[Mission] Kinkaku Monastery II

[Lunanana]

While en route to Kinkaku Monastery, Yoshinori and Tsuki were ambushed by a massive, chakra-mutated wolf seemingly possessed by a hostile spirit. The shinobi successfully repelled the creature and followed its trail to a secluded inn in the town at the mountain’s base. The inn, while welcoming, showed signs of unusual activity and may warrant further investigation.

Tsuki slowed down, passing the last step on the staircase and took in the view before them. It finally felt that they got somewhere, and she looked around with a slow and content exhale. Her eyes slowly drifted to Yoshinori, and then she snuggled her face further into his scarf on her next, walking towards a small house with an inn sign. They didn’t need to say much to the innkeep - the tall woman was very familiar with all sorts of travelers, so she just extended her hand for the ryo, and with that, the pair had a room and a bath pass for the night. The inn, however, also doubled as a tavern, so the lingering scent of beer, gruel and sweat caught her nose quickly but Tsuki was far too tired to even hear the commotion. Some were bickering, others - playing cards, and some just blacked out drunk.

”Let’s go upstairs and patch you up.” Tsuki said, a hint of softness in her tired voice, as she followed Yoshinori upstairs, locating their room for the night. It was a nice one - warm, with red rugs and a warm blanket on the bed, anything that you could wish for after a fight with a beast. Once they settled in, she took the gas cooker out, warming some water in a pot, while gathering all the medicinal supplies. Her eyes trailed to the book that now layed silently in her backpack, and she decided to read a little more once Yoshinori will fall asleep.

”You did well today…” She said, her voice caring and warm, as she gently wiped off the dirt and dried blood on his side with a wet cloth, dipping it back to the pot which held the warm water. Working on his wound in the familiar comfortable silence, Tsuki asked when she was wrapping a bandage around his waist. ”You think it’s related? To the bells?” She gently took of her jacket, rolling up her sleeve and taking the damp cloth again to clean her wound.

[Niro]

Yoshinori felt a wave of relief wash over him as the town at the base of the monastery came into view its streets still alive with people, lanterns glowing softly against the encroaching dusk. Whatever strange force had overtaken the monastery hadn’t yet reached here. That meant safety, at least for tonight. The dull ache in his ribs from the creature’s crushing blow, paired with the sting of claw marks across his chest, reminded him how desperately they needed rest. He shifted slightly, drawing Tsuki closer to his uninjured side as they stepped into the tavern and received their room key. Even through the pain, his eyes moved sharply over the inn’s patrons. He’d question them later, when he wasn’t bleeding into his clothes.

“At the very least, I need to get out of these,” he muttered, gesturing vaguely to his soaked shirt as they climbed the narrow staircase. Their room, tucked near the bath, was modest but inviting. Lamplight flickered to life with a hiss as Yoshinori lit the oil lamp, casting a soft glow over the wooden walls and simple bedding. He sat on the edge of the bed, grimacing as he peeled his shirt away from his skin. The fabric hit the floor with a wet slap, revealing three crimson gashes across his side; raw, angry reminders of their earlier fight. They weren’t life-threatening, but they’d scar. And they burned like fire.

Tsuki’s hands were gentle but precise as she cleaned the wounds, the sting of the medicinal paste making his breath catch in his throat. He clenched his fists to stifle a cry, refusing to flinch. Her presence grounded him, though he wouldn’t admit it aloud. When she finished dressing the wound, he finally exhaled, shoulders relaxing slightly as the pain dulled beneath the bandages.

He took the cloth from her, preparing a bandage for the cut along her arm while she tended to it. The quiet between them was comfortable, filled only by the rustle of movement and the faint creak of the building settling. “Cause of it? Nah,” he said at last, his steel-blue eyes dark with thought. “The bells stopping… maybe that’s what drew it in. Or kept it out.” He paused, handing her the bandage. “Hard to say. We won’t know until we’re inside.”

Rising, he moved to his pack, pulling out clean nightclothes and a change for the next day. “What do you say I go put in an order for food, and we take a bath?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder with a tired half-smile. "We both earned a little care tonight. Let someone else cook for once.”

[Lunanana]

She took the bandage from him, holding the end with her teeth as she worked around her arm, nodding at his thoughts on the beast. It was in the past now, and sometimes it’s all that matters. Once done, she stood up, picking the bloody shirt from the floor and discarding it in the trash can. Straightening her back, she looked at him, in thought, eyes slightly narrowing before she nodded with a slow blink. ”Alright… Good call.” And with that she waved to Yoshinori as he closed the door behind him, heading downstairs.

Tsuki slowly walked to the chair by the desk, sitting and leaning her head back, exhaling slowly, her eyes fixed on the ceiling for some time, looking at everything and nothing at the same time. Her hand gently moved onto her tummy, stroking it through clothing in swirl motion, and then she blinked as if snapping out of it, and sliding her hand into her backpack. She took the book out again, diligently reading through it. Her eyes trailed to her notebook and she took it out, flipping through the past notes of the previous mission with a bitter taste in her mouth. She started taking some notes from the book, jolting down more important parts, sometimes checking with her Byakuugan if Yoshinori was nearby. She caught him coming up the stairs again, and Tsuki gently closed the book, noting down the page, and placed everything in her pack again.

Food! She thought, a smile appearing on her face, as she stood right in front of the door before it opened. Maybe it was a little creepy - but she was excited!

[Niro]

Yoshinori felt a chill creep down his spine when Tsuki narrowed her eyes at his suggestion that someone else cook and she take a break. He knew better than to underestimate that look. Still, he stood by it. She deserved to rest. As much as he preferred her home cooking, they'd both been stalked and bloodied today. A night off was the least she was owed. Deciding the flicker of fear was all in his head, he gave her a crooked smile and tugged on a fresh black tunic. Before leaving, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, then slipped out the door, footsteps a little uneven as he made his way down to the tavern.

The common room was still buzzing with idle chatter and the scent of smoke and stew. Yoshinori scanned the crowd again, eyes flicking from face to face. He couldn’t shake the wariness in his gut, any one of these townsfolk could be tied to the silence at the monastery. Better to be cautious than careless. He greeted the tall innkeeper with a polite nod. She didn’t return the gesture, but he didn’t take it personally. After placing an order for two meals and handing over the necessary ryo, she asked about portion sizes. He ordered larges for both of them. Tsuki didn’t always eat much, but after a day like today, she might surprise him. And if not, he’d happily finish the rest.

While he waited, he took a seat at the bar and requested an ale, which the innkeeper slid across the counter without a word. He sipped slowly, letting the background noise wash over him; half-drunken stories from other patrons, too exaggerated to be true, but oddly comforting all the same. It wasn’t long before two steaming bowls were set down in front of him: thick, crusty bread hollowed out and filled to the brim with a hearty meat-and-vegetable stew. His stomach rumbled in approval.

