[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Comfort

Azarea's apartment was just as warm and as cozy upon their return as it had been when they had departed. The few Kikaichu that had chosen to stay behind buzzing a trilled greeting as the two shinobi returned. The Kumo Kunoichi pushing the door open as with a playful bow she gestures Shigure inside before stepping in after him. The woman kicking off her boots and depositing her jacket on a hook by the door as she stretches.

"Bathroom is the first door on the left down the hall if you want to clean up. Do you... do you mind if I dress down a little into something more comfortable?" She inquires as she casts Shigure a questioning glance, "I know not everyone is ah... ok with how Aburame well... function." She admits recalling her own brush with civilian born children when she was young and before she knew that having bugs was not a normal thing for other kids. Konoha's civilians weren't as integrated and thus used to their shinobi neighbors oddities. The child projectile vomiting all over her shoes had stuck with her even as an adult.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 189 | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones looking". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." WASH UP Shigure removed his shinobi sandals by the entrance of the apartment, neatly setting them on the side before fully entering the place. Azarea gave him directions for the bathroom and he nodded, making his way there. "By all means, get comfy!" he said in a high-spirited tone as he started to wash up in the washroom. The training was more of a mental one than physical, but he had still broken a sweat. "I hope you are not self-conscious, because if anything, I can see it more than most people, ya know?" he teased her back. As a user of the Byakugan, he was one of the few who could more properly understand the way her body worked, and how the kikaichu lived within her. After feeling decently cleaned up, he would grab a scroll from his back pouch and unseal it to get a fresh set of very similar looking clothing, while using the Generic Sealing Technique and placing it back in his pouch; it was a good thing he had prepared a fresh set of clothing, and once he was done, he would make his way back to her living room. "Thanks for letting me freshen up. I feel as good as new." he said, giving her a wide smile and a thumbs-up. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [222 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Bare Honesty

Cheeks flushing at his comment Azarea found herself caught a bit flat footed and stumbling, "You can see the chakra! That's different Shigure!" She quipped her blush creeping up to the tips of her ears, but she doesn't ask him twice. Instead retreating to her own bedroom to freshen up as she gives the Hyuuga his space to do the same as she regains her composure. By the time the Konoha nin is done cleaning up and changing though he can hear a low soft noise from the kitchen. Music immediately recognizable as he opens the door. Azarea having turned on the radio down low as the large blocky box hummed out a soft jazzy beat. The ex-Aburame having abandoned her form fitting jumpsuit in favor of a pair of fuzzy green beetle slippers, a set of blue gym shorts with 'Kawai (=˃ᆺ˂=) as Fuck' written on the ass in pink print, and a blue tank top. The woman showing more skin in that moment then Shigure had seen in the entirety of the time he'd known her. With Azarea's long toned arms and legs on clear display her skin a patchwork of little knicks and scars. Some he would recognize from their missions, some much older. The woman's hair down up in a messy bun pinned up against the back of her head by a pair of old black lacquered chopsticks as she stood on tip toes to try to fish down a large metal pot from atop the shelf.

"Hey Shigure? Could you go ahead and grab the chicken breasts out of the fridge and begin dicing them?" She requested tossing him a glance over her shoulder. Her worries on full display with the furrow of her brow and the slight hesitance to her words. For without her jumpsuit to cover them the little trapdoor like openings for her hive were also visible. Difficult to spot for civilians, but plain as day to a Hyuuga's sharp eyes. Though the tiny holes that dotted along the back of her shoulderblades, down her spines and along her ribs, wrists, and ankles, were barely visible unless allowing Kikaichu to filter in and out she is well enough aware to know the sight of a beetle popping out of someone's shoulder blade like a trapdoor spider launching from it's nest is not the easiest to stomach. The tiny containment like sealed entrances built into a Aburame's body at the same time their hive was installed to prevent water or blood from flooding the hive and keep other contaminates out such as poison and dirt, but most lacked the near x-ray vision to see such minute structures.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones watching". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." CASUALLY DRESSED FOR COOKING Shigure could be a bit oblivious to things related to his kekkei genkai, so when she mentioned that he could see chakra, and that was different, he was quick to correct. "Not just that. I can see through any barrier, so I can see inside your flesh as well." he commented in a rather non-chalant tone, not fully grasping the implications that could come from that, like 'I can see through your clothing', and such. As he said that, she went to her own room to get changed, and Shigure just rested in a chair, playing with some of the kikaichu in the area, by feeding them some of his chakra he slowly and steadily leaked from his index's tenketsu. Then, music started to play and Azarea came out of the room dressed up so casually it took him off-guard. He looked at the shorts and had to hold in a laugh. "Hah..! Those are cute as hell!" he admitted, nodding sagely as he tried restore his composure. The Hyuuga had ditched his jacket when he washed himself, and also the bandages around his arms, showing the scars he carried himself. When she asked him to grab the chicken, he promptly got up and nodded, heading to the kitchen and started to prepare them. He could see the trapdoors for her hive, but it didn't faze him, he had seen them before, and if anything, he thought it looked quite rad. The Aburame Hijutsu was indeed state of the art. "So, are we just cooking, or is there some alcohol in this house?" he teased her as he grabbed a knife to start cutting the chicken breasts and make them into the perfect portion size. It was clear from looking him manipulate kitchen tools that he was very skilled with that, he had been investing in that hobby for years now. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [320 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Tofu

