Open Meeting a man's worst enemy....

Tamashi Seto · Mar 25, 2025

Mid Evening

With the sun setting in full view, they didn't have much time now. Luckily, they were making good time, with his apprentice in higher spirits than earlier when they were confronted by a Roen. He had mostly forgotten about their skirmish with the beast, but for Kei, It was another story. He could see it in his eyes that he was still worried about the gashes imbued into his back. He ignored the glances when he could. He had stopped the bleeding so he didn't understand why his apprentice was so concerned. Sure, his claw gash ridden black wasn't bandaged, but he hadn't exactly expected to run into a rare, apex beast. In their walking, now beyond Gosha, the clan's kunoichi village, they were walking down the finely crafted cobblestone highway that would lead them to his home. As before, the highway was surrounded on both sides by lines of massive, chakra infused tree's, shrubs and other vegetation. He could still hear the occasional chirping of birds up above them, reminding him of his Chidori, of the similar sound it makes. Along the way, he had tried "enlightening" Kei with the wisdom he had acquired from his numerous interactions with a man's most dangerous enemy, women, yet, no matter how hard he tried, he was beginning to wonder If he was making progress with the young Genin, who seemed to have a thick skull. Eventually, he couldn't help himself but sigh slightly with his eyes closing. At the end of the day, Kei, well, wasn't him. He was rather, normal compared to how he had been raised. He supposed there was a blessing in certain ways, but cursed in others. After all, he had been blessed with his soul mate at birth, somebody he could connect with on a higher plane that wasn't related by blood. It was something he wouldn't trade the world for. If anything, he let the world burn If It meant keeping her safe. He knew deep down, those were dangerous thoughts. Still, most women weren't like his proper wife to be, and he knew had to educate Kei before it was too late, for being on the receiving end of a woman's wrath was far worse than any jutsu he encounter on the battlefield, especially If he was going to survive tonight. He almost sweated at the thought. How the blood hell was he gonna keep his Genin safe with that Loli Kitsune running around, and starting her shenanigans. Momentarily, the worst of her fears surfaced in his mind. The last thing either one of them needed was Kei becoming a father. At such a thought, he made a small, quiet pout before his eyes flashed open, revealing the dull colored, black roof of his clan's shiro. They were super close now, like probably only ten or twenty minutes away by foot.

Tamashi Seto
"Listen Kei, there are.....things I need to tell you before we arrive at my clan's keep. Best prepare for the ensuing chaos tonight.....Trust me when I say the Roen will be the least of your concerns~"

He tried making a sympathetic smile but he was sure Kei could see past it with his pathetic attempt, even as he tried laughing it off with a soft laugh. He wasn't exactly lying, he only hope his willpower would be greater than before. It would only be a matter of time before they reached the Hirayamajiro castle in the distance, that held their fates in it's hands. Of course, Kei could just save himself by running away. Who was he kidding? Kei was too adventurous, and frankly, too young to know any better. With a subtle shrug, he looked down, the Roen cuts of meat were doing fine with what remains of his dark blue haori. Good, cause he was hungry enough now to eat a horse. That said, that WAS the haori Izumai had crafted for him. He had no idea how she react, even care. Best he didn't think about the chaos for the time being, If only to save his sanity for a bit longer...

Hayashi Kei · Mar 25, 2025

Kei had grown accustomed to the fact that his mentor wouldn’t do anything about his injuries until they arrived at their destination. He swallowed his concerns, instead taking in their surroundings to ease his mind.

The towering trees lining the path were familiar - he recognized them from their venture to the training grounds. They felt alive in a way normal trees didn’t, their chakra-infused wood humming faintly beneath his fingertips as he brushed them in passing. The sensation sent a pleasant tingle up his arm, and he smiled to himself, imagining that the trees were greeting him in return.

Then, as if unable to contain the energy bubbling inside him, Kei dashed ahead, his laughter as light as the evening breeze rustling through the leaves. The world around him was alive - glowing foliage swayed gently, the distant castle loomed in the fading sunlight, and the cobblestone path beneath his feet felt like a road leading to endless possibilities.

Kirame flitted beside him, the tiny firefly squid pulsing softly with bioluminescent light, a small star against the deepening twilight. Kei tilted his head back, drinking in the sight of the golden rays of sunset filtering through the canopy, each beam flickering and shifting like liquid gold. It was beautiful - like something straight out of Komi’s stories.

“Kirame, look at this place! It’s amazing, isn’t it?” he murmured in awe. The little squid blinked at him, pulsing lights in response, as if sharing in Kei’s wonder.

Kei veered off the path slightly, weaving between the trees, trailing his fingers over rough bark and brushing past shrubs that released the scent of fresh earth and crisp leaves. He wanted to take it all in, to savor every detail. The hum of nature surrounded him, the distant chirping of birds, the soft whisper of the wind, the rhythmic pulse of chakra in the land itself.

In his excitement, he nearly forgot Seto trailing behind him, at least until his mentor’s voice called out to rein him in.

Kei glanced back with a grin but didn’t slow. The castle was close now, its silhouette sharp against the darkening sky. A new place, a new adventure - it was all too much to resist. He wanted to see everything.

Tamashi Seto · Mar 28, 2025

(OOC: Sorry if this is short, I ended up damaging one of my fingers that makes it hard to type since I can't put any pressure on it.)

When Kei ran off, venturing off into the near tree line, his arm reached out, as If to grab him, despite knowing the Genin was far out of his reach. When it finally came to him several seconds later, he lowered his arm in defeat. He than found himself sighing, knowing full well there was little chance in reeling in him now. As his mother past mentor used to say about him, "Boys will be boys" and Kei was no exception, being eerie similar to himself at his age.
He eventually faulted, choosing to allow his apprentice this sober moment of curiosity and adventure, for later, was probably going to be something straight of one of his nightmares. The path would continue for several more minutes, the two of them taking their time, as evident by Kei continuing his shenanigans before the sight captivated him. Once they broke through the forest, reaching the end of the cobblestone road they had followed for quite some time, they now stood at a enormous clearing. In the center however, sat a monstrous, almost ominous, military complex that was the Tamashi Clan's keep, a highly compact, highly fortified, Hirayamajiro castle, that, depending on the individual, could be mistaken as a prison or even something far more sinister. Despite being surrounded by a lust forest, it did little for the sprawling castle complex with it's dull colors of beige, grey and black, along with it's upward sloops and it's pronounced eaves, which did nothing to welcome guests. Being several hundred years old by this point, It was clear newer additions had been added, such as a more modern looking, imposing, rectangular tower with slits just big enough for Jutsu to be fired from, which stood as a stark contrast to the much older buildings that surrounded it. As If it couldn't get any worse, both he and Kei could see the steep staircase that lead to the outer gate house, and to his knowledge only, a large, open kill area for intruders. There was also the numerous, long flights of stairs they would have to traverse up to get to the shiro itself. It was a good thing both he, and Kei were in shape, with the energy to boast.

