In Search Of The Fountainhead

[Tsedas]

Konoha's midday lunch hour had finally passed. Many that were taking a break from work or their duties to grab a bite were now dispersing back to their work days. Among the midday crowd was a family that left a small restaurant within an alleyway. The parents waved and bid their children a good day while the oldest slipped a katana into his waistband and headed off in a different direction, a shout of thanks leaving him as the whole family was well dressed for their lunch at a rather nice looking establishment. The youngest of them however waited until her parents were out of sight before hiking up her kimono in an unladylike fashion. Running as fast as she could, she disappeared deeper into the village, her destination holding something she'd barely just begun to learn about. Her wooden sandals tapped against the dirt as she moved through the village, hurriedly asking for people to excuse her and pardon her as she moved with haste. She had already wasted so much time at lunch, and while it was a very nice, filling lunch, it was still time wasted. She'd already found information on her last visit and this time she was going to push herself to find more.

Within one of the Libraries of Konohagakure, people were busily reading and taking in knowledge of texts passed down through the generations. Within this facility there were a number of rooms on different subjects from Jutsu to tool crafting to even cuisine. The main rooms of the place were occupied by those not classified as being shinobi within the village or children that were still in the academy or just there to learn. The main open area housing the most books visible within the library being stuff of a non-classified nature that anyone could access without need of permission or worry that they might stumble upon something they shouldn't. Traditions and methods that existed since the village's foundation. Further down in one of the back rooms, a room dedicated to the arts of Ninjutsu and it's many off shoots, a single candle sat lit on a table. A small stack of volumes sat to one side before a hand emerged from the darkness and set a scroll upon the table. Just as quickly as it emerged, it vanished back into the darkness to scan through the store of texts available. The only thing each of these tomes and scrolls being procured had in common was the subject matter upon which they were written.

Tenkujutsu.

One after another, books and scrolls made their way to the table before finally a figure stepped into the light and pulled the chair back from the table. Taking a seat, a young girl no older than 12 to 14 years of age pulled the chair closer to the table. Normally she wasn't supposed to be in this room as it contained more advanced texts, especially for a Genin, but she'd proven herself enough times to the Librarians and the right teacher here and there to be granted access. Her skill with Ancient Runes and her flourishing ability to speak with spirits had led her to growing ever curious about the ability to study spirits. She'd already spoken to a few that were sealed inside of a number of different pots within the village and she was now eager to set out and find a wild spirit. The Problem? She didn't have the foggiest idea where to look.

Grabbing one of the stacked tomes, slender soft fingers quickly flipped it open to a page she had ear marked before setting it to one side. Grabbing the next book, she repeated the process until several tomes sat open on the table. This fingers shifted across the displayed information, all the tomes resting open upon the table speaking of a place visited upon by travelers and shinobi in the past. A place where koi the size of horses bathed in crystal clear spring water that ran fresh and pure. Some texts called it a temple, others referred to it as a palace. There was even an account from a monk who'd spent some time there but only remarked briefly upon it. However the stories and accounts all referred to this place by the same name; The Fountainhead.

Reaching up, the girl brushed errant hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. Silvery locks that cascaded down her shoulders and back gave her the appearance of a ghost in the dim light to those briefly glazing into the room in passing, her white kimono seemed very traditional but she had just come from a celebration lunch for her brother who'd finally achieved the rank of Chuunin at the age of 18. Takamori Kanako's pale blue eyes scanned over the opened documents before her hand plucked up a scroll and undid the knot binding it. Pulling it open, she laid it upon the table before she started to read.

As per usual when reading, she unintentionally started reading aloud, "The structure, akin to a small palace, rested atop the short cliffs. The elevated posts holding the building up kept it aloft so the waters of the stream passing under it were unimpeded. Bountiful in the variety of carp, they spanned all the patterns one could have ever known and more. Kohaku, Tancho Sanke, Showa Sanke, Asagi, Bekko, and Gin Rin Showa to name a few. The largest and most opulent of them all being dragon carp. Tending to these fish were numerous masked servants that fed them a special bait. Whomever these people served, I never laid eyes upon their Lord or Lady and permission to meet with them was always denied."

Unrolling the scroll further, Kanako bore witness to drawings of the dragon carp in question, it's size like that of a shark compared to the tiny carp that fluttered around it, a figure adorned in robes and a head covering mask tossing them something from a small sack. Shifting the scroll, Kanako found the next bit of text and continued, "However entry to the Fountainhead was not without it's perils. The lands around it were patrolled by packs of wolves and a bear of notable size, one of it's eyes gouged, and scars across it's body from blade and beast alike. However the one threat that loomed the entire time there was not outside the Fountainhead but within. A large black beast, akin to a hairless jungle cat perched itself upon rooftops, torii gates, and cliff as it please. It's long muzzle ending in a point and it's mouth pulled back into an almost human like grin that showed sharpened fangs. It's eyes were red like burning embers and it's tail almost twice the length of it's body and shifted like a whip ready to crack at us for the first transgression we made."

