afternoon intrigue- [private]

[Sayomi]

the lions mouth inn

My footsteps were shrouded by the noise of falling rapids in the near distance as I grew closer to a inn that catered to the needs of weary travelers. It was one I'd visited a few times since my time as a missing ninja from Kusagakure. The Lion's Mouth Inn was one of my more favorited spots to relax when I had nothing on the agenda and today was one of those rare occasions. With the rusack loosely strapped to one of my arms a yawned escaped my lips whilst approaching the entrance. "Sure been awhile..." I mused while ascending the wooden steps, eyes looking off into the distance where water ran down the earth. Pushing the old, worn, dirtied door open, I stepped in slowly, black trench coat fluttering about, my hawk-like, waning gaze scoping out the entire front room. "Oume! Its been awhile..."

"...." The small woman would look up from the counter and let loose a half-hearted sigh before she'd return to her work, ignoring me for a moment. I tapped my foot while I awaited the woman to acknowledge me, which didn't take long since she was a woman who disliked wasting time, especially on trivial matters. "Hotarubi, you plan on paying this time right?" Oume questioned with prying eyes while I reached into my pocket. I'd forgotten all about the little fiasco my last stay caused, where trouble had followed me to Oume's establishment which in turn lead to breaking some things as well as me skipping out on paying. "Hehehe... yeah about that, sorry! I have the ryo to pay you back for my stay and the damages." Answering, the girl in a light tone while I rubbed the back of my head, I handed Oume the cash I'd quickly counted while recounting my unlucky day from the past.

[/color] I'd wink while tapping her on the shoulder, she may not like my cheap self, but she knew I always came back and always returned my debts so I knew when she huffed and went into the back where the food was prepared that she wouldn't let me down.
[/ul] Smiling, I took a seat, tossing the key up and down in my hand while I awaited my food. Business seemed slow today, only a handful of people were even in the main part of the tiny in. A peddler, a woman and a man and a guy with a banjo way in the corner. Not caring, I stretched my arms overhead and kicked my feet up. I'd eat some good food, take a hot bath, and than sleep in a bed before heading out. To me it got no better, unless my pocket suddenly got heavy. Than everything would be A-okay in my book. To be honest I was at a lost end as far as work was concerned, I hadn't found a decent paying job in close to a month and I was running out of clay, so I was kind of worried. Closing my eyes, I sat there, still trying to come up with a scheme to make cash. Cause i really needed some stable work right now.

SPOILER: Click to show

wearing- black trench coat over outfit

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[Naitome]

He'd been walking through Mizu No Kuni for hours. Impatient. Listening to the carrion call of crows winding away from the main village like a braid of black smoke as heavy fatigued steps scraped along sporadic leaf burst through the ground. He approached from the waterfall itself, jumping down and following its loud crashing flow before alighting on the roof of a worn down building, rolling to diffuse the impact and pushing up with his right hand to throw himself lazily over the edge. He landed out of the eyesight of the few citizens still milling about, and blended in with the crowd, head down, as a beggar raised his hands and pointed shakily in his direction.

Yare, yare.

He addressed him simply, dropping a few spare ryo into the man's outstretched tin, as the beggar nodded, dropped his hand, and stared off in the opposite direction as if nothing had happened. Up a clutch of dilapidated wooden stair, where the drunken noises of the few Lion's Mouth Inn residents melded into comically sharp silence as he entered. He looked around, and each face his gaze passed turned back to its own table under his scrutiny as if overcome with something suddenly much more important to focus on.

He neared the counter, noting a woman in dark eye-shadow tossing a key playfully as she seemed to wait to be served. Akuharu stood next to her without speaking, though he stared at her face quite intently, struggling to determine if the markings were make-up, as he'd first thought, or some sort of tattoo or natural branding. He looked away after a few seconds, pulling a bench near enough to himself to sit down, and straightened with his hands folded. He surveyed the inn's residents. He slouched down a bit, trying to mimic their relaxed look, before a larger, friendlier looking woman walked out from the kitchen area and behind the counter.

He stared at her as well, nodding slightly, before she spoke.

"Welcome...stranger. What will you have?"

I do not know. What do most people have?

[Sayomi]

From the corners of my eyes I could see a new face enter the Inn. He was a man with long black hair, and even darker colored eyes. I looked away and continued my solo game of toss and catch; however, i'd be interrupted by Oume who had brought the food I'd ordered earlier. "Thanks." Exclaiming my gratitude I would began to stuff my cheeks, savoring the flavor of the dumplings, especially the sweet sauce it was topped with. Hearing the strangers inquiry I took another bite of my Odango, before offering my personal opinion. After all I cam here quite often. So it was only natural that I'd tasted plenty of the menu and had a good idea of what was good and what was less than stellar. I k now Oume didn't like this fact, since quite a few of my meals had been on the house, but she broke my pocked on more than one occasion, so i counted us equal.

