Kazuya sighed and looked at his watch. Where are they? He looked down the path and saw someone coming. "It's about time," he said a little impatiently. "You know when the others are coming?"

Roxl looked at him irratently. "Ive been here the whole time, Kazy." He looked up. What happened to Ester, she was right behind me."

Kazuya closed his eyes in irritation. "Will you stop calling me that?" Kazuya sighed. "Whatever." He looked down the path and shrugged. "I dunno. I didn't see her."

"Get over it. Thats what I will call you scince I am to lazy to say your full name!"

Kazuya looked at Roxl. "Well at least you admit it," he said with a shrug. Wonder where Ester is.....

Ester came up a bit after Roxl with an icecream in her hand. She gave a small smile. "Hi" she said with a grin. She stopped the side from dripping and looked at the others. "I though someone else was coming."

Kazuya looked at Ester, silent for a moment, then said "There is. He's late. I don't really feel like waiting for him, but we don't really have a choice on such a high-ranked mission." He said, leaning back on the bench he was sitting on.

Ester shrugged as she leaned against a tree. "Okay," she said with a small shrug. She didn't feel like waiting but as long as her Kage was here so was she. But even if he ran off to fight on the mission ahead of them she doubted she'd come anyhow.

Kokujo put a hand on Kazuya's head "Who are we wating for" He ruffled the jonin's hair and smiled ever so gently. He fixed it quickly, making it nearly imperceptable. He looked at Ester for a second, then Roxl. "Ready to go?"

Kazuya sighed. Of all the stupid... he stood up looking irritated. "We're not waiting for anyone anymore, so let's get going. That democratic guy isn't gonna protect himself." In all reality, he didn't even know the name of who they were supposed to be protecting. But it didn't matter so long as he didn't die.

"I'll take the back." Kokujo commanded more than stated, he'd rather be alone than wth anyone else. He crouched down to wait for everyone to go ahead.

Ester gave a small shrug. This is the guy we were waiting for..... She looked at Kazuya. He hated for Roxl to call him Kazy but this guy just ruffled his hair......Nice. She looked at her icecream and tossed it to the side and gave a small stretch and waited for Roxl or Kazuya to move first.

Roxl looked at them and remembered something, :Guys, I gotta go...I can not accompany you on this mission...sorry"

(I got grounded from all gaming systems. I wont be able to talk to yall unless its through Jace. Sorry)

((dang 0o)

(grr...okay, then. be good from now on, huh?)

Kazuya sighed. "Whatever." He looked at Ester. "Does this mean you're leaving too? Or are you still gonna come?"

We'd most likely have to cancel the mission if we lose one more person. unless we can find another one or two." Kokujo stated calmly, his eyes closed. "Please don't leave Ester, you're a strong ninja we would like to have with us on any mission."

(Dear lord, I'm so sorry I haven't posted in forever, I was having some computer problems.)

Ester looked at the two of them and shook her head no. "Uh....no I'm not going anywhere but on this mission," she said. She shrugged ad pulled out a kunai spinning it. "My job is to help complete the mission, not follow Roxl like a shadow."

Kazuya gave a light smile. "Yeah, good point. Alright, let's get going then." Kazuya started running towards their destination, not bothering to wait for them. They could catch up anyways. And besides, he was anxious to get this thing started. He hoped there would be some assassination attempts. I haven't had a good challenge in a while.... he thought, a small grin spreading over his face.

Ester's eyes followed Kazuya and then she hurried over after him. She was looking forward to this mission. It was too bad Roxl wasn't coming along, but oh well. She shrugged it off and continued to walk wishing she hadn't thrown her ice cream out.

Kazuya slowed down when they started to approach where their target...uh...client, was supposed to be. He looked behind him to make sure the others were following and walked up to the house and knocked on the door. A man, that looked something like a butler, opened the door and looked at Kazuya. "May I help you?" he asked politely.

Kazuya looked at the man and said plainly "We're here because we were assigned to guard your democratic leader."

"Yes, thank you, Mushi Kiro was expecting you to come, but I'm afraid his appearance wasn't scheduled until tomorrow morning," he said.

Kazuya sighed. "Listen, we were hired to protect him even outside his scheduled appearances. He's a target before during, and after his speeches, therefore, we have to protect him, before during, and after his appearances, capiche?"

The man sighed and nodded. "Right this way."

Thank you, it's about time... he thought as he followed the man in. They came to a room where a short, bald, and somewhat fat man sat, reading over something. "Your ninja are here sir," the butler said, then left the room.

Kazuya had to stop his eye from twitching in irritation. We are not his ninja... he thought in irritation. He sighed to calm himself down. The man looked at them. "There were supposed to be four of you."

Kazuya looked at him and said "One of our ninja was incapable of accompanying us. But make no mistake, we're more than capable of protecting you," as politely as he could possibly be at this point.

"I hope so," he said plainly. "Now, what are your names?"

Kazuya looked at him and said "I am Kazuya Auren of the Death Valley." He looked at the other two. He didn't know their last names, so he'd let them state it for themselves.

((Might as well get this thing started again. I'm aiming to get in the top 20!))

Ester looked at the house and watched as Kazuya talked to the butler and then followed as they went in the house. She looked at the guy who was the democratic leader. "I'm Ester Charms of the Magma Valley," she said. She wondered if their would be an attempt today. If so then they'd be fighting. She was looking forward to a good fight.

((Are we still doing this mission?))

(yah, sorry)

Kokujo stepped up into the office and whispered into Kazuya's ear "Don't let our client get to you, they don't know anything about our world." Kokujo stepped back and addressed their client. "I am Kokujo Keda. And Sir, Please do not adress us as if we are to be bought. We work for our villages, and not for you. We don't care if you respect us or not but we do wish to protect you so you will respect our villages. Kokujo, like he guessed the other two were, was hoping for a good fight today.

Kiro looked at the three ninja, obviously pleased with their demeanors. "Very well. I thank you for coming. Your rooms are in the guest house in the back, tomorrow is when I will make my first speech, until then a good night to you. Kentai, it's nearing nightfall, would you lock the gates, please," he said to the butler, stationed outside the door.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

AFTERNOON NEXT DAY
Kazuya sat behind Kiro looking bored as Kiro gave his speech. I hate politics... He gave a small yawn and looked around at the large crowd that had gathered in the center of the town to hear the speech. What a drag... Kazuya looked at Kokujo and Ester, to see how they were fairing.