The Funeral of R'tari Mikaboshi.

The sky over the Land of Anguish rarely rained, usually this was a time of great joy as the rain water would be collected and stored before distributed to the various water storage areas within the village. It would be bottled and sold in shops or sent to outlying towns who hadn't been fortunate to benefit from the storm or were in a water shortage. That was just how things were within this desert covered land and the natives to it had thrived despite the arid conditions for centuries. Today however it wasn't a joyous occasion for a set amount of people, no today they were dressed all in black with various umbrellas in order to block out the rain. Today they were standing around a grave marker in a special plot dedicated to those shinobi who were killed in action.

It wasn't a large gathering merely 14 individuals, those who the person who bore the name on the grave marker held close and those who had been on the mission which claimed his life. The 15th was a priestess of Datara as the diseased had requested read his will having prepared for his death in advance ever since he was diagnosed with his sickness. At the front of the procession standing in the rain with her normally cheerful expression twisted into one of intense sadness was Mimi Bakuhatsu. Her kimono clad body was soaked and yet she didn't move or even utter a sound just staring at the grave marker her eyes red and puffy from the tears she had been shedding since she first learned of the news. As customary for Shinobi funerals the body had been disposed of the proper way and right away lest a potential enemy use the corpse for something unsightly. As such it was just a week after the mission in question with many of the participants still not healed from the mission.

" Let's take a moment to meditate on the life of the dear departed. As it is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of an individual who had given his all for not only those he cared about but for the Allied Shinobi Nations by which he was aligned too. R'tari Mikaboshi was a true shinobi, whether it was him selflessly guiding the future generations instead of seeking personal advancement or for the contributions he made by bringing in a steady mission count with no personal failure. One who thought not only about himself but those around him and made sure to leave things behind which would continue to benefit others even with his untimely passing." The priestess began his eulogy while Mimi stood immobile and lost in her thoughts.

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Jazz was standing to the right in the back with a black kimono and an umbrella in her right hand while her left gripped her neck. Her eyes were downcast and her mouth in the picturesque frown  depicting her discomfort at this situation. Her own emotions concerning her failure to bring Ka back hadn't quite settled yet and while she personally did not care about this situation she felt to maintain appearances that she must show her guilt at this turn of events. Her eyes had scanned the others making notes of their injuries particularly the most severe ones as she wished to assist those that she could as it was her fault that they had been dragged into the mission in the first place. She herself was going to be leaving for the West Continent in 2 more days no longer capable of living in her clan grounds and having obtained her jonin promotion just a day prior.

She hadn't been injured like the others due to her unique composition but something inside had broken when Ka left and she needed to take a trip to find herself. She had spoken to Ada of her departure and though it had been a caustic ending she knew that he also knew it was the best decision to be made for now. They would keep in touch and would pool any information either of them could find on Ka's whereabouts, sure both of them knew he couldn't come back but he was their teammate. Their stupid, idealistic and headstrong teammate and he had been tainted into something else due to their actions and the negligence of their late sensei. "Speaking of him. I hope where ever he is in the Pure Land that he saw what happened and knows that Ka leaving is just as much his fault as it is ours. But it's okay Roxas-sensei, I'll bridge the bond that was so rudely severed at the Gorge of Beginnings eventually."

A failure. That's what it was most obviously; it was a failure. Summer had only learned such after the mission team had gathered up once more, minus one of course. The shock almost put Summer over the edge, she was almost certain that she was still within a genjutsu when it happened but Vexos confirmed it, the unmoving body, the lack of a pulse or breathing. She hadn't known what to say, she still didn't, even as she was checked over by the medics back in the village she had been silent, what was there really to say anymore? She had failed them all, sure they had won and came out victorious but there was so much damage. So many had been hurt, one had died and the target had escaped. Summer had not taken that news well and had spent several days in silence, lamenting over her failures and her hatred of herself but she had received an invitation to the funeral. There was a part of her that didn't want to go to be honest, a part of her that was scared of everyone there judging her, hating her for her shortcomings. She went anyway, she owed him that.

