Shifting Sands [Open]

[Sukōchi Taemi]

Day-break. Despite the torrential gusts of wind that obscured, on occasion, the vibrant sun, dawn was readily approaching. The general hue of the horizon brightened and lightened - that was evidence enough that day was steadily advancing on the citizens of Sunagakure no Sato. The door of Taemi's humble abode creaked open as she pushed upon the wooden frame, muffled slightly by the faint howling of the wind. Luckily, the woman was adorned in appropriate clothing to protect her from the particles of sand caught within the wind. Cloth wrapped around most of her visage, she was content sand wouldn't swoop into her yawning maw.

Stretching on her doorstep, Taemi murmured, "Meh, way too early." Glancing around with her honey-amber irises, she wasn't surprised to find the sandy streets of Sunagakure barren. It was like the far stretches of the desert: desolate, akin to a wasteland. Rubbing the nape of her neck, she pivoted on her heel as she settled onto the street, feet shuffling along as she picked up sand. Suited up, her gear strapped in a pouch along her backside, the giant fan holstered upon her back, the female Jounin headed in the direction of the Shinobi HQ, reminding herself internally to first pick up tea on the way. "Today is going to be a long, long day..." She groaned and complained, feeling both tired and lazy. It was probably just one of those days.

For now, she sauntered along the path, not really expecting to encounter anyone along the way.

[Tatsuo]

It was the hum of the breeze that stirred Tatsuo from his stunned gaze, which stared out and along the immeasurable ocean of sand. His cranium shook left and right before he cleared his throat and fixed the hood of his cloak. With a grunt, he forced himself to stand up and sucked in a deep breath of air. Shivers rolled through the length of his person, for excitement had been present within his very bones. Another day he lived the life of a ninja, both promising and growing. Another night he made it through. He smiled to himself, nodded his head, and spun on the balls of his feet. It would seem the man had lingered here long enough, and work was always needed to be done. Shifting, the man dropped his hands to his sides and then headed in the direction Head Quarters; where all things important were!

The male's feet fell upon the dancing sand, and he took joy with each step--just as he did the day before, and the day before that--which brought a smile to his face. Tatsuo, as he walked, reached his hands into the air and stretched out his arms while his lips parted and he released a soft yawn. Pearly whites would reveal themselves at that moment. Just then, he paused and arched his right brow, questioning the objects he carried on his person. He shifted his head left and right; red eyes taking in the details of his person, and then shrugged his shoulders. Whatever it was he forgot, it did not matter at this moment! And then off he was again, destination clearly in sight.

[Sukōchi Taemi]

The wind didn't seem so violent today, or so Taemi thought. Maybe it had yet to pick up in ferocity, or perhaps it would be a mellow, but hot day, nonetheless. Although, if one wasn't accustomed to the weather conditions of the desert, then they were either weak or foreign to the village. That was obvious enough.

Advancing on the little cafe at the corner of one street, Taemi would first inspect if they were open - usually they were, considering it was daybreak. They've had more than a few customers at this time, given the circumstances of work or travel, more or less. She sighed in relief to find that the shop was in business this morning, swiftly entering so as if to halt any wind or sand that might infiltrate the crevice of the agape door. She'd shut it right behind her, some sand at the entrance among her feet. One of the owners, the motherly woman, asked if she'd like anything, to which she replied, "Just a quick mug of tea to go, please - thank you." The woman gave a soft smile and wandered off to the counter to boil a hot cup of tea. Taemi waited for a moment by the door, returning the smile only to remember that bandages and wraps shielded her maw from view. Silly.

It wasn't long before the cup was within her grasp, lid containing the heat and acting as a blockade for the sand. It was always yucky and gross to have sand in one's food and drink, anyway. Paying the woman a small fee, she'd venture back into the streets, light brighter than when she originally stepped out from her home's door. Surprisingly aware of her surroundings, she'd notice Tatsuo a little further down the street as she walked toward the HQ. She'd motion of wave toward him when she was close, but only when she could verbally announce her presence. "Yo, Tatsu." It was shorter by one letter, but perhaps it was a nickname she'd given him. Surely he'd recognize her voice. It wasn't like they were Genin teammates and friends or anything.

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo continued on his journey with his hands dangling at his sides and beneath the fabric of his cloak. His lips had pressed together at this point, and his eyes were always moving. For a moment, his feet stopped again and he looked down to watch the small critters move along the length of the sand. The corners of his lips curled into a soft smile and he knelt down so that his hand could pluck said critter from the confinement of the sand. Tatsuo picked up the creature and tilted his head back, moments before he raised it to his lips and opened his mouth. At the last moment, he said, in a light tone, "Just kidding," and then placed the creature back onto the ground. Laughing softly, he said something about the creature not being his type and that it should live the rest of its days happily. It was then a voice that rang in the distance, one he had been familiar with. Smiling brightly, Tatsuno raised his right hand and waved towards Taemi with a light smile. He then moved in her direction and said, "Hello!"

