[fieldbox=Start of Operation : Deadly Whisper, wheat]
Koike Hon,
Specialized Jounin | Akinian military, Konoha Team 6| Konohagakure, Wolf's Den.
The young man walked up the street in a calm pace. His hands stuffed in the pockets of his pants, Koike was wondering what would be the next operation. He had received a note from a 'mice' of Kiyomi that detailed he was required to meet up what was nicked as the Wolf's Den. While he had no reason to be wary, somehow the whole mysterious happening and past operation had made him cautious. Not that he would be able to decline to do an operation if any of the higher up would 'request' him to do so. Else he would be a poor shinobi. At least, in his opinion. Heading to a small bar that was surprisingly open at 11:00 AM, Koike walked into the establishment as the door was open. A bald man behind the counter eyed the Hon.
"Can I help you?" He asked. Nodding, Koike would walk to the counter as he would speak the phrase he was instructed to say.
"I'm looking for some ice-cubes." The man simply nodded as he would point out to a door at his right.
"In the back of the kitchen." Heading to the door, Koike would open it. It was a normal and small kitchen. And no other door or way that seemed to lead to another room. Glancing around, Koike wondered when he had a real free day for the last time. Not a day where he had been on standby and not receiving an operation.
Flashback
Around a week or two ago.
Collab with Hawke :
Meet the parents.
Summary :
Korina introduces Koike to her parents. Seems it is going off better than somebody's expectations.
[spoili]
Korina walked beside Koike, her arm in his and her head on his shoulder. It was a rather peaceful day, and she'd decided to take the day off from training to spend time with the young man. They'd gone out for some ramen and meditated together before catching a little game that the academy students had been using to train. Now, the two were on the way to the Kusanagi compound to discuss something that had been long overdue.
"Koike...are you sure you're ready for this? My people won't respect you if they feel as though you don't respect yourself...And my father will be expecting some sort of introductory label as to whatever we are..." She said as they walked.
"I mean...not like a proposal or anything...just...y'know."
It had gone all well today. The lunch was great. The meditation had been soothing and something he started to love. Even the little game that they had been doing was something that just made the mood of the young man better than it had been even the past few days before.
With Korina's question, he briefly glanced at her. He had suggested it as he didn't want to make a bad impression or look like he was trying to evade her parents. "It will be fine." He replied back, flashing a warm smile.
"I'm trying to follow your advise and even got some help. Besides, what is the worst thing that can really happen?" He didn't however really want an answer on the question, deciding to continue talking.
"And I think we can introduce us as ...." He paused. Her mentioning of a proposal made him waver for a moment, but not frown.
"Boy and girlfriend sound so cheesy though. But suppose we should just name it like that? Unless you know a better term." He replied, his last sentence said with an amused tone present in his voice.
The young woman smiled at him, though she didn't actually look up at him.
"That...sounds like a plan to me." She replied and played with his fingers.
"It is kind of cheesy, but...what else would we call each other?" She asked with a shrug. Korina's kote glinted as she pulled her...boyfriend's...jacket close around her torso.
Feeling slight sorry as he didn't know how to convince her or even himself, Koike decided that they would just see how it would go down. Being respectful, friendly and polite would be a good start, wouldn't it? He would see how it further would go from that point.
"Good question." He mumbled.
"I fear that calling each other pet is also weird." Thinking more about it, he couldn't come up with something fitting. Fitting for them.
"We're together. That sounds, okay, doesn't it?"
The young woman's eyebrow twitched a little bit at the pet comment,
"Wise choice, Deer. But I like "together"." She said with a cheeky grin. She grabbed his hand and hurried them over to the gates when she saw the walls of her home.
"Come on! I can smell the meats roasting!" She said with a happy laugh.
"I can be wise." He said, feeling it was a good time to show what good smart ass he could be. Glad that she liked his suggestion as he was sure that calling each other stuff like 'my buttercup' and the stuff he had heard other couples calling each other would only provoke out a sarcastic retort from Korina.
"Yeah." He flashed another smile as he would quickly pick up the pace with her as he slowly felt his stomach turning as the nerves were slowly building up. He hadn't been nervous before as he hadn't been really thinking about what he would encounter.
