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heartwoodventures · 11 months

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The Hunt Continues

The latest Heartwood Hunt took the party into the homes of the kolbolds, where something big has posses the new fancy bomb furnace the beastmen were creating. With the aid of the machine’s creator, To Ru, the managed to best the “Bombinator”, and keep the cavernous home from caving in.

...

Rising Lotus| As the group would venture through the smokey outskirts of the Kobold lands, they'd be well aware they were being watched. Some of Kobolds would be more curious as to their presence, while others still held grudges and looked annoyed. Eventually the entrance to the mines would be in sight, Rising already there and talking with their guide apparently.

Augusta Aventurine: "I wonder what the target is this week..."

Rising Lotus was pulled from the conversation with the chatting camp as the party appraoched. "Good ya'll made it." she motioned to the kobold next to her. "This is To Ru of the...uh...well he helped make the thing we're after today.

Ziv Zorasch offers you a humble greeting.

Takamoro ToshoMateus eyes the small kobold dubiously.

Zoronado Tatanado adjusted the straps on his gloves and tightened up his boots.

Ziv Zorasch: "Reporting for duty!"

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine salutes you.

Augusta Aventurine laughs at you.

Zoronado Tatanado stretches his muscles.

Ziv Zorasch is annoyed with 5th Order Patriarch Ze Bu.

Ziv Zorasch smiles weakly at Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Ziv Zorasch: "Welcome new friends! It is good to be joined by fresh faces."

Tora KhatayinMateus lofts a brow. Rising, when last they conversed, didn't mention that she /helped/ make their present target. The tip of her tail flicks.

Takamoro ToshoMateus nods a greeting.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "I am Takamoro Tosho, and this is my daughter, Tora. A pleasure."

Ziv Zorasch: "Ziv Zorasch, at your service. I hope our first hunt proceeds smoothly."

Ziv Zorasch bows courteously to Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Ziv Zorasch smiles weakly at Tora KhatayinMateus.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "As do I. I prefer it when things don't end with me sewing people back together."

Zoronado Tatanado bows courteously to Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Tora KhatayinMateus blinks, following her guardian's gaze with a moment's delay. She doesn't introduce herself, trusting her guardian to do so in her stead, but she does manage to pull herself out of her work mindset just long enough to huff a voiceless greeting through her nose.

Rising Lotus | Piped up. "Y-Yes! To Ru of the 57th order! Big bomb furnace was part of my creation! As it fired up though it crashed! Smashed! And Clattered off the walls!" his clawed hands made appropriate motions for what he was describing. "We hear the explosions in deep old tunnels where it lurks now.."

(Rising Lotus) ope To ru piped up

Augusta Aventurine: "I've already met miss Tora, it's a pleasure sir. My name is Augusta Aventurine."

Ziv Zorasch: "A pleasure to meet you both. Your skills will be of great use I am sure. What is it they said we are after? A bomb furnace?"

Augusta Aventurine bows courteously to Takamoro ToshoMateus.

A question springs to Ziv Zorasch's mind.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "Bombs in a cave. I doubt that will go very smoothly."

Augusta Aventurine gazes upon Takamoro ToshoMateus in deep reflection.

Zoronado Tatanado nods to Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Ziv Zorasch expresses his worry with Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Ziv Zorasch: "That may be true sadly."

Ziv Zorasch gazes upon you in deep reflection.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Zoronado Tatanado: "We should keep our wits about us. And stay behind me! I've handled far worse than bombs!"

Rising Lotus: shrugged. "I didn't know, but I 'spose if anyone is to help use the folk that helped make it is probably a good person to have on our side.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "I've no problem letting you take the brunt of it, Mr. Zorasch."

Tora KhatayinMateus thins her lips, nodding up at Takamoro. She sighs to herself and watches Zoro go. Would that being protected from the bombs was the concern.

Ziv Zorasch nods to Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Ziv Zorasch: "Well then...the robot went rogue and ran off somewhere? It seems these robot experiments rarely turn out for the best..."

(Rising Lotus) Usually I keep party chat for like, DM important annoucements like rolls and damage stuff! Maybe we could ease off some the normal emote stuff a bit

Augusta Aventurine looks around.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) That's fair. And I hope Takamoro doesn't come across as too mean or sarcastic. I can tone it down if it's an issue.

(Tora KhatayinMateus) That's fair. I've generally seen party used for both that and event emotes so that they're easier to see, but it's up to you.

Augusta Aventurine gazes upon Zoronado Tatanado in deep reflection.

Augusta Aventurine: "Zoro... be careful okay?"

Zoronado Tatanado: "Careful is my middle name!"

Zoronado Tatanado strikes a pose for Augusta Aventurine.

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Zoronado Tatanado.

Ziv Zorasch gazes upon Zoronado Tatanado in deep reflection.

Zoronado Tatanado does not, in fact, have a middle name. He is a lalafell.

Rising Lotus "N-not robot!" piped up again "But rogue bomb furance! Full of huge, enormous, gigantic bomb perhaps!" he hopped around, clearly a bit worried. "Hurry we must" and with that he started tugging on Rising's boot, the woman sort of just shrugging as she started off, waving the group to come along with her.

Augusta Aventurine is taken aback.

Ziv Zorasch looks surprised!

Takamoro ToshoMateus looks down to Tora, motioning for her to follow him after the others.

Zoronado Tatanado: "Right. Let's get this mission started."

Zoronado Tatanado makes a show of his resolve.

Ziv Zorasch: "I can hardly imagine it, whatever it is. But it does not sound safe. We should hurry indeed."

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Tora KhatayinMateus catches Takamoro's gesture out of the corner of her eye and, never one to be told what to do or fussed over on jobs, wrinkles her nose at him.

Rising Lotus: "Well as Tora an' I were talkin' 'bout on bar night. We ought to take care, if this thing is for makin' bombs, then fightin' it in here is gonna be pretty dangerous. Keep your wits about you."

Takamoro ToshoMateus smiles down at the smaller raen, making an exagerated 'after you' gesture.

Zoronado Tatanado pulled his holy sword from the sheath and whispered an incantation into the hilt, causing it to ignite.

Augusta Aventurine looks around.

Rising Lotus | To Ru was frantically leading them forward, skittering forth and then waiting ahead for the group. "Beast is in deep deep DEEP old caves! No many kin, but still danger to whole home."

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "Why, exactly, did you build this thing again?"

Ziv Zorasch: "Very dark, very cozy. These are fine conditions."

Ziv Zorasch looks around.

Rising Lotus halted, big eared hear cocking at the question. "To make many bombs of course! For blasting, exploding, kabooming!" he hopped around excitedly as he looked at Taka. "We lost many of bomb stock after scary monsters and fiery skies. Need to restock!"

Takamoro ToshoMateus is quiet for a moment before looking away from the kobold. "You lack about as much forethought as you do height."

Tora KhatayinMateus lofts a slooow brow up at Ziv. Fine conditions for... what, exactly? Shaking her head clear of the thought, she nods back at Takamoro, the look she gives him saying it all.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Have I missed anything cool

(Ziv Zorasch) theres a bomb thing making lots of bombs

Riylli Aliapoh has always been here. Kobolds? Mountains? Of course she would be here, where else would she be

(Zoronado Tatanado) Not yet. Except for Zoronado's presence

Rising Lotus: "O-oh!" To Ru started pulling somethings out of his satchel. "D-don't worry though! I am not useless!" he presented three vials in his hands, one red, one green, and one yellow. "Special potions! Tonics! Cordials for fight!"

The sight of you springs a question to Ziv Zorasch's mind.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "And what is in these potions? They all seem to be different."

Rising Lotus glanced back to Taka. "Well considerin' there were stabbed in the back after the first treaty with Limsa, can't blame them for bein' a bit anxious 'bout this new one. An' maybe they jus' like raisin' 'em?" she just sort of shrugged while To Ru started back off.

Takamoro ToshoMateus glances to Rising and shrugs. "You've a point, there. It could very well be cultural."

Rising Lotus: "Potion of Titan hide! Potion of smokey heal! And potion of big hurts!" he raised up the yellow, green, and red potions respectively. "I-I will also find great reward aside from gil...once I think of it."

Riylli Aliapoh >> I need more context for the kobold I want to interact with the kobold ;-;

Zoronado Tatanado ponders over the wind-up kobolder.

>> Riylli Aliapoh: he's the guide he helped creat the thing

Riylli Aliapoh >> the bomb furnace?

>> Riylli Aliapoh: yes

Rising Lotus | As the group moved forward, the tunnels became much more narrow and un even. You get the feeling that they wern't traversed as much anymore. Rising was carefully ducking down, avoiding the out croppings as they went forward. "We ain't gonna have to start crawlin' through some of these tunnels are we?" To ru paused, then started leading the group a different way.

Tora KhatayinMateus thins her lips as they tread deeper. Tight spaces are rarely good news for combatants such as herself, and her last experience in a cave is something she recalls with painful clarity. While they travel and the others converse, she silently maps their exit route and searches the walls and ceiling for weak points, mentally jotting down potential locations of collapse and possible alternate routes. As she told Rising in the bar the other night, caves (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus and explosives rarely mix well. (2/2)

Zoronado Tatanado was more than a little tempted to drink a potion of titan hide, but reluctantly decided against it...

Riylli Aliapoh: "I wanna try the titan hide potion!"

Ziv Zorasch seems lost in thought.

Rising Lotus: | "R-right! Tall folk, aha..." he awkwardly skittered down a wider tunnel. He glanced back to Riylli. "Would not reccomend that! You throw it on target! Makes body strong, firm, tough!...but one can't move until effect wears off."

Augusta Aventurine quietly followed along. Feeling a little bad as she watched Rising duck and lower herself to get into the tight spaces. She was content not to drink any strange potions today though. Unless they tasted good.

Riylli Aliapoh: "...I still wanna try it. How'd you make it?"

Rising Lotus | To Ru chitters a bit excitedly, looking to almost forget the task at hand. "Well first you boil certain rocks..." Through Rising cleared her throat to keep him on task. "Ah..later perhaps!"

Riylli Aliapoh grins at the kobold. "Later, for sure!"

Augusta Aventurine seems lost in thought.

Augusta Aventurine: "A potion made from rocks... that sounds interesting."

Ziv Zorasch: "Sounds like something Riylli might have for breakfast."

Augusta Aventurine laughs at Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine: "Maybe so~"

Ziv Zorasch: "Boiled rocks...?"

