16th step: Woolgathering [voice]

[favorthebold]

Do none of you miss your homelands? I ask sincerely. No one here ever mentions where he'd come from, no one speaks of his faith, his ways, his history... it's a wretched thing for a man in exile to never speak his country's name. Or is it that you have no countries at all? None of you

Comments

[heavenly_earth]

Some are better off here rather than at home. Speaking of them will not bring them back, and among the shinobi, loyalty to our country still stands in the form of our allies and the recent leaders that have arrived. An explanation of an entirely different world, custom, and culture is unnecessary.

Each world has their own war and struggles to fight against and there have been many inner conflicts you've surely noticed.

There are some things here- lives, even -that allow for second chances. You can't blame anyone for taking advantage of those opportunities; it would be foolish not to.

[Private to Neji // Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

While I don't disagree with you, Neji, and I'm certainly no sit-in-a-circle/hold-hands/share-feelings kind of person, uh...take this point as you will...argument for argument's sake.

Just...food for thought.

Unnecessary or not, and distracting as it may be, an explanation of another world, its customs and cultures, might help you to understand your neighbors and the baggage they bring to this world. Right now, we're all basically separate nations.

It's hard to be a team if we each go it alone.

So, yeah, it'd be foolish not to take advantage of what you have here, but it would be foolish to completely neglect the past you're building on, hm? After all, we brought our conflicts with us. Others have too. It's too hopeful to assume they'll just...disappear.

[Private to Kakashi // Unhackable]

[heavenly_earth]

This was not a discussion about teaming up, I believe. Your point is more than valid regardless, but I don't feel as though I should explain to each individual what our world is like on the basis of being accused of disloyalty.

Such a discussion is likely to come up at some point, though that is not at the moment.

Of course it is too hopeful to think maybe our problems will diminish, and it seems as though enemies from our world have appeared just to defy that alone. That doesn't make it just our problem, naturally, as it's everyone's the moment they appeared here.

You should instead have a talk with Unohana-san if you haven't already.

[Private to Neji // Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

Then don't explain it. No one said that you specifically were disloyal, Neji, and for you to get so upset about it makes me wonder if you still question your own loyalty, simply because you enjoy your home here. Don't worry. You wear your allegiance on your hitai-ite, and that you still remain with your team, your comrades... No one questions it, regardless of where you chose to stay in the end.

He asked if we missed our homelands, compared us to exiles, invited us to share information. You took it as a question of disloyalty, but any question about allegiance is one of fraternity.

And therefore teams.

Coming on the heels of Carmen-chan and Unohana-san's thoughts about team-efforts and community, as well as Lelouch's and other posts, it seems like a natural train of thought. People are loyal, allied, because they share values, beliefs, common traits. I think we've gotten to the point that the honeymoon here is over, and people are beginning to draw lines and divide into alliances based upon their values and goals. Maybe

[Private to Kakashi // Unhackable]

[heavenly_earth]

Teamwork is an important concept, after all, isn't it?

I've offered my support to Unohana-san for neutrality in what I perceive to be a wise decision for the inhabitants as a whole, but I don't plan to get caught up in 'sides'.

No need to over-complicate things, I'm fine with the way things are.

[Private to Neji // Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

If you're expecting me to get angry at that jab, you'll be disappointed. I don't suppose I could get you to reiterate that sentiment to Sensei when he gets back, though, could I?

Wise, perhaps.

I'll keep that in mind, then.

[Private to Kakashi // Unhackable]

[heavenly_earth]

I've learned not to expect much of anything. Naruto is surely Minato-san's son, however. So much so that it's annoying.

[Private to Neji // Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

What doesn't annoy you? You've learned not to expect much of anything from anyone, it seems. ...You're beginning to sound like me.

[Private to Kakashi // Unhackable]

[heavenly_earth]

..........I apologize, sensei. I've grown irritable lately.

[Private to Neji // Unhackable]

[turn_a_blindeye]

Uh huh. We all have.

Let me know if Sensei gets back. I'm...out for a walk, if Obi or your sensei ask.

[Private to Kakashi // Unhackable]

[heavenly_earth]

...Yes, sensei, I will do that.

[favorthebold]

Second chances might be lovely things, but no man can cast off all he is. He is a poor man - the poorest of men - who is bereft of faith, language, song and craft and all the things that make a country, whatever second chance he might gain therefore.