"I'd definetly get what I have. You wont go wrong!"

My words weren't all that coherent considering I was chewing with my cheeks stuff full, but I was sure he got the gist of what I was saying. Chasing down my third Odango with my green tea, I stretched my body like a feline cat, all my limbs extending until my joints clicked, making a soft popping noise. "This is what makes life great" Announcing my happiness to everyone within the Inn, my outburst had garnered a few prying eyes; however, that was it. Afterwards they went back to doing whatever it was they were into at first. I had a few more Odango, but I merely sat in my seat, occupying myself with my thoughts. Not wanting to move, I simply propped my feet back upon the empty chair across from me looking about, but nothing of interest was in the room except for maybe the guy who'd just walked in. He had a look that didn't place him with the common rabble that currently inhabited the room. He for sure was interesting, I mused.

"What brings someone like you here?"

Inquiring, I shot him a seductive glance, lips curling into a venomous smile that most men had no vaccine for. I wasn't conceited but my parents were both good looking people, so naturally I was quite the looker an that aspect of me was as much a weapon as the explosive power I wielded within my very palms. Hopefully we'd make some small talk, get know each other, heck maybe this guy would be me another round of Odango's or I'd just eat his if decided to go with my suggestion to heart. Gazing outside, I noticed the sky took on colors of dark orange, faded red and pink. The sun was beginning to set, meaning night was drawing ever closer. The afternoon sky was something beautiful, it was always different no matter how many times I looked at it. Lost in my wandering mind, I took another sip while I awaited to see if this stranger would entertain me.

[Naitome]

I'd definetly get what I have. You wont go wrong!

Then I will have what she had. Possibly more. I'm very hungry.

He watched the woman rapidly inhaling her food, and cocked his head quizzically to one side while she stretched and remarked on what she felt made life great. He nodded in the young woman's direction, his eyes still searching at the edges of her own.

Thank you for the suggestion.

What brings someone like you here?

He caught her 'seductive' glance but had no reaction; he was blissfully ignorant of how a 'seductive' glance differed from any other sort of glance though he felt an unfamiliar heat spread across his cheek, hand raising to touch the side of his face, slightly confused. Around him, a slow whisper began to filter through the few patrons nearby, who seemed to be paying more attention to Akuharu then was necessary. Their hushed tones were not difficult to understand; they'd seen him before, televised on view screens throughout all of Mizu No Kuni, his name and face had slowly become known as the 'winner' of the Chuunin exams, though he shied away from their attention.

My name is Akuharu. In order to answer your question, i'd have to understand what you mean by 'someone like me'.

[Sayomi]

My lips curled satisfyingly when he ordered what I'd just suggested. One thing that appealed to me was obedient men. It was just something about them when they'd be tangled between my fingers and played upon strings of manipulation. Needless to say I never had a problem getting what I wanted from them, because whether instinctual or on purpose men always sought to appease woman. It was the natural order of society.

Especially those considered beauties. He seemed distraught at my lovely grin, I could see the heat from my actions kissing his cheeks a rosy pink. Through the hushed whispers I'd already gotten the information I wanted though I couldn't quite catch his name he was in fact the winner of the Chuunin exams. It was quite the feat and made him all the more interesting I thought while tilting my cup over and circling my finger along its rim.

"Akuharu huh? Its a nice name"

I interjected, before addressing the other part of his reply. I didn't want to arise any other suspicions cause I was a missing ninja an no matter how charming I could be, it wasn't many people who'd over look such a fact. Not with the incentive of money that comes with my capture, or even worse... head.

"You just have this look that made me glance twice. Woman's intuition is very perceptive!"

I boasted, giving him a bashful look before I stopped playing with the rim of the glass. I was sure I had him hooked and once I caught something, it was mines until I decided to toss it back into the sea..."Join me. You might even earn this girls name Ak.u.ha.ru`kun!" Teasing him, I rested my elbows on the table top, both hands beneath my chin supporting it, while my piercing eyes accented by the gorgeous tint of blue would look directly into his dark, deep pools of onyx.

[Naitome]

Akuharu huh? Its a nice name. You just have this look that made me glance twice. Woman's intuition is very perceptive!

Really? I wonder what else you are able to perceive of me.

He found her frequent coy looks and forwardness off-putting; he'd met few women who would speak to him in such a manner after so short and incomplete an introduction, and was not overtly savvy to the ways of socializing with others. He was not sure of what to say, of how to respond. Her answers were full of a lightly mocking familiarity that made him somewhat tense as he could not shake the subtle feeling that she was after something. He looked away from her suddenly, as if pondering her answer, taking note of the fact that she did not offer her own name as he'd offered his. In his lessons to better acclimate to society, the Mizukage had told him that women were often impolite in this manner, though he did not believe that asking her to make him a sandwhich, as the Mizukage had suggested, would change her behavior for the better.

Join me. You might even earn this girls name Ak.u.ha.ru`kun!

