[Complete] A Fated Encounter [Invite] [Past]

soft breeze drifted in through the open window across the room and Demiyah turned her gaze away from Aoi, feeling as if he were looking deeply into her soul. She swallowed lightly, her hands resting comfortably in her lap as she watched the open window, half expecting one of the Sunagakure hawks to fly through at any moment. They had said that it wasn't going to be too long before they'd made their decision, but that didn't leave Demiyah any less nervous. This was something that she desperately wanted, yet at the same time, she didn't. To be the leader of her village would be an even larger burden on her shoulders, but at the same time it'd be an enlightening and empowering time for her.

It took her a while to answer him, though at this point she found that maybe it was best to be honest with him. He was obviously going to figure her out at some point, so why try to hide it any longer? Demiyah could see it in the way his eyes wandered around her cabin, searching for anything about her that would set her apart from the hunter she was posing as. Oh yes, he would figure her out sooner or later. Her expression went from peaceful and gentle to rather emotionless, though not cold in the slightest. There was something there, but no one had ever seen that deep into her gaze. No one had ever picked apart the pain and turmoil that hid there. Her father and sister, even her cousin, were all under the impression that everything was alright. They didn't even know how wrong they were.

"You won't be leaving for at least a day or two," she noted calmly. "I'd like to see you try and leave with your leg like that," she noted, crossing her arms over her chest as she eyed him, not being malicious in any way. She was being honest. He'd likely not make it out the door without stumbling, plus the antidote wouldn't complete its rotation for another few hours at least. "Just lay there and relax, you aren't in the company of anyone who'd harm you. After all, I'm pretty sure that if I was just going to kill you, I'd have done it out in the forest where I found you," she said matter of factly, a smirk returning to her features.

A flutter of wings sounded by the window and Demiyah's head snapped to the side to look. There it was. She'd been expecting it for some time now, and just when he wasn't paying attention, it'd flown to the window sill. Holding her arm up as if it were a perch, Demiyah let a slight click of her tongue sound, urging the large bird to come to her. He hopped once and then flew right to Demiyah's arm, landing and steadying himself, folding brown wings against his body. There was a message attached to the sling on the hawks ankle and Demiyah removed the message before pointing the bird back toward the window. A flutter of wings and a few falling feathers later and the bird was gone, heading back toward the village.

Sighing softly, she unrolled the message, reading through it carefully, having to read it a few times before it finally sunk in. "To answer your question, Aoi. I know a lot about poisons because I'm from Sunagakure. I've had to deal with the puppeteers and carry supplies of antidotes for the various poisons that they create," she started lightly, slowly rolling up the message, her eyes angled down to stare into her lap. She was silent for a few long moments before looking up into his face again, catching his gaze. "As for who I am. I'm just a simple jounin from Sunagakure."

emiyah safely pocketed the note, the news fresh in her mind. The Kazekage had finally passed, and with a little struggle he'd named off his successor. His last words. The very last words on his lips were "Demiyah Akiyama". She could almost see it now. The reaction of the other Kazekage candidates when they realized that the woman who refused to even stand at the ailing Lord's bedside was the very woman he'd chosen for the job. Demiyah had always felt that hovering and sucking up never got you what you wanted. The Sunagakure jounin had done the same thing that she would have done if anyone was dying. She left. Escaped. Distanced herself so that she could grieve in peace and not let the guilt that she knew would be coming show.

Red eyes watched Aoi with a blank expression, her mind tumbling with those thoughts. His voice brought her back to reality and she narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms over her chest slowly. Her expression was disapproving, but she didn't argue with him. If he wanted to leave in his state and potentially get himself killed, then so be it. The Kazekage couldn't order around a man of another country. It was unbecoming. No. She couldn't start thinking like that yet. She had at least three days before she'd accept her title. There was no need to rush. What little time that was left in this place needed to be enjoyed. There wouldn't be a lot of time for vacations or rest once she returned to the village.

"If that's what you wish to do, then so be it. I really can't stop you, now can I?" she asked gently, pressing her bangs out of her face, the scar down through her left eye showing even more. It gave her a wild, untamed look. She'd been scarred so young, but she wore it like a trophy and as a reminder of what she had lost that day. There was a boy in the ground, and darkness in her vision. It was too late to ask for forgiveness now, wasn't it? Wasn't that why her journal was filled with name after name of the people that she'd been unable to apologize to?

"However, you can at least relax while you're here. I'm not a threat and I don't intend to become one," she said calmly, refusing to look at him anymore, her gaze set to the side, feigning disinterest. Letting out a level breath, she turned her gaze back to him for a few short moments. "Food. Are you hungry, Aoi?" she asked, his name sounding... right on her tongue. Demiyah's lips pulled up into a beautiful smile, her fingers playing lightly with the crystal necklace that her father had given her. She knew if Emiko was here she'd be flirting up a storm with this blue haired man who had been so helplessly left to die in the forest.

he young woman smiled softly, looking down at her hands for a few moments. The only other person she'd ever done anything like this for had been her sister. Standing up, Demiyah ran a hand through her hair, watching Aoi quietly for a moment. "You seem uncomfortable," she said softly, looking a little worried for a moment. She then thought better of asking him another question, turning and walking across the room to the kitchen. She didn't have much left, but that didn't matter now. She'd set out as soon as Aoi was better. She couldn't stay here now that she'd gotten the news of her promotion to Kazekage. "I hope bread and cheese is alright. I'm afraid that I'm pretty much out of food and haven't had the chance to go to one of the near by towns for more," she said with an apologetic smile when she returned with a plate with a few rolls and some cheese. She set it in his lap before settling back down onto her chair, cupping her hands in her lap.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright to go out and finish your mission so soon? I mean, this wound was meant to be fatal. Whoever you fought was trying to kill you. That poisoned blade can attest," she said calmly, trying not to push too hard. If he wanted to leave soon, that was his choice. As much as she disapproved, she wouldn't be able to stop him if that was his choice. She had enough respect for the man not to coddle him. He did look like he could pretty much handle himself after all. Her only worry was that leg. "When you're done eating we can try and get you up on your feet if you'd like," her tone was kind. It was hard to be reserved and quiet when you'd just saved someones life.

Demiyah also couldn't avoid the curiosity that bubbled within her. "Aoi. I'm curious. What is Kumogakure like?" she said with a small smile. She'd silently dreamed of seeing the other lands. Being the Kazekage, she'd be stuck in the village more often than not, so it's not like she could just travel and visit different places. "The only things I know about the other nations are what you can read in books. My work as a shinobi hasn't exactly given me the freedom to go where I want to, after all," she said softly, making idle conversation all while trying to get a few of her questions answered.