[fieldbox="Fun and Training?, wheat"]
Koike Hon,
Spt. Jounin | Team 6
Two weeks and one days ago.
Fancy a swim?
A collab between Hawke and Gerontis.
Summary :
Koike shows Korina a bit around as the two get to know each other better.
[spoili]
Briefly checking himself, Koike frowned. Staring at the scar on his face, the corner of his lips moved down. As he checked that he wouldn't be looking in any kind of way to embarrass himself, which made him only feel more uncomfortable, Koike would walk out of his appartment. Not that he was dressed in another way than usual, he thought of what he would be doing today. Other than what he would like to do, such as researching or studying further, he was on his way to the meeting point. Telling himself that duty came first, Koike pocket his hands as he briefly thought about what he was going to do today. After he had spend yesterday evening pondering on how to approach today, he had came to realization that he had what so ever no clue about nomads and their life-style. Other than that they.. were nomads. Arriving at the town plaza where he would meet the other, Koike briefly threw a long stare at the nearby fountain. Pondering on how to proceed.
Korina sat on the fountain, the meeting place Kiyomi had shown her the day before. She had forgone her regular attire since she hadn't received her new uniform yet, so she borrowed a few pieces from one of the younger ANBU operatives: loose but fitting pants, mesh shirt with a upper tank top on top of it, sensible shoes, and left her hair down. Her eyes scanned over the crowds even as she ate at her chocolate chip ice cream. While she wasn't very used to the village yet, she was able to find the scarred young man quite easily. She chuckled to herself and waved him over before she stood to meet him halfway,
"Y'know...a girl can get real sad when the guy she's meeting looks like he's going to his own execution." She opened up with a gentle smile. She was unsure if she was understood, as she found that almost everyone told her that it was obvious she was from Cloud Country.
"My name is Korina Kusanagi. Are you the Hon guy?"
"Oh.." Blinking once, Koike wasn't sure how to react.
"Yes, my name is Koike Hon." He tried to think of the rules and such as he had been wondering on how to respond to her. All he could think of was a bow. Which he did, trying to composure, he straightened his back as he thought on how to speak. It was plain frustrating as he was reminded by his frustration why he rather wasn't that much active with the other 'noble' born clans and their members.
"I-" Clearing his throat, Koike gestured as he continued.
"Would you mind a small tour? Unless..you already had one. M'lady." Mentally cringing by the way how he spoke, he reminded himself that it was his duty now.
Korina continued to eat her ice cream as she watched the young man bow and what not. She hummed in thought then poked his shoulder quickly,
"Don't bow to me. I am just a glorified body guard as far as I know. We aren't exactly one of your village's silly noble clans." Kiyomi had warned her that the guy probably wouldn't talk much, but she had been surprised by the honorary status that Kiyomi had given them. Of course, she understood that it made sense in a political mumbo-jumbo way. No one could bitch about the new clan in town--and Kiyomi's new army--if they were awarded noble status due to their military and domesticated security uses.
"Now, can you show me what's around here? I'm kind of hungry, and the Empress ditched me to talk to the old guys."
For a moment he was again surprised, but a genuine small smile found its way to his lips. Nodding as he understood it, he personally preffered to not bow and drop the whole 'manner'. Pocket his hands again, he half turned around as he thought about what he could show her. Of Konohagakure.
"To be honest, glad so." He said in a more calm fashion, more casuall.
"I'm honestly not that fan of most." Briefly he was intrigued in to hear about her function in her clan as he had been mildly suspected that she was some higher up.
"If you want, we could go to the nearby dango shop and euuhmm..." Trying to think of a place, Koike realized that studying all days wasn't perhaps that great. He couldn't think of a lot of places right away.
"Well, what would you find interesting?"
"What's a 'dango'?" The word was foreign to the girl, so for all she knew, it could have been anything. She smiled when he relaxed, and she felt her own body relax in reflex. Her little plan had worked, maybe she could make her second friend in the village? Kinda?
"What do you do?" Korina asked as she finished off her ice cream.
The question threw him off as he threw a surprised look in her direction, again, wondering for a moment how to reply. It was probably due Aiko's doing that he knew exactly what a dango was, but how to explain it? Looking up in a frustrated expression, Koike thought about it quickly.
"It is ...a baked kind of doughball." Pausing, he wondered how else to explain it.
"It is usually sweet, but with sauce it can get some other tastes." Hearing her second question, he shrugged lightly.
"Not much, am a shinobi. And what about you? A bodyguard of just your clan leader?"
His frustration troubled her a little bit, as she hoped that she wasn't the one causing it,
"Well, that sounds tasty. Let's go get some then." Korina offered. The chunin rubbed her chin,
"No, I am also the bodyguard of Empress Kiyomi. Then I will be overseeing the security forces of the Empire." She shrugged then shoved her hands into her pockets.
"So I should call you as m'lady?" He responded, trying to make it sound as a joke. Getting the feeling that it was probably coming over as anything but a joke, he tried to smile.
"Is there... well, anything you like to do?" Already he had thought of several places. But the Merchant District behind the inner wall wasn't that overly spectulair. Nor was showing her the Will of Fire monument, which he had never given any attention. That and it was in a cemetry... Not really a place he visited with others.
"Heh, now you're just trying to get laid." She responded with a small laugh. She titlted her head in thought, what DID she like to do?
"I uh...like to train, walk in forests or near rivers, I like to camp. Um...did I say train already? I like to eat." She tried to wrack her mind for other "likes".
"Heh, I--" His eyes widened in shock as he managed to progress her answer. Looking back in front of him, he tried to keep his calm composure. Something he had been training his ass off. But at the moment he couldn't even look back as he felt his head turning red by the first answer. Swallowing, he felt quite uncomfortable as he briefly didn't know how to reply back. Perhaps a compliment? Aiko-sama liked compliments!
"Well eehh... you got a nice laugh." He managed to say, sounding quite nervous.
"That was.. a good reply, likely...."
The young man's nervousness was, admittedly, adorable. His entire face was red and she couldn't help the full laugh that erupted from her.
"It's ok. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable...it may happen again, so fair warning." She shrugged her left shoulder unapologetically.
"You're pretty cute, so it's bound to happen again. So where's the dango place?"
Trying to flash an apologetic smile back, Koike was about to reply back. Only to shut down again as she gave him a compliment. Closing his mouth, he tried to focus on what was important. It would be a grave failure if he couldn't even hold himself in a casual conversation as this one.
"Thanks." He managed to utter back as he then pointed to a shop at the corner.
"Any flavour you like?" He decided to ask, trying to steer the conversation back to the dangoes.
"I've never had it before, so I'm not sure as to what they will taste like..." The young woman said with a bit of a frown. She ran her fingers through her hair then shoved her hands back into her pockets.
"It's a nice place though. Quaint."
Opening the door, Koike would keep it open for her.
"Yeah..." Not really that thrilled, he thought of another place for a moment.
"Have you travelled a lot? I mean, seeing you're.. you know." Trying to keep the conversation going, he wasn't really sure if he could just flat out call her a nomad. Perhaps there was some way to it as he wondered if it came over insulting.
"Sorry, I don't meet much nomads." Scratching his neck, he let out a soft sigh.
Walking through the door, she thanked him and looked around,
"I...have. Outside of the usual, I've traveled to a lot of places within Cloud." She told him. She cracked her neck a little, then gave her knuckles the same treatment. Her eyebrow twitched a bit as she looked over at him with narrowed eyes. Since she'd gotten there, quite of few of the Uchihas and Hyuugas had taken to calling her "Nomad". As if it were a slur. She decided that she wouldn't bite off Koike's head though, since he had said it without the contempt the other asses had.
"Well, nomadic culture is very diverse, with varying degrees of nomads and nomadic people. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have." She said to him before someone shoulder checked her roughly. She grunted, but kept her balance in the face of a tall man with blank white eyes.
"Watch yourself, Nomadic Dog."
"You watch yourself, Bitch Bat."
Feeling a bit guilty, he wanted to say that he could relate to her about that. For a moment looking at the guy, Koike's right hand went to where his kunai pouch would be. Mentally cursing that he didn't had it, he cleared his throat.
"Bugger off." Staring back at the slight taller man, Koike's right eyebrow perked up as he would step forward. A slight sensation went down his left arm, but he clenched his left hand into a fist.
"Would be annoying if you would later need to shit out your teeth."
Long used to fighting her own battles, Korina's bristled when Koike stepped forward. She bit her tongue though and glared up at the Hyuuga instead. The man didn't take the hint though, she tapped her shoulder. Almost immediately, Korina's fist struck the Hyuuga's face and sent him into more than a few tables. She growled in irritation when she couldn't move her arm,
"You twit...what did you do to me?!"
