The Naruto RPG

Unease had been creeping through the Sangre-Inuzuka house. Jiro had brought back information that was basically rumor, but strong rumor. Supposed a cult had been spreading and growing, slow and steady. Nothing could be directly pinned down though, and after all being a member of a different understanding of life… Be it religion or politics, was not against a law. The rumor had become worse though in recent days, supposedly the fanatical leader was looking to take over. He..She..They, were looking to do a coup of the Tsuchikage and all the others in a position of governmental power. And ether convert them, or if they refused to be converted… Eliminate them. Jiro had spread word through the Sangre family, they were going to have ether stand and fight back or leave. Many of them, being non-shinobi, were choosing to run. But where to? They were a small-ish family, Akemi had outright stated she was planning to return to Konohagakure. Being a member of the Inuzuka clan, she would have protection if this cult started to attempt to expand its reach and target other villages. And she had been admit about bringing along Kaijin, which the young Inuzuka found her father’s quick acceptance of a bit odd. Most of the Sangre side reluctantly decided it would be best to keep the family together. Each of them starting to slowly and quietly pack their essentials into bags. For her part Kaijin had packed her bag and then added some additional things, some of the less essential but useful things to have. Mostly the sketches of ideas she had for what to do with her arm given her status as a shinobi. The bag would be left with her mother’s and father’s by the front door, with the plan to be return to the house if possible when or if everything went sideways grab the bag and bolt from the village. A plan with the Sangre family as a whole had been made to meet several miles outside of the village. It would then fall to Akemi to guide them to Konohagakure, with some minor help from Kaijin and Jiro.

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Kaijin was in the yard of the small home her family had casually tossing a ball for Noriko to chase. She had been somewhat barred into the home ever since the family meeting and their emergency bags got packed. It was a bit unnerving for her to almost always have a parent or uncle or aunt around. And even then, Hiro was always around. Even now he sat on the porch, his head resting on his front paws half watching them half watching everything around them. Noriko came jogging back over and dropped the ball at Kaijin’s feet before her head tilted. The young ninken let out a bark and looked towards Hiro, who started to push himself into a sitting position. As Kaijin grabbed a hold of the ball she heard the latch to the gate click shut, turning it was her father. Hiro padded over, as did Noriko, both ninken giving the man a sniff. Their ears flicked forward, and Kaijin released the slight breath she had been holding without realizing it. Had both flattened their ears it would have been a sign that this wasn’t Jiro. Jiro though motioned towards the house and all four of the headed inside.

Once inside Jiro shouted out ”AKEMI!” she emerged from the kitchen and was about to say something when Jiro lifted a hand. ”Grab the bags and anything else you want to take. We are going, now” she immediately nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen. Some shifting and shuffling was heard as Jiro turned to Kaijin who had already grabbed her bag hearing that. ”You and Mom head to the spot out the village, I’m going to go tell Fubuki and Ibaku and the rest” he said reaching over to ruffle her hair a bit. ”Dad, are we in danger?” she asked looking up, a hint of worry in her eyes as she did. Jiro crouched down a bit, ”Not yet sweetie. I…I’ll be honest sweetie, the village is starting to getting uneasy and things are starting to stir. I think it is best for us to get out while the getting is good” he gently pinched her cheek which Kaijin instantly tried to bat away. ”Gah! You know I don’t like that. Grandma does it all the time!” she shifted back a step and her father just laughed. ”I know, and Grandpa Ibaku gave up trying to get her to stop. Alright sweetie, you stay with Mom and Hiro. I’ll meet you guys later, hopefully with somemore of the family” and with that he walked past his daughter, grabbing his ‘to go’ bag and left the house. Akemi emerged from the kitchen as he was leaving with a small bag in hand, lifting it as she walked over ”Some extra food for the trip, come on hun lets go” she grabbed her ‘to go’ bag as well. As both of them exited the house, they paused and looked back.

So many years lost…

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[Hours Later]

Kaijin, her mother, Hiro and Noriko had arrived at the meeting spot. A rocky outcrop of the landscape surrounding Iwagakure that allowed them to view the village, and most of the normal paths to the spot. Of course shinobi didn’t use normal paths. Kaijin and Akemi sat on a somewhat large upended stone, their backs to one another. At their feet were their respective Ninken, Hiro stretched out and tail flicking as he occasionally sniffed the air. Whereas Noriko was a bit more animated, she was sitting staring at Kaijin. The two were playing some form of shadow boxing like thing. Kaijin would raise a hand and Noriko would try to hit it with her paw our snout before Kaijin could lower it. If she did Noriko got to raise a paw and Kaijin would try to hit it. It was energetic and kept the two of their minds off of the greater issue, for the most part. Kaijin taking a moment, reached her hand out and rested it on Noriko’s head. She turned and looked back towards the parts of the village she could see. To think, we have to leave our home… All because of some insane group of people with their own insane ideals she thought watching the village. Letting out a sigh, Noriko shifted forward and rested her hand on Kaijin’s leg giving her other hand a comfort lick. Kaijin’s attention shifted towards her mom.

”Mom, whats Konoha like?” in truth Kaijin had only been there once in her life, years ago. She did not remember much about the village. Akemi turned ”It has been a long time since I’ve been there… I don’t know much about those running it if that’s what your asking. It is a lot less rocky and mountainous then here though” she let out a soft chuckle at the last part. Which also brought a chuckle from Kaijin. ”That’ll be nice… Less up and down while going from place to place…” she responded, her eyes shifting back to Iwagakure.

Dad should be here soon…

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[30 Minutes Later]

There was some rustling and shifting of nearby brush and shrubbery. Instantly Kaijin and Akemi turned to face it, each drawing a kunai to hand. Noriko lowered her stance into one akin to a pouncing stance, while Hiro just started growling. The deep rumble filling the silence between the rustling. Emerging from the brush was Jiro holding his hand up ”Its me, its me” he shouted over. Hiro and Noriko started to pad over towards him, both on edge a bit. Each sniffed him, after a few sniffs their ears both flicked forward. Kaijin and Akemi both lowered the kunai they had out, as Jiro fully emerged from the brush. Followed by Ibaku who also got a sniff and ear flick. Several members of the Sangre family followed, totally to about 14 of them including Akemi and Kaijin. The Sangre clan stretched out in a semi-circle sitting down in the area. Bags landing with dulled thuds on the ground as they took seats. Some using the rocks others the ground, all of them rubbing their legs. Each of them casting looks back over towards where the village sat, where their homes sat. Looking back one last time to what they were giving up, so that they did not have to live under a strange bizarre cult’s rule. Without having to worry about their own life being taken at any time because they said something wrong or did something wrong or even looked at the wrong thing or person.

During this rest period Kaijin relaxed and kept a watch on the forest back towards the direction of the village. And resting at her feet were both Hiro and Noriko. While her folks were off to the side away from her and with Uncle Ibaku having a chat. She cast a passing glance in their direction once or twice, but only Uncle Ibaku was facing her. And he seemed somewhat disinterested in the conversation that was going on.

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