The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL]

Subject: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:06 am

The Fire Temple was bustling with activity today. It was the first time their doors had been opened in such a manner in centuries, though it was for such a somber occasion that their courtyard stood full of people. At the far end, just in front of the steps leading up to the temple, there laid a dark red casket with the leaf insignia engraved on the top. On its lid, rested the hat traditionally worn by the Hokage. Though, the casket was empty, it held the weight of years of service and sacrifice to the village. Yes, this was the funeral for none other than Kosuke Uchiha, the Shodai Hokage. The courtyard was full of civilians and shinobi alike, all come to pay their respects and mourn the loss of their beloved leader. There were two slated to speak today, the first would be getting up to speak any time now. Kyo Hyuuga, who had been asked to speak by the Hokage himself before his passing. He was their first speaker, to say a few words and relay the story of their Kage. The second speaker had a bit more gravity in their speech, it was Rei Hyuuga, who was slated to give her ceremonial speech accepting the role of Nidaime Hokage. When her speech was complete, she would take the hat from his casket and place it on her head. This would signify him officially handing the role down to her. It was both a solemn, sad occasion, but also an occasion to look forward, to the future of the village. Rebuilding had already started after the attack, they had worked tirelessly, with their best earth nature users, and had managed to rebuild most of the Hokage Mountain, and the Senju were a great help in repairing the broken down buildings.

Subject: Re: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sat Jan 27, 2018 5:22 pm

With Kosuke now officially regarded as 'gone' the passing of the Hokage title was not the only thing of significance. Until recently, the nearly former Hokage had also taken role as the head of the Uchiha Clan now someone else also had to fill that role, far as little Akira knew that strictly fell to the elderly man's only surviving child, Kazue. With being in the Uchiha there was no way the small teenager couldn't know that Kazue was now alone with the 'passing' of her father. Thus when the Clan had headed out to join all the funeral related things? Akira had raced away from her direct family, leaving her parents and two older siblings confused when the girl normally stuck to them had fled on a day hard as this one. That confusion? Had lasted for her family, until they would notice she had gone to the front in order to wrap her tiny hand around Kazue's larger limb. Everyone in the village was hurting from this, but Akira knew none of them could even start to comprehend the pain of the new clan head, the little girl herself could never imagine being the last of her direct family, the pain that must come with that had to be immense! Nothing she could say would ever be able to ease the hurt Kazue had to be feeling, thus Akira simply set herself on holding the woman's hand for the entire event; Even if she had to cry, felt like she wanted to leave, Akira would hold Kazue's hand the entire time, to remind the other dark haired girl that she wasn't alone, she still had an entire Clan even if her father was now gone.

Though even as she held Kazue's hand and focused on her kin, she couldn't help briefly scanning the crowd to see if someone they both knew well had arrived. Rei, one of her kin's close friends, her captain and the woman who would become Hokage by the end of this ceremony. Yet, Akira couldn't spot the older woman yet. She really hoped that Rei would swing by to at least give Kazue a hug sometime during this.

Subject: Re: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:17 pm

Bet and his father, Goken, slowly made their way to their seats. It was definitely a solemn day for everyone in the village. Apparently, his father had known the Hokage personally and they had been good friends. As they made it to their spots, at the front row, he noticed his teammate, Pigtail-chan, holding an older woman's hand. Maybe that was her sister or something, but even Bet new that now was not the time to ask. He just stood silently with his father, who was a towering man, standing at nearly 6'6" with his tail wrapped around his waist but hidden under the black trench coat he wore. He had also managed to pick up that his sensei was to be instated as the Nidaime Hokage. He didn't know what this would mean for his team or anything, but he was sure that Rei-sensei would take care of them. Maybe he would give it a week or so and then seek out Pigtail-chan for some training. It might make her feel better. He and the rest of those gathered waited in silence for the first speaker to arrive. Looking up, he supposed it was a day befitting a funeral, it looked like it would rain at any moment.

