Loomings

The day sprawled out before the legendary Grass Village as a beautiful one, the time already past noon, the air deliciously hot and a touch humid. The ruler of the village loved this weather, his toned body adorned only with a pale blue tank top and a pair of white shorts. Rather than full war attire - a senseless precaution within the confines of his own domain - he simply carried with him one of his standard issue katana. While he had nearly no contact with his own clan, something deep within his blood caused him to despise the flimsy metal of the thing; he nearly felt that he could snap it between two of his fingers as easily as me may a twig. He would, eventually, need a weapon as splendid as himself, though this would need to wait as currently village funds went towards village improvements as part of his own policy elections.

But now was not the time for thoughts of war and death. No, those tidings would come without reservation in their own times and he needn't push. Currently he reclined rather splendidly upon a small bamboo chair, just outside of a local restaurant from which he had procured a pot of tea which he sipped lazily on. His posture, attitude, attire, and apparent lack of any guarding might have villagers double taking the newly appointed kage; certainly he was lovely to look at, but he did not conduct himself as one might expect of a rule of a nation. No, he lacked the constant air of stress, the weights of business, the frantic or pessimistic disposition of those who felt responsible for everyone around them at all moments. In fact, even now without moving or speaking he seemed to radiate an indomitable optimism and those who passed him left with a smile more often than not.

As a matter of fact, he did not do the village's paperwork nor did he see to the minutia of village affairs that the previous ruler had drowned under and continued to do so. He simply made high level decisions and allowed those beneath him, primarily that same previous rule he had so recently ousted, to take care of the details and filing and stamping - all events with which he could not waste his precious time. This gave him this extra luxury to sit about and enjoy tea, or music, or art, or pleasant company which he now hoped for. Before him was a lovely garden filled with tropical flora of all sorts. A popular location, the market surrounding it had plenty of foot traffic and he sat, waiting, as if certain that someone would stumble upon him by a twist of their own good fortune and his own unceasing fate. Steam rolled up over his face as he took another long sip o his cinnamon tea, the aroma strong around him, and yet not a single drop of sweat came off of him as he took in his unseasonably hot beverage.

Aya pondered to herself as she strolled through the Marketplace. With a basket in hand, she looked upon the fresh produce from the farms, whilst the merchants echoed around her with friendly banter of the day to its customers. The light of the sun bouncing off her White robe as she bent over to reach for a Honeydew Melon..."Lady Senju!"; The Stall's Merchant gasps and reaches for the melon and quickly walking over to her. "A member of the Senju shouldn't have to exert themselves to get the best," He says as He placed it in Aya's basket. A slight annoyance from her expression before covering it with a slight chuckle to speak "Heh well its no trouble at all, our clan isn't all that highborn good sir...we're just as equal to anybody else". With payment handed over, Aya proceeded as her smiled faded back to an unamused tone as she kept walking and looking at the stalls. "Now let's see I have the main stuff what else was I missing?" She muttered to herself as she felt her pockets for her list. "Now where did I put that note?"

Standing in the middle of the path Aya searches for his shopping list as she began to show concern as she even checks inside the basket. However soon a blush covered her face as she remembers where she stored it last as she reaches slowly into her ample cleavage and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Let's see now...fruits, vegetables, Tea Herbs...I'll stop by the Tea House I guess for them and then I'll get the fabrics afterward". Folding the paper and setting not in the basket, She heads for the Tea House which was thankfully in the same area as the Marketplace. A group of children can be seen playing with sticks like katanas as Aya chuckled as she waved to them.

Entering the establishment, Aya is greeted by the Hostess as she returned a kindly bow to her in return. "Lady Aya~ Here to pick up your herbs?" The Hostess asks as a nod from Aya confirmed so. "Well yes, but you know am actually quite eager to enjoy some Tea here too if there is a table available?" Aya asks as a smile lit up on the Hostess's face "Right this way!" She replies escorting her. As they make their way to an empty table, Aya's eyes come across a lone man sitting upon a bamboo chair near the garden. A quick gesture as she asks the Hostess if she would kindly take her basket to the table while she went to go greet the man. "Good Afternoon Lord Kage~" Aya Approaches him and bows "Am surprised to see you here?" She says with a teasing smile.

A lovely voice disturbed his reverie for a moment, he failing to hear her approach while taking in the splendor of the garden. A high, thin guitar sent lovely strings of music into the air, completing the bucolic scene. He turned, seeing the beautiful woman with whom he now spoke. The hostess was nowhere to be seen at present, so she had not lead lovely lady over to Arami. How interesting.