Unrolling more of the scroll, Kanako saw silhouette of the creature perched atop a Torii Gate leading into the Fountainhead. The beast looked like it was prowling from on high but it's description matched a few other things she'd read in some tomes. "So there's more on the spirit, but there's nothing about the Fountainhead's location." Heaving a sigh, Kanako unrolled the scroll but found nothing else there. Setting it aside, she grabbed the next scroll, not bothering to notice if anyone had walked in or not as she was engrossed in her search for the location of this seemingly fabled place people have been to.

[Lunanana]

Tsuki was just entering the library, the dull ringing of the bell indicating her presence. She slowly took a few steps further to the registry, looking around as she did, her fingers nervously tapping on her hips. She went around the Hyuuga compound library and yet in lacked in the scrolls and books she was interested in, so she had to visit this one. If they did now have what she needed here, Tsuki would have to find a merchant or two and get those books.

Tsuki was dressed in a lavender sundress, and looked more civilian than ever. However, there was no mistaking her heritage due to her eyes and the librarian gladly showed her the way to the ninjutsu section of the library, silently opening the door to a dim lit room. Tsuki thanked and with a nod, entered the room. Her presence was calm, and it didn’t feel like she was an intruder, just like a gust of wind that might catch attention but was overall unimportant to address. She slowly slid her gaze through the sections, her eyes finally landing on the book she was looking for, a few actually, and gladly took them in her hands, holding them close to her chest as she went to look for a table.

She was carrying books of elemental magic, fire, to be specific, and her eyes caught someone familiar by one of the tables. Kanako! Her teammate, which Tsuki remembered being very considerate when handing her a more warmer bento box. A soft smile appeared on her lips and a faint blush, unseen due to the poorly lit space, painted on the tops of her cheeks. However, Kanako seemed so focused on her study, stacks of books and scrolls around her, and Tsuki highly considered if she wanted to interrupt the girl. So, she instead waited patiently for Kanako to finish the first scroll, and when she saw an opening, Tsuki spoke, a little silent, to not startle her.

”Kanako-san… Hello.” Tsuki tilted her head to the side slightly, smiling. ”Working hard?”

[Tsedas]

Taking up something to write with, Kanako had a bunch of loose sheets of paper and began jotting down what she could about all the information so far. Her eyes flitted back and forth between her blank page and the books, her hand shifting the instrument as it started to fill the page. The description of the Fountainhead was given as much detail upon a single page as she could manage before she'd set it aside. Swapping out a few of the books, she set the ones that mentioned detailed entries on the koi up front. If she had any artistic inclinations, she'd have tried to make rough sketches of the Fountainhead and koi, but she knew better than to try as it would have been a waste of paper. Compiling everything she could upon the marine life of the waters there, she slipped that page to one side before changing over for the last set of books and the scroll she'd been reading. Writing detailed notes, she made a complete descriptive copy of the spirit before writing about it's tendencies to lurk higher up and prowl like a jungle cat from on high.

As she finished making her notes, she closed several of the books and stacked them to one side before rolling up the scroll. Tying the knot on it's binding string, she set it aside as well before reaching out to grab another scroll she'd plucked from the shelves. As she was starting to pull on the string holding it closed, a soft voice drew her from her focus and she looked up and around before finding the source. Her eyes landed on her teammate, Hyuuga Tsuki. The older girl always seemed timid to her but it also made her a little more endearing in that regard. "Hey-ooph." Kanako raised a hand to her mouth, her volume a little loud before lowering it and starting again. The traditionally dressed and rather fancier than usual looking Takamori girl smiling. "Heya Tsuki," said at a much more reasonable volume, "You could say that, I'm doing some research on Tenkujutsu, namely something I found in a few books and have been trying to drum up information on. What about you? What brings you to the library?"

Kanako pulled the string and her arms spread apart to unroll the document before placing it upon the table. The Genin's pale blue eyes took note of Tsuki's sundress and it made Kanako ponder if she had anything like that. It would have probably been a much better choice for her luncheon today with her family rather than the kimono she was wearing now. Glancing down at it, her white kimono was still pulled tightly around her slender frame and the black oak leaves and green swirls of wind upon the sleeves and along the hem near the bottom add stark splashes of color to it. Her waist was tied by a black and green obi, again starkly contrasting but it'd been a color pairing she'd quite liked since she was young and had first seen it on her father's scarf. Eyes moving to the scroll, she unrolled it a little more now that it was on the table and glanced up at Tsuki. "You know, I could always move some of my books if you wanna join me." Kanako stated, noting the books on elemental ninjutsu in the Hyuuga's hands. Standing up, the kimono clad girl shifted her stacks of books and scrolls to one side as she made room across from her for Tsuki to set her things. "I should warn you, I apparently have a tendency to read aloud without thinking about it, hope that won't bother you."

