---

He was here, he was finally in the village he was sent to so that he could carry out an important message to the kage and the shinobi within its walls. He ran his hands through his hair as he inspected the people about him, a large host of people were about doing their own things in their daily lives. Few shinobi ad civilians alike looked at him oddly with the funny way he dressed and the gold priest staff he held in his hands. It was no time for him to be concerned with his own image, his village's future was at stake!

The Hikarikage had asked him with an important mission- go to the large villages and implore the shinobi to come to their village's aid! He took a deep breathe and steadied his stance before he suddenly leaped up onto a stack of crates and yelled at the host of people to grab their attention.Hello! Good people, may I have your attention! Please excuse my interruption of your daily lives, but I must ask for your assistance! I am not from these lands, I know nothing about your village, your people, or the outside world around us. My village has been hidden for many years and now we find ourselves suddenly vulnerable to bandits, thieves and plunderers! My people are a peaceful lot and cannot defend themselves! Please, go to your kages and request to assist us!

He stayed atop the crates as long as the people would allow him and answered questions he thought he might be able or allowed to answer for them. It was indeed strange for a large village to suddenly appear near Kusamuragakure, many people were intrigued and some fearful: he did his best to not seem threatening as possible. More than anything, he needed to secure powerful allies to defend his beloved village.

Kyomu was wandering through the streets of Tsukigakure, wondering what was happening to the people today. She had spent too long indoors, and still barely knew her way around the great village, so she loved to explore any chance she got, which today most certainly was. The weather was beautiful: warm with a chill wind, the perfect weather in her opinion, and she had wanted to experience it as best she could. Pretending to be her mother usually gave her little time to be amazed at new things, but today she was just going to enjoy herself, as Kyomu, not as Sagi.

As she walked down a main street, she noticed a crowd of people, gathered around. Most of them were civilians, with a few shinobi here and there, but Kyomu was more interested in why they had all gathered. It seemed that a man was standing on a stack of crates, shouting to the people and asking for their help for his own village. He never named his village, but apparently his village, which had been hidden for many years, was now re-appearing, and it was being constantly attacked by bandits. It all seemed very far fetched, and the man was still standing around to answer questions, so Sagi, the Jounin child, walked over to the stack, stepped upon her own boxes so that she could be heard and seen despite her small stature, and spoke.

"You say that your village is in danger and you wish for the Kage of this village to send help, but you have yet to tell us anything about your village. This is strictly hypothetical, but for all intents and purposes, you could be an enemy spy, trying to lure the shinobi out of Tsukigakure and into a trap. I am more than willing to aid you, and your village, in any way I can, which is more than you may think, but I just want to make sure I know that I am not being played. I only desire your village's name, location, and anything you can show me to prove it actually is where you say." There was nothing wrong with asking for more information. If the man needed help, Kyomu would help, but Sagi just needed to know more before she completely said yes.

He knew he had come here to ask for help, but he didn't expect the help from such a cute little girl! Her mental state didn't seem to match her stature though, she had engaged him in a theoretical situation that could prove disastrous as well as true if he were a spy. He wasn't though, he was a sincere man begging for the safety of his village. Ah, I see your point young lady! I am Miroku, my village is very near Kusamuragakure and it is named Heiwagakure. We recently appeared after our barrier was removed because someone stole our sacred tome from the temple which empowered our village's barrier.

As for proof, he really didn't have any kind of tangible evidence to how this girl, he hoped she would just believe in his humble request.

The man understood Sagi's concern, but quickly responded with the truth. His name was Miroku, a messenger from the village of Heiwagakure, a formerly hidden village - literally in this case - but their village had now re-appeared because of a thief stealing their sacred tome, a tome which had kept the safety of the village. The location was near Kusamuragakure, the Village Hidden in the Jungle, a place Kyomu had never visited, but she knew the name well enough, and knew roughly where it was in relation to Tsukigakure, so she could get to the village if they needed her help.

But it seemed that he had nothing to prove his words, no proof that there really was a village near Kusamuragakure, no proof that his name was Miroku, and no proof that he was telling the truth, but that didn't matter anymore to Sagi. She believed his words, as he truly looked like he was in need of aid for his people, and Sagi decided to trust him, proof or no proof.

"I thank you for answering my questions, and I'm happy to say that you seem trustworthy. I shall try my utmost to get in contact with our villages Kage, and tell him of your plea. I promise you I shall help your village if I can, even if I can't get back your tome, I will defend you from bandits, and I will try to make the whole village of Tsukigakure understand your need for aid, and more will come. Tsukigakure will help Heiwagakure, whether it's just me or an army, we shall help you."

Miroku was delighted, even from the smallest of blessings- a blessing was still a blessing. Miroku thanked the spirits that this little angel had appeared and believed his words enough to provide aid however she may. I am very grateful to you, young miss. I will be in the village for a bit longer.

Semasu watched the strangely dressed man for a bit, he had interacted with Sagi so politely and sincerely; Semasu had been ready to strike him down if he had tried anything funny with the shinobi that was like a little sister to her. Still, she had been listening in on the conversation and waited until Sagi had walked away to approach the stranger.

Apparantly his name was Miroku and he was from a hidden village neighboring Kusamuragakure, not at all surprised really. So, this village of yours. I assume you want our help because you're unwilling to fight and protect it yourself?

It was a valid question, a bit callous but true nonetheless. Semasu couldn't fathom the idea of villagers not raising arms to defend their homes, families and loved ones. To rely on other villages for such aid would only bring harm to such a village who had ostracized everyone for generations. Regardless of the outcome, this Heiwagakure would never be the same as it was before the barrier was removed.

I will help you, we can leave when you are ready.

Another shinobi! Miroku gazed upon this woman and then had to consciously avert his gaze from her lustful form; he focused on her eyes as he spoke to her. You have my thanks kind stranger! I am Miroku and on behalf of my Hikarikage, I thank your village for such a kind welcome and willingness to help my people.