"By the Kami Shigure you're not helping with comments like that. One of these days some poor girl is gonna think your a kinky voyeur," Azarea quipped with an amused snort and a shake of her head at the Hyuuga's obliviousness. Thankfully having her own more then strange Hijutsu Azarea wasn't so easily disturbed by the likes of the knowledge that her teammate whenever he turned on his special eyes could see through her clothes and skin for that matter. Instead merely arching a brow as Shigure's gaze lingered on her ass. The shorts a prank gift from Riku years ago that she'd never been able to bring herself to throw out as she playfully wiggled her butt at him and raised a brow. A few of her Kikaichu mimicking her as they waggle their hind ends and flap their wings playfully.

"See something you like?" She teases before popping open one of the cabinets to grab the bottle of bourbon and two shot glasses. Setting them down on the counter with a soft *tink* as she pours them both a swig of golden liquid. Taking hers between two fingers as she toasts him and downs the liquor in one gulp. Only pausing as she sets the glass aside to grab a few cans of coconut milk and pour them into the pot bringing it to a slow boil as she started to add the curry seasoning and spices. Pausing every so often to admire his handling of the knife even as she made sure to show him what all she was throwing in the pot though it became very clear with her Kikaichu instead of acting on careful 'measurements' Azarea cooked by smell. Adding a dash of this or that that her hive told her smelled 'right.' For all it's orderliness there was an innate organized chaos to the whole concoction as taking the cubed bits of chicken Shigure had finished she dumped it into the pot to slow cook for a time.

"Do you like tofu?" She questioned pulling open the fridge as she bent over to rummage on the lower rack searching for that one jar of tofu she'd pre-steeped with spiced from the last time she'd done curry.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones watching". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." DRINKS, BUTT, AND TOFU He just looked a bit confused when she said his comments were not helping, but when she mentioned the kinky voyeur, he finally caught on to what she was implying and shook his head, laughing a bit. "I don't peak under people's clothes unless I have to, usually I go straight to under their flesh or to the chakra pathway system. But I get what you mean. It's just odd to explain sometimes as it has always been a natural thing to me, being born with these eyes." he explained. As he was reading the writings in her thankfully small shorts, she wiggled her butt making him blush ever so slightly. Azarea teased him by asking if he saw something he liked and he rolled his eyes, gazing away and back to the chicken. "I mean... Actually... Yes, hahaha." he admitted. Azarea went on to get some bourbon and two shot glasses. He grabbed the shot glass, looked at it for a moment. "Never had this before." he admitted, before taking the shot and feeling the burn down his throat. "WHOA!" he exclaimed, shaking his head and feeling every hair in his body bristling. "It's funny how differently we approach this. I usually measure things with my sight, but hey... It's looking pretty good." he said with a playful wink to the girl. "And I do like tofu." he said with a nod. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [242 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Magic Eyes

Pulling out the mason jar of tofu Azarea blushed hard enough her cheeks matched the tips of her hair as she rolled her eyes reaching out to playfully nudge Shigure in the ribs as she passed him on her way to the stove. "Good to know despite not being a tai specialist that my butt doesn't disappoint." She jests her voice a little softer a little sweeter unused to feeling attractive. Logically she knew she was easy on the eyes, but being a living hive tended to devalue her in most peoples opinion. Making her at best passable with the bugs in consideration. It was strange to be dealing with another clan that was unbothered by such things.

