A Cold Family Part 2 (Requesting Shiori)

[Toshiwakai Kagari]

Spoiler

Current Profile:
Name: Toshiwakai Kagari
Age: 16
Rank: Genin/Secret ANBU In Training
Purpose: Finding His Heritage.

The house looked picturesque, sheets of snow covering the finely trimmed hedges with faint lights brightening the pathways. No other household looked like this, so it stood out amongst the other large mansions. Kagari could begin to feel the chill surround him, his breath becoming visible. This was a different cold, the type that scares people away. No wonder Kagari had a hard time finding the mansion, it was explicitly further than most of the other neighborhoods. It made sure none of the wealthy families die frozen in their silk sheets. Still, it was a beautiful house in comparison to Kagari's current living conditions. A part of him imagine himself running into the front doors, welcomed with open arms like a lost son. Kagari sighed, he knew that fairytale daydream wouldn't happen. A random stranger, introducing himself as a lost Haku would probably not go over well. They'd probably laugh at least.

'Stop, you came here for a reason Kagari. Don't let your cynical side take over you...Me?' Once he was done having a self-crisis, Kagari pushed the gates open and entered the compound. It was surprising that no one was manning the gates, maybe most visitors were scared away by the arctic like conditions. Still, this was a very closed clan; wouldn't they have some security? He made sure to hurry his pace, just in case one of the privatized officers in the area forcing him to leave. It was getting dark; he'd start to look more like a robber than a guest. He got the front door and raised his hand, he hesitated and froze in place. 'Should I? What if they're not home? Maybe they're asleep?' Even though he was determined to meet the rest of the Haku clan, a part of him was afraid. He was scared of being seen as an outcast, an illegitimate son, a bastard. He closed his eyes and steeled himself for what was about to come. He knocked on the door twice and waited for a response.

[Requesting Shiori]

WC: 336
MFT

 

[Michi]

The prodigal son. The bastard child of the Haku clan. Nobody wanted him here, hell, nobody even knew he existed. The Haku family was a rather small, yet important clan in Sunagakure because of their affinity with ice. The frigid element was diametrically opposed to the heat that threatened most sentient life in this desert. Their ability to summon, manipulate and even maintain this was a feat few others would ever be able to summon. Footprints would be left in the teen's wake as he ambled towards the front door of the massive mansion at the heart of this great frozen estate. The property would appear undisturbed and apparently as such for some time as his foortprints were the only ones that marred the otherwise pristine surface.

He raised his hand and his fist landed on the door, the round of his knuckles against the hardwood resonated loudly in the seemingly hollow space. The door would open in response to the moderately forceful blow with a low creaking cry. Inside, what would the young man see is an empty house. It was cold, as cold as a grave. The foyer was lit, the sconces on the wall and the grand chandelier overhead gave the space a brilliant glow that reflected off the cool grey marble and teal fabrics and carpets. There was no servants to be found, perhaps they had all left for the day or perchance something terrible had befallen them.

The deathly quiet would be broken by the hyperactive yip of a small ...dog? No, fox. A small white fox that scampered across the tiled floored in the general direction of the visitor but careened to the far left. It tumbled and skidded across the floor, undeterred the bouncy floof stood upright and like an obnoxiously cute shark sans water, danger, blood and death circled the young man. High pitched yips would break the silence as the fluffball notified the entire complex of the intruder.

Footsteps could be heard, they were slow and the reverberated from an unseen place that was far away. The chill in this house would seemingly deepen, the cold and the ice was merely the effect of the encroaching man's aura Kagari might realize. The air before Kagari would come out in bursts of condensate. From the apex of the stairs a man with a single bare hand on the railing of a staircase would amble downward. The man was well over fifty but from the looks of his face and his form one would not think him a year over twenty-five. His long, dark iron-flat tresses hung limply behind him, somewhat unruly at this hour despite it not being early morn or the late evening it would seem that he was waken recently from a slumber. An expensive and fine silk robe ensconced his tall, slender form, when he stopped before Kagari the teen would notice that the Haku was rather tall but not entirely imposing as he stood at six foot nine. He like most Hakus had a rather androgynous appearance, he could easily be mistaken for a woman if he had any assets to speak of. "Leave," the man ordered with a somber voice.

Remember -- the club was destroyed in an explosion and the resident owner had not been seen since.

It would be then that Kagari might take note of what the man was wearing: a plain black silk five-crested kimono, gray and white striped hakama trousers, a black crested haori jacket with a white closure, white zori and a white tabi. All traditional clothes of mourning. The truth be told, even the least of ones children was still their child and their loss was like a knife to the heart. His heart ached from this loss, not because he was loved but because he was lost and there was an inherent sense of guilt that comes with that fate. "I am not accepting visitors at this time, nor will I anytime soon," he claimed as he motioned towards the door from whence the young man came. The fox continued to dance about the space, the occasional yip would persist - foxes made terrible guard dogs.

