Starring:
Date: June 27, 2014
Summary:
Takahiro is taken from Kirigakure's orphanage to his new home and meet his new mentor. A Seven Swordsman of the Mist.
"Takahiro Finds a Home"
Kaguya Village [Kirigakure]
10/17/10 A.F.
Kaguya Village [Kirigakure]
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This area smells very strongly of blood and views of ivory, each building in this district made by the Kaguya that owns it and out of their own bone. At the far west end of the village there is one house that is double the size of any other which could presumably belong to the head of the Kaguya Clan. Among the buildings are small resturants and shops, all made of the same bone material as the other buildings, though the merchandise is not necessarily such.
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A thick fog settles over the village of Kirigakure, this late evening in October, smoky tendrils stretching across the land like outstretched fingers of a wraith, cloaking the streets, buildings, homes. A Kaguya messenger had been sent out to retrieve Takahiro from Sakura's Orphanage, to escort him through the unfamiliar streets, the thick fog obscuring most everything beyond ten feet of one's nose.
The Kaguya village is made apparent as they pass through the archway of giant bone ribs, those that appear to come from some sort of grossly large creature, still faintly stained with blood as if some sort of gruesome reminder to the rest of the village as a whole. An usual scent of something metalic hangs in the air, subtle under the constant fog and masking it's source. Through the cobblestone trees, the guide leads them westward at a steady pace, the stones beneath their feet eventually giving away to soft earth. The path etched into the ground slowly turns them northward, though it's rather difficult to determine, and the well worn path soon cuts through the trees; the forest cropping up around them with the steady shift of terrain.
"We're almost there." gruffs the Kaguya, not looking back at the boy to make sure that he's still following along. And true to his word, after several moments the forest clears away. From what's visible, they must be passing through a garden. One kept up in pristine condition as flowers and foliage are well tended and cared for. As they walk, the fog quietly peels away from the surface of a large two story japanese-styled manor, standing regally over it's land and those that approach.
The boy, dressed in his average black clothing with an empty scabbard on his back, would have not said a word. The nurses of the orphanage would have told him he had been summoned by someone, and had to follow the messenger. Takahiro would have tried to take in any detail from what was surrounding him, but seem to have no luck. The mist would quickly become liquid hitting his hair. His pace, just as steady as the messenger, would make a little red charm, A kunai shaped peace of wood surrounded by the blood of Kiji, would be dancing around his neck. The boy was not used to the mist yet, and he was frankly annoyed by not seeing anything, however his face would be as emotionless as ever. This however, changed quickly. Seeing the Manor arise from the mist and trees, the boy would look astonished. He was only used to see ruins, the orphanage, or a steady amount of trees before seeing this, and the boy was somewhat intimidated. "Wow, that's big."
His guide grunts lightly in agreement to the boy before he approaches the front door of the manor, finger rapping sharply on the surface before falling to his side, clearly patient in waiting. It's a long moment before the door opens, the warm glow of fire and life falling through the door, briefly shadowing the figure where it stands. "Ah, yes. Thank you for retrieving him. You have my thanks." comes a woman's voice, her voice soft and gentle. The guide rises from his deep bow and turns to disappear into the fog, as if he were too just a wisp of smoke.
From the doorway, Yuuka turns her attention to the young boy, her expression softening subly. "You must be Miyamoto Takahiro. I welcome you to my home, and belatedly, welcome you to Kirigakure. Please come in. I'm sure we have much to talk about." The smile touching her lips is warm. "And I wasn't sure if you've had anything for dinner yet, so we have a table of hot food waiting for you."
The boy would soon lower his emotion while waiting for the door to open. He reached for his neck, looking at the charm Kiji and Amata would have made for him while he was sad. ~They really tried to cheer me up!~ He would think before hearing the door be opened. He would look for a brief moment to the messenger, before he vanished into the mist.
Takahiro would switch his gaze to the women in the doorway. "Yes, my name is Miyamoto Takahiro. Thank you for welcoming me." The boy would say without any emotion in his voice. The boy would not yet have forgotten what happened to his sensei, but it was more the sight of it than the actual act. The boy would move towards her a little, while waiting to follow her. The boy would look up after the remark about the food, while quickly nodding. "I would like that miss." The boy would try to force a mannered smile.