Standing there, It took only mere seconds before his Sharingan picked up on the numerous targets stationed on the battlements, standing near the main gates, which sat adjacent to the outer gate house. Ignoring the massive banners of his clan's insigne on the walls, depicting a dark turquoise-green flame, he could make out the menacing warriors that made up the Destroyers, the elite shinobi killers of his clan, warriors who stood as a steep reminder to the enemies of this land, that some of the fiercest warriors in all of the country stood here, read to instill fear into anyone who was stupid enough to challenge the land of lightning or his home. Even now, despite how powerful he had become, a slight shiver ran down his spine at the prospect of fighting these samurai warriors donned in all black, the ones who were infamous for their demonic looking, face hiding masks. Luckily for him, and by extension, Kei, they were on his side, and by the time he thought to do something to ensure they weren't seen as hostiles, they had already gone ahead and identified him, before opening the keep's mighty castle, granting them entry. In response, he looked towards with a somewhat serious expression. "No running off now ya hear? At least not until they know your harmless. Trust me, you don't wanna get on their bad side~" He joked, but deep down, he knew what the worst the Destroyers could do to him, and frankly, that scared him. It was a fate far worse than death, well, unless you were a psychopath that is. Luckily, he knew Kei had enough brain power to know when to behave....

Hayashi Kei · Mar 28, 2025

Kei stood frozen for a moment, his breath catching as he took in the sight before him. The fortress loomed over them like a sleeping beast, its stone walls stretching high into the sky, dark banners hanging across the walls like silent sentinels. The colors were muted, the architecture imposing, each carefully placed stone a testament to its age and history.

His fingers twitched at his sides as his wide-eyed gaze swept over the battlements, where shadowed figures stood watch like statues. They were perfectly still, their presence heavy, their eyes hidden beneath the masks and helmets they wore. Kei had no idea who they were or what kind of people lived behind these walls, but something about them set his instincts on edge. They didn’t move like shinobi he had seen - there was no playful lightness in their stance, no flicker of mischief or camaraderie. These people were different. Hardened.

The air itself seemed thick with something unfamiliar, something weighty. The energy here was oppressive, pressing against his skin like an invisible force. Even the silence felt dangerous, like the hush before a storm.

A soft flicker of blue light caught the edge of his vision before vanishing into the strands of his hair. Kirame. His tiny firefly squid companion had buried himself deep into the mess of dark strands, his bioluminescent glow fading as he sought the safety of hiding. Kei resisted the urge to reach up and comfort him - if Kirame was spooked, then maybe his instincts weren’t wrong.

Seto’s voice pulled him back to reality.

Kei blinked, glancing at his mentor with a furrowed brow. Know I’m harmless? That wording unsettled him. Seto rarely spoke so cautiously, and the tension in his voice only made Kei more aware of how serious this place was. He didn’t know much about Seto’s past, let alone his clan, but the way his mentor carried himself now - Seto wasn't usually this tense - made one thing clear. These people weren’t the type to take risks. Or show mercy.

His usual bravado faltered for the first time. He let out a nervous chuckle, forcing a lopsided grin onto his face. “I’ll behave.” His voice was quieter than usual, lacking its normal playful spark.

Falling into step beside Seto, Kei kept his gaze down, resisting the urge to let his curiosity wander. There was so much he wanted to take in - the towering gates, the strange banners, the warriors standing like ghosts in the distance - but something told him that now wasn’t the time to ask questions.

Tamashi Seto · Mar 29, 2025

He raised a eyebrow at Kei, his eyes tilting towards his nervous frame down below. He said nothing, nor did he have to on the matter. While there was no trouble up ahead, there was no reason for trouble. There would be plenty of that later, but right now? There was little, If any logical reason to annoy, or worse, anger the elite warriors of his clan. If the worst came to be, like he had originally envisioned when he returned home from his exile, he was doubtful, even now, that he could take them all down, each one a hardened warrior of their own making, something Kei had picked up on, making him grateful over the matter. He gave his apprentice a gentle nudge before he began making his way towards the first flight of stairs that lead up to the outer gatehouse and the massive gates that had been opened to grant them entry. He kept his grip on his torn haori, now reduced to little more than cloth, and tied together to hold their dinner in place.He was serious on the outside for Kei's sake, who was clearly nervous, scared, amongst other things he usually was, but on the inside, he was quite frankly, relaxed. His home was standing right in front of him. There was no danger, so he couldn't wait to kick back and relax for the rest of the day, well, after he got bandaged up. He just wanted to eat and live a little after a long day of training and battling, and he was sure Kei was no different.

Upon making it all the way up the steep flight of stairs, he avoided the many eyes of the destroyers, the situation not bothering him. He made his way past the massive gates and walked under the archway of the gatehouse before arriving in a medium sized, square courtyard that was surrounded on all sides by battlements. If they were "normal" intruders, this would be a "kill zone" for the troops stationed above to let loose on the enemy. It was a effective, If not bloody strategy for the defends in a siege. It didn't work on normal shinobi obviously since the original barrier system was no longer in place, having not been operational since before he was born. He made sure to keep one eye on Kei but kept himself moving. There was more walking to do, and frankly, there wasn't anything worth exploring here but some of the faded concrete that was never replaced, though, knowing his luck, Kei would find a piece of concrete with dried blood, and panic on the inside, maybe even give him a little trauma. He was still untested, having yet to kill a man, drawing their blood. Killing a beast was not the same. Regardless, he didn't want to Kei experience that yet.

Thus in his goal to make it to the keep up ahead, he again walked through the courtyard without stopping, not wanting to give a Kei a moment. At the end, and walking through another gateway, revealed two pathways, both surrounded by more battlements. The one leading right swung around the base of the complex, to the more important facilities, such as the foundry and distillery. There was also the old, shiro gatehouse as well, something his father wanted replaced. Much to his and Shizu's distain, much of the original iteration was gone, replaced by modern architecture. He understood the why, but apart of him was disappointed his father carried little for the more traditional architecture of the past. Oh well. He kept moving, taking the left path that led up directly to the gate house portion of the keep. They soon enough another flight of steps. At least these ones weren't steep, just long. Their elevation followed the hill they were built upon in a organic fashion. As he made it half way up the flight of stairs, his eyes picked on a target on the battlement above them. Looking from the edges of his eyes, he found...

Inari staring down at them from the top of the battlement, it's piercing blue eyes studying them, as If they were peering into their souls. It as an all too familiar occurrence for him, but that didn't mean he had gotten used to it. It was hard to believe still, that this Kami spirit, with it's lithe frame, managed to dragged his mangled behind to safety when he consider himself dead. Still, he did owe the Kami his life, even If It led him to himself being "enslaved" to that loli. Inari being here however, was no great surprise to him. Being Izumai's companion, Inari often acted as her eyes and ears, and her living here, didn't change that. The Destroyers certainly didn't mind, given his entire clan venerated Kami spirits. It was a elegant beast, with its silky fur and it's celestial markings lingers on it's body, though he never admit that, not wanting to stroke that loli's already massive ego. He was sure Kei thought differently. Given the fact he was probably going to probe him with a million questions, he decided not to look back at Kei and keep on walking up the stairs. Soon enough, before he could even reach the top of the stairs, Inari had already snuck away, disappearing from view after it leaped down on the other side of the battlements, no doubt to tell the Loli of his arrival. He removed the thought from his mind.

After arriving at the top, they found themselves before the enormous metal gates, their massive size enough to make anyone hesitate. He didn't however. He walked upto the right door, and pressed his right arm up against it's cold, metallic exterior. By applying all the strength he could muster, the door slowly crept open until a wave of heat suddenly came at him, catching him off guard, causing him to close his eyes momentarily. He kept the door open long enough for Kei to enter before following suit, letting the massive door close on it's own. There was usually guards posted outside. It was strange but It was no concern for him at the moment. Once inside, he and Kei were welcomed to the opulent guest hall, which stood as a complete contradictory to the exterior, sporting intricate woodwork that meticulously donned painted of scenes of historical events in the clan, a massive, rectangular pit of fire that sat at the center of the room that would warm guests up, three furusama sliding doors, one imbued into each wall that led elsewhere. As per tradition, the floor was adorned in large, tatami like floor mats, and spread all about the chamber, were numerous chairs and a few, small tables. He glanced around the room. It was empty, leaving the room to themselves. It was, again, weird, but not unusual. He still didn't really care in that moment. All that did matter was relaxing...

