[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory Less than a month ago Murahira Hana had been cleared for duty. She had suffered a series of bad injuries on a previous mission and had been laid up for quite some time - but it also didn't help that she kept trying to get back into the swing of things too early. Suffice to say, the workaholic likely extended her recovery period by at least half by not listening to her doctors and trying to do things she shouldn't have. However, Hana had been looking for something to do, and came across something that should be good for her, something that could help her get back on her feet. A mission was posted that indicated a level of sleuthing would be required, and few could sneak and spy like the Murahira, whose ears were unmatched! It was, however, to be conducted at a hot spring, and the Murahira were equally renown for being a hot spring's worst enemy as few can shed hair like they can! Nevertheless, Hana believed that she had what it took to complete this mission successfully. Gathering information on how the Akazaya hotspring had been out-performing the more established competitor at Magamachi meant that only one course of action could be taken. Hana was going to pose as a guest! Of course, she was going for the mission, and to ensure that the patron's objective is fulfilled, and certainly not in an attempt to enjoy herself on the side. Anyone else might be prone to doing so, but Hana was not the type! Or was she...? She arrived at the lobby of the Akazaya hotsprings during business hours. The first thing she figured she'd investigate was whether or not the business was just superior, or at least providing something that Magamachi wasn't, and therefore drawing more business. Akazaya was new, so it was also possible that people were just going for the experience and to test it out as opposed to visiting the established hotspring. However, while there, Hana would be putting her ears to good work. She could snoop on the staff and patrons and see if she could learn anything. If nothing else, it was possible she might just stumble upon some clues while wandering about the place. Either way, Hana was ready!

TITLE: Corporate Espionage TAGS: hirana kizumi WORDS: 378 [1/15 Posts]

[hirana kizumi]

SHITAI KAZUE
CHUUNIN, OPERATIONS TEAM 7

This was… not the kind of mission Kazue was used to doing. She was a decent fighter, and was used to fighting, not… whatever it was this mission was suggesting. Investigation? Sabotage? Not really her strong suits. Then again, when her team leader had handed her the scroll, it was with a bright smile and the firm assurance that he was sure you’ll do fine, Ka-chan, it’s a good opportunity to expand your skillset. Make some new friends! Hideo was a nice man. Too pure for this world, really. Kazue had been assigned to the mission alongside a young genin who had recently been put back on active duty after receiving some pretty nasty injuries, which maybe went somewhere towards explaining her presence on the mission; she was a dab hand with medical ninjutsu, and would be able to help the girl out if some of her old injuries flared up. You didn’t want too many people on a mission like this, but it’d be foolish to send the genin in on her own. Problem was, the girl had gone on without her teammate. Determined to solo the whole thing, Kazue supposed; just like a Murahira to completely ghost their Shitai teammate. Kazue sighed. A couple of minutes after Hana arrived at the hot springs, Kazue followed suit, plainly dressed as a civilian, her Kumogakure headband nowhere to be seen. She quickly strode up alongside the young Murahira, offering a quick, timid smile and a wave hello. "Murahira-san, we’re on vacation together, remember?” Kazue said. Her voice was high, flutelike, soft-spoken. She tucked her long, dark hair behind one ear. "Are you ready to check in?”

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LAIKA OF THQ

[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory Hana was not aware of her chuunin supervisor's thoughts on her conduct. It was certainly true that Hana had a tendency to impulsively rush on ahead and sought to take on more work than she should, especially when it came to working as a team. However, she didn't really have that intention here, primarily because she didn't view it as a particularly dangerous or high-threat mission as of yet. She was just ridiculously efficient, and part of that was arriving early and moving quickly. It had nothing to do with the fact that her teammate was a Shitai, a clan that the Murahira typically didn't get along with very well for a number of reasons. Hana had her own opinions on the matter, and tended to keep them to herself. Granted, it was also the first time she'd directly worked with one, so it could have an impact on how she felt about the Shitai going forward. When Kazue entered behind her, Hana's right ear twitched slightly. She picked up on the sound of footfalls behind her without too much trouble, and was able to identify Kazue, with a relatively high degree of certainty, before she even spoke up. Hana turned half-way to face her. "I had no intention of going ahead without you, Shitai-senpai. I just arrived a little early, is all." Hana, much like Kazue, was not dressed as a shinobi, but "under cover". She was dressed comfortably, and plainly, and bore no emblems of note, nor weapons to give away her identity as a trained shinobi. Granted, it was rare that a Murahira with the Hijutsu was not at least trained as a shinobi, so anyone curious would likely assume she was. But to assume that these two young ladies were there for nefarious purposes was another thing entirely! "I am ready," Hana continued as she turned towards the counter. It was the first phase of their investigation. Getting in was important, but the staff would also be excellent options for intel gathering. "I've heard this was the new best place around," Hana commented, rather loudly, at least loud enough the staff at the counter would be certain to overhear. "But how can one hot spring be that much better than any other?" She did her best to make it look like she was talking to Kazue rather than no one in particular. With a whole lot of luck, if the staff knew anything, it might elicit some sort of response.

