[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou had been told that he would be given a particular mission, which the higher ups believe should be recommended to him for his unique skills. He wasn't exactly sure what it entailed, only that he was required to meet a wealthy land owner and investigate something that was bothering them. First he had to attain the mission summary from a jounin at the military fort in the north of Yukigakure. He took his time to wander there, wondering what the details of the mission were that he had been pushed into doing.

Once he arrived, Hizou met a red-haired male jounin which he was not really familiar with, although knew his name was  'Sasanohiru' and a part of the Nakajima clan. They were the uncle of one of his prior teammates, and since their death had been rather ill tempered toward the young Sesshoku. "Good morning, Sasanohiru-sama. I heard you have a mission for me to take" Hizou uttered as he kept his head low.

The Nakajima's face scrunched into rage before tempering into one of dissatisfaction. "Hizou, I'm surprised you came. Why have you avoided your former team mates mother? She has been asking for you" he exclaimed.

---

Notes:

-200-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou felt shame for his failure to talk to her, comfort her in a time of grief. His failure to save his team eight teammates from each other's wrath, was a deep scar he was to timid to confront. "I'll do my best to go see her soon. Life has just been busy at the diplomatic corps and training for the chuunin exams. Now... on the mission..." He replied.

The Nakajima scoffed, not at all happy with Hizou's reply. However he decided not to linger on the issue and instead it was better to move on. He turned around and walked over to the wall of pigeon holes where mission's briefs were kept in small bungles of page. With a quick swipe, he removed one from where it laid and gestured to pass it over. "It's a d-rank mission. Someone from the weathly district has had some of their belongings stolen... rings... necklaces.. small but expensive objects. It's a mission well suited to your Sesshoku abilities." He spoke as Hizou took the paper.

Hizou quickly read the paper as Sasanohiru talked; indeed it was a perfect mission for someone of his skills. With an understanding of the mission, Hizou memorised the address written on the paper; the place where he'd go to begin the investigation.

---

Notes:

-215-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou hastily left the building, not wanting to linger any longer than he had too. It was a rather warm day, in respects to the usual climate of Yukigakure. The boy looked up to the sky, feeling the sunlight splash across his face as he adjusted his thermal lined coat. He opened it to reveal the metal plating underneath, hoping to let the fabric to breathe a little more. As he walked down the streets, Hizou carefully observed his surroundings for any suspicious activity; however none could be found.

It took roughly fifteen minutes for the blonde haired boy to reach the housing district of Yukigakure where the wealthy resided. He took in the beautiful architecture of the buildings and mused on what they would cost - hoping one day to afford such luxuries for himself. When he arrived at the address, Hizou quickly adjusted his posture and straightened his glasses, in attempt to make himself more presentable to the rich client. With a sequence of three strong knocks against the large wooden door, Hizou awaited the owner patiently.

As the door peeled open, the young genin smiled pleasantly toward the old grey fox in front of him. "Sesshoku, Hizou. I'm here to fulfil the request you made for an investigation into a robbery that took place?"

---

Notes:

-216-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

As the door peeled open, the young genin smiled pleasantly toward the old grey fox in front of him. "Sesshoku, Hizou. I'm here to fulfil the request you made for an investigation into a robbery that took place?"

The old man looked up and down the young boy, widening his eyes to his appearance. He waddled to open the door further and with a warm welcoming smile gestured Hizou inside. "Well thank you for coming. Yes. Yes. Someone has been sneaking in at night and taking my wives jewellery." The old man snarled.

Hizou returned the smile and stepped inside, looking around the man's gargantuan building. He was in shock at the exuberant wealth and luxury on display; sculptures, ornaments and paintings adorned every corner and wall of the home. "It's strange that they'd take your jewellery and not anything else of value. Do you have an suspicions as to who it may be?" Hizou asked as he removed the Sesshoku Gloves from his hands.

"Quite strange yes. I'm not sure who'd do it." The old man begun grumbling, to which Hizou struggled to comprehend. As they walked through the building, Hizou slid his hand against objects, slowly lifting memories and emotions off their surfaces.

---

Notes:

-205-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

The two gentlemen proceeded to walk through the buildings wide openings as they discussed the intricates of the robbery. Hizou was rather surprised to hear that only small items of relatively low value - comparable to the other belongings on display - had been stolen. What kind of thief only steals what they could fit in their pocket. Then it hit him; a maid? A butler? A gardener?.. he quickly asked thd old man if he had any suspicion of those who attended the dwelling for routine house keeping. However the old man only shook his head, claiming that he trusted them even more than his own wife. Strange but not unreasonable, Hizou thought; considering the information he peeled using his kekkai genaki from the kitchen bench. Still that meant the man's wife or her lover were possible suspects in the crime.

The moment they reached the bedroom Hizou's pale lavender eyes set upon the excessive opulence. He quickly became enthralled with the sight before him. Noticing Hizou distracted, the old man grumbled and gestured him toward the place where the jewellery was stolen from. Hizou walked over and inspected the area thoroughly. When there were no obvious pieces of evidence, he set his hand down upon a set of wooden draws.

---

Notes:

-210-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

Hizou's psychometry only had to glance the wooden surface of the dresser to find a potential culprit. Memories of tiny feet, pitter pattering against the proud varnish and superbly hand-crafted wood. The image became clearer, dissipating like a morning fog the longer his hand remained on its surface. A soft palatte of tan fur wisped across the wood with a intense curiosity. 'A small animal of sorts. Maybe a tanuki or possum.' Hizou thought to himself.

He followed the trail of memories back toward their origins, grazing his hand onto the well trodden floor. Thousand of memories attempted to intrude on Hizou's mind's eye, however he remained focused on the particular one he had been eyeing for. The memories showed him a path, a sequence of events; which finally led him to the window. 'This will be tougher than I thought' Hizou thought as he looked out the window.

The young detective swung his head toward the old man - who was now looking at Hizou with a baffled expression, unable to understand what had just occurred. Hizou smiled at him before appropriately giving him an update. "Seems they left out the window. I'm going to follow the trail. It shouldn't be long until I'm back with your belongings" Hizou stated.

---

Notes:

-210-

[Sesshoku, Hizou]

The old man seemingly let out a long groan; what would have been a sentence if Hizou could comprehend his speech. Instead of asking the senile croke to repeat himself, the boy just politely smiled before sailing out the two-store window. He shadowed the furry assailants trajectory onto the ground below using only the memories from the windowsill as guidance.

Hizou gracefully landed on the stone cobbled street below like a delicate pale stork on a lake's unbroken surface; anyone who'd notice would instantly applaud the boys technique. After composing himself, Hizou touched each stone careful. For what seemed like an eternity he scowled the stones, looking for where the trail picked up again. Then suddenly he found it, the paws of a small creature racing away.

Excited. Hizou instantly rushed forward, running at a perpendicular angle to the road so he could keep have his hand remain on it. The trail was fruitful, leading him to a set of tall fences. Alas, he wouldn't have to rub his hand across the dirty pavement. He took a second to look at it, now a dark brown. 'Gez, this mission better finish soon' He thought.

Hizou lept over the fence and begun looking around.

---

Notes:

-203-