It'd been a while since Hanayo had last come to visit. Last time Katsu had seen the woman a ritual had been completed. The sheer questioning that followed had been almost unbearable. Yet here the beast sat at a shoddy wooden desk staring down at a letter that'd come in hours ago. And upon it her creation had sent a letter with but a scant few words that promised something rather interesting.
"We need to talk. Don't bring anything but an appetite."
For a moment Katsu had to consider the implications of what was being asked. After all, she was still under lock and chain with an annoying handler that'd be more than willing to yank the leash. But this proved to be something irresistible. Unfortunately there wasn't a location mentioned. Usually means they'll find her.
"Ookami, I need to go to the forest from before. The one that got burned. Hanayo wants to meet and I figure that's probably the best place. Only people out there would likely be your tenders. Besides, she's my responsibility now, even from your cage. And iffen yer cunts will allow it, I'd rather leave the clothes and chain here."
From around the corner Ookami walked. He looked at her and whispered something into his earpiece before nodding. With a Kai the door opened.
"Clothes can stay. We'll take the back route. Chain must remain, though I've permission to observe from farther out. Tengu wants to know how you and your girlfriend interact, what the nature of this ritual you performed is."
"Guess you'll get a lesbian show then."
Katsu coulda swore she heard the old ANBU chuckle as she stepped out of the cell and the pair went off towards the burned glade. It wasn't a long trip, even if Katsu had abandoned all augmentations for now. Restoration efforts had made it almost impossible to recognize the charring upon the trunks. Even the undergrowth was coming in nicely.
"However y'all do it, I'm impressed."
"You'll find out with good behavior. Anyway, I'll take up post. Behave."
Katsu gave the man a flying bird before settling in to wait however long was needed.
This Sounds Interesting
Dual/Chi
This Sounds Interesting
Last edited by Das Kirb on Wed May 07, 2025 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This Sounds Interesting
Something was stirring. Hanayo had little more than a gut feeling, but it was compelling, and not wholly without grounds. With the disappearance of Fanho, and the branding of a bannin as a traitor, her village was becoming vulnerable. It left room for a fear that tall walls could not diffuse. At times like this, she coveted the closeness of an ally, someone she could trust. Katsu.
The hunger grew worse as she drew closer to her. Katsu’s mere presence freed some part of her, she would look for any excuse to satisfy it again. But instead of clouding her thoughts as it had before, the urge cleared her of distractions, narrowed her focus to what was truly important.
The night air cooled her skin. Her hair was down, soft against her shoulders as she bounded through the treetops. She’d dressed for comfort, Nothing she wouldn’t mind getting messy. Still a cold feeling cut through the wool. The jounin shivered, a subconscious reaction to the presence of another. Of course. The bat-masked one. Hanayo had hoped the note would imply a desire for intimacy, but then chided herself. She knew Katsu required explicit instructions. If she had to choose a spy, then he was the best option. She respected his discretion. And perhaps beneath the layers of professionalism they shared a quiet fondness. He obviously loved Katsu’s company. Otherwise, she wouldn’t see the pair together so often.
The hunger guided her steps, led her to the charred glade where memories lingered like smoke. She arrived not long after Katsu but didn’t descend to their territory right away. Hanayo looked down upon it with a touch of sentimentality. The barren had become a mark of her fury, her passion, their shared history. The clearing showed signs of new life: some small sprouts breaking through the scorch layer. And in the center of it, there she was, her beast.
“I thought that letter might get your attention,” Hanayo said as she swooped down, landing softly like falling leaves.
The air charged with anticipation and her own sharp-edged scent as she stepped towards the beast. “I see you haven’t learned to slip your leash yet,” she said, letting her irritation show. Her stare heated for a thousand reasons. “How good are the bat's ears? I imagine he'll be with us the whole night.“
The hunger grew worse as she drew closer to her. Katsu’s mere presence freed some part of her, she would look for any excuse to satisfy it again. But instead of clouding her thoughts as it had before, the urge cleared her of distractions, narrowed her focus to what was truly important.