"Oh wait, are we going to eat with your parents?" He asked, sounding slight surprised, but added something as he didn't want to give her the idea that he would back down now. Instead he would bring up one of his most favorite tips she had given him about her clan.
"I thought I had to hunt something myself first and then drag it all the way here."
Korina looked at Koike over her shoulder with a wicked glint in her eye,
"That's for proposals." She said before she continued to drag him forward.
"But yes...I am bringing you for dinner since things always goes more smoothly when discussed over food."
Korina stretched her neck as she tried not to show her own nerves. She hoped that her parents liked Koike, and she figured that her mother would...but her father was another matter. As one of the Mothers, her mom was a typically fairly open minded. Her father was a hard man to please, even as a daddy's girl and a Kiyohime...
She was still deciding if it was worth telling Koike or not.
He narrowed his eyes briefly as she mentioned that it was for proposals, already his lips parting as he wanted to bring up an argument, but she continued. That and it wouldn't be a good idea to say anything that could sour the day. Plenty of time and chances would be ahead that could make it happen without him saying something wrong. But he hoped things would go smoother over dinner. Thinking of it, what would he talk about? Or what would they want to talk about? Mentally flinching, he decided to not think about it. Damn nerves.
"Hey, another thing." He decided to bring up something else. If they would keep on going on about the dinner, then he wouldn't be able to push his thoughts and questions away.
"Do you want to stay over at my place or seeing we're already here, y'know. For a turn stay at your place?" Realizing something, he coughed briefly.
"Well, not if it is your own parental home. I figure that... might be wrong to go about without their approval, right?"
Korina stopped her hurried walking to turn and looked at Koike. Remaining silent, she thought about what he was saying.
"I think...staying over your place would be better. The tents here don't offer much privacy." Her cheeks took on a slightly pink tinge.
"I have my own place here, but it's in the middle of the camp-kinda." She told him. Korina scratched the back of her head nervously.
He nodded.
"That sounds fine with me." Though he had kept going on with his study of body language, he was a bit puzzled as Korina seemed flustered. Quickly Koike tried to think of what he had said that could've made her like that. It wasn't the first time that she had stayed over, just sleeping next to him. Sqeeuzing her hand, he grinned a bit.
"If I must give a tip, you look most adorable now." Koike said, feeling a light triumphant euphoria as he said it with an amused tone. Though he was genuine.
"Well, let's not keep them waiting. I don't want to give the impression that I let people wait." Though he waited for her to lead them to the place of her parents as he didn't know where it was or would be.
Korina blush deepened at his compliment then continued to pull him through the gates to her home. The guards bowed deeply to her and murmured something, to which she replied with a murmur of her own. She led the young man by the hand through the bazaar, and tried to push down the blush at the giggles and guffaws of her people.
To see their Kiyohime acting like the teen she was made many of them happy. It reminded them that she was, indeed, human. And that she could be gripped by the case of the crushes. Korina smiled at Koike apologetically,
"We...gossip more than housewives, I'm sorry in advance." Korina cleared her throat as the pink tint on her cheeks crept down her neck and into the jacket and wire shirt.
"Eh...heh..."
It made Koike wonder. What was different? He threw a look now and then at those who they passed on their way as he could remember his first visit to the Kusanagi compound. With Korina explaining that they gossiped a lot, Koike frowned a little for only a moment.
"Don't worry. I don't mind it, really." He doubted that he would need to worry about it, but hoped that she wouldn't get too much of a hassle with it.
"If you think another time would be better, that is okay with me." He said, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.
Korina waved her hand back and forth and shook her head,
"Not getting out of this. I'd rather them know on our terms, y'know?" She asked him. She smiled at Koike then kissed his cheek,
"No getting out of this~" she teased him as she continued to lead him to her parents' tents. A burly man sat outside of it, his hair a bright blonde color and his eyes a deep, oceanic blue. Her hammered away at some heated metal on an anvil, then quenched it in some water nearby. A woman with deep black hair was hanging some skins on a tanning rack. Like her daughter, the woman had long, lanky limbs even though she stood a fair bit taller than even her daughter and husband.