He offered a quiet thanks to the woman behind the counter, drained the last of his drink, and carefully picked up both meals. On his way back up the stairs, he found himself humming under his breath tired but content. When he reached their room and opened the door, he nearly jumped out of his skin to find Tsuki standing just inside, waiting.

“Here,” he said with a half-laugh, heart still racing as he held out her bowl. “Hope you're hungry. It smells amazing.” Yoshinori eased down onto the floor, propping himself against the edge of the bed as he peeled off the bread lid and began digging in. “Not as good as your cooking,” he added with a wink, “but definitely edible.”

[Lunanana]

Tsuki beamed at the food, and gladly took the bowl, thanking him for the food. It almost seemed like there were stars in her eyes as she did. She placed her meal on the desk she was just at and blew on the hot stew before her eyes drifted to Yoshinori. ”You don’t have to only like my home cooking…” She was about to tease him but his wink called a blush on her face and she turned around to eat her food instead. She didn’t finish it, actually only ate half of it, and she offered Yoshinori the rest, sitting beside him and sharpening her tools as he finished up his meal.

It was finally time to get clean again and Tsuki locked the door behind them as they both walked to the bathing area. Just as they entered, Tsuki took note of the female/male signs. ”Ah… Well. I guess if no one’s comi-...” The end of the sentence died with the sound of opening doors and she felt how red her face got, suddenly very self aware. Three men entered the room as well, and while it was a little awkward, she looked up at Yoshinori, and they both nodded. Even in baths, especially communal ones, a shinobi can gather information regarding the mission. With a silent “see you soon”, she departed, smiling warmly.

Entering the bath she felt relieved - for now, no other women were there and she could enjoy a moment of peace and quiet. The room was foggy even near the lockers, so she swiftly slid out of her clothing, and made her way to the bath in a towel. Slowly submerging herself, leaving only her face above water, Tsuki relaxed, closing her eyes. Although, her senses were still alert, it was the disease of her profession.

[Niro]

“You’re right,” Yoshinori said with a small smile, “but I’m going to be eating a lot of it for the rest of my life, so I’m glad it’s my favorite.” He said it casually, like it was already decided. The future was uncertain, they both knew that, but sometimes, just speaking something aloud was a kind of promise. And Yoshinori intended to keep it. He made quick work of his meal, practically inhaling the stew until even the bread bowl was gone. When Tsuki offered the rest of hers, he accepted so quickly he actually blushed, rubbing the back of his neck in apology. “Thanks,” he murmured, trying not to sound too eager, though the extra food hit the spot.

Afterward, the pair made their way to the bathhouse. Yoshinori's face lit up with quiet anticipation at the thought of relaxing with her but his expression shifted instantly when a group of men entered the bath ahead of him. The warmth in his features vanished, replaced by a cool, guarded look. He gave Tsuki a small nod before moving silently behind the nearest screen to change, then slipped into the men’s side of the bath. The three men inside were clearly intoxicated, their words slurring as they swapped half-baked gossip. Yoshinori kept to himself, leaning back into the warm water, his body finally beginning to unwind until one of them called out.

“That’s quite the looker you’ve got there, boy! Lucky man!” the drunk cackled, earning hoots of laughter from his companions. Yoshinori’s eyes narrowed into slits. Slowly, he rose from the water, moonlight illuminating the tension in his frame and the bloodstained bandages along his ribs. “I’d keep her out of your thoughts,” he said quietly but the steel in his voice left no room for misunderstanding.

The laughter died abruptly. The men stiffened, eyes flicking to the visible wounds. “What are you, some kinda shinobi?” the loudest one muttered, trying to mask his unease with mockery. The man who first spoke up mocked and somehow his glare got even icier. The response was all the man needed before he set up. "Oh, you really are..."

He crossed his arms and stared them down. “Now how about telling me what’s really been going on around here?” The men exchanged wary glances before the first finally spoke again, his tone more sober than before. “Bells stopped ringin’ about a fortnight ago,” he said. “Monks posted a job for a shinobi team just before it happened. They went up... and then nothin’. Innkeeper sent a request after that. People been hearin’ things, strange noises at night, shadows near the monastery. No one goes near it anymore. We just want our monks back.”

A heavy silence fell over the bath. Yoshinori nodded once, then sank back into the water, eyes fixed on nothing in particular as he turned over the new information. Once the others washed and left, he moved toward the bamboo wall separating the men’s and women’s sides. The night air was still. “You hear all that?” he asked softly, his voice just loud enough to carry.

[Lunanana]

The bath was what she needed. She practically melted into the warm water, a small smile on her lips until she heard them conversing, and she slowly pulled up, her head dipped down but still listening. She grimaced uncomfortably when they noted about her but soon smiled when Yoshinori gave them a very polite backfire, a sense of pride stirring in her chest. Soon, the conversation turned to the monastery and she leaned in just a little as if it helped her listen. Mentally she noted that the innkeep was the next in line for a few quick questions in the morning.

Slowly sliding out, she dried herself, and perked her head up, feeling Yoshinori nearby. ”Oh! Yes, um… Everything.” Tsuki dried her faintly blushing face and changed her clothing. They were ready for another day - and that’s what they will work on. After a moment, she finally emerged, standing near Yoshinori’s side and pressing her cheek on his arm, looking up at him. ”We should rest… I can barely keep my eyes open.” Her hand hid her mouth as she yawned and they started walking back to their room. Gently sliding the key in, she unlocked the door with a click and closed it behind them. ”We should catch the innkeep in the morning and make our way to the monastery. Sounds like a plan?”

Tsuki then walked over to the lamp, turning it off and the room slowly dimmed before darkness overtook it. She took another peek through the window - lights were off in almost all houses now, the residents sleeping soundly, and that was enough confirmation for her that they will have a good nights sleep. She practically slumped to the bed, sliding under the warm blanket, her eyes already closed. ”Goodnight, Yoshinori~” She said with a smile and leaned in, holding herself up with the support of her shin, ready to give him one last kiss for today, and yet, she never met his lips as her head slowly fell on his chest, her breathing steady, and her mind already unconscious.

[Niro]

Yoshinori’s cheeks tinged pink as Tsuki confirmed she’d overheard the conversation by the baths. He scratched at the back of his neck sheepishly, recalling the words he’d said to the other men, words meant in confidence, now lingering in the air between them. After drying off, he slipped back into his clothes and stepped outside to find her waiting. A soft, sincere smile tugged at his lips as their eyes met. “Sleep sounds perfect,” he murmured, his voice already growing heavier with fatigue. Together, they walked the quiet halls back to their room, footsteps hushed in the late-night stillness. Once inside, Yoshinori closed the door gently behind them.

