Tsuyo had been enjoying the summer for some time as of late. The world was developing around him but he was still studying encrypted files in a vain attempt to try and connect the dots on his goal. For now he needed a break from it to ease his mind. He wasn't making nearly enough progress to ease his frustrations. He knew he needed a break so he had taken a nap and risen from it with the sun well up into the day. Likely somewhere around noon. It was hot in the cabin as per usual. He wanted to install an air conditioning unit but he wasn't sure he would be here long enough to enjoy it. That said though it was a low enough temperature for him to be aware that Mitsuo still wasn't around. He had been gone for a few days now. It was beginning to make Tsuyo rather nervous. Still he would take a breath and rise from his bed. Sayuri was gone and now it seemed Mitsuo had made his own moves. He was on his own for the time being. His form would rise to his feet before moving to the bathroom. Splashing some water on his face before glancing in the mirror. His silver eyes staring back at him. His hair was a mess but and his five o'clock shadow was starting to show. He needed to clean up and take some personal time outside of the cabin. Just to relax for a while.

Quietly he would collect the shaving cream and the straight razor. As he did so he would fill the sink with steaming hot water and lay out a towel next to it. As the sink finished filling halfway he would turn it off and set about applying the shaving cream only to the spots outside his normal forked beard. Cleaning his fingers off in the water before dipping the straight razor in and beginning on the shave. It would take him a few minutes but as he finished wiping the straight razor on the towel a final time and used the towel to wipe off his facial hair was once again clean and looking decent. With that finished he ran some water through his hair brushing the wild mane back and finishing by draining the water. With that done he would quietly set about the cabin collecting things he might need and placing them on a scroll on the floor. Moving back and forth as he stretched before sealing a large umbrella, a large chair with the recliner set up, a cooler with a couple of beers in it and an egg salad and a small end table. With that all done he set about getting dressed. A pair of white shorts with his feet tucked into a pair of sandals. A white polo placed over his upper form and with that he smiled. Finishing up by sealing away anything he didn't intend to carry by hand into the scroll.

With that done Tsuyo would slip the scroll into his pocket and reach the door. Grabbing his cabin key and his aviators. Purple in color and his tan Jaxon hat before smiling and grabbing an MP3 too. The built in speaker on it was decent enough. With that he would exit the cabin and calmly make his way out of the camp and towards where he knew a spot on the river. It was far enough away from a compound not to draw attention and not deep enough for swimming. His door locked behind him he set off on his adventure. He was careful not to move too fast as he didn't want to draw attention so all in all it took him about an hour to reach the beach in question. It had some nice tree cover behind it and he hadn't seen anyone for the last ten minutes. Satisfied he was alone Tsuyo would unseal everything and set about planting the umbrella above the chair and the end table next to it. The cooler would be placed on the opposite side and on the end table he placed the MP3 to play to mozart as he settled into the chair and kicked his feet up. Collecting a beer from the cooler and placing his thumb under the cap. With a swift motion he had wedged his finger under the cap hard enough to send it flying off into the grass. With that he would take a sip and smile. Lazing in the shade of his umbrella with a cold beer, a comfortable seat, and some good music. The sound of the orchestra began to pick up and hummed along. Leaving the scroll unrolled off to the side as the only indication he wasn't your average citizen enjoying the day.

811

Normally Kaia was the type to be up by seven o’clock even on her days off, but after having put in so much training the sun was well up into the sky before she had even bothered to open her eyes from a night of restless dreams she couldn’t remember. As per usual she had to spend a small moment untangling herself from the sheets that always seemed to end up wrapped around her during the nights of tossing and turning before she managed to be able to stand and make her way into the attached bathroom. Thankfully, she had thought ahead and had already planned out an outfit for the day: a black tank top, along with a simple black t-shirt that hung loose around the collar area with a blue smiley face on it that was slightly baggy and which went halfway down her thighs when worn, and a pair of blue leggings which ended right below the knees. Taking one glance at her short four foot eight inches tall, messy hair and general disheveled look in the mirror Kaia went ahead and started the shower before stepping inside and doing a quick but thorough job of washing herself. Once out and dry she got properly dressed and made quick work in brushing her long black hair and pulling it up into a ponytail at the top of her head. Skipping straight over any kind of make up she made her way back into the bedroom where she slipped her feet into a pair of sandals and eyed the Konoha headband and weapons pouch sitting on her dresser top: she ran her fingers over the two items for a moment before placing them on; the headband tied around her head in such a way as to keep her bangs or any loose hair back and out of her face, and her weapons pouch tied around her right thigh – even off duty for the day she couldn’t bring herself to leave the house without those two items, always being prepared having been drilled into her enough times to be a habit she simply couldn’t break.

