Hand Over Fist [Free RP]

[Tsuyoshi Takeo]

Take a walk outside myself
In some exotic land
Greet a passing stranger
Feel the strength in his hand
Feel the world expand

I feel my spirit resist
But I open up my fist
Lay hand over hand over
Hand over fist…

Hand Over Fist, Presto, Rush​

An exhausted sigh exploded from Takeo’s chest and he crashed down onto a pile of crimson, velvet pillows. After registering for the upcoming exam, he had made his way straight to the nearest upscale hotel. From the banners hung outside, it seemed they were one of the more popular hotels in the area and were hoping to attract the countless patrons who would be arriving for the upcoming shinobi exams and wedding. Once his horses were settled into the stables Takeo rushed to his room, dropped his gear, and climbed into the shower to wash nearly two weeks of grime and sand from the road from his sunburnt skin. The hot water stung as it cascaded onto his rosy neck, face, forearms and hands; but Takeo didn’t care. He vigorously scrubbed himself down from head to foot several times until he got all the sand out of… well, everywhere! Takeo wouldn’t have been surprised if the gritty substance hadn’t found a way to seep into his very soul!

After his hour long shower, Takeo, now content in his cleanliness, donned his usual attire from back home; white tennis shoes, blue jeans, and a royal blue t-shirt with the crest of the Tsuyoshi Clan (a white tigers head in profile) on the back. He desperately wanted sleep, but his ravenous appetite would give him no peace until it was sated. To that end, he headed down to the hotel’s restaurant for some much needed chow. The eatery was furnished in low tables surrounded by piles of crimson pillows. Finding an empty table, Takeo plopped down as described above.

A waiter quickly made his way over, his olive, sun darkened skin a striking contrast with the white, loose fitting robes he was wearing. He offered Takeo a menu, which he gladly took, and rushed off to get the boy the iced tea he had ordered while he perused the strange foods that were offered. When the waiter returned with his drink, Takeo ordered some baba ghanoush as an appetizer while he looked over the entrée’s.

The young boy glanced around the room at the other patrons. Some were wealthy businessmen, some simple travelers, but Takeo was more interested in the plethora of foreign shinobi he saw. This was his first time venturing outside the village, and his first time seeing shinobi from other countries. Understandably, Takeo’s nerves were on edge. Then, one face in the crowd brought relief through familiarity.

”Hey, Nanashi! Over here!” Takeo waved to his friend, calling him over to his table.

[OOC: Since we’re in the desert, I went ahead and decided that middle eastern cuisine would be appropriate. HERE is what I’m using as a menu, though I’m sure they have more traditional Asian food for their “foreign” customers if you wish. This is a Free RP, anyone can join. Just had prior permission from Nanashi to include him.]

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

(Npc: Karin)

Walking through the foreign country was a sight to see, especially the hotel the Tsuyoshi family would be staying in. Taking their first steps through the door, the twins immediately started making their way to their rooms for rest as Yoshi likely did as well. They needed all the rest they could get. After all, their first exam was today, absolute focus and rest was needed.

Giving the receptionist their names, the Prodigy brothers were confirmed to have booked rooms. One room for Junko and his beautiful sugar foot(Karin). The other room was for the gentle Aiko. Unlike the youngsters, Aiko decided that he'd treat himself to a full meal and tea before his exam.

"Excuse me, could you point us in the direction of the hotels restaurant?" Aiko said placing a hand on his grumbling belly. The aroma of various cuisines snatched at Aiko's nose, fiddled with his empty stomach, and whispered to his appetite.

"Yes sir, it's that way. You'll come upon the opening and a host that will seat you." the receptionist said pointing.

"Thank you. I must say, it smells good!" Junko said as the trio began making their way out the cool lobby. Making their way down the chilling halls, they were soon greeted with warmth and a host as they arrived to the restaurant. Approaching the sweet young host, Karin smirked as she was the only one keeping her compulsion. The two brothers were nearly in tears as they watched some of the food seemingly float across the room as the people carrying the food was ignored.

"Hello, would you like a table?"

"Yes please, these two beast are ready."

"Haha, we've been attracting a lot of beast today due to the great exam. Are you foreigners as well?"

