Family Time (Fang Gang)

Akane had settled in well. The girl had been initially worried about being unable to contribute but such was the nature of the restaurant that everyone's talents came in handy. the Terumi girl had a quick hand and a sharp mind and was wasted on waiting tables but she was more than up to the task until they figured out something more permanent for her. Akihana was hoping to introduce her to Mar that evening so the two could talk shop. An engineer and a forger could definitely utilize their economies of scope to build something, and Akane would be so much happier practicing her true talent.

The blonde also formally wanted to introduce Arashi to the whole group. In the past few days, the realization that her son had returned was settling down well. The impulse to check on the young man every few minutes just to make sure he didn't disappear was starting to wear off though it didn't keep the kunoichi from worrying. Her only solace was that despite his long journey, the cloud ninja had retained his life and health. He was considerably weaker than he had once been but with the support of a newfound family, he would grow strong again.

She had full faith in him.

And Arashi wasn't the only one growing strong. Both Hiroaki and Mar were making progress in their ninja careers, through hard training and missions Akihana supposed. Their indomitable spirit had launched them into progress that showed in both their physiques and jutsu prowess. Mar was now the infamous metal suit of armor that hung around the Chortling Chunin, scaring any ill doers away while Hiroaki had made his new post by Akihana's side every time she stepped out for anything. He was by her side on trips to the market, on her walks to the clinic, even when she strode down the streets to greet patients and friends. The boy was almost constantly by her side, like a silent but surly shadow. It reminded Akihana of a certain young knight though she doubted Hiroaki would appreciate the comparison.

Today, Hiro's job was to be the bouncer. the restaurant had closed a little earlier than usual because Akihana and Akane were preparing it for a big family dinner. Three entire pigs roasted in the kitchen that resembled a barbecue pitmroe than anything else now and sides of steaks took up the rest of the space. Side dishes had already been prepared early on and dessert was chilling in the freezers. After what seemed like weeks, everyone was in town and the medic did not plan to squander theoportunity for a grand dinner.

Akane would finally meet the rest of the group, Arashi would be introduced and perhaps... perhaps it was time to face the fact that their family was outgrowing the restaurant? Perhaps she could show everyone the home Maku had prepared for such a time when the team grew too large to live in a small building?

"Akane, sweetheart, could you please smoke out those sausages with smoke veil, and maybe turn them over with the fire lash jutsu. It saves us using spatulas and tongs. When you're done, you can just disperse the veil with airwaves."

Having left the sausages to the girl, Akihana exited the kitchen, brushing a strand of gold back into her otherwise neatly plaited hair. As always, the medic was dressed modestly in a deep green dress but for once, the Akatsuki apron did not adorn her slender frame. Simple green heels completed her look, giving her the aura of a much younger woman than she actually was. Ignoring the mirrors had become a common habit by now, the blonde not wishing to see her ageless, heart shaped face reflected in a looking glass that lied.

"Everyone will be here soon," she called out as she saw Hiro turn another customer away, pointing to the polite sign that announced the eatery closed. Sometimes, people needed more reinforcement than a mere sign. "I can't wait for you to meet everyone, they'll love you, and you them."

Eliwood was in a hurry, running at this point, to make it to the restaurant in a timely fashion. He had stopped along his way at a little flower shop and gotten a little too distracted. Realizing he might end up late he started running. Akihana had invited him to a family dinner. It was not unusual for Eliwood to eat at the chunnin, but this invitation seemed different, more important.

The green haired monk never really had a family to call his own. The Elders at the temple watched over him as he grew up, but there was always a distance between them and the boy. Here in Fang however, a family had found him. A place to stay, food to eat, and plenty of laughs. Eli couldn't thank Aki and Maku enough for bringing him in. As he ran through the streets towards the restaurant he couldn't help but smile. He was a part of something wonderful and he would do his best to repay the kindness he was shown.

Eliwood stopped, panting outside the restaurant door. He caught his breath before opening it up and stepping inside. 'So much for being late' he thought to himself. Inside was only Akihana, Hiroaki, and a waitress Eli had not met before.

"Oh thank goodness, I thought I was late. Aki thank you so much for the invitation. I can hardly wait to eat." He said before turning towards Hiroaki, "Hiro, I see you still have that cough. You know that Aki is serious when she says she could fix that." Eli knew it would take a great deal of trust for the swordsman to actually accept help, but they would win him over eventually.

The bard then turned his attention to the stranger in the room, working with Akihana. "And hello there, I do not believe we've met. My name is Eliwood. I help the restaurant with odds and ends from time to time." He would reach out a hand for Akane to shake, "and you are?"

(WC 338)

It was strange sensation to be back in a more... permanent place.  For the moment, Arashi didn't feel like being inside... at least not yet.  Instead, between drinks of water the young adult was practicing his family arts; sitting in a visible white area of mist that was currently his body.  

He still didn't know exactly what to make of this whole situation; even after talking with Akihana and confirming it was her, he still felt himself in a daze.  And to make it worst, seeing her reminded him of the two reason why he left Hoshi in the first place... her death... and her son.  

