[closed] Where were you?

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Thu Oct 11, 2018 9:04 pm

In truth Ume herself didn't even know where she was at. She didn't know the name of the middle of nowhere town. She only knew it was small with a respectable market and a high volume of traffic through it. Ever since Koyama's death she had been lost and hardly herself. Most who saw her, who knew her before, might not have even recognized her. Her vibrant blue hair was back in a tight braid and the girl was dressed in rags. An oversized cloak covered her, the hood pulled up to hide most of her face. She sat cross-legged in the dirt among of a line of other homeless, a hand held aloft and eyes on the ground before her as she silently hoped for a kind traveler to leave her a coin or two for a meal. This was how she had lived for some time now, her face always damp with tears, dirt smearing her skin. Her mind played Koyama's death over and over again and the guilt wracked the girl.

Today as she sat there, she felt a hand brush against hers. "Hello, little one." came a kind voice. She didn't raise her hand but the man knelt in front of her. He was a merchant from nearby and he set a small basket in front of her just as he had done for others. "I have a stand." he whispered, trying to get a peak under her hood. "You can work it, you can earn. You can eat better than this." He continued trying to speak to her for several minutes but after some time he walked away, leaving the basket of rice cakes and water in front of her.

It was nearly half an hour after he left before she whispered aloud to him, "I'm sorry, I can't." It was as if she didn't even know he was gone.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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Kao
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:04 pm

When Kotaru accepted his mission he had no idea it would take him so far from the village. He was in a part of the country he had never visited before, and although it was far from home and unfamiliar, he enjoyed the changing scenery as he traveled. He passed mountains and forests covered in frost, icy rivers and lakes, and small villages full of people who were mostly poor but content with their lifestyles. It was interesting to see so much of the country and he appreciated the landscape more than he ever had. But most of all, he enjoyed the solitude. The past few weeks had brought many changes in his life, and through it all he had barely had time to breathe. The Akari elders continued to summon him to meetings he had no desire to attend, and had it not been for his foster parents' encouragement - and reprimands - he wouldn't have bothered entertaining them. Not only did he have to deal with those wrinkled assholes, but he had been roped into training several genin, a few of which weren't even assigned to him. In short he felt overworked, and it was a relief to get away from those responsibilities for a week or two.

On his way to his destination he found himself in a tiny village. It was hardly a dot on the map and Kotaru would have passed through it completely had he not needed to stock up on food supplies. The village's market was humble, but it had enough food supplies that it was worth visiting. The boy had to step around several beggars to get to a particularly well stocked stand, and as he approached he did his best to ignore the smell emanating from a haggard beggar sitting only a few feet away.

"How much for the potatoes and carrots?" he asked the merchant, frowning when he was told a price that sounded much too high. "Too much. I'll give you half that." The two started to haggle, loudly, and Kotaru did his best to keep his temper under control when the merchant barely budged. Finally they settled on a price, and the merchant did his best to hide a triumphant smile. Kotaru nearly groaned. Bargaining wasn't his strong suit, and he was certain he was being ripped off. But the empty feeling in his stomach urged him to pay the man, so he dropped the coins into the merchant's hands and waited for him to drop his food into a sack.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:13 pm

A stranger's coins clinked in her hand and she withdrew it, staring down at them and pressing them with her fingers to make sure they were legit. She moved slow, her somewhat trance still in effect as she slid the basket of food she had been given to another beggar, one who had had less luck than her that down. She stood, slowly, every part of her aching with the move and she held her two coveted coins in one hand as she turned for the food stands. But as she got close to one she seemed to freeze. Her braid hung out of her hood from her movements, the hood slightly askew and betraying one of her purple eyes as she stared. 'I'm seeing things... right?' She continued to stare. The dark teal hair, his bright eyes, even down to the way he walked and carried himself, it was familiar. 'Is that Kotaru...?'

It was as if pieces of her past floated up to her mind. Still out of it, her body sluggish with a drug she had subjected herself to the night prior like many of the homeless in that small town, she continued to stare as she slowly remembered. She could almost feel that kiss again, then Tatsuo's anger, then telling Koyama about it all... the tears slid down her cheeks again and it suddenly dawned on her that he might see and recognize her. With a gasp she suddenly turned and tucked the coins into a pocket, running down an alleyway, but knocking over a merchant's pots and pans as she went. The man's curses and shouts followed her though he did not.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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Kao
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:36 pm

"Enjoy!" the merchant chimed with a toothy grin, and Kotaru nearly snatched the bag from his hand. "Whatever, you old geezer." His reply came in a irritable mumble and he tossed the bag over his shoulder. Just as he turned he heard the cacophony of pots and pans falling into the street, and an angry merchant cursed at someone's retreating form. The boy ignored the scene and started to walk past the man, stepping over the fallen merchandise.

"Hey! Hey! Aren't you some sort of soldier?" Kotaru sighed. He wanted to ignore the man, but part of his mission involved helping the citizens of Rock Country if needed. The boy hardly ever jumped at the opportunity to help others unless they were paying, but he supposed he should stop to see what happened. The merchant ranted and raved about some ragged hooligan destroying his products and even accused them of trying to steal. "Fine, fine, just quit yelling, will ya? I'll go after them."

Kotaru twisted the bag around his hand so that none of his food would fall out and then he took off down the alley, following the direction of the merchant's accusing finger. He didn't expect the so-called hooligan to get very far, and kept a look out for a 'dirty kid in rags.'
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:42 pm

When Ume got to the end of the alleyway she turned a corner and pressed herself against a wall, breathing heavily as she pulled her hood back to see more clearly. Her mind was clouded, her body sluggish and she blinked rapidly as she tried to fathom what she just saw. "Not him.. not possible..." she muttered to herself breathlessly, shaking her head to try and clear it. "No no no... can't know... they can't... Koyama is..." She grunted through her own grit teeth and chanced a look around the corner to see Kotaru coming towards her.

