[Kazuhiro Hayato]

[attr="class","dilyrics2"]Shinobi May Keep Secrets ButLoyalty [attr="class","dilyric2"]Is It's Own Reward

[attr="class","dibody2"] It was a common belief that change was an inevitability. Dred it. Fight it. It would always come. However the ANBU Captain had found that truly the more things changed the more they would stay the same. A new posting was the extension of the last, a new set of duties a repetition of what had come before. Transitions merely a continuation of something that was and had become something else. A he continued to walk quietly under the night, he wondered if the disquiet that he felt was stemmed for any inadequacy that had hidden under his façade as a competent leader and a survivor. Vermin He thought. I survived like vermin. That a truth. He would have liked to say that there had been a heroic destiny set up for him. A scion for a long line of shinobi that had endured since the days of the warring states. The truth is neither death had found him, not decease had blighted him. Quietly, as he walked under the trees, devoid of foliage as night overwhelmed the dying of the light, dim ocher overtaken by deep midnight blue freckled by stars, with the light of the moon shining silver, enlightening the path before him. Hayato didn't feel sorry for himself. He wasn't sure that he could feel frustration or that the new occupation he was transition into was anything but a new assignment. He had simply decided to follow the commands of his Raikage without complaint as he had done. But as he continued he stopped and watched void beneath, the light of the village below, like tiny flickers of light burning at the end of candles from edifices and stopped as he saw the shadows cast by trees, looking like long fingers in the night, a single figure resulting strange. As he narrowed his eyes he looked to the trees and found the shape of someone perched on a brach, eyes closed and seemingly, sleeping. [attr="class","ditags2"]328 ✖ @tag ✖ notes if you want

[attr="class","cred"]MADE BY VEL OF WW + GS

[googlefont=Oswald]
[newclass=.dilyrics2]width:120px;text-align:justify;font-family:verdana;font-size:7px;text-transform:uppercase;padding:10px;color:#aaa;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dilyric2]font-family:Oswald;font-size:15px;color:#583a3e;width:125px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dibody2 b]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2]font-family:verdana;font-size:9px;margin-top:5px;color:#999;line-height:13px;text-align:center;text-transform:lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2 span]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred]text-align:center;font-size:6pt;color:rgb(132, 132, 132);letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;margin-top:5px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred a]color:rgb(132, 132, 132);font-size:6pt;letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;[/newclass]

[Jokyū Rei]

The night's gentle breeze caressed her figure as she slept rather comfortably on top of one of the tree branches of a cherry blossom tree. Plum wine bottle littered the ground underneath where the woman slept, even though they were purposefully aligned in such a manner that didn't look like actual litter on the ground. This was one of the many nights she found herself atop a tree branch, what started out to be just a simple evening of alone time in a cherry blossom tree forest with some good alcohol had quickly turned into what it usually did; the woman always fell asleep while sitting on one of the branches, a balancing act not accomplished by many, her back pressing gently against the tree trunk as she closed her eyes. Rei was known for this habit by those who knew her, and so if one of her friends had seen her here, they wouldn't have been surprised at all.

Wearing a satin light green dress and white high-heeled shoes, Rei definitely looked like she belonged on a tree. A light flush across her cheeks, she had fallen asleep without even meaning to, the number of bottles of the wine she consumed gave an indication as to why sleep had involuntarily crept up on her. She despised sleeping, being plagued with nightmares every time she closed her eyes had made her wary of it. Instead, she found herself busying herself night and day until she hit a point of exhaustion that made carrying on impossible and sleep would be enforced on her body forcefully. And even then, as she dozed off, it was visible by the beads of sweat on her forehead and the slight trembling of her of body that she wouldn't be spared of a nightmare tonight as well.

It was always the same nightmares, it seemed. In her mind, she relived the happy moments of Keisuke and her, once upon a time, before flashing suddenly to the day they had found his body. The touch she gave his cold body, when her fingers touched skin that was once so warm turned cold, that moment would be committed to her memory forever. She remembered the tears she silently cried, as though someone had ripped her heart open, and how she felt lifeless and without purpose for a long time afterwards. A tear escaped the corner of her eye even as she slept, although she would be consumed in the nightmare for a lot longer, oblivious of what was happening around her in the world of waking.