Riylli Aliapoh gives Ziv a look. "Y'can't eat rocks... Just 'cuz I like 'em doesn't mean I eat 'em"

Rising Lotus | Eventually the chamber opened up significantly. "This is room where bigest bomb furnace...was.." To Ru lamented. Sure enough, there was a huge piped structure with several furnace chambers, and it looked like a huge part of it had been torn out. He chittered sadly as he put one of claws on the broken machine. "So much work gone..."

Ziv Zorasch nods to Riylli Aliapoh.

The sight of Riylli Aliapoh springs a question to Ziv Zorasch's mind.

Ziv Zorasch: "Never? Not even once?"

Riylli Aliapoh: "I mean... I've tried eatin' dirt before once when I was real hungry, if that counts"

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "I would not recommend it. It would be terrible for your teeth."

Rising Lotus looked around the area. "Alright, well which way did it run off to then?" there were several different outcropping tunnels where it could've escaped. "...also ain't salt rock?"

Riylli Aliapoh: "It's a crystal. Not super the same"

Ziv Zorasch gazes upon you in deep reflection.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "Salt is a mineral."

Tora KhatayinMateus frowns at the kobold, her tail flicking with agitation. Where it /was/ doesn't help. They're meant to be tracking down where it /is/. Tuning out anyone but Rising and To Ru, she listens carefully to their surroundings for any hint of the furnace's whereabouts.

Ziv Zorasch seems lost in thought.

Rising Lotus "Rocks ain't minerals?" she continued the small talk as she started walking toward one of the different tunnels, looking for any signs of...something.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "I'm a doctor, not a geologist."

Riylli Aliapoh: "It's... complicated. Do I look like a saltmancer to you?"

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) You have no idea how long I've been wanting to say something like that.

Tora KhatayinMateus || Gods, they're all so /loud/. Jaw set, Tora trots, her gait an easy glide, toward one of the branching caves that the furnace could have escaped into.

Rising Lotus "Well you are plenty salty." she said without a beat, meanwhile To Ru was looking down another tunnel way. "It went down this one...but whole area here is dead end! All these loop and turn back to eachother."

(Rising Lotus) Gonna break out the rock puns soon

(Riylli Aliapoh) not again

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) gods help us

Zoronado Tatanado looks around.

Ziv Zorasch looks stumped.

Zoronado Tatanado: "How can such a machina hide from us...? Unless..."

Augusta Aventurine pulled out a helmet she brought from her bag and put it on, having arrived in the main room. She took her time looking around taking in her surrourndings.

Zoronado Tatanado: "... someone should watch our flank. Just incase of ambush."

Ziv Zorasch: "What exactly is the 'bomb furnace' up to? What is its goal? Perhaps knowing that would give us a clue to its whereabouts."

Zoronado Tatanado: *our rear ))

Takamoro ToshoMateus looks to Ziv. "If I had to guess, I would say it wants to make more bombs."

Ziv Zorasch: "Then maybe we should find the best place for it to setup its operation. Somewhere large and open, like this cavern?"

The sight of the wind-up kobolder springs a question to Ziv Zorasch's mind.

Rising Lotus | Scratches his helmet as he thinks. "Yes more bombs. Sometimes big bombmothers burst, plow, dash out of bomb furnaces!..or maybe something else big and fiery." as the group would look about, there was the uncanny feeling they were being watched...

(Rising Lotus) omg I have been so bad about add To ru's name to his posts T-T sorry all

(Ziv Zorasch) nw i still understood

Rising Lotus: "Well bombs are voidsent right? Probably wants aether right, or food, or whatever they tend to go after."

Tora KhatayinMateus knows the sensation of being watched like the back of her hand. It's been a constant companion for the last two cycles. Thinning her lips, she draws her bow from about her torso, where she normally stows it with the string across her chest, and trots back to Takamoro's side. There, Tora turns her gaze on the rest of the cavern, scanning the walls and shadows for any sign of their enemy.

(Rising Lotus) Alrighty!

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Ziv Zorasch celebrates victory.

Rising Lotus As everyone mulled about, there was a faint light far off in one of the tunnels. The group would hear the low groaning and screeching of pipes reverberating towards them. And then there was a horrible clashing and clanging as their prey charged forth. A mess of pipes crashed into the main chamber, twisting around like a serpent.

Rising Lotus Dark at first, the metal of the pipes started to glow as they heard up, fire flaring out from cracks and breaks. One end of the beast opened like a dragon’s maw, while a large throbbing, fiery arm burst from the furnace chamber still attached. To Ru screeched and hid behind a rock, pointing that, as if they didn’t know, this was what they were after!

Rising Lotus | "T-That is it! Trogdenitar!" To Ru shouted as the beast let out a might bellow, loud enough to rattled everyone's heads!

(Riylli Aliapoh) (gimme the art coward

(Rising Lotus) Art will be in the general event discussion channel!))

(Rising Lotus) But before I post it

(Rising Lotus) the fun thing about this events

(Rising Lotus) is that I basically get to make you all fight shit posts I feel like it :] ))

(Ziv Zorasch) it's TROGDOR

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) I knew it

(Ziv Zorasch) there's no consummate Vs

(Ziv Zorasch) THERES NO CONSUMMATE VS

(Ziv Zorasch) no thats amazing omg

Riylli Aliapoh: "I WANT IT"

(Rising Lotus) Also everyone give me a roll to see how you dealt with the roar!))

Random! You roll a 322.

(Tora KhatayinMateus) Random! 776

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 605.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 616.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 573.

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 441.

(Rising Lotus) Riylli give me a roll))

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 261.

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Sorry I am definitely still in darkest dungeon

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Rising youre my helion

(Rising Lotus) Everyone except Rising, Riylli, and Taka are fine, we're a bit more rattled by the roar, -100 to next attackings rolls!))

Riylli Aliapoh is not rattled by the roar, she is simply too hyped to be fully focused

Tora KhatayinMateus has seen far too much to be knocked off guard by the beast's appearance, but she has to admit to some measure of consternation. It's certainly a /new/ foe, and its anatomy and behaviour suggests they've enslaved either a very angry elemental to serve as its core, or stuffed a very strong voidsent into it. Neither one is exactly good, but she thinks she'd prefer to face off against a metal-clad elemental. Blessed by having horns rather than eardrums (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus (and more blessed that her cracked horn recently finished regenerating), Tora seems largely unphased by the monster's roar. (2/2)

(Rising Lotus) Also! The potions!

Takamoro ToshoMateus staggers back a step, clutching at his unbroken horn. "Godsdamn, that's loud." He shakes his head to clear the ringing and looks up at their target.

(Rising Lotus) Yellow will make you immune to damage, but you loose your next attack as you can't move when it's used. Green will heal you, but you'll end up stinking for like a week, and red will make everyone do double damage to the boss if it lands!

(Rising Lotus) There's one of each so use them wisely, just pipe up in party chat if you want to use one

(Ziv Zorasch) coool

(Rising Lotus) And with that!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

(Tora KhatayinMateus) Is there an initiative order?

(Rising Lotus) Nope! Party turn and then monster turn! So write out your action and then throw out a roll

(Rising Lotus) and you can always forgo the roll to take a flat 500

(Tora KhatayinMateus) Alrighty.

(Rising Lotus) A lot of explaining for this one aha sorry

Takamoro ToshoMateus stamps his foot agaisnt the stone of the cavern floor, reaching towards the ground. A large rock suddenly cracks away from the rest of the stone, hurtling itself towards the monster ahead of them.

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 69.

Ziv Zorasch planted his feet and aimed his broadsword downward, taking his defensive stance. "I won't be fooled into moving before I see what it can do." He watched the flaming dragon carefully, especially its beefy flaming arm.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) YIKES

(Ziv Zorasch) defending

Riylli Aliapoh pulls out her staff with a grin. As much as she would love to show off in front of the new folk, getting into melee range of that thing did not sound very smart. Instead she whips up some errant dirt and attempts to shove it into the burning maw to douse the flames

Zoronado Tatanado lead with his Bulwark Knight special, slamming his sword against his shield in a shower of cinders to get this monster's attention! "Come on you big brute...! You want dinner? I'm right here!"

Augusta Aventurine heard the roar but wasn't intimidated. She drew her lance and moved to the side of the beast, giving it a strong thrust with the lance to test the beast out. Wary of the last elemental she faced, she tried to keep her distance, only probing to see what it would do.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Random! 573

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 25.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 199.

(Riylli Aliapoh) y i k e s

(Zoronado Tatanado) Ooouughf

(Augusta Aventurine) oof

Rising Lotus brought her hands to her ears, a bit closer then everyone else when the beast roared. She hefted her axe off her back as her ears were still ringing, charging forward and swinging her axe in a vertical cleave at the lower part of its serpentlike body.

(Ziv Zorasch) eweww

Random! You roll a 210.

(Rising Lotus) also N I C E Taka

(Rising Lotus) gonna grab my food quick as attacks go out!

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) My curse, RNGesus hates me

Tora KhatayinMateus || Their foe is something of fire and metal, rendering all of her specialty arrows useless... as well as her regular arrows. Thinking of what to do calls to mind someone else once charging their arrows with spells, and bitterness gnaws at her stomach. Setting her jaw, she draws a metal-shafted arrow. She can at least slow it down and immobilize certain joints. Drawing her longbow to full, she looses the arrow, aiming for a joint in one of its 'hips' (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus in an effort to reduce that leg's functionality. (2/2)

Random! Tora KhatayinMateus rolls a 2.

(Ziv Zorasch) WTF

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) AHAHAHAHAHA

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) YESSS

(Tora KhatayinMateus) I made fun of him for his 69 and now he's laughing at me openly over video chat

(Riylli Aliapoh) (we may need to tactically retreat

(Ziv Zorasch) i cannot believe this omg

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) I am revelling in this

(Tora KhatayinMateus) I'm not kidding: it's because I'm here. I have a long and storied history as a bad luck charm.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Don't listen to her, she's the best good luck charm ever

(Tora KhatayinMateus) He's deluded and biased.

(Ziv Zorasch) we got this

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Yes

(Rising Lotus) alright back, also these rolls xD

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Ziv Zorasch gripped his broadsword tighter as he glared up at the flaming machine, already starting to sweat beneath his armor from the heat of the flames as he avoided the bad feeling he had about this crude machine.

(Tora KhatayinMateus) Rolling 200 or under 5 times in a row is a 1 in 3125 chance, by the way, according to my (dubiously accurate) calculations.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) numbers numbers, math math math

(Ziv Zorasch) the 69 roll should count as a crit roll

(Ziv Zorasch) honestly

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) but I had that -100 modifier

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) So it can't count, sadly

(Augusta Aventurine) agree with Ziv, 69 should equal a 1000 roll

(Tora KhatayinMateus) 1000 doesn't actually exist! So that'd be 999.

