Working on Reports (P, W/ Ayato)

Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:42 pm

Do You Want to Build a Chunnin III:

It had been several months since the Chunin Exam where Ayato had been declared a winner, along with Hikari, by Akihana. The same woman who had told Geni to stay in her place. The young woman had to admit- the taste of disagreeance and dislike was new flavor to get and not one she particularly cared for. However, training herself and going on a date with Kenshin had side-tracked her from what should have been her main goal; achieving the rank of Chunin. She had lost sight of it after the disappointment that she felt after speaking with Akihana and the more negative emotions that she felt about it, but she needed to clear her mind and focus on finishing the 3rd mission. Her other teammates had already done so, and here she was, again- the runt of the litter.

Lacking in strength and military prowess, and in assertion and confidence, she still needed to try. Though quite late to getting the motivation to begin putting proper effort forth, she knew this was the only way for her to progress. If she could prove to herself that she could become a chunin and make up for her own shortcomings, then she could have the self-confidence she needed to take more leaps-of-faith and more willingness to take bigger risks. More confidence to regard herself as more than the temple priestess she was and had been- maybe just enough confidence to leave the Church and devote herself more entirely to get desire to be a Shinobi. But she needed a foundation and a step towards it and she knew that finishing her 3rd mission was the step she needed to take.

The 3rd mission held two options with one crucial result- to either leave the village and explore another one, or to research and investigate another village through her own village’s vast library; but at the end of the day, she was to fill out a report about the selected villages history and defenses. She was quite good at putting in reports but her own self-doubt was quicker than her wit, to step in and remind her that she was severely overwhelmed when it came to diplomatic and military-esque things. Still, she made her way to the library in her singular black dress that she owned, her hair pulled back so that she could focus entirely on whatever books and texts she had decided to pick and and devote her day to.

The afternoon sun was warm but not too warm for her to tolerate, perhaps the slightest but if humidity in the air. She hadn't always been a fan of mildly hot weather but she didn't know any other country. Today she would learn more of countries outside of these lands’ borders but the days past she had known only the Land of the Stars. Admittedly, she was bothered by her own ignorance, even if no one else mentioned it, pointed it out, or made any visible not that it was a tangible problem. Perhaps it all really was just in her head- her over thinking, overcoming her own personal barriers to keep it at bay and to keep it quiet. It seemed that the more things she thought about, the more it reared it’s head from the deep, tar-filled quagmire that was the depths of herself. The more or struggled to pull itself to freedom from the place where she pushed everything unpleasant and negative down into, so they could become victims of the pool before she did in a vile and selfish attempt at self-preservation. It was a part of herself that she truly did not like.

Even as she entered the Kozai Yuki National Archives, the thoughts were only subsided by a phrase popping up in her mind for the first time that day; one played by an affectionately familiar voice. A voice that belonged to Kenshin Uzumaki.

“ I personally believe seeing you act … assertive and confident … was quite attractive.”

A few words had been lost as her mind twisted the phrase into something else, but once the phrase entered her mind and began to dart about, multiplying to resemble a flurry of snowflakes in a snowstorm- well, she found herself to have quite a difficult time calming it all down.

She moved about in the archives as she wondered if there was a book or scroll in here to help her in her recurring and ailing problem. Reno packed confidence and assertiveness, but perhaps there books and scrolls could make her whole. Or guide her in the positive direction to fix these problems that she truly disliked about herself. Her religion asked for self-love and openness to all flaws, but it small; but she found herself less and less willing to cope with such weak traits of hers. Kenshin had described her as assertive in that moment at the restaurant but she had personally thought herself having a bit of a mean streak. That didn't mean she was to be mean- she was supposed to explore that part of herself further to grow? What were the benefits of that?

An image of Kenshin popped into her head, voicing his positive approval of the change.l, and she blushed at the quick reminder.

Well, there was that, yes. It was a good reason but not perhaps an entirely selfless and genuine reason to work on her own weaker aspects. She wanted something more concrete and wholesome than just the attention of the man she liked and admired. With hope and faith, she could begin something that would come to gradual and worthwhile fruition in the future- so she hoped- like her garden that she loved so much.

While she tried to decide on what village to research and learn about, her mind quietly drifted to how plants and flowers seemed to be a staple in her life. How they held a strong, symbolic meaning for patience, vigilance, and resilience; commonly producing beautiful and often beneficial results.

[ WC: 1,000 ]

Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:20 am

Ayato Hyuuga rode through the towering silver gate of the village sore, tired, hungry and most of all dismayed. He was still on the horse - his swift black desert steed, dreaming of a long hot bath, a juicy steak, and a soft bed when the shinobi - who Ayato took as one of the queen's pets - appeared before him. The honor of the commander of the scouting party was requested as soon it was convenient. "It will be convenient tomorrow." Ayato snapped as he dismounted, landing on the ground with a soft thud.

The shinobi was taken aback and before long waterfalls of sweat ran down his forehead, despite the fact that he had dressed appropriately for this hot day. "The Quee-"

"Is too busy teaching the Kumo kids how to wipe their asses, yes," Ayato said, not letting the other man finish his croaking. “How is this of any concern to me?" Still… it might not be so bad to file his report on the missing prince and be done with it. Besides, most likely it would not be Akihana or any of her pets that he would be talking with. “I will see to it nonetheless, as long as you see that my horse is taken care of.”

“Me? I…I am a Chuunin and an Uchiha.” He croaked in response. “You don’t say. I almost mistook you for Madara.” The ninja bristled at that and Ayato resisted the urge to throw a faint smile. “It would be for the better to trust a stable boy with watering my horse. The rank of Chuunin has fallen on sad days.” Ayato let out with a sigh, thinking back to that mummer’s farce that was his Chuunin Battle, where he had emerged victorious.

“Well, the location and be on your way.” Red-faced, and with veins bulging on his neck, the Uchiha Chuunin handed the Hyuuga Chuunin a sealed parchment of yellow paper. Ayato undid the wax seal, after confirming its authenticity. He proceeded to read the location for the meeting. it was written backward “Chambers of the librarian in Kozai Yuki archives.”

