A Kazekage Is Chosen [Open]

The summons had come quickly and without warning.

Nuriko had only recently emerged from the shower early that morning, before the sun had even started rising so she could get work done before the hottest part of the day began, and gotten dressed when, two steps out the door, her younger brother had approached. He was younger than her only by a year and a half, and in his hands was a thin, nondescript envelope.

"It's from the council," was all he said before handing it over. That usually didn't mean anything good, but Nuriko squared her shoulders and opened the letter. She read it and re-read it, just in case, and tried to ignore the way her other siblings were peering around the corner, all of them staring at her apprehensively.

"It's a summons. I don't know what for." She said at last, exhaling softly.

Nervous looks were exchanged. A war was going on, everyone knew that-- was this a call to service? "Brother, you can't go!" The youngest and only other sister burst out, throwing herself out from behind the wall and clinging to her older sister. Nuriko wilted somewhat, sliding an arm around the girl and holding her close.

"If it's a summons to war, then to war I will go. This is the path of a ninja; think of this as a lesson you'd do well to remember." Though her words were a harsh light on the reality and nature of their chosen lives, her tone was gentle and she gave the girl a squeeze before untangling her and handing her off to the eldest son. She then retreated back into her room to suit up; when she returned she found her remaining two brothers sitting at the kitchen table, grim-faced and backs ramrod straight.

"Don't tell mother and father yet. We shouldn't jump to conclusions."

Empty words. What other reason could it be? But her brothers nodded and Nuriko glanced over them with a quiet pride. They both made fine ninja, taking the information as professionals and not as her siblings. With another nod she disappeared, running as fast as she could through the village to meet with her summoners.

---

"Welcome, Takemori-san."

Nuriko bowed politely in return, but said nothing until she had straightened up.

"I was summoned. May I ask what for?" Despite her polite tone, 'may I ask' meant more 'you had better tell me soon.'

One of the old men shifted and opened a folder, flipping through it idly. The silence prevailed for exactly one minute as he leafed through the file and Nuriko found her patience wearing thin. Still she stood stock still, one hand resting on the hilt of her katana, the gesture less a threat and more to comfort herself.

"Your shinobi files shows good talent for leadership; you carry your mission and tasks out well."

Nuriko remained silent, her face revealing nothing.

"The council has made a decision. You will be the new Kazekage."

If a hole had opened up in the floor and giant desert termites had flown out of it to devour her whole, Nuriko would have been less surprised.

"S...sir?" Had she heard him right?

Another of the counselors leaned forward, staring over the rim of his spectacles at her. "Do you refuse?"

The ninja shook her head slowly. "It's simply...Surprising." Very surprising. Not at all what she had been expecting when she'd opened the envelop this morning. But she squared her shoulders again and lifted her chin. "I accept this honor. Thank you."

An ANBU member appeared within seconds, holding out the Kazekage robes and a key she recognized as being for the formal home of the Kazekage. Presumably she would have to oversee moving her family in in the coming days. Resisting the urge to bow she took the robes and key with a nod, and the ANBU disappeared.

Her gaze turned back to the council members, waiting to see what else would be said. "Dispatches were sent out yesterday to inform the other villages that a new Kazekage had been chosen. No doubt you will be receiving return letters soon."

Which meant Kirigakure was the only one left without a kage so far, if Nuriko's information was correct. She chose not to comment on the fact they had sent out the letters before confirming that she'd agree; presumably they had to know that she wouldn't refuse or had a back-up.

"You will find reports on your desk to get you up to speed on the information you need to know. You are dismissed, Takemori-sama."

She resisted the urge to bow again and turned on heel, walking resolutely from the room and tried to ignore the way her knees felt weak. She tucked the robes under her arm and began the walk back to her neighborhood. She could have easily ran there in a fraction of the time, but her head was abuzz with her new found responsibility. The walk would help her think straight again as she watched the sun continue to rise.