The night air cooled her skin. Her hair was down, soft against her shoulders as she bounded through the treetops. She’d dressed for comfort, Nothing she wouldn’t mind getting messy. Still a cold feeling cut through the wool. The jounin shivered, a subconscious reaction to the presence of another. Of course. The bat-masked one. Hanayo had hoped the note would imply a desire for intimacy, but then chided herself. She knew Katsu required explicit instructions. If she had to choose a spy, then he was the best option. She respected his discretion. And perhaps beneath the layers of professionalism they shared a quiet fondness. He obviously loved Katsu’s company. Otherwise, she wouldn’t see the pair together so often.
The hunger guided her steps, led her to the charred glade where memories lingered like smoke. She arrived not long after Katsu but didn’t descend to their territory right away. Hanayo looked down upon it with a touch of sentimentality. The barren had become a mark of her fury, her passion, their shared history. The clearing showed signs of new life: some small sprouts breaking through the scorch layer. And in the center of it, there she was, her beast.
“I thought that letter might get your attention,” Hanayo said as she swooped down, landing softly like falling leaves.
The air charged with anticipation and her own sharp-edged scent as she stepped towards the beast. “I see you haven’t learned to slip your leash yet,” she said, letting her irritation show. Her stare heated for a thousand reasons. “How good are the bat's ears? I imagine he'll be with us the whole night.“
Last edited by Dual on Thu May 08, 2025 4:49 pm, edited 2 times in total.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
This Sounds Interesting
"Not his ears to worry about. Bastard's nose knows all." Katsu looked towards the voice and smiled through wicked teeth. "Besides, I'm a kiri former host to a god who conquered lands and ate hundreds of people. With everything that happened in my death they've no fucking reason to trust me besides my word. Gotta make sure that counts for something." She tilted her head towards him. "If I slipped the chain whenever I wanted it'd only get shorter and shorter until they stopped working with me and just took what they wanted. That being said, get your pretty ass down here and give me a fucking hug. Tell me how the shard is treating ya and tell me what this is about." The titan made an exaggerated gesture of holding her arms open, ready for embrace.
This Sounds Interesting
“That’s only if you got caught.” Hanayo muttered with a slight pout. Though Katsu's lack of concern for privacy was unsurprising, how could she expect the nudist to understand? “And it isn’t as if you’re the only one they don’t trust.” She left her suspicions unspoken. For now. Part of her knew she ought to listen to the beast’s wisdom, but her newly liberated self balked at the thought. Her freedom had been hard-won, and it bristled at even the faintest hint of a threat.
The standoff lasted a moment longer before Hanayo finally relented, pouncing into the titan’s waiting arms. Bitterness could never consume her. She buried herself in the familiar musk, uniquely Katsu’s. After being touch-starved for so long the warm softness tugged at her core.
“I have a favor to ask.” Her fingers pressed into the tense, tender muscle of Katsu’s arm. The beast had grown stronger. Good, that would do nicely for what she had in mind. “Two, actually, but I think you’ll quite enjoy the first. Some fool got it in their head that I am qualified to play den-mother for a squad of genin… I’m sure you’ve seen the condition of our lower ranks,” she said, her expression flat. “I need you to help me scare them straight.”
The standoff lasted a moment longer before Hanayo finally relented, pouncing into the titan’s waiting arms. Bitterness could never consume her. She buried herself in the familiar musk, uniquely Katsu’s. After being touch-starved for so long the warm softness tugged at her core.
“I have a favor to ask.” Her fingers pressed into the tense, tender muscle of Katsu’s arm. The beast had grown stronger. Good, that would do nicely for what she had in mind. “Two, actually, but I think you’ll quite enjoy the first. Some fool got it in their head that I am qualified to play den-mother for a squad of genin… I’m sure you’ve seen the condition of our lower ranks,” she said, her expression flat. “I need you to help me scare them straight.”
