A Relaxing Evening
A Relaxing Evening
Sakon arrived at the Konoholic after his usual light workout, ready to relax for a little while. His mind filled with thoughts of his adoptive father, and the words he spoke the night before he passed peacefully. "I will always be proud of you Abuko, always..." Sakon pulled out a photo of his adoptive parents, and stared longingly. I wish he was still around to see how far I've come...I hope you still watch over me proudly... It had been a while since he visited the grave of his father, he felt ashamed. He had been so absorbed with work that he neglected his usual routine of bringing flowers to his father's grave. He felt so stupid.
"Ahhhh...Sakon! Welcome! What would you like today? We have a special on takoyaki!" The waitress's words went in one ear and out the other as Sakon was completely lost in thought. "Sakon? Hellooooo? Are you listening?"
Sakon, flustered, hurriedly put the photo back in his pocket making sure it wasn't damaged. "My apologies, what was it that you said? I was out of it." He casually approached the counter smiling nonetheless.
"I was just mentioning our special today, no worries. Please...please! take a seat!" Sakon promptly sat down, and before he could let out a single word the waitress interrupted. "You're wearing your hair down today, it looks nice! I've just brewed some tea, let me get you some!"
"Thanks. I tend to have it down when I do my exercise regime, I just forgot to put it back up." Sakon chuckled endearingly. His hair was shining in the light produced by the Konoholic interior. The place hasn't changed, and it caused a sense of safety and familiarity within him.
"Here's your tea! Don't worry about paying, it's on the house just for you!... Sayyyyy...when are you thinking of finding a nice girl to spend some time with? she smiled, her face taking on a gentle, compassionate expression. "I just feel like you could use that type of support in your life you know? You've seemed fairly lonely since your parents died...I'm just worried about your well being..."
Sakon smiled, "Thank you for your concern, but I'll be okay. Besides, with all the work I have currently going on, I wouldn't be able to juggle everything." The two of them laughed, and continued talking about current affairs and normal bar chit chat.
Sakon was a very caring person and loved to talk for hours on end. Konoha was his home and he felt that every person's point of view was worthwhile to listen to, even if it meant a day of talking was in store. The tea today tasted extra sweet, and it seemed that the feelings of uncertainty and sadness that plagued his thoughts earlier, evaporated into thin air as his conversation kept going. Even so, his father's words were always ringing in the back of his mind. For once, after so long, he began to feel like he was truly making his father proud.
Abuko...
Nobody calls him that anymore, it's assumed that he had grown out of his childhood nickname. Even so, he wanted to hear it once more, as it reminded him of his father.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the entry of more guests into the Konoholic.
Sakon
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A Relaxing Evening
"You know...Lord Hokage may want to hear about what went down at Mizuno village. Eventually you're going to have to tell him about the spirit." Jizo's voice cut through the dimly lit quarters of the ANBU's western sector like a knife and as far as Gene had been concerned, his words may as well have been. Even though he'd known all along that he couldn't continue to put off giving his report on the findings back in that small and shoddy village there really was no rush to set foot inside of the big guy's office. "For the last time," Gene interrupted,
Nothing happened." And nothing did happen...at least, nothing life threatening anyway. Well...that might not have been entirely true.
Sensing that Jizo, the ever perceptive Aburame had been staring at him Gene stopped for a moment and simply looked. To his credit the man was sufficed to know that his instincts hadn't at all dulled and that the insect tamer could be found standing with both arms crossed, his head shaking from left to right. "You really will never change, Commander."
"Heh, you know me too well. Hold down the fort while I'm gone there's someone I need to meet." At this sudden break in information the Aburame Jounin glanced up but said nothing. Knowing the potential meaning of his handler's words; somewhere, someone had sparked a flame that could not be extinguished and now, a certain Silver-haired Shinobi had taken an interest in that flame. Now...whether or not the embers of potential could be cultivated was a mystery but Jizo knew that at the very least, his Commander would try his best and seldom did the man fail. However...he wasn't quite so sure about someone whom he'd never met being introduced to the organization - call it an old dog's suspicion but he truly believed that the ANBU could stand no weak links and wondered exactly what kind of evaluation his superior had in mind.
