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[enters from Twilight Cliffs]

A shadow appeared beneath a high branch on one of the taller trees in the center of the forest. From that shadow, Kurotsume's body slowly emerged. He grabbed the branch to avoid falling and easily hoisted himself up onto it. He never even knew himself why he enjoyed sleeping in trees so much. He'd done it many times as a child, and eventually came to find a branch more comfortable than a matress.

He noted the glistening white leaves falling to the ground all around him. He laid against the tree, with one eye open so he could watch the dance of the falling leaves. It was sights such as these where he got the inspiration for most of his Jutsu.

Hearing the man's voice almost made Kurotsume fall out of his tree. Both eyes wide open now, he peered down at the person staring up at him. He identified him as Moon, Phoenix, a Chuunin who was two years older than he was. Kuro let go of the tree and swung down to the point where he caught the branch in his legs. This brought him to just a few feet above eye level with Phoenix. "Well met Phoenix-san" he said trying to hold in a yawn. "I haven't seen you around much these days. How've you been?"

"Nightfall... Nightfall..." Kuro kept repeating to himself. The only reference to the word "nightfall" he knew of was the name of an organization he, Kaoru, and Envy had a few run ins with the past. "He may have been from Yoinokuchi. I've heard they have more than one leader and I've only met one of them." He ran his fingers through his pony tail to make sure he didn't have any leaves caught in it. "That's the only thing that comes to my mind. Although, to find one in a place like Kage, where almost everyone is on the lookout for them. That guy must not have been too bright."

"Hm. Same old same old I guess" Kuro said nonchalantly. He crossed his arms and nudged his body forward a bit until he swung slightly from the branch. He smiled. "Things have been pretty quiet in the village recently." The smile suddenly left his face, only to be replaced with a cold, icy stare. "A little too quiet now that I think about it."

"Completed it?" Kurotsume was somewhat addled by this news. "That must be quite an accomplishment. Before your clan was wiped out, they could even hold a candle to the Chikarasu and the Koumori." Almost out of earshot, Kuro heard something touch down on a branch behind him. Without a moment's hesitation, his scythe appeared in his hands and he swung it almost too fast for a normal eye to pick up on.

He landed on the ground near Phoenix and there was a dramatic pause before the tree was sliced completely in half, only to reveal a scared squirrel nearly hyperventilating where the tree once was. Kurotsume sighed. "I need a vacation" he muttered. "I'm way too edgy these days."