Is this Goodbye?

After that... event at the gates and with the exchange of power between Kumo and Suna (and to a lesser extent, the disappeared Koroshi and Kyson), Salzem was left in a very troubled state. He wanted to stay to help his allies rebuild from this disaster, to stay with the majority of his friends here and comfort them... He knew not what went down after that man entered their village, but the whole place seemed far darker now, ignoring the night entirely...

Despite his wishes to stay, he had received orders to return to Konohagakure and, unlike in (what he considered to be) his youth, the lycan couldn't ignore it... That being said, he'd leave right this time... saying his goodbyes to the most important person in his life right now: Kira Uzumaki. Of course, the first place he'd look is the bench before Suna's gates that they made theirs, the place where they shared their first real kiss, the bench that they had their best moments together in...

The moment the bench was in sight, he spotted Kira, a small smile curling it's way up the corners of his lips as he made his way over, sitting himself down beside her, his smile dropped a bit when he saw her expression: She looked so tired... so worried... so everything Kira Uzumaki wasn't. She looked as if any moment she would pass out from the strain of everything and it worried him that she might actually would... If Kira would allow him this small moment, Salzem would reach an arm around and gently rest his hand on her opposite shoulder, gently pulling her towards him just enough so that their sides were gently pressed together.

"Hey..." He greeted, a light (if worried) expression on his face. "How're you doing, Kira?"

Salzem stared at the red-haired beauty intensely as she joked around at first, commenting how everything had "gone-to-shit". Without even saying a word, he asked what was going on, what had taken it's toll on her so much, what could hurt her in this way... And then she explained it... One of the two men at the gates... He had come to claim sunagakure for the cloud's empire and the lycan knew to an unfortunate degree that NONE of them stood a chance against him. There was not one thing they could do to fight this man, let alone the supposed "demon" back in the cloud itself... there was literally nothing the Sand could do but wait and think and bide it's time under Kumo's iron fist... a fist that likely wouldn't hold Konoha under...

Now that this knowledge had reached the lycan's ears, his face flushed an even more intense white, knowing full well that Kurisu would either die or disappear as Koroshi had... or wouldn't accept Kumo's rule and be crushed beneath... What that meant was that for the short time between the peace and the crushing, they'd be at war and when they were at war, it'd be with Kumo and within Kumo was Sunagakure and within suna... was Kira... A+b=C and that meant that if this happened the way he feared... he'd have to fight Kira at some point... Well... Salzem wouldn't EVER kill his sweet Uzumaki... Hell, he wouldn't really even hurt her if he could avoid it... He'd kill himself first... That internal confession would brand his mind for the remainder of the Kumo empire.

Kira laughed an noted that it was SOME date, what with all this terrible news and changes of power... Salzem couldn't help but laugh himself, looking over Kira's gorgeous red dress (and by extension her figure), gently smiling. Even if she was a little bit dirty now and appeared wasted, she was still as smoking hot as ever in that dress... Of course, Salzem was still wearing his Kimono despite how utterly uncomfortable he felt while wearing it, not quite ever making it back to his house to change after the majority of this fiasco died down...

"Well... we're still in uniform..." Salzem noted, looking from himself to her with a slight smirk, leaning in a little closer. "Think its a bit late for dinner..." He stared into the blue/green eyes of the Uzumaki with an intense warmth. "At the risk of... uh... sounding.... utterly disgusting... Feel like some desert...?" Salzem trying to flirt was like trying to screw a screw with the blunt end of a hammer... it didn't EVER go well.

Kira still had her head rested on top of the Lycan’s shoulder, enjoying the moment as she didn’t know when she would get to enjoy Sal’s company again. Things were changing, and they were changing quickly. The girl was very adaptable, so it didn’t leave a rather large impact than it should, but she did wish that things would have remained as they were. She liked how they were going and she was so close to being sent out to find her family and now it was something that she once again had to push back. She sighed to herself, still staring at the stars wondering if somewhere out there, her sister and parents were doing the same.