Subject: Re: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sat Jan 27, 2018 11:38 pm

Kyo had returned from his promotion mission feeling very proud of himself. He was going to go in front of the Shodai Hokage and officially become a shinobi of Chuunin rank. He could see it in his mind's eye. The old man smiling while he made it official. He remembered coming home to the village and there were two jounin who came to meet him. The looks on their faces told him immediately that something isn't right. He glanced behind their backs that fateful day and saw part of the Hokage mountain was missing. He saw a gigantic wood formation over the village. It was then that they carried him to a room and told him everything. It was then that Kyo cried. The old geezer was like an uncle to him now he was gone? Who in their right mind would even be able to slay such a Hokage? Who in their right mind would dare? Kyo made an oath that day, Kyo had no real ambition other than getting stronger and protecting the village. Now from this day forth, he would do anything in his power to make sure the ones responsible for this die.

For the past few days he grieved for the old geezer, for their talks on Hokage mountain to their walks around the village where he taught him shinobi history and to improve his way of thinking. Kyo matured under the tutelage of the Shodai.

Now that he stood in a corner out of the sight of everyone, he remembered Kosuke's words he last spoke to him. He had asked Kyo to say a few words in his honor. The more the Hyuga thought about it, even the tone the Hokage said it and his facial expression, it was like the old man knee he was going to die somehow.

He stood there and realized that there were rainclouds gathering as if even the sky shared in Konoha's sorrow. Kyo was dressed in a black kimono and bamboo sandals; traditional wear for Hyuga at a funeral. He had steeled himself for this speech because he was not one that was big on words. He walked towards the empty casket of the slain Uchiha and positioned himself behind it. His eyes searched for familiar faces and he nodded at them in acknowledgement then he began.

"My fellow people of Konoha..." Began Kyo; his voice deep and soothing but solemn. His face was impassive as his gaze continuously scanned the crowd. "This life has a way of showing us all how short life is, and how fragile we humans are. Uchiha Kosuke was the epitome of the will of fire. That fire belongs within us all. Konoha is a body and each of us are part of that body. Working together as he would have wanted." Said Kyo as he gestured to the casket before him. "Each of us; from man to child has an integral part to pay. Let us remember our fallen father and the sacrifices he has made for all of us. As he once told me during one of our many meetings ' The village isn't in the buildings, it isn't in this mountain, it isn't in the great forest... No, the village resides in the fire that burns within the heart of each and every villager down there from the children in the academy, to the ramen cooks, all the way to the Hyuuga child who was kind enough to keep an old man company for an afternoon.' Kosuke wasn't Hokage for his power or political prowess..." Continued Kyo as he started to feel emotional and his voice started cracking. "He was strong because he would have given his life for any one of us gladly. Let us continue his legacy...as people of Konoha! Great is the Hidden leaf!"

Kyo stepped aside awaiting who else had to come up here.

Subject: Re: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sun Jan 28, 2018 4:16 am

It was strange being inside of the Fire Temple, it was something she had not yet gotten to do in her lifetime. Sadly, it came with a downside that came in the form of their Hokage having died for such a thing to happen. From what she had heard, if rumors were true, the temple had not been open like this for centuries. While she had not known the man too well, only getting the odd requests indirectly from him, it was still a sad day when the leader of the village died. Zaida had arrived shortly after a larger crowd had entered, leaving room for others to still be able to get in if they so wished, and she had still made it in time to hear the first speech made by Kyo. He was one she had had no contact with thus far, not a really surprising thing with how populous their village currently was, and even so she still felt the feelings behind the speech he gave.

Looking through the crowd as she waited for the next speaker to walk up and begin, the teenager would look around and try to find Miko. She had not arrived, but she very well could be busy doing something for her family. Looking around would allow her to see the rude Uchiha girl, the legend of the one-word answers, but that girl was someone she would just avoid unless absolutely necessary. How many more people that she knew would come to pay their respects and come to the call of the village higher-ups? Or would this be all that showed their face?

