A Wet Riddle [Travel]

Kenji simply sighed as he walked down the beaten path. Usually he'd complain about going on another mission or that he'd have to walk so far to get to that mission, and although he will complain about it taking place in the cold mountains and the fact it was to investigate some animal or something, he couldn't find himself able to complain about it right now.

No, his mind was elsewhere, more specially on the path they'd probably have to take. It was cutting awfully close to home, quite literally and while Kenji didn't want to admit it, he was scared to go back. It was irrational of course, he was a grown adult while those bandits have been dead for a long time and even if they were still alive, he was a better swordsman and an amazing puppeteer. There should be nothing to worry about but the eye patch was always a stupid reminder of what had happened.

He could only focus on the cherry flavor as he kept walking, he didn't want to think about it anymore. Instead he simply checked over his outfit and made sure he had what he needed, looking down at himself he opened his flak jacket pouches and ensured he could feel the 5 kunai he had pack and in another pouch he made sure he could feel the medical supplies. In his pant's pocket, he felt the folded paper holding Lingchi's seal and finally he readjusted his forehead protector.

Equipment was all good to go, he was evening wearing a plain white shirt to fight off the coldness of the mountains. Of course he even brought a backpack of some winter clothing, he'd not want to be one the poor unfortunate suckers stuck without any warm clothing up there. Still didn't mean he wasn't worried about having to go nearby home again... At least he'll have some company to keep himself occupied, it'd really suck to be stuck walking all the way there by himself.

Speaking of company, right ahead he could see the familiar sight of the bunny and the dog, although one quick look at them made him uncertain if they were prepared to head up the mountains. Eh, maybe they brought some warm clothing too and were just using a scroll or something... Either way, Kenji only grinned as he approached the duo. "Hope I'm not interrupting you two love birds." Kenji would tease his two companions as he approached.

"So is it just the three of us?" Kenji would ask as he looked at the two, he wasn't about to complain about them, of all his oddly animal like companions, he'd much prefer the bunny and the dog than the snake. Still, he would've welcomed meeting someone new and not end up being a third wheel to the duo before him.

---

Active Gear:

A mission fraught with mystery, wonder, adventure, and a beast set in the mountains? How simply magnificient, this sent the doctor into a mood of playing dress up to fit the role they wished to play of detective for this outing. While they heard something about companions on this mission it was hardly the focus of their fixation as they decided the world was their stage for this period of time. While traveling may be a bit more awkward in a different garb, the Uzumaki doubted it would affect them too much so they could not correct it but one never did know to be fair.

On this mission Plague decided to see how Aubergine would fare being alone at the house, and it seemed that the apartment suited the Sliver just fine who picked up on the vibe surprisingly quickly, for this the ninja was glad as they did not wish to risk their new friend on a mission that may take longer than expected.

mask:

They wore a cloak made of thick black leather along with clasps to keep it tied around their shoulders but also allow for a range of movement, it covered their upper torso keeping their gender a secret but it was rather form fitting on the limbs allowing the lither but dense limbs to be showcased unlike most of the time when Plague simply wore a thick black cloak. The leather on their body was made of a soft surfaced, yet hardy dark purple material that would help them blend into the dark much better than black normally would. Their head was covered with a black latex that kept their hair from being revealed and they wore a simple white mask upon their face, around one eye black lattice and a black teardrop would be decorated underneath but other than that the porcelain colored mask remained unmarred even for a mouth piece allowing for the Uzumaki's signature muffled voice.

"The Four of us I am afraid Kenji, Hikari, Sojiro seems to be tagging along though I doubt they were officially given this mission..." the tones were polite and cheerful at the thought of going on a mission with this group of people regarding each with a nod as they mentioned their names. It seemed this mission would be quite the full one, but that made the ninja look forward to it even more. "Enjoying the book Sojiro?" they would ask shifting their focus over to the bestial ninja from the village under the sun.