[Kazuhiro Hayato]

[attr="class","dilyrics2"]Shinobi May Keep Secrets ButLoyalty [attr="class","dilyric2"]Is It's Own Reward

[attr="class","dibody2"] "A woman?" The ANBU Captain spoke, a haze of white fog escaping his lips. His eyes scanned the area as if they were a crime scene, looking at the empty bottles of plum wind that he had guessed belonged to her. From the distance the attire that she wore seemed improper for the weather of the high mountains of Kaminari no Kuni and for a second he found himself tilting his head to a side and wonder who she was and what had possessed her stray out in the wild with just wind to create a faux condition of warmth to keep her alive. A sigh escaped him. It wasn't really his problem, he could just walk away and see what sort of fate was destined for her. But a part of him, the humane part of him that had not been crippled by training and further atrophied by his occupation resisted to the idea. He allowed for the cold air to feel his lungs as he would bend his knees before jumping to the branch, landing with a thud close to the figure. "...Oh, hell." The man would say as he recognized the person before him. He hadn't met her of course, but he had been acquainted via reports. He couldn't imagine that this would be the sort of news that the Raikage would like about her Head Medic. As he knelt close to her, he noted on the paleness of her flesh, broken only by the flush of red on her cheeks that like the fading flame on a candle seemed to flicker away. Calmly he pulled one of the gloves of his hand, using the back of his hand against her forehead to gauge her temperature, finding her as cold as the night itself. "Wake up." He said as gently as he could muster, his hand pressing against the flesh her shoulder. [attr="class","ditags2"]315✖ Jokyū Rei ✖ notes if you want

[attr="class","cred"]MADE BY VEL OF WW + GS

[googlefont=Oswald]
[newclass=.dilyrics2]width:120px;text-align:justify;font-family:verdana;font-size:7px;text-transform:uppercase;padding:10px;color:#aaa;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dilyric2]font-family:Oswald;font-size:15px;color:#583a3e;width:125px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dibody2 b]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2]font-family:verdana;font-size:9px;margin-top:5px;color:#999;line-height:13px;text-align:center;text-transform:lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2 span]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred]text-align:center;font-size:6pt;color:rgb(132, 132, 132);letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;margin-top:5px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred a]color:rgb(132, 132, 132);font-size:6pt;letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;[/newclass]

[Jokyū Rei]

And Rei would continue to plagued with the nightmare until she felt a hand gripping her shoulder firmly yet gently. The sound of a voice, which was seemingly telling her to wake up could be heard from a distance. His touch was warm, especially against the chilling night sky. Another hand felt her forehead, perhaps to see if she was ill. The woman opened her eyes slowly, her emerald green met his dark hues as she came face-to-face with an unknown figure. At first her expression was that of a startle, of course given the circumstances and just how close he was to her. Her body stiffened and for a moment she couldn't seem to react. And as the seconds passed, the woman slowly returned to reality of the situation; the reality that was the fact that she was sitting on a tree branch with less than sufficient clothing in the bitter cold. She blinked a couple of times, her eyes taking in what she could of the figure kneeling before her.

"I'm fine..." Perhaps no one had asked her whether she was or not, but it was simply what she could muster in a half strained whisper. Rei realized how she must look to the man right about now and did her best to feign a half-smile before a pain that was ever so familiar to her gripped her body. Her expression changed just a fraction, her brow furrowed a little at the sudden wave of pain, a consequence of her drinking too much and staying out in the cold, both combinations couldn't have come at a better timing. A hand rose to grip the extended arm, the arm that was on her own shoulder. It was a grip that she communicated her distress, silently but firmly. Indeed, if people were not accustomed to Rei and her illness, they would probably not have noticed this change.

She closed her eyes, the flush of her cheek now paled and her lips lost all the color that it had only moments ago. She knew what Hayato must be thinking, that this woman was crazy and that if he did catch on, that she must have wanted to die so badly to sleep out here in the middle of a forest of cherry blossom trees instead of the comforts of her own home. And in truth, she didn't have a home, or at least one that she could call her home now, choosing to stay at the hospital where she was needed most of the time because of her duties as a head medic.

[Kazuhiro Hayato]

[attr="class","dilyrics2"]Shinobi May Keep Secrets ButLoyalty [attr="class","dilyric2"]Is It's Own Reward

