Thank you for coming.

[ Polite respect isn't a trait he shows often, but it's one he's very good at -- even if he sounds like he's reluctant to show that kind of grace most of the time... He shuts the door and moves into the room to stand before his sister, giving her a long look before- ]

Something's up with you, and it goes deeper than what everyone thinks. [ The assumption that Temari is acting out at the death of her father and the apparent looming vulnerability of her country is a good guess, but a false one, and Kankuro knows it. ] Tell me what's wrong so we can fix this. I can't have you ostracising yourself anymore.

[She turns her head to look in his direction. Her chin dipping in a nod. What else could she do ignore him? Wouldn't that cause a whole different set of problems if she didn't? Sow potential seeds for dissent within the village if she was openly ignoring his summons.

She's careful to keep her expression neutral all the same.

Leave it to her younger brother to know when she was hiding something. If anyone was going to know if she was hiding something, Kankuro would be the one. And right now that was coming to bite her in the backside.] It's not something we can fix, and I don't want to talk about it.

Too bad, we're talking about it.

[ He's never been the type to be easily brushed off, least alone when it's over a matter that he'd personally sought out - and worse, one that is affecting his family. He doesn't like having to be harsh with his sister, but right now it's unavoidable. He realises with a tight feeling in his stomach that he has to think of more than just his sister this time; it's the village as a whole and every person in it... and easing Temari's distress might ease theirs too. These were hard times approaching, and Kankuro is sure he's going to need her if they're to pull through.

He knows Temari is used to bottling things up in the face of her father, keeping emotions on a shelf till she can take them down and sort through them, but.. That won't fly now, not with him. The last thing he wants is for his sister to be reluctant to talk to him, regardless of any position of power. ]

Even if I can't do anything, I'd feel better just knowing so I can work with it. At the moment you're being pretty impossible.

[She shoots him such a look, just bordering on openly rolling her eyes at him. There's nothing he can do about it. And she'll try to be less abrasive to the people.] Look I'll try to stop being abrasive, happy?

[Don't push Kankuro. She's only mad at you in a tangential sense right now, it might be best not to have her actually throw the full force of her ire at him.]

It won't help knowing. You have enough to worry about without taking on my issues.

[ Honestly at this point he would rather her be angry at him than shut him out - at least that way she'd be showing him some kind of reaction other than brushing him off and continuing to hurt in silence. Kankuro isn't especially sensitive, but he won't sit back and let his family swim in discontent. ]

That's not good enough, Temari. [ He folds his arms as he stares her down.. The pose is similar to the way his father used to stand - but rather than a sharp scowl and cold voice, Kankuro looks.. more determined than angry. There's a certain empathetic pull to his eyebrows as he watches his sister. ]

I'm not going to leave till you tell me what's going on. Even if I have to delay the proceedings, I will. All my other worries can wait, right now I'm worried about you. I need you, Temari. I can't do this alone.

[ And he really can't, he knows that much himself even without the uncertain looks from the council. ]

Edited 2015-05-29 20:51 (UTC)

[Her mouth tightens at the stance he takes. If she were actually clear headed she'd notice that she isn't being stared down with anger, but she isn't and so she can't see the difference between her brother now and her father then. It doesn't help that Kankuro already looks so much like their father anyway.]

It'll have to be good enough. I'm not talking about something I don't want to. And delaying the procession will just prevent the rest of the village from saying goodbye. Not to mention it will break tradition. Not the best way to instill confidence in your ability to run things with the council.

[And isn't that a bitter pill to swallow. If he delays the procession because of her, it would be her fault for difficulties down the line. On the one hand she's touched because he would do that for his sister, on the other she's really pissed at him for it.]

[ At that his expression steels, a twitch of something -- Anger? Hurt? -- flashing on his features before he's tucking it away, back beneath the same firm expression. That hit him directly in every insecurity he's been feeling since the village had started looking to him for answers.. and the very last person he would have ever expected to be poking and prodding at already sore wounds was his sister. She's the person he'd huddled with when they were young, when Gaara's attitude had gotten to him, when the threats had become too much, when something had gone wrong and he'd needed someone to tell him it would be better in the morning. Temari had always been the strong one out of the three of them, she was always right, and Kankuro can't ignore the looming possibility that she has as little faith in him as he does.

