001: THE REIGN

[Hayate Fuku]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] i'm ready to ignite Don't want your absolution cause I can't make it right 708 • 5000 | Chinatsu • Hiko | notes • notes, short text color - C5DDE3 "speech color - D8B2FF" "Isn't that..?" "Is he a Kirigakure shinobi?" "That's Fukashiro no Kirigakure, right?" Three people chattered nervously as Fuku passed slowly. This had been the first stop on Fuku's journey- or rather holiday. Although he had personally decided that he wasn't going to be doing much fighting, he had already beat down a couple of people because of their knowledge of the sword- Samehada. They saw it, and tried to offer Fuku out. Those fights didn't usually last long though. Fuku goaded them out by using his Katana instead, and usually one that way. If they weren't good enough to beat his Katana, they weren't nearly as good enough to face against Samehada. Fuku had traversed to Tsuchi no kuni to an area that he had once passed through before on a mission, famous for their spa's and hot-springs. Fuku's boots grinded against the dirt and gravel path- having come upon the horizon of the village. With the changing climate of the place, Fuku was no longer required to wear a cloak or anything of the kind and he was absolutely loving it, at only this one point did he wish he was a shinobi from another village. So much warmer, and this was something that Fuku would enjoy for his time away, before returning to the cold Mizu no Kuni would not be an enjoyable trip. He had stripped himself of his cloak, returning to a long sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows that was a light blue colour. Black trousers, and boots, a Jounin flak jacket and his Hitate worn as a belt. His trademark symbol, Samehada was bore on his back- signifying his mark as a swordsman of the mist. The long route he had been taking had been somewhat occupied and he could feel stares on him as he walked. Well it was something that would happen due to him wearing his Kirigakure headband quite proudly. As he walked, noticing the passing travellers and merchants going to and fro their business- caravaneers being handled by people and their grunts protecting the goods. It was a fairly busy road. His mind squandered to the things in his life, most notably Iku whom he had boned two days ago, embarrassed the day after after his last training session, and had seen him off early in the morning. Around five AM, because Fuku wanted to be gone and through the sea before the sun rose properly. It was kind of her, but Fuku was a little bit of a stalemate with her. He did have some feelings for the girl, although she was young- and he had recently been widowed. Almost seven days, to be exact. But he pushed the thoughts away with the knowledge that he was about to pass through and into the town. The amount of people began to increase, and with it his anonymity had been somewhat secured. If people took to looking, they would do a double take. But people did seem to take notice. Moving through the town with a temperament of someone who couldn't give a fuck. It was only going to be one in the thousands of people who would actually have a clue who Fuku was- all they would know, would be that he was a big guy with a big sword, a freaky looking sword at it too. Before he could get lost, he saw a woman out of the corner of his eye- brought out his arm for her to flinch slightly, not expecting it. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but could you recommend any places in this area that I should visit?" the woman didn't seem too bothered. "I'm a little bit of a tourist too... but I've just been at this hotsprings- it's about ten minutes walk in that direction, you'll see some raised platforms where shinobi have carved into them, but it's fairly nice." "Thanks." Fuku smiled, waved her off and went off in the direction that he had been given. He did see it in the distance, between the houses was the sight of a hill of a kind. Heavily carved, though. You could see the stairs, where people would walk off and branching on each sides were the steaming hotsprings. Nice... - - - -- % Chakra All Equipment at the ready made by akemi

[Tsubasa Chinatsu]

"Where is he!?"

"I'm sorry Ma'am I don't know!"

"Well hurry up and find that son of a clay maker!"

The various assistants scurried about the tall building that was known by those that lived under its shadow as the Tsuchikage's Tower. They scurried around searching for someone. Someone incredibly important to the village and its people. The person that was none other than the Tsuchikage himself. However, they would never find him. Why? He was long gone. Off to clear his mind of the burdens of being a Kage; of the burdens of being a clan leader.