TITLE: Corporate Espionage TAGS: hirana kizumi WORDS: 413 [3/15 Posts]

[hirana kizumi]

SHITAI KAZUE
CHUUNIN, OPERATIONS TEAM 7

Kazue breathed a faint sigh of relief. Maybe she had been too quick to leap to conclusions; her past experiences with Murahira clan members hadn’t been great, but then, neither had many of her experiences with members of most of the clans of Kumogakure. Not very many were overly fond of her people. Bad reputations, and all that. Still, she was relieved to know that Hana wasn’t just trying to ditch her. Making a mental note to adjust her expectations, Kazue accompanied her teammate towards the counter. Hana spoke loudly, though she was still speaking to Kazue, she was definitely loud enough for the girl behind the counter to hear her. "I’m not sure,” Kazue said timidly, trying to participate in Hana’s effort to lay the bait. "Surely hot springs must all be kind of the sa—” "Why, no two hot springs are alike!” came the booming voice of a middle-aged woman from behind the counter. She was tall and slender, with her hair twisted into a fine updo and bright red lipstick flawlessly painted upon her lips. "It’s all in the complexity of the minerals in the water, you know! The richer the springs, the better your experience, and the healthier, happier lives you’ll lead! And with two lovely young ladies such as yourselves, you have such bright futures ahead of you—securing your youth and beauty begins today! Now, will you be booking the deluxe package, or the premium luxury experience with us today?” The woman spoke a mile a minute and at a volume that mirrored Hana’s, loud enough that even people in the next room over could surely hear her. Kazue flinched despite herself, and looked uncertainly at Hana. "Premium luxury sounds expensive,” she whispered, so softly that the woman surely wouldn’t be able to hear her—but the Murahira’s sensitive ears absolutely would. "I guess we can get paid out for it, but… do you think it matters?”

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[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory Hana gave the counter attendant a bit of a suspicious look. It made sense that no two hot springs were alike. Hana had experienced that already by just visiting other ones around the land, but she wasn't scientifically-inclined enough to know the reason behind those differences. Complexity of minerals?  Hana wasn't sure she believed that. It might have been true. Maybe minerals were all it took to make a difference? She rolled that idea around in her head for a bit and then tossed it aside.  That could not be the only reason for the sudden rise in popularity here. She couldn't just go back and tell them that minerals were the cause of all this contention.  "Minerals... hmm..." Hana pondered over which package to get. They were here to investigate as thoroughly as possible to discover the secrets of this competitor. To do anything less than the highest tier package seemed ineffective. "We will take the premium luxury one," Hana nodded confident. "The best you have." Hana didn't doubt they'd be adequately compensated and reimbursed for the expense, so she didn't worry about how expensive it was. Price was also part of the equation for success as far as she was concerned. She turned to her partner. "It's expensive, but maybe it will be worth it. I was told they are the best, so I want to see if it is true."

TITLE: Corporate Espionage TAGS: hirana kizumi WORDS: 233 Words [5/15 Posts]

[hirana kizumi]

SHITAI KAZUE
CHUUNIN, OPERATIONS TEAM 7

We will take the premium luxury one. The attendant squealed in delight, while Kazue’s face scrunched in on itself. "Now now,” the attendant gushed, "don’t make that face, darling, you’ll get premature wrinkles. We’ll discuss payment at the end of the visit, hmm? Don’t worry about such things right now—now is your time to relax and experience the wonderful healing qualities of our baths. Come, come!” The woman emerged from behind the counter, revealing thin, spidery limbs swathed in a thin, silky kimono that draped from her body like bedsheets on a clothesline. It was an odd effect, Kazue pondered: the image of wealth and luxury, but the woman herself was as substantial as a ghost. She went on chattering as she ushered the girls down a long hallway. There were elegant, dark-wood sliding doors lining the hallway, and voices floated out from behind seemingly all of them; murmured conversations, loud laughter, the faint clinking of plates. It seemed like the rumors were true: this business was bustling. "You’re in luck,” the woman was saying, "you’ve taken our last available package for the evening, you know! All of our other rooms have been rented out. I’m so glad we were able to get you young ladies in—I shudder to think what would have happened if we had to turn you away! Some of the other hot springs in this nation—” the woman tutted, her pink tongue darting out from between richly red-painted lips. " —they’re just not up to par, I’m afraid.” She beamed. "But you know that already; you’re here, after all!” Finally, at the very end of the hallway, the woman stopped and slid a door open. There was a small room within, richly and comfortably furnished. A low table, seating cushions, elegant decoration—it was, visually, a premium luxury experience. "I’ll be back shortly with refreshments,” the attendant said brightly. "Will you lovely girls be needing to rent yukata tonight? I would be happy to return with a selection if so.” Again, uncertain, Kazue looked down at herself, and then to Hana, as if to ask: what do you think? But before she could voice the question, the attendant asserted to Kazue: "You’ll absolutely need one, my dear, I have just the design in mind that will be a wonderful compliment to that sallow complexion of yours. And for you, lovely?” This last question the attendant posed to Hana, while Kazue blushed furiously and mouthed the word sallow resentfully to her feet.