The rain was fitting, Summer had to admit to herself and she had eschewed any form of protection from the rain. She had put on black clothing entirely including black gloves and then her flak jacket over the top. It was still mostly intact which was good. She felt that she needed to look professional for this and so she had tied her hair back and pulled her forehead protector up, instead taking a black eyepatch and pulling it on to cover her Kyougan. She walked slowly to the Funeral point, making sure to leave early enough that she wouldn't be late for it even though she was relying on walking with a sheathed sword like a cane. She had Glimmer and Vexos strapped to her back but the rest of her swords were absent, only her sheathed crystal sword was around and that was the one she was leaning on. She had made it in time which was good but she stayed at the back, silent until she noticed Jazz.

With a soft sigh she limped over, leaning heavily on her sword and then giving the young girl a nod. It was obvious that Summer was in pain and rightfully shouldn't have been walking but she wasn't one to give up and let others care for her, she was going to walk no matter what. Reaching over, Summer rested her hand on Jazz's shoulder and gave her a soft reassuring squeeze before releasing her and going back to focusing on the Priestess. There was little else Summer could do at the moment and she wasn't going to ruin the sanctity by talking... She just hoped that Jazz accepted the sincerity in the action.

Armen's heart was heavy, and broken. Its only been a week since that mission. The mission that would change his perspective on everything that he thought was real. So much had happened, but what scared his mind the most were the things and the teammate that he lost.  Armenezra is a family oriented person, and wither he meant to or not, he had let them in. From the moment they clashed fist, Armen considered them all friends. But what they came into that day, was well beyond them. It was too big of a task for them to complete, even Armen utilizing his resolves had to rely on the resolve of two others, luck and timing to be able to stand here today. So the impossible, remained impossible. They have failed to bring back the shinobi that they've set out for, therefore putting themselves at insurmountable risk for nothing. If any conciliation, most of them were able to stay alive, but as many can agree by the look on their faces and the atmosphere around the grave; breathing isn't the same as living.  Everyone looks broken and filled with regrets as they all look around and examine what we all have lost. At this point in time , it looks like R'tari is the fortunate one. He lived a life of no regrets and went out protecting his heart, and standing up for what he believed in like a man. Armen would arrive, wearing the same ripped up clothes that he had on during the mission. Armen was poor, he had no parental support and the closest thing he had to family were his siblings, himiko and his sensei. Armen was too proud to ask either of them for money and had proceeded to keep his distance from everyone the entire week. He refused visitors while he was in the hospital under heavy medication.  He spent the entire week crying over the lost of his arms and how he may never be a shinobi again. Which is all the more reason why attending this funeral hurt so bad. Because it was a reminder that he really couldn't protect everyone, and now he cant protect anyone  again.

Those who would look over at him would be able to see how terrible he looked. His white shirt was torn up and dirty, His black jacket was torn at the sleeves only leaving enough to cover the stubs that he now had as arms, his hair was messy as if it hadn't been washed in ages and his eyes restless and soulless as if he has seen hell.  As he would look around the room with his bugged out eyes he would then bow his head and look down as he would let out a few words softly and quietly hoping not to ruin such a beautiful ceremony. "Dis aint mah fault....dis be ASN's failure." He would repeat the same words that he's been uttering all week. He would look towards the grave marker and slowly tremble as if his body was growing cold.

Takahiro had just made it back to the ASN A few hours earlier that morning from his little journey through the savannah outside of Hakagakure. When he had returned after finding Midas he had immediately gotten word of what happened. He had been R'tari's student for a short time, but he understood how much of an effect this man had on the world by the people around him and from how he treated Takahiro himself. Sadly, as Takahiro had been getting ready Midas had managed to turn everything he owned just about into gold. It was extremely annoying as now Takahiro had shown up not wearing the traditional black to a funeral, but his black robes were now a bright glimmering gold that shifted just like regular clothes. He felt a bit self conscious about the whole thing, no doubt people were probably thinking how stuck up the kid had to be to show up in gold, but he tried to ignore any looks he might get. He was too pissed off at the world after all.

