Penumbra Alliance

[zory_alechiv]

The bubbling of of water over smooth rocks echoed through the trees. Birds sang and despite this not being the Nara forest, Jashin could hear deer running. It was a peaceful end to a dreadful night and the Nara basked in the 'silence' and safety the forest was offering him.

There was a book folded in his lap, thumb between the pages to keep his place. He'd stopped reading as the sun began to crest over the horizon, dawning on a new day and washing away the nightmares that clung to his conscious. The nightmares were easier to get over now, but the physical effects always lingered and he enjoyed the cool morning air that the breeze brought in off of the river. The Nara didn't always come to this spot. His cousin had a tendency to find him if he got trapped in his head too often in the same places, but he'd been here enough lately to know that he wasn't the only one who sought the solace of the forest.

Jashin didn't know her by name, not really. She was obviously a Hyuuga with those lavender, pupilless eyes and midnight colored hair, but he had never seen her before now. That wasn't saying much, before, he'd rarely left the compound unless accompanying his twin and when she had been killed, he lingered in the ANBU compound. After several years, he was finally getting a hold of his own life, but it was still no surprise that he did not recognize her, and she had yet to see him. Had she been more trained, she would have seen him sitting high in the tree branches, the leaves casting shadows over his form. Either she hadn't used her doujutsu, or he was better than he thought as he had remained hidden the last few days he had seen her.

Today, his curiosity was piqued. Oftentimes, he'd come here in anbu gear with his mask on the side of his head, ready to be called away at a moment's notice. Today, he dressed casual. A green jacket with his clan symbol on its back, a black turtleneck that rose up into a face mask that crossed the bridge of his nose, black pants, black boots, and with his hair in a high ponytail as well as his dark eyes, there would be no mistaken him for a Nara. He sat on a lower branch, easily overlooked if one was not looking up, but not actively trying to stay invisible either.

As expected, the Hyuuga woman approached the bed of medicinal herbs she'd been tending to next to the river for the last few days. It brought a rare smile to his lips that was hidden behind his mask. "You know," he spoke softly, not wanting to startle rer, "If not for the elegance in which you walked, I might mistake you for one of my own clansmen," he joked. "I've never known someone other than a Nara to be fascinated with medicines quite like you. Most everyone else prefers them already cultured and in pill form."

[Lunanana]

She awoke before the maids and other staff, silently slipping into her ninja gear and a levander poncho, to keep her warmer in the early hours of the morning. Strapping a reed basket on her back, and popping a few apple slices in her mouth, she fit her feet into standard issue ninja sandals, and made her way out the back of the Hyuuga compound to check on the herbs she has been eyeing for the last few days.

The air had the beautiful scent of the morning dew, and the sun was very shyly peeking over the horizon, as she started walking the damp forest ground. Mornings like these were hers, and hers alone, away from all the ruckus back at the compound, away from kunais and stares, and expectations… A life of a shinobi was brief, and one had to enjoy all it could offer.

She found the patch of young herbs, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips, as she started to kneel, placing a silky strand of hair behind her ear. "You know," Her eyes widened and she froze. "If not for the elegance in which you walked, I might mistake you for one of my own clansmen," She straightened her back and her gaze met the Nara on the branch. There was no mistaking that he indeed was Nara, Tsuki did not particularly know him, but she did know how the Nara looked like from the debriefs the current Hyuuga clanhead gave her. “N-Nara-san…” She said, feeling a terrible blush creep onto her face, caught in such a serene environment and completely lost in her thoughts. “...Good morning.” She added and placed her basket on the ground gently.

"I've never known someone other than a Nara to be fascinated with medicines quite like you. Most everyone else prefers them already cultured and in pill form." Tsuki did not answer right away. Levander eyes darted to the herbs, noting that they grew to the right color and size, as tilted her head to the side slightly, letting her hair slide over, and her gaze turned back to the man before her.

“I prefer mixing my own o-oitments, um… It helps with wounds- well, I thought that… “ And she was stumbling on her words, and nothing made sense of what she said. But what she couldn’t say, she could show, and her pale hand slid under her poncho, providing a small round container, which she extended to him on her palm, patiently waiting. If he chose to open it, he would notice that the ointment had a scent of levander, which was deliberately used to mask the usual medicinal smell. “I’m all out,” Tsuki found her voice again. “So each spring I come here and replenish my supply. The spring herbs are most potent, in my experience…” She added. Now, that she was speaking normally, he could notice that she was soft spoken. Her initial shock wore off, and she did bet herself for being a Hyuuga and not seeing him, but, well, that could be done later too.