"Mama! Papa!" She called out and hurriedly pulled Koike along behind her. The two adults looked in her direction and beamed happily. Her father removed the metal to let it rest then hurried over to pick up his daughter in his massive arms. She let go of Koike's hand to hug her father's neck and laugh as he spun her around.
"My darling Kiyohime! Oh, look at you. Have you grown taller since you last visited your old man?" He playfully pat her head which he had a little problem reaching.
"Papa..." Korina poked her lip out, even as her own mother picked her up and slung her Iver her shoulder.
"Mama!!"
"So, who is this young man that you've brought to our tent, young lady?" The woman asked as she turned to grin at Koike. It was fairly obvious as to where Korina got that smirk. Teal colored eyes twinkled in mischief as a tanned hand pat her daughter's bottom,
"You didn't get my baby pregnant, did you?"
Able to understand that, Koike closed his eye as she kissed his cheek. As they would arrive at the tent of her parents, Koike made sure to keep his hands out of the pockets of his pants. First impressions did matter, didn't they?
Trying to keep up a friendly smile, Koike would wait till he was being talked to. However, the first question he got made him blink rapidly for a few seconds.
"No, no. I did not."Half had he almost blurted out that he hadn't done such a thing with Korina. But he deemed it wiser to not even start with her parents on such topics. A bit hesitating, Koike made a small bow with the head to both of them.
"Koike Hon. Sir, ma'am."
Korina smiled gently at the young man's formal introduction. Her father merely nodded his head slightly,
"Good man. She needs no seed in her belly for a long while!" He guffawed.
"A pleasure to meet you, Koike Hon. This is my wife, Mother Hearth, and I am Kitoni." He introduced both of the adults. Mother Hearth smiled gently at Koike and then hauled her daughter into the tent, only beckoning Koike with a wave of her hand.
Korina smiled apologetically at Koike when she was faced towards him,
"At least you can see that I got my humor honestly, yeah?"
The comment that Korina didn't need anything in her belly made Koike only more uneasy. He crafted a smile, though it was likely a bit nervous. He wanted to say he agreed, but perhaps it was better to avoid that topic. Or relevant topics.
"Pleasure to meet you sir, ma'am." Koike friendly replied. Following them into the tent, Koike slightly nodded after Korina's words. Scratching his chin briefly, Koike's left hand lowered to his collar. Briefly pulling it, he eyed quickly around.
"Nice home." He decided to say, hoping that he wasn't already making a bad impression.
The "home" in question was deceptively roomy. The canvas tent was built into a square shape and feature a bear pelt on the ground, a fire pit in the middle, and two bed rolls close to the pit. The pit was lit, a black metal pot hung over it and gave off an aroma of spices intermingled with a sweet scent. Weapons were scattered about along one side of the tent walls, in addition to a work bench and a stool. The other side featured two tanning racks, a drying rack, and a meditation mat.
"Haha, do not worry, young man." Mother Hearth set her daughter down and then rubbed her neck.
"We will be taking dinner outside. The evening is shaping up to be a nice one." The older woman said with a gentle smile.
"Tonight, we just wish to get to know the young man that seeks our Kiyohime. As one of the leaders of the clan...you must understand our trepidation..." Mother Hearth sighed quietly.
His attention was drawn at the weapons, briefly wondering if he should start a talk about that. There was much that he hadn't learned yet about the Kusanagi clan. His attention was quickly focused back on Mother Hearth, not wanting to be impolite and just stare around.
"I'm fine either way, ma'am. Really." He wasn't able to conjure a warm smile, hoping that the tone would suffice. Waiting for Kitoni would sit down before he would, Koike almost had replied again. Clan politics? Of course. He knew all about them, but he wouldn't state his opinion on politics as he wanted to come over as a good person.
"A quiet one. I must admit that I am surprised, Kiyohime." The older woman pulled the lid off the top of the pot, unbothered by the heat on her fingers.
"Then again...it makes sense. I am sure that you speak for you both more often than not."
"He can be a little quiet, yes. But he does have strong opinions." Korina looked at the older young man with a raised eyebrow. Kitoni laughed quietly and sat down on the stool, a dagger in one hand and a polishing rag in the other.
