[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

It was with a bright smile that Asuka made his way down the street, a basket under one arm. Many of the vendors here knew him by name, as this street was where the bulk of his ingredients for antidotes were purchased. There were always rarer ones to be sought out himself, but the rarer ones weren’t what he needed at the moment. He needed common ingredients- though he also planned to stop for some groceries on his way back to his own home.

Offering waves to a few of the vendors he knew, but didn’t need anything from, the man checked his basket once more as he approached the final few stands he needed. One, two, three… yes, everything was there so far. Just a few more herbs to buy, and then he’d be fine to work on groceries.

It was then that he’d catch sight of something familiar through the crowd. A flash of white hair had him pondering for a moment, could it be? White hair was common enough in Kiri, but this particular white hair was one he swore he’d seen before. Mission to obtain herbs now derailed, Asuka delicately picked his way through the crowd, attempting to confirm his suspicions. Was that who he thought it was? If so, he definitely wanted to greet the person.

@ tag
# # #
Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Shimizu Asuka [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] The crowd seemed to flow around him, granting a wide berth to the stranger as Hakurei meandered slowly down the bustling main street of Kirigakure. It was as if the city itself knew that he didn’t belong. The jounin kept his hands in his pockets and on his coin purse as he looked up at all the signs over the various shops. He got a lot of strange looks but so far his presence had been tolerated as one might walk by a decaying fish on the dock. He was somebody else’s problem. [break][break] Perhaps, he lamented, he should have said he had come on business. As an ambassador he would have been assigned a liaison or guide to help him get around. That would have been nice but he didn’t want a babysitter and he wasn’t here on official business for the village. He’d been tasked by Mei with making contact with the Southern Yuki Clan and despite his initial protests, she had managed to convince him to complete the task. Not that Hakurei expected his unofficial mission to be a success. These people were not his kin even if they shared a bloodline and he distrusted them more than any other clan in the Mist.[break][break] He didn’t know where the Yuki Compound was or if they even had one in the south. Maybe the various family units lived scattered about the village. Regardless, he wouldn’t be staying there. He needed to find food and shelter. Those were basic survival needs in any new environment. Hakurei sighed and pulled out a little brochure map he’d bought near the gate. He was lost and alone but these were feelings he'd grown accustomed to. [break][break] Hakurei glanced around in search of any friendly faces and to his pleasant surprise his amber eyes locked in on a familiar sight. He was drawn through the crowd towards the beautiful face with the violet eyes and the flowing silver locks as a sailor is drawn to a siren in the mist. "Asuka?” He asked in disbelief before, with the sudden brightness of the dawn, he repeated the man’s name with exuberance, "Shimizu Asuka!”

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

Asuka was rather quickly proven right in his thoughts on who he’d seen as none other than Hakurei emerged from the crowd, calling his name in a way that made some strange emotion squirm in his gut. Weaving his way through the crowd to the taller man at least, Asuka carefully adjusted his basket before dipping his head in greeting. ”Hakurei, I wasn’t aware you were coming to visit Kirigakure. What brings you here?” he asked, voice pleasant as he looked over the other man. There was some relief there, and… happiness?

Hakurei’s smile was sure bright enough to make him think so. Had Hakurei been lost in the sprawling business district?

With a tap to the man’s arm, he’d expertly guide him out of the flow of the crowd, and into a more calm area in between the booths and shops. Better to talk there than hold up the crowds, and he didn’t feel like potentially annoying any civilians by chatting in the middle of the traffic flow. ”It’s been some time. It’s good to see you,” he murmured, having moved a more appropriate distance away from the other man now that they weren’t being pushed around by the crowd. The tips of his ears had gained a faint red tinge, the only outward sign that he was truly flustered to see the older man. He couldn’t say he minded seeing Hakurei though, as he’d been nothing but helpful during their mission.

It was belatedly that he realized he’d taken them further from the shop he needed to visit but… surely the herbs could wait? There were other matters drawing his attention more now, like why the Yuki shinobi was here in Kiri, and if he’d already found a place to stay.

