Word had traveled near and far that Otogakure was going to be the next target of the Imperial forces. Without a doubt, there was about to be a serious skirmish on the border, something that the Village of Sound couldn't handle on their own without serious losses. They had done a good job staying neutral with regards to the conflicts between the various factions, instead focusing on gathering what territory they could after the fall of Konoha and taking what stragglers they could in. At least that was how things always looked from back in the Mist. Even seventy years later, it felt like they were striving to fill the gap left by the great village of leaves. They could call themselves the Hokage all they wanted, but that girl was little more than an imposter.[break][break]
Not that Tsubaki really gave a shit about that whole mess. They could be taking orders from a talking monkey for all she cared. So long as there was going to be a battle she could partake in, she was satisfied. It was the thought that kept the please grin on her face as she sat atop the cliff overlooking one of the barracks, quietly watching the little specks of shinobi in the distance as they gathered in preparation for war. She could only hope that they were all having a good time down there, as she already knew that a number of them wouldn't be returning home. As was the nature of war.[break][break]
The rogue ninja let out a heavy sigh as her eyes turned to the clear skies above, the sun beating down as if even the heavens were eager to see what might take place. She shook her head at herself, softly chuckling as she scolded herself for letting her mind drift to such silly poetics. That was always more his style, not hers. So instead she busied herself with her drink, taking a swig from one of the many bottles in the bag beside her. It was amazing how much product one could score when they were open to accepting alternative means of payment. Sure, money was good. But at times like this alcohol was worth its weight in gold. It was just a shame she didn't have anyone to share it with these days.
[attr=class,punkiwofwordcount]share those drinks, would you?
Kanon hated Otogakure on a deep, personal level. As far as she was concerned, that place was populated solely by conceited cunts who couldn’t see past their own prejudices, simply flailing against one another in a self-destructive cycle. Part of her hope that they did destroy themselves, if she were speaking frankly, but the resulting power vacuum would pave the way for even bigger cunts to occupy the land and… do whatever it is they’d do. Honestly, what was the point of being a tyrannical, ever-expanding empire? What happened after you ran out of room to expand? Did they just implode at that point? It certainly seemed like it.[break][break]
She sighed and shook her head, taking a particularly large swig from her massive gourd of sake. Kanon was no stranger to politics and intrigue, but her mother had always been a lot more apt at these sorts of things than she was. After all, she had learned most of it from her.[break][break]
Oh, how she wished she was with her mother right now. Everything was right with the world when she could just sit down and spend time with her, just enjoying their time together. She was a busy woman, but did her best to make time for Kanon. Now, that was all but impossible.[break][break]
Kanon shook her head. She had made her choice and left that accursed village to strike out on her own. Though she loved her mother dearly, it would do her no good to dwell on the matter. Best she just swallow those feelings for now and move on… with perhaps some sake to help with the matter. Her supply was running low, though…[break][break]
She blinked, spotting pink from the corner of her eyes. It wasn’t a flower, was it? No, it was the tuft of hair from another person who was coincidentally watching over one of the barracks that Otogakure had set up. Why wasn’t she joining them?[break][break]
Curious as always, Kanon would make her way to the sitting lady, making no attempt to hide her presence as her heavy footsteps signalled her presence. If that weren’t enough, Kanon would speak up from behind her.[break][break]
“Hello, miss.” She greeted with a small, amiable smile as she stopped a few ways away from her to her left, “You wouldn’t mind sharing some of those drinks, would you? It looks like you’d die from alcohol poisoning if you tried to tackle them all before sundown.”
Whether the sound of approaching footsteps had gone unnoticed or were simply ignored was unclear. Either way, the woman's lone eye refused to leave the busy scene down below. Her expression was difficult to read, save for the clear layer of amusement that seemed to mask whatever else was stirring beneath the surface. Whatever the case, she at the very least seemed to be at peace. She wasn't plotting anyone's downfall or orchestrating any form of scheme. This was little more than a war torn woman taking in the scenery and a few strong drinks.[break][break]
When the visitor spoke up, a bandaged arm would slide out from the folds of her loose kimono to beckon her over without even looking in her direction. "You can help yourself as long as you don't go callin' me miss the whole time. I don't like the way that sounds." Even with her back turned to the visitor, the smile was audible in her voice. She tilted her head back to slam down the rest of her drink before setting the empty bottle aside and finally turning to face them.[break][break]
"Woah. Nice horns, kiddo." The unbandaged hand reached to grab a bottle of sake and toss it to the unfamiliar oni. "I'm gonna go ahead and guess from that giant hunk of wood you got there that you're here to bash some samurai skulls?" There were a lot of conclusions to jump to, especially considering the lack of a shinobi headband. Whatever the case, she could already tell that this was one of the more interesting people that could've stumbled across her in this odd location.