After hiding the letter into the inner pocket of his leather jerkin, Ayato removed his riding gloves that he used to shield his hands from damage and tucked them into his belt. With his free hand, he gently patted the horse’s head, while he fed her an apple he had stored in the saddlebag with the other. Ayato had worn her out quite badly during the past few days so rewarding her was only appropriate. Those were horses bred for providing high mobility in the harsh desert environment of Hoshi, yet when it came moving within the city it would be easier for the shinobi to leap from rooftop to rooftop.

The rest of the scouting party was now coming through the gate behind him. When he saw Edrick Redford, he called out. “It seems there is urgent need of me. See that everyone finds his way to the kitchens, and then back to the gate barracks to bath and rest. Horses are to be watered in the stables. I will tolerate no fooling around, so long as we are on duty.” The Genin nodded and took his leave, holding Ayato’s horse by the reins.

Soon after, the taijutsu user had reached his destination. Waiting a moment, Ayato watched the edge of the wall, searching for a moving helmet or the swing of an arm. All was clear. He grinned as he suppressed his chakra. It was time to climb. And climb. And climb. Doubtless, there was an easier way than this, but the use of chakra makes you noticeable to sensory- he had learned by observing Kenshin Uzumaki fighting. No matter how many times he made the long trek to the top, his arms always burned, his legs felt on fire. And it was no different this time, as he slipped his hands over the top stones and pulled himself fully onto the library rooftop.

"Took you long enough, Ayato Hyuuga," a voice said. "Uncle Kai!" Ayato turned, greeting his sullen uncle. Oh, Kai. He was still dressed in court wear, a formal jewel-studded jacket with his best silk pants and golden sandals. Sword with a jeweled pommel was still at his waist. His jet black hair was tied back into the nape of his neck, and his brown eyes were glowing with worry as they moved wildly around his surroundings. Always adherent to the rules, Kai motioned for Ayato to follow and harshly whispered “This way.”

On the other side of the door was a stone hallway, glowing with line after line of candlelight. Ayato clenched his hands into fists, holding them behind his back, he followed his uncle a few feet down into the next room on the right, bedchamber. It was draped with heavy tapestries depicting knights on horseback. His walls sparkled with candlelight too, but it was easier to manage, especially with the cool wind blowing through the open windows, forcing the heat outdoors. Ayato sat down in one of Kai's red leather chairs, sinking into the soft cushions, and let his head fall back. This was what the desert was missing, a nifty spot to rest. "Rough journey?” His uncle sat in the chair opposite him and poured two glasses of wine. " Why were you so late getting back? I was sure something had happened.” Ayato looked up “Something did happen.” He stated calmly, with Kai nodding along—a signal he wanted more information.

“Arthur Pendragon, the self-proclaimed finest fighter in all the realm of Haven. Where is he now?” Kai said with slight mockery in his eyes when he received no answer he almost grinned. “Ask people in the market and they will insist that he is fighting bandits somewhere, bringing justice to them with his holy blade. Less optimistic men may suggest that he is probably rotting in a ditch with an arrow through his skull. Problem is…”

Maybe both had it right, but Ayato knew to take it from there. “I’ve turned every rock from the Hidden Star to the Great Pine, where the Heaven Country borders end. And still no sign of that incestuous prince, or his corpse. But I’ve got something else to report. There were no signs of human life, all people wiped out, dead, with their village burned to the ground.” He said, and that last part surprised his uncle as he had expected it would. “But who would kill them, who would bother?” Kai asked

“The Jaws of Grimma or those Kumo turds, small difference. Both parties are unwashed savages that our beloved queen would gladly allow to catch us with our breeches down. Then hand them over the village and congratulate them on a job well done.” Kai flinched back, chocking on his wine, courtesy of his nephew’s harsh description. “Ayato.” His uncle said after two fierce coughs, his voice low and harsh - too harsh perhaps, looking wounded. It was not his uncle’s fault, not entirely. Some tried to see reason where there wasn’t any.

“Kumo may be off-limits for all intents and purposes. But Shina gave me the command of twenty good shinobi, more than enough to break every single brigand past the Great Pine and make the shadowlands our own territory.” With the search parties coming empty handed with the prince whereabouts within the realm. There was nothing stopping him.

“This sounds like war.” His uncle said, with a grim tone in his voice. Formal again, he proceeded to place the writing supplies (a quill and two scrolls) upon the table. The fact that he had not handed it to the Chuunin may have been both due to Ayato’s poor calligraphy skills, and the fact that he didn’t trust what he may fill the paper with.

Ayato nodded, “Call it what you will.” He said, listening to the scratch of the quill on parchment. As a boy, he had nightmares about that noise, but knowing this letter would help save everyone, and fulfill his destiny, the sound soothed him - until it suddenly stopped. He sat up, watching Uncle Kai drop the quill back into the jar of ink. “Thinking of the best way to tell your father of your desire to waste your life.”

That took Ayato aback. “I thought you were writing a report for the small council.” He said, but in reality, he thought “How come father is still away?” Ayato had expected that by now that Hibari Hyuuga would have returned from Konoha. Assuming that call to arms for every shinobi would have ended since he had received no message for any war with Konoha participating. “I’m writing to both the small council and your father.”

“Well, you can think of what to write when I’m gone. My report is over.” Ayato made for the window of the librarian’s chambers when his uncle stopped him with a pat on the shoulder - breaking formality, once more. “Everyone suggests that Ayato Hyuuga is a pretentious asshole as it befits his last name..." Kai paused for a moment, lips tightening. "I believe otherwise. Looking at you I still see your mother.” Brown eyes began to water, even a brief mention of his beloved sister saddened him dearly. “You are not the man you are pretending to be.”

