[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

There were many things he could be doing, training, studying, maybe even take a low rank mission while he waited for his new team assignment. Instead, Kaoru had trudged out to the edge of the Tokonatsu clan's fields and clambered up into the branch of his favourite tree, one that had lilypad clad pond right next to it where, if he was quiet enough, he could hear the frogs croaking. Between the shade of the tree and the wind on the open fields hitting the cool water, it was a place that he could find relief from the warmth of the day without getting too cold.

The perfect place to relax and have a nap as he waited for the after effects of whatever concotion had been handed to him that day. He might have asked for help from the alchemist to build his body up stronger, but that didn't mean he enjoyed the various odd sensations that went through his body as a result of it.

Lounging casually in the fork between two perfectly shaped branches in 'his' tree, Kaoru absently took a bite of the Hanii Turunba that he had brought with him, the small box containing the sweet treat resting on another perfectly shaped ledge formed by the branches of the tree.

It really was peaceful right now.

Word Count: 221
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa's return to the clan compound proved to be an exercise in humility, as the unmistakable stench preceding him elicited reactions from passersby. While inwardly acknowledging the discomfort he caused, Touwa couldn't help but curse Oborozuki and his skunkish companion for the predicament, "That damn Oborozuki and his skunk."
[break][break]
Rui, always quick to seize an opportunity to tease him, couldn't resist a jab. "Smelly Touwa, smelly Touwa," he chanted gleefully, earning an eye roll from Touwa.
[break]
"Yes, Rui, because you smell like roses in comparison," he retorted mentally with a smirk, knowing full well they were all in the same boat.
[break]
Teki, on the other hand, was a different story. Ever the loyal one, he came to Touwa's defense without hesitation. "Rui, we're all in this together, you didn't forget that, did you?" he reminded Rui, much to Touwa's appreciation.
[break]
It was nice to have someone in his corner, even if it was just to balance out Rui's antics.
[break][break]
Upon reaching the compound, the elder and others swiftly ushered Touwa toward cleansing and disposing of his malodorous attire. However, Touwa harbored a different agenda. He felt compelled to share his recent "fortune" with someone he held in high regard, someone who resonated with the natural world much like Tokonatsu itself. Though hesitant to admit it, since their first meeting, Touwa recognized a unique bond with Kaoru, one that defied easy explanation.
[break][break]
"Have you seen Kaoru?" he inquired of a fellow clan member, receiving an affirmative response. Waste no time, Touwa made his way toward the outskirts of the Tokonatsu clan's farms.
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"Kaoru~," he called out with genuine warmth and cheekiness, his voice carrying across the fields.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 276
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Tokonatsu Kaoru

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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

A sudden feeling of dread filled Kaoru and he couldn't figure out why, something was sending shivers down his spine. He narrowed his eyes in agitation at that, he didn't like feeling such things, it went against his nature to fear or dread and generally made him angry. Sitting up from his spot in his tree, he looked towards the outer edges of the field, expecting something that caused him to feel this agitated to be coming from there.

And that was when the stink hit. It was like a mixture of sulfur, garlic, and burnt rubber left out in the sun to ferment in all the worst ways. Clambering to his feet in hopes to escape the slowly intensifying scent, he paused in his escape attempts when a voice called out across the field, a voice he didn't exactly want to run away from, though the hint of mischief in it told him that the pain his nostrils were experiencing was a deliberate act of malice.

Thinking quickly, the redhead pulled his earplugs out of the place and shoved them up his nostrils, making sure they weren't visible as he tried to limit his suffering as he turned on the branch and sat back down in a more visible spot, glancing down as Touwa made his way to the location.

"Heyo Touwa, what brings you here? Weren't you off training?" he asked, playing innocent to the fact that his younger friend stank to high heaven. There was... probably a story to that, right?

