strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 21, 2009 21:43:44 GMT -5
Ichiyuumaihi. HELP someone? Be KIND to someone? Oi! Just what're you tryin' to imply??Utsuro stopped dead in his tracks, and near miraculously looked up directly at her in disbelief. He wasn't being chased by a mob out of town, or being exiled by village elder. Someone wanted to THANK Ichi-sama. It took him a good minute or two to even wrap his head around the concept, before resuming his slow shuffle. "He......says...it was no..big deal..." Utsuro relayed quietly, eyes falling to the path below him again. "You have......guts...he respects that.."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 21, 2009 22:08:17 GMT -5
Now it was Ayaka's turn to stare. He said that? Well, he had called her 'Gutsy-chan' several times, but she had just thought he was making fun of her. Maybe he was still just playing with her, but somehow she didn't think so. Someone.... respects me...The thought seemed way too surreal for Ayaka to handle; she just couldn't wrap her head around it. Sure, he seemed to think she was pretty weak - or at least he had at first, and besides, he was right - but he respected a part of her. That was more than she had ever known. And she had guts, he said. Did that mean she could be courageous when it came to other things, too? Seemed like she had a lot to think about... Takeo stopped when Tsutomegi and the Ayaka girl did, and returned to leading the way through Konoha, pretending to be focusing on the path ahead but listening intently to what was going on. He felt bad prying into Tsutomegi's affairs, but he needed those clues if he was going to figure out what was going on here. Hopefully they would be able to talk about what had happened and he could get his information in more honest ways. True, he was a ninja, and had no problems prying like this when it came to missions, but to do so from his friends just felt wrong. He didn't like it. And so he finally scouted out a promising location: a medium-smallish cafe with a simple decor and a HELP WANTED sign displayed in the large front window. This looked like a good enough place, and it seemed pretty quiet inside. "C'mon," he told his two companions as he led the way towards it and held the door open for them. "Let's go have a little chat."
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 21, 2009 22:19:33 GMT -5
As he observed her reaction, he wondered if he had said something wrong. Had it not been enough? Too much? Did she dislike the use of the term 'guts'? Thankfully the train of internal questioning was halted as Takeo lead them to a small cafe. What were they doing here? He just wanted to go back to the tent and sleep.. " Let's go have a little chat." Takeo stated, holding open the door. Talking. Totally yer strong point, hehe. Want me toNo..Waiting for Ayaka to enter, he followed behind quietly.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 21, 2009 22:32:30 GMT -5
"Alll right!" Takeo sighed, slipping into a randomly chosen booth after a friendly-looking older man directed the trio to sit anywhere they wanted. "It's kinda hard to talk in a medical tent, or randomly wandering the streets. Because let's be honest. We really need to..." He trailed off, blinking at the red-haired girl. He had noticed her grinning a little as they entered the restaurant, but she looked really happy about something. "Eh? What's that nice smile for, Ayaka-chan?" Ayaka-chan again? Just what was it with people calling her that lately? "It's... nothing..." she replied, slipping into the booth opposite 'Hero Boy' and leaning over the table a little, causing her hair to slip forward and hide her face better. "Ehh? What's that?" came the voice as the boy reached across the table to part the red-orange curtain and peer into her face. "C'mon, tell us!"Ayaka immediately shot backwards, pressing herself as far back into the booth as she would go, staring at the strange boy with wide eyes. No one had ever...But he seemed like the type who wasn't going to give up. And Tsutomegi had looked bothered by her reaction to his words, so maybe saying something was a good idea. "It's just..." she began hesitantly, beginning to relax a little, "No one's ever called me brave before..." ".... well!" the boy's voice came at last, after staring blankly at her for just a moment. "Now they have, right? Right, Tsutomegi?"
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 21, 2009 22:43:42 GMT -5
Utsuro just nodded in response, sinking as deeply into the corner of the booth as was halfway comfortable. Questions would no doubt be coming soon. He did look slightly astounded by both Takeo's behavior and Ayaka's reaction to having him touch her hair, though. Clearly it was something she was finicky about. Then again, with a head of hair like that...Utsuro supposed he'd be finicky too.