[attr="class","dibody2"] She wasn't fine. That much was a reality. The soft changing in her expression told him of a discomfort that was beyond being cold, even with clothing as light as the one she was wearing and the alcohol she he consumed wouldn't have made much to bring her to feel this bad. That being said, he wasn't a medic, he could do a little bit of battlefield first aid, but he had seen many a fellow shinobi fall to the effects of hypothermia, and whilst he could see the effects, there was simply too much of something else that he couldn't put his finger on. Her soft touch would confirm his suspicion. "No, you're not." He would add, removing his trench coat and placing it over her, making his best to wrap her and keep whatever bodily warmth remained in her. "Hold still." Hayato spoke, more as way to keep her still conscious and to reassure her. He would take her on his arms, releasing another haze of white breath as he would look around. He didn't recall where she lived. It certainly had to be in her file but he had seen it in passing and recalling such detail was beyond him at the moment. The hospital would be the next best place, but that was on the other side of the village. If she was ill, if she was ill and she required warmth, he needed to move fast. Closest would be his home. Minutes away if he was fast enough. He made the decision and began to move, adjusting his speed against his weight plus the one of his new acquaintance. Moving from tree to tree, the two would careen to the void as the man descended like a leaf propelled by the wind, decreasing momentum as he used trees that had ground on the face of the mountain as a springboard, sliding on rock covered by damp, pushing his legs as forced a jump that made them both careen unto the roof of the building his apartment was located. Bending his knees, he would absorb the shock of the sudden stop, his knees giving as he crouched for a brief moment. He felt the tingling of exertion through his body, a slight discomfort on his legs after his hurried journey. Not taking a moment to respite he would begin running, pushing the door open with his weight and momentum alone, rushing through the flight of stairs as finally reached his floor, finding his door and fumbling with keys as he opened and the warmness of the heating met them both. Slowing down, he placed the woman before the hearth, plucking a pillow from his couch and another cover for her, he would turn the hearth one, the soft lambent of flames illuminated the room and at last, Hayato could release a sigh. "If you're still conscious, stay still, the heat will help. I will prepare something warm for you." [attr="class","ditags2"]493 ✖ Jokyū Rei ✖ notes if you want

[attr="class","cred"]MADE BY VEL OF WW + GS

[googlefont=Oswald]
[newclass=.dilyrics2]width:120px;text-align:justify;font-family:verdana;font-size:7px;text-transform:uppercase;padding:10px;color:#aaa;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dilyric2]font-family:Oswald;font-size:15px;color:#583a3e;width:125px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dibody2 b]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2]font-family:verdana;font-size:9px;margin-top:5px;color:#999;line-height:13px;text-align:center;text-transform:lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2 span]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred]text-align:center;font-size:6pt;color:rgb(132, 132, 132);letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;margin-top:5px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred a]color:rgb(132, 132, 132);font-size:6pt;letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;[/newclass]

[Jokyū Rei]

There was no room for protest nor for debate it seemed with the man in front of her. He was adamant that she wasn’t as fine as she alluded. And in truth, he was not wrong to think that. Rei gripped his hand tighter still, as another wave of pain overtook her body. As she picked her up into his arms, she would simply allow, her current condition and circumstance making her unable to do anything otherwise. He placed his trench-coat around her body, the slight warmth of the fabric made her give a small smile. What had gotten into her in terms of being so under dressed was beyond the woman herself. She had originally simply wanted to stay for a couple of hours, but had fallen asleep against her will, and now been put into a position where a stranger was trying to take care of her…the head medic of the village. Rei almost scoffed at herself for being so careless.

As they moved tree to tree, Rei wondered where they were going. She assumed he was going to find somewhere indoors, where it was warm, but she had no idea where he was taking her. Although curious, the woman simply rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes for most of the journey. It was hard for her to focus on anything when her illness flared, and even harder coupled with the cold. For the entirety of their travels, she stayed silent, trusting that the man had the best intentions and that there was no need for her to worry. She had considered asking him to take her to the hospital, but the hospital was on the other side of the village. Knowing that she wasn’t exactly light to carry, it was best for her to simply let him decide for the two of them. 

She hadn’t expected their destination to be his house. 

When they finally reached a building rooftop, the woman would feel him descend, finding a particular apartment within the complex. She heard him fumble with his keys, it dawned on her that they were going to his home. A slight crimson flared across her cheeks at the thought, the idea of her being taken to another’s home was a first. But again she chose to say nothing, instead allowing him to place her down near the hearth. The warmth of the flames warmed her to the core, whilst he placed a cushion behind the back of her head. Rei watched the man move with purpose and efficiency. Even though she didn’t know of his rank as an ANBU, she could tell that he was not one to waste any time or effort, and usually a person with such conviction held high ranks in the village. 

"I apologize for…troubling you…” she said weakly, while he would start doing whatever it was he was going to do in the kitchen.