Subject: Re: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sun Jan 28, 2018 3:08 pm

The fall of the Hokage ripped ripples through the land of fire, the leaf lost a great leader in Kosuke. Unfortunate considering his lack of connection to his leader, perhaps the Ayano could have done a better job at caring for his leader. But here he was at the funeral regardless, so perhaps he could do better with the next one to step up. Who WAS the next one to step up? Rei. A simple three letter name will be the one to take control of the lands and perhaps allow more influence over the other villages should a different approach to them be taken. Placing his hands in his pockets, the blonde would watch from a distance as the funeral went on.

Long live Kosuke, Hokage of the leaf. Now they need to recover from the blow of having a secure leader die and replace him with his successor. Not to say Hibiya doubted Rei in any way, quite the opposite actually. But one must consider that they do not always have to see eye to eye with each other, so there were bound to be changes. As for what they were, all the Ayano could hope for was that it would help benefit the village to become one unified and stronger than the previous. A generic wish for the village, but it was wholesome and had the best intention behind it. So there he stood, hands folded in front of his waist and his head held lower than usual, his lips neutral.

Hokage Posts : 469 Join date : 2017-10-05

R E I

霊

Stats:
Jutsu:

Few could say that these times were not made of great change. Change of course went hand in hand with conflict and war. Not war limited in the sense of an conflict of arms... but that was usually the most common form of change. There were other ways too, such as when an important role such as Hokage suddenly was left empty. The select few in Konoha with prominent backgrounds and positions of great authority would see this as an opportunity to push their own agendas. After all, who could expect that the hokage would die so suddenly while defending his own village? Yet still there was more change. The head of the Hyuga clan was also dead. Kenichi Hyuga had returned from an excursion outside the walls of Konoha, bearing fatal wounds. The proud old man had died only shortly after hearing the news that the Hokage was dead as well. Still, the changes continued. Outside of Konoha, word was spreading that the Tsuchikage and her son were both dead. Iwagakure was going through something similar. Word traveled fast and even still on the lips of gossip, was that Kumogakure's Raikage was dead too. The shinobi era of peace that the former kage had ushered in, would not last. Soon, the villages would be at ends and conflict through war seemed inevitable.

For Rei personally, change was quite sudden and significant. Not many days ago, she had returned to the village after completing a delicate mission for the Hokage. Kosuke had sought to talk with her privately on the top of Hokage mountain. It was there that he promoted her to Jounin and further, instated her as the heiress to the mantle of Hokage should he die. Of course it had not been so simple as that, there had been a couple demands Kosuke had made Rei promise him first, those she gladly accepted. One of those expectation Kosuke had given her was a new team. A two-man cell of young shinobi who had great potential, if still wet behind the ears. Rei had put the possibility of Kosuke dying in the back of her mind. He was a powerful old man, even if he was blind. She had figured that he would die of old age on his death bed. It wouldn't be that innocent of a life passing however. Even as Rei was returning from a SS Mission, word spread throughout the lands surrounding Konoha that the village had been attacked and the Hokage died defending it.

Rei had rushed back to the village, only to find the Hokage mountain brutally disfigured and the Hokage's body mission. Eye-witnesses said that he had been buried alive under the fallen mountain. Hysterical, Rei had set about immediately with her bare hands at the rubble. Pebbles, stones, boulders... None of them stood a chance to Rei's strength. Yet no matter how many stones she upturned and bloodied her fingers, there was no end to the rubble and worse still- no sign of Uncle Ko. A search effort had been put together long after Rei had started rummaging through the rubble herself and it was they would forced Rei to retire after she had fainted. Out of everyone, Rei and Kazue were the closest to Kosuke, he was their family.

