[Deleted]

The sun glinted from his weapon, deftly delivered between two imaginary targets. The golden hour was strong here in the land of the sand with the orange sun departing from the landscape. But he had about an hour: and he could spare that.

Sozin had received word of coming to Sunagakure and it was what he had intended on doing: diplomacy rarely held boring candles or flames of words. But halfway up a mountain and taking an easier route (which ended up going up before down as he'd found) he came across the sun illuminating the shadows of the clifftops and mountain routes powerfully. Sozin hadn't realised that he had been standing there for five minutes until someone passed by him, someone who might've seen the sun a thousand times. He didn't care.

There was a rarer moment in Akira's vocabulary that he scarcely used: he was inspired and enamoured by the landscape once travelled. Usually, he'd had entered Kaze no Kuni from the North. Through their mountains: and this time was no different but being from Nohara no Kuni, he could only enter past Tani no Kuni. This route from the east instead was beautiful. It took Akira by surprise, and yes he had purpose - but some half an hour was little in a life time.

So he was doing what he did best - making use of the light and had departed with some of his lesser needed clothing, shirt left atop the backpack he'd brought with him of essentials. But otherwise - his clothing material was still worn and not as regal as he could have chosen: things were getting a little easier as his knowledge grew. But - councillors needed to know more about the world at hand if they wanted to survive.

Ergo, Sunagakure was en route.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

It was... fair to be hesitant to send Unit 294 on missions. The last mission he'd been given caused him to wander the world needlessly for twenty years, searching endlessly for a ghost. But he had proven, well enough, that despite what had happened, he was hardly defective. And, for his age, he was in quite excellent condition! Upon returning to Sunagakure, he'd been able to be patched up even moreso by the puppeteers and masters of the village, and while he'd done an exceptional job of keeping himself intact for the past two decades despite all of the trouble he'd find himself in, he no longer had any signs of distress.
    No punctured limbs from animal bites, no scratches or tears in his artificial skin. He'd been given new clothing, too--still a simple and plain kimono that allowed him ease of access to his tools, but it wasn't tattered, bloodied, or distressed.
    He looked... nice. Nicer than he had, before.
    And, this time, he wasn't being sent to hunt down and slay a man who had already been killed the evening of the order. No, he was searching for somebody who was very much alive, and would remain as such for as long as Unit 294 played his part.
    The puppet was to meet the councilor who was travelling to Sunagakure from Kusagakure--an ally and friend of the nation. There were only so many paths leading into the country, and even if there hadn't been--Unit 294 specialized in his ability to efficiently track down targets.
    So, while the brown-haired man took a moment upon crossing the border to stop and marvel at the world around him, Unit 294 would recognize him easily from afar.
    An artificial eye narrowed in from the distance where the puppet stood, and it double-checked to confirm his face with the one printed on the piece of paper in his hands. Yes, this certainly was the man he was meant to meet. Confirmation echoing in his empty skull, the puppet folded up the paper and placed it among his belongings. He'd quickly--though not at an alarming rate; he knew how easily frightened humans could be--approach the man, waving a limb to grab the brunet's attention and offer a form of greeting.
    "Sozin Junichi?" He'd stop a few feet away from the man and give a small bow. "I am Unit 294 of Sunagakure's Special Divisions. I have been sent to escort you through the desert to the village." His voice was--noticeably--quiet. Soft-spoken, and gentle.

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The route that Sozin had taken was predictable, since one couldn't easily travel through one or two enemy countries - and he'd taken the southern route going on a through-road in Hi no Kuni to arrive to Kaze no Kuni. 294 would have seen - and found Sozin with much more warning than Sozin had, because by the time he had arrived, he was well within 294's effective danger zone. Sozin wasn't taken off guard by it, knowing that other people had passed through, but much less was he expecting a male face as much as the deepest pit of his stomach anticipated seeing another. But - the human moved with purpose as Sozin stopped what he was doing, it hadn't been like the others who just tried to move past him on the thin plateau'd outcrop of the mountain they stood on. Some ten meters between the mountain rock, the path and the outcrop that was a ledge that a civilian would meet their demise should they have fallen off it.