"The Kusanagi women can be rather forceful, no? I, myself, was not born into the clan. Quite a few of the male spouses aren't. It seems as if the Harvest Mother favors the female at birth." He joked. His laughed turned into a full bellied one when a potato slice was thrown at his head.
"See what I mean?" the man said after he ducked.
"Korina gets her temper from her mother...most of the time. There will be no better dodging training than being near an angry Kusanagi woman an a pot filled with hot food!" Korina rolled her eyes at her father before she began to help her mother. Quietly, Korina motioned for Koike to join her father with a gentle smile.
"He doesn't bite, Daiki. I know you're curious...when aren't you?"
A light chuckle was kept back as Koike overheard what Korina's mother said. Glancing back at Korina, Koike wanted to object regarding strong opinions. But it as probably wiser to not do so. With Kitoni speaking up, Koike couldn't hold back the snort at the man's words.
"More often not." Koike muttered underneath his breath. Sitting down near Kitoni, Koike wondered what he could talk about with the man. He had no idea of what the other's occupation was, thus figuring out to play it 'safe'.
"You weren't born into the Kusanagi clan?" Hoping the question would be an okay one, Koike placed his hands on his knees as he briefly glanced at the knife.
The man chuckled a little bit at the interaction between the two.
"Aye. I am a clan-joined. That's the term they use to describe anyone that wasn't born into the clan. Korina is a clan born, you see?" He asked with a smile. He twirled the dagger and offered the handle to Koike.
"Korina's mother was helping my old village deal with some bandits. We fell in love and I followed her back to the clan. We married, and three years later, we had Korina." He said with a gentle smile.
Taking the handle of the knife slowly, Koike understood it.
"Sounds rather simple." And convenient. Koike never was much of a fan of a clan that one would value blood and abilities over following the same traditions and practically culture.
"And that happened in the Lightning country, didn't it? Must be a big change coming to the Empire from the northern lands."
"Aye, it did. We lived in the mountains, my old village I mean." He said after handing off the knife. The man gave a rueful smile,
"It was a lot to get used to. I hadn't grown up like Korina, so I wasn't quite prepared to live a nomadic life. It was a lot to get used to, but I can't say that I am angry about the move to the Empire." He looked over at his wife and daughter, whom were having a spirited discussion about something.
"It's nice to put down some roots again. But even I have to admit that it wasn't something I saw coming. Not from my daughter...the girl whom could barely stay in her smallclothes as a toddler."
The Kusanagi man looked back at Koike.
"The Kusanagi are fairly set in our ways. Once clan-joined like myself learned to live like this...it is difficult to remember any other way of living. Almost like...mind control, I suppose. But my family was very supportive. And even my sister and father married into a nomadic sect. My sister is a few tents down, and my father is living alongside his wife near Wind Country boarders." The older man learned back into his chair.
"Man to man for a second...This...relationship?" He motioned between Koike and Korina.
"She will never give up her position or name. I hope...you understand and are ok with that..."
He had anticipated that such a change, from becoming somebody who lived in a village into a nomadic would be a big change. Only to reverse back again. Glancing once more at the knife, Koike grew a bit uneasy with holding it in his hand. Keeping it lower and the tip away from pointing at Kitoni, Koike listened further to what the man told him.
He conjured a small smile on his lips as the man talked about his daughter, barely able to stay in her small clothes. Hearing that the man's family further married into the nomad clan, Koike wondered for a moment about where a person could encounter a Kusanagi. Would be handy for later to learn more about their traditions and how to treat with one if they would be so wide spread.
"Hm? Oh." Koike glanced briefly at Korina.
"She told me at the start and I see so far no trouble with it. Everybody has their duties, I suppose." He replied back, pausing for a second.
"I also rather not have anybody give up anything for me. If I may be honest and bold, sir, I rather admit that I don't desire anything big at all. Makes me rather uncomfortable if I get noticed too much." Rubbing his neck with his left hand, Koike kept up the small smile.
