Encounter

[rikudou]

[A ninja such as Orochimaru is one with many secrets and many places scattered across the Five Nations to slither off and hide. As such it isn't the first time Sasuke has entered the Land of Water during the dead of night, nor would it be the last.

Though his current mission of retrieving several scrolls from an abandoned hideout is, frankly, far beneath him, it gives him time to ponder on the status quo of his training with Orochimaru.

Is he still learning? Is he getting stronger? Or has he reached the zenith of what the most disgraced member of the Sannin can possibly teach him? Of late, he's been asking himself these questions more and more frequently. After all, a ninja like Orochimaru has no place in this world.

But he's shaken from his thoughts as he moves silently from tree to tree in the thickest part of the forest. Though he isn't a sensory type of ninja, he can tell he isn't alone any longer. Hand reaching behind for the handle of his chokuto, he stands up straight, his tone utterly flat as he scans the area.]

Show yourself.

Comments

[dreamdispersal]

[ Zabuza has no official business here. He's merely passing through, on his way back to the place a few kilometres further down that Haku and him have chosen for their current lair. He doesn't want trouble (right now, when it's pointless, not generally), but there is something familiar about the other presence passing through and---- lo and behold, isn't that one of Kakashi's kids? He's pretty far from home. ]

Find me.

[ It's not Zabuza's style to respond favourably to rough comments, but he also takes no pains to disguise his location. Sasuke will have an easy time spotting him up in a tree now.

After all, he doesn't want a fight. ]

[rikudou]

[His fingers close around the chokuto, though Sasuke doesn't draw the blade. Not yet. It's clear enough that this person doesn't actually have any intent to fight for whatever reason and if he can simply go on unimpeded, then that's preferable all around. But there's something else about this situation. Something vaguely familiar about the man's voice, something familiar about the aura of his chakra, though he's unable to place it until his eyes lock onto the source a short moment later.]

You.

[His voice retains that same flat quality as before. Though he's admittedly a little surprised, there's nothing about his body language or expression to indicate whether or not Zabuza's presence is one he regards favorably or unfavorably. The one courtesy that Sasuke offers is that he brings both hands forward, away from his sword to fold his arms across his chest.]

Tch. Who'd have thought the Demon of the Mist wants to play hide and seek.

[dreamdispersal]

You should count yourself lucky. Most people don't have a chance to get to the 'seek' part.

[ And hiding is kind of his whole agenda, in case you forgot. Zabuza sounds amused rather than irritated. There's not a lot he hasn't heard yet when it comes to trash-talking. The hunter-nin chasing him have some very choice curses sometimes. ]

I have to say, I didn't expect to run into one of Kakashi's brats here. What brings you to the Land of Water all alone?

[rikudou]

[ One of Kakashi's brats, huh. That actually gets Sasuke to scoff, somewhere between derision and genuine amusement, though the momentt seems to come and go as quickly as the breeze. ]

Nothing that you need to concern yourself with. I assume the same could be said of your business in the Land of Water.

[ From one rogue ninja to another, so to speak. His tone stays mild, almost casual in its dismissiveness. It's a far cry from the demeanor a rookie twelve year old genin Zabuza would remember. ]

Also? I cut ties with those guys a long time ago.

[A statement that's pretty readily backed up by the fact that there isn't a forehead protector with the leaf's insignia on it anywhere on his person.]

[dreamdispersal]

[ Whether or not Sasuke cut ties with Kakashi and co. really doesn't change how he is classified in Zabuza's mind. Even with the obvious air of maturity and increased skills around him, Sasuke qualifies as Kakashi's brat all the same. ]

One's place of origin isn't cast off so easily.

[ Considering he is still lingering around the Land of Water, preying on Kirigakure, it is not hard to tell that Zabuza has some strong feelings about origin, belonging, and home. ]

Haku will be glad to hear you're still kicking though.

[rikudou]

[Now there's a curious sentiment. Sasuke mulls the words over in his head, thoughts briefly flicking back to Konoha and the faces of the four Hokage carved onto the cliff face overlooking the village. His home -- or is it? His thoughts linger on an empty neighborhood filled with nothing but ghosts and pain.

He can live without Konoha because he can't live with the version of himself too weak to avenge his clan. In a way, it makes him want to laugh bitterly, though he doesn't.]

You're sounding like Naruto.

[Which is to say, you're annoying.]

I wonder. Between us. Who would be stronger now.