.: Wounds That Won't Heal, Part II: Tale Of The Snow King :.

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

It happened the same as last time, the guards dropped Kasumi off in the servants wing and left her in the care of Keiko and her team. The girls greeted her and gave her hugs as they seemed happy to see her return. Biko helped Kasumi over to the wooden table off to the side of the massive kitchen and helped her into the chair as Keiko set to work changing her bandages again. Kaori offered to prepare Kasumi some food but the Chuunin stubbornly refused, unable to eat when she shuddered to think about the sort of treatment that her beloved was receiving at the hands of these wolves.

"You should have heard how furious Lady Akane was after you left, I thought she was going to pop a vein in her forehead if she didn't calm down. Apparently, you have a nack for getting under her skin. Biko gossiped with a smile that Kasumi couldn't see.

"Yeah, she totally was in a funk all night!", Kaori agreed with a chuckle.

Keiko quickly finished up with redressing Kasumi's wounds before shooing away the servants and ordering them to return to their work. Keiko had no problems with them slacking off but Kasumi was already due to start Akane's lessons and the last thing she wanted was to incur the Princess's wrath upon Kasumi.

"Come child, Lady Akane and Queen Chieko await your arrival", Keiko explained softly as she helped the blind Kunoichi up and escorted her to the throne room.

When they arrived Keiko had announced her presense to the royal family and whispered where both of the women were in the room, so Kasumi had at least a rough idea of where to look. With her jump finished, the servant excused herself and hurried out of the room, giving Kasumi one last worried look back before she left.

"Good morning 'Sensei', did you sleep well?", Akane asked sarcastically, Kasumi didn't even need to hear the tone the realise how little of that short sentence Akane meant.

"I did actually, the mattress was very much appreciate. Thank you, your majesty", Kasumi said, bowing toward the thrones in genuine thanks. Akane stared in fury as she saw exactly what the kunoichi was doing. Trying to show respect to her mother in order to be shown mercy was not going to happen as long as Akane had anything to say about it.

"You're welcome Master Hyuuga. You may start your lessons when you see fit, although Akane has a request, I believe", the Queen replied in a respectful tone.

"Yeah, I do little Mo... I mean, Sensei", Akane quickly corrected herself as she glanced up at her mother fearfully before returning to her demands, "I refuse to do another session of your silly chakra flow crap. Show me the secrets of the Hyuuga taijutsu!", Akane ordered, pointing a finger in Kasumi's face that she couldn't see.

"... I'm not sure how to do that when I can't see", Kasumi told Akane calmly and truthfully. She really didn't have any idea how to teach someone fighting techniques if she couldn't even see if they were performing them right.

"Then don't teach me... Show me!", Akane demanded.

"... Indeed, show us what a true Hyuuga can do even without their eyes", the Queen ordered, almost omniously if it to assure Kasumi that this was no joke.

"Defend yourself!", Akane yelled, charging forward and headbutting Kasumi square in the forehead, knocking the crimson haired ninja to the ground as she groaned in pain, "Defend yourself or don't... It makes no difference to me but you will show me your secret arts!"

Akane charged again as Kasumi flipped to her feet, terrified at the fact she couldn't see the attacks coming. Kasumi cried out in pain as she felt the hard bone of Akane's knuckles slammed into her cheek bone. The Queen looked on with a slight cringe everytime Kasumi got hit but to Akane, she hoped Kasumi never fought back. She would make Kasumi her only personal punching bag and enjoy beating every last ounce of blood from the womans body...

***

"Oh my god! Kasumi!", Sakura yelled out as she saw the bloodied and battered state the young woman was brought back in.

The Castle guards carried her unconscious form in their arms, unlocked the door and carefully placed the woman on the mattress and dropped a fresh basket of supplies at the door, as per the Queen instructions. Kasumi laid there, her lips swollen from the multiple splits through them. Her beautiful, porcelin skin was riddled with deep black bruises and a single bone in her forearm looked like it was either fractured or broken. Even unconscious, her breathing was raspy, as if she were struggling for breath.

"Kasumi?! Kasumi?! Speak to me please!", Sakura yelled, her mind running wild with what might have been done to her. She didn't look nearly as bad as Hazumi had ever come back, but for Kasumi this looked like she'd gone through a meat grinder. Sakura struggled against the bars, slamming her fists against them in frustration that she couldn't get to her, "KASUMI!".

Hazumi	Hazum ended up alone in a white room, strapped down to a table. They were using leather belts like a shinobi would use to keep a dangerous convict down. He didn't fight against them. IF they were going to kill him, they likely would have just done it. Hazumi just had to hope that this was the right move to make. Maybe if he didn't fight, this healing would actually be made some use for him. He was going to need it if he was going to survive much longer. When the doctors came in, they reviewed his body and seemed fascinated about how he had been hurt so badly. They pondered how someone living in the shinobi world could have chains on them for so long without seeing any treatment. They imagined using them must have been agony at first, and they all nearly shuddered at the thought of them being ripped off in the fashion that had been chosen. They started with skin grafts in order to replace the flesh over Hazumi's arms and wrists. After applying some from a donor, they used a magical salve that seemed to have chakra seeped in to it. When it was applied, Hazumi was amazed at the healing effect that it gave to him. The pain actually vanished, at least the far majority of it. Next they applied the same salve to the rest of Hazumi's broken skin, particularly his shoulder where his opponent had bitten him the day before. Once this was done they gave Hazumi a seed that knocked him out, allowing the doctors to work on his internal systems. The kick of the Wolf King had done some internal damage, along with the continuous beatings of the guards. --- When Hazumi awoke, he was stunned. It was as if he had just woken from a nap. He felt wonderful, refreshed, amazing even! He wasn't strapped down anymore, though he was surrounded by several guards upon waking up. They motioned for him to get up, saying it was time for him to go back to his cell. When Hazumi walked, he couldn't believe how his arms almost felt no pain. The skin grafts worked perfectly, and he could even swing them fully. Hazumi gained a grin on his face, feeling his power return...but all that ended as one word reached his brain. As he returned to the cell area, he heard and saw Sakura screaming at Kasumi. By the time Hazumi was in front of the cell, he had seen everything that had happened to her, or at least the aftermath of it all. Hazumi's eyes widened before being demanded in to the cell. Once the door was open HAzumi charged in and picked Kasumi up, moving her over to the bed. "Kasumi...Kasumi talk to me!" he shouted. The girl was alive, he could feel her pulse. However, he could tell that her injuries were bad. They looked like someone had just beaten on her senselessly. Then, the one name that Hazumi knew was capable of such an act reached his mind. The one woman that would do anything to get what she wanted, the one girl that would never forgive or forget Kasumi for what she had done: Akane. Hazumi stood up, pacing around the cell for a moment as a flood of emotions filled his face. He ran his hands through his hair, ignoring any comment that Sakura made as he was too overturned with all of his anger. Hazumi walked to their door and gripped the iron bars, shaking as his muscles were used that hard. Sakura would see something though, as steam was starting to appear from where Hazumi gripped the bars. His fire chakra was returning, and Hazumi looked mentally worse than Sakura had ever seen. "They'll pay...every last one of them. I'll burn this entire place to the ground. And you Akane...I'll make sure you see it all before I tear your eyes out myself," he growled before kicking the cell in anger. Hazumi ignored the yells of the guards as he knelt by Kasumi's side. The tears flowed freely as he had never seen her this bad before. "I'm here....I'm not going anywhere. I'll help you through this...I'll carry you."
Mood: Angry Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

"Please, Master Hyuuga... This has gone on long enough. End this training now, this is a pointless exercise", the Queen demanded, her eyes betraying the horror of what she was witnessing as she looked down on the blind woman scrambling back to her feet.

Kasumi was bloodied and panting hard, having been knocked down again and again by Akane's savage onslaught. Kasumi get fighting back, swinging her fists wildly and kicking at anything her ears picked up, only to be easily deflected and returned in force a hundred fold, knocking her back down.

"I don't know about that mother... It might not teach me anything but it certainly teaches her how the pecking order works around here", Akane replied with a twisted and sadistic smile on her face before proceeding to rain blow after blow onto the kunoichi...

Kasumi fingers moved as she slowly came back to consciousness, stirring softly. It wasn't a matter of strength or enough time, it was Hazumi. He was crying. She could hear it, she could feel his tears drip down onto her face. Were his tears for her? Had she made him cry like that? I feel as if it made sense but the thought that Hazumi could show such weakness was strange to her but it seemed fitting that the time he would let his guard down would be when she couldn't see his pain.