He turned, a huge grin having already split his face, and bowed in turn to the woman. He had recently gathered, as a young and new kage, that most of the villagers and shinobi alike would hardly dare approach him whether he be in his office, public, or in a drowsy meeting. He had found himself surrounded primarily by timid yes-men who he doubtlessly felt thrown off by his outgoing and forward mannerisms; they had a difficult time reading them, and this alarmed his attendants and the heads of various offices. That, or it could just be that he was a lone Uchiha, in a village dominated by the Senju, who had made what amounted to an immaculate bid for power. Their unease did not bother him.

"Hello beautiful," his red eyes took her in entirely. She stood just a scant few inches shorter than the man, a rarity as most people within the ninja world towered over him, and she wore a beautiful white robe which highlighted elegant movements and a lovely posture. By contrast, he wore a golden tank top with a red herringbone pattern near the bottom hem and charcoal shorts of a cut off sweat pant variety. "I fear that you have me at a disadvantage though, as clearly you know me, though I don't believe we have ever personally met. Regardless, I am Uchiha Aramitama; feel free to call me as such. We're all peers here, after all." The smile never left his face as he spoke, but his eyes held a playfulness in them.

He pushed out the second chair next to the tiny table, the one nearest Aya, and returned to his seat himself. "Please, sit and enjoy some tea. The day, and this garden, and the music are all lovely. And, as you are well aware, the tea they harvest here is world class." He held up two fingers over his shoulder as he sat, and in a few moments a fresh pot of whatever the current house selection would arrive with fresh cups. He quite hoped that she would share with him her name, for he had not done his homework as many kage's would have. He was obviously aware of the village's general and relative military might and he knew broader concepts regarding their numbers and ranks, but he had not read any individual files or stalked anyone within the village to keep tabs on them. So, he presumed that she, like most of the village, aided in the military strength of the village, but in what way exactly remained a mystery to him at present.

A gentle smile as the "Kage" also known as Aramitama of the Uchiha Clan returned a greeting and offered a chair for her to sit and join. "How kind of you to offer~" Aya replied as she sat down and crossed her legs; "Well I'm Aya of the Senju Clan my lord" She introduces herself. " Must be a shock to see both our clans once more working together for the safety of our village?" Aya says with a slight chuckle. The Hostess looked back before setting Aya's basket on the table as she put two and two together by what was happening over on that side and decided to bring her basket over to Aya since both would appear to share a table. "I take it you two will share a table," The Hostess asked but with a hint of a tease. "Well, I won't decline an offer from the Kage, sorry about the table" Aya chuckled and took her basket and set it on the floor beside her chair.

"Then what would you like me to fetch for you?" She asked Aya whilst also asking Aramitama. "I think I will partake in some Jasmine Tea and some Kuzumochi" Aya replies; "And you Aramitama...you kindness to offer a seat with you at least let me offer something to enjoy your tea with too". The Hostess nodded and made a mental note for Aya's request as she soon turned to Aramitama and waited for his response.

(OCC: I'm very sorry for the late response.)

Their orders proceeded with little in the way of event, Aya effortlessly accepting a place at the table and requesting a round of tea for herself. He grinned lightly as she offered him some light fare with which to sip their beverages. His own cup was running low, so he spoke both to Aya and the waitress in attendance. "Thank you kindly, fair one; I would love to share some kuzumochi with you. And if I could," he turned more towards the woman waiting, "another cup of tea, hibiscus if you have it. She smiled and bowed deeply to each of the ninja present, one after another, before retreating back to the main cabin to prepare their delicacies.

Now, alone, he turned fully to Aya as she settled in for their impromptu meeting, the light smile never leaving his face. "So, Lady Aya of the Senju Clan." He paused for a moment, thinking on her previous statement. "It does not surprise me in the slightest that our two houses have found cause to work together, to tell you the truth. We derive some of our powers from two of the most powerful clans on the earth and we find ourselves rooted deeply within the most powerful nation." He gestured broadly before them, at the beautiful garden but clearly intending to encompass lands which reach far further. "Where goes the sun, so follows our rule. I can envision no feud, of blood or otherwise, that should prevent our cooperation to secure our claim or achieve our goals."

He finished the remaining dregs of the slightly spicy tea before the woman would return with a new cup, eyes affixed on Aya, studying her face, her beauty, her strength. "But forgive me, Lady Aya, for I have not been in my position for long and do not know much of the ways and needs of those who fight along side me. So, what goals do you seek, and how will Kusa best serve those needs?"

