[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Fixing the strands of her previously messy hair, the young Kisei stood beneath the magnificent Great Tree, dressed in a yukata that was far from suited for combat. She had borrowed a festively green yukata from her Oneechan, her vibrant pink hair elegantly tied up into a bun, secured with an ornate Kisei kanzashi. While she felt a tinge of guilt for continually borrowing clothes during her trip, she resolved to be better prepared for future events and festivities. Her upbringing had accustomed her to don formal attire for dinners and gatherings, a practice she genuinely enjoyed. Despite her refined appearance, she hadn't forsaken her practicality; she concealed many of her concealed weapons in pouches strapped onto her legs, or tucked within her obi, which she always kept close.

Sachi gazed beyond the evening lights that adorned the streets. It was a bit chilly, prompting her to clasp her hands together to ward off the cold. The sky hadn't yet plunged into complete darkness; the sun lingered just below the horizon, and it was still early for dinner. As she waited, she hummed an old hymn, her thoughts swirling with contemplations on how to navigate this peculiar "date" with Kai.

The last encounter with Kai had left her flustered and uncertain. She had fumbled over her words and been genuinely startled when he had approached her with an intimate hug. Such physical closeness was an unfamiliar territory for her, and she was equally taken aback by her own reactions. Annoyance and confusion had mingled with newfound emotions, but beneath it all, she found herself content with the novel experiences. After all, she was a Kisei, and living in the present moment, embracing conscious awareness, was the core ethos of her clan.

"Life is like a dream, and we should cherish the present moment like offering a toast to the moon reflected in the river," she recited to herself, an ancient saying passed down from her father.

–🌸–

Attempt by Necro
Some Tags here Uchiha, Kai

[Uchiha, Kai]

Of course it was still cold, the day was growing old and the fall had launched itself upon the village like a frozen storm. Yet, even in this cold autumn air, it was easy to find warmth by the Great Tree, which seemed to hum like some sort of symbol of the village.

Stepping forward, Kai spoke softly, his eyes drifting over the woman he felt such a strong infatuation for. Sachi was... Growing more and more special to Kai with each day he spoke to her. Every time they met, eye to eye, it felt like it was repairing some part of Kai he didn't know what broken. Perhaps, if the rate continued as it did...

Maybe he'd start to feel... Normal, again? An odd concept, that he shook out of his head as he walked up to her.

"Sachi... Wow. You look, beautiful." He wandered along her form, the curves of her body perfectly shaped by that lovely green Yukata. He'd be surprised with how well it fit, had he known it was borrowed.

"My outfit..." He looked down at his own. It was his standard clothes. In truth, despite seeing this as a 'date', Kai wasn't really a formal man. Not like other Uchiha. He didn't really see his place in the clan as a symbol of status- Though this could easily be chalked up to the fact that he was always looked down upon by his family and seen as second rate- Even to this day.

So he was in his standard garb, though he donned a heavier sweater than usual due to the cold, as he clapped his hands together gently and formed a single seal, channeling some chakra, and by extension warmth, through his fingers.

"The place I picked for us- It's similar to the other Ramen shop, but it's more of a sit down and dine restaurant. The food is amazing though, you'll really like it!" He smiled brightly, extending a hand for her to take so that he may lead on. He felt a mixture of warmth at this moment- He was calmer than before around Sachi, but more so then that, he wanted to take the lead more heavily- He was stepping up, as was his duty as a man, to be appropriate around those he cared for. He hoped, for his sake, it made him look mature.

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

The young Kisei couldn't help but notice that Kai had become a bit more forward lately, extending his hand towards her. She paused for a moment, her expression showing a hint of surprise and confusion, blinking once before swiftly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, seemingly changing her tune.

"And Kai-kun, looking dashing as always,” Sachi replied with a charming grin, her hand coyly hidden within her yukata sleeve as she brought it to her mouth, her heartbeat falling into a more comfortable rhythm than before. She was relieved that she had opted for a yukata tonight instead of a traditional kimono, as it made walking much more comfortable. "I'll be in your care; I hope I’m not too dressed up today."

Kai's hand felt pleasantly warm compared to the chilliness of her own fingers. It was comforting, yet slightly embarrassing at the same time. Thankfully, this time, she didn't appear as a child being escorted by her older brother on errands, thanks to her more mature clothing. She gently intertwined her fingers with his, though she couldn't help but notice that handholding presented a challenge due to their size difference. His long arms had to reach down slightly, their arms raised to compensate for their height and arm length difference.

"I'm sure I'll enjoy the food since the ramen shop you picked earlier was absolutely divine," she mused with a melodious tone, as they headed to their destination, the small decal of the kanzashi swaying from side to side. 

"And if you ever find yourself in Nohara no Kuni, it would be nice if we traveled to Hohei-Cho. I know plenty of restaurants around Kusagakure no Sato, but of course, I’m more familiar with the place I grew up in. Unfortunately, rules are rules, and we probably would be confined to the village…" She pauses for a moment mulling over a tidbit of information.

"...although, we might be able to go if I got one of my older cousins to take us, not that I have anything against the shinobi village of course. There are plenty of things to do there as well.” Tugging at his hand, Sachi regained her balance when walking. It wasn’t as simple of a matter as the stories suggested and she figured it was because the stories didn’t have such a height disparity.

