Visitation and Takao's Mission

With every ginger step the spirits within the young girl grew restless. They remembered this place well, in fact some of them were buried here. Kyouki in the Mist, Kairo in the village known as Taki, Bankotsu in Suna, Tsukimi in Kusa, Kutsuu believed to be buried in Iwa, and Nagori and Shisshou; here, in the leaf. Sanzen's thin form moved like a death to his next victim, her eyes focusing on a stone created for those who were KIA. Gravestones rested in organized rows behind this main one; all of them lined with different names, dates, and even sayings.

Sanzen passed by the well known Hyuuga, a few Uchiha, and even some Inuzuka. She remembered those names from the history books; the type of books she tended to avoid at times. A thin mist rested upon the stones as the sun was lurking over the land. It created an essence of mystery and a feeling that could make fearful children nervous. Her red hues scanned from right to left, her form still moving as she searched. To some, she could have even seemed like a demon right now. Her ghost figure and wide red eyes making her appear so due to the misty veil. At times she would pass by names that did not register, one's that sparked her curiosity. How did they die? Were they good or bad? Numerous unanswered questions rose within her mind as her ignorance created a tad bit of aggravation. She wished to know as much as she could and yet at the same time; knowing everything would be boring.

Crossing through a few head stones, she finally reached her first destination. It was a small stone, one that was placed near the very back of the graveyard. The letters were a tad messed up but Sanzen and a few spirits knew exactly who's it was; Shisshou's. As Sanzen leaned down into a prayer like stage, she touched the cool stone as it glistened in the light and bowed her head. Within her hand rested a white rose and even though Shisshou's spirit was inside her, she felt it was still nice to lay a flower every once in a while. One day she promised to do this for every spirit if she could; even though Bankotsu complained he was too manly for a flower. Flowers withered and died but a fake flower showed fake feelings in her mind. The withering flower gave her another reason to even come back to the grave, so why not put it there?

"Thank you Sanzen..." a tiny whisper said in her mind as she smiled. Opening her hues, the color turned from red to a faint yellow before returning to normal. Pushing herself up, she sighed before peering out of the other headstones. They all knew to well that Nagori's was destroyed a long time ago by punks who thought it would be funny to disrespect the dead. This did not stop Sanzen though, and as she crossed through more headstones she soon came to an empty field were a single cherry blossom tree rested its roots. This was the spot they had dedicated to Nagori, even though it wasn't "manly" on Bankotsu's opinion. Crossing over the field, she took a seat beneath the marble bench that was placed here for him. They imagined people coming here and doing what Nagori used to love to do in his past time; sit beneath the tree on a nice day and read their favorite book. Sanzen could tell people have been here due to their footprints and someone even put a spiritual guard around the tree to keep evil spirits out. They took care of it no doubt, which put Nagori at ease.

Sitting on the bench she bowed her head yet again to say her final prayer before peering out over the gravestones. The mist and the heat of the sound created an illusion on these forms; making them appear as though they were shifting side to side. She gazed around, not a soul in sight. It was sad how many stones lacked flowers or anything to put the dead at ease. Did nobody care? Had their loved ones forgot or died? Many they were even to sick to come or just had not come yet. There are many stories that could be told about an empty grave stone, she thought as Kairo let out a very light chuckle.

The spirits and Sanzen were at ease for now in this place but soon enough she knew she must return to the urban world full of different people who probably didn't even give a care about the dead. How many times a day did anyone even think about their loved ones or even think about coming to the graveyard to show their respect? Not very many, she thought, and soon made plans to come back. She would give a prayer to each one if she must and lay a flower on each grave. For now though, she would carry out her next plan.

Stepping forth from beneath the shelter of the tree, the tiny branches crunched beneath her feet. Biting the tip of her finger, the red liquid formed before she made seals and pressed her hand on the ground. A poof like sound was heard from the chakra and as her hand retreated a medium size Shiba Inu sat before her. Shaking his head he stood up and stretched before letting out a long yawn.

"Well good morning," she chuckled as the Shibu smiled.

"Greetings lady Sanzen," he said, bowing his head and placing his ears back. It was his way of showing her respect.

"How are you feeling Takao?"

"Very well and yourself?"

"Same," she chuckled, "you ready for a mission?"