First Xing Denkou had taken his brother from him and then she took his father from him. He thought his hatred was already at its peak but he was wrong. His hatred now grew as another life was taken from his life. R'tari Mikaboshi, his sensei, had died trying to take back the traitor Ka Jiko. Though R'tari had managed to kill his opponent in the mission, none of it would have happened if not for the traitorous Jiko leaving the ASN. Takahiro couldn't help but shake in anger, the pure hatred he was spilling out would set off a chain reaction in his body making his stage 1 Raidengan activate. Due to the conductivity of gold he would even begin to give off a few sparks here and there across his body in anger. And to top that off which undoubtedly made the boy stand out even more? He had yet to figure out a way to hide Midas from the public eye, meaning that the large golden arm of his could be seen by all. Along with the strange appearance of Takahiro, as the rain hit his golden arm, it would turn to gold, leaving puddles of gold rain that would form from the rain pouring off of his arm like a gold waterfall. Midas himself didn't speak, not wanting everyone to realize who he was just yet. It was bad enough Takahiro was getting him wet after all.

Midas:

Cherish was there as well, standing while her new aquistion from the battle was on her back due to it protesting quite fiercely to be left at home. She was also dressed in all black with her forehead protector around her neck and thankfully the annoying gourd which still had her chakra sealed inside of it was silent. Perhaps her threat of melting it down if it dared try to ruin the funeral had scared it stiff, she would spot Summer and the tears would begin anew though she was probably more emotional because she was drunk. They had survived by some way and yet the weight of failure settled on all of their shoulders and it was crushing because all of them were just kids. Kids playing shinobi, it's just like you said Nee-san. she said looking at the ground and thanking Gaia for at least ensuring her friends were still alive. It was sort of selfish but she didn't know what she would do if one of her friends died especially on the request of the monster.

She blamed her for this, even as irrational as it was, Summer was...crippled and Omito..Omito was she couldn't even bare to think of it right now though she would spare him a glance as well seeing as she was right next to him. She knew they would survive though, they always did but it would be tougher than the last time sure the mission was a failure but they had survived at least. Still her heart went out to Nyen and her old teammate Colt, being squad members of R'tari they would be feeling it the worst. She didn't know him personally but he must of been a good person, and even if he wasn't which she doubted there would still be people who would grieve over him much less this many. "May you be born anew with no doubts or worries, even if you aren't a follower of the Mother will I wish you safe passage in the cycle." Cherish would close her eyes briefly to say a short prayer for R'tari, sure he was a follower of Datara but it wasn't like she couldn't still pray for him. She herself didn't worship Gaia exclusively just her devotion to the Mad God wasn't nearly as much as it was to the Mother Goddess. Her thought would be interrupted as someone walked into the funeral not in standard attire but in gold causing her to turn and narrow her eyes at him. Did he really come to make a mockery of such a sad day? Her anger would vanish though as she saw her was furious about something but grieving all the same especially when she saw the golden puddle near his golden arm which would puzzle her because she didn't really understand what was up with him.

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Fang was there as well, after the whole events of the fight he had thankfully come out less injured than most but to know R'tari died did make him upset. Not sad, because he didn't really know him that well but upset that once again Ka Jiko had stolen something from someone else. Sure many wouldn't see the comparison of a sword to a persons life but to a Samurai one's sword was their everything. He would gladly assist any teams who wanted to put a permanent end to Ka, in the future after all it was only fair this whole death was his fault. People were crippled, broken and for what bringing back a traitor who fled the ASN and ended up joining up with Pandora. "I swear, you'll pay for this Ka. Your nothing but a guppy who thought he was a big fish and once you got your pride hurt you went to another lake to try and prove yourself there. The fact remains is no matter how your scales and fins change, you'll always be that same cowardly guppy except now your the direct cause of one of my comrades deaths." he thought to himself baring his sharp teeth in anger at the circumstances as a whole.