Even in a half drugged stupor she couldn't trick herself into thinking it was anyone else now. She kept herself against the wall, listening in silence as she tried to steady her breathing. 'Can I even mold chakra in this state?' she wondered to herself, knowing she probably couldn't outrun Kotaru. Yet still, out of practice as she was, she channeled the chakra necessary and listened for him to get close. If he did she'd reach out and grab him long enough for a quick kiss, and take off down another side street.
Jutsu UsedShow
Ekirei • Warning Kiss
D-Ranked Ninjutsu
Prerequisite(s): Katon
The user kisses the target on the lips with a passion, leaving behind a feeling like a second degree burn that runs down the esophagus and into the lungs. This may cause a fit of coughing, a soreness throughout the mentioned parts of the body, and a difficulty breathing for two posts. After the two posts the lips remain red as if sore and the pain fades.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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Kao
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:52 pm

Somehow he had lost sight of the guy. The village's alleyway was surprisingly a bit like a maze, and it would have been easy for the so called thief to turn a corner or two and get away. It seemed like that was exactly what had happened, and Kotaru had begun to resign himself to giving up the chase and finding somewhere to sleep for the night. But just as he started to slow up, something - someone - reached out from around a corner and pulled him close. What came next caught him completely off guard.

"The fu-" His words were cut off by a kiss, and as soon as he processed that some guy just kissed him, his lips began to burn. Kotaru's hand snapped to his face as he coughed, the burning sensation already making its way down his throat and into his lungs. His other hand snatched forward to try to grab his assailant, but whoever it was was already trying to escape. "You FUCKER!" he wheezed, and he tried to shake off the pain and pursue. He was pissed enough that when he turned down the next street and caught sight of the person, he ran forward nearly at full speed. He'd try to grab them and spin them around, while bringing up a clenched fist to punish the guy who kissed him and tried to get away with it.
JutsuShow
Endurance
C-Ranked Taijutsu Discipline
Prerequisite: 20 Stamina, 20 Strength
Having trained his body to withstand pain, he is able endure pain from moderate lacerations, burns, and fractures. This does not lessen the damage his body takes or has taken, but he is simply able to push through and not be hindered by pain from his injuries.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Thu Oct 11, 2018 11:04 pm

The first time he tried to snatch her was close, her cloak whipping off and revealing still rags underneath. Her normal blue skirt was stained and torn in several places. Her once white tanktop was a variety of shades of dirt and also torn, and without the cloak she felt the cold on her skin but her fractured mind pushed her to keep running. When Kotaru would grab her and turn her around she'd bring up a hand to try and close over his fist as she channeled chakra through it. She screamed, tears running down streaks of dirt down her cheeks and her braid loosening further in the fight. Her blue hair was becoming a disheveled mess quickly as she pushed against Kotaru and tried to get away.

Like a whimpering child she pushed and pulled but Kotaru was far too strong compared to the girl on a normal day, much less when drugs and grief had rattled her to her core. Eventually the girl simply fell limp. She wasn't unconscious, she had simply given up.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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Kao
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Thu Oct 11, 2018 11:20 pm

With the alleged thief in his grip, Kotaru reeled back for what could have been a knockout punch. But the guy grabbed his hand to try to stop it, and when the Akari snatched his own fist away he quickly realized that the person was not, in fact, a guy, when she screamed. He hesitated, the shrill sound of a girl shouting catching him off guard, and then her hair came free of its ponytail and fell around her face. With his fist still poised in midair, he froze.

He girl smacked at him. He didn't budge. She hit him again and it didn't move him. Once he caught her gaze, her eyes somewhat glazed over but a beautiful shade of light purple that wasn't exactly common in these parts. She looked at him again, and the second time it sent a jolt down his spine and his heart skipped almost painfully. His eyes flickered away from hers and to her hair. It was dull and dirty, but the pale blue locks with white highlights jarred his memory. A painful one, at that.

'No...no way....' The girl collapsed, and with the way he held her by the arm she fell forward and into his chest. He finally lowered his fist and pushed her so that she stood more upright, and with his other hand he cupped her face and looked directly at her.

He had to have been seeing things. Kotaru stared at her, his jaw slacked, and the more he looked over her features the more familiar she seemed. But it couldn't be right, it couldn't be her, because Akari Ume was dead. But despite knowing this, the name fell from his lips as he pushed her scraggly hair behind her ear. "U...Ume?"
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Thu Oct 11, 2018 11:28 pm

As he pushed her upright, Ume could barely stand on her own feet. She wobbled, breathing heavily as he cupped her face. At first she didn't lift her eyes to look at him again, at least until he said the name. She heard him say it, but also heard another voice say it and it seemed to jar her. She jerked back and away from him with a whimper, shaking her head almost wildly. "...dead..." she whispered, humming a constant no under her breath as she shook her head again and stumbled, falling onto her knees. She tried to run her fingers through her hair and they caught in the knots, fingernails digging into her scalp as a whimper came from her lips.

From her knees she looked down and it was as if she could see that man again. He was a large burly man and blood stained his lips, she could see his head in her lap as if it was only yesterday. "...don't die..." she whispered, begging. She blinked and a sigh escaped her lips, she looked up once more and stared up at Kotaru as if he were some puzzle she couldn't figure out. "No..." she said, swallowing hard. "You don't... I can't..." She looked around frantically, but if she were looking for something in particular it was as if she couldn't find it.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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Kao
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 12:31 am

The girl snatched away from him, and Kotaru's hands dropped to his side as she started to shake. What she whispered was almost inaudible - almost - but he caught her say the word 'dead.' What she said next was completely unintelligible, and the boy stood unmoving as she raked her fingers through her tangled hair. Something was wrong with her, and doubt about her identity clouded his mind. Ume had never been like this. The girl he knew did everything in her power to appear strong, and sometimes even he believed in her mental fortitude. But this girl was fractured, helpless, and frankly she was out of her mind. If this really was Ume, then something must have happened to her to leave her crumbling at his feet.

"Hey," he started after she swallowed thickly. The girl didn't seem able to meet his eyes, so he squatted and took her face in both of his hands. "Hey. Look at me. Stand up." His voice was firm but soft around the edges as he tried to guide her into a standing position. When he looked at her, past the dirt and grime, he was sure that this girl was Ume. His mind was brimming with questions and his throat tightened with each one, but in this state she wouldn't be able to answer him. If she stood, he expected her to be unsteady on her feet, so he tried to guide her arm over his shoulder to help her along.