Pale fingertips slightly grasped the shape of the container, as if unsure if it will be worthy grade medicine for an ANBU, but he did a great service to a village she loved, and that was the least she could offer… Especially, that they were both here.

“... Tsuki. Tsuki Hyuuga.” She said, and smiled, her blush now limited only to the tops of her cheeks.

[zory_alechiv]

Jashin's brows furrowed as she froze and he watched her stiffen. At least that answered as to whether she knew he was there or not. He leapt down to the ground several meters away, holding both hands up in a sign of peace. It would be clear now that the book he was reading revolved around politics as he held his hands aloft, keeping the book in his left hand.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," He apologized, chocolate eyes drifting to her blush. He pursed his lips thoughtfully, trying to figure out if he had done something wrong. How did Eiko and Akemi make this look easy? He'd obviously startled her and he knew ninja didn't like people sneaking up on them. To be fair, he felt a little bit satisfied he managed to sneak up on a Hyuuga. Eat your words, Takeshi, he thinks with a smug grin that remains hidden behind his mask.

And then she started stuttering and all satisfaction melted away and he felt just as dumbfounded as her. Hells, he hadn't meant to intrude and making his presence known seemed far less creepy than watching her from the trees for the fourth day in a row. Yea, this was definitely less creepy, or so he hoped.

"Your own ointments?" He smiled kindly, trying to maintain the least threatening attitude he could. He had a feeling that one hit would send him to the hospital anyway, he wasn't built for close range. Don't be creepy. Don't be creepy. It was like a mantra in his head at this point, making him wonder if he should just return tomorrow with Akemi. She knew how to handle social situations. Why did he think reaching out was such a good idea? Oh right, because hiding in a tree was creepy.

Jash blinked as the vial was offered to him. Reaching up to the mask that covered the lower half of his face, he only hesitated a moment before dragging it down enough to reveal his nose. Even then, Tsuki would see the facial hair the man had grown and scars sticking out where the hair refused to grow.

"Lavender?" He asked with a raise of a brow as he replaced the mask. He couldn't even tell it was an ointment with the floral scent. "Spring is good for the more fragile herbs like those used in medicine," he agreed. "The more heartier herbs are in the fall." He paused in thought, taking the container from her offered hands to inspect it more.

"What's the ointment for?" Jash's curiosity was getting the better of him and he was excited to learn more. Enraptured by her knowledge and the vial in his hands, he realized he had forgotten one vital part of social interaction. His name. Definitely a creep.

"Ahh, apologies Hyuuga-san. I am Nara Jashin, but feel free to call me Jash. My parents had a wicked sense of humor when I was born but I promise I am nothing like my name."

[Lunanana]

A Hyuuga's eyes were a Hyuuga's eyes after all. A Hyuuga did not need to use a jutsu to see something that was not said or shown. First, her eyes drifted to the book in his hands, recognizing it. As a heiress, she was also familiar with books like these, however, Tsuki decided against commenting on it, for now. Another thing she noticed were the scars.

She did not stare at them or comment, but pale eyes caught the lines refusing to grow hair, and noticed the split second of hesitation. I’m so sorry… She thought. Sorry for something so permanently imprinted or rather sorry that the world was like that and that it was the life of a shinobi. If she could, she’d change the way it worked. It was not pity - rather, it was the unspoken understanding. But she never said a word, and her gaze on the scars lasted very briefly, Jashin’s words bringing her back to reality.

“Right… Yes!” She said, a slow nod accompanying her words. It felt nice to discuss this with someone, and she chimed in. “The one’s I usually use are not here in autumn but… I might give it a try as well. There’s always room for i-improvement.” Tsuki’s voice was more steady and had an excited jingle to it now, her stutter almost vanishing. “Oh, the ointment is for something small, like a papercut or a kunai just barely cutting your skin… It soothes and makes it heal faster. Um-... It’s n-not medically approved or anything, I… I just used it for years. For m-more serious injuries, you’d need… Pills or.. Justu, of course.” Even though Tsuki was a little shy talking about her craft, she still did not loose that excited look.

Soon, her shoulders relaxed and she knelt (and every ninja knows that meant that she did not see Jashin as a threat anymore), inspecting the herbs: touching, assessing and those she deemed worthy, she would gently pluck, but just the leaves that were old enough. As she was working on that, Tsuki spoke: ”It’s nice to meet you, Jashin, um- Jash.” Apologetic smile accompanying her words, but her eyes still fixed on the herbs.

”Politics?...” She gently prompted about the book.

