Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Valkier » Mon Jan 11, 2016 3:42 am

If there was any one place certain to free an old man from the noise and demands of life in Konoha, even for an hour, it had to be the Konoholic. It was strange, returning here, and Hayashi felt a wave of mixed emotions as he stared out across the quiet room. Since the invasion of the village a few months ago the bar had been unusually light on patrons; most people still occupied themselves with picking up the pieces of their lives and helping with the abundance of repairs that were still being done - those that had survived, at least. Not everyone had been so lucky.

He half-raised the dark ale before him in a silent toast and took a sip. It was a strong, local brew, and still chilled despite his nursing. These days it was increasingly rare that he allowed himself a drink, so he liked to make sure that they lasted when he did.

Of course, it had been many years since he'd actually visited this building, which was the reason for many of the other sensations he felt. How long exactly? he wondered. Well, for one thing, when I was last here the bartender was the father of the boy at the bar now. The young man was currently wiping glasses and tidying the bar top between patrons. Back then, the place had seemed somehow more homely. Seedier and dirtier, definitely, but more homely. He shrugged and glanced around at the "new" decor - perhaps it wasn't so bad. No more three-legged chairs, scuffed wall panels or soot-stained tables from the antics of excitable young shinobi (oh, the fun you could have with a katon affinity, an abundance of alcohol, and too-few years to care!).

Everything was changing nowadays. And so quickly. Is this what getting old was like? Hayashi of twenty years ago would barely recognise the Konoha that now existed beyond the walls of the Konoholic, with the possible exception of the Hokage monument and a few surviving (or meticulously rebuilt) landmarks. How did it all happen so suddenly? He frowned; even the glass on the table infront of him was now almost empty without him realising. Just last week one of his latest students had faced his Chuunin exams and passed with flying colours. The lad was sixteen now, but in Hayashi's head he was still a boy of twelve who had appeared and all-too-quickly consumed the Jounin's free time over the past few years. Already? It seems like just yesterday I was reading his academy file. Further changes appeared anywhere he looked; yesterday he'd discovered a new patch of grey in his hair. This morning, a new ache in his leg that had taken some time to exercise out. And tomorrow? Tomorrow be damned. He sat back and relaxed, enjoying only the moment.

His thoughts drifted back to his student, Fanho. He didn't know why he was so surprised to find him promoted. He'd mentored numerous teams before - in fact, one of his former students had even mentored a team or two, too. A student of that student now walked the streets of the village as a respected Bannin. That thought always made him feel particularly ancient. It was that former student of his own, Takeo, that he'd arranged to meet here today. Despite their difference in years they'd become firm friends over their time in service together, and (more importantly) he wasn't quite as young as Hayashi's other companions of late.

I'll make a cynical old man of him yet! He smirked, and set down his glass. He didn't bother getting up to buy another; Takeo would take care of that when he arrived, Hayashi was sure. Unless he delayed paying up on that lost bet again - with over a decade of accrued interest, that debt had probably grown enough to purchase a small country, but he might just settle for a pint. For now.
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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Izanagi » Sat Feb 06, 2016 11:08 am

Takeo hardly slept as of late, only a few months after the invasion his days consisted of 5am starts and rigorous training utilizing weighted vests and sprinting up and down one of the local mountains; a distance of nearly 20 kilometers of steep and heavily forested terrain. He had recently achieved a time of under half an hour each way, a feat that he doubted any other Jounin would be able to match though still it wasn’t enough. He recalled the speed at which Yaku had moved, all but invisible even to his trained eyes. It didn’t seem possible to reach such a godly level though somehow to had to try. Of course even in the midst of training he took small moments here and there to enjoy the country and the village that he fought for. The mountaintop view was spectacular and often he spent entire days in the forests, hunting and living off the land, bathing in the rivers and lakes. It kept his mind refreshed and focused on his tasks though it came at the price of distancing himself from others. He had at several points went a week or more without speaking to a single person save for a passing comment to one of the guards at the gate or a metalsmith as he procured replacement weaponry.

It was on one of the days that he returned to his apartment for a proper shower and a wash of his clothes that he found the letter; an invitation to the Konoholic from his former Sensei. The Jounin smiled nostalgically and marked the date and time on his calendar. Hayashi had been one of his greatest inspirations as a teenager and even to this day Takeo held a great deal of respect for the man and all that he had taught him. Of course as the allocated day came around Takeo found himself drawn into his training regimen. He had been sparring with a shadow clone of himself in a battle on a scale that could have felled small armies with ease. Massive earthen ramparts nearing 100ft tall stood opposite of one another, with a waterfall flowing down one side. A blazing swath of flames spanned the distance, being met suddenly by a rapidly spiraling defensive orb of water. Further signs of battle decorated the expanse of the flooded canyon that Takeo had chosen as his personal training ground. It was a great distance from Konoha so as to not draw attention to his village nor harm anyone in the process. As the battle winded down Takeo bounded off the edge, kicking off the opposite rampart as he mitigated his descent and landed with a splash atop the accumulated water.

