The Leaf falls under the Sun

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

The Hokage looked from Mao to Sora and then back. "I'm sorry Burning Mist. I cannot let her leave the village. She has value in this war." He walked over to Sora. Looking her over he didn't fail to notice that she wasn't even paying attention to him. No her eyes were watching the man behind him. "You see, emotions are a very powerful thing if you let them control your actions." Sora eyes snapped towards to the Hokage. "Aki, send a message to her father. Tell him we have captured his only heir and he will only get her back when the Araii clan surrenders. " Stepping back he could see the shock in the girl's eyes of hearing her ex squad member's name. The anbu that was originally holding her nodded and disappeared. "Take her to interrogation. Burning Mist, I suggest you leave now while I'm still in the mood to let you." The two anbu lifted Sora up onto her feet.

 

[Dirtbear]

Mao walked closer to the two ANBU still holding Sora. He had signed a few hand signs as he walked behind them. "Very well. I'll take my leave. Though it's not polite to threaten your guests." he said as a water clone split from him. The water clone signed as quickly as Mao did and surrounded the two ANBU with water. Water Prison. The water roared and wrapped around the two and kept them immobilized in the center of the spheres. Mao was already done with his hand signs, Vapor Style: Burning Mist. He placed his hand on Sora and placed a thin film of his chakra over her entire body before releasing the mist from his mouth. The cloud grew and the Hokage jumped back away from the technique. Everything that wasn't in the sphere or shielded by Mao was in danger. The leaves began wilting around them and the grass with it. Everything caught flame as it was soaked in the corrosive liquid eating itself. Mao smiled and looked down to Sora before calling out to the Hokage, "I'll be taking the Heiress. Apologies, Hokage. Don't follow me. The justu will vanish when I'm clear from here. I won't harm them unless you make me. Sorry again." he said as he pulled on the chain, deteriorating from the jutsu. He put his arms around Sora and whispered in her ear, "Sorry dear. This might make you a little woozy." He began to disappear with her into the mist. The embers crackled into tiny explosions as it collided with the Burning Mist jutsu. The jutsu fell away as they fled and were not followed.


They emerged outside the village in the forests darkness. The mist was heavy out in the forest because of Mao's presence. He released Sora and held his finger up to his lips as he faded into the mist. The forest was void of people other then them. He walked around in the mist listening to Sora's breaths and lingered around her. He played with her hair and vanished back into the mist.

"So, Heiress. What do you think of me? Do you hate me? Do you wish my death to come so soon?"




​

He continued to toy with her and traced his fingers across her tattered kimono. He passed close to her face leaving a soft whisper in her ear.

"If so, all you need to do is say so. I'll be long gone. I didn't betray you nor did interve--- well, maybe to save you but... I don't think that makes you happy, Heiress."

​

He waited for her to respond as he stood upside down on a tree branch with his hair dancing in the mist. It would have been a wonderful sight, had he not placed his jutsu over the area. But he couldn't be too cautious.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

Sora felt a little dizzy when they landed. That form of traveling was definitely something she wouldn't get used to. It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust, which didn't really help much because of the thick mist. She felt around for the chakra binds. They're gone. Her eyes widened in shock. How? Sora's eyes frantically looked around for Mao. Feeling her hair being touched, a shiver ran down her spine. Hearing him talk again her body stiffened. "I would never wish your death Mao." Her voice was soft and quiet but she knew he heard her. Feeling his light touch, her body relaxed. Sora felt her heart skip a beat when he got close to her but that feeling was quickly replaced with anger as he talked. "Then why did you show up with him! The Hokage was my enemy and you just happen to show up with him after I'm captured." Looking around for him, Sora inwardly cursed at her growing affections for a man she just met.

 

[Dirtbear]

The mist was colder now as the darkness overtook the sky. The moonlight was not able to penetrate Mao's jutsu and provide the lighting to see past your face. Mao walked softly on the tree as he descended to the ground. His footsteps were silent and the mist dampened the grass and leaves surrounding them. He watched her features distinctively. Unsure what to respond with. He wasn't angry with her. He held a sense of apathy and tried to see what would make her calm down.

