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

[Tamashi Seto]

At his introduction, she acknowledged him but said nothing initially, choosing to give him a subtle nod of her head as she focused on Seto's back, her hands still pressed against his back, her hands still emitting a thick, blue aura. At the mention of her beloved being "fun" to hang out with, she raised a eyebrow before turning her head in his direction once the beast was mentioned, as If putting the two together. "Fun? That doesn't sound like the current him~" She joked slightly at his words, despite the subtle hints of surprise in her voice. "Is that so?" She continued, albeit briefly, before stopping herself, as Kei spoke more, choosing to listen what he had to say, while returning her focus on her beloved's back. Her head tilted back to it's original position, refocusing her eyes on the large gashes that sat imbued into Seto's back but she kept a open ear, listening to what he had to say further, making sure to remember his words well. At the mention of Seto's capabilities being advanced for his age, and his next question, she paused momentarily, raising her hands to sit on her hips, before turning him to with a small smile.

Tamashi Shizu
"Hmm...well, we both have been training for as long as we could walk, although, unlike me...he has undergone trials and tribulations few your age would survive...."
She turned her attention to Izumai who was sitting from across the table. Her eyes beamed on the little Izumai, her smile turning to somewhat more hostile before she continued, all while Izumai returned Kei's stare with her own, only with a wicked grin and a suggestive wink.
"And while he may be the cause of his own inner turmoil, I feel great pity for my beloved...."
Tilting her head back in Kei's direction, she returned to him with a smile, returning to her prior demeanor.
"No one should have to stand alone and endure such pain, but atlas, in the shinobi world, only those who have undergone said hardships will ever know true strength...."
She than looked away, closing her eyes briefly, as If bothered by her own words. After a few moments, she looked back at Kei with a smile, although the stature of her eyes had changed to something more serious.
"It is a universal truth that many choose to ignore...for one reason or another..."
After that, her shoulders & eyes relaxed, even after her ears had picked up on the washed out wincing that had escaped Kei's sensei. Her eyes drifted momentarily to the gashes, now smaller than before, before turning her attention to the young Genin before further speaking, her voice now more soft, but with a hidden tint of playfulness thrown in there for good measure.
"But never mind that. As for your question, I do indeed....although, I don't think he'd forgive me If I indulged you~ "

As If hearing her own words, she couldn't help herself but chuckle at her own words, clearly amused, compared to her beloved. During their entire exchange, he had kept to himself, and still did, his body still slightly bent over so she could have easier access to his back. Anyone in his situation would probably be annoyed, or at worst, be sneering in anger, but not him. He had no reason to speak. Despite her attempt to work him up, he knew she was only trying to lighten the mood, even If he knew she enjoyed teasing him at times. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Izumai still sitting in place, glaring at the two with that dam smirk of hers. She was waiting oh right. Luckily for himself and his apprentice, he believed Kei would be ready for the next round, whenever that happened, although when, he still couldn't say. He was ready to breath out when his eyes picked up on a golden hair ball dashing around the table. Before he even knew it, his daughter was already at his fiancé's waist tugging the sleeves of her white kimono. There was no way to stop himself from eyeing her. He had no idea how a child ran so fast, especially while donned in a full kimono that prevented that sort of thing.

Otomo Azumai
"Lady Shizu! Lady Shizu! Can I have more of your kibble?????~"

Seeing her eyes nearly twinkling with what he could only describe as "stars" for pupils, his head immediately feel to a near ninety degree angle before quietly groaning. Of course, his daughter would act this way. She knew better, but leave it to a child to be a child over treats. He swore Azumai was more animal than human at times. Despite his obvious disapproval and surprise, Shizu found herself chuckling at the scene, caressing the little kitsune's head with the palm of her right hand while her eyes were closed. "Of course dear~" He followed up his sigh with another once he heard her words, especially when he saw Azumai's tails acting erratically. For someone who took it upon herself to act more akin as a mother for his child, she was supposed to the responsible one, not him! He sighed again in defeat. Well, so much for her dinner....​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei listened carefully, eyes flicking between Shizu’s words and the wounds she was healing. Her voice carried an odd mix of calm and weight, like someone who'd seen too much but learned how to carry it with grace. There was warmth there, but it dipped now and then into something heavier - something honest. Her respect for Seto, and the pain he must’ve endured, was written in every word, even if she softened it with a teasing lilt.