“Even if you don’t have it wrong...” Ayato began, careful that his baritone would not crack. “I’ve come too far to pretend I’m anyone else.“ He sent one wave of his hand towards the sky as Kai disappeared behind the stone the next moment. Falling had always faster than ascending, he recalled. Cushioning the leap with a swift jerk of his knees, the taijutsu fighter took a few steps to the right and the main library gate came into view. Oh yes, there was that part, make sure no one had seen him. He was confirmed as much, looking at the people coming in and out from the threshold of the library...when his eyes caught the galaxy haired girl dressed as if she were part of a funeral parlor.

“Genevieve Oasis…” Ayato thought. He had forgotten, slip-ups always occur towards the end of one's duty.

WC: 1555

Sat Dec 16, 2017 2:43 am

Genevieve moved herself to the historically focused section, slipping between the bookshelves quietly while she was within her own mind and thoughts. Absently running her eyes over the spines of books that varied in age; eyes flickering across the single-word summaries of each shelf’s contents but her mind wasn’t in her report.

It was at a standstill. What was she looking for again? What was her focus? She needed a report for something… but about what? Her mind was scattered, feebly grasping at sand as it fell from the gaps in her mental hands.

Between the fleeting moments, she recalled a phone call from her father earlier in the day that was disrupting her memory- “You need to do something.” Her father’s smooth, calm voice rang as an echo in an empty cave that she seemed to sand in absently. She was conflicted about the matter her father was referring to, as it was a personal matter that was both of religion and family in nature. It regarded her mostly absent twin sister who had proven herself many times to be a hindrance to both of her parents. “She is your twin. You will get through her to a way your mother and I cannot; just please. Try.”

Genevieve stopped in front of one bookshelf and stared at it, wondering how to handle her family situation. She was never without them but the contact with the outside world never stopped her hindered her family visiting and interacting with her. With her mother holding high esteem (if not rarely talked about), when Genevieve showed intention to follow in her footsteps, her Mother had been swift and aggressive to ensure that Genevieve had a place in the Church at a very young age. It meant that her mother had very little to no communication with her family in recent years, and even less time to deal with any problems within herself, her sister, and her father; which, after several long periods away from home, means she had little tolerance to deal with such problems as well. Thus, it mainly fell to what surviving family she had left, on who to deal with problems- namely, her calm father. Who had to deal with her sister who was, to be blunt and honest- the problem.

The problem being that her sister, but she had been a problem for a bit now.

Still- Genevieve had to try and compensate for her sister’s lacking, and becoming a chunin would help that possess. It was selfish, but it would also save Genevieve a bit from her mother’s more- primeval point of view and morals. They were archaic to me brutally honest- but they were from a culture that Genevieve didn’t understand nor could ever fully comprehend their weight, but the view had weight and they had brutality that maybe she could never match. As these thoughts raced through her mind, she pulled a book down absently and opened it, pretending to pay attention to the words as she tried to make sense of what her ‘homelife’ was if she actually was aware of what happened within her father and mother’s home.

She needed to focus on this report and getting it done, and working on techniques that could make her a stronger and better person- perhaps not as overwhelming as her mother, but strong enough to rely on her own strength and not that of her summon. Yes- the support was steady, constant, perhaps a bit twisted but otherwise optimistic and firm- but she was greedy now. In the want of wanting more, she needed to be her own strong, independent woman, and she needed to find strength to be a force that was reckoned with. How could she face her mother, if she was to be some wife that hid behind her husband and relied on her husband for strength? How? She was the daughter of people who were both greater than hiding behind their spouse- how could she fail such meager expectations and expect to call herself a member of their family? She needed to train more, study more and be more than what she was now; perhaps it was just straight greed, maybe it was her summon’s dark influence over her, but to her, it was a mere fact; she could not be satisfied in any capacity as she was now. She had to be stronger and she had to be smarter and faster- her abilities as a house-wife and a home-maker were not the things in question in this situation; it was her abilities as a shinobi.

As she focused on collecting books from the well-maintained shelves, she began to pile them up in her arms and moved out of the shelves and to the tables in the library, to set the stack of 4 or 5 books upon a table with determination and solidity; she needed to test herself now. As much as it wasn’t her forte, that did not mean her task at hand was out of her range of successful completion. It only meant that she had not tried herself nor pushed herself in this area yet- and today that was to change. Whether she wanted it or not, she needed to make this report to at least attempt to advance to a stronger and higher rank to train harder and with more potent techniques than she had now. The village had many potential opponents, all within her ranking but even they were more traveled and experienced than she; and she needed to change that. She needed to be stronger and more concrete in her decision to assert herself as not only a strong and capable woman but as a shinobi.

Even if her decision to leave the Church or stay within it’s collectively limited walls was as “up-in-the-air” as clouds hung in the sky.

She needed to know if she could handle some neglected books and rushed geography lessons with brazenly quick understandings of military tactics that exceeded her. She wasn’t testing herself at this point anymore- she was pushing herself- but perhaps she had been pushing herself much too hard, for she could have sworn she had seen Ayato Hyuuga, her past teammate from when she had been working until Kyousuke was a Genin, through a window in the archives; briefly and briskly walking past the glass panes towards the entrance of the building. Well, she was still a Genin as Ayato had advanced onward and to better and greater things which she was happy for, if not a bit sour because who wanted to be a genin?

[WC: 1,100 ]

Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:14 am

“Has she seen me?” She had only thrown a glance at him after all, perhaps...no, she had definitely seen him. The taijutsu user’s former teammate did not have the wits of a goose, unlike a few Chuunin he could name. The eyes of the priestess missed little and even though she wasn’t a frontline fighter, if you underestimated her, this notion would come and bite you in the ass.

This was almost the case with the ever-perceptive Ayato Hyuuga, whom Geni turned the tables on, using that ugly flying lizard of hers that claimed to be a dragon to attack Ayato from the front, while she slipped passed his guard and attacked Ayato from the rear undetected. It had been a close call. If Ayato wasn’t a Hyuuga of the Byakugan, to anticipate and counter it successfully it would have been him lying on the ground. Ayato knew the dance - but not the name mind you - a medical technique the moment it made contact with a spine could paralyze the user’s body. A nasty poison that Ayato had a taste of it once before, from Kenshin Uzumaki.