Korina's father looked at the young man, contemplating a few things. After a time when Koike finished speaking. He rubbed his stubbled chin then addressed Koike,
"A man with no ambition, is a suspicious man. But a man that is content with his life and is living it to the fullest, is a man worthy of respect." The man leaned forward,
"Time will tell which one you are...but the care and respect you have for my daughter's name is one that I admire. For now...we eat." The man stood and headed towards the pot as Korina poured soup into the bowl
A bit surprised, Koike would nod in response. He wasn't sure if he should speak up, but decided to not try to continue the talk. It was a good sign that he got the respect and what he considered a good impression. At least the start wasn't that rocky, much to his relief. Getting up as well, Koike felt a bit more at ease. Hopefully he wouldn't say or do anything to damage the impression he was making now.
"So how do you like the country so far? Anything you miss from back home?" Koike decided to ask Korina's parents to further the conversation.
Korina continued to dish out the food while her mother answered his question,
"This country is much warmed than we are used to. Naturally, Kusanagi run pretty warm, so we've been having a few issues with heat sickness, but happily, we've been adjusting and dealing with it. I'd say that I miss the sea, more than anything." Mother Hearth smiled widely,
"My first feeling of this world was the embrace of my mother and water. So the sea was always a source of comfort for me when during this time of the year."
Kitoni thought over the question and helped gather some skins of water and wine.
"I miss the traveling. I think I might journey out with some of my kinsmen when they come through to barter for supplies." He said.
"My wife has been busy with her own affairs, and she's been a little naggy about me getting out of the hut."
That was interesting. But asking what kind of illness had came up didn't seem like a fitting topic during dinner. At least, it wasn't his favorite topic during dinner. Listening further, Koike grew more curious to the northern atmosphere of the lands that were under the reign of the Cloud. Was it that cold? Deciding to listen further, Koike briefly smiled.
"I know that a bit, with people getting nagging when you decide to go out hunting or taking a day or two off and then coming back."
The man gave a jolly laugh,
"Yes. But it is quite the opposite, actually. I haven't been out of the Hut in a few weeks. Usually selling my wares or taking care while my wife and daughter are away. As is the life of a Kusanagi husband." He grinned at Koike.
"My wife here thinks I need to get out and back on the road for some fresh air. And I'm inclined to agree." The man said honestly.
"Well, that can be nice." Koike replied. He hadn't thought about his words, causing him to pause again. Wondering if he should suggest places, Koike decided against that. He knew nothing of Korina's father and rather wanted to remain polite.
"What kind of places do you like to visit then?" He also glanced at the mother, not wanting to seem as if he was excluding her from the conversation.
Mother Hearth was eating with her daughter, though Korina looked ready to explode. Her mother stood with a smug and daring grin. She was more than ready for the punch the other girl threw her way. The older woman tackled the Kiyohime with a laugh and the two scuffled about, Korina yelling in irritation as she tried to pin her mother.
The man watched with an amused expression before he shifted his attention to Koike. "Ah
. There was a mountain that I greatly enjoyed back in Lightning Country. It was always shrouded in the clouds, for it was that tall. The sect that I stayed with often ventured to the mountain as a right of passage for the coming of age Kusanagi. I volunteered to make the trip every other month alongside the kid and adults." He paused then moved to serve out more food while the two women caught their breath, Mother Hearth was perched atop her daughter, legs crossed at the ankles on the girl's back. Korina laid face down, murmuring in some language. Mother Hearth laughed in response.
"It reminded me of my old home. But watching young people coming into their abilities atop the mountain always moved me. They can be a downright savage bunch of folk, both to an outsider and to each other. But anytime I can see or experience the tenderness the Kusanagi have...I am happy. Whether it be in a forest, on a mountain, or here...that is where I love to travel." Kitani smiled at Koike.
"What about you, Young Wolf?"
Slowly eating, Koike was content with listening. It was such as simple thing to do. Just listening. However as he received a question, Koike found himself at thought. His first answer without thinking would be nothing too special. Or crowded. But he didn't want to come over as boring or bland.
"I would like to travel soon back to the homeland of my clan and culture. Not sure if I can anytime soon, but it would be nice." He said, knowing though that with the stream of requests for missions and operations, he was lucky to have a moment of respite like this.
"Oh? Where would that be if you don't mind my asking?" The older woman asked while Korina began doing push ups with her mother perched on her back. The woman gave him a gentle smile, though Korina grumbled under her breath. Near Koike, the man lifted a book then looked at Koike.