When she mentioned training since they could walk, Kei let out a soft whistle. “That explains a lot,” he murmured, a hint of awe in his voice. His lips curled into a half-smile. “He’s... well, he’s kind of incredible. I mean - scary, sometimes. But incredible.”

His gaze lingered on Seto for a few seconds, watching how still and silent the man remained under her touch. There was something unshakable about him. A quiet power Kei couldn't quite wrap his head around yet. The kind of presence that didn’t need to raise its voice to be felt.

Kei’s eyes eventually dropped to the floor, thoughtful. “I guess it just makes me want to do better. Train harder. If he could come out the other side of all that… then I want to be someone who can stand beside people like him. Not hold them back."

He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly at Shizu’s playful denial. “Ah - yeah, fair enough. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with him,” he laughed.

Azumai zipping past him would have surprised him if it weren't for her energetic introduction earlierKei blinked and let out a short laugh, shifting where he sat to give them space. “She’s got a serious sugar drive,” he joked, glancing briefly at Seto’s barely concealed exasperation. “Though... I gotta admit, I could probably learn a thing or two from her. She’s fast.”

He let his weight settle more comfortably on one arm, glancing toward the table. He still had a dozen more questions in his mind - things he wanted to understand, bits of history he was curious about - but now didn’t feel like the time to press. Shizu had her hands full, both literally and figuratively.

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Upon hearing the words "scary" being used to describe him, he resisted the urge to act, so instead of intimidating him with one of the many idea's he had conjured in the back of his mind, he ended up letting out a loud, disappointing groan instead, keeping his head aimed towards the ground beneath him. "Kei....you do realize I'm right here...right? I can hear you...." Once he spoke his mind, he once more returned to his silence, choosing to enjoy the soothing sensation that was coursing through his back than take furthur action. If Kei was going to crap his pant, there was three women do so, especially Izumai was just waiting for her next counterattack. Best to leave him to it then himself. At least, It would make him stronger. "There's no reason to let that discourage you Kei. My beloved is far more of a gentle giant than he lets on~" From the corner of his eyes, he could see Shizu holding herself back from saying more, but that didn't stop the onna bugeisha from quietly giggling. Again, he resisted the urge to say more, knowing full well she put him in his place If he did. If there was anyone who could undue him, It would be her, even If he already knew she would would stoop to such a level. She was more of an adult than he could ever be. Closing his eyes afterwards, his mind drifted for a time as the conversation continued without him, though he still kept one ear open just for the sake of it. At his apprentice's mention of wanting to become stronger however, to stand alongside those like him, prior thoughts and memories of times past struck him hard, forcing him to relive them, leaving Shizu to continue the conversation, which she did with ease, despite her attention still focused on his back, her hands still engulfed in a blue aura.

Tamashi Shizu
"I know It may seem hard, impossible even, but even your Sensei was much like you....not too long ago. He carried himself like you do now, wanting to stand alongside his eldest sister, Lady Ren, In not only protecting the clan or the village, but the very country itself, and all it's people. Even now, my beloved considers himself to pale in comparison to her skills on the battlefield.

