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 Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 6:28 pm
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 Kagerou looked at Hono, having expected a response by the time she had finished taking her two drinks of sake. She waited patiently, but after a few minutes, she started to grow concerned. He... couldn't have been so drunk that he feel asleep, right? If such was the case, she should take him to a bed soon.
Tentatively, the green haired girl stood up again, she had seated herself while waiting, and approached Hono. She brought her face very close to his, which when bent down was within reach of such an attempt. With bated breath, she waited to see Hono would wake up, taking advantage of the situation to also take in all of the features of her peaceful face. The tranquility highlighted the thin, delicate lines that defined his expressions. The fragile eyelashes of white that brushed softly against his cheek. The gentle nose and the surprisingly well defined chin. Down the neck, to the neatly folded hands, which seemed out of place. Prim and proper even in his "sleep," if that's what it was, it made Hono appear at the ready for an order. He had said he was a member of a branch of the Hari clan. To think to introduce oneself in such a way, perhaps there was some importance to that.
Unable to restrain her curiosity, Kagerou gently lifted Hono's hand, turning it over to read his palm, not as a fortune teller, but in the same way she observed the rest of the body. When she angled the lifted hand to the warm yellow glow of the ramen stand's light, she could see the faint marks, the crevices of delicate harm to the hands. Thin lines crisscrossing Hono's fingers and the slightly weathered roughness indicated that he was a craftsman of some details but not strenuous work. Glasswork sh-
BUMP BUMP!
There was no way Kagerou could have expected the strike that had come down upon her, not once but twice. Two pointy smacks at the top of her head.
"Nani?!" she exclaimed. Her hands left Hono's to grab the growing bumps on the top of her head. With teary eyes, she looked up to see Hono looming over her, the first time his height ever made him seem intimidating. The light cast shadows down across his gently smiling face, giving it the definite feel of a harmless smile that hid dangerous intentions.
Despite it all, however, Kagerou did catch the redness in his ears. She was not afraid, well. She was, for Hono's reputation. It turned out he was drunk. It was the only explanation she had for this sudden change in character.
She thought that he was attacking her in his drunken stupor, and would continue to attack her. That was why she hastily left her chair and, with her legs, pushed it inside all while considering how to bring Hono out.
Unfortunately, it turns out he wasn't attacking her. He struck, without warning, a hapless second victim. Kagerou tensed, ready to stop the strike, but she had predicted wrong.
He attacked her, but he also attacked some random guy, toppling him over onto his butt, who had just come him. While she was trying to figure out the cause behind these effects, the victim spoke up again, a somewhat familiar voice she felt like she had heard earlier today.
No time to bother identifying the owner of the voice though, as something clicked in her head when she saw the pale hands tighten around the chopsticks for the third time. Speech was a trigger, possibly. She reached out, and this time made it in time to intercept the strike.
Twisting her body, she darted a hand between Hono's arm and body from behind, using the back of her hand to deflect the chopsticks from their intended target. Her arm lifted up, lifting up Hono's arms as well. Kagerou's arm held up the large, billowing sleeves of the graceful Hokori like they were curtain and through the gap, she brought the index finger of her other hand to her lips in the universal sign for silence.
That was when she first saw that the poor soul had been Soraru. Well, if it was Soraru, then he deserved to know as Hono's friend. "He's drunk," she meant to mouth, but it actually came out as actual words that could be heard.
Catching her mistake and expecting another strike against her, Kagerou would be ready this time with a plan of her own.
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 6:58 pm
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:44 pm
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╔══╬═════════════╬══╗
Ｍ Ｕ Ｓ Ｕ Ｎ Ｄ Ｅ ※Soraru※ Ｈ Ｉ Ｒ Ａ Ｉ Ｔ Ｅ
╚══╬═════════════╬══╝
"Truth is not what you want it to be. It is what it is,
and you must bend to its power or live a lie.."
Soraru's eyes narrowed, quickly processing the situation before Kagerou even spoke. It was all too easy to see Hokori's reddened features and far-off gaze from his position. Too much to drink? It was a surprising thought, given that he didn't actually see his friend as the type to enjoy such indulgences. Normally he wouldn't pay any mind to it at all, but he was perceptive enough to spot the way Honō gripped his chopsticks. I could put a stop to this with the state of ceasefire, but it's too reckless given the range of that technique. If he's a belligerent drunk, my best option is to separate him from people and restrain him. At his level, the state of ceasefire would force anyone within at least a two hundred yard radius to stop hostilities. Sure, it would put a stop to the current situation, but it would also potentially screw up anything from ANBU arrests to show matches in the area.