A few passerby looked at them curiously, but with a fiery glare from Kotaru they hastened away. He needed to get her out of the streets, somewhere safe so that he could figure out what the hell had happened to her in the months she had been presumed dead. So he started walking, looking for an inn or a hostel where he could get her settled in and cleaned up, and hopefully get her to start making coherent sentences.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:56 am

She didn't fight him as he guided her to her feet, but she fell quiet save for some unintelligable murmurs here and there. She allowed even her arm to be draped over his shoulder to help her along, but the girl didn't notice any of the gawkers. She was lost in her own little world and at one point even rest her head on Kotaru's shoulder as a small smile came to her lips. "I wish this were real." she whispered, a hand slipping into a pocket and withdrawing some kind of small pill. It was the last one she had for now and she stared at it, wondering if she needed it yet. For a moment she wasn't thinking about the friend helping her along, rather the pill that she knew would melt under her tongue and momentarily take away the memory of a death that had left her broken.

One of the gawkers was a man at a fish stand. A couple of the homeless were helping him though these two seemed more lively than the others. "Here, let me show you how to cut it." he was telling one of them, showing them how to properly cut a fillet for a customer but when done he turned to watch Kotaru and Ume as they walked by. "That's the most lively I've seen that one in awhile." he called to them, reaching under the stand and picking up a small parcel before turning and walking over to them. He offered it to Kotaru. "There's a drug around here they're addicted to. Been trying to help this one to no avail... but you seem to be having better luck already. Take this, no charge. Its a tea that will help counter the effects." He told him. The man was a simple merchant, even reeked of fish from his stand, but he was the same man who had tried to talk to Ume before and even left her a basket of food.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:02 pm

He glanced down at her when she spoke about wishing he were real, and he couldn't help but release a long sigh, the sound having undertones of both frustration and sadness. She was completely out of it and he had no idea why, but soon after he got his answer. He half walked, half dragged Ume over to the man and eyed the parcel, and he immediately became alarmed when the man mentioned drugs. That wasn't at all like her, to resort to some substance for any reason. At least, he didn't think it was like her. He hadn't seen her in months; people change, and sometimes dramatically.

At that moment he noticed the pill in her hand, and with a scowl he snatched it away and threw it, far. As he took the parcel and placed it in his coat pocket he responded, "Thanks. I'll give this to her soon." Kotaru still wasn't sure where to take her. Now that he knew she was on some drug it was more urgent to get here somewhere safe and out of sight. "Is there an inn nearby? Or anywhere I can rent a quiet room."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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Willoria
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:12 pm

"No!"

Ume shrieked and tried to snatch the pill back for Kotaru, though to no avail. Though she went so far as to try and scratch him to get it. Of course though, her yell drew attention when seemed to make the man who had approached them nervous. He glanced around before looking over at a woman at his stand. "Kyo, take care of the stand." he told her, quickly motioning for Kotaru and Ume to follow him. "Any of the inns here will be full of dealers. You'll be spending all your time trying to keep her away from them." he explained as he led them around a corner and down a narrow walkway between buildings. Doors lined either side, all of them heading to various apartments.

The man led them about halfway down to a door and unlocked it, pushing it open and motioning for the pair to follow him inside. "I try to help them get back on their feet with they can. I use this place so they can detox off the drugs, get their head straight. My last occupant just left yesterday so its open for use. I was actually just trying to get her attention earlier today." he explained as he lit lamps through the one bedroom apartment. It was open, and mostly clean. "She didn't seem ready, just dead to the world, but she seems to be reacting to you at least." He stopped and looked at Kotaru a moment. "Use it as long as you need to..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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Kao
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:33 pm

Kotaru followed the man and tightened his grip on Ume. Her reaction to him tossing away the pill was expected, and he pulled her closer so she couldn't fight him so much or try to run away. As the man talked Kotaru's mind raced. It seemed strange to him that such a small town would be so saturated with drugs, but then again these people didn't have much going for them. It was far enough away from Iwagakure that it couldn't be easily monitored, so it wasn't surprising that the village and its people had fallen through the cracks. He made a mental note that the town needed to be cleaned up at some point, but for now Ume was the priority.

The Akari stayed on the lookout as they moved, constantly glancing around them in case they were being watched. Though he had decided to follow this man he still didn't quite trust him, but the prospect of getting Ume cleaned up - in more ways than one - demanded that he follow the merchant. The room was passable, and Kotaru mumbled another thank you and waited for the man to leave.

When they were alone, Kotaru gently guided the girl to the bathroom. Without releasing her he turned the faucet to fill the bath, and as the sound of crashing water filled the room he faced her once more. "Ume," he said quietly as he lifted her head so she could meet his eyes. "Ume? That's you in there right?" Somehow he still wasn't sure of her identity, if this was really her. The council had told him that she and Koyama were presumed dead, though they hadn't been able to find the bodies. The news had been hard for both him and Tatsuo to swallow, though Kotaru had never allowed himself to become emotional about it. He didn't have the right to be upset, to be despondent, to feel anything. That's what he had told himself until he finally managed to block it out and move on with his life.

But now that she was in front of him - if it was really her - every emotion he had forced down was churning in his stomach and catching in his throat. Before he knew it he brought his slightly shaking hands to her face and released a shuddering breath. He needed her to look at him. "Ume, it's me. It's Kotaru."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:40 pm

By time they made it into the apartment Ume had finally calmed down, allowing herself to be pulled along. She visibly flinched as Kotaru started running water in the bathtub, the noise seeming to jar her a bit. She squinted her eyes at the light in the bathroom as if it were too bright, but managed to look at Kotaru as he lifted her head. She didn't answer directly, staring at him in silence for several moments as she felt as if everything around her were swimming. She put a hand on the wall to steady herself and looked at one of her hands. She felt like there was still blood all over it and her face seemed to wrinkle up in distress for a moment as she tried to wipe it off on her clothes to no avail. She had begun to whimper again, until Kotaru's hands to her face and she managed to look at him.

"Kotaru..." she said quietly, blinking several times. "Kota..." She could feel the fog lifting slightly from her for a moment as she reached a hand out to rest it against Kotaru's chest, as if she were confirming that he was really in front of her. She seemed almost confused when she came in contact with him, resting her hand against him a moment before lifting it to touch his lips with her thumb. "I... I thought... so this isn't, it isn't a dream?"
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:58 pm

He noticed every change in expression, every tick of her body and hands. When a hint of realization finally crossed her face she laid a hand against his chest, and in that moment he knew. It really was her. When she pressed her thumb to his lips, the boy gave her the slightest of smiles. "Nope. I'm the real deal, Kotaru in the flesh." He released her face and took a step back from her to dip his hand into the bath water. Thankfully it was warm and didn't need adjusting. "Gotta say, you smell terrible. You need this bath more than I do so you can go first."