@ tag
# # #
Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Shimizu Asuka [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] "Here, I’ll carry that for you.” Hakurei offered as Asuka adjusted a basket of unfamiliar ingredients. He’d lace his own arm under the basket if his new friend allowed it. "Well, I- um…” He was momentarily distracted by the man’s hand as it brushed against the fabric of his shirt sleeve and he followed the gentle pressure against his tricep, allowing himself to be guided away from the business of the crowd. At this point Hakurei had almost entirely forgotten why he’d come to Kirigakure. "I actually never left the area. I’ve been doing some other missions around here and it occurred to me that as much as I’ve imagined the Mist Village, I’ve never actually been. I guess-” He suddenly recalled his promise to talk to the Yuki Clan but that seemed unimportant at the moment. "I guess I just came to satiate my curiosity. A friend of mine recently told me that necessity is the thief of joy.”[break][break] "It’s good to see you as well. I wasn’t sure if you’d be around or-” He let out a little chuckle feeling suddenly awkward now that a more appropriate distance lay between them. He let the handle of the basket slide down into his grasp and it swung back and forth gently. He glanced back up and noticed the little red on the other man’s ears. Was that his imagination? "I was looking for an inn or something but I can’t seem to figure out where we are on this map. Is there a place to stay around here that you’d recommend to a friend?”

PHARAOH LEAP CREATES

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

Asuka let Hakurei take the basket, the flushed tops of his ears actually growing redder at the kind gesture. He listened to the man’s response to his question, nodding along easily enough. ”That makes sense. Though, I can’t say I’ve travelled beyond water country much. Medics are prized here, and I’m rarely afforded the chance to leave the village. Our mission was a rarity for me,” he murmured in response.

It was then that Hakurei returned his pleasantries, and asked for a recommendation for an inn. Asuka took a moment to respond, but he gave a solution, his tone of voice almost shy. ”I wouldn’t recommend an inn if I could help it. If you’d prefer… I have an unoccupied guest room you could use for the time being. It’ll be more comfortable than having to rent a room, and cheaper as well,” he offered.

”Though, if you would rather use an inn, I can show you around the district, and help you pick one that works for you,” he added, not quite looking the other directly in the eye. Inwardly, he cursed his ponytail- the blush on his ears was fairly obvious with just of his hair pulled out of the way, and he could feel himself blushing.

@ tag
# # #
Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Shimizu Asuka [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] "That’s surprising.” Hakurei grinned reassuringly, "You seemed very confident standing up to a bunch of pirates. I’d have thought you’d been on hundreds of missions if you hadn’t just told me otherwise.”[break][break] He tilted his chin to the side as Asuka spoke. There must have been some reason he didn’t recommend staying in an inn but his new friend didn’t volunteer that information. Maybe the inns were all in high crime areas and he didn’t want to disparage his home village. Whatever the reason, it would have been rude to press him on it. Besides, a better option was quickly presented. The shyness in the other man’s voice didn’t escape Hakurei’s notice either. He wasn’t always so insightful but for some reason he found himself inescapably tuned in to the subtle cues of this particular person.[break][break] "Oh! You’d let me stay in your home? I don’t want to impose but…” Hakurei was a little hesitant. All his experience as a shinobi was telling him that there had to be an ulterior motive here. It wasn’t like he was a childhood friend or anything. Asuka had no reason to trust him on that level and was under no obligation to help a shinobi from a foreign land. So, he must want something from him and Hakurei had a vague inkling what that might be. He bit his lower lip before coming to a sudden decision. "I’d really appreciate it.”[break][break] "So- Will I be meeting your significant other or…?” It was Hakurei’s turn to blush as he realized too late how obvious he was being. He looked down at the basket and tried to change the subject. "What were you shopping for?”

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

”A simple bit of acting, nothing more. A medic has to be good at not showing nerves in front of patients, I just applied that to help me out,” he demurred, waving a hand to add to his point. That much was true, he’d been his fair share of anxious facing off against those pirates, no matter how he’d looked.

”I wouldn’t offer if it were too much of an imposition,” Asuka pointed out, though he shook off the shyness enough to keep his tone light. The blush had faded, somewhat, though Hakurei’s next question caught him off guard enough for him to be spluttering and blushing in full force, his whole face red this time.