Once the girl he remembered as Kagerou came between him and Hokori, he was struck with a sense of dread. While she definitely carried herself like someone who could take care of herself, it didn't change the fact that she was up against someone who far out-classed her in sheer size. While he was thin, that would only serve to increase the threat of any elbows he could toss out in such a close distance, especially with the length of his arms. Once he saw Hokori's arms raised high, he didn't take any chances with the girls safety. While he wasn't out to make himself out to look like a hero or her out to be a damsel in distress, Soraru just wasn't the type to let someone get hurt if he could do something about it.
The ramen shop wasn't too large, so he'd need to focus on removing Hokori from it first. She was behind the drunken Honō, so his options were limited. If he just dove in form his current position, he'd be forcing both of them all the way into the shop and potentially causing damages all the same. His best bet was...
Soraru lifted himself while swinging his legs behind him so that he could kick off. It wasn't a particularly graceful motion, but Hokori wasn't giving him much time to keep up such appearances. Using the Linear Step technique of the Shunkan no Hagane style, the swordsman capitalized on his already impressive speed to rush past Honō and grab Kagerou instead, bringing her form close to his own so that he could move his arms around her. "Sorry." He apologized to her for the sudden embrace, and clasped his hands together near the center of her back to follow through with the reason he made that action in the first place. Not only did he form a hand sign to start his Kage Bushin, he also placed his hands there to stop her back from coming into contact with the front counter of the ramen shop. The swordsman felt a hand swipe at his back, but didn't let it deter him from completing the jutsu, his eyes glowing from the flow of chakra.
From behind him popped out three perfect shadow clones of Soraru, each working to grasp Honō's arms and bring him outside in order to stop causing a scene within the ramen shop. Both respectful and gentle in his touch, he did his best to put space between himself and Kagerou, nodding to the owners behind the counter with a sincere smile. "Sorry about all this, I'll take care of it. Can you ready a shoyu with kombu dashi and chashu with salmon onigiri on the side?"
Chakra: 266 (÷4) ╽ Stamina: 116 (÷4) ╽ Bukijutsu/Bukijutsu ╽ Hakemoto ╽ Kumogakure Genin (C)
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 12:55 am
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 5:45 pm
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OH GOD HAVE SWEET MERCY because apparently Hono had none?! Poor, pitiful looking Kagerou, though she still had a smile, albeit a pained one on her face, was still bent over covering the bumps on her head and he goes for a double whammy knee-elbow attack?! Moments before Hono is about to break Kageoru like the chopsticks he had just discarded, however, Kagerou is whisked away to safety. She feels a lurching pull around her waist, pressing into her stomach as she is disorientingly pulled up by strong but not bulky arms. On reflex, her mind notes, "A physical type shinobi," despite having difficulty finding her footing. It wasn't that she was lost on what was happening. In fact, the problem could be said to be the opposite. She knew what was happening, but was reacting to everything a split second slower than she usually would, so she saw Hono's strike incoming, tried to handle it on her own, but then got lifted, and her body was still sort of making the motions needed to dodge when her mind was just registering that she needed to try and get her footing after being grabbed and set down.
Well, the complications of alcohol on the internal body messages aside, the simple way of saying it all was that Kagerou ended up leaning on Soraru once all the motion had stopped, her hands clutching his clothes. She heard an apology, to which she looked up, recognized Soraru, and mutely shook her head with an "it's ok" smile, trying to convey that she wasn't bothered. If she was sober, maybe she would have picked up on all of the reasons for his actions. As it was, however, she got the gist of it enough. He was in a rush, so it was just better to keep her in his hold while he wrapped his hands around her to cast the techniques he needed. She could feel that much, the hands behind her back moving into different signs and the bursts of smoke coming from behind Soraru.
Curious and worried, Kagerou wanted to see what was happening with Hono on the other side of Soraru. Kagerou, the hug-lover, didn't mind the close proximity. She didn't have any room to go backwards, so she didn't even think twice about her solution to cling even closer to Soraru instead. Moving her grip up to his shoulders, the shorter kunoichi clutched and pulled on what she expected to be a solid body to peek over the shoulder and see the situation on that side.
She saw plenty of Soraru's groping and manhandling one Hono who was serenely attacking them with the calmest face over. At this bizarre, normally rather extremely worrying scene, Kagerou serenely nodded, her smile calm. Good, though perhaps more gently, this is what she would have wanted to do as well, pull Hono outside of the establishment. With a sigh of relief and approval, she commented, "A good friend."
Besides her ear, as she finished making the observation of Hono and the Soraru clones, she could feel the tickle of Soraru's breath as he made an order. Kagerou lowered from her tiptoes and released her grip. However, she didn't make a move to try and free herself from Soraru's arm ring. Instead, careful to remain inside the warm, pleasant circle, she turned around on the spot. As she hoped, they were right where she and Hono had eaten previously, and the cups and bottle of sake were there. Even more perfect, Hono's cup was empty. When and how? She didn't know for sure, but he probably downed it like an elegant and very fast drunk at the same time he pushed his seat neatly in.