For Rei however, the grief would not stop, only pile on higher. After she had fainted, her father had returned with mortal injuries. To Rei in private on his death bed, he would tell her the truth. He had been aware of her ANBU mission and in an attempt to stem Iwagakure from learning the truth, he had lured the Tsuchikage away from her village and engaged her in mortal combat. It was a hyuga matter of course, separate from village jurisdiction and a personal vendetta between the two Hyuga heads of the two villages. Kenichi had killed Reigetsu but not before first receiving grievous wounds himself. Yet though his life was ebbing away, he was duty bound to secure the Hyuga's bloodline. Just as Rei had killed Mugetsu and taken his eyes, so too did Kenichi kill Reigetsu and take her eyes. Their clan could not allow others to receive their doujutsu, for it would be a mar on their pride. In his final moments of life, Kenichi had shown his true colors. A man of passion and loving warmth. All of her life, Rei had only known her father to be a stern quiet man with the sole objective of shaping her into a worthy clan leader once he was dead. Yet in his final moments of life, he had so many loving words for Rei and a warm smile on his face. After his passing, Rei was raised from heiress of the clan, to clan leader of the Hyuga clan.

A position she had been groomed for her whole life: now, it was come to fruition. Yet with the loss of both of her fatherly figured in such a short time... Rei felt numb. Even as the Hyuga clan was making preparations for their deceased clan leader's funeral, word was sent that Rei's presence was needed for a tribunal of village elders. Normally her father was on that tribunal as an elder, but he was now dead. All the next day, Rei went through the motions. Kosuke had selected her as his successor to the mantle of Hokage. There was none more qualified, yet some tried to argue, weasel their way into the position for the power. That was when Rei had snapped. In so few words and the expression on her face, she was like a stalking tiger looking at her prey. Sooner would she kill anyone who opposed Kosuke's wishing, than allow anyone other than her to take up his mantle. It had been her solemn oath to Kosuke after all.

Finally the day of the funeral for Kosuke had drawn nigh. The funeral itself had been postponed shortly to allow the shinobi and the villagers, as well as those from surrounding smaller villages to attend the funeral. Rei had never seen so many people. The Hokage had impacted so many lives in a good way and now the best that those people could do was to be present and send Kosuke off with their final respect. Rei was present, along with the whole of her clan. They marched in procession, from clan leader down through their ranks. Main and Branch family. Rei led her family's group and Kyo was always nearby. All of them wore their black kimono and carried themselves in the most reverent manner. They were a clan built upon tradition and honor. Under the new rule of their clan leader Rei, they would continue to be such.

There was one more person there, someone unexpected and most likely unwelcome if anyone knew whom she was. To save the trouble and possible drama, Rei had gathered this individual within the ranks of her clansmen and dressed the woman like her people, except wearing a hood to hide her features. Few indeed were still alive that would recognize the former Rei. That was to say, Rei Balor, the blue skinned immortal whom had been just over one hundred years of age when Kosuke had yet been a Genin from the prior village's history. This Rei Balor had also been a Genin then and had engaged in combat with Kosuke, ultimately taking the Hokage's arm. Since then, Kosuke had found a way to replace his arm... yet Rei Balor had kept the man's arm she had taken as a trophy. She was there for one reason. Long ago, her eyes had read Hokage Kosuke's time of death. She knew when he was to die and after all of these years, the time had finally come. She came to this village that was not unlike the previous village, though she spied several from the old village. Such as Goken.

Her time would come but not yet. She only had one goal for being here and that was to return Kosuke's arm to him. She had it stored within a small scroll and would leave it atop the casket when given the opportunity. Given that Ksuke's casket was empty, Rei had given the order that those whom wished, could place one thing of importance within his casket as a momento to bury the Hokage with the legacy of his people. Finally came the time for Kyo to speak and never had Rei been so proud of him. He was growing up and realizing he was more of a man than a child. It was strange to think that, but Rei was his elder and also the leader of his clan, as well as soon-to-be Nidaime Hokage. Kyo's words stirred the hearts of the people. Finally it was Rei's turn to speak. She would walk up onto the little stage that housed Kosuke's casket. She passed Kyo on the way up as he would go down and she would give him a soft pat on the arm. She knew he had been emotional during his speed even though he tried his best to stand proud and tall.