A momentarily pause occurred after she spoke, encasing the room in a near, eerie silence, that would only be broken up by the occasional flickering of the flames from within the fireplace, or by the subtle ringing like noise that could be heard erupting from her hands, as she focused all her attention on what little remained of his sensei's injuries. When the obscure like noise did finally come to a end, the blue aura dissipating from her hands before she raised them, It revealed the once, massive gashes imbued into his back, were now gone, as If they never had existed in the first place. She than refocused herself on Kei, hiding her arms, and by extension, her hands under the long, wide sleeves of her kimono before connecting them together. With her purple eyes gazing upon his smaller frame then her own, she continued where she left off, still speaking in her gentle, but serious demeanor. "Such thoughts are commendable, honorable even, but in the world we live in, It is important to never take anything at face value, or let yourself be driven by simple ideals you strive for. Blinding oneself to a singular concept or ideal will most likely lead to disaster, and yet, only through conflict, war, and loss, do we grow, not only as individuals, but in strength as well. If you wish to stand alongside someone like your sensei as a equal, you must know pain, and hardship, but such things shouldn't be rushed, for war and conflict are a terrible thing, and often lead to misfortunate circumstances. If your anything like." Interrupted by a loud pout, the conversation came to a screeching halt when Shizu was forced to look down, showing a visibly upset Azumai, whom of which, was returning the stare with seemingly small arrows in her eyes.

The little Kitsune kept on tugging on Shizu's sleeve as she clearly fumed in her silence, her four tails now standing straight up, showing clear signs of encroaching aggression If she didn't get what wanted soon. The whole ordeal stopped Shizu in her tracks from continuing, and It only exacerbated when Kei chimed in, picking up on her obvious need for treats, before commenting on her speed. Finally raising his head to meet Kei, his forehead quickly fell into the palm of his right hand as his elbow rested on the table. Between his daughter acting spoiled and, and Kei's comment, he forced himself to close his eyes once more. "Ergh....only for treats..." He made a long groan, unable to contain himself at the scene that was playing before him. As he tilted his eyes to their corners, looking at Izumai, she was still behaving....for now, but that troublesome expression of hers said a thousand words. At the same time, with a smile, Shizu looked at Seto while she caressed Azumai's head, her hand gently brushing her hair in a back and forth pattern. "That may be true~" In her teasing, Azumai's face turned a bright red, as If she was ready to explode, not of embarrassment, but out of childish rage. Hid mind initially raced with idea's on how to quell the incoming danger, but he shrugged to himself after a few moments. For some reason, he couldn't shake what Shizu had said. Maybe one day, he'd tell Kei the events that had led upto him becoming who he was now, but that was a story for a different day. For the time being however, he'd prefer Kei keep his innocence, at least for a little while longer. Hopefully he find some love before that, because once he entered the shinobi world, there was no going back....​

 

[Hayashi Kei]

Kei’s heart skipped when he heard the groan, and his breath caught in his throat. "I meant it in a cool-scary way!" he defended, his gaze dropping instinctively to his feet as his ears burned with embarrassment. He didn’t dare look up, not right away - not when his sensei’s voice had that edge of disappointment, even if it wasn’t meant harshly.

As Shizu spoke, Kei found himself drawn in - not just by the calmness of her voice, but by the weight behind her words. Words about growth. Conflict. Pain. Things he had barely lived through, but things he was beginning to sense lay ahead. He didn’t fully understand what it meant yet to carry that kind of history. To have siblings you looked up to and still felt like you hadn’t caught up. But when Shizu spoke of his sensei’s past, Kei couldn’t help but glance up - just for a moment.

So even he…

The realization made something stir in his chest. Not the usual awe, not the nerves, but something heavier - quiet and grounding.

His thoughts were interrupted by Azumai’s sharp tug on Shizu’s sleeve. Kei stiffened instinctively but said nothing. He could see her tails flared, feel the change in the air. He didn’t comment. Didn’t laugh. He felt he'd already troubled his mentor enough by antagonizing in a setting he barely understood.

When Seto groaned again, Kei finally allowed himself a breath. He still didn’t speak. Instead, he simply watched - how Shizu gently brushed Azumai’s hair, how Seto seemed tired in a way that went beyond the physical, and how warmth still lingered in the room despite everything unsaid.

He curled his fingers into his lap, holding onto the words Shizu had given him.

If Sensei was like me once... then maybe I don't have to be afraid of becoming someone stronger. Maybe I can carry both: who I am and who I want to be.

For now, he’d hold onto that thought. And when the time came, he’d earn his place beside them - not with loud promises, but with quiet steps forward.