(Ziv Zorasch) insta gib

(Augusta Aventurine) it's because it's not in the roll pool that it's perfect for 69 XD

Random! You roll a 6 (out of 7).

Rising Lotus Most of the party’s ranged attack didn’t seem to do much at first, the beast serpentining out of the way of Taka’s rock, while Tora’s arrow ended up hitting the furnace chamber, making a tiny dent before the arrow fell to the ground. It did seem to sputter a bit at the maw full of dirt, but it didn’t seem to slow down the fiery beast!

Rising Lotus Rising and Gusta’s attack seemed to hit firmer joints of the best, shaking it but not doing any greater damage, and the clattery beast made so much noise as it is Zoro’s feeble shield tappings were unheard. It suddenly twisted its body, everyone in melee range in danger of getting slammed by its pipe body!

(Rising Lotus) Gusta give me a roll!

Random! You roll a 636.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 68.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) My curse is contagious

(Augusta Aventurine) one away from perfection...

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) This pleases me

(Ziv Zorasch) so close

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) There can be only one

(Augusta Aventurine) oh wait isn't Ziv defending?

(Rising Lotus) Rising is able to weather the blow, however Gusta takes a huge hit and looses her next turn. Unless Ziv wants to use his defense roll that he set up.

(Ziv Zorasch) yes

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 442.

(Rising Lotus) Ziv turns a horrible situation into a more managable one, he'll take the brunt of the hit, but will slam into Gusta and they take light damage!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

Ziv Zorasch held his breath as he noticed a pipe swinging toward Augusta that she did not seem prepared for! Springing into action, Ziv would throw himself infront of the pipe to block the blow as best he could but clumsily fell back onto Augusta in the process. He would help her quickly to her feet and apologize. "Please forgive me! I wasn't fast enough."

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Ziv Zorasch.

Tora KhatayinMateus || Oh. So its exterior isn't very thick. Her bow might have a lot of draw strength, and her arrows pack a punch, but she never expected to dent it. Watching the /thing/ for any signs of incoming bombs--she has explosive arrows, and maybe, if she's lucky, she can use one to blow the bombs up before they escape the furnace's hull--she draws another metallic arrow to full. They're heavier than she's accustomed to, and she can't yet predict her new (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus allies, both of which make aiming difficult. Regardless, she aims this time for one of the joints in its serpentine body in an effort to prevent it from snaking and wriggling so fluidly. Anything she can do to slow it down should suffice to help the others. (2/2)

Random! Tora KhatayinMateus rolls a 725.

Takamoro ToshoMateus lifts the large club from his back, smashing it down into the earth at his feet. If a smaller rock wouldn't do the trick, then bigger would have to be better. A veritable boulder cracks loose from the ground, hurtling towards the behemoth across the cavern from him.

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 767.

Zoronado Tatanado clenches his teeth as he watches Ziv slam into Augusta! "Now you've done it...!" The Bulwark Knight lunged for the monstrosity, aiming to plunge his superheated sword straight into its body!

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 588.

(Riylli Aliapoh) "Hmm..." It can handle dirt, so how about rocks? Whipping up a storm of gravel, Riylli sends that too into the maw of the beast

(Riylli Aliapoh) (woops

(Riylli Aliapoh) (also taking the 500

Augusta Aventurine gave Ziv a gentle smile. "Thanks Ziv... you saved me." Was all she said as she got back in her stance. That attack certainly got her on her toes. With her skills as a dragoon she lurched back from the beast and like Ziv took up a defensive pose, ready to intervene should it be necessary.

(Augusta Aventurine) defensive roll.

Rising Lotus as the furnace tries to swip at her, Rising was able to raise axe in time to deflect the blow, stumbling back a few yalms in the process. "Thing is damn quick for bein' so...awkward?" she scowled, looking at the ridiculously tiny legs that somehow supported it. Dashing in, she cleaved her axe horizontal and low, hoping to trip the thing up.

Random! You roll a 604.

Ziv Zorasch gingerly patted his ribs on that spot where the pipe had hit. "It was nothing, just a minor blow. I will keep my focus on defense."

Ziv Zorasch tries hard to concentrate.

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Rising Lotus While the last batch of ranged attacks didn’t seem to slow it down, the second seemed to fare much better. The metal arrow pierced one of the lower joints, making it’s twisting motions a bit more awkward, and the boulder lobbed at it by Taka smashed it upside its head. Mouth gaping from the blow, a decent amount of gravel was sent into its gullet!

Rising Lotus As it now stood more awkwardly, Rising’s swipe knocked it off its feet, causing it to crash down, the metal clanging echoing through the cavern! It gave Zoro a perfect shot to stab through part of the pipe that led up to its head, but his heated blade seemed to have no real effect, it was already super hot inside after all!

Rising Lotus Twisting its neck up, it started burning up the rocks and gravel in its mouth, fuel for the fire it would seem, and then belched out a barrage of snickering bombs! The little voidsent were scattered over the area, blowing up all over the arena!

(Rising Lotus) Everyone give me a defensive roll!))

Random! You roll a 855.

Random! Tora KhatayinMateus rolls a 259.

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 955.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 28.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 126.

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 87.

(Ziv Zorasch) do i get 2 for rolling defense?)

(Zoronado Tatanado) I'm back in the game babyyyyyy

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 288.

(Rising Lotus) Yea, same with gusta.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 715.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 474.

(Ziv Zorasch) whew

(Rising Lotus) Tora and Riylli take a hit and lose their next attack, Taka takes a direct bombing and takes significantly more damage

(Rising Lotus) Unless we blow the yellow potion on him!

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Up to you guys

(Rising Lotus) Also Zoro gets +100 for his next attack due to critical defense!

(Ziv Zorasch) can i defend taka?

(Riylli Aliapoh) I say yes to yellow potion!

(Ziv Zorasch) go for it

(Augusta Aventurine) I'm cool with the yellow potion

(Rising Lotus) Nah you already did a defense thing, so yellow potion it is! one moment!

Rising Lotus | Seeing the barrage of bombs over the brave adventurers, To Ru peeked from his hiding spot to see a bomb headed right toward Taka! "F-Fear not tall one!" and with that he lobbed the yellow potion at the man just in time. As it cracked over him he'd freeze in place, but the bomb left not a scratch on him! Even his clothes were no wores for wear...but he'd be stuck in whatever pose he was doing for a few moments!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

Takamoro ToshoMateus stands, club held at the ready, only for a potion to shatter against him. He feels every part of him stiffen, and the raen stands, petrified yet safe. Takamoro watches, powerless, as Tora is struck by the monster's attack.

Augusta Aventurine furrowed her brow at the beast. Those bizzare metal swinging joints in the close range, those dangerous bombs in the long range. It was a menace, she couldn't let this drag on. Once more, she pushed next to hte beast and this time struck with all her might at it.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 829.

(Augusta Aventurine) brb on my end, please carry on! UwU

Rising Lotus managed to weave between the rain of bombs, rolling dodging away from the last in her area. While the creature started to rise back up she let out a fierce roar, leaping up to slash at the furnace core of Trogdenitar!

Random! You roll a 730.

Riylli Aliapoh is knocked on her butt by explosives. "D-Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have worn this cape!" She huffs, retreating a bit to cast a stoneskin over herself and, more importantly, her outfit

Ziv Zorasch saw the bombs coming and drew on the ample darkness around them to shield himself from the exploding bombs. The barrier would crack like an eggshell and Ziv would collect the power at the edge of his blade and slash the dragon's body with a darkness-empowered cut.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 353.

Tora KhatayinMateus || Ever the defender, Tora draws an explosive arrow in the blink of an eye and fires it directly into the side of the bomb that careens towards her guardian. The eruption isn't point-blank, but it's far too close for comfort, and the fiery shockwave of dual explosions throws her head over heel. She's quick to get back to her feet and limp lightly back to her guardian's side--whose stony paralysis she regards with deep worry--but drawing a new arrow (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus takes precious excess seconds, her hands shaky and riddled with crusted, bleeding burns. (2/2)

Zoronado Tatanado raised his shield and protected himself, waiting until the fiery barrage was over. With the beast rising back to its feet, he leapt onto its face, gripping its fiery snout and trying to run his blade through its mouth!

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 497.

Ziv Zorasch looks at Zoronado Tatanado in surprise.

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Ziv Zorasch: "Zoro! I don't think that is being careful--!

Ziv Zorasch expresses his worry with Zoronado Tatanado.

(Augusta Aventurine) back ))

Rising Lotus Trogdenitar had gotten back to its comically tiny feet, just in time for Gusta’s spear to crash through the metal near the core. Every hole the group landed had flames spewing from it, the voidsent’s armor seemingly having trouble to contain it! Ziv’s dark slash battered the beast, but didn’t manage to cut through the armor.

Rising Lotus It let out a fiery whale from Rising’s strike, a chunk of the furnace’s ‘teeth’ crashing to the ground. As it reeled over, Zoro’s strike severed one of the creature’s eyes, the meter one, and then thrashed about with the lala fell on its head. The great fiery arm started to pulsate and throb before it aimed a swift punch at the nuisance on its maw!

(Rising Lotus) give me a roll Zoro

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 882.

(Zoronado Tatanado) Indomitable

(Tora KhatayinMateus) I can't recall if it was said: how long does the stone potion last?

(Rising Lotus) Zoro is able to defend in time, but the impact of the punch causes a small explosion that would knock him back to the ground!

(Rising Lotus) And it wears off this turn! You have your attack back!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

Takamoro ToshoMateus bursts out of the paralysis, growling a curse before turning to Tora. "Are you alright?" He looks back to the forge, brow furrowing as he holds up his club at the ready, prepared to not let Tora be injured again.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) (defensive roll)

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 752.

Augusta Aventurine knew she had to follow up while she could. Planting her feet firmly on the ground, lance in hand, she began to thrust rapidly into the beast. Multiple thrusts against its armor, as quick and fast as she could. Not wanting to give the beast time to get up, recover, or spread those bombs of it.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 923.

Riylli Aliapoh had successfully saved her clothes, but now she was angry. It had eaten the dirt and gravel, so it was time to give it something proper to chew on. Ripping a boulder off the ground, Riylli attempts to shove it down the monsters through, not caring if she crushes it altogether

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 54.

(Riylli Aliapoh) oof

Ziv Zorasch choked up on his broadsword and aimed a good hard slash at the dragon's spherical upper body. He didn't add any dark energy to the blow and relied only on the sword's power, which was evidently waning as a crack opened up on the blade with Ziv's attack.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 820.