Tsubasa Chinatsu was the name of the man who was famed as the Hero of Iwagakure. He had nobly defeated the corruption of the Nidaime and saved Iwagakure from imminent destruction, however as a great cost. He was forced to end the life of his wife with his own hand. He had sheathed the blade of his Shikomizue into her chest cavity, and most unfortunately, been forced to watch her drown in her own blood as it filled her lungs. The event had been so traumatizing for the man, that unbeknownst to the village, he gouged out his own left eye leaving nothing but an empty void in its place, much akin to the void that he now held in his own heart unfilled even by his new wife. A woman he does not love.

Chinatsu was here now, in this village famed for its healing hot springs, because he needed to clear his head. He needed to find something to make him relax and not reopen the wound in his left socket like he had a few nights prior following the copulation of his new wife. He wanted to find a release other than endangering his own health, so he walked now towards the building that stood firm on the hill top where guests could check in and gain access to these mystical springs.

"Hey isn't that the Nendou?"

"Ah yes I do believe it is him, and are you behind the times or something?"

"Why what's wrong?"

"He's Tsuchikage-sama now."

"I'm aware but he's a Tsubasa first and my Lord."

Two people carried on a conversation in a not so hushed whisper, considering it was loud enough for Chinatsu to pick up on it, as they watched the ivory haired Kage walk past them with his just as infamous cane, also known as a shikomizue for the blade hidden inside, in his right hand. He smiled to the commoners as he passed, just like he always did, but on such an occasion as this his smile could not have been more fake. So instead of stopping for useless chatter, the Kage pressed onward. He ascended the stairs that rose up to the hill top and was soon enough before the front doors that hung wide open welcoming any guests to a lovely, warm, cozy interior.

Inside he was immediately welcomed by the Inn's staff. They were so kind to him. So warm and sweet, just like hot tea with waaaay too much sugar. They spoke to their Lord with the kindest of smiles on their faces and assisted him in gaining access to one of the more private hot springs. It was a larger spring, able to accompany quite a few people, but hardly ever used. It was usually for special gatherings, or in some cases, even co-ed. It was a spring that was easily able to be reserved for certain people, although Chinatsu did not bother with doing so.

He just wanted to relax, and if someone else happened to join him, he didn't mind as long as they weren't too much of a chatter box. "Thank you very much," he replied to the oh so helpful ladies before continuing on to the hot spring that had been chosen for him.