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
This Sounds Interesting
She caught the woman and embraced her with a firm and hearty hug. The shard's influence hadn't seemed to turn her into the behemoth Katsu was, interesting. Either way, the intimacy was enjoyable and the primal woman wasted no time in resting her head atop the other playfully. "Welcome home, girly." Katsu thought to herself.
The proposition did indeed make a beast smile even wider. She couldn't help but laugh from the belly for a moment either. "You're throwing them to the wolves and demanding they come back alive or not at all? And here I thought you leaf were soft in rearing your pups." Without breaking the hug Katsu raised the girl up to be face level and smiled that toothy grin. "But you're a bit different aintcha?" At this the woman began fully supporting the girl with one arm and running a finger through her hair with the other hand. "Got yourself a deal on my end. Just make sure it's cleared up the chain. Much as I'd like to say fuck em I'm sacrificing a bit too much to just throw it all away for some wee cunts. If you get that I'll kiss ye square on the lips for the fun alone. Shouldn't be too hard, part of my deal WAS to help get these assholes a bit more blooded." Katsu now ran her hand down to rest on her shoulder. "What's the other one?"
The proposition did indeed make a beast smile even wider. She couldn't help but laugh from the belly for a moment either. "You're throwing them to the wolves and demanding they come back alive or not at all? And here I thought you leaf were soft in rearing your pups." Without breaking the hug Katsu raised the girl up to be face level and smiled that toothy grin. "But you're a bit different aintcha?" At this the woman began fully supporting the girl with one arm and running a finger through her hair with the other hand. "Got yourself a deal on my end. Just make sure it's cleared up the chain. Much as I'd like to say fuck em I'm sacrificing a bit too much to just throw it all away for some wee cunts. If you get that I'll kiss ye square on the lips for the fun alone. Shouldn't be too hard, part of my deal WAS to help get these assholes a bit more blooded." Katsu now ran her hand down to rest on her shoulder. "What's the other one?"
This Sounds Interesting
“Leave the rest to me,” she sighed, canting into Katsu’s broad frame to seal the deal with a kiss. “Just don’t harm them beyond what I can heal.”
It was tough to find the words for what came next. Hanayo chewed the inside of her cheek, happy for the emerging night sounds to fill the silence.
“A few weeks ago I ran into a missing ninja, a Hyuuga from the branch family. He had an interesting story. As he tells it his own clan betrayed him, and they used the ANBU to do it.” The words heavy on her tongue like a confession. “Hard to believe, but even in exile he remained a shinobi loyal to the Leaf. Now, there’s talk of traitors, possibly assassins, in our upper ranks…”
“There aren’t many in the village I can trust– least of all your handlers. I know they’re watching me.“ I must sound insane, she thought, swallowing hard. But the village reeked with paranoia. Perhaps it’d been there all along, only reaching her attention after the ritual heightened her senses. She more than felt their presence now. She smelled them in her home. Some nights they felt near enough that she could hear them chattering in her walls.
“You’re… cautious around them, I understand, I am too. That’s why I need you to be my lookout. I don’t want you to pick sides, but I’d be more comfortable knowing there are eyes watching the watchers,” she said, her gaze intense but somehow held back as if careful not to reveal too much. Hanayo told herself that her apprehension was natural. Trust was fragile. No one wanted to find themselves on the wrong end of a surprise.
It was tough to find the words for what came next. Hanayo chewed the inside of her cheek, happy for the emerging night sounds to fill the silence.
“A few weeks ago I ran into a missing ninja, a Hyuuga from the branch family. He had an interesting story. As he tells it his own clan betrayed him, and they used the ANBU to do it.” The words heavy on her tongue like a confession. “Hard to believe, but even in exile he remained a shinobi loyal to the Leaf. Now, there’s talk of traitors, possibly assassins, in our upper ranks…”
“There aren’t many in the village I can trust– least of all your handlers. I know they’re watching me.“ I must sound insane, she thought, swallowing hard. But the village reeked with paranoia. Perhaps it’d been there all along, only reaching her attention after the ritual heightened her senses. She more than felt their presence now. She smelled them in her home. Some nights they felt near enough that she could hear them chattering in her walls.
