Hairline Fracture -[Private]-

It was finally time to leave Lightning country for Yun, claw country stood in the way. He would be staying the night here in claw country, and dusk was about to fall. He guessed it was around 4 in the afternoon, the weather was rather cold but no rain or snow. Just cold grass. Today he would stay in a large city, it would be a first in a long time, but he had a feeling to be around a lot of people maybe perform some tricks even. He smiled at the thought, his pack over his back jingled due to the new silver bell he had put on it to avoid it being robbed without him noticing.

The land was dry and cold, chapping his lips and making him pull his grey overcoat around him tightly. He wore his normal red shirt and yellow over shirt with cargo pants. However atop them was a deep grey overcoat that tied at his neck and had a hood to cover his head. It also had sleeves, but other then that it was just a piece of fabric. It was warm though which he was thankful for. As he breathed out a white cloud emitted from his mouth, reflecting the icy conditions.

He walked on a cobblestone path, not busy at this time of day but the city was coming up into view. He smiled as he heard noise and people inside the city. He smiled as he entered the minor city. A short stone wall surrounded it as he walked through the wooden gates. He sought a hotel to stay at, then he would hit the streets for a while. Finding a 3 story hotel he walked through the doors, a bell rung above his head as he approached the desk. "Just one?" the woman asked at the sleek counter, the red carpets and ceiling brightening his mood and face. He nodded and she handed him the keys, as he handed her the money, He walked up to the room and unlocked the door, only taking the stairs. Pushing it open, it was a simple 4 room, he smiled nodding at it and tossed his bag onto the couch/futon in the middle of the room.

The apartment was small but cozy. There was a bedroom, which had a king sized bed in it, along with a couple of side tables and a lamp. As well as a dresser and a clock on the dresser. The other room was a kitchen with a table able of having 4 people seated comfortably at it. It was connected to the living room and was also the first room. He was on the second floor which gave him a balcony. The balcony was in directly in front of the main entrance, across the living room and kitchen. The other was a simple bathroom with a shower, toilet and sink some towels about. The living room was simple, a couch/futon in the middle with a TV, and a coffee table in front of the couch. He smiled closing the door behind him and heading out into the world.

He made his way to the streets where lots of things were going on, he decided to walk to a nice quiet place for a while, then head into the more busy places. He knew one place that was always quiet and headed for it, it was in the middle of town. A large steel bridge with people walking all over it, but above it was not what he was there for. He made his way to the bridge and found a spot he had often sat at. It was beneath the bridge, on the right side it was mainly rock surfaces and one particular spot was perfect for sitting. He walked over to it and started a very small fire just capable of keeping him warm and kept the smoke away using a wind technique that funneled it back into the fire.

He smiled in his little cove, he was tired but tonight he would have fun, he had a good feeling about it.

The cool wind pulled at her hair, sending the cascading locks of blue flying in the air, sputtering around her face. It seemed to chase after each piece of sky, swirling and spinning like a complicated dance of the sexes. The woman felt the faint touch of it against her chilled face and she smiled slightly at the openness of the area. It was vast and timely, making her remember her homeland. A wave of homesickness hit her hard, but as soon as it came it faded away, the water retreating. Letting out a slight gasp as cool air crept through her warm jacket and touched her skin, she shivered, closing her eyes for a moment to gather herself. It was so different, here in Claw Country where the weather was cool and moist, threatening that the skies would darken and send vengeance down onto the land, nourishing it, after tearing it apart with its claps of thunder and angry lightening that struck trees and homes alike.

Looking up at the sky as if expecting sudden clouds to pull over her and blacken the clear, blue canvas above, the woman pulled her black cloak tighter. it was odd, to wear such heavy clothing during the day, but like the chameleon she was, Ruii adapted easily, taking advantage of the vast warmth the fabric gave her. She had bought it in the land of Lightening, wear it seemed, she thought wryly, it always seemed to either be raining hard, or snowing. To the Sunagakure nin, it was not the most pleasant of weather, but the townspeople seemed to not notice the constant downpour and continued with their chores without complaint. She respected them for that, but inwardly wondered how sick each one got in their life. Living nearly constantly wet couldn't be good for your immune system.