After straightening up the bed – she was a stickler for neatness - Kaia decided to leave a little note behind in case her love happened to come looking for her; nothing beyond the fact she was going to take a walk along the river, and perhaps relax there for a bit. Satisfied and thinking over exactly what she wanted to accomplish for the day Kaia headed off into the kitchen after snatching up her canvas shoulder bag the straps of which she placed across her chest. Once in the kitchen she went straight for the basket of fruit on the counter with an assortment of apples, oranges, bananas, and various other fruit in it. She hesitated for a moment before deciding on an orange and then grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge which she slipped beneath the flap of her bag. Orange still in hand she headed out the door, pausing only to lock it, before making her way through the streets and toward the trail that would lead her to the river. For a while she simply walked while tossing the orange up into the air and catching it repeatedly, allowing the simple quietness around her to keep her company – the river was always peaceful to her, the natural sounds of the wilderness nothing compared to the noise of the village itself. Eventually, however, she took her thumb and using the fingernail slit a line up the side of the orange, beginning to peel it as she kept walking.

It wasn’t until she had the orange almost completely peeled, the sweet and tangy treat inside waiting for her to pluck it free, that she paused and tilted her head a bit to the right side as she listened. There was something she was hearing that didn’t belong with the other sounds of the nature around her, and yet she found it beautiful all the same: music, more specifically Mozart. With a soft smile forming on her face, causing her naturally kind and gentle blue eyes to brighten, she straightened her head and continued on, following the song as she made her way further up the river. As she neared the source of the music she finally finished peeling the orange and wiggled a slice of the orange out and plucked it into her mouth. Not before long she would finally find the source of the music: a man lounging on a chair with a set up around him that suggested he probably intended on relaxing comfortably there for a while.

Kaia would take several steps further as she listened, noticing as she did so one thing that seemed out of the ordinary; a scroll. Pausing to simply enjoy the tune for a moment she would pop another piece of the orange in her mouth, chewing and swallowing it before speaking, ”Such a beautiful song...” Following her simple statement, which she hoped would announce her presence easily enough, she popped yet another piece of the delicious orange in her mouth and worked on chewing it softly.

Word Count: 870

Tsuyo would quietly sip at his drink and enjoy the nice warm day in the shade. It was rather relaxing though a part of him wished he brought a fan and some way to power it. A generator would have been a loud pain and those fans that hang around your neck just didn't do enough. He would sigh in exasperation but still wasn't willing to get in the water. It was warm but he wasn't over heating. Besides there was a way to cool off. With a slight shift of his chakra he pushed the doton element to the side and minimized its presence allowing the suiton nature chakra to flow through him. The nearby water shifted further up towards him as it flowed. Moving further up the beach but just hardly noticeable and falling away from the other side. An ever so slight and unnatural curve in the course of the river. It was simply drawn to his suiton chakra so strongly. His pure chakra potent enough to effect the surroundings around him a small amount when focused. Regardless of the change in proximity to the river though his chakra did what he had hoped it would do and cooled him off. Allowing him a moment to sip his beer and lean back. It was indeed a wonderful day.

His eyes would drift closed for a time as he would ever so slightly hum along with the music. Nature around him moving too and fro in a sweet method with the melody. He was no sage but a part of him felt like he was a part of his surroundings. Almost like he was deep in meditation. His mind was drawling towards a drowsy state of being when a new and interesting scent caught his attention. In a moment he was alert but hadn't shifted so much as an inch. His eyes remaining closed as he appeared fully relaxed. Even should an assassin slit his throat it wasn't something he couldn't easily heal. Nothing more than a discomfort. Still he listened now. Nearly silent in nature light feet moved closer. Barely audible through the music which he was partially blotting out in his own mind. The scent was citrus in nature. Was the person approaching holding an orange? It was possible. There was no reason he could think of for a poison to smell like that. Still he gave no sign of alarm. Just keeping track of the individual until finally they spoke. Announcing themselves at a comfortable talking distance. Mentioning the quality of the song in an optimistic way. He would smile then and finally shift. His head turning to the side at the sound of a woman's voice. Maintaining his smile as it appeared perhaps she was a little young for his tastes. Speaking in return as his glasses seemed to shift down the bridge of his nose slightly as silver eyes regarded her. The eyes of a hyuga plain as day over the purple glasses and they felt like it too. Even without them activated it would feel like he could tell everything about her. See through her and her intentions as if there was nothing she could do to get passed that gaze. Or at least that was how most felt when under those eyes of Tsuyo's. The all seeing eyes. Still his voice was just as interesting. Like silk on the ears as it brushed along with a warm breeze. Soft and gentle was his tone while his smile seemed to give them more warmth then they might have on their own.

