The former Kirigakure resident sat quietly at the table, fingers wrapped about the cup of tea and milk. Never would have Asouka dreamed of living any other place, but here she was, no longer in the land she grew up in. It was slightly intimidating to say in the least. Her curiosity was much stronger, however; due to her fateful encounter with Shadow.
She knew her clan was all but gone, her mother long passed when Asouka was still a genin. But never would she have guessed that she'd meet with another clansmate from a different village. She almost felt as if it were her duty to follow the man she had just met.
Her blue-green eyes absently stared off into the distance as she drifted off in thought, thinking over the past few weeks of being with the dark haired Kaguya. He was still too difficult for her to get a read on him. She was going to figure out one thing from him, and she wouldn't take no for an answer.
How to capture and become the Jinchuriki for the Gobi.
Hibi stuck his head out from the scarf Asouka kept as a momento, slinking out the rest of the way to perch on his master's shoulder. The movement caused the woman to snap out of her daze, reaching up to scratch behind his ears.
"Let's hope we can get info on that Gobi.. and have help." The woman whispered to the creature, Hibi letting out a yawn in response and in turn making Asouka's lips turn into a smile.
After getting a treat and a few more loving scratches behind the ears, Hibi would slip back to his usual hiding place as Asouka took a sip of her tea.
Shadow sat across the oak table from Asouka his eyes scanning the contents of a book that lay open. They were in a dimly lit room, the only sources of light coming from the fireplace and the various candles. He sighed closing the book, looking to Asouka. He studied her for a while taking in her figure. "So you have the same bloodline as me?" Shadow paused and begun to write in the book quickly adding more to his question, "I thought the whole clan had been wiped out in The Land of Water?" He leaned on his left hand his eyes still looking down at the paper as he wrote. It may had been seen as rude to work while talking to a guest, but he had weeks of back work to attend to due to his hunt of the slug.
Outside the walls of the office two Anbu members stood guard at the door and more roamed outside of the building itself. The reason for the security boost was due to the newly acquired bijuu. This new one combined with the fire ape would make their village a target for the others in a fight for power.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
At the sound of his sigh, Asouka's gaze turned towards Shadow, the features of her face straight and unyielding. "Apparently we do share the same blood. Hell, even the kekkei genkai." Her fingers left the cup, moving to prop up her head as her elbows rested on the table. "My father persuaded my mother to stay behind to raise me. But what do you care to hear about my sob story?"
She turned her head in the direction of the fire, the dancing flames mesmerizing. "I thought the same. I thought I was the only one left. Why weren't you part of those that were slaughtered? Better yet," she raised a digit, azure eyes returning to Shadow's form, "why weren't you living in Mizu no Kuni?"
Her question was almost accusatory as her face finally hinted at emotion, brows furrowed together.
Shadow tapped the writing utensil against the book as he listened to her speak. He gave a quizzical look when she said her mother and herself stayed behind, but quickly it diminished as he guessed she meant at home and not to fight. When she turned to face him he'd respond after a short cough. "We moved. Simple as that. While it is customary to stay in the same area we wanted to expand out more into the world. That being said my parents didn't have the same views as the leader either."
Shadow shortly returned to his writing before closing the book and tossing it lightly on the pile in front of him. Taking a moment to look at her again he would notice small features in her appearance. Now that he was focusing on her more she only became more mesmerizing to look at. He'd shake off the moment of infatuation and wait for her retort. The Kaguya clan must have a natural ability to control their facial muscles as neither of the two showed anything but a blank expression as they talked though the subject was sad to say the least. Not even a frown was shown.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
Resting her chin back into the palm of her hand, Asouka watched the man before her scribble along in his book. She continued to watch his movements, mostly his hands as they were the only thing moving. Her eyes would then move to meet his, finally having his undivided attention.
The way he stared at her was almost embarrassing, causing her mask of utter boredom to crack with a perplexed look. "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
As she uttered the last syllable, slim, pale digits rose to her cheek, making sure there wasn't something marring her features.