“We’ll ask her about it all in the morning,” he added, pulling off his shirt and climbing beneath the warm embrace of the covers. The bed was softer than he expected, and the warmth it offered was impossible to resist. As Tsuki slid in beside him, her presence was a comfort more potent than the heat of the blankets. She rested her head against his chest, and he let out a quiet, sleepy chuckle, wrapping his arms around her. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead and murmured something too soft to be caught, more a feeling than words. For the first time in days, they slept without fear.

The morning came gently. Birdsong drifted through the slatted windows along with the early light of dawn. Yoshinori blinked awake to find Tsuki still curled against him, peaceful and undisturbed. A smile found him as he reached up to brush a loose strand of hair from her face. Leaning in, he placed a kiss to her forehead once again, this time whispering playfully, “Tsukiiii~ Time to wake up, beautiful~” His voice was rough with sleep, low and warm like the morning sun.

He carefully slid from the bed, pulling on his gear with practiced ease as Tsuki stirred. Once she was ready, they headed downstairs together, the scent of hearthfire and morning fare greeting them. They took seats at the same counter from the night before. Yoshinori ran a hand through his hair to shake off the last of the drowsiness and ordered a simple breakfast of eggs and sausage, glancing over to Tsuki as he did. The woman they were here to question would be arriving with their food soon, and with it, hopefully, the answers they’d been searching for.

[Lunanana]

She slept like a baby - undisturbed, warm and safe. She didn’t dream tonight but the warm hands embracing her was better than any dream. She felt him moving, and there was a lingering promise on her forehead of protection, when her eyes slowly fluttered open, her mind not registering his words in time to produce a blush. She almost felt bad how deep her slumber was - she was a ninja! She should’ve jumped out of the bed, went over their plan, prepared but-... ”Five more minutes…” She almost cried out, trying to find him still in the sleepy haze but he was already getting ready and she rubbed her eyes, getting out of the bed herself as well.

She still yawned when securing her weapon pouch around her hip and stretched before they walked out the door, the wound on her arm practically causing no discomfort at all. That was the power of good food, good sleep and medicinal ointments. She caught his gaze and nodded, agreeing that this was a good time window to interrogate, no, question the innkeep, and she patiently waited for their food. She was still on a sort of autopilot and the smell of the breakfast brought her a little back to the land of the living, pale eyes following the food as it was brought to them. ”Thank you,” She said and looked at the food in front of her, her tummy stirring a little. She felt hungry and not really at the same time. To figure out her basic needs, she decided to question the innkeep first, politely gesturing to the seat in front of them. ”Please, join us. We would l-like, um, like to discuss the current events.” The innkeep’s eyes narrowed, a shade of doubt flickering, and Tsuki gasped internally that her stutter did not create a very reassuring image of the hired shinobi. Yet, the woman did sit, and lit up a cigarette, her fingers grasping the cigarette holder. ”What do you want to know?”

Tsuki blinked a few times, the scent of smoke throwing her off more than it should’ve, gulping, she straightened her back and asked again. ”Besides of the bells stopping and the other shinobi disappearing - was there anything else that happened? Maybe some travellers that seemed off? Some events before that, that seemed weird?” Tsuki gently prompted, her chin rising just a little to avoid the direct line of exhaled cigarette smoke.

[Niro]

The tall barkeep paused, a cigarette resting between her fingers as she considered her words. The end glowed faintly before she brought it to her lips, drawing in a quiet inhale. She had lived in the village her whole life and had known the monks since childhood: men of discipline, mystery, and gentle routine. Smoke curled from her mouth in a slow exhale, settling like a soft fog over the countertop. “There was something off about the monastery, even before the bells went quiet,” she said, her voice husky with memory and smoke. She tapped a bit of ash into the tray beside her, the motion practiced. “They put in a request for outside help. Something to do with the old seals they keep up in the walls. Maintenance, they said. Supposed to be done once every fifty years.” Her gaze drifted toward the inn’s frosted window. “We used to joke that they were guarding some ancient evil or ghost story. Never thought there might be truth to it. It was peaceful here. Always had been.”

Yoshinori silently pushed a bit of egg across his plate, his appetite dulled by the unease curling in his gut. The smoke didn’t bother him, years of Katon training had inured him to worse, but he still waved it gently away from Tsuki’s side. The glance he gave the barkeep was pointed, protective. She noticed, but didn’t acknowledge it. “Then that team showed up,” she went on, a touch of bitterness sharpening her tone. “Three of them. Loud. Arrogant. Like the world owed them something. They barely spoke to anyone, acted like they were too good for a backwoods place like this.”

She took another drag, slower this time, her eyes distant. “They went up to the monastery. Three days later, the bells stopped ringing. And everything… changed.” Her voice dipped, barely louder than a whisper now. “The air turned colder. Shadows started to linger in places they didn’t belong. People claimed they were being attacked in the night, by things out of nightmares. And the wolves…” She exhaled sharply. “The wolves lost their minds.”

Yoshinori met Tsuki’s gaze at that. The memory of the beast they’d faced on the road rose unbidden. If he had to guess, they’d encountered the pack’s alpha, or what had become of it.

The barkeep stubbed out the last of her cigarette and stood straighter as a group at the far table called for more tea and food. “Whatever happened up there, those three had something to do with it,” she finished. “I sent the mission request because I’m not letting that rot spread here without a fight.” She turned and moved away, her presence briefly leaving a silence behind.

Yoshinori leaned toward Tsuki, the smoke finally fading between them. His voice was quiet, steady. “Well,” he said, one brow raised, “I think we just found our lead.”

[Lunanana]

Her eyes trailed to Yoshinori at the mention of the wolves as well, gazes meeting in quiet understanding. Whatever was waiting for them this time seemed to really be mysterious rather than an underground operation. Seals, shinobi vanishing, bells… The bells. Were they protecting the people here? Scaring the unknown away? She ate a few bits, and the rest she gently pushed to Yoshinori’s side, giving him her food. As the woman left them, she was deep in thought, nodding at Yoshinori’s words. ”Yes… I can only hope we’re somehow different and that we will be able to find those shinobi… Alive.” She added with a little worried tone. Patiently waiting until he was done eating, Tsuki stood up, and trailed behind Yoshinori as they left the inn, inhaling the sharp and cold air into her lungs. It was welcomed, finally some fresh air.