"My dear girl you have wonderful tastes in music if you enjoy the sound of this artist. Truly a remarkable thing that Mozart managed. Beauty that breaks the heart. Pain that heals the soul. As if part of a dream it drags you into a trance if you allow it." Tsuyo would shift a little as the legs of the chair dropped down and he was made to sit up. His arms resting on the chair as he sipped his drink casually. If she could eat an orange he could drink his liquor. He hardly saw it as socially inappropriate. Still he continued on without a worry about her headband or weapons. "If you wish to join me shinobi I would be highly entertained to learn whom you might be. I promise to return the favor."

1554

Kaia had just plucked another slice of orange free from the rest when the male began to move; her kind and gentle blue gaze resting on him as she ignored the orange slice in her hand for but a moment. As she watched his glasses slide down his nose she got a peak at his eyes and the scroll near him suddenly made all that much more sense: there was only one reason she knew of for someone to have eyes such at those: a member of the Hyuga clan. It was an odd feeling that overtook her; as if the man staring at her could see all of her secrets and intentions and yet… it didn’t bother her nearly as much as it probably should because she wished him no ill will, nor were her intentions anything more than friendly. Despite the fact he was clearly more than some random civilian enjoying some time near the water, she remained completely at ease.

As he began to speak his voice caught her attention next; it was soft and gentle and held a warmth to it – though perhaps that had something to do with the smile on his face; which caused her own to remain in place and grow slightly more. Kaia was naturally a kind, gentle, and happy person – a somewhat shocking contrast to most considering her career choice - and it often showed in the smile normally planted naturally on her own face and her eyes: she cared little for trying to perfect the ‘emotionless mask’ that so many chose to wear after all. As the male spoke about the music she couldn’t help but nod along in agreement to what he was saying: though there was a hint of surprise at the way he was describing it – most people thought her silly for her tastes in music let alone the way she felt about it all, so to find someone who seemed to understand… well, it was definitely wonderfully shocking. ”I quite agree. I’ve always loved music; there’s just something about it that speaks to me on a level other things cannot. It’s a glorious way to escape from the stresses of life.” And how true this was: music was one of the various outlets Kaia used when the world got to be too much for her – when the ugliness of it revealed just a little too much and she needed an escape from it even if only for a small while.

Watching as the stranger sat up and took a sip of the drink in his hand – which she assumed to be some kind of alcoholic beverage though it didn’t bother her in the slightest - Kaia finally remember she had pulled free one of the tangy and delicious slices from the rest of the orange, which she popped into her mouth and chewed and swallowed quietly and politely – enjoying the pop of juice that escaped the delicious slice as she did so. As the offer came to join the individual she contemplated declining, not to be rude but rather because she didn’t want to be a bother since she had stumbled across him while he had obviously been attempting to relax. But, her curiosity was definitely getting the best of her, and she found herself wanting to find out more about the individual with such good tastes in music. So, with a nod of agreement Kaia would walk over, closing the polite distance she had kept when initially stumbling upon him and pulling another piece of orange free from the rest and popping it into her mouth the same as she had done the last - chewing and swallowing just as quietly – as she did so.

”My name is Kaia, by the way, what’s yours?”, she would ask politely once she had finished chewing her latest bite, skipping over bothering to even mention her clan name as so many others would – she simply wasn’t boastful about it. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of her clan, or thought she had a need to hide it, she just simply liked to be known and judged as Kaia, not as a Sarutobi in general – mostly because for a long while she hadn’t even really known she was a Sarutobi, at least not when she was much younger.