”Wha- no, I! I’ve never had the time for… never had the time to find a lover!” he stammered out, wishing desperately to hide his whole face. Mercifully, the older man swiftly changed the subject, and Asuka latched onto the chance to avoid talking about his lack of a love life. ”Some medicinal herbs, mostly, I make antidotes and medicines in my spare time,” he answered, the tone of his voice higher pitched than normal as he struggled to recover from that brief shock.

”Though I also needed some more groceries as well. I can show you around the market, since I still have some purchases left to make?” he offered, desperately hoping Hakurei would inquire any more into his love life.

@ tag
# # #
Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for @tag [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] Hakurei's lips curved into a gentle smile as he watched Asuka fumble over his words. The sight was endearing, revealing an innocence that the older man hadn't anticipated. He had hoped that Asuka didn't have a lover at the moment, but the younger man's admission that he had never been in a relationship caught him by surprise. [break][break] "I can certainly relate," Hakurei replied, his tone warm and understanding. "It’s been hard meeting people. I’m away on missions a lot of the time and when I have time off I’d rather be at home with my daughter than anywhere else.” [break][break] Hakurei had not sought companionship since his wife’s death. The pain of her loss had been immeasurable and he blamed himself for not being there to protect her. Hakurei shoved his hand in his pocket unconsciously hiding a gold wedding band.[break][break] "Ah! That’s a useful hobby.” Hakurei responded. "Yes, please! Give me the tour. I’m sure there’s plenty around here that I’ve never seen before. It’ll be exciting.” That was a bit of an exaggeration. The jounin didn’t care much for shopping but it was a good excuse to spend some time getting to know this very interesting person.

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

The topic change was a great help, and Hakurei accepting it pretty gracefully was appreciated. Though, Asuka did want to make some things clear. ”It’s not because I haven’t wanted companionship, it’s just… there was so much to do, as a doctor, and even now my free time is lacking. Besides, people seem almost… scared? To broach the subject with me? I don’t think I’m that intimidating, but I guess I have to be to some degree,” he murmured, though he did return back to other topics quickly. Hakurei mentioned a daughter? ”I don’t think you’ve mentioned a daughter before, how old is she?” he asked, hoping to make some lighter conversation as he finally made to guide them back into the street.

The first order of business was heading to the herb shop Asuka had been on his way to when he’d run into Hakurei, not that far a walk from their current location. In fact, it was just down the street, and the conversation seemed to lapse for a moment as they walked, Asuka not quite sure what to say. There were very few people he interacted with outside professional environments, and Asuka was a fairly poor conversationalist because of it.

But soon enough, they’d be in front of the shop, and Asuka himself would pause for a moment here. ”Please don’t take anything this shop owner has to say to heart, okay? She’s very eccentric, to put it mildly,” he warned, not quite willing to fully explain just why that was to Hakurei at that moment. It was only when he received confirmation from the man that he’d push the door to the shop open, praying that the old woman wouldn’t be the one running the shop today.

@ tag
# # #
Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Shimizu Asuka [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] "I imagine they keep you busy around here. I know a few medical ninja back home and they’re always run ragged.” Hakurei chuckled thinking of his Nue friends in Yukigakure. He clenched his fist and, aside from the scars and bruises, Asuka would see by the unevenness of his knuckles that he’d broken bones in his hand several times. "Bless doctors for putting up with idiots like me.” [break][break] "Hm…” Hakurei pondered as they strode side by side. "You seem… very competent and put together. I can see how approaching you could be a little intimidating. Some people might wonder what they have to offer that you don’t already have.” [break][break] "Oh, Shizuha? At the risk of sounding old, she’s grown now, 19 or- no 20. She’s a chuunin and actually, she just moved in with some friends. I- a little bit- don’t know what to do with myself these days. When she was little I thought I’d never have a quiet moment to myself and now I’m practically begging for a little excitement.” [break][break] They arrived in front of a shop and Hakurei glanced down at Asuka, wondering why they’d stopped. His new friend gave him a strange warning and as the seconds dragged on he realized it was more of a condition. His curiosity was piqued, "Ok. I won’t.”

