[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou looked upon the frosty main street of Yukigakure; nothing seemed out of the ordinary today, just the usual calm somber atmosphere. The young genin  walked across the road and settled upon a small wooden bench to watch the crowds of people go about their daily lives. Something about simply oberseving the village live out their lives was tranquil and relaxing to the Sesshoku. Peace. This was.. peace.

He sat there for a few moments, enjoying the simplicity of his day off from diplomatic duties. Soon he found himself unconsciously rubbing his fingers along the dense wooden slats of the bench, feeling each crevasse and rough edge against his sesshoku glove. A gentle exhale left Hizou as he raised his hand off the bench and proceeded to remove it's  leather covering. The frigid cold bit his fingers almost immediately, stiffling their joints as he moved his palm back to his seat. 

Opening his mind's eye and activating its psychometry, Hizou begun to delve deep into the memories; feelings carved deep into the history of the wood, he now found himself sitting on. It was a strange experience at first with all sorts of things finding their way into Hizou's head; however after some concentration the young Sesshoku's 'vision' cleared...  Butts. Lots of butts. Small ones, big ones,  heavy ones. But there was something else. Hizou's focus deepened further as he started to awaken his ability from its slumber. Love, there was love..and happiness. Also loneliness, sadness... and something even darker. That sudden darkness shocked Hizou, causing him to immediately withdraw his hand from the wood. A short sigh broke from his mouth as he looked up.

---

Notes:

-276-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou's glasses fell down the bridge of his nose as his head tilted up. He took a moment to adjust them into their most comfortable placement with the hand he uncovered previously. Once they were correctly on his face, the young genin continued to observe several of the villagers engaged in a conversation; they stood out to him, arising some suspicion in his mind. He focused deeply on their mouths, attempting to read lips. With each subtle movement, Hizou imagined the words that they formed; however he couldn't exactly make out what they were saying.

While he was fixated on that task a stranger came and sat beside him on the bench. Hizou pretended to pay little attention to them, and instead turned his head away. The two sat in silence, watching crowds pass by and interact. A minute later the stranger spoke softly, as to not draw attention. "Payment and instructions are in there" they said.

With that said, the stranger pushed a plain brown paper bag to Hizou's side of the seat. The silence continued for a moment before the stranger stood up and walked away. Hizou arched his back down, pulling his hands together. His mind focused deeply as he looked around to see if anyone had noticed what the pair were up to. Once he was sure it was clear, the Sesshoku placed his glove back on and grabbed the bag.

---

Notes:

-235-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Taking the brown paper bag, Hizou slowly stood up from the bench. He took his time to analyse the crowd again; it seemed as though they were still too interested in their own lives, that they hadn't seen the suspicious activity of the young Sesshoku. It was time for Hizou to find a secluded place to look inside the bag. Hizou begun walking down the road with the package he had been given tightly in his grasp.

As he took short strides along the snow kissed pavement, Hizou focused his mind and chakra in deep meditation. He attempted to reached out with his chakra, sending it into the surrounding environment. It was a seventh sense he was training, another added to the natural five of all humans and his unique kekkai genkai. While he concentrated, blurs of blue hues manifested within his mind's eye, fading in and out of existence as he trying using some sensory skill. Reaching the entrance of a dark empty alleyway, Hizou turned his head; using what he could see and his sensory attempt to make sure he wasn't followed.

Once he was sure he had no pursuers, Hizou stepped deep into the alleyway until he felt some solitude.

---

Notes:

-203-

[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Sesshoku, Hizou - - WORDS - - -

T

hough she spent a great deal of her time cooped up within the Black Ice Castle, it was necessary for her to leave and mingle the village every so often. A leader who was isolated from her people and spent all day in a literal castle was not one who would be regarded especially well. So today she was on a stroll through the village to speak with, in political terms, her constituents. To see if there was any help needed, or simply to chat.

On such excursions, it was necessary for her to have her cast of bodyguards with her, though they mostly kept their distance, not wanting their presence to impress upon the people a foreboding sense that made Shuka unapproachable.