"Stay still." Koike tried to politely instruct. Tapping her shoulder, he briefly glanced at the Hyuuga.
"Good punch." He mumbled, deciding to try something that he had tried before. Tapping her shoulder again, he carefully reversed the process that was the cause of the sensation. Instead of leeching chakra, it would hopefully slip in some chakra into the node that had been closed.
"Euuh..." With the Hyuuga dazed and clearly not being a threat anymore, Koike raised his right hand to point at the door.
"If you want, we can go to another place? Else... Wait," Cursing his current behavior, he pulled out his wallet.
"How about I buy us some dangoes and we eat them somewhere else?"
She slowly twitched each finger one at a time, as she tried to get the numbness out her hand. Then she clenched and unclenched her hand. Then she looked at the young man and glared at him,
"I don't need you to stand up for me. These prissy jerk offs want to call me a dog? Then fine. I'll keep biting until they learn to respect the dog."
For a moment he looked a bit surprised back, but he couldn't help but to want to compliment her.
"Well," he started with feeling somehow even more relaxed,
"if it helps I've been called dog all my life... Know what? Let's eat there." Gesturing to the table, he took a few steps back.
"Want something to drink?" He asked, already half turning to order their lunch.
Surprised that Koike hadn't barked back, she blinked in confusion as she sat down.
"I...well...if that's what you have had to deal with...more punches are required." She tried to smile in apology, but made sure to kick the idiot Hyuuga as she walked past him to go sit down,
"Tea is fine for me. Thank you."
A few moments he would come back with a plate. Placing it on the table, he sighed and looked a tad amused.
"Okay, back on what you just said," he began as he would place her tea in front of her,
"I doubt that more punches will work. I mean, they are.... not going to listen anyways. Fighting back will only lead that they value themselves only better."
The girl raised an eyebrow at the plate, then picked up a skewer to nibble at it.
"Ugh...lot of good that will do. They need to understand that they aren't the only ones that live here. They will learn to respect me and my clan enough to give us space." She grunted in irritation.
"We Kusanagis refuse to bow and cower to the unworthy."
Picking up his water, Koike frowned.
"Believe me, it won't work that well. All you will get is more hostility," he sounded for a moment frustrated though it seemed to be more directed towards the subject,
"cause then they will try you out again and keep doing so. Beside that, why would you give them any attention if you're better than them?" He suggested.
"I get stronger. They keep coming at me, I'll learn more and more about them, their weaknesses. And everytime, no matter what they do, I'll put them through the table, the walls, the ground. Whatever I can. Now that I know these Milk Eyes can affect my chakra, guess what I'll do? I'm going to find a way to restore it." She proclaimed fiercely. She wasn't going to stand down, not unless Kiyomi told her to.
Hearing Korina's reply, Koike was about to take another sip of his water. Hearing her nickname for the Hyuuga, he briefly seemed to choke in his drink. Coughing, he raised his left hand in front of his mouth as he looked away, briefly cursing.
"Wolves.." A small smile cracked on his lips as he held back a chuckle while he tried to regain his composure.
"But what is wrong with hounds? I think it fits you well." He said, his tone friendly.
"There is nothing wrong with hounds in anyway. Though not quite a dog, I utilize hyenas for a summon. " She grunted as she ate another dango.
"I'm proud to be a dog. But what they don't understand, is that I'm no mutt. I am the Empress' Dog. Her beta in this pack of power hungry politcal pack. They will fear me, for only the Empress herself can stay my bite." She growled.
For a moment Koike was quite surprised. His eyes retreated lower as he thought about her words for a moment. Then he chuckled.
"Heh, I start to like you. Though," he leaned back in his seat.
"my advice is to not pay attention to them. Those who do are on their level. I know that some clans that are being nicked as dogs or worse often have a more wealth and power than th..." He thought back to what she called them.
"Milk Eyes... I got to remember that one. How are the dangoes?" Noticing that he was starting to get more relaxed, he emptied his water with a tug.
"Pretty tasty...though I must say that it seems to be an acquired taste." She told him with a wide smile. However, she huffed in disagreement,
"Ignoring them only goes so far...so we will need to agree to disagree." She said as she finished her tea. Once that was done, she scatched her chin idly,
"Anything else you can tell me about the Milk Eyes and the Ladybugs?"
"That if you will ever call one of them like that, that they will likely get pissed off good." Koike replied amused.
"Other than that, I don't... dislike them all. Some are nice." He briefly thought of Masami and Katsu. Scratching his right arm, Koike shrugged lightly.
"Beside that they are quite proud. I've been called dog before by them, so I think that they dislike my clan too. But haven't honestly seen anybody of my clan care about them." Noticing that there was one skewer over, Koike shoved the plate towards her.
"You can have mine if you want, not that hungry."
Korina shook her head,
""Bah. We'll see. You can have the last one." She pushed the plate towards him then stood up.
"This was fun. Wanna spar?" She asked him with a rougish smirk.
"Spar?" He got up as he was trying to find a reasonable excuse to avoid it. Koike didn't really like the idea of a spar, let alone be smacked in the face as that Hyuuga had been.
"Eeuhm, just know that I'm not that great." He replied further back as he would walk to the door and hold it open for her.
"I know something." Koike would begin as an idea hit him.
"How about we spar for a bit and then go for a swim? Where we shouldn't be?" Quite amused with the idea, he would pocket his hands again.
Korina tilted her head a little bit then shrugged.
"Well...we could meditate instead of spar? I don't want to accidentally hurt you or you hurt me before I even start learning about my duties." She gives him a wink,
"It is a nice day to find a spot in the forests and just...think or talk. Besides it is about time for my daily meditations anyway. Then we can go swimming after it?" She thanked him for the door then walked through it.
Meditation?
"I never tried that." He replied, thinking about it. Why did he never try it? As she gave him a wink with a further reply, Koike's eyes widen a bit as he averted his gaze.
"I didn't mean like.. that. But seeing that you seem so bound on y'know..." Making a gesture as they walked, Koike tried to find the right words. It was rather hard to find them after getting certain thoughts.
"You said earlier you want to prove that you're not below them. And seeing I already once pulled one on them, I was thinking about sneaking in. And take a swim at one of their pools. Ought to be some if they are so rich."
Her eyes widened in excitement at his suggestion.
"You are a freakin genius! Yes, we should totally go and swim in their pool." She grinned then grabbed his hand to pull him towards the gates.
"Come in!"
[color=wheat"]Heh- W-Wait!"[/color] As she started to drag him, Koike tried to pull back.
"We can't just waltz inside. Perhaps we should... climb over the walls instead of just walking inside and where they can see us first." Koike tried to reason, feeling quite good for being called a genius. Though he wondered if the suggestion came due he wanted some fun like that or..
She stopped and looked at him in confusion between looking between him and the gate to the village.
"Isn't this the way to the forest?" Which resulted in Koike to blink twice, in a rapid fashion.
"Oh, yes, yes it is. Sorry, heh." He replied, a bit timid as he realized his mistake. As they would continue, Koike decided to ask her a question.
"How... does meditation works? Just... sitting and.. doing what?"
Korina continued to pull him once he responded in the affirmative. She pondered on his question then answered,
"You think about your life, your wants and decisions. Or just think in nature and let everything else go. You find your moment of inner peace, and try to turn it into a moment of true peace." She tried to explain it, but she felt as though she were doing a less than stellar job of it.
Think about life? Wants? Koike wasn't insecure about reflecting about that. But about his decisions? He became slightly more nervous as they headed into the forest.
"I... I think I'll need some help with that. First time, eh." He paused briefly.
"Not ever give it much thought. Is it something you often do?" Koike asked, hoping to figure out a way on how he could 'meditate'.
The young woman smiled when they hit the first trees of the forest. She was truly happy in the arms of the Harvest Mother, no matter where she may have been,
"No one knows how to meditate. We must be taught. As for me...I meditate every night. I reflect on my day and make peace with whatever decisions I have made. The choices have been made, there is nothing I can do to change them...even if I could, should I? It could change everything I know about life. No...regrets are something I strive to eliminate." She drags him along until they hit a small river. Korina sat near the tree line on a whittled down stump.
"Sit in the grass and close your eyes. Listen to the water, we will use it as a conduit for your self reflection."
Swallowing, Koike remembered briefly his experience on the Isle of Barren. Though he sat down, crossing his legs and trying to keep his composure, he felt as every moment he would be confronted with the past in such a manner again.
"Okay... and now?" He asked, listening to the water. While he usually was good in listening and catching things with his senses, his nerves started to play with him.