Sighing, she gathered her thoughts together and began the long walk to the large city ahead. She had finished her mission in Lightening, and now was about to make her way back to Suna, but she thought a little break in Claw Country would be nice for her. It had been two weeks since she'd been home and although she missed her team and was beginning to regret having taken the solo mission, Ruii was excited to visit the small area. She had never ventured here before, and the thought of exploring somewhere new beat out the homesickness that nearly drove her insane. Gathering the bunch of fabric into her fist, she gingerly began walking, keeping the long black cloack off of the ground. It was new and she didn't want the hem to find its home in thick, ugly muck. Grinning rather girlishly, Ruii jumped over a puddle, landing lightly on her toes before she sped off down the pathway that lead into the city, her curiosity causing her to give up on her normal slow slink and instead trading it in for a quick, dancing jog.

Coming to the gates she smiled at the guards, waving happily before showing her passport and entering the city. It was nothing like Konoha and Sunagakure, but still it was quite the place! Grinning, she scanned the area, hoping to find an inn. It was crowded, and although Ruii was used to blending in and sneaking by everyone, it seemed it was different here. Her cloaked self automatically gave her away, but for once, she wasn't worried about killing anyone or anything. Pulling down the hood that obscured her wild blue hair, she shook the loosened braid so it slung over her shoulder. Recognizing people that seemed to act as if they were civilians, she made her way over, eyes sharp and gleaming. "hello, Miss!" She began, her tone light and easy-going, "Do you by any chance, know of a good inn that could accommodate me?" The older woman nodded briskly and with a few wrong turns and a couple of stops to ask for more directions, Ruii found herself in front of a rather impressive inn. Blinking, she stepped inside, making her way over to the counter and asked for a room. Given the key, she smiled a thank you and quickly made a beeline for the room.

Once inside, she dumped her travel bag and cloak onto the bed, but thought better and hung the black fabric up on a hanger to dry. Smiling at her obvious obliviousness to the simple fact she giggled. It was so nice to be on vacation! it had been a long time since she had taken a day off and although the last weeks had been stressful, her target never seeming to find himself alone, Ruii had taken a big risk and killed him the moment she knew the guards changed. It was only a time span of one minute, but somehow she had completed the mission without a fault and now the deader's head was placed nicely in a scroll which she would give to the Kazekage as an affirmation that Dusei Kaisu was dead. Leaning backwards, she stretched, her black long sleeve shirt riding up her stomach to reveal toned abdominal muscles before sliding back down as she stood upright again. Checking the time on the bed stand, the woman decided to go outside and find a nice quiet place to relax. Staying in a bedroom wasn't her style, and Ruii was seeking a nice place in nature.

Stepping outside once again, she let out a squeal at all the people that had suddenly seemed to close in on her. She had never felt claustrophobic before, and inwardly she thought it'd be best not to feel like it again! nervous she pushed her way through the crowd, apologizing as she trampled people to the floor. making it toward a bridge, the woman let out a strangled sigh as she broke free of the crowd. For a moment, it felt like she was flying, but then she caught herself, concentrating her chakra into her feet. It grabbed hold to the concrete of the bridge and slowly she swung down, letting out a scream as she nearly banged her face against a man's. Falling off of the bridge, wasn't enough, she thought wryly, realizing who it was, and to make it worse, now she was mere centimeters away from the person who seemed to make her days darken. "Hello, Yun."

Karma's a bitch.

Yun was simply stoking the fire for a while, he was enjoying the quiet beneath the bridge, the crowds voices blocked out by the thick cement. He smiled at some things he heard or frowned at others. But he wasn't really paying attention to the people above him, more to the fire it seemed, consistently poking it with a stick, but his mind wasn't in the fire either, it was more of the unusual encounter with Ruii and that takashi man. He thought about the fight, how he had acted, what he could have done better, he could still feel the cold sweat on his right hand when he pressed it onto Ruii's forehead. Looking at his hand he watched a couple of the fingers twitch, when suddenly something hit him, it was a person. He blinked back to reality.

Hello, Yun. He froze, Ruii. Echoed through his head, "H-hey." he said uneasily, standing up, "You alright?" He asked extending his hand and helping her to her feet. She nodded, as expected. It wouldn't be some civillian who would fall on him would it, it would be clumsy Ruii, there to either perk his day, or Ruin it. He sighed kicking out the small fire beside him, "How are you....?" he asked uneasily, he was unsure of what to say and unsure of the standing the two had with each other right now. He had captured her that one time, and ruffed her up a bit the last time. He resisted the urge to slap his forehead, No wonder she hates me. he thought, the hint of a frown entering his face.