A few moments later
From the other side of the double doors leading into the Konoholic Gene could hear the shouts laughter and scattered conversation causing a smile to play across his masked lips. Since he hadn't visited the place since things got out of hand with a few ruffians looking to make trouble Gene had almost forgotten how festive the establishment could be. Thrusting both doors open he marched through with a confident swagger and immediately worked the entire scene with his eyes - a habit hard to break from years serving among the elite. Some of the patrons Gene could place as regulars who would have found their way to the building if hell had frozen over while others, like the man with strange piercings and even stranger colored hair mingling with several of the wait staff and others, Gene had never met before.
"Nice to see business is booming as usual," the silver-haired Jounin remarked. While it pleased him to see things so lively he didn't exactly envy the staff today having once been apart of the hustle and bustle as a server during his Chunin days. Ironically enough, it was his obligation to Mamorinuku back then and later to the ANBU that forced him to sever ties with the bar in favor of more...delicate interests but Gene never lost his love for the famed hang out spot. When approached by a waiter Gene whispered something in the woman's ear and was then promptly escorted to where Sakon, another established Jounin of the village had been sitting.
"Yo! Gene began with a mock-salute. "If I'm not mistaken, you must be...Sakon, right?" It would have been hard for Gene to forget the man's crazy hairstyle and unique facial identifiers right off the bat, recognizing him for one of the few people to have taken and passed the Chunin exam around the same time that he himself had taken the test. Needless to say, despite his soft looking demeanor Gene knew that the man he'd been standing in front of was undoubtedly a capable Shinobi and certainly a viable asset in any mobile unit. Still - that synopsis was as far as their relationship went and outside of a few whispers in the wind of a family tragedy Gene had not heard much of the man. Naturally, maybe because it was the first news that he'd heard about him Gene had almost felt inclined to pass along his condolences but opted instead to hold his piece. No need to poke the bear while it was down, after all.
"It has been a while but you and I took the Chunin exams together back in the day." When he mentioned the exam there was a certain flare to stir in Gene's Auburn hues as though to convey a sense of pride though one couldn't quite be sure. "Feel like having a drink with a colleague?"
Nothing happened." And nothing did happen...at least, nothing life threatening anyway. Well...that might not have been entirely true.
Sensing that Jizo, the ever perceptive Aburame had been staring at him Gene stopped for a moment and simply looked. To his credit the man was sufficed to know that his instincts hadn't at all dulled and that the insect tamer could be found standing with both arms crossed, his head shaking from left to right. "You really will never change, Commander."
"Heh, you know me too well. Hold down the fort while I'm gone there's someone I need to meet." At this sudden break in information the Aburame Jounin glanced up but said nothing. Knowing the potential meaning of his handler's words; somewhere, someone had sparked a flame that could not be extinguished and now, a certain Silver-haired Shinobi had taken an interest in that flame. Now...whether or not the embers of potential could be cultivated was a mystery but Jizo knew that at the very least, his Commander would try his best and seldom did the man fail. However...he wasn't quite so sure about someone whom he'd never met being introduced to the organization - call it an old dog's suspicion but he truly believed that the ANBU could stand no weak links and wondered exactly what kind of evaluation his superior had in mind.
A few moments later
From the other side of the double doors leading into the Konoholic Gene could hear the shouts laughter and scattered conversation causing a smile to play across his masked lips. Since he hadn't visited the place since things got out of hand with a few ruffians looking to make trouble Gene had almost forgotten how festive the establishment could be. Thrusting both doors open he marched through with a confident swagger and immediately worked the entire scene with his eyes - a habit hard to break from years serving among the elite. Some of the patrons Gene could place as regulars who would have found their way to the building if hell had frozen over while others, like the man with strange piercings and even stranger colored hair mingling with several of the wait staff and others, Gene had never met before.
"Nice to see business is booming as usual," the silver-haired Jounin remarked. While it pleased him to see things so lively he didn't exactly envy the staff today having once been apart of the hustle and bustle as a server during his Chunin days. Ironically enough, it was his obligation to Mamorinuku back then and later to the ANBU that forced him to sever ties with the bar in favor of more...delicate interests but Gene never lost his love for the famed hang out spot. When approached by a waiter Gene whispered something in the woman's ear and was then promptly escorted to where Sakon, another established Jounin of the village had been sitting.
