Starting Over

[J3SS13M0]

These past two years in Iwagakure have been hard. Surrounded by strangers, being beaten and tortured into submission…had left scars. Working in their hospitals, reinforcing their boundaries, providing ample support to their agricultural region. It’s been exhausting, and with no word from her family she feels more and more empty. She thought waiting for the right moment to escape would provide her with some hope, but all it did was weigh her down more. There was never a right time, and she had all but given up being able to see Sunagakure ever again, when she was visited after her night shift at the hospital with reassignment. It would seem she had finally proven herself enough to leave Iwagakure. This would be the best chance she had to escape…at least that’s what she thought until she heard where she was being reassigned. She was being sent back to Sunagakure…under the strict supervision of a Special Jounin named Haziwara Youji. ‘Guess it makes sense that I’d need a babysitter.’ She was not happy about being escorted home, not that she would even be allowed to go home. The details of her assignment were unclear, only that she was to do as she was told or she’d be returned immediately to the internment camp where she had spent the better part of two years.

After washing up and eating dinner, she packed up her meager belongings so that she could leave at first light to go find this Youji and finally head home. Praying that it was still standing tall with minimal changes and that she’d be able to see her family…that she had lost no one else. For the first time in a long time, she felt a swell of hope, immediately replaced with panic. What if her family was all lost? What if her home was a casualty of war? What if the life she had been holding on to was gone forever? She had never recovered from her father and Kiyori’s death. And the trauma of the invasion left her reeling. She could feel her breathing quicken and her heart pounding in her chest. She knew this feeling well, the anxiety of what was to come. Fortunately, during her years of being tortured she learned how to block it out, but it never brought her the peace she once had. Only reminded her of the shell she now resided in. She lay on the cold floor beneath the window, letting the moonlight fall over her form. Trying to match her breathing to that of the wind outside. Slow and steady. Intentional. Panicking would solve nothing. She needed to keep as clear a head as possible if she was to make it through this, just like everyday before. She could feel tears pooling at the edge of her eyes, wanting respite more than anything, but a listless sleep was all she could get. So, she took it.

The morning sun beamed across her eyelids. Slowly blinking the sleep away she arose from the floor, cracking her back and stretching out the kinks. She was too nervous to eat but packed a breakfast and lunch bento anyways and grabbed an apple to eat on her way to the recruitment office. This was it; she was going home. She felt the panic start to rise again and pushed it down. Putting one foot in front of the other, counting the rocks in the dirt along the way until she had made it to the office. She walked up to the desk and cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the elderly woman scrawling away. “Excuse me? I’m here for reassignment.” The woman looked up and acknowledged her with a nod. Datura realized a name might be helpful. “I’m Naegi Datura, I’m supposed to be meeting Haziwara Youji to go back to Suna.”

[Izanagi]

Youji awoke, fists clenched around his sheets, his toned physique glistening with sweat. The nightmares persisted. Even as his body recovered, reclaiming lost muscle mass and filling in his formerly gaunt figure, his mind remained a battlefield. Exhaling slowly, his cerulean-blue gaze flitted toward a picture on his bedside. Gazing upon the man’s long, dark hair and seafoam green eyes, Youji grounded himself, reminding himself of his purpose. “For Iwagakure. For Kotaru” he breathed, calming the screams that haunted his mind.

Wiping his brow, the man rolled out of bed, landing gracefully on his feet before stretching his arms wide. Continuing his deep breathing he sauntered into a bathroom composed largely of dark stone tiles and obsidian fixtures adorned with red towels and throw rugs. He had moved out of Kotaru’s lavish estate within the last year, having saved enough of his earnings as a Special Jounin to afford a high-end apartment to call his own. Running cold water, the man entered the shower, running his hands through silky, medium length hair that had been dyed dark brown. Youji caught sight of a reflection of himself in the bathroom mirror. His hair would need to be touched up again soon, before his natural auburn began coming through.

After washing with various soaps and conditioners and shutting off the water, Youji flowed a burst of chakra through his body, enveloping himself in a swirl of flames, evaporating the water droplets that clung to his lightly tanned skin. Dressing in brown tones suitable of an Iwagakure shinobi, Youji started his day with green tea and spicy congee (rice porridge) filled beef and curry. By the time he ate, his mind was feeling more stilled, enhanced further by morning exercises including stretching and both Kata and kenjutsu practice.

By the time the sun rose, the 27-year-old Special Jounin was feeling secure in himself and his role within Iwagakure. Still, he had been distant in his role as an instructor, often finding it difficult to connect with his Genin students. They were each outcasts, in their own way, but none of them could understand who he truly was or what he had been through and that disconnect had made it difficult to form a true bond. But instead of revealing his identity to them, Youji had instead decided to take some time for himself. He had volunteered to escort a Sunagakure shinobi back home as a part of their re-integration program. It would be helpful, he figured to help others in a similar situation as himself and some part of him was curious to see what had become of Sunagakure in the years since Iwa’s invasion. An invasion he had played an instrumental role in.