Kei Speech
Kei Thoughts

 

[Tamashi Seto]

Eventually, after what felt a eternity, Azumai's resistance finally gave out, and her shoulders slummed down, her four tails following suit when they fell down in a instant, hovering just a feet above the tatami flooring of the room. That of course, didn't stop them from wagging from left to right at a gentle speed. Peering his eyes over towards his daughter, he could see her melting somewhat under Shizue's touch, the woman still brushing her hand against the top of her head. It only became more prevalent when one looked at her facial expression. Her eyes closed, her head & chin aimed up towards the ceiling, and most obvious, that quiet purring like noise that she was making, the staple sound of any Kitsune when they were caressed, or more. He wished he could say he was surprised, but after the last few minutes? He was too mentally drained to care at the moment, and to think, the party was only beginning.Just when he thought It couldn't get anymore chaotic, like something straight out of those cliche, romantic novels he had read in the village, Azumai went at again. Flashing her amber eyes again, she beamed up at the onna bugeisha, pouting hard, her tails raising once again to meet the occasion before unleashing one of her tantrums.

Otomo Azumai
"Can we eat nooooow? I'm so hungrrryyy! I could eat papa right now! Like Mama does!!!!!"

Initially, he looked in the opposite direction for a second or two, not having the mental capacity to care at that moment. Well, children will be children. Than, out of nowhere, her words seeped into his mind. She could....eat him....like Izumai did. His eyes shot open fast before nearly snapping his head in a near ninety degree angle. "Eeeehhhh??" His mouth shot opened, but only a gasp of surprise escaped him. Ooooh she had to be kidding right? He was NOT ready for that conversation. Hell, he didn't even think HE was ready for that conversation, and here his seven year old daughters was thinking about such things. Just what the hell was Izumai putting in her head when he wasn't around? His eyes for a second. Maybe It was best he didn't know, wanting to keep his sanity for now. At the same time, while his brain began self destructing to some extent, Shizu kept herself on her current track, her hand still brushing the head of the little pouting Kitsune.

Tamashi Shizu
"Of course dear. I suppose everyone here could use a bite. It's been a long day after all."
While she kept her hand on Azumai's head, her hand now still, she shifted her attention to the mischievous kitsune matriarch who was sitting across from her. Shizu met Izumai's gaze with one of her own, her body turning somewhat stiff in the process, not from nervousness or shock, but something else, very subtle hints of passive aggression.
"Since you already made your presence known "Lady" Izumai, I trust preparations for supper have already been dealt with?"
Upon hearing his wife to be words, Izumai's grin only grew wider, her eyebrows making a "v" like shape as her unpredictable tails began slowly raising until they sat level with the top of her fox ears.

Otomo Izumai
"Of course~ What sort of wife would I be otherwise? I'm not like "other" women in this household now~ Fufufuf~"

As soon as their "parlay" began, with each making their opening statement, instead of countering with something akin to a low kick, trying to get, more or less, a certain type of response from the other, Shizu opted for a different approach, making her next move with a simple nod & smile. "Than I'll see to it. I'll trust you with the more mundane affairs here "Lady" Izumai."
After speaking in a friendly demeanor that was no doubt, laced in a subtle hint of sarcasm, Shizu than briefly turned her attention to Seto, whom hadn't moved a muscle since Azumai's outburst a few moments ago. She gave him a playful gaze, her purple eyes beaming down on him.

Tamashi Shizu
"And don't you think of going anywhere "dear". You wouldn't want your beloved chasing you down again like time do you?~"
As If she took a page out of the loli Kitsune's playbook, her voice was seeped in sarcasm....and passive aggressiveness. He caught himself nearly choking on some saliva at her words, his eyes staying wide open for a bit longer. What the hell did he do now? He didn't remember doing anything Ill will to anger he. He knew better than to get on Shizue's bad side. He learned early on that nothing was more dangerous than a woman's fury. That said, when Shizu moved to one of the room's furusama sliding doors, he breathed somewhat in relief until he heard her voice again. "I'll return with some fresh clothes for you to change into. It's a pity you ruined the outfit "Lady" Izumai sowed for you. I guess we'll have to find something new won't we?~" He blinked twice at her words, catching him off guard for some reason he couldn't explain, but, as If he was in the middle of some great game, before he, or even that loli fox could say anything, she was already done, with the sliding door sliding behind her as she disappeared from his view. He sighed after that, knowing another "grand" cat fight was now in the making. At that thought, he slowly turned his head towards Kei, his eyes partially closing as his head dipped slightly. For a moment or two, he gave his apprentice the "please kill me" expression., making it fully known just how bad he wanted out of this situation. He knew there was no escape however.

