A chance encounter (Raleth)

It was another peaceful morning for Musu in the Village of Sunagakure and Musu felt like it would be a good idea to go out for some light walking. He had already woken up and done his chores and daily training earlier and figured that he would take Raleths advice and decide to get in some good old fashioned relaxation. Musu had not yet been assigned to a team and there weren't many people in the village that he knew so he decided that he was just going to go out and see where the winds took him. After all this was how he was able to meet Raleth and Mizuki earlier in the grove and he thought that might happen again today. Musu thought for a little while about what he would like to do with this time and how he was going to meet new people and in reality he was at a loss. He didn’t want to just travel the grove again like he did before and he wasn’t really in the mood for a spar so the training grounds were out of the question. This perplexion was suddenly lifted however by a random thought. 


Musu would gather his things and put on his grey cloak over his Jounin flak jacket and head out of the complex that held his small apartment and made its way into the village. In his last meeting with Raleth and Mizuki they were able to try some delicious tea before the day was destroyed by pseudo spar that was started. Before that however Musu was deeply invested in the tea that they were drinking. It was sweet, a little tangy, and some of the best liquid that Musu had ever had. He was shocked to learn that a tea could be so flavorful and leave such a lasting impression on him so he wanted to learn more about it. Musu decided that he was going to learn a little bit about making tea with this day off…


Looking through the town he would ask around some of the different villages about where the best tea was in an attempt to narrow out his selection. If only Raleth were here to tell him where he got his tea before they parted ways. Asking around proved to be difficult, very few people seemed to care about tea because it was so hot here anyways, and the ones who were partial towards tea hadn’t given him much direction on where to go. After wandering through the village for a little while Musu would make his way towards a tea shop that showed some promise to the young ninja. It was called The Uncles Dragon, it was smaller than some of the other shops around the area, but it appeared to be quite popular as shoppers were seen going in and out of the shop as Musu looked on for a bit. After doing a bit of people watching for a few minutes Musu decided that it was time for him to give it a try and began to walk towards the building, ready to get his hands on some delicious brew. 

[WC: 527]

The interior of the Uncle's Dragon tea shop is warm, with light yellow walls accented by rich green moulding, patterned with golden embers that reflects the candles hanging from simple chandeliers. The aroma is one of earth, spice, and lavender, with hints of honey and leaf: a smell that makes one feel at home and makes one think on one's past. The red-haired jounin, Musu Uzumaki, would be greeted by a kind faced woman who stands near the center of the shop. She speaks, benevolence rings from the tone of her voice.

"Welcome to the Uncle's Dragon. Please, come and sit. Whether you've come for tea, or just to rest your feet: all are welcome here. And please, try our green tea. It's simple, but a staple if you yourself have never tried tea."

She gestures to any of the open tables. With it being not busy, most of the tables are empty. As Musu would scan for an empty seat, he would see a familiar sight. The burnt-white, ash-haired Raleth Sarutobi sits in the far corner of the tea-shop, sipping a small cup of tea: enjoying the serenity of the tea shop. The bearded shinobi had yet to notice the presence of the Uzumaki, the aged jounin's thoughts being preoccupied with the taste of his tea. The seat in front of Raleth is open, and the presence of the Sarutobi is welcoming and inviting. If Musu were to sit down, and ask for some of Raleth's tea, he would taste citrus, milk, and the slightest hint of pepper, a smooth and sweet-spice profile.

WC = 264

“Raleth! Hello, its Musu from that day at the grove, do you remember me?”

The voice of the Uzumaki breaks through Raleth's tea trance, he looks up and sees the red-haired Musu, who greets the Sarutobi in his own peculair matter.

"It's good to see you, Uzumaki. Come, sit down."

Raleth gestures to the open seat in front of him, and motions to the kind faced woman, the owner of the tea shop. "Mrs. Mananaka I'lll have the sunrise tea spread." 
The kind faced woman smiles and bows before walking to the back of the tea shop, to prepare the order.

"What brings you to this side of the village? Finally taking some time for yourself? I'm glad to know you listened to me during the tea ceremony, and even remembered considering..."

Raleth pauses, the silence that fills the space between the Uzumaki and the Sarutobi are filled with the memory of the battle in the grove.

"I knew you'd be skilled enough to handle anything during that spar, though, I do apologize for putting you in needless danger. I...got lost in the moment."

Raleth knows his apology does not excuse his actions, but he hopes the red-haired jounin would at least consider accepting it. Raleth brings the small porcelain tea-cup to his lips, finishing the drink he had started alone: listening and responding to Musu's reply to what he said. After a moment, Mrs. Mananaka returns with a tray of 3 tea kettles, and two cups. She place each one on the table, explaining each one to musu.

One is normal green tea, another is green tea with  honey, and a third is rose-and-peach tea. The spread is meant to introduce those to the world and falvors of tea, going with the most basic to something a little more exotic. Which one would the Uzumaki prefer? Raleth was excited to see the answer.

[[WC = 315]]
[[Total WC = 579]]

A hearty chuckle escapes the ash-white-haired shinobi, enjoyment spread a smile on his face as the Uzumaki pours a cup of green tea: a good start for a night filled with conversation.

"With what I know, it is also bad luck to pour a cup for yourself!" Raleth waits for Musu to finish pouring the cup of tea; and, as the red-haired jounin places the kettle down, the Sarutobi grabs it and pours him a cup of green tea.

"Miss Ohta started the bout early, this is true. But..."Embarrassment dulls the bass voice of the immense jounin, "I forgot myself and got lost in the fever of battle. My actions were too intense for the arena we chose to spar in.." The memory of that evening, the sound of branch and wood breaking, is still fresh in the wash-white-haired shinobi's mind. But, he perks up as he continues to speak. "But, all is well. The following day I came to my senses, thanks to an old student of mine. Together, we cleaned up the mess I made. Even found time to plant a wonderful garden. Truth be told, it was a strange coincidence; with the combination of mine and Miss Ohta's jutsu, a serene lake had formed."

