Sharing Tea in the Shade with Strawberry Cake

'twas another clear day in Hoshigakure, with the sun shining high in a cloudless sky, making the white limestone roads and buildings extra bright. The villagers and denizens of the village of haven, accustomed to the unrelenting rays, kept in the shade, to avoid the heat. As it was, today was particularly hot, with the nearby sea breeze having calmed for the moment.

The sellers of refreshments, as if sensing this, did their best to advertise their shade, food, and beverages, offering amnesty and sanctuary from a heat that was soon becoming blazing. Indeed, even the staunchest miser could not bare the blare and heat that came with today's picturesque, clear sky. Thus, the restaurant and food stand district saw ample foot traffic. In this place and on this day, all classes of life came, for the same purpose: to escape the oppressive heat.

In one corner of the district, was a small stand that offered a space with a few tables under a purple awning. Sitting on a white stool, draped in a loose, unadorned, indigo robe, was the dark-haired Monsoon Uchiha. Wearing dark silk slippers and with his shinobi headband hanging around his neck, he eyes the crowd and passerby from the shade he sits in. Having recently become accustomed to the sight of common folk, he found himself increasingly escaping the confines of his grandfather's estate. And, his recent missions had emboldened his spirit, putting him in very pleasant humors. Indeed, he found himself he enjoyed the quaint nature of the village and its residents, so much show that he wondered if this feeling was some notion of protection and pride, for his village and her people.

He mused on his thought, grabbing the slender glass that had been on his table. He brought the wooden straw to his lips, and sipped the orange juice that he had ordered. He relaxed in his simple chair, taking in the sights as he waited for his server to come back. While taking in the scenery, he wondered who would happen to stop by, or what antics would take place.

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A red parasol bobbed in the crowd some distance away, weaving between people with a whimsical grace. This motion caught the eye of Monsoon, who turned to get a better view of the bright fabric. To the Uchiha's surprise, he recognized the lilac eyes and kind face that held the bright day-umbrella, Natsuki Hyuuga, a kunoichi to whom Monsoon owed a great deal to. Indeed, were it not for her tutelage during the Academy, which was more forced upon Monsoon than offered, he would not have been able to perform the transformation technique and graduate. As she made her way, the shinobi would wave: indicating his position and giving a gesture of greetings.

As to be expected, the Hyuuga began to speak in her bright way, taking her place without allowing time for Monsoon to respond to her greeting and request. While in the academy, Monsoon would have answered in a gruff and stand-offish way. But, time smooths out one's character. And, the Uchiha was more than glad to inform a childhood friend about his recent experiences.

"Natuski! I've been well. Truth be told, a lot has happened, though, only in a short amount of time. Let's just say after some meditation in the Wildlife Preserve, I finally understand what you were saying in the academy, that a shinobi's power is for the protection of his village, thus we create our Haven!" Monsoon would chuckle as he quoted the words spoken by the kunoichi when she was but a child, wise with her blood and genes. "I've finally completed my E-Ranks. They were not much to write about, truth be told. Though, I believe one shop owner will no longer sell me swords..."

Monsoon would take another sip of his juice, then pull out his improvised instrument that sat resting on his chair, his stringed-bo staff. He would strum the strings, offering a cello-like-melody to the bustling district and refreshment stand. The song would be mindless, sea-side bars, more atmosphere than anything, which would not require much of Monsoon's attention. "I feel I am beginning to understand the Kage's reasoning for them, a way for shinobi to meet the commoners on terms of helpers, not protectors."  At times, it would appear that the crowd and servers moved to the tempo of the strummed melody, but this would be coincidence.

"Speaking of the Hyuuga, have you been well, Natsuki? Are you still worrying about your brother?," he would chide, recalling times when she would speak of her sibling at the academy with both admiration and worry in her voice.

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As the sun wailed down on the poor citizens of Hoshi it was today out of all days Ciel had chosen to skip training and decided it would be best if he would go out and enjoyed the day doing some walking around or trying out new food spots he had never been to before. As he walked through the streets of the city he had run across a few people here and there that he had known from encounters on previous missions across the village, thankfully he was met with nothing but smiles and warm hello. It was one of the main reasons why he always felt that people should treat regular civilians with respect because nothing is worse than being around a bunch of people who don't like or respect you.