They soon fell into step, and she couldn’t help but raise questions, while looking around. ”...I feel bad we killed that wolf. Maybe it didn’t know better, taken by whatever madness fell on this place.” She confessed. Of course, she’d do it again if the wolf attacked Yoshinori but it still lingered in her that maybe the beast was not in its right mind and that made her uneasy of the things to come. Hopefully, she won’t need to kill a person. She never has, knocked out, yes, but never killed. It was a line she hasn’t crossed ever, no matter the rot, Tsuki believed there was good in people. She looked at Yoshinori, her gaze lingering a bit longer before she turned it away, her mouth forming a straight line. She’d do it, if needed, to protect him. That much she knew of her priorities.

They stopped on the edge of the cold village and raised their eyes to the beauty that revealed itself. A monastery, built from stone over decades, sitting on the edge of a mountain. They didn’t linger long, Tsuki placing her both hands on the gate and pushing it in, revealing the cobblestone staircase that they needed to cross to get to the monastery. Tsuki stopped by the door, waiting a few moments to sort something out, tilting her head to the side slightly. ”...Aside from my gut, I don’t sense anything yet. It’s like the building is in a limbo…”

[Niro]

Yoshinori finished off the last bites of breakfast, his and Tsuki’s leftovers, before they cleaned up and stepped back out into the cold. He paused just outside the inn, tugging his scarf snug around his neck as a gust of wind nipped at his face. The warmth of the tavern and the soothing baths already felt like a distant dream, leaving only the bite of mountain air and falling snow to greet them. Snowflakes landed softly on his cheeks, and he brushed them away with a sigh. “This feels like a different world now,” he murmured, glancing up at the pale sky before looking to Tsuki. “If that last team was as arrogant as the innkeeper made them out to be... I’m starting to worry even more about what we’ll find at the monastery.” His voice carried a quiet tension as their boots crunched over the freshly fallen snow.

He nodded slowly when she brought up the wolf again. “You’re right… but whatever got into it drove it past reason. Even without its eyes, it still hunted us.” His brow furrowed, thoughts heavy. “It wasn’t just wild, it was desperate. Imagine if it had crossed paths with travelers who couldn’t defend themselves.” He visibly shivered at the thought, a grim set to his jaw. “Putting it down… it was a mercy.” They fell into a natural silence after that, their breath visible in the cold air as they made their way down the winding path leading toward the monastery. Snow blanketed the world around them, muffling sound and lending the journey an eerie stillness.

Yoshinori’s eyes narrowed as the ancient structure came into view. The monastery rose from the mountainside like a forgotten sentinel, its silhouette softened by snow. As they stepped into the courtyard, his gaze moved across the weather-worn statues of monks and guardian spirits. Braziers and sconces lined the sides of the courtyard, long cold. The faint, unnatural fog they had encountered in the woods seeped from a pair of doors slightly ajar across the yard, curling like smoke along the ground to the left.

He clicked his tongue softly. No wonder Tsuki couldn’t sense anything, whatever this fog was, it masked chakra and blurred presence. “We need light,” he said, slipping his backpack around to his front and rummaging through it. He pulled out two boxes of phosphorus-tipped matches and handed them to Tsuki with a faint smile, fingers brushing hers. “Here, take the right. I’ll handle the left.” He kept the flint for himself, knowing a spark was all he needed. If the flame didn’t catch, his chakra would do the rest. He gave her one last confident smile before creeping off to the left to begin lighting his own set of torches.

[Lunanana]

His words grounded her and brought a new perspective, making her feel better about the situation. If not them, then someone less equipped to deal with the horror. Instead of taking the matches from him, she gently squeezed his hand, wishing him good luck without words. Slender fingers took the matchboxes, and she turned around to the right, bracing herself, and with a nod, continuing further, lighting up the first match.

Tsuki walked a long corridor, which seemed well kept, as if the residents here were still taking care of it. There was no dust or old furniture, it was just… Cold and foggy. Lighting another one, she stopped by a door that seemed more ornate than the others, gently pushing it to reveal a library with numerous books. Bookshelves stood tall, and it seemed fitting - as a monk, you probably had a lot of time to read. Her eyes scanned through the sections, yet nothing stood out for her. She was about to turn around and continue her journey, before a blank book caught her gaze. ”No way…” She whispered, placing a finger and pulling the book downwards, when… Click! Her eyes widened in excitement and she beamed. So cool! Yet soon the emotion faded away, a more focused expression took place and she turned around to a now revealed door with a staircase leading to the basement. She was about to walk right in, until a thought popped in her head, and she gently shrugged her backpack off, still holding a match in one hand, taking out her levander scarf. She wanted to trade with Yoshinori since he gave her his but he seemed to have his own, and therefore her scarf got a new purpose. Gently, she bit into it, letting the thread loose and tying one end on the torch holder on the wall. If she got lost, she’d find her way out. Or someone, something, could find a way to her. Yet, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and she descended the dark staircase.

It seemed like she was moving down on the spiral staircase forever, until she found a door. Tsuki took a look at her scarf and sighted - one third already gone. Going through, she found a well lit tunnel, with small rooms on the sides holding different scrolls. She placed her scarf down, and took some of them, only to find that most were just empty or unreadable to her. She blinked, placing the paper closer to her face, and it seemed like something was actually there. Tsuki took out one match again, and held it on the other side of the scroll, her eyes widening at the realization. No secret jutsu, no trick, it was just words written to be revealed with heat from a fire. She eyes the matchbox and clutched it a little in her palm. She had to find a scroll worth the matches or she’ll run out.

[Niro]

Yoshinori veered quietly toward the left hallway of the courtyard, his steps cautious as he navigated through snow-dusted ruins. The chill whispered around him, muffled by layers of frost, and his kunai remained close at hand. The corridor opened into a long, grand hall, the air still and reverent. Murals lined the walls containing the detailed portraits of monks who had once called this monastery home. Their painted eyes watched in solemn silence, each face captured with astonishing precision and care.

Yoshinori slowed, his curiosity stirring. These weren’t just religious decorations, they were tributes. Beneath each portrait, engraved plaques told of the monks' achievements, their rituals, and their unwavering devotion to guarding something ancient and unseen. He lingered longer than he meant to, absorbing each name and title, quietly marveling at the weight of legacy they left behind. For a moment, the cold and his mission faded, replaced by a genuine sense of wonder. They had built something beautiful here, he thought. Something fragile, and worth protecting.

According to the plaques, the first head monk had devised a powerful sealing ritual to imprison the mountain’s curse deep within its heart. This knowledge had been passed down like a sacred flame, each successor adding their own wisdom and strength to it. Generations had worked tirelessly to maintain the seals, shaping their lives around this hidden burden. Their dedication resonated deeply with Yoshinori, he could feel their resolve pressing in through the cold stone around him.