Sozin took to admiring the light on the world: The light didn't reflect on 294 the way that Akira had seen in his life: but it was only a glancing thought, as he had seen bone-firing Kage, monkey-transformation sages, sand wielding princesses, people who could split themselves into two halves of a whole. Someone's skin being a bit off, like he had previously? Not even worth a second thought. As far as Sozin was concerned, this was just another regular human.

They called his name. "Yes?" The being was soft spoken like Sozin himself. So it would be a battle of gentle voices. "Thank you, 294." He stopped what he was doing, to put away the weapon in a show of good faith. A light bow, this was their home. "I had sent forewarning to Kazekage-sama but I hadn't anticipated anybody to show me the way." Akira's tone was not in disapproval or disagreeing - perhaps even a light surprise from the lilt in his voice. But why should he have been surprised?

"Join me for a moment." His voice, as he turned his back to 294 - facing out toward the Sun once again. It was gorgeous and illuminated the land beautifully.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

Unit 294 was a perceptive creature. While he may not have remembered all of the experiences he'd had to properly understand everything he lay witness to, the truth was that he generally could get a good read on people. The first--and perhaps most obvious, to Unit 294--detail noticed was that the man who had been approached, also, spoke in a quiet voice.
    It was not a great or significant thing by any means, and it didn't really mean anything, either. But it was something that the shippai noticed, and a gratitude hummed in the essence of its spirit. People were usually loud. It wasn't something that Unit 294 couldn't deal with, but it was something he appreciated nonetheless.
    "You are native to Nohara no Kuni, yes?" Unit 294 inquired after the man expressed his light surprise at an escort being sent to meet him. "Have you ever traversed the desert, before? It can be quite dangerous to go alone if you don't know the way." Or how to properly adjust and survive in the harsh environment. Kaze no Kuni was one of the more dangerous climates in the world, and it was much easier for foreigners to get caught off guard and find themselves in impressive danger with ease.
    So, it was probably best that somebody who knew the country well was there to assist him. And, besides, the added security certainly wouldn't hurt the political official.
    At the request, though, Unit 294 made no noise or gesture of opposition. And when Sozin asked for the puppet to join him for a moment, without a word or even a nod of confirmation, the shippai stood in place and allowed the time to pass them by. His head turned slightly to get a better look at the view--to take in the sight and appreciate what Sozin's own attention had been drawn to.
    He viewed things differently. There was less inspiration and enamor.
    Unit 294 could hear the flapping of wings overhead as vultures scavenged for survival. The wind howled in the distance as a light breeze, and the puppet could hear a hundred different sounds just from where they stood alone.
    For what was considered by most to be a desert, a mere wasteland; Unit 294 found Kaze no Kuni to be bustling with life.
    And, while the puppet held a very different relationship with these lands than the stranger did, there was still a swell of affection, too.
    Time meant nothing to an immortal, and so he did not mind allowing for a few moments of appreciation to their environment. It was something he could understand, and he respected it. 

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"That's right." It was and it wasn't. To those who understood lies, it would be a weird flutter between the two. "Once, toward Nimaiya area?" He wasn't sure of the area completely but it was the North of Kaze no Kuni. In reality, Akira was an untrained fighter - one who had only chosen to do a handful of training exercises out here. The only other time was when he'd died last time, and the memory of him turning to ash and staring out at the desert's night sky was... troubling.

But it had been a show of his lack of knowledge in the area. Lack of understanding of the true threats the area held. But, that didn't mean he couldn't learn - as a friend and ally to Sunagakure, Sozin was here to thrive and survive. But, the Sun was just burning his skin - a warm glow filling him up with inspiration. He needn't be concerned: and 294 was kind enough to join Sozin - even if from afar.

