Land of Water

[Kami]

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“Ahhhhhhh!” The sound escaped Saburō’s lips as he put the now empty bowl down on the counter. He leaned back in his chair getting a good stretch in before he patted his stomach as a light burp escaped his mouth. A smile painted across his face you could tell he was happy. As he brought his arms back down, he brought one hand closer to his face as he began feeling around his cheeks. With the smile still oddly maintained, he began to feel around the muscles on each side of his cheek as if he was measuring how big his smile was. Anyone watching would find this incredibly odd because then suddenly the smile dropped and he was straight faced again.

For a moment his mind wandered until he finally said something out loud, “That should be enough practice for the day. I should probably make my way over there now.” The chair screeched as it was moved backwards by Saburō’s legs as he stood up. He made his way around the counter placing his bowl near the sink before making his way towards his room. From his closet he pulled out a singular cloak that he wrapped around his shoulders before buttoning it. One quick glance in the mirror—where he again smiled and touched the muscles in his face—and then he left toward the door, closing it behind him once he was outside.

There was no need for security. Saburō held nothing valuable in his home. Not only that, but this compound was full of shinobi and former shinobi. Anything suspicious would be sticking out like a sore thumb. The only thing that Saburō did not like about living in this compound was that everyone was so social. Everyone had some story to tell you. It’s like walking your dog at your normal park around the same people and they start talking to you about their lives. You don’t really care. Saburō doesn’t really care. But you nod your head and smile because it’s the polite thing to do. But no. Today? Saburō couldn’t risk it. He wouldn’t be late. With a quick flicker, he avoided them all and wouldn’t stop until he reached his destination—even then he was disappointed.

“Sigh...” the exasperated voice came from no more than ten feet woman who had some enquiries with the Mizukage. “There better not be a wait.” Saburō said out loud as he stared at the back of the woman's head. His tone was not friendly, but whether it not the annoyance was directed at the woman or not would need to be discovered.​

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​

 

[Dio]

He stood still as they approached, no fidgeting and no sound was coming from him. Like a person who'd have been frozen, waiting to be acknowledged by them as he looked toward them with a level gaze, slate-violet eyes steady beneath the faint shimmer of his scarf. Saihō moved like someone who didn’t walk so much as cut lines into space. He recognized her instantly—the hair, the weapon, the way she carried herself like she could size up your soul just by how you hemmed your sleeves. She was sharper in person and most definitely sharper than memory, and sharper than rumour.

When her eyes landed on him now, Nozomi felt the weight of them. As she praised his outfit—sort of—he adjusted his scarf higher with a small motion, not flustered, just... composing himself. Compliments settle on him like snowfall, quiet, fleeting and usually gone before they melted in. His gaze had then flicked to Aōi as he stepped closer, hand catching the apple mid-air with practiced quiet. “...Thanks,” he murmured through the scarf, voice barely audible but shaped clearly enough for his sensei to hear. He listened to Aōi’s apology and let it slide past without reaction. He hadn’t expected an apology, and he didn't feel like he needed one regardless. The idea of Aōi being “hard to find” wasn't the case, they would've met up at the Jonin Standby Station later in the day; Nozomi just couldn't contain his excitement to find him sooner if he'd of been able to, which he did! It was almost like a rewarding feeling.

"I came back with Mum this Morning," Nozomi answered simply, turning the apple once in his hand. "I tried the Market and I was just going to the Tower now." He said, his eyes crinkling at the corners and a visible sparkle appearing. He was smiling, except his mouth was covered.

At the mention of his off-hand, he flexed the fingers on his left side, letting them splay once before clenching lightly again. Waving it in motion with a practiced swing, shadowing a move with an imaginary horizontal sword slash. "Good! I think" his voice more audible this time. He didn't mention the hours he’d spent hitting a practice dummy, or the footwork exercises he repeated countlessly. He figured Aōi would see the improvement from his quick and short performance, or at least eventually will know.

When the introduction came, his eyes flicked to Saihō again, lingering slightly longer this time. She didn’t need the introduction. Not really. But Aōi offered it anyway. "I know who she is," Nozomi said softly... There was no awe in his voice; only certainty. But his eyes had widened just slightly, when he first saw her. At the mention of a "weird woman," his brow inched upward behind his bangs. He didn't ask nor wanted to, and if it mattered; he'd be told. He shifted his stance slightly, one foot back, the apple still untouched in his hand.

“So… are we heading to the tower?”

He glanced between them, but his gaze rested a fraction longer on Aōi.

