[Uzumaki Atagi]

The beginning and end of everything

To say that a lot had happened between the start of Iwagakure’s chunin exams and now would’ve been an understatement so egregious it bordered on comical– for everyone involved, really. Atagi’d nearly come out of them deprived not only of his shinobi career, but his very life. He, who had spent the vast majority of his existence believing that some deus ex machina would always preserve him, was forced to face his own mortality. Well, in some ways deus ex machina had saved him, but contemplating that was for another time, and Atagi could only imagine Masahiko’s wry smile and dry quip at being compared to a god, so the very idea is expunged from the mind for now. Koume had ended up hospitalized either around the same time as him or shortly after because of the debacle with the slug that’d resided within her, something that had damaged the crimson-topped shinobi’s spirit as much as his body had been by being torn asunder, not that he would admit that to anyone without an excess of trust.

How’d things ended up this way? Well, the fact of the matter was that he’d clicked with Koume basically as soon as they’d met and become teammates. She was cute, sure, and was in the enviable position of being popular and desired…but there was something more, there, that drew him. Kindred spirits, twin flames, whatever you wanted to call it, she seemed to love life itself as much as he did, and he loved her for it.

Well. Loved that and about a dozen other things. Infatuation, obsession, destiny– whatever it was, it’d come like a storm and uprooted all that he thought he knew. Atagi Uzumaki had had an aversion to girls, and then women as he came of age, ever since childhood, since his first and youngest love had ended in tragedy…but, that was a story for another time. Even so, there were exceptions to every rule, and time and dedication could overcome anything, that was the way Atagi did things. That never give up, never say die spirit meant you could do anything as long as you just kept on living.

He’d been crushing on Koume, maybe for longer than even he’d really acknowledged, because of his aforementioned hangups. A near death experience had a way of instilling a sense of urgency, and so he’d resolved; when they returned home, he’d finally say something. Was he the one who’d started it, or did she manage to spit it out first? That, too, was a story for another time, one to return to when the time was right. The winds of change brought fortune, so he’d been told, and the Uzumaki absolutely believed it, now.

The long and short of it, ultimately, was that they were now an item. Had been, really, since the return home’d been months and months ago. In true Atagi Uzumaki fashion, he threw himself wholeheartedly and intensely into even something as (seemingly) frivolous to shinobi life as romance. He’s trotting on up to the door of her apartment– the training clothes and mission attire had been ditched in favour of something less serious, a bomber jacket with floral print– pink lillies, to be precise– over a simple tee, exchanging out his favoured burgundy track pants for…well, still red pants, but significantly less loose. On one shoulder is a giant stuffed whale, propped up like it belongs there, easily half Atagi’s size in terms of length. He’s got a bag of various other amenities, a stupid grin etched onto his features as he trots up, rapping at the door. It hadn’t been discussed beforehand, but…well, he bothered her nowadays frequently enough that maybe it wouldn’t be too surprising.

”Oh, Koume-ko~”.” he calls out as as he raps knuckles on the door in a way that was almost melodic, awaiting her response to that overly cutesy nickname he seemed to insist on, mischievous as he was. Hell, maybe she liked it, though.

Today was a cause for celebration! Hence the excess of gifts... Whether she was reinstated or deemed fit for duty or whatever it was, the fact of the matter was that her career could continue, something the Uzumaki had been saying, encouraging, and rooting her on about even when things looked less than ideal.

(Narahashi Koume)

aeron at thq

[Narahashi Koume]

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for @tagsomeonehere
notes here

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Things were far different now than what they were a couple of years ago. Active duty wasn’t cut out for the pinkette she decided, as well as those responsible for calling the shots for Kusagakure. It was a complete agreement by both parties, however as devastating as it was for her to miss out on her dreams the energetic ball of energy was glad that the demon within her was removed. Albeit a bit uncertain on how she managed to survive extraction. ”Beats me..” She voiced to herself. Spray bottle in one hand towelette in the other as she went around her tiny studio apartment and made sure things were clean. Realization quickly set in, she was talking to herself as if the woman were still hearing remnants of the Rokubi keeping her company. "Ahaha right.. silly me.” Her expression went neutral as she stared at her reflection in the glass.

Sch Sch Sch

Spraying the cleaning mix over the clouded mirror, the pinkette wiped away at her reflection - as if answers could be found in the cleanliness of her own self. The woman was lost, seeking clarity in places that offered little to no answers. She didnt enjoy cleaning, boredom and tiredness simply played a big part of this. She was over being in a clustered home that was short on space already, and wanted to make herself more comfortable by any means. "There, good as new.” Koume voiced. "Next up..”