Regardless, Kagerou reached out for the bottle first and held it up to Soraru's eye level with both hands. Pleasantly, she asked, "Would you like a drink?". Her head tilted up and back so that she could look up at Soraru's face (mostly just his chin) while speaking to him. As a friend of Hono's, and someone Kagerou hoped to become friends with, who had joined them for their dinner, this was only polite to do.
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 7:29 pm
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╔══╬═════════════╬══╗
Ｍ Ｕ Ｓ Ｕ Ｎ Ｄ Ｅ ※Soraru※ Ｈ Ｉ Ｒ Ａ Ｉ Ｔ Ｅ
╚══╬═════════════╬══╝
"Truth is not what you want it to be. It is what it is,
and you must bend to its power or live a lie.."
Soraru didn't expect the sudden movement in his arms, and he suddenly felt foolish that he didn't relinquish her from his hold in the first place. I guess it just wasn't important at the moment. He thought, feeling some amount of relief that she didn't appear offended or appalled in any way from his impromptu embrace. In fact, she seemed to move within his arms like some sort of hugging professional. He watched her grasp a bottle of sake and turn back towards him, his face lowering so that his eyes can meet hers. While everything up until that point was tolerable, the lack of distance between their eye contact was the trigger to make him realize just how close they were. For all of a second, his thoughts tried to convince him that pulling back his hold on her could possibly be seen as rude given current circumstances, but he almost immediately shut down his foolish mind.
Unclasping his hands, he pulled back his arms and instead crossed them over his chest, putting his hands in his sleeves to feign being cold. But if I'm acting like I'm cold, why woulhttps://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/posting.php#dn't I be holding someone instead? His thoughts pointed out a contradiction, but rather than engage in any mental panic, he just settled on hoping that she was too inebriated to actually detect any faults in his logic.
Realistically, she probably didn't care, but Soraru was a man far too absorbed in his own thoughts to explore that obvious possibility.
"I can take a little bit, if you'd be so kind as to pour it for me. I don't handle my drink very well, but I can't just turn down hot sake if you're kindly offering like this." He spoke, the red on his features betraying the kind, calm smile that he put on display. "Kagerou-san, right? Excuse me, but he didn't manage to hit you at all, ne?" Soraru moved his right hand while he spoke, sliding it out from the opposite sleeve to tentatively place his hand over her head where Hokori's elbow would have most likely hit. If she was anywhere near as intoxicated as he thought, there could have been some wounds that she just hadn't realized. Not to mention that there was also likely an altercation before he got there. Feeling something suspicious through her thick hair, he gently splayed out his index and middle finger to better confirm his suspicions.
Wordlessly, he activated the chakra pulses of the Hakemoto's state of healing. While it would have been enough to take care of any wounds by the time the pulse completed, he'd rather not tire himself out by staying in the state for longer than necessary, especially if Hokori managed to become more of a problem. A thin, aquamarine aura came from his hand, quickly going to work on any pain she might've been experiencing. "I hope you don't find this demeaning in any way. I'm sure you can take care of yourself, but I want to take responsibility for my friend's actions."
---------- Meanwhile -----------------
The clones were handling Hokori well. While his sudden attacks were quite the surprise given his normally reserved or skittish nature, the shadow clones were still given a fair bit of Soraru's power. Strong enough to tear themselves out of grips and quick enough to react appropriately to the flails of a drunken man, it should've been evident to any sober person that the rampage was being contained rather than stopped. If Hono had any ability to perceive in his current state, he'd realize that rather than just dodge, the clones were actually leaving afterimages in their wake. Not only that, but the clone being targeted with the headbutt raised his hands to 'catch' Hono's head despite the prickling pain that tingled down his arms for a moment. The other clones suddenly approaches, going for the tall boy's legs, attempting to bring him to the ground once more.
Chakra: 266 (÷4) ╽ Stamina: 116 (÷4) ╽ Bukijutsu/Bukijutsu ╽ Hakemoto ╽ Kumogakure Genin (C)
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 9:01 pm
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 11:01 pm
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Kagerou's eyes followed the retraction of Soraru's arms. Cold? The thought never crossed her mind. She simply thought he wanted to keep to himself with how he hid his hands in his sleeves. However, she said nothing about it, and as per her habit, continued to smile regardless of whatever disappointment she might have felt. How unfortunate, she had read awkwardness in his eyes, but was hoping to take advantage of his kindness. He withdrew, in the end, and while less inhibited in her tipsy state, she would not push forwards, especially when it was not convenient to do so as she was holding a drink. Lucky Soraru, he was allowed to be free.