He pushes that to one side for the time being.

Sure, he might not be cut out for that particular role, but he is very good at being a little brother. ]

They can stand to wait a few more minutes. It's still early. Besides, we have to lead the procession together, and right now you look like you'd rather chance sunstroke. [ His pose slackens, his usual slouch peeking through as he rests his hip against a nearby desk. ] ....Is it Neji or something? [ Worth a stab in the dark, he supposes. ]

[If anyone was going to know just how to use his insecurities against him it would be her. It isn't her most glorious moment hitting him where she knows he's already hurting, she needs his focus to shift from her. She understands that he's trying to help, but she's still feeling raw. And she knows exactly how it sounds to have her point it all out; to spell out just how shaky his footing is right now. He's never worn his future as Kazekage comfortably, and that had always been what made her sure he was the right choice.

She had too much experience with their allies and trade partners for her to ever be a good fit. And her brother was going to need her exactly where she was to keep things smooth at first.]

I'd rather take on a swarm of giant scorpians than fake being somber and convince Gaara to do the same.

[The mention of her boyfriend makes her snort and turns a dark look on her brother] If it was something with Neji I would be much louder in my displeasure.

[ He's been so busy as of late, what with the funeral and various other preparations to take care of, that the small slip of paper regarding the personnel making up the envoy from Konoha hasn't exactly been on the top of his to-do list... In fact it had been shunted rather early onto Temari's pile, and then onto the shoulders of whoever she'd gotten to take care of it if she hadn't already done so herself.

So, as he stands at the boundary of the village to greet the return offering for Suna's assistance with the rescue mission at the start of the month, he finds himself reasonably unprepared.

Oh well... it can't be that bad, right? ]

Edited 2015-05-24 00:38 (UTC)

[ She's heard that they'd be welcomed by some of Suna's shinobi, so it isn't a surprise to see the group at the village's gates. Adela is visibly worn from the course of the day, but visiting Suna with Tenten and Shino isn't exactly a bad mission - even if she knows that it's for politics. It doesn't stop Adela from giving a respectful half-bow, nodding to the shinobi in front of her once she's straightened. ]

On behalf of this cell, I would like to thank you for granting us entrance into your village. Please take care of us during our time here.

[ The greeting's pretty standard, considering that Suna and Konoha are allies, but with all that's going on... All Adela really can think of doing is at least going through the formalities first, if only to keep up appearances. Who knew what Tenten and Shino would think of this, but at least she's going to try. ]

Edited 2015-05-25 06:57 (UTC)

[It will be the first time he's been in Suna for any amount of time since the Chuunin exams and Shino has to silently admit, he hasn't missed the heat.
Still his discomfort doesn't show - the kikaichu regulating his temperature as much as they can and the rest just sheer force of habit - and he inclines his head to their welcoming party. The sight of Kankuro isn't unexpected but there's a twitch of something at seeing the other shinobi in the same setting as his defeat that skips up from the usual tranquil calm of his control and he internally studies the emotion before casting it aside. He can ponder on that later.

For now he falls in step with the others around him and studies the interplay of the Suna-nin. They have never been welcoming, but Kankuro's bearing is borderline hostile, though he's working admirably to conceal that. Shino can't help but smirk, perhaps the rumours were true after all?]

[ Great. Great, of all the leaf-nin he could have got... why these two, and why now? The poor red-head in the middle doesn't deserve the squint of Kankuro's glare as they approach, but luckily her little bow distracts his irritation, and he shifts his weight onto his other foot kind of awkwardly as she straightens. It's been a while since he's had this job, okay... and he's a little sensitive about formalities right now. ]

...Yeah, no problem. [ Kankuro grumbles, like it isn't his job to say who can and cannot enter his village when it definitely sort of is, or will be by tomorrow. Eugh. ] Welcome to Sunagakure. If you need anything during your stay, I or any of my people will be happy to help you. [ Snore, the amount of times he's said this are becoming surplus in number, and he eyes the two leaf-nin he's familiar with as if daring them to laugh at this forced shift in behavior. ]

You have your papers on hand, right? [ Security had to be tight, after all. ]

[ Seeing who was there to greet them at Suna's gate, Tenten thought it better to leave the formalities to Adela and simply stay to the background for now. After the insanity that began at the start of the month, snark was not what they needed.

