To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Midday it was. A warm midday just like any other midday. The sun was shining and a small girl was sitting on her desk, again. Her long pink hair was shed across the table covering the papers. Her blue eyes were scanning the papers obviously searching for a specific document. Her hand travelled over the desk, trying to detect the paper. ''Ah there'' she mumbled as she took the sheet she needed and noted something on it. The pencil didn't stop moving until she dropped it and grabbed a stamp with which she stamped a document right on the middle of it. 'DENIED' it said with big red letters. Well, no wonder, after all some people actually wanted permission from this girl to tear down a historic building so they could build a theater. Seriously, people needed to get brains. ''Good Lord, we already have a theater. '' the young female sighed, obviously bored and frustrated about all this paper work. Not that she hated it or anything -after all she thought that she was the best qualified for this job- she just found it boring to sit inside an office all day, denying or approving things that mattered little.

She was more concerned about the sudden appearance of Kiero Uchiha, former Raikage. What did he want in Iwa? What were his plans, if any? Yes, she had welcomed him with open arms, but then again, every Kage has to be a great actor. In reality she was worried about him and the village. What if he was plotting something? The young woman just couldn't understand. Furthermore, wouldn't Kumogakure chase him down since he left his village? All these questions were swinging around the girl's head every day and every night. She didn't know what to do; Her only answer to these questions was Zenaku. He was sent to Kumo in order to negotiate with the current Raikage, Saruno Tazunara Kazura. It had been some days already, and the girl was getting worried about him. What if something had happened to him? What if they attacked him?

The female bit her lower lip in agony as her eyes narrowed. She didn't know what this new guy wanted and she didn't know when -or even if- Zenaku would come back. Nevertheless, she trusted Zenaku and she firmly believed that he would come back, despite her thoughts trying to convince her of the opposite.

Tarnish finally arrived in Iwagakure. Despite the urgency of his mission, he didnt go directly to the Tsuchikage's building. He stood perfectly still and looked over the city. His eyes seemed to drink in all the sights. After a few minutes, he approached the gate. He was met by a guard who demanded a passport. To his knowledge, he didnt have one, but he showed the guard the seal of the Hokage and explained that he needed to see the Tsuchikage. Not totally convinced, Tarnish was escorted to the Tsuchikage building. Well, at least I'm getting there..." he thought. Talon was still far overhead, hidden among the clouds. He let out a forlorn call. There wasnt much he could do at this point.

Before he knew it, Tarnish had arrived at the building. He was escorted to the Tsuchikage's office, and he mentally braced himself. Knowing how the Hokage was, when the door opened, he was expecting a tough looking, battle worn man. Instead, he saw what was quite possibly the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. Her long pink hair flowed behind her, her piercing blue eyes made him weak in the knees. Even though she had a very troubled look on her face, it did little to hide her beauty. Tarnish felt himself blushing, so to hide it he quickly fell to one knee in a bow. "Oh Tsuchikage, Might of the Earth Country and Ruler of Iwagakure, I come by the order of the Hokage to extend the olive branch of peace to your village." Still untrusting of himself not to blush, he kept his head down as he waited for her reply.

A young boy, merely the age between a Genin and Chuunin ranked Ninja, entered Ralia's room and distracted her from her paperwork. The girl shot up, thinking that Zenaku had entered the room, her blue eyes literally shining out of joy. However, when she saw the young boy kneeling down before her frail being, her eyes lost a bit of their brightness, still bright, though. ''Oh, welcome to Iwagakure young man. '' her voice came out from her small mouth. Her pink lips formed a smile as she observed the new person in her office. ''Take a seat, please. '' she said, gesturing one of the cushions across from where she was sitting. Ralia sat down, her long pink hair flowing behind her, as her blue eyes were glued on the boy.