Further down the cavern the consistent replenishment of water and creation of fissures and boulders in tandem with the natural curvature of the land had caused a small river of sorts to form in what had once been a barren and desolate landscape. Moss now covered most of the rocks and along the edges of the base of the cavern and even embedded within the cliff-sides themselves life was abundant. Ferns, grasses and berry bushes had grown in strength and even a few small species of trees had taken root, drawing with them a great deal of animal life. Mostly rodents and birds they could often be heard scurrying about and singing their songs. Though Takeo was no Senju he had succeeded in terraforming a sizable section of land and creating yet another beautiful and lush landscape within the land of Fire. Aptly fitting the canyon even sported several pockets of fireweed and other plant-life that could only be found in the wake of wildfires or in this instance Katon jutsu. The early afternoon sun shone down, bathing the many rocks in warmth and casting shadows across the many crevices and alcoves. This place was his sanctuary of sorts, a hidden place, far from others and surrounded in nature that stemmed from his creations.

The bearded Jounin sat atop a large boulder under the sun as he dug through his backpack to procure a hearty beef sandwich that he had packed for himself that morning. He didn’t often eat such ‘civilian’ foods though he knew he couldn’t base his entire diet off of deer steaks, berries and wild vegetables. It was as he had moved onto a series of oranges and trail mix that the nagging sensation began. There was something important he was supposed to do though he couldn’t quite place his finger on it. His mind reeled, tracking his previous days in an attempt to gauge which day it even was to begin with. He could discern the time easily enough by looking at the height of the sun though often days of the month blended together and were of little consideration to the man. After several minutes he finally came to the sudden realization. 'Hayashi!' he recalled. That had to be it. He had sent a letter confirming his arrival the previous week and he couldn’t go back on his word. Much like his many other friends and former teammates from his younger days, Takeo only ever saw Hayashi once or twice every handful of years. It was a bond that had lasted a decade and a half and he didn’t wish to lose his connection with the friends that had guided him and journeyed alongside him through the early years of his shinobi career.

Before long the elite Jounin had begun his return trip to Konoha. It would take the man well over two hours even at a steady and rather impressive pace. Despite having depleted a great deal of his chakra reserves the man often trained specifically to be able to push his limits on his physical stamina. Even exhausted to the point of barely being able to move he could force his body to perform if need be, especially if given even only a few minutes to rest and eat. Truly he had ascended the expectations and standards of even an experienced Jounin, at least in skill he had begun to transcend into the realm of the S-class shinobi. He didn’t bother to change when he entered Konoha. He had stopped at a river a few minutes and jumped in clothes and all, only bothering to remove his flak jacket. It had been enough to give him a good wash and remove the majority of the fresh sweat that clung to his clothes and body. Emerging from the crisp waters he expelled the water from himself with a surge of chaka, leaving him nearly as dry as before. Engulfing his hands in flames it didn’t take long before he warmed himself thoroughly and dried what slight dampness remained. Donning his torn and bloodied flak jacket once again he entered the village.

The sun was already beginning to dip under the horizon by the time he entered the Konoholic, he was perhaps a tad bit late though not by more than half an hour or so. His stomach rumbled, the powerful man had a hearty appetite, as necessary to maintain his muscular physique and his strenuous training. In a matter of seconds his keen eyes had subconsciously scanned the bar, noting exactly how many patrons occupied the building and memorizing their positions and notable features and attributes. There didn’t seem to be any rowdy individuals or troublemakers but years of combat training and situational awareness were not something that could simply be turned off. He approached the swordsman without a word, taking a seat next to him at the bar. With a quick gesture he caught the attention of the barkeeper whom promptly arrived to take his order. “We’ll take two more of whatever he was drinking and a double order of wings; honey garlic and barbeque. Throw in a lumberjack burger too will ya?” he added. It was the largest burger the konoholic had to offer and often served as their feature; a double patty equating a pound of beef loaded two strips of bacon, a fried egg and a sausage and smothered in smoky barbeque sauce. The man didn’t made a habit of eating greasy foods though when he did he went all out. When the bartender nodded and went to put in the order Takeo finally addressed the man beside him. “It’s been a while Sensei, it’s good to see you” he stated, glancing over at the man. The word sensei felt odd on his tongue, it had been quite some time since he had called anyone that. Only two men had ever heard him speak that title, Hayashi and his first Sensei; Senju Toshiaki.