[Lunanana]

Tsuki almost giggled at the girl when she figured that she was talking too loud. Instead, a warm smile settled on Tsuki’s face, her eyes softening at the young Kanako. If Tsuki had ears, they would perk up at the mention of Tenkujutsu that Kanako was researching, and she curiously leaned in just a little bit. ”Tenkujutsu? Sounds interesting… You’ve been very d-diligent, Kanako-san.” She said and grasped the books in her arms a little tighter to her chest, looking away for a moment. The truth was, she was not really familiar with elemental jutsu, at least, not in its theoretical aspects but when she saw someone dear to her in awe of fire jutsu, Tsuki couldn’t forget that image. ”I-I’m… I’m doing some research on elemental jutsu, fire, katon…” The Hyuuga trailed of, pale eyes slowly drifting back to Kanako as her gaze softened.

It was probably the fact that she was from a noble clan that she noticed Kanako’s clothing today. It was official and complimented the girl well, and Tsuki felt a tug at her heart, that sometimes you should voice things that you think, especially if they might make the other person just a little happier. ”Your dress is beautiful.” Tsuki complimented her, and at the offer of sitting besides her, she thought to decline - mainly for not wanting to be a burden - but Kanako was her teammate and she couldn’t help but admire how different she was from Tsuki. Maybe that’s what drew her to speak with Kanako today. She slowly sat down, patiently waiting for the books to be pulled away, and placed her small pile on the table, gently opening one of them and beginning to read from the very first page. ”T-That’s not a problem at all, Kanako-... Kanako.” Good, first drop the stutter, then the honorific, and we’ll call it growth, Tsuki.

They worked in silence (Tsuki worked in silence) for some time, before she started to listen to what Kanako was reading. The young woman blinked, raising her eyes and keeping her finger on the current page as she gently closed the book. Just when Kanako finished her sentence, Tsuki gently prompted her. Fountainhead…?”

[Tsedas]

"Trying to be diligent at least, I've been trying to learn more about this stuff for the past few years. Best I can come up with is a technique to talk to spirits." As she moved the last few things out of the way, for Tsuki, she smoothed out her kimono down her butt and legs, her hands strategically positioned behind her knees as she bent her legs to lower herself back down onto her chair. The result? A nicely smoothed kimono that wouldn't wrinkle from her sitting for too long and her mother giving her a lecture about such things and 'ladylike' behavior. Picking up one of the open books, Kanako turned it so Tsuki could see the contents, the one being shown was a technical manual of sorts and contained knowledge on Tenkjutsu as well as something that almost looked like Fuuinjutsu at first blush. "I was lucky enough to find a tome that remarked on Tenkujutsu in regards to Ancient Runes though, so not a full lose if I can't uncover more clues today. Expanding my knowledge of Runes and Fuuinjutsu is just a perk of diving so deeply into the mountain of books around us. I really should practice my Fuuinjutsu though, I'm a little lacking in that department... and in elemental jutsu."

Glancing at the books, she almost frowned over her neglect of learning any real combative abilities. Through and through, Kanako lived the life of a support ninja in this moment and it felt like trying to branch out would be almost impossible in her eyes. Setting her own book back on the table, she looked at the small selection Tsuki had in her hands. "Trying to build a foundation of offensive stuff? Are you gonna use it at range or with that fancy Hyuuga taijutsu?" She said, mimicking a few poking motions in the air in front of them while avoiding bumping her teammate's body with her elbow. "Cause honestly both seem pretty good if you have any knowledge of your clans style. I think you mentioned being good at tracking and defense, so yeah fire nintaijutsu might actually be a useful skill for you if there is already a base in the realm of taijutsu." Smiling at her teammate, she didn't even pay heed to the idea she might be overstepping or intruding her the other girls plans. But she also had no concept of shutting up sometimes, so blathering away was just what she seemed to naturally do.

The mention of her dress caused a faint pink hue to grace the girls cheeks as she gave a little limp wristed wave at the comment. "I had a celebratory lunch with the family for my brother getting promoted to Chuunin. We all dressed nice and my parents insist on traditional attire for fancy celebrations like this. I think it's a little too much on me. I think I'd rather have a sundress like yours sometimes." With that stated, Kanako shifted the scroll in front of her, trying to focus on it's words as Tsuki claimed it wouldn't be a problem of her reading out loud as she was prone to do. As she was ready to settle back in, she blinked as she realized there wasn't a '-san' thrown onto her name. Smiling to herself, Kanako looked back at her scroll and started reading as it showed Tsuki was making steps to be less formal with her. It was kind of nice, truth be told.