Korina watched him quietly as he sat down. She stood up and gently laid a hand on his shoulder,
"Don't tense. Just listen. That is all. Focus on the water, only the water. The Cloud native laid both of her hands on his shoulders as she tried to be there. She didn't know why she wanted to but, she had a gut feeling that he needed someone to hold on to.
"I'm right here. I've got you. Just focus on the water."
Though he wanted to mutter that it wasn't working as he didn't have a book to lose his mind in, he focused on what she said. Trying to get lost in the sounds, he started to relax a bit. Slowly hearing the 'nibbling' sound of the river behind him, Koike focused further on her voice.
"Mhm... and?" He asked, kinda expecting to receive some 'divine' answer or stuff that would seem sur-real to him.
Korina smile a bit when she felt him relax,
"Now...just lose yourself. Let the sounds around you wash over you, but keep focusing on the river. Feel the stillness, feel the birds nesting in the tree behind us. Feel the vixen across the river that is giving birth to her kits. This is peace. There is no conflict, no battle to be fought, no decision to be made. This is true peace, your goal is to achieve this same stillness."
His distrust almost played up, suspecting her to pull a prank on him. But as he kept listening to the sounds, he remembered the training he had done with Aiko to get better in the art of Silent Killing. Focusing on the sounds, he started to identify them one by one. The soft breeze that passed, the river behind him and her breathing. While it was at first terrifying to 'lose' himself, he started to slowly embrace it.
Korina watched over him silently before she sat down behind him and met his back with her own. She mirrored his sitting position then closed her eyes. The intent was clear: she was there if he needed or wanted her, but she wasn't leaving him alone. As she meditated, she felt energy crawling along her torso and arms.
Focusing on the sounds, he noticed a slight change. Though it disturbed his focus, he kept hearing her breathing. Slowly the tension started to drift off. The pain, sorrow and guilt started to drift away. Names started to be pushed back as he felt how 'peace' started to take over. At least, it felt like that. Founding some comfort with her back against his, Koike didn't try to worry himself with what tomorrow would bring. It was still there, the worry, but it was further away at the moment than he ever had experienced.
Noticing the slight change in the tenseness of his back, Korina remained where she was. The energy kept flowing into her sealed arm, just as her own memories of the day flowed through her mind. From the Empress' welcoming smile to the sheepish grin of the owner of her current attire, the contempt of the Milky Eyes and Ladybugs, and the fierce protectiveness of her new owner...and finally to the confused smile of the young man at her back...She felt that she was exactly where she needed to be. She would find a place here, amongst the strange faces and smiling lies, her purpose was to be found here. She was at complete peace with herself, and that was worth every tear she'd shed on the way to the Empire.
After some silence, Koike half opened his eyes. Feeling still calm, he raised his head a bit.
"That... was... new." He softly said. Still focusing on the surroundings, he felt more at ease. Realizing that he didn't have his 'mental wall', he wondered if he was needing this all that time. Making a mental note of it, he would still sit still.
"Thanks.."
It took a few seconds for Korina to respond,
"It was my pleasure. How do you feel?" She asked. Her eyes were still closed and her breath was still even as she continued her own meditation. After another minute or two, her eyes opened slowly and her breathing returned to normal.
"Odd." He said, not sure how to express it in words.
"I... I've made some bad decisions." Pausing, Koike was wondering where the hell that came from. He frowned slightly, but he didn't grow tense again.
"It is certainly calming. I think.. I will do this more often." Koike became silent again, pondering on a decision.
"This might seem odd, but... would you mind to keep teaching me this?"
"And I have killed. It doesn't matter now...I took fathers and mothers away from their kids, and you have made decisions you regret...at the end of the day...they will still be dead and you will still have the knowledge of your deeds. Feel remorse...not regret." Her tone was gentle and understanding. She didn't want him to feel as though she were admonishing him or looking down on him. She identified with that tone in his voice.
"I would be more than happy to teach you more. Would you like to meet here in the evenings?"
Remorse. That was perhaps better than guilt and regret, but he couldn't yet shake it off. It still felt like he should pay for what he could've avoided. But perhaps meditating would help him to find that peace?
"I would be happy to do so. Only if it is no bother for you." He replied, though still sitting with his back against hers, even smiling a bit.
A chuckle escaped her chest in response to her new companion's words,
"I would have left you in the dango shop if you were a bother. We can meet here at sunset." She leaned against him carefully.
"You would? To be honest," he responded, closing his eyes,
"I thought you would send me flying for calling you a dog. Though," quickly speaking as he didn't want to give the wrong idea,
"in my clan canines are respect... Nothing bad at all!"
Her reply was silence, but her smile was serene. Koike's manner of speaking, his kindness was refreshing; the haunted look in his eye was comforting. He was probably bloodied, but here he was, concerned of her feelings associated to a word. It reminded her that there were still good people for every bad person she came across.
"It is OK. I am the Empress' Dog, her prized hyena. And that is fine. What I don't like to hear, are idiots that try to corrupt something so pure and simple. She doesn't chain me, she doesn't abuse me. To her, I am no animal, despite how I may refer to myself otherwise. I cherish my Empress, so to be given a nickname that associates me with her...it is bliss. I'll not have people that have forgotten their place dirty such a gift. And I guess...she has more cunning than I had initially thought..."
He listened to her and a soft chuckle escaped him.
"Sounds like her. She has... a certain appeal to her. That," he paused briefly as he thought of what he wanted to say,
"you got a nice laugh for a hyena. Not that I've heard one before... I.. read a lot." Koike wasn't sure why he felt the need to keep explaining himself now and then.
She laughed happily at his observation,
"Why thank you. Would you like to see one?"
"Only if you want to." He replied.
"I do have to apologize, but I.. I don't have a summoning." And inviting her over to his place caused his mind to only want to make him stop talking before he would say something stupid. Recalling back on how he had called her, he figured it would be better if he would find something to compliment her than some 'slur'.
"Quit apologizing, silly goose. You have your skills and I have mine. It is OK, I promise." He really was adorable, even if he was apologizing for nothing and everything at the same time. The young woman got up slowly then stretched out her arms and back, not unlike a cat, after all, hyenas were very catlike as well as doglike.
Feeling her stop leaning back, Koike rolled his shoulder as he nodded.
"I'll try to to stop then." Pocketing his right hand away he briefly glanced at the river. Trying to memorize the feeling and way how he had lost himself, Koike turned his gaze back on her.
"What do you clan call each other? I mean... is there a way how they address one or another in a way?"
She scrubbed her hands over her face as she shrugged off the relaxation off.
"Amongst my clan, I am referred to as 'Kiyohime'. It is a title of importance as I am the military leader of my clan. We have other terms, like my older adoptive sister is often called Kushinada-hime, which was the name of the first Kusanagi."
Hearing her answer, Koike thought about it.
"But is there a way to call somebody... euhm.." Thinking about how to explain what he meant, he made a gesture as he tried to explain it.
"In the Hon clan there is this certain tradition. Younglings and those who haven't yet proved them are being called pup. Those who are considered adults are called Wolf. It is kind of a way to ... honor a person. Cause calling you... a dog wouldn't sound that honorable, would it now?" He asked, raising his left hand to his neck.
He made a point, but it was one that seemed to answer its own question,
"Everyone in my clan is useful. You have to be to become a Kusanagi. We have no need to distinguish the young or unmarried. But we celebrate their growth and changes by calling them Tama--with new adults, or Mates--marriages. If you want a general term for me...you'll have to come up with one on your own." She winked at the young man then started to walk back towards the gates,
"Swimming or summoning first? And is your clan gonna be OK with you bringing home a strange young woman?"
Feeling slightly flustered, he tried to reply back.
"Fine. And... I don't know. I don't.." He didn't know actually. Then again the Hon's had accepted the Sarutobi and such before into their clan. Wouldn't this be similar then?
"I don't think they are that restricting. Not as much as the Milk Eyes and Ladybugs." That felt good to say, he thought as he walked beside her.
"And wouldn't your clan complain?" Koike asked back, trying to sound more confident.
Grinning at the look on his face, she playfully rested the tip of her finger against the middle of his chest,
"They aren't going to immediately demand that you marry me, right? As for my clan, they won't mind what I do as long as you maliciously hurt me. Which...you seem more than smart enough to not try." The Kusanagi leader hummed a little tune as they walked before she set both of her hands into her pockets.
"Of course, I am only visiting. But if your family has questions about mine, I am more than happy to answer what I can. I am unarmed, and completely helpless." The smirk on her lips as positively insidious, since she was sure they both knew she was more dangerous than she'd let on.