 

[Toshiwakai Kagari]

The response he got was quick, as the door mysteriously opened; inviting him in. It made him felt uneasy as if the house was haunted. He pushed the door lightly, hoping not to disturb anyone inside. As the door was being slowly opened, Kagari now saw what laid inside. It was....empty. It seemed that not a single life form existed within the walls of the mansion. There wasn't a stereotypical servant to quickly accost him of why he was inside these hallowed halls. Something was bothering him; he initially thought it would have been warmer inside, but the air felt even chillier than the outside. Kagari kneeled down to touch the floors; it felt ice cold. "How could anyone live here?" Kagari asked no one, as he ventured further inside inspecting the furniture. "Or better yet, has anyone lived here?" He walked over to one of the tables with a vase on it, lightly rubbing his finger on the wood; inspecting it for dust. His finger had no trace of dirt on it; someone was keeping the place pristine. He looked around again, noticing a large painting over the fireplace. It was a family portrait. Although it was difficult to tell who was who, as all of the faces in the portrait looked around the same age.

A young looking man with long black hair stood in the back with what Kagari assumed was his wife. In the front, were probably his children; three sons and one daughter. All the children had black hair of different lengths and very feminine looking features. None of them was smiling or showing any emotion. "This must be the Haku Clan." Kagari didn't recognize a face at first, until one. A feminine face he knew immediately, Haku Saburou. He looked younger in this portrait; this was probably several years ago considering how he later became a criminal. Kagari sighed at the thought of the man. Here he was, the shinobi who blew up a whore house in the middle of the red lights and arrested the flesh dealer. Records say that he died in the explosion, but he knew he was probably screaming in one of the cells in the Obsidian.


He kept scanning the faces until he focused on the lone female daughter. She was gorgeous; Kagari hoped that the girl he was focusing on was female. He smirked at his joke but then began to focus more. He started to recognize some of those features, high cheekbones, beautiful eyes. "There's no way..." Kagari inspected closer and hit a realization. "Mom?!" He has quickly shaken out of his thoughts as he heard pattering coming from the opposite direction. A small white fox ran into the foyer and slid to stop, but he tripped and kept skidding out of control until he lost momentum. The Fox quickly recovered, and got back up onto its feet and began yipping at Kagari.

Kagari smiled and chuckled a little; it was too cute not to laugh at. Kagari smiled at the little fox and kneeled down and held out his hand. "Are you the one keeping this place clean big guy?" Kagari asked the white fox; his response was another yip. "I see. Excellent work by the way." Kagari felt weird trying to communicate with the animal, but it was fun nonetheless. Although another sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, this time, footsteps. It looked like this time it belonged to a human. The cold air began to fill the room, as a figure coming from the stairs came out of the shadows. Kagari recognized the face from the portrait, the one in the back. He didn't look like he aged at all, his features still filled with youth.

It would be then that Kagari might take note of what the man was wearing: a plain black silk five-crested kimono, gray and white striped hakama trousers, a black crested haori jacket with a white closure, white zori and a white tabi. All traditional clothes of mourning.

The look on his face made it clear that Kagari wasn't welcome, but his words and voice made sure. "Leave." He spoke fairly quiet, in a very somber tone. "I am not accepting visitors at this time, nor will I anytime soon," Now the real battle would begin. Kagari had questions, lots of them. But he needed to convince what Kagari assumed was the clan leader, that he belonged to be here.

"Sorry for disturbing your home at this time and hour sir. I know I came at the a...difficult time."Kagari had trouble finding the words, the man's presence demanded respect and the fox yipping randomly made Kagari lose focus at times. "I just need a few seconds of your time and I'll be out of your world forever." Kagari winced at those words, they weren't very convincing.

"I...." Kagari tried to speak again but he was tongue tied. He closed his eyes and recollected himself, steeling him for what was about to come. He looked at the man directly at the top, saying, "I'd like to know about your missing daughter Yukari."

WC: 805
MFT

 

[Michi]

Haku Rittou

If nothing else, the small fox seemed to like Kagari for whatever reason. The ball of fluff seemed to tumble and yip but it was a far from viscous proclamation made by the small vulpini as it raised its front legs and started to paw on the young man's pants. This was the universal sign that it wanted to be picked up but it was an impatient animal and would crouch low to the ground and catapult itself skyward. For such a small, not-so-aerodynamic creature this leaping bound would be rather impressive as it traversed past eye-level and attempted to land on the teen's shoulder. If it succeeded, it would let out a victory yip and its tail swished to either side as it looked up at its master expectantly. The white fox's behavior was rather odd, it was not some mindless creature in search of an easy meal or a treat. Such creatures were not native to Wind Country, although similar might be found in chillier climates found in the northern reaches of the world this creature was not a fox. It was an intelligent creature and while similar to a conventional beast this one was actually intelligent but its ability to communicate was rather limited.

"Sorry for disturbing your home at this time and hour sir. I know I came at the a...difficult time."

As the Haku descended down the stairs he would see this curious scene after he beckoned the young man to leave so that he could be alone with his grief. "Byakko, leave him be," the assumed master of the manor commanded. The name was not very creative, Byakko meant 'white fox' which was exactly what the creature was. If it stood on the teens shoulder or continued to beg for his attention from the floor it would cock its head to the side at the sound of the Haku's order and seemingly shake its head 'no.' The corners of the Haku's petal pink lips drooped downward at the creature's refusal. "Strange..." he mused more interested in the fox's eccentric behavior than the young man's apology.