Tora KhatayinMateus grinds her teeth but nods to her guardian despite the watery burns that coat her hands. She's lucky she didn't wear a lighter set of armor or it wouldn't just be her hands that took the brunt of the explosions. Drawing her next metallic arrow, she looses it toward one of the furnace's legs, once again aiming to debilitate that 'limb' by locking the hip joint.

Random! Tora KhatayinMateus rolls a 691.

Zoronado Tatanado hit the ground and rolled, the tail end of his cloak catching fire, as well as his shield. He then went for the fiery legs, trying to break its footing and make it fall again!

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 881.

Rising Lotus swung her axe around, still behind the beast from her last strike. Charging forward, she brought her axed around, slamming it to the ground before the beast! The ground shattered and burst toward the fiery armor, after that explosive punch it seemed like a good target!

Random! You roll a 247.

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Rising Lotus The strikes to the voidsent’s metal legs by Zoro and Tora cripple the beast, causing it to awkwardly slump to its lower serpent like body while fire jetted from the leg holes. The sudden drop, unfortunately for Riylli, made an amazing headshot just a graze, knocking the last part of its “eyes” off as flames bellowed from the hole.

Rising Lotus Rising’s strike severs the arm…but it just quickly rejoins with the mass of its fiery body. Meanwhile Gusta and Ziv make more holes in the metal shell of the beast! It starts to rumble and clatter all together until the pipes and core can no longer hold the beast! Pieces of metal are scattered over the area, a humongous bomb welling up from the remaining part of the furnace.

Rising Lotus It starts to slowly swell, worried chitting heard from To Ru. “I-It’s going to B-blow, burst…E-EXPLODE!” He shouted in warning, it was a race to defeat the bomb before it blows now!

(Rising Lotus) Everyone give me a defensive roll for the metal pieces!

Random! You roll a 961.

Random! Tora KhatayinMateus rolls a 426.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 523.

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 795.

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 329.

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 610.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 262.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Do i get two for my defense roll? Or do we just use the last roll I made as well?

(Rising Lotus) Yeah you get two, or keep one and use the other for someone else!

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) I'll use the 752 I rolled before, and keep the 610 for later if needed.

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Can I use the 610 to defend Tora?

(Rising Lotus) Yeah go ahead!

(Tora KhatayinMateus) \o/

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Sweet, thank you

(Rising Lotus) Riylli and Zive get hit by a chunk of metal. It wasn't flying to fast though, so you still have your attacks. Hurts though!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

Takamoro ToshoMateus steps in front of Tora, club held at the ready. He knocks away one chunk before striking another with a backhanded swing. Grunting from the impact, he lowers his club, ready for what may come next.

Augusta Aventurine grit her teeth. Watcching where the others were hitting, she decided to hit the same spot. Working to beat the beast before it had time to explode. Thrust after thrust with all her strength. Her adrenaline pumping, adding to each of her blows.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 359.

Riylli Aliapoh is smacked in the face by the chunk of metal. If she hadn't cast her stoneskin earlier, she might have died! That's enough to cause her to start taking things more seriously rather than hyping over the cool furnace golem thing. The crystal on her staff glows gold as she lifts it high, then yanks it downwards, summoning a spike of rock from the wall to try and impale the creature

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 19.

(Riylli Aliapoh) cursed

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) i forgot to have him attack x.x

Tora KhatayinMateus ducks, but it's clearly not enough, since she can't predict the metal chunks' trajectories. One careens towards her, and she has to admit to a swell of relief and gratitude in her chest when she hears--and feels--Takamoro's club deflect it. Looking up at him, she offers him a single tail-wag before returning her attention to the revealed creature. And she can't say she's surprised. Powerful voidsent /was/ one of the options for what powered the bomb (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus generator, but it's still disappointing to see. With her guardian serving as just that, Tora draws an arrow to full. Nothing else she has would really be any more effective against the voidsent bomb, and they have no noteworthy center mass to aim for. With thinned lips and a deep frown, Tora looses her arrow for the bomb's center. (2/2)

Random! Tora KhatayinMateus rolls a 470.

Zoronado Tatanado lifted his burning shield to be embedded with shrapnel. Then he tried to gut the monster, assuming the metal armor was just a shell!

Ziv Zorasch winces as a piece of shrapnel whirls off the dragon and slices through his ringmail. Clenching his teeth, Ziv dabbed two fingers on his cut and wiped it across the flat of his sword, setting up a slash at the dragon's fiery arm that would attempt to siphon some of its aether.

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 435.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 441.

Takamoro ToshoMateus waits for Tora to attack, before raising the club and letting a bolt of lightning fly upwards towards teh ceiling of the cavern. Rocks rain down from the impact site, showering the collusus with rubble.

Random! Takamoro ToshoMateus rolls a 630.

Rising Lotus raised her axe to shield herself, metal clanging off the blade to the ground. She grit her teeth as she saw the giant bomb start to form. Risking it all, she dashed up the remaining bottom part of the metal serpent, swinging her axe into it's pulsing body! She put her all into the attack, if this thing blew they'd all be burried!

Random! You roll a 8.

(Rising Lotus) ohno

(Ziv Zorasch) i-

(Tora KhatayinMateus) XD

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Rising Lotus Panicking as that bomb welled bigger and bigger, the group would see a red vial get tossed over their heads, hitting the relatively big target! The voidsent hissed as it started to smoke, its orange hue turning a bit darker. It then took the group’s attacks, chipping away at the remaining armor and fiery form of the beast.

Rising Lotus It didn’t attempt to dodge them, growing in place as it was. Tora’s arrow pierced one of its eyes, while Gusta and Zoro landed solid hits on its wobbly form. Ziv’s attack managed to absorb the great arm completely, and Taka’s barrage of rocks was the nail in the coffin, putting out the fiery voidsent in a poof of dark aether!

Rising Lotus …Meanwhile, as Rising was running up the beast’s bottom half, the piece of metal she stepped on just happened to be where the spike of earth was emerging from. It caused her to trip and fall back onto the cavern floor, Riylli’s spike going way off kilter as a result. Maybe like, one piece of metal bounced off the bomb before it died.

(Rising Lotus) *The spike of earth Riylli conjured

(Rising Lotus) Oh that's it by the way, it's dead xD

(Riylli Aliapoh) rip

(Tora KhatayinMateus) Free emote, then?

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) get fucked Trogdor

(Rising Lotus) Yup yup!

Ziv Zorasch slung his sword over his back and gingerly held a hand at his side. Leaning over, he panted from the heat of the battle as well as the dragon itself. "Is everyone okay then? Does anyone need the green potion?"

Riylli Aliapoh huffs and puts away her staff. "...Well that didn't go so bad. Why'd you get in my way like that Rising!?"

Takamoro ToshoMateus stowed his club over one shoulder, turning to inspect Tora and resting a hand on her shoulder. "You did well, little one."

Augusta Aventurine let out a sigh of relief once she saw the flames of the beast fade. Her body was covered in sweat, she hadn't paid any mind to the shrapnel. It was a blessing of the twelve that she came out okay. She sat down and collected herself for a moment, taking off her helmet to breath. She looked around and saw everyone was okay, a small smile on her face.

Rising Lotus groaned as she landed on her back, legs in the air. "S-shite..." she groaned as her legs fell back down. "Ugh...Maybe don't aim where I'm goin'!" she shouted in retort as she rolled over and slowly lifted herself back up.

Riylli Aliapoh: "I can only aim at the baddie!"

Ziv Zorasch: "Zoro! What kind of strategy was that, attacking the dragon right in its face?"

Ziv Zorasch fails to understand Zoronado Tatanado.

Tora KhatayinMateus shakily, and with care for her hands, slings her bow back over her torso. Her jaw is set tight as she inspects her burn-crusted and bloodied fingers, and it's all she can do to nod mutely to Takamoro's praise. Swallowing thickly, she does her best to dig a hand into her pocket in search of her supply of gauze. Contact between her burns and pant leg sends pain crawling up her arm, and she squeezes her eyes shut but persists.

Zoronado Tatanado dropped his shield once he noticed it was completely engulfed in flames. Dusting off his shoulders, he turned to look up at his fuzzy friend. "Well... it was spitting at us, so why not attack at the source of the problem?"

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine looks around.

Rising Lotus | To Ru was still hiding behind his rock for a few moments until Zoro asked about the green potion. "Y-Yes! H-Healing! Mending! Aiding!" he scurried out, seeing the mess of metal left from the beast. "M-Many thanks brave ones!" his head cocks as he spots Tora's burnt hads. "H-Here tall one!" he offered the potion to her. "Stinky but strong!"

Augusta Aventurine: "Tails not on fire... hairs okay. Everything turned out just fine!"

Augusta Aventurine motions joyfully.

Rising Lotus: "Well you were no where near that big bomb so you need to work on your aim!" she shouted back, hands on her lower back and letting out a painful grown as she stretched out.

Tora KhatayinMateus refuses to be /stinky/, so she wrinkles her nose and shoots the kobold a deadly look that /dares/ him to touch her with the wretched potion.

Ziv Zorasch: "Because it is risky! It paid off this time, but you ought to be more careful...like you said you would be!"

Ziv Zorasch questions Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "Best not to try that with Tora, she's liable to get a little angry about the smell."

Zoronado Tatanado smiles at Ziv Zorasch.

Zoronado Tatanado: "Have no fear, Careful is also my middle name!"

Ziv Zorasch fails to understand Zoronado Tatanado.

Tora KhatayinMateus briefly glares daggers up at Takamoro before returning her attention to the gauze clutched gingerly in one hand. Delicately, with the fingertips of the opposite, she begins winding the gauze around her burned digits, heedless that the gauze will no doubt stick to the burns within bells.

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine: "Well... I guess it all worked out this time. But I do agree with Zivvy, Zoro. What would I tell Leni if I told her that her handsome knight was burnt to a crisp?"

Zoronado Tatanado looks at Augusta Aventurine in surprise.

Ziv Zorasch nods to Augusta Aventurine.

Takamoro ToshoMateus turns back to Tora, reaching for the guaze. "Stop that, you'll only make things worse." Should she let him, he takes a ssmall vial from his belt pouch and uncorks it, moving to pour the contents over her wound before carefully wrapping the guaze around it. "There, it won't stick now. We can get you better dressings later."

Zoronado Tatanado: "The sweat of us Lalafell make us impervious to fire."

Rising Lotus | Cocked his head, confused. "B-but your claws!" To Ru nervously twitched as he looked to her injuries. "P-please brave one!" seeing as she wouldn't take it, To Ru stood up as high as he could, offering the potion to him instead.

Augusta Aventurine laughs at Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine: "You're silly Zoro."

