Isao's Den

Isao sat at a rough hewn wood table, a pair of katanas glistening on the surface of it, while he held a kunai blade, cleaning it with a cloth. The 'house' could hardly be called that- it was more appropriately called a den, stone and wood built into the remnants of a collapsing cave, embedded deeply in desert sand dunes, protected by a wall of sand from the scorching sun. Roughly furnished and sparsely decorated, it was not particularly inviting, but seemed to suit the man who occupied it.

As the blade became cleaner and cleaner, he sighed, thinking.

' It seems it will be necessary to find the Kazekage. If I spend another day counting sand storms, I may just lose patience with this place. '

A small swirl of sand began twisting on the floor of the den, growing larger until it made the form of a body, in which the Kazekage himself was formed. He, arms crossed, looked to the elite ninja, staring with his usual blank expression.

"Isao.." It had been a while since he last saw the ninja,merely saying his name in greeting, right after he had made his big entrance.


((ooc: Lol ))

Isao stood immediately, turned to Gaara and bowed, formal and disciplined.

"Kazekage-sama. A mind reader as well as a tracker, it seems. To what, do I owe this visit?"

He looked around, eying the room they were in. "It's been a while since we last spoke.. what have you been doing?"

"Repairing my weapons, training, reading, thinking. My usual pursuits, Kazekage."

Isao watched Gaara survey the room, standing deceptively still.

"Is there some task you require of me?"

"Hm..." He turned his eyes back to Isao, same expression on his face. "Infact, there is.."

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Let us sit and converse for now.. theres much you need to know."

"As you wish, Kazekage."

Isao offered Gaara a seat, then took one himself, sitting after the Kazekage did.

"Speak, I will listen."

After sitting in the offered chair, he looked to Isao. "You hadn't been informed of the past happenings.. there are a few dangers you must be aware of, and new alliances."

He didn't take his eyes from Isao. "I died more than a few weeks ago.."

Isao bowed his head in respect. After a moment, he raised his eyes and said

"Then I bid you welcome on your return, Kazekage. What are these dangers and alliances you speak of?"

"The dangers are of the group known as the 'Akatsuki'. They are after the Jinchuuriki and the demons within them, planning to use all nine spirits to create one unstopable demon. You remember Shukaku, correct?"

"Correct. This group will not have you surrender Shukaku on my watch... unless that was the cause of your temporary demise, Kazekage?"

"No, it wasn't. They are after Shukaku, but I can't let them get him. Not because my body would die off after they stole the demon spirit from it, but they would be one step closer to world domination.."