Word Count: 254
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa swaggered over to where Kaoru perched in the tree, his usual air of elitism tempered slightly by the flutter of nerves in his chest. Despite the pungent cloud of odor that seemed to envelop him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth at the sight of Kaoru, his heart skipping a beat as their eyes met.
[break][break]
"Hey," Touwa greeted with a grin, though he couldn't ignore the slight twitch of Kaoru's nose. "Yeah, about that training... let's just say I never want to do it again." He waved a hand dismissively, trying to downplay the embarrassing situation he found himself in, while a wave of anger bubbled inside him as he recalled the memories.
[break][break]
"I figured I'd take a little detour before cleaning up. Thought I'd share a 'fragrant' story with my dear senior," Touwa continued the word senior laced with an undertone of something else, leaning against the trunk of the tree Kaoru perched in. Despite the stench emanating from him, he was glad to see Kaoru's familiar face. Touwa was not sure why but since their early days he had found himself drawn to Kaoru's presence, some sort of warmth blooming in his chest that had nothing to do with the stifling heat of Takigakure.
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"You wouldn't believe it, the audacity of that Oborozuki and his damn skunk," he started, recounting the events involving Oborozuki and the annoying skunk that had doused him with its potent spray. "I swear when I have the chance I will pay that Oborozuki back."
[break][break]
"So..." Touwa said, his tone softening slightly as he met Kaoru's gaze. "What about you? I am pretty sure this is not where you are supposed to be at this time of the day."
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 289
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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

As Touwa got closer, Kaoru realised two things. The first was that what he shoved up his nostrils were ear plugs not nose plugs, the second was that smells could have a taste too, and that was not a pleasant taste to experience. And yet he couldn't bring himself to flee or make a big deal about it, he didn't want to hurt Touwa's feelings after all or give him the satisfaction of making him sick. Instead he flopped down to sit on the branch casually and tried not to let his watering eyes show... and not to gag as well.

But then the younger boy leaned against the tree and the scent seemed to shoot straight up into his face. Did stink rise like hot air? It might do? With that thought in mind, Kaoru casually flopped off the branch backwards into the grass, letting out a slight grunt as his back slammed into the ground, but feeling some small measure of relief from the stench.

He shook his head slightly at the story, and would have laughed if he wasn't afraid of making the taste in his mouth significantly worse. "You were training with someone who had a skunk? I suppose that's one way to make dodging second nature," he quipped with a closed mouth smile, amusement warring with the disgust that the smell brought.

"I have done exactly what I was supposed to," Kaoru responded to the query posed to him, tilting his head slightly as though sniffing in distaste, though he absolutely did not even try to sniff, "although I think you may be giving me torture training now too... actually, that's a good excuse!" Sitting up with a start, the redhead examined Touwa speculatively, pondering how best to take advantage of this opportunity without, well, dying of skunk scent.

What he didn't say was how his bones currently burned and his joints ached, or that his skin itched all over. That was just side effects of the stuff that was meant to make him stronger anyway, and he didn't want to worry the other boy. No, better to let Touwa think he was just being lazy about it all. 

"I'm sure they can't get mad if we're doing some sort of endurance training!" he added with a wider grin, teeth clenched just a little too tightly than normal.

Word Count: 393
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa couldn't help but notice Kaoru's discomfort, although the redhead was doing his best to hide it behind a veil of nonchalance. Touwa was well aware of Kaoru's resilience and his tendency to downplay any pain or discomfort he might be feeling. But even with his sarcastic demeanor and elitist attitude, Touwa couldn't shake off the concern that crept into his mind.
[break][break]
Suppressing a smirk at Kaoru's attempt to brush off the situation with humor, Touwa leaned in a bit closer, his voice laced with a hint of teasing. "Endurance training, huh? Well, if that's what you want to call it, who am I to argue?" He flashed a cocky grin.
[break][break]
Despite his bravado, Touwa couldn't shake off the gnawing feeling of embarrassment at his current state. The last thing he wanted was for Kaoru to view him as anything less than his usual confident self. But as he leaned in closer to his senior, he couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth at the sight of Kaoru's unwavering composure.
[break][break]
"So, endurance training it is," Touwa declared, pushing himself off the tree and extending a hand to help Kaoru up from the ground. "But first, let's get me cleaned up. Can't have you enduring this stench any longer." He offered a wry grin, hoping to alleviate some of the tension that hung between them like a noxious cloud. After all, if Kaoru could tolerate the smell, then perhaps there was hope yet for Touwa to salvage his pride.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 249
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Tokonatsu Kaoru