Today had been a fine day for traveling, and for himself he thought he had a good day so far. This would either turn out very bad, or very good for him. He felt something click, a crack in his surface, he wasn't acting like the calm collected individual he normally was. His armor was weakening, he was uneasy and slightly nervous. Pull it together. He thought and he straightened up, more like loosened up since he was standing rather tense, now a little more lazily and relaxed.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, lent back on the rockface behind him, and slapped a smile on his face. No need for her to ruin his composure.

She blinked, her head moving to the side, as she gracefully lowered herself to the ground, releasing her chakra hold and taking his offered hand. She was being gracious, trying not to ruin the moment which usually happened and left both of them either arguing or fighting with one another. So smiling slightly up at him, she watched with her calculative eyes as he stuttered, his shoulders tense and body as stiff as a statue. It was almost like... he was nervous? The thought made the woman laugh. If yun was nervous it was because he thought she was about to hurt him, which wouldn't be too far from the truth. Each time they had met, for some reason it left the two of them arguing and hitting one another. Well, he actually caught her in genjutsus, making her think she was hurting.

Yes, Ruii had gone home and went to studying this character known as Yun Disukai. He was a character she thought, liking to refer to him as "the Card Shark," when she thought about him. Going through files, it was interesting to find out that previously, he used to belong to Sunagakure before he left for unknown reasons. It was an intriguing thought that this man had lived in her village and she had never once ran into him. Of course, what really caught her attention was the cards and his jutsus. He was an illusionist, the bastard. When she had fought him before, those damn cards were in reality, simply an illusion. She had fallen right into his trap. It was an embarrassing thought, although she secretly praised his ability to catch her so easily.

Studying him, she watched as his posture changed and he forced himself to relax. it was odd, being so aware of what he was doing without her Byakugan activated. She could tell from the smile on his face that it was forced, and smiling slightly, she appreciated the attempt of conversation. "I'm fine," she replied softly, her voice a soft soprano, "But it seems you aren't, Yun... Please, I promise I won't break your face in if you convince me you won't catch me in another of your damn illusions." She smiled rather wickedly, her eyes gleaming a challenge. A laugh escaped her lips, bubbling up from her throat and filling the tension with a flow of warmth. Hopefully this meeting would go well.

Yun smiled hearing that she was alright, then she said something else. He grinned and let out a chuckle. "I Won't this time, i don't have a reason to." He said with a grin, then began to laugh as she laughed. looks like it will be the perk of my day this time. he thought quietly, starting to begin to stop his laughter. As he finally stopped he smiled at her, his gray eyes gave the area a calming aura, even while they were in their pinched vision from laughter. He looked down at the remains of where the fire was. Still smiling he kicked at it again and then got back to his normal composure.

"Hey, you want to check out the town?" he asked casually, scratching the back of his head, repressing the need to blush. A slightly uneasy smile on his face, he was trying to maintain his cool but it wasn't working completely. His other hand pulled out of his pocket, his hands were sweating but he tried to remain cool, chilled. She seemed to be getting a kick out of something or other, she was still laughing. He resisted the urge to bit his lip or twitch his fingers, or shuffle cards, or do anything! Oi! This was tense for him, it was hard.

He felt his body tense again but he remained in a slouched position even though it was tense and tight. Luckily the heavy clothing he was wearing covered most of his body, not allowing people to see he was tense. Inside his shoes his toes fumbled about the only thing he could do that she couldn't see. He blinked, breaking the tension his toes stopped and he calmed down, not sighing though. He just, eased back into place. Starting to cool again.

She found it nearly cute, his hesitation to ask her out on a stroll. It was rather odd, being able to look at him this time and not feel like smacking him around. Smiling unconsciously, she watched him carefully as his eyes fluttered around helplessly like a butterfly with broken wings. It wasn't the best analogy, but it fit with the situation. The man seemed lost in a way, his glorious gray eyes that reminded her of a sky ready to cry, or smile. The colour was so blank, but held a chance for happiness and sadness and for some reason that thought touched her. It seemed the more she stared, she found some physical part of Yun that related to him nicely. He was a puzzle, with a thousand different colours, and although Ruii wasn't known for her patience and the ability to sit still for long tasks, this was somehow different and she found herself itching to take him apart, one shade at a time.