Kotaru started to leave the bathroom, the door still open as he crossed the threshold and reached into his coat pocket. Ume seemed to be coming to her senses, if only slightly, so he knew he needed to get the tea made as soon as possible to help her along. "That merchant or whoever gave me some tea to help you. I'll get it started while you bathe."

The boy stared at her, waiting for her reaction. The tea needed to be made, along with the food he had bought earlier and had somehow managed to hold on to throughout the chase. Truthfully, he didn't want to let her out of his sight. Kotaru was still coming down from the shock that the girl was even alive, and he almost felt that if he looked away from her he'd find out that the whole thing had been a lie. So he stood in the doorway to gauge her reaction and to see if she was ready to be left alone in the bath.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:10 pm

If she had been in her right mind she might have hugged him right there. But instead she remained where she was, her hand slipping way from his lips as he moved to check the bath water. For the first time in who knew how long, she let out a small chuckle as he said she smelled terrible. Her mind was still fighting against the drug, but having missed the most recent dose she was at least starting to achieve some clarity. She watched him go, though her hand reached out for her fingertips to brush his as he did so. "I.. I don't know where I am..." she admitted quietly, clearing her throat and turning to look at the bath water. She heard him mention the tea and she stepped closer to the bath, her mind working to remind herself what she needed to do to get in.

She saw soap on the sink and set it on the edge of the tub carefully and looked down to realize she needed to undress. It didn't occur to her to pull the door shut, or look to see if Kotaru was looking. She patted her clothes and realized her cloak was gone, but she removed her shirt easily and discarded it onto the floor, revealing the tattoo that ran the length of her back as well as the spiral scarring down her left shoulder and arm that was over her veins from the disease so long ago now. She removed her skirt, her shorts, and before long slipped into the warm water to try and clean herself up. Everything felt like slow going, she felt sluggish, having to remind herself of every movement and step before she did it. But she found focusing on the bath kept the memories at bay for the moment, and she breathed a sigh of relief in the water.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:27 pm

Within seconds, she was undressing. Kotaru's eyes widened when she was suddenly half, then completely, naked. That was certainly different. It reminded him of a time when she could barely remove her shirt in front of him. Whether it was because of the drugs or something else, Ume no longer had any semblance of bashfulness around him. The boy coughed loudly and tore his eyes away from her, though he snuck in another look before firmly setting his gaze to the wall. "To be fair, you're in some nothing village. Barely a blip on the radar." Again he found himself wondering what the hell had happened to her and how she had ended up there. But his questions would have to wait. He gave her another look - at her face this time - before finally making his way to the tiny kitchen. Before long there was a pot of water beginning to boil, and he found a knife and had begun to cut up the potatoes and carrots. After a bit of digging he found some meat in the fridge, and once he determined it looked fresh and safe enough he threw it into a pot to cook. It wouldn't be an elaborate meal, but from the way Ume looked even a stew would do her some good.

As the food cooked he wandered back to the bathroom. She seemed to be relaxed for the time being, which was a good sign. The jounin glanced at her dirty clothes strewn across the floor, suddenly realizing she had nothing clean to wear once she finished bathing. "We'll have to throw out your clothes," he began rather softly, hoping that his reappearance wouldn't startle her. "Not sure what else you can wear though, not unless there's an extra set of clothes lying around. Worst case scenario, I'll have to give you my extra shirt to wear."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:34 pm

"How did I get here...?" she mused aloud. As filthy as she was, among so many other things she didn't notice, Ume hadn't noticed she was a fair good deal skinnier than before. Living on the streets had started having an affect on her body, as well as the drugs. But she didn't really notice that, she relaxed in the warm water and used the soap to clean up as best as she could. She heard Kotaru moving around in the other room and before long he was speaking to her again though it took a moment for her mind to catch up and she looked at her clothes on the floor. "Right..." she muttered, squinting up at the light in the bathroom again.

After a bit of time when she realized she was clean she managed to pull herself out of the tub and found a towel. She dried off, paying particular attention and noticed something else that would help. "Oh." she simply muttered as she find a bit of an oversized and fluffy black robe which she pulled on before stepping out of the bathroom. She moved slowly still, shuffling, as she carefully found her way to a chair to sit down in. "I... attacked you." she seemed to suddenly remember, sighing as she pulled her legs up underneath her and leaned into the corner of the chair. She turned to look at Kota a moment and sighed. "I'm sorry."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:15 pm

Kotaru couldn't answer her question, and for the dozenth time he was reminded that the girl in front of him was truly Ume. His gaze found the dark scarring on her shoulder, and the memories he had worked so hard to suppress came clawing back to the surface. It was a miracle that she was alive, he thought, especially since her doctors had given her a grim prognosis. That day's events were vivid in his mind: waiting on her for hours and forgoing sleep, going with her to the doctor, arguing with her almost every step of the way. The day had somehow ended in a kiss, and the kiss had ended their relationship. He had agreed to never be alone with her ever again and had avoided even seeing her, and any time he did so he pretended he didn't know her. Even after he learned of her supposed death he had refused to let it affect him, and had denied himself the chance to even think about it and grieve. Yet here he was, months later and days away from Iwagakure and his friends, completely unsupervised with a very much alive - and a very naked - Ume.

She stood out of the bath, and he stared at her unabashedly. It was wrong, he knew that, but he couldn't help himself. He watched her as she dried off, briefly thinking he preferred the look of her wet skin. Once she was clean she looked like herself again, and memories continued to thrash around in his mind. Something about the girl chipped away at his sharp and unrefined edges, and he found himself being much softer than he was normally. He wasn't the slightest bit angry or irritable, which was unusual for him, to say the least. Instead he was relieved, perhaps even happy. "It caught me off guard," he admitted with a smirk, "but it's nothing you should apologize for. You were doing what you had to do."