"Bingo, we are shinobi from lightning country and the village hidden in the clouds. It's nice to feel so welcomed."

"Well, if you didn't feel welcomed, I wouldn't have a job."

"You're right about that one."

"haha, Last name?"

"Tsuyoshi."

As they laughed and communicated, the Hosts rose a brow at the last name mentioned. Looking at the set up of things while looking at the logs, apparently they already had a table waiting for them.

"The Tsuyoshi table is right this way."

Nodding, Karin snapped to grab the two hungry animals attention. Following the two women, Junko couldn't help but realize how quick they were given a table. In addition, the table already was marked with their last name? Despite the note, Junko simply shrugged the thought off. Eating was the only thing that mattered at the moment. Arriving to the designated table, the prodigy brothers noticed a young man already sitting.

"Here you all go, enjoy."

"Excuse me miss, but.."

"TAKEO dear! Well, you sure travel fast!" Karin said in excitement. Making her way to the boy, she would want a hug. After all, they were family and she was taking care of him like he was her own birthed child.

"Oh! Takeo!" the prodigy brothers said in unison.

"Takeo, meet Junko and Aiko. The leaders of the Tsuyoshi clan."

"Nice to finally meet you, we've heard a lot about you! Welcome to the family!" Junko said giving a warm smile to the young lad as he stuck out his hand. As he would shake, Junko would attempt to pull him in for a hug, head rub that would likely mess up his hair, and partial noogie.

"Yes, welcome indeed, Yoshi and the twins spoke highly of you with much love. I must say, I've been interested in meeting you." Aiko said before taking his seat along with Karin. Observing the boy with his eternal mangekyo Sharingan, Aiko could clearly see that his chakra was strong. It was up there with the twins and he hadn't even went through any of the real Tsuyoshi training yet. Without a doubt, the boy would likely have an interesting back story.

"How has Karin training been? If you've begun already. Junko would question curiously. If he had some of the training, he'd realize that Karin wasn't all sweet. As a Hyuuga, her hand-to-hand combat would be intense along with the conditioning, but it didn't have nothing on the prodigy brothers. Taking his seat, Junko began brainstorming on what he'd like to kick things off with involving food. This would surely be an interesting feast

Topic Entered
Npcs: Karin & Aiko

 

[Tsuyoshi Takeo]

”TAKEO, dear! Well, you sure travel fast!” A familiar voice cut through the general din of the restaurant. The boy froze, his hand still extended in the air in a futile wave towards his friend. He turned, seeing one familiar figure followed by two he’d never seen, but had heard a great deal about. Clearly shocked by their arrival, Takeo clumsily stood, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

”Lady Karin! I-I wasn’t expecting you so soon!” Takeo would have bowed, but his adoptive mother wrapped him in a hug instead. His body involuntarily tensed at the contact, his breath catching momentarily in his chest. After years of experiencing only pain from coming in contact with others, he was still unaccustomed to such displays of affection. After a moment of rigid stillness, his shoulders finally slumped as his body relaxed and he returned the hug. ”It’s good to see you, Lady Karin.”

”Oh! Takeo!” A pair of voices chorused out. Lady Karin released him from her embrace and turned Takeo to introduce him to the two pivotal figures.

”Takeo, meet Junko and Aiko. The leaders of the Tsuyoshi clan.” The boy bowed deeply to the pair, his nerves and shock at the impromptu, chance meeting apparent in his voice.

”Tsuyoshi Junko-sama, Tsuyoshi Aiko-sama, it is an honor to meet you both.” Takeo was surprised when his overly-formal greeting was countered with a simple handshake. Reaching out to shake Junko’s hand, he quickly found himself pulled into another hug/headrub/noogie/thing. It had taken the boy months to become even marginally comfortable with contact from Lady Karin. As such, he reflexively stiffened up at the overly familiar reception.

”Nice to finally meet you, we've heard a lot about you! Welcome to the family!” Junko said warmly as Takeo quietly resisted the embrace.

”Uh… The pleasure’s all mine, sir.” He said sheepishly as the greeting ended and he was able to escape from his patriarch’s clutches.