And as it happened, it seemed it was he that thought that technique to Geni. Evident from how she had summoned the stitched albino in the battle with a combination of the summoning technique and the mark seal. Yes, it wasn’t the “how” that concerned him - since there were no textbook shinobi combinations that Hyuuga shinobi was not aware - but rather the “why”.

Ayato rarely spared a thought about the silver-haired albino anymore- that shinobi terrified him. This seemed to be the case with most people, though. Albeit for different reasons, it wasn’t that he looked like a dead man walking, or a thousand threads into his body that composed every school girls dark fantasy. No, it was something different. Ayato could get a read on most people, with just a glance but not Kenshin Uzumaki. A descendant of the legendary clan from before the foundation of the shinobi village…or perhaps just a hobo that picked his name from a dead Hokage and a sword. Not that it mattered, everyone could call himself whatever he bloody wanted in that barren forsaken desert land known as Hoshigakure.

Every word that came out of his stitched mouth, sounded as if he had rehearsed it a thousand times, and even though Kenshin’s appearance was indeed intimidating, his eyes were the worst thing, always cold, red and full of hate. Well in actuality, there was one thing that was useful in narrowing things down. Chuunin battle was unnecessary for him since he was already a Chuunin, a pass he had earned thanks to the Water Gardens incident. Most likely he would consider all combatants beneath him, Ayato himself included. After all, the ragdoll bore witness to the Hyuuga’s major screw up in the Water Gardens. “I was pushing him back though, till Kenshin showed up to save the day.”

Yes, the altruistic waters of life and their submersion to them was the best thing for the cleansing of consciousness, especially one as dark and heave as the silver-haired ragdoll. “I was a monster that used to prey on the weak, but I'm a changed man now.” He had said that and many more, that Ayato did not care to remember at the moment. That’s what Kenshin Uzumaki wanted others to believe. “Don’t think I ever believed that though.” The truth was that even though Kenshin might have used his body as a shield to protect Ayato, he had implied more than once (perhaps unknowingly) that it was safe for him all along.

So Kenshin Uzumaki had no thirst for battle, nor was a good samaritan - formerly a cutthroat seeking redemption - like in the books that Ayato so much loved reading about when he was a child. The answer as to why he would show up to the battle was clear by this point. The scenery of Kenshin Uzumaki and Genevieve Oasis running on the banks of a stream, it’s crystal clear waters surrounded by greenery and the rays of sun coaxing the earth, popped into mind. “She with her rainbow colored hair and him with pale skin and white hair looking like her great-grandfather.” The last part of the inner thought almost drew a laugh out of Ayato’s sharp mouth.

Almost was a long way from actually doing so, as it was another thing to praise yourself for your dry sense of humor and another to laughing at your own thoughts. It seemed even the despicable Kenshin Uzumaki had a weakness, one that was careless enough to show others. The ragdoll was lucky the only witness capable of figuring things out -Ayato- was not his enemy, or perhaps shrewd enough to have already known. Either way, it was reassuring to know that Kenshin Uzumaki was human after all.

But surprisingly the playboy was nowhere to be seen today to help his damsel in distress. Ayato had a very good idea what the priestess business in the library was. Even though he may not have passed the third and final mission for the Chuunin exam himself, his overall performance as a Genin earning him his promotion as soon as he was declared victor of the Chuunin battle. However, it was under the Hyuuga’s insistence that Miyamoto passed the threshold of the library to reach Chuunin mission instead of going exploring outside of the village like the hot-heated Terumi initially wanted. Something that would have most likely got him killed yet was too stupid to see without Ayato’s tutelage (and blow in the body for that matter).

Still, he saw no reason why he should get involved this time around, he was never too close with Geni Oasis, in fact, he barely knew her. The Chuunin Exams and Team Winter were well past behind him. Furthermore, reading books in the library was an activity he loved no longer an activity he wished to partake. Scrolls and leather covers may have been his only friends growing up since he had no interest in the play of other children. And of course, there were those who jested that his mother had swallowed a book and a candle when she carried him inside her womb. A sour jest, since a child of the Hyuuga not be able to fight equaled into the life of servant or watchman within the household for the rest of his life. All of this changed that day when he walked up to the practice yard and asked for help.

“It seems I have to be a fighter instead,” Ayato remembered the proclamation of the introverted boy that once was his younger self. And now he had become one. It was the hardest thing though, this Hyuuga’s natural process did not meet the family’s expectation. Never elegant in his movements or a genius that learned everything with half the effort. He wasn’t the fastest or the strongest. Plain and dull Ayato, as his brother used to call him. But he had used his own initiative and intelligence to create opportunities carve his own skill, and that no one could take away.

The taijutsu user gazed towards the opposite direction of the library, onwards to the crowded street. “That’s the right choice, everyone should learn to deal with their own problems after, like Ayato did. Besides, there was naught to gain after all. The shinobi took one step and then another before he stopped. “When did I start seeking compensation for everything I did, I wonder.”

Entering the library, with his dusty brown leather outfit, he had never felt more out of place. Hiding the discomfort underneath a still face and a plain mouth, Ayato Hyuuga took one step and then another, when he finally reached the table his teammate was seated and stood to her right, he realized he had not thought of what to say. For all his intelligence and combat prowess the Hyuuga Chuunin had always been uncomfortable around women. Poor him, he couldn't match Kenshin Uzumaki even in easy mannerisms.

"I have not seen your face since the exams." He finally announced to the priestess with a tone of cool courtesy in his voice. Truth be told, the arrow of compliments was not part of his quiver of skills. Provided he had his former teammates' full attention he would continue. "Pardon me for saying, but you appear more tired now than you did when you entered the arena. What is in the book you are so eagerly reading?"

