Mantle of Smoke

Having just left the scene in the temple, Mizuki would emerge from the ground in the sanctum. Moving as though her stride had never been interrupted she walked the short distance to the singular white throne at the far end of the room. The soft winter light filtering through the webbed skylight threw shards of rainbow light over the dark mahogany table. Her eyes were fixed on the intricately carved throne though as she came to a halt in front of it, seeming to go motionless as she let herself stop for just a moment. The mantle of her status slipping from her shoulders in the quiet of the Sanctum - tired…


Heaving a sigh and rolling her shoulders as if readjusting a heavy weight she took a seat not on - but in front of the throne. With her back against it she was able to lean her head back onto the seat; with deft movements she had a lit cigarette pressing to her lips in moments.

There she stayed, staring at the ceiling as she waited for her brother to arrive. Though the room was silent her mind was not - Being pulled in so many directions with so much on the horizon was straining. New arrivals she had to learn to trust or entrap here. Inhale. The breach in trust with Arantima only further tested with said new arrivals. Exhale. Val himself and whatever that was. Inhale. And where the fuck was Kana and Yazui? Exhale. She went on with that line of thinking until Arantima finally showed up.

The tap of feet on the stone floor was the only indication she was no longer alone in the shifty smoke filled room. Closing her eyes at his approach she allowed the cigarette to burn down to the butt on its own accord as he came to a stop and his words filled the now thinning air. Eyes flying open at those initial words she snapped her head up to stare at him - words lighting on her lips only to falter at his hand which requested her patience. Eyebrows creasing together she flit the burned cigarette away from her and adjusted so her elbows both rested on the seat of the throne - silently allowing him to continue.

She had remained silent through his explanation, though her mind hadn’t. When he turned his back on her a whisper crept through her mind - causing a flinch that went unseen, ‘Still can’t trust… pathetic.’ He had a good plan that was only ruined by Val and not Arantima… she knew better than to mistrust his judgment of that plan or of the newcomers. What really bothered her was the lack of utter control she had over the situation and was that behavior any better than a Kage? The thought left a sour taste in her mouth that she quickly dismissed with a sigh of her own; only then did her expression soften to understanding.

“You’re quite right.”, the words hung between them as she ensured eye contact. “He did explain his purpose and the anger I showed him that day will suffice for punishment, you’ve… Done nothing wrong. A safety measure with reckless indulgence is amusing, I might add.” Leaning her head back haphazardly she continued to speak, “Isomo and Raiden are fine acquisitions, truly I see potential in both… and if they pass their trial they will make lovely familial additions.” Taking a deep breath she straightened, intertwining her hands together and stretching them out in front of her much like a cat, before rising smoothly.

“As for Sakura… I am not bothered nor surprised by their lack of accommodation, a village is a village after all. Even the newest ones fall to corruption faster than they think they will. Makes the purge less messy don’t you think?” With those last words a spark of shared mischief would light in her eyes - this meeting was probably going in a direction he did not expect. Well it was about to go even further in that unexpected direction.

“Since we are… admitting to things -” the expression that was seconds before mischievous had morphed into one of apprehension, “- anger wasn’t the only thing shared between the two of us.” The look of apprehension was quickly tinted with pink embarrassment as she looked away from his gaze. “We shared a kiss that was as unexpected as this conversation is and now we are even.”

wc 478

A hand? The verbage almost caused an eruption of laughter from its sheer lack of coverage of the true chaos that girl was. Though keeping it contained she turned her attention to assessing him and his demeanor given the news. His reaction was subdued to say the least, showing control close to her own when it came to emotions of this nature. Though he showed the sadness in his actions and lack of gaze. She couldn’t truly understand his words, she had seen his as her brother for so long - so in need of her protection that anything else just never pierced her perception.

While she dealt with the realization from his less than confession she noted the silent tears that ran down his face, framing his words with more sorrow than she was ready to handle. The tightening of her chest was an uncomfortable sensation - watching his acceptance in real time. The expression she showed was an odd mixture of compassion and pity - having nowhere to pull from this experience. ]“Acceptance looks bitter… we will remake this world, know that that wouldn't happen with out you. I know what you have done for me and Yugure in turn.” Taking a deep breath she releases it slowly, focusing her attention completely on Arantima. “I know how you kept me conscious through my grief, and there is no one I’d rather have at my side than you.”