“You’re… cautious around them, I understand, I am too. That’s why I need you to be my lookout. I don’t want you to pick sides, but I’d be more comfortable knowing there are eyes watching the watchers,” she said, her gaze intense but somehow held back as if careful not to reveal too much. Hanayo told herself that her apprehension was natural. Trust was fragile. No one wanted to find themselves on the wrong end of a surprise.
Last edited by Dual on Sat May 10, 2025 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
This Sounds Interesting
This information soured the mood a bit. Katsu's look grew intense as she glared into the eyes. The crimson and emerald orbs squinted in scrutinization. "Huh." After several more seconds of this her mind began to go over the potential ways of doing just that.
"Tall ask. Not saying I can't do it, but that I don't know how considering. Let me think." The great woman shifted and took them both to the grass, propping herself upon an arm and resting Hanayo in her lap, still holding her and looking into the forest. For about a full minute all Katsu dud was hold onto the girl and lovingly rub her leg. When she spoke up it was not hushed, but soft. "You know Ookami heard that, but I can say I think he's trustworthy. Same with Tengu. They're all lying bastards who hide belly to the ground like snakes. But those two. . . They're loyalties are to their home and families."
"As my old man would say people are about their loyalties. If you know what they want and how to help them, they'll help you. Problem is people keep what they want hidden a lot and lie to your face about it. And when you're part of a group of dipshits who deal in secrets and information, lying is second nature. Sniffing them out is not always fucking easy." Katsu squeezed gently. "And even without lies and backroom deals sometimes people just fucking turn on you on a whim. What killed me right there. Hard to keep an eye on that. However. . ." A playful grin came up now as Katsu moved a hand to firmly squeeze Hanayo's bottom. "You CAN count on me always having your ass." At this Katsu hoped the girl's mind would ease if only for now.
"Tall ask. Not saying I can't do it, but that I don't know how considering. Let me think." The great woman shifted and took them both to the grass, propping herself upon an arm and resting Hanayo in her lap, still holding her and looking into the forest. For about a full minute all Katsu dud was hold onto the girl and lovingly rub her leg. When she spoke up it was not hushed, but soft. "You know Ookami heard that, but I can say I think he's trustworthy. Same with Tengu. They're all lying bastards who hide belly to the ground like snakes. But those two. . . They're loyalties are to their home and families."
"As my old man would say people are about their loyalties. If you know what they want and how to help them, they'll help you. Problem is people keep what they want hidden a lot and lie to your face about it. And when you're part of a group of dipshits who deal in secrets and information, lying is second nature. Sniffing them out is not always fucking easy." Katsu squeezed gently. "And even without lies and backroom deals sometimes people just fucking turn on you on a whim. What killed me right there. Hard to keep an eye on that. However. . ." A playful grin came up now as Katsu moved a hand to firmly squeeze Hanayo's bottom. "You CAN count on me always having your ass." At this Katsu hoped the girl's mind would ease if only for now.
This Sounds Interesting
Hanayo allowed her head to rest on the woman's shoulder. She nodded along to the speech, watching Katsu’s flaming eyes intently. Listening and learning. Only having to resist the urge to roll her eyes at the mention of the bat listening in. Let him. What would they do? Add more surveillance? Please, this time send quieter spies. It was false bravado, of course, but Hanayo could almost find comfort in the lie.
Hearing pieces of her beast’s past life, Hanayo thought: Then you know exactly how I feel. Knowing her pain made it all the more tragic to see her reduced to this. The ANBU, this Ookami and now a Tengu, they all underestimated her. Treated her like an animal, yet the titan still stood with dignity. Since their first meeting, the jounin had enjoyed the process of flaying back Katsu's layers but only now did she feel as if she was seeing the woman beneath.