WC: 1419

Fri Dec 22, 2017 12:24 am

Genevieve had opened several books, spreading them out before her as she quietly tried to focus on the task at hand; her chunin report. As Ayato and Hikari advanced in ranking, she had continued to dishonor her family by remaining in her current rank; well, had her family cared for the statistic ranking among shinobi, anyways. She was sure they might have cared. Her mother would have while her father, whom she inherited more traits from would have been supportive of her goals; church-driven or not. Her mother was another story.

It was for the good of the Faith or the Family; there was no inbetween and there was no other path. However, there were exceptions- such as the fact that Geni was both family and of the Faith.

However, when the thought of being a High Priestess had once brought her such pride and honor, it now brought with it a bittersweetness and dread. That meant she was to stay connected to the church, all her life. To serve them and them alone but- she wanted to pursue something other than that. She wanted to have her own freedom to do as she wishes, whether it was to destroy lives or build something seemingly of her character like a orphanage for the less fortunate with programs that benefited those of lower social standing. Whatever she wanted, she wanted her parent’s approval and she wanted to be happy.

As she was trying to decide on the geographical and historical texts of various villages in front of her, Ayato had indeed, made his appearance. They did not know of each other too well, but when they had faced in the arena he had won; not that Geni hadn’t tried. She had tapped into something primal and some type of force that she felt was deceptive and treacherous in the moments before deciding how she would attack and try to win against the hyuuga. But yet she failed. Something deeper inside of her whispered that she had failed because, instead of placing her faith and her bet on that darker, primal force; she had pulled away at the last second and withdrawn from its depths.

When Ayato spoke to her, she looked up at him and gave him a reserved smile, “I haven’t been too keen on being found recently, I’m afraid.” She responded gently and listened to him as he made his observation and asked her what she was eagerly reading for as she realized her gaze upon the books had been harder that she expected. “I suppose I’m expecting the answers that I’m looking for to leap off the pages and just yell out their existence to me... “ She said and looked at the book before she scoffed a bit, “Could you imagine?” Geni looked up at him and smiled, “I hope you’ll overlook my demeanor and my dry humor, Ayato, it’s uncourteous of me.”

“I saw you moving about outside but I figured you would be much too busy to visit this building; may I ask what brought you here?” She asked, thought she would be fine without a response from him. After all, he didn’t need to answer any of her questions and he was under no obligation to do so. However, as much as she shouldn’t deter from her task on hand she relished a change to avoid it more than she should, even as she looked back at the books.

“I’m looking to fill a report to try and apply to be a Chunin still.” Genevieve admitted as she moved her hand up and moved some of her hand behind her ear, to give herself a better view of the pages, “Fanciful of me, I know, but I still want to give it my best shot- even if my penmanship is ‘legible’ in the loosest of terms and requirements.”

[WC: 643]

Sat Jan 06, 2018 9:44 am

Just before that second statement had a chance to present itself, Ayato already reached the side of the library and whilst Geni was talking, the dark-haired Hyuuga folded both of those arms against his own chiseled chest before resting his back on the inner pillar. Direct eye contact was not yet made since those dull eyes gazed at the bookshelves laid ahead of him since that empty gap between himself and Genevieve was less than a meter and the man did not wish to startle the girl in any way possible. The pause between those words and the next ones was relatively short.

“I suppose I’m expecting the answers that I’m looking for to leap off the pages and just yell out their existence to me...Could you imagine?” The priestess raised her head and look towards Ayato when her lips formed into a smile “I hope you’ll overlook my demeanor and my dry humor, Ayato, it’s uncourteous of me.”Ayato Hyuuga turned his head to meet her gaze with a plain face. “We definitely have conflicting opinions on what dry humor is, apparently.” The Chuunin responded, not unkindly but perhaps his baritone would make anything that came out of his mouth sound like a death threat. The priestess paid no heed to that remark thankfully, curiosity was strong in this one.I saw you moving about outside but I figured you would be much too busy to visit this building; may I ask what brought you here"

Truth be told, one of the reasons that Ayato didn't want to come here, was because he would inevitably have to make small talk, which he utterly despised. However, he had come nonetheless. Since birth, this shinobi was bestowed with a pair of analytical and keen eyes which grew exponentially with each passing year, and even within this dim light of the library, the trouble on Genevieve Oasis smooth face did not went by unnoticed. An obvious conclusion could be drawn from that reaction, one which indicated that the young woman might have been a bit too inexperienced when it came towards a shinobi trial of that kind. When someone needed to be helped, there was this childish desire that emerged within Ayato. Something he didn't want to admit to himself, much less have others know about.

"Courtesy." He finally said after a long silence; the words leaving his mouth like a gust of wind "I wanted to see how you were faring after our battle before I went on my way. Few people can take my Gentle Fist, even fewer can take defeat." Everyone around him could have guessed that a Hyuuga like him enjoyed the cold and calming. However, he had to make Geni believe that he had no humility regarding his skill and no sympathy for his fallen opponent(s). Simply put, put it well into her head that Ayato was a cruel, arrogant, jerk.

“I’m looking to fill a report to try and apply to be a Chunin still. Fanciful of me, I know, but I still want to give it my best shot- even if my penmanship is ‘legible’ in the loosest of terms and requirements.” Genevieve stated without any hints of confidence, as she moved brands of her galaxy hair behind her ear with a smooth motion of her hand. She was beautiful, Ayato could see clearly now more than ever. But this can only take you so far into the shinobi world. With this it seemed, she had nothing more to add.

Ayato glanced down at her with his dull cold eyes. “I have to admit that was quite the eloquence Genevieve Oasis, I never thought you had it in you. I took you for the shy and silent type of female, ever since we met.” But this Chuunin once trusted a particular “queen” who preached about goodness and justice while she had none in her heart. But Ayato had that one coming if truth be told, only a fool would trust a person who declared herself to be Queen without proper reasoning. So, in the end, he may not have been the best judge of character, he thought he was.