Hayashi Kei · Mar 30, 2025

Kei followed Seto up the stairs, his nerves beginning to melt away as Seto remained a steady sense of calm before him. His wide eyes darted around, taking in every detail of the fortress. The heavy gates, the weathered stone, the towering battlements - this place felt ancient, like it had stories carved into every inch of it. He wanted to ask about all of it, but before he could, his gaze snapped upward.

There, perched above them, was a creature unlike anything he’d ever seen.

Kei nearly tripped over his own feet, breath catching as he stared. The spirit’s silky fur shimmered under the light, celestial markings tracing its body like something straight out of a legend. Its piercing blue eyes locked onto them, sharp and knowing, sending a shiver down Kei’s spine - but not in fear. No, this was incredible.

His mouth immediately ran ahead of his brain. "Whoa! Seto, look! Is that a Kami spirit? Or maybe a Kitsune... Can it read minds? Can it talk? Oh - does it breathe fire? Or does it work with genjutsu? Wait, wait - what’s it doing here? Is it, like, your clan’s guardian or something? Do they all have one?"

Seto didn’t even glance back.

Kei pouted but kept bouncing on his heels, watching as Inari disappeared over the battlements. “Aw, it left…” he mumbled, clearly disappointed. Still, the encounter had filled him with even more energy. As they made their way up the remaining steps and through a large set of doors, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The warmth of the guest hall washed over him, and his awe only grew. The intricate carvings, the painted history, the massive fire pit - Kei didn't know what he wanted to explore first.

“This place is amazing!” he whispered, eyes shining. He looked to Seto for permission to run off before actually moving, deciding to start with the paintings on the walls. He was sure they held stories, just like the picture books Komi would make.

Tamashi Seto · Mar 31, 2025

After the fact passed that they were alone, there was no stopping him from letting out a long, happy sigh. A smile even erupted on his face. It was impossible not to be in a better mood than when returning home. Maybe Kei's positive energy was rubbing off on him. It wasn't a bad thing either. It was always a good thing to not be serious or worse, depressing all the time, which something he never admit openly, was something he sometimes had issue with. Numerous idea's flooded his mind on what to do first, especially with Kei, but in usual fashion, before he could act, before he could even give Kei permission to run off and explore, his senses went off like a shuriken when he heard one of the furusama sliding doors slam open. Running off on instinct, his head instinctively tilted in the direction of the commotion. His crimson eyes widen in surprise as they picked up on a blonde hair ball dashing in his direction from the archway of the door. Before he knew it, he found himself making a "humph" like noise when the blonde hair ball lunged for his right leg, wrapping it's arms and tails around his leg.

??????
"Papa! Papa! I heard you were hurt! Are you ok????"

Her grip on his leg tightened, making him look down at what had caught him. It was his daughter, of course. Who else would It be? Not that he mind. If anything, It the was opposite. Peering down at his daughter's small frame, his eyes meeting hers, he found himself unable to lie If and when he would speak next. She was probably the only person he couldn't lie to, especially when she had a tear in her. They meant the world to each other, even If she a near dead look alike to her mother. Thank the Great Kami's she didn't have her mother's personality. He placed his hand on her head, and caressed her silk hair in between her fox like ears. She slightly purred in his presence, even as her bubbly eyes retained it's concerning looking state. She only nuzzled harder against his leg as the little kitsune waited in anticipation for his response. He retained his smile, not wanting to upset her.

Tamashi Seto
"Don't worry.....it's nothing Papa can't handle. It looks worse than it is.."

He caressed her head some more, keeping his smile strong. Her bubbly eyes kept on staring up, even as she tilted her head slightly. There was a momentarily pause before she returned the gesture. "Really? Well...I trust you papa..." Her voice was much more sober than usual, but for one reason or another, she knew better than to push him or the others on matters. Despite her tiny frame that positively radiated cuteness, she was much more mature than her age would suggest. She was the only good thing to come from his accursed Kami pact. Perhaps he get lucky again. He have to see. Turning his direction to Kei, he showed the young Genin a first, not the face of a warrior, but one of unease, a face beaming with anxiety. "Kei, this is....my daughter, Azumai...." He tried putting on a straight face, but whenever introducing his daughter to another, that was impossible due to well, the obvious. He wasn't even old enough to drink yet, and he already had a child. He didn't even want to think she nearly half his age either. He raised a eyebrow, sighing, his hand still caressing the little kitsune's head. "I'm....sure you have a million questions..." He looked down at his daughter, who was still entrenched by his caressing, evident by her four tails swirling twirling through the air, her eyes closed, and still making a faint like purring noise as she kept herself snuggled up against his leg. He couldn't shake his expression as he continued. "Yeah....you...probably don't wanna know...." He wasn't even sure Kei knew what sex was or how people copulated. Telling him would probably shatter his innocence, especially IF he learned on how Azumai here was conceived....

Hayashi Kei · Mar 31, 2025

Kei’s gaze wandered across the walls, taking in the breathtaking paintings that stretched across them. Each one seemed to tell a story, woven together in rich colors and intricate brushwork. The details were mesmerizing - every stroke of ink and color breathed life into the scenes, each one seemingly frozen in a moment of triumph, sorrow, or revelation. He could almost feel the echoes of the past humming beneath the surface, the weight of countless years embedded in every panel.

His eyes landed on a massive mural depicting a battlefield beneath a stormy sky, the air thick with swirling clouds and streaks of lightning. Warriors in flowing robes clashed with armored figures, their blades locking in fierce combat. Some figures were mid-leap, their weapons glinting in the painted lightning’s glow, while others lay fallen on the battlefield, their bodies partially obscured by the haze of kicked-up dust. The entire scene felt alive, as though the wind howled through the valley and the roar of battle still echoed in the air. Kei shivered slightly, feeling the sheer intensity of the moment captured within the art. The longer he stared, the more he felt the weight of history pressing down on him - these weren’t just paintings; they were memories preserved in pigment, a window into the struggles and sacrifices of those who had come before.

If only Komi could see these, he thought.

"Wow…" he murmured, completely captivated. His golden eyes shone with curiosity as he turned to Seto. "These are incredible. Do they mean something? I mean, clearly, they do, but what?"

Before Seto could answer, a sudden, loud slam shattered the quiet of the hall. Kei jumped, his head snapping toward the source of the noise. Just as he turned, a small blur of golden hair shot across the room, dashing straight toward Seto. In an instant, the tiny figure collided with his leg, clinging to it with an iron grip.

Kei blinked, his mind catching up with what had just happened. His gaze flickered down to the girl hugging Seto’s leg, her arms wrapped tightly around him, her small face scrunched with worry. She had long, golden hair that shimmered in the light, and even without seeing her fully, there was something undeniably adorable about her. Seto reassured her with a gentle touch, his hand brushing through her hair. Kei, meanwhile, felt a wide grin stretch across his face. This was completely unexpected - but in the best possible way.

"Whoa! Your daughter?!" Kei exclaimed, practically bouncing on his heels in excitement. "No way! That’s so cool!"

His golden eyes sparkled as he lowered himself slightly to her level, offering her the warmest smile he could muster.

"Hi, Azumai! I’m Kei! It’s really nice to meet you!"