Stepping back some, Yuuka allows Takahiro to enter before lightly sliding the door closed behind him. In the entry way she waits for the boy to remove his outdoor shows and replace them with slippers, her gaze watching him not with suspicion, but with quiet observation as he does this. Then she smiles gently to herself and wordlessly turns, leading him through a long hallway that soon leads to a living room, side by side to that of a dinning room with a table that's already been prepared for it's guests.
Indoors now and with better lighting, the bright orange of fire seem to give the woman a warm glow about her snowy locks, her expression calm, almost tranquil, though vivid aquamarine eyes suggest that she's keenly aware of her surroundings. Yuuka takes a step aside to allow him to explore, should he wish.
The boy would peer curious over to the slippers on the floor in front of him. The boy would think for a quick moment before realising he would have to put them on. After that, the boy would quietly walk behind Yuuka, following her. The boy would look through the hallway, taking in every detail his brain can consume before looking at the living room. He would have wanted to look at it, but his stomach briefly grunted, and the sight of a prepared table made him happy. Takahiro would look around himself while reaching for his hair with his hand, flipping over the front part of it, before lowering his hands and moving it back with his head. A nervosity tic. He would take a good look at Yuuka for the first time. Her eyes were beautifull, he would think before looking around at the rest of the room. He take note of every detail in his head before looking back at Yuuka again with a look of which he had no clue what to do.
Rice, dumplings, vegetables, cooked fish and eel, miso soup, and a kettle of hot water for tea. A gentle steam of aromas rise steadily from the selection of food that's been prepared. More or less a feast in itself. Hearing the slight grumble of his stomach, Yuuka chuckles lightly, her expression radiant as she slips forward towards the table. Lowering herself to take a seat, her expression becomes almost playful as she gestures to another cushion. A silent urging for him to take a seat as well.
Faintly lifting her chin, her eyes glance up towards the curtained doorway for a pause before a single pale brow lifts in a curious manner. "Are you going to say hello, Yuriko-chan?" she asks the doorway, pausing to wait for a reply. A long moment ticks by before a pair of bright aquamarine eyes become visible, obscured partly by waves of snowy bangs as the young girl peeks inside. She hides behind the curtain for another pause before quietly stepping out, tentatively looking from her mother to the boy. The pale kimono she wears nearly matches the snow white of her tresses, embroidered with flower designs of powder pink and long enough that her arms disappear inside the engulfing sleeves. "Takahiro-kun, this is my daughter, Yuriko-chan. Yuriko, be nice and say hello." Yuuka murmurs in gentle encouragement. The petite girl shyly lowers her eyes to the floor. "Hello…"
The boy would have taken a seat before looking to the table with great interest. He had never seen a table so full of food. In the wilderness he had to be happy with one duck, and maybe some herbs and leaves from the forest every day, and in the orphanage, they only had sticky rice in a untasteful sauce. "This looks delicious….. Lady-san" The boy would have hesitated for a few seconds, wondering if he already have heard her name, but he felt like it was atleast the most appropriate for him to speak with two words. The boy however seemed without much emotion. All the emotion he had was sad.
The boy would have noticed the lifting of Yuuka's eyebrow. Only after hearing the lady speak, he would move his head to the place she was looking at. Takahiro was surprised. The boy hadn't noticed her at all, and felt almost guilty for not doing so. He would look at her, while letting her speak. "Hello there,.." The boy would say a kind manner. The tone would be more kind and expressfull you might have normally expected from the boy, but he even smiled at the little girl. "You have the same eyes as your mother." He would say. The boy would smile once more before returning to look at Yuuka.
Her eyes look back to Takahiro and her expression warms again, "Kaguya-san sounds a bit formal, so Yuuka-san is fine. I don't mind if you like to call me that." Yuuka reassures him. "And thank you Takahiro-kun. I have a little flair when it comes to preparing food, so the Kitchen is almost always stocked with something ready to eat. Even Yuriko-chan has tried her hand at making onigiri a couple of times." Glancing to the young girl, no words are exchanged as Yuriko nears the table and takes a seat. Yuriko pauses when he mentions her eyes, hesitantly glancing up at him for another brief moment before they avert and glance down at her lap. "Do you want some tea?" she asks softly, her mother smiling gently at this.
While the girl takes the kettle from the center of the table, it's apparent that it was set upon a fire seal etched into the surface of the smooth surface. She carefully begins serving tea while Yuuka begins preparing a plate for Takahiro. "Now then. I'm sure you have questions. Is there anything you wish to ask before I make introductions?"