His senses weren't as refined but it didn't appear that the human had moved. Sozin would turn back - to look at 294 from one eye. "It's beautiful." And different - very different to the flora and fauna of the land of grass. But that would be enough of that for a time. Sozin would turn finally, and go to collect his things. First - his shirt. Back on it went. Then his backpack, the rations, clothing and water a human needed. "Is it far to Sunagakure?" He didn't have an accurate idea of how far it was. He'd never been to Sunagakure no Sato.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

Unit 294's senses were like an owl's. Keen, and picking up on every odd little detail that Sozin displayed as he spoke--minute expressions in his face that were being suppressed, a momentary lapse in his breathing pattern. Nothing glaringly obvious--but enough for the Shippai to take notice of. Still, with no context, what Sozin said mattered very little to the puppet, and so it remained unbothered by the information provided.
    Their moment of peace would subside quickly enough--thankfully not disturbed by any sudden alarm or violent presence, but simply the need to carry on with things. The councilman made a comment--briefing his thoughts on the wilds.
    Beautiful, he said. "Yes," the puppet agreed.
    When asked if it would be far from where they stood near the border to Sunagakure, the puppet considered the best way to inform the individual who stood before him. No, it was not far at all. Unit 294 could be there within a couple of hours, perhaps even less. But he was not constrained by the needs of a human--he did not tire, so he did not need to stop for rest. He did not require food or water, so he did not worry of growing weary or needing to stop to hunt. He did not grow uncomfortable, and he did not get disheartened by the elements.
    Distance and time were relative.
    Unit 294 decided, instead, to simply show Sozin and let the man decide for himself.
    Approaching the man closer, he pulled out his notebook--an ancient book which had been falling apart and sewn back together with the precision of a doctor's stitches. The pages were old and weathered, but had been sealed in some kind of varnish to keep them from deteriorating endlessly. The puppet flipped through the notebook until he stopped promptly, opening up the paper that had been glued inside to unfold a world map.
    There were markings scattered all across it--tiny detailing of various locations visited. Names, locations, small numbers beside some places, and countless little 'x' marks.
    Still, it was surprisingly eligible despite its use. Unit 294 pointed on the map where they stood in the mountain pass. Then, trailing with an artificial hand, the ball-and-joint finger landing its mark on Sunagakure. They weren't far. Not in consideration of how much distance Sozin must already have made to have gotten here from Kusagakure. But, still, it would be some journey ahead regardless.

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[Deleted]

He stared down at the paper - it was worse than Akatsuki's by a long shot and indicated that it was a relic of sort. Old. Old but loved, given all of the various notations in it as his eyes flicked over the details - but a noise of agreenace came from his throat. "Not far, then." An attempt at humour. Sozin was not made of the same stuff that 294 was - and so to get there in any short time was beyond Sozin's own abilities. He no longer had a Bijuu to rely on, and actually got tired (a secret boon!) more often. They would reach it in the night at some point he was sure.

294 was quiet, then. There would be little conversation unless Sozin made it himself. The journey to Sunagakure would be difficult - as would be achieving his objectives without causing undue attention to the senior leadership in Kaze no Kuni. It wasn't unheard of for people to know of the situation in the north, or in the demon desert being lawless - and Sozin had needs as well.

"You are 294, but I've never heard of agents taking such names. Are you familiar with my reason for coming?" He thought to ask as much because 294 sounded like a special agent, or ANBU. Akira had never had positive experiences when dealing with ANBU and he wanted to keep his guard up. If there was anything to believe in, it was self interest in survival.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

