Stage 1 - Denial (Kasuga)

Collecting Adam’s belonging respectfully from her new brother, Akihana quickly sidestepped the boys from the thick of the crowds, years of being a mother imperative in managing to herd both boys into a corner alley while her hands were busy. Opening ninja related boxes and scrolls in public was not safe near the general populace of Hoshigakure, it was even less advisable to do so in the middle of a crowd. Motioning for the boys to hold on a second, the blonde reached for her pocket dimension while asking Kasuga and Arata to keep a look out in case of civilians. “Arata, please go drop this in Den-kun’s labs, if he or Toma and Tomoya-san are there, tell them mommy sent you, and then hitch a ride back with them.”

Once Arata had disappeared into the pocket dimension with a nod, the medical ninja turned to Kasuga once more. “Thank you for sharing our brother with me,” she spoke softly, her golden eyes misting slightly at what Kasuga had just done. “I really appreciate it, though it is not safe to open up ninja related paraphernalia in public. Perhaps we could sit together one day and talk of him, over a cup of tea and any kind of cookies you prefer. Your sister was a big fan of my cooking, I hope you will be too.”

With that, she moved with him as he contemplated faith and the nature of existence. Akihana herself had no such judgments. She had no problem with people needing to believe in something to get by and she herself sought guidance of the Goddess Etro in times of need. And yet Akihana had always believed that to get true inspiration and motivation, one need not look to the skies. For the greatest thing one could believe in, before one believed in anything else, was their fellow human being. She believed in this little boy who had travelled so far to track down a sister and despite the cruel twist of fate, had found one anyway. People were the greatest source of joy, purity, goodness and faith, and that was what Akihana believed in.

Ít would be an honor for me to pray for your sister,” she affirmed with a nod, her loose blonde hair swinging over her shoulder. No trace of dampness remained in her locks, all presence of the rain jutsu cast earlier gone. Hoshi weather was kind that way as it now dipped botht he city and her hair into radiant hues of sunset. “Lead the way, Kasuga-kun, Misaki deserves the best goodbye we can possibly give her. Though as long as you live, she’ll never be gone.”

As the young male had been herded towards an alley after giving his big sister the scroll, he watched as they were covered by the crowd watching Aki to see what she was going to do with it. He wasn't going to say that he still had one more thing of his, the sword was going to remain with him until he was ready to let it go yet for now he watched as she gave Arata a specific set of instructions with some names he didn't know. Curiosity often killed the cat and he wasn't feeling like testing the waters so he watched as his younger brother disappeared and turned to Akihana with a confused face," Where did you send Arata off to with the stuff?," of course if she didn't answer him fully he would have understood that there were some things that shouldn't have been discussed yet.

The talks of tea and cookies made the young male smile as he nodded and took Akihana's hand before walking with her with back to the festival," I'd like that someday...Maybe in the future you could come with me to Konoha to see Dad and Mom, i'm sure he would be happy to see you again," he smiled thinking of how Kurisu would feel to see someone from the village he raised with his own hands. Slowly he moved closer to her before standing at her side silently just listening to everything that had been going on, his tiny heartbeat slowing down as he had finally calmed down so far. The depths of his mind and heart had been in an incredible maelstrom and finally he was getting peace.

Hearing Akihana's words filled Kasuga with happiness as he nodded and smiled for a moment. He knew that his peace would come soon and though he was coming to terms with it slowly,he would soon have to get over it. He didn't have to do it alone now, and now he could see that. If she was willing to go the distance to find his sister then he would make no complaints," When the time is right we will go and look for her, and offer her one last prayer to make sure her soul is at peace. With that he continued to hold her hand as he said one more thing," You're right. Because she lives on in not just me...but you as well right big sis?," his yellow eyes looked up to her as he watched her expression and waited.

At his question of where Arata had been sent, the blonde replied quietly "To Denkiteki-sama. At least that's how he is commonly known here. i mentioned earlier, Hoshi was never a shinobi village and we had no wish to separate the people of this city from their beliefs and cultures. He is the closest thing we have to a Kage but he prefers being known as the leader of our military forces. Most villages have kage buildings taking places of pride, not us. Den mostly works out of the palace archives or his offices a bit outside the city."

At the idea of meeting Kasuga's parents, the kunoichi smiled fully, clearly glad that the child wanted to introduce her to the rest of his family. She had met Kurisu-sama neigh eight years ago and it had been under less than ideal circumstances, she would have to catch up with him anew. And meeting Kasuga's mother would always be a pleasure. Perhaps a trip to Konoha was long overdue.

The image of a gnarled, knotted oak came to mind, taking slightly away from her smile. Kasuga had said he idn't know of the clan, and no news was always good news. She had to keep on believing that. Wherever her grandfather was, he was alive. He was alive because there couldn't be a world without Akashingo Akari existing in it, silently watching over her and Arata.

"She deos indeed, Kasuga-kun," the young wman assured him, taking his hand and steering him back gently towards the crowds. "Misaki-chan lives on wherever there is kindness, goodness and people willing to stand up for what is right. Misaki is everywhere there is hope, and beauty, and resilience." And with that, the duo joined the throngs of festival goers once more, getting lost in the crowds and the sunset displays of Hoshigakure.

"And she lives in wherever you go and whoever you grow up to become, sweetheart," she whispered queenly, not sure if he would even hear her. it wouldn't matter, she had said it more for Misaki than anyone else. And perhaps it was her imagination but a small firework was released into the air far off in the distance, coating the skies the delicate shade of pink Misaki's hair had been the first time Akhana had met her, the kunoichi couldn't help but think that Misaki had somehow heard, and was smiling down on both of them.

(Exit, claims coming in a bit)

TWC: 8, 316

Claiming 8, 000 for Empty Disaster
Claiming 82 AP
Claiming all of Adam Taurus's belongings save the Hoshi Battle Armour

As the fireworks crashed in the night sky, Kasuga stood and looked onward into the sky wondering if his sister and brother were looking down at him wanting him to continue moving onward. The smile he had once worn had came back slowly though he had indeed been getting over it slowly he couldn't help but try and smile for his new sister for the moment. He still had to go home to see his father and mother to sit and talk with them about what he had been thinking and to also see what his father wanted of him. Knowing he was the last child of the Ametsuchi Clan head he knew that he shouldn't think reckless, but if it came to it what would he do? For now however he would enjoy his time with Akihana watching the fireworks before opening his mouth to speak," For now... I want to enjoy the night and then we can see what the future entails," with a mind full of thoughts he returned to being silent so that the night would go on forever.

(Exit)

So 8,023 words

2000 for Rain Tiger at will
2000 for Chidori
2000 for Chidori Sharp Spear

(All were taught so half w/c for them)

2000 for A true Ametsuchi

40 stats, 15 of which will be swapped for ap since 25 puts me at max stats

Approval x 2.