He let a small smile creep on his face while shaking his head. "No, no you don't." As he locked eyes with her he'd trail down her neck and fixated onto her chest for a few moments before breaking away from her figure once more. Shadow set his eyes on the fire and talked as the flames reflected off of them. "Before I forget to ask...what happened to your family? Do you have any siblings or married?" He was asking with an intent voice. His parents had died years ago when helping the village acquire the fire ape and he was all that was left of his parent's lineage.
Outside the day was quickly turning to night while a waning crescent moon appeared over the mountain peaks. The air turned stale and cold as it encompassed the village within it's grasp. Shadow would take note of the change as the fire started to grow in size with the influx of cooler air.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
A shiver ran down her spine as Asouka felt Shadow's eyes on her, taking in her features like she was under a microscope. She could also feel a heat upon her cheeks, something unfamiliar to her. How dare this man get her all flustered and uncomfortable.
She was finally released from his gaze, causing her own to look down at her fingers, which had returned to being wrapped around her now cold cup of tea. "Father died when I was young, and mother lived long enough to see me become a genin."
She grew silent for a few seconds of thinking before answering his last inquiry, "my parents didn't want another monster to raise. As for a significant other, I put all my focus towards bettering myself as a kunoichi."
She then peeked a look at his profile, her cheeks growing warm with a blush once more, "why do you ask?"
Last Edit: Dec 18, 2014 20:16:08 GMT -8 by Deleted
The moment he noted the change he would stand up and walk over to the fireplace where he promptly got rid of any ashes so the fire would soon die down. "Just wanted to know more about you is all. Being the only other one like me..." Shadow trailed off then walked over to the door and paused. "We'll need to leave the office for the night. Stay in here too long and one can go crazy." A slight chuckle left his lips the door coming ajar as he pushed it. A rush of cold air entered into the room making the remaining fire waver in place.
The guards outside would peek from the corner of their eyes waiting for them to emerge from the room. They stood garbed in jonin outfits of the village each one standing straight. Shadow motioned for her with his hand outstretched. "We'll be staying at my place for the night." This was aimed at both Asouka and the guards standing.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
Rising from her seat, Asouka followed behind Shadow. She warily eyed the two assigned to be their guards, well, Shadow's guards. She never trusted people much, which wasn't surprising.
As the cold air passed over her frame, she felt a nostalgic tug at her heart. If she closed her eyes, she could almost pretend that she was back in her homeland; the cool, crisp and wet Mizu no Kuni. But it was now the past. Now, she was living with possibly the last man of her clan.
She didn't bother to break the silence that lingered between them; she didn't know what to say to begin with. She'd rather not make herself look like a fool. If prompted to, she would respond in turn. For now, she just let her feet scuff against the ground as she kicked a rock.
Shadow walked out past the guards and would give them a wave. He didn't like guards intuppupting his privacy and standing around his home 24/7. In a sudden swirl of dust the two would disappear from the area leaving Shadow and Asouka alone. He'd continue to walk until they came to a long bridge that curled up the mountain face to a house seemingly built into the side. While they walked Shadow would consistently gaze from Asouka to the road ahead and back it was a bit weird to him how quiet she kept, but supposed he'd be the same way.
The bridge was quite sturdy though from appearance alone one would be intimated from the height over the gap that separated the earth. He'd stop and look to her. "Are you okay with heights?" His hand would point to the obvious bridge in front of them. It was at this point that he noticed just how petite and short she was. Her figure 'clicked' something on in his head as he watched her.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
Shadow's voice brought Asouka back from her reverie once again, the imposing bridge causing her to hesitate in giving him an answer. Instead, she took a step closer to him, her fingers accidentally brushing against his. The contact of his skin made her almost jump out of her own, a deep blush coating her fair cheeks.
"I-I'll be fine! I'm not some squeamish little girl. I'm a Kaguya kunoichi after all." Her stammer of embarrassment would be evident to any, which only made the woman that much more embarrassed. So to combat her self-inflicted embarrassment, Asouka began to march forward with a rigid posture.
