alchemest1

Ryouko listened silently, following all of this as best he could. It was like a slap in the face- more reanimation crap? And now he was in the middle of it.
The Third Lord's death or not...I'm not equipped to deal with it. The way Kiba is putting it, it seems like a lost battle...and that I'm not here to fight. Just to survive.

He knew his abilities weren't being called into question, but Ryouko couldn't help but feel that this was a burden he'd rather not have. Still, he wasn't going to say no. But he did have to warn Kiba of something.

"Kiba...I'm not sure how aware you've been of what's gone on over the past few years. I've been among the back-up to the Twelve Shinobi guardians after I failed to earn a real spot. Naruto...he's blown by all of us; he's in a class by himself. All this...it's made me think..."

Ryouko sighed.

"Well, after this mission with you...I'm going to hang up my hitai-ate. I'm so outclassed when it comes to power that I've been rendered outdated. Even the Third's last gift to me; the Reaper Death Seal...it's been outdated. There's a new guard in the shinobi world; one of my generation. And I'm...not part of it."

Ryouko grinned a little. "But this beats feelings sorry for myself. For the first time in a while, I'm eager about a mission."

...I'll have to do what I can to support Kiba. But to think that this is where my power has peaked...Well, I've got this mission to focus on now; that's what I'm going to do. Everything else is secondary until it's completion.
But why do I keep getting the feeling that this really WILL be my last mission? I feel as though I'm already on borrowed time...as if my body is decaying...Why does this mission scream 'death'?

Kiba didn't slow as he called over his shoulder to Ryo. "Fair enough my friend. I suppose it is a bit of a mystery as to why the Kagirinai would want you to assist us. Truth is we are dealing with something you have seen. I know you didn't actually participate in the fight that killed the Third, but You have seen the Reanimation Jutsu." Kiba looked side long at Ryo and was quiet for a moment. "We have someone that has mastered this forbidden art more so than even old Snake boy. We were once guardians of such forbidden arts, but it is one of the arts we never put into our arsenals. As shinobi we honor the dead's right to rest. We know next to nothing about how it is done. Now we have a legion of the dead walking the Land of Demons. I know it sounds like something from a horror tale, but it is happening." Roukyou's face twitched as he realized how bizarre this must sound, but it was the truth. The dead had infested the already feared and mythologized Land of Demons. "This is of more concern than it sounds. I know the land is already full of creatures unimaginable, but this is different. They are being guided to find the source of an Ancient power. A power we of the Kagirinai have guarded for millennium. A power should it fall into the wrong hands would begin Another Great Shinobi War. Whoever is after it is determined to gain it's power. We have to find them and eliminate them." Kiba realized this said little as to Ryo was needed with a pang of sorrow he continued on. "The Kagirinai have fallen. We are but twenty now. You are by far the best shinobi I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and I trust you. In the event that The immortals are wiped out I need an outsider to learn and carry on our legacy recruiting and training those that show potential for the arts. They will be immortal in name only, but you will help us keep our name." Kiba resisted the urge to prob his friends emotions. He feared his reaction. "Of course you will assist in the investigation of the events of late as well, but You are to be my race's heir should we be destroyed."

Ryouko kept pace, nodding at the wolf. Now was as good a time as any to ask, he guessed. His cigarette gone, he pulled at the fabric under his collar- a Kakashi-style mask. It was still damned cold, and Ryouko wanted to make sure he wouldn't breathe in any poison. This was dangerous company he was traveling in- attack was likely enough.

"How about telling me more of why I'm on this magical mystery tour, Kiba? I hate to work blind..."
--

I think it would be good to hear at least part of the reason now.

Kiba let his mind listen quietly to Ryoko's thoughts. Roukyou gave his friend a small smile and a clap on the shoulder. Turning to the ledges of the mountain Roukyou gave a sharp whistle and waited. After a moment as large timber wolf bounded To Roukyou's side. Roukyou gave the wolf a pet on the head. Turning back to Ryoko Kiba gave a wolfish smile. "This is Hakatsoyo. He is a new face since we last spoke. He is simply a wolf, but since you I have found a majority of human friendship rather boring. Anyway, Let's go." Without another word Roukyou bounded off to the east the lay of the land still as fresh in his mind as it had been four years ago when he had served as the Villages ANBU.
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We can Time skip if you like or we can discuss the reason I need Ryo on the run. lol