Tamashi Seto · Apr 4, 2025

He blinked twice, unable to mount a facade that could hide his dumbfounded expression. Instead of the impeding chaos he was expecting, the opposite had occurred. The scene went on without him for several moments, his mind still reeling before he snapped back to it when he heard his daughter's voice. Looking down, he saw her now beaming her attention at Kei, her head tilted sideways. Her four tails were still wrapped around his leg, though not as tightly, granting his trapped leg some breaking room, If only a little bit.

Otomo Azumai
"Who are you? Are you papa's Koge? You don't look like anybody I've seen around here....but than papa never lets me go outside! I never to get met others like my age!"

Despite what she was implying with her low, childlike voice, It still held some excitement as a undertone. In quick succession after, a very faint pout could be hard escaping her tiny lips, but he simply rolled his eyes. He rolled his eyes. She knew he granted her far more freedom than she realized or cared to admit. If anything, It was her mother who kept her increasingly close. He didn't really understand why, given her ability to....reproduce quickly. Of course, he didn't want any harm to come to his little sunshine, but she deserved to have the same childhood as him, just without the trauma....obviously. Her energy than bounced back up after that, as If raising to meet Kei at his level. Her amber eyes beamed at him as her four tails released themselves from his leg. Her tails than spruced up almost straight up while she placed her small, smooth hands on her tiny frame. "Since papa didn't do me justice, I'm Azumai, clan heiress of the Otomo's, or at least what mama likes to tell me~" As expected, she took on a far more "lady" like tone, or as much as a seven year old could as she spoke, but that didn't stop him from looking down at her, as If almost insulted. With a raised eyebrow, He groaned internally momentarily. She was becoming more like her mother without even her recognizing. He was taken by surprise somewhat when she than shifted her attention up towards him momentarily and spoke, her tails now taking a life of their own as they began swerving through the air. "Papa! Is Kei here to help me with my training? You did promise after all..." Her questioned caused her to pause momentarily, not sure how to respond. He needed a few moments to collect his thoughts on the matter before he could speak.

Tamashi Seto
"Hmm....depending on how far he goes with his training, he could be, given you two are polar opposites...."

He ended up looking at the two after that, keeping the two in his sights. It wasn't something he had fortold, let alone had given thought about, given his prior thoughts on a proper Genin team. He had always thought such a team would fit Kei better, as having team mates could bond with, was better than anything else. Thinking about it now however, It could be a good idea, for more than one reason. Despite their age difference, her skills were roughly on par with Kei's, albeit in different area's. While Azumai was naturally proficient in ninjutsu, she was basically useless in taijutsu, while Kei was the opposite. There was also....the fact Kei could probably use some female friends as well...and give him the social skills he need in the future, even If he couldn't recognize it now.. He wouldn't have to worry about anything either, given their ages. Kei was....well Kei, and Azumai was too young to be thinking about such things. Azumai's fox ears propped up, becoming to life at his words. "Really papa? I always wanted to train with another my age!" Her body language changed, returning to her usual energetic like self as she looked up with him near pleading eyes of disbelief. It was like Kei wasn't even here in this moment. She was usually on her best behaviors around guests too. He was about to speak up to reconfirm his words when he heard the echo's of a voice he dreaded most. "Ooooooooh Seto~" His face almost certainly went pale as the feminine voice, clearly saturated in a rich, playful tone, echoed through the great hall, and It only grew louder as it's source grew close, coming from one of the adjacent corridors. "Ugh.....fuck me....." He groaned very quietly, barely above a whisper as he heard the voice. There was no escape, not from that impeding torture. With Kei and his daughter here, there was nowhere to run, let alone hide. He'd have to take one for the team, especially If he wanted to Kei survive tonight. He wasn't ready for this, but than again, he never is....

Hayashi Kei · Apr 5, 2025

Kei had been standing at a polite distance the whole time, careful not to step too close. He hadn’t wanted to scare her when they first met—she’d seemed so delicate, so quiet at first, like a fox kit peeking out from her den. But now, hearing her speak with such bold pride, her tiny voice laced with surprising elegance as she announced her title, he felt something jolt inside him.

Heiress…?

His eyes widened, just slightly - but enough. Komi’s stories came rushing back to him in full force. Tales of elegant princesses, powerful nobles, clans steeped in mystery and tradition. And the golden rule: Always treat someone of status with respect.

“I—oh no…” he muttered under his breath, panic prickling the back of his neck as his mind scrambled for the right thing to do. Then, in a flash of theatrical instinct, he straightened up, chin lifted, and gave a slightly dramatic bow—one hand over his chest like he’d seen at a festival once when the actors played kings and knights.

He wore a small, nervous grin as he dipped low, channeling all the princely charm he could muster from the fairytales Komi used to read to him under starlit skies. “Please forgive my earlier informality, Lady Azumai. I didn’t realize I was in the presence of someone so important.”

His voice was genuine, not overly formal but laced with careful sincerity. “It’s a real honor to meet you. I’m Kei of the Ryu bloodline - though I’m still figuring out what that even means…” He laughed lightly at himself before steadying his tone. “I may not be skilled in the ways of nobility, but I’ll show you the respect you deserve. And if you’ll have me, I’d be honored to train with you.”

There was a small pause as he glanced at her, then softened, a friendly sparkle slipping into his voice again. “You’ve got a strong presence, y’know? Makes it easy to forget you’re my junior.”

Then he looked briefly to Seto and whispered, barely audible, “Is bowing okay? I’m not messing up, right?”

And just like that, the thundering voice from down the hall echoed again. Kei stiffened. Do I bow to her too? Or do we just… run?

Tamashi Seto · Apr 5, 2025

The momentarily, sudden change in his apprentice's behavior made him bat a eyelash at the two, briefly distracting him from the ever encroaching torture that was coming. He of all people knew the importance of formalities but this? This was a bit much. She was only seven years old after all. The sight made him slightly cringe at what he was seeing. He supposed he shouldn't have been surprised by Kei's sudden change in behavior. He subtly shook his head in disapproval. This was only going to feed her ego as a Yami. While It was true his daughter wasn't like her mother, she was still a dam Kitsune, and he picked up early on the clues that Kitsunes love attention...amongst other things, and Azumai was no exception to this rule. With his apprentice feeding her ego, as well as other things, It didn't take very long for his daughter to return the attention. Fixing her posture, she stood up straight while returning her hands on her tiny waist. Her amber eyes beamed at his enthusiastic bow, as If he was in the presence of a Daimyo or the Raikage herself. He had been expecting a little more, perhaps something like giggling or something worse, but his daughter was taking this act of subservience too seriously when she spoke again, proudly display her "proper" lady like charm she had used earlier.

Otomo Azumai
"There's no need for that Kei. I'm not like Mama, although, I will admit, I sometimes like the attention, mostly from Papa here~"

And there It was, the confession. She admitted it. She usually denied it, especially around him, probably to impress him or something else. At the mention of himself, he couldn't tell If she was just covering herself or to get a reaction out of him. Normally, he write it off as her being too young to be capable of something like that, but with Kitsunes, everything was off the table with them. He wasn't particularly surprised however when Kei muted she had a strong presence. It wasn't something he could really deny, though he doubted It was for the same reasons Kei had. When she was serious about her duties, she would act far beyond her age, so, in that regard, he guessed give Kei that. His daughter smiled at Kei's words. "You think so? Well, I do want to be strong like Papa and Lady Shizu one day. She's so brave and dedicated~" Just from this interaction, he could tell Azumai was warming upto him. If he had any measure of skill in romance, he think his apprentice would be trying to butter her up, but he was no different than his old academy friend, Okami, who couldn't speak to a girl, even If it costed his life. Good thing for that. He chuckled internally until Kei caught his attention, asking If he was doing alright. His head tilted slightly towards one of his shoulders, his brow raising to meet his apprentice in a glare. "Kei.....She's only seven years old...." He meant to say more but when the topic of the encroaching voice came into the conversation, his right eye shot to the corner of it's socket, his Sharingan activating momentarily. In a instant, he could sense her presence, coming closer and closer. It would only be seconds now. He shot his eyes back at Kei, revealing a icy cold, stoic like face as he spoke in a similar tone. He was utter serious, of course. Kei needed to know EXACTLY what horror he was about to face.