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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

"Arguing with a senpai is always a bad idea," Kaoru stated with a very clearly faked haughty tone, grinning with a closed mouth at his own silliness. When Touwa offered him a hand up, the redhead accepted the offered limb, shooting up to his feet rapidly before flopping dramatically over the other boy. Part deliberate and part because he wasn't quite ready to be standing fully at this point. Sprawling over Touwa with a grin, Kaoru slowly stood back up properly.

"Well, looks like it's our stench now, not just yours" he commented as cheerfully as he could after having basically rubbed himself against skunk stink in order to help alleviate the clear embarassment Touwa felt for being sprayed. "Best we go clean up, huh? A bath doesn't sound too bad, it's been a hot day," he mused absently as he flung an arm around the blue haired boy and started to walk towards the clan compound, now fully dedicated to ensuring that nothing seemed out of ordinary as he helped inflict the skunk stench on their kin.

"So why exactly did you get sprayed?" he asked as they walked, curious for a more detailed rundown of the events that had led to the skunkening... the skunkpocalypse? Whatever it would be called in the future.

Word Count: 215
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa smirked at Kaoru's antics, inwardly grateful for the distraction his senior provided from the lingering embarrassment. As Kaoru draped an arm around him, Touwa resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the theatrical display but couldn't help but appreciate the warmth of the gesture. So he let him be.

"Ah, yes, our scent now. How delightful," Touwa responded with mock enthusiasm, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I can already hear the accolades from our fellow clan members as we grace them with our aromatic presence." As they strolled towards the clan compound, Touwa couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Kaoru for his effortless ability to ease the tension. Despite his usual elitist demeanor, Touwa found himself softening in Kaoru's company, a fact he would never admit aloud.
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Touwa's frustration bubbled beneath his words as he recounted the ordeal to Kaoru, his tone tinged with annoyance at the memory.
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"Oborozuki Zura..." Touwa muttered the name with disdain as if the mere mention of it left a bitter taste in his mouth. "I had a training session with him, or should I say with his summon in the form of a skunk. That damn skunk was as awful as his owner, with no manners and respect whatsoever. Crazy."
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He shook his head in disbelief, his irritation evident. "Spraying his stink all over the place where we were training. Nothing like my well-mannered Kuro."
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Touwa's lips formed a thin line as he recalled the chaos that ensued during the training session once again. "I swear, that skunk seemed to take pleasure in making my life miserable. And that Oborozuki just stood there, smirking like he was enjoying the whole spectacle. You are so lucky to be out of the Academy already, no random training sessions with those unsophisticated creatures."
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

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Tokonatsu Kaoru

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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

"They should be grateful to be graced with our mere presence, such fine examples of the Asagao that we are," he said with a faked sniff (since his nose was still blocked), blinking slightly to alleviate the stinging in his eyes from the scent. He could have stepped away from Touwa to get away from it, considering most of it was definitely on the younger boy, but then that would defeat the purpose of trying to share in this particular embarassment.

He raised an eyebrow at the description of Kuro being well mannered, that cat had a mean streak when he wanted to, but of course Touwa never had experienced the vengeance his cat could lay upon someone. There was no point arguing over it either, he knew that the younger shinobi wouldn't hear a word against his beloved familiar.

