[Deleted]

Yoko went about her afternoon routine with an especially high spring in her step. Dusting, cleaning, fluffing pillows, cleaning rugs, scrubbing surfaces, mopping floors... There was much to do to keep her home looking perfect at any given hour of the day, but it was all part of the control on her life--and therefore totally worth it. She'd been happier lately and was enjoying more energy despite her poor diet. It was getting easier to eat, though. She'd become obsessive with her diet and her looks the past month or two, but it'd gotten better. She wasn't used to hosting a perpetual flock of butterflies either, but such was the case.

The pinkette had finally finished her cleaning and ascended the stairs to shower. Twenty minutes later--with an immaculate house that smelled of jasmine and faint vanilla--she sat sprawled comfortably on the sofa, holding one of her many romance books up above her, reading and swinging her feet. Yoko enjoyed her medical texts but her romance and mystery novels were definitely a treat of sorts. A reward for having finished things up early and given herself the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend on herself--which she very much intended to do.

Laying in a thin pink slip with her hair still slightly damp from her shower, she was completely in her element. A clean house, a good mood, and a greater book. The woman thought to get wine--the romance novels she purchased often paired so well with a decent glass of wine--but she would wait. She was nearly finished with Chapter 17, and she needed (needed) to know how it ended before she put the book down. Outside of her toxin work in the lab, there was really no better way to spend a Friday afternoon.

---

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[Deleted]

Satori Akira

"Get. THE. fuck. off." The man spoke in individual components as he slapped at Asako's hand. She playfully whimpered away, "but it's soo couuuuuttee." Akira's face was almost in a constant state of frowning. "Yeah yeah." Akira was gazing anywhere other than at them but noticed Kyoko snigger.

"Yeah, and I don't want nothing out of you, either." Akira pointed at Kyoko, staring. The woman found her way over to him, tying his bow, cooing about how mature he looked. "But you look so good!" Asako tried helping. Akira grunted but otherwise turned his head away as they pulled on his clothes.

Akira shook his head. He'd brought over flowers for his family, and a few small personal things for each of them for the incoming valentines day. Call it his way of being more involved with his family. He was going to surprise someone at their home today. For the truth of it, time had passed and Akira was trying to keep himself busy. That, and he needed to keep tabs on a certain Kunoichi.

But it was getting closer to the mid afternoon, and he had still yet to actually go anywhere.

He was pleasantly surprised that she hadn't turned him in for a vile crime - but Akira kept that card close to his chest, and wanted to keep her close in order to monitor her. At the same time, she was nice to be around - feminine, beautiful. So when his sisters had got wind of that, by method of torture (talking) to him, they had instantly dropped all their things to sharpen him up. He'd spent the last hour and a half being primed like a rose. He rubbed at his eyes, eyebrows still stinging. "I think I found my new worst pain." it was a stupid pain. Akira could take pain. But so close to his eyes? Each little stab? No. No no no; unnecessary. Goodbye. He'd take a Kunai to the chest any day.

But he was dressed up well. Thankfully, despite having moved out an age ago he had a bedroom to come back to: and suits still. The one he was wearing was a little tight given his growth in height and size, and muscularity: but it fit well enough. A light blue piece, with a patterned waistcoat and dark tie - perfect to run against his bright orange hair, and didn't drown out his skin colour.

"I gotta go. Bye." He kissed Asako on the forehead and nodded to Kyoko. Hachibana, as per - was busy. Parents at work, so it was the three of them as he got ready; and was just about to leave. Ever since Kyoko had told herself that she was a Shinobi, it had gotten slightly better inside the house. He was still sour at the woman, but it was beyond the point of no return for her now - so it was better to prepare her than to let her rot.

---

On his way over he certainly wasn't the only dressed up; it was like an age old occasion that people didn't forget about - plenty more people with flowers. Akira would need to pick up another lot: so he stopped by the same one that he'd done on his way over to his parents. Surprised. "Got them all on lockdown, hah?" The shopkeeper joked with Akira, a light laugh to his tight and small frame. He was a small, old man - and actually very sweet. "Tatsuo, get out of here. Get me a bouquet of yellow chrysanthemum, with Dianthus Caryophyllus dotted around it, and a single Begonia in the middle." It very much paid off by having an entire family in the herbalism industry: save for one, who had now gone into the family of being a Shinobi. It meant that his own knowledge of flowers - was actually pretty good. "You got it." It also meant that he had a few little connections like Tatsuo himself.