Tamashi Seto
"Run? There is no running.....our fates are already sealed....Tonight....you face the greatest challenge of your life...women..."

He wanted Kei scared, or to be blunt, be ready to shit his pants. Nothing was scarier than what was about to come next, not even the Roen they had fought earlier. Peering over his shoulder, towards his daughter, her smile had suddenly widened considerably, her tails now hyper active. His eyes opened somewhat. Was this part of her plan? But why? There was no way his daughter would. One of the furusama sliding doors slid open, interrupting his thought process. Turning his head instinctively to the source of the outburst, his eyes widened as he stared down...

??????
"There you are.. Won't you introduce your "lovely, beautiful" wife to our guest? We have much to discuss..."darling"... Fufu~"

Standing at the door, stood his "self" proclaimed wife, a Kitsune barely any taller than his daughter, and yet, they couldn't be anymore different, from posture to their voices.
Between that high pitched, teasing tone, and her aristocratic like, haughty giggling, he froze up immediately, sending a painful shiver down his spine. No matter how many times he tried, he could never prepare himself.....for this. Regardless, he wasn't sure If he should be thankful or worried as she stood there at the doorway, dressed in her normal, shrine priestess attire, her yellow eyes scanning the room before finding their mark on Kei. He began sweating invisible drops of sweat at the prospect of what was coming nest. He was waiting for her usual, shameless behavior, but in this moment, she kept herself content with that smug of her face and her four tails standing up with the tips curling. He knew she was about to make her next move. By the Great Kami's, he hoped she wouldn't do anything....too extreme....

Hayashi Kei · Apr 6, 2025

Kei couldn't help but laugh nervously when his attempt at polite behavior came across as a bit too much, as both Azumai and Seto made him aware. He only wanted to show some respect, perhaps he needed to read more on how to properly act in this country. At first, he didn't really understand his mentor's words of warning. He wasn't really scared of women; his mother was great, his sister was his inspiration, and all the wonderful elderly women of his little town had treated him with such warmth and love. However, Kei’s eyes widened the moment the woman’s voice drifted through the room, the teasing lilt curling around him like incense smoke. He turned slowly, heart thumping, as his gaze landed on the kitsune at the doorway.

His breath caught in his throat.

“W-Whoa…”

That was all he could manage at first. He wasn’t sure what he expected, but nothing in Komi’s old stories truly captured what stood before him now. The woman had an elegance that was otherworldly - like moonlight wrapped in silk - and yet, there was something dangerous flickering just beneath the surface. Her four tails, each with a graceful curl, practically glowed with mischief.

Kei lowered his head slightly, a sign of instinctual respect, his tone hushed like he was speaking to a living legend. Azumai had shown her own grace, which had initially shocked Kei into action, but he felt frozen in the presence of a clearly older kitsune. Not by appearance, sure, which had initially sent a pang of confusion through Kei's mind, but the power she nearly breathed into the air around her with each breath was enough for Kei to know better than to ask.

His awe was unmistakable - eyes gleaming, smile faint but full of wonder. Despite the awkwardness hanging thick in the air from her sudden appearance, Kei didn’t seem frightened. He was too enchanted by the surreal moment unfolding before him.

Still, his eyes flicked briefly to the poor man who’d frozen at the sight of her, and he gave a little nervous laugh.

“Apologies. We uh...had a long day,” he attempted to ease into the conversation, sinking a little into himself under her gaze. He could even feel Kirame squirm against his scalp, having hidden himself the moment other people were present. "Hayashi Kei, of the Ryuu clan. A pleasure to meet you." He bowed once more, despite his earlier embarrassment and immobility. He smiled a little wider, trying to lighten the tension, but his voice remained soft, reverent. Even without knowing everything about her, Kei could feel the weight of her presence - like standing in front of a living force of nature. He was terrified, but that fear felt like awe in his story-riddled mind.

Tamashi Seto · Apr 7, 2025

Despite the ever silent face off between the three of them, It felt like a eternity has passed even though in truth, only a few seconds had passed since Izumai had declared her presence, than, as If a switch was flipped on within his head, his normal demeanor returned in a instant, only to come too late as Kei stepped upto the plate, deciding to make the first move, a grave error on his part, which he hoped, wouldn't cost his life. His eyes first darted to Kei, whom of which, had bowed his head in respect before starting off his death sentence with a laugh? Citing they had a long day before making his attempt of a introduction. He rolled his eyes before his instincts kicked back into high gear, forcing his eyes to race over in the other direction where Izumai was standing. He stared her down with a skeptical, cold look , mentally prepared to do something drastic even If his body said otherwise, as she led out a series of haughty giggling, albeit quietly. He knew in that moment that this was the beginning of the end for Kei If he kept up his current trajectory.

With his attention focused solely now on Izumai, his eye lids lowered slightly as his crimson red eyes glared her down as she slowly took her first steps into the room. Making her way slowly towards the little Genin, her grin only grew bigger at at the sight of his utter submission. He resisted the urge to shake his head. He was too inexperienced to have known he should have done the opposite, or like he said himself, run, even If it would be mute. There was no escaping this dam dam loli, not when she was dead set on her games, especially If nourishment was included.

It would only become worse, much worse as she quickly closed the distance, bestowing upon him with one of her troublesome winks. She was within two feet of his presence before she took him in, measuring him up like some predator who have cornered their next meal. She strode around him, eyeing him up and down as she tip toed around him in a circle with seemingly impossible grace, all the while her tails flickered through the air, sometimes coming within inches of Kei's skin, or perhaps their silky like hair slid across his skin, he couldn't tell for sure, even with his enhanced perception. "My my, your quite the dashing young gentlemen aren't you? You remind me much of my "darling" husband here . You must be capable no? I can't wait to see! Fufu~" Izumai made sure to play the game well, making sure to keep him guessing. He soon learn enough If he wanted to survive...or else. Well regardless, it culminated in a final act when she returned full circle, where she drew close, staring him down in greet glee with her smug expression. Kei didn't need to say anything for him to know she was far too close for his comfort level. She leaned in, her hot breath washing against his skin, her voice becoming barely louder than the heart beat of his heart, as she whispered into his ear with a husky, raunchy voice. "I wonder how you taste....Aren't you curious? I am~ " He rolled his eyes hard at the scene that was playing before him, his arms crossed tightly. He wish he didn't know what she was suggesting, but thanks to his Sharingan, he could read her lips, thus granting him the forbidden apple, no matter how much he didn't wanted to know. He found himself nearly disgusted on what was transpiring. Luckily for his sake, despite Izumai being on the verge of sexually assaulting his apprentice, he knew she was only messing with him. It didn't mean he have to like it, let alone tolerate her actions to that extent

Tamashi Seto
"Alright, that's enough Izumai. He's already positively glowing red. What are you trying to do? Kill him?"