Kenji only raised his eyebrow as his bunny companion told him "green" was not a good colour on him... But he liked green. He could totally pull off green. Still he wasn't entirely what the point of declaring that as she almost immediately brought her attention back to the sun shinobi and asked him to take her to the sun village to see some girl. Huh, so Hikari was bisexual. Guess that means Plague could still be either gender then.

On the the topic of Plague, why none other than themselves would be accompanying the trio on this mission. Plague's outfit and mask may be different but there was no doubt it was Plague, he couldn't quite recall any meeting any other masked person and Plague clearly greeted him by name.

Before Kenji could even greet Plague, the sun shinobi's voice roared out in anger over being called an Inuzuka and was quick to get in the bunny's face. Kenji knew Sojiro didn't particularly like to be called an Inuzuka and even warned Hikari against it the first time around, so it was really her own fault for going out of her way to call him one despite Sojiro's warnings. Still the outburst caught Kenji a bit off guard and he only turned to watch the two, yet he made no move to interfere. Instead he only listened as Sojiro expressed his outrage at being called an Inuzuka and his disdain for the clan before trying to proclaim his name when he suddenly stopped.

Kenji couldn't help but notice the look on the sun shinobi's face... One that seemed almost familiar to the one eyed swordsman but he couldn't quite pin it down. That was all it took for whatever steam Sojiro had built up to escape along with the words he was going to say. Instead the sun shinobi growled at Hikari that he was a proud Inuruka before walking a short distance away. Probably to cool off but it left a certain heaviness in the air that Kenji didn't know how to handle.

Instead the one eyed swordsman would take this time to eat his candy stick with a slight crunch before grabbing and placing another one in his mouth. He could only focused on the cherry flavor as he simply chose to remain standing impassively among the group, not daring to break the silence that was left. This wasn't his problem nor did he know how to even begin to deal with it, besides it wasn't like he was actually friends with these people anyways.

A conflict.

These types of things were often found within the structure of organized crimes, usually brought about by egos though in this particular case it seemed a misunderstanding which would be easier to solve. It was still to the degree that something drastic would need to be done, and according to their calculations the doctor did not like it. This was only an option due to how far out the group was as well as the fact that there was only three others in the worst case scenario, three was much easier to silence than a whole village by far after all.

Still this kind of thing was a huge risk, but after the experience they had grown the task could be completed despite the taste it would leave in the mouth after the fact, a fetid, depression that would hold the person mentally for a time but like the rest it could be repressed, they had the ability to do so and had proved this numerous times or this path would not be open.

Still if things went well perhaps they could see to forming their own group, their own family, see some people actually grow instead of fall endlessly into a meat grinder of a cycle of violence that gripped their biological family in a vice. Perhaps the formula could and should be used for good, perhaps that was what this world without order needed, perhaps they were the one to bring this about.

Plague had oft shyed away from authority roles simply due to prior experience, but now it seemed like the plate needed stepping to and without them it would dissolve into a stickier situation and so it would be that Plague who was a bit behind Hikari at the time would begin walking up behind him and toward Sojiro who was currently extremely focused on the Usagi clan member. Each feet within each other's radius, Kenji however seemed to back off once the confrontation began and Plague wondered why exactly that may be, the doctor hoped it was not some past experiences haunting the man for both of their sake.

While true empathy was hard for them to grasp, they understood how emotions hindered functionality and could relate on that level thus feeling bad for Kenji while also feeling disappointed in him was an option. The other two were free of guilt in this situation though they were the ones who provoked and prompted it, sitting aside and watching something unfold was often how good kingdoms fell and could very well be why they were stuck in such a backwards world such as this one and for that they would need to be reprimanded.

Of all the things that could kick off a journey outside of their comfort zone, a conflict was the last thing that Plague needed or wanted. This was awful, it was unacceptable, but the chemist knew exactly what psychological effects were at play not even three words into it catching the gist extremely quickly thanks to a ton of prior experience. It was petty but they got it, they understood it, no she understood it.