Arriving to Yoko's apartment was actually somewhat of a more nervous thing than he'd realised - flowers in one hand, bottle of wine in the other. It'd taken him longer than he realised by effort of remembering that she'd said she'd tried a lot of wines within Tsuchi no Kuni: and yet, he persevered to get something that wasn't ordinarily found inside it. So an international wine; as expected, more than he'd ever wanted to pay for a bottle of wine.

He'd never done this properly. Then, even with some shame as he realised he'd not even done this with Keiko, or Arashi, or anybody else for that matter. So he was now brooding, realising how little of a romantic he'd been, for someone who read enough of them - even stood outside the woman's door, he sighed.

Fool.

'Do I look sharp?' Akira asked inside. Much to his surprise, he got a single 'Yes.' from Kokuo, which did absolutely boost his confidence.

He knocked.

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

?

[Deleted]

Yoko had just finished the chapter she'd been working through--and was left again on the edge of her seat because the author just loved cliffhangers--when there was a knock at the door. She hadn't been expecting anyone today. Maybe a delivery?

With a light sway in her hips the pinkette went to the door, bare feet padding softly against the polished hardwood of the entrance hall of the house. The outside of the building was chic white pine--a two-story, newer build that she'd snatched up for quite a pretty coin. It looked like a few others in her neighborhood, except the large flower garden outside instantly highlighted it at hers.

The slip she was wearing was immodest at best, but she'd just been lounging at home, and if this was the postman delivering some missive again, well, he'd already seen half of her snug-fitting collection so what was another peek? She'd stopped caring.

The woman swung open the door and--oh.

Oh wow.

"H-Hello," she stammered. Akira had brought flowers, and wine, and he looked nothing short of stunning. Butterflies again.

He greeted her and tacked on a "Happy Valentine's Day," and the pinkette just about melted on her own doorstep. A hand shot up to her mouth, a broad smile in place.

"Oh my gooooooood this is the sweetest thing EVER--"

"Thank you," she said, reeling herself in, and stepping backward to let him walk inside. "Please, come in." She couldn't stop smiling. Her heart was racing and she was so excited.

And suddenly remembering what she was wearing. Her at-home clothing choices were more suited to her bedroom than hosting guests...but it was Akira, so maybe it wasn't such a big deal. Except she would have to change eventually, or all he'd do is ogle her whenever she turned her back.

A set of shoes at the entrance would imply he leave his own there, as well. The entrance hall was more traditional, comprised of polished hardwood flooring, minimal decor, and a large mirror down the way. The hall on the left opened up into the kitchen--a room of modern design, everything in its place, clean, and functional. A single flower pot sat on the table--an orchid, which had been a gift from a coworker.

Further down the hall was the living room, and like the rest of the house it looked like something out of a magazine or catalog. Everything perfect, modern furniture, lush fabrics, beautiful accents of white, gray, black, and pink. A bathroom sat at the end of the hall, and there were stairs leading to the second story, though he'd not see that portion yet. Floral accents dotted the entire house. There were a few personal pictures in the woman's living room, but otherwise? The house was gorgeous and "proper" as if she constantly kept it in a state to be shown to the public--or buyers.

In reality, the home was just an extension of the absurd level of control Yoko kept on her life. Her diet, and her clothes, and her home--all strictly maintained.

Yoko would gesture that he follow into the kitchen, a short walk from the front door. "I'll put those in some water," she said, reaching out to accept the bouquet from him. Chrysanthemums, carnations, and a centerpiece begonia--it was so beautiful.

The pinkette took to smelling the flowers near her sink, finding the scent just as appealing as the arrangement itself. "These are so lovely," she said warmly, still smiling, as she put them in a vase. It would be set on the table, highlighted by a few rays of sunshine coming in through the window.

"And you look...amazing," she said, leaning against the counter. "I'm sorry for this," she said, gesturing down to her lack of clothing. "I wasn't expecting anyone." She laughed, a little awkward.

But there was no better person who could've shown up at her door. And for Valentine's, too!