The boy would nod slowly, hearing Yuuka talk about how to adress her would relax him. He would hear her talk about the food, and he would try to surpress his laughter. He held it well, however his eyes started twinkling. Takahiro would look at Yuriko while hearing she tried to prepare something, and before switching back to Yuuka, he would nod slowly. "Yes, some tea would be nice Yuriko-chan." He would say. The boy nods a few times before actually shaking his head. "I have no questions to ask at first Yuuka-san."
+news
Tea served, the plate is set in front of Takahiro. A little bit of everything for him to sample. Yuuka just smiles to herself, catching that twinkling in his eye and making a note of it. The boy wasn't completely gone, so removed from reality that he's lost to finding laughter. This was a good sign. A plate is set in front of Yuriko and with a pair of chopsticks the girl begins to eat on the cooked eel, sparing small curious glances at Takahiro every once in a while. Another good sign.
For now, Yuuka folds her hands in her lap while the children eat, dipping her chin ever so slightly to consider where to start. There was allot of ground to cover. "I suppose we should start at the beginning. That's usually the best place to start off after all." she murmurs lightly. "I am Kaguya Yuuka, as you know already. I am one of the Elders of the Kaguya clan, and I am one of the Seven Swordsman, keeper of the Kubikiribocho blade. Like you, I grew up without my parents, without a family, before I cam here to Kirigakure." Another small smile touches her lips, but it hints with a touch of sadness, even acceptance. "I've had a few students over the years, including Yuriko-chan, though I suppose technically she's being trained by the Mizukage presently."
The boy would have waited to eat for Yuriko, not sure whether he should have already started, he would start to eat the food lightly. The taste was good, way better than it was in the orphanage, however it couldn't top his own prepared duck while he was out in the woods. This, however was a fact he would never say. The boy would listen carefully to the woman. He would have looked down at his charm while she would have talked about the swordsmen, but he switched quickly back to looking at his foot, trying to hold in his expressions when she would have talked about her parents, but he didn't shut it down completely. His eyes were slightly watery, something that he could have concealed while in the mist, but inside a house, there was no mist to conceal or to blame. The boy would however keep on nodding while eating his food. The boy had a few things to shoot through his mind, but he would hold it back for a while longer. He wanted to listen carefully what the women had and was going to say.
Yuuka silently noes this, seeing that the mention of losing her own parents… struck a cord. She knew this even if he holds everything in. First instinct told her to reach out a hand to comfort him, but she knew that now wasn't the right time. It would be unwelcomed, even possibly drive him away. So for now she'll just have to wait, until he felt comfortable enough to go to her instead. The rich blue green of her eyes slowly blink as she glances to her daughter, who's spying on Takahiro from over the top of the tea kettle, she notes. "Yuriko-chan, go ahead and tell him about yourself." Yuuka gently urges.
Snowy head glances up at her mother, Yuriko visibly pauses for a moment before frowning to herself, "Um… I'm Yuriko-chan… and I'm a Genin." she murmurs, trying to think up of something else to say. "I fought a giant mutant beetle for my student graduation exam. I was sorta hard." Though she says this, she shrugs her slender shoulders, as if it really wasn't a big deal. "How about you? Have you seen anything giant?"
The boy would have noticed the switch of gaze. The boy would have thought about his mother dieing around seven months before that. A burning house came to mind, and it was something that wouldn't let him go. Takahiro would look at Yuriko while switching from a serious expression, to a friendly face. The boy would listen to her story about the giant beetle. The boy would be silent at first while Yuriko was waiting for his answer, but would clear his throat slightly, emptying his mouth from the food shortly after and started to talk. "I attacked a giant man with my Lightning jutsu when he killed my… ex-sensei." The pause was short, but noticable. "I didn't kill him though, but he had a really scary mask. He was the one that brought me here." The boy would say while smiling friendly at the girl. He then would switch his gaze to Yuuka. "Did he take my mothers Chokuto?"
Yuriko blinks her bright eyes openly at Takahiro at the mention of the giant man, tilting her snowy head as if imaging what that would be like. Her mother however quirks a pale brow at him, recognizing who he's talking about, though decides it's probably for the best that he doesn't know who the shinobi was. It wouldn't help anyone. The boy then turns his gaze to her and asks a very open question, one that gives Yuuka a slight pause. "I don't know for certain, but it's very likely." Yuuka murmurs.