After walking from store to store he found himself unsatisfied with it all and decided it was time to go home since most of the stores were to crowded or just didn't have anything he wanted. As he started to walk away from the stores he had noticed this small and cozy-looking small stand that offered a space with a few tables under a purple awning. "Shit why not", Ciel would say as he made his way over to the stand. Off in the distance, he could notice something flying towards him and from the looks of it he guess it had to be his companion Sebastian. He would stop for a second only a few feet away from the stand and hold out his arm, giving his bird ample room to land on and after a few moments Sebastian would land on his master's arm.

"Hey there buddy", Ciel would say telepathically as he run his hands through Sebastian's beautiful coat. "I only stopped by to say hi Ciel, im going back hunting be safe my friend", Sebastian would say as he would take off from Ciel and headed back into the sky. Ciel would just smile and continue his way up to the register and after a few moments to look over the menu, he would just order an iced strawberry lemonade. As he turned around he would take a seat across from two other patrons of the store and would listen as one of them played a beautiful melody, as he would look over to the fellow playing the music he would notice that the two were also fellow shinobi.

Not being one to shy away from a social interaction he would grab his drink and walk over to their table, "Hopefully im not interrupting a romantic date, but I just had to come over and give you praise for such a beautiful melody. Its a pleasure to meet you both as well, im Ciel", he would say before stopping to take a few sips of his drink.

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On a bench not far from a refreshment stand that boasted of its delectable drinks and multitude of flavors, laid Zraix. He had managed to find a spot that had the slightest bit of shade and was far enough from all the chatter and chaos of the busy streets filled with villagers who seemed to be enjoying the sweltering heat and clear skies. A straw hat laid atop his head obscuring his face but doing little to stop the beads of sweat that raced slowly from his brow to his cheek- he wore his ronin robes that sported a dark blue top and jet black bottoms. Reluctantly, the shinobi had decided to take the day off from missions, research and training in order to relax and give both his body and mind a true break- it had been so long since he had done so that he found himself having to quiet his mind ever so often when a task would come into thought.

He remained on this bench slowly drowning out the noise around him until his ear caught the sound of a familiar tune- yes, the sound of a cello that he had heard just earlier in the week from a shinobi that he had encountered. He would allow the tune to play out for a bit and then with a sense of all urgency the Hoshimura would spring up into a sitting position, his straw hat falling to the floor and his gaze pointing to the general direction of the stringed instrument. "There's no mistaking it.." He thought to himself as he squinted his eyes while placing his right hand above his brow, focusing his vision.

To his surprise he would recognize his newly acquired ally Monsoon Uchiha but he was not alone- accompanying him was a young woman in a bright red kimono and a tall young man with blackened hair. Unable to make out the relationship between the three Zraix would watch for a time before making the decision to walk over and crowd them. In any case, he was sure there was a chance that the stout Uchiha might even notice him before he decided to approach.

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There was a flat twang in the melody as Natsuki spoke of her feelings toward her brother, who Monsoon was not aware was THE Hyuuga in charge of the village. Monsoon was most certainly aware which clan claimed the seat that was the Hogokage, and could have most certainly assumed Natsuki was acquainted with the relation that was their leader, but could not hope to guess that she was a direct relation of Leader of the Haven Village. Imperceptibly, he stood up straighter, as was in the presence of shinobi royalty.

As Natsuki finished her musings on her brother, which was unchanged since their academy years, something in the corner of Monsoon's vision caught his eye. Slate black feathers soared up from a spot in the crowd, a large eagle, with a head as pale as bone, took to the skies. As it turned toward the direction of the Tachiban Wildlife Preserve, its pricing autumn gaze caught Monsoon's curious eye. Strangely, as the avian flapped toward the horizon, Monsoon Uchiha felt a strange, kinship or familiarity with the animal, like one instinctually feels when meeting a cousin.

As Natsuki broke from speaking of her brother to Monsoon, a figure broke from the crowd, with hair dark, and whose profile made one think of a proud eagle. His shinobi headband shine in the sun, and he too wished to escape its rays. He would come under the pavilion, and a server would take his order. He would introduce himself to Monsoon and Natsuki, asking a question that raised a brow from Monsoon and stalled his melody for a moment. He would shake his head, continuing to play while speaking, "Not at all, merely finding our shaded sanctuary in this searing sun, like yourself, comrade." There was a sharp scrit in the melody as Monsoon's playing was complimented, but he would shrug this off. "Please, take a seat, the topic at hand is our future goals, it would seem."