"I figured that you don’t enjoy talking about your family very much. I’m still a little curious.” She continued with the conversation with a bright cherry smile on her face but with a little cautiousness in her voice, softening the weight of the conversation by talking about herself instead. "I don’t have any siblings from my line, but my family is vast between my parents alone. Everyone in my generational part of the tree is much older since my parents are elderly; it’s where all my phrases come from.”

Sachi held up a finger, mimicking her father’s voice, "Like, ‘With affection, even a simple sip of water can satisfy lovers, but without it, they remain hungry despite feasting on plenty.’ Something like that--for example, he has endless sonnets and proverbs memorized even into his now old age.” She stepped closer to Kai, the side of her body barely grazing his and rose-colored hair moving in tandem with her step.

"What’s it like being in a shinobi clan? It sounds a little stressful, even tumultuous at times,” She stopped herself from saying more, knowing how nosy she could be, keeping her sleeved in front of her mouth. "I apologize if I’m prying too much.”

–🌸–

Attempt by Necro
Some Tags here:Uchiha, Kai

[Uchiha, Kai]

The handholding was... Honestly, kind of nice. It made Kai feel... Good. As if there was some sort of small validation from what he had presumed to be his girlfriend. It was hard to understate how much of a good feeling that was, especially when... Well, when you had such an interesting past with affection.

He blushed a little when she called him dashing, his eyes drifting back towards her with a soft smirk. "Heh... And here I was thinking you wouldn't trip me up tonight." He shook his head and kept her hand held- The warm embrace really was nice, and he squeezed her hand ever so slightly as he tugged her along when he noticed she was falling behind.

"If? I think it's less if but more when, no? You don't expect me to just sit here and wait for you to come to me, do you?" He explained as he slowed down, taking their gaits step by step together as he glanced over at her, their night illuminated by the lit lanterns along the path.

"That'd be irresponsible of me, as your boyfriend. No... I'll be coming over as soon as I'm able to. Even if that means I have to become a Chuunin faster." He smiled faintly over at her with a look of determination that said this really meant a lot to him. All of this did. He loved it.

"I bet you'll show me lots of cool stuff when we get there. Heck, you'll be the one pulling me around by the hand, I bet." He teased back at the girl with a soft smile, as his free hand scratched behind his head. The idea of this five foot something girl tugging along a giant male was funny in his head.

As they reached the restaurant, he ordered them both a table with his certified Ninja Pass. What was a Ninja Pass? The authors way of writing in a way to get a sit down table at a reservation restaurant on short notice, of course. Regardless, seating them both down, they were each given menus as Sachi asked him a question she'd yet to ask him before. About his clan.

His fingers danced over his menu as he thought about what to say. Oversharing was a thing, after all. And he didn't want to scare her off. One could argue that sharing anything of his clan could give Kusagakure an advantage if they ever had missions against him or his clan, but... On the other hand, he wasn't thinking about that at all, and even if he was, he was perhaps a bit overly trusting of the girl.

"My family... Has problems. It's... Probably better to leave it at that." There was a truth to that. He didn't really want to trauma dump her with his family tale, it felt... Like dumping ones burdens on someone else. His pain was his own, and the scars that made him who he was didn't need to be shared over dinner.

"But I have a sister, a mother, a father, and two grandparents." He explained, looking down at the menu. "But being part of a Shinobi clan... There are a lot of things you have to keep in mind. Secrets of the clan. Keeping up appearances. Being Uchiha... It means something, to a lot of people." He explained, as his finger ran across the different options for dinner.

"You're not really prying though. Uchiha... Mrm. If it wasn't taught to you, we're known for our... Strong emotions. The Curse of Hatred." He explained calmly, as he seemed to decide on something.

"But it's not just about hate. We have strong emotions both ways- We just, feel emotions more fiercely, than some others do." He shrugged.

"Feel free to order whatever you want. I can pay. What about your clan? You speak a lot of your relatives, so I assume you at least have a family name of some renown." He responded cheerfully, secretly hoping her family history wasn't quite as mopey and lame as his.

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Sachi couldn't help but notice that Kai had referred to himself as her "boyfriend," a term she wasn't quite ready to embrace just yet or even know that’s how he saw their relationship. While she had agreed to test the waters or go on a couple of dates with him, Sachi and Kai had different thoughts when it came to what they were doing. She felt startled, surprised about this fact; the kunoichi unsure of how to bring it up at this point, only responding to his replies with a tilt of the head or a quiet, "Um, yeah.”

Now seated at the table, she absentmindedly rummaged through the back of her mind, searching for a wise saying or piece of advice from her father that might shed wisdom on the situation. The unfolding conversation and the ambiance of the restaurant barely registered as her thoughts delved into the repository of her father's teachings, hoping to find guidance in those cherished words.

"Father would say ‘Having taken the time to think, venture to act. Once you’ve done so, stop thinking'… or something. Maybe, ‘he who drinks does not know the dangers of wine; he who doesn’t drink does not know its benefits’…” Even after going through her list of sayings, it seemed the phrases and teachings from her father couldn’t be used as the catch-all problem solver for her lack of experience--so she decided to address it later when they weren’t surrounded by people out of courtesy for Kai.