Silently she pushes herself to her feet, rising to disappear into a hallway for a passing moment before returning, the black chokuto resting on top the palms of both hands. As she returns, Yuuka sets it on the table in front of her, well within sight of the boy. "This is yours." she murmurs softer, expression gentle. "You may use it during practice, when we do, but when you're not practicing I am going to place a protective barrier on it so that it won't be lethal, if used."
The boy would have questioned his previous question while Yuuka walks towards the hallway. He would look at Yuriko with a smile while he reaches for a piece of fish, moving it into his mouth and working it away. The boy would then move his gaze back to the hallway, wondering what the woman was doing. He would do his nervosity tic of moving his hair to the side with his hand and moving it back in it's old place by his head.
"My mother sword!" The boy would almost shout, but was able to hold himself in. He nod slowly at her remark, even though he wasn't happy about the fact that there would be a jutsu cast on it. However, he accepted the measure. "I rather have it working how it is supposed to work, however I will compromise." The boy would say before he would reach for his chest, pressing a clip, releasing four belts that would have held the empty scabbard. He would quickly reach behind his back before it would fall on the ground or hit the chair. "This has been sitting rather empty on my back. If you want, Yuuka-san, I could tell you my story." He would say, pausing shortly before continueing. "It seems like you have been informed by the Mizukage about our talk, but he never really asked what my precise history is, and it means you might be able to get more pointers about who I am." He would say emotionless, before switching his gaze from the scabbard to Yuuka's eyes.
Yuuka returns to her seat, resting the blade lengthwise on the table in front of her as she looks it over, thoughtful. Hearing his acceptance to her terms, the compromise, she smiles softly and glances up at him, meeting his gaze. "I have no right to keep from you your birthright. However, I do not know if you know how to use it properly, the way it's intended. So until then this will be just a safety measure." she murmurs. "You do not heal as quickly as a Kaguya shinobi can, so not paying heed to caution would be foolish of me. And," she holds up an index finger with further emphasis. "I want you to prove to me that you can be trusted with this honor. A blade is an extension of it's wielder, and through it it speaks what you cannot put into words."
The chokuto is delicately lifted in Yuuka's small hands once more, a finger touching the flat of the blade, near the base. Unseen, the flesh of her finger parts as the bone emerges, touching the metal directly. While Kaguya bone is diamond hard, it molds under her will to cloak over the blade with a thin layer, in the wake of her finger as if she were painting it directly onto the sword. "There." She's satisfied with the result. It'll dull the edge while allowing it to be useable still. It wouldn't do for him to walk around without a weapon after all.
Yuuka reaches over to take the scabbard, carefully sliding the black chokuto cleanly into it. "I have a general idea of what happened to you, Takahiro-kun, but I would be more than happy to hear your story if you want to offer it to me." she smiles gently, holding out the hilt of the chokuto for him as she says this.
Takahiro would have just sat there and listened while witnessing her doing her jutsu over the blade. The boy was rather amused by her words, but he would not show that expression. Instead, he took the blade out of her hands. He did it in a fast manner, sliding it carefully into his scabbard before clipping it back on his back. The boy would clear his throat, opening his mouth while nodding once. "I haven't told anyone my full story yet. There was never time, I do not know how I react, but no pain no gain." He would relax slightly before starting his story.
"I was born in a wooden hut made by my father. From what I know, there is one other chokuto exactly like the one I have on my back. It now rests at his grave, around twenty days traveling to a cliff somewhere, where it lays next to my mother." The boy would have watery eyes, but would nonetheless continue. "Ever since my father started making weapons again, I helped in his work shop. Where all the metal works went is a wonder to me. And at the age of six, my mother started to teach me Ninjutsu. She had one arm for a reason I do not know, but she told me how I could use my chakra and what I could do with it. She taught it to me, and I quote, to defend myself in the only honest way she knew." The voice of the kid would break for a moment, however it would quickly regain it's normal tone after a short pause. "She also taught me how to use a sword. She was no master by all means, but she taught me enough to use it." The boy would take a deep breath before continueing, one tear would have walked down his face and dripped onto his brown shirt.
"The day of my tenth birthday, was a beautiful day. But the night fell, and a bolt of lightning hit one of the oldest tree's near our house. It caught fire and fell on top of it." The boy would look at his man himself up a little, moving the tears away before speaking again. "The three fell on top of my parents bed. My mother was out of the bed, I don't know why, but it doesn't matter." He would switch his gaze from the plate to Yuuka's eyes. A deep pain would be noticable in his eyes while he spoke. "She carried me out of the house and got hit by a plank." The boy would gasp by the thought of it but kept continuing. "Her back got penetrated by the nails on it, she told me to survive and made sure I took her blade." The boy seemed to have calmed down fully, but the tears were running while he would have relived the moment of his mother dieing in front of him. "I pulled my father and her way from the collapsed house and burried at the cliff next to it." The boy would pause for a moment before adding.