At Soraru's assent, Kagerou nodded and quietly began to pour the sake into Hono's cup. Hot sake, he had requested. The sake had come out warm, but had since cooled down. With the Atatameru technique, her hands glowed with heat and warmed the sake bottle in her hands. Looking hale and hearty, she poured the sake, shaking her head when Soraru asked if she was hit. The intent behind such a question, as usual, was if she was hurt, and she was not. She may have suffered a painful blow, but it was nothing worse than what she had already endured during her training.
However, it seemed her denial did not stop the other party from worrying. While pouring, she felt a hand reach out for her head. How fickle. Did not want close contact, but reached out to touch her anyways. Nonetheless, she didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, she quite enjoyed the touch. Her head bobbed under the light pressure, rising up curiously as she felt something much like medical chakra but not healing the pain she still felt on her head.
Did the people of Kumo train their shinobi to kill their enemies with kindness? Hono was too kind and sensitive to those around him. Now, Soraru was healing Kagerou of a minor wound and apologizing in placed of his friend. It was a far cry from the raucous bunch Kagerou was familiar with in Kirigakure. Getting thrown through walls by tendrils. Humped by a spider. Glared at by a certain suicidal widow. Or shot haughty looks by her own cat. Granted, she was also part of the problem, spontaneously proposing to someone in the middle of the streets. Compared to Kiri, the people from Kumo were so nice~ Basically the Canadians of the shinobi world?
Kagerou turned around with the cup of warmed sake and handed it to Soraru with a smile. "Thank you," she expressed without looking the least bit offended, and definitely not like she blamed anyone, "but I consider him my friend now, too."
She tilted to the side in an unsteady fashion that gave the impression she was wobbly. However, she had no problem holding her balance. Between what she had seen of Hono prior and what she was watching now, her smile grew wider as she thought of something as she watched the teetering but effective movements that evoked a style known across the continent. An interesting fellow. When we next awoke, she would need to ask him how he felt about this night. Depending on his answer and if they would ever work together, she might consider investing in an appropriate jug to hold alcohol.
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:58 am
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╔══╬═════════════╬══╗
Ｍ Ｕ Ｓ Ｕ Ｎ Ｄ Ｅ ※Soraru※ Ｈ Ｉ Ｒ Ａ Ｉ Ｔ Ｅ
╚══╬═════════════╬══╝
"Truth is not what you want it to be. It is what it is,
and you must bend to its power or live a lie.."
Whether or not she realized it, the bump on Kagerou's head went down completely by the time Soraru pulled his hand away. When he started out years ago, he wouldn't have even considered wasting the chakra on such a minor wound. The swordsman had matured into a different person some time ago. He accepted the cup of sake with both hands and nodded in response to her words. "If that's the case, then I'll thank you too. Sometimes I get the feeling that he sees me as a greater person that I really am, whether that be because of my training or our friendship. I imagine that I can't convince him to think less of me either." There was a certain happiness to his tone despite the sigh that followed. Following closed eyes and a facetious scoff, he graciously drank the offered sake. While the drink itself produced a noticeable warmth throughout his body, there was also something stirring deep down. Careful not to breathe in excessive amounts on the face of his companion, Soraru turned his head to the side and let out a long, slow exhale. "Shame. I like the taste of sake but I can barely survive a full cup. Oh well." He spoke quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as if he were speaking while lost in thought.
"Anyways," he started, once more making eye contact with the green-haired girl. Her strange movement didn't bother him at all. As cliche as it was, he'd likely catch her if he noticed her falling, just as he'd carry both her and Hokori home if they were going to have trouble walking. "I'm sure there are things he can't talk about around me, for fear of seeming crude or disrespectful. Something like that. So I'm glad that you'll be there for him to talk to." It was strange for him to speak about the topic so openly. Soraru was used to special treatment, but that was exclusive to a land far away, in a time long gone. Hokori was the only one who treated him that way, and while he wasn't strictly opposed, he knew that it would create certain barriers in the freedom of their friendship. Regardless of those restrictions, there was a unique understanding between them. It was something that the young swordsman could appreciate.
"Now, it's question time. You obviously don't follow the way of the sword, and you don't have the 'battle scars' that come with a harsh job like Hokori-san's. The bells make me want to say genjutsu, but your demeanor makes me think of a medical shinobi. Ah, or maybe the bells are part of a performing act? I hope you don't mind humoring me here, this is just a hobby of mine." He wore a wide smile, obviously enjoying his own little form of fun. With how much he got lost in his own thoughts, it'd be a waste to keep his useless conjectures all to himself. Sure, he was probably the only one who found it amusing, but the samurai wasn't above keeping himself entertained.
