Yue let out a long sigh she hasn’t realized she’d been holding in. The travel from Kiri to Konoha was exhausting. Her father wasn’t happy with her decision but when was he happy with anything. You’d think it impossible for anyone to be as negative as he was without draining themselves as well. This old disgruntled shinobi never broke a smile once whilst Yue lived with him. She doubted he had ever smiled at all. Needless to say she was happy to be away from him.

Her boat ride to Konoha was anything but the immediate peace she’d hope for though. Traveling with other Genin sounded fine in theory but nothing prepared for other people as well. People in her graduating class were there and they were as pig headed as ever. They hooted and hollered at anything with legs. So Yue sat herself next to what appeared to be an expecting mother. Yue kept to herself until the woman decided to rain down upon her with overly friendly conversation.

“WOW! Your hair is long and lovely. Who’s your stylist?”

“Your complexion is to DIE for! What products do you use?”

Even when Yue said nothing back the woman just kept chattering away and asking more and more personal questions. The boat ride dragged on forever and the woman never seemed to understand her conversation wasn’t wanted. When it was time to switch over to the train Yue practically ran to escape her. She ended up seated next to a man who did nothing but cough and hack until he got off on his stop.Yes, the trip to Konoha was a long one and certainly an annoying one but it was all well when Yue became reunited with the village she was raised in.

Night crept in slowly as the young raven haired woman cleaned her mother’s old apartment. It was dusty and unused since she died. Yue sat on the floor and looked into the empty space. There was no furniture just yet but she planned to change that as soon as possible. Right now all she wanted to do was relax. The tension in her back and shoulders were near unbearable. Remembering that Konoha was home to her favorite hot springs, Yue grabbed robes and a fresh towel before striking out into the night with purpose.


WC: 397

The sun was slowly creeping, receding behind the horizon. Komorebi was aware of the time only due to the small beams which filtered into the slightly dusty makeshift Dono he had put together in what should have been a new Kanetsu Pizzeria. The young man had been sent over to Konohagakure to expand the family business but instead he had chosen to become a shinobi. It was something he would have to address at some point, but tonight was not the time. His focus was on training. A large punching bag hung from the ceiling, and with what seemed like the last of his strength, Komorebi spun around with a spinning heel-kick. The impact would be enough to push the glistening, muscular Kanetsu to his limitation. He exhaled deeply and took a knee, stopping the heavy bag from swinging into him with a gentle extension of his arm. There was a certain satisfaction that spread across his tired face, he had met his goals for the day, as extreme as they had been. He closed shut the thick training manual titled “Springtime of Youth” and unscrewed the cap to a bottle of water, leaning his head back and drinking deep.

It would have been war on his skin to head home and turn in for sleep. The number of toxins which he had sweat out of his pores during this session alone would have to be washed away. With that notion in mind, the Kanetsu teen would grab a towel and leave for the hot springs. The benefits of a nice hot bath after a long day were innumerable. Not to mention the bliss and relaxation of such a thing. The streets were fairly clear, the sun having seemed to finally take its leave, making way for the moon. The shirtless man would smile up at the darkening sky as he walked down the sodden path toward his destination. Komorebi was a powerful looking man, even as a genin. His muscular form was something to be admired, and often was despite how oblivious the man was to this. A fair share of onlookers, some staring and some passing short glances, would admire him as they headed off to their evening duties or home to their families.

He would smile politely at all he passed along the way. Komorebi was a nice man who just wanted a nice bath, and it was finally upon him as he entered into the men’s bathhouse and laid down his towel just next to the water. Should someone else enter, he would cover himself with it, despite not truly wanting to leave the facility still wet. He was more a fan of bathing without clothes.  It was important to getting the maximum exposure to the cleansing waters. As he dipped his foot down into the waters, he would sigh in relief and gently lower himself fully. The water would come up to his shoulders as he leaned back and closed his eyes in ecstasy.


WC: 501

The nearly boiling water felt extremely nice upon his aching muscles. The intense vigor of his workout routine usually brought him to this same state, but he recently had reached a new chapter, one that demanded even more. The words of a wise expert in the subject of taijutsu were printed throughout this guide Komorebi had been using ever since arriving to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. He was following it without waivering. The motivational bits about youth were invigorating. The style of the writing was worth a read even for someone not as dedicated to following its instruction. Different poses, training exercises, and martial arts moves cycled through Komorebi’s mind as he stared forth at the blank wall across from him, his back facing the entrance to the spring.

