The Yamagata Enclave

[Tsuki Kyoushu]

Tsuki raised her eyebrow at Deego, a small grin forming at the corner of her mouth for a fleeting moment. She walked closer to him, within kissing distance. She put her hand on his shoulder and leaned in to him.

"If you say one more thing about me being a terrible kisser and my fist is going to be the last thing you'll ever kiss." She whispered, only semi-seriously in a mock threatening voice. Then she stepped back. Now her grin was complete. She was glad that he was starting to act like himself once more.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego was lightly disappointed when she backed away. He was hoping for that kiss, but hey. It was Tsuki, so what was he to expect really? Well, he was gonna keep pushing her buttons. He never backed down from a threat before, and he sure as heck wouldn't for this one. He turned his back to her and crossed his arms. "Yeah right. You probably just don't want me to stage you up." Deego opened both his eyes and looked to the corner of them, looking at Tsuki. He felt that pang of dread that told him he was about to get hit. Ah, how he missed it. Although it was usually correct, the pang had been wrong before. It could be right on the money, or it could be dead wrong. Deego would just have to hope for the best and brace himself.

[Tsuki Kyoushu]

Tsuki's eyes narrowed. She knew what Deego was trying to accomplish, and she had to decide what she wanted to do. Before she had even completely made up her mind, she reached around Deego slightly and grabbed onto one of his arms and forced him to turn toward her. As soon as he was turned to face her, she pulled him once more, this time toward her. Without warning, she put her lips to his, kissing him semi-forcefully. Once the kiss was over, she stepped away and crossed her arms.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego was absolutely expecting a kiss, but no force in the world could have prepared him for how to react. He kissed back as much as a boy in shock could, but he wished he had done better. After Tsuki pulled away, Deego just stood there, absent, and he swallowed. He was a little shaken up, but he was incredibly happy. Deego gave a smile and walked up to where Tsuki was without a word. He stood next to her, smile on his face, now waiting for Akemi to return. Deego could feel the peace return, and hey. Things could even be called better at this point. deego wanted to ask a stupid question, like "Is it official?", but he knew if he did, Tsuki would say something like "Don't spoil it, idiot." Maybe she wouldn't say anything and just hit him. Deego chuckled at this and stood there next to her. He felt that nothing else really needed to be said at this moment.

[Akemi Yamagata]

Akemi stepped outside the gate and motioned for Deego and Tsuki to follow her back in to the Enclave. She noted that Deego was feeling much better and couldn't help but wonder what brought on the change.

"My father is expecting you both now. I'm not sure where my brother is, but he's not here." Akemi informed.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego sighed. "Of course he isn't. Wondeful." Deego walked up the steps behind Tsuki. "Awefully convenient to be out on an errand, huh?" Deego was thinking of many words and adjectives he could use to describe that Ryo, but he didn't want his first impression to be a potty-mouthed one.

[Tsuki Kyoushu]

"Hn" was Tsuki's reply to Deego. She had now reverted back to her usual self. She looked around boredly as they followed Akemi into the main house. She had been to this house many times before while growing up, she knew it nearly as well as she knew her own.

"It doesn't matter if he's here or not." Tsuki said, her voice quiet and barely contained.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego's reply to Tsuki was much like her own. "Heh." Then was when Deego followed this. "He's still a dirty skunk." Yes, it had taken him that long of a time to say something kid-friendly. He was walking with his hands in his pockets, just in case he needed something at a moment's notice.

[Osamu Yamagata]

Osamu was sitting in his chair in the main room of the house when Akemi walked in, she had Tsuki and Deego behind her. Osamu was mildly surprised that Akemi had managed to find them so fast since his own messenger hadn't been able to locate them. Of course, Akemi had been trained and had proven to be the most gifted out of all the Yamagata children, so he wasn't sure why he was surprised.

He didn't bother standing up, instead he simply acknowleged their enterance with a nod. He watched as Akemi walked to the side by the wall and put her hands behind her back as if standing ready. Her life at Konoha had kept her respectable and well honed. He took his gaze from his lost daughter and focused on the two new comers.

"Ah Tsuki, how nice to see you again. This must be your new partner. Welcome to my home, and I apologize for the reason behind it." his voice may have came across as friendly, but the words were meaningless.

"I've called you here to gain information regarding whether or not my son has went against my wishes. Is it true that the two of you were hired to threaten Akemi?" he asked.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego moved some strands of hair away from his face. He looked up at the Yama-... whosee whatsit leader. He could tell this man was used to respectful, to the point answers. Deego would need to watch his tongue. "Sir, we were not hired to threaten your daughter." At that moment, Deego took a pause. He noticed many people staring at him, Akemi, Osamu, and Tsuki included. "Sir, we were payed to hunt her and kill her. If not that, return her to him." Deego had had no problem condemning Ryo after what he did. Deego thought Ryo deserved some punishment for all the anguish he caused. Any man who turns your friends into enemies is the common enemy to destroy. This was a quote from Deego's code as a pirate.

[Ryo Yamagata]

"Whats the meaning of this?" Ryo demanded walking into main room. His eyes travelled from Akemi, to Tsuki, and then to Deego. His eyes stayed on Deego, rage making his light brown eyes darker.

"What are you doing here?" He growled, not yet realizing that his father was sitting in his chair watching the scene.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego turned with slowness that seemed incredibly over-dramatic. Deego fixed his gaze on Ryo, eyes ablaze. Deego's eyes were widened to the point of him looking insane. "Glad you could join us." Deego spoke in a very calm manner, as if he could care either way. Only Ryo could detect the deafening death threat in Deego's voice. It was as if Deego was trying to kill him with his very words. He could see the slightest twitch in Ryo's eye. Whether it wa sout of anger, hate, or fear was untold.

[Ryo Yamagata]

Ryo put his hand on the hilt of his sword and stepped closer to Deego. Anger and hate filled him as he stared at the missing nin. He was furious that once more, his plan had failed. Now here was this pathetic excuse for a ninja, running his mouth to father.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice not as calm as Deego's but equally as cold.

"They both came here at the request of Father," Akemi answered, watching the scene carefully.

[Deego Horutan]

Deego approached Ryo and stood right in his face. Deego said nothing, simply stood there, ready to strike at Ryo. Deego's hands weren't balled into fists or holding onto the edge of a weapon, they were loose. Too loose. Tsuki was the only one to notice. Deego was prepared to bring Ryo to his knees. He was planning to use his special technique.

[Osamu Yamagata]

"Thats enough," Osamu stated, still sitting in his chair. He had been watching the interaction between this Deego character and his son as soon as it had started. He had also been thinking over the information that he had been handed.

"There will be no fighting here at this time. Young man," he began, referring to Deego, "who was it that hired you to assassinate Akemi?" He asked, his light eyes focused on Ryo even though he was talking to Deego.