With a practiced flick of chakra, he ignited a nearby sconce and brazier, casting warm flickers of light along the frost-laced walls. The flame hummed softly, alive in the silence. As the shadows danced, he broke a leg off an old chair, already splintered with age, and kindled it into a torch. The light chased back the creeping fog, which hissed and curled away from the heat, reluctant to touch him.

Further along, a final set of plaques offered what he’d been searching for. The bells. They were no ordinary instruments of worship. Crafted with care and precision, each bell was etched with a continuous seal that pulsed with power through its constant resonance. Their tolling not only soothed the townspeople, it reinforced the great seal beneath the mountain, holding back the corruption for up to fifty years between ritual renewals. Ingenious, yet harrowing. The head monks, already old when they took on the burden, bore the brunt of the toll.

Yoshinori exhaled slowly, his breath forming clouds in the torchlight. What they’d built here wasn’t just spiritual. It was tactical, brilliant. But before he could study further, a sudden gust of wind blasted through the hall. The braziers sputtered and died. Only his torch remained lit, flickering with defiance. He grimaced, lips tightening as the air grew colder, sharper. The fog thickened and began to twist, swirling into two skeletal shapes that stepped forward from the shadows, limbs brittle with frost.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the monastery…

Tsuki combed through dusty scrolls with furrowed focus, her fingers brushing against brittle parchment. The old script was faded, but certain words leapt out with chilling clarity: Curse. Bells. Seal. Corruption. It wasn’t the full picture, but it was enough to understand that something had gone deeply wrong here. The bells weren’t just relics, they were warnings. Anchors.

A pained groan echoed from a distant chamber. If she moved to investigate, she'd find a young woman lay crumpled on the floor, a jagged wound blooming dark red across her abdomen. Her veins shimmered faintly with an unnatural frost, as though something was slowly rewriting her from the inside out. Teal hair framed her pale face, and her yellow eyes flickered open with pain while a headband lay nearby bearing the scratched-out symbol of Kumogakure.

The woman’s eyes locked onto Tsuki, her breath ragged and uneven, each inhale sharp with pain. Despite the blood soaking her clothes, her gaze was steely—hardened by both the struggle and the cold that clung to the air around them. She made a weak attempt to rise, but her body betrayed her, her legs failing to hold her weight. A tremor ran through her hand as she reached for her bag, pulling out a kunai and holding it toward Tsuki in a desperate, trembling gesture that couldn’t quite hide the vulnerability beneath it.

"Are you with those traitors?" she spat, her voice low and rough, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. But the defiance in her eyes faltered, and she coughed violently, staining her chin with more blood. "It doesn’t matter," she muttered, a sense of finality creeping into her tone, "I won’t last much longer anyway..." The words were heavy with the resignation of someone who knew their time was slipping away.

Her eyes briefly softened as she struggled to speak again, her voice barely a whisper. "If you are... don’t listen to Jinroku." The name came out like an accusation, but there was a tremor of warning in it, as if speaking the truth might cost her everything. "He’s not who he was... not after he tampered with that damn seal."

[Lunanana]

She was turning the scrolls one after the other with concentration. It wasn’t the full picture that she has gathered but it was enough to understand what was the purpose of the bells, which only grew the worry in her stomach - they had to act, and do so fast. She quickly stood up, the veins on her temples becoming visible as she heard the groan. Kunai in hand, Tsuki searched the basement to find a faint chakra network, and approached it with caution. The woman protected herself like a cornered animal and Tsuki dropped her weapon, the kunai falling to the stone floor with a clank, as she knelt down, worry spelled on her face. She was fading… Tsuki placed a hand under the woman’s head, and with her Byakuugan began searching her body. ”It’s okay… It’s okay, I’m here to he-..” Her voice caught in her throat, eyes slowly reverting to their normal state and a soft but sad gaze trailed back to the woman's face.

She slowly wiped the blood from the corners of her mouth. ”I’m not alone. We will help you… Both of you…” She trailed her eyes back to the injured abdomen and froze as she saw tears running down her cheeks. Tsuki grabbed her backpack and started rummaging through it with focus, taking out medical supplies, and starting to clean the woman up, until she grabbed her hand very softly, and Tsuki froze again. "He’s not who he was... not after he tampered with that damn seal." The seal… Oh no, Yoshinori! ”You’ll need to gather the energy you have, and I will-... Hey!... Hey?” The woman’s eyes closed again, and Tsuki bit down the warmth that was gathering around her eyes. “I am Haruki Rina, a kunoichi from Kumogakure...” Tsuki slowly exhaled, closing her eyes. She gently laid the woman down again, with a silent prayer and a promise to bring her back. She didn’t need her Byakuugan to see how her chakra network went out with a blink. ”I’m sorry…” She said and took the woman’s headband, placing it in her backpack. She couldn’t let these events shake her, not now, so she leaned down and darted out of the basement, her scarf forgotten.

Running up the stairs, Tsuki emerged back in the library, which was now well lit. It seemed like it was dark outside, so dark in fact, that nothing could be seen. She ran through the corridor, clutching the matchbox, her eyes focused on one goal - to warn Yosinori but… She stopped, sliding a little from the speed and gasped. A monk was standing right in front of her, his palm raised. He lowered it and Tsuki looked behind him, around her, and then: ”I-I’m sorry, I-” The monk raised his hand again, showing the international sign for silence, his finger pressed to his lips. She felt her eyebrows rise. It looked as if none of the cold or the fog was there now, the monastery well lit and well lived in, as she walked around slowly. Was Yoshinori seeing this? She was confused but continued her walk around, finally reaching the point where they split. Her gaze trailed to the door for a second and yet, something drove her away from checking the outside. Tsuki continued to the left, where she last saw her other half leave.

She walked down the corridor, silently calling Yoshinori and yet he never answered. The end of corridor had two monks meditating, sitting in front one another, while Tsuki saw them from the side. She knitted her brows and before she asked them anything, she gasped as the lights went out in the corridor. The monks stirred, standing up, and turning to her. Tsuki stood there, her mouth slightly agape before forming into a thin line, already raising her hand. The light beside her turned on, illuminating half of her face, filled with quiet and soft determination.

[Niro]

Yoshinori didn’t hesitate. Torch flaring in one hand, his kunai ignited in the other with a burst of flame. Both lights surged as he hurled himself into the center of the two wraiths, denying them the first strike. His momentum carried through a sharp twist of his hips as he drove a split-kick between them; one crashed over a shattered lectern, the other tumbled across loose rubble. With them divided, he surged forward. He descended on the nearest one like a hammer, his torch jamming into its jagged maw. The wraith shrieked and writhed beneath him, thrashing against his weight until it finally went limp and burst apart in a hiss of bone and ice.