"This was all around seven months ago."
The woman watches him quietly, her expression softening further with deep seeded sympathy the more he spoke about his parents and the fire, Worse, his mother. He seemed so deeply connected to his mother, missed her so greatly that Yuuka knew that he still hurts. A quiet moment passes, and she rises, moving just enough to take a seat next to him and gently wrap her arm around his shoulders. The experience was so similar, but now isn't the time for her to share her story. "It's okay to cry," she reassures him. "It will hurt for a long time, but letting it out is good for you."
Yuriko watches on through all of this, saddened by his story but uncertain what to do in a situation like this. "I think," her mother continues, sensing the confusion from her daughter. "That it's time to clear the table and have some hot chocolate. With lots of marshmallows." Yuuka instantly brightens at that thought, her once shy features beaming with abrupt anticipation.
The boy would not show not the emotion of crying, but the tears would be running down his face, he would move one hand to his head, moving away the tears, but it is of no use. It get's refilled instantly. The boy, never really shared his story, felt better and worse at the same time. The boy had cried about his parents, but he never did so long and while telling his story. The boy would sit in silence for a moment before looking listening to the Marshmallows idea. The boy had truly no clue what marshmallows were, but apparently it was supposed to lighten peoples mood. "I wonder, what happens to me now?" The boy would say before smiling lightly.
Yuuka keeps the arm wrapped around the boy's shoulders, letting him gather himself. And the prospect of hot chocolate in the near future doesn't seem to hurt either. The question quirks her pale brow, "Well, for now you are my charge. You will stay here and train. The house is so big that you can pick any of the empty bedrooms that you like and you can have it." she murmurs. "There are two others that live here as well. Another boy named Hissori-kun, and a caretaker that lives on the grounds. I'm sure you will see him from time to time too." Yuuka dips her chin slightly, watching him. "Since I don't know what you've been taught, I will teach you the basics, help you through the academy so that you can become a Genin like Yuriko-chan."
The boy would nod slowly before leaning his head slowly onto Yuuka's shoulder if she would allow it. "My mother told me to invest the most of my training in my ninjutsu, while taking slow steps at Kenjutsu." The boy would say hesitant after Yuuka's remarks, however he felt accepted. The boy would be staring at the table while a sudden thought shoots through his head. "Does the orphanage know I am staying here?" He would say before lifting his head up, trying to look at Yuuka. The boy would wonder for a moment before moving his head back to the shoulder again if let. "Thank you." He would say, as one last tear would leave his eyes.
The woman smiles gently when his small weight leans against her shoulder, finding it encouraging that he would accept her comfort in a moment when he felt vulnerable. The arm around his shoulders lightly rubs at the top of his own arm. "They know, yes. The arrangements have been made for you to stay here, if you want to. If not, I'm sure we can think of something else." Yuuka was fairly certain he wanted to stay.
One last tear falls from him, and she gives his shoulders a reassuring squeeze before releasing Takahiro and rising smoothly to her feet. "Alright. Let's clear the table and then we can make Hot Chocolate. A dismal foggy day like this calls for a treat." she smiles, easily earning a beam from Yuriko.
The young girl snatches up her empty plate and darts for the kitchen, placing dirtied plate into it before returning to take away more of the dishes. With the three of them, the process doesn't take long. Leftover food is covered and placed carefully into an ice box for storage.
The boy would have nodded at her remark. "I would be glad to stay Yuuka-san." He would say before rising to his feet aswell, reaching for his empty plate while following Yuriko into the kitchen. The boy would take a better look this time at his envoirenment. If he was going to stay here, he should check it out to the fullest for maximum utilisation. once in the kitchen, the boy would carefully note the actions of Yuriko, mimicing it with his own plate in order to make sure he did not do anything stupid. This probably was nothing more then just putting down a plate on the counter, but he would be uncertain if it wasn't for Yuriko.
A quick moment would go by and he had returned to the, now empty, table. "Yuuka-san, I wondered if there is anyone able to help me with my Lightning Ninjutsu. I wish to learn new things and become better at it first before taking my Kenjutsu head on." He would say back in his emotionless state again. He was really happy about his stay here, but the scars of his past were always aching.
