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

[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 this is just...feeling things out--finding out who are the "good guys" and who are the "bad guys," if you want to think in terms of black and white...picking teams.

But like I said: I was just bored and arguing for the sake of it. Maybe I'm just...over-complicating it, hm?

Why? What's the fun in agreement?

[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.