"Z-Zumi-k-kun?", Kasumi called out as she reached a hand up, cupping his face perfectly as if she had been able to see him as clear as day, "S-She wanted me to give up... I r-refused... I wouldn't give her the s-satisfaction of it. You won't g-give up... And neither will I. S-So no more tears... From either of us... No more... No more..."

Kasumi passed out after repeating her words from both her wounds and her own exhaustion. She had taken a beating from Akane but Kasumi wouldn't let it slow her down. She had to stay strong, she had to stay alive. Nothing short of victory was acceptable to her. She had fought bullies her entire life, whether it was her family for their disapproval of her, the tea country academy for always been last in her class, the daimyo for holding her responsible for her last missions fail or the Yakuza for ruining her life. She had never given up once, even when she was laughed at for being to weak to fight back.

Her Byakugan wasn't the source of her strength, it was merely a tool and a treasured reminder of her commitment, despite forgetting what that was for an entire year. Even without her advantage, she would still find a way to fight... She would still struggle against the people who hurt and tormented her. It pained her that she was but a helpless child compared to Hazumi and Sakura but her will was stronger then any weapon, any jutsu known to man. With or without her Byakugan, she would escape this place with Hazumi and there was nothing in this world of wonders that could stop them...

---

One Month Later...

The snow continued to outside the windows of the prison cells, harsher then ever as the beginnings of winter began to fall upon Snow Country. The increased chill didn't make much difference to the cells as the boiler cranked out more then enough heat to keep the cell block bareable to even its more human occupants. The guards were going about their usual routine, playing poker in the middle of the room.

Sakura sat on her bed of hay reading a new book she had bribed one of the guards to get for her. She had previously read the book over 50 years ago but it was a better then reading the same book again, so she didn't seem to bothered by it. To Sakura, it was better then trying to get a conversation out of Kasumi these days. If she wasn't talking about 'Zumi-kun' like some teenage girl with a crush, she was training her body and mind. This current occasion, forunately for Sakura, Kasumi was busy with the latter of the two.

Kasumi sat on the ground with her legs crossed, fresh bruising still prominent from her last visit to the castle. Hazumi had only left for the arena a little while ago and she couldn't stand pacing around, worrying herself sick about it. So she sat there and meditated instead, listening to every sound around her and playing a game with herself in the hopes of identifying what the different noises belonged too. It was her way to attempt to overcome her seemingly permanent blindness.

"Hey Red... Lady Akane has requested your presence at the Arena. Apparently you get to watch your boyfriend fight for once", The Guard announced, as Kasumi heard him insert the key into the lock and turned the bolt that secured the door, "Come on, let's go...".

Kasumi was greatful that Hazumi had seen flawless victory after flawless victory in the ring. It seemed the more he fought the more respect these Dog's had toward the two...

((Do you need anything particular to happen in this fight? Just checking before I actually get it started))

Hazumi	The last month had become actually productive for both Hazumi and Kasumi. For Kasumi, it was a time of inner change and growth as she faced the harshness of Akane on a daily basis. Her resolve was going stronger by the day rather than crumbling from the constant barrage of attacks. It was a true display of courage, and Hazumi couldn't be more proud of the woman that he loved. For himself, Hazumi found himself devising a new strategy of getting these dogs to let him go. While the first fight had shown Hazumi as a ruthless killer, he found that in his second fight the dogs were actually favoring him. While there were a decent amount of dissenters, he hadn't come out to a crowd booing him. The more fight that Hazumi won, the more that the crowd seemed to embrace him as some sort of champion in the wing. Along with this, the beatings seemed to have mostly stopped in their severity. There wasn't any reason for Hazumi to not have bruises when he fought in the arena, but the Wolf King didn't seem to dare go past them in fear of enraging the crowd. Hazumi was growing stronger by the day, and boy did those wolves love a good fire show. The crowd went nuts the first time he used a fire jutsu on his opponent. They had likely seen fire attacks before, but rarely had they seen a master of the element at work. The month passing was also a chance for Hazumi and Kasumi to grow closer as a couple, each one supporting and helping to take care of the other in their respective conflicts. Each one was getting beaten in their own way, and they would only rise and get through this with the help of the other. Their love was growing and becoming stronger as they endured hell together. --- Hazumi was sitting in a preparation room. Normally warriors would be able to choose their outfits or armor based on how they planned on defeating their opponent. No such thing was given for Hazumi, though he was fine with this. He hadn't used a weapon besides his sword and chains for years, both of which were lost to him. Shen destroyed Hazumi's sword, while the wolves ripped his chains from his body. From here, Hazumi would only use three weapons: fists, fire, and his brain. They had served him well so far. "It's time" one of the guards said. The guards voices had become more reserved since Hazumi had begun to grow stronger. The guards knew that if Hazumi really wanted to, he could kill them without thinking twice about it. He only held back so the Wolf King wouldn't have an excuse to kill him. Despite being safe with the shinobi, the reservation from the guards were becoming a bit more hesitant to poke fun or insult Hazumi. Hazumi nodded his head before standing up and heading for the door. He stood at it before stretching his neck and hearing a low pop. Soon, the door opened and Hazumi made his way through it, eyes squinting as he saw the snow that was falling on to the battlefield. Hazumi smiled as he walked forward, making a few handsigns. Once done, he pointed his face to the sky before releasing a breath of fire upwards, already playing the crowd to root for him instead of whoever his opponent was. The wolf hadn't come out yet. Hazumi smiled after his little trick, looking over to see the most likely annoyed expression on the Wolf King's face. However, as he looked towards where the King always sat, Hazumi's face fell as he was able to make out someone with them that had never been there before. "Kasumi?" Hazumi whispered.
Mood: Confident Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

Kasumi walked slowly, her arms looped through the guards offered arm as he guided her through the maze of stairs and corridors in the Arena. As much as she had worked to overcome her blindness over the last month, it was still the little things, such as getting around and locating stuff that she still had a problem with. The one thing she had not expected to miss as much as she had, was the ability to read, despite Sakura kindly offering to read her book out to her during slow days. It was better then sitting in silence the entire time.

She felt the guard come to a stop and a heavy knocking on what sounded like a thick wooden door. The click of the lock and the squeak of the hinges gave away the door opening as the guard escorting her bowed to his superior.

"I've brought Lady Kasumi as requested, Sir", her escort explained before there was a brief pause.
She assumed the superior was simply double checking the order before she felt herself being pushed through the door. She had no idea where she was as this was the first time she had been anywhere other then her cell or the castle. The smells were different, like that of spilt alcohol, the crowd within the area loudly discussing the odds of which of todays opponents were going to win. The conversation seemed to shift back and forth between Hazumi and a name she didn't recognise, although she knew three of the voices that were taking part in the discussion.

"Hazumi's lucky streak will soon come to an end. It has to, no one can hold something consecutively", said Akane, confident in her statement as per usual.

"Stupid child, he is on a level above most. He could hold his title for years without a single worthy challenger giving him difficulty... If only I could jump into the Arena just once I could...", The King's voice rang out, definate frustration in his voice as he shot Akane's statement down.

"Absolutely not! You are the head of state, not some barbarian fighting for his life!", The Queen chatised, much to the King's apparent irritation as he groaned loudly, "Ah! Kasumi my dear. Please, won't you sit down, I'm so excited you decided to come and join us".

"No thank you, I'll stand", Kasumi rejected the offer politely. Despite not having any ill will toward the Queen, Kasumi refused to sit with the likes of Akane or the King out of her own principles. What the last month had taught her though, was to keep such opinions to herself... Unless she wanted to spend another week recovering from a beating.

"Suit yourself my dear", The Queen said before taking a sip of her tea.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOY AND GIRLS OF ALL AGES! Welcome to another Arena spectacular thanks to the folks at Wolf Tooth Entertainment! Boy do we have one of the greatest show ever for you today!", The announcer roared through the speaker system set up in the stadium. With the sudden annoucement the Royal Family stood up and moved toward their prepared seats, ready for the show to start. The Queen kindly took Kasumi's arm, patting her hand softly to reassure her before taking her over to the seat she had asked them to prepare for the Kunoichi.

