strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 10, 2010 20:37:59 GMT -5
"And it is definitely a far cry from lashing tree boughs together for shelter, or trying to find the only cave in the Fire Country that is not already occupied by a bear..I had never left my village before...beginning my journey... either.." Utsuro commiserated, stretching slightly. "So...I could do worse than this tent, for certain."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 10, 2010 20:44:41 GMT -5
Ayaka blinked. "Bears!?" she gasped, her eyes going wide. "But.... I didn't see any bears when I was in the cave. Maybe they were asleep...? But why would the ninjas bring me to a cave with bears in it? Or maybe it was the same as yours..." She tapped a finger on her cheek, deep in thought. This was a troubling discovery.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 10, 2010 20:54:53 GMT -5
"Oh, n-no...I was not suggesting they took you to a cave with bears in it!" Utsuro quickly tried to explain, waving his hands in a rather animated fashion, especially for him. "It's just...a misfortune brought about by my own special blend of bad luck...repeatedly.." He finished explaining, averting his eyes to the side. There were probably still scars from the latest run in, actualy.
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 10, 2010 23:41:20 GMT -5
"Bad luck... right..." Ayaka breathed deeply in relief; it was good to know she didn't have to worry about bears. But Tsutomegi's remark about bad luck brought another thought to mind. "Is he keeping you out of trouble?" she asked curiously. "The maneki-neko, I mean. You haven't run into any bears or anything?"
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 11, 2010 21:46:07 GMT -5
A dry, raspy rustle escaped Tsutomegi's throat, a sound that might have passed for a chuckle, but instead gave the impression its producer could not quite remember how to laugh. "No.." A hand shifted to rest over the pocket where the charm was kept, fingers curling protectively. "My life has been....markedly bear-free, thank you. Maneki-san seems to be trying his hardest, but his work is definitely cut out for him."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 11, 2010 21:51:17 GMT -5
Ayaka shrugged. "I guessed that from what you said that night," she explained simply. "That's why I picked the luckiest one for you." That much was the plain truth; she couldn't quite understand just how one person could have so much bad luck. "Maybe I should carry one for myself," she continued with a wry grin. "It might keep me from falling out of trees..."
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 11, 2010 22:06:51 GMT -5
"That's not a bad idea." Utsuro replied with a faint smile. "Better yet, it might keep you from falling asleep in them in the first place." "Although.." After a moment's pause, a thought struck him. "The view is generally very nice... so I can see why you might climb them in the first place.."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 11, 2010 22:40:03 GMT -5
Ayaka nodded. "Back home, I didn't have anyone to spend time with. My mom was the only one... but then..." She trailed off, shook her head, and continued. "Anyways, I was always good at climbing and balancing and stuff, so when I didn't have work to do, I would go out walking in the countryside by the village. And for some reason, I always ended up climbing trees. I've always liked being up high. I'm not really sure why."
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 11, 2010 23:03:40 GMT -5
"Mm...well.." He definitely could not bring himself to press there. Even if he had not already known what she meant, he knew the sound of that particular silence all too well. "It is...easier I think...to distance yourself mentally from your troubles.." He tried to explain, gesturing hesitantly. "When you are...not on the same 'level' as them? It is hard to worry about falling if you are on the ground...and...it is hard to worry what about what is on the ground when you are not....I think that is why so many people dream of flying.."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 11, 2010 23:07:33 GMT -5
"I guess," Ayaka agreed, though she didn't sound too convinced. "I'd like to dream about flying." The images from the nightmare she'd had this morning flashed through her head again, and she shivered, trying to banish the thoughts from her mind. "Seems like all I dream about is falling," she muttered, nudging her backpack with a foot in the spot where she'd landed on it.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 11, 2010 23:20:48 GMT -5
He could sympathize, in a sense, having never dreamed of flying either. In fact, Utsuro could not even be sure it sounded like an appealing dream to have. "I am sorry to hear that...I wish there was something I could do to help, but I've no sway over dreams, not even my own.."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 11, 2010 23:26:14 GMT -5
Ayaka shrugged. "Didn't really expect you to," she said simply. "That's not the kind of thing you just ask someone. 'Hey, could you fix this bad dream I've been having?' It's weird."
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 12, 2010 0:09:45 GMT -5
"Yes..that's true.." Pushing up from the cot, Utsuro began to fiddle with the ties about his belongings, reaching inside. His hands recoiled from a few items as he rummaged through. "Here.." He said softly, withdrawing an oval shape, veiled by its dingy cloth wrapping. "You said...a couple of days ago...that you found the village scary.....and...evil spirits have been known to cause bad dreams...so...maybe this will help you on both accounts." The folds of fabric were peeled back, revealing the gleaming crimson lacquer of a mask. It portrayed the frightening visage of an angry Oni, with deep black eyes, snarling white teeth, and a pair of horns rising from its forehead. "To scare away the evil spirits...and to show the village an intimidating face...even if it's not your own.."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Jan 13, 2010 20:43:54 GMT -5
Ayaka stared down at the Oni mask, accepting it from Tsutomegi with reverent hands. She supposed some people might be scared of its intimidating appearance, but Tsutomegi had said it would help protect her from the nightmares. If it was supposed to protect her, then she herself didn't need to be scared of it, right? She actually found herself smiling at the snarling face in her hands, before directing her gaze back to her friend. "Thank you, Tsutomegi," she half-whispered with obvious sincerity. "You... don't know how much this means to me."
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Jan 13, 2010 21:12:15 GMT -5
"You are most welcome, Ayaka-san.." Reaching into his pocket, Utsuro pulled the maneki-neko out gently, cupping it protectively in his palms. "And...I think...I can imagine." He offered with a soft smile.
|
|