Trying to frown, Koike was unable to reply. He tried to surpress the faint reddish tint moving to this cheeks. But much to his displeasure, it started to shift over his face as his right eye twitched. He didn't really like to be that challenged, yet there was something alluring to it.
"Wait... Hang on." Shaking his head lightly, trying to stop to look like a tomato, he caught up with her.
"No of course they won't... wait.. " Getting the feeling he was being teased, Koike lowered his head a bit.
"I don't have anybody that would question you, to be fair." He mumbled.
Looking over her shoulder at the young man in front of her, she turned to face him and looked up at him. Korina smiled gently and slowly brought her left hand up to lift his chin.
"That is not what Kiyomi tells me. You have more family than you seem to believe. You're a damn good ninja, and my gut says that you're a good man. My gut is never wrong, so don't try to make it lie, it is impossible." The blush looked good on him, she had to admit, but she didn't want him to look so down. She gave a slight blush of her own, when she caught the earthy scent of nature coming from her tattooed left arm and hand. She began to step back,
"Sorry...this always happens after I meditate. She quickly made to hide the arm behind her back, as if that would really help...
Standing still, he flinched again. Starting to get tense as she lifted his chin up, Koike was more surprised than growing timid by her words. His nostrils widened as he caught the scent as well. Slightly a frown grown on his brow. It wasn't what he had caught up with his senses before.
"Thanks..." Smiling a bit, he averted his gaze again. Though making a note of the change. It was kinda suspicious, making him wonder.
"That's okay," he said as he had found a nickname for her as he thought about what they were going to do,
"troublemaker. Fitting, no?"
She colored a little more at the frown and moved away a bit more so she wouldn't offend him further.
"So uh...swim-hey! It was your idea!" She pouted at the man, her lip poked out and eyes rather watery, as she broke out the Puppy.
"Well, that is... pe--" He pocket his left hand as well.
"Please... stop. I'll figure a new nick." Koike replied, trying to figure out how to reply back without stuttering or making himself look like an idiot. Wondering for a moment how it came to be that he was acting so weird, Koike shoved it on the fact that it was probably because he didn't feel that stress out. Walking back into the village with her, he threw a glance around.
"But fine. We got to sneak into their compound. Probably the Hyuuga don't have anybody on watch or suspect... stuff like this." He thought out loud, only watching his volume to make himself audible for her.
Korina did a little dorky fist pump then hurried to catch up to him. When he spoke she tapped her chin a few times then grinned,
"Alright, I'll follow your lead then."
Nodding, he was thinking of how he and Katsu had managed to slip in. After getting through a checkpoint of the inner wall, it wouldn't take that long as they would see the wall of the Hyuuga compound.
"We could easily climb over it." He told her, standing half turned towards her.
"At this time, many are at work, so I don't suspect anybody." Considering the options and risks, he didn't want to back down now.
"Shall I go first? Then you will stand on the look out if nobody on this side is watching."
Nodding back, Korina agreed to his plan and kept her senses open. She looked around quickly then nodded to Koike that it was clear for him to start climbing. Quickly scaling the wall, deploying chakra at his feet, Koike placed his hands on the top. Peeking quickly over it, a smirk crack on his lips. Nobody to be seen and the house in front of them had a small pool. Moving over with a hop, twisting his body as he moved over to the other side, Koike whistled as he would drop himself.
Korina kept watch beneath the shade of the wall while Koike scaled it. There were few people out at this time of the day, so the coast was clear. When she heard the whistle, pumped chakra into her feet and pulled herself over the wall. Dropping down, she grinned at Koike,
"I would say 'Nice place' but...even their compound seems like it has a stick up its butt."
"And here I thought you would like to settle down?" Thinking about his comment, Koike decided to keep such lines in his head. It had sounded way funnier... and less implying. Glancing around again, he would walk calmly towards the small fence the was seperating them from the pool.
"Have to be honest, I've never done this before.." Waiting till she was at the fence too, he thought of a question.
"Ever done this kind of thing in Kumo?"
"My father says the same thing." She snickered as she followed him to the gate.
"So. This is my first time, so be gentle with me, okay Senpai?" Her eyes closed partly as she lowered her head a bit to look up to him through her lashes with a cop smile.
"I... what?" He kept his tone low as he noticed that there wasn't anybody he could spot.
"Okay, seems coast is clear." Putting off his jacket, he would then place his hands at the end of his shirt. Thinking about the fact that they didn't had a spare of clothes with them, he glanced at his black, short-sleeved, jacket.
"After this, you can borrow my jacket if you want." Pulling off his shirt, he glanced over his back to be sure that there nobody was there.
Snorting in amusement, she began to pull off the vest and mesh shirt with her back to him. She thanked him quietly, then pulled off the borrowed pants and shoes so she wouldn't ruin them. She was left in her chest bandages and some loose fitting shorts that reached her thigh. Walking to the edge of the pool, Koike had followed her example of kicking out his sandals.
"It seems cold.." Leaning a bit forward, he wondered about it.
Korina laughed and jumped right into the pool, uncaring if it were cold or not.
"The water's pretty warm." She told him after she surfaced.
"Much warmer compared to the lakes and rivers up in Sky Country." She splashed him with some of the water.
The water splashed against his face as she jumped into the water. Turning his head away, he raised his hands up for a moment, trying to fend off the water.
"You-- Hey!" Jumping into the water as well, he would surface a moment later. Squeezing his left eye close, he felt a shiver running down his spine.
"It isn't that warm though..." He mumbled, wishing for the first time in his life he had another element affinity than wind.
Swimming around idly on her back, she righted herself in the water when he splashed her. She sputtered and flailed a bit, though she laughed. She swam over to him as her laughter subsided,
"Well...you'll either get used to it or we can get out." She was having fun with him, but she didn't want him to get sick.
"No, no, it is fine." He said as he felt slightly becoming more tense as she came closer.
"I just take a moment to get used to it. Besides," Trying to float on his back, he places his hands at his head,
"it has been a heck of a time since I've been enjoying myself without doing something serious."
Korina nodded and floated as well, just relaxing in the water and in the sun.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Koike.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he let out a soft sigh.
"Hmmm." Opening his left eye to glance at her, he thought about something. Carefully moving his left hand, he was considering to flip her over.
Smiling at the feeling of the sun on her face, she lost herself in old memories. She couldn't wait to share her time with Amaiya. Speaking of, she wondered what she was doing or where she was. Amaiya was never one to just idle, so she figured the young woman was settling in the clan and herself. She felt a twinge of guilt in leaving her to it, but that disappeared quickly at the shove the older girl had given her out the door.
Cautiously moving his arm through the water, Koike sticked his tongue a bit out, focusing on his task. Wavering for a moment, he then decided that it was perhaps fun. Moving his hand to her, he would attempt to flip her as she seemed in thought.
"Boop." Wondering why he even made that sound, Koike let out a chuckle.
Caught off guard by the "Boop" Korina found herself face first in the water courtesy of Koike. She dipped below the water a few centimeters and flailed to right herself again. The feeling of the cool water on her warmed face was refreshing, but the playful glare in her eyes was anything but,
"Oh...is that how it's going to be?"
"Maybe..." He replied, moving his hands up as if he needed to prove he was harmless. Moving slightly back, Koike placed his left hand at the water surface.
"I found a nick for you." Trying to distract her, he would attempt to splash some water towards her. Her eyes narrowed as she watched his eyes while she kept his arm in her peripheral vision. As she had been taught by her summons, she had to watch and listen to her opponent to be the most effective. Not just one or the other.
"And what would that be?" She asked him before she ducked under the water to avoid the splash. She retaliated upon surfacing by using the splash from that as a cover for her own mini-wave of water.
Raising his right hand in an attempt, which failed, to defend himself against the wave, he spluttered for a moment.
"Well,..." Splashing a wave back, he tried to think of how to word it.
"Aika... Sounds good, doesn't it?" He asked. Ducking again, she squealed a bit when she was met with a face full of water.
"What does Aika mean?" She asked as she splashed back.
Wanting to answer back, he lowered his hand, resulting in getting more water splashed in his face.
"G-Guess." Ducking under, he would attempt to swim a bit a way. Surfacing he gasped for a moment as he was reminded that chuckling underwater wasn't ideal. Grinning at him, she finally relented and shrugged,
"It is...the name of your dick?"
"................."
Staring at her with a most uncomfortable expression as he couldn't answer that question, he swore that he could just sit in a field with tomatoes without anybody ever noticing him.
"What..." Not even sure what to think of the question, he wasn't even sure what to reply back.