She could hardly believe it. Was she dreaming? This was definitely a dream. It had to be.

---

@akira ❤ HEX: #d85266 ❤ No notes!

[Deleted]

Satori Akira

Akira waited quietly, to see if there would be an answer. Not that he knew if she would actually be in, but for a woman like Yoko, a day like today would depress her.

"Happy Valentines day." From the way she was dressed, she hadn't expected Akira to turn up at her home on the Friday. He smiled at her reaction: his eyes turning up as well. His head tilting at what she was wearing. "Avoiding today, are we?"

He slipped his shoes off: it was easy enough given the brogues, they were good looking, but they were older than he'd care to admit: and had grown comfortable in the events that he'd needed to wear them. Then into the hallway. He wasn't surprised for the colour: it was a nice enough house, and a pristine made up garden. She seemed happy that he was here: that was nice. He kept the flowers by his chest, but his other arm went by his side, holding the bottle laxly in his hand.

She offered to take the flowers, and he wouldn't let go of them immediately, only if to emphasise the moment. "There was me thinking you'd take the wine first." Akira chuckled. And he would step behind her as he went into the kitchen. "This is nice," Akira looked around - her style was about what he had expected it to be, and would lean back against one of the counters. Nodding in appreciation to her smelling them. "Perks of a family in the business."

But she complimented him, and he would sort of sway - standing up and rotating his body as he sauntered toward her, hands lightly touching against her midrift - he was.. so much taller than her - and kissed her. "That's fine. You look dashing,"

He rose up his other free arm toward her: between the close space between their bodies. "This was difficult to find. A Kaminari no Kuni sweet wine. Spicy, with a cinnamon aroma, yet refreshing notes of honey...and a spiced finish." Akira would read the back of the label tentatively. "You said you'd tried most of the wine in Tsuchi no Kuni, so I did a bit of digging and found a shop." He would place it down on the table.

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

?

[Deleted]

Had she been avoiding today? In a way. Yoko had no plans to go out, and with her entire day having been planned for home, it was avoidance, she supposed. No shopping trips, no meals out in the village, no walks, nothing. Just herself and her books.

"A bit," she admitted, giving him a look as he walked in. Typically a holiday like this was something that brought her down, but she'd been trying not to think about it--hence burying herself in her romance novels.

She quirked a brow at his comment as she took the flowers. He thought she'd have taken the wine first? Yoko smirked and shook her head. It hadn't been too farfetched, really. She loved wine, and he knew that.

A casual "Thanks," was given to his remark on her home--or what little of it he'd seen so far. He hadn't been here before, she realized suddenly, so everything would be new to him. There was a small wave of relief when she remembered she'd cleaned earlier. Not that her house was ever dirty, but as things were right now, everything looked as good as it was going to get. Perfect, really, that he'd see it in its most prime state. First impressions, and all.

Those butterflies stirred again when he approached her, only to lean down for a kiss. Yoko smiled as he pulled away. Dashing was she? In something so simple? "Thank you~" she chirped happily, her attention going to the wine he'd brought. A variety from Kaminari no Kuni? And he'd even remembered what she'd said before about what she'd already tried. It was such a small detail, but he'd really given the choice some thought. She was touched.

"Spiced cinnamon and honey?" she said, intrigued. "Maybe I should've taken the bottle first." A small laugh. She was, then, rather obvious in the way she admired him, what he was wearing, his figure. So nicely dressed and standing in her kitchen, he'd very much become the highlight of her day, and the woman was practically radiating attraction.

But! She couldn't stay garbed in something so risque if he was going to stay. A change of attire was necessary. "The living room is this way," she said, stepping away from the counter and moving down the hall, gesturing for him to follow. The room was larger, held two sofas, a loveseat, two larger chairs, a coffee table at the center, matching end tables in dark oak, a few lamps, and a smaller table across the room--for tea. Even the throw pillows upon the main sofa were matched to the gray and white colors of the rest of the room.

The pinkette gestured to the room. "If you don't mind waiting just a minute, I'm going to go change?" And then she dashed up the stairs to her room.