He tilted his head in their direction, still glaring her down like he was ready to murder her on the spot, yet the murderous vibes that were radiating from his body, had no effect on the little loli kitsune. With a grin, she swung around to face him, her small hands now resting on her hips, returning the glare, giving Kei the chance to catch his breath....or run for his life If the thought came across his mind, not that It would matter. "Oh come now dear, you know I meant no harm. I was only teasing...Fufufu~" A combination of giggles and a cute pout escaped Izumai's lips while her four tails fell back a few inches, as If relaxing or planning their next move. He had no idea. He swore those things had a mind of their own, If previous experience taught him anything, but meaning no harm? Get the hell out of here. He knew better. She was full of it. With her first act over, that made him breath a sigh of relief on the inside before the though of his daughter came to his mind. Quickly scanning the room for the little ball of blonde lightning, she was simply standing next to him, her own little hands on her tiny, little frame, still with that faint smile. He couldn't tell If she was simply putting on a mask for her mother, or If she enjoyed the show, and that was troublesome to say at the least. The last thing he need, was have concern over his daughter becoming like the loli here. That would just be...hell on earth....

Hayashi Kei · Apr 7, 2025

Kei watched with wary eyes as the woman slinked closer, each step she took making the space between them feel suffocating. Her gaze seemed to dance across his form - not casually, but with the calculated precision of a predator, and he was the prey. Her voice, when it finally came, was as smooth as silk and just as dangerous. She didn’t need to raise it; every word she spoke carried weight, dipped in an unsettling mix of amusement and hidden hunger that crawled under his skin.

He didn't respond to her first comment. It wasn’t out of rudeness - no, far from it. The compliment had caught him off guard, leaving his mind scrambling for the appropriate reaction. A knight should accept praise with grace, he thought, but nothing about her tone had felt graceful. His cheeks flushed with an embarrassing heat at the proximity, her presence so close it bent the air around him. Still, he tried to hold firm. That is, until she leaned in, and her lips brushed dangerously close to his ear.

Whatever breath he had left was stolen from him in that moment.

Her voice, suddenly husky and low, caressed his senses like a whisper against a flame, sending a wave of confusion and embarrassment crashing through his young mind. He didn't fully understand what she was implying - but he understood enough. Enough to feel the blood rush to his face with such force that it turned his ears red, the warmth seeping down his neck and locking his spine in place. His expression turned from startled to stricken, lips slightly parted but no sound came.

“…I… Th-thank you…?” he managed to whisper, the words half-choked as they slipped past the lump in his throat. His voice cracked in a way that made him want to crawl into the earth.

Kei remained rooted to the spot, his posture tense and unnaturally upright, as though any shift might set her off. The overwhelming aura Izumai exuded felt like drowning in a perfume of danger and allure, something not meant for someone like him to even breathe. His breath hitched, caught between awe and panic, but still he didn’t move. He refused to run, refused to flinch - even as her tails flicked and curled around him with predatory grace, brushing close enough to make the fine hairs on his arms stand on end.

Still, his eyes betrayed the effort it took to stand his ground. They were wide, unblinking, the gaze of someone tracking a serpent’s every motion. He watched her movements like a trapped animal, in case it was a hint at a strike to come.

Then, as if the heavens themselves had heard his unspoken cry, Seto’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. Calm, cool, commanding. A voice Kei had never been so grateful to hear.

The weight lifted. Kei let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his shoulders dropping slightly as she backed off. A moment of mercy, or merely a pause in the game, he didn’t know. But it was enough.

Without a word, Kei moved. Not rushed or panicked, but with quiet intent. He stepped closer to Seto, his legs still trembling faintly beneath his clothes. Though Izumai was married to the man, and likely would do the same, Kei instinctively gravitated toward him - not as a child would to a parent, but as a knight might take shelter behind the king he served. He positioned himself just behind and to the right of where Seto and Azumai stood, not close enough to crowd, but enough to make his unspoken allegiance clear.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the young blonde girl standing quietly nearby. Her smile was subtle - too subtle. Innocent at a glance, but to Kei, still raw from the intensity of his encounter, it struck an unsettling chord.

He didn't let it distract him for long. Kei stood straighter, his hands folding neatly before him, every inch of his stance a mirror of discipline and quiet composure. Far from his usual laid back, joyful demeanor, but he couldn't help it in the presence of this... predator.

Tamashi Seto · Apr 9, 2025

After witnessing what could only be described as a nightmare, he felt his irritation reaching an all-time high, something he could no longer keep deep within himself. At least It had came to a end finally. When Kei drew himself away from the loli kitsune, taking his place at his side, his head soon tilted downwards, towards the ground. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, all the while his eyes closed before he stook his head in both disappointment and relief. "See? This is exactly what I was talking about..." Muttering to himself outload, and by extension, Kei, he went quiet for a handful seconds. Rising his head, flashing his eyes awake, he turned his head in Izumai's direction, whom was still standing where she had before, when she launched her pseudo launch on his apprentice.

Tamashi Seto
"Since you decided to grace us with your appearance, I trust preparations have already been made? You wouldn't have come otherwise."

His voice was firm, his expression stern as It could be, as required when dealing with soul sucking kitsune, yet in usual fashion, Izumai was unmoved by his change in demeanor. If anything, It seemed to only grow her arousal for further mischief when she leaned in slightly, as If trying something suggestive with her chest. He wasn't stupid enough to fall for some cleavage....not that she had much to begin with. Her hands were resting on her waist line, but her four tail had picked up in pace, becoming frantic, clearly demonstrating she was upto no good.

Otomo Izumai
"Fufuf! Of course darling~ What sort of wife would I be If I wasn't?~"

He couldn't help but roll his eyes at her response, but at least he knew she was being legitimate, even If the slight blush on her cheeks said otherwise. Behind that cute, raunchy face, he knew she was planning something, especially If those predatory eyes were any indication. As If on que however, as soon as those words escaped her lips, a certain yami spirit appeared behind them, nipping his hand for the Roen cuts of meat that were still wrapped within the remains of his dark blue haori. It's silky, white tail brushed up against his right leg as It moved across the greeting hall with grace, revealing the beast to be none other than Inari, Izumai's familiar. He had no idea where the spirit came from, but he knew better than to ask questions. That didn't stop him from watching the fox spirit from the corner of his eyes until It vanished down the corridor Izumai had appeared from. He had only picked up the meat from the ground too. Well, with that now out of the way, he placed his own hands on his waist and turned his attention to the loli who still standing there with that dam smug of hers.

Tamashi Seto
"Than let us retire for the night until supper is prepared. The day has been long, and I have wounds to attend to, as you no doubt know."

With that, he turned to the corridor Azumai had arrived from, but moments before he could take off for the corridor, he was stopped dead in his tracks when he felt a pull on his white yukata's sleeve. Peering down, he saw Azumai's eyes lit up with stars, clearly eager, or perhaps, excited to spend time with him. His crimson eyes watched as she kept tugging on his sleeve, her four tails now become frantic like her mother's had a minute or two ago. She didn't say anything, but that innocent smile of hers was enough to tell him she wanted attention, and attention now, or when he finally sat down. He instinctively caressed the top of her head like she often liked, causing his yami daughter to let out a low, soothing moan. He ignored her cheeks turning flush. "Come along now...." He immediately shifted his head in Kei's direction. "That means you too Kei." Turning his attention back towards the opened doorway, grabbed his daughter's tiny hand and took it into his own before he gently pulled her along towards the doorway. In usualy Izumai fashion, with keeping up with her mischievous demeanor, she stared at the two as he and Azumai made their way to the doorway before beginning down the castle corridor. She than returned her attention to Kei with a sly expression. Unknowingly to him, she would stand there with a smug on her face, staring him down like a hungry predator until he took off after them. She would follow suit, but only after he followed his master and his daughter.

