their First Date.

[daisy]

He'd obviously thought about it quite seriously. It was strange, how such a man believed so truly in peace. He explained his thought process, and i did see some merit in his words. The nature of conflict was a universal one. It could never be erased, not completely, but he seemed to be aware of that. Yet when he spoke of us monitoring it, keeping it under our control, he made it sound quite simple really. I speared the last few pieces of my pasta, savouring the last bite of my dish. And as he spoke of peace, i considered dessert. They seemed complimentary, at least in the current situation.

He was right, of course. Alone, none of us could hope to achieve peace. Perhaps something good would come from Lady Blanche's hearing? I didn't know enough of my fellow kages to make such assumptions. After all, hadn't some of the most infamous villains been kages themselves? It was entirely possible that warmongerers headed some of the other villages. I believed that nobody was inherently evil, but... Well. Some people just couldn't be reasoned with.

I nodded as he finished. Quite enlightening, really. And it was a reassurance that not all leaders were so intent on conflict. I didn't doubt he'd be a considerable threat when provoked, but to know that above it all, he desired not to fight, it was pleasant. I drained my wine, and pushed my bowl from me.
"I like your dream." I said simply, pouring myself yet another glass. It was beginning to go to my head, but i was enjoying myself.

"We'll be ordering dessert, of course?"

[Nujabes]

"Of course," I replied smoothly. "What is dinner without a sweet, succulent treat after?" While I'm not quite sure if she realized it or not, Coco revealed more about herself with what she didn't say than her luscious, rosy red lips ever could. She drank seamlessly, pausing only when shortly before (and sometimes after) looking at me; it was obvious she was restraining her natural habits for the sake of not appearing any less grand than she truly was. She drank before (and sometimes after) she spoke of things relating directly to her, such as when I asked about her dreams.

She was, indeed, proud. However, there was obviously something beneath the layers of makeup and flawless skin; it was something she'd hidden from the world, kept solely for herself (or the inability to let go), and could not bring herself to share. Not that I blame her. Such an interesting woman, with such interesting secrets. But, the liquor was clearly beginning to take its toll. Honestly, I envied her. My body temperature was far too high for me to actually become intoxicated - the liquor simply evaporated before it could settle in my blood.

"They have a fine selection of pastries, cakes, yogurts, ice-creams. . . anything you might desire." As if on que, a server made himself known, casually strolling to Coco's side of the table.

Smiling, he awaited her order.

[daisy]

I chuckled. I was honestly happy. I did so love a treat, and this entire night had been such fun. I simply had to pick the perfect dessert to end with. I felt rather light headed, and took another sip of wine to settle myself. I wasn't quite sure how to feel, overall. Certainly, there was nothing suspicious about two leaders having dinner together, yet we had spoken nothing of business. For me, it had been entirely personal. At the exams i'd requested more information, yes, but he'd dealt with that so as not to interfere with our night. This was personal for him too, right? I set down my glass.

"Victoria sponge for me, please. Could i get a spot of whipped cream with it?" Such indulgence! I'd stopped counting calories a few years back, and my body hadn't suffered. As slack as i was in my shinobi lifestyle, i did seem to manage to retain my girlish figure. I was already excited thinking of the cake. But it was tinged with melancholy. Of course, no night could last forever, but when dessert was over, the end would be all too in sight. I sighed, reclining in my chair with my wine in hand. I took a deep sip, before laying my eyes, which had been averted to the server, back upon Akira.

"Thank you for this. I know it's just dinner, but my, i needed to get out." I was being quite genuine. Civilised company had been lacking in my life for quite some time now. Even before the fall, i hadn't been able to speak with anyone like this. My airs and graces seemed to keep me from making too many connections. I finished my glass, and reached forwards for the bottle. Perhaps... One more.

[Nujabes]

"I'll have a small bowl of vanilla ice cream, please." I wasn't too big on sweets, but I'd always had a soft spot for vanilla. There was just something about the taste that I could never get over. The server nodded to us both, collected our plates, and then made his exit.

Secluded once more, I tilted my head as she, almost wearily, reached for the bottle of wine. I smiled. "If you keep going at this pace, Lady Tsuchikage, I might have to carry you back to your room. Not that I'd mind, of course."

A low chuckle followed. "And there is no need to thank me. You're a beautiful woman, and I figure the least I can do is show you a lovely night in my country. As I said, there are far better things we can be doing with our time than waging war against each other. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself this night, Coco, and look forward to whatever might come of it."

Dessert was far quicker to arrive than their meal; it'd only taken them several moments to prepare everything. Coco's was set first, followed by my own. I would wait until she'd taken her first bite, whip cream and all, before inquiring. "How is it?"

[daisy]

His order was adorable. A small bowl of ice cream. Truly, he surprised me at every turn. His comment about my wine consumption made me giggle, running my hands through my hair and sighing loudly.
"Not all of us can be seven feet tall and wonderfully muscular." I pouted, referencing his build as the reason he could handle more alcohol than i. Soon, our desserts arrived. It looked fabulous, the simple little sponge had been made to look quite high class.