Yoko had left her book out on the sofa, however. Any quick glance to the back cover would show it was a romance, with a little snippet of text detailing that it followed the escapades of a female executive whose newly hired department head was everything she wanted yet wasn't supposed to have. An overdone formula for a romance novel, though the reviews had been fabulous. The bookshelf on the far wall contained half a dozen books by the same author.

After a few minutes, Yoko would return fully clothed. She'd tried to pick something colorful but with a primary hue that matched what Akira had shown up in. Had she debated on it for much too long? Yes. But it was quite pretty as a standalone outfit and she was hopeful that the kimono (x) would be to his liking. It was conservative but formal enough that it would match his attire. A blue, flower-shaped barrette would pin some of her hair up, leaving delicate strands of pink to frame her face. She'd done her makeup as well, the usual black and gray, but with a small amount of blue shimmer, as well. And she'd put herself together in record time, too. Maybe seven minutes?

"I feel much more dashing in this than the slip," she joked. "I thought the blue would match with you." She glanced over him again. Close enough.

"Are we going somewhere?" she asked with a smile, her voice hopeful. "It's been a while since I've gone out for Valentine's..." She felt her face burn. It was embarrassing to admit, but...she was also so incredibly thrilled that he'd shown up. And her inner romantic was already feeding her all kinds of thoughts on where the day would be going. Would they go to dinner? Get drinks? Would they be coming back to her house afterward to split the wine? And then...other things?

Oh, she could hardly wait. She was practically buzzing with energy. She hadn't been this excited or happy in years.

---

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[Deleted]

Satori Akira

"Ok~" His voice was melodic for once. Sweet. He let her lead into her home, briefly glancing at himself as they passed the mirror. 'Nice.' The more he saw into the house the more he thought it suited her. It was modern, chic: mature. She said she would go to change. "Go ahead." As if giving her permission: not required, but he gave it anyway. The man didn't hesitate to look around the room as he did, grabbing his attention first from the pictures.

It did look like a place for hosting. Like she had a book club, or her parents visiting regularly. Then across to the pictures, and it didn't go amiss the picture that had been cropped. 'Perhaps the former boyfriend.' But then there were the other ones. Her father with her during a graduation - her as a child, her with her mother. That one, he looked at a bit more carefully. The woman was similar to Yoko herself, he could see the resemblance. The father? Not so much.

The next the book on her sofa: he glanced over the back of it. He put a hand over his mouth, and Akira stifled a laugh as he opted to not pick up the book but look at the behind of it. It was cute, but also very sad. Not that - if Akira had chosen not to come here, would've been doing something very similar: or just training.

With her coming down the stairs, he hadn't even gone to sit with her. But she.. she looked good. "Wauh, uh. Yup." he couched intermittently, with his lack of response being a response in itself. The hair up was a nice change, a different look for her. "You look better than dashing. Stunning, now." Akira complimented her from afar. 'Honesty. Let's be honest.' Was his ongoing mantra.

In his life, he was trying it more. Letting his anger dissolve through his words, resolving issues there and then rather than trying to boil over on them, and keeping it all in. He was still himself, but his family life was getting better, even if he wasn't specifically spending more time with them.

Akira nodded. "Yes, now that I know you're actually here, me having walked for an hour to get to you, because of how tight this civilian clothing is, and not knowing if you'd be here or not." Akira didn't want to be the person that admitted that he'd gotten ahead of himself and already booked something for the two of them. He also felt his cheeks burn the same as hers- bringing some rarer colour to his pale face and only accentuating it.

"We need to go to the middle of the town, so it may be a bit away, but I know a nice walk from here?" Akira would ask of her tentatively. They had about an hour and ten minutes to get there - plenty of time.

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

?

[Deleted]

Akira somewhat stumbled over his words in reacting to her choice of kimono. That was flattering. And stunning? Aww. "Thank you," she said quietly, her hand going up to adjust one of her hair pins. She wondered if she should've chosen something else, maybe something more flowy or with a shorter skirt or of a different fabric... Why was she suddenly so conscious? Her entire wardrobe was pretty. She tried to let it go.

Akira confirmed that they would actually be going somewhere, too. And...in the middle of the village? She nodded, wondering what he'd picked out. If he already had somewhere planned, she wondered if he'd set something up ahead of time and just banked on her being home today--or if it was more random than that. Either way, she was thrilled to be going anywhere with him. It was going to be, like, a date. An actual date. For Valentine's Day.