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[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory Not taking a payment up front on premium services like that was a bold move, and could easily land a company in a position where the client was unwilling, or possibly unable, to pay. Hana mentally logged that in the back as something that a particular type of customer might find favorable. She wasn't quite as keen on the attendant's overly forward nature. Hana personally felt that she was maybe too aggressive, but that would likely be beneficial in gaining higher ratings from those who liked to be waited on hand-and-foot. She made another note of that. Hana followed along. It seemed to be a pleasant enough place. The materials used in construction were premium, or at least made to look like it. It was packed to the brim with customers, which implied success - or at least the novelty of something new. However, having a neat and tidy atmosphere combined with elegant, high-class construction yielded an air of superiority that helped establish a place like this as something a cut above. Something worth noting, Hana figured. When the attendant notified them they had taken the last available premium package for the day, Hana's brow raised. They hadn't come that late, so they had clearly sold out early. That, or she was just making it seem that way for the extra benefit of making it seem special.  "That is fortunate," Hana added absently, as if not really paying attention. "This is definitely a nice place so it is a good thing that we didn't have to go elsewhere." When asked about a Yukata for the evening, Hana considered. She had brought her own, but renting one would let her get a better idea of what this place offered.  "I suppose I will need one," Hana replied with a slight grin and a glance at her partner. "I imagine it is preferred to having us wander around naked or something. I can only imagine some place that didn't offer rentals would have such unfortunate issues." Hana could see that there was a change in Kazue's mien. Had renting been that big of an issue? Was she that worried about money? Or had it been something else. Hana just shook her head slightly.

TITLE: Corporate Espionage TAGS: hirana kizumi WORDS: 370 Words [6/15 Posts]

[hirana kizumi]

SHITAI KAZUE
CHUUNIN, OPERATIONS TEAM 7

The attendant clapped her hands delightedly when Hana also agreed to the rental, the woman apparently wholly ignorant to Kazue’s obvious discomfort. She laughed loud and long at Hana’s little joke of people wandering around naked, her boisterous belly laugh a bright and echoing thing. "Oh, imagine!” she chortled, lifting a finger as if to wipe a tear of mirth from her eye. "Wonderful, dear, just wonderful. I have the perfect designs in mind for both of you. Please, make yourselves comfortable, I’ll be back shortly.” She bustled out of the room, bowing as she slid the door closed behind her. As soon as the wooden door snapped shut, Kazue let out a long, slow exhale, still staring intently at her feet. "She’s very, um.” Kazue paused. "Talkative. Goodness.” She rubbed her face, patting her cheeks to re-center herself, and took a deep breath. "Right. This all seems pretty straightforward so far, but something feels off to me about that attendant. She’s too… much.” She had some thoughts—she’d been on a few spying missions in her time as a shinobi so far—but she was more interested in what her teammate had to say. "What do you think, Murahira-san? Any ideas as to what our next move should be?” These kinds of delicate intel-based missions relied so heavily on social interaction, it was often difficult to get the information you needed without actively seeking it out. To succeed here, Hana would have to push through, try to read in between the lines—information was something she would have to take, as it was so rarely freely given. A lesson Kazue had learned herself in her career so far—and one that she hoped to impress upon her young teammate.