“I might actually believe you.” Hanayo giggled softer than the creak of the trees. She ran a hand through Katsu’s mane. It was so odd. She’d never felt this need for closeness towards another before. All of her prior relationships were more sanitized, providing a requisite affection. Katsu knew her desires, and acted upon them shamelessly. She found the raw, unpolished nature refreshing in a way. “I won’t require anything of you… But promise you’ll come see me again,” she whispered, her lashes fluttering. “I’ll be here every night. We can just talk. About what you see, what you do, even if it seems too minor to mention, I want to hear it all.”
Hearing pieces of her beast’s past life, Hanayo thought: Then you know exactly how I feel. Knowing her pain made it all the more tragic to see her reduced to this. The ANBU, this Ookami and now a Tengu, they all underestimated her. Treated her like an animal, yet the titan still stood with dignity. Since their first meeting, the jounin had enjoyed the process of flaying back Katsu's layers but only now did she feel as if she was seeing the woman beneath.
“I might actually believe you.” Hanayo giggled softer than the creak of the trees. She ran a hand through Katsu’s mane. It was so odd. She’d never felt this need for closeness towards another before. All of her prior relationships were more sanitized, providing a requisite affection. Katsu knew her desires, and acted upon them shamelessly. She found the raw, unpolished nature refreshing in a way. “I won’t require anything of you… But promise you’ll come see me again,” she whispered, her lashes fluttering. “I’ll be here every night. We can just talk. About what you see, what you do, even if it seems too minor to mention, I want to hear it all.”
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
This Sounds Interesting
With a soft smile Katsu craned her neck over to kiss the top of Hanayo's head. "Lose the clothes and we might even do more." The words spoken in a soft and teasing manner before she wrapped both arms around the woman. "But I'll see what I can do. You've got my word about that."
She let the air grow a bit silent for a moment as the two simply embraced each other. The intimacy was comforting. The moment felt peaceful, almost like she was home for a moment. In this glade, with this woman she'd only met thrice and being watched by her leash holder she almost wanted to simply remain forever. However, moments never last. Katsu's mind began thinking and wondering. The moment wouldn't last but there was a chance to have more of them to come.
"You still didn't tell me how the shard is treating you. You're awfully calm in the arms of a monster for it to not have done anything. You're seeing shadows at home and rushing towards a beast for protection. Is it not home anymore?"
She let the air grow a bit silent for a moment as the two simply embraced each other. The intimacy was comforting. The moment felt peaceful, almost like she was home for a moment. In this glade, with this woman she'd only met thrice and being watched by her leash holder she almost wanted to simply remain forever. However, moments never last. Katsu's mind began thinking and wondering. The moment wouldn't last but there was a chance to have more of them to come.
"You still didn't tell me how the shard is treating you. You're awfully calm in the arms of a monster for it to not have done anything. You're seeing shadows at home and rushing towards a beast for protection. Is it not home anymore?"
This Sounds Interesting
“You asked politely this time instead of tearing it off,” Hanayo said sitting back in amazement, a gesture that bared her shoulder. “I suppose that counts for something. But be careful, I don’t want to lose you as quickly as before.”
“It’s been…” Her gaze drifted to the stars scattering above as she considered her next word. Calm. She thought, taking slow, even breaths. Is that what I feel? Flashes of the recent events ran together in her head. Faces purpling. Fangs glinting. Memories of filling her mouth with blood brought hunger pangs. It sent her head spinning like vultures circling carrion. The urge passed through her like a chill. Hanayo had always been good at being bad. Could she blame the influence of the ‘shard’ for all she'd done? The bloodlust? It seemed like too easy of an excuse. She would be surprised to find the effects so insidious after such a violent introduction. The calm after satisfying such impulses must have always been there. Hadn’t it? “Different.” She finished after careful adjustment.