At precisely 8am, he arrived at the mission office where he was to meet this ‘Naegi Datura’. Truthfully, he had only skimmed her file, knowing only her work history within Iwagakure and that she was a Jounin skilled with sand techniques and plant jutsu. ‘Naegi, what are their clan traits again?’ he considered as he scanned the crowd. With contacts in his eyes appeared pale blue as they darted around the crowded room. His fingers twitched idly, one hand resting against his pair of Katana at the left side of his hip. His head tilted as he heard his name uttered by a beautiful woman’s soft lips. “Ah, there she is” he muttered to himself, his nervous ticks stilled momentarily, taken aback by her beauty as he caught sight of her.

He had never met a Naegi before, only heard their reputation as the backbone of Sunagakure’s agricultural industry, responsible for the lush greenery and vibrant flowers that gave life to the dessert village. Approaching with a smooth, confident gait, Youji neared within a few meters before speaking. “Excuse me, ma’am. I believe you’re looking for me. Haziwara Youji; Special Jounin” he introduced with a slight bow. It was slightly awkward in regard to formality. She was older and outranked him, but was still on probation before she could return to duty in full. For the next few weeks, journeying to Sunagakure and getting her established in a new routine there, he would be her supervisor and his say would be instrumental in determining if she were to be trusted to remain loyal to Iwagakure. “We should set off immediately” he decided. Already he had assessed that her beauty might be problematic. It would be best to keep things formal and dutiful. Though, he was tasked with observing her and that required keen attention to her body language. “Please” he gestured toward the exit, allowing her to lead though he would be sure to open the door for her. Some habits were hard to break, even in the harsh, militaristic climate of Iwagakure.

[J3SS13M0]

“Excuse me, ma’am. I believe you’re looking for me. Haziwara Youji; Special Jounin.” Datura was caught off guard by the deep baritone that pierced her ears. She slowly tilted her head over her shoulder to see a young man before her, obviously dyed dark hair and striking pale eyes. The rest of her body turned with her head as she took in the sight of him. She had that feeling of déjà vu, as if she had seen him before. But surely, she would remember such a face. He was handsome, although a little slight looking for a special jounin, almost as if he wasn’t entirely well. ‘Curious, Iwagakure is tough to be sure, but I thought they’d treat their soldiers better than their prisoners…’ But still, his slightness did not deter from his attractiveness, instead it alluded to the potential of what he would look like if he were healthy. Full bodied and toned, with strong arms to use his katanas with lethal force. Clearly this man had once filled out his figure quite nicely, and she wondered when the last time he had smiled was, and how it might light up his face. Hell, when was the last time Datura had smiled. Surely in a place like this, happiness was hard to come by.

“We should set off immediately.” She came back to reality as he gestured to the door. “Please.” It looked as though he wanted her to lead, but as she approached the door, he held it open for her. “Yes, of course. Thank you, Haziwara-san.” She bowed slightly as she walked through the open door, lightly brushing against his extended arm as she passed by. Goosebumps erupted on her arm where they made contact. When was the last time she so close to another person? She had to be touch starved if that was enough for a reaction. She waited outside the building for him as he exited, he moved so silently with much purpose. This was a man who knew his job and knew how to do it well. The array of weapons on his person gave her pause, it would not be easy to escape. He would surely slice her to pieces before she was able to drag him under ground. She had to bide her time, get to know him. Looking in his eyes, she saw flickers of pain underneath his confidence. Maybe she could use that, by taking an interest and helping him resolve any ill feelings or achieve peace within, he might be more understanding and let her go. Or less harsh if she tried to escape and got caught. Kami knows he couldn’t be worse than her internment camp officers. She couldn’t count on that though; despite his polite demeanor she had a sense in the back of her mind that told her he was more dangerous than he looked. She needed to be cautious.

“It would seem we are journeying on foot; are there any supplies we should stop by and pick up while we’re in town? Or would you prefer to wait until we reach the next village over? I must admit, I am anxious to get home.” Making small talk allowed her to gauge his thought process. If he was in a hurry, it would be unwise to rush him into accepting her help. And it would be naïve to expect leniency. If he was easier going, it would work more in her favour in gaining his trust. Cocking her head at him, she had a feeling there was a great deal she could learn about him. And maybe, that he could learn about himself. She had to watch her steps very carefully, one slip or getting too close could cost her everything. She steadied herself and took a deep breath, prepared to do whatever it took to get home.