''You've come from far. How was your journey?'' her pale frail hand grabbed the tea and poured some into her cup. Then she held it up to the boy, smiling. ''Want some? Oh, and what is your name, young man?'' the female looked him into the eyes, her gaze being kind and warm. ''So, Lord Ryusaki wants a peace treaty. Hm. . . '' she said, more to herself than to the boy. Her eyes travelled to the rare plant she had brought from one of her missions. ''So be it. Tell Lord Ryusaki that Iwa will gladly accept the alliance. '' she said, her voice sounding sweet.

Tarnish could have collapsed with relief. He shuffled over and sat down on the cushion she gestured to. When he glanced up at her, her eyes were staring him down. It would have almost been intimidating if she wasnt so beautiful. "Thank you. It's been a very long journey." He accepted the tea she offered and took an experimental sip before looking up at her again. "My name is Tarnish Asako. It's an honor to meet you," he said, bowing again. He sipped at the tea as she gazed at a plant in the corner, lost in thought. He waited patiently as she decided.

Suddenly, she turned back to him. ''So be it. Tell Lord Ryusaki that Iwa will gladly accept the alliance." Tarnish blinked, suprised. Normally it would take the Hokage more time to decide upon a course of action. The Tsuchikage seemed to be very decisive in her choices. It was actually good for him, since he needed to return immediatly, but he felt almost reluctant to leave her presence. "Thank you," he said, bowing again. As he straightened up, he felt the strongest urge to ask her... He hesitated a moment. "Forgive me for saying so, but... Your really the Tsuchikage, yes?" He blushed suddenly, realizing too late his implications. "I meant no disrespect, of course!" he said quickly, "Your just not what I expected. The way the Hokage made it seem, I thought perhaps..." Tarnish dropped his head, then stood suddenly. "Forgive me, I spoke out of turn. I believe I should go."

Moving throughout his new village after arriving from Kiri Samanoske stayed away from the interactions with other people. He wore his ANBU attire sticking close to the low traffic areas of Iwa. He moved quickly jumping from rooftop to rooftop. The wind blowing past him as he increases in speed and his clothes flapping violently in the wind as he moved. One of the first tasks he was assigned after being accepted by the Tsuchikage was to patrol the village then report back to her. He stops at the roof and looks down on the square below. Nothing of particular interest catches his eyes except for two men getting involved in a fight for whatever reason. Both men bore headbands of the village hidden in the stone but they didn't appear very shinobi-like.

He contemplates breaking up the situation but that wasn't the job of an ANBU. Thier jobs were to keep a look out for higher level threats of the village. As he watched below two chuunin appear on the scene to break the men up and take them to a more private place for disturbing the peace of Iwa's citizens. He strolls over to the other side of the roof as he leans forward until he was just about to fall before shooting chakra to his feet sending him off once again. Moving quickly as nothing more than a mere shadow overhead he makes his way towards the front gates of the village. He stops again overlooking the area below. There were people waiting in line to enter the village as the guards kept their eyes out for suspicious looking people. Iwa had to be careful as it was one of the villages that had jinchuuriki to be protected, or atleast that's what he'd heard.

Dismissing the crowd below he heads back to the Tsuchikage's manor. It doesn't take him too long to navigate his way to the other side of town. As he lands and approaches the front entrance two guards step forward to block his way. Before they could even inquire as to who he was he looked up at them revealing his icy blue eyes through his face mask. His mask was unique in the fact that it still revealed his actual eyes to all who saw him. For this reason from time to time he would avoid wearing the mask entirely as people knew who he was anyway. As he moves past the two guards he makes his way towards the Tsuchikage's office. With a quick knock he slightly opens the door before he hears an answer behind. Lady Tsuchikage? He stays behind the slightly opened door waiting for acknowledgement.