[Sukōchi Taemi]

The nearer she became, the more the distance between Tatsuo and Taemi lessened - and the clearer she could see of Tatsuo's predicament. Her face would look at him in disgust, as if wanting to face-palm as she watched the interaction. Sadly, with his jokes and personality, she often couldn't tell if he was being serious or not. She watched as the helpless critter fell into his grasp and evil clutches. Taemi dawned a winced expression and cringed as he jokingly brought the critter to his mouth - not to say that, maybe, if she were out and about in the desert without supplies, she wouldn't consider eating the critter. Perhaps it was just too early for his antics, but she rolled her eyes and asked, "What are you doing? Being a pest this early, already?" She was teasing, her tone sarcastic - but he knew her well enough to figure out she was just being playful. Taemi would await his response, honey-amber irises gazing at his visage with anticipation.

One never knew what Tatsuo was up to.

[Tatsuo]

He blinked and stared at the woman when she spoke to him. His brows suddenly furrowed and he folded his lips into a deep frown before he soon shifted them into a dark grin. The male said, "I am simply living life to the best of my ability." He shook his head and then shifted his footing against the sand. "You know, it wouldn't hurt you to smile, either." The man giggled and then suddenly broke into a sprint towards the woman. The edges of his cloak fluttered into the air and before one could realize what was happening, he was on her. His body soared through the air and arms spread eagle as he moved with an attempt to pick the woman up into his arms and hug her tightly while he spun himself into a wide circle. If he missed, he'd say, "Damnit." But if he managed to do so, he'd squeeze her tightly; it would not be enough to hurt, but he'd do so until she escaped his grasp or she smiled.

[Sukōchi Taemi]

Living life to the best of his ability? That was a strange way to put it. But, she shrugged, figuring it was probably best not to further question his motives. Instead, she'd give him a small scoff as he spoke. She didn't really need to smile... and maybe it did hurt! Still, he was the light-hearted and optimistic one out of their friendship - she was serious, practical and less playful. She did have her moments, but it was more sarcastic and dark in tone, not the good-nature Tatsuo typically has shown. Although her demeanor seemed calm and irritated, her honey-oculars widened as he broke into a sprint. "Oh, hell no..." She thought to herself, glancing swiftly to the tea in her clutches. She wasn't losing that cup over Tatsuo's antics. As he lunged, she'd attempt to side-step and evade his clutches. Frame would scoot over a few steps, lean away from his advance. Assuming she was successful, she'd look to him and mutter, "Not right now... Maybe later." It was also for his benefit. She didn't want to spill any of her hot tea on his frame. It'd hurt, probably.

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo  could only watch as the woman evaded his grasp with a side-step. His lips parted and he muttered, "Damnit," while his dark digits curled and grasped nothing but the air. He could feel it now, the need to try again; the need to pounce onto the woman and make her pay for dodging his attempt at a close encounter! His left foot shifted and he soon dug the heel of said foot into the sand beneath him. In the next second, his weight shifted and his body spun in the direction of his 'partner.' The dark brows of the male furrowed and he soon felt the the movement of his teeth against one another when his jaws clenched together. For a moment, Tatsuo would size the woman up, but still, he didn't seem to notice the tea, and if he did, he sure as hell didn't seem to care. Eventually, the right corner of his lip rose into an upward arch, and a smirk became present on the handsome features of his almost obscured visage.

Tatsuo then parted his lips and sighed softly, having decided to play it on the cool side. His right hand moved into the air; digits curled lightly--as if holding an invisible cup sideways--and he moved his hand in a back and forward motion to show that he was waving off the event. The male then tilted his head in the right direction and said, "You're no fun, you know that? If you keep in the direction you're going, you're never going to find someone to love." Of course, he had simply been teasing the woman, and hoped she knew; however, he knew he could be difficult to read at times with his ever-changing personality. Soon, Tatsuo's nostrils flared and he dropped his hand to his sides while his red eyes lifted enough to stare into the woman's face. "Where are you headed?"

[Sukōchi Taemi]

Shit, was he lunging for round two? He couldn't be seriously... could he? She sighed and shook her head when realizing he wouldn't, having been alarmed that he would attempted a second try - only to discover that he ceased his intentions. Oh, how he irritated her sometimes! His words, while a joke, kind of stung. "You're no fun, you know that? If you keep in the direction you're going, you're never going to find someone to love." How could he say something like that - teasing or not? Still, maybe it was just her mood in the morning that could have been fouler than usual. And yet, she couldn't be entirely angry at him... all the time. She didn't say much to that comment, seemingly shrugging it off. She'd get him back, somehow.