One of her bodyguards was in fact her own daughter, Asa, a wary and watchful girl who Shuka always trusted with her life because of her keen attention and her ability to spot things from a very long distance, her archer's eye. After Shuka finished speaking with a citizen, Asa waved her attention and informed her that a young man had just engaged in some strange activity. She wasn't sure what it meant, but a paper bag had exchanged hands.

Well, if a youth was getting into trouble, there was surely no better way to scare them straight than being face with the Yuki Lady herself. She motioned to her guards and they got in formation to watch over her as she walked the several streets necessary to investigate the alley Asa had stated the young man had slipped down.

It would take her a moment to get there, but she would surely cut an imposing figure in the mouth of the alley.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

The young Sesshoku shuffled towards one of the nearby walls, well into the shadow of the alley. Out of sight from the streets view, he slowly bent over and placed the brown paper bag gently on the cobbled stone ground. His hands now free, the genin had the opportunity to remove his gloves. The tanned leather slipped off with relative ease as he removed each. Almost immediately the frozen air of Yukigakure stung the boy's fingertips causing him to rub his palms together to warm them.

When he was satisfied with the temperature of his hands, Hizou reached down and opened the bag. Upon a quick glace he could make out a few thousand ryo and a neatly folded piece of paper. It was at this moment, Hizou was interrupted by a gust of heavy frost. The air flew through the alley causing a chill down his spine. It was as if a dominating presence begun to freeze the boy in place, as his teeth chattered in response.

Overcoming the momentary paralysis, Hizou shifted his head toward the opening of the alley way. There stood an imposing figure, clad in all white splitting sunrays that shone behind. His eyes soon adjusted from the blinding light, making out the aged features of someone he knew of very well. "Lady Snow" Hizou exclaimed, his eyes open wide with shock.

The boy quickly dropped to his knees, folding his back so deep into a bow that his head contacted the ground.

---

Notes:

-249-

[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Sesshoku, Hizou - - WORDS - - -

P

erhaps she should have anticipated a reply like that, but she truly didn't. What did she anticipate, she wondered? Perhaps the boy scrambling to hide the paper bag behind his back, or maybe an attempt to run? People continued to surprise her now, even into her late age. This was a deep show of respect from someone who, if not valued her, then at least feared her. Not the attitude of one who engaged in illicit affairs and shady deals. Perhaps there had been some misunderstanding and while what he was up to looked suspicious, it was really rather innocuous.

Shuka proceeded down the alley, walking closer to Hizou.

"You can rise," she informed him, her voice even and patient. There was no need, in her mind, for him to bow so low. Though maybe that was the diplomat in her speaking. Engaging with others was so much easier when they felt they were on level ground.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I see there is no need to introduce myself," she joked. She was always more soft-hearted with youths. Were he a couple years older, she may have just demanded to see the contents of the bag rather than trying to assuage whatever anxieties he had first. It just seemed better to her that he not panic, regardless of what he was up to.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou's head slightly shaked with anxiety as it laid pressed against the ground; it had been awhile since his eyes laid upon the Yukijorou of Yukigakure and seeing her in the flesh just now was somewhat intimidating. It wasn't until his leader's soft spoken voice rung in his ear's that he thought of raising himself. With a knee thrown forward, Hizou lifted his eyes upon the visage of his superior - even with her weathered wrinkled face the young genin could only see the majestic beauty of a matriarch.

He took a moment to climb up from his knee, lowering his eye contact in an act submission; a skill and courtesy he learnt during his time training as a diplomatic corps herald. "Of course. You are Yuki Shuka, 5th lady of Yukigakure. There is no face that does not know you. I am Sesshoku, Hizou.. Genin Team One under Masahiko-sensei and a Diplomatic Corps Herald... Lady Snow. " Hizou uttered to quickly identify himself to his liege.

He clutched the brown paper bag tightly in his hand as he spoke, knowing full well that may be what brought her here. But surely, such a task would be delegated to someone else of lower status. "It's a blessing to be within your presence. But if I'm not being too bold to ask, why are you here?" To be sure, Hizou politely inquired.