Yet, queries continued to pile up in her mind about how she truly felt for the leaf shinobi. It was all a bit too soon for her to unravel the tangled web of her subdued feelings between the tales of love she'd read in romantic stories-- often painted love as a possessive, all-encompassing force, wrapped in a desire for the other's ultimate happiness. However, her own emotions seemed to skip to a different beat.

Sachi found herself playing with the notion that maybe, just maybe, they could take the plunge into official dating territory. But that meant opening about her feelings, and thoughts—perhaps even admitting that her heart didn't quite flutter the same way his did. Yet, the idea of introducing him to her family danced in her mind, wading into deeper, murkier waters of commitment. However, amidst all these swirling thoughts, there was a small worry that came about juggling such big decisions while wanting to focus on her long-term military career.

Sachi peeked over her menu, her gaze gently fixed on Kai, her thoughts still a merry-go-round of emotions and uncertainties. She maintained her usual composed facade, but internally, her mind was doing somersaults, perhaps influenced by the high-altitude setting.

"I see,” she began softly, setting her menu aside, as if her mind wasn’t a hodgepodge of scattered emotions and debating on what to do in the situation, wearing a practiced smile that had a scattered genuine undertone. "It does seem…complicated, much of it I don’t understand but I understand keeping appearances, at least.” Her smile turned brighter and more genuine as he asked her about her clan and the people within, somewhat distracting her for a moment.

"As you know, my family—well rather—the Kisei Clan runs chains of teahouses and coffee all over Hohei-Cho and Nohara no Kuni. The business had existed long enough to where its roots still strongly run through the communities, businesses, and suppliers of Nohara no Kuni and allied countries that take out exports.” She explained animating her words with the sleeves of her yukata. "I’m not sure how well Kai-kun is informed in business relations but we are able to operate because of our good standing with the community, although now, it’s one of the bigger companies in Hohei-Cho right now.” One of her sleeves covered her lips as she paused for a moment, biting back some prideful words, before continuing in a more modest tone.

"I apologize if it sounds like I’m boasting. It’s not my intention…” She started again, and shifted in her seat, her demeanor cozy and approachable as she delved into her personal life. "I was raised as a Kisei, but my father is from the Nakahara Clan and so I’m technically from both. The Nakahara Clan had close relationships with the Kisei Clan already though, my parent’s marriage was the icing on the cake. My mom is the daughter of the founder of the clan and so since she had also opened her own teahouses with my father, we always didn’t need to worry too much about money.”

As the waiter approached to take their orders, Sachi observed Kai, fully prepared to order the same thing as him today.

–🌸-

Attempt by Necro
Tags:Uchiha, Kai

[Uchiha, Kai]

In truth, Kai didn't see things the way she did. But that wasn't a bad thing- What was a bad thing was that she wasn't saying it. She was protecting his feelings, which was a good thing of course, but there was more to it then just protected feelings- Holding onto that information was a good way to ruin the entire date to begin with, as it kept things jumbled and molded inside of the head instead of outside, and when finally released, tended to sour the previous mood in a certain way.

And what was worse, Kai was really none the wiser to it. So there was an intense idea that he could just, continue his rant as usual, and push further and further into potentially uncomfortable territory. Of course, none of this was either of their faults- It was just a matter of circumstance, but still, it was certainly something he'd bring up with her once the chips were off the table... Metaphorically speaking, of course. For now, it's not as though their thoughts could jump out of their collective heads, so these sealed secrets stayed just that- Vaulted until a future moment in time.

Still, listening to her talk made him quite pleased, as one hand rubbed against his wrist and listened to her family history. So she was part of two clans? His eyebrows perked, and he appeared quite interested in this information, as he tried to respond when she gave a moment for him to do so.

"No, no... It's fine. That sounds... Really pleasant, honestly." The idea of having a semi-normal family, one that cared for you enough to try and put your name on the books, or wanted you around in their business... Kai couldn't lie to himself. The idea of that felt... Well, it made him happy.

"Two clans, two sides of the family, and both care about you... Hah..." He was having a bit of difficulty hiding that jealousy, but at the same time, he was really happy for her. She meant a lot to him already, so the idea that she was happy made him happy by extension. Another part of that gross Uchiha stuff.

As the waiter came to take their orders, Kai was rather formal with his request- A Hibachi steak with fried rice and vegetables, a staple of the restaurant experience, at least in his eyes. For a drink, he ordered a glass of wine, and gave a small fib on the low about how they were both of age.

In truth, a single glass of wine didn't get anyone drunk- Tipsy, maybe, but it was more of a formality to wash down a meal then a true drinking session. A way to share spirits- In a literal sense.

"What of your siblings- Do you have any?" He cleared his throat as the menus were presumably taken away, his smile not fading at all- Even if she decided on water or some other drink instead. He just wanted to feel like an adult tonight, because he was really pushing himself to act as mature as he could.

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

"It's not just me, though," Sachi noticed the slightly tensed disposition of her older friend, the slight twinge in his eyes again at the mention of her family. "The Kisei and Nakahara tend to bring people into the fold, even if they aren't blood kin. It's the nature of the clans, I suppose."