“I’ve been part of this village my whole life. And I’ve never felt more alien in it than I do now.” She rested her head against the woman’s chest again, eyes closing, Katsu’s touch anchoring her to the present. “If that makes you my home now... I won’t complain.” Though Hanayo had never had aspirations of a runaway, now more than ever, she was willing to lay here until the sun comes up.
“It’s been…” Her gaze drifted to the stars scattering above as she considered her next word. Calm. She thought, taking slow, even breaths. Is that what I feel? Flashes of the recent events ran together in her head. Faces purpling. Fangs glinting. Memories of filling her mouth with blood brought hunger pangs. It sent her head spinning like vultures circling carrion. The urge passed through her like a chill. Hanayo had always been good at being bad. Could she blame the influence of the ‘shard’ for all she'd done? The bloodlust? It seemed like too easy of an excuse. She would be surprised to find the effects so insidious after such a violent introduction. The calm after satisfying such impulses must have always been there. Hadn’t it? “Different.” She finished after careful adjustment.
“I’ve been part of this village my whole life. And I’ve never felt more alien in it than I do now.” She rested her head against the woman’s chest again, eyes closing, Katsu’s touch anchoring her to the present. “If that makes you my home now... I won’t complain.” Though Hanayo had never had aspirations of a runaway, now more than ever, she was willing to lay here until the sun comes up.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |
This Sounds Interesting
"Interesting." Katsu almost whispered, through the grin of the prior statement. It was like watching herself through the lens of time. With Vorashu whole the woman was pushed by a very real urge. The great changer had constantly been there to become stronger, faster, more defiant. It was impossible to know if the girl would have been that without him now. But even the sliver of his being had the influence. It was darker, more unrelenting, and painful. It was incomplete and impossible. But the fact Hanayo had witnessed it, experienced it, spoke volumes of what this shard truly was and the beast began to think.
"When Vorashu was trapped within me I could hear his voice. He was unrelenting and passionate. He fed me to the maw and challenged I fight back time and again. I hated him until I loved him." The woman spoke with reverence and contemplation. "When the blue blooded cunts took what freedom he had in me and chained him to another, this shard was left behind. It's why I'm immortal. I don't know if it's why we are now hungry. It's there in my nightmares, thirsty always. It doesn't challenge, but demands. It's like what was left of the god was his hatred."
Wind blew through the trees, a welcomed cool touch that sent a delightful shiver up her spine. "But it's also all amplified. Touch, scent, sound. I had never felt the world as fully before, even with Vorashu there. Hunger, pain, joy, and sorrow all became the base essence of itself. Hunger became starvation. Pain was agonizing and happiness was euphoria. Sadness was darker than misery. And affection becomes obsession."
Katsu ran her fingers through the girl's hair. She found herself questioning and unsure. Something didn't want to trust this affection she was feeling for someone. Usually she mistrusted everyone, including her family and mate. But this creation of hers, this woman was close enough to slide the blade in. It took years for her to come to love Arsa so fully. This girl was comfortable after mere hours, and some of those including damn near being immolated. "Everything is so pure and amplified, I wonder if that is what you're becoming. I wonder what that means. . . Maybe Konoha has had an effect on me just like the shard has on you. Perhaps there is no home anymore." After a second in contemplation the great woman let out a belly laugh and began tenderly brushing the woman's belly. "Listen to me, I'm sounding like fucking Varu."
"When Vorashu was trapped within me I could hear his voice. He was unrelenting and passionate. He fed me to the maw and challenged I fight back time and again. I hated him until I loved him." The woman spoke with reverence and contemplation. "When the blue blooded cunts took what freedom he had in me and chained him to another, this shard was left behind. It's why I'm immortal. I don't know if it's why we are now hungry. It's there in my nightmares, thirsty always. It doesn't challenge, but demands. It's like what was left of the god was his hatred."