"This is so much better than staying here to read that book-- Oh, shit, the book. He totally would've seen it!" She sidled over to the other side of the sofa, picking up the novel and returning it to the top of the bookshelf with a jeweled page-marker set inside it. "A walk sounds perfect," she agreed, and moved away from the shelf with a small smile. Yoko had quite a collection of romance and mystery novels. Most of the former were cliche or cutout with their plot, but after a long day sometimes the cheesy and predictable stories were the most entertaining. She hadn't wanted Akira to know her reading preferences were so laughable, but...too late now.

"Let me just put that away," she said, mostly to herself, already moving for the kitchen. The wine would be placed in the fridge, another appreciative smell would be given to the flowers, and then she went for the front door, looking through some of her shoes to find the right pair of wooden sandals for her outfit. The shoes by the door were roughly one tenth of her inventory--if she placed out anymore than what she used most frequently, there'd be no room for anyone else's. Slipping them on, she shuffled her feet forward a bit. Perfect. This pair would work well for being on her feet a while with how worn the wood was.

Yoko went into the adjacent closet in the hall and grabbed one of her bags--a blue satchel, already filled with cash, her compact, and various other things she needed while out and about. Turning to Akira, she beamed a smile, leaning up onto her toes briefly with excitement. She couldn't wait to get there--wherever "there" was.

"I'm ready when you are!" she sang. She would wait until he stepped ahead of her to leave through the door before giving him another look. It was very different seeing him dressed so formally, but the good kind of different. The mature kind. The sexy kind. She could have thrown herself at him right there on the front steps, really. But she didn't. That would've crushed the lilies.

---

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[Deleted]

Satori Akira

While Yoko was just preparing herself, and by preparing she was hiding the evidence, Akira idled about the house - taking it all in. "Uhhuh." Akira sort of gawped out of his mouth.

As she moved toward the front door he would as well, awaiting her direction for it, he didn't want to intrude in her home after all.

Shoes on first.

He slipped his own comfortably. Something like that. He nodded at her get-go and stepped outside and into the light of the day.

The man gave her the opportunity to lock up, and when she had her attention to him he would jutt out his arm for her to take, charming smile in tow. "Feeling nervous?" He asked of her. He felt the same. Not used to these events, or having someone to entertain like this. All his extroversion from what felt like a past life coming back to him. He didn't like some of the feelings though. The nervousness - the sudden questioning in himself whether he smelled or not.

Guess that was a part of growing up, a sentiment which one of his sisters would've said in a more crass manner. But he would take the lead from hereon out. It was only walking, what was the worst that could happen?

His feet set apart from one another, and they could talk freely. Their route was a simple one, a nice one: and they were mixing among the crowd with how different everything seemed to be. There was more energy in the air. But they were still a fair distance away from the hustle and bustle, and walking like a civilian (the way he thought about it in such a weird tone as if that wasn't the normal way of movement?)

He realised he still hadn't spoken to her yet. "Uahuhhuh- yeah. Hm." He cleared his throat. Their route had become a descent now - towards the lower parts of the village. "You know, your house is as immaculate and just like you. You have some really great taste." He offered what he hoped to be a compliment? Her house had a whole lot more light than his own, his being a bit more of the artificial kind. But he'd traded it for a bigger home in the meanwhile, and he still didn't own the property fully yet.

"How has work been for you, Yoko-chan?" He was trying to take an interest in her other things outside of their physical attraction to another. Trying his best. There was a subconscious element in his body still poking at her defences, to see if there was still anything. He couldn't help it. There were also other aspects for his being here today, but if anything - he could still enjoy it.

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

?

[Deleted]

Was she nervous? Yoko pretended to think on it, sounding a contemplative "Hmm..." and would step down off the last raised stone, taking hold of his offered arm. They began walking, she shuffled just a little closer, and finally said, "Less so, now." She flashed him a smile. It felt so different to be doing something like this. Different and strange and amazing. The more analytical part of her brain might have tried dissecting the "why" of his romantic gesture today--as a shift from just sleeping together to going on a date out of the blue did seem odd in some ways. It might have just been genuine attraction, that he wanted to take things further with her. It might have been something else. She might have analyzed this. But did she?