"I followed him. Even though it was difficult, it led me to that field. And that's where you happened to end up. So... you should be happy I was there."




​

He got closer to Sora and released the technique and showed himself to her. He smiled softly though not as wide as it was earlier. Just enough to show his passiveness towards her. "You know, for ANBU, you don't really think things out. I'm starting to think they're just letting anyone in these days." he laughed a bit before walking past her, brushing her hair with his fingers. The forest still held a foggy scene as it rolled in from the sea to the east. Mao looked around to find a sense of direction and find someplace to hide the heiress. "So, Heiress. Where would you like to go that isn't back in Konoha. I don't believe you can go there just yet." he said as he leaned against a tree to watch her with weary eyes.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

Sora was at a lost for words. Just a mere coincidence. When he appeared right in front of her, she instinctively jumped back. She glared at his comment. "I worked my ass off for years to get into Anbu. Just one slip up and this is what I get?" Feeling his fingers in her hair again, she moved away from him. "I shouldn't have even gotten involved with you. You...you.." She was so frustrated with the man. Still she couldn't help but run a hand through her knotted hair. With the fog still lingering in the air, Sora still didn't have the best of vision but it was going to have to do. As Mao talked, she stripped herself of the kimono that was now just becoming a hindrance to her.


"Well," One of her hands started to glow green. "For starters, we need to find a place were we can sleep. Unlike you I need to restore chakra." Her hand roamed over cuts and injuries she received. It went over her ankle and she winced as she felt the sprain healed. "This is really the last of it." Sora stood up. Now that all the cuts were gone she could see how much the anbu uniform got torn.

 

[Dirtbear]

He stopped and turned back slowly, "You what? Hmm?" Mao snapped at her. He eyed her with piercing eyes and bit his lip as he held his composure. "You what, Heiress? What am I? Did I ask you to involve yourself with me?" Mao spoke in a vile tone as he turned to face her. "Did I force you to follow me to my den? Did I not save your life? If you want, you can leave licking your wounds and go back to a village currently destroying itself over something so selfish and unjust." Mao held his clenched fists and released them, a vapor audibly sizzling. He held his gaze on her as she had stood to face him without her cuts and the torn uniform.


Mao calmed himself a bit before the presence of his chakra gave his position away to any who were searching for it. "Don't answer any of that. I don't care. Leave me if that is what you want. I have things I can do." He turned and let out a heavy breath, soothing himself and looking forward ahead at the dark foggy forest. He heard the heartbeat behind him and hoped it would follow with him, regardless of what he had just said. He licked his lips and stared out to the forest before beginning to speak, "We can camp somewhere farther than here. I'll hide us underneath the earth. And we can move out once dawn comes. That is, if you choose to." Mao began to walk forward in a regular pace and hummed a soft tune to break the stillness the fog brought.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

Sora flinched when Mao snapped at her. It was something she wasn't expecting from the man. What should she expect? It's not like she knew him really well. Though, she wanted to, and that thought scared her. Right now she should be back at the village helping her clan fight. Sora crossed her arms to cover her chest. In a way she felt hurt by his words. Made her sound like someone who was worthless. Sora Araii was not worthless. Hearing vapor sizzle her eyes snapped to me his. Hands falling to her side they started to glow a very faint green. She would fight if it came down to it. There would be no way I could win though.





She could feel his chakra level slowly get under control and her hands stopped glowing. Sora let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her body visibly relaxed. Hearing what his said, she bit her bottom flip and looked in the direction of the village. It was dark out now, and the dense forest made it worse. Hesitating she slowly started to follow him. My chakra levels are basically depleted. Being with him right now would be my best option. And the one she liked the most. No! She had to get those thoughts out of her head. "I guess I'm with you..." She mumbled.