"Today will see our reigning champ Hazumi versus a new challenger. Could this finally be our Champs defeat? We'll find out shortly but first... Let's hear it for the man of the hour, the king of the Monkey's, the fire breather himself, give it up for the one, the only, Hazumi!", the Announcer declared, sending the crowd into a roaring frenzy.

Kasumi stood up instantly and bolted to the railing of the balcony, almost stumbling but catching herself at the last second so she could scream something at the top of her lungs, "YEAH!! I LOVE YOU ZUMI-KUN! DO YOUR BEST!".

The Queen did her best to stiffle a laugh, amused by the girls outburst while the King sat silent, looking rather unimpressed by the display. Akane sneared at Kasumi and mockingly repeating the name Zumi-kun to herself before rolling her eyes in disgust.

Hazumi	At the other end of the arena, the other combatant was getting prepared: Mitao Solwolf, a royal general in the Wolf King’s army. He had long served under the king, and had agreed to fight the fire shinobi upon request. The general was actually looking forward to the fight, knowing that the shinobi was quite a powerful warrior. The people seemed to care for him, in a gladiator sort of way. When he bled out and died, no one would remember him. Mitao had smelled Hazumi’s blood before, and that made the man mortal. After all, if it could bleed, it could die. Hazumi would die today, and Mitao would bring great honor to his house. As the wolf wrapped various bandages around his hands, he heard a servant coming in from the side room. The general looked over to see a foot soldier holding a strange urn. “Forgive me to interrupt your preparations sire, but lady Akane wished for me to deliver you a message and a gift,” the soldier said before approaching the large general. He held up the urn, a pungent odor now filling the air. “Lady Akane wishes you to dip your claws in to this…she says that will ensure your victory against Hazumi.” The general’s eye twitched before he grabbed the soldier by the throat and effortlessly lifted him in the air. “Tell Lady Akane that her gift offends me, I need no poison to slay my enemy. If she wishes for a cheater to kill Hazumi, she is more than welcome to fight him next in the ring…expect I’ll be slaying him today,” the general said before shoving the soldier back. “Now take that away before I make you drink it!” he shouted before watching the soldier run away. The wolf growled before turning and stepping out of his doors which now opened. The cheers that met him as he walked out easily matched the ones that the crowd had given to Hazumi, if not louder. Not only was Mitao a wolf, but he was a symbol for the village as a whole. There wasn’t a single member of the village that didn’t know him by name or face. The general lifted his hair in the air, brandishing his muscles and another roar from the crowd as he turned to look at his opponent. Hazumi was a killer, the general could tell that just by looking at his eyes. They were dark, cold, and almost seemed far away. They were the eyes of a man who had done many things that he wished he could take back. The general knew the look well though, even if it was impossible for such a thing to be done. Every warrior had fears and regrets of their past. Hazumi was no different, neither was Mitao. The general gained a small bit of respect for Hazumi, as the general had seen almost every fight the shinobi had been forced to endure at the hands of their people. Hazumi was a dying dog, and Mitao would make sure that Hazumi left the world in a respectable way. He would die a warrior’s death. Mitao turned to the stand and smiled as he saw a special box seat that was reserved for the most honored guests. There, his wife and young son sat. The boy waved to his father, cheering to see the man he idolized so much fight. Mitao nodded his head and winked at the boy, encouraging him that they’d talk soon. “Well I gotta tell you folks, I don’t know if we’ll ever see a fight as amazing as this one. To have Hazumi face off against the great general Mitao is quite the honor,” the announcer said as he used chakra to amplify his voice. “Mitao used to volunteer in the arena in order to train himself against the convicts and enemies of the village. Though retired for many years, he agreed for one last fight against Hazumi at the request of our Noble King!” “Figures,” Hazumi muttered as his eyes glanced towards where the King and everyone, including Kasumi, was sitting. Hazumi waved back over at Kasumi, even though she couldn’t see it. “I love you too!” he called out to her over the cheers of the crowd. The only person that noticed it were the royal family, and Mitao himself. “Sadly, by the order of our King only one warrior will be leaving this arena, making it a sad day for everyone in the audience I think. Our beloved general Mitao against the fire shinobi Hazumi, who so quickly came in and amazed everyone with his skills…who will win, especially with the modifications we’ve made to the arena!” At this proclamation, Hazumi felt the ground move slightly. “What the?” he asked himself before looking over to the sides. At the edge of the arena, several slots seemed to open against the wall. It took a moment for the tigers to emerge from their cages in the ground, roaring and gnashing forward. Obviously they had been poked and annoyed before being let out. They looked pissed, and angry. “Shit,” Hazumi mumbled as he saw the look on the tiger’s faces. They were bringing in wild animals now!? “BEGIN!” the announcer shouted as the crowd joined him in his cheers. Hazumi turned his head back to see Mitao charging him. The man was face, despite his aged appearance. The wolf leapt forward, bringing his knee up in an attempt to have it crash in to Hazumi’s jaw. Hazumi raised his hands and pushed down on the knee in an attempt to unbalance Mitao, but the man was too good. He raised his other knee as Hazumi lowered the other one, causing Mitao’s other knee to make contact where the first one failed. Hazumi backed up, but made himself stop and move forward. He felt a movement behind him, and he knew that one of the tigers had taken a swipe at him. Hazumi wiped some of the blood from his face before charging in, swinging and kicking at the older general. The general seemed to match each blow, his speed surprisingly high for how much muscle mass he carried on his body. The general blocked each blow, to the point where Hazumi’s blows did very little to lower the general’s guard. Mitao finally deflected a blow and kicked out Hazumi’s leg before kicking the shinobi away. Hazumi skidded to a stop before bringing a handsign up and opening his mouth. A large stream of fire shot forward, aiming right for Mitao. The general stood his ground before aiming his hand forward. The flames seemed to engulf and spread past Mitao, hitting the wall of the arena with a loud crash. Hazumi’s smile disappeared as the smoke cleared, showing a rather unharmed Mitao. His hand was a little burned, but that was it. “You think you’re the only warrior to enter here that could manipulate chakra?” the general asked with a grin. Hazumi couldn’t get a word in before the general charged on all fours, aiming to strike his shoulder in to Hazumi. The shinobi attempted to block, but the general changed his attack last second. He leapt over Hazumi, lashing his claws out and striking Hazumi’s back. “AHHHHH!” Hazumi shouted as that hurt worse than any injury he had received in the ring yet. He fell backwards as Mitao landed a good distance away from Hazumi. “I gotta tell you folks, things aren’t looking good for our favorite monkey. He has nothing left to prove, as no one has ever survived this long in a fight against Mitao. Not only that, but Hazumi has injured the general and is still standing. No one can doubt this man’s abilities no matter what they thought when he entered here. Hazumi has proven that he is a name that we will always remember” Hazumi hated when people talked about him like he was already dead. HE got up and charged right at Mitao, his body lowered to ram him. Mitao was pressed, falling back and smashing against the wall. However, he had locked an arm around Hazumi’s throat and was using his body to pin his neck, trying to chock the very air out of Hazumi. “This could be it folks! Hazumi has fallen in to a deep hold by Mitao! Our general once ripped a convict’s head clean off with this move. Is this it for the fire shinobi?” Hazumi struggled, but he didn’t pass out. Finally, he launched a hand up and wrapped it around the back of Mitao’s head before grabbing his leg and lifting the general off of his legs. Hazumi twisted his body and slammed Mitao in to the ground. Hazumi dropped a knee against Mitao’s chest before launching a haymaker at the general’s face. It was Mitao’s turn to taste his own blood now. However, in his second attempt, Mitao grabbed Hazumi’s hand and wouldn’t let go. Hazumi couldn’t pull it back either. “Sorry lad….you have my respect, but I’m the one leaving,” Mitao whispered before he moved his hand and a loud snapping was heard. Hazumi screamed in what seemed to be agony before being kicked off by Mitao and landing on the other side of the arena. “Folks! I can’t believe it! Mitao grabbed Hazumi’s hand mere punch and broke three of the shinobi’s fingers! How is Hazumi going to cast his jutsu now or fight with only one good hand? The man has relied on his legs before but I’m not sure if this will be enough to stop the ferocity of our great general.” Hazumi pushed himself up to his feet, holding his hand as he looked towards Mitao who was slowly advancing upon the shinobi, claws seeming to sharpen with each step. For the first time in his time in the ring, Hazumi started to back away from his opponent. He was now stuck between a hungry tiger and a crazy wolf general. Hazumi breathed heavily. He couldn’t see the way out, not this time.
Mood: Confident Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

"Zumi-kun! NO!", Kasumi called out, running to the rail as the announcer explained the sort of danger Hazumi was facing. She had seen nothing, but she didn't need too. She could feel Hazumi's chakra and the announcer told her more then she ever walked to know about how the fight was going down.

