A Restful Day [Asahi]

The sunrise from behind the mountains as the rays of light consume the darkness. The clear blue sky spread widely with no clouds to cover the magnificent view that the morning brought upon Tanbo. With the change of scenery, the night guards changed with the morning guards as everyone began their morning routines. A peaceful morning was like no other, calming and tranquil. Mikaela couldn't ask for a better way to get his start. He walks towards his kitchen as he turns off the stove letting the teapot calm down from its boiling point. The emerald-eyed genin looked around his cabinets until he found his teacup and a bag of apple tea. He poured the water into the cup ripping the plastic around the tea as he grabbed it by its string and began to dip it on his cup. After five minutes Mikaela stood on his balcony looking at the streets of his area. His bright green eyes watch the villagers move around not wasting time to begin their day, Mikaela smile a bit as he sipped on his tea every now and then.

After finishing his tea, he decided he take a break from the training; so, he went to the hot springs that he had discovered when he was a young academy student training in the nearby areas. He doesn't know if this place was known or not, but he figured it was since it was just right outside the village. The geothermally heated water and constant release of steam had shaped the environment around the spring into a rocky wasteland. The trees were bare skeletons with no leaves, and the continuous flow of water had carved out a small crater in the land and had conveniently filled with hot water. The hot water would be constantly pumped into the pool from a small crevice on the side of the mountain this spring rested on. The pool however had overflown and given the water some vigorous movement creating a natural Jacuzzi. Whenever the pressure rose in the mountain, a jet of steam would be violently spurted out, which would then lightly decent on the pool, increasing the temperature further but still keeping it bearable.

Upon arrival, Mikaela would take his garments off one by one, neatly folding them and placing them on top of each other, with the small pouch of rose petals resting atop. He’d then advance slowly into the crater. He’d test the temperature with his toe first and then put a whole leg in, with his body flowing suit. He would try to come here as rarely as possible to sustain the magic this place had. It allowed him to completely free his mind, but – yet again – he found this time it was different. He was restless. His mind kept thinking, even while his body was massaged by the gently flowing water.

Steam burst out from the opening in the mountain and descended on the pool, giving the temperature a momentary boost. Missing the signs around him, the young ninja would rest his head back on the rocks that lined the edge of the pool; giving it more of an aesthetic feel, and making it even harder to believe that this place was created by nature.

His thoughts drifted; as the temperature rose, his thoughts began to drift towards his family, while his father wanted him to be like him and his older brother, but he tend to be more like his mother. Gentle and kind. He wanted to get stronger, but in his own way, and he needs he needed to raise the level of his chakra before he can attest to the medical ninjutsu that he has been training with. Then another jet of steam would surge out of the mountain – this time more violently. That’s when it hit him. Regardless of his doubts, he knew he had it in him to raise his chakra level. He knew for a while. Mikaela slowly sat up and started pouring himself some tea that he brought along with him and drank.

Asahi Yagami. It seemed like it could almost roll off of the tongue in his head. With nights getting longer and days getting shorter, Mikaela let out a sigh and then stared up at the seemingly getting dark sky. He could see a few stars high up in the twilight sky as he thought back to what happened a couple of days ago. He sunk deeper into the water of the hot spring that was conveniently located inside the Tanbogakure. He was finally granted the chance to use the hot spring from his relentless training and enjoyed every second he was in it. However, he did have a hard time staying still as he thought back to the certain incident that happened between himself and one of sensei’s a while back, but that wasn’t important. 

When he answered Mikayla’s questions he chucked to himself a little loud. The blonde-haired Asahi said how he was here to enjoy the springs and something to completion. He knew what he meant but his kind seemed to almost frazzle when he gave a sly wink at him. Whether or not he was playing with him. He blushed. He wasn’t used to this sort of feeling or people from the village would not act like this. He knew his cheeks were red with heat. 
 
That’s when Asahi declined his offer for it, he felt a feeling mixed with sadness and guilty and he never knew the way. He hated the way he felt but he didn’t know how to change it. He wished to be more expressive and not reclusive. However, he said that he had something stronger than tea to help him. He wondered what it was and that’s when Asahi stood up. Mikaela could’ve sworn his hair had turned as red as his face as he tried to look away while the other male got whatever he was getting. Mikayla then heard the water splashing around, not from the geyser, but when he felt the ripples becoming uneven, he knew Asahi came closer. 