[Izanagi]

Youji didn’t allow his gaze to linger as he and Datura made eye contact. There was the slightest flicker of warmth before being replaced with guarded caution. He was no stranger to women, at least in his past but he had grown used to the absence of touch in recent years. Only duty remained. Naegi Datura was a flight risk and he was her ward. He knew well the kind of tactics softer-looking kunoichi tended to employ and he steeled himself to not fall victim to cheap flattery. There had been a time where he could have had nearly any woman, any luxury that he desired. In time, if he continued to prove himself to Kotaru, he would earn back some semblance of his previous lifestyle.

Still, as Datura brushed past him, he found his senses hyper-aware. She smelled of desert flowers, reminding him of possibility beyond the oppressive walls of Iwagakure and their endless snow-capped mountains. And she was warm, in body and spirit. Standing rigid, he held his breath as she passed by him. Immediately, as he exited the building his vigilant gaze darted across the snow-dusted streets, assessing every individual and each possible escape path. Nearly three years he had lived in Iwagakure and yet he still found himself seldom able to relax.

He nodded curtly in response to her questions. “We have a train to catch from mountain town, 2:05pm. That’s all you need to know for now” he responded simply. 6 hours to cross the extensive mountain range surrounding Iwagakure, impossible for a civilian but nothing any Jounin wouldn’t be able to handle. “Should only take a few hours at most, no need for too many supplies” he insisted. He carried a backpack full of a day’s provisions, enough snacks, water, and survival necessities to see them through a day or two on the road. “Try to keep up” he teased, the slightest hint of a smirk creasing his face. “Let’s go” he asserted, dashing away at 20 Speed. Fast enough to reach Iwagakure’s southern Gates within 30 minutes without raising any alarm from patrolling forces. Once at the gates, he would handle showing the necessary paperwork, granting them clearance to leave the village. And if they didn’t check in to their train on time a search party would be sent after them before the end of the day.

Once they began to gain some distance from the hidden village, Youji began to show more signs of comfort. The frigid air invigorated his senses, and each gust of icy wind steeled him with purpose. But out in the wild's there was less movement to track, fewer potential threats. The mountains around Iwagakure were well patrolled and no tribesman or bandits ever got too close. It wasn’t until they were halfway out of the valley that Youji decided to check in on his traveling companion. “If you get too cold, let me know” he said, observing the clothing she decided to wear, though regardless of how she dressed he could only assume a Sunagakure native would struggle in Rock country’s harsh climate, away from the warmer underground tunnels and heated greenhouses of Iwagakure.

[J3SS13M0]

Datura wasn’t prepared for the abrupt exit from the recruitment office, nor Youji’s attempt at….flirting? Joking? It was unclear what the intent was, but she snickered none the less finding it funny that he thinks she’d fall behind. She was able to catch up quite easily taking off at 25 speed until she matched him and quieted the rest of her thoughts. Once they had passed through the gates, she found the pace to be quite light considering the distance they had to travel. The atmosphere was of course cold and snowy, she was hopeful for a faster pace to keep warm and arrive sooner so that she might make one of her special teas to help with her temperature along the way.

After a couple hours of travel, Datura wished she had taken one of her teas before she left the tiny apartment she had grown to call home. It was a blend her grandmother had taught her, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a spoonful of cinnamon, some grated ginger and finally a dash of turmeric steeped in warm water. The effects of the dried herbs helped increase body temperature and circulation, something that was desperately needed. As well as breaking out her extra long-sleeved shirt. Her coat was not enough to brace against the snow and chilly winds out in the mountain range.

Just as she was about to speak up, she remembered that she had been toying with her sand breath control and using it on herself as opposed to someone else during her stay in Iwa. She performed the hand seal while maintaining 20 speed and exerted 15 control to breathe sand into her hands and have it spread across her hands and her neck as a makeshift set of gloves and a toque. It was clumsy at best but it would suffice for now.

When they had reached hour three, Datura couldn’t take it anymore. She was concerned she would lose fingers if she didn’t do something to warm up, and they were making good time. “Haziwara-san! I feel like my fingers are about to fall off, can we stop for about 10 minutes? I’d like to brew us a warming tea and throw on some extra layers if you’re amenable and think we have time to spare.” She was hoping he would say yes, the journey while breathtaking had been silent. And she would be lying if she said she hadn’t been watching the other shinobi and admiring his form and ability to easily keep this pace. She loved her solitude, but travelling in silence always rubbed her the wrong way.