Still she couldn't help slipping in at least one comment, once everything was said and done. Even despite how it might be received by the other members of the welcome party. ]

Moreso the others than you, right? [ Because it would have felt odd and she would have been silly to believe he would wish to be of any help to her. Theirs was a history born out of violence and snide insults regardless of the alliance between their villages. ]

[ His eyes snap from the red-head (being the only one he can actually make eye contact with) and he glares instead at the other female. ]

Watch it, little girl. You're standing on fine sand.

[ It could have been a greeting as much as a threat, honestly... He turns and looks expectantly back to the other girl before waiting for a response out of the one he was familiar with, firming the upper hand by cutting their conversation decidedly short. ]

[ It was not quite the reaction she was expecting, but with the recent flood of tragedies that had befallen all the major nations she really should have known better. Regardless, she puts up no fight as she takes out her official travel papers to show them.

And pointedly ignores the fact that 'little girl'comment he just threw at her. ]

Geez, don't get your panties in a twist, Puppet Boy. You're gonna pop a vein.

[ ... Okay what the hell did she miss? Adela tries not to let her confusion show to her face, but she still ends up blinking hard before shaking it off. It's pretty obvious that at least Tenten and Kankuro have met before, though he doesn't seem to be taking a liking to Shino either... Great, that might make things harder.

But right, he had asked for papers. Better do that quickly before things start feeling too tense. ]

Right here! [ She's quick to interrupt as she pulls their travel papers out, handing them to the nin in front of her as her smile becomes nervous and unsure. Damn, she doesn't want their first night to be blown because of some bad blood, so she'll definitely have to ask about that later. Like she doesn't have enough on her plate... ]

Everything should be in order. If it's all right, it's been a long day - maybe we should turn in early, to save our energy for tomorrow.

[ He'd given her the usual signals; a mix of physical code and pointed looks, snide comments and intention juuuust short of actually telling her outright; and now he's waiting along the boundary of their usual training ground, sitting on one of the high sand domes with Karasu slumped at his feet.

Rather than cool and prepared, he looks almost dejected as he flicks a string of chakra up to make Karasu twist his wrist, unsheathing and re-sheathing the blade concealed there.

When he hears footsteps behind him, he quickly gets to his feet and breaks the chakra string, his spine straightening to something more confident, less embarrassing, and turns to face his opponent for the evening. ]

Took you long enough. Did you forget how to get here or something?

Edited 2015-05-24 01:03 (UTC)

[ Which was her intention. Because Tenten makes no attempt at all to be quiet in her approach. He's expecting her - He invited her - So there should be no surprise whatsoever that she's come to their usual meeting place, geared out and ready for a fight. Because spars between them were anything but friendly. But then, it became clear months ago that neither one of them would have it any other way. ]

I'm sorry, I missed the part where you were in charge of my time and schedule.

[ Kunai spinning around and passing in between her fingers, she smirked as she gave their usual brand of snark in greeting. ]

Don't get your panties in a twist, pussy cat. I had to check in and get debriefed on the ceremony tomorrow. Wouldn't wanna step on anyone's toes.

Tch... [ He flicks his wrist and chakra strings flail out toward her in a sudden, quick movement... until they veer obediently back without touching her, and lift Karasu to slump over his shoulder. He grins with the tease of the threat, and folds his arms. ] You're in Suna now, princess. You have to play by our rules, or you'll be kicked out of the race.

[ The mention of the ceremony has him itching for their fight even more, so he turns to pad toward the center of the field, expecting her to follow him. ]

Honestly I thought you'd crawled under some rock to hide your shame after last time. I beat you pretty hard. Is that why you've been avoiding me for so long? [ He gives her a side on glance and the slightest flicker of a smirk. ]

Edited 2015-05-24 23:34 (UTC)

[ Rolls her eyes, trailing behind him and keeping in step with his pace until they could take their usual places before beginning. ]

In case you haven't noticed, Team Gai doesn't shrink away from failures. [ Despite recent events. But let's not dwell on that. Still, the statement was not completely wrong. They were a squad of low expectations and last chances. ] We use them to get stronger.