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

”Well, I am the only doctor here capable of regrowing full limbs and organs if I really need to,” Asuka pointed out, not realizing that to a non medical shinobi, that declaration was probably a little startling. ”The unfortunate part of being one of the best is how much people come to rely on you,” he added, trying not to think of a certain jounin who caused half of his work on her own until recently.

Hakurei talking about his daughter had Asuka nodding in agreement, somewhat familiar with the sentiment. ”I may not be a parent, but I was a genin sensei for a while. Seeing them grow up is… strange, to say the least. Some of the people I’ve taught have students of their own, now,” he stated, though in the next moment he was gaping at Hakurei. ”You’re not that old! I’ve worked with shinobi twice your age who are still going strong, so don’t call yourself old!” he exclaimed, somewhat passionate on the subject. He was sure his former genin had called Asuka himself old at least once, and Asuka was only newly 29.

Thankfully, the older man didn’t question Asuka’s warning as they entered the shop, Asuka beelining it for what he needed. Maybe if they were fast enough…

But, no such luck was to be had today. From behind the counter, an old woman called out to him, eyes glittering in a way that suggested chaos. "My my, is that little Asuka? Finally bringing along a boyfriend for this old granny to meet?” she asked, causing Asuka to freeze as he browsed the selection of more common herbs. Oh. Oh no. It actually was the old lady running the shop today.

@ tag
# # #
Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

[nospaces]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Shimizu Asuka [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] Hakurei raised an eyebrow. He didn’t understand much about medical ninjutsu but he did know the ability to regrow limbs was rare. "Now I’ll know who to look for if I ever need a hand.” He wiggled his fingers and grinned with amusement at his own joke. It was the kind that his daughter would have groaned at but somehow that made it even better for him. "You ought to embrace it. Not everyone has the privilege of being needed by their community… I understand what you mean though.”[break][break] Hakurei nodded, "I love my parents but I left home so early that eventually I became closer to my sensei than my own blood relatives. Her name was Tsuruza- it’s a strange coincidence- Tsuruza Asuka.” He sometimes remembered her in the little things she had taught him but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d talked about her. There was a sadness in his eyes now as he lamented some profound loss. "She seemed grown to me back then but when I look back- she was only fifteen when she fell.”[break][break] He didn’t have time to respond to the comment about his age. He opened the door and placed his hand on the small of Asuka’s back to guide him through the door before following him inside. The interior was dimly lit and crowded with merchandise. His amber gaze fell upon a wrinkled old woman behind the counter. There were no other customers in the shop so the pair garnered her full attention immediately. Hakurei turned around to see if she might be talking about someone behind him. It had been such a long time since he’d been anyone’s boyfriend that the idea of it was almost beyond comprehension. His face turned a bright red. [break][break] "What? No. I mean… we just met a few- I’m from Yuki. I mean I’m Hakurei, Yuki Hakurei from Yukigakure. Who are you?” The jounin bumped into a shelf and somehow managed to catch a jar of herbs as it fell. He placed it back on the shelf clumsily.

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

While Hakurei’s daughter would have groaned at him, Asuka laughed, a clear and bright thing. People were so rarely unserious around him, unable to relax in the presence of a doctor, that jokes were a rarity, and a welcome enough one. His response to Asuka’s statement made him frown momentarily, though, not sure how to feel about that mindset. Asuka liked helping people, but he didn’t need to be needed.

Hakurei’s talk of his sensei, and the sadness in his eyes was enough to have the younger man reaching out, patting Hakurei’s shoulder in a small gesture meant to comfort. He didn’t have the words to tell Hakurei at the moment, a lump forming in his throat at the thought of his own sensei, but he understood the feeling all too well. His own sensei’s death was what had gotten Asuka promoted, and he’d never quite gotten over that, even years later.

The hand on his lower back would’ve startled him, but he was more startled by how he leaned into the touch momentarily, though his focus was stolen quite quickly by the granny running the shop, of course. Curse his adoptive mother’s friends! Hakurei’s reaction was cute but… he had to focus.

”Granny Akane, please stop assuming every man I bring to you is my boyfriend… Hakurei is a friend visiting from another village, and I offered to show him around after I finished buying my herbs for the week,” he managed to respond, sounding far calmer than he was. His face had practically erupted into flames, though, betraying his feelings on the matter.