Yuuka empties the kettle of water, and replaces it with milk before carrying it back to the table, Yuriko holding onto three mugs in her arms, shuffling them carefully so as to not drop one by accident. The tip of her tongue emerges at the corner of her mouth in concentration as she does this, and it isn't long before they're set on the table, victorious of the trip.
Lifting her gaze to meet Takahiro's gaze, she lifts a pale brow for a pause before carefully setting the kettle on the fire seal. "I know someone that specializes with lightning. And… I think I can talk him into it. Shouldn't be difficult." she murmurs. "Though getting the basics down first is your priority. Tree walking and water walking is essential and important, but unless you can aim a kunai with precision, it could mean the difference between life and death."
Takahiro would have witnessed the scene with a little bit of joy. Espescially the fact that Yuriko was so deeply in concentration, made him happy inside. The reason of why he felt happy was unknown to himself, but it must be the setting he was in. He would have taken a seat right after the mugs were set in place on the table.
"Water walking?" The boy would ask. He would lift up one eyebrow while looking at Yuuka. "I have never seen that. I saw my mother walk up against a tree, but I always assumed that had something to do with speed." The boy would say. He would look around him, searching for a window in order to see if there were any tree's nearby. He wanted to try it immediately.
"Yuriko-chan." Yuuka murmurs, drawing the girl's own bright aquamarine eyes up to her. "Please go get the cocoa, marshmallows, spoons and the mortar." Yuriko glances from her mother to Takahiro, observing the boy for a curious moment before turning and disappearing into the kitchen again. Yuuka takes this time to lower herself into her seat again, exhaling a small breath.
Her kind eyes return to the boy, expression softening. "If you know how to tree walk correctly, you don't need speed at all. But starting off, it doesn't hurt." Yuuka chuckles lightly. "I think you might like learning how to play these sorts of games though. And it's been a while since Yuriko has had someone to play with." The girl in mention returns as her mother says this, pausing and daring a small glance in Yuriko's direction, sensing the faint ping of pain in her expression.
Takahiro would have followed the girls movement with her eyes as she has been sent away, but quickly switches his gaze back to Yuuka as she starts to speak. He would carefully listen to her words, and nodding now and so often. A game. Now that's a word that he haven't had heard in a long while, and he would smile at the thought of it. The boy would switch his gaze at Yuriko alike Yuuka, noticing the expression but not responding to it just yet. He would think for a short moment of one second and would then smile in her direction. "I would be happy to play with Yuriko-chan. Especially if it helps me in my training!" The boy would return his glance to
Seeing Takahiro smile elicits a small chuckle from Yuuka, the mortar and cocoa pulled closer. Breaking off some of the thick bar, she begins grinding it down into dust, bit by bit in a steady, constant process. It's Yuriko that speaks up next, her eyes on her hands in her lap. "Play /is/ training." she murmurs, saying so as if it were a simple fact. "There's no difference, except grown ups take it too seriously…" Her words mumble this, as if speaking from experience.
The boy would nod slowly after Yuriko's remark. "The grownups are right a little. If my mom didn't teach me how to shoot a bolt of lightning out of my hands, I would already be in a bears stomach or bitten by a snake." The boy would pause in a moment of choosing words carefully. "But if you love training enough, it is as fun as playing a board game or playing catch. It's even worse, if you play a strategy or other games, you could even learn and use things from it when you are fighting an opponent, like that giant beetle of yours." He would smile friendly towards Yuriko.
"What she means…" Yuuka murmurs, interjecting before Yuriko could protest. "Is that the approach to a task is different. That's all. Others might not understand it, but it still works regardless." Her eyes blink slowly as she looks to Takahiro, meeting his eyes. "I think you will quickly come to realize that 'training', in all forms, is more than a way of life for Kaguya. It's part of who we are, and trying to put a label on it or separating it into some form of work is difficult."
Yuriko hunches her shoulders, but Yuuka ignores this as she measures the cocoa dust into each of the mugs. Taking the kettle next, she carefully pours milk into each, stirring the steaming liquid until it becomes a dark shade of brown. Then, topped with the white of marshmallows, a small bit of cocoa dust is sprinkled on top as a garnish. "There." Satisfied, her bright blue green eyes sparkle as she sets the hot drink in front of Takahiro. "Sip carefully."