Nyen stood a bit further from the group under a tree, letting the rain soak her thickly layored black knee length dress, her eyes cold grey and hard like slate but hidden by the larg brimmed black had she wore. She couldn't feel her limbs, she couldn't hear the words being spoken around her and she couldn't feel her heart anymore. Her chest was a void, sucking her will and her emotions from her but she still felt one thing. guilt. She had been so oblivious to everything that had been happening earlier since all she knew was her and R'tari had to fight and fight for their lives and R'tari had lost. Actually they both had lost seeing as Nyen definitely seemed defeated. Her wooden sandals with black string were the focus of Nyens gaze, not wanting to look up at the others around her, seeing their faces filled with grief knowing it had been her fault for his passing. She knew others would blame themselves knowing they had maybe had some part to do in Ka's escape or in the failure of the mission but Nyen had been the only one there in his final moments. Nyen had been the one to allow him to risk himself to save her and it was her alone who had allowed him to sacrifice his life for hers. It wasn't worth it R'tari. i know you said it was but.... she stopped, knowing if he had been their he would be saying something along the lines of Don't be so hard on yourself, you just have to not be so shy. Nyen eyes finally gave way and giant tears began to fall down her round cheeks. Nyen kept herself from sobbing out loud and instead silently cried to herself, leaning against the tree for support.

That's all I ever do, huh R'tari? lean on people. Dragging them down from their true potential. I know you were sick but i can't help but feel you could have done so much more before you left us. Left me...Left Mimi. she would raise her head, wiping her tears from her face to look on the group, easily spotting mimi sobbing beside the casket that held her lover. How would she ever be able to give back what Nyen had lost for her, R'tari. Knowing she never could she decided instead to sit, the weight of her sadness forcing her to the ground. finally she sat back, looking up into the leaves, contemplating what to do next. Sure she'll be going back to Colt but would some one else join her team? It wouldn't be the same, R'tari had been her teammate the longest. He was almost as much of a teacher to her as Sensei was. She decided to stop worrying about it for now and close her eye, letting her hat fall to the side and the rain drizzle down from the leaves onto her face, hiding her tears and cooling her flushed cheeks.

Kisuke was sitting in the tree that Nyen had been standing under, not wanting her to notice that he had been following her closely since she had arrived back in the village. Hearing from her firsthand after the curse had been lifted, the event's leading up to the moment of the student that he had considered his equal had died in battle. To be honest there was grief with within his heart, however the more overwhelming feeling he had going at the moment was pride for R'tari. He had read up on the boy back when the team was first formed knowing the events of the genin exams he took part of back before the war, how he never wanted to encounter a comrade death again. Which having the experience he had in this particular subject, he truly understood why the boy did what he did. He was somewhat lost in thought when he noticed his surviving student crying, to which he would clear his throat to get Nyen's attention. "Don't blame yourself for what happened on this mission Nyen, he was fully aware of the risks and held true to his word. He gave his life making sure that no one on his team would ever lose their life, most would have frozen up and left you at risk of death yourself, but R'tari had dealt with the death of a team mate back before the war. So not wanting to watch you die in front of him, he kept a promise he had made long ago" He would say continue to sit on the branch looking out at the crowd through the leaves. "You should go say something to Mimi though, I'm sure she'd appreciate some kind words right now"

"Why am I here? Oh geez I'm so out of place. I didn't even know him that long. I didn't fight besides him. He just... he liked my singing. That's all! I... I don't deserve to be here." The only words running repeatedly inside Himiko's mind as she would make her up into the group, heading hung low so as not to meet the eye sight of anyone else around her, ever worried over what they might think of her presence. She'd only heard bits and pieces of the mission, she'd been so wrapped up in her own personal training that she had missed the call for nin for the mission, not that she would have joined with all the hard work she had been putting in. A low drone caught her attention however as she was moved to stand just behind someone larger in every respect compared to her. Looking over she suddenly felt so much ease, until she would notice the injury. Then the guilt. So much guilt. She carefully squeezed through, muttering the 'pardon me's' to the patrons as she moved closer to the only other person she knew personally.