Laughing loudly at his face, Korina held her stomach as she tried to kick up to keep from sinking into the water. She managed to hold onto the edge of the pool and pulled herself out with her well toned arms, then turned to sit with her feet in the water.
"You just said guess. You didn't say it had to be a good one! You are so red!"
Looking away, he couldn't reply back for some time. He felt too flustered as embarrassed to respond back.
"That... doesn't mean you..." Shooting a glare at her for a moment, he huffed.
"I don't ask about your c-c-c-c-.... It was just a nick."
"You are too adorable, you know that? Ok, ok, I'll stop teasing. But really...what does it mean?" She asked once he had called down some.
"Nice song." He mumbled as he would also pull himself up to sit on the edge.
"Found it fitting due your laugh." Rolling his right shoulder, Koike sighed as he frowned at her.
"Are they all like this up north?"
She blushed at his praise then looked away,
"I uh...thank you. I guess I should come up with a name for you now, eh?" Swiping water off of her face, she looked at him out of the corner of her eye,
"Not really. Most of us have our...quirks. Mine is just that...I'm like this when I'm not on duty...is...it a problem? Do you want me to stop?"
Feeling somewhat more confident as he was able to make her look away, he shrugged.
"I don't think that you'll stop. That... and it is kinda fun. Sometimes," he said, raising his left eyebrow,
"unless I'm starting to look like a vegetable. Though," debating on something he decided to risk it.
"It isn't actually 'nice'. It means... well, it's cheesy. It is.. love. And then song."
She looked back at him, a few emotions played across her face as she struggled not to read too much into his words. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion then widened a little in surprise. Then she looked away again, mouth turned upwards in a concentrated expression even as she bit her lower lip slightly. Her heart raced, as evidenced by the narrowing of her pupils, and the irises began to glow due to the orange red tones as they reacted to her fight or flight response. Then she cleared her throat,
"So...you nicknamed me 'Love Song' because...of my laugh?"
A bit surprised by the change in her composure, he caught sigh of the glow. Attracted to the color, he tilted his head a bit, trying to catch a better sight of it.
"Is it that weird than?" He asked, starting to feel like he was getting the upper hand. At least she was now the one who was getting shy!
"I think it beats.. the hell out of being called dog. And it is relevant... to your laugh that is!"
Korina blushed again as her eyes bled more into the orange amethyst she has yet to see for herself. She looked over at him then smiled a little,
"Not weird but...people will talk. A name that translates to Love Song...tongues will wag. And we're the new game in town so...I don't want you to...ugh...I can't...I don't..." She blew out a breath and ran her fingers through her still damp hair.
"But...it is a nice nick name. So...thank you."
"And I care?" Shrugging, Koike leaned a bit back as he glanced at the water surface.
"I'm not interested in what people say about me. My own clan regards me high due what I inherit." He paused for a moment, feeling that his sarcastic tone was ruining the whole moment.
"Besides, weren't you going to show them who was boss?" A smirk appeared as he noticed she was starting to blush more, making him wonder if he should try to continue.
"It.. is nice. You blushing."
Blushing harder at the acknowledgement she met his eyes,
"In my defense, it is not every day that someone names out after your laughter after a love song after just meeting them, ok?" She blew her bangs out of her face.
"And I will. But I don't want you to feel used. I ..don't know what is going on but..." She trailed off.
"What?" An amused smile appeared on his lips as he threw a skeptical look at her. He was still wondering if he wasn't going too far with teasing her, but it made him feel more in control. And it was fun.
"You don't? Perhaps you could express it?" He joked, meaning it in a way as the meditation.
"If only I didn't sound like a complete stalker creep." She snorted and scratched her head. [Color=lightblue[ "I know that...this is really forward but...I really enjoyed this. So...do you...maybe wanna...y'know...go on a date...sometime...kinda?"[/color]
He snickered for a moment as he then became surprised by her 'question'. Becoming silent for a moment, he felt his stomach twisting a bit as he felt both great as conflicted.
"I would kinda.. like that." He replied, nodding slowly.
"Yeah... kinda."
She felt a flutter in her stomach and smiled at him happily,
"Good. Er...um...so...that summon yeah? We should probably go just in case someone gets home." Standing up, she felt that her bandages were dry enough and began to dress.
"Oh! Oh!" Getting up, he had totally forgotten that they were at a place they weren't supposed to be. Putting on his sandals, he tried to nod at first as reply.
"Yeah! Sounds..." Picking up his shirt, he would also start to get dressed.
"Like a plan. By the way, this..." Still with half his short over him, Koike paused.
"was fun... thanks."
Quickly putting on her shirt, she stopped halfway down to look at him as smiled gently,
"It was a lot of fun. And my pleasure." She hurriedly pulled down the shirt then put on her borrowed vest, though she did hand back his jacket.
"If our date goes well...I might just be taking this off your hands. Just warning you now." She teased him with a smirk.
"Or," he said as he gently pushed her hand back,
"you can keep it. Probably looks better on you." After finishing his sentence, Koike swear that he was capable of slamming his head against a wall. Who even said that? Smiling in a nervous fashion, he gestured to the gate of the fence.
"Let's first get away before anybody sees us... though that would be fun."
She looks at the garment in her hand then pulled off the vest to put it on.
"What do you think?" She asked as she modeled it for him. When he mentioned that they should leave she offered the vest to him then hurriedly climbed back over the wall.
Following her, he dropped on the other side of the wall. Noticing that his hair was still damp, he ran his left hand through his hair as he glanced at her.
"Suits you better." Pocket his left hand he would glance around. But he doubted that somebody was paying much attention to them.
"How is the north actually? I always imagined it to be way colder.... or well.. might just be me."
Waiting for him, she walked alongside him with a smile. She cuddled up into his jacket then cracked her knuckles,
"Much colder than here. Stormy, some snow, rocky mountains so there is always a cold wind. But, it is nice in its own way." She shrugged.
"Sounds more interesting than this weather most of the time." He said, meaning those words. While he loved the warm and relaxing climate, he was wondering about how life was up north. Perhaps it was a nice change of pace, though he doubted if he would ever get up there. There were no open borders between Kumo and Akino so far he knew. Heading towards a training field, he decided to ask her a question.
"So... about this date. What... euh," trying to find the words, he thought about them,
"anything specific you want to do? I mean, I can think some things."
"Well...I am unsure as to what goes on around here... She really didn't think about that. Regardless though, she was sure that no matter what they did....she would have fun.
Having an idea, he wasn't sure if it would be a sucess.
"I can think of something. How about we meet up...." Not wanting to ask her too soon, he decided to keep it 'cool'.
"Tomorrow at the spot where we meditated? At 9 PM?" Suggesting it, he already had a plan that he was working out.
Caught off guard by the time, she could only nod in agreement. She had a date!
"How should I dress, like warm?" She asked him.
"A bit." Was his response as he thought more about his plan.
"Is there something you like or dislike? As in food." Thinking quietly, she thought about his question then shook her head in the negative.
"Okay," he replied back, as they would get near the fields,
"I know something. But you'll see." Feeling slightly that he was starting to rant a bit too much, he would lower his head a bit.
With a smile, which she felt was going to get stuck on her face, she bumped into him gently,
"I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever you have planned." Korina looked around at the fields and just strolled leisurely with the older man. Smiling, a tad nervous, Koike glanced around. He was growing more curious, but didn't think he should keep bothering her with all kind of questions. Korina played with her fingers as she basked in the quiet atmosphere. She caught the look on his face and said,
"Go ahead."
"Hmm?" Looking a bit surprised, he shook his head.
"No, no. I was just wondering, Aika." The nick rolled of his tongue and made him feel slight more comfortable.
"Think this is a good place to summon." Personally a bit glad that he could remain silent, Koike grew curious for the hyena.
"Impatient, hm? Okay." she grinned up at him but moved away so she could have some room. When she was satisfied, she ran her thumb under the mesh shirt and split it open. With the blood running down her wrist, she swiped it over the ground then placed her hand on the ground. She said the words before smoke erupted from beneath her. When it cleared, there was a maniacal laugh as a massive tan furred beast with a black spotted hide and black muzzle stood beneath her. The beast's head was at about Korina's chest height, though it's true height factored in the hunch at its back. It's eyes held an intelligence that not even some humans possessed, a curious mix of Amber and honey. The summon's maw was rife with teeth, most sharpened but the duller molars belied a crushing force that many would underestimate. Korina stood on its hunched back, though the summon didn't seem to mind.
"Well, well, Pup. What is this you have brought me? You used more blood than usual so I assume a battle is not in order." The distinctly feminine voice sounded amused as she let her eyes roam over the male in front of her.