The Shiba's white markings around his mouth made him look like he was smiling even though he was simply sitting there politely. Reaching into her pouch, Sanzen removed a red and tan scroll before pulling up a small string and lowered to Takao. Taking the string into his mouth, he gripped it and gazed up with wide brown eyes.

"Take this to the Hokage if you can," she said, a smirk crossing her face, "I have something to... ask him."

Blinking once, Takao turned around before soon breaking out into a run. Soon, he faded into the mist veil as if entering into a different world. Stepping back, she took a seat back beneath the marble bench as she waited.
'Think it'll work....' Kairo asked.
She nodded, at least she hoped it would.

With the return of her summoning came forth the feeling of disappointment. Sanzen already anticipated that the Hokage would be busy, that was obvious, but her belief of luck grew a bit less as she was declined. At least, for the moment. Releasing a sigh, she pet Takao's head in a thanking manner before returning him back to wherever she summoned him from. She always pondered, what happened to those animals summoned? Where do they come from and where do they return? What if they are busy doing something at that moment they are summoned? She kind of felt as though she would despise being a summoning.

'It was worth a shot'

The voice of Kairo always seemed to break her thoughts. He tended to speak out of nowhere, especially when she was in deep thought about a manner. At the moment she was relaxing against the shimmering marble; the cherry blossom tree providing her a sweet fragrance and aiding in her easement.

'At that it was... think he'll help?'

No response. Clearly none of the spirits knew or did not wish to talk, maybe they were ignoring her too. They were usually silent in graveyards, most likely from all the other spirits around.

Her red hues stared up at the burning tree above as the wind lightly blew threw its petals; causing a few to be broken off and fly away to a new home. Those petals would most likely never see their fellow home tree again, but where would they go? As she began to fall into a sort of meditative trance, her sense of surroundings grew faint as she soon receded into her thoughts. She was now relaxed and now it was Kairo who watched over her. If something were to go wrong it would be he to wake her and maybe even take over her body. Until that time came though, she would simply rest.

"Well now that the oh so pleasant business is done....." Shiin said his tone sarcastic as he finally laid the shovel down. The body underneath the freshly buried dirt was now six feet under the ground, the body in question being that of a 70 year old woman, who's body had been 'donated' to Shiin's research. Shiin chuckled, ''Donated' is such a nicer word than 'stolen'' he laughed within his mind. Suddenly Shiin noticed a small man barely 3 foot tall, in his peripheral vision, his face was gaunt, exagerating the size of his bald head slightly. ”Hmm, how do you feel after you've stolen a corpse?” the short suited man spoke, taking notes.”Excited? Aroused? Shameful?”

"Shut it old man." Shiin said, annoyed as he threw a Kunai aimed directly at the small man's forehead. The weapon whistled through the air and buried itself into a tree behind where the man was standing. "Must you always lash out at me with violence?" a voice said behind Shiin, he didnt bother turning, he knew whom it belonged too. "One of these days, your going to have to show me how you do that Sampson." Shiin said a tone of humor in his voice as he referred to the disappearing act of which Sampson had just performed. Without another word to the the small midget Shiin took off, moving away from the fresh mound of dirt the shovel over his shoulder.

Moving in between the gravestones, Shiin made his way towards the gate of the graveyard, when he suddenly was distracted by a figured leaning against a tree. He paused examining the figure about 5 feet in front of him. Her eyes were closed, but her her chest was still moving rhythmically up and down, so she was still alive. 'A pity...' Shiin thought, he was hoping for another body to add to his collection. He blinked for a moment and a six foot tall pink bunny stood behind the gravestone, holding a shovel, cleverly aimed at the woman's head and across from the bunny, stood Sampson in front of the girl shaking his head.

Shiin chuckled slightly, and walked over to stand in front of the woman. He crouched as he stood in front of her so that he was at her level. He examined her form for a moment, a dark look in his eyes. His hand reached down to his medical bag at his left and grasped a small blade. His arm moved upward nearly clearing his hand from the bag before he paused letting his hand fall. 'Nah....too messy.' he thought before speaking, "This probably isnt the best place for a nap." he chuckled, "You never know what kind of sickos are wondering around graveyards."

It did not take Kairo long to pick up on the sound of nearby movement and talking. Not only that, he could sense a nearby presence as it lurked through the graveyard too. As Sanzen's eyes turned from their burning red to a deep earth brown, she moved her head involuntarily and lightly peeked behind her. Sanzen herself was slightly slumbering in her mind while it was now Kairo whom caused her to move. He figured he may as well let her rest as he checked it all out. He could see through her eyes the dark figure moving in the mist and hear the odd chattering, was there more than one person there? Closing her eyes, he soon became to fade a bit as he tried to awaken Sanzen.