 

[Dirtbear]

The fog was heavy for what seemed like an hour and still didn't let up. Mao stopped his humming and listened to the sounds around him. His visibility may have been hindered but his hearing was keen by years of training the technique. He heard the drips of water falling from leaves and the steps of his female companion. The heartbeats in her chest were audible to him and he frowned slightly as he thought of her face. He recognized the sense of betrayal she felt when she was kneeling on the grass. His mind stuttered and brought back Nora's face beside Sora's. They both had that same face....' Nora accepted her fate....' Mao put his hand up to his face and ran his fingers up through his hair. He stopped and slid beside Sora, a pace away from her side. "I'm going to set up camp. And I'll take first watch and we will move out at dawn. I don't want to run into the Hokage's men. I don't think they will be... understanding when they see us." He said restraining himself from touching her hair. He looked away and began to kneel slowly. His knees touched the damp earth and his palms felt the grass underneath them. The chakra grew and he forced it into the earth. He shaped the earth underneath and felt it give way to him. He shifted boulders and sank in the earth underneath them until he was satisfied with the amount of room he gave them. A hole with a ladder etched into the adjacent wall descended into the darkness. Mao looked up and smiled at the Heiress, "I'll show you to your quarters." He jumped into the shadows inside the earth.


Mao landed on the soft earth and let the dampness of the earth in. He spit out a glob of lava onto his hand and placed them on opposite sides of the walls. It was a small room. Not much. Just a clay bed and a few feet to stand and move around. Of course, it was big enough for two but. . . he wasn't planning on staying in the same room as Sora. 'Improper.' he thought. So he made sure the room was adequate with light and concaved a portion of the wall into a medium sized cave opposite of where the bed was. He walked in and sunk the earth into a half circle and water poured from his lips to fill the basin. Once the water reached the lip of the basin, he smiled. His hands touched the ground around the medium sized basin, enough to fit a person in, and began to heat the rock encompassing the basin of water. His chakra began to intermingle with the earth nature and the fire formed small forms of molten rock surrounding the basin. The water slowly began to heat up and Mao touched the water and sensed the heat was appropriate for a bath. Mao called out from the opening in the wall that held the bath. "Here you go, Heiress. A nice bath for you." He said unsure whether she followed him inside the hole. He stood and leaned against the wall looking out into the opening for her to see his work. Sweat formed on his brow and he began to tire. 'Haven't rested yet... I think I can manage. Just got to check how much chakra I use until... we get where we need to go.' he thought to himself pulling apart strands of his scarlet hair, waiting for the young beautiful heiress.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

Following Mao, Sora had to rely on sensing his chakra signature and following it. It was too quiet. She didn't like hearing the sounds of the forest. It made things feel calm and calm wasn't what she was used to at all. This went on for about an hour before slid beside her. She only nodded at what his said. There was no point in responding. Watching him kneel to the ground she grew confused at what he was doing. Sora gasped and had to steady herself at the sudden movement of the earth. Watching him jump into the darkness, she hesitantly looked around the forest. Realizing that she had to go down there she bit the bottom of her lip before jumping.


Landing with a thud she dusted the dirt off her legs. Feeling the amount of chakra he was using she went to find him. Her dark eyes couldn't sit still. It was amazing at what this man was capable of. I'm so weak in comparison. The lava that lit the underground 'house' reminded her that she was with the late Mizukage's grandson. Of course I'm weak compared to him. He has such a powerful bloodline. Sora finally found him as he was making what she though was a bath. Her eyes widened and her mouth was agape.It took her a moment to compose herself. "You didn't need to do that." She said with a soft voice. Seeing the sweat forming on him she grew a little worried. He may be a powerful shinobi but every shinobi had its limit. "Y0u need a bath as much as I do. I can wait to take one if you would like to go first." Or take one together. Sora face palmed her self at the thought. It's not proper Sora. Remember what you were taught.

