Her heeled combat boots sounded against the polished floors of the restaurant, as the door closed after her entrance. The ring from a bell echoed, introducing the woman's presence.

From all the time that Kana had spend within Tanbogakure, consuming the splendid rice sake and plum wine, it was a surprise that the lass had yet to find her way to this establishment. Especially one that sold items that could easily peak the interest of any ninja.

But not many knew that Kana possessed a life of a fighter. Most within Tanbogakure knew the scarlet lass as a drunkard who loved to hunt. A huntress who loved to drink. Either way works.

Mizuki would be the only one who had any idea of what Kana's real life was like, and that was only because the dark-haired woman shared the same secret. A secret that couldn't go unnoticed by the ears of the cursed. The lacking of a heart beat meant many things.

Which is what gave away her secret even now, as she entered the restaurant, at first being oblivious to what was about to happen.

Kana's eyes, which was a dull shade of carmine, easily scanned the place upon her entrance. Her scarlet hair was gathered within a nordic style braid, with a few wispy strands that fell along her high cheek bones. Each ear held a silver cuff that folded around it. Dainty ornaments was a favorite of her's. Her attire was a little less eye catching at this time. A black shirt that easily swallowed her small frame, with dark tights and a sleeveless cloak with a hood attached. For the time being her hood was left down, and her left arm was decorated by kanji tattoos.

Within the shop was a few people, who seemed to be indulge in their own business. What caught Kana's attention was none of them though, instead it was the man that stared towards her direction. At first she didn't understand why he would seem so spooked by her entrance, and felt the hairs along the back of her neck prickle with alertness. Still she made her way to the front desk, keeping the rest of her composure relaxed to avoid stirring up any superstition. The closer she got, the more Kana listened for the quickened heartbeat of the man before her. No doubt it was racing like an Jack rabbit from the look he was giving her.

But no matter how much distance began to disappear between the two, there never was a beat of a heart.

That was when Kana recalled her latest conversation with that other mysterious woman. The one that spoke of their bloodkin. That woman did mention something about there being others. Was this one of them? What was the coincidence of there being two others in the same village?

Was that mysterious woman aware of this?

So many questions and yet so little time to process them. Kana shoved the questions aside. The corner of her lips curved into a smirk as she hid the blooming curiosity that threatened to overwhelm her. Her words came out calmly, as if she wasn't surprised at all, to hide that she indeed was.

"I must apologize~ For the time I've been within this village, I should have came across this place sooner."

---

{WC: 554}

After acquiring the two men into her party a few days before she found herself cross-legged on a boulder, feet from the river that cut the land of Hot Springs over and over. A feather from Pakuun twiddled in her fingers as she stared down at the piece of paper resting on her thigh. The amount of people she found herself aligned with and under her protection was growing to a degree that roaming with them all would be unwise - nearly deadly if seen under the wrong gaze. So she had taken the afternoon to roam the surrounding wilderness of the country, taking extra care to scope out and memorize as much of the area surrounding the Jashin temple. Through all this she had been recording information into the black book she carried with her, admittedly it had been some time since she had added to its contents but alongside the pages of information detailing the shinobi she had come across in her life was the information and ideas she gathered today.

A home, a permanent residence where the people of her clan and those who aligned with her world views could stay without worry - not just stay but thrive. That was what she would build here in this land, she had heard many stories of groups rising and falling in history over the decades - all for their beliefs. The one she thought of most often was the Akatsuki, the dawn, as though they thought themselves to bring about a new dawn to the world of shinobi; definitely an attempt to change it’s way of thinking. Staring at the blank page her lips pressed into a hard line, her thoughts turning aggressive, ‘The dawn… how foolish to give the idea that you are bringing people out of a dark age, a dark age is what they deserve after the treachery they have brought. The manipulation of words is far more disturbing than the wielding of a blade.’ 

In an instant she had pierced her palm with her nail and dipped the feather into it and the words were flowing onto the page - drying instantly as they were scrawled in her familiar slanting writing. 

“Arantima,
The time has come for our family to unite. Find Kana Mi and whoever else you deem trustworthy and follow Pakuun. He will bring you all home, only he knows the path and if you are to find trouble on the road send him away immediately - I will find you from there. I trust you can get your party here in one piece though. The walls of Tanbogakure are no longer your home but they are not your enemies, so leave with grace. 
When you reach me you will see what I have been preparing for us, and all will be revealed to everyone. Trust me blindly this one last time.


See you soon brother,
Mizuki Kyuketsuki”

Finishing the letter she would roll it up tightly and secure it to the leg of Pakuun with some wire. Gently stroking his head in a loving fashion she would lean into Pakuun and rest her forehead to his tiny one, “Bring our family home safely…we are on the brink of rebirth, now go-” flinging the owl into the sky she watched him take flight with silent wings. “-be safe.” She would remain on the rock for another half hour, staring into the rushing water in thought. Dawn is not worthy of this world… and darkness is too harsh a punishment for those trapped in its current. So the middle ground between dawn and darkness is Yugure - Twilight. The world of equal darkness and light balanced in a precarious moment of timing. Raising from her spot she felt the smile set on her lips as she found her path, finally seeing it marked clearly in front of her.