He barely turned in time. A volley of icicles ripped through the air toward him. Some sliced his arms and tore at his clothes, but none struck deep. The second wraith lunged, unnervingly quick, skittering across the ground on all fours like some long-forgotten predator. Something about the unnatural grace of it chilled him more than the cold ever could. He met it with steel. The kunai spun once in his grip, then slammed into the creature’s skull. A flash of fire lit the air, and the thing's head separated with a pop of superheated bone. It faltered, twitched, then collapsed into a scatter of splinters and ash.

Even with the threat gone, the air didn’t warm. The fog thickened again, seeping into the chamber with slow, creeping intent. Yoshinori swallowed, teeth clenched against the cold, and made his way to the nearest brazier. His torch wavered as he held it against the oil-soaked wick, muttering a curse under his breath. The flames caught and the bloom of warmth pushed back the cold like a physical blow and the fog recoiled. For a moment, something else flickered in the air, shadows fell away, the stone walls restored to their former glow.

And across the room, someone stood. Tsuki. Then she was gone. The vision vanished like a dream on waking. Yoshinori blinked and steadied himself, pushing the strange moment aside as he scanned for the remaining torches. He could reach the next two, but a new sound broke his focus: a steady, hollow knock from the far end of the hall. It came from the altar. The noise grew louder, more urgent. Something inside was trying to escape. He tensed but turned toward the second brazier, priorities first. The fog clawed up his legs, and he forced himself forward, driving his body into place beside the next torch. He pressed the flaming kunai to the wick, breath quick as the flame sputtered to life. The knocking had become pounding now, and the altar creaked under the pressure.

Another flicker. That false, restored version of the room again but no time to linger. His gaze snapped upward as the pounding escalated into the sound of wood cracking. In one swift motion, he threw his kunai across the hall. It struck the final torch and flame burst to life but the sound behind him rose to a crescendo. With a shattering roar, the altar split apart. Wood, stone, and sacred seals splintered and blew outward. Fog surged into the shattered space, curling and thickening as something stirred within.

A skeletal hand clawed its way over the edge, skin like dried paper stretched tight over bone, wrapped in remnants of ceremonial cloth. Fog coiled up its arm as if drawn to it, bolstering the thing as it pulled itself upright. The wraith wore the tattered robes of what once may have been a revered figure. Now, it was something far removed from memory or mercy and it had come awake.

[Lunanana]

The monks watched her calmly and Tsuki couldn’t shake the feeling that they were not entirely there. They were looking at her, no, through her and she almost spoke to them again but… Their expressions turned to wrath and then pain, while just standing there and she readied her stance for them to fight her and yet the fight never came. She noticed how one of them finally opened their eyes and after a few moments, the other one did too. “It’s done.” They whispered. “We can return to our resting place.” Her arms relaxed and she straightened her back, confused, as they slowly walked past her, through her, and she felt just the coldness for a moment. A more curious thing happened next - the lights in the corridor lit up one by one, and Tsuki swore that she caught the scent of him just walking past her side. She turned, extending her hand but was met with nothing, air. The cogs in her brain turned as she gently clenched her hand into a fist, letting it fall to her side again. Whatever this was - one of them was trapped somewhere.

She heard a soft hum and turned around to see an altar and an old monk meditating beside it, his eyes closed, leathered skin carrying the knowledge and experience of many decades. She cautiously walked up to him, kneeling beside, her legs under her and hands on her hips, as she stared at the altar as well. It seemed like it was the right thing to do and after a moment, the monk parted his lips, his voice never reaching her ears but she understood what he was saying. “I’m so very tired…” He said with a sigh and Tsuki turned a questioning gaze to him. “It matters not who you are… You never should’ve come here. Now, you’re not here nor there.” ...I don’t understand. “You don’t have to. Just like us, you’re trapped. Just like me, in this altar. I’m tired…” I have to go, to come back. The wrinkles around his mouth indicated an attempt to smile and she felt fear stir in her gut. “There is no coming back. Unless we are met with a worthy opponent to send us back… I’ve been here for a long time. Most of us have… And yet, when I saw the young ones come here… The seal malfunctioned. It took them away too soon.” Tsuki knitted her brows, trying to make sense of this. She did, to some extent but the rising panic in her didn’t help to keep calm. And yet, she did, to the best of her extent. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have met someone… Someone worthy.” She stood, taking a few steps back. Did he mean Yoshinori? The monk was smiling. He finally could feel something, and that was fury, an emotion so different and strong, after decades of longing to feel, it felt like liberation to him. There is was again, the feeling, the stirring of chakra around her, she was almost sure she caught a reflection of his steel blue eyes but they disappeared as she blinked.

She ran. She ran across the halls and the rooms, filled with meditating monks, waiting for their liberation. Some of them seemed barely of age and Tsuki couldn’t understand herself anymore. It seemed like she was running around for hours and yet she was not tired nor did she need to breathe. And that’s what threw her off - why didn’t she? Why was she okay to run for a few more, a week, a month, a decade? She stopped, placing her hands on the cold wall. Wait, was it cold? Did she assume it was? Her Byakuugan was of no use either. Placing her forehead to the wall, she felt… Did she feel? She couldn’t tell the difference anymore. Her mind was racing and at the same time it was entirely calm. Someone stood behind her and she turned around, ready to lunge forward but she was met with a kind smile. A woman with teal hair gently took her hand and pulled, prompting Tsuki to follow. She did, slowly walking behind her, curiously looking around, until they entered the library again. Pulling the same book, the woman stood by the revealed passageway and Tsuki hesitated for a moment. Stepping forward she felt the terrible chill, coldness freezing the blood in her veins. Her eyes widened, taking a few steps back. The coldness, the fog was like a barrier. She tried to extend her hand and was met with a pushing force, keeping her out. She couldn’t pass.
— — — At the end of the staircase, near the door to the basement, with her back leaned to the wall and a torn lavender scarf in her hand sat a passed out young woman with dark purple hair and pale skin. She did not remember her name nor that she was here on a mission with someone she loved. Pale eyes opened with a blank stare and only one goal - to take care of whoever was disturbing her peaceful slumber. Standing up like a ragdoll, she made her way upstairs.

[Niro]

Yoshinori’s jaw tightened as the skeletal wraith, once a head monk, now twisted by whatever curse bound it, rose before him like some terrible monument. The light he'd fought to restore cast long shadows across the room, dancing against the fog that still bled from the creature’s form. He dropped the burning torch with a hiss and drew two kunai from his pouch, their edges flickering to life as chakra surged through them.