At first she just stood besides Armen, her team mate, in stoic silence. Any other situation she'd have been poking a little joke at him for something or another. This wasn't the place or the time. And from even a simple glance she wasn't sure it would have helped in any situation. "So I guess this was the mission you went on?" She would eventually speak quietly to her team mate, eyes fixed forwards onto the grave stone. "... fuck. I'm only here as a courtesy call. Our clans are old buddies. We only met once, y'know that time I went singing in the bar when everyone was busy? ... sorry, I'm complaining like a child. ... _{I still don't belong here though.}"

Liara was wearing a black gown with her face covered as she entered the funeral. The person that died wasn't a person that Liara met at any point in time, but this was a person that Liara respected, never theless. "....." Her eyes was very teary from the crying, she wished that there was something that she could do, some way that she could of helped. It was a shame of her to call herself a prospect medical ninja from being unable to be of assistance, but she had her hands full with the wolves and their creatures. It was hard. "..... " Liara looked to Armen and gave him a respectful bow. He was one of the reasons why they were alive, and she appreciated the man and his vigilance. Though, if he didnt have to pick up the slack, would he have been there to save R'tari?" I hope you can find peace, please watch over us......." That Ka individual, for this situation to happen because they had to get hm. Liara wondered, would he ever even feel bad?

R'tari was... dead... And what the fuck was Colt doing during the time both his teammates were fighting for his life? He was fucking oogling girls at the spa. What kind of teammate was he? Leaving his allies to fight like that while he fucked around. Colt was pissed at himself more than the Pandorans and Ka Jiko. He was standing back in the rain behind the tree his teammate and sensei were, listening in on them with an umbrella held over his head. He felt so angry with himself that he just couldn't stand to be near them. However, he felt the urge to do something. Colt walked around the tree to Nyen and knelt down next to her, holding the umbrella above her. He would set it against the tree so that it still covered her. He had been afraid of everything all this time. Afraid of love and people, especially guys. He had been afraid of being a failure, afraid of not being strong enough. Of losing the people he got close to which is why he tried not getting close to people. It was why he got himself in trouble so much, hoping no one would grow attached to him and he wouldn't grow attached to others. But he failed and he lost someone cause of his actions. If he was there... If he was serious.... Maybe things would be different. He would look Nyen in the eyes before looking away, closing his eyes. "Nyen... I'm sorry... I... I.." he would sigh before leaning in and kissing her on the forehead. "I won't let anything like this happen again..." he would say before standing and walking away in the rain, heading away from the funeral. He had no right to be here. He had left his team to fight without him. He could not face R'tari like this, not even his grave. He finally had resolve to be serious, and until he proved himself he would not return to R'tari's grave.

While all of this was going on the priestess had been saying R'tari's last rites, and taking out a scroll she would begin to read R'tari's will like he had requested in the event of his death. "To Colt Juryoku, one scroll containing a series of techniques that I think you might enjoy. Sure I know you don't like close combat but still it's important that you learn just in case, enemies won't care about your little problem if they are trying to hurt you and those you care about." The priestess would then look at Colt who was leaving and would sigh before continuing on whereas Mimi who had turned as well would narrow her pain filled eyes and glare at the kid until he either turned back or walked out of sight. "To Nyen Kaironokuma, you can keep the scrolls I let you borrow, and I'll be giving you another set they were my mothers techniques and I hope you put them to good use." the priestess said reading from the scroll and if Nyen did end up coming forth to collect the scroll R'tari had set aside for her then the priestess would continue reading.

"To Kisuke-Sensei, I leave a very special scroll. I knew with my death the members of my organization would go from 3 to 2, but more importantly the one's loyal to the ASN would be completely gone. Though it's secrets are gone the very least I can do is pass on the seal to another as I hope you will too someday. In addition I'm trusting you with my primary taijutsu style, it is my hope you can submit it to the ASN technique library so that it can be used to help out future generations who do not have clans or tutors to help them develop their taijutsu. All I ask is that the Xel for such a contribution be given to a one Mimi Bakuhatsu." The same would occur and she had a scroll for Kisuke to collect as well and would proceed with the reading after she had said that. "To Himiko Zakiyoshi, I leave my book collection you should check out the ones in blue and black I'm sure you'll find them most fascinating reads. To Takahiro Denkou, you'll be replacing me on Team 9, and your going to be the successor of that style we talked about, I didn't have much on it but I'm leaving you a scroll containing some techniques that I had thought up but never had the fortune to learn, please put them to good use." once the same thing happened she would move on to another section.