Tarnish thanked the girl and stood up, and so did Ralia. She was smiling at Tarnish but he suddenly turned around and opened his mouth. "Forgive me for saying so, but... Your really the Tsuchikage, yes?" he said as he blushed furiously. Ralia wasn't surprised as she rather got that often but before she could even answer, Tarnish continued to talk saying that the Hokage had told him something about her. Then he quickly apologized and suggested he leave. ''No, no. Don't worry, I get that a lot. So, Lord Ryusaki told you something about me? What did he say?'' Ralia asked, her crystal blue eyes seeming to be staring into Tarnish's very soul. Her gaze wasn't meant to be intimidating, it was actually kind with somewhat of a hidden threat in it. It was the kind of stare that would send a shudder through your spine, but the person staring at you would still be looking sweet. It was special, indeed, that view of her eyes.

Suddenly the door cracked open and a familiar voice spoke the girl's title. Her didn't wandered to the door as she already knew who was there waiting to come in. ''Come in, dear. Take a seat.'' the words coming out of the girl's pink lips, while her right hand gestured a cushion right next to hers. She was still waiting for the boy to answer her question. After all, she was new, the Hokage wouldn't possibly know about her. Unless he had researched her history. Well then, he would know much. Too much. In any case, the villages were allied, so that really didn't actualize a problem.

Tarnish was frozen by her gaze. He was painfully aware that she could easily eradicate him where he stood, and that his rash actions may have cost the village the alliance. He tore himself away from her eyes long enough to bow. "Forgive me. He didn't say much of substance, just that you were unique. Different than I would expect." The last thing he needed was to keep on rambling. He never got nervous around girls, and yet Ralia had him tripping over his tongue. Worst of all, Talon could see and hear all of it, he'd never let him live it down! "Forgive me, but I must report back to the Hokage with your decision. I thank you for your understanding," he bowed again as he spoke. He turned around, almost running into the large man before him. His face was hidden by a mask, but his eyes seemed to rip through him. They were blue like Ralia's but a different type of blue. Powerful, like he'd seen many things in his life. He was a man Tarnish would be sure not to trifle with. "Pardon me..." he said in a level voice, as he sidestepped the man. As he reached the door, he turned around, taking one last look around the Tsuchikage's office. Somehow, his eyes were again drawn to Ralia's, and he quickly turned around again before he blushed.

As he exited the office, he exhaled with a sigh of relief. Homeward bound at last... he thought. As he left the building, he heard the faint cry of Talon far above him. It was a mocking laugh alright. Glaring upward, Tarnish made his way for the city gate. As he passed the gate, Talon came barreling from the heavens, to pull short of Tarnish before he ramming into him. He fluttered perfectly onto the top of his head. "Your a real wise ass, you know that?" he muttered. "Come on, we're going home. " Talon gave a cry of delight, and the pair began their trek back to Konoha

[EXIT]

As Samanoske heard the voice of Ralia telling him to enter he pushed the large wooden door open. A distinct creeking sound can be heard as it opens and he slips through letting it shut on it's own weight behind him. Looking around through his mask he takes in everything in the office. Behind the large desk sat a young fair skinned female. She had eyes that were blue but not the same as his icy blues. He smiled behind his mask as he saw her and wondered how one so young could possibly be the Tsuchikage. One thing that he'd known from experience was to never judge anyone just on looks alone. He reasons within himself that she must obviously have skills to back up her position. It wasn't his place to determine the abilities of the one that gave him a home after he decided to leave Kiri.

His eyes next danced in front of him looking down on a young shinobi before him. This one was a male. Looking upon his appearance his mind immediately begins to size the shinobi up. The one thing that came into focus above all else was the village protector on the boy. It was just like his but it was from the leaf village. By default his senses move into a semi protective mode having a shinobi from another village alone in a room with his new kage. His body language however doesn't reveal anything of the chaos going on in his head. He stands there with his hands hidden within his cloak of his attire as the youthful leaf ninja apologizes and turns to leave the office. At that moment in time his eyes meet with Sam's. He pardons himself and sidesteps past Sam. The ANBU never turns around to see the actions after, he merely stands there hearing and feeling the footsteps move past him and out of the door hearing the door close behind him. He next turns to the Tsuchikage.