As she read through her scroll and books, Kanako started getting focused as she read every character written out in steady brush strokes. As she read, she eventually started to speak without thinking, "-sting near the peaks of snowy mountains, a winding trail leads through a Torri gate guarded by the Hai no Ryouken. If permitted entry, the path of the Fountainhead is paved with jade stone flanked by everblooming sakura trees. Standing upon stilted risers, the palace rests above the flowing waters that ebb and flow from within. Teeming with an abundance of koi from all the waters of the world, the flowing colors of the sea life were a sight to behold. Attends garbed from head to toe and wearing covering upon their heads moved about, tending to the whims of their unseen master. Any affront within the palace grounds was met with unseen discipline, those among my men who saw fit to insult the rules of the palace master were quickly spirited away."

Kanako leaned back in her chair as she finished the first entry. "Spirited away... so maybe a group of shinobi are employed there? Or maybe something else?" She hefted a soft sigh before Tsuki speaking cause her to turn her head. "Huh? Oh, it's a place I've been researching. The Fountainhead palace." Unrolling the first scroll, she laid it out so the masterfully made displays of the dragon carp, the Torri gate guarded by the hound like spirit beast, and lastly she unrolled the scroll she was currently reading.

The picture within the scroll was that of a mountain top structure built like a small palace atop stilts in the middle of a running body of water, koi were painting gliding through the waters while a path of green jade stone was flanked by cherry blossom trees. Petals scattered across the drawing as if to put emphasis on the sheer amount of cherry blossoms that would fill the air during a strong breeze. The palace and it's body of water seemed perched near the summit of a mountain. "I'm trying to see if I can find it's location, I wanna encounter that spirit. It might be able to help me better understand Tenkjutsu."

[Lunanana]

”Fuuinjutsu…” Tsuki echoed, leaning in just slightly, politely and while looking through the scroll, her ears were also catching every word Kanako was saying. She stilled for a moment, levander eyes slowly trailing to Kanako. Did Tsuki just pick up that she was doubting herself a little? There was another feeling brewing in her chest. While she herself was not entirely a confident being, she couldn’t stop but wanted to help others to not feel that way. Mainly because she knew how it actually felt – demeaning. Tsuki stirred a little in her seat. ”I think p-practice makes perfect, Kanako. If you really put your mind to i-it, a lot of doors will open and you’ll find yourself worthy as a kunoichi. If you ever need a h-helping hand in training, I can help…”

Tsuki’s eyes trailed back to her books and she almost gasped, a faint blush never leaving her face as she gently shook her head. ”Oh! No, no…” Tsuki chuckled softly, setting her book down. ”I plan to r-resort to my clans techniques, when I get better, I know that I can have more variation in a fight… This, this is for someone else. A boy… We attended a festival together and his element is fire. He seemed in awe of it, so I asked… Um…” Unconsciously, Tsuki grasped the book again, pulling it closer to her chest and looking away, her blush now evidently deeper. ”I want to research it a little… Maybe show him someday. I think it’s good to help others around you.”

Kanako focused on her scroll again, waving off her comment about the attire. Tsuki parted her lips and then before she could speak, leaned back into herself, opening her own book. Maybe not all things needed to be said – Kanako was on the right path of knowing what she liked and that Tsuki admired. What Tsuki didn’t notice was her stutter melting away the longer they talked.

”Spirited away… Or, it could be something else. Something more… Unknown.” She closed her book again, listening to Kanako. ”Location?” Now, Tsuki was more curious about that than her book. She could read it later too, so she placed it on the table gently and her attention was now on Kanako’s scroll. There was this bling in her eye, a taste for puzzles, curiosity, mystery. ”Maybe I can help somehow?... Let’s look at the pieces.”

[Tsedas]

Tsuki said the word! The horrid word that made Kanako give off a noise of faux disgust as she made a dramatic motion of recoiling. "AH! Training! My nemesis!" Her voice was hushed and a little pitched up, but she was trying to do that whole 'quiet yelling' thing as if to emphasize some disdain for training. She giggled before straightening her kimono while righting herself in her seat. "Honestly training with someone else sounds way better than training alone. I tried the whole solo training thing and I wind up just getting bored and going off to do something else instead. I don't know how my brother does it, swinging a sword over and over by himself. My dad can be the same way sometimes, always in his little office playing with herbs and medicines and the like. Don't see why a medical ninja of his caliber even needs to make medicines sometimes." Kanako let out an exasperated huff and made a loos lock of silver hair fluffy up before gracefully falling back into place over her face. "But yeah, when I start training stuff, I would appreciate a helping hand."