”You’re so boring, dear! And you’re not getting any younger, if you’re going to settle down and get married, best to do it while you’re still somewhat young!” the older woman teased, even as Asuka hurriedly grabbed the things he needed and brought them to the front for her to ring up.

Mercifully, she seemed to sense Asuka wasn’t ready to face more pushing on that front, so the woman backed off, instead shoving the varying bundles back at Asuka with a snort at the money he tried to offer her. ”I’m pretty sure that mother of yours would crawl her way out of the grave and try to kill me if I took your money after the help you give me, Asuka. Take the herbs and your not-boyfriend, and enjoy the market,” the woman said, completely ignoring Hakurei in the process. She was being merciful, since if Hakurei had broken the jar of herbs, she’d have had no trouble making the man pay for it and anything Asuka was getting besides.

”Akane…” Asuka warned, his tone far from impressed. She just cackled, though, shooing Asuka back out the door with her cane, not commenting on the blushes both men were sporting. Those two would have to figure things out for themselves.

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Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0

[Yuki Hakurei]

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[attr="class","yellsubarrow"] [attr="class","yellsubright"] [attr="class","yellsubtop"] [attr="class","yellsubtop2"] Ghost Light, [attr="class","yellsubtop4"][break] for Shimizu Asuka [attr="class","yellsubtop3"][break][break] His laugh. Something stirred in Hakurei’s chest as laughter rang out pure and clear. It was the first time he’d heard Asuka’s laugh and there was a sense of pride that came from being the source of it.[break][break] A hand rested on his shoulder and he flinched at the unexpected touch. He’d been reminiscing about the old days when he found himself on the receiving end of something he hadn’t realized he needed; compassion. Hakurei was surprised how naturally he confided in this man. He loved to hear his own voice but the jounin rarely spoke of himself. It felt strange to feel… heard. When he spoke, Asuka listened. [break][break] Hakurei wasn’t quite ready to break the physical contact that had been established and as Asuka lowered his hand he placed his own on the small of the other man’s back. It was a tentative thing, testing a boundary, but he hadn’t expected the readiness with which his new friend seemed to lean into the touch. The half embrace was a brief moment and then it was gone but Hakurei sensed a yearning within him. [break][break] Aside from the awkwardness of the encounter with the shopkeeper, Hakurei noted the implied interest in men and the lack of contradiction on Asuka’s part. Until this moment, he could almost convince himself that their flirtation was all in his head. The idea was becoming more concrete with each passing breath. Hakurei also heard the part about Asuka’s mother. "I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I um... I lost someone very dear to me recently. She wasn't my mother but- well, where to next?"

PHARAOH LEAP CREATES

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[Shimizu Asuka]

serenity is not stillness.
● ● ● ●

but peace within a raging storm and the serendipity that can be found within the storm

”The person Akane was referring to wasn’t my mother, technically. I was rescued from a bad situation as a child, and my "mother” was the woman who took me in and taught me how to be a medic after I’d been saved. I owe her a lot, but… she was already old when she took me in, I knew she wasn’t going to live as long as a younger mother might. It’s been years since she died already,” Asuka explained, not really admitting to any sadness over his "mother’s” death. His heart tightened with sympathy over Hakurei’s own admission, though, an ache that he filled by giving Hakurei another comforting touch.

The topic change helped, and Asuka took it to avoid talking more about the subject he didn’t quite know how to approach.

”Well, I still need to pick up some groceries, and some extra now that you’ve agreed to stay at my house,” Asuka replied, gracefully guiding Hakurei through the crowd. A combination of body language and careful, barely-there touches were his methods of choice for doing so, making his way towards the store he needed to visit. Thankfully both the fish shop and the grocery store were right next to each other, so it would be a quick trip.

”I do grow some things in my own garden, but there’s still some meat and produce we’ll need for the week,” he added, trying not to think of just how nice touching Hakurei had felt. Clearly, it had been too long since he’d received a hug from his cousin, if just little touches from a new friend were enough to have him in an embarrassing state.

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Outfit (Minus the Pool Table)

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOX 2.0