It's like dissecting a frog, she mused, her lips pulling up in a lazy grin. But hopefully, I won't need to use any sharp instruments! Letting out a short, airy laugh at her train of thought she drew her eyes away from the top of the bridge and dragged them back to the fidgeting nuke-nin. Without her Byakugan activated, she couldn't tell that he wasn't fully comfortable, so reaching out she drew herself closer, closing the space between them, leaving mere centimeters away. She paused, looking into his widened eyes briefly before she smiled slightly, her full, pink lips pulling upward in a one sided grin. Raising a bare hand, she held it for a moment before she patted him happily on his cheek, "Come now, Yun; I have never visited Claw Country before, and here we are burning daylight with useless chatter! Lets move those feet, sweetheart!" Winking at him, she pulled away, taking his hand in her for a brief moment as she dragged him into the tornado of winds. Ruii ignored the flying hair, not caring if she looked like an idiot in front of him. Instead, she let out a squeal of delight and spun on the spot, her arms wide. It was so nice to feel her country's namesake.

There was a silence which seemed like it would never end, his heart pumped like a machine, revving and rearing for the end of this suspense. Adrenaline pumped through his body and spread like wild fire throughout his veins. He couldn't speak even if he wanted to. He felt his heart leap up into his throat and knot it. Suddenly Ruii moved, yun's eyes went wide as she moved closer, the greyness of them ever so bland which hid his emotions he guessed but it couldn't be helped they were wide with anxiety and suspense. Her hand touched his cheek, warm and inviting thought he, as she spoke. Come now, Yun; I have never visited Claw Country before, and here we are burning daylight with useless chatter! Lets move those feet, sweetheart! He swallowed, his heart let loose its grip on his neck. His eyes returned to their normal size he almost sighed but held it in, this was going to be a night to remember.

He blinked and smiled uneasily, suddenly her hand grabbed his for a second and up they went to the bridge. Her hand released but he could still feel it in his hand. It was like a little touch of something sweet that your mother slapped away from you saying it wasn't ready, or you couldn't eat it yet. He had often thought to himself, where was this Ruii when he lived in Suna, she might be older or younger then him, making her academy days before or after but still. He had never once seen her there. "Well, where do you want to go?" yun asked standing in the crowd as Ruii did a little spin. He grinned at that and grabbed her hand as it spun near him. "Come on, i know where." he said with a smile heading down the bridge. The cold air whipped at his face across the bridge but its cold didn't effect him, the strange warmth of Ruii's hand gave him the only warmth he desired.

It was nice to act so free... so innocent, so alive! The wind blew through her hair, causing the woman to let her head droop backwards. Locks of faded blue weaved and danced as the fierce air pulled at them, a puppeteer and his marionette. A sigh escaped through her parted lips which was soon followed by a quip of laughter that was easily carried away by the seemingly constant winds. It had been so long since the woman could allow herself this freedom without feeling guilty of it. As of late, she found herself acting so unusual, having been unable to act like the ANBU captain she was. It was frustrating for the shinobi to stare in the mirror, look herself in the eye and say, "I know something is wrong, but I still can't fix it." And that was what it had been like for the last few weeks. The Hyuuga found herself in a maze with no way out.

Something warm took hold of her hand, encasing it gently like a mother would caress her child. It was soothing, the calloused flesh that she knew would lead to someone's arm. Opening her eyes as she stopped spinning, the locked onto Yun, the man she addressed as many things. He was a traitor to her village, his name one of high priority on her Bingo Book, but he was also a simple person like she was, and inwardly Ruii felt like he was searching for something that would soothe the pain that somehow she felt. He had gone through something terrible, she realized, The poor thing... Although she had never gone through something that devastated her or left her feeling lost, Ruii had gone through different situations that made her question the life she was living. It was hard, she thought sadly, to judge one's choices when she went around killing people because she was told to. In a way, the woman wished she had the courage to leave her village and make her own decisions like Yun, but then... things would be so much different.

Smiling up at him softly, his hand still wrapped tightly around her own, Ruii followed him without a word, her head tilting to the side. There wasn't a glimmer or move she made that gave away to what she was thinking, but of course; who would expect anything less...

Yun Smiled as she followed closely, he had been having a confusing month so far, all starting with this woman who's hand he grasped now attempting to steal something he had payed for in full. Then he learned everything and met up with her again in a bar fight, who she was fighting a jounin from the Leaf it seemed named Takashi. The strange mark on his face had been acting up whenever the weather was bad, constant people attempting to kill him this month. Everything was in a rush, but now. Time seemed to slow or stop.