There was something in it—not impatience. Just the quiet question that always lingered behind Nozomi’s eyes when he was ready to follow:
What next?

​

 

[STORY]

Saihō stood there, arms folded as she quietly observed the interaction between the two, and the way the young boy conducted himself. As they continued on she began slowly circling them, arms still folded as she played with one of the pins, letting it rest between her teeth and lips as though it were a toothpick. The way she was observing them and sizing them up, one might believe the seamstress was preparing to tailor something for them.

“How long have you been back?" — "Hmmm"

As Aōi spoke she continue orbiting the sensei-student pair, hmming quietly to herself, still very much observing and studying. Her pace around them was steady, steps even her head tilting and nodding as she took in their interaction, their behavior, mannerisms, words spoken and...words unspoken between them. The pin held in her mouth switched from one side of her mouth to the other, toying with it like a true seamstress at work.

"Good! I think" — "Hnnnn..."

Saihō's arms unfolded, the woman slouching forward some as she began stroking her chin, her glasses sliding down the brim of her nose. Her steps never slow, hasten or cease their steps, still hmming and hnnning about. Just what is it she was thinking about? What was the Swordswoman perceiving, considering? How were the two measuring up within her eyes. Each person perceived like a piece of fabric, studying the length, feel and quality.
“So… are we heading to the tower?”

Finally she comes to a stop, her rotation completed with her back at Aōi's side. She removes the pin from her mouth, playing with it between her fingers looking at the boy, then back to Aōi giving him a look, then gazing back at the genin.

"Well snowball, Snowflake here was tagging along with me to see our village's resident princess. Going to borrow him for a tad bit longer before I can give him back to you."

She walks up to the boy, crouching down to get to his eye level, grabbing his scarf rubbing it between his fingers before releasing it, dusting off his shoulders. Placing the pin she had been playing with back in the tower she called her hair, she pushed her glasses back up on her face to gaze into the young child's eyes. He was so innocent yet, still so frozen. The time she stared at him was difficult to gauge, feeling as if it stretched from seconds, to minutes, to hours and well into eternity. How long it truly was, that was anyone's guess. When she breaks her gaze away she drops her head with an exasperated sigh before looking back at him.

"Listen little snowball...its far too early for someone as young as you to be so frozen. Melt a little kid, its ok if the fabric gets a little wet sometimes. I promise it wont ruin the material."
She rises to her full height, stretching before patting her thighs. She turns towards Aōi and nudges her head to the side as she begins to step off in the direction of the Mizukage building.

"Lets go you two, we shouldn't keep the princess waiting."

 

[Aōi]

“...Thanks, I came back with mum this morning, I tried the market and I was just going to the tower now.”
The young genin replied. Somber as ever in his initial greeting but this was no surprise as the younger Snow took on more of his sensei’s personality traits than either of them cared to admit. Despite their gap in age, skill and complexion, one could mistake the lack of expression within his eyes and the half of his face that isn't covered as the similar face of disinterest the Jonin was known to display himself. However, after the mention of his off-hand training, the boy perked up and wasted little time in showing the sun-kissed shinobi his now more focused and formidable sword swing. It was evident he was proud of his progress at this current stage, and Aōi couldn’t be more pleased with his budding development.

He soon confirmed that he knew of Saihō and what she looked like, which pleased Aōi further, but then made him wonder further about the woman he had previously met, something about her was—off. If a genin could remember faces, why couldn’t she? He noticed Saihō sizing up the two of them during their light catch-up, ‘hmming’ and ‘humming’ while he paid her little mind as he knew he’d either hear something from her later, or she’d have opened her mouth in that same moment expressing her thoughts unabashedly. Nozomi then lightly turned on his heel, while also indicating that he still wanted to be taken to the Mizukage tower like they had originally planned some days prior. Before the dreaded ninja could answer, Saihō naturally answered for the both of them, informing the genin that they had planned to see Kirasui, the Ninth Mizukage of Kirigakure.

Hearing her name made him slightly swoon and blush. Like most villagers, he admired her greatly not just for her strength but her political prowess and goals surrounding the country. However like most men, her feminine wiles were not lost on the dutiful shinobi and the two held a closer bond than most of the other elite-level ninja that operated within the village. Holding the woman in great regard, and the Mizukage heavily valuing Aōi’s talents, whenever the two would come together rumors of a deeper meaning to their relationship begin to swirl despite the evidence truly lacking to the contrary.