By that time the tea had finished boiling, and the food was nearly ready. He poured the liquid into a cup and sniffed it, his expression souring briefly at the smell. It didn't smell too great, but she'd have to drink it. "Drink up," he urged as he placed the cup in her hand. "Gotta flush that shit out of your system." Once she had the cup he'd sit on the edge of the bed and keep an eye on her, making sure she drank the tea down to the very last drop.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:52 pm

Ume watched him quietly as he brought her the tea and she couldn't help wrinkling up her nose at the smell of it. Everything still felt like slow motion, like she was wading through sludge of some kind. She didn't even register what he said at first until after she'd taken the first sip. It brought a blush to her cheeks, realizing he knew what she had been doing, or at least knew about the drugs. Because of them she couldn't remember when she first started taking them, or how long it had been. She had been on them at near a constant since Koyama had died, a memory that seemed to flood back as she sipped the tea she had been given. With a hiss she pulled the cup away from her lips and curled them inward for a moment as if she had burned herself. She finished off the cup quickly and took a few deep breaths, leaning back on the chair as she tried to process it all again.

She could remember now there was a time when she wasn't allowed to be around Kota, and that had hurt more than she had admitted to anyone. Only Koyama knew the way it had twisted her up inside, and she could still remember the way they had fought over it. Including the day that... She suddenly jumped to her feet and raced to the bathroom, noisily emptying anything in her gut into the toilet. She realized now that was probably exactly what the tea was supposed to do, but for now she hated it for it. She sat on the floor of the bathroom and waited, in case there was more to come. "How did you find me?" she finally asked, something else crossing her mind as she looked over at Kotaru and finally stood, stepping out of the bathroom once more. "How... how long have I been gone?"
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:15 pm

Kotaru's eyebrows shot straight up when she suddenly ran away to vomit, and he followed her to the bathroom. He hovered at the door as she hovered over the toilet, watching her with a concerned frown. He was unsure what to do or how to help, so he just let her empty her stomach. When she finally stood he took a step toward her, and he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and led her to the bed, grabbing the trash can in the bathroom on the way out to set it at her feet. "I wasn't looking for you, to be honest. We...we thought you were dead, and were told that retrieving you would be handled. I'm only out here because of a mission. I just...ran into you."

Her second question troubled him. The drugs had really messed her up if she had no idea how long she'd been gone. "Seven months, maybe? Probably closer to eight. I...haven't been keeping track. Ume, what...." He trailed off, not sure if he should press the matter. Ume wasn't herself, and there was obviously something going on with her. He hadn't failed to notice that her dirty face had been smeared from tear trails, or how she had nearly sobbed when she was trying to fight him off. Perhaps now wasn't the time to potentially have her dive head first back into remembering whatever trauma had affected her.

So instead he sat next to her, and as the smell of dinner wafted throughout the room he motioned toward the kitchen. "I don't know if you wanna eat right now, but you probably should put something on your stomach. Meat on your bones and all that."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:24 pm

Ume sat down on the edge of the bed as Kotaru led her along and she sighed, blinking as Kotaru filled her in a bit. "That long?" she wondered aloud, her mind going back to what he'd said a moment before. "Dead? So then they must have found..." she trailed off and cleared her throat, looking down suddenly as she worried she might be about to cry again. For a brief second as she did so she could see blood on her hands and a vibrant red organ resting on her palms. She drew in a sharp breath and balled her hands into fists, closing her eyes as she tried to will the minor hallucination to go away. When she opened them the organ and blood was good, and she took a shakey breath before nodding as Kotaru spoke.

"I get the feeling the sick was the point of the tea... and I'm probably supposed to eat after." she said quietly, catching a whiff of the food as her stomach suddenly growled embarrassingly loud. But as she stood, presumably to go to the small kitchen, she suddenly grabbed one of Kotaru's hands. "I'm glad it was you... that found me." she said quietly.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Fri Oct 12, 2018 5:39 pm

The boy snorted when her stomach growled, loud enough for him to easily hear. It was a good sign that she still had an appetite, and the more she talked the less it seemed like she was still under the influence. Still, he noticed her eyes had glazed over for a moment, and though he had no idea what she was thinking or seeing in that moment, he could tell by her breathing that it was something causing strain. As expected she got up to eat, but then she suddenly grabbed his hand. His eyes lowered as he laced their fingers together, and then he looked back at her into her eyes.

"Wasn't expecting you to say that, since we haven't talked in so long. I figured we were supposed to hate each other after everything that happened. I'm just amazed that you're...that you're alive and okay." His free hand found its way to her outer thigh and then slowly trailed up her side and to her back. The fuzzy robe was soft between his fingers, and for a second he lost himself in the moment to truly appreciate the fact that she was standing in front of him.

But then he thought better of it. His roaming hand dropped, and he pulled away from her. No matter how glad he was to see her there were still some lines he hesitated to cross again. He wanted to, but he had to maintain some sort of hold on his self control. The only thing stopping him was his sense of loyalty. Kotaru swallowed thickly and once again gestured toward the kitchen. "You can eat as much as you want," he said as he did his best to ignore the fact that she wore nothing beneath that robe. He stood to head to the kitchen, intent on keeping his attention on finding two bowls and spoons instead of on the fact that they were alone, and that there was still obviously something between them.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:19 pm

She had to admit, she enjoyed the feel of his fingers intertwined with hers. Ume turned herself so she was slightly in front of him, looking down at him as he sat on the bed and spoke to her. Her mind was still fighting a fog, but fighting through it was getting easier. "We haven't talked... well, I know it isn't because you actually hate me or anything." she said quietly. 'He wouldn't be here helping me if he hated me... he would have assumed the worst and taken me prisoner, or worse...' she thought to herself, sighing as she felt his hand shift. She didn't stop him, closing her eyes as he touched her outer thigh, her side, her back. She was enjoying it. But as she saw him pull away she let it go. Or at least she meant to. When he had stood, she moved to stand directly in front of him, inches from him, remembering again that kiss and contemplating another. 'He'd never forgive himself... even if he did earn it this time...' she thought to herself, sighing and stepping away to take a look at what was cooking.