Natsuki Takeo - 17th Hokage, former Anbu Commander [DEAD]
Karagata Shinjiro - Kiri Bannin; Jinchuuriki, Overseer of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Kintsugi
Haziwara Youji- Iwagakure Chunin
Takeda Ichiro - A-Rank Waterfall Country; Black Wake, Chishiki, Setsuzoku
Hyuuga Takeshi - Konoha Special Jounin; Anbu
Jouchaku Shigeko - Kiri Genin; HHD

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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Valkier » Sat Mar 12, 2016 9:53 am

There had been a time, not so very many years ago (though it certainly seemed such), that no right-minded student of Terūin Hayashi would dare to be late to his summons. What had happened to the polite, eager-to-prove-himself boy that the grizzled Jounin had once met? Takeo's near pristine and ever-growing service record was testament to the fact that his mentor hadn't failed him (though some may argue that such credit was Takeo's alone, none did so within earshot of the once-Sensei), and yet Hayashi found himself checking the position of the sun outside a third time without any sign of his friend entering the homely bar. His fourth glance to the sky left him idly watching passers-by for some minutes further, townsfolk and ninja alike hurrying along on their various tasks and errands. By the fifth check he was growing resigned to the fact that, with the closing shutters of nearby shops, his wife's request for groceries would have to wait for another day. That small failure had cost him his dinner on more than one previous occasion.

Soon the sun began to set and drew his eyes yet again as it bathed the village in its gentle, final radiance. The sky began to darken before the horizon flared to resplendence with the suns passing, sending a crimson glow through the windows of the Konoholic and bringing a peaceful smile to Hayashi's lips. The exposed areas of his forearms seemed to ripple in response, the stark burns covering and twisting across the skin, highlighted in the aura of light that heralded the coming twilight. He was growing used to them, slowly, though he suspected their pain and scars would never fully heal. He would bear them until his death, as unfading reminders of Enma's wrath.

He shook his head, discarding the thoughts of the Crow that had lain waste to his home only months before. Today was meant to be a jovial reunion of old friends, not a night to spend brooding over past failures and regrets. He sighed, then rose from his table and strode to the bar instead; popular watering-hole or not, he didn't want the young barkeep to get any ideas about closing early because of the quiet atmosphere. He heard the door snap open just as he sat, and almost didn't recognise the figure that entered. Certainly, no student of his would arrive so disheveled, war-torn and scruffy as he was. What had happened to the handsome, well-kept youth that the scarred veteran had once known?

Hiding a frown, he turned his attention back to the young barkeep and waited for Takeo to approach. "You're late, lad," he grumbled in response to his student's greeting without moving his attention away from his drink. "That's unlike you. What kept you?" He looked up and gave a minute nod to the bartender before finally turning in his seat to look Takeo up and down. "You call that presentable attire for meeting your Sensei?" He frowned and nodded to his colleague's shredded and stained flak jacket, then met Takeo's eyes and fixed him with a hard stare. He held it for a long moment, hoping to make the man sweat a little; he had a reputation to maintain among the younger generations, after all, even if Takeo himself had long since learnt that the old man wasn't half as harsh as he looked or acted.

Eventually he broke, allowing himself to smile widely and extending a firm hand to clasp Takeo's shoulder. He'd always had a tendency to act tough on the man - the lasting condition of being a teacher, he supposed - but anyone who knew him well could see that it was a shallow persona. He considered Takeo a firm friend and a lasting companion, and even he couldn't maintain a strictness with him for long, not with the history they had together. He grinned, then stood up and waved for Takeo to follow him as he walked back over to the table he'd been using. At the far side of the bar, it gave a clear view of the room while also offering pleasant views to outside through a wide window, all while remaining apart enough from the other few patrons so as to afford the pair a little privacy. Shortly thereafter the bartender returned bearing several trays of food and drinks, balanced expertly on his arms and hands in the way that only waiters could manage. As instructed by Hayashi earlier, the man had silently doubled Takeo's order and lay the second portion - unceremoniously charged to Takeo's growing tab, of course - before Hayashi. He eyed it with a hint of surprise; his student had always been selective in his meals, and a greasy burger was hardly what he'd expected the man to order. What had happened to the prudent, health-conscious athlete that had once challenged him? "Thanks," he said to both the bartender and Takeo, then with a quick inspection of the food, took a much awaited bite.
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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Izanagi » Sat May 07, 2016 2:18 pm

Takeo’s confident demeanor took its first hit the moment his former Sensei spoke. It had been so long since he had been chastised in such a way, often he was teased but never reprimanded with such stoic sincerity. With it came a resurgence, a feeling of deep respect and that nagging desire to abstain from disappointing a teacher or parent-figure. The man’s expression staggered as he fumbled to spew forth some valid reasoning but he knew that it would all be nothing more than an excuse and he hated such a feeling of irresponsibility. “Training…far outside the village walls” he admitted guiltily. He had become so consumed in his desire to protect the village that only now was he realizing that he had begun to sacrifice his priorities. Social interaction with friends and family had been scarce, plans cancelled often or forgotten entirely. It was a regrettable situation and one unbefitting of the integrity of character he strived to achieve.