Kasumi crumpled to her knees as she was gripped with an intense pain that she hadn't felt in many years. The pain of loss, the pain of sitting helpless while another person that she loved faced death alone. Kasumi gripped her chest, as if trying to hold her heart together as it crumbled to pieces. She sobbed quietly, much to Akane's visible delight while the King sat forward with a smile on his face, already vividly imagining the Shinobi's defeat.

The Queen sat there, her glare flicking between her husband and her spoilt daughter. Her focused fixed itself on the broken Kunoichi in front of her, never seeing her so visibly shaken like this. Kasumi had shown an incredible amount of courage since the Queen had come to know her, she may have even admired her unwillingness to give into her own desperate situation. To see her broken, may have delighted her daughter, but it made the Queen feel dishonorable. It made her feel dirty, as if for once in this entire time, finally seeing her family as the villains tormenting the two. Getting up from her seat, the Queen knelt beside Kasumi and wrapped an arm around her to Akane bewilderment and the Kings indifference.

"I'm sorry child...", the Queen said, unsure what else could be offered to comfort the young woman.

"Please... Don't make me. Don't make me watch him die like this. I didn't even get to say goodbye...", Kasumi pleaded, pressing her head into the Queens shoulder as the wolf held her closer.

"Ha! Stupid Monkey, should have thought about that earlier!", Akane said, laughing like she had just heard the funniest joke ever told. The Queen's gaze shot a chilling look at Akane which made her stiffle the rest of what she was going to torment Kasumi with, unwilling to test her mother's patience. Letting Kasumi go and standing up, the Queen held out her hands and made a tee shape with them.

"By Royal decree, I demand time be called", the Queen shouted loudly, to the crowds shock and the King's visible rage.

"You what?!", the King growled, standing up and kicking his foot backward to send his chair flying. He stormed forward towering over the Queen in height as she turned around and stood her ground to him, staring up with a look of unwavering defiance.

"I DEMAND a time out... I will not sit and let this child suffer for your amusement. We can take a few minutes out of our time to allow them to say their goodbyes to each other. THAT is the honorable thing to do. THAT is the Okami thing to do... Or has your hatred blinded so severely that you can't even remember your own principles? I would wish for nothing less if it were you out there, would you...", the Queen retorted, before being cut off at the end of her explaining herself.

"... You've made your point!", The King interrupted, looking visibly shaken by the Queen's words. It was not something he had expected her to say but no matter how hard he searched his mind, he couldn't find fault in her words. Even if they were overly compassionate, "I would want to tell you see you one last time before my death... So have your time out. It will make no difference to the outcome...".

"Father I must protest, this is...", Akane started to whine, pounding her fists against the arm rests of her chair like the spoilt child she was.

"SHUT UP, AKANE!", the King and Queen shouted in unison, visibly frightening and mentally shaking the young wolf girl.

"Come on Kasumi. Let's go see this man you love so much", the Queen said, lifting the still sobbing woman to her feet. The King glanced over at the Announcer's booth, who was staring intently, waiting for his permission. With a reluctant nod, the King gave his silent approval, making the announcer clear his voice and shrug his shoulders.

"For the first time in the history of the Arena games, the Queen has demanded a time out! We'll have to wait and see what this is all in aid of!", the Announcer declared to the crowd, who began booing in protest at such an incredible fight being stopped in the middle.

Holding onto Kasumi tightly, the Queen personally leapt from the balcony with the woman and landed not far from Hazumi. She helped Kasumi over to the hurting Shinobi and stopped a few feet before him, gentlely letting Kasumi go to walk cautiously the rest of the way. She watched from where she was as Kasumi stumbled forward calling out Hazumi's name, feeling sad that the crimson haired warrior couldn't tell he was right in front of her.

"Zumi-kun?", Kasumi called out, still sobbing a little as she reached a hand out for him. The instant her hand touched his chest, she charged forward and jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately, as if it was the last time she would ever do so.

Hazumi	Hazum looked up as the Queen made her announcement, shocked by this news. "Hmmm, unexpected," Mitao said as he lowered his hands. He had been about to charge Hazumi and end this, but the Queen had made a decree and he was going to honor that. As the Queen came down with the human girl, Mitao gave a deep bow. "My Queen," he said even though she moved past him in order to move the girl towards Hazumi. Mitao would wait patiently, until the fight started back up. "Kasumi, I..." but Hazumi was given no chance to finish his thought as Kasumi jumped in to him and began to kiss him passionately. Hazumi wrapped both arms around the girl and kissed her back. He was able to hold her up, though his hand was still throbbing where three of his fingers had been broken only a minute ago. Hazumi only broke the kiss reluctantly, knowing that he had to speak. "I'm sorry Kasumi. He's so strong. I've never met someone as talented as him. He's been studying my fights ever since I've been in the arena. He knows my movements and he knew to break my fingers to stop me from using my jutsu," Hazumi said quietly as he looked at Kasumi. "I'm sorry I so badly wanted to keep that promise to you. I wanted to save you, live with you, take you home...love you," Hazumi uttered as he gripped the girl tighter. "I'm sorry I failed you," Hazumi spoke as the tears slipped from his eyes. While Kasumi may have heard the distortion in his voice, she would definitely feel the teardrops falling on to her cheek as he held her.
Mood: Angry Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

Kasumi stood there in Hazumi's embrace as he spoke, his words filled with a defeat that hadn't happened yet. Kasumi felt shocked as his tears touched her cheek, her mind picturing them falling from Hazumi's eyes in sorrow. Her hands slowly balled into fists, her body trembling as he spoke. At first, she thought it was her own sorrow that was tainting his words but the more she listened the more she couldn't stand them.

With a forceful shove, Kasumi pushed the man she loved away from her, even without her eyes it was easy to see the rage that she was feeling as she 'looked' at him. She stood there, her fists clenched tightly as she processed the non-sense he had just spoke to her. She took a step back from him to drive her point across.

"So you're just going to give up? After all this time, you're just going to throw in the towel?! I don't even know who you are! The man I love, Zumi-kun, would never say something like that! He would never break his promises and no matter how many so-called 'undefeatable' opponents he's ever fought, he always fought until the bitter end in the hopes of victory. He would never give up! You're not my Zumi-kun! You can't be Zumi-kun... Because you're a coward and a liar and my Zumi-kun would rather die then be someone like you!", Kasumi screamed at Hazumi, lashing her hand out and slapping him across the face.

Kasumi turned and stumbled her way back toward the Queen sobbing uncontrollably as Hazumi's words had obviously hit her hand. The Queen looked down at Hazumi with regret but a warrior, powerful enough to hurt her own beloved in battle could be reduced to such a snivelling state. She was glad he husband couldn't hear any of this, as she knew it would infuriate him to see his 'pet rival' in such a weak minded state.

"... If you find the man I love somewhere around here, can you tell him that I'll never stop believing in him, even if he's stopped believing in himself and that I'll be waiting to see him again... Because no matter what they do to us, they can't stop me from loving him. My only wish... Is that he heard that", Kasumi said before grabbing hold of the Queen, "... I'd like to go back now, please."

"Of course child. My apologies, I thought this would help", The Queen said as she stroked Kasumi's hair and nodded, her eyes devianting from Hazumi's gaze. She mouthed the words 'Shame on you' at the Shinobi in frustration before leaping back up and landing on the balcony.

"Ahem. Well, that seemed... Tension", the Announcer commented before shaking his head to focus himself again, "With the Queen leaving the Arena floor, the Time out has expired! Let's get on with the show! Contestants, get ready in... 3... 2... 1... FIGHT!"