No. She was too giddy and too busy swimming in attraction to care. Her mind was just buzzing with excitement--everything focused on him, and her, and the moment, and the later.

They moved through the village on a general decline in the roads. The energy was so much more colorful today that one could almost feel it in the air. Yoko was content just walking, enjoying how it felt to be on his arm, enjoying the view, enjoying the crowds. Then, a compliment to her house was given. "Immaculate and just like you." Pride swelled in her chest again. "Thanks so much," she said sweetly. "I try really hard to make it welcoming and comfortable." Her tastes were a bit of a drain on her budget--the silks and suede weren't cheap--but it was what made her home feel like home.

"Work's been fine, lately," she replied, her eyes catching on a couple walking the same road. "I did a shift at the hospital a few days ago. A little girl came in with her mother. I patched up her broken arm and her eyes just gleamed. She told her mother she wanted to do what I did someday--said 'the pretty doctor has magic hands and I want magic hands too.' It was so cute." She giggled at the memory. "Made me think of my own mother."

Yoko had been nearly attached at the hip with that woman. Her mother's medical ability is what had drawn her to the career path herself, hearing stories of patients and surgeries and rough days in the field. She'd been a shining example of what Yoko had wanted to become. Though her mother had died much earlier than she should've, her influence carried on even now.

"You mentioned your family works with flowers and plants, right? What made you decide on mastery in genjutsu over something closer to what you already knew?" For a family who practiced a civilian trade to have a child go on to become a ninja was a big occasion, and Yoko was curious about his specialty choice. She might have just said "specialty" but phrasing it "mastery" just seemed more flattering--and, really, he'd given her no reason to think he was anything less than a master with illusions. But illusions weren't even in the same vein as plants and herbs.

---

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[Deleted]

Satori Akira

This was going to be a long hour if Akira was going to continue being awkward. She liked what he had to say about her home, and he wouldn't push his luck by adding on more compliments about it. He listened intently to her, eyes split between the road - him making sure she still had a steady grip on the road and her face. "That's sweet."

It beckoned an interesting question, and Akira wasn't afraid to admit it now as much as he was when back in the academy and a young, strapping lad who tried- and failed- to take on the world. "I was afraid of close quarters combat, that's the main one. Before I was a Jinchuuriki, I had pretty good chakra control- and Genjutsu is a rare art like Fuuinjutsu. Now, there are plenty of small time tricks that people can use: but I still have a technique to put to sleep an entire platoon, or even an army with the correct amount of chakra. It has the best usage for all types of scenarios... and it doesn't always need to be used for combat." Though it didn't account for something as widely spread as an offensive fire technique, and it always had the ability for people to Kai out of it.

She was making an effort as well and Akira appreciated it with a smile. She had been paying attention to his life all the same. He was starting to rank herself in terms of Yoshiko and Ouritsu when it came to knowledge about his life. If he was excluding the ANBU that followed his almost every move.

"If I'm honest, I nearly went into a Genjutsu-Poison focus. I honestly still could. But my current skillset as it were is more... rounded? The time it would take beyond the names and understanding of plants to learn the science would likely take too much time at this point in my life..." Though the opportunity could present itself in the future if he had more time. But he was more of a "beatdown" type shinobi now, and he also enjoyed that as well.

There was nothing overly special about where they were currently: but they were passing by a circle plaza plateau with a bronze statue of a Tantetsu. Something that Yoko would be more familiar with Yoko as for being in the same area. "Do you have many funny stories while working at the hospital? Not ungrateful people though, I'd hope."

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

?

[Deleted]

Afraid of close combat? That was as viable as anything else, really. Yoko's own combat style was very aversed to prolonged close range--everything to do with a quick strike and then a retreat. Like a snake. And just as deadly, if one factored in the poisons.

"An entire army?" she said, surprised but not disbelieving. "That's crazy." Yoko was very much a one-on-one combatant. She couldn't imagine owning a technique that was that potent against such a large group of people.

Akira surmised his current skills were more well-rounded versus what he'd almost gone into. That was an interesting thought: a genjutsu and poison combination. It certainly wasn't a common pairing. She saw bukijutsu and genjutsu paired--which is what she'd seen from Akira himself thus far. But his ninjutsu ability was fair, as well. "Well, if you'd like a teacher for poisons, you know where to look." She winked, flashing her most charming smile.