The monk raised both arms skyward in a slow, ritualistic gesture. Yoshinori hesitated, not from fear, but confusion. What was it doing? Then he looked up and his breath caught. The rafters were lined with heavy icicles, long and jagged as spears. A crack echoed through the chamber. With a simple downward sweep of the monk’s arms, the deadly shards broke loose, plummeting toward him. He ducked into the chaos, weaving between falling ice as he charged. He barely landed a flaming blade into the monk’s chest before he was struck hard across the face by an icy staff. His head snapped to the side and he crashed into a portrait-lined wall, the old frame shattering as he hit the ground. Groaning, he spat blood and forced himself upright, the second kunai still clutched tight.

Then he froze. The wraith reached for the embedded kunai, pulled it free and let it fall. Steam hissed from the wound as the flames he’d trusted vanished without a trace. His chest tightened. Fire won’t be enough. He leapt again, this time using fallen icicles as springboards. Predicting the next strike, he twisted around the staff and dragged both blades across the monk’s chest in a scorching arc. It retaliated with a practiced spin, catching him in the ribs and flinging him through another lectern. Winded and aching, Yoshinori rolled to a stop and braced himself.

The fire was already dying. Too fast. Panic crept in beneath his exhaustion. He stared at his hands, willing something stronger into existence. 'I need more, hotter, stronger, something that can burn through anything.' Chakra flooded his palms, the flames flickering to life again. But this time, the light wavered unnaturally. The fire warped, giving way to a blood-red mist that curled around his hands and spread across the floor. Yoshinori recoiled slightly, instinct warning him. Where the mist touched stone, the surfaces crumbled, corroding as if centuries had passed in seconds. Whatever this was, it was beyond him; wild, corruptive... and powerful. But he didn’t stop.

The monk was gathering power of its own, snow and ice twisting into a massive spear above its head. No time. No choice. Yoshinori pushed forward, launching himself into the air. He brought his hands together, channeling the malevolent mist into a single, concentrated orb. With a cry, he released it. The skeletal monk struck again, another blow to the face and something cracked. But he saw it land. The red sphere tore through the monk’s chest and the creature finally crumbled into dust and snow. Yoshinori hit the wall hard, forming a crater in the stone. He hung there, breath shallow, face throbbing. Slowly, he pulled himself free and stumbled forward, every breath tasting of blood and iron.

Tsuki... He had seen her. Or something that looked like her. Not in this room, but somewhere amid the haze of battle and the flickering of that strange, half-real world. He turned down the corridor again, heart pounding. She stood at the far end. "Tsuki?" His voice cracked. She didn’t answer. Her steps were off: slow, unsteady. Wrong. He stepped closer, each movement heavy with dread. "Tsuki?" he said again, softer now, not just calling out but reaching. Her eyes met his. And they weren’t hers. He fell into a fighting stance on instinct, the ache in his limbs forgotten, replaced by something colder. Not fear. Not yet. But close.

[Lunanana]

Her arms raised slightly, cold breeze wrapping around both of them, as icicles formed, launching at Yoshinori. Whatever she was now was not her - neither her fighting stance nor movements indicated that. She launched at Yoshinori too, trying to hit him with punches, all the while icicles formed on the ceiling in the corridor. The narrow space allowed her to confuse him, landing hits while jumping from wall to wall. Her expression was impassive, no technique, no tricks. Whatever power was surging through her was waning from all the beatings it already has taken. It was autopilot fight, easy to redirect, avoid, and yet, he was more tired and hurt than the woman hitting him.
— — — At this point, she was practically punching the air, only to be spit out again, falling on the rugged floor with a roll. Again and again. It clearly didn’t work, brute force did nothing and there was a puzzle piece she was not figuring out. She stood again, her attention caught by the old monk again, eyes opened, walking into the library with a content smile. She stilled. Three… Three of them already. While she was doing nothing, he was out there, somewhere, doing all the hard work. Her breath hitched as she saw the monk descend the stairs.

There was a sense of familiarity and she looked around. She met him but not here, and her eyes widened in the terrifying realization. She was running out of time, his AND hers. It was time to push the panic away and focus. She knelt, her head in her hands, shutting her eyes closed and thinking, thinking, thinking. She went through what they did, when they split, when she went down there and read the scrolls… Bells, seal… Bells with a seal? Seal on the bells! Tsuki darted out of the room, running up the main tower, she knew her heart would be racing now if she felt it. Yet… She didn’t know how to destroy the bells or the seal. Neither she had enough strength to do. She almost cried, walking around the bell handing above her head, circling it, looking.

It was the second time that she thought she’ll lose it and yet… The monks meditated in specific locations, the old one even mentioned that he was in the altar while he clearly wasn’t, at least, not for her… Tsuki blinked and sat down. If this worked… If she gave in just a little… She slowly exhaled, letting the nothingness through, as her eyes closed, grasping at the feeling of him, it was the only connection between herself and the other world that she knew.
— — — She redirected them both to the staircase just cornering the corridor their fight took in. Still throwing kicks and punches, she kicked him up the stairs, throwing another icicle his way, while they both danced in a fight nearing the location of the bells.

[Niro]

Yoshinori did his best to deflect Tsuki’s strikes, but she was fast, ungodly so in every fight they ever had. Every step, every blow, came with a speed and ferocity that kept him completely on the defensive. His muscles ached from his earlier battles, still smarting from the relentless barrage of ice that had chased him through the monastery. Now Tsuki, of all people, conjured those same frigid blasts? It chilled more than just his skin.

Another volley of icicles sliced through his sleeves, drawing shallow cuts across his arms and shoulders. She pressed him hard, her fists and feet a blur. Luckily, her usual strikes were lighter than most but even they began to wear on him as he danced around them. He didn’t strike back. Not once. He ducked, redirected, and evaded, doing everything he could to avoid hurting her. The most he allowed himself was to guide her blows away, never toward pain.

His heel slipped on an icy patch as he bounced off the wall, and in that instant she caught him, her fist cracked against his nose, sending him tumbling up the staircase toward the belfry. Blood filled his mouth and poured freely from his nostrils, staining the steps beneath him. He staggered to his feet just in time to deflect her next attack as the two collided again this time against the old iron bell.

He ducked low, letting one of her punches swing wide and the bell gave a hollow chime that vibrated the air. It wasn’t loud, not yet, but... Something shifted. For a split second, her eyes changed. Gone was the distant haze that had taken her. In its place was clarity and recognition. Tsuki looked at him, truly looked at him and then it vanished but it was enough. Yoshinori's breath caught in his throat. The bell. It had to be tied to the seals, the same ones that once protected this place. If he could ring it properly, he might weaken whatever force was controlling her.