I broke off a piece of cake with my spoon, dipping it in the cream and bringing it to my lips. Simply wonderful.
"Oh my word. I must stay away from your lands dear, or i shall be consuming a great many calories." I was very relaxed. I ate my sponge languidly, chewing with relish, my thoughts mostly just a wine-tinged murmur. On that note, i finished another glass.

"Darrrrrrrrling. Does that offer still stand, per~haps~?" I giggled, referring to him carrying me back to the hotel. In all honestly, in my state right now, i could think of no better way to end the night.

[Nujabes]

They always seemed to know the exact amount. I'd finished my dessert in only several spoonfuls, savoring each and every one of them. By the time Coco had made her request, the 'pang' of my spoon hitting the bowl rang out throughout the somewhat empty room. I smiled, and nodded as I scooted my chair back. We wouldn't be here for much longer.

"Of course," I cooed. "But, between you and I, it was never really an offer in the first place. You were gettin' carried, whether you liked it or not~"

After her third glass of wine, showing no sign of stopping, I'd already come to the conclusion that I would more than likely be carrying her out of her. Again, it wasn't a bad thing - I genuinely didn't have even the slightest problem with it. However, there wasn't any sense in not poking fun at it; we were both having an exceptional time (I think), and it was enjoyable to be able to have such a humorous demeanor.

Standing from my chair, I casually made my way around the modestly long rectangle table. All the while, I'd been unbuttoning my jacket with a single hand. "We can leave as soon as you've finished your desert."

[daisy]

My giggling turned into a full fledged cackle, as he informed me of the inevitability of the situation. Not only was he handsome and admirable, but my, he was funny. Looking around, making sure nobody was watching, i picked up the wine, and drained the remains straight from the bottle. With an exaggerated toss of my hair, i batted my eyelashes sweetly at him, as if trying to retain some form of dignity.

He, however, was already in motion, and i eyed him up as he removed his jacket and approached me. At his statement, i took a great spoonful of cake and cream, then emptied the rest of the bowl under our table.
"Finished~ ♥" I said, almost in hysterics by this point. I knew, in the back of my mind, that my behaviour was incredibly far from my usual grace and posture. But another, much louder voice, told that first voice to fuck off, because i hadn't had fun in years.

I wondered if he'd really carry me. I had no doubt he'd be capable, but it would be terribly inappropriate. Imagine if somebody saw us! There'd probably be some scandal; Mizukage drugs Tsuchikage and kidnaps her in the dead of night! But, i was a person too. As little as i'd given away, my needs, buried deep under foundation and lipstick, were undeniable now.

I didn't want to be alone anymore.

[Nujabes]

I couldn't even hope to stifle the chuckle that rolled from my lips as I watched Coco down the remainder of the wine and then emptied her bowl beneath the table. She was definitely a good ways beyond tipsy, but still, I didn't mind it in the slightest. Her company was far more than enjoyable, and if getting drunk was how she wanted to spend her time with me, who was I to tell her any different? It was getting late, anyway.

"Here," I said while helping her out of her chair. My coat, which would probably be more akin to a full size dress on her much smaller, slender figure, was draped over her shoulders like a mantle. "So you don't get cold. It's late, and Mizu no Kuni tends to get a little crisp as this time of night."

Punctuating my statement, as promised, I effortlessly scooped her clean off of her feet. With one massive arm hooked behind her knees, the other comfortably wrapped around the bulk of her back and gingerly latching onto her arm, I started making my way toward the doors. A server appeared promptly, opening it, and within minutes we were outside.

"I apologize for any rumors this my bring about," I mentioned off-handedly, not having really thought about what the image might look like. The tone in my voice suggested I really didn't care, either. "Gossiping. Ha, I never understood it."

[daisy]

His jacket was warm. Not as warm as the arms that encircled me so effortlessly though. I pressed my head against his chest, and came to the conclusion that the man was some form of human space heater, but perhaps it was just the surprise of the night air, and my rather hazy mind. I had remembered to snag my wrap from the back of my chair as he'd scooped me up, and i held it against my chest as i waved goodbye to the servers from his grasp. He mentioned something about gossip, and i looked up at his face.

"Let's hope it's worthy of the front page." I said with a bright red smile, before turning my eyes to the lights of the city. I felt so warm, and so safe in his arms. I couldn't say with any certainty whether i'd been held this way since i was an infant. Was this what it felt like? Was this what it was meant to be like? I used to fall in love all the time, but i'd only ever had one hero. I felt... vulnerable. Like the security his strong arms offered was a trap. Like it could be snatched from my grasp at any moment, and i'd tumble to the cold ground. Again.

"His name was Kain." I said quietly. That was the first time i'd said it out loud in over a decade. It was just a name now. A name that likely meant nothing to Akira, but a name i felt i had to say. I don't know what prompted it. Whether it was the rocking motion as he carried me, or the lights dancing in my vision, or the fact that i could hear his heart beating as i pressed my head against his chest.