"I just need a few seconds of your time and I'll be out of your world forever."

The young man continued. It was a strangely worded phrase for a visitor who has arrived unannounced. "I am mourning," he replied stating the obvious. He had lost a son, perhaps not his best child and perhaps not his only child but it was still his. The mansion was a large, empty space because there were so few of them left. His wife had passed away in her grief years ago after the loss of their daughter and the series of failings they saw in their late son. Saburou was always the weakest of their children and among his peers, he could never mold his chakra and he was the shame of their name and house long before he took to flesh peddling. It was no secret to the clan that Saburou now made his living in the underbelly of the village. It was hardly a concern of ethics that damaged him so, people had their needs and he understood that as well as anyone else. Still, he found the vocation shameful in and of itself, they were meant to be beautiful and enduring - not to sell cheap pleasures and the youthful beauty of others. Saburou had always felt insignificant and ugly, his esteem even as a child was below that of the ugly people that serviced their estate.

The small white fox would disappear in a puff of smoke and reappear on the Haku's shoulder as the clansman reached the lowest step. The fox would yip again, insistent about something it lacked the words to say.

"I.... I'd like to know about your missing daughter Yukari."

Kagari would finally ask and the mourning clan leader would pass his gaze over to the portrait and it would wonder there a moment. He was sad but even in his grief his face would not contort in an ugly way, there was an inherent power and grace that seemed to emanate from the seemingly otherworldly man. Ice would crackle audibly and start to form over the corners of the painting on the wall and the tack that held it up would groan from the added weight. "Dead," he answered solemnly. Dead to him at least, she abandoned the family because she liked a boy. She disgraced not only her heritage but also her family and social standing when she ran off with that gutter-rat. He kept tabs on her for awhile, rumor had it she and her paramour became barroom minstrels and made their wage off of tips left by drunken patrons. It was a fucking waste. He clenched his hand and his knuckles turned white. The picture groaned as it glossed over with an inch-thick layer of ice before it fell to the floor and the ice shattered like a trove of jewels over the floor. Over the years he had lost track of her and her lover, he never knew of the barroom brawl that ended her lover's life but it would seem a fitting end considering the vagabond he was in life - he uprooted his daughter selfishly from the life she had because he wanted her. The thing is, everyone wants them

"I have only one child left," he commented. Much to Kagari's dismay, Saburou was merely replaced by a man chosen by his brother, the flesh peddling empire the black sheep had build would continue on. Was the clan leader aware of this, peripherally perhaps and while it left a sour taste in his mouth at least his 'better' son had the foresight to make sure that his name, face and reputation was not directly associated with the brothel. "Yukari... ran away as a teen, almost a woman with an inamorato and I have not seen or heard from her since. Considering her unwillingness to heed my pleas to return and the dangers of the maelstrom, I doubt she lives still."</B><i></i> He had long-ago resigned himself to the thought of her passing, it was an utter waste that such beauty was wasted on that mendicant. He let out a sigh, it was still a troublesome thing to consider even after all of these years. <B>"Have you brought me news of her passing?" There was a brief pause before he added, "...I can only hope that there will be enough for me to give her a proper burial."

 

[Toshiwakai Kagari]

There was a second of awkward silence after Kagari uttered his mother's name. The effeminate leader stood still like a statue, not even flinching after the mention of his forgotten daughter. But his emotion gave his true feelings away. Kagari could hear ice crack and the man's anger seep from his soul, but he kept it mostly in control. The man's face looked disappointed. It was a look you only feel after losing someone close, especially the one you placed above all. The man was doing his best to forget all the heartbreak from the past. The man would answer directly, "Dead." Kagari felt pity for the man; it was clear that the household had been through a lot lately, and it seemed clan members were dropping dead each second.

He was about to speak up when he felt a light touch on his left legs. Looking down, Kagari saw the white fox pawing at his ankles. Kagari smiled, forgetting his place. He really couldn't help but be fond of the fox; it's small yipps, and cute behavior would win anyone over. It seemed like it wanted to be carried, so Kagari kneeled down to pick it up. But, the creature did the work for him and leaped onto Kagari's left shoulder. Kagari straightened himself so that the fox wouldn't accidently tip over. Kagari chuckled, the fox's soft fur tickled his cheeks and neck. The Fox would give out a "mission complete" yip as it just sat comfortably on Kagari. "You're a funny one." Kagari gently rubbed the fox's head, smiling.

"Byakko, leave him be," The clan leader spoke, reminding Kagari of where he was. 'Crap, I just asked probably the esteemed Haku Clan leader about his missing beloved daughter...and I lose focus and begin playing with his pet fox. Excellent first impression Kagari.' The Fox, however, gazed at its master and shook it's head. The fox's actions surprised both Kagari and the Haku member. "Strange..." The clan leader raised his brow, perplexed at the antics of what Kagari assumed was his animal companion. "I am mourning." The Haku spoke. If the dim lights, his reluctance to talk to anyone and the cold, cold atmosphere didn't give it away, he made it clear with his words.