"Finally, Mimi. My beloved, I'm sorry I know chances are me being the fool that I am ended up going out in a blaze of glory instead of in a bed with you beside my side. But that's just who am as you always told me, even someone as tranquil as me has a little explosion inside and well if I was going to die anyways then maybe my explosion could serve a purpose. Still, I leave you everything else I have to my name, my home, my xel, even that really uncomfortable sofa I have that you always threatened to blow up. Hopefully that last bit cheered you up my love because I don't want you to be sad. None of you really, just live with the memory of me and keep moving forward. As for you my love, don't be in a such a hurry to reunite with me, seriously I mean it take your time and I'll wait for you in the Pure Lands as long as it takes so live a full life so that when you get here you can tell me all about what I missed okay?" the priestess would finish and even though it didn't seem like it were possible Mimi would break down once more and sink to her knees in distraught as R'tari knew her well enough to block her current thought process ahead of time.

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Jazz would spare Summer a glance, nodding ever so slightly before returning to her brooding it was odd how such a friendship ended up being fostered on all accounts the girl should in fact hate her and yet she didn't. Jazz wouldn't correct her misconception that they were still friends, it was something she could use to her advantage even though it was only Styx's brain charge that had done all of the 'bonding' as it were. Jazz truthfully didn't have friends, she had one but she was unfortunately too late to see that he was her friend and her actions had probably broken it, or at the very least made it so that whatever misguided feelings she had been harboring were never going to be returned. But it was fine, Jazz wasn't naive about how the world worked nor was she about how emotions worked, if one thing that fight had done for her was open her eyes to how everything worked. People couldn't be trusted, they could only be manipulated just like the puppets that she ordered around or moved thanks to a string. The world was all lies and manipulation, one person trying to get an edge over another, friendship, love she had no need for that but would gladly prey on the weakness of others to move them around like the pawns. But Jazz was no fool no longer, her permanent loyalty was her own and her own alone everything else were just puppets waiting to be controlled in the hands of the puppeteer that she was.

Nyen looked up to see her Sensei perching on one of the branches above her. she was a bit startled at first but listened to his words in silence, looking to mimi when he mentioned her. Looked so exhausted and Nyen didn't know what to say to her, i mean if anything she'd be furious at Nyen for not pretecting her man. But still ... she had to say something, at least for R'tari's sake. As she stood to join her side in mourning, she heard a rustle from behind her. Seeing colt come out from behind the tree, Nyen wasn't exactly surprised seeing as this was both of their team mates funeral. Nyen was about to apologize for everything that had happened when Colt began to come nearer. as he kissed her forhead her mind would clear, seeming to be sucked out right where his lips had touched her so softly. His words would leave a strange pang in her heart. "But...it was my fault"Nyen would have said but before she could, Colt began to walk away. She almost called out to him but heard her name being mentioned by the priestess. She wouldn't have time to think about what just happened before slowly approaching the crowd and taking the scroll the priestess had set aside for her. As Nyen turned she saw Mimi with her deep sadness and made the decision. Nyen stopped by her side, laying her hand on her shoulder. Once she knew mimi was listening she would quietly say to her

"Mimi... I'm Nyen Kaironokuma. I...." she froze for a second trying to think of exactly what to say. Would she apologize for being too weak to protect her love? Or how she looked up to him as a teacher and a close friend? But as Nyen looked into Mimi's swollen red eyes and saw how much she missed him. nyen gave a slight shake of her head, refocusing on her words.

"R'tari once told me that in his darkest times you were the one that drove him to get out of bed in the morning, and i know it's going to be tough but... you can make it through this. Just know you're not alone." With that Nyen lowered her arm and walk out of the grounds. A lot was on her mind and the short time she had spent at the funeral had been emotionally exhausting.