"He left." I whispered. I didn't feel like i needed to say anymore. Perhaps i hadn't needed to say a thing, but there was something so massively relieving about admitting it. To Akira, to myself. I pressed myself closer, my eyes resolutely dry. I'd hate to be a whiny drunk.

[Nujabes]

Little did she know, that name actually carried a decent amount of weight in my life. Kain and I had actually defended Iwagakure several years ago, at the gates, against some Uchiha who thought he was god's gift to earth. Our combined efforts revealed him to be nothing short of a fraud, and in the end, it was my blade that claimed in his life with a single stroke. I remembered it like it was yesterday, and was almost prompted to speak, when she finished her tale.

Alas, her cards were played.


I, too, knew the sting of heartache. Both of the major women in my lives-- the women that I had openly admitted wanting to spend the rest of my life with --had abandoned me like some stray dog in the streets. This was only the second time that I had met Coco, and yet. . . we felt so very much alive.

"Her name was Kaoruko. She left." My first love - the one woman that, through my teenager years and into adulthood, I would have done anything for. There were no boundaries, or limits to the love that I felt for that woman. And then, a blink of an eye, she vanished. "And then there was Miku. She left, as well." The second, and somehow the more painful. She had helped him collect the pieces left in Kaoruko's wake, yet in the end, created more as she shattered their life.

I entered the foyer of the hotel soon after, having falling silent after my own admittance. One of the several house maids on her floor assist me with opening (and closing) the door to Coco's room, and I immediately made my way to her bedroom. While I wasn't sure what she preferred to sleep in, I imagined her dress would be fine; I doubted her senses were enough in their prime to discern the difference in fabric, anyway.

Gingerly laying her along her bed, I sat at the edge and carefully slipped her heels from her feet. "It makes us stronger, Coco. Not weaker." I smiled, confidently, as I stood. "In the end, they're the ones who lost something precious. Not us."

I rolled the blanket over her body, tucking her in comfortably. I leaned down, brushing one of her golden locks away from her face so that I could place a soft, tender kiss on her forehead. "Always remember that." Turning, I made my way out, flicking off the lights.

"Sleep well, Coco."

And I was gone.

[daisy]

I was surprised. My quiet words had prompted a reciprocation, a small insight into his own past. I looked up at him once again as he gave me a glimpse into his heart. And his pain, not my own, was what made my eyes blur, made my mascara smudge. Two names, two faces i'd never know, two girls who broke his heart. I pressed myself closer to him, hiding my red eyes in his shirt. Perhaps tomorrow, a small black stain would remind him of me. There wasn't anything to say. Love was so fragile. This man, leading so many people, carrying such burdens and with such strength, he wasn't immune.

I hid my eyes from him as we continued, hoping he'd attribute my shakiness to the alcohol and the cold. And in his arms, i allowed myself the smallest of luxuries. I cried. I cried for Kain, i cried for Kaoruko, i cried for Miku and i cried for all the years i'd spent crying. No matter how many battles i survived, no matter how many people i met, or how much foundation i wore, i could never quite fill in the gaps that life had left in me. But his grasp held me together. Like the threads that bound my fate, like the machete that bound my past, Akira's arms, for that small time, bound my heart.

I heard the opening of a door, and before i knew it, he was releasing me. He removed my heels, and covered me with a blanket, and i looked at his face with hazy, damp eyes.


'in the end, they're the ones who lost something precious'


I felt his fingers brush against me, so briefly, and then his lips against my forehead. And then he was gone. And once again, i was alone. I rubbed my eyes and rolled over. I wasn't the woman i used to be. I wasn't the boy i once was. I was Coco. Coco von Alexandria Valentino, the second.

And someone found me precious.

[daisy]

My head hurt. My, how on earth did i manage to do this all those years ago? I just didn't bounce back from a hangover like i did when i was younger. I struggled upright amongst my bedding, pressing a hand to my temple and looking around with blurry eyes. I caught sight of myself in a mirror, and shrieked. The panda bear in the reflection shrieked in harmony. With laborious movements, i slouched out of bed, finding myself in my black evening dress.
"Such stylish pajamas, darling." I muttered to myself, wriggling out of the flattering garment and tossing it to the ground.

I padded to the bathroom in just my stockings and underwear and stripped, stepping into the shower. And so began another day. Another morning where i carefully constructed myself from the reality, manufactured my beauty and painted a facade ready to face the world. I allowed myself a small smile as i washed my hair. Perhaps the smile i painted today wouldn't be entirely fabricated. I did have a few things to smile about now, after all.

A few hours later, i was packed and presentable. I strutted from the hotel room, blowing myself one last kiss in the mirror. Mist had been good to me. I was returning to Iwa with knowledge, with resolution, and with a small, self satisfied smile. I'd see him again, before long.

Goodbye Mist. Au revoir, mon amour.

exit!

[Messatsu!]

+130 @ Both!