[Kazuhiro Hayato]

[attr="class","dilyrics2"]Shinobi May Keep Secrets ButLoyalty [attr="class","dilyric2"]Is It's Own Reward

[attr="class","dibody2"] "It is fine." He simply replied as he retreated to the kitchen. "Just focus on resting." Hayato told her, keeping his tone neutral. He didn't see it as a trouble. The part of him that would never let go to the mission to protect and defend the village understood that Rei was important. Perhaps even more important than him. Like the maws of a great leviathan that dwelled within the waves, he was merely a tooth, a fang that would be replaced by the one behind him. Killing was an art yes, but one that many could pick up. Healing on the other hand, that would take years, decades even to master, to mend body and soul, that required one to be gifted. But if he was honest to himself, that part of him that remained humane, that part of him he had thought excised like a canker by years of training, that would have let her out there before, stopped him. He had felt a level of uncertainty about that, he realized that as he turned on the stove and filled a kettle with water. He didn't know truly how to feel about that, at least he masked that well. He would look around his home, the apartment still retaining the spartan and utilitarian qualities that he had chosen for it. Few ornamentations to speak of, stark white walls, just a few scant pictures and nothing that would be a family picture, all looking as sterile as hospital wing. A whistle wrenched him away from his observations as a white hissing column of steam raged from the kettle. Carefully he looked for a mug, ripping a unmarked packet that was given as part of the village kit for cold weather operations, letting a green dust fall inside before he filled the mug with hot water, watching as bust the dust and water coalesced and mixed, the liquid turning into a pale green with a pleasant citrus scent about it. They weren't the best tasting part of the rations, if anything, the rations were pretty subpar, but at least these would make her feel better. Slowly, he would arrive back before the fireplace, crouching next to his guest, offering the warm mug for her to take and slowly began drinking its contents. "Drink slowly." He told her as gently as he could manage. "You're still weak. You can stay the night here. You can have my bed. I'll take you home tomorrow." He told her and nodded. [attr="class","ditags2"]417 ✖ Jokyū Rei ✖ notes if you want

[attr="class","cred"]MADE BY VEL OF WW + GS

[googlefont=Oswald]
[newclass=.dilyrics2]width:120px;text-align:justify;font-family:verdana;font-size:7px;text-transform:uppercase;padding:10px;color:#aaa;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dilyric2]font-family:Oswald;font-size:15px;color:#583a3e;width:125px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dibody2 b]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2]font-family:verdana;font-size:9px;margin-top:5px;color:#999;line-height:13px;text-align:center;text-transform:lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2 span]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred]text-align:center;font-size:6pt;color:rgb(132, 132, 132);letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;margin-top:5px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred a]color:rgb(132, 132, 132);font-size:6pt;letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;[/newclass]

[Jokyū Rei]

Rei would only nod her head at his words, knowing that she was in no position to rebut him on the matter. Ever since she had her fine share of the plague, she had been left with a body of illness that couldn't really be cured. It was the way of life, one would probably say, although ironic as it was seeing that she was the head medic of the village. There was nothing more laughable perhaps than a doctor who couldn't cure themselves, and every day she would be reminded of such incompetence. She didn't loathe what the plague had left her with, because it had managed to take the lives of so many that she had learned to appreciate the fact that she was still alive. Her hand fluttered to her heart and then to ring that she wore as a necklace around her neck subconsciously, her mind once more thinking of Keisuke.

Now was not the time, she reminded herself harshly, as she looked around the apartment. There were very little ornaments, decorations and furniture, almost like the man didn't live here at all. If he hadn't offered to make some tea for her in the kitchen, she would have thought he simply barged into a stranger's home, her emerald green hues rested on the picture frames on the mantle. A person's living arrangements told stories about their personality and their past, two things that people tend to hide well if they chose to. She herself didn't have a home for that reason, having sold the home she used to live in with her husband before he died and no longer desiring to have a place of her own. It was foolish, one would say, to live in the hospital instead of her own place, especially since she could most definitely afford to rent or even buy a place of her own with the amount of money she made.

When he returned with a cup and instructed her to drink slowly, she would again nod her head, bowing to him silently in appreciation. The warm liquid instantly coursed through her veins, warming her to the very core of her body. For a moment she sat there in silence, sipping the tea and listening to the sound of the cackling of the fire. At his offer of his bed to stay the night, she merely shook her head. "Thank you for your hospitality. It would be wrong of me to stay the night here, after causing you trouble for taking me here in the first place. I appreciate the kindness and offer..." her voice was soft and delicate, her eyes traveling to meet his face for the very first time. "You are too kind..." she finished, though her voice trailed.