As the scrutiny fell upon him Takeo truly felt 15 again, a dedicated young pupil eager to prove himself and earn his teachers respect. It amazed the man that even after all these years Hayashi could reduce him to such humble beginnings with nothing but a few words and a stern gaze. Despite now being a much more formidable shinobi than his once master that bond had ben ingrained deeply into his psyche; therefore his respect and admiration for the man would surely last a lifetime. The muscular Jounin shrugged as his combat weathered clothing came under review. “You know I’m not much of one for formal wear” he started before trailing off “…You’re right, I’ll clean up better next time” he added with a small smile, he knew the man was intentionally grilling him to get a rise out of him, perhaps put him in his place for old time’s sake and admittedly it had worked remarkably well. In fact Takeo could even say that he felt a tinge of nervousness at the inspection.

When the middle-aged swordsman broke into a wide smile Takeo felt a tangible sense of relief, matching the smile in kind. The man had been one of his greatest influences in his life, along with Toshiaki and his own father; Isamu. Combined the three had taught him everything he knew about the wilderness, survival, combat tactics and perhaps more importantly his sense of honor and integrity as well as the ever burning will of Fire. “It’s good to see you” he repeated firmly before following the man to a corner table. The experienced Jounin smirked, recalling fondly the roots of such habits, situational awareness and strategic thinking even in common day life had been imparted to him in large part by Hayashi. To this day he constantly and habitually scanned surroundings and made notes of nearby exits, potential improvised weapons, as well as aiming to maintain the most secure locations which awarded him with the most visibility. More than once he had felt grateful that Toshiaki had seen such value to Hayashi’s wisdom, deeming him a worthy instructor to pass on skills and knowledge to Takeo and Koji that he couldn’t achieve himself. Where Toshiaki had excelled in all areas of ninjutsu and ambush tactics Hayashi had imparted in Takeo an un-paralleled understanding of close quarters fighting, namely blade-work and one vs one matches whereas Takeo’s father had expanded his skills in tracking and hand-to-hand fighting, despite the retired Jounin having been most well-known for his skill with a bow.

Taking a seat Takeo glanced out the window, noting the glowing orange horizon of the setting sun. His crisp cobalt eyes promptly returned to the swordsman, nostalgia swimming about in his head. Life had been exciting back then, surrounded by friends and moving from team to team, constantly competing for praise from Sensei’s and striving to surpass rivals. His closest childhood friend was from his first squad, Awai Masuru, a gifted individual in all aspects whom had grown into a powerful and respected Jounin as well as an occasional training partner. He recalled that Hayashi too had an Awai teammate once, an individual seldom spoken of due to the grave outcome of their situation. “How’s Kohana, and the kids?” he questioned lightly. He had met the man’s wife and children on a handful of occasions while catching up over dinner at his former Sensei's home. Likewise Hayashi’s family had been invited over once or twice to dinner with Takeo’s own parents and his sister Ayame whom had been another of the man’s students. His father Isamu in particular seemed to share a kindred spirit with Takeo’s former Sensei, feeling grateful for the guidance the swordsman provided for his son and daughter. Despite now being 63 years of age Isamu contained the look of a man in his late 40’s, maintaining much of his build from his many years of service as a Jounin of Konoha.

Natsuki Takeo - 17th Hokage, former Anbu Commander [DEAD]
Karagata Shinjiro - Kiri Bannin; Jinchuuriki, Overseer of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Kintsugi
Haziwara Youji- Iwagakure Chunin
Takeda Ichiro - A-Rank Waterfall Country; Black Wake, Chishiki, Setsuzoku
Hyuuga Takeshi - Konoha Special Jounin; Anbu
Jouchaku Shigeko - Kiri Genin; HHD

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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Valkier » Fri May 20, 2016 4:14 am

Hayashi's smile lasted for some time after sitting down, the humour of his earlier sternness supplemented by the good food. The burger was large and, despite the grease dripping from within, exceptionally satisfying. It was a rare treat, and so he took the time to savour the meal, chewing thoughtfully and washing his bite down with a swig of ale before pausing to answer Takeo.