(( Likewise in my recent absence and reply ^///^ ))

As the Hostess departed to fetch their orders, Aya would listen and gaze upon Kusagakure's youngest Kage and his surprisingly mature words of wisdom. The thought of an Uchiha and Senju talking with such peaceful tones would've been such a sight to see but in the new age of Kusagakure; Their relationship as allies have bloomed and produces seeds of protection for their homes. As she followed his hand gesture to the beautiful Garden beside them, She couldn't help but chuckle at his comment in regards to the "Village's Goal".  "With such powerful words I choose to believe you can possibly do so, but alas my lord...such goals can't be achieved without trouble," She says as she tapped a finger on the table. "But that's just past experience talking...ugh apologies," She says feeling rude as she bowed her head slightly for forgiveness for being rude in front of her Kage. Thankfully, in the right instance, the Hostess was returning with a large tray containing two teapots and a medium-sized bamboo box.

"Thank you for waiting!" She says setting down First the Teapots as she then set the bamboo box in between them "Please enjoy" She bows respectively towards the and walks away. "Heh Allow me!" Aya says reaching over and carefully taking the Hibiscus Teapot and leaning over as she smiled at him and poured into his cup. "You know I never tried Hibiscus Tea~ How is it if you don't mind me asking?" She smiled sitting back in her seat. Setting the teapot down she takes the Jasmine Pot and pours herself a bit.

"Oh, I almost forgot you were also asking about my goals" She tapped her head to gesture her forgetfulness for a second. "My goals well is to protect not only my Clan but the other Clans from harm. Every Clan is special to the foundation that makes this village. If One were to fall, the forest would feel the pain. So it's up to us to keep them well tended and nurtured to make sure they grow strong and sturdy. " As she crosses her legs and smiled whilst revealing the Kuzumochi by taking off the lid to the bamboo box.  " That's why I keep a watchful eye on both the young and old. Though...most won't technically say that..." She sighed and grabbed her cup with both hands before bringing it up to her lips and taking a sip.

His face held his composure, an easy smile and attentive gaze, but his eyes shone with a deep and vibrant interest, almost like a predator intent on its prey. Plainly this powerful woman of the mighty Kusagakure intrigued and pleased him with her probing questions. She poured for the two, a great courtesy, and as she did so he bowed his head slightly in thanks. Then, quite suddenly, she revealed that she wished to protect not only her clan, but all of the clans within the village. A loyalist to the interests of the greater village then? Perhaps, though perhaps somewhat adverse to warfare.

"By all means, please help yourself to a taste. Hibiscus is one of my absolute favorites. It is a bit sour, as a fair warning." He sipped deeply from his own cup and helped himself to the snacks, depositing one of the treats into Aya's possession. "I agree with you in that the whole of the village must be protected, each clan a pillar of that structure that brings us such prosperity. For now, it seems we are safe and life is calm and placid, but the slightest of disturbances can threaten that sanctuary. I am gladdened to hear that you notice both the young and the old. We need to take special care of this next generation; frankly, I'm worried of the intentions of the other villages and we may need the strength of some other ninja. We must see more personally to their training."

"There has been no consensus or meeting of the leaders of the great villages in many years, a resident of our village, the young host of the Two Tails, has up and vanished, and the strange white-eyed clan has returned to the seat of power in Yuki. Trouble may come to us to retain our claim, but unfortunately this may prove the price of business."

Tsk tsk tsk, yet another left him it seemed. His young, lovely, and powerful new partner at first seemed to drift off into her own internal world before collapsing. His body rose, moved, hurried, and attended her. Dishes from their table clattered to the ground and the crash of porcelain echoed as their server saw what had happened. While his mind had already run on ahead, calculating the damage to the village at the sudden illness of one of their generals, his hands worked deftly upon her, examining vitals and stabilizing her condition.

As luck had it, nothing appeared outwardly wrong. Her heart felt fine, she had a strong pulse, and her breathing was elevated but otherwise normal. She had no visible injury nor bruising, and her small collapse forward had not seen her incur any cuts or wounds. This was good and would allow him to move her to the hospital in the heart of the village. Thus, he bent down and, basket style, picked her up to relocate her.

"I apologize my good woman, but I fear I must take my charge to the hospital. Fear not, for I oversee the medics, as I am certain you are aware. Please charge my office with our cumulative bill and for any damages we have caused you; one of my secretaries will see you paid posthaste. Oh, and the tea was lovely, even if we could only take our first few sips." As he spoke, he flashed her a beaming smile and took quick, sure steps across the back seating area towards the city center and, once he reached a back street, leapt rapidly to the roofs and carted poor Aya Senju away. Perhaps she could be saved, or perhaps she would simply prove an eternal asset to the village, even in her catatonic state.

[Exit]