Besides I have better things to do with my time than worry about what you think.

[ It was the same song and dance, familiar and somewhat comforting in all its beautiful cruelty. ]

[ The same song and dance, sure, but that thing about failures -- we use them to get stronger -- strikes a chord, and Kankuro's grin twitches into something a little more forced. ]

Yeah.. [ Ooh, ouch. A crash and a burn on his side for a complete lack of a witty comeback. It's one of the first times he's failed, and failed that badly... He grunts with the realisation, and springs Karasu out to clatter into the space at his side as he gets into position to round on his opponent. ]

Whatever, let's just get this started. [ His face is full of discontent and firey intention to fight. ] First one to call Uncle, right?

[ And that's something she takes note of, frowning, even as she wants the spar to begin. Because in all these months of bickering and fighting, he never missed an opportunity to throw back an insult her way. And never one this lame. Which is her first sign that something was up.

So sorry, pussy cat, but she's gonna stall the start of the game a bit. Cuz natural curiosity wind out over the need to kick your butt. ]

Is... Everything alright? You don't seem like your usual grumpy self. And by that I mean somewhat tolerable.

[ He makes a tutting sound and Karasu responds to a flick of his masters finger by unsheathing the blade from his wrist. It's new, sharper and if it's tinted with poison, it's impossible to tell. ]

Everything's fine. Are we doing this, or are you just gonna stand there and make excuses? [ He hitches a grin onto his face. ] It's alright if you're scared, little girl.

[ And the glint of steel is what catches her attention, the young kunoichi looking on with newfound interest at his main puppet. ]

The only thing I'm scared of is how many times you stabbed yourself trying to fit that thing in.

[ Shifting her stance, she unhooks the giant scroll from her back and sets it on the ground beside her with a soft thud, reminding him just how heavy with sealed weapons and surprises it really was. ]

Heh, I'm not young enough to keep on making that mistake...

[ Who does she take him for? Kankuro is head of the puppet core; the best of his kind; and if he can't do as much as a simple upgrade for his most favoured weapon, then what good is he to his village?

.....Thoughts of his talent and worth outside of the village resurface, and he finds himself once again bowing under the weight of responsibility that seems to be, at times, incredibly misplaced. It would be great if everything would stop reminding him of his insecurities, and with a grunt of frustration he flings his hands outward without even attempting a comeback, to cast Karasu down on the leaf-nin with his blade bared and jaw clattering. ]

[ Oh don't you fret, pussycat. She has the utmost confidence in your puppetry and management. Months of this little dance of theirs has given her several opportunities to witness it first hand his level of expert skill. But weapons were her domain. And while it was of some interest to her just how he planned to incorporate blades into his defense and offense, she would be damned if some arrogant upstart from the Sand Village outmatched her in that field.

So as the Black Ant descended on her, the kunoichi stood her ground and prepared herself for the fight to come.

With a click and a flurry of motion, Tenten unfurled her giant scroll and called forth a barrage of projectiles to shield her from the assault, buying her some time to start developing her own strategies. Even from where she stood, there was no helping how her mind instantly started taking in the wooden monstrosity and ripping apart it's entire structure in her mind's eye. ]

So you admit that you did stab yourself putting that thing in...

[ Did you miss her smirk, Kanks? Because sheets p she's gonna be flagging it to you a lot during this spar. ]

Are you kidding me? [ He actually laughs at that, his spirits wildly improved by being able to firmly deny her taunts. ] Weapon installation is one of the first things puppeteers learn after general building--

[ Karasu catches the flying blades in his cloak; a good majority of them tear the fabric but get caught in it, and the few that dig into his casing luckily manage to miss his joints. It wouldn't break him if they did, of course, but Kankuro doesn't need any points of weakness to juggle right now. Tenten is fast, and though he's familiar with her fighting style, she's excitingly unpredictable. ]