Made by Tosuke of BTN

Words: 642

[Hayate Fuku]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] i'm ready to ignite Don't want your absolution cause I can't make it right 1450 • 5000 | Chinatsu • Hikotsu | notes • notes, short text color - C5DDE3 "speech color - D8B2FF" Fuku had very much zoned out and when the Tsuchikage had been mentioned, two loud people announcing it to the world- Fuku did not hear it. Not even knowing that there was a lord of the land a little bit in front of him, he did not pay attention as the ivory haired man squandered in to the right, the hotspring place that Fuku was supposed to be visiting. He however, kept walking- his nose having caught a fresh scent of something tasty. As the crowds got thicker, Fuku managed to find a stall that, although hadn't been his original endeavour sold Dango. After purchasing a stick of Dango in this... goldeny syrup kind of thing, Fuku began munching away at it, and then took the time to look at the area around him. It seemed nice enough, he kept on turning, until he had done a full one eighty turn, to someone with a brandished Katana on him. "Y- you're a swordsman of the mist, right?!" he spoke, to which Fuku just rolled his eyes and continued eating his stick of Dango, staring at the man as he did so. Poking the sword forward, menacingly, he spoke again. "Answer me, damn it!" by no means was the man quiet, and people had formed a small circle around them, whispers began. Just like always. Fuku ignored the man, kept staring and kept eating. "Yes, stupid." Fuku replied dryly, his thoughts weren't much better. This guy doesn't know anything about swordsmanship. the man seemed to find more confidence from the crowd and Fuku's bllunt response, despite the insult attached. "Well, either hand over your sword or face the consequences! And leave this country!" Fuku looked dumbfoundedly at the man. "I'm only here for a holiday, not to fight. Do you mind leaving me alone?" Seeing the man not even moving, Fuku's eyebrow rose, finishing off the stick. Throwing it aside, he smiled. "Whatever." he said, taking Samehada off his back and throwing it at the feet of the man. Who couldn't believe his luck, both out of the belief that he had just 'defeated' a swordsman of the mist, and that he had given in so easily. "Hahaha.." the man laughed, moved his Katana into one hand and went to pick up Samehada with the other. With levelled eyes, Fuku crossed his arms. He's quite strong to lift him like that... but that was only a short lived belief. With a scream, the man felt his hand being impaled by the many growing scales of Samehada, into his hand. Beginning to walk, Fuku walked past him, taking the hilt of Samehada as he went and as the spikes retracted from the man's hand, he placed Samehada back on his back, and continued walking- towards the hotsprings it was. Nobody would stop him, thankfully. Going into the hotsprings, he noticed the people were fairly... ambivalent about their jobs. Couldn't really care. "Your best, please." Fuku spoke, and the woman only obliged. However, this was not the same woman who had dealt with the Tsuchikage. She had not been told, and so Fuku was guided to a special place. Stripping himself down and placing his clothes aside the only thing he took in there with him was his sword. It was a steamy hot place, instantly setting fire to Fuku's skin oh so tempered to the cold. At least they didn't ask about the sword. "Nice..." he said, looking around- the place had been decorated finely to look like a proper garden, with the rocks all in a Japanese formation that Fuku was ever so used to. Moving over to the edge, Samehada on his back (albeit naked), a towel around his waist and a cloth- he abandoned the towel at the side of the water and placed Samehada directly on top of it, literally centimeters from where Fuku then went and sat himself down in the water. Giving sharp intake of breath as the hot water hit his skin. Never would he let someone be within a foot of his blade. The steam was something, though, like from another world- opening up his pores. His right arm came out to rest along the edge, also centimeters away from his sword- not out of protection; but pure habit. his left hand brought the cloth down into the water, and then up- and over his eyes, so he could lean his head back and sigh. Beautiful. - - - --% Chakra made by akemi

[Tsubasa Chinatsu]

He hated this life. He hated receiving respect from everyone all the time just because he killed one person. He hated that he had to kill his own wife to gain this respect. He wanted life to be like it was before. He wanted to live in his wife's shadow. Wanted to be her second in command. However that was impossible now. She was dead. Gone in the wind. All because he sheathed his blade in her chest. All because she had to do that one damned experiment.

It was all gone, like sand in the wind. Gone.

Chinatsu closed the door behind him silently as he entered the changing room. Then, slowly, he wandered over to a wall with many slot like shelves on it for placing one's clothing. At first he placed his shikomizue against the wall, knowing it would not fit in the slot itself, before he reached upwards and tugged at the zipper to his flak jacket. All the while as he slowly disrobed himself, he thought nothing but of how much he hated his duties. He never asked to be Tsuchikage. He never asked to be the son of a clan leader, or the first born. He never wanted this life for himself.

After her carefully folded and placed the jacket into the slot, he pulled off his maroon trench coat and the sash around his waist revealing fully the obsidian body suit he wore underneath. The suit was tight around his upper body, being rather form fitting, however formed into loose fitting trousers at his waist line that ended around the upper lower leg area. It was the perfect article of clothing really. It breathed well and he never had to adjust it like some other articles of clothing. Absolutely perfect, especially for fighting.

He got down onto one knee as he began to unbuckle his boots. It was a longer process considering they were much more complex than anything else, however, it was an easy one as well. Once he unlatched the last buckle he kicked the boots off before putting them in the slot as well. As he continued on to removed the final articles of clothing that he wore, his mind continued to wander. He began to think of his family and how his job affected them. He worried about his two girls. He was concerned for his little brother. He didn't likely to force the things onto them that he had to. He didn't want the girls to be subjected to shinobi life. He didn't want his brother to take on his own responsibilities. He didn't want any of that, however, it all seemed to have happened too fast. His brother was acting Clan Leader. One of his girl's was a Jinchuuriki. Really, it seemed that everything around him was just falling through the gaps between his fingers like water when you tried to cup it in your hands. Chinatsu hated it.