Boxes of cleaning supplies were scattered across her bathroom floor. The pinkette ran her hands through her hair before resting them on her hips, she wondered how she were able to make a mess while also cleaning. She sighed before stooping down to collect the supplies into her arms, exiting the bathroom and making her way towards the kitchen near the front of her home.

She was beginning to find her groove, well that is until a few knocks at the door took her out of it. Koume was startled by the sudden visitor, being a bit jumpy paired with the bottom of her shoes still a bit slippery from mopping the floors - whoever was on the opposite of the door would hear a few knocks in response to their own as Koume took a spill - crashing to the floor, sending the box airborne as well. For a moment she laid there, that is until a familiar voice called out to her.

Koume nearly jumped to her feet at light speed as she attempted to run towards the door, with little traction to be had still. "Atagi-kun!” She called out while still sliding towards the entrance. After a second crash, this one into the door itself rather than the floor, the locks could be heard turning.

The door opened slowly but once presented with the fiery haired Uzumaki, Koume was quick to leap into his arms giving a giant bear hug - squishing the giant plush whale between the two. "Ech hem..” Koume cleared her throat and dusted herself off before her emerald eyes met with Atagi’s own "Sorry, please come in. Careful, watch your step.” If he paid close enough attention he’d notice that Koume wasn’t particularly dressed for anything other than cleaning. Her hair was tied up and her clothes were well to put it nicely, meant for comfort than anything else - completely opposite of how Atagi would be used to seeing the woman.

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[Uzumaki Atagi]

The beginning and end of everything

As Atagi waits for Koume to answer and open the door– or at least respond– he’s got his ear pressed up against it, listening for…well, anything, really. The sound of tumbling objects (and at least one human body) giving him something of a start, jolting a little before leaning into the door a little more, as if somehow he could hear more that way. The sound of footfalls that indicated some sort of run, and then a second crash, this time much, much closer, causing him to actually withdraw back from the door to stand and await her ‘properly’.

When the door opens, he’s expecting her to be excited, and so manages to not be bowled over by her suddenly jumping into his arms. Of course, he’s all too happy to reciprocate, equivalently exuberant (if not moreso, though it was oft hard to outdo Koume on that front), arms squeezing her close– or as close as he could manage, with that toy that was both soft and large between them. Despite thinking it was cute, there’s the briefest undercurrent of irritation that it’s blocking him from being as close as possible to her…but it’s barely perceptible to begin with, and passes in short order. Though his face was nearly always touched by a smile, joy or smugness or mirth, it’s always a little brighter in her presence, and it shows all the way up to his eyes, when the two of them lock gazes.

”You’re particularly pretty, today.” he remarks, beaming at her. It hardly mattered that she was wearing stuff for comfort, instead of to show off. Hell, she could’ve been wearing a full hazmat suit, or nothing at all, and he still probably would've made the same remark. He said that just about any day they’d met– and if he were called out on it, he’d almost assuredly insist that ‘it’s TRUE every time I say it’. ”I’m almost worried I won’t be able to get anythin’ done. We won’t be able to get anything done? Maybe you’re intentionally testing my discipline?” The tone is decidedly buoyant and obviously flirtatious. A shameful person he was not, further evidenced when he reaches out to hold at the side of her waist with those marred hands of his that were characteristic of someone always fighting with their hands. Atagi gives a squeeze, two parts wanting, two parts just because, and one part posessive. Once the man manages to wrench his embarrassingly lovestruck gaze away from her features to finally peek inside the apartment, he blinks, twice, and then a third time.

Graciously, he accepts the invitation inside and steps in, eyeing the floor. ”I can see why you took a tumble, now. A spot of cleaning? What’s the occasion?” he asks, turning back toward her to regard her properly.”I brought you this–” he pauses momentarily to shoulder the whale, giving it a little bounce. ”--but now I’m wondering if it just might add to your clutter, bahaha.” Atagi looks from her to the interior, then back to her, giving a single, resolute nod. ”Alright! Obviously I’m giving you a hand. Just show me where to set this lil’ guy down, and we’ll have this place sparkling– glittering!-- in no time.” In true Atagi Uzumaki fashion, it was a statement, not a question or an offer.

(Narahashi Koume)

aeron at thq