'Sanzen....

His voice was a bit loud, tone deep and forceful, which was all it took to snap her back. Her eyes faded from brown to their original red as she soon noticed an oncoming presence. She heard a slight chuckle and the oncoming footsteps as they grew closer. Who was this person to come to her in a graveyard? It was rare to meet anyone in a graveyard.

As the man crouched and spoke she finally opened her red eyes, the burning red now a softer shade to reveal her previous relaxed state. She seemed at ease despite this new disturbance and as she watched his hand rest in the pouch strapped to him. Was he planning to attack her? Not moving, she spoke.

"It is sad that you say that actually. This is a place to respect the dead and yet to think tainted souls walk around to do dirty deeds only makes me sick."

Her eyes then flowed to the shovel slung across his back before noticing the dirt on it. The dirt still seemed a bit moist, obviously freshly dug up. Why was he using such a thing here? Directing her attention back to him, she planned to gather information on him now.

"You wouldn't happen to be one of these sickos hm? You appear as though you are a grave robber, one who destroys the peace these spirits here wish to obtain. Why else would you be carrying a shovel with fresh dirt on its tip?"

She didn't like to waste time or beat around the bush, obviously. It was also strange that he had a shovel, very strange. Not to mention the sick look in his eye. What sort of man was this fellow?

Shiin crouched, not speaking as he, listened as the woman spoke without moving. "It is sad that you say that actually. This is a place to respect the dead and yet to think tainted souls walk around to do dirty deeds only makes me sick."

He crouched, entirely still and listened to her his hand wiggled in his pack slightly, pushing a small blade up into a small hiding place within his long sleeve, where it would not come out, unless he wanted it too. He withdrew his hand and listened as she spoke again, "You wouldn't happen to be one of these sickos hm? You appear as though you are a grave robber, one who destroys the peace these spirits here wish to obtain. Why else would you be carrying a shovel with fresh dirt on its tip?"

Shiin laughed deeply, standing up as he played an innocent look, ”Me a sicko?”, he thought for a moment before resuming his monologue, ”I doubt it, I was merely burying a body.” he pointed to a sign on the left side of chest, the word 'Undertaker' written in all caps across the little piece of plastic. It was a fake of course, to be used if he was caught while undertaking his 'extracurricular activities' , but she needn't know that. “”Merely doing part of my job.”he said offering her his hand, the one with the hidden blade, to help her up.

”What about you?” he asked, his hand still offering her help ”What kind of sicko are you?”

She was watching his every move while he spoke, her attention dead and center now that she had a good belief he may be a grave robber. This was only her first assumption though and now she was wondering what else he could be.

”Me a sicko? I doubt it, I was merely burying a body.”

Her attention stuck to him while the other spirits began to grow restless. Some may have been watching him as well and the others may have been watching around; even she couldn't predict their actions at times. Lifting a sign that read 'Undertaker' she took note of that too, watching his movements now for the slightest bit of shaking. Her higher senses would come in handy as well as she took in his scent. He smelled of sweat, dirt, and a dead body; so no joke to what he had said. But did she smell more?

Something was off about him, something she could slightly see just by what she saw from him. The sign that seemed to hold no meaning, at least in her book, the scents he gave off, and the excessive movements in the pouch; it all gave him away.

'Don't take it,' Kairo's voice broke through, 'Get away'.

'Don't listen to Kairo's shit or do you enjoy being a coward? Snap out of your damn trance and be who you usually are woman.'

There was a sigh from Kairo from Bankotsu's words, but these were words that actually make sense. Finally coming from her relaxed stage and gaining a sense of adrenaline, most of it probably from spirit influence, Sanzen's attention floated from the hand and up to the man as she remained in her own posture.

"Afraid to disappoint you but I am not a sicko"

As she said that, her own hand now rested in her own pouch as she watched him. Placing a finger on the outer side of his hand, she steadily moved it back towards him as if to decline while she pushed herself to her own feet in one quick movement.

"Don't mind me asking but... exactly what is an Undertaker, what do they do for a living? Personally, I've never heard of such a thing."

She needed more facts to truly decide what to do. At least now she was awake though; and also on duty.