Hayashi Kei · Apr 10, 2025

Kei hadn’t realized what Seto meant before - but now? Now, he definitely understood.

Despite his initial confidence and general ease around people, women included, there was something about this kind of presence - Izumai’s - that rattled him to his core in a way he couldn’t quite describe. It wasn’t fear in the usual sense. Not the kind that made him want to run or hide. No, this was respectful fear, the kind that settled low in his stomach and kept his head bowed without him even thinking about it. A fear born from elegance wrapped in danger, mischief veiled by grace. He was only now starting to understand the quiet warning Seto had given him earlier.

He kept his gaze low as Seto continued the exchange without needing his input. His cheeks were still warm - embarrassingly so - and he tried to will the color away by glancing around the room. The architecture, the walls, even the floor suddenly became very interesting. Anything to stop himself from locking eyes with Izumai again.

But then came the creature.

The fox spirit moved like a dream, gliding across the room with a kind of elegance that mirrored its mistress. Silken white fur, fluid motion, and not a single sound where its paws touched the ground. Kei’s breath caught for a moment. It was like watching a story come to life - a creature straight out of one of Komi’s old fairytales.

His awe only deepened.

Still, when Seto spoke again and began walking, Kei blinked back to the present, catching the tail end of the instruction. He was to follow. Of course. Of course. He gave a small, lopsided smile and straightened his stance, his earlier hesitation melting into a quiet determination.

"Yes, sir," he murmured softly, mostly to himself.

Quickly shifting on his feet, he followed after his mentor, eyes flickering briefly toward the small girl in step by her father's side. She'll be fun to train with.

He couldn't help but smile a little wider at the thought, his pace settling into a quiet rhythm as they moved down the corridor. Whatever awaited him in this strange place, he was ready to face it.

Even if that included more soul-sapping fox women.

Tamashi Seto · Sunday at 3:04 AM

Once Kei followed suit after him, Izumai returned the favor, following closely behind after she had closed he furusama sliding door. In the walking down a rather dull corridor that would come next, the mischievous loli kitsune made sure to keep close, her movement ever graceful as one would expect from a Kitsune or more precisely, a predator on the prow. She kept herself out of his reach, only a few feet, but It was more than enough to keep her presence in the back of his mind, always reminding him of what his sensei had said earlier. It would only grow worse If he tried to look behind. He would only be met with her masterful movement, always keeping herself out of his line of sight, and yet, all the while, the danger was still there. He could hear her tip toeing behind him, her impish giggling, and worse of all, her tails brushing up against his back when they wern't swerving and flickering through the air behind their master. Seto knew what was transpiring behind him, but choose to ignore it for the time being. He had hope Kei wouldn't do anything as stupid as confronting her. Doing his best to keep that dam fox out of his mind, he focused forward, his hand still interlocked with the hand of his adorable little girl. Azumai didn't look back either, either out of ignorance or something else. There was no way to tell, which in a way, would continue to frighten him, not knowing If she would take after more after himself....or her mother. He didn't give the idea much thought before pushing it aside.

Fortunately for the two of them, It would only take a minute or two before they would reach the end of the narrow, wooden hallway, passing a handful of sliding doors along the way before they stood at the one at the very end. With his free hand, he forced it open, calling upon his strength to slide it to the side, revealing a colossal washitsu room adorned in elaborate paintings that hugged the entire room, depicting pink Sakura tree's in full blossom. Once the next set for their "adventure" was decided upon, Azumai released herself from his grasp and dashed in, becoming something akin to a blonde glint as she hurried across the room's tatami mates until she found herself at the opposite side of the room where a grandiose fireplace sat, along with a equally crafted end table besides it, containing a silver tray of treats on it's smooth surface. After that, she planted herself Infront of the fireplace and took it upon herself to grab a large treat from the tray. Her four tails wagged happily as she munched on the treat in her hands, a smile forming across her face. Like her own, he closed his eyes and sighed before rolling them to the edge. Well, children will be children and his daughter was no exception, though....she could have removed her Geta before running off. Shrugging the sight from his memory, he would allow Azumai to break the rules for now, before following suit, but not before removing his dark brown leather boots and putting them in a large square basket next to the door, displaying his high, white tabi socks.

From there, he made his way over to the overly embellish, titanic sized low table that nearly stretched the length of the room despite It being no wider than a normal table. He took his place at the closest end of the table and sat down on a equally beautiful tatami cushion that was stitched with patterns similar to the paintings that were imbued on the walls around them. This was when Izumai finally granted Kei a moment of respite, walking past him, her tails again, brushing up against his skin as she graced him by, before taking her place at the low table, choosing the nearest cushion near Seto on the left side of the table. Her tails sat straight up as she looked at both him and his sensei, her cunning, playful expression remaining. He himself however, ignored it, not willing to entertain her at the moment. The only thing that mattered right this moment was getting his back healed, the gashes still very present in his back from their fight with the Roen earlier. He could have gone to the keep's infirmary but he highly doubted Kei would survive that long on his own. He opt for the Ooku(servants) to arrive, then they could tend to his wound, but where exactly where they? It was unusual for a gathering hall such as this be unattended. His eyes than snapped to Izumai. Was this her doing? He asked that within his own mind, but he already knew the answer. They were playing HER game after all....

Hayashi Kei · Sunday at 2:37 PM

Kei followed close behind, doing his best not to glance back - even though he was achingly aware of her presence. Every tip-toe of her silent steps, every breath of her laughter that rippled through the air like wind-chimes, every gentle brush of her many tails sent the faintest shiver crawling up his spine. It wasn’t fear in the usual sense - not the kind that made him want to bolt. No, this was something older. Something primal. Like the feeling of standing too close to a shrine during a thunderstorm, where the charged air made your skin prickle and your heart beat slower, quieter. Reverence… laced with just enough tension to make him stand a little straighter. To breathe a little shallower.

“She really is like a spirit from one of Komi’s stories…” he murmured under his breath, the words barely more than a whisper. His tone was laced with admiration and caution in equal measure, as if speaking too loud might break the spell - or worse, draw her full attention.

Kirame flickered gently from within the nest of Kei’s hair, his glow faint but steady, like a lone star watching from the shadows. As Kei stepped into the room, that quiet awe blossomed into something larger, something that stole the breath right from his chest. His eyes widened, catching every painted curve of the walls, every carefully brushed stroke of the blossoms blooming across the paper screens. The air even smelled faintly of sakura and smoke - familiar and dreamlike all at once.

“Woaah…” he breathed, almost reverently. “This is definitely a storybook scene…”

Azumai darted across the tatami like a living ray of light, her laughter echoing like bells across the chamber. Kei watched her with a half-smile tugging at his lips, unable to help the way his shoulders softened in response to her joy. She moved like she belonged here. Like the room had been waiting for her to arrive. It probably had.

Carefully, Kei slipped off his travel-worn sandals, taking a moment to line them up beside Seto’s pair. He was used to muddy paths and uneven floors, but this was someone's home. He wasn't about to forget his manners.. With Kirame peeking out more boldly now, casting a soft halo over his temple, Kei padded toward the grand table, feet brushing soundlessly against the tatami. He was still trying to process it all - the room, the strange warmth in the air, and her.

Izumai’s presence followed him like moonlight on still water - graceful, cool, and impossible to ignore. Even when she wasn’t looking at him, he felt seen. Known. When she passed, her tails brushed his side again and made Kei blink and straighten, like a string had been pulled taut in his spine.