Word Count: 725 | 1,595

Tsuyo would tilt his head as he monitored her for a moment. She was clearly a shinobi of the hidden leaf. If not she was posing as one. He wondered if his name would even raise any alarms in someone so young. He had been missing for a decade now. Likely she had just been a small child when he left. His leaving not meriting much discussion in the common circles he was sure. So it was unlikely a child at the time even heard of it. Still he would be happy to actually introduce himself by name unlike the last several years. Perhaps it was time to increase his fame in Konoha once more. Make his name known. For now he wasn't sure just how to go about that. So instead he was spending time at the river. At least the young lady was a welcome distraction. He doubted she was old enough to enjoy some of his usual games though so he threw that from his mind. Likely around sixteen if he had to guess. She didn't pass for very much older if she was. Even if she was well developed in certain area's. He would smile all the same and listen.

She spoke of what music meant to her as a stress relief and he nodded in understanding. He could follow that logic well enough. A good enough song could clear his mind of a great deal of stress. Still after a moments hesitation at his bidding she moved closer and stood within a comfortable distance. Popping one of the last slices of her orange into her mouth. Chewing and swallowing the treat as he sipped his beer. Who ever she was she likely knew she had moved within a moments reach of a hyuga. She was either confident in her abilities or thought him not dangerous. Either was fine really. Still she introduced herself on a first name basis and Tsuyo would raise an eyebrow. Taking his sunglasses off with one hand and folding them before sliding one of the arms into his shirt to let it dangle there. It wasn't often that people introduced themselves on a first name basis. At least not in his world. It was incredibly informal. Not to mention if he were to refer to a young lady in public by her first names lips would speak of secrets they knew nothing of. Still he would speak up in return. Holding out his hand to shake hers.

"Hyuga Tsuyo at your service."

This was his true test for her. He used the name he had been wanted under by two countries. A man that all of Konoha had never managed to capture. Years draining on them leading them to stop trying. Of course it was likely no one in Konoha knew the half of his activities or abilities. Still he would observe her reaction and hold his hand out. If she shook it and continued talking they likely weren't going to have an issue. If she tried to attack his hand was already halfway to her. The moment he sensed hostility from her that distance could be crossed faster than one could blink and his outstretched hand could do terrible things. Still assuming she shook his hand or didn't attack at least his hand would lower to rest on his knee as he finished his drink. Setting it down as his other hand now rested freely on his other knee. He would speak once more then as he smiled.

"So word has it that you Shinobi types usually specialize in one or two things. Like Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. Whats your passion Kaia?"

2171

Kaia, while keeping her relaxed stance, would watch as he removed his sunglasses and slid one of the arms into his shirt where they dangled. She looked at his outstretched hand for but a beat of a second before extending her own to shake his…

”….Hyuga Tsuyo….” The name struck a cord of remembrance in her head: a conversation with her father, the first conversation she had had with him upon his return after being gone for so many years. In her minds eye she went back to that day immediately: her, Mitsuo, and Strafe had just made it to Kumogakure – they had met up at an old ruined temple right before Kaia had been sent off to Konoha for her own protection, where much of the truth of Mitsuo’s activities and his reasoning for having disappeared for so long without a trace were revealed. Even now she could hear her father’s voice in her head as if he were right there as he explained things, ”...After that I went to Iwa and met up with an old friend in Tsuyo Hyuga, Kimaru's brother. He told me that he was working on an organization that would stamp out corruption and crime, and that he wanted me to join him, and together we could avenge the death of his brother and my lover. He offered me a position in the Aoi Bara, and I accepted, becoming his right hand man..."

As the memory faded back to where it came from her hand would touch his, shaking it, as her usual smile remained in place on her face and she continued to stay completely calm and relaxed despite the spark of recognition in her eyes. After an appropriate length of time her hand would then drop back down to her side as she listened to his question and tilted her head to the right side as was a habit for her when in deep thought; contemplating how to answer while also wondering if she should mention she knew who he was or not; that is if he didn’t pick up on that already.

”Taijutsu, actually.” Another thoughtful look would cross over her face as she contemplated if she wanted to add more to that or not. ”Though, in the long run I hope to build on that more by learning medical ninjutsu.” Information without revealing too much about herself; she knew who the man before her was after all, and obviously her father trusted him if he thought him a friend, but Kaia didn’t know him and that made her hesitant to reveal too much about herself.

Still, she was curious about something… ”It would make one of my parents happy, because he’s a medic himelf… but I also want to make my dad, Mitsuo, proud by following in his footsteps… unfortunately I don’t see doing everything both of my parents would want a possibility… so I have to pick and choose.” There had been a purpose being this, giving a bit more away about herself true enough, but also pointing out her father. As she fell silent, not wanting to ramble on anymore and also wanting to give the man in front of her a chance to respond, she watched him curiously, wondering what his reaction would be – if any at all.