”Yes, welcome indeed, Yoshi and the twins spoke highly of you with much love. I must say, I've been interested in meeting you.” Aiko said, seating himself at the table next to Lady Karin. Takeo’s eyes were immediately drawn to his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. They had, of course, studied bloodlines at the Academy; but this was the first time Takeo had seen any Sharingan, let alone the Eternal Mangekyo. Takeo wasn’t much one for book-learnin’, but he did remember that this particular form of the Sharingan was supposed to only be attainable by the most powerful of the Uchiha bloodline.

”Likewise, sir.” Takeo replied.

Fear was something Takeo had been accustomed to all his life; fear of another beating, fear that he would go hungry, fear that he would freeze to death in his sleep. Until the Tsuyoshi Clan had taken him in all he had ever known was fear, and like an animal backed into a corner, he had viciously fought to stay alive. Meeting the two patriarchs of the clan was daunting, but Takeo was interestingly unafraid. Fear of a superior was brought on by said superior’s tyranny over the subordinate. There was no oppression here. Instead, Takeo’s nerves were coming from a very new source; respect. Once everyone else had settled in at the table, Takeo would resume his seat as well. Lady Karin had been patiently teaching him the manners that his biological family hadn’t bothered with. Clan elders sat first, then those of the lower echelons were permitted to sit.

”How has Karin’s training been? If you’ve begun already.” Junko inquired.

”We haven’t started any combat training as of yet, Tsuyoshi-sama.” Takeo replied truthfully. ”With my coursework at the Academy wrapping up, and getting ready for these exams, I’ve been a little crunched on time. Lady Karin has been teaching me other things though…” Takeo trailed off as the waitress approached.

It was simply mind boggling how much he hadn’t known when he first arrived at the Tsuyoshi Estate. Simple things like common courtesy, customs, and manners eluded him. Even personal hygiene was something he’d had to relearn. Hell, he’d never had running water or indoor plumbing at home before. The only place he’d experienced that was at the Academy. For the first couple of weeks he’d felt like a beast who had somehow wandered into a palace, like that wild man from that epic poem Lady Karin had him read. Read… it wasn’t like he couldn’t read at all when he arrived, but he was far behind the rest of the kids his age. The twins had helped him with that… well, more Yu than Rin.

”Hello, everyone! Can I start you all off with something to drink, or an appetizer?” The waitress’s voice pulled Takeo from his thoughts back to the matter at hand, his empty stomach. Once the waitress had gotten everyone’s orders, she spoke to Takeo. ”Oh, and your baba ghanoush should be right out, m’kay?”

”Thank you, ma’am.” He said as she walked away to put in their orders. ”I hope your travels went better than mine.” He turned his attention back to his family. ”A week and a half going across the desert alone on horseback was no picnic for me.”

[OOC: Took some minor liberties with what Takeo’s been taught. Hope that’s alright? Also, heads up; Takeo’s going to be a momma’s boy.]

MFT: 864wc

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

(Npc: Karin)


Analyzing the boy, he had an immense amount of respect and courtesy. Those two things alone could take any man, woman, or child a long way. His respect showed who he was and immediately proved that he deserved to be a Tsuyoshi. Respect was the only qualities the brothers had growing up. It was the main quality that presented so many opportunities for them.

"That Karin, must've been pretty busy with this kid." Junko thought coming in eye contact with her, she smirked and gave Junko "the eye". The eye that told Junko that this boy in front of him would likely live up to the hype displayed by everyone. Smirking in return, Junko could feel Aiko already analyzing the boy just as he was. Family wasn't a laughing manor despite the family always laughing. They had a lot of pride involving where they were from and what they were all about. Hard work and love was what the Tsuyoshi family was all about.

At least, that was the message always trying to be sent, but it was sometimes a challenge due to the family's rumored history. Once upon a time, the Tsuyoshi family were individuals of calamity, doing the darkest things in order to survive. Granted, the brothers didn't know much about these rumors, but they strived to be different. The past was the past and his family, was the future. Maybe one day, the brothers would have the opportunity to look into their history, but as of now, they had other priorities.

"We haven’t started any combat training as of yet, Tsuyoshi-sama. With my coursework at the Academy wrapping up, and getting ready for these exams, I’ve been a little crunched on time. Lady Karin has been teaching me other things though…”

"Oh really? Please feel free to tell us all about it." Junko said as the waitress approached.