The girl ordered hibachi steak as well, but instead of fried rice, she ordered white rice with a fried egg and some pickled vegetables. Wide-eyed, the girl was surprised that Kai ordered wine, telling the waiter that she was of age as well. She had never disclosed her age to Kai, and she wasn't old enough to drink technically. Sachi's eyes picked up on the dubious look the waiter shot at her, as Sachi still looked like a young child despite her best efforts to change her appearance. However, her bright, sparkly smile convinced the waiter to let it slide.

For now, she continued her conversation about her family, "As I said earlier, I don't have siblings since my mother and father had me when they were already too old to have children, technically speaking. I just was a pleasant surprise, or a gift as they like to call me." She said softly, her gaze shifting slightly to the side, reminiscing. "The closest siblings to me would be... the Futago twins, Taka-niichan, and Ichi-niisan. We all work as shinobi, though, so even when they live in Kusagakure, I can’t spend time as often as I want to."

She continued to go into more detail with much enthusiasm, her hands almost as expressive as her face, "Taka-niichan is my cousin by blood, and because of him, I decided to pursue the path of becoming a shinobi, so I often go to him when I have questions or want more information."

The waiter brings out the wine setting it on the table for them, one for him and surprisingly one for her as well even though she didn’t order it and believed that the waiter might’ve misunderstood. Sachi cautiously accepted the offer to drink.

"Well if I have this chance, I might as well…” She rationalized in her head, "…as long as it doesn’t get me in trouble later.” She had an occasional amazake here and there (being able to make it herself) but she never had anything more alcoholic than that. Her parents seemed to enjoy it so she figured she might have a predisposition to liking it.

"A thousand cups of wine is not too much when best friends meet.” She muttered to herself slightly twisting the proverb meaning to justify her imprudence. At this point, she had decided what she wanted to do, how to go about her relationship with Kai, and what she personally wanted. She just needed the right time to bring it up and maybe a drop or two of wine.

The girl sipped the dark red liquid, the pungent taste striking at her tastebuds in bitterness but leaving a slight sweetness as she swallowed. Licking her lips, her eyes showed she enjoyed the taste. She continued to speak, with a little more fluidity feeling the warmth of the wine engulfing her face in a rosy hue, "I’ve known Ichi-niisan for almost all my life and he’s technically my nephew by blood on my father’s side, but he’s always been around me like a mentor, like Taka-Niichan. Both looked after me after I moved to Kusagakure and are super strong and capable shinobis.”

She swayed gently, like a carefree blossom in the wind, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "The Futago twins are also like my nephews, academy students from Taka-Niichan’s side of the family. They are cute, bright, and energetic but somehow grew taller than me in the blink of an eye.” She chimed, her mood becoming relaxed and cheerfulness returning in full. She could see why in a social situation, her father and mother both drink at least a little.

With an affectionate glance at Kai, she continued "Even though I have no actual siblings, I’m content with everyone I have in my life, including you, Kai—even though we just met.” Sachi had a knack for making connections and finding joy in the people around her, regardless of their history or how long they'd known each other.

As the food arrived, piping hot and fragrant, Sachi's eyes fixed drunkenly on the delicious spread before them. Taking small, graceful bites, she savored each mouthful, careful not to let any morsel stray onto her clothing. Despite the wine's effects, she appeared to be in good spirits. She swirled the wine in her glass and took another sip, her words flowing freely now that her usual restraints had been loosened.

"I can see why this stuff is a little dangerous," she remarked, referring to the wine. Her slight frame and lack of tolerance made her more susceptible to its effects. "I had an uncle who caused a lot of problems due to his fixation on alcohol. That was before I was born, though. He stopped drinking heavily after he got married."

Her gaze returned to Kai; blue eyes curious. "If I recall correctly, Taka-Niichan mentioned that we're only a little way apart in age. Do you often drink, Kai-kun? I've heard of some shinobi who carry whiskey flasks as they go about their activities.”

–🌸-

Attempt by Necro

Tags:Uchiha, Kai

[Uchiha, Kai]

She had an interesting family dynamic. She was far more involved with the other people in her life, where Kai was more... Distant, from his relatives. It was odd, they both had very different childhoods, very different views on their families and friends, in his mind, yet he didn't feel like he loved his friends or family any less because of it. He just likely wasn't as verbose.

When the wine arrived, he slowly poured himself a glass. It was a small amount- There was something he hadn't really mentioned, and that was that he drank the wine to eat and relax, not to get krunked. He just enjoyed the taste, and it was nice to relax with. He honestly only saw himself drinking, at most, two glasses tonight, and he punctuated this by having a glass of water on the side to help dilute some of the impairing effects. It didn't actually stop him from getting drunk, but it made it slow enough that it wouldn't impair his judgement while he was on his date, and he still had plenty to drink if the food was salty.

Still, he was a common ear to hear her voice, and he seemed pleased just to listen to her chat on about her family. It was... Well, it was cute. But Sachi was cute in general, so maybe a more accurate thing to say was she was engaging. Easy to talk to. Kai rarely opened up as much to people as he did to Sachi.