Yoko took in the plaza as they passed through it. She did note the statue but it was the shops here she actually felt any connection with. A few of the ones they walked by she'd stopped at last week. A few among many others. Some of them knew her by first name at this point.

Funny stories at the hospital? "Everyone gets a patient occasionally that's ungrateful or rude. But I definitely have more good stories than bad ones." She thought for a moment, eyes wandering the streets around them as they walked. "About a month ago, I was training a medic who was brand new to the corps. She was on her first day solo, and I was watching her go room to room to ensure she didn't kill anyone. And a man and woman were in one exam room. They shared a last name, so the new girl mistakenly assumed they were married, and didn't ask because she was nervous, didn't double check the chart. She starts quizzing the woman on her pelvic pain, asking the man questions on positions and sexual activity and whether or not they were monogamous or not. And--" She started giggling, holding a hand over her mouth. "--And the looks on their faces, oh god it was hilarious. The questions kept getting worse, and the guy finally got upset enough and just screams, 'This is my sister, not my wife!' and the new girl was so embarrassed, she handed me the chart and ran to the nearest utility closet." Yoko worked to stifle her laughter, trying hard not to ruin her makeup this early on. She dabbed at her eyes, suppressing more giggles. "She was able to see the humor in it later. But she stayed in that closet until the janitor kicked her out."

The pinkette spotted another couple at the exit to the plaza, also dressed up and looking as if they were going someplace special--or just come from one. She gripped Akira's arm a bit tighter, a happy hum rolling softly from her throat. "Can I have a hint as to where we're going?" she asked, bright green eyes on his.

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[Deleted]

Satori Akira

"Yes. I'm stretching a bit, but yes." Akira would admit again - he was trying to impress her, but he did have a single technique which could accomplish exactly that: the chances of it always working? Not sure. But people didn't always jump to a Genjutsu when they saw such a thing. In ideal circumstances, he'd need to throw in a few other things to make it believable for an army: but it could work. Just not often.

Akira licked his lips when he saw her wink. A little chilled to the bone. A little aroused. What Yoko would've described as a tantalising concoction. "I'll keep that in mind." he grinned at her. As he listened to her story, he found that her rhythm and tone of voice was very well becoming of a teacher: keeping people hooked in. She was good at hosting other people, or so she'd admitted herself.

It was nice being able to have a walk around, seeing by the couples that passed as well: they weren't the only ones. They were participating too, and that was more than what Akira could ask for. But Akira was displaying some secondhand cringe as one of his eyes were scrunching a bit, a little whine squeezing out from between his lips.

He laughed loudly, holding onto her as he did. He couldn't imagine something along the like for if it were to happen to his family, although they certainly looked the same so he didn't imagine the same issue would happen. "That's really awful. I can't imagine that the woman would hear the end of it."

A hint? Well. He didn't want to do something too obvious or something not obvious enough. How about..? No. So he'd throw something at her sideways. Answering the riddle would mean the clue. A little harder for a smart woman. He started off slowly- just to show it "What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?" Akira responded.

"That is your clue." and he winked back at her just as charmingly, he hoped. Their destination was a nice hotel - but it wasn't the room they were looking after. It was the spa held beneath it, and their incredible deals they did. It didn't cost him a bomb, and he got a good treatment set out of it. They were both going to there.

The way he'd seen it, a lot of what had happened was because of their run in at the Spa in Stone Country. But he'd also ruined her treatment day, and subsequently himself. They'd be needing some towels where they'd be going.

Then, a little bit of shopping. Oh, he'd thought it through, and while Yoko pegged herself as being something: Akira knew what to look for as a result. So pristine and in control of her life, she would also be able to control what she wore for him later. They could find that out together. "Oh, watch out-" Akira briefly interrupted, moving aside and breaking from her arm to step around a ditch. Sometimes was the unfortunate life of Iwagakure: rock did fall. They'd survive, and Akira would come back to her.

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

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[Deleted]

The sister in her story had probably left the hospital a bit upset, but the new medic had been mortified for the rest of her shift. "Makes for a good story, though," she pointed out in a sing-song tone. In reality the mistake hadn't been anything too severe and it hadn't caused the patient any real harm outside of being flustered, perhaps an elevated heart rate.