--------------------------------------------------
Even as a clone, Soraru was nothing without his pride. He was fighting with his hands to take it easy on the glassmaker, but it seemed like the drunken Hokori was content to take advantage of his kindness. Being beaten down or cut apart was one thing, but to be sat on was a whole different story. A roll was followed by a swift pirouette, and movements suddenly became more fluid. Hokori wouldn't grow if he was constantly being babied, nor would his accomplishments mean anything. Two of the clones stepped back, leaving the third to make an opening. "Y'know, Hokori-san.." He started, ducking beneath the roundhouse kick and launching his body to the side in order to view the next attack rather than counter immediately. Another headbutt, one that he met by blocking it with his arms. It was strong, and he felt the impact in his bones. "The way you ignore all your natural talent is so annoying to me sometimes."
Another spinning movement, another rush of speed and strength. In that time, Soraru yanked his weapon, scabbard and all, from the obi that began making its way to the ground. The scabbard itself was strewn to the ground next, and Hokori would find his headbutt meeting the chakra shield surrounding the flat end of his blade. Taking advantage of his strength, he shoved with the weapon to try and get some space between them before spinning his body, flipping the blade once more in his hand to align the blunt end of his weapon with Hokori's midsection. It wasn't all his strength, but he would certainly be knocking his opponent back at least three meters if it hit due to the forceful nature of the Incoming Tide technique. Regardless of how it went, that particular clone would find itself dispersing after due to stamina exertion.
Splashing Rain
Rank: X :: Complex
Description: The user will reverse the grip on their sword, so that the blade runs parallel to their forearm. Focusing their chakra about the blade, they whirl the blade quickly to form a shield of elemental chakra to block incoming attacks. Gains two descriptive ranks in fortitude per rank against physical techniques.
Incoming Tide
Rank: X :: Spiritual
Description: The user channels chakra into their weapon, making it swirl and ripple on their blade. The chakra in the blade will make a strike’s momentum increase at the moment of impact, making even a simple strike overpowering. This is generally used to smack defenses away, or cause enemies to bounce into each other. Techniques augmented with this chakra are treated as complex and can knock back opponents with body ranks up to this technique's rank 3 meters, plus an additional meter per difference in rank. Lasts for four posts.
Chakra: 266 (÷4) ╽ Stamina: 116 (÷4) ╽ Bukijutsu/Bukijutsu ╽ Hakemoto ╽ Kumogakure Genin (C)
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 11:53 pm
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:32 pm
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As per proper drinking etiquette, Kagerou filled Soraru's cup once it was emptied. Her eyes looked searchingly up into Soraru's face. Indeed, as his whispered words related, her ears sharp from a musician's training having picked it up, he did not handle his drink well. The flush that slowly crept up his neck was physical proof of that. Kagerou smiled calmly and watched carefully. The care she put into her words right now edged her to not remind Soraru that he need not drink the newly filled cup. However, that did not stop her from silently promising herself to watch out for Soraru's alcohol levels, and make sure that he didn't get too inebriated, which was exactly the purpose for her watchful gaze right now.
At what Soraru had to say about things Hono could say to him versus her, Kagerou tilted her head. Befuddlement filled her eyes. She wasn't quite sure about the accuracy of Soraru's statement. From what she had seen, Hono treated everyone as his better. The aura of a servant pervaded him even throughout his conversation with Kagerou, and she was certainly not exuding the impression of a noble lady in her worn hoodie and pants. All the little attempts Kagerou made to break through Hono's formality only appeared to make him more uncomfortable. Ever careful, almost afraid. It had gotten a little better, but Kagerou couldn't shake the feeling that it only felt like it had gotten better because Hono had gotten better at making her feel better. She had all but resigned herself to taking it slow and steady, following Hono's wave until he naturally opened up to her. However, in that case, Soraru was far further along that path than hers.
What Soraru told her did not match with what she had assumed of Hono. However, she did not argue against it, verbally or mentally. Instead, she gladly accepted this second view of Hono, from someone who knew him more than she did, and added it to her repository of knowledge. The befuddled expression turned into a single nod. Perhaps she should try again, for a little longer, to poke holes in Hono's shell instead of waiting it out.
Then the conversation moved onwards, the focus directing onto her instead. She looked up once more and blinked, smiling. Should she humor Soraru? It was an easy yes, but just to be sure, though she was mostly clear of mind, she double checked her thoughts before continuing. "How bold," Kagerou commented. What she meant was that Soraru was bold to assume what hadn't been seen, as he clearly didn't have much chance to see her hand clearly in this lighting. However, with only two words spoken, there were many ways such words could be taken.
Her left hand rose to Soraru's eye level, palm side facing him, and slowly moved her fingers in the light. Small callouses could be seen. For instance, on the pads of her fingers from various stringed instruments, between her thumb and forefinger from the scalpel, and so on and so forth. Perhaps not scars in the literal sense and so few that it wasn't anything to boast about, but it was not an unscathed hand. The marks of weapons and body training had, of course, all been erased, but it would be strange, after all, if musicians and doctors did not have certain callouses from hours of practicing with instruments and tools.