As she got up to take her leave, another wave of pain overtook her frail body and she swayed ever so slightly. The hand that had been touching the ring on her necklace now clutched her chest as she swayed, as she would almost fall forward, loosing whatever footing she had. If Hayato was fast enough he would probably be able to catch her, the paleness in her face and how her body trembled was now different from what the cold had brought on. Of course, the pain in her chest had been half brought on by the cold, or rather her intolerance of it, but the other half was simply due to exhaustion aggravating the illness that lingered from the plague. She let out a deep breath as she winced, hating herself for not being able to be in control at the most critical of times.

[Kazuhiro Hayato]

[attr="class","dilyrics2"]Shinobi May Keep Secrets ButLoyalty [attr="class","dilyric2"]Is It's Own Reward

[attr="class","dibody2"] "No." Hayato said as he caught her her strength failed her. "You're not." He told her firmly, but gently, easing her into setting down, as she would keep her weight against the backrest of the couch. He observed it, quietly. She was a rather delicate thing, like a sculpture given shape from ice or glass and that the very breeze could bring her down. Her strength, sapped by either the alcohol she had consumed or the cold she had been who knew how many hours she had been exposed to the elements. He wondered if that was the reason why she seemed so frail. "You're don't seem on condition to stand, much less walk outside" He told her, not out of a sense of spite or belief of superiority but simply out of pragmatism. Rei, seemed to be a breath away from losing her consciousness, with a shelter being found the wondered why she would have this necessity to leave. Perhaps she considered that there was a danger, after all he was a stranger and his intensions weren't exactly known, even in the village in this day and age, everyone had to be careful. "The village needs you, Rei." He told her, revealing that he knew who she was, having seen her picture in the profiles, but not going in depth into all the information the village would offer. "And I would like to avoid explaining the Raikage why her Chief Medic froze to death come the morning." That was partly the reason, but in truth there was a part him that considered that beyond her role and her occupation, there was a moral reason why he would need to aid her. "No, I shall prepare my bed, I can spare you some of my clothing for you to sleep, something warmer than your dress. When the morning comes I shall escort you to your home. If you feel uncomfortable you can lock the room from the inside." He added, nodding at her as he moved on to prepare his room. [attr="class","ditags2"]341 ✖ Jokyū Rei ✖ notes if you want

[attr="class","cred"]MADE BY VEL OF WW + GS

[googlefont=Oswald]
[newclass=.dilyrics2]width:120px;text-align:justify;font-family:verdana;font-size:7px;text-transform:uppercase;padding:10px;color:#aaa;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dilyric2]font-family:Oswald;font-size:15px;color:#583a3e;width:125px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.dibody2 b]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2]font-family:verdana;font-size:9px;margin-top:5px;color:#999;line-height:13px;text-align:center;text-transform:lowercase;[/newclass]
[newclass=.ditags2 span]color:#583a3e;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred]text-align:center;font-size:6pt;color:rgb(132, 132, 132);letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;margin-top:5px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.cred a]color:rgb(132, 132, 132);font-size:6pt;letter-spacing:1px;font-family:verdana;[/newclass]

[Jokyū Rei]

To say that she was embarrassed that he knee her name and rank in the village was an understatement. She wondered quizzically how he had come to such information. By now, she knew that he was a shinobi, well-established by the way he carried himself. But there was something about him that was mysterious, and the fact that he knew so much about her and yet she knew nothing about him was slightly concerning. The woman nodded her head slowly at his words, for once without any of her own to retort or refute his statements. Rei watched as he prepared his bed for her, took out some of his clothing for her to change in. All the while she sat quite still where she had been for the most part of their conversation, thinking about this man that moved quite smoothly around her in his own home.

When she finally found her voice, the woman would question who he was and how he knew of her. "I...don't recall ever telling you my name nor my rank..." she said in a rather matter-of-fact statement, eyeing him. "W-who are you?" Her voice was still a simple whisper, her emerald green hues staring deep into his as she challenged his identity. She was indeed a delicate being, one that people often mistook for being like glass, but how she was fragile on interior, she made up for in her exterior, and if he thought that he could deceive her in any way, he would perhaps be in for a very nasty surprise.

"And although I do somewhat question your identity, which I believe I should be, I must also admit that you are quite the kind person regardless. And for that I appreciate it..." Her voice never changed and her stare into his eyes didn't let up. If there was embarrassment she had been feeling. Rei made sure that she didn't show it to the man. There was a time and place to be weak, and while she was physically weak at the present moment, she didn't want to seem so in personality. No, Rei was not a woman to be taken lightly, regardless of circumstance and that much she wanted him to know and commit to memory.