Before he could answer Natsuki's question, movement a distance behind Natsuki's caught his attention. Monsoon glanced to see a straw hat on the grown, in front of a figure clad in white and black, a ronin whose look was unmistaken, Zraix Hoshimura. Seeing the First, Monsoon would turn to wave at him, gesturing for him to sit in the fourth seat at the table. If Zraix would choose to come, Monsoon would introduce everyone.

"My fair-weather fellows, the ronin you see before you goes by Zraix. Zraix," he would indicate to the Hyuuga, "this is Natsuki Hyuuga, Lord Hogokage's sister and an academy friend. And," Monsoon would gesture to dark haired and black cloaked shinobi, Ceil. Considering both he and Monsoon wore clothing unadorned with their clan's symbol, it was doubtful that either of them would know similar blood ran through their veins, "this is Ceil, a comrade-in-arms also trying to find a way away from the rays!" His melody would brighten. "Now, we seem to have on a topic that I believe you'll be interested in! Now, what my ambition's goal, Natsuki? Hmm..."

Monsoon would think on it, letting his tunes act as a manifestations of his internal thoughts. He knows he wishes for power and strength, but such is the nature of all shinobi. Monsoon would tilt his head while the melody vamped. As he thought on it more, inspiration sparked against the bars that contained his fighting spirit, it would stir in its slumber, and peer into the musician's mind's eye. The melody would hit its bridge, and Monsoon would speak, with the force of his strength, determination, and ambition.

"Natsuki, you are aware of my, let's say, 'ninjutsu deficiency'. Since the academy, I have honed the only skill I could claim, my martial arts, my taijutsu." Monsoon would  tilt his head toward the clear sky, his meolody would creshendo, conjuring images in the minds of those who sat near. One would see the silhouette of a muscle man scaling an impossible mountain while Monsoon Uchiha announced, "I wish to create a taijutsu that would rival the famed Majestic Destroyer Flame of my historic ancestor." The muscle man would reach the peak and be bathed in lava as the mountain erupted. " With his pureblood coursing through my veins, I will attain the rank of Taijutsu God an be known as," the muscle man, as if harnessing the raw energy of an erupting volcano, would pose and flex like a body builder, wrapping the lava around his body, "Nobunaga, he whose fists blech flame and destruction! My martial arts will be number one! The kanji of the title and moniker made up by Monsoon would float in the mind's eyes' of the shinobi around him, with a fanfare of imaginary trumpets.

As he finished, leaving a beat for effect, he continues, "And what of you, my shade-loving shinobi? What is your greatest goal?"

Because of his melody, the same mind images can be conjured by the shinobi.

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Ciel would listen as moon started to introduce everyone to each other, nodding respectfully to Zraix and Natuski. He was slightly surprised to hear that she was the sister to the Kage, he figured he met all the kage siblings when they had that big event in the town square. As Natsu and Moon would continue their conversation he couldnt help but be curious when Moon brought up something about having a ninjustu deficiency and made sure to remember to ask more about that later on, but for now thought it be best to stick to the topic at hand. As moon continued giving his goals and ambitions, Ciel couldnt help but wonder what was his true goal as a shinobi.

He never really sat down and thought about a long-term goal before, the only thing that had ever interest him was the right now. At first thought becoming the Kage one day didn't sound like a bad idea to him but was to unoriginal and was alot more work than Ciel would be open to. He decided it would best to just listen to theirs and think of something before he decided on what his would be. As Moon fished his turn , Ciel was impressed with the passion and motivation that Moon had when he spoke about his taijutsu and becoming some kind of Taijutsu god. While becoming a god seemed like a bit much to Ciel , he still had respect for his idea .

Next to speak would be Natsu and Ciel had guessed that she would follow in her brother's footsteps or have something goal that would involve the village, he figured since she is the Kage sister she had to be deeply passionate about the village and its people. So when she spoke about helping the village he couldn't help but had a smile on his face, being slightly amused by how he was almost spot on with his idea. Nonetheless, it was still a respectable goal and idea, nothing comes before the village and its people. As she finished her goals and ideas, Ciel was caught off guard when she turned to him and told him it was his go next on giving hhis ideals.

"Well after such great ideals, i hate to disappoint you all but mines is more simple. I only desire power.", the young Uchiha would say before taking a pause to sip from his cup. "I have no real goal or ambitions besides increasing my own strength, once I reach a certain level of strength ill just see where the wind blows me but until then ill continue to train and master more jutsu and my Sharingan", he would say before turning his head to Zraix."The floor is yours, buddy". he would say with a smile as he would listen and finished the rest of his drink.

