Honoring The Dead [Open]

Her Chunin career was building momentum. Garnering more money than she could make back as a genin, Oko could put inside Otsu's mouth now. Although that really isn't necessary. At times, her baby has trouble with digestion. Premature birth complications. Although Otsu was far luckier than almost every zygote that grew out before mommy and daddy could even take care of themselves, her intestines and lungs were not as adept as "normal" ones. What a horror it is for the teenage mother, who smiles at the sight of her daughter every day, not knowing when her baby will close her eyes. Forever.

Sending waves of sweet honey and slight cherry from her lavishly black hair, Oko walked towards a certain premature girl. Donning a white and blue schoolgirl uniform, blue down-to-the-knee skirt, and black leggings, the sight of the petite Chikara Shurajo reminded her of a previous teammate from long ago, a peppy, all-smiley miniature child named... Il...Illy... Her last name was too foreign for Oko's tongue. Although she did remember her light blonde hair and childish face among all else. What happened to her was a conundrum, and the same goes for that long-haired girl named Kuma, and their agonizing teacher who Oko does not care to remember.

She stopped just two meters from the girl, looking at her with her big, bright orange brown-eyes. The girl in front of her, no doubt an Academy Student, had long, pretty orange hair that flowed down to her knees, and hypnotic orange eyes. Oko herself had no prior arrangement with this girl, and had never seen or heard of her before, and would normally never have even stopped to talk to her, had she not smelled a smelly smell. A certain aroma from the little girl that her sweet nose picked up. Drawn to it, she recognized this smell very much, although it was less of a physical smell and more of a conceptual smell. She had the same smell on her back when she was Genin.

"Mhm... hello Orenji-chan. Is it alright if I ask what perfume you're using today?"

Their eyes made contact, retinas reflecting light off of each other faces, showing a crystal clear connection between the two of them. Oko watched the petite girl's movements as one might watch a monkey, although through some strange intuition, Oko likened the little girl to that of her daughter, even though they did not have any physical resemblance... well, maybe except for their baby-like cuteness. Perhaps it is she, unconsciously, wished for Otsu to look as spectacular as the pleasant-smelling girl before her. A mother's hopeful wishful thinking.

After hearing the girl explain why she's been coated with something that would allure not even men, but also women of all ages, Oko took a few, quiet, unnoticeable whiffs before closing her attention off how she smelt. Accompanied by a smile, the girl had fired a question at her; hope rested in her eyes as if she were anticipating her all along. Enticed by her energy, Oko decided to tag alongside her for awhile. Just in case she needs to kick the shit out of any child molesters.

Oko waved her hand with a smile. "No, no, I'm sorry. I was just passing by". She assumed that since her partner isn't present, then the girl must be doing volunteer work. What a helpful child! "But the forests aren't really a safe place for anyone to walk in. I'd like to come along if your friend isn't here. Oh! I'm Haruhi. But you can call me Oko".

Chikara bounced in explicit delight, which warmed up Oko's heart under her bosom. It was a good deed to volunteer to do this for her. "Wow, I haven't seen anyone who's as excited as you to have someone with them to clean up the trees, Chikara". Given a choice between nicknames, the first thing that popped up in Oko's head was not either of them. It was Chika - the intermediary between the first syllable and her full name. It was a name that would be born if there was a bridge to connect them. It meant  "thousand summer" or perhaps even "thousand flowers". Oko followed Chikara closely, allowing her to lead the way, but always keeping your attention focused beyond Chikara's own sight. In case any molester, thief, or wild animal comes along, Oko would be the first to react and the first to act.

Observing Chikara's movements from her rear, Oko deduced that they were more toned than your average pre-mature girl. And upon hearing her explanation of their task, Oko realized for the first time that Chikara was a kunoichi like her! A young girl walking the ninja path. Oh my.... she thought.

The mission sounded strangely similar to the one she did as a Genin. In the rocky battlefields of the outskirts of the village, they were dead bodies lying around, although it did take some time to find them. Oko had to carry them from underground, as if she was a lifeguard swimming back to land with someone in her other arm; although the person was long dead. And of course, the funeral affairs that she had to tend to...

"Dead bodies? I'm used to them".

The orange-haired one gleaming with surprised delight, the twinkle in her eyes illuminated the kawaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiness in her face. It forced Oko to blush and show a gentle smile to the little superstar. Feeling plushy at how adorable the girl was - Oko could hardly see her as a kunoichi, she merely nodded, strengthening her own resolve in case the bodies were mutilated beyond human tolerance. Well, they were all men so WHO CARES?!

As they walked towards their destination, Oko could not hope but hope that this girl would live through her missions and catch up to where she is now, a Chunin. It is important for more kunoichi to get into the higher ranks, especially if they deserve it. The ratio between shinobi and kunoichi above the rank of Genin is absurdly large, and enlargens as one climbs up the ladder. May success be onto you. she blessed.

They arrived, and Oko could see the bodies laid out all over. Yep, she had a similar task some time ago. And it looks like she didn't need to search for them or anything - they're all out in the open.

"I've been doing this kind of work for three... almost four years now. This is the reality of battle, Chikara-chan. In combat, those who fall are left to perish... and those who survive have another chance to go back home and say hi to their family one more time."

Oko walked over to one of the bodies, searching for clues hinting to which side the corpse was fighting on.

Oko cross-examined the rotting, cold, post-post-rigot mortis men that were eternally sleeping before her, to be decomposed and return to the earth. She could tell which is which by uniform, turning bodies over to see headbands, and take a close look at colors. Of course, she can't do anything about the people who swapped costumes to be on the enemy side when they're really a spy. Didn't matter though, since they were all dead. Just a bunch of bodies, losing the battle for life. Their shinobi careers ended. No more joy or laughter. Emotions and thoughts, for the first time and last time ever, were erased. Time with family and friends no longer existed - that is something that exists as false hope in the memories of those they left behind. Their future was no more - the people they would have met will no longer know them. Enjoyment of favorite food, activities, books, etc - all vanished. Death is painful, not only in its wake, but in the meaning of its aftermath. One can only live life once. Live it to the fullest.

She dumped the bodies on top of the pile alongside Chikara, the two of them dirtying their hands with the pale flesh of the dead shinobi. They were all on top of each other, motionless. Some of them had even horrified expressions on their faces. These bodies were much worse than the ones she picked up as Genin. Her expression was starting to change. Disgust? Pity? Sadness? Horror? This deep sympathy bothered the divorced, teenage mother.

As she was a master at earth jutsu, she must give them some form of a burial before they are left to the wind. It's unknown to them if they had families or not. "Yeah, we'll do it quickly, Chikara" Oko said. As the bodies were shifted to the Forest, Oko performed her "Rock Elevator Jutsu", forming a 5 meter by 5 meter square outline around the bodies before she lowered it 5 meters, creating an open square hole in the ground where they could see the bodies down inside. As she had nothing but exploding tags, she looked at Chikara to see if she has anything proper to incinerate them. They would then quickly bury the bodies with earth and dirt as they were turned to black, lifeless ashes.....