Open This place again

[Kaguya Mitsuha]

Mitsuha had found herself standing at the top of Hokage Rock. It has been a long while since she has been here, but her memories of the place along with all that has happened remains despite her losing her humanity. As elegant as she is, there is an air of uneasiness around her. People could very well be captivated by her looks, but if they had looked on too long, they might grow queasy, trying to figure out what about her is unnerving to them. It is for the simple fact that she is no longer a human.

There is a saying going around, that some people know of when it comes to a phenomenon when meeting something human like but has the uneasy feeling that even though it has a human face, doesn't necessarily mean that it is a human. They call it the Uncanny Valley. It surely doesn't help for the fact that Mitsuha is near emotionless as she had lost it all when she became a human puppet. Nevertheless, most people, although in awe of her, have steered clear of her, as if she's an unknown.

Unknown... It is something that many people fear because they simply cannot comprehend what will happen. Something that is beyond their own control. Is that what Mitssuha is? The jounin is surely still figuring out her own newfound powers as she can make puppets out of people too, though she only will do so from criminals to avoid any complications from doing such practices. Mitsuha merely sighed as she leaned over the guardrail to stare out at the sunset thinking back on her memories here. It was surely a mix of things. But despite it all that had made her into a strong kunoichi, she had left that life behind when she sought out revenge for the people that had killed her parents.

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Tsuki knew the agreement he'd made with his other half wasn't exactly the safest, but he felt it was necessary for them to build trust in each other to make this living situation work. It was weighing on his mind quite a bit, though. He decided a walk with fresh air would do him some good. He dressed himself in his own clothing for this venture, given he didn't feel the looming presence of the one who shared his mind. A thin lilac top with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of loose joggers later, Tsuki was out the door on his venture through the city.

"Where should we go today?" he voiced to no one but himself. It was weird how familiar he'd become to hearing Keiko respond to him. When his counterpart was silent, Tsuki felt a loneliness he wasn't aware he was experiencing until recent. With a small laugh at his own unusual thoughts, he looked up to the faces of Hokage from before his time. He made his way towards it, wondering what their lives were like in this village before he stumbled upon it. I only hope I can make a positive story here rather than a negative one. His thoughts had been oddly sentimental lately, especially in regards to the place he considered his home. If it weren't for Nao, he likely wouldn't have survived Keiko's aggressive hunger for very long.

His thoughts kept him busy all the way until he reached the top of the Rock, surprising himself with how little of the trip he remembered. Usually those memory gaps only happened when Keiko was near, but he was sure he was alone currently. With a shrug to himself, he observed the view from above. It wasn't until his eyes scanned across the landscape that he noticed another person standing atop the large landform not too far from him. Should I say something? Tsuki rubbed his sleeved arm, right over where his cult brand rested, something he often did when he found himself nervous. He wanted to make friends, given the people he knew before his isolation of three years had left him and Nao behind.

"Hello there," he started, clearing his throat a little and looking out at the sunset to avert his gaze. Too awkward, maybe even too forward. Why do I suck at this? With a deep breath, he let the warmth of the evening air settle his nerves as he moved a bit closer and tried again, this time with less of a tremor in his voice. "Hi, sorry, I don't get out much." A nervous laugh left him, and he leaned on the railing a few feet from the other. "Nice view though. I never saw something this beautiful until I moved here."

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts

 

[Kaguya Mitsuha]

Mitsuha turned her head to look over at Tsuki, an emotionless expression on her face as he greeted her. "Hey." She would greet back before she went back to being mute as she listened to the kid talk. He soon had apologized, for what, Mitsuha didn't know. But his reasoning is that he doesn't go out all that much. She would note his nervousness but her face had still remained expressionless as she listened to him talk.

"Neither do I." She would say simply. Small talk was never her thing, even when she was a human, now, as a human puppet, if it wasn't for her expressionless tone, one would think that she was being more indifferent than anything. But even if she did have emotions, she hasn't really done anything to really note lately. Just existed to go out and do missions, teach, and then just go home and tinker on puppets.