--------
Letter being sent by Pakuun to Arantima and Kana Mi in this topic using my summons Pakuun.

Jutsu:
Summoning Technique v7 20 ap to summon Pakuun - D Rank Summon

The area around them was soon cleared out as the guests was quickly escorted to the other room, along with the servers and others that worked within the place. The little time that she had been here, Kana and the man named Arantima were the only two left. Her eyes followed as the man leaned himself back against the wall. His gestures made himself seem uncertain about the situation.

"Then I may as well disappoint you. This encounter is in fact a fluke, I had no solid insight that I would come across anything out of ordinary within this place. Or anyone to be more specific." She directed her response towards him, while not bothering to go into detail about what Mizuki had told her a while back. She wasn't certain that this man had anything to do with that mysterious woman just yet, and wasn't going to be quick at mentioning her.

"Well Arantima, my name is Kana-Mi but you can just call me Kana. I'm sure you don't need me to verify that I'm Kyuketsuki as well. Which I hope I don't regret speaking that outloud." If he really was a Kyuketsuki, he would be fully aware by what she meant. It wasn't safe for outsiders to know about their secret curse.

The mention of his sister only caused Kana's curiosity to grow more. Maybe he did already know of Mizuki.

Kana didn't try to discourage him when Arantim talked of letting his sister know of his sudden encounter with the redhead. Maybe it could bring some good, or perhaps some bad. Time would tell. "A Guild that sells weapons. My interest is definitely peaked. .  in more ways than just one." Her eyes noted his hand within his pocket. She doubt it was just a simple habit. It was no surprise that the both of them was so cautious. The female didn't let any details go unnoticed. "Perhaps I could- " Her sentence was interrupted by a sudden disturbance at one of the shop windows. A distinct sound of peaking rattled the screen.

---

{WC: 345 | TWC: 899}

Kana felt a sharp breath inhaling through her lungs as Arantima's hand launched a makibishi at the window's latch. She had been aware of his hand being buried in his pocket and had taking note of it, but she was still uncertain if she'd manage to dodge it in time if the target had been herself instead.

But luckily that wasn't the case.

"Don't threaten me with a good time, Arantima." She responded evenly at his comment. Fully aware that the man before her was more experienced than herself. The days of lustering over alcohol had made her lazy.

She watched with her dull red eyes as the fuzz ball of an owl rolled inside from the window. And following it came a disturbance within her thoughts. One that she felt only once, before now. The words of the owl rolled through her thoughts as if the very owl was speaking out loud to the two of them.

What an interesting day this has become. An owl that can talk through their thoughts, and another bloodkin.

Kana waited as Arantima scanned through the scroll that was delivered from Pakuun the owl, not bothered by the summon itself that was now fluffed up between her very ankles. She witnessed his growing smile, and assumed that the scroll at least contained good news. Unless he was the type to be overjoyed over even the most unfortunate details.

Arantima continued on with the details. The woman had not expected such a turn of events when she walked into this restaurant. The way this man spoke of Home made it seem as if there was hope for her to find a greater purpose, other than following this aimless path in which she had taken upon in Tanbogakure.

Or maybe it wouldn't work out that way.

Should she really be so quick to put her faith in this Arantima and that mysterious woman Mizuki?

Kana took the scroll that Arantima handed towards her. The one that Pakuun had delivered. "Mhm an interesting turn of events. I can't deny that I'm grateful that this didn't turn into a blood bath. If you need me. . I'll not be far within this village. And for the departure, I'll be ready to meet with you the very moment that your are ready."

---

{WC: 383 | TWC: 1,282}

Kana nodded her head back in response to his. Calculating their discussion and all that had took place in what felt like mere moments. This changed many things for the lass.

Her eyes wandered over as Arantima had the owl messenger gathered up within his arms before he made his way to ascend the stairs. The little chirps of the owl following with. So she turned back towards the entrance of the shop, her hands pulling her black hood over the top of her head. Which casted a shadow over her unreadable face. It was time to head back and evaluate her next move. And with her leave, Kana made sure to take Arantima's words seriously. [exit]

---

{WC: 116 | TWC: 1,399}

{Claims}
(500 wc) unlearn 5 in speed
(500 wc) relearn that 5 in strength

- 303 wc towards pureblood 
(3,000/3,000) 2,697 wc from here

- 356 wc towards zaiaku execution (1,500/1,500) 1,144 wc from here

- 57 wc towards Bloodletting (1,500/1,500) 1,443 wc from here

- 500 for spine chill D (500/500)

- 138 towards Naraku (138/2,500)