Sam speaks as a cold mist escapes his mouth as he speaks through the mask. His demeanor appears cold, calculating and almost computer-like as he speaks. Lady Tsuchikage Ralia. I've finished my routine patrol of the village. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly threatening going on from the south patrol i performed. I stayed away from the east, west, and northern sectors as that wasn't within the parameters of my mission. This concludes my report. The shinobi stands with his hands behind his back in a very military stance. He waits to hear what his kage has to say in response.

The boy assured her that the Hokage hadn't said anything about her; just that she was unique. He exited the room, almost crushing against Samanoske. As he opened the door to leave, his eyes wandered to Ralia's once again, and he suddenly blushed, again, before turning around to leave. 'Hm, this boy is sure shy.' the Tsuchikage thought as her eyes rested on Samanoske's icy blue ones. They are eyes were both blue, though his were literally shining. It was like they were piercing through your very soul. It would be scary to meet him on a dark nigh, inside a dark, empty alleyway. Ralia however, liked his eyes; They were special, unique if you must, just like him. Although Ralia wasn't into cold weather or snow, she really liked his Kekkei Genkai. It was interesting and so many things could be done with it.

Samanoske informed Ralia the completion of his mission she had sent him on. Nothing big, just daily patrol. ''Thank you, Frost.'' the young woman said, her smile seeming to brighten up the whole room. Her pink hair waved behind her as light wind came into being from the window she had left open. It was dancing around her hips and shoulders, partly covering the white T-shirt she was wearing. Her head was processing for a few seconds the information she had received, and then the question just popped out of her mouth. ''Where's Zenaku?''

As he stood he wondered what his next mission would be. The smell of wood and stone could be smelled in the office as seconds seemed to tick by and seem like days in his head. It was his way of occupying the time. He still felt his muscles reacting from the speed he used to return back to the dwelling of the Tsuchikage. He wondered still who the young leaf ninja was that had just left and what he was doing in Iwagakure. Thoughts about suggesting that he follow the young shinobi just to be safe flew through his mind as he always knew that genin weren't usually allowed to travel to another village alone. Soon his running mind was interrupted by his kage expressing thanks for his completed mission and report.

He nodded in acknowledgement as Ralia smiled brightly. She passively played with her hair for a moment as the pink crown of hair moved lightly. She appears to sit in deep silence for a second of her own. It was clear that in that second she took many things flew through her mind. It wasn't suprising to Sam as he figured with such a serious responsibility as to protect and run an entire village, these thoughts must come often. After the moment had passed words escaped her lips once again. Where's Zenaku? Upon her speaking an image instantly flashes into his head. Samanoske hadn't been in the village very long but he had been given trust and responsibilities. Among the things he'd been given was a partner.

The name of his partner was Zenaku Senju. He was another member of ANBU who possessed a unique kekkei genkai such as his own. The interesting thing about his relationship with Zenaku was the fact that they bent the rules of noone knowing the true identities of the masked ninja and they revealed themselves to each other. It was like they were polar opposites. The fact that Zenaku created life using wood element and Sam destroyed life with the power of ice. As he gathers his thoughts he looks up after what only seemed like a second or two to anyone watching him. Ralia? I don't know where Zenaku is. Last I heard he had a mission to the land of Kumo to see the Raikage about something. He was supposed to check in a week ago. I haven't heard anything else about him. Is there something wrong? He waits for the Tsuchikage to speak expecting her to tell him to meet Zenaku at some location as they'd done in the past but then the detail that she was asking if he knew where he was finally set in. This fact tells him that Ralia probably didn't know where he was. Out of respect however, he remains silent waiting to hear her response.