"Where are you headed?" A simple question enough. "HQ. Probably could pick up a mission today. Yourself, Tatsuo?" The wind dulled, making her able to sip her tea from the small opening of the lid. She'd waft the steam with a soft inhale through her nostrils, the scent and taste calming and soothing to both her soul and mood. Leaving the cup of tea close to her lips, she'd glance at Tatsuo, awaiting his response. Would he now notice the tea?

Probably not.

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo frowned when she brushed off his comment and grr'd softly to himself. The man then pulled his hands before his chest and huffed lightly to himself. After a moment or two, his devious--but oh so kind--mind began to formulate a plan. There was no way he'd let the woman escape today without getting her back for dodging him a few seconds ago. Tatsuo then snapped his hands waist-level and beneath his cloak. The palms of both hands turned to face his thighs, and then crushed against them as he suddenly leaned forward and bowed to the woman. With only his red eyes focused on her face, Tatsuo said, "I have an idea... let us make a bet..." He trailed off for a while, as if to allow thoughts to linger. With him, there was almost no telling what he was going to say next, or so he'd like to believe!

After a full minute of silence, Tatsuo snapped himself straight up, which caused the flaps of his cloak to open, and eventually giggled softly to himself. The man's eyes closed and he tilted his head in the right direction. "I'd like to challenge you to a battle... You know... a friendly one!" He soon raised his hands and clasped them together before he raised both of his brows in and 'arched' excitement. "If you accept, and I win, you have to smile more." Tatsuo curled his lips into a light smile, one that would eventually shift into a small, but kind grin. He enjoyed seeing her smile, though he found it rare indeed. "Do you accept?" He paused and said, "Well... if you want to know what's in it for you... as if what happens to me should I lose? That is all up to you."

[Hono Uzumaki]

The sands were easy to transverse silently; with the combination of a strong camouflage such as Meisaigakure no Jutsu, one could be a ghost. Minaru was happy with the nice little justu he acquired; occasions like this held the perfect scenario to use it. The man he stalked, Tatsuo, was hard to keep up with. This game of one-sided follow the leader was keeping the outcast very entertained for a change. In fact, he found it almost like training. Keeping his chakra balanced properly and continuously flowing to keep the technique up was hard work for some.

The Uchiha boy fled from his village and clan; fleeing the Land of Fire in attempts to hide his face. Months have past and Minaru has found many people scavenging off them for provisions. Happening to drop his sights on another traveler of the Sands, he did what he always did, stalked them. It was the same for him as having a get together with family and friends, he felt in place more here then he did before anywhere else. He loved catching prey and never feared the man catching him, it was an easy kill if anything went wrong; it's the exact same evertime. He thought to himself 'Not even from a major village or any clan I can tell.' Minaru managed to muffle his laughter in the winds screech, he had a moment of anxiety as he thought he would be found out. He knew that in order to remain in stealth, clearing his mind would be essential.  Typical arrogant Uchiha.

The Shame of the Uchiha was cast out from grace within his clan; and even though the village appreciate all he had done, the young Uchiha couldn't face his family. He felt regret, confusion, anger, and rage all mixed together and grew to hate his blood. He was furious that when he needed help, those around him let him fall.

He was going to surprise the man, think he had him figured out and could use the jump as his advantage. Before a muscle fiber could move, the man ran into a young woman and Minaru felt faint. His sight went blurry, this woman before him was... Joy? 'She.. is dead. This girl only looks like her, don't become attached.' and even though he told himself no, he was in full swoon. She was older, and more domineering, such a catch and what a gal.

He watched their engagement and attempted to control himself, not wanting to be heard or seen after he followed them both so far. Insult and challenges was more than what he could stand hearing, 'If he lays a single hand on Jo..' he shrugged off the thoughts and began taking action.Enraged, his Two Tomoe Sharingan was all you could see as his Camo dropped from his vantage point. The boy was cunning, he had forethought to keep himself concealed in the darkness regardless of his justu's ability and it came in handy. He remained for a moment simply as a disembodied voice. His crimson eyes flared up and spun as he spoke, "I will be your opponent today, harassing a beautiful lady is against my.." he cut himself off as he fell. His decent found him between the two, the young boy landed with a soft grace. His movements made little noise as he maneuvered. A black top with the Uchiha insignia on his back combo'd with a black pant that stretched to his ankles and cinched tight was all he needed. Minaru's face was wrapped in a soft white scarf to protect his skin from the sand paper gusts prone to this area. The boy wasn't fearful at all, albeit he felt as if the reaction was on impulse. He took his proper stance, showing he was wanting to fight and was waiting for Tatsuo to move. The Sanguine Doom that was his eyes focused in on him, the spinning refused to stop as he looked the man in the eye.