"I don't know I'd call it lucky, I get shuffled around to work with a bunch of people because there's no permanent Genin teams right now, and there's a massive shortage of appropriate sensei too... who knows, perhaps I'll be matched with this Oborozuki next? At least your days are relatively consistent in who you are exposed to," Kaoru retorted as they approached the clan buildings, mostly oblivious to the various looks of disapproval that were already being sent their way.

Though he wasn't actually unaware, he just didn't much care. Whether it was due to the smell, or the fact he still hadn't removed his arm from around Touwa's slim shoulders as he steered him towards the baths, Kaoru couldn't care less about the opinions of the others.

They could deal with it.

Word Count: 274
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa couldn't help but feel a mixture of amusement and annoyance at Kaoru's response. While his senior's nonchalant attitude towards the disapproving looks from their fellow clan members was nothing new, Touwa couldn't shake off the lingering irritation from the encounter with Zura.
[break][break]
As they walked towards the baths, Touwa pondered Kaoru's words. His senior had a point about the unpredictable nature of his assignments as a Genin, but at least Kaoru had the freedom to work with different teams. Touwa, on the other hand, felt somewhat trapped within the confines of his routine, constantly interacting with the same individuals, some of whom were less than pleasant.
[break][break]
"I suppose you have a point," Touwa conceded, yet his voice betrayed a hint of frustration. "At least I know what to expect most days, even if it means dealing with the occasional unpleasant surprise like the Oborozuki." Touwa added, "Just try not to get too cozy with that skunk if you end up paired with him. I doubt your sense of smell would ever recover."
[break][break]
The bathhouse was a soundless space within the bustling compound, its traditional architecture exuding an air of peace. Stepping inside, Touwa was enveloped by the warm, earthy scent of wood and the soothing sound of water trickling into the large communal bath. The room was dimly lit by lanterns, casting a soft glow over the polished wooden floors and intricately designed tiles that adorned the walls.
[break][break]
Touwa found himself moving towards the row of wooden lockers lining one side of the bathhouse, each marked with ornate carvings and lacquered finishes. Not wasting any time, he slipped out of his clothes before putting them away in a laundry basket which was quickly taken away and a new set of clothes was brought for both Touwa and Kaoru neatly folded and stowed away In their lockers. As he reached for the towel hanging nearby, he couldn't help but steal glances at Kaoru out of the corner of his eye.
[break][break]
Kaoru's silhouette moved refined as he undressed, the flickering light casting shadows across his toned muscles. Touwa's gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary, captivated by the play of light and shadow on his senior's skin. There was an undeniable allure to Kaoru's form, a raw masculinity that contrasted sharply with Touwa's own slender frame.
[break][break]
Quickly averting his gaze, Touwa focused on his own reflection in the mirror, adjusting the towel around his waist with a faint blush staining his cheeks. He wasn't sure what had come over him, this sudden awareness of Kaoru's presence in such an intimate setting. But there was something undeniably intoxicating about the way Kaoru carried himself, a confidence that seemed to radiate from within. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Touwa reminded himself that they were just in a junior-senior releationship. "I'll go first."
[break][break]
As Touwa made his way to the shower area, he couldn't shake the feeling of self-consciousness that lingered after his moment of distraction. The sound of water splashing against the tiles provided a welcome distraction as he rinsed off the day's grime, letting the warmth soothe his tense muscles. With each passing moment, he tried to push aside his lingering thoughts about Kaoru, focusing instead on the simple act of cleansing himself. Exiting the showers, Touwa felt a sense of composure as he stepped out into the open air of the outdoor baths.
[break][break]

[break]
Choosing a spot along the edge of the bath, Touwa lowered himself into the water with a contented sigh, letting the heat seep into his bones. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to relax completely.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 601
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Tokonatsu Kaoru

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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

"Don't worry, I think this is about as close as I care to get to any skunk," the redhead snorted, wincing slightly as it caused the ear plug in his nostril to slide further into his face.. somehow, not that it made any sense but he was definitely going to have to fish it out sooner rather than later.