But as Kanako finished stating how she'd have no qualms with training together, she got a smirk on her face like a cat that ate the canary. "Oooohhh? For a boy?" Kanako grasped the bottom or her chair and scooted it closer to Tsuki as her playful blue eyes stared directly at that creeping shade of pink growing upon the Hyuuga's cheeks. "You like him don't you? What's he like? Has he asked you out? Have you asked him out? You're blushing so I can only assume you like him, yeah?" She asked so many questions and let little time for the other girl to answer before they quickly blurted out a few things about the what Kanako had mumbled aloud.

Blinking, the Takamori girl looked at the scrolls before noticing Tsuki pushing her own book aside. Smiling warmly, Kanako shifted away a little to give Tsuki some more space, having teased her enough for the moment as she rose to her feet. Reaching out, Kanako grabbed a few of the books and brought them before the pair. Lining them up and sliding the scrolls so their contents were visible. "I assume ninja, but the place has to have guards of some kind. At least guards beyond the spirit at the gate. Everything claims the location to be higher up, maybe near a mountain summit but I can't nail down any nearby locations. All the entries are a little vague and I just need some clue as to where I can narrow down my search. I wanna find this place so I can take a trip there and find this place. The spirit could be useful at helping to understand Tenkjutsu, but I wanna see these koi, the sakura trees, everything! I wanna add my own entry to this collection!" Excitement radiated the Genin as she clearly wanted to find and visit the Fountainhead for a number of reasons.

[Lunanana]

Tsuki’s eyes widened at Kanako’s reaction, making her lean back in her seat a little and hold her hands close to her chest. When it was revealed that the reaction was in fact hyperbolized, she breathed out softly, and a gentle smile appeared on her face again. ”Well, you know where to find me… Usually the Hyuuga compound. If I’m not there, just tell someone where and when you want me to be and I w-will come, Kanako.” Tsuki lowered her hands and neatly folded them on her lap.

Kanako’s questions about the boy have been answered by Tsuki’s face turning a shade of crimson. She couldn’t tell her, not now at least. But knowing her, she might ask even more, pressing Tsuki into a corner and then the young woman will blurt everything out from peer pressure. Or faint. Either way, Tsuki compromised and leaned in, placing the book to the side of her face to create the moment of suspense, whispering to Kanako that it was kinda a secret and she can’t tell anyone. Here’s to hoping that will be enough to satisfy her curiosity.

Tsuki took the sign and scooted closer with her seat, mindful to make no sound with her chair in the library. Her eyes trailed over the new material Kanako presented, leaning in and looking with her together. Kanako’s enthusiasm has been infectious and Tsuki was now making her own notes from the highlighted sections of Kanako’s notes. She worked in silence, listening to Kanako and nodding at appropriate moments when finally Tsuki beamed, lifting up her paper and gently giving it to Kanako. ”Look, right here… Sakura trees don’t grow on mountains – its too cold for them. Same goes for koi… What I am thinking is a hill. Are there any hills nearby?” Tsuki looked up to Kanako curiously, both of them now unraveling the mystery.

[Tsedas]

Tsuki reaction was exactly what Kanako had hoped to tease out of her, a big grin spreading on Kanako's face at the sight of it. Despite her teasing, the Hyuuga agreed to make herself available for training and even let Kanako know how to get word passed along to her if she wasn't at the compound. That made the Takamori Genin a lot more enthusiastic about training knowing she wouldn't have to do it solo. However the reaction Kanako got out of Tsuki in relation to her rapid fire onslaught of questions about the boy that was mentioned made the young Genin almost get starry eyed and wanna squeal in excitement. Young love was always that overly romanticized thing that made any girl her age giddy with excitement. Hearing that the boy was supposed to be kept secret, Kanako brought her fingers to her lips and pantomimed zipping her lips shut before giving a thumbs up and a wink.

"You'll have to tell me all the details sometime, I'm dying to know!" The words came out with an excited whisper as she felt herself get a little more excited about how things were going today. Juicy secret love stories in the making, the quest to find a lost secret place guarded by a spirit, the potential training that wouldn't be boring with someone else's help, and all Kanako could think was; What could make this day any better?! Breaking out of her reverie, the kimono clad girl glanced to her Hyuuga friend as they spoke on the location being lower than a mountain summit because of the trees. Looking back at the drawings, the summit was depicted as close in the background despite what Tsuki said.

Frowning a little as she hummed in thought, her pale blue eyes wandered over the drawings before reaching over and picking up another book from the stack. Cracking it open, she flipped through multiple pages before finding another drawing. Skimming the pages, Kanako blinked before setting the book atop the unfurled scrolls and angled it so Tsuki could see. "Maybe you're right, maybe it's not really a mountain and it's just one of those big hills people often mislabel a mountain. That would make a little more sense right?"