"Ah, this is great. Awful, but great," he smiled and licked a spot of sauce on his finger. "Oh, the kids are doing well; growing up impossibly fast, discovering vast wells of inexaustible energy, terrorising everyone around them... You know, the usual," he shrugged with a light smile. "Kohana's doing great too. I'm growing to suspect she has some sort of secret technique that keeps her both young and sane in the face of said kids, though she refuses to teach it to me." He gave a brief chuckle, thinking fondly of his family for a moment.

"And what about yourself? You look well, at least. How are things with... Uh..." He trailed off in thought and brought up a hand, silently counting off fingers. At the fifth, he hesitated and brought up his second hand to continue. "...Kaede?" He guessed, then frowned and shook his head, "No, no, that doesn't sound right. That was years ago... and possibly not her name..." He continued counting for a moment, making a silent emphasis on the number of fingers raised. His grin reached his eyes and they twinkled with humour. "Oh, who can say with you? Takeo, the breaker of hearts!" He raised his drink as if in toast. Hayashi never made a point of searching out rumour, but stories about the younger Jounin before him were difficult to avoid overhearing when one walked the town as much as Hayashi did. Takeo was, according to most chatty housewives, still regarded as one of the village's most eligible bachelors. It would be simple thing to ask around and find the truth about the man's love life if he had any care to, but it far simply far more enjoyable to poke fun at the man directly. The details weren't particularly important in that regard.

But for all his teasing, there was a hint of compassion in Hayashi's comments. While it would be wrong to compare Takeo as he was now to himself as he'd been at the same age, the former being far stronger and more capable across the board, a small part of Hayashi wanted to see his friend settle and grow happy in the way that only a married man could know. There came a point in one's life where all the strength in the world would not avail a man further without something to protect - and love was, in almost every case, the strongest catalyst. As tempted as he was to enquire further he eventually shrugged away the thoughts, knowing full well that they weren't really any of his own business.

A moment later he brought his attentions back to something more appropriate. "And how is old Isamu keeping, and young Ayame?" He asked instead. There was a great deal of respect involved both ways whenever he met with Takeo's father, and the pair had always been agreeable. To the aged swordsman, Isamu was possibly as much of an inspiration of what to aim for as Hayashi himself might once have been to Takeo, or to his other students. Ayame was far from the young girl he'd once mentored, growing up at a speed that seemed to Hayashi to be even faster than her brother, though of all his former students she was one of those he saw least of - simply due to circumstance more than anything else he could identify.
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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Izanagi » Sat Jun 11, 2016 3:35 pm

Takeo wasted no time in taking several large bites of his burger, alternating between a number of fries and a deep swig of ale between bites. There were few things quite as satisfying as a hearty meal, even a greasy one at that after a strenuous day of physical exertion and conditioning. The man chuckled, grinning as he set down his glass. “One of the benefits of being in peak physical condition. Can eat junk like this without feeling guilty anymore. Of course only sparingly” he said shrugging. The man smiled wistfully as Hayashi spoke about his children, he realized that in a way he was envious of the family life his mentor had. He smirked as he mentioned Kohana. “Isn’t that always the way?” he scoffed lightly. “Still, nothing wrong with having a young and beautiful looking wife eh Sensei?” He added, raising his glass in a sort of toast to Hayashi’s fortune. “You have a good life my friend” he said, smiling warmly before throwing back his glass in another deep drink.

He smirked again in mid bite as the man began counting fingers. Swallowing he answered. “Ah yes, Kaede, haven’t heard that name in a while. We had a good run, almost two years but I learned after a while that a civilian woman just isn’t in the cards for me…too naïve, too worried. She meant well but If I’m to have any happiness I need a woman as strong as myself or at least close to it.” He admitted. She had certainly been one of his longest relationships, back when he was 22 and just coming out of a break up with his first real love, Hyuuga Harumi. After Kaede he had realized that he had never truly been over Harumi and spent a great many years dating women for no more than a few weeks at a time if they even managed to make it more than a night. There was another from the Hyyuga clan that he dated for a few months at the age of 25; Hanako, though there relationship was doomed from the start. She had been too young, her parents unapproved and of course there was the conflict of one of his students also finding himself infatuated with the woman. A year later came another fling with a Bannin of the village, Yamanaka Inoairi, though his affections with the somewhat older woman proved to be largely physical and never cumulated in any true relationship.