Hazumi	A slap across the face, that was probably the last thing that Hazumi had expected to come from Kasumi. His head moved from the blow before his eyes fell upon her, now listening to everything that she said. She was…angry with him. She was hating his weakness and his desire for their pain to be over. He wasn’t failing her physically, but emotionally. He had been locked away, beaten, hated, and treated like a common dog for so long that he couldn’t even remember his full strength anymore. He was so tired, and there were so many days when Hazumi wanted this to be over. Hazumi felt his own fists tense up as he felt pissed at himself. “He heard it. He loves you too, and he's sorry for acting like an idiot,” Hazumi called out to Kasumi before she left earshot. He wasn't going to die in the mud like a lowly street dog. He was Hazumi of Kumo, and no one was going to strike him down like he was a common slave! He would fight until the flesh tore from his bones yet again! He would fight, and if so be it die, but he would do it with pride and never giving up. He certainly wasn’t going to run away from Mitao anymore. “It’s time I end this battle…whatever it takes,” Hazumi uttered. Kasumi needed him to win this. If he wasn’t going to get her out, she’d be stuck in this place forever, and it would only be a matter of time before Akane killed her. Surely, the Queen couldn’t protect her forever. Or worse, Kasumi might fight a way to take her own life after losing the second love of her life. He wasn’t going to make her live through that, not again. She deserved better. Hazumi took a deep breath before pushing himself up. “I don’t believe it folks! Hazumi is standing up, and that look on his face makes me feel like this fight isn’t over yet!” the announcer shouted as several of the crowd started to chant Hazumi’s name. The shinobi looked determined as he turned his gaze away from Kasumi and back to his opponent. Mitao had been waiting patiently, and only when Hazumi nodded did the general get up to fight himself. The two began to move towards each other, and the fight was back on! Mitao charged forward, planning on just breaking Hazumi’s other hand in order to end this battle and kill the shinobi before him. He fired out a punch, only to find Hazumi lowering his body, sliding under the general and kicking his legs out from underneath him. Mitao stumbled, his face smashing against the dirt. The general pushed up and turned, thinking Hazumi was right behind him. “What the hell is he doing!?” Mitao practically shouted. Hazumi was running right at one of the tigers, moving full speed at the beast that seemed hungry for any meat. The creature lashed out, aiming to bite Hazumi’s hand off. Hazumi dodged to the side before wrapping his arm around the tiger’s neck and squeezing it tightly. “Folks I don’t believe this but Hazumi is attacking the tigers on the side of the ring! I have…no idea why he’d do that…” the announcer said curiously. Hazumi finally dropped the tiger as it finally passed out from lack of air. Mitao had not charged forward as he was honestly baffled to what Hazumi was doing in the first place. Hazumi grabbed the chain that was wrapped around the tiger’s mouth before pulling and snapping the collar off. After this, he turned and grabbed the bolted end of the chair and yanked it from the wall. “Folks I have never seen anything like this. Hazumi has ripped the chain holding the tiger in place and now he seems to be draping it over his shoulders?” the announcer continued. Sure enough, Hazumi did just that. The long chain was enough to wrap around his neck and hang over each arm, leaving some free chains for Hazumi to hold on to at the end of each hand. His right hand was damaged, but he managed to hold on to it well enough. “Alright Mitao, let’s see how you do against this” Hazumi growled as he started swinging each chain in a circle formation, slowly going faster and faster. Mitao had never seen a fighting style like this, nor had any idea that Hazumi was proficient with anything like this. “Your cheap tricks won’t work on me monkey!” Mitao shouted before charging forward. As he moved forward, Hazumi lashed out a chain and caused the metal to smash in to Mitao’s face, leaving a deep cut on the wolf’s face. The general howled in pain as he hadn’t expected such a blow. “Bastard! Take this!” Mitao shouted before aiming his hand forward and firing a powerful chakra blast. “Are you seeing this folks? The shinobi is fighting back against Mitao! We have ourselves a fight!” the announcer shouted as he was getting more absorbed in to the fight himself. Hazumi smiled, knowing that Mitao only launched his next attack because he assumed that Hazumi couldn’t channel chakra without his hand. This was one of the reasons that Hazumi had valued his chains so much, metal was always an excellent conductor for chakra. Hazumi lifted an arm up and began to spin the chain around him, gaining momentum each time as a ball of fire formed around Hazumi. This time, it was Mitao’s chakra blast that was so easily deflected by the attack. “You’re good Mitao, but I’m afraid I have to end this now,” Hazumi said before he raised his other arm. He started to send the chains out, spinning in a wide circle around Hazumi. “I have only used this technique once, but I give you the honor of being slain by it!” Hazumi shouted. The heat in the area started to ride dramatically, as the ground around Hazumi seemed to just ignite. Hazumi’s hair was being blown around, but it appeared as if the heat had no effect on him. He kept spinning his chains before releasing a burst of chakra. From around the circle, fire rose up all around Hazumi as if he had summoned a tornado straight from hell itself. “Fire Release: Swirling Agony!” Hazumi shouted as the tornado took full form and rose high in to the air. Despite its rise, no one in the crowd was affected by the technique other than the residual heat. Mitao wasn’t prepared when a chain lashed out from the tornado, hooking him and pulling him in suddenly. Screams of pain were heard as the Tornado seemed to collapse on itself, all of the fire falling upon Mitao and Hazumi. When the dust cleared, everyone saw a single figure standing up: Hazumi. The fire shinobi looked down upon the face of his opponent, seeing that Mitao was still alive. “Amazing, the last time I used this technique the only thing left of my enemy were ashes…impressive,” Hazumi said before moving over. Mitao was alive, but he couldn’t move his body as deep third-degree burns seemed to cover his whole body. Hazumi sat atop the general before fist after fist started colliding with the man’s face. The arena was silent as Hazumi began his brutal final assault. No more cheers, no more laughter, no more amazement, just silence at the display of force that Hazumi presented. Hazumi rose his hand up high before moving it down one last time… “DON’T!” a voice shouted from the stands. Hazumi stopped before making contact, turning his gaze to look upon the voice. It was the young boy that Mitao had looked at earlier. Now that he had run to the edge of the audience, Hazumi could easily see the resemblance between father and son. “Don’t…don’t take my father away from me!” the boy cried. His mother moved beside her son, quickly picking him up and holding him close to her. Her eyes fell on Hazumi, as tears feel from her face as she looked at the man that was about to slay her husband. Hazumi sat in shock for a moment, unable to avert his eyes away from the mother and child. They were wolves, and yet when he looked at them he couldn’t help but think of Raven and Collette. Was he to tear another family apart? Was he going to become the monster that these people claimed him to be? Hazumi looked down at his wrists, seeing the new skin that had healed over his torn flesh after his chains had been ripped away. It didn’t look terrible anymore. The skin had healed, and most likely no one would even remember the grotesque flesh that once adorned Hazumi’s body. Time had healed the wound. “No…I won’t,” Hazumi said before slowly standing up, the chains he held only a moment ago falling lifelessly to the ground. Mitao looked up at the human, confusion in his eyes but lacked the strength to say the words. “I refuse to kill this man!” Hazumi shouted. “He fought with honor and strength beyond almost any opponent I have ever met. I will not take him from his family because I’m ordered to kill him. Mercy was shown to me this day…please, allow me to repay it” Hazumi shouted before turning to the crowd. “Let him live!” Hazumi would not spread more sorrow across this heartless world. Hazumi wouldn’t become what the Wolf King wanted him to become. Hazumi was human, and he’d use his emotions until the day he died. The fire shinobi couldn’t slay this man in good conscious. He fought for the people, not for glory or wealth…he was good. Hazumi only slew the evil. There was too much hatred in the world for Hazumi’s fires to be used to spread it further.
Mood: In Pain Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

Kasumi looked back as the Queen was in mid-jump, blowing Hazumi a kiss as she realised that he had finally woken up from the nightmare he had been having. To hear him speak the way he had, to Kasumi, it was unthinkable. She had never heard him talk like that, ever, and she wasn't going to let him start now! Not if she had anything to say about it!

"You tell him he better be damn sorry!", Kasumi yelled back, although she tried to sound angry at him still, her voice couldn't help but portray the pride and love she felt for him, knowing that he had returned to her.

The rest of the fight was nerve racking all the same. Kasumi couldn't help but listen as she leaned over the railing, despite not being able to see anything. No one else knew what he was up to when he ran for the tiger, but the instant the Announcer explained that he had ripped off the chains, Kasumi pumped her fist into the air and shouted, "YES!".