Entering the bath house with his usual swagger, Kaoru didn't hesitate to remove the skunk scented clothing from his body and toss them into the nearest laundry hamper, pleased to get the smell as far away from himself as he possibly could. He wasn't aware of the eyes on him, nor the sorts of judgements they were placing, he simply wanted to get clean and be free of the skunk's stench.

"Huh? Oh, sure," the redhead replied absently as Touwa said he'd go on ahead, distracted as he was by his attempts to pull his hair tie out without going to all the trouble of untying it. He briefly contemplated twisting his towel up to give the other boy a flick with it on the backside, but figured that such a joke wouldn't go down well with his uptight kouhai. Instead, he waited until he was alone once more before promptly shoving a finger up his nostril and trying to dig out the earplugs he had shoved there.

It didn't take too long, and soon enough they were in a separate bin to be thrown out. In some ways, it was a relief to have unplugged nostrils, but it did subject him to further stink made worse by the bath house's humidity. Placing his towel on his head, he casually wandered out to the shower area, happily washing away the grime and most importantly the smell that clung to him with the shinobi grade soaps and shampoos. Cleaned, no longer smelly, and looking to relax, Kaoru wandered over to the baths himself, plopping in across from Touwa with graceful gracelessness.

"Boo~"

Word Count: 330
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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Touwa couldn't help but grin wryly when Kaoru's voice disrupted the peaceful ambiance of the bathhouse, pulling him back from his thoughts. "Wow, talk about being subtle," Touwa joked, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he shot a playful glance at his senior. "You sure know how to make an entrance, huh?" he added, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.
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Despite his sarcastic remark, Touwa couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth towards Kaoru, a feeling that he begrudgingly acknowledged. After all, beneath Kaoru's carefree facade lay a certain charm that Touwa found difficult to resist, even if he would never admit it out loud.
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"As much as I enjoy being startled out of my skin," Touwa continued, his tone dry, "I must admit, your timing could use some work." He cast a sidelong glance at Kaoru, unable to suppress the fondness that flickered in his eyes. "But I suppose I'll let it slide this time. Just don't make a habit of it."
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Leaning back against the edge of the bath, Touwa allowed himself a moment of quiet contemplation, the gentle lapping of the water providing a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. Despite their differences, there was a certain comfort in Kaoru's presence, a familiarity that Touwa found himself inexplicably drawn to.
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After a short silence, Touwa's curiosity and a hint of reluctance to leave Kaoru's company nudged him forward slightly, his eyes wide with genuine interest. "So, Kaoru," he started, his voice tinged with a bit of eagerness, "what are you planning to do for the rest of today? I don't have anything else going on," he confessed, hoping Kaoru would pick up on his subtle desire to hang out a bit longer, though he didn't want to admit it outright.
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SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
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The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
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鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
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After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

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Tokonatsu Kaoru

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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

"No one has ever accused me of being subtle before," Kaoru replied with a laugh, arms coming out wide to bow dramatically in the other boy's direction, water streaming off the muscled limbs, "thank you, thank you, someone as great as me should definitely make an entrance ne? Spread my awesome around like butter on toast". In reality, Kaoru could absolutely be subtle, he just usually didn't bother. It was only when it came to going against what he saw as uncessarily stuffy aspects of the clan that he bothered applying that subtlty usually.

"Oi, what's wrong with my timing? I thought it was perfect!" he protested, splashing in Touwa's general direction without any intention of hitting the other boy with water. Vengeance thus claimed, he settled back into the water and allowed its warmth to seep into his body, soothing the aches and pains that were an ever present companion nowadays... at least it seemed to be so to him. He felt his eyes start to get a bit heavier with sleepiness as he let the water do its work

His musing came to an end relatively quickly though as Touwa spoke, eyes sliding open slightly to stare at the other boy for a few moments even as he slumped deeper into the hot water of the spring. "I didn't really have anything planned for the moment," he murmured, eyes sliding closed once more as he spread his limbs outward to maximise the full heat absorption, "why? was there somethin' you wanted to do?" 