"Also, kid. Is this your doing? I've been meaning to ask Korina, but kept forgetting." He asked as he held up the text. The title read:
"The Beginner's Guide to the Human Anatomy".
"Up north from here, ma'am." Koike replied back. He wasn't sure how far away it was, but it would likely take a day or three on foot to reach it in a normal pace. When Korina's father raised a book, the young man almost frowned as he heard the question. He had read some medical books, but never had he done it in the presence of Korina or in anybody's in that matter. Nor on anatomy.
"No, I am not known that much with the human anatomy." He answered back. For a moment, Koike wondered if he should shift the conversation to a medical subject. Was that perhaps now the best course of action?
Korina looked up at the mention of the human anatomy then frowned at her dad,
"Pops! That's where my book went!" She narrowed her eyes at him, then continued her push ups once Mother Hearth pat her head.
"I just never though you had an interest in reading. Let alone medicine, kid." He shrugged then flipped through the pages.
"Have to learn, Pops. If I wanna be a good ninja for the Empress and a good leader to the clan." She said. A dark look passed over Mother Hearth's face before it went back to its neutral expression.
"You're smart enough, Kiyohime. You've picked up your seals quite fast." The woman said quietly before she looked at Koike.
"North, huh? How far North?"
Finishing his dinner, Koike remained silent as he listened between the exchanges between the Kusanagi. He was glad with the attention going to Korina. Just as he placed his hands on his knee and wanted to throw another glance around, the young man turned his gaze to the mother.
"It is a place that takes two days with horse or three or four on foot." Thinking about the precise start of the land that the Hon clan claimed as their heartland made Koike silent for a moment.
"But that is just the fortified seat. Think the common name is Hon Estate." Wavering if he should bore them with more facts, Koike flashed a polite smile.
Korina huffed at her parents' doting, though she gave a smile to Koike and winked at him. She finished her push ups when her mother pat her head again, the tromped over to her father once she was let up. Snatching the book, she settled near the fire to continue her reading lessons, though it would be slow going.
"Was the soup ok, Koike? Would you have preferred something more substantial?" Mother Hearth asked, almost randomly. She didn't press for more information, since wolves could get touchy about their territory. Though she did file the approximate details away for later in her head.
Feeling a bit out of place, Koike, he would turn his attention towards Korina's mother.
"Yes ma'am." Koike replied.
"It was all good. I'm fine, thank you." He had almost added that he wasn't that much of a good cook or rather used to worse warm meals instead of the rather well made soup. Becoming silent, Koike wondered what he should further talk about. If anything, he considered it rather well enough for a first visit. But he would speak up again.
"So, have you perhaps seen some of the landmarks in Konohagakure yet?"
"Oh yes. We went on a self-guided tour to a few of the more popular landmarks." Mother Hearth smiled widely and hurried to grab a writing pad. When she opened it, it showed some well drawn pictures and a few sketches of the places.
"My husband draws in his spare time. So we took this along so we could show the others." She launches into a spirited retelling of their trip while Korina was away on business. For her part, Korina remained silent as she quietly sounded out the words she couldn't figure out in her head. Mother Hearth looked out of the tent flaps then looked at Koike.
"Do you need to return home soon?"
Listening, Koike was interested in the stories as drawings. Briefly, Koike did glance at Hawke, but then listened and paid attention to what the mother was telling him about. As her stories came to an end and asked the question, Koike was a bit surprised. He did had some paperwork in the morning to help Hayate with some reorganizations. Not to mention the operation Raven and the Wolf would also need him to be properly rested.
"I suppose I do need to go soon, yes." Attempting to flash a polite smile, Koike slowly got up.
"It was a honor and a pleasure to be guest." Koike wasn't sure if he should wait to be dismissed or how to continue on this point.
Mother Hearth clicked her tongue, which practically summoned Korina from her studies.
"Should we be expecting you back, Kiyohime?" The older woman asked as she handed her husband his book. Korina looked between Koike and her mother, replaying the last few minutes in her head to catch up to the current conversation.