Sal began to speak, as the words that let his mouth left the girl utterly shocked, almost more than when Maku had claimed the city as his. The Princess of Suna lifted her head to stare at the boy, a confused smile spread across her lips as she tried to put together the pieces of what he just said. “Sal, you dirty dog!” She playfully slapped his shoulder before getting up from the bench. “How dare you say that to a lady.” She couldn’t bring herself to even act serious as she was trying to hold back a laugh. “I think we’ve been spending too much time together, you’re starting to pick up some real bad habit from me mister!” Her wagged her finger at him as if she was discipling him. She’d then leave an open palm for him to grab, since there was somewhere she wanted to take him. “Come, the night is still young!”

If Sal grabbed a hold of her hand, the two would walk through the empty streets of Suna until they reached a small bar on a corner of a 4 way road. Almost everything was closed due to the events that happened earlier as well as most taking safety amongst their homes. Though, the girl knew that this bar was open during all hours. She wouldn’t be surprised if they were still open in the middle of a war.

Kira would lead the boy to the bar where the two would take a seat. She’d smack the table two times to get the bartender’s attention. Once he slid them a pair of coasters, she’d order the drinks. She took the liberty to order sal’s since well, he had a tendency of ordering the same thing as the girl. “Gimme two Oasis Orgasms and two shots of rum.” She said. “So Sal, Tell me, ever shitfaced before?”

Salzem obviously forced a scowl as the uzumaki called him a "dirty dog", clearly finding just as much humor in the situation as she was. He couldn't help but blush, though if only a tiny bit, especially as she commented how he was picking up some bad habits from them hanging out so much. She knew so well how to play this game... she made him look like an amateur and NOT JUST BECAUSE HE WAS.

"You're not objecting though..." Salzem noticed, as she asked how he dared say that to a lady... Were it anyone else, he wouldn't be able to answer that question... How COULD he say that to any lady... except for the loud-mouthed, cocky, beautiful, sweet lady known as Kira Uzumaki...? How COULDN'T he play on her field and say those things...? The red-headed beauty offered the lycan a hand which he would've been stupid(er) not to accept, the female ninja pulling him up from their seat and leading him back into town... So... it seemed that she was going to be choosing the location for their on-the-spot unofficial second, date, huh...?  It looked like Kira really WAS wearing the pants in this relationship, taking Salzem to all the wonderful places around Sunagakure... so he assumed. When he gets to take her to konoha... the shoe will be on the other foot... or the pant on the other leg.... analogy...

What Salzem assumed would be a nice place was completely turned on its head as Kira drug him right into a 24-hour open bar, a place that didn't necessarily look run down, but definitely looked like a few mops would do this place good.... and a few air-fresheners... Among the fresh, served alcohol, there was this stale, old wine/beer smell that would sit in a man's stomach for days like a rock, weeks if one had the senses of a wolf's... he could smell that it was over the floor, the bar, some of the tables and unfortunately... she chose the bar. Salzem merely watched the girl silently as he sat down at his end of the bar, making note of how she got the attention of one of the bar-tenders (he thought the term was), catching a coaster as it was slid to him. Before he could even ask what they were doing here, Kira made a... uh... particular order, one that had to do with 2 orgasms..... Salzem's face immediately flushed a shade of pink at the name ALONE, let alone the drinks as they got there... Beside a shot of brown rum placed before them in a small square glass, a deep (blood) red thick-er drink sat beside... It rested in a thinner, taller glass with a white froth lining the outside, almost as thick as cream... 

"Oasis Orgasm...." Salzem groaned, hiding his burning face in one of his hands. "Hokage's sake, Kira...." When she asked whether or not Salzem had gotten quote-unquote "Shit-faced" before, the lycan forced his hand down, looking the beauty in the eye, the tiniest grin arching across his embarrassed expression.

"Only once... on my birthday... why?"