He didn't say that he'd been planning to rest as the tonics that he'd been given were processed by his body, he didn't want to worry the other boy with the concerns of his health, but he also couldn't think up a convincing falsehood either, so he was honest as he could be, besides it wasn't like he minded doing something that the other boy came up with.

Word Count: 323
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa

[Tokonatsu Touwa]

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He couldn't help but smirk at Kaoru's theatrics, finding amusement in his exaggerated gestures. "Butter on toast, huh? Well, I suppose there are worse ways to spread your 'awesome'," he remarked, his tone laced with sarcasm but with a hint of warmth underneath.
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As Kaoru defended his timing, Touwa couldn't resist a chuckle. "Perfect timing, you say? I guess that depends on your definition of perfection," he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes.
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Relaxing back into the warmth of the bath, Touwa let out a small sigh of contentment. He observed Kaoru's posture, noting the subtle signs of fatigue. "Taking it easy today, are we?" he quipped his tone light but with a genuine concern underlying his words. However, he didn't press further, respecting Kaoru's privacy.
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When Kaoru mentioned having no plans, Touwa's mind did its best to think of something. "Well, since we're both free, perhaps we should make the most of it," he suggested his tone casual but with a hint of eagerness. "How about grabbing a bite to eat? My treat. There's that new ramen place that opened up in the Market. I've heard their miso ramen is to die for," he added, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
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Though Touwa maintained his usual demeanor and tone, he looked at Kaoru with a softness in his gaze and a blush on his cheeks, a warmth that belied his true feelings.
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SPOILER: Click to show

斬術 | Zanjutsu [lit. Cutting Technique]
[break][break]
The Araikettei clan's KKG allows the user to obtain and wield the Life Blade - Ruiteki. The blade has its own consciousness and is capable of acting on its own. Regardless, Touwa and his Life Blade are inextricably linked to life and death. When one dies, the other dies, and thus anyone who is not Touwa is unable to wield the weapon.
[break][break]
鐘剣道 | Kane Kendo [lit. Bell Sword Way]
[break][break]
After investing a significant amount of time Touwa has achieved an understanding of his lifeblade. As a result, he has unlocked the ability to establish communication with them. This newfound connection enables Touwa to effectively manipulate and mold the lifeblade according to his desires. Harnessing the power of the Araikettei clan's hijutsu, Touwa now possesses the capability to skillfully utilize various techniques through the embodiment of Ruiteki itself.

[attr="class","ooc-area"]WORD: 238
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Tokonatsu Kaoru

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[Tokonatsu Kaoru]

Tokonatsu Kaoru

"It's been boring lately," the redhead defended his 'taking it easy', locked in the village and stuck doing dull missions with equally forgettable teammates, and nothing particularly stimulating from the stuffy higher ups in the clan either. That was a much better explanation than the constant aches, pains, and fatigue that came from his current regimen of tonics meant to boost his capabilities.

There was something in Touwa's words that he couldn't really figure out, something hinted with his expression and tones that, to him was off but he had no idea exactly why that was. It didn't feel bad, and he usually could pick up when someone was being backhanded or some sort of agenda with him. There was something in the other boy's eyes that left him feeling a little warmer, and not like, warm because of the hotsprings.

"Ramen huh? Sure, I could eat, hopefully they have something spicy though," he stated with a sigh, getting to his feet with a splash, water cascading off him as he folded his arms over his chest and stared down imperiously at the dark-haired boy. "You gotta eat plenty too, get yourself nice and strong so you can get outta the academy quicker," he said, lips quirked into a crooked grin.

Word Count: 211
Tags: Tokonatsu Touwa