Zoronado Tatanado strikes a pose for Augusta Aventurine.

Augusta Aventurine scans the area around Riylli Aliapoh.

Rising Lotus: "That can't possibly be true." she said through pained grunt as she looked at Zoro, twisting her back lightly. "Gods that's gonna bruise.."

Ziv Zorasch: "Are we sure those potions do not have any side effects?"

Ziv Zorasch gazes upon the wind-up kobolder in deep reflection.

Augusta Aventurine: "Riylli, are you okay?"

(Rising Lotus) brb real quick!

Riylli Aliapoh: "Totally fine! I got tons of defensive spells up my sleeve"

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Riylli Aliapoh.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Riylli Aliapoh.

Augusta Aventurine: "I'm glad to hear it..."

Tora KhatayinMateus frowns loudly up at Takamoro, but relents and allows him to work. The look she gives the kobold, this time, is a bit more mild, tinged vaguely with gratitude while she flaps her free hand to dismiss his concerns. Once Takamoro is done, she leans forward to affectionately bump her forehead into his middle before turning to the others. They seem capable enough, though from their chastising and bickering, their coordination could use a little work. Her (1/2)

Tora KhatayinMateus tail curls around her left thigh to the best of its stiff ability as she watches them. (2/2)

(Rising Lotus) back!

Zoronado Tatanado: "In hindsight, bringing my flaming sword to a bomb-making monster hunt was probably not the wisest of choices..."

Augusta Aventurine nods to Zoronado Tatanado.

Ziv Zorasch: "I was also worried when your cape caught fire.."

Takamoro ToshoMateus reaches down to pet at Tora's hair before turning to the others and nodding to her. "They did well. None of them are seriously injured after all, and that leaves less work for me. I think we can stick around a while."

Ziv Zorasch expresses his worry with Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine: "I'm starting to think I should invest in a few throwing spears... first was that ice elemental and now this. I've had too many close calls..."

Ziv Zorasch nods to Augusta Aventurine.

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Ziv Zorasch.

Tora KhatayinMateus silently nods, but though Takamoro is right in everything he says, it's hard for her to feel as certain as he sounds. It's just been so /long/ since she was part of a company. She got so used to working entirely alone. "Should we join them?" she whispers, taking care of the risk of her words echoing in the cave.

Rising Lotus | Somewhat dejected that his aid was declined, To Ru scurried over to Rising. "M-many many thanks! You To Ru and all of our home!" he bowed low enough that his helmet made a light clank as it touched the ground.

Takamoro ToshoMateus gently pats Tora's shoulder. "Go on. I'm right behind you."

Ziv Zorasch: "Sounds like a sound idea. I know that ranged attacks are a weakness for me too. If only I could aim, perhaps I could buy some javelins too."

Ziv Zorasch gazes upon Augusta Aventurine in deep reflection.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Ziv Zorasch agrees wholeheartedly with the wind-up kobolder.

Augusta Aventurine: "I can get you some too Ziv... or maybe throwing knives! Or... oh! Darts!"

Augusta Aventurine motions joyfully to Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine: "But um... thanks for saving me earlier Ziv. I was trying to be careful, but I still couldn't react fast enough."

Augusta Aventurine gives Ziv Zorasch a big hug.

Ziv Zorasch: "You are welcome To Ru! Next time perhaps make sure there are safety measures installed in the next model...darts you say? Ooh.

Tora KhatayinMateus had really hoped he'd lead the way, and so deflates, hunching in her shoulders with reluctance. With a huff, she straightens back up, then limps on her crippled leg toward the greater group. To show some measure of comradery.

Ziv Zorasch gazes upon Augusta Aventurine in deep reflection.

Ziv Zorasch nods to Augusta Aventurine.

Ziv Zorasch: "And of course. It is my job and sworn duty to protect my friends."

Ziv Zorasch bows.

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Ziv Zorasch.

Riylli Aliapoh: "Is that all for today then? I should probably get back home, Finny's gettin' into that stage where he likes ripping shite apart"

Rising Lotus looked down to the kobold. "No need for that, glad we could help. You certainly have a nice..." he looked around "Cave home. Glad it ain't come crumblin' down." she glanced at the two making their way over. "How ya farin', looked like you took a nasty hit when them bombs were everywhere."

Tora KhatayinMateus promptly rethinks her confidence in interacting with the group and steps to hide just slightly behind Takamoro.

Augusta Aventurine scans the area around Tora KhatayinMateus.

Augusta Aventurine , being the nosy miqo'te she is, makes sure to watch the interactions of the others. Especially curious about the newcomers, she watches them, a little excitedly.

Takamoro ToshoMateus lets a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth, reaching behind him to pat Tora in a reassuring manner.

Rising Lotus gave Riylli a nod. "You didn't leave him in G'manafa's place alone did you..?

Ziv Zorasch smiled at Takamoro and Tora, thankful for their contributions in keeping all of them safe. "Thank you for the help, you both! And very nice aiming with those weapons."

Ziv Zorasch agrees wholeheartedly.

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine: "Thanks you two!"

Ziv Zorasch is uncontainably jubilant!

Riylli Aliapoh: "Mana is there! Just, he's hard for one person to handle. Gotta let her rest y'know"

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "Apologies for not being on the frontlines like you all were. I was preoccupied with keeping this one safe. That was quick thinking with the potion."

Ziv Zorasch nods.

Augusta Aventurine pokes Zoronado Tatanado.

Tora KhatayinMateus leans into Takamoro's side at the pat, and there she's left blinking and dumbfounded by the praise, let alone thanks, from the others. And then Takamoro speaks and earns himself not only a loud frown, but a solid whip to the backs of his calves with her meaty tail.

Augusta Aventurine: "Hey Zoro, maybe Leni would want to look at the potion? It sounds interesting."

Zoronado Tatanado nods to Augusta Aventurine.

Rising Lotus | To Ru rose from his bowing, darting around to face Taka. "Y-Yes! Least I could try and do. Thank you great rock throwers!" she looked between him and Riylli.

Zoronado Tatanado: "Strange potions are something she loves."

Ziv Zorasch: "It came through exactly when needed! Yes, very very useful potions indeed. What if Leleni could make more?"

Zoronado Tatanado beams at Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Zoronado Tatanado.

Riylli Aliapoh: "No problem! Y'should come visit Heartwood some day so we can chat about golem-y things, yeah?"

Rising Lotus: "Well good, last thing you need is to tear apart his place." she snickered. "Tell her I said hi when you get back."

Takamoro ToshoMateus steps to the side a little, putting an arm around Tora. "I should be getting this one back to our rooms. I'll need to treat her burn properly before the night is through."

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Sorry, but I need to start wrapping up for the evening, I open at work tomorrow.

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Takamoro ToshoMateus.

Rising Lotus | To Ru scritched his helmet. "Hmm golems? Hmm Hmm, bombs are of my knowledge, specialty, wisdom! But Yes! tall one's home!"

(Ziv Zorasch) gnight yall thanks for the RP!

(Augusta Aventurine) it's about that time ))

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Thank you for the very fun hunt, Lotus.

(Riylli Aliapoh) goodnight all

(Ziv Zorasch) yes thank you for trogdor

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Trogdor was burninated well

Rising Lotus turned to Taka and gave him a nod. "Feel free to come to Heartwood and make use of our clinic, no need to tap into your own supplies when you were workin' for us."

Tora KhatayinMateus doesn't protest Takamoro's grip or words, but she still looks thoroughly put out by his concern over protecting her. Her tail continues to butcher the air even as she manages to offer the others a thin, tight smile to serve as her good tidings and farewell.

Ziv Zorasch smiles in warm satisfaction before the wind-up kobolder.

Augusta Aventurine: "Come visit anytime little Kobold!"

Augusta Aventurine waves to the wind-up kobolder.

Takamoro ToshoMateus: "I may have to take you up on that another time. We're still getting things settled in Gridania, but I should be able to set up properly in your clinic soon enough."

Zoronado Tatanado stretches his muscles.

Ziv Zorasch psychs himself up alongside the wind-up kobolder!

Zoronado Tatanado: "Time for a well deserved bath, and a backrub."

Augusta Aventurine grins madly at Zoronado Tatanado.

Ziv Zorasch nods to Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine: "Have plans with Leni huh?"

Ziv Zorasch bids farewell.

Zoronado Tatanado nods to Augusta Aventurine.

Augusta Aventurine motions joyfully to Zoronado Tatanado.

Takamoro ToshoMateus turns to the smaller raen at his side. "Come on, Tora. Let's get that burn seen to and get ourselves cleaned up."

Augusta Aventurine: "Let's head on home!"

Zoronado Tatanado: "After I get her this funky tonic she'll be over the moon!"

(Ziv Zorasch) gnighty yall!

Rising Lotus nods. "Take care then, well fought today."

Tora KhatayinMateus nods reluctantly and turns away from the group with her parent, her tail still flicking and whipping with frustration.

(Augusta Aventurine) night! ))

(Takamoro ToshoMateus) Thanks again everyone

(Tora KhatayinMateus) Thank you for the event! It was a lot of fun. ^^ And it was really awesome to meet everyones' characters!

(Augusta Aventurine) ye!

(Zoronado Tatanado) Ye!

(Rising Lotus) Yeah thanks for coming! Glad you had fun!

(Tora KhatayinMateus) I have to leave party to go back to Mateus just in case Balmung opens overnight, so see you all around!