The response caught him by surprise. Earn her name? Perhaps this was some sort of courtship ritual with which he was unfamiliar, perhaps this was how dealings between men and women were normally conducted and his lack of experience made their exchange seem odd.

As she placed her head into her hands, staring into his eyes, he returned her gaze with his own unwavering glance, and leaned forward slightly, recalling something he'd once read regarding 'dealing with difficult people'. Saying the right thing certainly seemed difficult to him.

I don't need to earn your name. I can guess it in one try. If you're not afraid of a friendly wager...I bet that I can say your name without you needing to tell me what it is. If I lose that bet...you can have anything you want. If I win...

...I get to ask you a question, and you have to answer that question truthfully when I do. Deal?

And his look of stoic calm transformed flawlessly, he smiled wide, and nearly winked, as if they were sharing a secret.

[Sayomi]

Akuharu had looked quite perplexed, as if he had no dealings in the world of social interaction. His mannerisms., facial expressions and overall aura of uneasiness had suggested this to me as I stared him down. If so, I knew this would be more work than I was willing to vest in, but his answer to my proposal made me raise a brow. Cracking a wide grin, a low, dainty chuckle would leave my curled lips.It was unexpected, but surprises were miracles to me. They made the word a much more entertaining place to live.

"Is that so? Well, I'm a daring girl so go ahead."

Speaking playfully, I'd then lean foward, closing the small amount of space left between us, my lips mere inches from his ear. I wasn't sure what he was after, maybe he saw right through me, but I'd play along as well. With nothing else on my schedule besides a hot bath and warm bed, he'd be lucky to have my full un-divided attention for just this once.

"Shoot... to kill"

I mockingly whispered pulling myself back, I moved asides the few locks of my hair that'd swayed to my cheeks. Maybe it was just his way of breaking the ice or something as trivial as that; however, I was truly interested how'd he'd guess my name. Theres was always the chance he was after me already, but things of those nature never truly went well for any who came after me. There was no question I had in mind, but I was sure one would come to me soon, so i'd just wait if I won the bet. Just what was he playing at.... Tell me Akuharu.

"So.. whats this girls name? And gorgeous does not count!"

[Naitome]

Is that so? Well, I'm a daring girl so go ahead.

Somehow, that doesn't surprise me.

He answered casually as she studied him, before leaning in, her lips mere inches from his own ear as she half-spoke, half whispered her next words.

Shoot... to kill...

Somewhat ambiguous, but no doubt designed to entice him in one way or another, he couldn't be sure. He stared at her for quite some time, his eyes squinting, his gaze taking in every aspect of her features as he memorized everything from the shape of her face to the exact length of her hair. He took note of her attire, her stance; her mannerisms and physical presence, everything that was her down to the stylish blue eye-shadow whose style of application he'd never before seen. A brief bit of his focus veered out across the Inn, and he performed a similar, albeit quicker process, learning his surroundings as thoroughly as he could.

When he looked back at her, he formed the same grin, and spoke in a tone similar to her own.

So.. whats this girls name? And gorgeous does not count!

I bet that I could say your name, and I shall.

Ahem.

"Your Name."

And his grin grew wider.

Now that i've won our bet, I hope you'll keep your end of the deal. I'd like you to answer a question for me...

...when you're ready to leave, will you leave with me?

[Sayomi]

I didn't believe the words he said to me when his head raised and that child like expression spread across his cheeks. It seemed I had been played, but I wasn't mad in the slightest. Giggling, I closed my eyes, allowing a sigh to escape before opening them and looking him squarely in the face. Certainly my judgement about him being a interesting man was correct. There was no reason for me to not humor him. Standing up I'd seize his order of odango's in my grasp I'd stuff my mouth full of the delicious snack before chasing it down with his own tea.

"You won this time, but the spoils were mines!"

Teasing him, I grabbed my bag, swinging it over my shoulder I walked towards the door looking back. Truthfully she could play coy as he did and tell him he'd already posed his question, but Hotarubi was more interested in what he wanted to ask her. The possibilities gnawed at the back of her mind and wouldn't cease until her thirst for answers had been appeased. Some would say curiosity killed the cat, but others could argue not seeking out that curiosity was death itself.

"Well... ya coming? Asking me to leave with you... thinking naughty things huh?"

Jokingly speaking my mind, I walked through the door waving to Oume as I stepped outside into the cool air. Midday in Mizu was always the best. The air didn't drop to unforgiving temperature and the heat wasn't as sweltering as the daytime. Stretching my lithe body, I could feel the small of my back cave in like a feline while I walked. Just where did he want to go? Or was it that he simply wanted to step outside for privacy issues? Something told her to keep her wits about her, but she couldn't ignore her intuitive nature.

"So... where am I being abducted to?"

[Sayomi]

exit. thread on hold.

[Naitome]

Sept 4, 2012 3:18:16 GMT -8 Sayomi said:

exit. thread on hold.