"Otherwise," she praised as her left hand raised higher to pat the awfully fluffy looking head of hair in congratulations, "You are accurate on all points." If permitted, an absolutely satisfied look would come to light on Kagerou's face, smile wide and eyes closed.
She forwent the "way of the sword" back in her academy years, and had all but taken it out of her repertoire as she geared towards even more of a chakra-oriented role lately. She did, indeed, use some genjutsu and could be classified as a medic shinobi. She also knew how to perform.
By the way, on that topic. Since she said a little about herself, Kagerou thought it only fair to ask Soraru a question in turn. She only wanted to know something simple, a carryover from her conversation with Hono "By the way, do you have a favorite instrument?".
There were sounds coming from the fighting that Kagerou could hear all throughout her conversation with Soraru. Soraru talking about wasted talent. Hono being silent as his drunk self had been up to now. She kept Soraru between herself, so she would not interfere, but she wondered for how much longer she should wait. She was a little worried.
The sounds of approaching footsteps from behind her and the sloshing of soup being carefully moved caught her attention at the tail end of her question. "Yer order," the store owner spoke gruffly as he thunked down everything Soraru had ordered, "Eat up, will ya? You're still as skinny of a stick as the first day you came here. It ain't gonna look good for my business if one of my regular customers goes around looking like they're half-starved."
The whole fight between Soraru and Hono only earned a bit of a passing glance from him. This was a village of ninjas. Fights couldn't be considered strange. So long as it didn't come into his shop, he could live with the extra ruckus. It didn't even seem to impeded business all that much. One old granny even came in like it was nothing. After getting a kind shinobi to escort her around the fighting just in case, that is.
He did, however, look pointedly at Kagerou, who was still standing rather close to Soraru, completely unbothered by the lack of space. He recognized her from, well, when she was eating just a bit ago. His eyes scrutinized the scene of Soraru, her, and Hono plus more Sorarus in the back but he didn't say anything. After all, he wasn't the type to pry in the lives of his customers. He simply gave a gruff, "Hmph," that could be taken to imply any number of things and turned around to return to his work.
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 4:19 pm
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╔══╬═════════════╬══╗
Ｍ Ｕ Ｓ Ｕ Ｎ Ｄ Ｅ ※Soraru※ Ｈ Ｉ Ｒ Ａ Ｉ Ｔ Ｅ
╚══╬═════════════╬══╝
"Truth is not what you want it to be. It is what it is,
and you must bend to its power or live a lie.."
An eyebrow raised. How bold? He examined the hand that she displayed to him, seeing her point. His experience with healers was extremely limited, and it was largely through her demeanor that he drew similarities to the ones he knew. While he could get a read on everything she wanted to display to him, he couldn't understand any of the deeper intricacies he normally detected on people. It was a conundrum where he couldn't figure out if she was being incredibly discreet or if she really was that open to everyone she met. I've hardly known her, and I feel like I could never anger her. Perhaps it was the constant smile. Or he was just jumping to conclusions far too early. "I see." He responded simply when she said that he was accurate on all points. "You have a certain impression about you, Kagerou-san. It's hard to see you as a fighter." There was no playful tone in his voice. There was far more genuine interest in his tone than there was amusement. It was familiar. His mind began to wander to another place, another time, of a different completely unwanted embrace.
The only thing to distract him from that line of thought was the sudden onslaught of information that came from his clone. While it hadn't completely run out of chakra or stamina, it seemed to disperse for Hokori's sake. I guess progress would be required if we're making this more of a training session. He's doing well, holding out as long as he is. I wonder if he'll remember any of this later. A part of him wanted to kick things up a bit, give him the "Tsukihara training experience," but the drunken fighter was still just learning to walk.
"By the way, do you have a favorite instrument."
The words caught him a bit off guard, largely because it was such a strange thing to ask out of the blue. He parted his lips to ask what could bring on such a question, but he closed them once more in thought, looking visibly pensive. "That's a good question." He started, recalling his history with music. "My mother was always practicing the Koto, and I have fond childhood memories of listening to it, but it's hard to bring myself to actually play it after the war. It had some involvement in my mission." It was probably more of an answer than she expected, but he thought that a good question deserved an equal response. "I never knew how big things like jazz were until I left my home. They've had a large impact on me, and even some modern music has its hold on me. I think my favorite thing to play, however, would be the piano. It's probably a simpler answer than you hoped for, but playing it is a sort of escape for me." As if to top off the answer, he accepted the drink with both hands and brought it close. Exhaling slowly, he fully exited the state of healing he had put himself into and brought the alcohol to his lips.