The man offered him some snacks. Mikaela was definitely shocked by this kind gesture, but this man was definitely was nothing but nice to him. 


“Ummm, of course, thank you,” Mikaela said with almost a timid voice towards the blonde. What he grabbed seemed sweet when he started to taste it.  Anyone from far away from him, wouldn’t hear but since Asahi came closer, he figured he could. 


The emerald-eyed Senju Heard that Asahi almost state that he was in deep concentration. “I suppose so, it’s really just family stuff. No need to be worried about it, “ Mikaela said almost giggling while trying to hide the pain behind his demeanor. That’s when the blonde asked him if anything could help. 


“I’m not for sure, I just try not to think about but it really feels heavy on my back and shoulders. That’s why I’m hear, but since I’m a genin, I found the alcohol somehow takes the worry off the kind. However, I haven’t really tried it. “ Mikaela smiled towards the blonde as he start to slowly feel comfortable around him. 


“Oh, well what do you enjoy doing when you’re not here,” Mikaela asked. 








[WC:537]
[TWC: 1,623]

Mikaela blatantly stared at him as he started talking, what seemed like, philosophical towards him about family. "I suppose you're right but I'm not relying on it to cope, just a way to escape from it. Also, being somewhat of a botanist is another thing that helps me." Mikaela soothingly said. Mikaela started to relax his head and looked at the darkened sky as a full had appeared in the sky, giving off lighting as the day grew into blackness. At least there was some sort of light for him as he let the hot springs geyser's take away the ache from his body. Well, resting his head, he turned his gaze toward the blonde as he started to explain how he got into the village, looking for his cousin.

"Well, I'm glad you found him. Since the village is small, I'm sure you can find your way around but if you need any help, I'd be happy too," Mikaela offered as he watched the man switch between snacks and rest his cup in the water. Even though Mikaela was from the rice village, he particularly did not like rice. It was too bland for him, well, when it was by itself. Now mixed with other food, it is fine. Grabbing his tea once more, he began to sip on it continuously till it was gone. He then heard Asahi talk about how he wanted to go so the shine.

"Hm, I didn't know there was shine here, I might have to tag along to see for myself," the Senju smiled as he watch Asahi sink into the water and then ask him about himself. "I suppose not, but I guess you're just going to have to find out for yourself," Mikaela remarked. "Well, I just don't want to be a rice farmer like my brother and father, I just want to be...to be something more, if that makes sense," the redhead wasn't sure if he knew what himself meant, he wanted to be something more? He wanted to experience life outside the village and not be kept here like the rest of his family. That's why joined the academy, even though there were only like three in his class. Shaking his head, he then asked, "well, how are you liking this village, it's quaint, ain't it?"

[TWC: 2,010]

"It's a small little thing. Right overlooking the sea by the cliff. I'm not surprised it has slipped your notice." Asahi would say dipping a finger in his sake testing the temperature. Dissatisfied with the temperature he merely continued, "I think it is in some disrepair, so I might clean it up a bit. I doubt the kamui and ancestors really care to much about physical bounds in a metaphysical life, but still.......its about respect.....ya know?" He'd test the temperature one more tie and satisfied this time take a tentative sip from the now warmer alcohol. "You are of course more than welcome to come. It never hurts to have a spare hand would you say?" He'd laugh a little at his own comment, focusing back on his drink.

"The village is nice. Much nicer than where I've been before. Though, the bar was quite low." He'd laugh again. An inside joke that he didn't elaborate on. Hot springs and company where not something the abandoned swamp hovel had offered in spades. Mosquitos and alligators on the porch sure, but this....no not this. "family is hard....." He would say again with a pause. "my father wished me to be a black smith, well I don't exactly have the build or the desire for such things. Terribly disappointed I am sure, but we each must follow our own truth. Even if it takes us farther from those we love, it brings us nearer to ourselves." He'd give a little nod, "Or at least......I think I read that in a shrine once." He'd let out a twinkling laugh. It was difficult at times to know how serious he took the words he said. Asahi had always had a way of saying things of a serious nature with a nonchalant tone.

