“What are your plans for today?,” Chiyo’s voice snapping Kannon out of the near comatose-like trance that he found himself in. Chakra dissipating from around his form, causing the several tantos, that were floating about, to fall onto the hardwood floor, loudly clamoring. Eyelids fluttered open, revealing a pair of chestnut brown orbs that, for the briefest of moments, were as cold as the winters from what both were used to back in, before warmth return to them.  “I do not know. Might look around the village since I did not have time to do it yesterday.”, He spoke, turning his head to the right, looking at his mother, who was casually dressed with an apron tied around her waist, with her back turned to counter, chopping up vegetable of some kind. Unfolding his leg, Kannon stood up from his position in the center of the living rooming and stretched to get the kinks out of his body.

Looking at the bladed weapons lying around, Kannon twitched his finger, causing the weapons to levitate once more, and with another twitch, had them glide into their respective sheaths with audible clicks. “You are improving.”, Chiyo spoke, not having to turn around to feel the fluctuating chakra of her son. She did not see what he had done, for her mastery over the Jiton element allowed her to feel magnetic forces without sight. “Yeah, but still nowhere to your level.”, He spoke, moving into the kitchen to help his mother with the food preparations.

Chiyo chuckled at the hint of dejection within her son’s voice. The actions not being done with malice tent. “No need to worry about catching up with me so soon. I have faith you will eventually reach my level. But, do not rush trying to master something, it is the biggest mistake anyone can make.”, She spoke, removing her hand from the knife, that was still chopping up the vegetables as if her hand was still on it, and turned to her son, who was seasoning the meats that would be placed in the oven. “Mastery is such a subjective term. Nothing can be truly mastered because there will always be new applications discovered. I only say I am a master of it because that is what others have called me. I am far from being a master of the release because, even now, I find new means to use it. A master would be someone who had to find every possible way to use the ability - something I have not. Do you understand?”

It took Kannon a minute before nodding in understanding, “Yeah, just that I want to be strong enough for those who are coming after us.” He confessed, looking at the meat left unintended, and going back to do the finishing touches on it before putting it into a giant pot “Though; I will admit time is not on your side, considering the number of people who would very much like seeing us dead, there is still hope. As long as I am alive, I will continue to train you, and get you to where you need to be to combat anyone.”, Chiyo promised, having placed the cut up vegetables into the pot along with the meat. Washing her hands, once Kannon had, she took off her apron and headed into the living, “Enough about that, how about you go visit Niala. She is your fiance, and you have yet to see her since we arrived yesterday.”, She mentioned. When it came to Niala, Chiyo generally like the girl and her family. Hanae and Genki having helped them out in Suna some time ago when they had to leave their home. They were the ones who helped out the most.  It would be the second time Hanae and Genki having helped them out. Even Naosuke respected Hanae and Genki, especially considering they saved his life in the past.

At the question, Kannon blinked, “Yeah, I was planning on visiting her and see if she would like to give me a tour around the village. It would be nice to see her again. It has been a long time”, He spoke, receiving a nod from his mother, as he headed to his room to shower and get dress. Though the two were in the arranged marriage, both of their opinions were taken into consideration by their parents. As for the marriage itself, it was agreed upon to happen after Niala reached 18, and once she is ready for the commitment. At any time before then, if either did not want to be engaged, they could mutually cancel the arrangement. This way, it would ensure all parties were happy.

“I am going out.”, Kannon spoke, receiving a nod from his mother, as he left the house, having showered and gotten dress thirties minutes since their last conversation. Dressed in a dark green kimono with intricate silver designs on it, his swords were tied on the right side with a silver sash. His pink hair was allowed to flow freely. It did not take him long to reach Niala’s house, which he knocked on the door, and waited for someone to answer.

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Kannon did not have to wait long for someone to answer his knocks on the door. A smile appearing on his face as Hanae, Niala’s mother, opened the door and greeted him. He showed her the respect she deserved by bowing, straightening himself up there soon afterward, “Hello Miss Koizumi. It is nice to see you too, and yes, I am here to see Niala. It has been some time since we have seen each other in person.”, He spoke, feeling somewhat embarrassed in not being able to visit his fiance as much as he desires. Though, the issue was something out of his control, with him living in Kumogakure no Sato, and Niala living in Iwagakure no Sato after the latter's destruction.