The King and Akane stared at the blind girl in disgust as she cheered for Hazumi, rolling their eyes. The more the fight dragged on, the more the King's anger started to intensify. Akane sat quietly, unwilling to test her fathers incredibly short patience by talking. No one though, not even the King expected for the child to call out for Hazumi to stop. It was nothing short of heart stopping as the entire arena went silent in unison.

When Hazumi declared he wouldn't kill Mitao and demanded that the crowd allow him to live, Kasumi cheered as hard as she could, beginning a chant to, "Let him live!", that seemed to quickly be taken on by the ground. The King sat in silence, Akane slowly getting up out of her seat and moving away in fear of her father physically lashing out at her. With a snarl, the King stood up and raised his fist into the air to declare his approval, which only fed the crowds energy even further.

Unable to contain herself, Kasumi leapt down from the balcony and landed in the arena, tumbling and rolling, before springing to her feet and calling out to Hazumi as she ran for the middle of the arena desperately trying to find him. He had returned to her from the darkness of his own mind and she was going to hold him tighter then she had held anyone.

Waving the Guards away who attempted to follow Kasumi, the Queen instead leapt down to the Arena floor for a second time and walked slowly behind Kasumi, having something of her own to tell them when they were done with each other.

Hazumi	Hazumi smiled as the King gave his approval to allow Mitao to live. Hazumi walked over and offered his hand to the older general. "I'm sorry Mitao, I didn't want to do this to you," Hazumi whispered as he helped the man to stand despite his pain. "I know you didn't boy...but you didn't pull any punches either," the wolf said with a weak chuckle. "I wish my men had half the spirit that woman of yours has for you. You're lucky," he said before looking to see the guards coming to escort him to the medical wing. "Thank you Hazumi, I will not forget this," Mitao said before the guards took him away from Hazumi. Hazumi heard Kasumi calling his name just in time to turn and grab her as she crashed into him. He smiled as he just held the young woman. "Sorry I was gone for a minute there...guess even I still get scared sometimes," he admitted before looking down at Kasumi. "Thanks for bringing me back," he whispered. Hazumi saw movement and turned to see the Queen standing just a few feet away from him. Hazumi would bow to this woman if she asked for it. Out of everyone here, right now she was the only wolf that Hazumi would likely show respect too. "Thank you Wolf Queen, for showing Kasumi such kindness. What little time I have spent of her she has spoken only of your generosity and her kindness. I used to think she exaggerated...I see now that I was wrong," Hazumi admitted before locking eyes fully with the Queen. "Thank you."
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

"Anytime...", Kasumi replied nestling her head against his chest. She held him tight, feeling so proud of him. It wasn't the first time he had ever claimed victory in the ring but it was the first time she had ever witnessed it. Even as the Hazumi addressed the Queen, she refused to let him go. She wanted to make sure that she lived this moment for as long as she could.

"You're more then welcome, although I was just doing what any person would in my situation. You may be criminal's but you are good people at heart... And that's enough for me", the Queen explained while graciously accepting Hazumi's thanks, "I have made a decision that won't be to popular but I believe you two have earned. For you're suffering at our hands... I wish to try and have you released from our village".

The Queen took a few steps forward, having already made her mind up the instant she had witnessed Kasumi's argument with Hazumi before. She had honestly believed that Hazumi would perish in the Arena, and she would be able to have Kasumi released. However, his living made things much more complicated for her to pull the strings she needed manipulate. Fortunately for them both, she wasn't about to send Kasumi away without Hazumi with her, especially not in her state.

"It won't be an easy task but I believe it to be for the best. Kasumi will stay with me in the castle where she can be safe and I can keep an eye on her... I extend the same offer to you for tonight, Fire Master of the Cloud's. Tomorrow, we'll see but tonight, I believe you both deserve the rest of a comfortable bed and warm food. If you will honor us with your presense", the Queen asked, actually bowing to the pair that stood before her embracing each other. The action caused the crowd to gasp and the King to throw a silver goblet over the side of the balcony with an enraged roar as he stormed off toward the exit of the Arena complex.

Hazumi	Hazumi's eyes widened as he kept an arm wrapped around Kasumi, even though she wouldn't let go anyway. "You are going to help us?" Hazumi asked weakly. It was the first time that anyone here besides Sakura had shown any true concern for their future. The Queen had given Kasumi a potential mercy goodbye, but now she actually wished to help them. Hazumi couldn't help but wonder why? Hazumi had killed many wolves in and out of the arena, along with being the man to rip the Wolf King's arm off and potentially drive Akane more insane, Hazumi was convinced that the Queen would want him dead just as much as anyone else. The kindness made Hazumi wary, but after what the Queen had done for Kasumi he could only hope to believe it was genuine. Without some help, they'd never get out of here. Hazumi gave a full bow back to the Wolf Queen. "It would do me a great honor to accept, thank you" he said to try and show as much respect as he could. He'd never bow to the Wolf King or Akane, but this female seemed different from them. Her eyes...they showed sympathy and mercy.
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

"Very well then", the Queen replied, waving over several guards to them, "Take these two to the castle immediately. I want Hazumi bathed and dressed appropriately for dinner this evening. Have Keiko see to his injuries as well."

"Yes ma'am!", the Guards responded with a salute before forming a detail around the pair.
"Excellent, then if you will excuse me, I must return to my family. Good day for now, I look forward to talking further with you both at dinner tonight", the Queen said politely before leaping back up and onto the balcony.

"Alright you two, let's get going", the Guard demanded, giving Hazumi a gentle pat on the shoulder, not wanting to offend the man that had just burned alive one of the most powerful wolves in the village.

Kasumi just smiled to herself as they were marched out of the Arena floor, holding Hazumi's hand and sticking close to his side. While she still didn't want to let him go, she also needed a helping hand so she didn't bump into anything on the way. All else aside, her pride in him at reached new levels as he overcame his own demons to bring about that victory. Even when he was at his lowest, he still managed to prove himself better the she ever was.

It didn't take them all that long to get from the Arena to the Castle, the proximity designed specifically for the royal families ease of transport. Soon they were walking through the courtyard and into the servants wing. Kasumi drifted a little further apart from Hazumi as she seemed to build confidence, even stepping over a small pot hole in the paveway that she had remembered was there. All she did was count her steps to know roughly how far away they were and where the position of hazards happened to be.

As predicted by her count, she heard the guards open the door to the Kitchen and heard the servants sighing with relief at the sight of her. They all rushed over as two of the guards left promptly and two stayed at the entrance. They might have been guests, but they were still convicted criminal's and Hazumi was currently one of the most dangerous men in the village.

"Oh my god, THIS famous Zumi-kun you keep telling us about?", Kaori asked as she stared up at Hazumi, blushing a little.

"I've watched all of your fights in the arena, even the one today, I'm like, totally your number fan! Fire Jutsu!", Biko add, pretending to pull off a jutsu with a laugh.

"... blarg, he's in definate need of a bath though", Tsubaki pointed out as she held her nose.

"My thoughts exactly... He's getting dirtying my clean floors. Kaori, the run the bath. Biko, get some medical supplies and Tsubaki, try and find some clothes to fight him. If you can't find any, I would say some of the King's old clothes should do the trick", Keiko said, pushing through the group of servant girls and sending them off on their individual tasks.

"Yes ma'am!", the replied in unison and hurried off, giggling to each other about how cute the pair of Shinobi lovers were together.

"If you'll head through those doors there is the servants bath. You may relax and soak as long as you like, just as long as you come out clean. When you're finished, please return here. I'll have some tea and snacks prepared, then we can look at your injuries", Keiko offered, bowing slightly as she motioned toward to large doors to led to the bath. The Guards stepped forward and moved closer behind Hazumi, just to let him know that they weren't letting him out of their sight.