Jess understood where Sojiro was coming from but it made it no less frustrating to be subject to it, some of this had to play out for the psychological effects not to become festering negativity after all but she would play mother as she so oft had in her childhood thanks to her purposefully negligent parents. Looking back and comparing this to that however relieved the masked woman who was now walking towards the pair where the dog was barking at the rabbit. Her hands would also work at the same time shedding her gloves first and then her mask revealing her face that had changed thanks to the hormones that Plague had begun taking over a year ago. Their face was stern and masked as much as if the porcelain cover was never removed, emotionally speaking, but it carried the look of one who knew how to handle such a situation.

With a shrug her coat would fall revealing a highly muscled upper body for a woman but also ample evidence that she was so, her short red hair accented by the metal piercing still gave a whole gender ambiguous look but it definitely leaned femme as stern as she now was. As the cloak was shrugged off, Jess  would stand up straight as she walked gaining height to her body which was now more discernible to others than it had been in years. This was something they had dealt with on many levels, such arguments she had solved even between her own shitty parents and so to someone she cared for, these actions would be easier and smoother despite their repetition or perhaps because of it. Still, this was the lot in life assigned to the Uzumaki female who would now come between Hikari and Sojiro when he was shouting about his name and staying there as he became embaressed.

Jess Uzumaki:

"I trust you all, you know how careful I kept this secret Sojiro. Do not assume ill of Hikari, he is young and does not understand the wounds that he is picking open. You have to act like his elder and explain it better before you can be justified in your emotions, I expect better from you." Jess spoke firmly before turning back to Hikari and Kenji who was a bit away from the group.

"I am Jess Uzumaki, heir apparent to the Crime Family Uzmaki, once Prince of Craiglorn and I expect us all to function as a unit while we are on this mission. Furthermore I expect us all to have trust, it is very important for the group and I just made myself extremely vulnerable. I will tell you this right now, if any of you give away my identity, I will kill you. Now Kenji, I get it, you probably don't think these aren't your hens in your hen house but if you are ever to be a leader you will have to intervene in these kinds of situations before the cohesion of the group breaks down. Hikari, this will be dangerous so do take it seriously okay? I do not want to have to worry about waking up at night because I couldn't save you okay?" as she spoke Plague would move to the other two and look them directly in the eyes as she spoke their names and to them. While serious her tone would also give away that she was not angry with any of them, just establishing rules that would need to be followed for the betterment of this mission.

She had given up a lot and was waiting to see what she would receive in return, this usually worked in her experience but if not there was a much more brutal method her father had taught her for putting unruly people into a more cohesive whole. Despite her hate for the man the ninja had to admit when he was right, and while they preferred their method far more Plague was serious about the completion of this mission and was unwilling to risk it over a spat or over someone now taking offence to her controlling the situation and defusing it.

While it was doubtful from the displays, emotional states or ages of the group one must always be prepared for the unfortunate and it would be unfortunate for this thing that could be solved diplomatically to come to violence. Still the human mind was an enigma and perhaps it would result in just that despite the Uzumaki's best wishes since it would be a detriment to the success of this mission and upset her on a deep interpersonal level as well as make her feel uneasy. Still as she was bred to believe, success was the utmost thing to strive for and thus was why Jess had resorted to such desperate methods in the first place.

Kenji was curious who'd be the one to try and fix this but Hikari's apology didn't really seem to do anything so it was up to Plague to try and fix it and... Well, they decided to strip themselves of their heavy attire that concealed their body and their mask, revealing a female to be the person behind Plague this entire time. Wonder how Hikari was going to feel about that? Well, she was bisexual so probably didn't matter too much.  

Although as Plague spoke, Kenji noticed a certain pronoun being used for Hikari... One that he wasn't expecting, was Plague really calling Hikari a he? Kenji simply looked at the bunny... Person? And he could only wonder how a guy could look so pretty.  