Kagari would feel a sudden weight disappear from his left shoulder as a poof of smoke replaced it. The Fox would reappear on the man's shoulder instead, as he descended the stairs into the foyer. The Fox, of course, would yip in protest, as if trying to tell their master something. "I have only one child left," Kagari stayed silent as the man began to tell a familiar tale.

"Yukari... ran away as a teen, almost a woman with an inamorato and I have not seen or heard from her since. Considering her unwillingness to heed my pleas to return and the dangers of the maelstrom, I doubt she lives still." He had long-ago resigned himself to the thought of her passing, it was an utter waste that such beauty was wasted on that mendicant. He let out a sigh; it was still a troublesome thing to consider even after all of these years. "Have you brought me news of her passing?" There was a brief pause before he added, "...I can only hope that there will be enough for me to give her a proper burial."

Kagari listened, but he already knew this tale. His mother told him the same thing which she had fallen in love when she was young and left with his father to see the beautiful world. She left out the part that she was from a noble house in her tale, so the pieces began to fall into place. "No, I don't have news of her death." Kagari paused, again, his words failed to come out at first. "because she hasn't died...She's alive and well." Kagari smiled. "In fact, she's been here in Suna for a few years now."

Kagari walked over to the fallen picture and picked it up leaning it up against the fireplace. "She still looks the same...After all these years." Kagari chuckled a little, focussing on his mother's face in the portrait. Kagari inhaled deeply, imagining his mother's face as he did his best to summon up the strength to tell the man the rest of the tale. "16 years ago, I guess when she was....18? 19? She had a son in an unknown village in the sprawling desert. She said it was the most difficult thing for her; the scorching heat plus the pain of childbirth."

"She yelled out, 'Damn you Takeshi! You did this to me!' Of course, the man did his best to calm his wife down, but even despite the ungodly heat, he could feel her cold touch dig into his skin..."

"But, that child was thankfully born healthy without a problem. Well, his vision eventually required him to get glasses..."

"Although, it wasn't always happy. When the child was 8, his father went missing one night." Kagari paused, remembering that cold summer evening. "The father...offended a patron. The patron was a known bandit, the common thug. Unfortunately, the father cracked a few innocent jokes about that bandit, and the father was found dead with knife wounds to the abdomen." Kagari sighed, recalling how the corpse of the father was brought to them, and upon recognizing who it was his mother broke down. Kagari just stood there, unmoved staring into the soulless corpse of his father.

"Knowing that life on the road was dangerous, your daughter and her son moved back to Suna. Unfortunately, being bar musicians and entertainers doesn't pay that well. The two of them currently live in a small two bedroom apartment in Grand Palais. It's right next to a park, so the son at least had some fun as a kid living in the ghettos." Kagari closed his eyes again and prepared for what was to come.

"The son eventually enrolled into the academy at 12 and became a genin. He works hard to earn a better living so his mother can stop working two jobs. He kept training and training until he discovered something weird." Kagari held out his palms and channeled chakra. (Ice Spear: Rank 1) Following the advice from a certain ANBU, who lurked the Diamond District at night, this time, he focused forming the tip of ice spear instead of the form. An ice spear was created out of thin air and landed in Kagari's palms. It felt a lot easier; maybe it was because of the household's cold atmosphere.

"He discovered he could freeze things, both water, and air. Although, it was difficult since there aren't that many Ice users in Suna except for a certain Cold Clan. Which brings us to today." Kagari looked directly at the clan leaders eyes and met him. "I'm Kagari Toshiwakai, son of Yukari Haku and Takeshi Toshiwakai. I'm your grandson."

WC: 1038
MFT

OOC: Phew!

 

[Michi]

The young man would tell his tale and the clansman would remain silent for the duration. He claimed that his daughter was not only alive and well but that she was in this very village and that per presence despite barely changing since the day she left went unnoticed by the villagers and by his clansmen. He claimed that he was an heir to the powerful and ancient clan's first house and used that guttersnipe's surname. Did he truly think him this foolish? Did he think him that weak? There was a fiery spark in the Haku's eyes when the young man gave this name. The clan leader was faster and stronger than one would have presumed looking at him and if the boy did not respond in time he would feel a slap cross his cheek, that harsh crack of flesh would resonate through those empty halls. The force was enough to not only turn the left side of his face red but to leave a bruised imprint of the Haku's long, slender fingers across his cheek. "Do not bastardize the memory of my daughter by claiming you are my long-lost heir. You are not the first to try to swindle me, but you would be the first cold enough to do so without consideration of my recent grievances." His lovely face seemed to grimace but it was hard to tell, his face seemed frozen in such a placid state.