Her gaze would shift back to the horizon as the boy would talk about the view. "Indeed it is. I have made memories here with friends and others." The Jounin's voice would remain stoic as she had spoke, even when it came to something more important to her like her friends. Friends... She remembered the few times she was up here with Ayeka... Mitsuha would blink... Her brain, or rather her consciousness that is on a microchip seemed to buzz for a few seconds. This is the closest thing that she can experience to a headache, which happens from time to time.

She would recover fast and easily enough to most likely not bring notice to her. "There's very few natural occurrences that can beat looking out into the horizon."

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Tsuki smiled as she responded, his gaze settled on the horizon as the sun slowly made its way past the edge of the visible earth. "It's always good to share lasting memories with moments like these. No matter where or when, you'll always be able to look back on them in the moment." He held memories like these, though none were quite as pleasant. There were certain places he knew he'd never be able to see the same after what he'd experienced, but that wasn't going to stop him from making new, better memories. He rubbed his shoulder again before dropping his hand to the railing. He could definitely agree there were not many other sights like this one.

"I can't say I've seen you around before," he comments after a long pause of silence, turning his gaze to the girl once more and finally taking in her appearance. She seemed to be quite young, despite the dauntingly empty expression on her face. "Then again, I don't get out much," he reminded both himself and her. "I've been around for a few years though, I feel like I would have remembered you if I had." She reminded him of himself, in some odd sense. Despite knowing nothing about the girl, the unusual air surrounding her felt similar to his other half. Disturbed, haunted, so many words to describe the feeling but none of them made sense to him.

Have you seen her? he attempted again, hoping his other half would at least make his presence known. His head was still uncomfortably light, as if he was missing a piece of himself. Did I upset you with the rules? Or invasive questions? Where the hell are you?

Without much more to go on, Tsuki offered his hand and bowed his head a bit. "Sazuki Mizuki. Most people just call me Tsuki though." A simple introduction, sure, but all new friendships had to start somewhere. And with his name shared, he would fall into silence once more, not wanting to take up the peaceful evening air with his nervous words.

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts

 

[Kaguya Mitsuha]

She merely nodded when he had talked to her about memories and that they are cherished things to look back on in the moment. When he had said that he hasn't seen her around before, she would search for answers. Not many people would look at her the same if they find out that she is just a shell of her former self. But... Why is she caring about that? She shook the thought out of her head and then decided to give him the honest answer.

"I am a Jounin of the Main Branch. I had been on a hiatus after a while since I had nearly died on a mission a while back. I was saved and given a new body. I'm not necessarily a human anymore." She would leave it at. Mitsuha would only assume that he would be able to figure out the rest, that she is a human puppet.

Silence would fill the air once more as the two would stand there, taking in the sunset until the boy spoke up again, this time, he introduced himself. Sazuki Mizuki.... The Family name sounded familiar. Then she remembered a long while back... When she was a Chunin? It has been a while, but she knows of the Medical Sennin. Sazuki Nao. She took the boy's hand in hers as she shook it, he would be able to note that despite how real and human she looks, that her hands felt strong and cold. "My name is Kaguya Mitsuha." She wondered how much of her was public knowledge. She knew that her family's fame was high, thanks to her mother being a famous dancer, and her father being a rich businessman. Rich families usually are well known.

And that would especially mean... if tragedy has struck. Mitsuha wouldn't doubt it that the news has spread about it, what with the chilling message written in blood that the cultists of Jashin had left for her.

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Tsuki listened as the girl spoke of her time in Konoha's Main Branch, his heart sinking a bit to hear that she nearly lost her life. How unusual it is that the world keeps saving people from the brink of death in this way. He wasn't really phased by the mention of her not being human anymore. Given his time living with Nao and occasionally visiting the Byoin under his watch, Tsuki had seen quite a few people that weren't necessarily human. Even his own adoptive father had undergone some sort of non-human transformation during his absence, but it didn't make Nao any less Nao.