It drifted on him, her talk of being a pleasant surprise though, when he looked down at his drink. What would he be like if he hadn't met her? That was kind of a loaded question to ask, when he only knew her for such a short period of time, but...

They were getting to know eachother. And he already felt like he'd feel pretty bad if she wasn't around. She was already a positive influence in his life, though he dwelled if he really felt that way, or if he was just attaching to the first person to actually truly care about him in his life beyond a teammate.

"Heh. I feel the same way about you, Sachi. I've... Had a pretty rough past few years. But being with you..." He took another sip of his wine, as he sighed.

"It's the first time I've been able to relax in a long time. Even if this..." He waved his hand around, drink in it."Doesn't go any further then us... Testing the waters in dating, I still think you're the kind of influence I don't want to give up." He nodded. In a way, this kind of gave her an out, if she so pleased to do so, though it wasn't really intentional. Kai was just being honest. He cared about Sachi a lot, but he cared about her feelings more than his own. That, too, was the passion of emotions the Uchiha held. The real curse.

"Mrm." He pointed to her when she pointed out the strength of the drink. "I'd keep it to a single glass. From what you've told me of your friends and family, I feel as though my life would be in danger if I let you get wasted." He teased, taking a sip of water as the smell of their food could be coming out the back. It'd probably be here soon. Probably by like, the next persons post, if they had some sort of weird timescale built around back and forth conversation.

"I don't drink too much. I don't really have a great tolerance, and while it can make you happier, it can also compound dark things as well." The truth behind trauma. Drowning yourself in alcohol was a good way to lose your sense of self, especially if your past followed you around like Kai's did.

"...But I don't mind drinking on dates like this, just like I don't mind smoking with friends. Anything is fine in moderation, as long as you're with someone responsible." He nodded firmly, adding to the point. He wanted more then anything for Sachi to feel safe to drink, but also be responsible drinking. Again, he didn't want to get her krunked.

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Sachi couldn't help but feel a sense of flattery, though she still harbored some uncertainty. She appreciated the unexpected closeness that had developed between her and Kai during her stay in Konoha, but there had remained a subtle difference in their understanding of their vague relationship. She didn’t inquire further into it and into his "rough” years, deciding to save it for another time.

"I appreciate your honesty. I didn’t expect Kai-kun to be a lightweight since you’re so much bigger than I.” Sachi said, her voice slightly slurred but her face a quite red in the nose and cheeks as she struggled to articulate a response to Kai’s comment about his drinking and smoking habits. She was about 3/4ths away from the glass and she could already feel the numbing sensation in her face and hands. She was sipping water in between sips but judging by how Kai was still "together,” her tolerance seemed to be far worse, but the size difference was also a consideration.

Something about the small bits of wine made her thoughts a little rambunctious for her taste but she did enjoy it-- was even a little addicting.

"When leading people and serving Heaven…” Sachi started, lowering her voice as she recited an old proverb once more in a happy trance. "Nothing exceeds moderation. Truly, moderation means prevention. Prevention means achieving much virtue. When virtue-” It seems the alcohol didn’t impair her long-term memory, but it surely did increase the babble that came out from her brain.

"What was I on about?” Sachi shook her head, clasping her face feeling the coldness of her hands waking her up from her drunken trance state.

"I apologize, it seems like it getting to my head, and yes-I’ll be keeping it to a single glass tonight.” With a giggle, she brightly smiled looking like she didn’t have a care in the world, and continued to eat.

After finishing the last bits of her meal, she drank a tall glass of water and finally felt studier now after she had stopped drinking and eaten her fill for the night. Last time she underhandedly paid the ramen bill in full so this time she fully let Kai pay for her meal without any complaints or protest.

Once they had stood up and were on their way out the door, Sachi tugged at Kai’s sleeve, and with a low voice, she softly said with another one of her practiced smiles stepping closer to him, "Before I go, I have something I need to say, maybe somewhere less noisy.” Her voice carried a sense of quiet urgency. "It’s a little late but I’m sure they’ll understand if I’m past my curfew. Perhaps, we can go on a little walk.”

–🌸-

Attempt by Necro

Tags:Uchiha, Kai

[Uchiha, Kai]

Kai chuckled a bit, listening to her comment on his lightweight behavior. It was... Not a good look for him, probably, to get this poor girl from Kusa shitfaced. If anyone learned of this, he'd be doomed to a fate worse than death. So obviously, when she started slurring out one of her famous sayings and it made about as much sense as... Well, one of those same speeches when she was sober...

Yeah. He watched her intake carefully, and listening to her speak, he couldn't help but laugh a little.

"It's fine. As long as you don't tell anyone. I'm pretty sure your family would hunt me down if they learned I let you get drunk." He joked with a blush, rubbing the side of his neck again, showing his tentative nature around her once more.

Well, at least the dinner was good. No, actually, it was great. And as they finally moved out of the building, with him thankfully being able to pay this time- Something that honestly kind of bothered him the time before- She tugged on his sleeve. Not that she needed to, he was keeping a good eye on her, and even as they exited the building...