[zory_alechiv]

"The moment you stop improving is the moment you fall stagnant. Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation... even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind," he murmurs before shrugging. "Or so I'm told. Anyway," he hands the vial back over before shoving his hand into his pocket.

He watched her carefully, chocolate eyes taking in every detail with precision. When she was excited, she stopped stuttering. Her confidence rose, but the moment she second guessed herself, she curled in on herself. Uncertainty warred with her confidence and he wondered if she was born this way, or like him had suffered something to make him less confident in some aspects of his life.

"Pills and Jutsu are good and all, but they allow people to be too lazy," Jash said thoughtfully, attempting to keep her focused on what made her excited and confident. "Which is saying a lot coming from a Nara," he chuckled. "Imagine if you will, a situation in which you are chakra drained and your partner is dying. You have no pills or jutsu to help them. It comes down to your knowledge of herbs and plantlife to keep their wounds sanitized and promote healing. This knowledge is a dying art. To know that you are self taught is quite impressive."

He wondered about her training as she knelt next to the herbs, or if he was the cynical type. Despite his posture, he was rarely relaxed and certainly not around knew people. He made a point of exhaling though and relaxing his shoulders, leaning on a nearby try to force himself to give her the same trust she gave him.

"Likewise, Miss Tsuki." He didn't mind being called Jashin, but a lot of people flinched at the name. Just as silence wrapped around them, he nearly pulled out his book again but was pulled away from his inner musings by her words.

"Ahh," he nods, lifting the book to show the title. "Should probably not mention this, but the Nara's are deferring to their elders currently. We don't have a determined clanhead. I'm hoping to take over eventually to bring my clan as a valuable asset to Konoha. What about you? Are you into politics, Lady Tsuki?"

[Lunanana]

She liked his depiction and visualization of improvement, and she smiled more to herself and the herbs than to him, as she continued to collect them. Once he extended the container with the ointment, Tsuki shook her head to the sides slightly. "I'd like you to have it... For your hard work, as ANBU." She said, and smiled, placing the bundle of herbs into a linen cloth, gently wrapping them, and sliding them into the reed basket she was carrying.

Tsuki would listen to her new Nara acquaintance, and nod at appropriate times. "Thank you, I... I really appreciate you thinking like that. If I may, I never saw you here before..." She trailed off but it was implied that she was unsure if she was a terrible Hyuuga and never noticed him here before or if this is a recent place he finds solitude in.

"O-Oh, no no, it's just Tsuki." She said with a light chuckle, the tops of her cheeks just barely rosy. "Really, it's... It's Tsuki." She added, and maybe they will someday be friends and he will call her Susu or Tsu. Her eyes trailed to the book then back at Jash, as he explained why he was reading it. "I... Understand. I think your clan would have a great clanhead if it was you. For me, I d-don't really have a choice of not being into politics at the moment..." She trailed off again, her eyes darting to the herbs then back at him. I'd have a wonderful time opening an apothecary.... "For n-now, I'm next in line to be a clanhead..." And you see how terrible I'd be at that... I didn't notice you! Being a Hyuuga and a shinobi!

[zory_alechiv]

Jash raised his eyebrows at the mention of him being in ANBU. It wasn't common knowledge, but then with his jacket over his arm and his shirt being sleeveless, his tattoo was on display, and everyone recognized the tattoo.

"Ah," he says awkwardly, unsure how to react. "I appreciate it." The Nara rubbed at the back of his neck as she placed the herbs in her basket. Looking for something to do, he steps forward to kneel next to the small spring and pulls out several bandages before soaking them. He didn't know if she already had something set up, but he could offer anyway. "If you keep the stems wet at the roots, they won't dry out as quickly," he says, offering the soaked bandages to her before holding out his right hand.

"And if you like, I could carry that for you?"

He winced as she questioned how long he had been there. The truth might make him seem like a creep, but then a lie could be seen through. "I'm usually up higher," he admits, pointing upwards after placing his book in his pack. "There's a place up there where I can see a lot of the forest as it's a pretty tall tree. Plus, no one notices me usually. I'm...well I prefer that." He had reached her out though so maybe that stood for something.

He paused as she continued to fumble over her words before holding his hands up peacefully. "Tsuki," he echoes, assuring her he would use that from now own. "And I'll take that as a compliment, even if you barely know me," Jash jokes. His lips pursed behind his mask as more information was revealed. Ahh, the Hyuuga heirress. He almost felt bad for her. From what he'd learned from the Hyuuga, their expectations were far higher and her life could not have been easy. Was she even able to be a child? Perhaps she had no faced as many harships as the older ones had. He hoped not. He remembered having to grow up too fast and the scars it left physically and mentally. Some of them less painful than others.