The fox yipped a protest and let out a low, rattling growl as if warning his master to stave his hand. The rapid series of high pitched barks did not appear to relent as the incised man, despite outward appearances of serenity approached. "Toshiwakai Kagari... you have betrayed the memory of my daughter. Through your avarice and selfishness you have earned my ire," The entrance started to freeze at the hinges. The small fox continued to sound its protest as the wall glazed over, reaching a crescendo as the ice started to creep across the ceiling. The temperature plunged to icy depths, enough to leave a bite on the exposed flesh of a non-Haku. This Subzero Purge pushed any semblance of heat from the space, even the unfortunate fox began to shiver from the sudden drop. Kagari was young and he might not yet recognize the look in the Harku's eye but he would have seen it before several times, it was the look of a killer's intent. Passions run deepest in those who lock them away, it is not that they are devoid of emotion but rather they hold the tightest reigns on their actions. His wrath and his rage had been suppressed for years. The failure of his children. The failure of this community to ensure their safety. Their descent and their death. Society's callous indifference to his family's losses and a con's want to find advantage in his mourning. "Ambition and power changes a man and not for the better I am afraid," the soft-spoken Haku continued as crystallized water vapor began to congregate about his hand. A gauntlet of ice with the head of a spear would manifest on his dominant hand as the single moving hand and dancing digits swept across the space immediately before him. Famed for their masterful skill in not only ice but in completing handseals with a single hand, this clan was not well known for letting the blood of others spill. The truth be told, the Haku was a powerful clan in Sunagakure because of what they had to offer the village, people looked the other way or even encouraged the deviant acts of Haku Rittou's children. There was a part of him that cared, he was a proud man but he also understood the need to make ones own place in the world. Despite the shame of it all his late daughter and son had chosen their life and their vocation, both could have done so much more and been so much better. They were Haku for fuck-sake.

Haku Rittou brandished his icy weapon (Koorikan) and thrust it at Kagari in what might have been a clean kill, the consequences of which would have been less than what Tenken would have wanted, but something else caught the brunt of the frigid weapon's thrust. The small, unfortunate white fox who bounded from the clanleader's shoulder and into the path of the weapon. The tiny creature impaled momentarily would let out a terrible, pained cry before it would disappear into a puff of smoke. "Byakko?" A sobered man called, questioning what he had just seen. His pose frozen in place as he looked down at his bloodied icy weapon. The ice about his fist melted away, leaving a pink puddle about his feet, the frozen cage would too turn to a puddle, leaving two centimeters of water on the floor over the course of a few seconds. Heat would return to the room, like a welcome breeze. "...Tea?"

Simple as that, like a switch went off and Rittou was calm. The 'death' of a family pet was the catalyst of the change but without knowing more it would be hard for Kagari to understand why. The fox was not an ordinary creature, beyond the fact that it was utterly alien to these environs, the fox was not a fox at all but rather a kitsune. It was not something that the tiny creature attempted to hide as it entered and left this world to traverse the next only to return a blink in time later. Yet the fox spirit was injured, perhaps even dead. Its blood colored the waters. A high pitched whine would be heard in the next room, the room that Rittou beckoned Kagari to follow him into. A larger, rust-colored fox would be licking the unfortunate snowy fox's wounds. The room as a simple, open space with mattresses on the floor. Not the kind for a human to sleep in, rather very large dog... no fox beds. Some were small but others were quite large. Haku Rittou seemed to be expecting something as he stopped and took several paces away from Kagari. The white fox was healing rather quickly, the underbelly stained pink, the wound had sealed.

</B>

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YIP yip Yip YIP yip Yip YIP yip Yip YIP yip Yip YIP yip Yip YIP yip Yip​

<i></i>

They... noticed Kagari. Kagari might have been prepared for an attack by the Haku and the chatter by the kitsunes might have heralded some sort of attack and it was an attack indeed. With a bounding leap the fox spirits great and small would attempt to lick, sit on or paw at Kagari. Most did all three. Perhaps he had a T-bone in his pocket, perhaps not. Yami would cross his arms over his chest as a pile would form with Kagari likely on the bottom of a dogpile... no, foxpile. The littlest of the foxes, the small white one that had already demonstrated his attachment to the young stranger would paw the crest of the canine hill, let out a yawn before it would curl up in a ball as if it was about to fall asleep. <B>"Family... you might be," the clan leader announced as he looked at the rather content pile of fox spirits. "This branch of Haku has a close kinship with the kitsune, they can sense what I cannot and they do not show this sort of affection to those outside of my clan," he continued although if Kagari was truly on the bottom of this pile of animals the voice would be faint and muffled. "When you are done playing, I would like to have a better look at you."

The tea was a lie. What Haku would want a hot drink? Well, not so much a lie, the tea was iced. He poured a pitcher of the frosty beverage into a pair of tall glasses and awaited Kagari's eventual triumphant escape from under a pile of foxes. Would he be covered in shed fur -- possibly. Would his hair be standing on end due to the use of fox saliva -- probably. Was Kagari allergic to foxes -- let's just hope not.

 

[Toshiwakai Kagari]

After Kagari had told the shortened version of his life story so far, he waited for the clan leader to digest the information given to him. There was a moment of silence; then a loud crack could be heard. Kagari felt his left cheek sting with pain; it appeared that his "grandfather" didn't like what he heard one bit. Kagari stood there; his head turned away from the leader. In his mind, he felt disappointment. He thought his words would be able to get through to the man, but it didn't. "Do not bastardize the memory of my daughter by claiming you are my long-lost heir. You are not the first to try to swindle me, but you would be the first cold enough to do so without consideration of my recent grievances." Kagari would look directly into the man's eyes, unflinching. He felt his pride hurt and wanted to prove his worth to the man, that he belonged here.