 

[Dirtbear]

"I'm alright, Heiress. I'm not the messy one here. You've been in a battle, as where I, have only been dilly-dallying." He said and walked passed her into the other room. He sat on the clay bed and looked at her. "I'll be... uh.... watching.... I mean I'll stand guard up on the surface. Make sure we are safe." he said. Cursing himself for losing his composure and slipping up. Mao stood and bowed slightly to Sora and kept his hands to himself to keep him from getting into trouble. He climbed the ladder up halfway to the surface before stopping and looking down, "If you need anything just call my name. I'll hear you out here." he said and shook his head at how bad that sounded. He exited the safe house and sealed the entrance before becoming vapor and melding into the fog in the forest.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

Sora's eyes softened at him. "Be careful up there. Don't want your chakra to drain or for you to get hurt. Can't heal you at the moment." Can barely heal myself. As she watched him leave her mouth form into a smile. She could have some fun teasing him that's for sure. Taking off her anbu armor and gear, she had to be careful. Even if the the cuts and gashes were healed she could still feel the internal damage it caused. After the finally peice of clothing got taken off Sora sighed happily. Yes it was weird to be in this place, underground with someone she barely knows, but somehow she was comfortable. Feeling her hair lightly brush her lower back she shivered. Sometimes she forgets how long it is. She walked over to the bath and cautiously dipped her foot into the hot water. It burned a little at first but after a few seconds it felt nice. Getting in she fully submerged her self and then pulled her self up, wiping her hair off her face. "Can't get better than this that's for sure." She mumbled. Her arm went out in front of her as she looked it over. You could see scares on her pale skin. A few were small and old, barley visible. The newer ones were clearly visible and were a soft pink. She couldn't heal them all the way because of the lack of chakra. Sora closed her eyes. Only for a minute.


That minute turned into a half hour. What woke her up was her body starting to slip causing her head to go under. Coughing a little she decided now was a good time to get out. He's probably wonder what I'm doing...Or maybe he thinks I'm a normal girl. Getting up an dotu of the bath she realized there was nothing to dry her self with. "Mao! What am I supposed to use to dry my self!?" Sora inwardly cursed at herself for not noticing this. She started to wipe as much water as she could off her body.

 

[Dirtbear]

Watching the leaves dance with the wind and the night flow on by, Mao sat on a branch with his back on the trunk. He sat in the tree and thought to recollection of events that occurred that day. He was sure that the Hokage was going to want his head for taking his prisoner. And now he could be certain that taking the Heiress would put him on ill terms with her clan. Another thing, his appearance would tip off all the bounty hunters in the nations and they would hunt for him. Mao laid his head back into the tree and looked up at the stars, 'When did life get so complicated... All I wanted to do was relax and watch my team grow... Too late for that, I guess.' He took in a deep breath and blew it out as if smoking tobacco. He smiled when he remembered seeing Sora in her kimono and thought how cute she was in it. Even with it being shredded and torn all over, she was still something to look at. Then he frowned, he recalled her face when she saw her assailants and it looked as if there was a story between them. 'Maybe... a past love.... or... a current love that betrayed her for the good of the village... ' He put a finger to his lips and tapped them in thought. He was unsure where to go with that disturbing thought. It was going to occupy most of his time trying to figure out the little details.


Mao pushed the thought passed him and thought of taking a quick nap. He closed his eyes and the deep black began to swoon him to slumber. That is, until he heard a soft whisper, "Mao.." and his eyes opened immediately. It was her voice and the call he had told her to make if she needed anything. He jumped off the branch and disappeared into mist, the embers flaring in ferocity as he went.


Mist appeared with a crackling hiss as the flames licked out as Mao emerged in the center of the living space. His fists covered in molten rock and his stance ready for attack. He looked around and saw nothing hostile. . . Only Sora standing bare, just coming out the bath. He averted his eyes and the rock around his hands fell apart as he did. "Woah now... Um... I thought you were in trouble... Um.... Wow..." Mao shook his head and was astonished. There were no words he could possibly put together after that. He looked down and then called back. "Need a hand?" He immediately felt ridiculous. His face went red after replaying what he just said to her. His head hung low and he was at a loss. He sat on the bed facing the opposite wall and just shoved his head into his hands.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