[Izanagi]

Youji wasn’t surprised that Datura was able to keep pace, he had picked a speed that he was sure would be comfortable for any competent Jounin. And it served him well if she were to underestimate him. Still, neither of them seemed to tire, even as they deftly dashed up extensive mountainsides, travelling well over 30 kilometers through harsh terrain. It was enough to keep the body warm under normal conditions, though even for him the icy winds were proving to be troublesome. His fingers felt numb, his gloves soaked through. Ice clung to his stubbled face and hung from his nostrils and eyebrows and even with a thick winter cloak he felt the chill seeping through. He had always hated the cold, and he longed for the gentle hills of Dragon Province and the warm Ocean breeze that wafted in from the ports of Guólóng.

He noted her use of sand jutsu to combat the cold, she certainly seemed capable enough. It wasn’t until they neared the edge of the ridgeline that Datura requested they break before descending toward mountain town. It wouldn’t take more than an hour to reach their destination, and they had time to spare so he didn’t see the harm in stopping for some lunch and to warm up. “Very well then. A brief respite” he agreed. Suddenly, he slammed his foot into the ground, entering a low stance before twisting his front foot into the earth. From beneath the snow, the stone responded, rumbling and cracking before jutting up around them forming a 5-meter diameter dome with a 1-meter-wide opening at the top. The dome formed at only 10 Speed but was remarkably dense, boasting 40 Strength. Moving his hands inward and then down a 1-meter-wide and half-meter-deep pit formed in the center. Then, unslinging his backpack the man withdrew a few chunks of dried wood before meticulously placing them in a pyramid within the pit with smaller sticks as kindling in the middle. Then, removing his gloves and kneeling before the fire he inhaled slowly before exhaling a stream of flames with 15 Speed and 15 Strength. The timber was enveloped in flames, igniting and crackling with life in seconds.

Sheltered from the biting winds it wouldn’t take long for their personal succor to be filled with warmth. Tapping his foot on the ground as he stood, Youji formed a handful of thin stone pillars around the fire which he promptly began to hang clothing on, starting with his cloak and his gloves. “Are you hungry?” he offered, running a hand through his wet hair before kneeling before his backpack once more as he dug around for the various snacks he had packed. The scent of various spices quickly filled the air, curry, turmeric and jasmine in particular. His tastes had always been more exotic, preferring the cuisine of Wind country and Shrimp Continent to the hearty meals of Rock Country. He had even brought a few sweets with him as a treat.

[J3SS13M0]

Datura was grateful to see the enclosed structure that Youji built out of the mountain side, though she was capable enough with doton, it was clear he had far more skill with it than she did. He erupted pillars out of the ground to hang clothes on, Datura took advantage of this and hung up her jacket and outer shirt layer, leaving her in her normal gray tank and sash. She sat down by the fire and took off her boots and her socks. Having toasty feet was the best feeling on a long journey, especially one so cold. She pulled her extra long sleeve, gloves and toque out of her backpack, wanting them to be nice and warm for when they set off again. She also pulled out her travel tea set and reached around in her utility pouch and grabbed some dry herbs to start making the tea with. “Are you hungry?” Youji’s voice pulled her out of her inner musings, he was so quiet that it was startling when he did decide to speak. “Yes, I am. Thank you. I have some brown sugar and apple biscuits that pair nicely with the tea if you would like as well.”

Datura set to work grinding and grating the cayenne pepper, ginger, cinnamon and turmeric, and pulled out a hot plate to warm the biscuits on. Once she had a nice even texture, she used her suiton to add water to the teapot infusing the herbs with the water while they also warmed. “I hope you don’t have a sensitive nose, or stomach. The tea is strong, but it will help keep us warm on our last stretch to the train station and even during the ride.” She could smell the spices from his bag as he began digging snacks out, she even smelled something sweet that reminded her of home, though she couldn’t place her finger on what it was. “That smells lovely, like I’m back in my grandmother’s kitchen.” She hummed to herself a soft and quiet tune as she periodically swirled the herbal mixture around the pot and flipping the biscuits, so they got a nice sear, soggy biscuits were no good to anyone. Once everything was ready, she poured the cups and removed the hotplate, being careful not to burn herself.

“Thank you, Haziwara-san for agreeing to a small respite. I appreciate your understanding. Although I’ve been in Iwagakure these past few years, I’ve not acclimated well to the harsh conditions. I must admit I’m built more for the dry hot sun out in a farm field of some sort.” She bowed her head in acknowledgment of his politeness and took note of his stature. He seemed almost nervous tapping his feet from time to time. She wondered if it was their impulsive stop that had triggered his nerves or if it was simply that he was travelling with a possible flight risk. It could also just be that he’s always on high alert, which seemed exhausting not only to live with but to be around. ‘Does he know how to relax? Tea and biscuits aren’t really a threat, and I’m too cold to do anything even if I wanted to at this point.’

“I won’t bite, Haziwara-san. This is no ploy, please relax. I promise, I won’t make a run for it. I want to go home.”