The last Arashi had heard about Arata was that he had been sighted on his way to the land of Water, but at that point he had realized that he left himself too lax.  Doing jobs here and there to survive while devoting himself to just learning about his roots left himself somewhat out of practice, and because of that, Arashi had justified to himself that he would leave Arata be for now.  That decision had only ever been made because he believed his mother dead.  Now, she wasn't... or never was.  Either way, seeing her face only reminded him of what he gave up, and what he failed to do.  

The familiar twinge of pain brought Arashi back into the present as he felt himself reach his limit.  The cloud of vapor that was him condense itself into a bright white cloud, before taking the humanoid shape of his body.  Soon the cloud solidified and gave him detailed form and color, leaving the shinobi looking like himself once again.  The smells from the restaurant came to him, and he reluctantly felt the twinge of hunger inside.  Aki closed this place in honor of himself and others, and as he looked around, he could see Akihana had adopted more of a family.  There was a bit of jealousy that he was now not the only adopted son... but then again, it was in her nature to do so.  And she thought him dead just as much as he thought her dead.

Pushing off the wall he leaned on, leaving a wet imprint of a figure there to dry, Arashi adjusted his clothes, and especially his scarf, before walking inside the place and standing off on the wall.  He looked around at the new faces, but honestly did not know what to do yet.  Seeing the others interacting was... comforting at least, and it nearly caused a smile.

The feast was laid out for them in an instant thanks to Akihana. Her clones could make a top bill restaurant staff look like amateurs. So many dishes were made it was making Eliwood's head spin. Though he ate at the Chuunin as often as he could, he never grew tired of the food Aki made. Before they dug in, introductions were in order. The waitress helping set up was Akane, a metal smith and a former citizen of Kumogakure. The man Eliwood had met before at the farm was finally identified as Arashi, Akihana's son.



Eliwood was surprised to hear that Aki had a child, especially one as old as Arashi. She looked so young, but the monk was fast learning that people in this world were full of surprises.



"Its nice to finally have names to the faces. I look forward to getting to know you both." He said raising his glass to toast, "Welcome to the family. Cheers!" He would say before chugging his sake and promptly refilling up his glass.



With smiling faces and happy animals around Eliwood was almost teary eyed. When he agreed to work for some interesting guy he met by a river, he never expected to find people like this. People he could call family, let alone friends. It was comforting to have people by your side. The feelings welling up inside him needed to be channeled into something and so he decided to lay down in one of the booths along the wall to play a song. A lively one to match his current buzz. He was eager to know what Aki had gathered them all.

(WC 275)
(TWC 613)

It was interesting, the sight he saw when he walked in.  It reminded him of two different, yet same, kitchen scenes he remembered from Akihana.  One of which was cooking in Sanctuary.  The memory of him being taught to hone his jutsu using what were very unorthodox methods: cooking.  He was the chill box; it was the best way to learn how to master his temperature cloud arts.  Before the young adult knew it, that memory cause him to smile warmly at the scene in front of him of people moving around and a feast being prepped.  

The second was a found memory of their time in Hoshi, and the royal kitchens.  The time that the castle's residents learned that they don't stop Aki from doing what she loves.  It wasn't as personable a memory as the smaller home in sanctuary, but it proved that when his mother decided on something, it would be done for the benefit of her guests.  Just like now.  A meal seemingly prepared in his, as well as other's honors.  Arashi ended up having to close his eyes and turn away.  The memories, and the realization that it really was Akihana... it really was his mother.  The cloud ninja barely had time to mourn, and seeing her here reminded him of that fact.  He lost his family twice... but now regained a family twice.  He wouldn't be able to leave so easily now.

Arashi regained control of his emotions and then turned back, moving towards the table.  Looking around at the new faces, there was one that he just couldn't pull his eyes away for some reason.  And it bugged him that the red-headed girl seemed to remind him of something. Or some one.  Thats when Aki introduced the one acting as a server, which only seemed to heightened his interest and curiosity. Survivor of Kumo... words that have long since lost their chill to him were now... making him wonder who it was that he just met.  Survivor meant that she had to have been around the same time he did.  Aki mentioned Akane being with refugees, but Arashi had split off from any survivors almost immediately, going instead to find his family, and subsequently being rescued.

Even as the others were being introduced, Arashi's eyes were still on Akane, out of curiosity, and he had to force himself back to the present.  The young man nodded his head at the others in recognition, until his mother finally stated to begin eating. Akane spoke about finding friendly faces, but it when she stated that she was lucky to make Genin before Kumo fell that Arashi looked back at her.  Genin before Kumo fell?  That would mean.... could it?  He kept silent, his mind racing, trying to remember the faces from his past.  A slight rumble in his gut told him to try focusing on the food, and Arashi looked down at the spread before him, before he sighed with a smile.  Of course she would include some of his favorites.  As he began getting his own plate, he didn't notice at first Akane addressing him.

Hearing her, his head swung back up, and he smiled at her, nodding.  "Yeah... I guess I do..." he stated, looking back at the older shinobi.  She seemed so different without her biological son to care for, but still had that motherly demeanor.  "... and now you do, too." he said, turning back to her.  "Or at least someone you can always return to." he added, before shaking his head.

"Okay... this is bugging me... you said you made Genin before Kumo fell... do you mean before the fall of Raikage Yaju?  Before Kumo was turned into that... hellish landscape?" he asked, lowering his voice slightly.

"Because that would mean.... what is your clan name, again?"