"Toshiwakai Kagari... you have betrayed the memory of my daughter. Through your avarice and selfishness you have earned my ire,"
"Fine. I guess if all you have left in your heart is rage and bitterness, then no wonder most of the family died." Kagari clenched his fist, sensing the killing intent coming from the man. The entrance to the mansion was sealed off with ice, with his surroundings becoming unstable. The temperature began to drop, to conditions no ordinary human could live in. The Haku leader would begin forming his ice weapon out of the cold vapors in the air, speaking softly "Ambition and power changes a man and not for the better I am afraid,"

A gauntlet of ice with the head of a spear would manifest on his dominant hand as the single moving hand and dancing digits swept across the space immediately before him

Kagari sighed if things were different; he would have loved to ask the man how to control ice properly. Kagari readied himself for any attack the Haku would throw at him; he planned on escaping to the upper floors in case he had to run. But Kagari was intent on proving his heritage. The Haku launched himself at Kagari and thrust his weapon at the teen. Kagari could hear the sound of flesh being impaled, but he felt no pain. Kagari looked down and saw that instead of him being stabbed, it was the white fox who took the hit. "Byakko?" The Haku called out, he was frozen in place. "Why...? Why would you?" Kagari asked, just as surprised as the man was. The fox cried out in pain and vanished in a cloud of smoke. All of a sudden, the ice in the room began to melt; and the temperature began to rise again. The ice gauntlet the Haku leader made slowly melted, and would out of nowhere ask, "...Tea?"

Kagari composed himself and rubbed the back of his head. "Sure..." 'Just like that huh?' Kagari was surprised at how quickly it turned from a possible fatal battle to an uneasy sit-down. Still, it could have gotten worse if the fight continued. Kagari could hear a high pitch whine coming from one of the rooms. The Haku leader heard the same cry and motioned for Kagari to follow. As Kagari and the clan leader entered the room, Kagari was amazed. "Wow." The room was filled with basically dog beds of different sizes. The foxes that dwelled in the room were either as small as Byakko from earlier or as large as a Shetland pony. Kagari saw that Byakko was on it's back, it's wound being licked by a large brownish red fox. The fox's had a quick recovery, any sign of a stab wound was mostly gone. Kagari felt relieved at that, even in that short time of meeting; he felt attached to the little white fox.

He then felt different weights rush towards him, all either pawing at his feet or yapping in his ear. "O-Okay...o-one at a time guys!" The weight of the foxes pushed him over, and Kagari began to chuckle. He felt the foxes lick his face and it tickled. He sat up and started petting the various foxes, all of them were either licking, sitting or pawing. He saw Byakko, doing his best to try and either calm down the rest of its den or wanted to play too. It eventually relented, curled up and went to sleep. Kagari smiled and began lightly petting its head, then towards its belly. Kagari perked up when he heard his grandfather speak. "Family... you might be," He looked calm and much happier than he was earlier. "This branch of Haku has a close kinship with the kitsune, they can sense what I cannot, and they do not show this sort of affection to those outside of my clan," "No wonder they seem to be so friendly." Kagari mused as he felt one of the larger ones lay it's head on Kagari's lap. "When you are done playing, I would like to have a better look at you." Kagari nodded, as the man ventured down the hallway into what Kagari assumed was a kitchen. Kagari looked at each of the foxes and cooed,

"Thanks, guys. You made this a lot easier..." Kagari would pet each one of them softly, to show his appreciation. He would then turn his attention again to Byakko and gently pat it again. "And you, your actions said things I could not. I will forever be thankful for you Byakko." Kagari would get up and dust himself of any fox fur, although he could feel some fur inside his jacket; one of the foxes tried to slip inside. Plus, his war was slightly wet from all the fox saliva; so he just straightened it out as best he could. "Wish me luck guys." He went down the hallway the Haku went and found the leader pouring 2 cups of iced tea from a pitcher. Kagari scratched the back of his head, feeling guilt that the master of this home was pouring him a drink. "Thank you for the tea." He would take the cup of iced tea and drink from it. It was very sweet and refreshingly cool.

"Before we begin...I guess I wanted to apologize again. What I said was harsh earlier. I understand that this is a complicated time for you and all of a sudden I come out of nowhere boasting I'm related to you. For that, I'm sorry." Kagari bowed his head in respect. "But, I wanted to come here. I wanted to know if I belonged here, and to...to reunite you with mom. So I felt hurt from what you said."

WC: 1005
MFT

 

[Michi]

The foxes continued to lick and paw, the tiniest of them attempted to wiggle their way into his pockets and the larger simply cuddled up to the new Haku as close as they could without being surgically attached. The scent of fox would follow him into the next room as Kagari excused himself. Unbeknownst to him, some of the contents of his pockets were liberated by the slyest of foxes, be it a stick of bubblegum, a pen or a spare set of glasses the tiny tricky fox would start chewing on its prize. No worries Kagari, you will get something back. It might be a bit mangled and have earned some wear but it will be usable... maybe.