Hazumi	Hazumi gave the Queen a final bow, truly appreciating everything that she had done. While her actions were mainly for Kasumi, it was only the Queen's mercy that allowed for Kasumi to wake Hazumi up and win the fight. Kasumi, who had overcome her personal demons recently, had been the key of strength to remind Hazumi who he was and what he was fighting for. He had fought for so long, been beaten everyday, to the point where he almost wanted to die. Kasumi reminded him that they weren't going to get out with an attitude like that. There was much more to go through, but he couldn't give up, not now, not ever. Hazumi smiled to himself as he barely felt the touch of the soldier on his back. That's right, be afraid of the guy that could have killed your general if he wanted to. Hazumi was glad that little boy called out to him though, or else Hazumi might have given in to that hatred that he so badly wanted to have against these people. Every opponent he saw as a member of the Wolf King's Court, killing them in the past had been easy when they were convicts. This general was no beast like the rest though, he fought for his people and to protect them. He had a family that loved him, Hazumi would not break apart another after what he had gone through. The shinobi gripped Kasumi's hand and walked with her, the first time they had been able to do so in some time. They would be bathed, eat good food, and spend a night together hopefully. The Queen might send them to separate chambers, but to spend just an evening with Kasumi outside of a tiny cell would be amazing. It was a blessing that he was going to cherish. Hazumi watched as Kasumi seemed to know her way around the path of the castle. Impressive, she was learning to move without her sight, learning to move around based on memory and feel. HE was glad to see this liveliness and energy from her, but he still feared for what would come later. This was good for movement, but Hazumi worried that she might never fight again...something that Kasumi took such joy and pride in previously. Whatever came after this, he'd help her through it, just as she had done for him. When they entered the kitchen, he had not expected the servants to be such fans of his by the way they spoke of him. Kasumi had been right, they really did seem to care about them. HE just smiled and took the compliments in stride, greeting each of them as he could and hearing their instructions for his bath. "In my defense they don't let me bathe between fights," he said with a laugh to try and play it off. He couldn't be offended by their comments, Hazumi could smell his own stink from the sweat, blood, and dirt he had accumulated. Hazumi bid farewell to Kasumi before heading towards the servant's bath, changing out of his dirty clothes and easing himself in to the water water. It wasn't as warm as Hazumi preferred, so Hazumi added a bit of his chakra to the bath to make sure that it really got hot. He eased in and closed his eyes, wanting to just relax and cleanse himself of the past month. Eventually, he took the soaps and lotions and cleaned himself thoroughly before deciding that he couldn't sit in here all day. He stepped out and retrieved the comfortable outfit that he had been laid out for him. It wasn't like his shinobi attire which was built to last in battle, but father one that was meant purely for looks and luxury. Hazumi didn't know if this was a fresh outfit or one from the King, he hoped it was his first guess. Hazumi detested the idea of taking anything from the King, other than his arm. Once fully changed, Hazumi went back out to where Keiko had asked him to return to. He could smell the food and already felt his mouth watering at the idea of eating anything along the side of substantial. Hazumi continued to walk out, knowing that everyone would join them shortly. "The worst damage he did was to my fingers. Other than that he got several good punches and cuts on me, but its my fingers that I'm worried the most about."
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

Kasumi lifted her head up when Hazumi returned to the kitchen, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea that had been freshly poured for her. Her spirits seemed to perk up considerably as the very sound of Hazumi's voice, almost as if she had nothing but him to keep her going. In some senses that was the honest truth, although that may have only been her single minded nature that produced such a response. For Kasumi to function, she always needed a goal, and keeping the man she shared her heart with alive and well as a more noble goal then she had had in years.

"Well, if we're lucky, maybe you won't even have to fight again", Kasumi offered optimistically, still obviously hopeful that the Queen's word was trustworthy.

"Biko, I'm busy preparing dinner, could you please attend to wounds?", Keiko ordered as she busied herself around the kitchen, micro-managing the different dishes that were being cooked simultaniously.

"Ah, yes ma'am!" Biko replied dutifully, grabbing the medical kit she had gathered previously and motioning for Hazumi to sit down at the table with Kasumi.

Biko sat at the table first, unpacking the bag of medical supplies and gathering the splints, bandages and other pieces she would need to do the job at hand. She wasn't a professional, but the job description for the royal families servants meant that they had to be well versed in a multitude of skills. It was a requirement of their positions, so they could best serve the needs of their rulers.

"Don't be afraid, I promise I won't hurt you", Biko reassured the Shinobi. She knew exactly what he could do and the last thing she wanted was for him to feel threatened in anyway. Dying a flaming death was not high on her list of things she wanted to experience.

Hazumi	"I sincerely hope that you're right," Hazumi said as he sat down and tried to make himself comfortable in the chair. Honestly though, after today what else could the Wolf King do to Hazumi? Unless he purposefully rigged the fight or sent in ten men against Hazumi at once, was there anyone in the village that HAzumi couldn't take now? Nothing could make Hazumi feel bad now. He glanced over towards Biko and heard her insistence that she was there to help him. "Don't worry, I can trust you I think," Hazumi said with an encouraging smile. "Just do your best for me will you?" he asked to try and make the girl relax. Hazumi knew that she'd do her best, but he also wanted to be a little nicer to her. There was something about having a fan that helped Hazumi feel better. It was good to know that other people besides Kasumi were rooting for him. Speaking of Kasumi he glanced over towards the girl and just smiled as he couldn't help but see how happy she was in the palace. "How's the tea?" he asked as he wanted to have some soon along with the snacks that were made.
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

Kasumi smile brightened as Hazumi agreed with her about the fighting. She knew the Queen had always been true to her word, so she saw no reason why she would start lying to them now. At least, so she sincerely hoped with all of her heart. With Hazumi here in the castle, she felt more at home, more complete then she ever had in this place. The twinge of fear she felt had all but gone, replaced with a tranquility she hadn't experienced in a while.

"Yes sir! I will do my very best!", Biko responded as with a very serious look on her face. Her tongue poked out the side of her mouth as she concentrated on trying to set his fingers. She was delicate and careful, doing her best not to cause Hazumi any more pain then was necessary to get the job done.

When Hazumi returned his attention to Kasumi, asking how her tea was, the Kunoichi lifted up her mug and held it out just under so that the aromas of the arctic blend could be smelt by her man Oddly enough, for a cold country, Kasumi's tea had seemed to be deliberately served cold, as there were too ice cubes floating in her mug. "It's very refreshing, would you care for a sip?", Kasumi offered, not minding losing a bit of the drink, especially not if it was for Hazumi.

"They're room is ready Keiko-sempai!", Kaori informed the head servant as she popped her head back through the doorway she had initially, "It's the room that looks out onto Yokai Mountain".

"Excellent, now come pour some tea and serve these appettisers, I have a lot of work to do and I don't need thristy and hungry people under foot", Keiko ordered. Dinner was still hours away as the slow cooked meats had only just been started but the snacks would keep their stomachs full for the mean time. Kaori dutifully grabbed the plate of snacks before retrieving a cup and the kettle of tea, pouring Hazumi a cup of his own for him.

Hazumi	Hazumi only winced slightly as he felt his fingers being moved back in to place. He had plenty worse though, and it was much less painful than when they were broken in the first place. HE was grateful that Biko did such a good and careful job though. Hazumi recalled an experience where a nurse was trying to give him an injection but kept missing his vein, it was a terrible memory. Hazumi wasn't a daily tea drinker, but he could still enjoy the quality of a good drink when it was placed before him. He smiled before accepting the offer, leaning in and taking a small sip of the beverage. While Hazumi never had a cold tea before, right now it tasted like one of the greatest things ever. Hazumi had barely been given enough water to survive on in prison. Flavor was something he had been longing for. Eventually Hazumi was done being worked on. It'd take a few extra days to make sure that everything healed correctly, but the majority of the work had been finished now. Hazumi would try to use some of his own chakra in order to speed the healing process up as well. "Thank you Kaori" Hazumi said as the snacks and tea were brought before him. It would likely be strange to everyone besides Kasumi just how civilized Hazumi could be. In battle he was a raging pyromaniac, but when the battles and the wars were over, he turned in to quite the different man. Like any cornered animal, he was at his worst when he felt threatened. He felt safe here though. "Please pass the compliments on to whoever made all of this, it's fantastic" Hazumi said as he saw eating a few of the snakes a little too quickly. In Hazumi's defense, he had lost several pounds due to his limited food since being here.
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

"Well, no wonder Kasumi likes you, you have such good manners", Keiko said as she finalised the re, "Thank you. They're a savory treat that's been made in the castle for 150 years", she added proudly.

Biko smiled at Hazumi as she finished up, packing up the supplies she had used and hurrying along to put them away. After Kaori bowed repectfully before hurrying along after Biko to help her with the chore of setting up the dinning room for dinner service.

Kasumi sat beside him, taking her tea back and sipping the cup to herself. She seemed oddly at ease compared to her usual upset or somber ways. Kasumi didn't care if this was only a dream, even a brief one, it was relaxing to know that for that moment, they could breathe a little easier. A full belly and a welcoming enviroment was something she knew that Hazumi had only dreamed of. She was just thankful that he was able to eat the breads she brought up until now.