Word Count: 2,160

Tsuyo would see it for the moment it was there. An ever so slight moment of recognition as he mentioned his true name. It wasn't often he saw that look but it was clear enough. Even if it wasn't exaggerated. A slight widening of the eyes or a change in breathing was enough. She knew the name and that told a tale. Not many her age would know it he assumed. He wasn't much of a priority after all. Still perhaps it was time he made his name more known. Still she shook his hand and it was still well mannered. No attempts at attack from either side. It would be nice if all of Konoha felt that there was no violence needed towards him as she seemed to but he wouldn't hold his breath. Her response to him was also enough to draw a small hint or glimmer of interest in his eyes. A taijutsu specialist? He wondered momentarily what the odds of a young taijutsu student happening upon the master of all taijutsu in the woods. It seemed like the beginning of an adventure novel. However she continued to speak of wishing to learn medical as well. His interest in this one was perked to say the least. She wished to learn and in so many ways he was perfect to teach her. Funny how fate wove its thread.

Still she continued on about her two fathers. For a moment Tsuyo only payed attention to be polite. His interest in the average life story was about as lengthy as his patience away from training. Not that he would be rude enough to mention as much. However his eyes snapped to hers the moment she mentioned Mitsuo's name. Studying her for a single hint of a lie. Was she baiting him? How much did she know about him? Could it be that this young lady was truly Mitsuo's adopted child? If she didn't hold his full interest before now the world around them meant little to him. There were two possibilities that stood above the others in his mind. Either she was a very well informed assassin awaiting opportunity and was excellent about her execution of tactics, Or this was truly Mitsuo's kid. If it was the latter he would certainly need to be on his best behavior. Still his eyes searched her in the silence that followed for a moment having released her hand shake some time ago. It lasted only a minute but he was satisfied she had no ill intentions towards him. He would smile at his own foolish suspicions. He had grown paranoid in all his time alone. He needed to get out more. Still he would lean back a little as he observed her a little more before speaking in his comforting tone of voice. Almost like a lullaby or hypnotic tune that lured one into a sense of safety.

"I find taijutsu to be incredibly interesting. No two people fight identically and each spar or battle allows a taijutsu specialist to grow ever more. Even learning from other taijutsu specialists via feeling their fighting style. Tell me Ms. Kaia, would you be up to a small challenge?"

2713

Exit thread
to be continued in another
Name: Preying Mantis Style Forbidden Art-Hard Rapid (Hādorapiddo-ハードラピッド)
2000/2000

It was the exact kind of reaction she had been expecting considering she figured this man to be the same whom her father had called a friend: Tsuyo’s eyes snapping to hers at the mention of Mitsuo’s name. If she hadn’t been looking for the reaction she probably would have missed it, but it was there all the same. A short bout of silence followed, during which Tsuyo kept staring at her, and she could only grasp at straws as to why: had she shocked him by her purposeful and yet sly revelation of who her father was? Or, was there perhaps another another reason behind it?

Eventually, it seemed that whatever Tsuyo had been looking for had been satisfied, and he smiled; her own having remained in place on her own the entire time. He spoke of how he found Taijutsu to be incredibly interesting; something which Kaia happened to agree with wholeheartedly – though she knew others frowned upon it and considered it useless in comparison to other fighting styles. She listened as he went on to mention how no two Taijutsu fighters fought the same way, and that each spar allowed Taijutsu specialists to grow: something else she happened to agree upon. The words made her think back to her latest spar – the one against Daremo – which she considered anything but considering how fast it had begun and ended. Still, she had walked away from it with knowledge – or rather, she had been carried away from it, as walking had not been possible during that time. Even though the spar had started and ended so quickly she had had the chance to observe someone – although briefly – with far more skill than her and she had picked up a trick or two from it, as well as the knowledge that she had been deluding herself in some ways of just how far she had come.

She was snapped out of her mental ramblings as Tsuyo asked her if she would be up for a challenge. Considering where the last ‘challenge’ had got her – which was full of kunai and in excruciating pain – she was a bit weary as to what this challenge might be. However, she also knew that nothing ventured was nothing gained which quickly turned her weariness to curiosity though some caution still remained regardless. Shrugging, and with a right eyebrow raising slightly she would respond, ”Sure, what kind of challenge?”, she would ask, her soft voice filled with curiosity. What kind of small challenge could he possibly have in store for her? And was she going to like the answer when she finally got it?


Word Count: 2,605