The store owner spoke up just as Soraru lowered the cup, his cheeks noticeably reddened. Still, there was no lack of control to his movements or signs of noticeable intoxication just yet. "Hey now! I've been eating a lot more lately, and my portions are always huge. Maybe if you were sweet enough to come visit me at the monastery, I'd get to eat a lot more of your delicious cooking." He teased, knowing there was no way in hell the older man would stoop to delivering food to a poor excuse for a monk.
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He would've been content to end it there. It was a solid block, and Hokori came out unscathed. Another of the clones took on the responsibility of the white-haired drunk, and he drew his blade with a flourish. "Hokori-san, that's enough. You need to calm down." He spoke loudly, easily enough to be heard. The blade was reversed in his hands, and any visible muscle on the young swordsman's body was steadily becoming more toned, as if he were focusing his very being. He'd hoped that Hokori would have sobered up some after all the physical exertion, but once passerby's started to become potential victims of his "playing," it was evident that such hopes were likely going to be dashed.
Moving forwards, he continued to hone the Hakemoto state of power, preparing to take Hono down in a blur of speed if necessary. Blue eyes examined the small audience that had formed. "If you don't want to get hurt, you'll back up. I'll handle this." The last thing he needed was a passerby getting headbutt all of a sudden, or for someone to call village authorities to intervene.
Chakra: 266 (÷4) ╽ Stamina: 116 (÷4) ╽ Bukijutsu/Bukijutsu ╽ Hakemoto ╽ Kumogakure Genin (C)
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Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 3:58 am
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Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 5:20 pm
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In her silence, Kagerou accepted Soraru's answers and compliments. So he liked to listen to the koto, one of several variants of eastern zither instruments, but playing was difficult because of memories past. However, he found the western jazz fascinating and the piano was his favorite thing to play. Personally, she found him to be fascinating. Soraru wasn't the only one who liked to observe and peel back the layers of his conversation partner. Though, for Kagerou, it was in equal parts a hobby and a honed skill.
A sheltered early life. The involvement of an instrument, and a hefty instrument that's difficult to carry about, in the war. Then picking up the piano despite it, too, being a rather stationary instrument that one would have to go out of their way to play. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a fondness for music. That was instant plus points for Kagerou.
After the ramen owner scoffed at Soraru's banter as he walked away, Kagerou refilled Soraru's once again empty cup.
Koto, an eastern instrument, and a region of the world where jazz was, at the very least, uncommon. Considering how, in this modern shinobi day and age, cultures intermingled in blatant disregard for geography, there were precious few places where one wouldn't be introduced to a veritable mixing post of musics and influences. It was part of the reason why she immediately jumped to assuming Soraru had led a sheltered life. The other reasons were that he definitely hadn't come from some small, isolated village like Takeda had and Hono spoke of him almost like a young master. He held himself like a young master, in fact. However, if she had to guess that he wasn't literally confined in a room and never allowed out... Immediately, the Swamp and Iron Countries jumped to her head as regions that held prominent families and large cities. Between the two, since it was a koto and not the gayageum, it would have to be the Iron Country.
Nonetheless, the conclusion was little more than speculation at this point. He'd been away from home long enough to learn the piano. The mention of a mission involving the koto indicated that he was not inexperienced with covert missions. The somewhat concealed noble bearing Kagerou sensed from him could very much be an act, or from a similarly disciplined origin, such as a monk; he did just mention a monsastery. Even the katana at his side... Well, Takeda could use a katana, too, and he came from a Water Country village that spoke the same tongue as the Swamp Country.
Kagerou hummed in thought as she closed her eyes. Then, without warning, those just closed eyes snapped open. Hono had finally spoken. Eyes bright with curiosity, Kagerou, still holding the now empty bottle of sake in two hands, leaned to the side to look over at the condition of the fight. Hono was basically half naked--oh my. The Soraru clones appeared unaffected by this wonderful view--well, they'll bend around eventually.
The voice had sounded normal at first. Not joyous, but the neutral tone Kagerou had heard fell within her expectations of his mood. However, the words that came after and the eyes that glinted with new tears changed the light of Kagerou's smile. She smiled, still, but there was concern now etched into the lines of her face. So there was something like this self-loathing expression hidden inside Hono too, huh.
Seeing Hono's face, Kagerou couldn't simply just say and watch, doing nothing. She had restrained herself long enough. This will stop now, and if it happened to interrupt his training, then she would take responsibility for it later.
She stepped out from behind Soraru and calmly requested, "Stop."
However, Hono had already begun his flailing strikes. If the wounds on his body and what Kagerou saw in the corner of her vision meant anything, however, Soraru would not simply take it lying down. She couldn't even be sure that he even noticed the changed in his friend's temperament. The adrenaline of battle could do such things.