"Thanks, guys. You made this a lot easier..."

All matter of fox, great and little. Red and gold, white and black. The great many foxes got their pets.

"And you, your actions said things I could not. I will forever be thankful for you Byakko."

The little fox would yip and try to lick the young Haku on the nose. It's little curled tail wiggled mischievously. When placed back on the floor, like a furry shark it would circle Kagari. The scratching of claws and paws on the tile floor accompanied by the hyperactive, potentially caffeinated canine would follow Kagari into the next room.

"Wish me luck guys."

As if they understood Kagari, some of them let out an encouraging sound someplace between a bark and a yip. Most of them went back to their beds but a few meandered off to other parts of the mansion. Kagari and his new floofy friend Byakko entered the kitchen. It would seem that Kagari had found a living shadow in Byakko. Hopefully the ANBU hopeful was not planning on being a stealthy shinobi because this energetic animal was far too active to remain hidden. Nose to the ground the little fox made his rounds, looking for scraps perhaps before he found a corner in the kitchen that was in the direct one of sight of the conversing pair. One eye open, it would seem that the little animal was falling asleep.

This tea was less than conventional, but it was their way. The cool, summery drink infused with mint, lemon and something that seemed to leave his throat feeling warm. That was a dash of bourbon, but not enough to get someone drunk unless they drank the entire pitcher. He was hardly a glutton.

"Thank you for the tea."

"People grow up fast here in Sunagakure," he commented as he rose the glass to his own lips. The tea was certainly sweet, too sweet for the tastes of most but he was one that believed in the little pleasures of life. A cup of sugar, a nip (or several) of bourbon, a gallon of black tea, the juice of two full lemons and a handful of muddled mint leaves (actually quite good). "I have always found it important to stay young," he announced as he appreciated a second sip.

"Before we begin...I guess I wanted to apologize again. What I said was harsh earlier. I understand that this is a complicated time for you and all of a sudden I come out of nowhere boasting I'm related to you. For that, I'm sorry... But, I wanted to come here. I wanted to know if I belonged here, and to...to reunite you with mom. So I felt hurt from what you said."

"I am not interested in seeing her," Rittou admitted. Perhaps he was a stubborn man and his pride prevented him from such things but he was willing to slay the boy minutes earlier with his icy blade for sullying her memory. "If he had any interest in myself, this clan or anyone within she would have made herself known. She did not even attend her brother's funeral," he said with a calm serenity but there was hurt hidden in his eyes. He lacked the lines of age and overuse on his near frozen and stoic face. "As for you," he approached and attempted to touch the sides of Kagari's face. "You hardly look like my dear Yukari," his voice seemed dissatisfied but it was hard to tell what a man such as he was thinking. If Kagari stayed still he would brush back his bangs to reveal the profile of his face. "The paperboy haircut and the over-sized glasses do you no favors," he mused. Even Riitou;s skin would feel like a woman's, it was soft and subtle and seemed to deny the existence of manual labor. He tsk'ed lightly, his tongue clicking against the back of his teeth as he did so.

"Stay... if you want. Stay and learn... or not." He concluded. It was Kagari's choice to come or to go. "But make the choice once, if you do choose to stay I ask that you remain here for the month... the month should be sufficient time to know," she explained only partially. To 'know' what would be the question. It would be sufficient time to know if he possessed his mother's un-mastered talents as a Haku - a potential she wasted all these years or if his bloodline was latent like his late son's. There was a reason he did not live in the compound, he could not survive the chill. The temperature dipped, if he stayed his time to demonstrate and learn would be now.

 

[Toshiwakai Kagari]

"I am not interested in seeing her," His grandfather bluntly stated. Kagari was kind of surprised that he didn't want to be reunited after all these years. "If he had any interest in myself, this clan or anyone within she would have made herself known. She did not even attend her brother's funeral," Kagari stayed silent, he was curious why his mother distanced herself so far away from the clan. Even when she returned; poor, and homeless, she stayed far away. Why? Was she so afraid of the retribution from her father? Or was it something else? Questions that he'd need to ask his mother the next time he saw her. Also, he should probably tell her that he went to the clan without even letting her know. "As for you," Kagari eyes turned towards the man, he stood up and began to touch the sides of Kagari's face. It felt awkward having your face being scrunched up by what was a stranger a minute ago; plus he tried to kill the teen so...

"You hardly look like my dear Yukari," Kagari felt his face released and stayed still, letting the man do his inspection. The man took Kagari's glasses and placed it on the table; combed Kagari's hair backward with his hand to take a look at his open face. "The paperboy haircut and the over-sized glasses do you no favors," Kagari blew his bangs with a stream of air from his mouth, slightly annoyed. "Sorry for not suiting your tastes old man. If I can even call you that, you look like you haven't aged past your twenties." Kagari was still amazed that the Haku's could surprisingly keep their youthful looks up unto their old age, he wondered if their bodies would even decompose once they were dead.