Her hand was indeed cold to the touch, a feeling he wasn't quite prepared for, but the handshake was strong and firm. Tsuki could tell she had a lot of capabilities, even if she had fully mastered her new form or not. The Kaguya name sounded slightly familiar, though Tsuki couldn't really place it. Maybe Nao has mentioned it before? Though not intentionally in front of Tsuki, now that he recalls it a bit. It had something to do with the cult he had survived, a topic Tsuki rarely handled well. Though given she had shared a bit of her story, he felt he should share a bit of his own. "I can't really relate to the non-human part, but I had a run in with death years ago. A cult had held me for a very long time in hopes to use my family's bloodline to their advantage. Thanks to a certain someone who shares my mind and body with me, I somehow ended up and Nao's doorstep and he took me in."

Tsuki didn't want to go too in depth given that cult seemed to have caused her pain in her own sense, but he did want to make a point. "Just because we aren't the same as we used to be, doesn't mean that we aren't still who we are meant to be." Nao was still a strong Medical Nin who cared for others and protected his home and family. Tsuki, despite his struggles, was still a ninja in training with a lot of potential and goals to protect the home he had found in Konoha. "I'm sure, with your newfound abilities, you'll prove to be a strong companion for whoever you decide to fight alongside with, no matter how human you feel or are."

WC: 403
MFT

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts

 

[Kaguya Mitsuha]

She listened as he spoke, it would seem that he himself has had his own run ins with a cult. And it could be safe to assume that she thinks that it was the Jashinist cult. If she learned anything, she knows that both the cult itself and Jashin would take advantage of those who don't know any better to make them commit atrocious acts of murder. Tsuki went on to talk about how despite all the changes a person can go through, doesn't mean that they are not the same person.

She looked out into the horizon, wondering if she'll feel anything before speaking once more, "Maybe that's the case for most people. But I don't really feel anything. Back then, I used to be an introvert. I didn't really like people, or rather large gatherings. Try to find any way to leave. But now? I don't know." Even though her face remained emotionless, maybe Tsuki can see it in her eyes as if she's looking for an answer.

The topic then went on to talk about how she'll prove to be a strong companion in an event of a combat scenario. With it, she nodded, "I have completed many missions with mainly acting as a strategist. But my strength is comparable to other jounins. My own fighting style from when I was a human is similar to how I am now, though now, my weapons have more different ways to eliminate my targets than ever before." Her language is rather stiff and calculated rather than that of a person speaking.

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Tsuki listened as the girl spoke, his gaze flitting between her and the nearly fully set sun, the sky darkening as they spent their time speaking to one another and enjoying the atmosphere of a sort of nostalgia, despite her differentiating views on the moment. He allowed himself a moment to breathe in the cooling air as he thought of what to say next. "I found myself stronger too. Not as myself, but as what they turned me into. That other piece of me, he goes by Keiko. A vastly different person than me, but still a part of me that I'm trying to understand." Although it didn't relate in the exact same way as her own situation with a new body and little memory or emotion remaining from how she used to be, he hoped it would make some sort of sense in the way his own brain was making it.

"He's a lot stronger than I am, really. If it weren't for him, I definitely would not be here right now, watching the sunset in a city I want to protect with my life. But given we have had a lot of difficulty understanding each other, I made myself a goal. Now that I have this strength within me that I know could be there the moment I need it, I should find things to do that I enjoy. Whether it be the emotion, the thrill of a fight, the peace of a sunset, or the emptiness of sleep." Tsuki lifted himself off the railing a bit. "I haven't really found those things yet, the things that bring me joy. But I have found that my personal purpose is to protect this city, and it brings me to enjoying some of the events that help train me for that."