It may've been something Kotaru considered a modest meal at best, but to Ume it was amazing. She hadn't eaten anything that wasn't scrap or close to it in months apparently. But as she contemplated stealing a piece of meat before Kotaru even found dishes to eat out of, she suddenly seemed to realize something and spoke bluntly. "Koyama is dead." she said suddenly, taking a deep breath as she realized she had said it out loud and turning to face Kotaru though she couldn't look him in the face as she spoke this time. "He... died because of me... protecting me... made me promise to uh... take his phasma..." she cleared her throat, realizing she was tearing up again and wasn't sure she could finish saying out loud what had been haunting her for months without breaking down.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:46 am

When she blocked his path, Kotaru froze. She was so close - too close, even - and he could feel her breath brushing against his cheeks, his lips. For a moment he could feel himself wavering and he flinched as if he was going to close the distance between them. He felt a rush ignite his entire body with her so close, and his hormones seemed to stir all at once. His flinch was all it took for their lips to just barely brush against each other, but even that small touch was enough to make his breath come out in a shudder. But Kotaru forced his desire for her down by looking away and up toward the ceiling, and he clenched his fists so that he wouldn't pull her closer. 'Fucking stop it, Kota,' he chastised himself as he stepped around her and into the kitchen, and he inadvertently slammed the cabinet open during his search for utensils.

And then she dropped an unexpected bomb. Just as he had found two bowls and had divvied up the stew between them, Ume told him that Koyama was dead. He turned, stunned, and fiddled with the spoons in his hand. "I'm...." He had no idea what to say. It dawned on him that the man's death was probably the one of the reasons she was like this, distraught and falling apart, and he gave an unsure sigh as he crossed the room to approach her. "You can't blame yourself," he began, dipping his head so that he could look at her lowered face. "You survived like he wanted you to, right?"

He stopped in front of her and held out one of the bowls, trying to urge her to take it. "You don't have to talk about him or any of that if you don't want to. Not until you're ready."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:09 am

Ume tried to nod as Kotaru pointed out that she survived. She took the offered bowl and took a deep breath. "Pretty sure if he had found me today instead of you, he would have beaten me within an inch of my life." she remarked, chuckling to herself. It was an odd sound, no mirth in it whatsoever despite how it would normally sound. Ume walked over to a small table in the corner of the room and sat in one of the chairs. For a moment she took in the smell of the food before her, playing with it with her spoon really, and then looked at Kotaru. 'This isn't fair to him...' she thought to herself with a sigh. "One sec."

She stood and went over to the single dresser in the room, having a hunch. A moment later it was confirmed as she dug through it and found clothes in a few different sizes. They were all boy's clothes, but that didn't matter. She picked out a couple things that would work and retreated to the bathroom, making sure to shut the door all the way this time. When she emerged she wore a pair of baggy black pants and a grey t-shirt, both a little too big for her but at least they were proper clothes instead of a robe. She sat back down at the table and began poking around at her food again, tasting it. "I think this is better than anything I've had in awhile..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sat Oct 13, 2018 11:37 am

At her last comment he gave her a sort of half smile that nearly resembled a grimace. He wasn't sure what to say to her about Koyama's death, and if he were honest with himself he hadn't even begun to process it. It meant that Ume was alone now, with no parents or guardians to take care of her. Their situations were similar in some ways, but at least he had a support system at his back, whether he wanted it or not. He watched silently as she picked at her food and then left the room for a moment, coming back dressed in clothes that didn't fit her that well. Needless to say, he was disappointed in the change of attire.

"You must have been eating shit then," he replied when she finally started eating. When she left to change clothes he had started eating and was disappointed in the mediocre flavor. "This isn't my best by a long shot but it's all I had. Tatsuo's mom has been teaching me how to make almost entire meals lately and it turns out pretty good most of the time. I'll make you something when we go back to the village."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sat Oct 13, 2018 11:46 am

Ume couldn't help a snort at his comments about what she used to eat. "Honestly I don't know... I don't remember. I just know this tastes good." But as the subject shifted and he talked about who taught him to cook, Ume visibly paused at Tatsuo's name. It felt like a rock had dropped in her gut, which only sunk deeper as he mentioned making her something when they got back. 'Is Tatsuo going to let him?' she wondered to herself, toying with her food a moment before eating a bit more. 'I can't lose anyone else... not after...' she managed to finish her food but pushed the bowl back as she felt herself tearing up again.

"How... how is Tatsuo?" she finally asked. "If everyone thought I was dead for months..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:11 pm

Kotaru paused mid-bite, realizing what he had just said. When he began chewing again it was slow and deliberate, buying him time to formulate a response. Truthfully, he had barely seen Tatsuo recently. After the news of Ume's disappearance and supposed death, both Akari boys and buried themselves in their work. While Tatsuo focused on helping his underlings and dealing with the goings on of the Catacombs and the spirits that lived within it, Kotaru had been working elsewhere. He'd taken on several missions that sent him far from Iwagakure, sometimes for weeks at a time, and he had done so purposefully. It was easier to deal with things when he was away from the village and from the people that reminded him of his problems.

"He's...about how you'd expect last I checked. Honestly I don't think I've seen him at all in the past month." He took another bite of food, a giant one, so that he could think. When he finished chewing he continued, "When we...when they first told us he took it pretty bad. How could he not, right? And the timing was bad, too. Right after, our duties got more complex - me, Tats, and Mits - and we don't get to see each other as often as we used to. Tats wouldn't really talk to me about it. And honestly I'm glad he didn't. I tried not to think about what happened."

Kota sighed and put down his spoon. Suddenly his appetite was gone. Mentioning Tatsuo and discussing outright how her 'death' had affected them reminded him of how he felt, how he had tried his damndest to not think about Ume, and how he had took out his frustration and anger on nearly everyone around him for a time. Yet here she was, and soon they would be back in the village and he didn't know what it would mean. He knew deep down that he could no longer pretend there was nothing between them, or pretend that she didn't exist to him. But his friendship with Tatsuo had to come first; he owed him that. Kotaru just wasn't sure how long that would last.

The jounin sullenly picked his spoon back up and tried to resume eating, but the stew tasted even more bland than before.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:26 pm

'So what you're saying is you don't know if he's already moved on... and he probably has...' Ume bit back the snide thought for more than one reason, and not just because she didn't want to upset Kotaru. She suddenly found she wasn't sure if the news would actually upset her right now. She was still wrapped up in Koyama's death and despite moments ago wishing like hell that Kotaru would put his arms around her... it hit her that she couldn't really think clearly right now. She wanted love, she wanted to be cared for, but she also felt like she deserved none of it after the way Koyama had died in her arms. She took a deep, shaking breath, trying to shove the memory aside again. Trying to forget that she had actually kissed the man as his last breath had passed his lips.