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 21, 2009 23:03:12 GMT -5
Takeo cleared his throat. He'd wanted Tsutomegi to notice that smile and at least look a little less bothered about his exchange with Ayaka-chan, but apparently that wasn't going to happen. Best be getting on with things so these two could get some rest. "Right. Well." Takeo sighed. Just how to open a conversation like this? Maybe it'd be best to just get the question out then and there so they could all go home. "Tsutomegi... just what on earth happened?"
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 22, 2009 0:10:32 GMT -5
Straight to the point, then. He supposed it was for the best. Takeo no doubt would be missed soon at home, and surely Ayaka would like to rest after a very...interesting..day. Sighing, his uncertain gaze flickered about the room. There was barely anyone besides themselves, and his normal speaking tone was hard enough to hear even for those adjacent to him. He could not tell them everything, but he had to tell them something. They deserved at least that much from the ordeal. " Ichiyuumaihi.....he is..." Utsuro began uncertainly, trying to decide just how to word things. "...a...spirit....of fire......bound to me....He is....supposed to increase....my own strength....but... "Because...of my lack of training.....I cannot control him.." A dejected tone overwhelmed his voice as he continued. "When....I am weak.....in condition or in mind......or when I...should fall unconcious...He takes over...does as he wishes.."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 22, 2009 22:55:14 GMT -5
.... that was fast. Somehow, Takeo hadn't expected Tsutomegi to just spill it that simply. Still, something didn't quite add up. Tsutomegi claimed that this "Ichiyuumaihi" was a spirit of fire, but in Takeo's experience - not to mention the little he understood of what the Sharingan showed him, which admittedly wasn't very much at all to begin with - he seemed to be more of a split personality. But he seemed to be able to talk to this strange character (or claimed to, though he was a pretty good actor if he was lying), and he had no idea if that was normal or not. He'd have to get a look at the normal Tsutomegi with the Sharingan. Maybe that would give him some clues. Could this be some sort of jutsu, perhaps? But that almost seemed too far-fetched to even consider. Who would use a jutsu to swap personalities? Especially when it caused incidents like this... "He did seem like he wanted to just run around and go crazy," Ayaka-chan put in, sounding decidedly thoughtful. Considering how taciturn she'd been for almost everything else in the short time he'd known her, Takeo found that rather odd. Even her expression - what he could see of it - had changed. Odd indeed. She didn't even seem to be aware of what she was doing. "Like a kid that's been inside too long," she continued. "And likes breaking things." Just what was with her all of a sudden? It was like this was the most normal thing in the world to her! Takeo concluded that she must be in shock from the experience. "So... is he the reason you've been bumped from village to village?" Takeo asked, curious. There was nothing accusatory in his tone; he could use this to help his new friends - and his village - after all.
