In all the chaos Masaru had fallen into a coma, and now the daily tasks required of him had fallen to her in the absence of anyone else to help. Mitsu had been devastated when they had returned his body to the village. She hadn’t slept for days, staying at his side and telling him of all that had gone on in his absence. She had danced and sang, cried and screamed. But nothing she had done had awoken her husband. She had been brought food and drink but other than a few sips of water she hadn’t indulged herself. What she had done was taken the time to make copies of all of the exclusive techniques of Iwagakure that she had found on Masaru’s person, securing the copies both within her memories and within a set of scrolls that she secured on her person. Masaru had instructed her to do so and considering the state he and his beloved country were in, it was the least of the tasks that she set for herself.
What he had not specifically asked of her was to take his place. And more than anything she didn’t want to. What she wanted was for him to awake suddenly, to have him sit up and smile at her again. But after so long without any indication of the future changing she knew she had to step up in his stead. With a gentle kiss on his forehead she would whisper her plans to him, offering a loving reassurance to the unconscious man. “I will take care of your people, my love. Of our people. I won’t fail you this time. Iwagakure will be strong again, and when you awake she and I will be here waiting for you.” With the confidence that only the Universe could provide her, she walked into the Tsuchikage complex and sat down on the stone chair reserved for the Tsuchikage. With a deep sigh she closed her eyes and settled her spirits before opening her reddish-pink eyes and addressing all those assembled. “In this time of sorrow and loss it falls upon us to shoulder the burden of rebuilding. Until such time as he is able to take up the mantle again I, Mitsukira Tatsudashi, will be leading in Masaru Tatsudashi’s absence.” With a nod to Hansuke she would continue. “I name myself Yondaime Tsuchikage and I swear on my life I will keep us safe and lead us into a peaceful and prosperous future.” She meant every word that she spoke and what had one been just a broken heart in light of all that had happened, was now a set of heavy shoulders as she felt the last of her innocence slip away under the weight of her claim. She doubted many would even disagree with her assertion, save for Chen of course, but she still held hope in her heart that this was just temporary and soon all would return to what it once was.
{Exit Thread}
[Claiming Tsuchikage and knowledge of all Iwa Exclusives, obtaining copies of all Iwa Exclusives]