It took all Sora had not to laugh. The Araii in her generation are not as committed to some of the traditions and being seen naked and/or having sex before marriage is a big one. "Sorry. I didnt mean to sound like I was in trouble." She smiled at him. Despite all the scars on her body Sora was not shy. She knew how she looked to others. She may have been considered anti social and cold but she saw the way men looked at her. Sora also saw the occasional glances Mao would send her way. She had to admit though, his reaction was adorable. Sighing she ranger hand through her wet hair. Strands of it got stuck onto it. "I was just wondering if there was something I could use to dry my self. I didnt practically think about that before I got in." She walked over to the bed he was sitting on and messed up his red hair. "or maybe some sort of jutsu, Mr. mizukage's grandson." Sora giggled. Being wet didnt particularly bother her. At first it did but now, now she just wanted to mess with him /This is going to be fun./ She inwardly smirked.


Sent from my Lumia 900 using Tapatalk

 

[Dirtbear]

His hair being messed with, Mao tried to stay staring at the wall. He frowned and thought quickly how to diffuse the situation. 'This.... isn't right.' he thought and stood up quickly, wrapping his coat around her body. It was still wet but his hands warmed up quickly, steaming up the room. "This should dry you up aaaaand don't worry bout my coat. Special threads to keep me from sizzling it. Toodles!" He said backing away and fading into the steam. He feared if he stayed too long... things would have went in the wrong direction.

"Sorry for intruding, again. It was a lovely sight but. . . sleep. We will move at dawn. Good night, Heiress."



​

He reappeared above the lair in the tree with his embers falling low. He was sitting on the tree branch and looked over to the sealed entrance to the underground hideout. He shook his head and pulled his hair into a ponytail and wrapped his forehead protector over his hair to bind it. He sighed and hoped he did the right thing. He wasn't sure what to think anymore when it came to the Heiress. So many questions about her and her involvement with her clan. 'And that man...' He rubbed his eyebrows and looked over to a noise. There was a crunching sound and were distorted, not like a pair of footsteps. He thought wolf or boar but decided to double check and he left the area to find the culprit.

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

Everything happened so fast, Sora didnt know what was going on till the coat was put on her. Pouting Sora went to talk but he was gone before she could. After he disappeared she wrapped her arms around herself to get warm. His jacket felt so warm. She lifted the sleeve up to her nose and took a deep breath. /Smells like him./ She smiled before laying down im the bed Mao was recently in. Curling up she closed her eyes, exhaustion finally hitting her. /Eventually I will have to go back to the village./ "and to see him again. Why would he do that to me." She mumbled. Her old teammate. They worked together for a few years. Even though they rarely talked Sora believed they has an unspoken closeness like the other two in her old team. Slowly her thoughts drifted to her old team and her family and then into a deep sleep.


Sent from my Lumia 900 using Tapatalk

 

[Ch3rryBlossom28]

(I hope you don't mind but I am going to make Aki the other character)


It was dark by the time the Hokage sent him out of the village in search of the two missing nin. Aki only had a short amount of time before the trail would be lost. In front of him was a Siberian Husky, his dog summon. The dog halted and jumped down from the tree. He started sniffing the ground. "She went this way." It said in deep voice. Aki ran a hand through his short, dark brown hair before jumping down. As much as he cared for the heiress his loyalty stayed with the Hokage. "Go on a head Rango. You know the signal when you find something." Rango nodded and ran on a head. Aki took this time to catch his breath. Every step he took he could feel the gash the Sora had healed. Subconsciously he touched the area where it was. His thoughts went to back to her. She never talked much and tended to hang around Daichi more than him, but he knew they had some form of bond. She was the one who demanded to be the one to take care of him when they got back from that mission. After a few minutes in though he heard a howl in the distance. He found something. In a flash he was next to Rango. Ai crouched behind a bush and closed his eyes. He tried searching for Sora's chakra. He could feel a little flicker of it. But it's underground? He oepened his eyes again. "Thank you Rango you can go now." The dog bowed it's head and poofed away. This area felt a little denser and he had some trouble seeing. The hokage did warn him about the man that took Sora. Time to take him out and take her back.