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 22, 2009 23:59:05 GMT -5
THAT WAS ONEtwo..TWO TIMES!!Utsuro winced, a hand flying to his forehead. "N-n-no...not...really...there were...two occasions only.." He explained quietly, trying to pacify the throbbing in his head caused by his outraged spirit. "Other times....I was...sent on my way for being...unable to pay rents......for abysmal performance in their academies...and so on..and..." He paused again, rubbing a temple. "Ichiyuumaihi-sama does not....... 'run around and go crazy'. He..insists a proper...rampage..is necessary to show his strength..that we might be seen as more valuable.."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 23, 2009 0:14:48 GMT -5
Takeo raised an eyebrow at that information. A proper rampage was necessary to show his strength? Just what kind of character was this? He shot an inquisitive glance at Ayaka-chan, who just shrugged. Seemed like her thoughtful, talkative mood was over for now. "Well," Takeo sighed, "showing your strength is all well and good," he explained patiently, "but someone needs to tell Ichi-chan that rampaging isn't the best way to impress people around here, especially right after a war. I already told him if he wants to fight someone he can spar with me, but if either of you make too much trouble, it'll be bad for all of us. You'd honestly be better served by being helpful, since we in Konoha like to look out for each other." "Like when he helped me earlier," Ayaka-chan put in. Seemed like she was lapsing in and out of that strange mood. Maybe she was still feeling ill from Shunshin and falling from the sky... "Exactly," Takeo said with a nod. "If he wants to be seen as strong and valuable, it'd be better to help people who are in trouble than to rampage." "And smash things.""And smash things," Takeo agreed. Was it just him or was Ayaka-chan pretty fixated on that for some reason? "In my clan, we're taught that a fire is at its best when it's carefully tended rather than just allowed to run wild. You and Ichi-chan together will be a lot more effective if you can focus that power to do something good rather than just letting him 'rampage,' as you put it. Otherwise, it's like a fire in a pile of dry grass: brilliant, but it's gone before you know it."
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 23, 2009 0:48:42 GMT -5
Ahhhh, dry grass...fun stuff..hehe.."It...sounds wonderful..but...as I said...I cannot control him.." Utsuro replied quietly, becoming rather fascinated by the grain of the table. "I have...tried to help.....in the past....others, that is....but I always fail." "I...cannot say...I am surprised..." He continued, mumbling softly as he traced a finger through some spilled salt on the tabletop. "I could not....even save..." His voice trailed off, eyes just watching the grains as they fell from his fingertip. "I am weak.....and I have bad luck....There is not much I can do..."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 23, 2009 21:58:35 GMT -5
"Hey, hey!" Takeo reminded his friend before he was politely interrupted by a friendly older woman bearing menus. "Ah, thanks!" he told her with a grin as he accepted them before going straight back to what he was saying. "Hey!" he repeated, this time gesturing with his menu for emphasis. "Didn't we already talk about that? You. Were. A. Kid." He lightly tapped the menu on the tabletop as though to punctuate his words. "Besides, I didn't tell you that stuff because I think you've been doing this on purpose. I told it to you because I wanted to remind you what to think about if you plan on staying here. That's what friends do. They help each other grow. And that's why I'll tell you this: if you keep telling yourself you can't do anything, then you've already given up, so what's the point? I'm willing to bet you can do something, if you take the time to find out what. Even Ichi-chan stopped rampaging to help Ayaka-chan here get to the medics faster, even though you say he just does what he wants most of the time. If he can find something good to do, then you can too."
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 23, 2009 22:30:12 GMT -5
Takeo had a point, he supposed, even if the table-tapping did make him flinch slightly at first. He quietly accepted the menu and offered a small thanks to the elderly woman, just holding onto it. There had to be some other motive for Ichi-sama's assistance earlier, he had never been the helpful sort. Friends...help each other grow. What could he possibly do for Takeo-sama, other than provide a source of frustration? "I...try to do....good things....I just...fail to do so. I..do not stop trying....I just...do not expect to succeed."
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Sept 23, 2009 22:53:34 GMT -5
Just what was Tsutomegi saying? That it didn't matter what you did, that it wouldn't work? Ayaka had only just now learned that she might be capable of something, so for someone to just think it impossible was both familiar and totally alien to her at the same time. "That may be," she said softly, looking down at the piece of fence she still held in her lap, "but I think I learned today... if you can at least try, shouldn't you? It feels good... making that choice. And then maybe even someone like me..."
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strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
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Post by strangevisitor on Sept 23, 2009 23:30:28 GMT -5
Utsuro just nodded. He was outnumbered, and did not really feel like arguing to begin with. He could see where they were coming from, but if there was one thing he could be considered an expert at, it was himself. He knew his own luck, how things went for him. It was better not to get his hopes up. Maybe if things actually went differently here, he could believe in what they were saying. But until that strange and remote possibility occurred, he would remain firm in his own opinion. "I..see.."
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