The muscular Jounin chuckled again, raising his glass in toast and downing the remnants. Thinking back on it he certainly had been with a lot of women, over a dozen to be sure though in some way or another he felt that he had truly cared about each one. Even Magami, a woman whom he had only known for two days and never seen again thereafter left with him a lingering wondering of her well-being. He had been young at the time, only 24 though she had left a lasting impression on the man. “I’ll have another” he stated, raising his empty glass as he caught the attention of the bartender. “I guess I do keep pretty busy don’t I?” he realized. “Haven’t had much time for dating lately but I met a cute woman from Suna recently…and actually there’s another Hyuuga that I’ve become quite fond of, Aina but of course matters are complicated with her, as they always seem to be with members of that clan” he sighed, clearly wishing that situations could be different and that clan policies and conflicts with his students affections weren’t an issue. It would be a welcome experience to be able to truly follow his heart for once, as painful as it was the only women he ever seemed to love were Hyuuga and he knew now that it wasn’t simply because of Harumi, he had made his peace with her decision to be with Satoshi and was happy for the couple. As an afterthought his eyes lit up as he thought about another woman, no one that he could make a future with but a memorable experience nonetheless. “Actually I met a woman on the road not too long ago, now that was one hell of a time, her whole body was composed of lava, got a few new scars after that but let me tell you it was worth it” he said chuckling as he remembered the encounter.

The rugged warrior sighed, realizing that as memorable as such encounters were he was satisfied with the experiences he had gained thus far. He yearned for something more, something of substance. “Honestly though, I think between the two of us you might be the lucky one. I’ve always wanted a family one day, children to raise and a wife to come home to. I’ll be turning 30 soon, I think it’s about time to think about settling down, just need to find the right person” he mused. Perhaps spending more time around people rather than training would help in that regard, though it never seemed to impede his meeting of women before, only in his ability to make them a priority in his life. He nodded as Hayashi shifted the conversation towards the family members he did have. “My dad is doing quite well, as strong as ever and still an avid hunter, my mom is healthy too, keeps herself busy with all of her dogs.” He noted. It was surprising that even in his age Isamu retained a hunter’s eyesight and skill with his bow and his tracking. His smile widened to a grin as he thought about his sister, he was always immensely proud of her. “Ayame is actually taking a break from teaching at the academy, celebrated ten years there, I can hardly believe it. She’s been spending a lot of time around Yoru lately actually, he’s helped her to get back into training and she’s even been going out on a few missions again. It’s a good feeling knowing that she’ll be safe around him.” He informed. It seemed rather obvious that there were some romantic feeling festering between his sister and his oldest student, the man whom he already considered akin to a brother. Neither of them had admitted it openly though he was an understanding man and happy for anything that may come of them being with one another.

Natsuki Takeo - 17th Hokage, former Anbu Commander [DEAD]
Karagata Shinjiro - Kiri Bannin; Jinchuuriki, Overseer of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Kintsugi
Haziwara Youji- Iwagakure Chunin
Takeda Ichiro - A-Rank Waterfall Country; Black Wake, Chishiki, Setsuzoku
Hyuuga Takeshi - Konoha Special Jounin; Anbu
Jouchaku Shigeko - Kiri Genin; HHD

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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Valkier » Thu Jun 16, 2016 11:50 am

"Aina? You don't say! I know her - she's a fine ninja, and a good woman. And hey, what about that a-" his grin faltered for a fraction of a second as he hesitated, "-attitude!" He winked, then took another sip of his drink as Takeo continued his stories.

"Lava?! Her whole body?" His face was a mask of surprise as he leant in to the slightly-creepy conversation. Some things were hard to avoid as one aged, after all, especially when ale was involved. "That's... incredible. I'm impressed with you for that," he shook his head and chuckled, playing up Takeo's 'achievement'. "You've really gotten into some stuff, haven't you? Lava... How does that even wor--... On second thought, I think I'd rather not know." He broke into a deep, hearty laugh which quickly washed away his previously incredulous expression.

"Aye, maybe you're right, at that. Although, I didn't have half your fire in my youth, so who can say? Don't rush it though, kid, you've got plenty of time yet." The conversation made him think back to when he'd settled down with his own wife, and he found himself absently twisting the ring on his finger as he spoke. "I was around thirty when I married, I suppose, but a lot of folk wait longer than that; until their fighting days are mostly done, sometimes." It wasn't always the case, especially in more recent generations where people seemed to be marrying younger and younger, but there was still truth to his words. It was arguably the easiest method to avoid tragedy.

"That's wonderful to hear," he'd continue when the topic came back to Takeo's parents and sister. Ayame was a skilled ninja and a beauty herself - not that Hayashi had ever seen her in that light, of course, but one had to admit it when questioned - so he was glad to hear of her wellbeing. "She's got a good eye if she's working with Yoru. Another good man."