"No. If I'm back, I'll just head to my tent. Got some rest, Mama. You too Papa." She told her parents before she hugged them both. They didn't exchange good byes, and instead nodded to Koike before Korina gently grabbed his wrist topless him out into the night time air. She still held her book under her arm,
"Shall we?"
"Yes." He wanted to wish her parents a goodnight, but was already tugged outside. Though he felt relieved, Koike didn't want to utter it. It had gone well and hopefully had left a good impression. Not much that he could do about it now anyways. Feeling like he could use a drink, the young man reminded himself silently that he had promised to lessen.
"So, that went well, did it?" He decided to ask, hoping for some insight, scratching his cheek with his free hand.
Korina played with his fingers as she led him through the bustling camp. There were a few open fires, surrounded by dancing and singing Kusanagi and guests.
"They like you." Korina spotted Amaiya at a fire as she danced between five young men, switching her partner with a flourish and a twirl into their arms. Korina made a mental note to accompany her leader through the village on the morrow.
"If they didn't, Mama would have let you know as such." She chuckled quietly.
"It is a very good thing that they did not say good bye to you. My clan doesn't like to say good bye to people we are sure to sew again." She smiles widely at him. She figured that the bonfire would be too much for Koike right now, poor guy didn't look so good.
It was a relief to hear that they liked him. Somewhere there was still some doubt if it was truly the case, but he wouldn't question it. A smile cracked on his lips after she made it clear why they hadn't told him goodbye.
"Makes sense." With the hour going late, he wasn't however sure if she wanted to stay or not as he noticed that seemed to be still some activities going on.
"If you want, you can else stay. I am going to head home." He friendly told her.
Korina shook her head at Koike's words,
"No, it's...fine. Amaiya is handling it." Korina said after a yawn. With a cheeky grin, and stretched her arms over her head,
"Shall we? I'm tired and I want my cuddles."
Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he snorted briefly.
"Fair enough." Starting to walk again, briefly his mind went to the tasks he had to do and what would to come.
"I'm going to move soon though. To another apartment." He decided to say.
"Not yet where. Figure it would be nicer to live a bit more out of the busy block."
"Oh? Maybe closer to the forest?" She suggested as she walked alongside Koike. She bumped his arm playfully,
"You're thinking too loudly." She teased him in a gentle and caring voice.
"Possibly. Don't want to have too much room or pay too much rent." He briefly, for a second, frowned. Bit surprised, he glanced at her. It costed him a moment to understood what she meant.
"Sorry." Furthering the brisk walk, Koike sought already for the keys of his apartment as they would arrive around the block.
"Before I forget it and you come knocking on the door again, I will be gone most of the coming days." He decided to inform her, remembering what had happened when he had taken two days for himself.
The girl hummed a bit,
"Good to know that you treasure that door of yours. But thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to keep busy." She said as she waited for him to grab his keys.
"You should make sure that you're happy with whatever place you decide to buy though. I understand cost, but this will also be your home, you know?"
Unlocking the door, he nodded.
"I know. Probably going to try to find a better place for Akumu. Figure that if he keeps sneaking out that he might panic somebody sooner or later." Opening the door for her, he would close it behind him.
"Just think I will first see where I can find a new home."
Korina nodded in agreement as she walked in. Quickly, she pulled off her sandals and her jacket and set them near the doorway. She looked around for the massive dire wolf, intent on giving him some unsalted, dried meat that she snuck from her parents' tent.
Putting out his boots and jacket, he glanced surprised at the dried meat and chuckled. The large canine was to be found at 'his' corner in the living room space. Quite invisible due to the dark fur, if it weren't for the two yellow eyes that calmly observed the two as they walked into the room.
The young kunoichi blinked in the darkness as she tried to let her eyes adjust. When she spotted the two eyes, she calmly approached the wolf wolf and held out the strips to him,. She really didn't want to make him uncomfortable, but he was so cute! Korina could help but want to spoil him.
Laying motionless, the canine kept staring back. Narrowing his eyes slightly, the upper lip didn't seem to move. Watching the two, Koike remained silent as it seemed the animal wasn't feeling bothered with the distance being closed in. The nostrils of the creature widened a bit, before it would half close his eyes again.
"Doesn't seem to be hungry." Koike mumbled, scratching his own chin.