As another blow came in, he stepped into her guard not to strike, but to grab her. “I’m sorry, Tsuki,” he whispered. “This might hurt.” He pivoted and, with more care than it appeared, pushed her down the stairs. Her body rolled, but it was better than what would happen if she stayed possessed. He had no time to hesitate. Yoshinori turned back to the bell and reached up, gripping the clapper inside. Gritting his teeth, he heaved it with all the strength he could muster. The belfry rang out with a thunderous peal: deafening, primal, sacred.

The sound reverberated through the monastery like a shockwave. Yoshinori staggered back, ears ringing but even through the noise, he felt it: the oppressive fog, the cursed presence recoiling from the bell and the seals. And below, Tsuki's body stirred.

[Lunanana]

She sat there for what felt like an eternity and yet she couldn’t really tell how long it was - time flew different here. She focused with all she had and just for a split second she was sure she saw him, bloody, dirty, tired beyond belief but alive… She waited a little longer, grasping on that sight, that feeling and her eyes opened again, widening with a gasp from her lips.

Her body ached, it hurt and she was the most happy person alive to feel pain now. Tsuki slowly stood up, feeling how cold the floor was, how fresh the air was. She almost laughed but her mind quickly re-focused on Yoshinori. The ringing of the bells was loud, even here, downstairs. He figured it out, he must’ve… Clever boy. Her boy. She didn’t even notice how fast her feet took her up the stairs, even tripping over the steps at times. She didn’t know how she had the power and how much adrenaline was in her body when she practically slammed Yoshinori down, holding him so tight that she didn’t even hear how he winced from pain. ”I’m so glad, I’m so glad, I’m so glad…!” She repeated, holding him tight.

The initial excitement wearing off, Tsuki slowly raised her head, Byakuugan active, overlooking his body. It faded away, veins melting back into her face, worried eyes meeting his. ”You’re hurt…” She said, leaning away and checking his injuries on the surface. Both of them knew that this wasn’t over yet - they still needed to figure out the seal, how to bring the monks back, bring back the body she found… There still was someone in the name of Jinroku, they haven’t found. Yet, it felt like retreating, patching up and coming back might be the best course of action. Her hands worked quickly, priorities taking over, as she traced the marks of fight with her eyes. ”...I’m sorry.” She added, the words underlined with guilt as she cleaned the blood from under his nose with her thumb. ”Come, I’ll help you…”

Tsuki gently helped him stand up, placing his hand over her shoulder and holding his waist with the other, and they slowly descended down the stairs, stopping to breathe ever so often. She saved her story for later, she’ll tell him everything but not now. Now, she needed to patch him up, get him food and rest.

[Niro]

Yoshinori leaned forward, hands braced on his knees, each breath shallow and ragged. Blood dripped freely from his nose and lips, mixing with the dirt and ash at his feet. His body throbbed with pain; every cut, bruise, and welt was a reminder of the night’s endless battle. Between the wraiths and Tsuki’s lightning-fast strikes, he felt like his entire body had been turned inside out. His shirt hung off him in tatters, more shredded fabric than protection, and his limbs trembled from sheer exhaustion.

But behind him, the bells rang on. That sound, low, steady, sacred, was the most beautiful thing he'd heard all day. Through the high window of the belfry, he could see the fog outside beginning to retreat, slowly peeling back from the monastery courtyard. Far below, the great doors leading into the depths of the mountain cracked open, and from within, the faint sounds of life returned: voices, shouts, hurried footsteps. Torches flared to life behind open doors. The monks, long trapped in their comas, were waking. One by one, they lit braziers and moved through the monastery like flickers of hope pushing back the dark.

Yoshinori turned just in time to be tackled. But this time, it was Tsuki and her arms wrapped around him in fierce, grateful relief. He staggered, let out a surprised laugh that turned quickly into a wince. “I'm okay, ow, I'm okay, I'm alive,” he groaned, a grin breaking through the blood and bruises. “I'm just glad you’re back.”

Tsuki didn’t say much at first just held him close, her body trembling slightly against his. Whatever had claimed her was gone now. Whatever was left was her. Gently, she helped him down the stairs, supporting more of his weight than either of them wanted to admit. The descent was quiet, easier now, as if the whole building was breathing easier with them.

At the base of the belfry, the doors swung open and the two of them were immediately surrounded by the awakened monks. Some rushed past with determined purpose, heading up the stairs shouting about maintaining the bells. Others crowded around them, offering steady hands and murmured words of concern. Yoshinori blinked at the sudden warmth. Lamplight, voices, people. Life. He and Tsuki were quickly guided to a small, clean infirmary lined with simple cots and soft yellow lanterns. He sat down heavily, running a hand through his hair, now sticky with dried sweat and blood. For a long moment, he simply breathed.

Then he looked over at her and gave her a tired, crooked smile. “Looks like the monks are back in business.” He paused, rummaged through his pouch, blood still leaking from several wounds, butand with a sheepish chuckle, held out a ragged piece of beef jerky. “Before we get interrogated by the elders or something... food?”

[Lunanana]

Upon arrival at Kinkaku Monastery, Yoshinori and Tsuki identified the source of the silence surrounding the sacred bells. Minor spirits had overtaken the grounds in an attempt to subdue the monks and claim the site. Through coordinated effort, the shinobi dispelled the spirits, reactivated the bells, and secured the safety of the surviving monks.

Tsuki was still a little cautious of the monks. She didn’t let them take Yoshinori away from her, asking them to tell them where to go instead. Her hands held him protectively, guiding him with gentle care. She finally sat him down on the infirmary bed and smiled tiredly at the beef jerky, taking it with her fingers and placing one in Yoshinori’s mouth, her palm on his shoulder gently guiding him to lay down and munch.

The monks tried to get Yoshinori fixed up but Tsuki didn’t let them again - even if their intentions were good, she didn’t trust them, not after she just got him back. Instead, they met her gentle stubbornness with understanding and allowed her to give Yoshinori first aid by assisting. She cleaned him up as best as she could, placed medicine where it was needed and wrapped him up in bandages, her gaze kissing each and every wound. He was badly hurt, tired, hungry… Even his chakra pool was on the lower side.

Tsuki exhaled, sitting by his bed and slowly chewing the jerky, looking at him doing the same. When did he get so strong? The power of his will, resolve, inspired her. It always did. She leaned in, placing her arms on the side of the bed, and pressing her cheek to her forearm. Even if something awaited them, they had time to relax, just a little bit. ”Rest, Yoshinori… I’m not that tired. I’ll keep watch.” But Yoshinori pulled her in with a soft hum, and she snuggled to his side with her back to him, her eyes on the door. Soon, sleep took them both, and they let it. Just for a bit.