Parental Patty Melt

She was a wolf among sheep, only blending in with a coat to match their wool. She lay in wait, trying to become one of them, renouncing her ways. Even if they accepted her, even if she looked the part, she could never be one of them. It wasn't her people, no matter how badly she wanted to be. It didn't matter what she did. She would never belong. SHe could only hope that her son, would not bear the same, but instead have the ability to walk between both sides of her life without issue. A boy who could freely walk through either district with joy, without discrimination. All she had now, was a husband to tie her to the district. When he died, then what? Would she stay for the reason of her son? Even if he no longer lived with her? Where was she to go? She wasn't a Kaguya, not anymore. She wasn't a Hozuki, even with the name. She would be alone again. Not even the company of maids and servants in her home would be able to solve that. But that was how she preferred it. It was just as she wished for...

"Bubble?" What kind of name was that? Was it an insult, or some back handed compliment? What crazy absurd thing did her son have to do to earn a name like that? Did he take anything seriously? Or perhaps, it was one of high honor, having ended a battle with simply a bubble? Her mind flicked between all of the options, not sure to be proud or ashamed of her son, but even if she wanted to read the girl's face for a hint, she just couldn't face the Mizukage. Not like this. Not here. Not now.

But she listened, the conversation growing more and more odd. The sword, was it a gift to purchase her son? No, she was his teacher, right? He said he had a sensei. But if he was exceeding his rank, then he had grown since he had left. No, he didn't leave, she forced him out. She told him to leave. She wanted him to leave. It was the only way he could grow.

She smiled, nodding her head at the idea of her son exceeding the Mizukage's ability to teach was something to note. But was it? He could have been a student in a sea of many, or a single, hand picked student. What was the difference? Was he just a student or just her student?

She shook the thought. She could have easily been old enough to be the Kage's mother, that alone was something for her to process. She was a fossil, trying to speak to new life about a world she no longer knew. "That's good then." was all she could say.

Swords had nicknames too, even the worthless ones.

"I hope he has not given you much trouble then." she spoke, small words that disgusted her, but needed for her to break her silence. For once, she embraced the small conversation, even if it tore her soul.

"Miss Hana." She spoke, her face slightly turned, but her eyes unmoved. Both her hands rested on the blade, as if it was something that brought comfort, and it did. "Forgive me for asking, but are all of the swords in Kirigakure's possession?" She turned to face the Mizukage.

She needed to know.

Strength: B || Constitution: D(C)|| Stamina: C || Speed: B ||
Coordination: B+ || Intelligence: C || Perception: B
110/110 Chakra

It wasn't a lot to ask, but it wasn't much info to go off on. "Kyoji Hoshigaki, where is he now?"

In her mind, they were always more than swords. It didn't matter if he saw it that way or not. Keeping one for herself meant she saw some value in the blades, even if they were just tools. Maybe she didn't want to admit that they had great power alone. Great power that the last Mizukage found fitting to take for himself. To have her last words trail on her attachment to the blades not owned by celebration and tradition in the past, did set her a bit at ease. The blades were a symbol of Kirigakure, and if it wasn't Hana's top priority, it was Rei's.

Bit if Kurosawa was the one she held in regard, then Rei would go to fetch it. If he also held two other swords, or rather, three not counting Kurosawa, then she would be the good hound that she was. But she needed more to go on, anything she could use to find the man.

"And Nuibari, Kabutowari and Shibuki are all within our walls, correct?" She nodded, repeating the facts to herself. "Then would you permit me on a mission to retrieve the blades?" she asked but not what she intended to. She knew enough skills and technique to use any of the blades to some effect. Even if she didn't find any desire to possess certain ones, she felt wrong to not want to retrieve them. There was others, like her. people who grew up looking up to the swordsmen. People who didn't reach for the hat of the Kage. People who wanted to protect the village, in both power and tradition.

"If the swords are missing then I take it ties to Sir Hoshigaki, are as well?"

Strength: B || Constitution: D(C)|| Stamina: C || Speed: B ||
Coordination: B+ || Intelligence: C || Perception: B
110/110 Chakra

Dishonor brought death. Death was to be forgotten. To be forgotten was to be useless. To be useless was to be worthless. He was worthless. He held no value, yet, in some sick way, she held the weapons to her own personal standards. He was to keep one of his choice, most likely a way for Kirigakure to give thanks, or at least Hana. But was it not long ago that they were developing new things in preparations of war? No, it must have only been to ensure the safety of the students for this exam. Once they were gone, they would return to as planned. Of course, if it was the Mizukage's word she had no reason to dishonor it. Her mission was now to retrieve the swords, leaving one of the sacred seven in his possession. In her mind, she figured he would keep Samehada, leaving the others. Kurosawa bound to the hat. He had abandoned his people, or at least a mysterious retirement. He was still a member of Kirigakure, to a sense.

Rei rose to her feet, and gave a bow to the Mizukage. "As you wish." She would take up her blade, holding it loosely in her hands, careful to not ruin the floor as she left. But she would stop in the doorway.

"Miss Hana," she would speak once more, as if she was never done talking. "I take it then, that I would be permitted an extended leave to make preparations for this errand?" She would turn around to face the woman she spoke to. Without any other word, she would assume she was allowed. Any other means, she would drop it.

"With all due respect, I have some unattended business in Sunagakure." A loose wording. Rei only had taken a larger interest in her puppetry recently. With how things were, it was going to be easier to buy some well made one, than to take weeks making them herself.

Strength: B || Constitution: D(C)|| Stamina: C || Speed: B ||
Coordination: B+ || Intelligence: C || Perception: B
110/110 Chakra