Tsuki looked to Mitsuha again, offering a small smile. "Maybe we just need to find you a purpose, and it might bring back something similar to those emotions you can't seem to feel." With a small nod to himself and this possibly impossible idea, Tsuki pulled out a small notepad and a pencil he liked to carry on him when he wasn't in the path for training. "I was adopted by the Medical Sennin, Sazuki Nao. He offered me room and board at his clan house, which seems to always have room for another guest." He scribbled out a small image of the clan logo, as well as a small set of directions that might help her find the place.

"Should you ever find yourself looking for a place to stay or a companion to entertain your time, you can find us there." Once he finished his scrawl, he tore off the piece of paper and handed it to her. He also eyed the village from their view and pointed in the general direction of his home. "And if nothing else, we could at least train together. I'd love to learn a thing or two about your skills. We could help each other improve through spar fights or training. And if anything were to happen, we have top notch medical care." He laughed a little at mention of his fatherly figure being available, as he tended to be in most cases when Tsuki was finally at home.

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts

 

[Kaguya Mitsuha]

Mitsuha would listen in full to what Tsuki had to say. "You sell yourself short. If the other 'you', Keiko, is part of you, then it is to be believed that he cannot exist without you. You possibly possess a power that even your other self can't do." She would pause, thinking about her own goals and purpose. Part of her wonders... Wonders...? Her eyes would glitch, going from red to blue, then back to red. She would put one of her hands on her forehead before she continued thinking. Is it possible? "My goal is simple. Aid the Village in any way I can." She would say plainly.

She would take the piece of paper that Tsuki had given her and looked at it while he explained to her. "I know Sazuki Nao. I have met him a few times before. However, I have no need for lodgings. I come from a wealthy family, and even though I am on my own now, I am the inheritor of the wealth. I have my own place now." Even as a human puppet, Mitsuha had left the house that she lived most of her life in. Even sold the house. "Medical jutsus aren't nearly effective on me as they would be on you. My 'injuries' would need mechanical repair over chakra-like healing."

"Though, if you do feel the want to spar me, then you best come prepared. My power comes in the versatility of being a human puppet, something that few people have even fought."

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Tsuki blinked as he processed Mitsuha’s words, her perspective settling into his thoughts like a puzzle piece he hadn’t realized was missing. A power Keiko doesn’t have? The idea made something stir in him - curiosity, uncertainty, and maybe even a hint of hope. He had always thought of Keiko as the stronger half, the one who could handle the things Tsuki couldn’t. But if Mitsuha was right… what does that mean for me?

The thought was overwhelming in a way he couldn’t quite put into words. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to believe it, but it was something to hold onto. Something to think about.

His attention flickered back to Mitsuha just in time to catch the way her eyes glitched, red to blue, then back again. The moment was brief, but it was enough to make his fingers twitch at his side, an unspoken question forming but never quite reaching his lips. He wanted to ask, but… would it be rude? Would she even want to talk about it? He swallowed the words, deciding to keep his curiosity to himself for now.

Instead, he focused on her response to his offer. “Ah… I see,” he murmured when she mentioned her wealth, nodding slightly. He hadn’t expected that, but it made sense. “Still… the offer stands. Even if you don’t need a place to stay, you’re always welcome.” His voice was quiet, but the sincerity in it was clear.

Then came her challenge. Tsuki blinked, caught off guard. “A-Ah… spar?” His fingers curled slightly, his posture shifting. He wasn’t opposed to it—if anything, the idea was interesting—but he wasn’t sure how well he’d hold up against someone like her. He had never fought a human puppet before. How did one even prepare for something like that?

“I… I think I’d like that,” he admitted after a pause, his voice soft but steady. “But I don’t think I’d be much of a match right now. If I went in as I am, I’d probably lose before I even understood what happened.” He offered a small, sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still… I’d like to try.”[/color][/glow]

Tsuki hesitated, then glanced at her again, his curiosity from earlier still lingering. “You said few people have fought someone like you. Do you… like that? Being different?” He shifted on his feet, eyes flickering away as if unsure if he should have asked. "I mean... I know you don't experience those feelings the same, but is it something that's ever crossed your mind?"