Akira's response for her wanting a hint ended up being a riddle of some sort. What got wetter the more it dried? She tilted her head, confusion on her face, and the butterflies stirring again at that wink of his. "This sounds so simple, we should be able to figure it out."

Obvious contemplation worked into her expression as they walked, the woman going through the entire inventory in her house, wracking her brain over what things "dried" other things. A hairdryer? No. A dish cloth? Maybe. Or a--

"A towel?" she guessed, turning to him with a look that said she was only half sure of her answer. "Are we going to...a pool?" She didn't mind the idea of swimming. Though if that was the case, she was going to be sour that she hadn't brought her swimsuit along.

Yoko stepped around the break in the ground, visibly more agile despite her choice in footwear. Elevated shoes were just as natural to her as walking in bare feet and they didn't often slow her down. She returned to his arm with a small smile.

---

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[Deleted]

Satori Akira

"Yeah." he agreed. The stories would be wild for them. The man didn't think his matched the woman's own: despite what tomfoolery which might've happened on his own watch by himself truly. The one that came to his mind was ninja-planting his face into a lot of gravel on the side of a riverbed.

But she didn't ask, so he wouldn't tell.

She got it relatively quickly: though she did all of the working out in silence and it provided them some peace as they walked. Akira was wordless, both in mind and physically. But she got it first try and Akira would chuckle. "Spot on. But not quite." Akira was sly, only because he would say when they actually got there. "I didn't peg you for the impatient kind, Yoko-chan." his voice now full of intrigue as he continue to hold her by his side and they could walk.

He hoped she didn't continue asking because he at least wanted a surprise until they'd arrived there: which wasn't a terribly long distance away, but a surprise was a surprise for that reason.

The more that time went on, the easier it was going to get for him to loosen up - and it would get so much better later on. For the time being, his arm was interlocked with hers but his other hand was free - so it would across his body and he'd lightly place his hand on top of hers. Made no big deal of it, and just carried on walking. "It's a beautiful day out, I'd expected it to be colder. Are you cold?" Akira would ask of her. Because if she was, he could fix that.

---

INFO SHEET

SPOILER: Click to show ABILITIES: Jinchūriki, Stalwart Hide, Bukijutsu Maverick, Hawkeyes, Seal Weaver [Always Active] Genjutsu Innovator [Inactive] Genjutsu Subterfuge [Inactive] Political Orator [Inactive] JUTSU: n/a EQUIPMENT: n/a

i hate that i love

?

[Deleted]

So she'd answered the riddle correctly, but her guess was wrong? "Not quite"? If it wasn't a pool, where were they going that needed towels? Yoko stuck her lower lip out in a pout that looked a little bit perturbed but otherwise more cute than anything.

Impatient? "I'm just excited is all," she said defensively. "Because, well, it's you." She turned away to look at something else along the street--only so he wouldn't notice the heat in her face. "Stop mentioning feelings. Stop it!"

"You know, you're the only person that calls me that," she said, forcing herself to look back over at him. "Yoko-chan. Usually it's 'san.' But I like it. That is, I like the way it sounds when you say it." She smiled shyly. The woman loved nicknames and she supposed it was the closest she was going to get. It was cute.

Butterflies stirred again when his hand found hers, resting atop her own on his arm. Like it was no big deal. But her brain reached a new decibel in its incessant buzzing.

Was she cold? Well...no. But he didn't have to know that. "A little," she lied, but in fact the layers of her kimono were quite warm. That question typically led to one of two things and she was partial to both of them with her present company.

Meanwhile, curiosity gnawed at her. Where were they going? Where? Not that she wasn't enjoying the walk. It really was a beautiful day, and being out here with him was infinitely better than being cooped up at home with her books. She just couldn't get over how happy it all made her, being out here like this, with him, dressed up the way they were. There was no fear if she made some misstep, no paranoia that she'd ruin their plans somehow, no anxiety at saying the wrong thing, no worry that he'd suddenly explode in anger and take it out on her.

It'd been too long since she'd done something like this. "Stop thinking so much. Relax. Enjoy."

So she did.

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