The lights in the room flickered and dropped as darkness filtered in. Minaru remained as he was, without motion.

[Sukōchi Taemi]

Her eyes indifferently trailed the motions of his hands, surveying his next step of action and scheme to scoop her into a hug. While his frame became semi-mobile, Taemi made no effort or didn't flinch, her reflexes trained and honed so that, in due time and if need be, she'd move without shock or surprise. Leisurely she sipped her tea, glancing down at Tatsuo as he bowed and said, "I have an idea... let us make a bet..."

Oh, what was he up to, now? She'd shake her head again, grunting as the two stood in silence for roughly a minute. He just loved to make things suspenseful, didn't he? "I'd like to challenge you to a battle... You know... a friendly one!" There was a slight pause, she was merely weighing the pros and cons of what he could be betting. "If you accept, and I win, you have to smile more." So, the previous statement had rolled back into play, huh? Did he really want her to smile, or did he think it was beneficial for the sake of her never winding up alone? "Interesting terms, Tatsu." She crossed one arm against her chest, sipping her beverage with the other hand. Would she accept? Her face meddled and lingered toward the answer 'no', but her words conveyed otherwise. "Sure, why not? Might enjoy putting you down more than some dangerous mission." Her tone hinted at her 'belligerent' side, finding the thought of a 'friendly' spar intriguing. Plus, she could create the terms if she won! Ooooh, the evil she could commit.

"Hm... interesting." She muttered, engulfing the remainder of her beverage. But, her calm and seemingly annoyed exterior would find the voice threatening, given the lack of notice or awareness that another had intruded their conversation. "I will be your opponent today, harassing a beautiful lady is against my.." Turning to face the newcomer, she'd glare in his direction, her eyes one of the few visible features of her visage, considering the wraps along her head and lower face. She couldn't decipher if she knew the male, but she presumed no. Who was he, and what did he want? The hostility wasn't welcomed, she couldn't help but be defensive. She might strike, all things considering... she just waited, for now.

[Tatsuo]

Tatsuo shifted his eyes away from the woman and towards the male that spoke to him. His head tilted to the right, but hid deep crimson orbs did not motion to make contact with the male. For the moment, Tatsuo's innocent eyes danced along the male's frame, even as he spoke out to him. All was well within the male's head. He stood tall and closed gave a wink with his left eye while his right hand lifted to his chest level. The same digits of said hand curled against the male's palm while his thumb extended towards the Heavens. "I respect the fact that you speak out so carelessly." Tatsuo's lips soon curled themselves into a bright smile and his head instantly cocked in the right direction. "But acting so rashly is...dangerous." He laughed softly and his smile only happened to grow bigger and brighter.

Tatsuo didn't seem to take notice of the male's stance, nor did he enter a stance himself. Instead, he said, "I don't think battling with me is wise.... I'm a conundrum. Or an enigma. I forget which, to be honest... in fact, I am simply babbling now!" He giggled softly and then sucked in a deep breath of air. For a moment, his gaze shifted in the direction of his dearest friend and he said, "Now you didn't tell me you were into those young." He grumbled, kind of insulted really, but he didn't know the reason as to this anger that washed over him. Regardless of whatever it had been, the anger washed away and became drowned out by the joy of life once more. Finally, Tatsuo dropped his hands to his sides and said, "Fighting doesn't solve everything, ya know... And we can often settle things by hugging or singing some fine tunes." 

[Hono Uzumaki]

Minaru narrowed his brow, "I will not allow you to lay a finger on this one. Was it not you attempting to be violent? Is it not the violent acts I am willing to make the same as the ones you claim to be friendly?" Minaru was misguided.

[Sukōchi Taemi]

This situation was peculiar. What the hell was going on? Did this figure know Tatsuo? She cocked her head to the side in confusion, brow raised as her gaze flipped back and forth between her dear friend and the stranger. She took a step back, the tension rising and she didn't want to be a part of whatever this altercation was. But, a scowl and snarl still escaped her lips as Tatsuo muttered, "Now you didn't tell me you were into those young." What the fuck? "What the-? I don't even know who he is..." Her tone was defensive, as if trying to push the stranger out of this situation. Then her head turned to face Minaru, who stated, "I will not allow you to lay a finger on this one. Was it not you attempting to be violent? Is it not the violent acts I am willing to make the same as the ones you claim to be friendly?" Back and forth her head turned, and the disgust and confusion was evident.

"Well, erm... It's all a friendly spar... He meant nothing really by that." The aloof nature might as well be shown, but this man had observed their conversation enough to know Tatsuo was proposing a spar? She rubbed the nape of her neck, baffled by where this man came from. Had he taken an interest in her, or was it generally how he protected woman? Even still, she was a woman who hardly needed protection.