WC: 424
MFT

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts

 

[Kaguya Mitsuha]

It seems what she had told him made the boy sit back and really reflect on his thoughts. He had stayed quiet for a while, making Mitsuha think that he may be insecure about his own abilities. That's something that the Jounin could relate to. For the longest while when she was young, she had self doubt about her own abilities, especially when it came to that attack on the Gates. Again, a slight throb of pain that she felt, thinking about something in her past that brought up dissonance in her programming.

"Thanks. Maybe I'll take you up on the offer." She really hasn't hung out with anyone ever since her change. Nor has she really talked to anyone like this in a long time. Even with her in the unemotional state that she is in, there is some small comfort to it. The wind would blow, moving her hair out of face and make her clothes flow elegantly. But the chill of the wind wouldn't effect her, in fact, she would barely even notice the breeze as she is unaffected by the temperature.

She tilted her head to the side as he inquired about sparring with his own thoughts, "Didn't you mention sparring first? Also. If you don't have confidence in yourself, you are bound to fail more often than not." Looking back out at the horizon, she thought about his next question, if she likes being different. She... Honestly doesn't know how to answer that. "Back when I was human. I was someone who generally didn't like to stand out in a crowd. Even as I got older, I was someone that usually kept to myself and wouldn't really show off my powers. Now? I don't know. I have no reason to show off my powers unless if intend to use them."

It was somewhat the same answer to what she had just said about her being younger and a human, but also more on the terms of indifference. "What about you?"

 

[Sazuki Tsuki]

Tsuki was thankful she had accepted the offer, in a way hoping that despite his awkward beginnings, he might earn himself a new friend. The idea of forming connections always felt daunting, yet he longed for them just the same. A nervous laugh slipped out when she pointed out that he had been the first to mention sparring.

"You're right, I did. Sorry, I got a little lost in my head." He rubbed the back of his neck, offering a sheepish smile. His thoughts had a habit of spiraling, and sometimes, he got so caught up in his own mind that he forgot what he had said just moments before. As she continued, he listened attentively, nodding slightly in agreement. He could definitely relate to the desire to avoid standing out too much. Blending into the background was comfortable - safe, even.

When the question was turned back on him, Tsuki gave a small shrug.

"I like to keep away from the crowds too. I don't really see a need to show off abilities," he admitted, his voice thoughtful. "I think, in battle, it’s best to play your cards close to your chest. That way, your enemy can keep guessing. If they can figure me out in a second because I laid all I had on display, I wouldn’t last long."

He lowered his gaze to his palm, tracing his fingers over a faded scar that ran across his skin. A memory flickered in his mind - one from years ago, when he had cut his hand. The pain hadn’t been the worst part. It had been the sudden, jarring loss of control as Keiko surged forward, drawn to the scent of his blood. His adoptive father, Nao, had been there, steady as always, patching him up with gentle hands. Tsuki had been terrified back then, expecting Nao to look at him with fear or disgust after witnessing his dark side firsthand. But Nao had remained unfazed, treating Keiko as naturally as he did Tsuki himself. If anything, over time, Keiko had stopped hating Nao altogether.

His fingers curled slightly, closing over the old wound as he exhaled slowly.

"My biggest strength also happens to be my biggest weakness," he murmured. "My blood is a weapon that I can bend to my will… but the mere scent of it sends me reeling." He hesitated, feeling the weight of his words. Keiko thirsted for it, craved it in a way that often led to their rapid switch in control. Every drop spilled was an invitation for him to take over.

But if I could overcome my fear, perhaps I wouldn’t have to lose full control.

The thought lingered in his mind. Maybe he was asking for too much - maybe mastering that part of himself was impossible. But if there was even the slightest chance, he should try. He'd have to talk to Nao about it sometime.

Tsuki speech
Tsuki thoughts
Keiko speech
Keiko thoughts