But that was the least of his concerns as Plague, apparently named Jess Uzumaki revealed she was heir to some sort of criminal empire before threatening everyone to not reveal their identity. Kenji only narrowed his eye at the remark. He wasn't exactly keen on being forced to keep a secret, but alas it wasn't like he had anyone to tell it to and nor did he even care it was a secret. As far as he was aware, Jess was still simply Plague and never said a thing.

With a casual gloss over her threat, she begun to scold the both himself and Hikari, believing Kenji would've liked some sort of leadership role in the future and trying to make Hikari take stuff seriously least he face death. The only thing Kenji could do was roll his eye and take out his candy stick, the cherry flavor seemingly have got bitter in his mouth and as such he lightly threw it on the ground, like nothing more than trash.

Hikari finally spoke up, seemingly shocked from Plague's threat and while he tried to speak, the bunny only looked toward Kenji and seemed to have lost the words he was going to speak, instead only agreeing with Jess. Memories of the blood the bunny showed him filled his head and Kenji could only lower his head, he had nothing to say nor did he want to say anything. Even as Hikari asked if he was a burden, Kenji didn't speak and instead kept his mouth shut and his head down.

Sojiro had to be the one to comfort the bunny, instead offering a different angle from what Plague had told them and frankly, Kenji couldn't see it any other way. He didn't know much about bonding or comforting or anything but one doesn't simply threaten others to keep a secret no one wanted to know. Still, it was good he was at least trying, Kenji didn't particularly like to see the bunny in a sad state but he couldn't find it in him to do anything. Hikari was nothing more than a shinobi he went on a few missions with, hell the only time the two even hung out besides missions, he was clearly focused solely on Sojiro. They simply won't friends.

Speaking of the sun shinobi, it seemed it was his turn to reveal a secret as he talked about how he first arrived to the village, nearly dying but getting saved by someone and then getting adopted by his savior... An all too familiar story. That's when Kenji finally did something. He begun walking to the mission site. He had enough, he didn't want to connect to them. He knew absolutely nothing about them, he couldn't even tell a single one of them how old they were and they were trying to tell him their sob stories, their deepest secrets, their doubts and insecurities, and frankly? He couldn't possibly care, he had been down this road before and look where he ended up, completely alone without a single person to even call a friend.

It was only a matter of time before these three ended up joining all the other people Kenji knew, Plague had just got them all roped into her little crime family. Looking back at their previous mission, it wouldn't be all too surprising if that guy was part of her crime family and for all he knew, he and Hikari were now considered targets as well.

"So you understand how serious I am about trust being important for a groups cohesion" Jess replied to Sojiro's question with soft tones in order to not spook the rabbit ninja more than her previous barking had already done. Kenji keeping mute and narrowing his eyes before rolling them was slightly concerning but not unexpected, as foreseen that one would be the person to watch the most but still the sacrifice of information would be needed in order to foster future seeds of loyalty in the group.

Plague's face would twist into confusion as she heard Hikari use the word us to describe her promise made to the others concerning her identity, the last time they had run into anyone related to the Uzumaki three of them had passed as random ninjas going after the same treasure. The only way her identity would be leaked would be if any of these three leaked it, having assumed Hikari could have already sensed her features thanks to her clans identity and thus deducing she had also transitioned Plague had written them off leaving only two. The Sun ninja she had shared memories and materials with and doubted also his loose lips, instead it would be the mute that the Uzumaki was worried about but she was hardly a person to single another out in such a way. Instead she had now created another situation by just not calling out one person in particular or having more faith in Kenji, a personal failing that would require mending but still without the action things could have spiraled into something much worse and for that at least Jess was glad they had intervened.