"Yo! Gene began with a mock-salute. "If I'm not mistaken, you must be...Sakon, right?" It would have been hard for Gene to forget the man's crazy hairstyle and unique facial identifiers right off the bat, recognizing him for one of the few people to have taken and passed the Chunin exam around the same time that he himself had taken the test. Needless to say, despite his soft looking demeanor Gene knew that the man he'd been standing in front of was undoubtedly a capable Shinobi and certainly a viable asset in any mobile unit. Still - that synopsis was as far as their relationship went and outside of a few whispers in the wind of a family tragedy Gene had not heard much of the man. Naturally, maybe because it was the first news that he'd heard about him Gene had almost felt inclined to pass along his condolences but opted instead to hold his piece. No need to poke the bear while it was down, after all.
"It has been a while but you and I took the Chunin exams together back in the day." When he mentioned the exam there was a certain flare to stir in Gene's Auburn hues as though to convey a sense of pride though one couldn't quite be sure. "Feel like having a drink with a colleague?"
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A Relaxing Evening
Sakon thought nothing of the entry of more individuals into Konoholic, as it was a hotspot for festivities and drinking. As Sakon focused on his drink, noting the delicate floral sweetness that the tea brought, he was reminded of the farmhouse of his adoptive parents. The beautiful fields and sparkling stream of his home brought an extreme sense of nostalgia, reminding him of his roots. What a peaceful time... Lost in thought, Sakon almost missed the fact entirely that he had a visitor approaching him.
"Yo! If I'm not mistaken, you must be...Sakon, right? It has been a while but you and I took the Chunin exams together back in the day. Feel like having a drink with a colleague?" He seemed to be glowing and enthusiastic, who was Sakon to deny a drink?
"Of course, please take a seat." Sakon's eyes lit up, and a friendly smile was directed towards him. Sakon started to reminisce about the chuunin exams, another wave of nostalgia-filled his mind. Gene has certainly grown as a person since then, but then again even as a chuunin he showed an aptitude for being a shinobi. It's been a while since I've spoken with someone from my younger years, even so, we were never close... As Gene took his seat next to Sakon, Sakon being the overtly friendly person he is, extended a friendly offer to his former classmate.
"What would you like? Allow me to pay for your drink...It's been a while..." Sakon called the waitress over to ensure his colleague was cared for.
"I'll take another cup of tea, and I'll pay for whatever he wants." He gestured towards Gene with an even larger smile than before. Sakon hates when someone isn't welcomed accordingly, and wouldn't want anyone to have a poor experience with him. To him, everyone can be considered a friend, until they prove otherwise. Even though he wasn't very close to many of his former colleagues, except a select few, he felt that each and every one of them were extremely important to his success. Without the others pushing him to become better, he wouldn't be the shinobi he was today, and with that ideology, he wished to catch up and get to know Gene better.
The bonds made between shinobi are what makes our village strong...
His father's words echoed within his mind once more.
"Okay! I'll have it for you in a moment!" The waitress hurriedly moved to prepare the drinks, as Sakon turned towards Gene.
"So what brings you here this evening? Taking time to relax?"
"Yo! If I'm not mistaken, you must be...Sakon, right? It has been a while but you and I took the Chunin exams together back in the day. Feel like having a drink with a colleague?" He seemed to be glowing and enthusiastic, who was Sakon to deny a drink?
"Of course, please take a seat." Sakon's eyes lit up, and a friendly smile was directed towards him. Sakon started to reminisce about the chuunin exams, another wave of nostalgia-filled his mind. Gene has certainly grown as a person since then, but then again even as a chuunin he showed an aptitude for being a shinobi. It's been a while since I've spoken with someone from my younger years, even so, we were never close... As Gene took his seat next to Sakon, Sakon being the overtly friendly person he is, extended a friendly offer to his former classmate.
"What would you like? Allow me to pay for your drink...It's been a while..." Sakon called the waitress over to ensure his colleague was cared for.
"I'll take another cup of tea, and I'll pay for whatever he wants." He gestured towards Gene with an even larger smile than before. Sakon hates when someone isn't welcomed accordingly, and wouldn't want anyone to have a poor experience with him. To him, everyone can be considered a friend, until they prove otherwise. Even though he wasn't very close to many of his former colleagues, except a select few, he felt that each and every one of them were extremely important to his success. Without the others pushing him to become better, he wouldn't be the shinobi he was today, and with that ideology, he wished to catch up and get to know Gene better.