When the two arrived at the bar, the girl could easily read the expression on the boy’s face. “Oh don’t worry, I come here all the time. It’s much better than it looks.” She said through a smile. There was a sense of familiarity and home that she felt when she was here, and it’s something that she desperately needed. The girl caught a quick glimpse of how uncomfortable the boy felt as she ordered the drink, She couldn’t avoid the chance to poke fun at the male. “Oh come on Sal, I’m sure you’re familiar with the word.” She nudged him once with her elbow as the waiter made the drinks.

They came quick as they were placed in front of them just as the boy had answered her question. She picked up her shot glass and faced him, waiting for him to grab his so they could cheers. “Because Sal, tonight, we’re getting wasted.” She’d clink her baby glass against his before throwing the dark liquor back, feeling the warmth of the alcohol go down her throat. It was as easy as taking a shot of water for the Uzumaki, who chased the straight liquor with the Oasis Orgasm. She took a few sips before she took a minute to tie her hair not a ponytail. She knew the night was going to get wild so it was probably best that her hair stay out of the way now. “Two more shots over here!” The girl called out. “Hope you could hold your liquor Sal, could be a deal breaker for me if you can’t” She winked at the boy before taking another sip of her drink.

On the exterior, she had this playfulness to her, but subconsciously, she started to think about what would happen soon. After her talk with Maku, she knew that she might be going into dangerous lands, and didn’t know when she’d return, or see Sal again. She knew she needed to keep contact with him, she just didn’t know how. Though, she had heard of a seal that could allow conversation between the two. If she could learn that soon, then maybe she could talk to him whenever she pleased.

“So Sal, tell me something about yourself that I don’t know. You’re dreams, goals and aspirations. You’re favourite color. Favourite number? Surprise me."

"Oh..." Salzem responded quietly as Kira answered his question, that tonight they would get WASTED! The lycan, at his worst, had experienced one bottle of Sake to himself, a VERY potent beverage, though the bottle itself was tiny... With that bottle, he was able to get to the point he could barely spit out a coherent thought... now? He feared that tonight there wouldn't be ANY thoughts between them... just drunken slurs... Salzem took the small shot of rum in his hand, looking at it with a sight hesitation, brought back to reality when Kira tapped hers against his and throwing hers back. Swallowing whatever inhibitions he had along with his drink, Salzem gulped down the small shot of rum, the alcohol burning his throat on the way down. It didn't take long for the numbing effects of the drink to take place and already he could feel his mind begin to grow fuzzy, his thoughts somewhat sticking together, confusing in his mind. Granted, he was still completely sober just... feeling something... That rum... it was nothing to scoff at...

He looked up as Kira tied her gorgeous red hair back in a poney-tail for some reason, taking a sip from her... drink before making a comment, one that swelled determination in the lycan's heart.

"I'll match you drink for drink." He stated flatly, a burning passion and resolve behind that sanguine glare of his. To prove his point, Salzem took his "Oasis Orgasm" in hand taking a long sip that matched Kira's, his face going blue with regret as he did so.. it was so.... Forcing every cell in his throat and stomach to comply, the lycan forced the thick, red liquid down his throat, letting out a big gasp for air as the residual alcohol gnawed at his throat. He could feel his mind REALLY begin to devolve into a ball of fuzz now... it was a feeling he couldn't ignore...

After Kira called another round, she asked Salzem to tell her about himself, stuff about his dreams, goals, etcetera, stuff that would surprise her... Oh... well... Sober, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack... Drunk? it was like finding a hay in the needlestack.

"Uh... Met a talking blue spider once." He offered, looking at the beautiful Uzumaki beside him... Somehow, through the lense of drink, she looked even more beautiful... "And... uh... I fell in love with the most...." he paused, unable to stop a small hiccup escaping his lips... his face turned as red as ever, but he continued... "....the most beautiful girl in all the Villages..." At least one slurred thought ran through his mind right then and that was: I need to get drunk more... I can say these things easier....