He snapped out of his blonde trance when he saw the seamstress approach his pupil telling him that she would need his teacher for just a little longer before properly relinquishing him back to the genin for whatever they had planned for the day. He watched as she tested the quality of the fabric of his infamous scarf between her finger tips, she further studied him but something told him she wasn’t just gauging his clothing. Because it was the same look she gave him multiple years ago when they had first met. She was looking into his eyes trying to find something, and what that was he figured would be different from what she had found in him a long time ago.

"Listen little snowball...it's far too early for someone as young as you to be so frozen. Melt a little kid, it's ok if the fabric gets a little wet sometimes. I promise it won't ruin the material.” She said, rising to her full frame before leading the two Snowflakes towards the Mizukage Tower. The Jonin chuckled and smiled, then looked to his student before placing a soft hand on top of his head, messing his hair up ever so slightly before walking off in the same direction after Saihō. “C’mon kid. I’ll make it up to you later and we can go to that spice cart in the market. They got a new kimchi recipe I think you’ll like.” he said as he led the way.

Where would the day lead them next he wondered.


​

 

[Frea]

“Sigh...”
-
“There better not be a wait."

She heard an overdramatic sigh behind her, which Yuihime thought was a little rude. However, she continued to ignore whoever was behind her and waited for permission to see the Mizukage. Then she heard the male behind her being impatient which she held her composure for once. She didn't want to raise any suspicions any more than she had. She stepped to the side and both her arms extended across her body, giving a slight bow. She replied.

"If you can not wait anymore. You can go in front of me. I'm not in a rush at all."

She glanced upwards towards the male, scanning him and his appearance, she wasn't very keen on his attitude but then again she can be just as bad at times. She stood back and allowed him what he wanted to take in front of her. From what it appears he is most likely to have more important issues to discuss with the Mizukage. She twirled her hair in her fingers as she whistled, bored as she waited at the office building. She observed the decor in the reception area. It wasn't too fancy nor was it too slummish. It was just the average reception, clean with few pictures of previous Mizukages, a typical Kirigakure decoration. She didn't hate it, after all, it was better than at home. Most of these things were better than at home, which made her feel ill. Sick even.

Yuihime swallowed a lump in her throat and she coughed which sounded slightly to mock the rude male just now, watching his every move while burning a hole in the back of his head. Her arms raised to her chest and she crossed her arms as she stood waiting patiently, of course forgetting she was in a public place she stopped giving the death stare towards the male.

 

[Kami]

---

The blonde-haired woman ahead stepped aside gracefully, bowing slightly as she forfeited her place in line and removed herself from conflict rather easily. Saburō didn’t respond, neither acknowledging her or budging from his position. Even as she passed by and quietly took a seat nearby, he remained still, but his light blue eyes tracked every movement until she was out of sight. Only then did he move closer to the reception desk and begin his check in process.

Once he did that, one of the attendants behind the initial guard caught a glimpse of him signing paperwork. “L-Lord Saburō!” she stuttered, her cheeks already flushed as she fumbled to adjust her glasses. “You're… here earlier than everyone else,” she added with a nervous laugh, stepping toward the table—her lenses fogged as a ball of sweat slid down the side of her face. “Hello, Ai” Saburō responded with a warm smile, just like he had practiced earlier. The smile melted her heart. Ai, one of the few receptionists, has had a long lasting crush on Saburō. While she has failed to confess her undying love for him, she also doesn’t know that Saburō is completely aware of this.

Before she could fluster herself even further, Saburō spared her a calm reply to ease her tension, “Don’t worry, Ai. I’ll wait here until the others arrive.” By the time she could respond, he had pivoted on his heel and done a full one-eighty to make his way toward the seating area. Amusingly enough, when he had pivoted, he had caught a glimpse of the woman glaring at him. He chuckled out loud, clearly entertained. Thus he deliberately made his way towards her general area. “You know,” he said aloud as he settled in the chair across from her with a quiet grunt, one similar to an achy, old individual. “Staring doesn’t resolve issues.” His ice, cold eyes met her eyes. “Words are better, actions even more.” With that, he crossed one leg over the other and folded his hands in his lap—composed, but unmistakably provoking and unafraid of confrontation. “So, speak your heart.”​

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[Frea]

Yuihime observed their conversation, noticing the girl appearing to take a liking to the male who stood before the platinum-blonde female, who had a big smile on her lips, something to make fun of or perhaps advise the female with her little crush of course, Yuihime wouldn't mean any harm at all with the joke or rather advice she might give or would she? Who knows. The woman known as Ai appeared to have a mere crush. She waited until the male, clearly a powerful figure, not to be trifled with, sat down in the lobby of the waiting area. Yuihime stated her business, to Ai with a smile on her face, she slipped a rogue strand of hair back of her ear.