Ralia's face turned to stone. No facial movement, no liveliness, no kindness. It was all gone in a fraction of a second. It was scary how her face had changed immediately from kind to serious. Like she was going insane. Her breath was cut off for some seconds and Ralia felt the world turning upside down. She suddenly felt dizzy and her hand reached up to her forehead, three fingers slightly touching her fair skin. The female appeared paler now as usual. Her reaction wouldn't be the same if someone else than one of her high ranking Ninja was inside the room. Ralia closed her blue eyes and turned her back to Samanoske, her body directed at the window's opening. The breeze blew her long pink hair back, it was floating in the air, forming waves. The girl's frail arms embraced each other as her lower lip had started to twitch in a threatening manner. If the Tsuchikage wouldn't gain control over her emotions, and rather quick, she would break out in front of Samanoske.

''A week, you say.'' a steady voice could be heard, no other than Ralia's. Her breathing was slow as her mind was running at full speed. It was going through all the possibilities which could be the case, only to end up at one. One that wasn't pleasant. One that would cause sorrow. One that was her fault. ''Zenaku...is dead.'' she whispered. Her voice cracked at the last word, as she quickly bit her lip which caused it to bleed lightly. She was denying it throughout the week, not wanting to realize that this was reality. Not wanting to realize that Zenaku was gone. Not wanting to realize that she had lost a friend. The female breathed deeply in to calm herself as a tear ran down her right cheek, ending on her small chin. It was sparkling as the sun's rays hit it. Ralia breathed out and opened again her eyes, as she wiped away the tear. She turned around and faced Samanoske, her blue eyes looking sad into his.

''He should have been here a week ago. Let's say the Raikage was so kind to allow him to rest, why didn't he send a messenger bird to inform us? Only answers are, he either was killed by the Raikage, or by someone else. Someone strong. Though, what would that someone's objectives be? Why would someone kill an Iwa Ninja? It wasn't Konoha; We are allied. Suna could have done it, since our history with them wasn't the best. Kiri didn't, they've always been neutral. But so has been Kumo, which means that Zenaku was either killed by Suna Ninja, or by Missing Ninja...'' Ralia stated, explaining to herself and Samanoske by who Zenaku was killed.

Sam stands there as Ralia finally begins to react to what he said. She appears clearly disturbed. The bright color in her face turned a pale shade as it appeared the blood was moving from her face. It was clear to him that she, in fact must not of known about Zen's not reporting back in. He couldn't imagine something like that escaping her notice with her being kage and all. Then it dawned on him that they must of been closer than just kage and guard. He thinks for a moment at the possible links they could have as her words interrupt him. She mades a declaration that Zenaku was dead. He remained standing as he'd been the entire time. He let a breath escape his mask as it condenses and forms an icy mist through his mask. He shifts his weight to keep his stance unmoved waiting to hear what his kage would say next.

She proceeded to go into reasons why he should of returned then began to analyze why he must be dead. Then she begins to go down the list of possible enemies that would possibly try to harm a Iwa shinobi. Behind his mask he agrees with each one of her statements as to who it couldn't of been. Finally she comes to the conclusion that it must of been either a Suna ninja or a Missing ninja. Sam finally stepped forward after she'd finished talking. He spoke with an icy yet serious demeanor. His voice flowed through his mask as each word danced from his mouth. Lady Ralia, i have to give my opinion. It's been my experience that anyone could of made an hostile act at any time. I'm assuming given his rank that Zenaku was a capable shinobi even before i arrived to Iwa. He knew the risks of accepting any mission for the good of the village. You can't blame yourself or allow it to affect you in any particular way. That being said, it would be wise to investigate carefully. We don't have any facts at this moment in time so first and foremost someone needs to gather information to determine the situation.

He waits for a moment to allow everything to sink in. At a time like this it would be wise to not show weakness to other lands to this blow to Iwa. I have two things i'd like to request if it's ok with you. First, i'd like to investigate what happened to him by visiting Kumo. Secondly, i'd like to be given whatever missions he was given so as to keep our missions and appearance of strength to the other shinobi nations. Sam waits as to see what effect his calculating cold nature would have on the Tsuchikage.