She'd been in Kumogakure so long she'd forgotten that with the long standing alliance between the Hyuuga and Aburame to each other they were 'normal.' Azarea's lips twitching into a small smile at the thought. "It's all right Shigure. Kumo's Shinobi and the Civilian population are very intermixed so while you don't need to hide your abilities you'll run into far more civilian born shinobi and civvie workers within the village who may need a basic explanation if you tell them you have magic eyes that can see through clothes." Azarea explains chuckling at the thought of how confused and intrigued the various individuals she knew out and about in the village would be though some for reasons she doubts Shigure would be so comfortable with.

Pouring them both another shot of bourbon she grins like a cat that what got the cream as she throws her drink back and hefts the jar of tofu for him to see. "A lot of Kumo cuisine puts a lot of emphasis on distilling and steeping since these things can be done during the longer winter months and it's easier to keep a regulated temperature in caves. If you want the best tofu curry take the sauce from the last batch of curry and pour it over sliced tofu in a jar like this and leave it to steep in your fridge for say... a week to a month. Longer won't hurt, but the tofu will get a bit overly soft. With time the flavor soaks into it and turns it orange like this batch." She explains popping the top as she pours the jar of tofu into the bubbling sauce and pokes one with a chopstick revealing even the inside is a light orange yellow though not as dark as the firm outside.

"That's why the bourbon is so strong, but warm and sweet when it settles in your gut. It's around I'd say... twice the proof of most rice wine?" She hazards a guess recalling the smoother Hi no Kuni sake.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones watching". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." HOW ABOUT A FEW MORE ROUNDS Shigure just gave Azarea a slightly embarrassed smile followed by a chuckle when she said she was happy to know her butt didn't disappoint. "Indeed." he thought to himself, but he was not so bold as to say it. They were just friends after all, right? His eyes were indeed odd, even though he wouldn't really think about it often. A bunch of people would just assume he was blind, and some others couldn't really understand how his eyes worked, or were slightly intimidated by the bulging veins whenever he activated his Byakugan, or even unnerved by the fact that he wouldn't turn his head to face the direction he was looking at when the doujutsu was active. What was natural to some, was completely extraordinary, or intimidating to others, such was the nature of this world. The subject then shifted to the Hidden Cloud's cuisine, and his eyes sparkled in interest, absorbing every piece of information she was providing, while his hands continued to handle the food. He didn't even have to look at it, it was like his limbs already knew what to do and had a life of their own. "I've done something similar with tofu. I love just how versatile it is. I get it it is not for everyone, but if you ask me? I love it!" he admitted with a sagely nod. As for their drink, she explained that it was twice as strong as the sake he was normally used to. "That explains. I'm not a social drinker, I have to admit, and I mostly drink sake or beer. But despite packing quite the punch, the flavour was actually pretty good. Down for a couple more rounds?" he suggested, giving her a playful wink. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [302 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Bourbon & Banter

"Am I down for a couple more rounds?" She quips with a laugh as she grabs out a package of dried shitake mushrooms and tops off their shots. "Why I'll be disappointed if we don't finish the bottle." Azarea jokes brushing past the Hyuuga as she hands him his shot on her way to the sink to begin rehydrating the package.

"Let's see chicken, tofu, mushrooms... hmm let's toss in some peas and cauliflower. Could you grab the cauliflower from the fridge and cut off the florets?" She requests as she digs through her cabinets for some dried peas. It becoming rapidly clear that like most shinobi whatever she didn't pick up at the market that day had to last for months or years if she kept it in the house on the regular.