"I'm here to see the mizukage. As I stated, I got a few enquiries."

Noticing how Ai had resumed her guarding self, she nodded and allowed Yuihime to take a seat for the Kage. The foreign female could not help but tease the poor girl by whispering in her ear while her eyes moved to the side, where the two shinobis met their eyes.

"Perhaps, darling, you should confess how you feel about that man over there. It's clear you like him."

Yuihime walked over to the seating area, chuckling away at leaving Ai a flustered mess. Once got to a seat, she sat down with her legs pressed together, her feet parallel to each other, firm on the ground, her arms relaxed into her lap while her back was straight. She noticed the male's gaze upon her; she noticed his icy-cold stare, something completely different towards the female. Yui simply matched his aura and listened to what he had to say. She stifled a small laugh while smiling at him, all the while she continued to stare.

“So, speak your heart.”
-

"Who says I got one?"

Did she make a light joke, though physically she does have a heart, but emotionally? She doesn't. Her heart was made of stone. She does have one, it's just frozen solid from over the years, the massacre that happened. She replied truthfully to his face.

"I found the whole impatience quite rude; if anything, I hate rudeness."

Her words cut like a sharp knife in a wound. There she leaned back, retrieving a small book in her long sleeve. She began to read the book, not saying anything more to the male opposite to her, she waited patiently, she didn't mind waiting for hours or perhaps days. To her, this secret mission was all that mattered. The silence was deafening; automatically, without realising it, Yuihime began to whistle a tune. A tune she remembered from a certain mist ninja done as he killed her parents. Her people.

 

[Kami]

---

It took everything in his power to not roll his eyes at her initial response. What a cliche, aura-farming response. While he had some thoughts about it, he only smiled and faked a laugh. The laugh in itself was good, one wouldn’t be able to tell it wasn’t genuine. Adjusting his clothing a bit, Saburō sat there comfortably observing and analyzing the blonde-haired woman as she continued speaking. By the time she was done he hadn’t had a response for her—this was because Saburō was long over explaining his personality. Many of the villagers were already aware what type of individual Saburō is and did not take his delivery to heart. So, none of what she said really mattered to him.

Thus, he allowed for silence to overtake the room. While he glanced around at the lobby, he couldn't help but monitor her movements from the corner of his eye. Saburō watched as she retrieved a small book and began reading. It wasn’t until she began whistling when she truly would receive his attention, perhaps not in the way she would’ve wanted. “What an interesting melody,” his voice pierced the veil of silence. Had she looked up she would find the same icy-blue eyes staring at her with his head slightly tilted towards her in curiosity “Where’d you hear that from?” His voice sounded lighter and more friendly than before, you could tell that he was genuinely interested.​

---

 

[Frea]

“What an interesting melody,”
-
“Where’d you hear that from?”
​

Just hearing his voice piercing through her ears got her to stop whistling. She wasn't aware she was doing that whistle, she looked at him straight in the eyes but this time, she matched his vibes. Soft and friendly, she smiled and politely answered the male.

"Ah, I wasn't aware I was whistling, though the tune is something I heard when I was younger, it just stuck ever since."

Perhaps Yuihime had gotten on the wrong foot with this, guy? Though she still needed to be cautious however it wouldn't hurt to apologise for blatant rudeness. Even if did somewhat deserve the death stare. She looked around the room, before placing down the book on her lap. She looked at him directly, smiled once again and outstretched her hands.

"I'm Yui, I've come from a small land and recently moved here for a better life and as well my husband is also from here."

Though her introduction was brief, she didn't share the whole of her name due to it could cause suspicions, and well her husband? He didn't exist yet. She hoped the male would also introduce himself and shake her hand in terms of goodwill and for the lack of misunderstanding between them.

 

[Kami]

---

“Is that right?” Saburō hummed in thought, his eyes narrowed as he scratched the bottom of his chin. His eyes looked off to the right side before his gaze returned onto her. “Oh really?” Saburō said surprised to her being from a small land. He looked her up and down, noticing her clothes—”cheap fabric” he thought to himself, wondering if anyone had ever told her that before. “Congratulations!” He cheered lightly, “I hope you find the better life you’re looking for" , finishing that sentence with a smile.

“The tune,” Saburō thought to himself “You said you heard it as a kid? The memory much have really stuck with you. Which small land are you from?” He questioned as he laid back in his seat. Saburō looked off through the window of the lobby at children running around and playing. “I’ve heard that same tune before but I can’t quite remember where.” He said, puzzled, hoping she could enlighten him.​

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