And what she had done afterwards.

"I guess I have to go back..." she said quietly. "That house is going to be damn quiet..." She sighed and shook her head. "Did they tell you we were hunting an Akari Missing Ninja?" she asked abruptly, looking at Kotaru. "His name was Kaska... when we started hunting him I felt so bad about everything, I was hating on myself so much I was distracted, and I distracted Koyama. The first time.. we were ambushed and I was captured. Like an idiot when I tried to escape I manifested my shiin, and accidentally included my Astrashiin in that..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sat Oct 13, 2018 2:10 pm

Kotaru hummed when she mentioned she would have to return to the village. He nearly told her that he would keep her company, but then he thought better of it. It wouldn't be right for him to say that, especially since he wasn't sure how they would interact once she was back home. But truth be told, he didn't plan on letting her deal with things alone. "They didn't mention many details at all. The elders council tried to keep everything hush hush. If anyone from the clan found out that there's an astrashiin user unaccounted for, there'd be another riot, I expect." He said this bitterly, with the same tone he took whenever he even alluded to their clan's politics.

"Good thing you got away. A rogue Akari would have jumped at that, I imagine." Kotaru pushed away his empty bowl and stretched. "I'm gonna bathe. It's been a long day." With that he left the table and stretched his arms above his head. The young Akari took off his shirt before going to the bathroom and clean out the tub, and once he was satisfied that all of Ume's dirt and gunk was safely down the drain he ran his own water. While he waited he slumped to the floor and buried his head in his knees. It had truly been a long day with a lot happening at once, and the boy needed a moment to himself to fully comprehend everything.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:19 pm

Honestly Ume hadn't been done explaining what happened to Kotaru, and she found herself wanting to tell him. Yet she couldn't. She watched Kotaru get up and head to the bathroom, discarding his shirt as he went. She didn't say a word, at first resting her head on her arms as she watched him empty the tub. She wanted to stop him, to tell him the rest, but as her mind went back over the thought of going home she knew it might be a bad idea. 'How terrible is this? He's already saved me pretty much and I... I can't even really talk to him about it. I'm not allowed to.' For the first time in awhile she felt an anger rising in her chest but it wasn't at Kotaru.

It was at Tatsuo.

She stood suddenly with a bit of a huff and started to pace the small apartment. 'We screwed up, I get it.' she told herself. 'But I don't understand anymore... Kotaru is my friend. Should I lose my friend because I screwed up? I did everything I could to make it right and even now I'm paying for it...' She sighed heavily and dropped on the foot of the bed, sitting there with her face in her hands as her hair cascaded down either side of her and tears burned in her eyes. She felt the craving rise in spite of the tea that had cleansed her, she wanted the drugs again. She didn't want to think about any of this. She didn't want to think about the drama between her, and Tatsuo, and Kotaru. She didn't want to think about Koyama's death. She had no way of dealing with any of it.

"I can't keep doing this..." she whispered, the tears spilling down either side of her face as she slid off the end of the bed and to the floor, hugging her knees to herself and burying her face in them as the sobs began to wrack her small frame.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:37 pm

The bathroom filled with steam as the tub filled, and after a minute or so Kotaru reached up to turn the faucet. He dipped his hand in the steaming water, so hot that most people would have turned on the cold water to cool it, but for Kotaru it was perfect. He started to undress completely, but he heard a noise from the bedroom that sounded like a barely stifled sob. Knowing Ume wasn't the most stable at the moment, he pulled his pants back around his waist. They hung there rather loosely as he peeked into the room, and he saw what he had expected.

The boy walked slowly and quietly toward the bed and then he crouched down in front of her. She was taking Koyama's death rather hard, which was something he couldn't blame her for. With her family and guardian gone, she must have felt alone. Kotaru knew the feeling. "Ume...don't blame yourself," he began, placing a hesitant hand on her side. The boy assumed her mind was on her fallen guardian; he had no idea what she was truly upset about. "You won't be alone when we get back. You'll have Tatsuo to help you through all this." He paused, not sure he if should say what else was on his mind. But with the way Ume was hurting, he knew she needed the reassurance and support. "And I'll be there, too, when you need me."

Kotaru wasn't exactly well versed in being comforting. Usually he was the one who needed to be calmed down and reassured, and now that he found himself on the other side, he felt unsure about what he could do. But he found himself wanting to help her; as usual, he hated to see her cry. "Talk to me," he urged, remembering something Mitsuo had said about talking through feelings. He moved to sit next to her and, after a small pause, he gently moved her hair from her face. "Or don't, if you don't want. Just...you're crying, and...." he trailed off, showing that he wanted to help her but just wasn't sure how.
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:01 pm

Ume honestly didn't hear Kotaru come in to comfort her, and had to fight the urge to flinch when he spoke. She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face and shook her head. "Its not that..." she admitted quietly, taking several deep breaths and trying to slow her own tears down. "I just... I can't do this." she told him, shaking her head as he sat down beside her. "Koyama is dead... when I get back Tatsuo will expect you and I never to speak still... but you... you've saved me here." The girl felt it all welling up in her throat again and swallowed hard.

"I can't do this, Kotaru... all I can think about is taking that goddamn drug again because I can't face this. We did something we shouldn't have and I was forced to lose you as a friend for it and now when I go back I won't just be alone because Koyama is dead but because I can't be around you and my boyfriend doesn't trust me." She shook her head and almost seemed to growl as she suddenly pushed herself up to her feet and began pacing again, running her hands through her hair. "I'm done losing a friend over a goddamn boy who doesn't trust me anyway!" she finally blurted out, the anger flashing in her own eyes.

She turned and looked at Kotaru, for the first time realizing he was shirtless and it was enough to make her pause, but there was something she still felt she needed to say and she forced herself to blurt it out. "I should have walked away when he couldn't trust me... I'm sorry it took me needing you more than ever to realize that... it wasn't fair to just cut you out like that..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:37 pm

Kotaru winced when she mentioned Tatsuo and alluded to the fact that they weren't supposed to be alone together at all. Silently he listened to her rant, and when she mentioned the drugs he looked up, his eyes briefly narrowing into sharp slits. He understood that she needed an escape but drugs were out of the question, and he knew that her mentioning it again meant he needed to get her out of this environment. But besides that, he was surprised that she held so much anger and frustration toward his foster brother. As far as he knew, the couple had been working things out before she disappeared and they were slowly getting back on track. But with this outburst, he wasn't so sure.