As soon as Shizue disappeared, he was next on the chopping block. Before he could even begin to think on what to do next, still staring at Kei, Azumai was already standing next to him, pulling and tugging on his sleeve like she had prior. "Papa! I'm hungry." He rolled his eyes. Hadn't we just go thrown this? With another sigh, he looked down at his little bundle of joy, now more akin to a lovable pain in the ass, and made a rather weak attempt at a smile. He didn't say anything, instead choosing to caress her head before his hand snuck down her back, landing on the base of her tail. Her eyes quickly widen, her mouth open, but before she could say anything, he pulled out his secret weapon. With a gentle stroke of his hand, he began pulling his hand along the many lines of hair that made up her tail In a instant, she melted under his touch, purring along the way as he kept on petting that tail of yours. Gone was the whiny brat, now furry pet wanting more pets. While this went down, Izumai returned her attention to Kei, her tails now moving through the air with a mission, her facial expression showing a deep desire for something unruly. Keeping with her expression from before with her parlay, the loli kitsune arose from her cushion, glared him down with a lick of her lips and winked once she knew her "husband" wasn't looking in her direction. She began carrying her tiny, lithe frame around the massive, low table, heading straight for him. "Ooh Kei, I think it's time we get better acquainted no? It be so much fun~ Fufufu~" Her words oozing with what Kei could only describe as something out of his nightmare, her predatory eyes watched him like a hawk, waiting for any moment of weakness. As she drew close, only mere feet's away, her smug only growing bigger in size, one of the furusama sliding doors from the other side of the room slammed opened, revealing the form of a monstrous woman at the doorway. Standing at over six feet tall, five inches, she easily towered over everyone in the room, even himself, but was worse, was her masterfully sculpted body, that despite being highly muscular and "thick", she somehow had a lithe like frame, granting her "iconic" like imposing form. When he finally peered his attention in her direction, drawn by the noise, his eyes half opened for a moment when he saw the woman's cat like ears and her thick tail wrapped around her waist like some belt that hung tightly to her ebony colored black bodysuit, especially....the mountains that were her breasts....Talk about weapons of natural destruction. Looking past her black lace boots and her fingerless gloves, there was, of course, the bell collar she was known for within the clan. Even her beautiful, silvery colored hair and yellow eyes remained the same, not that he had expected anything different, not really. Regardless of his studying, he found himself as the target of her vocal assault as she glared him down with her imposing, golden like eyes, clearing taking the stance she wasn't taking no for answer.

??????
""There you are. I've been looking for you all day my "LORD". Don't tell me you were slacking off again with the boy? You know dam well the Oonoki Clan won't kill themselves now..."

He rolled his eyes at her outburst before he rested his head in the palm of his hand again, momentarily ignoring his daughter. She wasn't exactly wrong, given his level of power, but he had been clear with his father since his return. Too much time had pass, far too much. He wasn't exactly in a position to lead his clan in battle, not yet anyway, not when he was still in the dark regardling the political atmosphere around his clan and the clans nearby. There was also the fact that Kei wasn't ready yet for war. He could barely muster enough chakra to go on the offensive, let alone fight and kill. He sighed more, his one eye looking over at Kei. "And so it begins..." He space out afterwards, not really ready yet to deal with his Kishi, let alone when she was fired up like she was now. One thing he did know however, was that Kei would be in for a RUDE awakening If he ever took her up on her "training" as she used to call it. Just the thought alone made him almost shiver, remembering all the times she used to beat him to a near, bloody pulp. It did produce results though....​