"So you are working on Chuunin rank, I see.” Ayato feigned the feeling surprise as he closed his eyes, appearing to be taking things into consideration, but in truth, he had made his mind since the moment he walked through that door. It was time. Fixing his pose, and straightening his back he cleared his throat. "This is an official mission then, as a shinobi and your teammate it is my duty to make sure you succeed. Brief me on the details." The context in which this girl was viewed by this particular man, the situation in which she found herself was misunderstood completely, Ayato began uttering on an arrogant tone while closing the gap between himself and the woman, closer and closer the Hyuuga was getting with each word spoken.

WC: 830

Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:00 am

She was patient and listened to him as he spoke, taking note of his tone. It seemed to shift with his eyes; that was a summarizing thought. His eyes seemed dull, even glossy upon first look- it was where Geni’s own eyes went every time she spoke to someone. His tone of voice seemed a bit- boastful and prideful, never wavering in the same sense that hers would. It was firm in it’s confidence and belief that he, above all others within this very room, within this very building, was superior. In honesty, it was something she admired; the confidence a voice carried that was more naturally inclined towards the “stronger” sex. Something within it spoke softly to something in the darkest portions of her soul; “Safety”, it echoed against the darkness.

Was it primal, this voice? Or was it some disembodied emotion, making itself independent, individual, and known?

While she quietly wondered, it did not slip her notice that he was moving closer as he spoke. He takes about how some people could not take defeat; a truth that they both knew. Then he spoke to her character that he perceived to be shy and silent; something that was perhaps the story in the past, but today and the future were new days to explore upon that. Then he fortified his claim to title as her teammate and she politely smiled while he asked her to brief him. “I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to help me; I am to make a report on the defenses of a neighboring village with these books as my only glimpse into them.” She voices and brushed her finger tips against some of the pages of the open books, “Though- Living much of my life in a basement has handicapped me in critical areas that a shinobi should not be handicapped; namely, geography and all things… militant in nature. I am also to include how the village contributes to the world, and what it would contribute to our village should we make ties that allies would- from what I gather.” Genevieve voiced,

“Now, I have difficulty deciding upon a village, and I’m afraid I’ve been too lenient about my deadline, despite my interest in such topics.” The former priestess voiced and looked to Ayato, “What country would you suggest, for someone so inexperienced with traveling outside of their villages walls?” The female asked warmly, hoping that Ayato’s experience could enrich her own. She wasn’t strong enough to travel alone- not yet. She had other things to funnel her interest into.

Geography and historical sessions were quite intriguing to her and it all fascinated her; learning in general did, she supposed. Other people had it so well and they took it for granted; her memories were of church scruples she didn’t want to read other than when it was mandated to her. When it was required that she turn to the word of the Goddess to make her peace with something for teach herself forgiveness, to force herself to be molded into something and someone she clearly did not want to be nor associate with. She was not a fan of the Church or it’s career path; but she had been born into it and it was what she had known and grown up with. Then, later on, there were the teachings of her father about her mother’s culture- but never her ancestry. Tales of creatures that rules the night and their victims, anatomy drawings of subjects that were ferried in by her Father when her Mother sent them from her trips. Detailed dissections of creatures she’d never seen or read about other than what her Father said. IT starved her soul for adventure with the poisoned fruit of wonder and hope that one day, she would ascend the ranks high enough and fast enough to perhaps even stand beside her wayward mother wherever she roamed- outside of the strict rules of the church placed upon her and outside of the Village gates. Rampant and free as her Mother always had been (from her father’s recount of course).

“Forgive me is I seem a bit… desperate, Ayato. I am genuinely fascinated to learn of things I don’t know of.” Genevieve told him, gently moving an open-book towards him; should he need it.

[WC 720]

Mon Feb 05, 2018 1:53 pm

"I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to help me; I am to make a report on the defenses of a neighboring village with these books as my only glimpse into them.”

And so she thanked him. Ayato might have been a hard person to eyes of many, he understood as much. Never harder than he had to be though, being soft was never an option for Ayato of the Hyuuga clan. It fell to him to become a shinobi when he was no more than five years of age. He bore that burden for over ten years, and all it earned him was others mockery. In this bloody shinobi village, he had succeeded in every mission, won every fucking battle he was thrown in, it even fell to him to train others, and he did. However, instead of taking what he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count. The Hyuuga wasn't doing anything in mind to be thanked, after all, it was his duty. Yet he would never admit, he was glad, she did.

The priestess moved her fingers gently and paused for a moment, before she spoke again, in a soft tone. Then again, every voice tone would be soft, compared to his own baritone voice. “Though- Living much of my life in a basement has handicapped me in critical areas that a shinobi should not be handicapped; namely, geography and all things… militant in nature. I am also to include how the village contributes to the world, and what it would contribute to our village should we make ties that allies would- from what I gather.”

Allies? This was the one word that left Ayato hanging. The act of a formal treaty between two or more parties to cooperate towards their mutual benefit. Yes, the definition of the word was known to everyone but even masters on the art of diplomacy walked lightly on matters of that nature. The political situation within foreign villages had already been hazy.

"It looks as if I have to steal a leaf from Kyousuke’s book and play the mentor. Not that our beloved sensei ever bothered reading any.” The Hyuuga took mild amusement with his own statement, he had hoped the same was true for Genevieve. Regardless, he moved on. “You see, if history teaches us something other than it’s being written by the victors, is that making alliances is far more difficult than making enemies.” He said, but unless something changed and Ayato could bring the Kumo-Hoshi fucked attempt to merge into the picture, as an example the priestess would go on oblivious.

“Now, I have difficulty deciding upon a village, and I’m afraid I’ve been too lenient about my deadline, despite my interest in such topics.” The galaxy-haired Chuunin candidate stated before her gaze met Ayato's once more. “What country would you suggest, for someone so inexperienced with traveling outside of their villages walls?