It would be only a few moments into his deep relaxation when his eyes would jar open with the sound of a shocked woman exclaiming at him. It took him a few moments to fully realize the situation, due to the fact that she was either definitely in the wrong bathhouse or somehow he was the one who had chosen incorrectly. One way or another he remained in place, knowing full and well that he was exposed entirely below the waist. As he reached for his towel in shock and panic, he fumbled a bit, exclaiming back at her - “I am SO sorry! I don’t know who has chosen incorrectly but I mean no harm. Is this the women’s spring?”

He secured his towel carefully before standing up from the pool and walking out of the door to look at the sign. When he saw the sign reading “Men” he felt a sudden relief, though his aching body felt none of that, now suddenly exposed to the cool night air. Komorebi walked back into the spring with a lighthearted smile, eyes closed lightly. “It seems you chose the men’s hot spring. Thank goodness it was only me and not a group of those withered old perverts who usually come here, right?” he would say this with a chuckle, wondering what she would do now. As for himself, he would keep his towel tightened and return to his original spot to escape the chill of the night air. He truly didn’t mind if she stayed, he wasn’t affected in any way by her presence. He enjoyed the company of others but didn’t wish to further press the woman, as this slight humiliation was probably not what she had planned for a relaxing destination such as the hotspring.

Not but five minutes would pass before some laughing and carrying on would come to pass from behind Komorebi. Initially, he paid absolutely no mind to this. But once realizing the girl was still stuck here, and now the old perverts had arrived. Would she see herself out? Or would she meet the Kanetsu’s eyes in search of assistance. He had just the plan to scare away the encroaching dust bags. But only if the woman herself wished it.

---

WC: 514
TWC:1015

The baby-faced woman had a sharp attitude, the way her emotions rushed to and fro, the way she refused the idea of being in the wrong was silly and Komorebi didn’t take it personally at all. As she raced her way around in a huff and referred to the young man as a pervert, he realized an odd thing about her. No matter how much she seemed to stomp about, she made no sound. Her footsteps were without sound, she didn’t even possess a shadow. The only thing that gave up her presence was that snappy attitude and her mouth. He didn’t have much time to ponder this notion before he realized she had probably just destroyed the “men’s” sign outside the room.

As if karma had rushed upon her for vandalism,  the cackling middle-aged men seemed to spook her right back over to the opposite side of the room. All of this was just a rollercoaster for Komorebi. A dramatic television show which he had no idea what the next turn would bring. As he took in the situation her eyes met his with a fearful hopelessness. She was looking for any escape from the impending doom. It wouldn’t be very fun to be caught in a room like this by a bunch of creepy old bats. There was one tried and true way to deter and distract these sorts of men. A technique so peculiar, Komorebi had no way to rationalize why it worked so well.

He looked over and gave the woman a wink and said “My name is Komorebi of the Kanetsu clan. Please avert your eyes and prepare to make a dash for the exit.” In this instant, every memory of accidentally fumbling and dropping his towel in a bathhouse full of other men played in Komo’s head. He couldn’t decide if it was just because he did an occasional workout or if these men were appalled by the manhood. Either way, he stood up and flung his towel to the side in what appeared to be slow motion. The soaked fabric slapped against the wall with a soggy splat. The men opened the door and immediately called out, shielding their eyes and cursing at him. The distraction was perfect and the girl could have escaped with almost no contest if she had bolted at that moment.

It would remain a staggering mystery to Komorebi why this was always the reaction that took place when his towel was misplaced. He didn’t know if he should feel self-conscious or not. He didn’t. But should he have? He would scratch his head with a dumbfounded look on his face before finally deciding it was time to give up on a night of pampering. Things had gotten too out of hand and weird. Everyone had run away by that time. And he was just tired and sore.

Meme:

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WC: 491
TWC: 1506

RT: E-0 ~> D-0 (750)
STR: E-0 ~> D-0 (750)
Total: (1500)

Discarded: 6 words