Therefore, in that instant, the Kagerou that had also been walking forwards acted. The bells on her wrist of course rang with her movement, masking how little sounds her footsteps made and, more importantly, resonating her chakra 5 meters around her, enough area to cover Soraru and Hono. For those who could see such things, Kagerou's chakra would manifest a small grove of green trees, leaves rustling gently, a follow-up technique already prepared [Ouka [ Assimilation ]]. With little fanfare, a light would surround Hono, blocking whatever strike Soraru might make in self defense, and Hono would feel the alcohol quickly leaving his system all while Kagerou, rushing not at all, convened with the two who had, hopefully, stopped fighting [Busoutoshi [ Fortified City ]] [Jokyo Dokubutsu [ Poison Removal ]].
If the fighting had ceased, she would hand Soraru's clone the sake bottle with both hands, then turn to Hono and help him fix his clothes. All without words and her face still looking as flushed as a drunk's.
Chakra: 1000/1090
Stamina: 410/410
• Sanctuary Guardian - When using the Kokudo style, Kagerou can consider anything within the range of the territory to be her "body" for various chakra effects, such as being in contact with a target to apply eiseijutsu or when an aura extends only so far from her body.
Ouka [ Assimilation ]
Rank: B :: Spiritual
Description: Marks the battlefield with traces of the user's Chakra, allowing for usage of techniques in this style up to this technique's rank unless otherwise specified. The user's Chakra signature becomes visible at all points in the area for those who can perceive it. Affects up to 5 meters around the user in every direction, remains stationary after creation, and lasts for four posts. Can be sustained after the initial post limit is reached at a cost of its rank in Chakra every post. Can be countered by higher ranked uses of Ouka. This technique's max radius is 10 meters when paired with any techniques that increase its range.
Busoutoshi [ Fortified City ]
Rank: B :: Spiritual
Description: The next Jutsu used within the area that affects only one person also shrouds that person in some of the Chakra imbued in Ouka, granting them Chakra-based armor at this technique's rank for one post.
Jokyo Dokubutsu [ Poison Removal ]
Rank: D
Official Description: This technique does not cure a poisoning; it simply extracts a portion of the poison and prevents immediate death. This technique allows a med-nin enough time to prepare an antidote for the poison. This technique can also be used to slow down the effects of a poison used against the medical nin so as to give them time to escape or prepare an antidote for themselves. A patient will still die from a lethal poison even if this technique is used if the poison is not treated. The only exception to this is if the person this is being used on was just poisoned within the last minute or so (one post). This technique is less effective against highly advanced poisons.
Guild Description: The D - ranked version allows for removals of light poisons. The B - ranked version allows for removals of medium types. The S - ranked version allows for removals of the most dangerous types.
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 12:01 am
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.xChakra: idk xxxx Stamina: idk. xxxx Bloodline: Hakemoto xxxx Classes: Buki/Buki xxxxN/A
Ｍｕｓｕｎｄｅ "Ｓｏｒａｒｕ" Ｈｉｒａｉｔｅ 皆殺し
▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
Hokori's words were falling steadily onto deaf ears. It's not that I don't understand... He thought, hands tightening around the hilt of his katana. At that point, his body had visibly bulked up a bit. There was an air of power about him, and his kimono had less slack around the shoulders. It just frustrates me to watch you go through life so delicately. You're not fragile, Hokori Hono. It was time and time again that it happened. If something fell below perfection or seemed too brash, the erratic jerks to fix whatever was lacking never went unseen. The pauses in sentences to speak with a more 'correct' line of thought, the embarrassment, the-
Movement came quicker than he expected, and Soraru was ready to match it. I'll break you down and build you up stronger if necessary. I'll fill in the cracks. A flourish of steel, then a step forwards. The parry would come easily enough, the six strikes. The shoulders, knees and hips. It'd be simple.
Then came the sound of bells, along with an unfamiliar light. Trees, movement, and smoke where the clones once were. The samurai was gone.
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Cloneless, Soraru stood outside of the ramen shop with his back against one of the signs. One hand held an onigiri while the other slowly swung an obi back and forth. Due to the muscle increase that came with the state of power and its respective technique, he left his kimono, haori, and scarf inside. The white, high-collar shirt he was left in didn't do much for the cold night, but it was certainly a relief. "Thanks, Kagerou-san. I don't believe he's wounded at all, but I'd appreciate it if you could check on him for me all the same." Despite the clearly formed sentences, there was a slight slur to his words, along with an empty cup inside of the stall. He'd simply downed the drink she gave him, picked up some food and followed her outside.
The memories of the clone were fresh in his mind, and he was glad that he dispersed it when he did. White it was true that he had his griefs with Hono's habit of punishing himself or showing restraint, it wasn't his duty to teach him any other way to live. There was a lot he didn't understand, and forcing a path wouldn't make anyone happier.
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