"Ah, I always enjoy these meetings. Talking with you makes me feel younger again myself; hearing your stories takes me back! Part of me longs for those days, when life was dangerous and exciting still!" he sat back again and grinned sheepishly, knowing that the comments weren't entirely seemly for someone who'd long ago passed the age where 'adventure' was an acceptable past-time. And yet, it was true. Hayashi was a warrior at heart; a man who only ever felt truly alive when facing a skilled opponent in battle, or throwing himself into daring and dangerous tasks alongside brilliant comrades. Tutoring groups of Genin and meddling in village politics were each satisfying in a very different way, he couldn't claim either were his true calling. His purpose in life lay on a battlefield somewhere far beyond the comfort of the village, with his hand on his hilt and fire in his eyes.
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Aisu NaohiroJouninKirigakure no Sato[Unit 12] [HHD] [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya KotoriGeninIwagakure no Sato[Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.][Gold] [#BF8040][Thread Tracker]

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Izanagi
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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Izanagi » Thu Jun 16, 2016 5:52 pm

Takeo’s brow raised in interest as Hayashi spoke of Aina. He hadn’t expected Hayashi to know her though her fame had certainly spread through the village as of late. First a hostage of Yaku during the invasion before soaring through the ranks and recently being promoted to Bannin “She certainly is” he commented before chuckling at Hayashi’s play on words he gave a knowing nod at the innuendo of sorts. It was undeniable that a lifetime of training had graced the woman with an evidently athletic yet attractive figure. “She’s got that too.” He noted, smirking nostalgically. “Quite a fighting spirit in that one, I’ve already been on the receiving end of her brass knuckles and her jyuuken, at least things have warmed up since then, doesn’t help though when her ex was the previous Jinchuuriki…and my student” he added, nodding to the bartender in thanks as he brought his beer in what couldn’t be better timing. Taking a deep swig he let the rest of the story go unsaid. Venting about romantic troubles were not his strong suit, drinking and having a good time on the other hand suited him well.

He grinned once more as he decided to shift the conversation back to his experience with Akane. “Now the woman of lava, that wasn’t quite as ludicrous as one might think; It was some sort of modification, everything about her looked and felt normal, maybe a little warm to the touch but bite or scratch hard enough and she oozed lava rather than blood” he stated, perhaps going a little too in depth in his explanation as it seemed his frequent rate of consuming alcohol was having some sort of minor affect. “Granted I’m sure if she wanted to she could have enveloped me in molten slag but no risk no reward I suppose” he laughed heartily, he had certainly taken quite a chance with her but in the end she had cooperated quite well in sharing information about a variety of S-class Missing ninja. After another sip of beer he set his glass down, taking another large bite of his burger followed by a few more fries. With his mouth full he nodded in agreement as Hayashi assured him that he had time yet to marry and have children. He swallowed and added his input, “Just don’t want to be so old that I can’t spar with my sons or daughters when they eventually become Jounin you know?” Seeing his children become strong and reach the ranks of the elite had been a dream of his for a long time. He often wondered at exactly what kind of people they would be and where their passions would lay. Regardless he wished to be there, supporting them and pushing their limits, offering wisdom and guidance as well as being able to keep up with them physically.

Of course Takeo saw the logic of waiting until one’s career was dwindling before having children. Orphans were a tragic and fairly common occurrence among shinobi and anything to mitigate such a situation was to be encouraged. “I’ve considered that too and maybe it’s selfish but I would hate to die before having a child of my own, seeing something so pure and good and knowing that I helped to create them” he admitted, showing that at heart he was remarkably sentimental. It was easy to forget with his friendly and often lighthearted persona but even at his relative young age Takeo could boast at having accumulated among the most confirmed kills of any living Konoha shinobi, setting a pace that seemed clear to mark him for the record books. It wasn’t a fact that he was proud of however, not like some might be, in fact he had stopped keeping track once he reached one hundred and that was several years ago now. To have some good to offset all of the death and suffering he had delivered, that would be something to fight for. “Though it would be worse to leave a young family behind” he added, before taking another deep sip of beer, “Suppose that just means that I’d best not die” he chuckled. He nodded at Hayashi’s assessment of Ayame and Yoru. “He is” his face beamed with adulation at his mention. The man was his best friend, more than that even, he was a brother to him.

His head looked up from looking into his glass with a sense of nostalgia. How far he and Yoru had come, from training the man since he was but a young genin, a mere boy and now a respected Bannin. He regarded Hayashi now in full as another thought crossed his mind, an idea to be precise and one he had been mulling over for some time now. “You might not be out of the woods yet Sensei” he baited, his words coming with an almost mischievous and surely daring smirk. Waiting a few moments to spur the man’s intrigue Takeo’s face hardened, indicating that he was serious about whatever suggestion or proposal he was about to make. When he knew that he had him, the older shinobi’s inner fire burning strongly once more he decided to try to reel him in. “I’m sure you’ve heard that Anbu has made a resurgence. What you may not know is that the operatives answer to me now. Not dying would be a lot easier with you at my side.” He revealed, his cobalt eyes piercing into Hayashi’s with the utmost intensity. Konoha had known many Special Ops groups throughout their long History, many going by different names and shifting with the generations. It had been many years since the name Anbu had been uttered, though it was one that commanded respect and prestige nonetheless.