If Sozin did not seem to think it was a far journey, then it was not a far journey. Unit 294 would simply nod his head, the humor lost on him, then fold up the map once more before closing his book and returning it among his belongings--what few he possessed. 
    The Shippai would carry on--heading out and expecting Sozin to follow as they took the path back toward Sunagakure. They'd want to make good pace if Sozin hoped to get to Sunagakure before nightfall--
    And Kaze no Kuni's nights were a different kind of dangerous in compliment to the day.
    Still, the puppet would glance back at Sozin when the man tried to make conversation, commenting on his name--or, rather, lack thereof. There was also the question of whether or not Unit 294 was at all familiar with who Sozin was, or what he was doing in Kaze no Kuni. "No, I am not," he answered simply. There was little point in explaining the details to a Shippai--of course, Sozin would not have known this, but the puppet's commanders in Sunagakure obviously did. He didn't need to know who Sozin was, or what his purpose was. All he knew was that he was to meet the man at the border and guide him safely to Sunagakure--his name and face had been provided for Unit 294 to use as confirmation that he'd met up with the right target, of course, just as he'd often used in the past. But he had been left in the dark as to everything else--but that was the most efficient way of operation.
    There was no telling if the Shippai would be able to remember anything else. Sometimes he could recall from a month ago, but sometimes the memories faded within a day. There was no saying or guarantee, so it was best to stick to only what was necessary.
    Still, it struck Unit 294 as odd that Sozin had never met any shinobi who were addressed only by a number.
    Perhaps he only thought it was odd, because Unit 294 was most familiar with Sunagakure--where most of the people there knew of his kind, if they didn't distinctly know him. The legend of the Angel of Death was fading, his legacy only remembered by those who valued Sunagakure's history or who directly remembered it. 
    But, still, who knew of the Shippai? Was it a secret? It was all that Unit 294 knew, so it was difficult to grasp that there were those who were left blissfully unaware of some of Sunagakure's horrific history.
    "Are you unfamiliar with Shippai Tsuneo-sama?" Unit 294 questioned, curiosity stirring in its spirit. He did not know what this Kusagakure shinobi was aware of, but Unit 77 held a significant role within the village. While they were both old, both with impressive histories and centuries of impressive feats to their names--Unit 77 was more in the spotlight, while Unit 294 was a name whispered in shadow.
    If Sozin claimed not to know of any agents who took on the names of numbers, then perhaps he'd not known of Sunagakure's War Counselor, after all. Still, there was no expectation in Unit 294's question--merely seeking to better understand what Sozin knew. Or didn't know.

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It deflated him in one aspect that 294 was just a messenger. Or carrier pigeon: whatever it was that directed him back to the village. Not someone of sufficient power for him to foster, though how incorrect he was on that front. Sozin was sure they'd sent someone adequate enough to help him navigate through the desert. He supposed there was no reason to bring it up and wait until he spoke to the decision makers in Sunagakure.

Relatively speaking.

The question in response had Sozin racking his mind, but searching through the archives that was his mind did not click or sign any positive recollection.

Sozin's memories reminded him that he did know of many important people throughout the world but that knowledge was limited as a human: it was subject to the extent that one's memory could be filled. Sozin in recent history had learned of his own history of Kusagakure: and the people within it. He had some recollection of important people from his past, and the leadership in the other countries. But to go down the chain in order villages was something he had not done. He shook his head as they walked. "No, I've not heard of Shippai Tsuneo-san." Sozin was sure there was history there - was that 294's leader? A councillor like he? The options were limited when you didn't understand the organisational structure of the other villages.

"Is he who I will be dealing with at the village, do you know?" He questioned in response, wondering if or what it had to do with what 294 was about to say next. He supposed it would.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

Sozin confirmed that, no, he had, in fact, not heard of Tsuneo. It made sense, and it checked out well-enough. There was the possibility that Sozin knew of Tsuneo--but only the name, and knew nothing else--and that's why the puppet made the inquiry. But, instead, the man had not even heard of him to begin with as a building block to work off of.
    "I do not know if you will ever meet him," Unit 294 admitted. "He does not like people very much." The first time the two shippai had met, Tsuneo had been clear of his distain for humans--shinobi scum, as he'd called them. "But he is a member of the War Counsel in Sunagakure. Even if you never speak to him, if you are to learn about Sunagakure--" Which, Unit 294 didn't know what Sozin's intentions to arriving at the village was. For all the Shippai knew, he was just an architect coming to plan out a new building. "--He is a significant figure in its history." The puppet subtly glanced back at Sozin as he walked. "And he is like me. He is Unit 77."
    Returning his attention back to the path that lay ahead--not that it truly mattered, as the puppet was always alert of his surroundings--it would continue speaking to the human. Elaboration; since Sozin seemed the curious type.
    "There are not many of us left in Sunagakure--those of us with numbers. But, still, some of us remain." And whatever may have happened, Unit 294 only hoped that he would not be the last. He did not want there to ever be more--never. But the thought of being the last Shippai alive, solely carrying the burden of knowledge from centuries past... It sounded disheartening. He only hoped that as life raced past them, like a timeless flood of livelihoods and experiences, as the cultures and earth beneath their feet shifted and changed and crumbled over the ages, Unit 294 simply did not want to do it alone. "I hope you do not meet any others."