Within the pages of the book, there was an entry on the winding path up through a forest that ran in tandem with a stream from higher up the 'mountain'. As Kanako glanced at the page, she lifted it up enough to peek at the previous page while still letting Tsuki read the current one, trying to see if a location might have been mentioned. "I mean, it's mountains, forests, hills, and streams or rivers. That kind of rules out a bunch of places, but does it sound like something that might be in Fire Country to you?"

[Lunanana]

Tsuki hummed in response, tilting her head to the side slightly. Kanako was right – the location was named as mountains anyway but there was still a slight chance it could be just named so. However, she knew too little to have any reliable input. What Tsuki did catch was how Kanako got more excited. As her teammate, she was already pretty energetic and always ready to speak but now there was something different – a glint in her eyes, just on the left corner, reflecting from the dim light of the library. It made Tsuki smiled herself, a warm bond of friendship weaving itself between the girls one loop at a time.

They were in different parts of their lives, the way they carried themselves in the world was different and yet, Tsuki felt good in Kanako’s presence. She looked at the books again and before long Kanako prompted to read more, explore the meanings, find the secrets. Tsuki nodded, leaning in again and trying to find at least something she could help her with but the clock on the wall ticked and after some time Tsuki understood that there was nothing of value she could offer. At least… In this matter.

”Kanako,” The young woman slowly straightened her back. ”What do you say… Um, maybe you’d like to go get flowers with me? It’s a small home project, I’d really appreciate your input.” It was a honest request and Tsuki’s eyes finally found Kanako’s, her gaze hopeful.

[Tsedas]

Kanako wrote a slew of things down in her own journal, having decided her next step would be to get a map and then try to find flowers. 'Wait, Flowers? Huh?'' Looking to Tsuki, Kanako blinked as her friend asked for help with a special project of her own. Kanako stared for a moment as her brain processed that shift in directions before the thought processes of find the Fountainhead collided with the idea of getting flowers. Some poor street vendor in her head bore witness to this tragic collision, his stall of cabbages utterly decimated in the aftermath of it all as he cried out to the heavens over the loss of his precious product.

"Uh, flowers? For what? Do you do flower arranging or something?" This made Kanako flit her gaze to her notes. She had everything recorded even the scrolls and tomes she got it from. Closing her journal, she started to roll up the scrolls and shut the tomes. She hated the idea of leaving all these things for the librarians to put away because of her thoughtless actions but surely Tsuki could wait a moment while she did put them away. "Are we talking freshly picked or from a vendor?" She asked, stacking the books up before standing and lifting some of them up. "Also I need just a moment to put some of these back. Don't wanna be the kind of person that leaves a bunch of work for others behind!"

Smiling at Tsuki, she carried herself as quickly as her kimono would let her. Going through a couple of shelves, she slipped books away before returning to the table and grabbing the scrolls. "What about your studying of Katon for your boyfriend? Were you gonna try renting that book or maybe find a copy in a store somewhere?" She asked before slipping away to put the scrolls back from whence they came. When she returned, Kanako was soothing her kimono out before adjusting her hair. She had gone through a lot of trouble to look nice, might as well try to keep the look going for a bit longer. As she arrived back at the table, she lifted up her journal and slipped it into her outfit while looking to Tsuki with that trademark smile.

"I haven't picked out flowers in a long time, what kind are you looking to get?"

[Lunanana]

Tsuki smiled at Kanako, shaking her head ever so slightly, as if correcting her in the most gentle way possible. ”No, I want to grow them. From a seed to a blooming, beautiful flower. Picked flowers they… Are pretty but they are that only for so long. The ones that you grow can be pretty for a long time.” She explained, grasping her book in her hands again. Before Kanako started tidying up her table, Tsuki helped her without a prompt, understanding the notion of leaving a clean space after you’re done. She swiftly helped her, both of them tidying up the space and leaving it as if nobody was here at the desk for a few hours.

As Kanako asked about if she will take it home, she nodded slowly. ”Yes… I, um.” She blushed again, smiling sheepishly at Kanako. There was a mission waiting for her soon, so Tsuki figured she’d borrow the book if the library allowed it. She knew that it would, no Hyuuga has damaged a book, yet Tsuki wasn’t one to assume. ”I’ll try to take it with me, if they will allow it.” She explained as both of them made their way to the main lobby, and Tsuki had a short conversation with the attending, with a few soft chuckles, nods and a heartfelt “thank you”, they were off to the sunny outside.

”Oh! Um…” Tsuki looked ahead in thought. ”...Sunflowers. It’s their season now and I think they’re among the most beautiful flowers.” She finally answered, catching Kanako mentioning she hadn’t picked flowers in a long time. Tsuki fell silent in thought – they could go to the busy street and pick up seeds but she couldn't bring Kanako to the Nara forest house. It was still a secret place, so she’ll have to just grab the seeds, and then what?