"I was going to walk you back anyways..." He explained calmly. It wasn't really up for debate either, he wasn't going to let what he saw as his inebriated girlfriend walk back to her resting place alone. That was just... I mean, beyond bad manners, that was just stupid.

Still, it seemed she wanted to talk about something else. And Kai was... Well, he was curious. His mind swirled from a bit of the drink in his system, wondering if he had done something wrong, or right. But it wasn't really something he could vocalize. For now, he simply nodded at her and took her off to the side, hopefully going the scenic, long route back home.

"Sure, Sachi. Whats up?" His question came out with a smile on his face as he looked at her sweetly. There was a glow on him beyond the alcohol- A true, genuine feeling of relaxation and joy. Even if he did do something wrong, surely it wasn't that big, right?

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Kai was right; Sachi's father would've probably smacked the Uchiha before dragging him into a room to speak with him. She giggled at that thought, pondering her father's reaction to bringing a man home with her.

Many thoughts were cascading through her mind beneath the swirly, starry sky. The sun had already set, the moon in a waxing gibbous phase, and it was still a cold autumn night. With the alcohol in her system, she felt quite warm. Sachi recognized the path that Kai had chosen, a perfect scenic route with scattered trees and enough light to navigate. The nighttime crowd's chorus gradually gave way to the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the chirping of nighttime creatures emerging from their nests.

"Firstly, I would like to thank you for tonight. It was lovely, the food was very tasty, even for someone as picky as me, and overall, I had a fun time," Sachi spoke with a clear tone, her voice steady despite the many thoughts racing in her mind. She clasped her fingers behind her and took a deep breath, feeling herself sober up. "This past week has been incredibly fun and unexpected, and I truly mean it when I say that."

The young Kisei smiled briefly at Kai before walking a bit ahead on the path, turning to face him with an air of determination. "But…I think…there's been a little bit of a misunderstanding." She intertwined her fingers in front of her, carefully choosing her words.

"I wanted to keep our relationship up in airs because I knew I wasn't ready to commit at the time. I was and still am quite happy with my current situation, and prioritizing my training and career was the reason I agreed to something as undefined as this. However, due to the ambiguity in our perspectives, I felt the need to address it." Her smile faded, replaced by a serious glint in her eyes.

"From my perspective, I only agreed to go on a few dates and maybe even some missions, as you had said.” Sachi’s eyes advert her gaze for a moment at the uncomfortable feeling, but she resolved to see it through as there was no time like the present. "And that was perfectly fine by me; That was ‘testing the waters’ in my eyes because I couldn’t guarantee anything or make any promises.” Her smile returned once more as she wrapped her hands in the green sleeves of her yukata, slightly sullen and not as bright as her usual grins and expressions of tenderness. "It was a way for me to justify not treating the relationship seriously, as there were no labels and no commitments."

"Personally, I find those labels suited for expressing a serious relationship, and maybe that's where our perspectives differed. I don't consider you my boyfriend, and I don't see myself as your girlfriend. From where I stand, if I were to describe our relationship to others—my family and friends—I don't want them to misunderstand." She nodded twice, her hair coming undone from its bun, which irritated her slightly.

"I, unfortunately, don't see you in a romantic light. I saw our meetings as friends testing the waters and nothing more." She took the kanzashi out of her hair, letting the pink strands fall onto her shoulders as she stepped closer to the older genin.

The girl’s eyes scanned Kai’s face to see his reaction making sure she didn’t avert her eyes. She didn’t want him to feel hurt but being ignorant wasn’t in her best interest and she rather face him now than do it later when she returned home to Kusagakure. She was fully ready to take responsibility for whatever had transpired over the week regarding them.

"I apologize for not being clear about our relationship status from the beginning, and I shouldn't have assumed that you understood my feelings on the matter." Her eyes remained fixed on Kai's face, and she didn't avert her gaze. She wanted to address this issue honestly and responsibly.

"Phew, with that off my chest, I have a proposal to make." Sachi reached out confidently for Kai's hand, hoping he would let her grasp it, the kanzashi with the Kisei emblem in her other hand. "Kai-kun, will you go out with me?"

"Before you get the wrong idea," she began, her voice clear and determined, "I'm asking you to be my boyfriend, not just for some dates or a mission, in the way I perceive those labels to mean. And I also have some conditions with it..."

–🌸-

Attempt by Necro
Tags:Uchiha, Kai

[Uchiha, Kai]

The night was cold. As cold as the dark, moonlit sky above. Sachi spoke, and Kai listened. And the bristling winds of air ran through both their bodies as he walked through the crowds, hands tucked into his pockets, for the moment. He was smiling- At first, anyways.

The idea that she enjoyed their date truly made him happy- A warm feeling in his soul that kept him going. But as her conversation progressed, and her words twisted, it became harder and harder to hold that smile. Because he began to realize he was sitting in a lie himself.

"I... See." He responded to her belief in his misconception, nodding a few times slowly. Well, that was rather painful, but that was okay. It was just a misunderstanding. He clearly just hadn't been honest with her, and it was his fault, and he was okay with that. He could fix that- He could, do something about that.

But as the cold truly ran in, and the streets began to get a bit thinner, leaving but the two of them out in it, his heart felt ice run through its veins as she explained how she saw the relationship. But more so then that... It froze when she said she didn't see him in a romantic light.