The Tsuchikage just listened to Samanoske's icy words while she just blankly stared back into his cold blue eyes. She couldn't believe that he could be so could, after all Zenaku was his partner. The girl had started to detest the title of Tsuchikage. It was depressing that she had to deal with such cold people. People who never show any emotion, people who just stand there while their friends die. She was deeply fed up with all of them. She just wanted to go, to leave this village, to leave everything behind and run and run and run until she reached the end of the world.

But no, Ralia wouldn't run. She would never leave all those villagers behind, she would never abandon them. If there was anything she hated more than cruel people, it was people who didn't recognize their responsibilities. The female surely didn't want to be one of the kind of people she despised. The ANBU member finished talking and stopped for a moment, obviously to let his words sink in. Ralia looked at him with a cold and hard look on her face; She wouldn't show weakness before anyone again. She would be strong for the village, for the people she loved. Samanoske continued talking, requesting Zenaku's mission. 'Hm...' Ralia's face remained cold, calculating. ''Frost, you may visit Kumogakure to investigate Zenaku's disappearance. Send me a falcon messenger with your report and move on to the Mist village. Then come back.'' the female instructed him, her voice calm and steady; Kage-like. The girl squatted and quickly scribbled down some further instructions on a small, brown scroll. As she finished she looked up at Samanoske in an unthinking manner. ''There's in it what you need to know.'' she said as she threw the scroll with large force at Samanoske, knowing he would catch it in time.

Scroll:

Sam stands there letting his words sink in as the seconds ticked by. His analytical eyes never leaving the face of the kage named Ralia. For some reason the training he'd received from his father and those that would turn him into a weapon was very effective. He usually felt nothing for anyone at any time. He was a weapon to be commanded and used at another's discretion. Despite what he'd become, there were times that he actually still felt something for certain people. For example when'd he'd watched his friend die when he was young. There was a sharpe pain in the left side of his chest. He was filling that same pain upon hearing the news about his partner. Even though they were both shinobi and knew that death could come at any time it didn't change the fact that it bothered him. It hurt him. Nothing was quite like emotional pain as there's no cure for it.

Instead Sam stood there hiding behind his local persona and cold nature as he could visibly see that his words reached Ralia but not in the way that he intended. His intent was to help her cope with the pain by focusing on the responsibilities at hand. Instead, it appeared as if she had herself forgotten what it meant to be a high ranking killer for a village. It meant not having the benefit of showing "feeling". She instructed him on what to do before rolling up a scroll and throwing it at him with a certain angered force. Catching it, he opens it and looks it over before turning to leave. Before he leaves though he turns to her once more while removing his mask so she could see his face. Ralia, whatever you may think of me of your shinobi I want to tell you this. Zenaku was a valued shinobi and a good person. As he spoke, the cold breathes that could be seen escaping his mouth before were vanishing as an attempt at warmth took over. No matter what may happen, it's not your fault if any of us shinobi should meet an honorable end serving you. Zen will be missed but in his place my duty is to try and save you from yourself and your feelings. I'll find out what happened to him and at the least try to bring his body back if he is, indeed dead. He turns to walk out before shooting her a look and half a smile wondering what Zen would say. Be good while i'm gone. He walks out with those words.

[Exit]

While Samanoske was talking, Ralia realized that she was acting competely wrong. She shouldn't let her emotions change who she really is, she shouldn't let happenings influence her way of thinking and acting. Even though she felt like dying now, she had already started to feel better, after Samanoske's words. ''Be good while I'm gone.'' he said, just like Zenaku had said to her before he left for his mission. Ralia's eyes widened surprised as her eyes darted to Samanoske's face. He had taken off his ANBU mask, something dangerous to do while working, but something that signalized his trust and that he really meant all those words he said. ''Be careful.'' she whispered, knowing that Samanoske would hear them anyway. ''Just...come back.'' she looked down as a single, sparkling tear fell from her chin.

[Exit.]