Finding Refuge [Open / Yamato]

[yusuko]

An idle squeaking noise was traveling through the dense forest. The sound originating from one of the wheels of a wooden cart. It appeared rather heavy, being stocked over it's own capacity with contents unknown, all of which were strictly covered by an old beige tarp. Attached to the front of the cart, or rather, pulling it along like the pack mule that she was, was a lone female. Exhaling a slightly muffled sigh, this young woman would begin to slow herself, though not quite coming to a stop, just yet. Tugging around all that junk was very tedious work indeed, however, it tended to be a source of income that she could live on.. most of the time. It was surprising how many people liked to rummage through garbage in order to locate something the might think is worth half a cent.

Emerald orbs slowly downcast upon the widened road. This was a main path, and one that large numbers of people traveled everyday. Trails like these were usually a good thing. It meant that a town was nearby, and a pretty good sized one, at that. The bigger the town, the better the money. Either that, or she was going to be really out of luck. As she came upon a split in the road, one route leading where she had already been directed, and the other off into more and more trees and forest and.. trees. A sign was erected between the two roads, telling over the most notable places, and which way the were. Finally allowing her cart to rest, the bulky object tilted back, seeming as though it were about to topple, but was secured by the little sort of 'bumper' on the back.

" Ne.. Ko-no-ha.. ga-kure..."

lips behind a simple surgical mask moved over the syllables of the first part of the sign. The Leaf village? That place was supposed to be huge, one of the Kage villages. Yusuko knew she had gotten really far into the Fire Country, but to make it all the way out here? Lifting a hand to scratch at her short raven strands, the woman began to contemplate what she should do. Going to such a large village would probably be good for business, however, a shinobi stronghold like Konoha, that was taking a huge risk of being found out. It was most likely best to not chance anything. But.. when you were tired and hungry like the Miachi was, you'd probably do a little risk taking as well. Besides, the next town was way too far away to walk today, and she had already been going for a long time. And so, taking up her cart once more, Yusuko began upon the path for the Leaf village. If things got too hairy, she would be able to cut-out before anything happened to her. Here's hoping.

[yamato]

With swift steps, the neko ANBU made his way through the treetops on the outskirts of Konoha. There was more terrorist activities during these hard times. Ninja's were attacking, even villages never even heard of. They KNEW that Konoha was down and weak for the time being. Orochimaru had done quite a number. Even though it had been a few years since he had last been to the village, everyone was still trying to cope, and deal with what had happened that day. It was almost sickening. Thankfully enough, the Leaf held on strong, and continued to show smiles from all of it's villagers. Yamato, was one of the specially assigned ANBU troops to stay behind with the village from other missions, so he could help protect it if the occasion arrived. During the last invasion, he was far from the village, and leaving them vulnerable for an attack. Yamato didn't see himself as much of a difference maker, but he still felt bad about not being able to offer some sort of help during Konoha's time of need.

As Yamato continued his journey in circling the village, he could hear the 'clickity-clack' sound of the rickety cart that the missing-nin was pulling along. Halting in his jumps, his hands would latch to the tree and he would look down, only to spot a woman heading her way towards the village. "Hn.." The slightest sound was made, showing curiosity from the ANBU as he leaned forward to get a better view of the woman. She..Didn't seem dangerous, but then again, Orochimaru could take the appearance of anyone. He was a sick individual that used all kinds of forbidden techniques, and who knew what he was capable of? What was of most concern to Yamato right now, wasn't necessarily the girl herself, but rather, what she was dragging behind her. From what he could see, it was just an ordinary supply cart.

Maybe she was a traveling merchant? Oh no. That's what Orochimaru would want you to think. It's probably some sort of bomb or some sickening device that could hurt hundreds of thousands of the villagers. Yamato's large eyes narrowed. No one, not even a pretty girl would endanger his home. Not while he was around. With quick hand motions, Yamato formed seals at a rather rapid pace, only to give his usual 'Mokuton', seal of command. His abilities were still a secret to the village. They were the same as that of the first Hokage himself. Thanks to some experiments done by Orochimaru, he was given this gift. And this curse. As his seal was complete, the wooden handles upon her cart would begin to stretch out, quickly bending and extending around the rain ninja, coiling like two snakes and quickly wrapping around her body to prevent any movement.

With a swift jump, Tenzou would leap down to land in front of her. "Who are you?" He wasn't the kind of man to beat around the bush, especially when it came to situations like these. He stared at her directly in her face, his large eyes looking right into her own. Why was she wearing a mask? Did she breath poison? Fire? There had to be something..She didn't exactly seem innocent..Not yet at least. Tsunade would definitely have something to say..[/size]

[yusuko]

The exiled kunoichi's steps were slow and casual. She wanted to get to the village and sell some things, just enough to earn from cash for a meal and cheap place to stay for the rest of the day and night. Yusuko found that it was never too god to remain in a big village such as Konoha for more than a day or two. Places like that.. they liked to be nosy, and dig around into other people's affairs. At least, this is what she had come to realize in her time of being a Missing-ninja. She had been to many countries by now, though always attempted to avoid the allied shinobi villages of the Rain. This seemed to be one that she figured she could squeak by on.. Maybe.

Each footstep she took earned her a little closer to the village, and a warm bed and hot food. It was a risk she was willing to take. Normal people were much more accepting of a person when they didn't appear to be a threat, and the Miachi did her best to not look as such, whens he could help it, at least. There just so happened to be a man that suspected her for everything she didn't look like, and he was watching, very closely. Yusuko did not appear to be a threat of any kind, though this was what Yamato feared the most. If no one thought she was a terrorist for an enemy country, then she waltz right into Konoha with no trouble, and leave her massive bomb in her cart, and walk right back out, then BOOM. Death to the Leaf.

Of course, the former Ame shinobi had no intentions of blowing anything up at all, save for maybe her money pouch when people bought all of her junk. Ah, that would be nice.. Without even realizing it, Yusuko was under attack, the wood frame of her cart began to fluctuate, becoming alive, only to constrict her upper half, immobilizing her arms so no jutsu could be used if in fact she had any, which she did.. but he didn't need to know that, did he?

" E-Eh?!"

Emerald orbs would dart around, her back knocking against her cart, or rather, the bound wood on her back knocking against the cart behind her. What the hell was going on?! Then, filling her vision, was a man wearing the mask with a cat face on it. It was obvious he was a shinobi, and one that had special skills. Animal masks... didn't that mean he was one of those special Ops ninja she had heard about? And um.. ANBU, or something? Shit, this was really bad. Play it cool, Yusuko, this guy doesn't know you, you can get out of this without any trouble.. Immediately, his deep voice caught her ears. He was highly serious, and didn't want to play any games. Her head tilted back as she blinked, his mask getting right into her half covered face. His own eyes were still rather concealed behind his own neko features, but she could feel him staring her down.. Why did it feel so creepy?

".. Miachi Yusuko.. I'm going around selling some stuff, and cleaning weapons.. I have papers.."

This was in fact the truth, but she did leave out some important details, like how she had a missing status, and how how the papers she had had been forced a long time ago. As bad as the situation was, Yusuko had to try to stay calm. She was tied up and cornered like a little duckling and a tiger, there wasn't much she could do right now, was there?

" Who.. are you, anyway? Did I do something?"