It shouldn't have hurt him like it did, and he really wasn't sure why it did in the first place. He felt like puking, in truth- All of his dinner would be gone and he'd be sitting there looking like a fool. His guts were twisted, his mind, swirling with different emotions. Had he done something wrong? Had he hurt her? Was he not enough? Was he not doing something right?

The answer of course was likely none of these things- But even still, it was a rug pull. Not that Sachi meant to rug pull him, she was understanding about all of this and if anything was letting him down rather easily- But the passion of his clan, mixed with his own feelings, left him starting to frown. As she looked him in the eyes, scanning his face, well.

He was still smiling, but he was hurting. That was the sad truth of things- With something like this, it didn't matter how gently you let someone off the hook, they were still going to be in a lot of pain. It was a stab in the gut, even if it a gentle one, and that still hurt like the dickins.

His hands released from his pockets, his body as cold as the surrounding air, as he felt himself... Regressing. She reached out for his hand, speaking of a proposal. His eyes continued to stare at her, but he no longer feigned a smile- It was an odd choice for her to make, to say what she had and then follow it up with such a request- But it was likely unintentional on her part, to be painful.

She asked him to go out with her. His hands were notably cold, for the moment, and the twist in emotions was almost enough to shatter the psyche he was already struggling to hold onto. It was a knife stab, and then she yoinked it out and tried to bandage it.

A twist, as his hands lightly intertwined with hers, as she asked if he would be her boyfriend. Not just a few dates. Not just testing the waters, so it seemed. But dating, boyfriend and girlfriend, in the way she saw it. He honestly wasn't sure what to say. He was still in a bit of shock, but he pulled himself together, closing his eyes as he risked activating his Sharingan from the state of his intense emotions. He wouldn't show that. And he certainly would try not to cry.

He opened his eyes again, after thirty agonizing seconds, having said nothing so far outside of the relatively quiet "Uhuh" and "I see..."s he'd sprinkled to show he recognized what she was saying.

"Um..." He pulled the frog out of his throat and spoke up, realizing that, as a man, it was extremely inpolite for him to leave a girl waiting.

"I'm sorry- Ah... Yes. Yes, I'd love to- I mean- I'll go out with you- But... What are the conditions?" There was more to this story then met the eye, so he thought. Surely she wasn't just going to drop a bombshell that she didn't see him as a romantic partner...

Then immediately ask him to be her romantic partner, right? A crushing weight bore on his shoulders, but he bravely faced the storm, and the look on his face said whatever words she spoke next, he could take it. He was hurt a bit, obviously, but anyone would be. If he wasn't hurt, it'd show more about how little he cared about her, the pain was what made this so real.

And with that, he stopped, baited breath, waiting for her conditions, be they positive or negative, his heart barely beating as she had him on a cliffhanger.

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

"How do I explain?" Sachi pondered, holding her hand to her chin as she let go of Kai's cold hands, recognizing that he was listening after his response. She was astonished he agreed so readily without listening to the entire proposal. Especially after she had metaphorically stabbed him, it was clear that he was deeply hurt. She could see the shock in his body language and his pale complexion, etching another unforgettable memory into her mind. However, she maintained a brave and smiling front, believing it was important to talk about regardless, even if it meant that he would only shun her afterward. "It's only been a week since I've met you, after all. Even with my impeccable memory, I know so little about you, so how could I develop romantic feelings so quickly?"

She brushed through her messy hair with her fingers, separating the strands trying to combat some nervous tension that she felt.

"How much do you really know about me? Even if I chatter to no end, what comes up is only 10% of my entire being.” She shakes her head and then stands up straighter, gazing up at him trying to gauge where he was at mentally.

"I want to try being a couple for a year, even if I don't have feelings for you…right now. One never knows when feelings might change. I might grow fond of you,” she explained softly as she intertwined her fingers behind her back as she continued walking down the road before him, pathing towards the coffee shop, feeling her feet growing numb from the cold, her sandals offering little protection.

"So, I want to try it, explore how compatible we are by actually entering a relationship. It's the same as 'testing the waters,' but this time with better methods and variables, starting with little misunderstandings and complete honesty about my own feelings." The girl paused once more, clasping her hands, and turning her head to look back at Kai.

"You don't have to agree to it, and you can, honestly, reject me outright if it doesn’t sound like a good idea," Sachi clarified. Her eyes conveyed a nuanced sorrowful tone, but the young Kisei continued to smile at him, her calm conviction contrasting with Kai's intense emotional state. She wanted him to understand that the decision was ultimately his, and she emphasized, "It’s pretty one-sided since it's not certain if I'll come to like you in that way.”