"Hello, everyone! Can I start you all off with something to drink, or an appetizer?”

”Oh, and your baba ghanoush should be right out, m’kay?”

"Oh, yes mam please. Take the young ladies order first." Junko said with a wink towards Karin in a jokingly, yet serious manner.

"Well of course."

Rolling her eyes and smiling, Karin spoke. "I'd like a water please and a order of Tsukune please. Oh, make sure whatever he orders is good, he knows i like to nibble off his plate."

Giving an eye roll of his own as the waitress observed the couples cute antics, Junko licked his lips in excitement and hunger. " Let's see what's been on my mind!" Junko said taking a final moment to think. "I'd like your Harumaki appetizer and your finest tea would be fine." Junko said with a nod as the waitress took notes and looked towards Karin with a thumbs up.

"And you sir?"

"Tea please. Oh, and just some vegetables would be nice." Aiko said with a nod and a smile.

"Alright, coming right up!"

Putting down the menus, the waitress took them up before heading away.

"Thank you, ma’am.”

”I hope your travels went better than mine.”

”A week and a half going across the desert alone on horseback was no picnic for me.”

"You should've traveled with us, but I understand you wanting to get here early. It was a lot of people by the time we arrived" Karin said shaking her head.

"That speaks strength. In fact.....Should we allow this to be Takeo's first training day brother? He seems to be built for it!" Junko asked laughing. Looking at Aiko, a small smirk appeared across Aiko's face. "Well! Of course! He survive the desert, so I know he can survive dinner!" Aiko said in hype, but was immediately shut down by Karin as she was giving them "the eye", but this one said something different. Something along the lines of "don't bring that shit to this damn table today."

Respecting the eye, the brothers slowly stopped laughing. "I think it can wait." Junko said as Aiko nodded to agree. Today the boy had an exam, he needed his food to give him strength. It would be a shame if he had his food all snatched away and he entered the exam on an empty stomach. "Okay cowboy, I'm curious. What have you done to my wife for her to defend you like that?"

"Maybe they've taken part in some sort of hoedown brother."

"What did I tell you Takeo. Two clowns aren't they?"

Mft
WC: 745

 

[Tsuyoshi Takeo]

”Oh really? Please feel free to tell us all about it.” Junko said as the waitress approached to take their orders. Takeo was taken aback by the question, not because it was a strange question to ask, but because of his embarrassment at the answer.

”Oh well… you know, simple things, really…” Takeo looked away sheepishly. ”I just… when I was growing up, there wasn’t a whole lot of time to worry about things like manners or etiquette, you know… And, I never had running water, so… hygiene wasn’t exactly… And then, things like making the bed every day… I mean, I’d never had a bed before, so…” He was very clearly embarrassed by the sheer amount of basic knowledge and skills that he had lacked when he’d come into the Tsuyoshi household. Hell, Karin had spent weeks just trying to help rid him of his skittishness at human contact; not to mention how long it took him to realize that he was going to have three regular meals a day, and didn’t have to hoard food.

The most embarrassing part for Takeo, though, was his complete inability to trust anyone, or to understand why anyone would care for him as much as Karin, Yoshi and the twins did. No one had ever shown him any real kindness before, and it was something that took a while for him to even comprehend. Even now, he only had a fleeting understanding of it, though that was enough. Their simple acts of kindness had brought him back from the brink of death, and he was determined to spend the rest of his life repaying them for it.

”You should've traveled with us, but I understand you wanting to get here early. It was a lot of people by the time we arrived.” Karin replied to his earlier comment, after the waitress had taken their orders.

”That speaks strength. In fact... Should we allow this to be Takeo's first training day, brother? He seems to be built for it!”

”Well! Of course! He survived the desert, so I know he can survive dinner!”

Takeo didn’t even have time for a response, though the shocked look on his face would speak volumes. Karin immediately shut them down with “the eye”. Takeo had only seen this particular eye once or twice before, and it was scary enough to stop a bull elephant in it’s tracks. In fact, it had just stopped two of the most powerful shinobi Cloud had to offer.

”I think it can wait.” Junko said, wisely backing down as his brother nodded in agreement. Junko continued as the food began to arrive, ”Okay cowboy, I'm curious. What have you done to my wife for her to defend you like that?”