"Then it's good to know that the Hyuuga are going to be lead by someone caring and passionate. I find that the younger generation is less inclined to war mongering than our elders. Perhaps in the future, together, we can work to fortify Konoha and move towards Peace."

[Lunanana]

"If you keep the stems wet at the roots, they won't dry out as quickly," Tsuki smiled with a nod, and gently took the wet bandages into her palms, slowly wrapping the herbs. ”Thank you, Jash-san.” She chimed, cheerfully this time, and with a thankful look, handed him her basket.

She slowly started walking a little further into the forest, and listened to Jash muse about his preference of being alone. ”Oh, this forest is perfect for that… She shot him a look. I understand you . ”There’s peace in being in solitude. Even if the forest is brimming with life, of plant and animal kingdoms alike, there is still a lonesome melody in that stillness. I like it as well… It helps you think. And escape, if need be.

"Then it's good to know that the Hyuuga are going to be lead by someone caring and passionate. I find that the younger generation is less inclined to war mongering than our elders. Perhaps in the future, together, we can work to fortify Konoha and move towards Peace."

It’s more complicated than that… . She almost missed the compliment, due to how uneasy the clan made her feel. Her expression still seemed thankful, and a little bashful. ”I wish that too, Jash-san… Peace, first inside, then outside. There’s a lot of new people after the war, a lot of children being born… People will need someone kind to lead them, to show how precious each life is. She said, as she gently slide her fingers through a leaf on a bush they were passing by. ”And I know that a lot would not agree with me. They need strong leaders! People who know who to kill when time is right! Echoed through her head. ”Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times… And the circle continues. But there has to be a way out of that circle. I know it…”

[zory_alechiv]

”Thank you, Jash-san.”

The Nara grimaced with a smile. "Just Jash. Still sounds too much like Jashin for my comfort and most other people's," he chuckled, holding the basket against his right hip as they walked. He'd nod, enraptured by her description and as someone who understood. Akemi and Eiko had always pulled him into socializing and he loved and appreciated them, but there was a beauty and solace in solitude that could not be replaced and Tsuki understood.

"It lacks the expectations so many other environments have. Here, we can just...be," he says softly. He clears his throat and offers a smile. "Perhaps one day you will be invited to the Nara forest." Assuming she could be trusted. He believed she could be, but they had just met and only time would tell. "It's inspiring." He might have been biased, but it was one of his favorite places.

He sobers as he hears her continue, her words not anything he hasn't heard but it still makes his heart heavy. It's the way a lot of the elders think and while there is some truth in that, it's not the complete truth. Smiling, he shakes his head.

"Only if we let it make us weak. In fact, peace is a way to focus internally, fortifying our emotions and mind for the future. Physically, it can be a source of power where we have a defined sense of self and our values. It's all in the perspective Tsuki-chan. As long as the perspective that makes men weak is heard, men will be weak. We must change it. We must define it in our way, not make the mistakes of those before us. As long as you keep that in mind, you'll make an amazing clanhead. Don't let anyone tell you different."

She wasn't that much younger than him physically, but life experience seemed to be a place she needed to grow. "If you could fix one thing about yourself Tuski, what would it be?"

[Lunanana]

They walked, and she listened to him, and once he started replying to her ideas, she raised her head with her eyes wide at him, as if drinking that knowledge he shared. We must change it. We must define it in our way, not make the mistakes of those before us. Those words stuck in her head, and she nodded, looking ahead again. This feeling, it was different than when her elders would try to teach her the ways of the world. This feeling was something white, glowing, and made it easier to breathe. It was inspiration, and even if she did not answer, Jash could see in her face that she took in every letter of what he said and was processing it in her head.

They stopped, and she didn’t announce where they were at the moment, because his question weighted her down like a spike to the ground. This was the time to face reality. This… Could be a time to keep quiet and not show vulnerability to another clan, but… She felt a sibling-like bond forming between them. And this conversation got heavy fast, but a life of a shinobi was brief, and maybe not everyday could be spent doing picnics or picking flowers.

... She turned her head away, but she was not thinking. She knew, the answer was glaring at her, all the time, everyday, she was the collection of all the shouts, of all the not enoughs, not good enoughs, but she knew that that was the way a lot of those before her were brought up. ”I’d want to be less… Vulnerable.” She said, because that might have encompassed how she felt the best. And she’d start with the stutter! Loose the stutter, get better as a ninja, and turn that weakness, meekness, to something gentle, but powerful.