How dare he think I'm afraid of some stupid little height! I'll show him! the woman thought to herself, grumbling as well under her breath. To keep herself from letting her true fear of heights get to her, Asouka kept her gaze fixed to the ground directly beneath her feet. She was about halfway over the bridge, however, when her wandering eyes got the best of her.
The drop from the bridge was a long one, and it was one she didn't want to take. Her stomach flopped violently, her throat going dry as fear began to envelop her body. In reaction to her fear, her knees locked, making it nearly impossible for her to continue her forward motion. Oh how embarrassed she would be later if Shadow dared to tease her about it.
Last Edit: Dec 18, 2014 20:15:36 GMT -8 by Deleted
Shadow looked down as her skin made contact with his a slight unwanted twitch happened causing him to ball his fist. He could easily see the embarrassment upon her face and fought back a laugh as she marched forward. "Of course you are..." He muttered back to her his hand coming up to cover his mouth. He coughed trying to stop a chuckle from escaping.
He'd watch her cross the bridge a little way before he himself would start the cross. The bridge cross was like second nature to him. The only way to get around Iwagakure was to use the bridge systems unless one wanted to extreme parkour the jagged walls of earth. Not to say he didn't use that method.
He'd admittedly check her out as she faced the other way. Her hips especially caught his attention as he'd trail off into a daydream-like state. In this state he was unaware of the distance he covered in such a short amount of time. Unhindered usually by others he more or less completely forgot about the woman in front of him. He'd snap out of it as he walked into her causing him to trip and push into her.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
The Kaguya woman would have stayed where she was forever, frozen in fear, if her clansman hadn't ran right into her. Already on edge, a strangled screech of fright left her lips ans her arms pinwheeled to regain her balance, torso twisting mid fall to grab onto the nearest sturdy object. Which just so happened to be the man that brought her to this new land.
Her fingers clutched onto the fabric of Shadow's clothes with a deathgrip as adrenaline shot through her veins. Her blue-green eyes were like saucers as they focused on the cliff edge. She didn't care how close or far away from the edge she was, she just wanted to be off this damned bridge now.
Slowly, her brain began to make organized thougts, plotting ways to get off her 'precarious' perch and onto a more solid structure. After a few more seconds, the woman began to notice that she was starting to lose feeling in her digits due to how tightly she held onto Shadow.
She stared at her hands for another few moments before slowly raising her head up. A blush, much more brilliant than the previous, rose to her cheeks, even painting her ears a crimson hue. She was mortified, beyond words or actions to react.
Shadow blinked and looked as the girl started to fall. He began to say sorry, but was cut short as Asouka grabbed onto his shirt. A look of surprise glazed over his face as he saw hers painted with fear. With him just coming out of his previous state of mind his reaction time seemed to have been removed altogether, she would inevitably pull him to fall on her.
Even still he'd try to move to hold himself from crashing down on her to no anvil for fear of falling off the edge of the rather slim bridge. He'd meet her glowing blush filled face with his as their lips came to meet in the center. The rest of his body would follow suit as it landed on top of her. Both his arms on either side of her and legs in a straddle-like position.
Locking eyes with her Shadow's face flushed with a faint red hue. Shadow however awkward the situation was did not pull away. He'd test the waters first to see if she would break the connection. The bride swayed with the sudden unbalance of weight, but stayed strong to the center as much as it could.
That's why you see me walk around like nothing's bothering me even though half you people got a fucking problem with me. You hate it, but you know respect you've got to give me...
The impact with the ground knocked the wind out of the much smaller woman, eyes wide with shock as Shadow was pressed against her. She tired tk gasp for breath, but nothing came to relieve her lungs from the pain. Her hands, which were still clinging onto Shadow's clothes, uncurled and began to push him up, head turning to the left to break the accidental kiss as a gasp flooded her chest cavity with the taste of sweet air.
"I can't breathe! Get off me!" Of course her panicking over the whole situation didn't help things with the flow of air into her body, nor did the man nearly a foot taller than her practically sitting on her. She heaved at his chest with all her strength, hoping he would react and get off her quickly enough.