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Sozin nodded.

294, as well as Sozin himself would never had known that from the depths of the man's mind, there was a threat to make him a Shippai as well - made by none other than the Kazekage themselves. Who else would have known what would have been in store for Satori Akira if he had still been a Jinchuuriki at the time of being in Sunagakure no Sato. But Tsuneo's position made it so that they would likely cross at one point or another, if they hadn't in the past.

Unit 77 - made no inflection on his expression, as it bore no history to him or understanding as to why it was important. Perhaps it was a question for another time but it didn't spark his curiosity any further since special units were common in villages, and that's all he saw it as. The context was helpful for his own note. "I see. Thanks for the clarification." that answered that one, and as far as Sozin was concerned it was a closed matter.

Sozin did not respond when 294 suggested he didn't meet others, and it was only left to the matter of his mind to comprehend what that truly meant. "How do you view of your homeland? Are you happy?" Sozin was asking the wrong questions to a puppet. But he didn't know that. Why ask? In his view, he wanted to better understand Sunagakure's people - to better understand the landscape and political ecosystem that was Sunagakure no Sato.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

Unit 294 offered a polite nod of acknowledgement when Sozin gave his word of thanks. Perhaps things would be made more clear in the future. Unit 294 often held little desire to talk about himself--it was boring and uninformative at best, and dreadful, traumatizing, and haunting at worst. The puppet would rather shift that responsibility to others to deal with--and Unit 77 was the only other primary Shippai that Unit 294 was presently aware of to reference. And, of course, Unit 77 would likely be a hit-or-miss. Perhaps he would relay all of the details of what a Shippai was, and all of their history and brag to the human about how incredible and superior they were to mankind's race. Or, perhaps, he would shun the human and refuse to entertain conversation with him because it would do Sozin no benefit, or because Unit 77 had better things to do with his time than waste it speaking to a creature who would wither away and die in the ever-burrowing sands of time.
    But, either way, if Unit 294 didn't have to explain it, then it was for the better.
    Besides, one look at Unit 77 and things would become more apparent.
    More apparent than they presently were, as Sozin asked the puppet about his thoughts and feelings toward his homeland.
    Happiness?
    Unit 294 stared blankly ahead as they continued on their path. "I don't know." That was the truth. It would be easy to dismiss the idea--he was a puppet, so of course he wasn't happy. He couldn't feel anything, after all. But that wasn't entirely true. He understood fear, and there was some awareness of joy as well. Peace or distress. He could not feel these things--but perhaps it was just that he did not experience them in the same fashion that a human did. But there was the memory of those emotions, and they lingered still in his spirit. And in those things--he could feel them again. Briefly, at times, and distant.
    But there nonetheless.
    And it was difficult to explain. Especially to somebody who had no understanding of who--and what--he was speaking to. Unit 294 wasn't certain what he felt toward his homeland. There was joy, but there was pain. Fear. Admiration. Loyalty. Resentment. "Haunted, perhaps." But that, in itself, meant a hundred and one different things, but perhaps it was the most fitting description to be had. He was haunted. He knew of his reality, he knew of his situation. He could feel an amalgamation of everything and nothing and it all lingered within his soul like an attached wisp. And was there any better way for a spirit trapped inside of a doll to feel?
    Ghost stories always liked to focus on the spirits lingering where they were no longer welcomed.
    Was that not what those feelings were like, to him?
    "Conversations of that nature--exploring subjects such as sadness, happiness, fear, and the like. This one believes they would be better reserved for humans. I think there is little benefit in inquiring of such matters to something without a heart." Or brain.

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He had started out the conversation well but as they continued, that desire was diminishing. This was... intensely professional. He could deal with it, he had for many moons. Not as many as 294- he who had lived several ninja lifetimes.