Kisuke would appear in an instant when the priestess had called out his name, arriving as she started reading what it was that Kisuke would be getting from his now deceased student. He kept an emotionless look on his face, holding back the depression that weighed heavily on him right now. This could have all been avoided if he had been more active in terms of training his team, but he had however spent most of his time covering for Colt with the council because of his antics in the village. He would take the scroll bowing at the priestess as she handed it to him, and would slip the scroll into the pocket of his flak jacket. It seemed that R'tari had given him the seal to a now defunct organization in hopes that he would one day pass on the seal to someone who was worthy of it, along with his Taijutsu style of the Mikaboshi to help future shinobi who were without help learning those kinds of techniques. "I shall uphold your legacy R'tari" He would say to himself as he would also take Colt's scroll as well, and would turn turn away from the group collected near the grave and walk away from the Funeral back to his spot in the tree.

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Calesto on the other hand was sitting by himself at the funeral, keeping his distance from Liara as he had found out what he had done during the mission. How could he do such a thing as lose all control yet again, and then try to physically harm her when she was only trying to save their lives. Just what kind of asshole had he become when he was in those transformations? This was something he would have to discuss with his clan elders after this funeral was finished. With his head hanging down and a hood covering his face it would be pretty hard for someone to recognize him, which was good since he felt like he would just be a bother to those around him. So as the a group started to form near R'tari's grave, Calesto would stand up and start walking away from the funeral as he had to make his way back to his clan compound to try and get some questions answered.

Liara noticed calesto and walked on over to him. But he already started walking away from the funeral. It was really sad, it made Liara feel horrible that not only they didnt go together, but Takeshi didnt even show up to the funeral either. Then again, he wasnt at the mission at the time. "...." Maybe he needed to be alone, but she wanted to see him. She wanted to tell him that she forgave him before he ever said anything. She could understand that calesto was confused and blinded by whatever the transformation was, nearly consumed by it. "I'll speak to him later......" Liara would say as she paid close attention to the funeral. He had alot of people he cared about, and even left them gifts. Did he know he was going to die?

Armen was just in bad shape. He would take note of the different people that came in, especially of the man in gold. He would only do this with his eyes as his body shivers at the sight of the grave. It wasn't long before Armen would hear a familiar voice. She would be standing next to him for a moment before speaking. Normally Himiko's presence would bring comfort to Armen and the two would then go about teasing one another. But this was not the same, as she asked if this was the mission Armen was one. He would look at her with his eyes wide open, shivering and feeling guilty. As she began to tell her story, Liara a woman who shared the experience with Armen would salute him with respect. Armen would stare at Liara and words couldnt escape his mouth. He would just dim his eyes and fix his attention towards the grave while himiko finishes her short story. " It wasn't mah fault", Armen shared little to know words with anyone. His body was tired and just warn out, in his mind there was no peace, but something else was brewing. Armen left nothing for R'tari but thoughts unspoken, "I neva knew much bout ya. But do kno dis, you aint da only tang gettin burried today. Along wit yo life, i bury mah mercy."

Himiko only felt fear as her name was said, looking around like someone had just been assassinated and she was pointed out as the killer, a thought which only further brought guilt into her mind at how disrespectful the idea even was. She felt as much unease that her teammate was near unresponsive, so unlike the norm. She felt at least a little better that the 'books' she was given weren't there, it helped her in knowing that nobody would have to see her stepping forwards, and she also felt she should stay near her teammate, even if she didn't know what she could say to him. After another moment she rested her arm around his shoulder, "I'm gonna head home in a minute, I know I'm probably not the best to talk to, I wasn't there or been anywhere close to what you've been through. But you've got your team behind you without hesitation. And we've still got to find your father right?" She knew it wasn't appropriate to continue where she wanted to go, unsure if he'd react well to her trying to normalize things between them again. "And... we've got the exams approaching when we qualify. I'll be training on my beach, you're gonna be impressed, I promise," She would say with a smile, peeling herself from him and leaving the funeral, letting her teammate grieve by himself again with the knowledge Himiko wouldn't be too hard to find.