#heartwood ventures #Heartwood Hunt #FFXIV #ffxiv rp #ffxiv balmung

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kiljoius-writes · 1 year

Text

Tag - Chapter Twenty Four

Ao3 | FFN

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First Chapter

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chūnin Redux

Hanabi – 26-27 Konohamaru – 27-28

~~~

Hanabi rubbed at her eyes tiredly, finding her vision going blurry as she went on a second night without sleep.

She was drafting a proposal to dissolve the house system while simultaneously going over her team’s practice exams. It was hard to focus on either.

She told her team how they did on the practice exams would determine whether she decided to recommend them for the chūnin exams. It had been a while since she’d watched a chūnin examination, so she actually wasn’t entirely sure how they were conducted now, but she figured she couldn’t be too careful. She didn’t want to set them up for failure, consulting Tora for some input on how to best prep them for the intelligence portion. Her initial response was snarky, of course ‘how are you going to have confidence in them with a practice exam?’ but eventually relented with her help.

Sumire’s work was impressive, as she expected. Unfortunately, Namida’s was…abysmal. She wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Then there was the proposal. She had to be careful not to ask for too much too quickly but still stand by the basic principle of dissolving the houses. Then she’d work on the independence of former branch members. She knew how it could happen, it was just about getting it on paper and arguing its validity with old, grouchy Hyūga rooted in tradition. They knew she was going to keep coming back until she had it all, and she would have it all or she’d die trying. For someone who resented political life for so long, she was, unfortunately, becoming accustomed to being a leading figure in it.

She hadn’t even realized she’d fallen asleep sitting up, pen in one hand and papers in another.

It was only when she heard a knock at the door that she was brought back to reality. She groaned at the soreness in her neck as she straightened up.

“Konohamaru Sarutobi here.”

“Come,” she squeaked out, rubbing at her neck as she flipped over the paperwork. She heard him set a paper cup in front of her. She peeled her eye open and smiled at the smell of her favorite tea from a little stand close to the compound. “Thank you.”

“Did you just wake up?” he asked with amusement, lowering to sit lotus across from her. She sighed as she shakily grabbed the tea, lifting it to her lips with a nod. “Working hard.”

“Not hard enough…” she mumbled, sipping. She cursed as it scalded her tongue, hurriedly setting it back down. He laughed quietly as she questioned, “what’s up?”

“Can’t just visit a beautiful woman?” He did like his recycled lines.

“No,” she retorted, albeit playfully. He smirked. “So?”

“Wanted to let you know I’ll be gone for a couple of weeks.” She frowned with a pouty lip. “Mission with Sai and Lee.”

“We never mission together anymore,” she sulked, folding her arms. He chuckled.

“You don’t really mission without your team at all, anymore,” he pointed out, settling on his hands behind his back. He nodded at the paperwork she was working on. “But that’s because you’re busy doing important stuff.”

“Yes,” she sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement, “you’re right.”

“Naruto knows,” he continued, “wants you to keep doing your work here.” She bobbed her head, heaving a long yawn as she reached back for the tea, unlidding it to let it cool. “I was also hoping you’d check on team 7 when you have time.” She tilted her head at him. “Make sure they’re sticking to their schedule, picking up missions.”

“Oooh.” She let a small smile take over. “Substitute sensei?”

“If you want.” He shrugged, rubbing at his chin. He clicked his tongue before continuing, “thought I’d take you out tonight before I leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” she questioned, frowning. He nodded. “Take me out? In public?”

“Tch,” he chuckled, rolling his eyes, “c’mon Hanabi. I think…I think we’re at that point.”

“I…” she paused, wishing she didn’t feel the need to argue, but had to, “I’m not sure about that, Konohamaru. I don’t want to push the envelope too far too soon.”

He remained silent, and she glanced up at his disapproving stare. She avoided it by dropping her eyes back at the paperwork, pretending to busy herself with it by shuffling it mindlessly. “Alright, fine, I get it. But I’d still like to spend tonight with you.” She let a little smile slip at his whispered words, feeling that silly blush creep over again as she lifted her head to look at him. That crooked smile could always make her breath catch at the right time. “My place?”

“Yeah…okay. Tonight,” she sighed as she looked back down at her paperwork, trying to ignore the fact that the ink was starting to blend together before her eyes. “I’ll try to get as much of this done as possible before.” He nodded and she perked an eyebrow at him when he didn’t move to leave. “Anything…else?”

He shook his head, shifting a bit. “Mind if I just hang out? Kinda don’t wanna be alone.”

She blinked at him, sensing his unease. Slowly, she nodded, leaning back to pat her lap as an invitation. He snickered quietly as he took the hint, crawling over to her to rest his head on her lap.

She smiled down at him for a moment, brushing a stray hair from his eyes before looking back at the papers. She rested one hand on top of his head as she flipped a paper over, grabbing a pen to continue working on it. He leaned against her touch and let his eyes close, getting comfortable against her as her fingertips massaged his scalp, twirling strands between them.

For as horribly awkward as silence could be with her father, it was incredibly comfortable with the right person.

“Happy birthday!”

“Thanks, guys!”

Konohamaru and Hanabi were situated on opposite sides of the room as Boruto blew out his candles, with little cheering from those who attended.

As his team and friends converged on him, Hanabi nudged Hinata. “Where the hell is your husband?”

“Hanabi!” she snapped disapprovingly with a deep frown. Hanabi raised her eyebrows, unrelenting as she leaned on one foot. Hinata heaved a sigh, avoiding her eyes. “You know how busy he gets…he’s wrapped up in…something.”

“Something?”

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s his kid’s birthday.”

“Did you just come to guilt me?” Hinata snapped quietly, earning a curious look from a couple of the kids. With another sigh, she nudged Hanabi into the kitchen. Hanabi had to snicker at the look of surprise the kids had at her sister snapping. Not many got to see the wife of the Hokage and Boruto’s mom showing anything except kindness and warmth.

“I’m just saying,” Hanabi started, waving her hand, “you know Boruto’s going to be pissed.”

“You think I don’t know?” Hinata asked with exasperation, rubbing her forehead as her other arm crossed over her chest. “It’s all I’m going to hear about when everyone leaves.” Hanabi softened, lowering her disapproving stance. “I tried my best…”

“Sorry,” Hanabi breathed, reaching out to wrap her arms around her sister. Hinata shook her head as she quickly embraced her as well.

“I need to get plates.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Hanabi let her pull away, gently pushing her back to the living room. “Don’t worry about it.”

Hinata offered a little smile with a nod before leaving. Hanabi groaned, slapping her forehead.

Truly, she did not envy her sister.

As she gathered plates and utensils, she looked over her shoulder to find Konohamaru entering. “Need any help?”

“Ice cream.” She nodded toward the freezer.

“How many flavors does one family need?!” Konohamaru gaped at the freezer brimming with multiple tubs. Hanabi giggled as he began shuffling them around. “Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, green tea…is that black raspberry?”

“Oh, not that one.” Hanabi bolted over to slap his hands away. “That’s elder sisters. The kids aren’t supposed to know about it.”

“Stingy,” he chuckled, pushing it to the back as he stacked the rest in his arms. “Shall we?”

They reentered the dining room to begin doling out desserts, Hanabi happy to find Hinata finally relaxing in conversation with Sakura.

“You know Boruto, if it were up to that dad of yours, we’d all be at Ichiraku’s,” Sakura teased and Hanabi grimaced as Boruto looked up with an annoyed glare.

“Good thing he’s not here, then.”

“Ouch…” Konohamaru whispered as he scooped ice cream.

Once all the kids were settled and happy, Hanabi took her chance to scoop several balls of vanilla on her plate, along with a large slice of cake she had purposefully left for herself. She jumped at Konohamaru’s chuckle behind her. “What?!”

“Gluttonous.” He pointed at her plate, and she stuck out her tongue.

“Jealous.”

“Hmm,” he hummed with a smile as she aggressively shoved a spoon of ice cream in her mouth. “Jealous of something, maybe.”

Her eyes went wide, and she resisted the urge to punch him. “We’re at a kid's party, Konohamaru. Keep your yap shut.”

“Sorry.” He mocked innocence.

“It’s my birthday, too, anyway, I’m entitled to half of everything.” She set a hand on her hip, squinting up at him with a teasing smile.

“That’s right, birthday girl.” He nodded, a crooked grin. “27, isn’t it?” He clicked his tongue. “Getting up there, huh?” She glared at him as he reached over, grabbing her fork to get a scoop of cake. She grabbed his wrist to stop him, an involuntary giggle escaping as they wrestled for the fork, unintentionally knocking over her glass of milk in the process.

“Shoot!” Hanabi gasped, trying to catch it.

“Some kunoichi you are,” Konohamaru pressed, laughing as he grabbed a roll of paper towels.

“Coming from you, I’m not too hurt.”

“Yeesh! Wounded!”

She stopped to look at him. His teasing grin had a way of forcing her eyes to his and her cheeks to tingle. She whacked the back of her hand into his chest and he caught it, holding onto it for a tad too long as she sweetly smiled up at him. “Uhm…” Konohamaru dropped her hand as they both broke their gaze to look at the crowd of kids looking at them, Boruto’s mouth held agape.

“Why don’t I go get the presents?” Hinata drew their attention back, Himawari readily agreed to help.

Could they be any more apparent?

Both were red in the face as they quickly turned from the prying eyes of the genin, attempting to act natural as they cleaned up the spill.

“Uhm, senseis?” They both looked at Sarada who was peering up at them, in a whisper, “you’re kind of being obvious.”

“Shoo.” Konohamaru waved her away without a response and the girl smirked as she skipped away to the rest of her peers who had fortunately turned their attention to other things. He glanced at her, but she refused to look up. “Someone’s being obvious, Sarada says.”

“Well, thanks for your help!” Hanabi clapped her hands, moving the topic forward. “Anyone else want cake?”

It was finally happening; her biggest goal was seen to fruition as she and her father stood in front of hundreds of Hyūga: the official dissolution of branch and main house families.

The reaction was mostly positive. There was obviously a certain degree of uncertainty on either side. Despite her attempts to quell worries about the independence of branch members, there were still questions. But she was ready for them. She’d spent the last three weeks drafting large guides with several of her clansmen who volunteered to advise her, made readily available for any who sought them.

She prayed it had everything possible to keep unrest to a minimum. Options for new housing on a plot of land next to the compound that was being developed, as well as the choice to remain in the main compound. Employment for all Hyūga who sought it in every facet of society: working in the compound, working in the village, forms to leave the village altogether if one should choose. Several council members were essentially forced into retirement and more spots were created specifically for former branch Hyūga.

There was still much to be done, but for now, it was a celebration of freedom.

Thankfully, it didn’t come as a surprise. Hanabi had been quietly working on this for years now, and it was no secret. It was just a matter of when. Tens of her clansmen offered their services to help her get it off the ground, and she could have never done it without them.