Hearing of Geni’s life of a recluse, Ayato could not help but feel somewhat amused. The Hyuuga was a very controlling patriarchal family, and being a joyless introvert with no thirst for battle made it difficult to fit in. It made him the outcast. Getting lost in the books was Ayato’s displacement activity to retreat from the insanity of the world. Thankfully for Genevieve Oasis and the path she had chosen to undergo, unlike her who had spent her entire life within the veil of Hoshigakure, Ayato had come from the lands beyond its shade.

“I have a basic framework in mind for every village that we can expand upon with references from this library. Those that matter at least. Konoha in the Land of Fire would be my choice.” That was the first thought he had in his head whenever his mind drifted away from that barren shithole of a village named Hoshigakure. Surprisingly he had phrased his opinion in such a way that may have withheld that. This particular Hyuuga could go on for hours about the leaves rustling in the wind and all different sorts of plant life flitted throughout the air, tall aspen trees spread shadows across water streams, birds singing from their nests and the air strong with the smell of flora. A tranquil scenery it was, still and silent, but the life of nature gave a unique vibrancy to this memory.

But there was another scenery. One that he did not remember so fondly. Two young siblings sparring in the yard, and before long, the youngest of the two was rolling in the dust, trying to get up and failing, and the oldest was standing over him with an upraised fist, ready to whack him once he regained his feet. "You truly are hopeless, Aya. " Kaede had told him before buried his palm into his face and shattered his jaw. Funny, the Chuunin could almost feel the taste of iron in his mouth as it had a lifetime ago.

"I thought I had forgotten about that."The Chuunin's pale complexion always flush red in anger whenever he recalled that. Today was no different, it seemed. With a wave of his right hand, he brought his fingers to his temple. He massaged them gently, in an attempt to regain his composure.

"That...it may be too bit biased to suggest my home village." He finally managed to say, before looking away momentarily and then turning to face her again. "Perhaps we should pick a different one, more within context. Like Kumo. " He said, the last part with bile in his voice. It was up to the priestess, but the choice that would make writing the report easier - for him at least - was crystal clear. There, it seemed that almost immediately he had managed to find the one thing that stinking shithole of a village contributed to the world.

WC: 940

Sun Apr 01, 2018 4:30 am

Once more, Geni listened to every word that Ayato offered so that she could take in everything he said and he knew that her attention and focus was centered equally. She inwardly allowed her demeanor to sour as she listened to him speak,

"It looks as if I have to steal a leaf from Kyousuke’s book and play the mentor. Not that our beloved sensei ever bothered reading any.” Ayato said with amusement in his voice, and Geni chuckled softly; something they agreed on. A common ground. “You see, if history teaches us something other than it’s being written by the victors, is that making alliances is far more difficult than making enemies.” He was right and it pained her slightly to come to that realization. It was ridiculous to Genevieve that history only be written by those who won; how could one tell their own shortcomings and weaknesses without failure? Failure strengthened resolve and hardened the spirit, in a poetic sense, but it also gave good foothold to find places in your defenses and yourself that lacked nutrition and density.

“I have a basic framework in mind for every village that we can expand upon with references from this library. Those that matter at least. Konoha in the Land of Fire would be my choice.” Ayato said and his face reddened a moment before he brought his hand up to his temple and gently massaged it. Probably to alleviate any more symptoms of whatever was going on with him. "That...it may be too bit biased to suggest my home village." He finally managed to say, before looking away momentarily and then turning to face her again. "Perhaps we should pick a different one, more within context. Like Kumo." Ayato voiced and she smiled,

“On the contrary, I wish to capitalize upon your bias view of your home village; if you would be so kind as to indulge me.” Geni said warmly, looking away and through the books she had out, moving them about to find the right one. “This village is all I know yes, but I’ve only been out of a basement for barely a year- so, in essence, I have no village. I’d much rather here your recounting of your hometown, as you remember it; I feel that I would be able to compile a much more wholesome report if you would be willing to talk about your hometown.” She said and lifted up a book about the Land of Fire before setting it closer to him, while she busied herself with shutting all the other books and stacking them neatly.

“Truth be told, I think it’s a bit ridiculous for history to be written so one-sidedly by the winners; battles always have losers and winners, and winners make it seem like there is nothing to be gained in defeat, however on the contrary, there’s much more to be gained from it… in my opinion.” Geni said, “Like for example, our bout during the Chunin Exams.” She turned to him and looked at him,

“Had I not lost, I wouldn’t have spared any time to focus on my weaknesses and I would have remained both ignorant and arrogant about my abilities that I thought were “on-par”. I wouldn’t have gotten extra training and I wouldn’t have devoted as much time as I have, to working out my flaws. There is also the matter that I saw your a good extent of your abilities first hand, which was highly informative even on the receiving end, for at the end of the day I would like to know the “chinks in my armor” first.” Geni said and tilted her head slightly as she smiled, “So, I hope there’s no hard feelings about it, and I wanted to say thank you for it all.” She voiced genuinely. She meant no hidden ill-will and she was sincere. She needed to know those short-comings first, even if there was one other person who was barely around, to notice them,

“So, for the report, please don’t forget to leave out the details of the more favorable parts (in your opinion) of the village. I’d like to make my paper stand out from the rest by making the readers feel like they’re actually there.” Geni concluded hopefully and cheerily. Sure, she could do something dangerous like a mission but she still needed to keep most of her tricks up her proverbial sleeve, so she’d have to be content with a report. For now.

[WC : 750 ]

Sun Apr 15, 2018 1:45 pm

“On the contrary, I wish to capitalize upon your bias view of your home village; if you would be so kind as to indulge me,” Genevieve Oasis, responded catching the Hyuuga unprepared for what to say next. He had not expected that response while he had given her a way out of this particular route. The rookie Chuunin himself rarely bothered learning about someone had it not been for intelligence gathering. Still cold on his feet, he watched the girl searching through the books. It was really happening. “This village is all I know, yes, but I’ve only been out of a basement for barely a year- so, in essence, I have no village."