The bonds made between shinobi are what makes our village strong...
His father's words echoed within his mind once more.
"Okay! I'll have it for you in a moment!" The waitress hurriedly moved to prepare the drinks, as Sakon turned towards Gene.
"So what brings you here this evening? Taking time to relax?"
Sakon
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A Relaxing Evening
Within minutes Gene was seated comfortably across from Sakon with one arm [his right] resting almost lazily atop the back of the booth and the other nonchalantly at his left side, fumbling with the latch of his thigh Kunai holster. Allowing himself to be absorbed by the warm and familiar feeling of being around comrades, peers and the like; Gene flirted with the idea of removing his mask, if only for this one moment but soon thought better of himself. While it were true that this was supposed to be a relaxing evening - he couldn't, wouldn't allow himself to grow too lax out of habit more than anything. Going on his fourth year now as a Jounin and member of an elite task force, Gene had developed his own unique way of appearing relaxed all the while keeping a thorough screen on his environment - something that Sakon might have noticed if not vaguely if he observed the man long enough.
When asked what he would like to drink his answer was simple. "Water, please. Light ice." At the age of only 18 despite his status within the village, Gene was still not yet old enough to consume alcohol though he considered only briefly if he were of age whether or not his choice would have been different. What was interesting still about his selection however, was that water came free in the establishment meaning that Sakon would naturally only have to pay for the beverage ordered for himself. It wasn't that Gene didn't appreciate the gesture but he wasn't here for a pass out and in his own polite, subtle way he had to turn down offer without offending the man sitting across from him. There were some who would have taken advantage of Sakon's kindness, having him pay for this or that simply because the man had already extended the courtesy; Mitsurugi, Gene was not one of those people.
The message was clear: This was a man that could not be moved by token gestures.
Instead, Gene focused more on trying to discern the person who Sakon had become since his promotion - since graduating even. When asked what had brought him in the Silver-haired Jounin feigned ignorance; opting instead, not to tell the man that he'd come to scout out potential for the Organization. "Oh you know, the usual. I used to work here back in the day so I tend to stop in from time to time." Came his answer, which to Gene's credit was the truth. "Suppose it was just dumb luck running into you here, though. How have you been?" In so many words this was the Jounin's way of asking albeit indirectly how Sakon had been dealing with his family situation. His eyes flickered with an emotion that may have been interpreted as empathy though it was honestly hard to tell with the man glancing about every so often to check in on his surroundings.
Evidently, the day dreamer wasn't one to let his guard slip even in social settings.
When asked what he would like to drink his answer was simple. "Water, please. Light ice." At the age of only 18 despite his status within the village, Gene was still not yet old enough to consume alcohol though he considered only briefly if he were of age whether or not his choice would have been different. What was interesting still about his selection however, was that water came free in the establishment meaning that Sakon would naturally only have to pay for the beverage ordered for himself. It wasn't that Gene didn't appreciate the gesture but he wasn't here for a pass out and in his own polite, subtle way he had to turn down offer without offending the man sitting across from him. There were some who would have taken advantage of Sakon's kindness, having him pay for this or that simply because the man had already extended the courtesy; Mitsurugi, Gene was not one of those people.
The message was clear: This was a man that could not be moved by token gestures.
Instead, Gene focused more on trying to discern the person who Sakon had become since his promotion - since graduating even. When asked what had brought him in the Silver-haired Jounin feigned ignorance; opting instead, not to tell the man that he'd come to scout out potential for the Organization. "Oh you know, the usual. I used to work here back in the day so I tend to stop in from time to time." Came his answer, which to Gene's credit was the truth. "Suppose it was just dumb luck running into you here, though. How have you been?" In so many words this was the Jounin's way of asking albeit indirectly how Sakon had been dealing with his family situation. His eyes flickered with an emotion that may have been interpreted as empathy though it was honestly hard to tell with the man glancing about every so often to check in on his surroundings.
Evidently, the day dreamer wasn't one to let his guard slip even in social settings.
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