Armen was zoned out completely up until himiko would rest her arm on his shoulder. He would look at her wondering what was with her that she would still not mind being seen around with a freak like him. Yet she would make contact with him as if he wasn't handicapped at all. What was this talk about his team backing him up? He thought for sure that when himiko would see him banged up, out of his mind, and armless that she would begin to consider finding another shinobi to replace him. But she seemed just as confident in him as when he had both his arms and was in his right mind. Is this a love between two team mates? Is this what its like to have someone who isn't forced to you by blood to believe in you. She spoke to Armen as if he wasn't finished, "We've still got to find your father, right?" she questioned. Armen surprised would nod at her. She would then kill him further by reminding him of the exams as if she expects no one else to be by her side. Was she in her right mind, how would Armen be able to participate. She promised to impress him with how much she will improve, as if she looked up to him in some way for approval. This may not have been the case, but her compassion was something Armen has never felt from a person outside of the Doublestackums family. It wasn't like Armen saved her life or did anything to receive this treatment from himiko. If anything he were to be teased and ridiculed by her, but as she walked away , Armen's demeanor would chance. For the first time since he lost his arms, he would see the world through his own eyes, and be clouded by his misfortunes. Armen would look around the room, before noticing Jazz. He has never met Jazz but he has heard much about her in the streets. As much as he hated to do this with ever fiber of his being, he knew he needed help. He would quietly make his way to her and stare at her until she would look at him. He would do his best to be understood and not draw attention away from what is more important. "I kno wat happened. Ka wus your responsibility. That is somethin else. I aint mad at u, but i need yo help. Help meh make it rit." Armen would re-materialize a number of items in front of Jazz. The gruesome sight of his torn off arms, some gems, an emerald, and some metal. Armen had no idea that she would help him, and reading her body language she might not, but his time here at the funeral was up. He would look back at the grave, nod his head and walk out.

[/exit]

Jazz would watch as someone approached her that she had no prior meeting with, all she knew from a quick glance was that he had gotten maimed from the mission and that he was a Rikigaku it was an educated guess which only became true when he unsealed things via Digitize. She would raise an eyebrow and look down at what he had unsealed before her not moving until he walked away. "Hn." Jazz would reach down and seal away the items before straightening up again, usually she wouldn't she didn't do things for people it just wasn't her way but here lay an opportunity for practice. Practicing a certain thing that she had been lacking with Raizen Denkou's body the creation of a human puppet or at least in this case part of one. Thus she would look around to see if there was anything left for her to do here, before frowning and walking off seeing as she didn't intend on staying here any longer. She would make it right sure, the next time she saw Ka she'd actually try her best to kill him instead of simply trying to bring him back, that was a promise.

(Jazz Exits)

------------------------------------------------

The funeral was coming to a close and similar to Colt's dismissal, Takahiro apparently had no intention of coming up either. Mimi would turn when Nyen spoke to her, her words were heard but not truly registered until Nyen had walked away and though the gesture was appreciated Mimi had made her decision already. Rather than try to take the jonin exams like she had been preparing to do she would resign from the shinobi corps and do something else. Anything else really though fulfilling his dream was only part of the reason why, her faith in the system had been shattered and though she felt wrong just up and leaving she was but one shinobi within the ASN it wasn't like she would be missed because she was no longer in active duty. Let this...younger generation be the ones to continue the torch her drive to become the best kunoichi she could had died with her lover. Unlike the others she wouldn't leave, nor move just stare at the tombstone listlessly her mind retreating from the surface and being drowned in the ocean that were her innermost thoughts. It was for that reason that she wouldn't hear the priest bid her a farewell and offer a last prayer before making her way back to the Temple of Datara.

(Priest Exits, Mimi Exits?)

OOC:

After the funeral ended, Laira nodded and proceeded to head back to the village. She still had some tears in her eyes regarding the way the funeral ended. It was all so sad. Though, looking to calesto, she would give him a jug and bury her crying face i his chest. After that brief moment, she would speak to him. "If that was you laying there, i wouldn't know how to live with myself. So... please dont feel guilty anymore.... you are strong.. and things will get better. "After that brief moment, if Calesto wouldn't walk with her, she would head on home alone. It woudl be a long walk, walking a little slower on such a sad day.

-exit