"It was Xefalvora actually..." Salzem corrected, trying to fight off the ever-numbing feeling radiating through his body as he continued to sip his drink. When he mentioned this beautiful lady, he couldn't help but smile widely at Kira's reaction, suddenly feeling the erg to just forego the drinks and just kiss her right there... Unfortunately for him (or fortunately given Kira's ninja-ability), he wasn't quite drunk enough yet to attempt something so bold. Instead, he offered another line, one perhaps just and cringy as the last.

"You know her quite well..." He murmured as the next round of drinks hit their table. "You see her every day you look in the mirror... She's got these wonderful blue and green eyes... Silky red hair..." He went on, clearly describing her. Even with as intoxicated as they were or will be, it was somewhat obvious between the look he was giving her and the description itself. It was when Kira noticed that there was three drinks, Salzem did as well, staring at the 3rd shot as if it magically materialized on the serving tray. With how fuzzy his mind was, this event might as well have been magic for the lycan and the magician... was heading this way... He was tall, perhaps a little more than Salzem himself, well built and in a suit of all things. The thing he noticed most about him though was his face... More specifically, his eyes, eyes that oggled Kira like she was his prize, eyes that Salzem suddenly felt the burning compulsion to claw out.

"Excuse me...." He somewhat slurred getting up, but not before taking his shot (avoiding the one tainted by this man's wallet) and gulping it down. Before Mr. Monkey-suit could get within 20 feet of Kira, Salzem had appeared between him and her, his sanguine eyes somewhat unfocused, but practically burning with a quiet rage. The alcohol might as well have been thrown on a real fire for how much it fueled his anger, especially as he took the man's arm by his sleeve, Salzem fingers digging into the fabric.

"Hey! Buddy!" The man protested, his voice obnoxiously rich... one could practically hear the cash-registers chime in the setto of his voice. "This is a 500,000 Ryo Suit!" Salzem didn't seem phased in the least, especially when the guy placed his hand between the lycan's throat and shoulder, attempting to be threatening... hilarious.

"You leave her........ alone...." Salzem demanded ever-so soberly, suddenly hit with a wave of nausea. The man seemed almost amused by his protectiveness, attempting to shove past him but the lycan didn't budge... It was like pushing against a brick wall. Mr.richpants seemed to grow frustrated, unable to make headway, clenching his trapped fist in anger, the other clenching Salzem's neck.

"Get out of my way." He demanded.

"Get out........ Period...." Salzem retorted. Suddenly, the man removed his hand from Salzem's neck, curling it into a fist and throwing it at his face. Being a ninja and obviously faster than a guy in a respectable yet limiting 500,000 Ryou suit, Salzem easily craned his neck out of the way and instead, slammed his head into the man's oh-so perfect nose, sending him sprawling to the ground, clutching at his face as blood pumped from the center.

"AUGH! MY FACE!" He groaned, the noise of his howls causing the lycan's head to hurt. God... he was making his ears ring... Salzem walked up to where this man knelt, bleeding, glaring down at him and his rich little monkey-suit before glowering. Unexpectedly, however, he took out his wallet and threw this rich little bastard a dollar, a great insult to a man of rich blood.

"Go fix your....... nose and stay away.... from my girl..." With that, he returned to his table, the man making his way out like a beaten dog a moment after. If Kira looked at him strange, Salzem would respond in kind.

"What? He attacked me first!" He protested. Little did he know, there was another girl in the bar... a tougher one staring at the lycan from behind with an all too similar look that the man did Kira. Sure, she heard what Salzem had said, about this redhead being his girl, but she knew just what buttons to push to make men... uh... forget their obligations... She was pale, blond with long hair flowing down her shoulders and back. She wore a white dress almost as revealing as Kira's red, though in different ways. The lycan had yet to notice because of her position out of his sight but Kira.... she could certainly see her...