The boy would have taken note of the words, noticing the almost protest, but he would have carried on with his story nevertheless. "I might look different at it then you Yuriko-chan, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to have fun." The boy would pause, thinking of the right words before saying. "As I said, I would enjoy training with you, and I think you can learn me alot. And mabye more important, have fun with me." The boy would then look at the cup of the hot drink as he would reach for the mug. The boy would feel it's heat, but doesn't hesitate to take a small sip. "It tastes delicious Yuuka-san."
Seeing Takahiro smile elicits a small chuckle from Yuuka, the mortar and cocoa pulled closer. Breaking off some of the thick bar, she begins grinding it down into dust, bit by bit in a steady, constant process. It's Yuriko that speaks up next, her eyes on her hands in her lap. "Play /is/ training." she murmurs, saying so as if it were a simple fact. "There's no difference, except grown ups take it too seriously…" Her words mumble this, as if speaking from experience.
The boy would nod slowly after Yuriko's remark. "The grownups are right a little. If my mom didn't teach me how to shoot a bolt of lightning out of my hands, I would already be in a bears stomach or bitten by a snake." The boy would pause in a moment of choosing words carefully. "But if you love training enough, it is as fun as playing a board game or playing catch. It's even worse, if you play a strategy or other games, you could even learn and use things from it when you are fighting an opponent, like that giant beetle of yours." He would smile friendly towards Yuriko.
"What she means…" Yuuka murmurs, interjecting before Yuriko could protest. "Is that the approach to a task is different. That's all. Others might not understand it, but it still works regardless." Her eyes blink slowly as she looks to Takahiro, meeting his eyes. "I think you will quickly come to realize that 'training', in all forms, is more than a way of life for Kaguya. It's part of who we are, and trying to put a label on it or separating it into some form of work is difficult."
Yuriko hunches her shoulders, but Yuuka ignores this as she measures the cocoa dust into each of the mugs. Taking the kettle next, she carefully pours milk into each, stirring the steaming liquid until it becomes a dark shade of brown. Then, topped with the white of marshmallows, a small bit of cocoa dust is sprinkled on top as a garnish. "There." Satisfied, her bright blue green eyes sparkle as she sets the hot drink in front of Takahiro. "Sip carefully."
The boy would have taken note of the words, noticing the almost protest, but he would have carried on with his story nevertheless. "I might look different at it then you Yuriko-chan, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to have fun." The boy would pause, thinking of the right words before saying. "As I said, I would enjoy training with you, and I think you can learn me alot. And mabye more important, have fun with me." The boy would then look at the cup of the hot drink as he would reach for the mug. The boy would feel it's heat, but doesn't hesitate to take a small sip. "It tastes delicious Yuuka-san."
Yuriko remands silent for the most part, her gaze on her drink as she sips at it slowly, carefully. Her mother watches this with a quiet, thoughtful air, her expression soon softening and vivid aquamarine eyes glancing to Takahiro, Yuuka reaches out a hand to lightly brush at his head with encouragement. "It's okay. Give her a little time and she'll open up I think." she murmurs. "Yuriko-chan has… had a difficult time with friends recently." Her gaze radiates a gentleness as the hand is withdrawn, sparkling a warmth mixed with mirth when Takahiro comments on the hot chocolate. "I'm glad you enjoy it. There will be many cold days ahead with winter coming. And I find it's a good way to have a treat and stay warm."
The boy would have taken a quick note in his head while watching Yuriko's silence. The boy himself never had any friends, and everyone he knew before arriving to Kiri got taken out. It was a grim thought, but he would show a smile nevertheless. He would let yuuka brush his hair without problem, and would only turn his face down to take another sip of the drink. "It's alright Yuriko-chan. I never had any friends, but I would be glad for you to be my first one." He would say, while remaining his friendly smile towards Yuriko. The boy would then look up to Yuuka, gazing into her eyes while having a questioning expression. "When winter comes, does the mist maintain? Or is it gone and replaced by snow?" He would ask seemingly confused. But the boy had another few questions to mark out before letting Yuuka answer. "When does my training of water and tree walking start?" He would say without hesitation.
Yuuka gently lifts a pale brow at the boy as a river of questions spill from him, her expression softening after a moment that's soon followed by a light chuckle. He's so curious and eager. "The mist usually lingers throughout the year, but when it becomes especially cold that there's snow. During the warmer seasons there's more sun." His last question isn't unexpected, but still she pauses for a brief moment before dipping her chin. "I can tell you how the process of tree walking works first, but practice will have to wait for later, okay? There will be time, I promise."