Sachi felt the heaviness in the air, recognizing that her request was rather selfish, but it was true to her, and she couldn't deny her own desires and feelings, even if it meant briefly hurting Kai. She continued, "I’m not trying to play around with your heart either, if you were thinking that. If I make a commitment, I intend to keep it. In this case, if we decide to become a couple, I'll still try my best to fulfill that role until the year has passed." She emphasized this, as she nodded, placing her hand over her heart

"That being said, you also have the option to end it at any time if it becomes too much for you or the uncertainty becomes burdensome. Maybe, you’ll even come to dislike me after learning more about me." she added, trying to convey her respect for his autonomy in the matter. "I'm not a fan of locking people into unions they can't get out of, so you’ll always have the option to stop even before the year has gone," 

–🌸-

Attempt by Necro

Tags: Uchiha, Kai

 

------

[Uchiha, Kai]

Her collective words stung deeper then any blade could. He wish he had just been stabbed instead, at least that would have been a clean cut, and the blood would pool. Here, he wasn't sure if he was going to bleed at all. She gave him... Conditions. Odd ones, at that. And to Kai, it made little sense.

She had just explained how she didn't feel for him in such a way. How she didn't care about him like that. And then to turn around and ask him to keep pushing himself, it felt ingenuine, almost. Cruel. Dark thoughts clouded his head and it was very clear she could see them- He wasn't hiding it. But they weren't malicious thoughts. He looked down at the ground as he walked along those soft rocks, the cold truly freezing his body up, as he contemplated what he'd do next.

When she finished with everything she said, he moved a hand up to his face and wiped away something. It must have been dust in his eye, because there's no way he could be crying right now, right? His voice would come out shaky, and he tried to speak...

"I-i... It's, um... Okay... I just..." He bit his tongue, steeled his resolve, and pushed forward his willpower in a way he hoped would show that he was brave enough to take on this monumental task as a man, not a boy. He put on a strong face. He used his memories to think back to times that were far worse than this. And he realized, it wasn't the end of the world.

He just had to steel himself towards the advance, as he stepped forward, moving his hands out to grab hers. He stared her in the eyes, as she could see the red in them.

"I accept this... But on one other condition." He explained, as he pulled her in close. It was a hug, but not just a purely romantic one. He really needed a hug right now, and it didn't matter if it was from a friend or a loved one. He just needed one. And he hid that by showing it off as a hug of care. That is to say, he did care.

" I know I don't know you very well, Sachi. I barely have scratched the surface. But if this is just a small bit of what you have to offer, I don't want it to end. You're sweet, you're caring, you're honest and you have more heart than anyone I've met in my life. Hell, the fact that you went through all of this..." He sighed. His emotions felt one way, but he was mature enough to put them aside and see this from a different standpoint.

"It shows you do care. Just in a different way. But you're not stuck to anything. And I don't want you to feel that way. We can date. We can even make it official. But if you ever feel uncomfortable. If you ever dislike it- Or want to pull away, or even leave- Just be honest. Just like tonight." He said, as he pulled her close to his chest, as she could feel the warmth of his heart burning through his hoodie.

"I care about you too much to see you struggle through something for my sake. And considering we've only known eachother for the better part of a week? ... I wouldn't want to see you truly hurt, Sachi. You mean a lot to me. I can't understate that. But your emotions mean more to me than my own. So never let those go for my sake." It was a way of saying, he was okay with this. He was okay with giving it his all and her not giving it back in the same way, because that's how much he cared. It wasn't a healthy sort of relationship, likely, but it was a start.

Konohagakure wasn't built in a day, and neither would their solid relationship, and he was willing to see just how far they could take it together.

"Do you... Agree?"

[Kisei Sachi]

Kisei Sachi🌸

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

The rose-colored girl looked down at her hand, her large, cold hands engulfing both of hers. "You just? Wha-," Sachi exclaimed, her face pressing against his shoulders in a warm embrace.

She felt a little bashful but then noticed the trembling of his body as he poured out all that he felt, every bit of emotion that was silently hiding away in the crimson of his eyes. She listened carefully to every word, parsing through each emotional line. The beating of his heart made evident how serious he was, his whole being spilling over with intensity. Reflexively, her dainty hands began to tenderly stroke his head, trying to comfort him as rough dark strands coursed through her fingertips.

"I believe I have the same amount of heart as anyone else. I'm sure an outside perspective would call me cruel and almost unforgiving, nor do I think I would be the one struggling," she smiled, her tone sweet like honey, her arms hugging him back. "I accept the condition.” She almost wanted to tease him and say "No, I don’t accept,” but it was in poor taste because the Uchiha was teary-eyed already. Not breaking away, she continued to stay in his warm embrace, letting him have a moment to bring himself back down from the emotional state.

"It will take a lot more to hurt me than being in a relationship I set out for myself. Of course, I will never disregard my own feelings when it comes to these types of relationships, or at the very least, I'll talk to you about it if something like that comes up but it’s probably unlikely," she then pushed herself away from his chest, staring at his face properly. She had a small blush in the corners of her cheeks and ears, and a wide, bright grin that still adorned her face as her blue eyes stared into his. "I can handle myself, so don't think that your feelings are unimportant."

The girl breathed out, letting the tension release from her body. "Well, that settles it then, doesn’t it? I’ll be in your care for a year, Kai, officially.”

Sachi was satisfied with the arrangement and Kai basically confessed to her affirmed what she had already believed about Kai. She was happy he even agreed but felt a little guilty she put him through such an emotional state but didn’t dwell on it much.

–🌸-

Attempt by Necro
Tags: Uchiha, Kai