"Many of you know me to be a shinobi in your village. I've been around to help many of you, yet I am also a villager here as well. Kosuke-sama was as much my Hokage as he was a second father to me." her eyes would linger over in Kazue's direction for a moment. "Kosuke-sama entrusted this village to me upon his passing. It was providential as though he knew he didn't have long left to live. He wanted to be sure that the village he had created would see itself through many generations to come after his death. His will of fire is in all of us, every last one of us. So long as we continue to represent ourselves as Konoha and are loyal to the teachings he has instilled into all of our hearts, the Shodai Hokage will live on in each of us! I take up not this mantle of Nidaime Hokage in excitement, nor happiness... but out of duty and love. Duty to the village I was raised in, and love for Uncle Ko. Just as Hokage mountain is being rebuilt, we will rebuild Konoha and be stronger because of it.
As Nidaime Hokage, one of my solemn oaths shall be to find the perpetrator responsible for attacking Konoha and killing our Hokage. My first act as Hokage is not an act of power or office, but of heart. I would ask all of you to remember Kosuke-sama for the things he taught you and not this hour of his death." she would say and then reach behind her onto the casket and pick up the Hokage's hat reverently before placing it upon her head.

As she did so, two branch members of the hyuga clan stepped forward and removed the black kimono from her shoulders, to reveal the Hokage garb underneath. With the mark of her speech finished, it was followed by cheers of the people, as well as heart-felt thanks and continual crying. Now was the time to morn their deceased Hokage and honor him to allow him to pass on without regrets. Rei would open the empty casket reverently and then place her own shinobi headband inside the casket. behind her, a line had begun to form starting with the Hyuga clan. Each person with the desire to place something small within Kosuke's casket would line up. Second in line of course was orchestrated to to be Rei Balor, Rei Hyuga's own mentor and Kosuke's good friend. The blue skinned woman placed the tiny scroll inside the casket and said a few silent words to her friend.

Wordcount:
Jutsu:
Stats:
Other:

Template (c) Izayuki

Subject: Re: The End of a Tale [PLOT, FUNERAL] Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:08 pm

Death. The most natural of forces, one no one and no thing could avoid in the end. The Nishizaka would prefer that the natural balance of things wasn't tampered with, which made the topic a bit of a gray area. Everything had its time, but it was hard to tell if anything less than dying of old age was against the natural order. Perhaps even if the death was caused by an outside force, it was still natural and meant to be? If was a philosophical debate for sure, one no Nishizaka had the answer to.

Yori sat with her clan within the sea of black. As per clan customs, even everyone's hair was the darkest ebony, a rare sight to behold since they could change it at will. It may have been luck that their clan estate was so close to Konoha when it formed, but the Nishizaka were always on good terms with the village. Soon it was time to join the like, laying items in an empty casket to honor the first leader of the village hidden in the leaves. Her mind wandered as she slowly advanced in the line, clutching a special batch of oil blessed by Mikami. Many other Nishizaka had similar handmade things held in high regard by the clan, but others brought flowers and charms as well.

The jounin hadn't had too much contact with the previous Hokage passed the chuunin exams, her promotion to jounin, and short instructions if the mission warranted it. She was left uncertain of how she felt beyond the general anger most people from the village felt, shinobi and citizen alike. It was a hollow ache, a violation of comfort and safety that itched with vulnerability change. The will of fire would not let this go unanswered. And though she had only the vaguest inkling of seeing the new Hokage before, she did recognize the determination to carry this village as well as avenge her 'uncle Ko' as something she felt on lesser scale, more in the name of her home than the man himself. The sage was certain her mission load would increase, and though the stress that brought wound in her gut, she actually looked forward to it a little.

Yori placed her gift atop the mound of others, smiling just a little. From death springs life anew. Natures enduring gift.

» THE FUNERAL: PART 1 INVASION
» Plot Update!
» PLOT UPDATE!!!!!
» The Sand Runs Red [PLOT]
» Story/Plot Jutsu