"He is friendly, Shiko. Koike, this is Shiko, my personal summon and the representative of her clan of hyenas, the Spotted Hyenas. Shiko, this is Koike. He is most curious about you." she introduced them.
Nodding towards the hyena, Koike wasn't eager to move closer. Having seen what several animals could do, he wasn't feeling rather comfortable with the sight of the jaws of the femine hyena in front of him. It took him however a moment to realize that it was a femine. Noticing something off, Koike scratched his neck for a second.
"Good... day." He wavered for a moment, not being the best in greetings. Keeping his calm composure up, Koike wasn't sure how to properly converse with a hyena.
The hyena cackled at the nervousness in his eyes as Korina sat down in the valley between head and hunch. The hyena was more than big enough for her to ride on without being much of a burden. Shiko looked back at her summoner,
"You have found quite the male. He seems pretty docile." Korina snorted inelegantly before the summon looked back at Koike.
"A healthy fear is a good fear, remember that male. Now, what questions did you have for me?" The hyena laid down on her stomach and crossed one paw over the other as she awaited his words.
Opening his mouth slightly, Koike wanted to reply back. The fact he was considered docile stroke against his pride, but he closed his mouth again. Slightly lowering his head a bit, he decided to just ask what he was pondering about.
"Well, for one I was wondering..." A certain image flashed before his mind, briefly causing Koike to pause.
"They say that hyena's are scavengers. I was wondering how much of that is true."
Shiko didn't seem surprised by the question.
"Most are. My clan, however, are mostly hunters. We only scavenge when food is scarce. But as you can tell, we are too big to get by on picking bones." The answer was clear and concise with no hint of sarcasm or snobby pride.
"Yeah, I can see that." His eyes briefly moved his gaze to the content that was revealed as the animal spoke back. Not wanting to test out himself on how much the bites of such jaws could destroy, Koike raised his right hand to his chin.
"Don't take this wrong, but I was wondering about your earlier comment." Pausing briefly, he made a short gesture with his hand.
"Are females of your species truly dominant or is that more based on the looks of things?"
"We are a matriarchal society. So yes, the females are the dominants ones. Our weakest female still outranks our strongest male. The males must come to us if they wish to mate, and we are much bigger than they are." Again she was professional in her words and manner of speaking.
For some reason, he wasn't really comfortable with that idea. Though it was probably not that much difference if he glanced back on his own experience with women so far.
"Alright, last question. Sorry for bothering you," Flashing an apologetic smile, he continued,
"Are you more canine or feline?" Deciding that it was a better question that kept haunting him in his mind, Koike decided it was for the best to keep that one for himself.
"That is a good question...we are equally both." Shiko said with a small grin The hyena snickered a bit, "We hunt and bite like cats, but we cooperate like wolves. We look like dogs but, we sleep like cats." She answered.
Listening to the cryptical answer, Koike slowly nodded.
"That gives a clear idea." He flashed another smile, followed by a short nod.
"Thanks for your patience and answers." Still not comfortable with the large animal, Koike finally managed to push the question if she was truly a female or male into the back of his mind.
"It was a pleasure, Male. She turned her gaze to the human on her back,
"Do you require anything of me, Little One?" Korina smiled and ran her fingers through the summon's fur along the crest of her head.
"How about you stay out for a while? I know you can get irritated on the plains. Do you want me to stay?"
"It matters not to me, Pup." Contrary to her words though, the hyena walked off, not giving her summoner a chance to get off of the animal.
Tilting his head a bit, Koike blinked twice as he wasn't sure if he should follow or wait. Deciding that the latter was perhaps for the best, he was seriously debating if he should call out or do something.
"I'll... wait here?" He said, not really sure if he was being audible.
"Silly Koike. Come with us." She said with a smirk as the hyena chuckled. Together, summoner and summon laugh at his look but the hyena watis for him to catch up.
Suprirsed for a moment, he would quickly walk to catch up with them. Walking at the hyena's right, Koike kept some distance between him and the animal. He briefly threw a sideways glance at the two, but was feeling comfortable enough to just walk without trying to get a conversation going.
The two began to converse about the going on in the Traia Plains, the home of the Hyenas. Korina grinned at the man besides her and winked at him. The hyena chuckled at the puppy love but made no comment. Noticing the wink and the chuckle that followed, Koike tried to keep up his composure. He was listening a bit to the conversation between Shiko and Korina, but he was more thinking about something he had noticed earlier today. Glancing once more in a sideways manner at the big animal, Koike wondered how many scared preys had fallen for the ferocious looking canines.
When the three had gone some way, Korina directed her mount towards a makeshift camp. The space the camp encompassed was expansive, and featured a variety of tents, campfires, and stalls of people selling handmade wares.
"Welcome to the Kusanagi compound, Koike." Someone made a whooping sound and most of the heads turned up. At once, there was a cheer of "Kiyohime!" and the place became even more alive than before. By habit Shiko made her way through the camp, and nuzzled the little ones that hurried to place bows on her fur as they babbled in their foreign kid language. Korina slipped off of the beast, only to be met with warm hugs and greetings from her people. She motioned for Koike to come to her side,
"You've shown me some of your world...allow me to show you some of mine?"
He hadn't expected the camp. More than just a bit surprised, he could understand that the camp was made away from the town center and other compounds, but he hadn't expect to be brought her. Flashing a smile, a bit nervous, he glanced around at the clan. Though he managed to stay on the background, he felt more out of place as he had no idea how to pose himself. Pulling his hands out of his pockets, not wanting to give a closed off stance, Koike kept following Shiko and Korina. With her motioning him to come to her side, he wavered for a second. Silently coming to her, he tried to ccraft up a more friendly expression - which wasn't going that well.
Korina took his hand in her own and led him through the gathering crowd. She walked him through the bazaar and showed him the herbal incenses and handmade candles from one craftsman, then showcased the leather work of another. All around them, chatter and barters were haggled over, metal rang against metal as a Smith worked his forge, and the exotic scents of spices mixed with the heavy Tang of the smithy. Fresh and bright fruits and vegetables laid within baskets to the stand to the left, and to the right were beautiful gems, baubles, and other jewelry.
Despite his awkwardness, the Kusanagis welcomed Koike enthusiastically with offers to sample various foods or goods. Discounts were announced and free items were offered with his purchase. Other clan members, visiting sects due to their brightly colored garb, paid their respects to their military leader. Needless to say, it was chaotic, but there was an underlying motivation of welcoming. All were welcomed as long as no one acted aggressively.
Still feeling out of place, Koike sqeeuzed her hand softly. While he enjoyed the atmosphere as it was refreshing, it was also suffocating. The amount of people started to make him tense a bit, though he kept up a smile - which still seemed a bit nervous. Though it had something alluring. The hospitality was one he hadn't expected, certainly not by being an outsider.
"Focus on one thing. Anything you want." She felt his hand squeeze her own and hoped she could relieve his stress a bit. While the man composed himself, Korina began to interact and filter the interactions to Koike. She joked that it was a new experience for him, so to take it easy. There was laughter, but the stalls and clan members backed off, but their excitement was palpable.
Flustered by the laughter, Koike wondered about something. He didn't feel at home at his own clan, afraid of their expectations and that he would fail them. But now he was afraid that he would fall out of a clan that was so welcoming towards him.
"Somewhere to sit would be okay." He replied back, managing to look more composed. Mentally? He wasn't sure if he should embrace it or be skeptical why they were so welcoming. Deciding to not fret over it, Koike took in some details of the nomadic clan.
A chair was brought for the young man to sit on while Korina shopped about. She spent quite a bit of time near the spices before she bought about a pound's worth of powdered spices. Once that was done, she bought a skin of water for Koike to sip on as well as some jerky for a snack. She tossed a cut of mountain elk towards Shiko, whom snapped it up happily.
"Want a snack?" She asked as she set a necklace of beautifully cut beads and amber on his shoulder.
Sitting down, Koike managed to relax a bit. He threw a glance around, wanting to take it all in and yet stop with comparing it to other experiences.
"No, no. I'm more than fine." He replied back. Taking a sip of the water, not wanting to be looking rude or distrustful, Koike half closed his eyes as he let out a sigh.
"Am okay with just sitting." Managing to keep his smile somewhat up, he offered her the water back, glancing to his left again.
She took the skin back and drank heartily. She swiped a bit of water from her chin with the back of her wrist then looked over her clan,
"I forget how...overwhelming my clan can be. We can be quite rambunctious, I'm sorry for forgetting. But...you're safe here. They've seen you in my company, you're welcomed here...as are your coins." She joked with him.
Taking a slight bite of the jerky, he leaned a bit back in the seat. Hearing her joke, he threw a frown back at her.