---

Notes:

-229-

[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Sesshoku, Hizou - - WORDS - - -

T

he boy introduced himself and Shuka recognized the name swiftly. Sesshoku Hizou, an up-and-coming member of the diplomatic corps that she had heard a small bit about. Though she was no longer a direct member of the diplomatic corps, given her new position and its demands, she still worked very closely with them and spoke often to her old associates. They mentioned to her those shinobi who had been proving themselves in the forces or might be people to watch out for for promotions. If he had a decent reputation as a herald, hopefully that meant he was an upstanding, good young man.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sesshoku Hizou. I am familiar with your sensei." She had had a meal with him during the previous Chuunin exams as part of a celebration for her young extended family member. Masahiko was also a very competent young man and a good instructor.

Then Hizou inquired as to why she had approached, which was good. It was better to get to the point than to leave then boy in anticipation.

"One of my traveling party noticed you engaging in some manner of trade agreement," she said, motioning carefully to the paper bag held in his hand. "She can be a bit cautious. I thought it would be a good idea for us to check in with you and reassure her that it is nothing troublesome."

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou's assumption was proven correct as the lady of snow talked. He admired the way she carried herself and spoke soft like a morning breeze across the warm bodied lakes of yuki no kuni, even when accusing the boy of doing something wrong; As if she herself were taught by the diplomatic corps, or had been tempered by years in a leadership postion. His eyes lowered further, looking down toward the cobblestones beneath his feet.

Listening carefully to Shuka words, it quickly dawned on Hizou that he would have to explain what he was doing. At first his mind raced, formulating exactly what he should say. It took him a moment to build the confidence, however before he'd open his lips he once again reach out with his chakra sensory potential. He wanted to be sure that there was no one eavesdropping nearby. Once he was almost certain he couldn't sense any nearby chakra signatures, the boy calmly spoke. "I understand, Lady Snow. The truth is, as of late I've been doing favors for our local merchants. Especially at the docks." Hizou explained as he looked Shuka in the eyes.

He slowly lifted the bag to shoulder height, and gently opened it. Quickly dipping his hand inside and rummaging among its contents, Hizou removed the piece of paper and handed it to the lady of Yukigakure.

"From what I understand, some foreign traders have been dumping their products here to undercut our local market. I believe this one merchant in particular is asking me to look into the import of rare ores. I'm aware it's not a sanctioned mission, and such things are rather sensitive in nature. However I thought I could lend my specific skills to investigate." He paused for a moment, looking toward the facial reaction upon Shuka's wrinkled face.

"It's been secret thus far because the opposing merchant may action a dispute or claim espionage and it wouldn't be in Yukigakure's best interest if problems were to arise before I've attained any evidence" Hizou explained.

---

Notes:

-336-

[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Sesshoku, Hizou - - WORDS - - -

E

xtending his senses out, Hizou's sensory readings would only catch a few people at the very edges of his awareness. None of them were close enough to be in hearing range of their conversation, given the hushed tones they were using, and given their positions, upon the roofs, it seemed very likely that these were members of the "traveling party" that Shuka had mentioned. No one to be concerned about overhearing nearby was the point, which made it easy to continue the conversation.

And continue Hizou did, explaining the current situation. There was some tension boiling beneath the surface between some merchants, a subject which could certainly be very delicate. Yuki no Kuni relied very heavily on outside traders as a result of their position on the planet, the frost making it impossible for them to produce a great many of the goods that were needed the world over. That meant that what few homegrown industries they had were incredibly important to them, and that many foreign competitors wanted to try to overrun them in any way possible.

"I see," Shuka said, sounding contemplative as she ran over the issue in her head. Could such a matter be entrusted to a shinobi so young as Hizou? It was probably good training for a member of the diplomatic corps to engage in such an investigation, though his lack of experience could cause the situation to go sideways. What to do?

"I am glad that you have agreed to help the merchants in this regard. I see your point on keeping it quiet. The fewer who know about this before it becomes a formal investigation, the less likely it is to leak, and merchants are unlikely to be particularly threatened by a young man like yourself looking into matters." They might not even notice he was doing so. Youths were so often dismissed, after all.

She made a decision.

"I will leave this investigation in your hands for now. Please inform me what you come away with." She would be interested to see what he learned, and it would be a good test of his skills.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY