Relax (Free, Private)

[Kairyuu]

For once, things were going without a problem. He almost wondered if this was real or if he was perhaps dreaming. All his life, struggle after conflict after death. But now, now he was in a large estate with a beautiful woman sleeping in his bed who would soon pledge to be his. The last year was one without conflict, a fact that did make him itch somewhat to go do good. But he had other things on his mind for now. His new personal business was taking off like a bird, for instance. Who knew that through the manipulation of chakra and earth one could make jewelry that would become so sought after. More delicate and intricate than anything possible by hand, that was the reason so many wanted it.

He'd been hiding it from Kimi so far. Not that he thought she would have any negativity about him earning his own money or maybe wondering if he thought he shouldn't rely on her. He was hiding it because he was also hiding the most important piece he'd yet made from her. Until that special day soon to come, at least. Then she would be able to obtain it, and he would obtain something he'd never dreamed of.

He looks at himself in the mirror, the navy blue uniform fitting snuggly upon him. Close cropped black hair matched his eyes, which with their blue flecks gave the appearance of looking into a starry void. Enzeru was putting on weight, but unlike most it was muscle. He was sacrificing some mobility, perhaps, but he felt the gains to his stamina were worth it. He could still dodge nearly as well, but he knew he would one day have to take more hits before going down.

With one last check to make sure he was presentable, Enzeru grabs the velvet-lined box from the dresser before him and slides it into a pocket before stepping out of the room. A few moment was all it would take before he tracked down Kimi. He was, after all, still a hunter.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi was so tired. Sleep last night, while restful, was all too short for her liking. She was awakened at 0400 to the announcement that one of the family cats, a rare species leopard at that, had gone into labor and needed a little help. All she had wanted after the three hour delivery, which produced four happy, mewling kits, was to hop in the shower and go back to bed for a couple hours.

Unfortunately, her father decided that was not to be and dragged her off to the dojo for a spar. He had promised that it would be an hour. She should have known better. Four hours later she stumbled into Enzeru's and her shared room to finally take a shower. She had apparently missed Enzeru, though she wasn't surprised as it was coming up on 1200.

The water felt almost heavenly on her back and she groaned almost silently as she washed her hair. She wasn't sure whether the water was waking her up or lulling her back to sleep. Almost an hour later, she dragged herself out of the bathroom fully clothed and mostly dry. She stared at her bed in almost longing before forcing herself out of her room and to the kitchen to have a very well deserved lunch, which she began dosing over after five minutes of sitting still.

 

[Kairyuu]

He stops in the door to the kitchen smiling at the sight before him. There could be denying that Kimi was beautiful. The purple hair and eyes were a perfect compliment to the dark tone of her skin. Her body was curvy where it should be, and she kept it in good shape. But it was her smile that drew him in. That and, though they were half closed now, her eyes. Enzeru pushes from the doorway and silently walks up behind her, hoping his years of practice as stealth would let him perhaps surprise her. He removes the velvet box from his pocket and opens it slowly.

And then lowers around her neck the item within. A necklace. The metal was similar of color to rose gold, in the shape of a heart forming a loop inside of itself. Inside of this loops, two stones. A blue topaz that shone with an electric light atop a purple gemstone that matched her eyes. He clasps it around her and then leans down, waking her with a kiss and slipping the box into her hands.

”Good afternoon Kimi. You look beautiful as always.”

He smiles, eyes moving from her face to the necklace then back. It was a new piece, something he’d made himself over the night after she left their bed earlier in the morning. He knew why she did such, and had nothing but pride in her ability to help others so selflessly at times. He wanted to let her know that even then, he was loving her.

 

[Hoshirei]

The next Nekozuka clan head stirred slightly when Enzeru walked into the kitchen, but did not wake completely until she felt cool metal against her chest and a soft velvet case in her hand. She happily met his kiss with one in return. "Good morning, 'Zeru. You look handsome," she said, giving him a once over.

She looked down at her lunch and noted that she had somehow only grabbed a yogurt, which had already been eaten. Shaking her head slightly, she looked back up at Enzeru. "Wanna walk down to the market with me? We could grab lunch and maybe look into a couple things. Unless you had some sort of plan for the day?"

 

[Kairyuu]

He took the compliment without much comment, still not used to getting such things. Somehow he felt that his typical reaction to compliments, which were usually about his aim, was not a good idea here. Instead he watches as she looks at her yogurt in seeming confusion. He knew they had more food in the place, but the offer to go shopping with her was a good one. In response he simply steps closer and helps her to her feet, kissing her forehead.

”I could go for lunch. Anything specific in mind?”

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi watched Enzeru's reaction to her compliment and internally smiled at his non-reaction. At least he wasn't acting as awkward as he probably would have a few months ago. How she loved this man.

She got up, put her bowl in the wash basin, and stretched. "I don't know that I'm up for anything in particular, but maybe we could go have a bit of surf and turf? What do you think about going to a cake shop afterward?"

Her father had given her a couple of bakery names to check into, and another couple of restaurants for potential caterer, though with how tired she was, lunch and the cake shopping would be about all she could handle at the moment.

 

[Kairyuu]

”That works. Let’s go.”

Enzeru smiles and motions for her to lead the way, following once she does. He seemed a bit more at ease than normal, but that was a comparative thing as most would still consider him to be far too alert for relaxing. To someone such as he, every corner held potential danger, every alley a hiding spot, every doorway an escape route for someone. It was a part of him that he could not let go, something drilled into his very skull since he was a mere child. Something that Mist made sure he could never, ever forget. There was always danger, there was always risk. And the only way to minimize both was to be ever alert, to be aware of your surroundings, and to never let your guard slip. One hand would remain in his pocket, the one he always kept one of his pistols hidden away in, loaded an ready.

”I’ve been doing some thinking.” A simple statement, but for him to speak up at all meant he’d been mulling it over for quite a while before deciding he could not make a decision on his own. ”Your family has been far more generous to me than even my own would have been. And while I know there was never any expectation of repayment, I would not feel right if I did not do something to help mitigate the expenses incurred in my presence. I have decided to take up an artisan trade.” He steps up beside her as they come to a corner, checking each side and sliding one arm around her waist.

”I also have discovered I rather enjoy making these things. What do you think?”

 

[Hoshirei]

They walked out of the compound and headed down the street toward the food district. His mini-speech had her thinking. They stopped at the corner to look, you never really knew if someone was going to be flying past at high speeds after all. She returned his arm around her waist with her own. When they recommenced their walk, she was still silent for a few moments.

"If you would like to do that, I believe you would do very well." Kimi touched her necklace, feeling a small trace of his chakra still in the metal. "You did a beautiful job on this pendant. There are places where you could set up little stalls at first, make sure there are people who will want to buy your wares. Though in my opinion, they would be fools not to."

A smell wafted in their direction and as soon as it meet her nose, Kimi couldn't help but grab Enzeru's hand and attempt to drag him toward the grill house.

 

[Kairyuu]

Today was the same as every other day down here. Living underground was something he was ill suited for, and had little desire to do were it not for his new attachments to this village. He longed for the sun, for the water, for the breeze that came through the trees and stirred the leaves. He belonged in a forest, hunting down beast and monster. Urban living was never something Enzeru much appreciated. It was too monotonous. It was boring.

His eyes move to the woman walking at his side, and he silently takes that last bit off. Life lately was anything but boring. And he’d soon begin his new job at the medical facility. His words to Sousuke return, a corps of medics trained to take a life just as easily as return one. He would try to make such a thing happen. His training at the medical field was mostly self taught, but it was enough to keep him alive before he ran into Kimi. And even with her around he still tried to patch himself up more often than not out of some sick sense of pride that he could.

She speaks then, telling him how to get started in the business of selling things. A soft smile crosses his features as he follows her into the grill house. The position was rather good, as across the street a man was looking out the window at him. A man who owned one of the establishments currently selling his pieces. Enzeru waves as they usher themselves in, following his betrothed to a seat.

”About that. I’ve already started. Several shops around here are asking when I’ll have more pieces ready. Apparently making them entirely by chakra gives them some special value they can use to raise their sale price.” He looks to the menu, then sets it down to wait for their host. Today was going to be a good day.

 

[Hoshirei]

Enzeru's response about his jewelry had her chuckling softly. Of course he already had plans for selling his wares. She hadn't been by the market recently. Perhaps some of the vendors there were selling his things?

"You already have some people selling your wares? Maybe I should learn how to make crystals, you could add them to your jewelry or I could make figurines out of it. I know there used to be, if it doesn't still exist, a place that sold lightning-glass made by someone of the Santaru bloodline," Kimi rambled, hardly taking a breath before continuing, "I'm not terribly surprised about the chakra infused items being of higher value. I know medicinal remedies made by mednin tend to be sold for a little higher amount than if it were made by anyone else. I've heard people swear up and down that they work better, but that is to be seen. Maybe that's something to bring up to the R&D department..."

Kimi trailed off in thought as they walked inside. The hostess broke her out of her revere.

"Hello and welcome to the Surf and Turf Grill. How many in your party?"

The Nekozuka heir blinked for a few moments, still slightly lost in her pondering.

 

[Kairyuu]

Well, he was certainly aware that something being created by chakra sold more, but knew better than to think that made it more potent generally. While it was certainly possible to heal more with chakra than conventional medicine, the amount of energy it took was tremendous and it was simply more effective in both time and money to do it the normal way typically. At least with his jewelry he could create things no one could with their hands and tools. It was intricate, detailed work on pieces so small that normal jewelry working would destroy the pieces. Meanwhile, he could simply envision them, and then create them on the spot with some minor materials. He literally turned lead to gold.

”Just two. A window seat would be preferable if possible.”

The woman goes to check on a table, leaving them for the moment. ”I’ve heard of such things, but haven’t experienced it before now. I think with my work, it’s a mixture of that as well as what I can do because I don’t have to use the imperfect methods developed by those less gifted. It might also hold some…martial benefit that I need to speak with Sousuke about. If I could make him some armor that’s just as durable, but much thinner and lighter….he might not be so tired all the time.”

The hostess returns with menus, leading them to a table that was up against a window. It had three seats available, and Enzeru smiles, offering his betrothed first pick of a seat.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi listened to Enzeru's thoughts on his craft and the possible uses for it, other than jewelry. She smiled, but waited to answer until after they got to their table. The table was situated so that two chairs sat closer to the wall than the window, but could still see out of it. Kimi took the spot closest to the window. An order of raspberry lemonade, a very special treat, and a sashimi platter to start, and Enzeru's starting dish sent the hostess on her way.


"I have seen Sousuke after a bout of training. Before he really studied metallurgy, his suit was incredibly heavy. It's still heavy, but it's a lot better now. If you could make it much lighter, that would be spectacular."

 

[Kairyuu]

He thought for a moment, then declined an appetizer, knowing that the main course would be enough for him. Even sitting in what was, compared to his previous life, the lap of luxury did not stop the man from living a near Spartan existence in this world. He ate only what he had to, he did not sleep in, and he trained near daily to keep himself in shape. He knew that the world would not stop throwing things at him, and he intended to be prepared for the impossible if he had to be. But this woman before him could make even the training of his entire life vanish with her smile and her words.

Enzeru listens to her, nodding and offering an agreement that it would indeed be something good. The Hunter gives a smile before sitting back slightly in his seat. He was slowly growing used to the creature comforts of life, even though he railed against it. Friends, that was something he never thought he would have the benefit of. There was Sendo, the Jashinist who worshipped a dark god. Enzeru himself held no opinion on that matter, and the man could not be faulted for his loyalty. But still, what happened there….there was simply no reconciling their relationship after that execution. Enzeru simply distanced himself from the man by necessity.

He pondered for a moment what would happen if the situation were to come about now. His black orbs rise to meet Kimi’s own, and he feels something deep within growl. He would not let that happen. He reaches out and takes her hand in his own, looking at her with a smile on his features.

”Kimi. I think it’s time we ended our engagement and moved to the next step. I want….no. I need you in my world. Forever.”

 

[Hoshirei]

Enzeru passing up the appetizer wasn't terribly surprising, if she hadn't forgotten that Katsu and Kora weren't with them she probably wouldn't have either. This way she'd just order a smaller entree so as to not stuff herself. A small roll of her shoulders and her tensing back loosened up once more. Her energy was starting to wain again so she took a sip of water to see if it would wake her up a little more.

When he took her hand, Kimi looked right into his blue flecked, black eyes and smiled softly. Her smile only got wider as he spoke.

"I would love that as well, 'Zeru. It's part of why I was suggesting the cake shop earlier. I was hoping for the end of the month? I know we already have most everything covered, but we do need a few more things. Like letting the people at the clinic and hospital know that we will be out for a couple days unless the- pardon the phrase- sky starts to fall.

"Does that sound alright? We can get things done quicker if we want to or need to."

 

[Kairyuu]

”That sounds good. Gives enough time for the invitations to go out. Well…your invitations.”

Enzeru really had no one to invite. There was his battle brother, but Sousuke was invited anyways due to the relationship between the Nekozuka and the Steward. His own family was lost to the wastes of ice, his one trip to try finding them left him confused and running for his life from something he could barely comprehend. Still, they were already lost to him from the time he was but a child, having given him away to Kirigakure for material goods. He didn’t blame them, but he also held no true fondness for them either.

”Where should we hold it? I was thinking on the manor grounds would be nice. Gives us a wa-“

His words cut short as he snaps his head to the window and stares in confusion at the scene playing outside on the street. Two men were getting involved in what looked like a mugging. Two men that he recognized, and knew very well that the muggers were going to die if they didn’t back off; of course even if they did they might be dead anyways.

”I….think we need to go get involved in that before someone gets hurt love.”

It was not a matter of debate as he got up to step out. The two men were well known in Kirigakure before the fall. One was roughly his height, but had skin of burnished gold with matching eyes. He wore black robes and carried a unique staff with a crystal globe atop it. The second Mizukage. The other was over eight feet tall and looked to be built like an ox. He was wearing white armor that only made him seem bigger. Osore, the bodyguard of the Isaki clan.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi smiled softly at Enzeru when he tacked on the "well... your invitations" to the end of his timing agreement. It must be hard to know that your human family are gone and any other family you might have either wants you dead or recycled. He continued before breaking off his sentence, calling Kimi's attention to the disturbance just outside the restaurant. Without question, she followed Enzeru out to the street and even before she got a good look at the two suffering a mugging attempt, she felt quite a bit of pity for the two idiots who were trying to rob these men.

She quickly turned her attention to the men being attacked and quickly recognized one. Perhaps the two idiots would recognize that she was a clan heir and would back off after she acknowledged one of the men.

"Osore-san! What a pleasure to see you again!" she exclaimed with a bright smile.

Thankfully she had been partly right about the idiots. They paused once they heard her voice and blanched. Ah, now she recognized them. She had seen them at bars in the past. In fact, they had been two of the men who had tried to best her. This should be good.

 

[Kairyuu]

[col]

|

[/col]

The two stood looking at the men trying to hold them up with an air of…apathy. Osore looks on impassively at the knife being waved in his face, both sets of eyes simply watching without tracking the blade. The man obviously thought his superior numbers would make Osore back down. The man was obviously a fool. Osore himself was towering over everyone present and wearing armor. His other form, while slight, was armed and if one look at those eyes didn’t tell you it was a shinobi’s body then you had no idea what a shinobi was. And behind his mind Hoshikata screamed for control. As always.

Just let me handle them. They should learn better than to threaten the Isaki clan. Come cousin, give me control.

Osore ignored the voice. The spirit of Hoshikata was locked out of the mortal world. And thanks to a blunder on Osore’s part, Hoshikata had to deal with him instead of his brother Tenken. This led to some interesting things, like a mind strong enough to keep the former leader of their clan out of this world. It also had the unfortunate side effect of giving Osore control of Hoshikata’s corpse. Odd.

He was considering his options when a somewhat familiar voice called out to him. The smaller of the two turns to the couple approaching. Gold skin, gold eyes, white hair. It was an odd form. And the eyes, with irises that looked like timepieces. Those eyes saw things that no mortal should. Hoshikata’s body waves a hand to the two. ”Hello, Kimi.” He had no time to wonder what Kimi was doing here. The call distracted the thug before him. With a speed that no one his size should have, Osore reaches out with his hands. One grips on the man’s knife hand and squeezes. The sound of bones snapping and cracking echoes like gunshots as his other hand grips the blade and he wrenches them apart. One hand holds the broken blade of the knife, the other the broken hand of the crook. Osore lets both go and kicks out, a solid blow sending the moron onto his back across the street.

As his friends begin to carry him off, Osore turns his true form to face the two. A bowed head to Kimi, and then the helmeted head turns to Enzeru. And Hoshikata explodes inside of his mind with words.

---

Enzeru holds his arm out as Hoshikata turns to his fiancée and calls her by name. He didn’t like coincidences like this. What would the second Mizukage be doing here with his bodyguard? And how did they know Kimi? And how did Kimi know them? Something was off, also. The blue flecks in his eyes were all but glowing as they neared the two. Something unnatural was going on. And then Osore exploded into action, putting truth to the tales of his combat abilities. It was a blink and miss it moment as he disarmed, broke, and then humiliated the person.

”Kimi. How do you know them?”

---

I’m telling you it’s him! I can sense him and I don’t even have my body! You can see it with my eyes if you’d bother to learn how to use this gift you’ve been given. Look! It’s him! What is he doing here? I thought he would have died in Mist.

Osore looks between the two before sighing and looking to Enzeru. The voice that comes from the helmet is deep and rough, as if coming from a throat that had never spoken before. ”Kagyaku Enzeru?

 

[Hoshirei]

The response coming from the other man slightly surprised her, but she supposed she shouldn't be surprised by much as they were all shinobi. Osore's quick movements certainly taught the civilian a lesson he wouldn't soon forget. The man would probably need shinobi healing if he wanted his hand to be of any future use, but who knew if he would actually seek the help.

Enzeru's question didn't come as much of a shock to the Nekozuka heir, but the almost non-existent hesitancy in his voice gave her pause

"You remember me telling you about why I sometimes have nightmares about small, enclosed spaces? Osore helped me get back to Sand after that- adventure."

______________________________________________
short post is short

 

[Kairyuu]

This was getting too weird too fast. Kimi knows Osore was believable if Osore was in the area. It was hard to miss the guy, and she wasn’t the type to shy away from him due to his size. Hoshikata knowing her, however, was not something he had an easy time understanding. Them recognizing him after his changes, however, was downright unbelievable. Enzeru held loyalty to Hoshikata when the man was Mizukage, but he never trusted him. There were rumors about him, about the thing he’d done. And there was the fact that he was a known manipulator of people. He was most of the things Enzeru could not stand in humanity. And the feeling of repulsion coming from his body was like a tide of corruption that the angelic energy within him feared would swallow it up.

”Jes . Tio estas mia nomo. Kion faras la hororo de la Isaki klano deziron kun iama ANBU? Kaj kiel vi rekonis min...?” Enzeru made no move to get closer, but he also did not back away. For now Kimi was safe, and while he did not, under any circumstances, want to fight these two he knew he could hold his own long enough to escape. Osore was known as a rabid dog, and Hoshikata was the type to play with minds. And, considering their relationship, he had little doubt they’d trained together and practiced fighting as a team. But Enzeru knew that out of all present, he still had the most combat experience.

”I must thank you for aiding my fiancée, Osore.”

---

It is him. This could be useful. We could use him to get my bod-
No.
What do you mean no?! I will not let this chance slip out of my hands!
I am not you, cousin. I am going to use people like they are things. And you are best left in the next world where you can do no harm.
No harm? When we’re safely out of this area, I’ll show you what harm I can do!

Osore shuts out the voice. It was true his cousin could still effect him, even as a spirit. But his power was limited to inflicting agony on a man who lived his entire life in pain. It was of no matter. The smaller of the two bodies steps forward and smiles to each of the Suna shinobi.

”It is a pleasure to see another native of Kirigakure. I am glad you’ve found a home here. Most of the clan fled to Moon before the catastrophe hit. And you have a unique aura, due to your heritage. I simply recognized it.”

He looks from Enzeru to Kimi, the smile still there. ”It’s good to see you again Kimi. I must thank you again for helping me when my camel ran off. Perhaps I could join you inside? We’re drawing a crowd.”

He still wasn’t used to having two bodies, but he knew it didn’t hurt nearly as much to speak with his cousin’s. So he used that for talking, and his for most other things. Hoshikata was correct on one thing. If Osore ever bothered to learn this talent more, he could do so much more.

 

[Hoshirei]

Kimi couldn't help but smile at Osore's words. That camel had been a pain in the butt. Enzeru speaking in a different language was- different to say the least. When he asked if they could join them inside, she glanced at Enzeru before speaking.

"We were talking about some plans for the end of the month. The subject can probably set aside for a while. I have no objections if 'Zeru doesn't."

As she spoke, four figures silently crept up behind Kimi and Enzeru. If Osore looked straight at the man of the group, he would point to Kimi, then himself and mouth the word "father". Katsu and Kora came up behind Kimi and pounced! At the last moment, Kimi span around and caught the two tigers around their middle. The trio still fell backward onto the ground, but they were laughing and chuffing their amusement.

Koichi smiled at the cat pile which only got larger as his companion Kisa joined in the fun.

"Ack! Kisa! Katsu and Kora are one thing, but all three of you?!" she leaned her head to see past her father's companion and smiled brightly. "Hey dad! Date is the end of the month."

"Finally set a date, eh? Been wondering when you would."