Instead, Tsuki beamed, as if a light bulb turned on above her head and she turned to Kanako, her lavender eyes now glowing with excitement. ”Kanako, let’s go pick flowers instead. You can bring an arrangement home.” Wind picked up, playing with Kanako’s kimono and Tsuki’s dress as both of them began walking to a more open field. ”....Poppies, those are really blooming now, oh also the white ones too…” Tsuki was almost yapping now about all the available field flowers, uncharacteristically filling in the space between them.

[Tsedas]

Tsuki's help didn't go unnoticed and it was something that brought a smile to the silver haired girls features. It also didn't escape her notice that Tsuki was quick to blush once more. 'Oh yeah, she definitely has a crush on whoever that boy is!' She restrained herself from giggling , but she brought a hand up to her mouth anyway, her fingers curling to pinch the end of her kimono sleeve and hold it in place to hide her amused expression a little bit, her whole look on her face one that spoke of someone who was holding back from teasing the Hyuuga. As they made their way to the front desk, Tsuki was able to check the book out while Kanako gave a bow to the desk clerk, and explained that she tidied up after herself.

The clerk beamed at this news and gave a bow in kind with words of thanks at their kind gesture. It wasn't the first time Kanako had done so but it also wouldn't have been the first time she had to leave in a rush and left books behind. In either case, she usually let the front desk know so they weren't surprised by a pile of books or scrolls randomly being left out. Making their way outside, Kanako took a moment to take a deep breath of fresh air. While the smell of books was pleasant enough, sometimes a breath of fresh air could be just as pleasing to the senses. The warmth and light around them seemed to invigorate the young girl before she glanced over to Tsuki.

"Sunflowers? Of all the flowers that come to mind, sunflowers always seem to escape me. But still, nice yellow flowers like that doo look very pretty when in bloom. But I wouldn't know where to begin with growing them from seeds. That sounds like it takes some work, right?" It was most curious that the Hyuuga had chosen sunflowers. She thought for sure Tsuki was more of a lily or orchid fan. Still, aside from lilies and orchids, Kanako didn't know much about flowers in terms of other types or even maintaining or growing them. Certainly let her have a peek into Tsuki's interested in that particular moment.

As they walked, Kanako glanced at her friend and saw her fall into contemplative silence for a moment. When she was about ready to ask what was wrong, they perked up almost immediately and offered a suggestion. As the wind picked up, Kanako gave a little laugh as she brought a hand up to tuck some errant strands of hair behind her ear. "I'm sure my mother would love the idea of some freshly picked flowers! Did we wanna grab your seeds before or after?" She asked while listening to the dark haired girl begin speaking on flowers.

'Definitely has a green thumb, and this is probably the most I've ever heard her speak before!' A chuckle escaped the Takamori girl as they walked, listening to Tsuki's educational speech on flowers. It was clear Tsuki had a passion for the subject and if she got started, then there might be no stopping her.

[Lunanana]

”Oh, sunflowers? Yes, well… When I was little I had to attend a variety of classes. Gardening, cooking, ethics, table manners, and everything of the sort. While the real reason was more political – to have what to talk about during long dinners with all kinds of guests – I took special interest in cooking and gardening came as a close second… Besides, there’s nothing more tasty than a homegrown tomato.” Tsuki chimed and chuckled softly, her chuckle slowly morphing into a content hum. She gasped, understanding that she didn’t exactly answer Kanako’s question. ”With growing something from seeds all you really need to do, especially if outside, is making sure the plant has enough water. Some need more than the others but the plants have very evident ways to indicate they need more. ” She settled for a more simple answer this time. Sunflowers were a flower of hope, always nodding towards the sun, and hope was all she got during her life, always choosing to look on the bright side in a compound full of darkening, cold gazes. ”I think sunflowers symbolize hope, Kanako…”

They were almost by the field now, and Tsuki beamed, seeing the beautiful bloom of early summer flowers. ”We can get the seeds on our way back, Kanako, look! How pretty!” A few hurried steps forward and Tsuki was already in the field, looking around at the flowers. She knelt near a bigger patch of poppies, a bright smile on her face. She waited for Kanako to join her and pointed at the end of a flower stem. ”Let’s make sure we pick it as close to the ground as possible, that way, they still have a chance for a second bloom.” And with that, she started picking some, carefully layering them in her lap.

As Kanako continued, Tsuki got another idea. Her eyes caught the color of Kanako’s kimono, then trailed back to the flowers and she entered a state of focus with bliss. Taking two flowers, she’d wrap one around the other, the beginnings of a flower crown.