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He was impressed to see the level of awareness the burly Uchiha had to his surroundings- he managed to home in on slight movements and subtly directed his attention to it before gesturing Zraix over to join the three shinobi. Without wasting another moment the Hoshimura would reach down, grabbing his straw hat and placing it back atop his head before making his way over to them- he approached at a reasonable pace taking note of everyone's body language "Everyone seems comfortable and friendly enough.. so I wonder who these two are" He thought to himself as his walk came to an end and he sat at the table in the fourth seat. Monsoon would display a side of him that was unknown to Zraix as he introduced not only he but the others as well-his stand offish nature was eclipsed by this extroverted and welcoming one and it was a nice change.

Upon hearing that the young women in the red kimono was the sister of their esteemed leader Zraix would rise from his seat at once shaking the table as he did so and bowing slightly, "My apologies. Where are my manners, its a pleasure to meet you. I owe much to your brother and have come to know him well." He would say before lifting his head to reveal a soft smile. The formalities would not end here though, he would turn upon hearing the introduction of Ciel taking a look at the young man closely before speaking "Its always nice to meet fellow shinobi of the village Ciel, nice to make your acquaintance." Having only learned of the man's first name he was unsure whether he hailed from a clan or anything specific about him so for the time he would sit back down and listen as the conversation of goals and aspirations continued.

Zraix listened intently as the flow of conversation shifted to that of lofty goals and ideals alike. He couldnt help but smirk with a level of pride as he heard Monsoon speak of his goals to become the god of Taijutsu and stake claim to his right to one day be the very best- this was a goal that he believed the shinobi could not only attain but surpass with the discovery of even higher limits. A goal that he would do his best to help accomplish. He would nod to the Uchiha as a sign of mutual respect.

Next up was the sister of their esteemed leader Natsuki Hyuuga and Zraix was more than impressed with her goals to uphold that which they considered sacred in their village and to protect it along with its people- more than that though, her speech about the divided clans and lack of unity in their village really struck a cord within the Hoshimura. This was especially the case given his clan's complicated past and sins committed against the village. It was clear that this Kunoichi believed in peace above all else and carried a kind heart. "How admirable.." he thought as his attention shifted from her to Ciel.

After the young Hyuuga came the man slightly shrouded in mystery, atleast from the stand point of Zraix. He listened in as Ciel began his statement by apologizing for having less than lofty and heartwarming goals which was surprising seeing as how he was of a younger age by his appearance. He claimed to only truly seek more power which although a self serving goal, was one that the Hoshimura could relate to- power was necessary in order to bring about both of the loftier goals that had been mentioned so in a sense they all had that bit in common. The next bit of info would spark his immediate attention however- the mention of mastering his sharingan came as quite the shock, "Another Uchiha huh? I wonder how much he's developed his eyes." He thought to himself as he let the young Uchiha conclude, giving the floor to Zraix.

Clearing his throat before he began he would first make eye contact with Ciel, "I wouldnt knock yourself for your goals, I think honing ones strength is an excellent goal and a necessary one at that for everyone. You're an Uchiha just like Monsoon. The two of you might find a thing or two in common other than that." He said as he nodded over to Monsoon "Im sure you'll gain all the power you need to become a Taijutsu god in time.".
Looking at Natsuki he would continue "You remind me much of Ayato, you seem to have an affinity for leadership and your goals while leaning towards ideal are true in their valor. I respect them and I can relate."

With a soft sigh he would look up before continuing "I have two goals in mind. Though it might sound crazy I would like to form a team of like minded shinobi dedicated to ridding the world of true tyranny. Shinobi who understand the horrors that war and destruction bring. Powerful shinobi, with pure intentions." He would say as his gaze focused on Monsoon and then around slowly first to Natsuki then to CIel. "And theres a place that my Grandfather once spoke of that I wish to locate. There are secrets to Space/Time and weaponry arts located there. Well.." he would pause for a moment "They are fabled to be there and there isnt exactly any proof that this place truly exists but I believe it does and my best chance at finding it are with a team as well. So there you have it. Thats it in a nutshell for why i'm trying to push on." He would wait to hear the replies of the others before uttering any more words, hoping that his goals would be well received.

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