"And here I thought that you said 'anything I want'." Realizing that could come over, he averted his gaze. He was really bent on making a fool of himself today. Taking another bite, he threw another look around. It, the clan, was different, but yet alluring.
Raising an eyebrow, Korina leaned her elbows on her knees and smirked,
"Well...I am sure we can negotiate. What is it that you want, exactly?" Her tone was challenging as was the almost sultry look made by her lips and eyes. Swallowing, Koike straightened his back a bit as he tried to come up with a fitting reply back.
"I would .. like to know what is being offered then. Perhaps I can then do a counter-offer?"
Korina looked him over, her jaw working as she contemplated a reply,
"I am...a leader, Koike. My people always come before me...and my Empress comes before me. I don't have much to offer, but...the lives we lead are short...very short. So...I won't bear around the bush here. I like you, a lot. I don't need an answer now, or in a few days, or in a month. But here is my offer: I'm not a jealous woman. But I can love strongly. I am loyal, but I have many responsibilities. Should my Empress ask me to strike you down, I will. I may hesitate, but I will not disobey my Empress. These are my truths, and my ninja way. If you decide that you can handle these truths...I would like to maybe...make this a thing. I'm not saying that we should be exclusive or that I want a relationship right now....my responsibility to the clan makes me incapable of being...truly faithful...But if you decide the risks are worth it...I am willing to go ahead with that date."
The words made his smile vanish. Responsibilities. The sound of that chain was one he was far too familiar with. While he felt warm when she admitted that she liked him, Koike felt the guilt boiling up for a second. Half closing his eyes, he thought about her words. Leaning on his knees with his elbows, he remained silent as he seemed to consider it all.
"I feel honored. Truly, I can't express it in any way." He began flashing a smile back at her.
"I.. I think that I already gave my answer when I decided to sneak into the Hyuuga compound with you today. If you're willing, so am I." Though he felt something of his chest, he wasn't sure how to proceed further.
"Besides, I rather deal with truths than lies. Think I can relate. A little bit though."
Korina's face had fallen when his smile vanished. She had been preparing for his rejection so she almost hadn't heard him. It took a few seconds for his words to process in her mind, but when they did, she smiled so brightly she could have blinded herself.
"Thank you. And I am willing to work. I swear it. So don't think a little trouble is gonna get in my way!" She struggled to not tackle him in a hug and settled for gripping his forearm instead.
"Are you ready to go home? The clan is going to be packing away their wares for the night soon."
Smiling back, he felt growing more odd at the passing second.
"I am." Surprisingly he managed to reply in a calm fashion.
"I'll see you tomorrow evening?" Koike asked, slowly getting up. Wondering for a moment about something, he tried to become less tense.
"And thank you too, Aika."
"Alright then. I will see you tomorrow...Daiki." She winked at him with her own nickname and stood to walk him to the edge of the property.
"And you're welcome...but the pleasure was mine. Have a good night, and sleep well, OK?"
Nodding slowly, Koike pocket his right hand.
"Same goes to you, Aika. Good night and till tomorrow evening." Waiting a few seconds, he wavered, but took a step backwards. Though his curiosity got the better of him.
"Though mind filling me in... what does my nick mean?" For a few seconds he wanted to add something to it, but found it improper to say such a thing.
"Greatly valuable, great nobility, strength as great as a strongest tree, a strong source of radiance...take your pick." She answered with an honest smile.
"Now get going before the moon rises."
Half turning around, he thought about it.
"If I had to pick," a smile crept on his lips for a moment,
"it would've been you. Goodnight." Turning around, he would start walking. It was tempting to look over his shoulder, but he decided to keep on walking. Slightly moving his gaze up, he wondered about today. It hadn't been that bad as he had been afraid for.
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Training?
Momo's stealth training session!
Collab with Shadowy,
Summary :
Momo receives training in the basic of Silent Killing.
[spoili]
Okay, she can't look into his eyes... big deal. Its a respect thing!
Koike and Momo start her new training!
A collaboration between Geroooo and Shadoooow
A loud pounding stirred Momo from her sleep, and in an attempt to cling onto the last bits of sweet sleep, she placed her pillow over her head. The pounding continued until, groaning, she got out of bed and shuffled towards the door as she was going to search for the source of the sound. When she got into the hall and looked around, the pounding stopped for a few moments and then continued, louder than before.
Grumbling and crossing her arms, Momo stormed into the kitchen, seeing her father trying to attach a leg back to the kitchen table.
"What the hell is going on?" she mumbled, crossing her arms and glaring down at him.
"I can't get the leg back on the table." he said, resuming the pouding. He was apparently trying to attach the leg by smashing it against the table, as if that would work.
"Dad, you need nails ya know." she said, stretching.
"Where's Ayama? And what time is it?"
"She's in the backyard playing with Lee. Since she's been able to crawl, she loves to be out there." he said leaning back away from the table.
"And its almost noon. Why?"
"NOON!!!" she screamed, causing the man to jump in surprise. Giving her a confused face, he nodded. Turning on her heels, Momo ran back to her room and proceeded to get ready in the fastest time she ever had before. When she returned to the kitchen, she gave her dad a kiss on the cheek and ran out to the backyard to do the same to Ayama and Lee. When she jogged back inside, she sat by the door and pulled her shoes on.
"Headband." she heard her dad say from behind her. Turning, she saw him standing there with a smile, holding her forehead protector out to her. Smiling back and taking it, she put it on and waved to him before leaving.
As she ran towards the meeting place, the training fields to be precise, she started checking to make sure she had everything else. Adjusting her belt and fixing her hair and such as she made her way there. When she arrived, she slowed her jogging and looked around, totally ashamed that she was an hour or so late.
Leaning against a tree with his back, Koike was weaving handsignals in what seemed to be an endless sequence. In a calm and repetive order, he kept forming the signals as he was moulding his chakra. Focusing on his training as he was waiting on the latecomer, he kept focusing on the surroundings. Which was only making his task to focus on not screwing up his training. Knowing the consquences and the pain from past failures, Koike would slowly stop as decreasing the pace. Letting out a sigh, he placed his hands at his knees as he would decide to wait a bit longer for the late comer.
Momo continued to curiously look around as she walked further into the training field. She was about to call out his name when she saw Koike a little ways off leaning up against a tree. Shameful guilt started to crash down on her head as she walked over to him, feeling bad she had kept him waiting for so long. Momo had to start getting better sleep at night, or perhaps going to bed at a reasonable hour. Or... invest in ear plugs.
When she reached his side, she crossed her arms and waited to be spoken to.
"You're late." Koike said, not even looking up as he had detected her coming. Frowning, he glanced up to Momo from his sit.
"What was the reason that you came a hour later?" He calmly asked, slowly his right eyebrow being raised as he would wait for her answer.
"I stayed awake too long last night and slept in." she said, suddenly noticing that even sitting he was tall.
"It won't happen again." she assured, a moment later.
"I hope indeed not. Training or mission, I thought I had made myself quite clear." With his calm tone becoming more serious, he seemed to be quite displeased with her reason.
"But I will let bygones be bygones, for this single time. Already wasted a hour, can't waste another one on lecturing you." He mumbled as he gestured her to sit down, which she did, mumbling a thank you for him overlooking her tardiness.
"Today I want to start training you in stealth. From all the members of the team, you're currently the only lacking in it." He calmly stated, pausing for a moment.
"Do you know anything regarding what is called Silent Killing?"
When Momo sat down, she crossed her legs comfortably and listened to Koike speak. He sounded irritated, which was understandable.
"Stealth? Silent Killing? I... can't say I know much about it. Though the name makes me think it should be obvious what it is." she said.
"And, I can be quiet. I wouldn't say I'm lacking in stealth." she said, a light pout forming on her face.
"That is half of it." He stated, keeping his calm tone and composure.
"A common mistake made. Let's test it out. I want you to remain silent for one minute. And during that time I want you to mentally make note of what you just heard. All of it." After instructing her, he nodded towards her.
"Ready?"
"Seems simple enough I guess." she said, raising her brow.
"I'm ready."
"Good. Your time goes now in." Koike said, silently counting down as he would become silent. Nodding, Momo closed her eyes and fell silent as well, listening to the sounds of the area, without bothering to focus on one thing over another. Each time she heard something new, she made a mental note of it. She compiled a list in her head of even the smallest sounds, likely placing the same thing on the list twice to remember it. She herself tried not to make much noise, as Koike seemed to have fallen completely silent. She would think she was alone if he hadn't been sitting next to her. Despite trying her best, she couldn't keep from hearing her slow heartbeat, or the faint sound of her breathing. Deciding not to dewll on it, she contiued to listened, thinking the minute seemed a lot longer than it was.