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[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory Hana watched as the attendant left. She was overly friendly, very attentive, and maybe a little too excitable and enthusiastic for Hana's tastes, but part of good service was being on top of every situation. Caring for a guests' every whim was critical to getting the best reviews, and if that was what they were doing here then that may explain why it had gained such traction in the general populace. Most of the general peasantry wasn't used to such treatment. "She is definitely something," Hana replied.  The attendant was going to be critical to the investigation. At least, that was what Hana believed. If the entire thing was innocuous and just the result of inter-business rivalry and jealousy, then she was likely a big part of the reason people found it enjoyable. If it was more nefarious, then she was likely in on whatever foul plans they were utilizing. While Kazue took some time to gather her wits and re-center herself, Hana was already on to the next phase of the experience. She had disrobed down to just her underpants and was busy folding her clothes up when Kazue started talking again, so she glanced in her direction. "Uh..." Hana sort of gestured at Kazue in a 'what are you doing manner'. "You can't wear your yukata over those, so first step is to get rid of all that." Hana set her clothes down and then turned and plopped down on a reclining chair, settled in, and sprawled out comfortably. "You should probably get ready for yours. We can't do much until then. The lady is going to return any second and if we're not here it'll be suspicious. Once we have the yukatas, if we need to, we can wander around and blend in a lot better - like that - you look really out of place out there." Hana moved her hands up behind her head and closed her eyes as she let out a yawn. "These chairs are nice..." "They haven't done anything suspicious, yet, but they won't right in front of us," Hana continued. "If we want to investigate, we need to get the drop on them and listen in when they don't think anyone is paying attention." "Also, this is a nice spa so far, and if it's not evil in some fashion I don't really want to miss out on the experience, you know?" Hana opened a single eye and peeked at Kazue. "You need this, too. You're really... tense."

TITLE: Corporate Espionage TAGS: hirana kizumi WORDS: 415 Words [8/15 Posts]

[hirana kizumi]

SHITAI KAZUE
CHUUNIN, OPERATIONS TEAM 7

Kazue let out of a soft meep of distress when Hana pointed out that she would have to undress. ”Sorry,” she said, her voice nearly a whisper, ”you’re right.” She was uncomfortable enough with the other young woman disrobed in front of her, expounded by the idea of disrobing herself—but she crossed to the other side of the room, turned her back, swallowed her anxiety, and set about preparing for the attendant’s return. Hana made some good points, to which Kazue nodded. Reluctantly she turned around to face her partner, folding her arms across her chest and making herself as small as possible. "The attendant is mean,” Kazue grumbled, her only defense to Hana’s observation that she was tense. She sighed, trying in vain to release some of her tension. "It is a nice spa,” she agreed, her voice still soft and thin. "Which… I think we have to consider the possibility that there isn’t anything nefarious going on, in which case our mission is still to divert business back to Magama—” A loud knock sounded on the door. ”Yoo-hoo,” a familiar voice sounded from the doorway. The door slid open, just enough for a small rolling track to be pushed through: holding a tea set, a small assortment of sweets, and two yukata richly embroidered with floral designs: one in pale blues and and whites, the other in dark reds and blacks. Once it was through, the door slid shut once more. ”Do feel free to call if you ladies need anything, hmm? Enjoy your evening, now!” Kazue, who had clapped her hand over her mouth, let it fall with a sigh. "... back to Magamachi,” she finished softly, quickly retrieving the black-and-red yukata in order to cover herself up. "So we might just have to sabotage the place.”

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LAIKA OF THQ

[Murahira Hana]

Hana Murahira Do your best until you know better once you know better, then do better

in life, honor - in death, glory After Hana sat down and got comfortable for a moment, one of her ears twitched. Someone was approaching with a cart. So, she kicked off the last of her clothes and added them to her pile before she hopped up and wandered off towards Kazue, so that once the girl turned around to face her, Hana was standing right in front of her.  "Mean? Because she called you sallow?" Hana looked her over rather blatantly and smirked mischievously. "I wouldn't say sallow, but you're obviously nervous. Don't be. You're cute and look nice." Hana's smirk split into a wider grin. She needed Kazue to focus, not be riddled with anxiety or worry about what some lady thought and called her. She turned away from the door just before the knock and then shuffled over in front of Kazue to use herself as a view-block so that Kazue wouldn't have to worry and could compose herself.  With the woman gone, Hana turned and grabbed her own Yukata and started putting it on.  "Remember the mission. We're here for information only, not to sabotage anything. Even if we come across something shady, we're just to report back," Hana reminded her partner, and as she let the Yukata just sort of loosely hang on herself, she held out a hand as if offering to help Kazue with her Yukata. "Let me help?" Whether she accepted or not, Hana had other thoughts. "We will obviously have to check out the pools, but one thing I want to do is try a massage. Since it is part of our premium package, we should take advantage of the fact that it is on the opposite end of the facility. I spotted it on our way in, but if we take our time getting there, I should be able to listen in to pretty much everything in this section of the building. It was also near the offices, so it may also be a good place to sit for a minute, relax, and listen." Hana tipped her head to the side slightly. "Are you going to be able to handle this? You do seem like you're maybe not... comfortable." So far, at least with just the two of them, Hana didn't seem to care one bit whether she had clothes or not, so visiting the various locations of the spa that would keep them disrobed would be no issue for her, but Kazue? She might be something Hana had to deal with. Hana might need to figure out how to get her a confidence boost. Calling her cute might not cut it.

TITLE: Corporate Espionage TAGS: hirana kizumi WORDS: 435 Words [10/15 Posts]