"Stay... if you want. Stay and learn... or not." The man offered. Kagari's eyes perked up; this was the opportunity he was hoping for. "But make the choice once, if you do choose to stay I ask that you remain here for the month... the month should be sufficient time to know," Kagari continued to take sips from his cold tea, thinking. 'A month huh...' Kagari looked around, observing the empty kitchen. It would be a change of living conditions, from rags to riches. But it wasn't going to be easy; each day would be a different trial. He looked up when he heard light snoring coming from the kitchen floor, noticing Byakko sleeping. He giggled at the sight, walked over to the white fox and picked it up. Resolved, he gave his answer to the leader.

"Okay, I accept. I'm going to need to go back for some things." Kagari paused, knowing that his grandfather wouldn't like his next sentence. "Also to go back and tell my mother. She at least deserves to know what I'm doing and where I am, I owe her that much. Even though I am a Shinobi, I am her son; and she wouldn't like it if she had no idea if I went missing for a month.. " Kagari gently pet the small fox, hearing it coo as it slept peacefully. "Even though she turned her back on you and ran. I know she misses her family."

WC: 543
MFT

 

[Michi]

The trace of a smile, perhaps sentimental as he looked into a mirror back into time. Perchance he saw a bit of himself, one of his sons or even his daughter in the young man's visage. Or he might have seen something else entirely as he relinquished his hold. "Sorry for not suiting your tastes old man. If I can even call you that, you look like you haven't aged past your twenties."</B><i></i>

"I will take that as a compliment," he replied simply as he poured himself a fresh glass of tea, "you see... appearances are everything."<i></i> His statement might seem odd to those outside of the clan, so many had an attachment to masculine ideals. "What is the first thing you think when you see someone with long hair, a flawless complexion, wrapped in silk?" It was not a question he expected an answer to but the young man might offer one. "Likely something stiring in ones loins. An underestimation of the man ...or the woman before you. Perhaps a desire to be near them, so many people have a love for beautiful things," he explained. His appearance was hardly about sex, but he did use his appearance to urge others to think about it. There is only so much blood in the body, and those ounces of blood diverted meant a few ounces less could travel to the cerebrum. That was perhaps why Saborou went into the flesh peddling business when he was determined defunct. Lacking a bloodline limit, he was still lovely and he understood what others found beautiful and he used that as a tool to 'better' himself through less than legal means.

"Okay, I accept. I'm going to need to go back for some things... Also to go back and tell my mother. She at least deserves to know what I'm doing and where I am, I owe her that much. Even though I am a Shinobi, I am her son; and she wouldn't like it if she had no idea if I went missing for a month.. "<i></i>

The little fox rolled over and exposed its furry belly. It accepted all the pets.

<B>"Even though she turned her back on you and ran. I know she misses her family."

"I won't stop you, however... she might," he warned. "I will see you tomorrow... maybe." She would let him leave if Kagari wished to do so. He would return regardless of his mother's wishes, he was the brash sort but the threat of otherwise would only deepen his resolve as it was the way of most youth.

[Kagari allowed to leave if he chooses to. This being my 'nice' thread of the year.]​

 

[Toshiwakai Kagari]

"you see... appearances are everything." The "old" man spoke. . "What is the first thing you think when you see someone with long hair, a flawless complexion, wrapped in silk?" He paused, before speaking again. "Likely something stiring in ones loins. An underestimation of the man ...or the woman before you. Perhaps a desire to be near them, so many people have a love for beautiful things," Kagari thought for a moment, he as curious why Haku's were so blessed genetically. Despite Saburou not having any bloodline related abilities, he still inherited the clan's effeminate appearance.

"Well, after meeting you; I'd first try to figure out if they were a guy or a girl." Kagari smirked at his remark. It seriously could get difficult if he met any more Haku clan members. There's probably a bunch of hidden pretty boys in the basement of the Haku mansion. After Kagari stated that he would be going back to inform his mom of his most likely, life changing decision. The clan leader looked resigned and accepted Kagari's condition, "I won't stop you, however... she might," Kagari nodded, knowing what awaits him at his home. "I will see you tomorrow... maybe.""I'll be here. I know she won't be happy about it but, I think I can convince her." Kagari took his last sips of his cold tea and began walking for the exit. He stopped in place and turned back, "I'm making sure I don't make the same mistake as her, not telling her parents about leaving so suddenly. Thank you again for the tea and the...time." Kagari bowed respectfully. A thought hit him, he had forgotten to ask something. "Actually, you never gave me your name. What should I call you? Besides well...Old Man." He would wait for a response from the leader and say, "I'll just refer to you as Haku-Sama I guess." Kagari would bow again and exit the kitchen and return to the foyer.

If Byakko or any of the other foxes followed Kagari, he would turn around and crouch to their level. "I've got to go ,I promise I'll be back. Stay here and keep the old man some company, he could sure use it."He would pet them gently and smile at them, before taking off. If Byakko was alone, he would earnestly pet his new best friend; he had seriously become attached to the furry animal. He would take a look at the outside of the house one last time. It was finally dark, only the street lamps lit the pathway for you to go. Breathing in the cool air, he set off for his toughest battle yet, winning an argument with your mother.


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