Ah. Well. If 294 didn't know he wouldn't press any further, but he'd said something which perked his attention - their language. As they walked, the darker blue sky was starting to gradient and stars were becoming slowly visible. The brightest ones to begin with, and the rest would be out later as well. Haunted? That was.. strange. As diplomacy went, he was always used to very different course of conversation. Everything was always grand, everything was always happy and never wrong, or sugar coated. Haunted was something he hadn't anticipated as a response.

Of course, Sozin picked up on that as well. "Reserved for humans? Do you not think of yourself as such?" The curiosity did spark on it, but perhaps he was reading too much into it: they were Shinobi after all. Takara had - the heathen - had always thought of shinobi as tools. They were tools. But they were human too. He disagreed with it now more than ever before, but understood the pragmatic approach - he wanted the medium between the two. Ninja needed to reserve their emotions - sometimes separating who they were.

He had appropriately clothed himself for the time being, and he felt a grumble at the stomach. "Just bare with me for a moment." He went to grab something from his bag: a bar. A protein bar, at that. High in carbs, high in protein. It left a lot to be desired but it was calorific and that was what he needed. He would carry on walking as the sound of plastic being unwrapped took place, contrasting against the noise of the winds and such as he followed 294.

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[294]

 

though my memories escape me

"They're a part of my heart, just as I have thought of you"

"Do you?" Unit 294 countered quickly, eyes locking onto the man as he spoke. It was something he encountered often. An unending loop of varied narratives and theologies. Unit 294 wasn't human because he was made of wood and steel. He wasn't human because he could not breathe or bleed. He could not age or die. He did not carry memories or feelings in the same way that a person did, and that's what made him different.
    But the truth was that--as much as he denied it, and as much as all signs pointed otherwise--Unit 294 knew he'd been human.
    A very, very long time ago. Certainly not anymore... But he had been.
    Once.
    "I know how I must look to you, but you mustn't let my appearance deceive you, Sozin-san," Unit 294 spoke plainly as the man began to snack on a ration bar. "I did not manufacture the design in which my vessel is shaped. Among the others--I am an anomaly. Most of us are more apparent. Obvious. I knew of Shippai that were made of clay or wood, with nine arms and three heads. Records detail of one that stood nearly ten feet tall, whose arm was a bow and lower half resembling that of a horse. Unit 77 is crafted entirely of heavy steel. If you were to open me up, you would not find that I have a heart or lungs or stomach. My arms are made of wood and steel, my skin is rubber and my eyes are resin. I am barely any different than the marionettes that puppeteers use in battle." He glanced back at Sozin. "So, tell me, Sozin-san. Do you consider me human? Does this one qualify so long as it look the part? I don't think so."

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"I do." Was his kneejerk response, but that's all it was to it: a kneejerk response. But he was human, that wasn't a matter of philosophy as much as it were a fact, something he innately believed in.

Akira admitted that he felt conflict at it. His religion had taught him that chakra was an abomination, and that he - 294 was a non-being. Not real. Not alive. Perhaps bound by Fuinjutsu, a blight: but that he in his own personal history understood that people were not the sum of their bodily functions. He had been a Shinobi, once upon a time. The same kneejerk reaction he'd had earlier reminded him that he had already categorically said that it was a fact of biology, and 294 was none of those things. Akira hadn't known he wasn't speaking to a non-human.

It was one of those unending loops of theology that 294 had thought about. He did keep the express warning to himself that beings of numbers from Sunagakure would bare these freakish features. Unit 77? That was one that 294 had said he should hope to never meet. It seemed in retrospect to be a warning. He had stopped munching for the time, the first bite had been swallowed but the rest remained in his hand.

"You are a soul bound to a fleshless body." Sozin said. 'And you to a fleshed one.' His mind reminded him. "There was once something human, even if... whatever you think yourself as being now." He was trying to make sense of something that didn't particularly make sense. Sunagakure and Kaze no Kuni were prized for their puppetry, and he supposed it made sense that they would have tried to bound mortality - to the immortal puppetry. "How long have you been like that?" Sozin still remained blissfully unaware that the Shippai did not bare the same memory.

He took a bite to remind him that he was being rude. "What comprises the body is hardly important, it is the soul that is the material." Even if the soul was the most ethereal concept. He had his moulded more times than he would have liked. That was Akira's belief - to fit his own narrative.

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