Her expression softens subtly again. "First, you have to feel the energy inside of you. Combining spiritual energy with physical energy, you form chakra, right here in your gut." Yuuka forms a light fist and places it against her stomach, near her diaphragm. "Then, you feel that energy and focus it evenly across the bottom of your feet. If you don't used enough, you'll fall off but if you use too much chakra, then you'll end up breaking the surface that you're standing on and fall anyways. So with the right amount of chakra, it'll stick you to a tree, a wall, or any hard surface."
The boy would have taken a few notes in his head. He should better be prepared for what weather to come if he wanted to make sure he didn't electrify himself when he was practising outside. In the meanwhile he would have taken a good look at Yuriko, making sure he would keep a friendly expression while observing her. He was eager to know why this girl wasn't able to make any friends. Did she have a weird tic? Or does she eat with her mouth open? The boy could not think of an answer yet, but his mind was more at the instructions Yuuka was giving.
Takahiro would have nodded slowly while she would give her instructions, and we would look down at his stomach while she talked about it. He was eager to try it out, but also noted that it probably was not the best time to do so. He thought one more time about Yuriko's lack of friends before muttering softly so only Yuuka could hear. "Yuuka-san, why does Yuriko-chan not much friends?" He would say silently before taking a sip from his hot coco. He would stare in the depth of the air, looking like he hadn't said a thing and being deeply in thought with the tree walking.
Yuuka quietly observes the wheels turning in the boy's head, knowing that he's contemplating the process of tree walking in his head even if he's trying to cover it up. She takes a sip of her hot drink as Takahiro murmurs softly to her, not wanting to alert Yuriko to the possibility that he's talking about her perhaps. Yuuka can feel the corner of her lips tug slightly. "That is… a complicated question, with several answers. None of which is because of her." she murmurs softer.
At this point Yuriko ignores the fact that she's being talked about, though her grip tightens on the mug in her tiny hands before she pushes herself to her feet and disappears into the Kitchen, depositing her empty cup into the sink. "Maybe later, you can ask her yourself." Yuuka says just as softly, giving him an encouraging look. "Right now you need to finish your drink and put your cup in the sink. We'll pick out any bedroom you like, then you can prepare for a bath and bed right after." The woman gives him another warm smile. "I'm glad you're here, Takahiro-kun."
With that Yuuka pushes herself to her feet, calmly stepping towards the Kitchen so that she can set her empty mug inside the sink as well, with the rest of the dishes.
The boy would have take a deep breath while hearing the "answer" to his question. He would have moved his cup to his mouth quickly after while keeping a sharp gaze at Yuriko, maintaining his smile. He would see her go, and hear Yuuka's remarks. "Yes Yuuka-san, I will be done with my cup in seconds." The boy would say somewhat proudly before emptying the cup.
Takahiro would then nod happily after her comments on bath, bed and gladness he had arrived. He was glad himself too, and a bath was something he hadn't had for ages. He would follow Yuuka after that, sliding his cup in the sink, where now the rest of the dishes also were. He would then move himself towards the doorway, waiting for what to do next, as he had no clue where the bedrooms were.
Waiting patiently, Yuuka observes Takahiro in the Kitchen before he returns to the doorway, opening to the first hall. She gives him another warm smile and turns, leading the boy pass several doors. As she said before, Takahiro could have his pick of any of the bedrooms, first or second floor. He can deposit what belongings he has, and she waits for the boy to prepare for bathtime before showing where it was as well, on the first floor.
The first night to the rest of his life it seems. Warm and cozy, hinting with the possibility of growing strength in the future.
Takahiro would have followed Yuuka carefully, looking in every room that was free before taking a room on the first floor one room away from the stairway. The only belongings he had, were the things he wore. He would carefully lay down the charm that Amata and Kiji had made for him on his nightstand, and would unclip his scabbard, laying down the sword and scabbard ontop of a large cabinet. He would then had taken off his cloak / jacket. He would then return to Yuuka who was waiting for him, following her carefully towards the bathroom.
The boy was happy. He found, after now seven months, finally a family back. He was keen on what was going to come, but he was still hesitant towards Kirigakure due to earlier events. That would stay for a while, but would probably come off the longer he would be there.
Later in his bed, he would be looking up towards the ceiling. The boy smiled before intensely falling fastly asleep.