"Oh Kizumi-Sama told me I should take it a bit easier after those B-ranks, don't tell her I told you this, but I've been bored out of my skull so I've signed up with a local actors guild to practice for the festival. I figured it'd be a good way for me to blend in as security." She explains letting out a cry of triumph as she scrambles back with the pack of dried peas in her hands. "I've found that I kinda have a talent for such things since our infiltration missions." Azarea adds flashing Shigure a smile as the two dance around one another going about their work in her small kitchen. The woman downing her own shot as she began to feel the warm lethargy of the bourbon settling into her limbs and softening the hard edges of the world with a glowing sort of warmth that came with a good buzz.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones watching". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." GETTING TIPSY "The whole bottle? Well... Okay! Challenge accepted!" he said with a firm, enthusiastic nod, grabbing the new shot and drinking it in one go. He nodded when she mentioned the cauliflower and he quickly grabbed it from the fridge, placed it on the cutting board and started cutting it into neat little florets. It didn't take him more than a moment to finish it and add to their meal. He felt a bit bad when she said that the Raikage told her to take it easy after the two B-Ranks she helped him with and he nodded, pursing his lips. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't want to put you through that risk, but honestly... I was glad you were there with me." he started, cracking a subtle smile. "Now, local actors guild, uh? That's interesting. Those are definitely transferable skills. And yeah, you did pretty well with your role play." he commended her. Shigure took another shot of the bourbon, and since he was way more of a light weight than she was, his cheeks were already reddened and he was feeling a little giddy and light-headed. It was good to feel this relaxed and happy, sharing a nice cooking moment with his friend. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [212 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Buzzed

"Don't apologize. I enjoyed those missions." Azarea states as she gives him a firm nod voice suffused with pride and pleasure at their work. "If I had my way of things I'd have signed up to be a permanent joint mission partner with you. I like the challenge of B-ranks. I enjoy that it's not just mindless busy work and routine banditry prevention. Putting my mind to figuring out such problems is..." She trails off as she pours herself another shot swirling the warm golden brown liquor in her glass as she searches for the right word. Her eyes alight with passion scarlet orbs glinting with a burning heat like a moth drawn to flame.

"Well... let's just say it makes me feel alive." Azarea admits with a dark chuckle as she tosses back her drink, "But I understand Kizumi-sama's concerns. She thinks that I maybe have a questionable sense of self preservation given the... repeated... reminders of my lack of worth of late." She murmurs gaze fixed on her empty glass. That wouldn't do? When had she emptied it? 'Ah well no reason to fret.' She thinks and fills another for her and Shigure.

"I think ANBU has been eyeing my file. That or someone's been snooping. It turned back up in the filing room from wherever Riku stashed the damn thing all those years back. Sadly it's not like I can access the thing myself to know what all has been added to it. However, you're right. I'm hoping to put the skills to use in more then one way." She admits scratching the back of her head as she glanced about gaze lingering on Shigure's back for a moment eyes tracing the expanse of his shoulders before she blinks and snaps her fingers.

"Ah. Rice. Do you prefer jasmine or basmati?" She inquires with a tilt of her head. Her hive beginning a low humming happy buzz. Those Kikiachu that alight and take off a bit wobbly as the alcohol filters into their system.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones watching". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." RICE He chuckled lightly as he thought back to his Genin days, when he was also quite eager to go on higher ranking missions. He remembered how much he had to insist for the Hokage to allow him and his team to do that, and how much pride they felt when they were able to successfully complete the mission all by themselves, the Leaf's four, as they started calling their little team. Now, there were only two left from the Leaf's four; Yoru had died at the Chuunin Exams, and Wahei nearly got injured as well, if not for Asahi's acceptance of taking his place as a prisoner in the Hidden Mist Village, something he still hadn't fully digested. "I understand that feeling... I wasn't much different back when I was a Genin as well. It irritated me how much people underestimated me, and tried to protect me, when I knew I was ready to take on bigger challenges, when I knew I could contribute more to my village." he admitted with a couple nods. "For what it matters, I believe in you... And I would have you by my side in any circumstance." and saying that made him feel a bit odd, for he was talking about missions, but not necessarily thinking about having her by his side only on missions. "I'm sorry, about your father... I know it's hard. I know how it feels like to, well, feel like you are not wanted. My father raised Asuka as my potential spare, and he still talks about having her replace me." he said with a light shrug. It didn't personally bother him, he loved his sister, but it did hurt him that his father refused to recognize all his effort, all his sacrifice. When his cup was filled, he promptly drank it, listening to her theory regarding the ANBU having her file. It made sense, she was foreign born after all, and shinobis were a suspicious kind. "I would offer to snoop on it for ya, but it might get us into trouble.. Maybe once I expand the range of my Byakugan... I may be able to do this from this apartment." the offer was there. Azarea would then ask which kind of rice he preferred and he pondered for a while. "With this meal? Hmmm... Basmati." he responded, his speech becoming a tad bit slurred from the alcohol now. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [406 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Stumble

"It's embarrassing to be a genin at my age," Azarea murmurs ear tips turning red at the thought, "I don't even really think of myself as a genin. I've barely been back in service and I've already got more missions completed under my belt then most chuunin." She sighs raking a hand through her hair as she moves to grab and rinse the rice, "I feel like a grown woman stuck in a children's play forced to go through the motions till the end before I'm allowed to live like a real shinobi." She admits with a grimace and a disgruntled growl. "I don't resent Kizumi-sama for her choices. Heck I. understand. her. reasoning. I think she's half afraid I'll end up like Toshizou diving into ANBU and letting that work swallow my life." Azarea mutters punctuating her words with quick swipes as she rakes the rice over the mesh container to clean it with one hand.