Now with nothing but a towel around his waist and his Shikomizue in his hand, Chinatsu finally went to the spring itself. There was no one in the spring as of yet, which was great for the Kage. It meant alone time for him to unwind and cope with his own disturbing thoughts. So it took the Kage no time at all to find a comfortable seat against the back wall of the spring with the towel resting along the walk way behind him and his shikomizue set near by it. He sat low in the spring, low enough that just about half of his face was covered by the steaming hot water, however still be able to breath through his nose.

The water was intensely relaxing. It soothed the middle aged shinobi's aching muscles and cleared away the headache that had been throbbing noisily in his skull for days now. Ah if only more days could be as relaxing as this, then his life would be forever perfect. Sadly however, that was not possible, as life seemed to want to prove by slapping him in the face with the presence of another not even five minutes after Chinatsu had settled into the water and shut his 'eyes' in relaxation. He didn't bother to take a look at just who had joined him in the spring. He didn't really care. He only wished that the other man would leave him to his own thoughts.

Only that wouldn't be the case even on his own part. Eventually Chinatsu's childish curiosity got the best of the man. His crimson orb made an appearance as he shifted his position in the spring to let his shoulders break the water's surface. As he looked in the direction his head heard the other person settle he soon caught sight of the other. It was another man, thank god, and he appeared to be just about into the middle aged category. However, more than that, what truly caught the Kage's attention was the unique blade that rested behind the man. A blade that even in this intense foggy steam, Chinatsu could identify. "My my, I never expected to see one of the Seven Swordsmen unless on the field of battle. Much less in a hot spring in my own country," Chinatsu chuckled putting on a more childish facade.

Made by Tosuke of BTN

Chakra: 100%
Words: 884
Notes: 1526/5000

[Hayate Fuku]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true] i'm ready to ignite Don't want your absolution cause I can't make it right 1808 • --- | Chinatsu • Hiko | Notes• notes: short text color - C5DDE3 "speech color - D8B2FF" Sitting in the water allowed Fuku's mind to wander and so it was that he found himself irritated by the things of life despite in such a calm environment. He didn't want his mind to delve into the memories where his wife had died, and so while the small were being repressed. They were going to the thoughts of Iku who had sent him off on his way a week earlier. Fuku had mainly been seeing the sights, doing things that civilians did. That was a cool thing. It didn't help too much that he was being treated... well, abnormally. It wasn't normal to see a Swordsman of the mist in a monastery, or temples. Not without people watching him, most namely the monks. Fuku had been given massages, easing out the heavy stress in his back; followed by numerous things done to him over a period of a few days, with too many areas being stimulated it couldn't all be done at once. Aromatherapy, reflexology- acupuncture. Cleanses; something that Fuku would actually somewhat enjoy. Fuku's tempered rage hadn't broke out in a long while, but it was being eased by the steaming hot water of the hotspring. The cloth on his face had very much masked his face, but he still found himself being recognized by someone. Lifting off the cloth from his face, through the steam he couldn't see, rubbing his eyes to rid himself of the sweat and water- a figure had been masked by the steam. Fuku didn't quite know how he had been identified, but he was largely sure it was due to the big sword next to him; ever uniquely characterized as being a body on a hilt how Fuku had put once upon a time. Either way, the body before him made very careful comments, if not a little masqueraded. "Even in seasonal times, hostilities are put aside in lieu of personal improvement." Fuku responded coolly, his eyes trained onto the man, or at least, manly sounding woman. "At the very least, you made it seem as if you're the Earth Daimyo, or Tsuchikage. Well done for that." Fuku leaned back, made by akemi