Korina shrugged and set the meat down on the floor for him to sniff when he felt like it. She turned towards the young man and smiled a bit, "He looks more apathetic than sleepy." She jokes then rubs her ear.
"Well...sleep well, Koike. I'll stay up a while longer, I think." She said quietly as she looked around at the walls then quietly headed for the door.
"I'll head onto the roof, I'll try to be quiet when I come back..."
"Yeah." He said, glancing at the direwolf. Though Koike wondered if it was better that the creature seemed apathetic towards Korina or wary. Probably apathetic was a start to friendly, he assumed. As she stated she was going to be up a little bit longer, he nodded as flashing a smile back.
"That is fine. I am going to already tuck in." Turning to head to his room, Koike scratched his chin briefly. He was wondering what to make of the fact he had survived a meeting with her parents. In his imagination it would've gone far worse. Raising his hand further to rub his nosebridge, the young man decided to not ponder more about it.
Korina nodded twice to Koike then grabbed the key to the place before she left. She locked the door behind herself (after a few seconds and a muttered curse or two) the quietly climbed up to the roof. She sat there quietly, legs crossed and stating up at the moon while she struggled to come to terms with...stuff. So much stuff.
[/spoili]
Slowly walking further to the back, Koike noticed a small crack in the wall. It was odd as the walls seemed as new and properly maintained. Frowning, Koike would turn around as his eyes would stare right into another pair of brown eyes.
"On time. Good." A feminine voice said, surprising Koike who froze. Remaining silent, he watched how the young woman would gesture to their right.
"Time to give you the briefing."
Following the line of the gesture, Koike eyed the woman. Somebody who he knew. Ayano Maki. Somebody who he had met at the War Academy and even now and then hang out with. For a moment he was expecting Daichi Akimichi as well, but apparently it was just them. Following her as Ayano walked towards the wall, he came to a halt for a second. Without stopping, Ayano walked into the wall and vanished. An illusion? Following her, Koike glanced around.
"I don't have too much time, so I will make it quick. I am sure that you'll have questions, but lets just state that we both got our tasks." Ayano said. The room wasn't too spacious. There was a table with various maps and scrolls on it while there were a few bookcases and the like that provided storage for more scrolls, maps and what seemed files. Glancing at his right, Koike saw a few standards for equipment. Walking around the table, Ayano placed her hands on the furniture as she frowned at Koike. Getting the message, Koike nodded.
"I hope you're known with this region. It is the southern coast, at the border with the Wind country. This operation won't be carried out solo or with a wingman or woman. You're whole team is required, if you consider them good enoguh for this operation." Ayano explained. Though Koike had questions on why she was here and why this secrecy, he remained quiet. Everything had a time and place, questions would come later.
"Never been there." He stated calmly.
She simply nodded, placing her right index finger on the map.
"That is fine. You and your team have to meet up with an informant here. There has been information send about something that is quite suspicious. I guess you're familiar with the name Suzu?" Ayano glanced up. Koike nodded slowly. Suzu was however a name with fame from Kirigakure. Was the Republic of Kirigakure busy with getting friendly with the Wind country? And if yes, why? Crossing his arms out front of his chest, he waited for more information.
"The informant will only give you more detail about where the cargo will be stationed and how many guards. The objective is simple. Take anything or anybody out. The Suzu have become ghosts. No need to let one of them rise up from the dead or becoming living ghosts." Ayano said with a strict tone. Koike stared at the map. He wondered if he and his team would be able to take down a Suzu. Though he wanted to at least ask if it was certain that it was a Suzu as the last of their kind had died out with Rika Suzu, he remained silenced.
"Unlike normal missions, you and your team will receive equipment. Nothing too out of the ordinary, so no need for practice or fooling around. Any questions?" She asked. Deciding to make sure of it, Koike's lips parted. But seemed Ayano was quicker.
"Don't ask. You're not the only shinobi who serves in secretive operations. Lets not indulge into my own secretive part. I just relay information and arrange matters. Now, any other questions?"
He couldn't help, but to smile a bit as he would let his arms hang at his side.
"I suppose that there is a time that I have before I have to move out?" He asked. Ayano nodded.
"You have one day to get going. Good luck."
[/fieldbox]