”Maybe they've taken part in some sort of hoedown, brother.”

”What did I tell you, Takeo. Two clowns aren’t they?”

’Oh, shit…’ He thought, ’They must’ve seen me in my traveling gear!’ That cowboy get-up was supposed to somehow protect him from the sun, and the rigors of travel. Now, Takeo was fairly sure the person who’d issued them to him did it as some sort of practical joke. Either way, once he got back to Kumo, there was no way he would be wearing that stupid get-up again! He was just glad to be back in jeans and a his Tsuyoshi t-shirt after spending all that time out in the desert in those same, funky clothes.

Back to the matter at hand, Takeo responded, first to Karin. ”Yes, ma’am, they’re definitely something.” Hey, get a funny, well-intended jab in where you can, right? ”To answer your question, Tsuyoshi-sama,” Takeo turned to Junko. ”I don’t know, myself. No one has ever treated me as kindly, or with as much compassion, as Lady Karin. Not to mention Yoshi, Rin and Yu. They treat me as if we’ve always been brothers. I’ve, honestly, never been treated this way before.”

“But, if I had to hazard a guess,” Takeo continued. ”I would say it’s because, when she see’s me, she uses the “other eye”.” Takeo had seen it, and he was sure the Tsuyoshi brothers had as well. Karin was able to convey more information through her eyes most of the time than through words. Maybe it was her Hyuuga bloodline, or maybe just a unique gift. Either way, he would have to elaborate more on which “eye” she used. ”You know, the “smiling eye”.”

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

(Npc: Karin)


Listening to Takeo, the brothers were quiet. He reminded them of theirselves a bit. He knew what struggles were. The boy faced his hard times head on, not even knowing some of the essentials of everyday life like etiquette, hygiene, or manners. Yet, he was before the brothers today as a mature young man that knew how to carry himself with respect, honor, and loyalty. To top it all off,
Junko and Aiko found that they like the young lad. More importantly, the family liked him.

Karin had done a fine job and she was very missed. A sudden shift was felt at heart as Junko stared at her intensely. She had been working hard. Hell, the entire Tsuyoshi family was without any breaks. Shinobi were the main source of income and the prodigy brothers were sent out for quite some time. Karin had to come out of retirement and the young ones were put to work as well. Knowing the amount of work she put in, Junko smiled. Once they went home, she could retire again as Junkos mission payments would be issued. She'd enjoy the relaxing lifestyle again, unbothered by the crazy shinobi world.

Shifting his attention back to Takeo, the group listened intensely.

”I don’t know, myself. No one has ever treated me as kindly, or with as much compassion, as Lady Karin. Not to mention Yoshi, Rin and Yu. They treat me as if we’ve always been brothers. I’ve, honestly, never been treated this way before.”

The group seemed to illuminate, all smirking at the young ones kind words. Especially Karin, she had been spending a lot of time with them all and it was obvious that an emotional attachment had accumulated.

“But, if I had to hazard a guess,”

”I would say it’s because, when she see’s me, she uses the “other eye”.

Raising a brow, Aiko curiosity got the best of him. "And which eye would that be?" Aiko asked as the vegetables delicious aroma bit into his hungry soul.

”You know, the “smiling eye."

Giving Takeo that "eye", Karin complimented it with an actual smile. "As I told you, You're one of our own. You'll always receive love, no matter the form it comes in." Karin said as Junko raised his glass.

"To Takeo! Once again, welcome to the family! We shall have a prosperous future together." Junko said as Karin and Aiko joined in. After waiting for Takeo to join in, the toast would commence. The glasses would clank against each other as cheers would be executed.

"Let's dig in. Also, I'm curious, what are your objectives?. Notice I didn't say goals."

"Goals can be changed and objectives also leads up to goals. The thing is..."

"Nothing's complete until your objectives are executed. Meaning, you're completion of any goal will be at 99.9%."

"Until you complete your objectives."

"You're completion of your objectives are essential to your goals."

Looking at Takeo, Karin was quite curious of his next response. In addition, she partially wondered what were the prodigy brothers objectives like. They had been gone for quite some time. It was obvious they'd changed. They were better leaders, stronger, and their overall aura was different. Karin didn't even need her byakugan to see it.