From his own experience as an introverted child, Ayato Hyuuga could almost picture it. Genevieve Oasis in the basement room. A bleak, shabby, utilitarian rectangle, more office than a bedroom, more attic than an office, that played to the hierarchy of chambers the role of a poor relation. It was a room seldom entered by the other members of the family, seldom swept by the maid, a room without pride; the old sewing machine, some cast-off chairs, a shadeless lamp, rolls of wrapping paper, piles of cardboard boxes that might someday come in handy, papers of pins, thin white spreads, of the kind used in hospitals and charity institutions.

"I’d much rather hear the recounting of your hometown, as you remember it; I feel that I would be able to compile a much more wholesome report if you would be willing to talk about your hometown.” She said and lifted up a book about the Land of Fire before setting it closer to Ayato, while the girl busied herself with shutting all the other books and stacking them neatly. Ayato proceeded to open the book and skim through the pages, searching for useful chapters. for s the galaxy haired girl would begin to speak again. Truth be told, I think it’s a bit ridiculous for history to be written so one-sidedly by the winners; battles always have losers and winners, and winners make it seem like there is nothing to be gained in defeat, however, on the contrary, there’s much more to be gained from it… in my opinion.” Genevieve paused as if to take into consideration what to say next. “Like for example, our bout during the Chunin Exams. That was enough to shift Ayato's attention back to the girl.

Had I not lost, I wouldn’t have spared any time to focus on my weaknesses and I would have remained both ignorant and arrogant about the abilities that I thought were “on-par”. I wouldn’t have gotten extra training and I wouldn’t have devoted as much time as I have, to work out my flaws. There is also the matter that I saw you're a good extent of your abilities first hand, which was highly informative even on the receiving end, for at the end of the day I would like to know the “chinks in my armor” first.” Genevieve said and tilted her head slightly as she gave a warm smile, “So, I hope there are no hard feelings about it, and I wanted to say thank you for it all"

Ayato welcomed the balanced and conscientious approach to their battle the girl shared with him with a nod. "Worry not, there are none. I suppose I ought to thank you as well for a match well fought." Without letting that linger for a second, Ayato tapped his fingers on the fifth chapter of the book. It read:

"Someone would most likely be able to compose one or two good books describing this majestic jewel of architecture that served to pay homage to the current Hokage and his deed. Konoha is built where a mountainside meets a vast forest area. The ridge of the said mountain is where the likeness of the current leader is carved upon. A location that holds a special meaning in the hearts of the locals, and also to that of the travelers, the streets around it brimming with people, always. The Hokage monument is..."

“Definitely impressive but not the most important." Ayato interrupted before Geni could read further and get drunk into a landmark that was an unnecessary courtesy in his home village's culture. Yes, the atrocity upon the mountain was only scratching the surface of where he was trying to get. "That would be the sacred Memorial Stone. Carved upon it are the names of the countless dead, who fell in battle in service of the village. ” Because their remains were never found or could no longer be identified, he might have added. Yet the Chuunin chose to leave that part out in fear of scaring the girl. That was the truth of a war where shinobi are falling by the thousands, not all shinobi are so lucky to get a proper grave.

“I understand you are very religious Genevieve, my mother was the same. She would always preach to me about how goodness and justice flowed from the gods, but all I saw of either was made by men."The young Hyuuga let out with the usual bitterness in his voice. But it was only half the truth, the heat of this barren wasteland he had gotten used to, and could almost abide. Even the distrust and the hatred of the locals to some extent. That he could understand, at least. What he couldn’t or rather refused to, due to his upbringing was the sheer hypocrisy of those who ruled this land and took what the name of Kage once meant and ran it through horseshit.

"She insisted that murder is the worst sin of all. But in Konoha, I was raised with the belief during a war, that, it's not killing its protecting.The village's stoutest defense had always been the shinobi." Yes, Konoha was never famous for massive granite walls that could hold off any attack, or a swampy environment that could turn the invasion of a marching army into a deathtrap. Since before the cataclysm, since the age of the legendary Hashirama Senju, the shinobi were the walls. "You see Genevieve, a Konoha shinobi does not care if he lives or dies and always coming at the enemy. All for the sake of protecting his family and every other family like his own.

"But at the same time, the greatest weakness is that same shinobi heart. " Ayato stated with profound sadness in his voice. "The lust for power manifested, and the village bled in turn." He proceeded to explain their history of internal strife. And of how when they were fighting with each other they were caught with their breeches down when the true enemy appeared. Ayato elaborated on telling Genevieve about the time when they were betrayed and invaded by their allies, Suna led by the Sannin Orochimaru who was a former Konoha shinobi. The invasion did fail, but Orochimaru killed his teacher who was Kage at the time. Ayato then japed that from their own experience with Kyousuke, Orochimaru may have been on the right there.

After another testament of what dry humor actually is, Ayato went on to mention of other known incidents. Such as the ANBU commander's coup, a prelude to the Fourth Shinobi War, the revolt of the genjutsu wielders, the Kurama Clan, and the century-long struggle between the two factions of his own family. Information Geni could expand upon referencing the book of Land of Fire she had opened.

“The mornings during winter were the most beautiful in my memory. The snow would flank the streets in long, unbroken curves. My brother and I would go and put our heads into it and sift it about like sand and then shake every grain off our fingers.” Ayato suddenly said, as to break the ice from the somewhat dark turn the conversation had taken. At the same time not neglecting Genevieve request, to mention his favorite place.The shinobi world was dark, but there was beauty in it too.

“Up in the pine forests, that Konoha is named for, the trees were like sugar trees. After a while, all this whiteness was painful to the eyes and it became scarcely possible to see anything. Between the grizzled pines flashed the splinters of the low sun and above was the pure enamel blue of the sky.” Ayato described this scene with the tone of his voice thick with nostalgia. It was a very strong scene, a cool scene. If Geni decided to put it in her report it, she could almost invite the reader to touch the white snow, not just to look at it, and even imagine the sun rays sneaking between the trees.

[WC = 1413]

Working on Reports (P, W/ Ayato)

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