He was smiling sheepishly he realized, not caring he continued to pull Ruii down the street where he saw a large crowd of people, suddenly he released her hand and ran into the crowd. It would be almost impossible to tell where he was in the crowd at the moment they were shouting for something "More!" "Whats next!?" "Next Person!" "Come On!" Shouts of bored and ready for entertainment onlookers.

"Its About Damn time you Showed up Chap! they have been waiting for nearly 15 minutes!." Yun scratched the back of his head, "Hehe, sorry i had a run in with a friend. I won't be showing up tonight." Yun said turning away the man grabbed his shoulder "Woah Woah Woah! Your not going to Ruin me now Yun!" He shouted angerly at him. "Uh. Yea i am, Bye." Yun said sticking his tongue out and charging back out of the crowd, to where he had left Ruii, hoping she had stayed put.

Now hopefully we can have some fun. He thought with a grin.

What was that all about? She wondered, her eyes widening in confusion before she tilted her head to the side. She stood alone, her figure blending into the bustling crowd like a bug would disappear in a forest. It was hard to tell who was who, the townspeople constantly moving following one another in waves upon waves; the shinobi wouldn't be surprised if soon she began to feel water slicking her skin. They were sufficient she realized quietly, watching as the citizens completely their tasks along with daily jobs, moving around the crowds or hoards of people as she liked to call them, with such ease. It was crazy in the woman's eyes who usually avoided the market like the plague, but even then, Sunagakure was not even as close to being that highly populated.

A shoulder touched hers roughly, throwing her into the pathway of a cart and for a moment all Ruii could do was gap at the suddenness of the change in position. Moving to the side gracefully, she danced out of the way, feeling the rush of wind as the ravaged driver pushed it hard. He gave her a look, a silent threaten in a way about how she had gotten in front of him, but the woman merely gave him an apologetic smile and watched helplessly as he continued right on by, mumbling about stupid tourists. Stupid huh? letting out a sigh, the Suna nin let it go by instead thinking about the fact that Yun had left her all on her own in the middle of a town she knew nothing about, "Well... isn't this peachy?"

Becoming impatient, the woman activated her byakugan and spotted the nuke nin chatting with a person and by the looks of the man, he was not happy. What was going on, she wondered but quickly deactivated her Kekkei Genkai when she saw Yun turning away and making his way back to her. Blinking, she smiled slightly as he took her hand and began pulling her away once again. "What was that all about?"

"My Boss. I do Show biz, Remember?" he said some cards flinging through the air from one sleeve to the other, grinning as he did so. Pulling Ruii along through the weaving crowds angry shouts could be heard behind them, Plenty of other more reliant business partner's then him. He thought to himself looking over his shoulder back at the crowd. Dang would have been a good quick cash oh well, this is more important. He thought smiling over at Ruii. He had a good idea of where to hit up first, a quick stop at a local restaurant for dinner, then hit the streets for the party. He grinned knowing just the place, real secluded place that was quiet in the bustling streets of this village.

Slowly as they departed from the large crowd of people, fewer and fewer people filled the streets. You could now hear Ruii and His feet pattering on the footsteps, now that they were out of the crowds, Yun released her hand, after allowing her to catch up. "Busy day eh?" he said looking back into the crowds for a moment. Then looked forward, slowing his pace a bit to a more relaxed pace. He didn't like so many people crowding around him, so he had a quickened pace in the crowd, but now it was a mere walking pace. He dusted off his clothing, unsure of what had gotten onto it in that crowd and took a left down a small side street. A single chimney smoked in the sky above them, leading right down to the local restaurant Yun was looking for.

Continuing down the street he saw the bright lights from the restaurant, the front was a set of long window walls. On the left of it was the door, Yun pushed it open and held it, allowing Ruii to enter first. A small bell dinged as he pushed the door open. There were about 5 or 6 tables, only one other one was occupied by an old couple. Yun found a table with booths, comfortable and clean. Sliding in onto a side of it he adjusted position so that he was more comfortable. Then remained in that position waiting for the waiter to walk over.

As he waited his eyes ran over Ruii, "Now don't be a chicken, most of this food is pretty spicy, And i want to see you at least try it." he said with a chuckle.