She didn’t prompt him this time. But if he turned his head, he’d see that she led him to the place of the forest that held a valley, filled with white lilies of the valley, and it looked like snow at the end of spring.

[zory_alechiv]

”I’d want to be less… Vulnerable.”


Jashin had been surprised she even answered. From what he knew of Shinobi, much less a Hyuuga, was they always hesitated in admitting their weakness. Like everyone else, he knew what she would change would be her weaknesses, things others would look down on her for. He had been expecting her to refuse to answer or ignore the question, yet when she turned away from him, he knew she would answer. Her far away expression had been one of contemplation, not refusal. Vulnerable she had said. She didn't want to be vulnerable.

The Nara didn't reply right away, his own gave pensive as they came across a valley covered in white lilies. With the petals and blooms, it reminded him of the first snow and it's purity and beauty it always brought, The carefree children who would rush outside to play, the collective sigh of the earth as the world was cleansed, the new fawn testing their unstable legs on the slippery grass. There was a beauty in this purity, preserved for spring.

As he exhales, he sets the basket down, careful not to crush any of the flowers. HIs gloved fingers hover over the petals, a small smile appearing behind his mask.

"Look at these flowers," he murmurs. "Beautiful, pure. Their petals are delicate." He reaches up and without any strength at all, tugged. The stem went with the tugging for a moment before the petal snapped off into Jash's fingers. "Their petals are so vulnerable. The Sun, the rain, those that would harm them," he continues, his voice soft but loud enough for her to hear. It's almost as if he's speaking to himself, but every word is for her. "What everyone sees is something that should be protected. Yet if you look underneath," he pushes the bloom to the side, revealing the wiry stem. "There is a strength to hold up something this vulnerable, and even deeper, something to take root in. You have strength, Tsuki-chan, but others may not see it. You may not see it because of the bloom. You must look inside and pull that strength out. You have it, I know you do."

[Lunanana]

"Look at these flowers,"
And she did. She looked at lilies of the valley forming a beautiful view. She listened to Jash explain, and she drank every word, understanding the underlying meaning. This felt overwhelming. Not because it was not true or that she didn’t agree with it or rather the implication… It was something that she was not told directly before.

To keep up with all the wants from your clan was a huge task, mentally and physically but it was always ten times harder, when they look at you with pity or deem you not good enough, and you felt your own life in danger more often than not. Deep inside her, somewhere, this struck a nerve she knew she had all this time, but was never able to express it, not even to herself. It was just there, like a looming shadow. And in this moment she hoped that Jash’s clan was more warm, more welcoming, more nice to him, even if he had much to do and learn, but at least they did not have those cold Hyuuga stares.

And now looking at those lilies, she knew, that just like snow melts, so will the lilies wither, decaying into nothing but just a memory.

Now she understood what that hot feeling behind her eyes was, as pools of unshed tears formed, blurring her vision. ”I-I…I’m sorry, I-... I have to.. Go.” She blurted out, grasping her basket with trembling fingers. She was not mad, or sad because of what he said. She felt like these words were words that had to be said, but to receive them in such a gentle way, was a concept so new to her. She will make it up to Jash, apologise properly, but now she was a mess and the only thing she could do was hide. Tsuki placed walls around herself, and only solitude and calmness could tear them down.

She mumbled something alongside a goodbye, as she turned around, silver jewels accompanying her steps on the forest floor.

This was such a vulnerable, unacceptable moment. But it was what happened, and it was the first big step that she took in her growth… Tsuki did not know it now, but in the future, she will repay Jash with a similar moment, helping him find his footing as well.

[zory_alechiv]

Jash explained his view, or rather one that his sister had had long ago. He’d always found comfort in her words despite her teasing and encouragement. Just because they were twins did not mean that they would have developed skills or maturity at the same rate. It had taken him a lot longer to accept that fact.

So when Tsuke blurted out a rushed apology and ran, he was thrown. Had he said something wrong? Perhaps he had underestimated the stranglehold the Hyuuga had on their clan members, especially their heiress. He had found a kindred spirit in the woman and he knew that she was putting up walls between them. Their experiences could be different, but their habits weren’t. Unlike those around him however, he didn’t push. Her own clan would do that if she wasn’t careful but he was meant to be a friend, an ally. Someone who understood.

“Thank you for sharing this place with me, Tsuke-sama,” he says softly as she rushes to depart. He shoves his hands in his pockets, book cradled between his hip and forearm as he looks out at the snow flower valley and accepts the peace it offers.