But listening to her rant saddened him. And it frustrated him. "Ume, I...what we didn't shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have- actually, Ume, we've been over this. I mean can you blame him? We fucked up and we gotta deal with it. You cut me out to save your actual relationship, and I pretty much did the same thing. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But you're not losing me, alright?" he said with a slight edge to his voice. Without meaning to he was feeding off her energy; his frustration rose with hers, though not nearly as strongly. "Do you really think I'm gonna let you be alone now? After everything? Don't be stupid."

He took a moment to compose himself and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly before continuing. "And since when is Tatsuo just some 'goddamn boy' you can walk away from? Trust was broken and it has to be built back. That's how these things work." He paused, noticing how she looked at him when she turned back around. With the way she talked about Tatsuo, something dawned on him. "Unless...you don't want it to work."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:54 pm

Ume kept pacing as Kotaru spoke, she knew he was right, and knew he also wasn't quite understanding what she was getting at. She wasn't sure if he knew everything that had happened now... and everything that hadn't. "You don't understand." she whispered, sighing as she shook her head and looked at Kotaru a moment. "I gave him everything I possibly could to make it up to him, Kotaru... everything." She stressed the last word, silently hoping she wouldn't have to outright state what she gave up. That she had made sure he was her first in every way, even in body.

But she shook her head. "And for what?" she finally asked. "Do you know why I was distracted that day? What I was doing that had Koyama distracted?" It all swelled up in her throat again and she had trouble forcing it down as she spoke. "I-it was all about h-him!" she managed. "I still felt like trash. He came over when he liked. And then disappear, for days, I wouldn't hear from him. I started telling Koyama what kind of trash I was. What I did. And that I deserved to die for it!"

She covered her face with her hands as the tears began again and she shook her head. "But instead it was Koyama who died! IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!"
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:45 am

Kotaru did understand. He may have been relatively innocent and inexperienced when it came to dealing with girls and relationships, but it wasn't hard to figure out what Ume meant. He had expected she and Tatsuo had slept together, he just didn't care to know about any of the details. The thought made him nearly scowl, and he felt a confusing mixture of awkwardness and irritation when she confirmed his suspicions about how far they'd gotten in their relationship.

But he snapped out of his own selfish hang ups when she continued on and said she should have been the one to lose her life. At that he shot straight up, closed the distance between them, and gently pulled her hands away from her face. "Don't say that. You don't deserve that at all, okay? You deserve to live, just like everyone else." His throat dried as he spoke. He'd never seen this side of her before, and it was something he didn't quite know how to handle. All he could do was try to get her out of her own head, and to help her abandon the thought that she deserved to be dead.

He lowered his hands to her shoulders and turned her around, trying to get her to sit on the bed. "What Tatsuo does...what happened to Koyama, none of it means you don't deserve to live, alright? So just," he waved his hand for emphasis, motioning toward her head to imply that those thoughts should fly free from her mind and added, "try not to think that way. It's not true."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Willoria » Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:05 pm

Ume stared at Kotaru in surprise as he pulled her hands away from her face. Tears still streamed down her cheeks, but she stared at him as he spoke and tried to comfort her. Though as he tried to get her to sit on the bed, she didn't do so. It wasn't because she didn't understand his instructions, and it wasn't because she didn't want to follow his lead. As he spoke all she could see was how immensely Kotaru had changed. She still remembered when they first met, how he had seemed to hate her. It was such a stark contrast to how he was with her now. She didn't respond to what he said, at least verbally. But she did suddenly throw her hands around his neck in a hug.

She didn't seem to care that he was shirtless or had a bath waiting for him right then. She wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand on the back of one of his shoulders, her other buried in his hair as she held him as close to her as she could and choked back a sob. "Please... just don't ignore me again..." she found herself begging, her head dipping to touch his bare shoulder with her nose and her breath against his neck. It suddenly hit Ume that of everything that was happening and everything she thought might happen when she returned home, the one thing she couldn't bear the thought of was losing Kotaru as a friend or not having him to talk to upon her return.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402 Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF

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[closed] Where were you?

Post by Kao » Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:52 pm

When she wouldn't sit on the bed, Kotaru prepared himself for what he thought would come next: more tears, more frustration, more self-hatred that he wasn't sure he could ease away. But to his surprise she wrapped her arms around him, one hand entangling in his hair, and he shivered slightly when her breath washed over his neck. The boy hesitated, but not long enough for the girl to notice. His hands found her shoulders and slowly made their way down to her hips. For a moment he closed his eyes, allowing her to pull him closer and fight back her tears.

He didn't know what the future would hold for either of them. He couldn't say how anyone would react to her return, or how anyone would force him to behave as Ume settled back in to life in the village. The thought worried him if he allowed himself to dwell on it, so he pushed it back and focused on what was happening in that moment, and what the girl in his arms was saying and needed from him. Kotaru's fingers pressed against her waist, displacing her shirt so he could feel her skin underneath. He kept his hands and fingers at her waist, against the soft expanse of skin, knowing that moving in either direction would risk losing control and wanting more.

For now Kotaru held her, ignoring how his body tensed and stiffened and instead trying to focus on comforting her. The boy nodded, resting his head against hers, and he whispered, "I won't. I promise."
Kao's CharactersShow
Akari KotaruBanninIwagakure no Sato Team 18 Jousai [color=#1fb8a3]
Komiya ShizuoJounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#209DD3]
Yanagida Yukino Special Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#a07ac2]
Ishiwara SetsunaChuunin Iwagakure no Sato[color=#E81D1D]
Enkouten Mai Jounin Iwagakure no Sato [color=#CE5412]
Aisu Namie Chuunin Kirigakure no Sato [color=#5bc2d4]
Awai FusaeA-Rank MNKonohagakure no Sato[color=#D95FEA]
Important NPCsShow
Akari Kanehara Akari clan elder [color=#80A0FF]
Sakata KannaIwagakure Councilwoman [color=#3DA43B]
Hazuki Shuran Jinchuuriki researcher [color=#E854C0]
Enkouten Kaizen Iwagakure councilman, clan leader [color=#C65871]
Rock Country Daimyo [color=#AC4A4A]

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