[Tsedas]

Kanako flitted glances back and forth between the direction they were walking and to her friend. Listening to her speak on how she was educated on a bunch of different things for the sake of talking to guests for political reasons. A furrow came to the girl's brow as she pondered why Tsuki would need to tend to political guests before she looked back at her. Her eyes shifted over her features for a moment before tilting her head to one side. "So... political guests? Are you like some important Hyuuga's daughter or something?"

Political dinners were something Kanako had been bored to death by on an occasion or two. However she hadn't been forced to learn a myriad of topics like Tsuki in order to attend. Still, she recalled the bento she had tried when Tsuki and her had first met. "I think you have the cooking thing on lockdown, I've had your cooking! I sadly have only learned to make rice and that's about it. After my dad melted a frying pan, my mother wants to wait to teach my brother and I to cook until she feels she can trust us not to start a fire in the kitchen or melt her cookware." Kanako giggled as she recalled her father having to run out and get a new frying pan only to get smacked in the head with it by her mother before getting a lecture from her. She had never seen the Bannin look more like a blithering bumbling baby in all her life. It was one of the more interesting times in her recent memory, that's for sure.

With Tsuki explaining the needs of plants, she also informed her of what sunflowers represented and the Genin blinked before nodding her head. "Hope... I like that!" She beamed as she was all for positive outlooks and having hope. When they arrived at the field of flowers, Kanako gave a short whistle at what was laid out before them. Watching Tsuki take off into the field and squat down, Kanako tried to follow suit but her leg movements were a bit restricted in the kimono as she followed. Soothing the kimono out as she squatted down, Kanako nodded at Tsuki's advice and reached out to pluck some flowers herself. Pulling them up by the stem near the ground so they had a chance to grow properly again in the future.

As she plucked another flower, Kanako lifted it up and inhaled the fragrance of it. Hummin happily, her blue eyes examined her latest flower choice as she kept a big smile across her features. "I never knew there was a field of flowers here, how'd you find it?"

[Lunanana]

Tsuki almost chuckled at Kanako’s remark and slowly shook her head, not in a patronizing way but in an adoring one. The freedom Kanako carried with her made Tsuki feel lighter herself, as she gently explained. Well, somewhat explained. ”Mmm… Something like that.” She left it vague not because she didn’t trust Kanako, no. She just didn’t want to dwell on it at all, not now. Kanako’s story about cooking followed and when she giggled, so did Tsuki, weaving the flower crown in her hands with a practiced ease.

”Thank you, Kanako… I like to cook. It helps me show appreciation when words fail me.” She said, her gaze fixed on the flowers in her lap, one after the other following a tight hold of the stems, the blossoms neatly appearing in a symmetrical line. Soon enough, the flower crown was completed, the white small blossoms contrasting with the red of the poppies and Tsuki carefully placed it on top of Kanako’s head, a warm smile appearing on the young woman’s face. ”There… Just where it belongs.”

With a content sigh, Tsuki looked around the area they were in now, taking in the field. ”Well, I’ve been in the village a little longer than you have,” A soft chuckle escaped her lips, as her pale lavender eyes focused on Kanako again. ”and fields like these are good training grounds. Lots of space.” With that, and a little more lingering, she stood up, looking at the bouquet Kanako has picked, and complimenting her on the arrangement. It looked very nice, although, all flowers did but Tsuki appreciated this relaxing time with her teammate.

”Let’s head to get the sunflower seeds?”

[Tsedas]

Kanako's hands were busy as she watched where she was grasping the flowers and not noticing what Tsuki was doing with her own selections. As the Hyuuga mentioned her enjoyment of cooking, the Takamori girl wondered if she would ever make something quite like what she's sampled from Tsuki. Her mother was a good cook too, her brother seemed to subsist off whatever he could find and did little cooking despite being old enough to take lessons from their mother. Kanako plucked another flower as she examined it, her smile ever present as she wondered what kind of things she could make that would wow people.

"Huh?" Kanako blinked as something was placed upon her head. Tsuki stating something was where it belonged, her hand came up and gently brushed against the flower crown resting upon her head. She couldn't help but laugh as she hadn't worn a flower crown in ages it felt like. Grinning at her friend, she listened to them speak oh having been around longer and she'd found many good places to train. Looking around Kanako took in the view of the flowers blooming before them. "Yeah but... wouldn't that hurt the flowers to train here? I suppose they'll grow back but still... Seems more like a nice picnic spot than a training spot. You know what I mean?"

Looking to Tsuki, she held up her bouquet as the older girl complimented her on it as if she was showing it off. When asked if she was ready to get the seeds, Kanako gave a nod before rising back to her feet. Taking a loose bit of clothe from inside her clothes, the Genin wrapped the bouquet carefully before cradling it in her arms. "Ready!"