"It's getting late....." He'd say looking up as the stars in the sky overtook the dying light of dusk. Night was on full display and the nocturnal creatures that reigned had begun to stir in earnest. He'd stand abruptly, letting the cooling night air hit his body. Gooseflesh rose across his skin, the crisp air bringing a certain alertness to what had been warm and soothed but a moment before. Making his way over to his bundle he would dry off, and begin to get dressed. "I think I am going to head to the shrine around midday, if you want to come." He'd place the pale kimono over his skin that perfectly reflected the light of the stars. His appearance was not far from one of the spirits that he choose to so often commune with. "Would you like to accompany back to the village?" He'd ask his voice carrying over the fresh gush of water.

TWC - 1778

"Hm. Interesting," Mikaela almost grunted out when Asahi told him about where the shrine was located, he had never really been to the cliff so of course, he would not know that it was there. Mikaela listened closely as he told him about his plans and then offered to come with him. "I would love to, it's most likely historical marking from how you described it so I have to see it," Mikaela almost exclaimed as he loved seeing pieces and works of history. To him, it seemed like time stood still for the pieces. The genin would then lower his face toward the water and start blowing the bubbles along with already naturally formed ones.

"Well, I'm glad you think the village is nice. I know the village isn't much, but people here a kinder than where you will find elsewhere," the emerald-eyed Senju confidently said to the blonde. "Hm, seems like we have more in common than what I would've suspected. But I believe in what you're saying, sometimes we have to lose the ones closest to us, just so we can find ourselves. You sure you're not meant to be a philosopher," Mikaela started to joke back with man, growing more open to him. That's when he started talking about how it was getting late.

"I agree..." Mikaela stated but didn't move as he watched Blonde stand up, with the moonlight seemingly reflecting off his body. Mikaela could feel color come to his face as he noticed he was staring too long and quickly got up. He started drying himself off and then proceeded to put his attire on. That's when the blonde started to ask him about how he was going to be going to the shrine in the afternoon, and if he wanted to walk with him to the village.

"Of course, it's dark and I didn't bring no lighting source,"  Mikaela scratched his head as let out an awkward laugh, being weird because he was unprepared. "Luckily the moonlight is bright so we can see," the redhead smiled at him. As he would then turn to walk towards the village, hopefully, Asahi was walking with him, if he was he would ask, "so, have you been staying at your cousin's? or do you like the ricefields beddings." Mikaela tried to joke with him on the way back.



[TWC:2,403]

The line of being a philosopher made him laugh out loud as he finished getting dressed and securing his snack pouch with a tight knot. "you must tell Yasahiro that sometime." He would continue wiping the tears from his eyes. "He won't even believe it." The younger Yagami threw out the village's shinobi leaders name without much thought. To him, Yasahiro was just his cousin. Technically he may be his superior from a military sense, or at least that was how the bossy secretary had described it, but he hadn't given it much thought since. He had done so without thinking how the senju would react to the realization that he was bathing with the cousin of the leader. He'd wait patiently as the younger genin got himself together, chit chatting about idle things. No shame as he never turned from the boy, forgetting that others had modesty, even if he had lost his somewhere along his travels.


"Not so desperate as of yet." He'd say to the question of his lodgings. "I am taking up a semi-permanent position at the tea shop in the middle of town. They had a room to rent above it, so I stay there. Small, but the view is nice, and I can't say no the smell of pastries each morning." He talked with his hands a lot as they moved. Two spirits moving along the road in the bright moonlight. Moon beams catching the water as they moved inwards and passed the rice fields that acted as the cities ramparts beyond the actual ramparts. He'd clap the senju on the back and give him a half hug as they made their way into town. Almost alone on the dark streets, the sound of one bars music permeated the air, and in the distance the patrol of the night guard, but besides that it was just the two of them.

"We could meet here." He would say pointing at the cross roads, the left road taking them out of town with just a jaunt to the cliffside. "If you still want to go to the little shrine. Bring some incense if you got it my sagely Senju friend, but otherwise the spirits will understand if you haven't got any." He would smile, clearly indicating that regardless he was welcome to come. With that he'd continue walking towards the tea shop leaving his new friend behind. It had been an interesting outing to be sure, and he could feel looser for it. Perhaps he would have to visit again, maybe even pry yasahiro from his lofty office. Time would tell.

-Exit

TWC - 2213

3 stats towards chakra
19 stats towards vigor

2213 towards Third eye