Despite not being able to see Niala as frequently as he would like, he still stayed in contact with her via letter. He was writing to her, telling her about what he had been up, on a near-daily basis. Not much of his life was hidden from Niala, and he could assume, her family. He was not shy when talking about the troubles faced being in a foreign village with no allies or anyone they knew. Sure, he and his mother could have moved to Iwagakure no Sato at any time, but, it was only recently that the village of stone got a new Tsuchikage after the position became vacant for reasons unknown to him. With the lack of kage in charge, the village would not be in a good position in the world. Therefore, a logical decision to stay in Kumogakure no Sato was made. Now though, with things have changed, they decided to move to Iwagakure no Sato to be close to a friend and ally - especially considering what had happened. The reason for their move was not something he hid from Niala, and, if she had received the letter before them arriving, she and her family would know.

Hanae softly smiled at Kannon, turning to walk back into the kitchen, knowing the young man was following her from the sounds of his footsteps and the door closing, “Do not worry, dear. We know things have not been the easiest for you and Chiyo - especially considering the last attack which happened. I am just glad you two are okay, and I know my husband and daughter feel the same way.”, She spoke. The words of Hanae easied any worries, Kannon had felt. He was glad the family was understanding of him and his mother’s predicament.

Hearing that Niala was training brighten the smile on his face, though it did not last long when Hanae mentioned the reason behind the training - something happened. “What happened?”, He asked, worried being evident in his voice. The reply he got was not one he was hoping for, only that Niala would tell him, and that did nothing to ease his mind. What could have happened that made Niala want to train more? He racked his brain in trying to figure out the mystery, throwing out different theories, one after another. With nothing come to mind, he settled with having to ask his fiance once he greets her.

His eyes followed Hanae, watching as Niala was hit to the ground by Genki, her father. “I will be going out back to see Niala.”, Kannon spoke, receiving a nod from Hanae who went back cooking. Stepping into the backyard, he was immediately spotted by Genki who refocused his attention back on Niala and blocking her view of Kannon. For a few minutes, Kannon watched the ongoing training session between father and daughter.  “That is enough for today.”, Genki spoke, grabbing Kannon’s attention, “There is a visitor here to see you, Niala.” Seeing that it was his cue, Kannon allowed himself to be seen by his fiance and moved towards her. “I will allow you two alone to catch up. Don’t forget about lunch Niala, and you too Kannon.”, Genki spoke, heading back into the house, and into the kitchen where his wife was. If neither teenager looked back, they would notice the burly man looking at them from out of the window.

Closing the distance between himself and Niala, Kannon’s arms wrapped around her, “Hey Niala. How have you been?”, He asked, letting go of the hug. His hand moving to pick out any debris in her hair, something he had a habit of doing, as he waited for her to reply.

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Having closed the distance between the two, Kannon’s arms wrapped around the lithe form of his fiance. The hug being more than just a ‘hug’. It conveying all the emotions he having felt, love and happiness and joy at being able to see her again, and finally, worry, due to the words which her mother having told him. Though, the worriness was pushed aside as he felt similar emotions being conveyed to him when she returned the hug; her small frame against his. He did not let go of her immediately, hugging her for a bit longer, draining himself in her presence. A sigh of happiness, or maybe it was content, escaping his lips as his eyes closed, as the world around him and Niala became still, allowing them to enjoy the physical contact a bit longer.  All good things must come to an end though, and with some reluctance, Kannon unraveled his arms from around her.


“I missed you too.”, He spoke, his words being as genuine as they could be. The young samurai indeed missed Niala a lot. There not being a lot of times where they could physically meet one another, considering both of them lived in different villages, until now. While letters were good for them to stay in contact, it hardly compared with physically being able to hold one another and talk to them in person. There were many of things unable to be done within a letter, and Kannon missed said things greatly, but, with him now living in the same village as her, he has been giving the opportunity to do all the things his heart desires.