It wasn’t everything she wanted. But it was the best she could do and it was enough for now.

If Naruto had been the Hero of the Leaf, she was being called the Hero of the Hyūga. Something in the back of her mind told her to shut that title down. Seemed too good to be true, and it probably was. She knew there were those that would resent her on both sides for one reason or another. Truly, she wanted to fade into the background and let the council take on the face of the clan. The last thing she wanted was to be held up on a pedestal.

Still, she had to be proud of herself. So she let herself.

Then there was the persistent question: “When will you become clan leader?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” she’d respond, trying her best to seem casual about it, “for now, I prefer to work in the shadows, I suppose. Father’s been very supportive of all the changes.”

It was usually enough.

Her last big move would be abolishing the rules around who the clan leaders and heirs would marry. Because she was certain she’d never evade her inevitable fate as clan leader. Besides, if that were the case, she’d never forgive herself for forcing that fate on future clan heads. She just hoped that wouldn’t turn everyone against her. While the branch was mostly enthusiastic about independence, she knew many would scoff at the idea of tainting Hyūga blood. Her biggest weapon was Hinata, who, along with Naruto, readily agreed to support her in that.

They knew who it was all for. But they were kind enough not to rub her nose in that.

The first appointment to the council was Tadashi. He resisted it at first, but she managed to convince him. He had been integral to her success, with unwavering support.

“Congratulations, Lady Hanabi.”

“Tadashi…do you think you could finally drop the title?”

He paused to think, clasping his hands behind his back. With a little smile, he nodded. “It’ll take a while to break that habit, Hanabi.”

“I could start calling you Lord Tadashi?” she offered with a smirk and he let a laugh go. It felt good to hear.

Finally, she felt content in the compound, for the first time in a long time.

Her sister joined next to her, lacing her fingers between hers as she tugged her close. “I’m so proud of you, dear sister.”

“Ah,” she giggled uncomfortably, pulling her free hand through her hair, “thank you.”

“Brother would be proud, too.”

“…Thank you.” Not without effort, she turned her head to her sister. “Would you like to visit him?”

Hinata’s eyes brightened. It was the first time Hanabi had ever offered herself. “I think that would be wonderful.”

Hanabi nodded and let Hinata lead her out of the Hyūga compound by hand, buzzing with excitement and chatter, to the somber environment of the memorial site. As they settled on their knees in front of Neji’s headstone, Hanabi trained her eyes on it. Hinata was uncommonly quiet this time, head bowed in prayer. Hanabi reluctantly joined her by closing her eyes.

Is this destiny, brother?

Time for a break.

It was what everyone told her, and she relented.

There was always time for the next steps, she supposed.

So she found herself wandering through the village with little to do. Her team was helping around the village on various D-rank missions she didn’t really need to be present for. She checked in on them briefly, then found herself alone again. She used it to think about the exams. She was fairly certain she would end up recommending them, despite her apprehension. They did deserve at least the chance to prove themselves, just as she had.

Perhaps she’d take up Konohamaru’s invite up to join him and the other senseis in after-hours drinks. She hadn’t been sure whether she’d go with all that was going on back at the compound, but she found herself with rare downtime. Might as well use it. She heard loud arguing back and forth from the izakaya the senseis tended to frequent.

“HUH?! That’s what you’re worried about?” She recognized Moegi’s voice and skipped over. “If that’s all it takes to crush them, then go ahead and crush ‘em!”

Hanabi peered inside, finding a familiar scene: Konohamaru and Moegi locked in an argument.

“Hey,” she greeted with a smile, “there you are.”

She raised her eyebrows as Konohamaru slammed his fists on the table, the light clinking of dishware as he did so, apparently unaware of her presence. “I just can’t do it.”

“Whoops.” She rubbed the back of her head as she approached. “I guess I came at exactly the wrong time.”

She leaned back as Moegi shook her head, snapping, “actually Konohamaru needs help with a dilemma, Hanabi.”

“Ahh.” She nodded, pulling a seat up between him and Shino.

“Listen,” Konohamaru sighed, turning to her as Hanabi gestured for a bottle of sake, “are you recommending your girls for the exams?”

Hanabi took a moment to pour herself a shot and take it before answering, “I think I might. They really want to, and…”

“But they haven’t even seen combat!” Konohamaru said, incredulously. She raised her eyebrows. “And neither have my kids, not really!”

“Well, I guess.” Hanabi leaned away from his passion, glancing at Moegi.

“We faced enemies before we took the exams,” he continued.

“Konohamaru, not everyone can face someone like Pein,” Moegi grumbled with an eye-roll.

“That is true,” Hanabi agreed, “things were very different for us.”

“Exactly!” Moegi slapped the table. “These kids need a wake-up call!”

“Well—” Hanabi tried to mediate, glancing warily toward Udon who would normally do so, but was on the brink of passing out. “I mean, that’s not exactly what I meant. But…”

“But what?” Konohamaru pressed, squinting. “You know how brutal those exams can be. You really wanna see our kids get hurt?”

“No!” Hanabi defended, pouring herself another shot. “I don’t know! Now I’m confused.”

“It’s not confusing.” Moegi shook her head, plucking a dumpling from her plate. “If you guys leave your kids out, you’re depriving them.”

“Y’know, I seem to remember a certain kunoichi taking it very personally when I got beat to a pulp in the exams.” Konohamaru turned his body towards Moegi to shoot her a look and Hanabi felt her stomach drop.

She hadn’t thought about that in quite a while…

“We’re adults now, Konohamaru,” Moegi snapped back, “I can see now that Hanabi beating you to a pulp was exactly what you needed for that ego of yours.”

“Ouch.”

“Besides, I remember a certain brat defending it!” she continued, glaring at him, “begging, pleading, crying!” Her voice turned nasally as she mocked him, “’let it go Moegi, that’s what the chūnin exams are about! Please makeup with Hanabi, waaah—‘”

“Oh shut it,” Konohamaru grumbled, squinting at her as Hanabi reddened. This was certainly new information, stirring up certain unwelcome memories.

“You brought it up.” Moegi shrugged. “I’m just saying, it’s not hard. Boruto’s a lot like you were, Konohamaru. Something to prove. Let him prove it.”

“Sheesh,” Hanabi muttered, resting on her elbows, “it’s not a simple choice, really.”

“It’s not,” Konohamaru agreed easily, raising his sake cup to her. They both downed another shot.

“Really putting those away, huh?” Moegi raised an eyebrow.

“Coming from you, that’s funny,” Konohamaru snarked as Hanabi poured them each another shot.

Hanabi thought briefly about sharing her first drinks with the same people around her, justifying it with carving her new path towards change. Even if it was silly to think, everything was falling into place. Perhaps it could be the same, tonight.

Somehow, Hanabi’s tune had gone in the exact opposite direction.

“I totally get what you’re going through Konohamaru!”

“Yeah! You get what I’m getting at Hanabi!”

“How in the world did we end up like this...”

Hanabi slammed her glass down, getting to her feet. Memories of Konohamaru’s broken little body had been flashing through her mind all night since Konohamaru brought it up, and it was hard not envisioning Boruto’s body in the same position. What if he did go up against someone like her?!

“Oh I get you alright…just the mere thought of something happening to Boruto…fills me with worry and unrelenting dread.” Konohamaru snickered as her eyes went veiny with her speech, and just as quickly morphed back into drunken happiness. “Because that Boruto is such a good-natured, honest kid.” Alcohol truly warped things, sometimes. “When we see each other, he calls me big sis and it’s just the sweetest thing ever!”

Moegi brought her hand to her forehead to rub as Konohamaru drained a glass of water before adding, “that reminds me of somethin’ else about ‘im…it makes me so happy when he calls me big bro Konohamaru…” Hanabi nodded enthusiastically as Moegi rested her cheek on her palm, glaring up at him as he stood up. “AND ANOTHER THING! Big bro Naruto has entrusted Boruto to my care and he’s become my precious kid brother!”

“Oh Konohamaru.” Hanabi bowed, clasping her hands together. “I’m touched by your strong emotions! You obviously care about Boruto so much!” They slapped their hands together in embrace, giggling towards one another as they swayed.

“This is stupid,” Moegi sighed, “the only reason you don’t wanna let him take the chūnin exam is because you’re overprotective.”

“FINE!” Konohamaru pulled away, turning to Moegi proudly. “Then call me overprotective!”

“Yeah, that’s right!” Hanabi cheered, raising her fist.

“Aren’t you going to say anything Udon? Come on! Aren’t you going to back me up Shino?!”

Hanabi snorted as she whirled to face Shino, looking into his drink contemplatively. “Well…I suggest discussing this when everyone’s sober.”

Hanabi grinned, leaning over him with a sake bottle in hand. “You’re on our side, right Shino? Come on, here, have a little drink.” She wiggled it in front of him.

“N-no thanks, I don’t drink alcohol.” He leaned away.

“Aren’t you concerned about Boruto’s well-being?!”

“Sure! It’s not that—”

Hanabi pushed, beaming, “have a drink with us!”

“Ah!”

Hanabi’s mind cleared briefly as she found herself on top of her sister’s old teammate, bottle comically stuck in his mouth. She brought herself to her knees, wide-eyed. “Eh—! I’m so sorry!”

“Is everything alright, Shino-sensei?!”

Hanabi scrambled to her feet to move away as Shino sat up, bottle falling from his lips as his cheeks reddened. “Yeah! Why do you ask?”

“Isn’t the reason Shino-sensei doesn’t drink because…”

“Yeah…it’s ‘cause he can’t control the insects inside of him…”

With a hiccup, beetles began flowing from every one of Shino’s pores, quickly encompassing them as Moegi begged him to control himself.

Konohamaru hooked the payphone into its resting place as Hanabi picked stray insects from her hair. “Hokage’s on his way…”

“Whoops…” Hanabi muttered, flicking a bug as she swayed. “Didn’t know that’d happen.”

He chuckled, reaching out to comb through her hair, pleasant bubbling in his chest despite the drama of the night. “It’ll be fine, I think.”

“Oh, I’m dumb,” she heaved a sigh, falling backward so she’d lean against the wall of a building. “Dumb, dumb, dumb.”

“Don’t beat yourself up too much.” He patted her shoulder. “I think we won the argument, at least!”

She laughed, shaking her head as she plucked a beetle from his headband. “We’re gonna be covered in these things for days!”

They watched as Naruto and several other Aburame appeared to begin corralling the insects as best as possible. When Naruto shot them a look, he grabbed Hanabi’s hand and quickly led her away while they both bellowed out with laughter, tripping over themselves.

“Oh no!” Hanabi struggled to breathe from how much they were cackling. “I think he saw us!”

“Naah!” Konohamaru swung her arm as he marched with her. “We’re way sneakier than that!”

“I can’t wait for elder sister to chew me out,” she giggled, doing her best to make sure her footsteps were careful. As they came to his porch, she looked up at him slyly. “That count as a date, then?”

“Did it?” He grinned, clumsily unlocking the door. “’Sides, I didn’t know I had to take you on a date to get you to come home with me.”

“Konohamaru!” she chided playfully as he tugged her inside, swiftly picking her up to sweep her into a kiss. She laughed against his lips as their teeth clashed awkwardly. Suddenly, he let her go and she stumbled backward as he frantically brushed a stray beetle from his cheek. She cackled further. “Baby!”