Jess pondered for a second in regards to the Usagi's emotions, always one to forge ahead in the moment with their gut when the plan was already in action she would speak softly and get on Hikari's eye level staring them directly into their eyes that Plague knew no doubt functioned poorly. To rectify for this but still offer the social grace, Plague extended their ungloved hand for the other ninja to grab and feel her sincerity if desired. "Little one, you remind me of my younger brother, there is a reason I said to have to save you. I cannot look out for him any more and thus you are in his place, that is also why I did not think to specify that you are in no danger from any of my actions. I am sorry for spooking you Hikari." The tones alone would convey the truth to the words but her pulse should also give this away if the offer of flesh was accepted by the younger ninja.

After this she would stand up and listen to Sojiro intently as he spoke about his past, this was what the Uzumaki would hope to occur when she had revealed her own secret. It warmed her heart to hear the Sun ninja open up about his past self and the fact of his mother's death and his near starvation. "Well I shall try to remember that Shin," Jess spoke kindly giving the shinobi a nod of respect. The Uzumaki's familial training caused her to wonder if those poachers still lived, but they shoved that thought process aside for later. The Uzumaki began to walk as Sojiro was wrapping up after Kenji who had begun to leave when Shin had begun talking, with a bit more determination in her step she closed the gap to Kenji quickly and would move to step in front of him and look up at him in the eyes directly from half a foot away.

The puppeteer's eyes were masked, deliberately so and that presented a few directions and inspirations one would have for doing so. Seeking to rectify her recent mistake however Jess now had to go out on even more of a limb and extend even more of herself, she would go with the best possible reason to mask one's own's feelings and stay mute while this all went down. Rolling his eyes instead of speaking up did not seem too out of character but did dictate a sort of passiveness that could indicate hurt. Kenji was a male, and in their society Plague knew all too well how they were taught to mask pain even at a young age and even when not raised as a ninja, let alone for a male raised in such a lifestyle themselves. Walking away as another person opened up would be a literal manifestation of running from one's issues, true there were many more clues that indicated this but even more true still was the fact that this was only a guess. A rather educated one thanks to the doctor's knowledge of psychology but, a guess none the less and one that they only took as it was the best assumption to give the scarecrow bodied ninja.

"So Kenji, who died on you?" her tone was serious but soft and caring, it showed that she was not too keen on letting him stew alone but also show that she would do no more to stop him than this. The matter was now completely in the one eyed ninja's court now, and what he would do with it she did not know but Jess Uzumaki did know that they needed to work together and that would be easier if one of them did not act as a lone wolf the entire time.

Kenji came to a stop as Plague moved to stand in front of him and the two simply stared at one another, neither wanting to back down and Kenji was waiting to see what she'd do next. He knew she was only here for the group cohesion, a problem she wouldn't have with him but he was curious what she'd try and do next to fix this so called problem that simply didn't exist. What he wasn't expecting was for her to almost casually and carelessly ask who died on him and his stare quickly turned into a hardened glare.

He knew he was taking a risk in leaving as soon as that problem came to be but he was hopeful they would leave him be. A foolish mistake looking back at it, this girl had just revealed her secret identity and threatened to kill them all just because Hikari and Sojiro had a bit of an argument. No doubt she'd just let him off the hook that easy. Yet it still enraged him, he didn't care about much but he didn't want to be dragged back to the past. Let alone by a complete and utter stranger, if she thought he owed her any favor for getting him dragged into her criminal empire, she was sorely mistaken.

"Fuck you." Kenji spat at the girl and resumed walking dead ahead, his mood souring even more than listening to them spill their guts out to one another. "If you're worried about team cohesion or your secrets being spilled, you'll have no trouble from me. I'll protect you all if the need arrives nor do I care to tell anyone who you are." Kenji called out to the group as he kept walking down the road, not really caring if any of them would try and follow him.

"As far as I care, nothing happened while I made my way to the mission." Kenji added to illustrate just how little he cared about their secrets. He knew he wouldn't quite be able to act like nothing happened especially with how pissed off he was and would probably remain so but he sure as hell wasn't going to talk to any of them about any of this. This entire event will just be another anger inducing memory that reminds him to stay away from others.