I've been installing upgrades for years, but never one like this. [ This blade is new, after all, a massive improvement to the tiny dagger Karasu used to wield.... but the focus is on the barely visible poison coating the blade. He's been dabbling in new areas of study recently. Kankuro uses his other hand to send a string out to tear the cloak away, sending the projectiles clattering offside as Karasu looms to lunge downward, his wrist aimed straight for Tenten's arm. ]

[ PLACEHOLDER ]

[The setting sun is a relief to his over worked tenants and, for once, Shino foregoes sleep in favour of the chill of the Suna evening. The desert will never be a place he comfortably calls home, but he appreciates the quiet of evening and the spots of light as patrols change and doors open with snatches of sound.

The bubble of chatter draws him closer, much like a moth to the glow of candle light and though he doesn't plan to enter the establishment, a flash of royal purple has him reconsidering.

Kankuro's mood hasn't improved any by the looks of things, perhaps even worsening if the bottle of sake in front of him is any indication and he wonders if grief is the culprit or something more?
He settles into a seat beside the other to abate his curiosity at least.]

Good evening.

Edited 2015-05-27 21:41 (UTC)

[ Kankuro's make up is smeared down one side of his face, there are numerous grazes across his person, and he is decidedly without his scrolls. He's tucked away in a bar that only has around four people in it, trying his best to look as inconspicuous as possible, but... whilst that might work amongst typical Suna patrons, it was no match for a leaf-nin, so it's only a matter of time before Kankuro will inevitably be disturbed by one. He had hoped it was too late at night, but.... ]

Shino. [ He easily remembers his name, and greets him with a gruff grunt to show his respect.... He shoves his cup down on the counter, and almost automatically it's being filled again by the bartender. ] Tch- [ Kankuro tuts once he's moved away. ] Thinks I can't pour my own drink...

[He inclines his head at the greeting.]

Is there a goal to your evening beside inebriation? [It's not judgmental, simply curious, as if he still can't fathom why people take leave of their senses so readily.]

Does there have to be? [ He rounds his question on the other, his glass already to his lips. ] I shouldn't need a final goal, not everything has to be so strategically planned. Do you ever get tired of having a stick up your ass?

[ Wow, okay, a little personal. But hey, Shino is here to judge him. That's not cool.

...Or at least that's what Kankuro is assuming. ]

[ It's not the first loss of a Kazekage Baki has lived through, but it's the first of their funerals he's attended. Even then, there are rituals in place for something like this, decorum to follow. He's worn the traditional black clothing the entire day, and even though it's more comfortable than other clothes he owns he finds himself chaffing for his uniform.

He's been so busy over the past days that he hasn't had time to reflect on himself, shutting down his feelings just to focus on the task at hand. Even now that things are slowing down as the sun is beginning to set, he finds himself still delayed in his response.

Rasa is dead, has been dead, and yet it still feels like it happened an instant ago, without warning. He would have imagined, if he ever took the time to think about it, that Rasa's death would have been much more dramatic. That he would have died in the center of the village, when worst came to worst. In a way, it feels like Rasa's been slipped through Sunagakure's fingers and in a way it feels like he's been slipped out of Baki's fingers as well.

He'd always figured he would have been there when it happened.

That thought bothers him, so he turns his attention back to the immediate needs and the now. He's worried about Temari, he's been worried about her, but Kankuro is the one he needs to speak to. He seeks him out through the crowds of black clothing, the gloomy air of respectful mourning. ]

[OPEN/CLOSED] We are not alone in the dark with our demons..

6th, just before Rasa's funeral | KANKURO & TEMARI

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14th | Welcoming the Konoha Envoy to Suna

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DOoon't worry about tag order, just throwing in 8'D

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what is tag order we just dont know... i just couldnt resist

There isn't a tag order when it comes to them let's be honest

Tag order? Is that some kind of food?

14th | Late Night Sparring | KANKURO & TENTEN

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15th | The Godaime Kazekage

15th, evening | A Different Kind of Beginning | KANKURO & TENTEN again

Evening of the 14th?

i'm guessing this is probably after his "spar" with tenten... oh boy

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wow shino way to be the fun police

Evening of the 6th, after Rasa's funeral