With a smile ever present on his face, Kannon took a moment to appreciate the cuteness of his fiance, who he no doubt will become a beauty like her mother. Perversion was not in his eyes as he took in her haggard appearance, obviously from the training which occurred moments of go. Despite the pieces of debris on her person, which he picked off, flickering them away, she was still very much the small and willowy girl he had seen a few years ago. A willowy girl who were in the process of blooming into a beautiful woman. not that looks matter to him, he was just stating a fact.

A frown marred his features, and the worry sensation from earlier return as Niala mentioned things being the complicated, unknowing mirroring almost the same response her mom gave him only moments prior. Something had happened, that much was for certain, but what? What had happened to Niala? Kannon knew, if he had run into Kensaku, Niala’s twin, the older brother would have told him what exactly happened. The two males having a close relationship, outside of their mutual overprotectiveness of Niala. Kannon respected Kensaku and vice-versa. They both wanted the best for Niala and would go to extreme lengths to ensure such. Because of their shared interest, it would have been easy to find out what had occurred since his absence. Nevertheless, since Kensaku was not around, Kannon had to find it from Niala.


“Your mother told me the same thing, that whatever happened was complicated and to let you tell me.”, He spoke while walking with her towards one of the benches nearby. Sitting down on the bench, Niala did not surprise him with her actions of sitting on the ground a front of him and leaning against his leg. “You still enjoy sitting like this, I see.”, He spoke with a smile on his face. He did not know why, but when giving the opportunity, Niala would sit against him like this. He did not mind it at all, just found it cute. Looking down at the young woman, his right hand moved a strand of hair from her face as he patiently waits for her to speak on the topic which has been alluded to by her and Hanae.

Silence descended in the backyard as he processes what Niala told him. Some rich boy had been harassing and stalking Niala whenever she went out in public, and to make matters worse, said boy had the nerve to visit Niala’s home unannounced. Throughout the whole conversation myriad of different emotions displayed across Kannon’s face, anger, at someone stalking and harassing her, worried, because this boy does not seem to take no well, happiness, that she was able to stand up for herself and scare the boy off, and a few others. He was about to speak but closed his mouth when Niala started speaking again, which he listened intently. While she spoke, Kannon’s right hand were moving through her hair.


“First and more importantly, I am happy nothing more have come from the incident, and you are taking precautions by asking for training from your father.”, He spoke, being proud of the steps Niala in taking to ensure her safety in case neither him or Kensaku was around. “ Hibiki does not seem to be the type of person who would take too kindly to rejections.  He seems like the stereotypical spoiled rich kid who never worked in a day in his life with all his money handed to him by his parents. I hope I do not cross paths with him, or he showing up when I am around.” He left the threat hanging, for there were no need to go into detail about what exactly he would do Hibiki if given the chance. Kannon might be raised a samurai, but he was also was raised as a shinobi. “If you ever need a sparring partner, who is on the same level as you, I will gladly volunteer to help you train.” He offered, wanting to do whatever he could to make sure Niala was prepared to hand whatever might come her way.

Chestnut brown eyes full of warmth, unlike the cocktail of emotions previously doing her explaining what occurred, stared into Niala’s eyes. He were going to ask her more about the incident, but it seems she wanted to change the subject, inquiring about him and his mother. Typical Niala for pushing her problems aside to worry about someone else’s. She was too kind for her own good, not like it was bad. “Thankfully the trip was without incident. The people who had attacked us within Kumogakure no Sato was permanently dealt with by mom. We knew the attacks would be starting soon. Samurai generally do not like people with Kekkai Genkais, seeing them as an abomination that needs to be dealt with. There is not much father could do in this situation. Despite being the ruler, there are those on council who are looking for any reason to remove him from power, and put one of my siblings, who also dislike Kekkai Genkai users, in charge as a figurehead.” He spoke, the knowledge of him being in line to potentially rule a country only being known by Niala and her family. Stretching a little, not enough to disturb Niala’s resting place, he spoke once more, “Mom is doing fine. Helped her start dinner before coming here. She suggested I have you to give me a tour of the village which will become my permanent home. So, are you up for that?”, He inquired.

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