“Y’know, a warning would be nice,” he mumbled, puffing his cheeks slightly in mock protest. But his voice was light, colored by something fond and exasperated - like a child talking back to the wind, knowing it wouldn’t listen but needing to speak anyway.

He chose a cushion at the table with a bit of space between theirs - not from fear, but from something quieter. Something respectful. You didn’t sit too close to a wild flame unless you meant to be burned. And he wasn’t sure yet if he was here to bask in the warmth… or offer himself to the fire.

His gaze flicked toward Seto, grounding himself in the familiar before drifting once more to the ladies of the room.

Tamashi Seto · Tuesday at 3:35 AM

In the time that would follow, he finally allowed his guard down, his shoulders slumping as he sat at the low table. Despite the menace staring both him and Kei down like a mischievous predator, there was finally solace for the first time in the day, only interrupted by the occasional flickering of the flames and the sounds of chomping that escaped his daughter's lips, the tiny kitsune still munching on what he could only describe as kibble? He was far from someone that could be called a chef, but even his eyes made him question the brown oval thing she was eating, especially with it's scaly like exterior. His mind than reminded him Azumai was a kami after all. Trying to apply human logic to a spirit, as often as It did, back fired him, so he decided to push the thought away, especially If it made his little bundle of joy happy. Returning his attention back to the silence, he leaned in towards the table and rested the bottom of his head against the palm of his right hand before closing his orbs after a long day. After what felt like a eternity, but in reality, only a few minutes, his ears picked up on movement, the sound of leather boots encroaching towards their location, provoking him to rise from his daze like state. As he did so, he heard the sound of a furusama sliding door to his left, being slid open. Peering over his shoulders, his crimson eyes picked up on the silhouette of a white robbed woman wearing a pink hakama, standing at the doorway, but as a consequence, with his vision still somewhat of a blur from being out of it, he couldn't determine who had decided to grace them with their presence. He momentarily paused If they were crazy, but that instantly changed once he heard her voice, compelling him to get himself together, which also meant raising from his nearly slumped over body.

??????
"Hello dear, was your training fruitful?"

With her warm stricken voice seeping into his body, his eyes once more swayed over to the source of the all familiar voice, now fully awake. Taking the sight in, his eyes widen momentarily, unable to pull himself away from whom was standing before them. It was Shizu, his wife to be, and frankly the woman he loved, the only person that truly understood him, that completed him in ways couldn't fathom to explain to another.. She was his betrothal, but he already considered her his wife, for she had been in his life for as long as he could possibly remember. Off the battlefield, she always been him feel fuzzy inside, not that he ever admit such a fact, or the fact she forever held his heart in her grasps. Once her presence settled within him, he he could truly relax around her, even with with the conniving Kitsune laying in wait to play her next card, no doubt having planned this. Disregarding the Kami from his mind however, his body & mind returned to relax, closing his eyes once more.

Tamashi Shizu
"I see you injured yourself again....What am I going to do with you?"

She shook her head in disappointment before making a making a smile, not that he could see. He didn't to look at her however to know her body language, let alone her demeanor, not after being with her for nearly ten years now. Her hands rested on her waist for a seconds before she made her way over to him, keeping her purple eyes on him, seemingly ignoring the other three in the room. In her footsteps, she walked with purpose, striding through the room with surprising elegance, her pristine leather boots, not making a sound as the distance between began quickly closing, unlike the ebony black katana that hung from her hip. As anyone could pick up on, his betrothal carried herself similar to Izumai, presenting themselves as fair ladies of the court, though under different varieties, clearly. While one acted as If they were of high status, perhaps royalty, or one that stood directly in the court of the Shoguns of old, the other was stern warrioress, a hyper lethal femme fatale, or well, at least when someone or something threatened what she cherished. He wouldn't expect anything less from his Onna Bugeisha wife, one moment, a fearless, merciless warrior, and the next, a undying motherly like figure and partner. It was one reason he feared her more than anyone else. Unlike him, who had to undergone unspeakable horrors and trials to become what he had become, she was seemingly born this way, something he could never comprehend. Perhaps the saying was true, that women of her stature were built differently from other women, and even men.

Now standing behind Seto, Shizu eyed his back, showing clear signs of dissatisfaction as her purple eyes looked down at the massive gashes that were imbued into his skin. After a subtle shake of her head with a sigh to match, she pressed the both of her hands against his back, forcing a faint groan to escape his lips as a thick blue aura elapsed her hands. In the midst of healing his injuries, she turned to to Kei and smiled,
"You must be Kei. My beloved has told me much of you....I hope you haven't suffered as much as he has today...and welcome. We do not receive many guests who don't dabble in politics~" speaking in a similar tone from before when she first made her appearance, she tried to come off as a friendly & caring individual. Moments after that however, her eyes snapped to the edged of their frames, keeping her attention to the mischievous Kitsune was still sitting there with a silent smirk, her tails wavering through the air, as If waiting for something to occur before making her move. Seto on the other hand, was completely out of now it, lost in the sensation of her chakra running amok on his back, meaning Kei would have to rely on his own wits....or hide behind Shizu for protection....Not that anything would occur right?

Hayashi Kei · Tuesday at 11:24 PM

Kei’s fingers traced loosely along the hem of his pants as he watched the figure step through the doorway - poised, graceful, but undeniably sharp. Like a blade honed too finely to be just ceremonial. She moved with the kind of ease that could command a battlefield or calm a restless room, and Kei couldn’t quite tell which she was doing now. Maybe both.

The energy in the room shifted. Not the kind that made his skin crawl, but something that made the hairs on the back of his neck lift, like a whisper on the wind that you’re not alone. His gaze followed her as she crossed the room, not in fear, but in quiet study - watching how her presence washed over Seto, grounding him, almost like he was finally allowed to breathe again. That alone told Kei more than any story would.

He didn’t speak right away. Not until she addressed him. His brow lifted slightly at the mention of his name. He offered a polite tilt of his head and a faint, dry chuckle. “Funny,” he said, voice even but thoughtful, “it feels like everyone here knows me... but I’m just starting to learn any of you exist.”

He didn’t mean it unkindly. There was a flicker of a smile at the corner of his lips. But his eyes remained sharp - curious, flicking from her face to the glimmer of her blade, then to Seto, softened under her touch.

He was used to people being more upfront. This... dance, this web of careful words and long looks - it was unfamiliar territory. Still, Shizu's energy, despite the presence she carried, wasn't hostile. There was strength in her, yes. But Kei sensed something else there too. Something that, oddly, calmed him. If Izumai was a storm behind silk, then Shizu was the wall that held the wind back. Steady. Anchored.

Kei let the silence stretch just a moment longer before adding, softer this time, “Seto-sensei is a great teacher. I had a lot of fun with him today.” His smile was genuine this time, speaking highly of his mentor. "We fought a beast! And he sent it running when he sliced its tail off. It was so cool!" His gaze briefly flicked toward the kitsune nearby - still smiling like she held the next ten moves in her palm - and the edge of unease curled lightly in his chest again. Even so, he looked back to Shizu. "As for politics...I wouldn't know the first thing. I come from the farmlands of Moon Island, and today was my first time really training in the shinobi arts."

Given he really didn't know much about anyone in the room, he figured it wouldn't hurt to ask a question. "I'm curious, though, because Seto is so young. Yet he has so much knowledge and skill." Kei looked to Izumai, meeting her gaze for once, without as much fear or hesitation. "How come he got to be so strong? Do you two have any cool stories?"

Open Meeting a man's worst enemy....

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