"Time is up." He informed her as he then paused.
"And?"
"Hmm..." she mumbled, opening her eyes and rubbing them, holding back a yawn. Was she nearly about to fall asleep? Blinking a few times, she thought back and started listing the sounds she heard.
"The loudest was my heartbeat. I could hear my breathing, the birds in the tree above us. Something fell, perhaps a branch. There was some shuffling of the leaves, probably due 'ta the wind; same for the grass. There was the faint sound of water and splashing... that is all I can remember." she said, notiving when she glanced down at her lap that her blue hairpin had falling next to her leg. Picking it up, she would put it back in her hair, pinning her bangs to the side and clearing her face of any hair in the way.
"And that was all you heard?" He asked, sounding for a reason amused. Koike briefly glanced at the waterfall before back at Momo.
"May I also ask why you closed your eyes during the one minute?"
"Yes, that's all I heard." she confirmed. Pausing as he asked why she closed her eyes, she wondered if it was a mistake or something.
"I closed them 'ta keep from focusing on one thing at a time. Or even perhaps seeing something move and assuming it made a sound I heard."
"And that is why you're now dead." Koike said. She would feel a soft pat on her head. If she would turn around, she would be just in time to notice a shadow clone that poofed away.
"Your eyes are vital for you. While it is heavily implied that Silent Killing is training your hearing, it is still advised to use your other senses. Ears, nose and what not. If you don't, you'll risk the fact that it will be used against you." Gesturing to behind her, where the clone stood.
"Like giving your foe the chance to make a clone while you kept your eyes shut for a whole minute."
Blinking as her head was patted, Momo looked confused for a moment until it was explained to her what she had done wrong. She had assumed that since she was with someone she could trust, she let her guard down and did something she wouldn't normally do. Pouting at the simple mistake, she continued to listen to his words, making a mental note to remember them.
"Got it." she said when he was done talking, turning and looking behind her for a moment before back at him.
"Good. Do know that there are several ways and factors that can make the whole style of Silent Killing void. The waterfall for example," pointing at it with his left thumb, Koike continued further.
"It blocks some sound and due we're not as good as for example most canines, we won't be able to hear and distinguish most other sounds. Footsteps and other 'alarming' signals will be blocked out. This is why most people that excell in Silent Killing also have decent tactical insight."
Waiting to let the words sink in, Koike thought of a new test.
"There is also moving to it, but we will get there later. Now, instead of closing your eyes, I want you to stare at the waterfall and then start to note any sounds you hear. This time, say them out loud and try to... hint in which direction they are as the distance."
"Okay I'll try it!" she said, scooting on her bottom until she was facing the waterfall. She looked at it, admiring how pretty it was, and crossed her arms across her chest. Focusing on it, she started to listen to some sounds she heard rather than the water. After a few moments of saying nothing, she spoke.
"I hear the water." she said, frowning and pausing.
"And... I hear..." she stopped talking then and she squinted as she started thinking.
"the water." she said sighing and looking at him.
"I'm not the water, am I now?" Koike replied, slightly frowning as he gestured back to the waterfall.
"Keep looking at it. But focus on what is around you. It is hard, but keep trying. Eventually you might pick something up." He told her, telling her almost the exact same words that he had memorized from his training.
Huffing and turning her head back to face the waterfall, she couldn't help the look of frustration on her face. Sighing again, she decided it was best not to be impatient and just listen. Studying the waterfall, Momo was telling her mind to not listen to the water, but to everything else. The struggle was that her eyes were
forcing her to listen to the water and nothing else. The one thing she could hear was her heartbeat, but she didn't think that counted.
After some time, Momo started to get bored with the waterfall and her focus from it started to fade. Reaching up to scratch her head, she was about to say something when she heard something.
"Birds." she said aloud, resisting the urge to look up and away from the waterfall.
"Where? Distance?" Koike asked, waiting for her reply as he would calmly fold his hands together.
"Five meters above us." she said, desperately wanting to look and confirm.
"Wrong, try again." He replied calmly. His eyes went to his right, before back at her.
Huffing, Momo stretched out her legs and placed her hands a little behind her, leaning back and still staring at the waterfall.
"This isn't working." she said, voicing her complaint but still focusing on what she was being asked. She didn't want to just start blurting out answers, and so Momo started again, looking at the water but not really focusing on the sound it was making. She heard shuffling again and the sound of wings flapping.
"They..." she paused as the wind picked up and the sound of leaves rustling drowned out everything.
When the wind calmed, her eyes narrow as she could no longer hear the birds. Had they flown away?
"I dont hear them anymore."
"That is because they settled down." Was the reply of Koike.
"Around ten meters to the right." He frowned.
"Make it fifteen." Koike corrected himself as he looked back at her.
"This isn't going to be easy and getting frustrated is normal. But that isn't a good reason to give up. Keep trying."
Running a hand over her face, Momo sat up straighter and took a deep breath. Rubbing her eyes with the palm of her hand, she mumbled out her frustrations before patting her face a few times.
"I can do this." she said to herself. Still looking at the waterfall, she started to listen for anything that seemed like movement. She knew there were sounds there. Before, when she wasn't forced to stare at something, it was easy to sense them. It was curious how her brain blocked out the sounds as soon as it seemed to focus on something else.
It seemed sudden when the sound of chirping came to her, and her eyes widened in excitement.
"Birds!" she said, her tone cheerful. They were singing, back and forth, the tones of them sounded the same but there was surely more than one. The more she focused on the sound, the clearer it became.
"Ah... okay." she said snapping her fingers a few times.
"Above us... still to the right?" she paused as she thought of the distance.
"Distance... distance..." she mumbled, her blue eyes further squinting at the water as she thought of the distance. She wanted to throw something, one of her kunai or shuriken in the direction and see how long it took to hit something, and determine distance that way. Though... that would probably be cheating.
"I can't tell how far they are." she said honestly, not wanting to give a wrong answer.
"I am not expecting you will." Was Koike's blunt answer.
"You're just beginning this. Don't expect to be able to hear and separate every piece of sound. It took me years to get where I'm now. Keep focusing." He advised her, surprised for a moment by remaining calm.
"Now, try it again."
Momo wanted to scream and throw a tantrum, but resisted since she was oddly encouraged by his... calm demeanor. His words were reassuring a little and it was enough to keep her from giving up just yet.
"Alright." she said.
"Can't I look at you instead? The waterfall is getting old."
"Fine with me. Keep focusing on your hearing." Koike replied back. Briefly his eyes moved to the left as he had heard something, but remained silent himself as his eyes would shift back to Momo. Grinning, Momo hopped on her bottom, turning until she was facing Koike and tilted her head, looking at him. Her eyes met his and held his gaze for a few seconds before she glanced away, looking instead at his hands, feet, shoulders. Anything but his face really. It was... awkward staring into his eyes.
Taking some moments to focus again, Momo strained her ears to pick up the sounds around her. Absently her fingers twirled the ends of her hair that rested on her shoulder, blue eyes gazing at her comrade. It took some time for her to hear the birds again, and when she did, instead of saying she heard them, she just listened to them for some time. She could tell the direction to some extent, but the distance... Momo couldn't figure it out. It was difficult for her since she always relied on her eyes to calculate distance between her and a target. She literally hated this.
Waiting patiently he watch her as he wondered if she was starting to get the basics done. Noticing that she was trying to catch on to something, something that he could read from her, Koike would softly clear his throat.
"Try to make a guess. It is all based on experience and guesses. My guesses aren't one hundred procent accurate either, so don't worry about that."
After a tiring hour, Koike nodded.
"That was almost. Three meters in difference, but you're getting there." Deciding that it was enough as they had been sitting for quite some time, Koike got up.
"I recommend you train this every night. Half a hour, just paying attention to what you can hear and smell. Write it down and then try to see if you were correct."
Sighing as she had gotten it wrong again, Momo nodded but didn't stand up as Koike did. Instead she groaned and flopped down on her back. She'd forgotten how hard and frustrating it was to do trainings for new things, as she had been used to doing her same training routine. Staring up at the sky and then looking at him, she was going to say something, then decided against it. Instead she just nodded and closed her eyes. The weather was so nice... and there was no screaming baby to ruin the moment.
Yup, she was totally investing in ear plugs.
Noticing that she was exhausted, Koike simply nodded. Making no sound, he would turn around and walk away. Pocketing his hands, he considered a team training. One that would likely make Momo more in trouble as well giving some difficulties towards Kazuo and Katsu. But if every thing would go as planned...
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