"I'm half afraid I'll end up like that too..." She admits in the barest whisper as she stares at the water pooling down the drain, and endless whirpool dragging her thoughts down. Until Shigure's offer registers and she laughs bright and warm. The darkness that had crept into the edges of her eyes and weighed down her shoulders forgotten for a moment more.

"Thank you Shigure, but I don't want to get you in trouble. I'm sure I'm either being investigated due to my foreign heritage or scouted as a potential recruit with my skill set. It's probably nothing." She assures him as she pours the rice in, tops it with water, and turns on the rice cooker. Before turning to reach for the shot glasses before the world sways. Her hand missing as she moves to grab the counter and stumbles.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure

[Hyūga Shigure]

"who we are when no ones watching". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." I WON'T LET YOU FALL Shigure promptly shook his head when she said it was embarrassing to be a Genin at her age. "Not at all... I was still a Genin the beginning of this year. I only passed on the exam we had in the Mist, on my third try, and look at me now, I'm a Special Jounin. I'm sure you will soon be promoted, I hear the next exam is coming up in the next couple of months, and I have no doubt you will do great. So don't... Don't feel embarrassed, okay?" he said, looking her right into her scarlet eyes. His eyes were kind and considerate, he could deeply understand her pain, for he was suffering with the same sort of embarrassment not too long ago. "And I'm happy to hear how much the Raikage cares about you. It gives me some solace, makes me feel like you are well taken care of." he said, before sighing and shaking his head again. "I don't think you will end up like that... I know you. You are much more than that, believe me." he said, keeping the comforting smile on his face. His offer to spy for her lightened the mood, even though she was quick to refuse and he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, probably." he repeated. Then, as she reached for the shot glass, she stumbled, and went to grab the counter. Moving quickly as he always did, despite being a bit tipsy, Shigure quickly grabbed her to prevent her from potentially falling, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close to him so she they wouldn't fall. However, because of his own lack of balance, he wobbled a bit, getting closer to her than he had initially anticipated. "A-are you ok?" he asked her, his cheeks flaring up a bit when he noticed the proximity, but still, he didn't let go, at least for now. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Hidden Cloud Village Azarea's Apartment [Aburame Azarea] [328 words]

[Aburame Azarea]

The Devil That You Forgot

Wanting

Bracing for impact Azarea tried to twist to soften her fall, but the inevitable crash never came. Instead she felt warm arms wrap around her waist as her cheek bumped against Shigure's chest. The two of them swaying slightly as the Hyuuga braced himself to keep them both from falling as Azarea blinked, glancing up as she caught Shigure's eyes. Drowning for a moment in the moon pale mother of pearl of his irises before the situation caught up with her alcohol addled brain. "Yes!" She exclaimed gently pushing off of his chest as she straightened cheeks staining pink with a blush.

"Yes. I'm fine." She adds a bit more calmly as she firmly reminds her jackrabbiting heart that this was Shigure. Konoha's Tornado. Heir to the Hyuuga. And the Hyuuga would fucking kill her if a dirty clan traitor like herself even looked like they had designs on their precious heir. After all wanting what she was not meant to have was how she'd ended up in Kumo in the first place. If she wanted something she needed to be stronger to take it. And her fangs just weren't sharp enough to tear into the Hyuuga just yet. Hell she wasn't even sure if she wanted too or not. Such concepts having not really come to mind and now that they had she finds she cannot unsee them.

Dusting herself off Azarea offers Shigure a small smile, a sadness to the expression as she shook her head. "We probably should have opened the bottle after we started eating, but I thought I'd teach you the trouble of drinking on an empty stomach. Seems I've fallen for my own trap though." She jokes hoping to add a moment of levity to lighten the tension of the mood.

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Justu Goes Here

流人

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: | Hyūga Shigure