"You know... You're free to move around the castle grounds as you see fit. The grounds are well guarded so no one will have a problem with either of you as well as you don't climb the walls", Keiko offered generously, her tone trying to sound like it's a wonderful suggestion, but her intentions of getting them out from under foot still managed to reveal themselves, "The sun should be setting soon, I beat it would be so beautiful!"

"... Yeah...", Kasumi said, her head hanging over her cup of tea, "There's something I won't get to enjoy anymore. Three Hundred and forty nine it is then I guess", Kasumi said aloud, thinking of all the lonely sunsets she had watched before she had shared one with Hazumi.

"Oh for the King's sake...", Tsubaki said, in a very out of line manner. She got up and proceeded over to the table, stuffing a bunch of the snacks into a paper bag and shoving them into Kasumi's lap, "If I had someone that I loved, I wouldn't let something as simple as a lack of sight stop you from enjoying another moment in your life!"

Tsubaki turned to Hazumi and glared at him. She pictured the blood of her husband, who had been part of the patrol group the King had taken out, still on his hands. When she had first heard the news, she had thought the same as everyone, that he had slain her husband because he was nothing more then a vicious monster. But somewhere down the line, she had come to see, that he was only doing exactly what her own husband would do for her, protect his loved one. She would have taken no pity on Kasumi if she hadn't witnessed first hand the evils that had befallen her since her capture. There was no honor is such brutality. That was NOT the Okami way. Tsubaki still vowed to hate this Hazumi of the Cloud's for all eternity but just because he was willing to take lives doesn't mean she had to sink to his level.

"Seeing as how you still have two perfectly good eyes... Why don't YOU go describe number three hundred and fifty to her, huh?", Tsubaki said with scorn.

"Tsubaki!", Keiko snapped, making the servant girl twirl around instant with a respectful bow to Keiko, "... Go help Biko and Kaori please. I will call on your assistance later", Keiko ordered gentlely as she watched the young wolf girl storm out of the kitchen with a look of pity in her expression.

"... My apologises. She has a big heart, too big for her own good sometimes", Keiko explained as she stopped for a moment from her cooking duties. She retrieved the iced tea from the cooling box and poured it into a big thermos flask, "Please, be our guests. The courtyard gardens look upon mountain Yokai like your room does. It's west facing, so the sunset should be spectacular from there".

Hazumi	Hazumi enjoyed the food and beverage provided for him. They were a welcome rewards for the brutality he had faced. He had no desire to compare his suffering to Kasumi's though. Hazumi would heal and likely get stronger from the experience, but you couldn't heal missing eyes. The best they could do was hopefully return to Kumo one day and get new ones implanted. He would make sure she lived to see that day again. Hazumi's sorrow for Kasumi was interrupted with the malice-filled comment that came from Tsubaki, a young girl that Hazumi had no recollection of. The look that she gave to him was filled with venom and hatred, as if she had no stronger desire than to see his throat slit then and there. He just met her gaze but decided not to return any of the comments, as he had a feeling that she had a reason to hate Hazumi so strongly. There was only one reason: Hazumi must have killed someone she cared for. "Yes, I have the feeling that would be a good idea," the shinobi said before standing up and taking Kasumi's hand in his own. "Let's go Kasumi," he said before escorting her outside until they came to the hillside. He sat with her and faced the sun, something that Kasumi could feel with more heat on her face than her neck. Hazumi remained silent for a time as he knew that he said that he'd describe it for her. "I am having a hard time focusing on a description. Every time I want to describe how lovely it looks...I find it pales in comparison to how I see you."
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

Kasumi was puzzled by the sudden feel of hostility in the room but she wasn't sure if she was reading the emotion right. Without her eyes, she couldn't see body language or expression anymore, which only left the tone of peoples voices. Kasumi said nothing at first until Keiko spoke up and ordered Tsubaki to leave, suddenly assuming that it had been more serious then she may have initially thought.

When Hazumi stood up and took her hand Kasumi left her tea and stood up with him, letting him guide her along out into the cold and onto the hillside. She had always wondered what this view looked like, saddened that she would never know what her new found friends ever looked like. The best she could do was sit here and let the warmth of the sun splash across her as she sat with Hazumi. She had seen so many of them that she could almost picture the sunset in her mind, her imagination filling in the details that her eyes could no longer show.

Kasumi blushed at Hazumi comment, looking down at the ground, not wanting him to see how red her face was turning. Even when she was disfigured he still found her beautiful? Was it because she had told him that she saw past his own scars? A smile spread across her face as she raised her head up to show him her rosy cheeked expression.

"Smooth romeo", Kasumi said with a chuckle, giving him a playful punch in the shoulder before kissing him on the cheek, "You don't have to describe it to me. I'm happy sitting in silence as long as you keep feeding me lines like that!"

Kasumi opened the paper bag and offered it out toward Hazumi's direction, to see if he wanted another one. To Kasumi, it made no difference. She had spent so many sunsets alone that for once, even if she couldn't experience it, she got to finally share a sunset with someone else again...

Hazumi	Hazumi smiled as he could see the blush that came across Kasumi's face. He was glad to know that his words still meant so much to her. She felt emotion from him, passion, love, every positive thought he had to make sure went towards the woman that he loved so deeply. He blushed himself as Kasumi's lips met his cheek. "Thank you Kasumi," he said before taking a few more of the snacks in order to settle his hunger. They were just snacks, and Hazumi's stomach longer for a stronger meal at dinner time, though he dreaded the company that came with it. They were to eat with the Queen, did that not also mean that they would be eating with the King and Princess? Hazumi could only imagine the horrors that would come with such a grouping.... Hazumi smiled as his gaze returned to pleasant thoughts and Kasumi's face. "I don't have many lines, but I have this," Hazumi said before leaning forward and having his lips meet with Kasumi's. She couldn't see him coming, but she may have felt him getting closer. Either way, he kissed her as if it had been months since they last did it. Now, they could do it without watching eyes, without the judgment of the King and Ayane. For the moment they were alone, even if a few guards were watching them. Hazumi just wanted to remind Kasumi that his feelings for her were only growing, and they wouldn't stop any time soon.
Mood: Victorious Condition: Healthy	Rank: Kounin Stamina: 8 • Speed: 8 • Strength: 8 • Intelligence: 8 • Chakra control: 8	Theme: None

Chuunin Posts : 304 Join date : 2013-04-10 Location : Cake

Kasumi Asogi

After all this time, whenever Hazumi kissed her, blind or not, it still took her by surprise. The air she thought was still in her lungs seemed to suddenly disappear every time their lips touched. His passion was so intense that she could feel herself melting from it, unable the bring a single thought into the front of her mind except for those that contained Hazumi.

She had never expected to have fallen in love again. A relationship or happiness was the last thing she had ever felt she deserved for herself after ever failure she had faced. Being here with Hazumi though, she didn't feel like a failure, she felt strong, stronger then she had ever been. Even without her beauty, he didn't seem to care, he loved her because she was who she was and to Kasumi, she saw that as something special. Even if they stayed in prison for the rest of their lives, as long as they were never separated, Kasumi knew she could live with that.

Kasumi parted from their kiss and pressed her forehead against Hazumi's as she caught her breathe, smiling uncontrollably from the wave of emotions that he had induced in her. Sometimes it all seemed so confusing to her but when he did things like that, everything became clearer then the water of a mountain spring.

"I dunno, that might be better then any line you've ever given me", Kasumi said with a smirk, pressing her lips to his again for a quick kiss, "Keep that up and a girl might just fall in love".

---

Meanwhile, in the bushes across the otherside of the courtyard...

"What are they doing? I can't see!", Biko whispered as she tried to peak through the bush.

"They're sitting there making out!", Kaori explained, causing her and Biko to give off squeals of excitement.

"... You two are disgusting, spying on them like this", Tsubaki retorted, despite peaking through the bush herself at the two lovers.

"And what do you think you're doing!", Kaori countered while still trying to keep her voice low, irritated by Tsubaki's hypocrisy.

"Just making sure he doesn't hurt her", Tsubaki countered, trying to sound like she had a legitimate reason.

"Yeah right...", Biko and Kaori chastised in unison.

» .: Wounds That Won't Heal :.