Natsuki Takeo - 17th Hokage, former Anbu Commander [DEAD]
Karagata Shinjiro - Kiri Bannin; Jinchuuriki, Overseer of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Kintsugi
Haziwara Youji- Iwagakure Chunin
Takeda Ichiro - A-Rank Waterfall Country; Black Wake, Chishiki, Setsuzoku
Hyuuga Takeshi - Konoha Special Jounin; Anbu
Jouchaku Shigeko - Kiri Genin; HHD

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Valkier
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Of Walking Canes & Trouser Stains

Post by Valkier » Sat Jul 02, 2016 2:50 pm

Hayashi played his part in the conversation well, laughing and chuckling along with Takeo as their absurd conversation moved across the younger man's former flings. He really did seem to wear his heart on his sleeve, and that only made the discussion that much more personal. At times like these, Hayashi almost felt like he was still the mentor, maybe even something akin to a father-figure to Takeo, instead of an aging man now basking in the prowess of his once-students. When the topic moved to how Takeo wanted to have children and be around to see them grow up, though, Hayashi grew more serious and nodded in understanding. That was a topic close to his own heart, and one he was intimately familiar with.

"Yes, I can understand that," he glanced down, noticing again how he'd begun playing with the wedding ring on his finger without realising. He moved his hand to his ale instead to stop the motion, hoping it wasn't too obvious. "I still look forward to doing the same... Though in all honesty I'm starting to change my mind as I watch Shiori grow stronger. There's something terribly humbling about the thought of getting beaten up by your teenage daughter." He glanced back up and met Takeo's eyes, then grinned. Of course, he was still a Jounin and couldn't fight either of his children properly - he didn't know if he could ever make himself go all out against them, whatever their strength - but the fact was that they both showed signs of being far more talented than he had been as a youth. "I don't think it'll be too many years before they, just like you yourself, far outpace me." The thought was a confusing mixture of humbling and depressing, but also filled him with pride. As a young man he'd been obsessed with becoming the best himself - and as a mature man, he now saw the true value in seeing the next generations be even greater still. There was no shame in being weaker himself if it meant his efforts in life pushed others to strength. Not a drop.

"Hear hear!" He could do nothing but fervently agree to Takeo's suggestion that he not die, "And go on to live a long and happy life!" He took a long drink and sighed in satisfaction, took a bite of his burger, swallowed, then paused in hesitation at Takeo's next words.

"Not out of the woods... " He narrowed his eyes and watched Takeo carefully for a long, hard moment. "That sounds like one of Senju Toshiaki's puns, you know," he commented, but he placed his hands on the table and leant in anyway, curiosity piqued. "...But what are you getting at, hmm?"

"...ANBU..." He mulled the word over, testing it on his tongue. He had indeed heard rumours of the organisation resurfacing within the village, but most of his attentions lately had been consumed with the recent post-invasion repairwork. Maybe... Maybe something like that whole ordeal could be prevented next time, with men like Takeo on watch as part of the Anbu... Men like Takeo and myself...?
He remained quiet for a long moment, still watching his former student across the table. There was no guarantee that such a group would be able to save the village should disaster strike again, but... But isn't this what I was just longing for, a moment ago? And like he says, I could be working alongside him again, looking out for him... And others. Many others. Not-so-deep down, he wanted nothing more than to be able to protect those in the village that he loved - plus the village and citizens itself, of course - and taking up a position within the reformed organisation would be a great chance to do such a thing. With Takeo at its head, who knows what they could accomplish? He realised the decision was already being made in his head, and an excitement began to tingle inside him... For a moment, anyway.

"...I... I'll.. have to think on it, lad." He looked down again, and this time made no attempt to hide the idle toying with his wedding ring. "You have my ear, but this isn't a decision I can make alone anymore." He grinned and offered a helpless shrug, "You fear dying before you settle down with a wife. Let me tell you: It's worse living in the knowledge that your wife might try and kill you herself!"
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Aisu NaohiroJouninKirigakure no Sato[Unit 12] [HHD] [#BAE0E2] [#70CEE2]
Hachiya KotoriGeninIwagakure no Sato[Ukiyogenma Jinchuuriki] [H.N.K.][Gold] [#BF8040][Thread Tracker]

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