Raleth gestures for Musu to join him as he brings the small cup to his lips, the distinct aroma of green leaf tickles his nose. He tips the rim over his lips, hot and flavored liquid spills over his tongue and down his throat. A warmth comes over Raleth, starting from the base of his stomach and and spreading throughout his limbs, calming him in ways. After a moment of mutual tea enjoyment subsides, the Sarutobi speaks up.

"Last we spoke, you mentioned that you were a native to Wind Country. I don't mean to pry, but did you father tell you nothing of your namesake? Truth be told, you needn't know your clans history, you yourself are a fine example of an ingenuous Uzumaki. But still, do you not wonder why you are so adept with fuuinjutsu?"

Raleth sits back, relaxed.

"I lived for some time in Fire Country, my house was near the Uzumaki estate. The friends that I had in childhood i've not kept up with, but I can recall the stories of they told me of their forefathers. If you wish to know, I'd be happy to tell you what I can. Again, this information is not needed, but it could shed light on things you've been confused on? I've always found that a piece a wisdom, especially from the past, can help one overcome the obstacles of tomorrow."

Mrs. Mananaka comes back to the table of the ash-white-haired shinobi and the red-haired jounin, placing a small kettle of green tea: one ordered by Musu Uzumaki. Never one to turn away tea, Raleth graciously pours the rest of the green tea into Musu's cup, and the kettle so that the handle faces the Uzumkai. An invitation to pour and converse some more, if he chooses to accept.

[[WC = 501]]
[[Total WC = 1080]]

“I also look forward to meeting you on the field of battle, not now of course, please don’t start a spar here!”

A hearty laugh, a booming sound, escapes the ash-white-haired shinobi, the humor of the red-haired jounin is appreciated and the promise of a future battle is enticing.

"Of that, you've nothing to fear. And may our enemies quake when they spot our banners flying together!"

Raleth brings his cup, and shares a drink of green tea with his comrade. The Sarutobi listens to the Uzumaki and finds the memories Musu shares about his father endearing. He's glad to see the pride that glows in the red-haired-jounin's eyes as he mentions his lineage. As Musu mentions the tomes he's read, there is a strange emptiness in his tone, as if he cannot picture the stories told in them. At the request of the Uzumaki, the aged Sarutobi agrees to breathe life to the stories he's read.

"This was a time long ago, many years from where we are now. When the world looked the same, but the lines of countries were changed. There was war, violence, and bloodshed at all times, two clans fought for control. And, while this war waged, there was a family of shinobi separate of these other two. These were the Uzumaki, renowned warriors and scholars who were said to live longer than the trees that surrounded their village. And, they were great allies to one of the warring clans, the Senju. When peace finally blossomed in the land, the Uzumaki were forever immortalized by the Senju, the symbol of the jounin and chuunin of Konoha is the clan crest, the swirl. And, when tragedy struck the clan, the leaf welcomed them with open arms."

The white-ash-haired shinobi sips his tea, enjoying the memories of hidden leaf village, but finding himself near a place he wishes not to be. A strange an unknown twang would break over the Sarutobi as he spoke a sudden name, "A childhood friend of mine, Rosina Uzumaki, used to tell me the story about how her clan had saved the village. During the third hokage's reign, my great-grand-uncle, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had defended the Leaf from an attack from the village hidden in the Sound. The fight was awesome, what I've read about it says that titanic and monumentous things occurred. Hrizuen fought with his last breath, and this was at a time where age had finally caught up with him. People were deceived, traps were set, and in the end the Sarutobi fell. But, not before saving Konoha with a jutsu developed by the Uzumaki, a fuuin seal with disastrous consequences.

Raleth Sarutobi bows his head, in respect to his ancestor, and to the progeny of the clan who aided him. Raleth takes another sip of tea, and finds that the green tea is finished. He puts the tea kettle near the tables edge, and grabs another kettle from the sunrise tea spread.

"This is green tea with honey," Raleth says as he pours Musu a cup, "Sometimes, the simplest things can cause a great thing to be greater."

[[WC = 517 / 1597]]

Walking past the many shops that decorated Sunagakure Zaine had come to a familiar area, one that had a special sentimental value due to the fondness his old sensei had for it. A sweet aroma of differing teas graced the nostrils of the Uchiha as he instinctively walked closer and closer to a tea shop he was more than acquainted with- "Uncles Dragon" tea shop. He smiled as he walked inside of the small shop and was greeted by a friendly smile "Welcome to the Uncle's Dragon. Please, come and sit. Whether you've come for tea, or just to rest your feet: all are welcome here. And please, try our green tea. It's simple, but a staple if you yourself have never tried tea." The young woman said to Zaine as he entered "I think thats exactly what ill be having now that you mention it, one order of green tea please!" He would scan the room as he watched the woman walk away to put in his order and to his surprise he would see Raleth Sarutobi sitting in the back corner with none other than Moosiah Uzukmaki! He had run into a stroke of luck meeting the two of them here, he would get to enjoy some tea in the company of two high ranking and respectable shinobi.


He would make his way past the other consumers of tea until he was standing in front of the table at which they sat "Excuse me, but would you fine gentlemen happen to have room for one more?" A rhetorical question, he would pull up a seat next to Moosiah, smiling in his general direction before focusing his attention on Raleth "So besides the fantastic tea, what brings you here today, you guys coming up with new tactics for battle?" He was more than excited to partake in any conversation with the two but was interested as to what they were in such deep conversation about, surely it would be something he could get in on. 


[WC=336]