Wind blew through the trees, a welcomed cool touch that sent a delightful shiver up her spine. "But it's also all amplified. Touch, scent, sound. I had never felt the world as fully before, even with Vorashu there. Hunger, pain, joy, and sorrow all became the base essence of itself. Hunger became starvation. Pain was agonizing and happiness was euphoria. Sadness was darker than misery. And affection becomes obsession."
Katsu ran her fingers through the girl's hair. She found herself questioning and unsure. Something didn't want to trust this affection she was feeling for someone. Usually she mistrusted everyone, including her family and mate. But this creation of hers, this woman was close enough to slide the blade in. It took years for her to come to love Arsa so fully. This girl was comfortable after mere hours, and some of those including damn near being immolated. "Everything is so pure and amplified, I wonder if that is what you're becoming. I wonder what that means. . . Maybe Konoha has had an effect on me just like the shard has on you. Perhaps there is no home anymore." After a second in contemplation the great woman let out a belly laugh and began tenderly brushing the woman's belly. "Listen to me, I'm sounding like fucking Varu."
This Sounds Interesting
Hanayo tilted into the touch as Katsu recounted her past life as a jinchūriki, letting the beast’s hand thread through her hair. She’d taken to wearing it loose as of late, due in part to a newfound appreciation for how the wind—or Katsu’s fingers—ran through it.
Vo-ra-shu. The name vibrated from her chest, resonating with meaning. A god. An immortal spirit– of not just change but freedom. And she’d been reborn into his ‘pack’; perhaps that was the essence of the cord binding her to Katsu. She spoke of the loss of the spirit as a severing of the soul. Her fire-green eyes flickered with a yearning for wholeness. Shattered, the broken shards would always be reaching out for one another. Only a god could devise a punishment so cruel. Granted immortality, but left forever unsatisfied.
In the humming quiet of the glade, Hanayo focused on the wild taboo of the titan’s heart. She tried to read the rhythm to understand if it was nervousness or excitement. Katsu’s laugh came sudden and rich, and Hanayo’s smile grew, amused by the beast's philosophical tract. She had ample time to think in her cage and not a second was wasted it seemed. “You’re adapting.” Hanayo stretched, eyes half-lidded. And I’m… becoming?
“Life's only constant is change.” It was the uncertainty on the other side of freedom, unbearable in its mystery. Hanayo had never been able to handle not knowing before, the constant anxious questioning would drive her to madness, but now... She placed her hand over Katsu’s where it lay on her tummy. Her thumb traced the woman’s knuckles. “We’ll have to find a way to embrace it together.”
Vo-ra-shu. The name vibrated from her chest, resonating with meaning. A god. An immortal spirit– of not just change but freedom. And she’d been reborn into his ‘pack’; perhaps that was the essence of the cord binding her to Katsu. She spoke of the loss of the spirit as a severing of the soul. Her fire-green eyes flickered with a yearning for wholeness. Shattered, the broken shards would always be reaching out for one another. Only a god could devise a punishment so cruel. Granted immortality, but left forever unsatisfied.
In the humming quiet of the glade, Hanayo focused on the wild taboo of the titan’s heart. She tried to read the rhythm to understand if it was nervousness or excitement. Katsu’s laugh came sudden and rich, and Hanayo’s smile grew, amused by the beast's philosophical tract. She had ample time to think in her cage and not a second was wasted it seemed. “You’re adapting.” Hanayo stretched, eyes half-lidded. And I’m… becoming?
“Life's only constant is change.” It was the uncertainty on the other side of freedom, unbearable in its mystery. Hanayo had never been able to handle not knowing before, the constant anxious questioning would drive her to madness, but now... She placed her hand over Katsu’s where it lay on her tummy. Her thumb traced the woman’s knuckles. “We’ll have to find a way to embrace it together.”
Last edited by Dual on Fri May 16, 2025 11:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
| Tenshi | Kumogakure no Sato | Genin | Team 5 |
| Kusanagi, Hanayo | Konohagakure no Sato | Jounin | Team Kusanagi |
| Bandō | Whirlpool Country | A-Rank | Merchants of Death |