“Tch!” he retorted, glaring at her. “You should’ve been an Aburame, huh?”

“Oh shush.” She waved him away as she sauntered to the kitchen, fishing out a plastic container.

“Hey!” he called as she pulled a kunai from her hip and swiftly stabbed several holes in it.

“I’ll get you another, here.” She opened the lid and then cupped the beetle from the floor to deposit into the container. “Shino’ll want these back.”

“So considerate,” he mumbled with folded arms. He reached out to carefully grasp another from her shoulder to put alongside the other.

“Not the most romantic night,” she giggled as she put the lid back on, resting it on the counter.

She squeaked in surprise when he grabbed her wrist and forcefully yanked her down the hall, into the bathroom. She eyed him suspiciously as he grabbed her obi and undid it, a mischievous look on his face. “Gotta get clean somehow, huh?” He grinned up at her, admiring her pink cheeks as she rolled her eyes. He swiftly pulled her shirt from her shoulders, leaning over her ear to whisper, “keep rolling those pretty eyes, honey.”

“Oh gods!”

Drunken sex. Not the best sex—but good nonetheless. A little dangerous in the shower, but they didn’t spend too much time there before they were rolling in bed.

If he wondered if he’d ever get tired of this, he was sure now he wouldn’t. Being intimate with Hanabi was something from his wildest dreams, and he still shamelessly dreamt of it, even now. He could fall asleep to her whispering his name, over and over. Being close to her was one of the few things that brought him comfort these days, with everything that was going on. He selfishly lived to ensure he’d return to her, every time.

It wasn’t just about the sex. It was holding her toned body to his, kissing her soft lips, lacing her calloused fingers with his. Inhaling the sweet scent of her beautifully long hair that she’d grown to an impossible length—even if it frustrated him sometimes when they’d get tangled in it. Hearing her giggle when he brushed against the dip of her waist, her squirming underneath him and he just couldn’t resist tickling her, the hard smacks as she tried to escape worth it. Looking into those lilac eyes that could at one moment be the most frightening thing an enemy could see, and the next the loveliest thing he’d been graced with the sight of.

Yes, Konohamaru Sarutobi was hooked on Hanabi Hyūga, and he couldn’t even really be sure for how long. He might have guessed since the Tanabata festival, but upon reflection, that was certainly an underestimation. It was far longer. Bringing her back from the brink of becoming a missing nin. Their first night together in that hideout in the Rivers. The overwhelming jealousy that possessed him when he thought she was dating someone. Comfort over their shared fear of becoming monsters. Meeting Boruto in the hospital for the first time. That sweet girl and how soft that sweet girl’s lips were and still are.

He couldn’t get enough of her and probably never would. So as he nestled on top of her, making love to her, lips trailing over her lips and neck and shoulder, her fingernails pressed into his lower back as she held onto him the same way he held onto her, he thanked whatever gods deemed him worthy of her. Worthy of sweeping her off her feet and making her his, letting him be hers. Time with Hanabi was a state of euphoria he could never experience elsewhere, and he desperately held on to every moment.

As the clock ticked passed midnight, they’d finally agreed to tap out and he rolled out of bed to get them both water while she went to the bathroom. Still feeling a little buzzed and exhilarated from their night, despite the turn it took, he returned to the room with a little pep in his step. Too bad it was one of those drunken nights that could only go one of two ways: passing out, or one or both of them in tears.

Usually, it was Hanabi as she reflected on anything and everything. It was his mistake for inquiring about how things were going with the clan.

It started innocent enough.

“Everyone’s so happy…” She didn’t sound happy as she pulled the blankets to her chin. “So happy to be free.”

“That’s great, isn’t it?” he inquired, frowning at how she sunk into herself. He reached out to brush her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ears. “You’re a hero.”

“Please don’t call me that,” she sighed, turning her face from him. He felt that simmer of anxiety in his stomach, recognizing the way the night was turning.

“Hey, why don’t we get some rest?” He wrapped his arm around her waist to bring her to him, but it was too late.

“I should get off protection.”

“Wh—what?” His heart skipped as her watery eyes looked up into his. She grabbed his cheeks to force his gaze and he felt his stomach drop.

“If—if I get pregnant, then—then they won’t be able to stop us!”

“Hanabi—”

“Konohamaru! It’s perfect!” She pressed against his cheeks terribly hard as his eyes grew wider. “I’ll have your kids!”

This was 100% not the way he ever thought this kind of conversation would start. “That’s—I’m not sure—”

“They can’t tell us no if I’m pregnant with Sarutobi kids,” she continued, eyes looking a little unhinged, “they’ll have to give in—either they won’t want me to be clan leader, or they’ll just have to let clan leaders love who they want!”

“L—Love?” he stuttered, his heart clenching painfully. She’d never formally said it aloud to him and this wasn’t the way he wanted it to be.

“Don’t tell me you don’t want to!” He frowned as he reached up to wipe the tears at the bottom of her eyes that threatened to fall.

The kiss she planted on him felt anything but romantic, and it made him feel guilty as she tried to climb back on top of him. He gently pressed his palms against her shoulders to stop her. “Hey, this isn’t…really a good time to talk about this.”

“Cause you don’t want to.” Her eyes welled up again as she glared at him and he heaved a deep breath.

“It’s not that.”

“Then come on.” Her voice went breathy as she leaned towards him. “Get me pregnant.”

He was a little ashamed that the phrase did in fact turn him on—but there was no way. He remained silent at her searching eyes, feeling remorseful that he had no way of calming her down in this state. Then the waterworks started and she rolled off him, curling in on herself as she sobbed.

Moegi’s voice rang in his head. ‘How in the world did we end up like this?’

He spent the night holding her even after she fell asleep, but didn’t sleep himself. Somewhere around 5 was when he finally got up, his buzz wearing off and hangover kicking in. He took care of himself first before setting water and painkillers next to her on the nightstand.

He sat at his dining table holding his head, mind clearing as he turned the events over in his mind.

Somehow, they went from discussing the chūnin exams to Hanabi begging him to get her pregnant.

Obviously, something was making her think that this was a part of the clan she wouldn’t be able to change. What it was, he had no idea. The Hyūga council? The people? Did someone tell her it’d never work? Was she scrambling for options and this one just came out because she was intoxicated? It must have been something she’d been thinking about prior—it wasn’t something that would just randomly pop into her head at that very moment. She’d said something similar around the time of Eiji and Jun’s wedding—drunken thoughts coming out. He wondered if she’d remember it this time.

He felt bad for her, but he felt bad for himself, too. Because nothing would make him happier than seeing her happy. If that was what it would take, he admitted to himself that he would probably do it. But it couldn’t be. There had to be other ways. He certainly wasn’t ready for kids and he knew for a fact she wasn’t, either. Not to mention that this was one of the worst reasons to have a kid in the first place.

A sick thought entered his mind: her father possibly arranging a marriage. The idea made his stomach churn to the point he was on the verge of vomiting. Losing her to something like that…

As the sun fully enveloped the village, he decided to go to the compound. Maybe he was still a little buzzed, maybe he was just feeling hung over and angry. Maybe it was a mix.

He couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep doing this.

He tucked the blankets around her and shut his curtains before quickly changing into his uniform. He eyed the container of bugs briefly before shaking his head. That could wait. Now, he was marching straight into the compound, ignoring questioning glances.

“I need to speak to Hiashi,” he commanded of the person stationed in front of his study. The Hyūga looked at him with wide eyes, but nodded, opening the door slightly to inform the older Hyūga. Within moments, he was being called in, and with as much conviction as he could muster, fueled by anger, he stepped in front of the elder, in his usual spot at a low table, peering over paperwork at him.

“Honorable Grandson.” He nodded, watchful eyes as Konohamaru stood before him, wide stance, arms folded, refusing to bow or be seated. Hiashi slowly lowered the papers in his hands, folding them in his lap as he tilted his head. “It is a pleasure.”

“It’s really not.”

Gods what am I doing?

“No?”

“No.” He gritted his teeth, realizing he hadn’t prepared to say…anything.

“Well, then I’m curious what it is.” Hiashi gestured at a pillow. “Can I get you tea?”

“No, thank you.” He inwardly cursed his polite nature. “Hanabi…needs freedom.”

“Freedom?” Konohamaru lowered his eyes at the chuckle that left his lips. “She is no slave.”

“You know what I mean.” He stepped forward, eyebrows furrowed. “She needs freedom to choose her path.”

Silence. That trademark Hiashi Hyūga silence.

“And what is her path, currently, in your view?”

Konohamaru paused, poking his tongue against his cheek as he debated his words in his head. “She’ll change your clan, that much is clear.”

“I agree.”

“But right now, she’s expected to take over. Take your seat, right there.” He pointed at him, wishing this damn man would show some sort of emotion. “And do what you’re doing. Day in and day out, hunched over paperwork, cooped up and only coming out to entertain asshole politicians.”

He didn’t expect a laugh but got one. He didn’t falter.

“And then you all are gonna choose who she marries off to, expect her to pop out a couple of heirs, and wither away, just like you’re doing right now.”

Now Konohamaru let the silence hang, locked in what could only be described as a staring competition. He tucked his hand back into his elbow, raising his eyebrows expectantly as the man’s steely gaze bore into him. Like it always did. But he wasn’t going to back down. He wouldn’t flinch, this time. Because everything in him told him to start yelling. To lose his cool. If he let even a little of that slip out, he knew what he was trying to accomplish would be over before it began.

Finally, with a heaved breath, Hiashi asked, “and what do you propose her path be?”

Immediately he responded, “whatever she wants it to be.”

Hiashi clicked his tongue, eyes dropping from their gaze to the table. Konohamaru felt his chest tighten in anger when he picked the pen back up without responding to what he said. “Well, this has been nice. If that’s all.”

He stepped forward again. “That’s not all—not even close—”

“Then say what you mean,” he snapped without looking up, which almost broke him—a display of anger wasn’t characteristic of the man. “I do not play games, Sarutobi.”

Lord Hiashi has no patience for those who play games.

Tadashi.

“You have to help her.” He wanted to punch himself for the way his voice wavered. “Help her make sure that your clan can accept that. Can accept her finding her own way.”

“I cannot help her with something I do not know.”

Konohamaru gritted his teeth, arms dropping as he clenched his fists.

Is now the right time?

Yes.

“I’m in love with her.”

He knew his face was burning hotter than the sun with the Hyūga elder’s eyes casting upward at him, expression unreadable.

“And I know she’s in love with me, too.”

“As do I.”

“Don’t try to—what?”

He froze rigid, eyes blown wide.

“I am not a stupid man, Konohamaru.”

Honorable Grandson. Sarutobi. Konohamaru.

“She is in your apartment now, is she not?”

He swallowed, suddenly feeling very, very small.

“You’ve been seeing each other for, what—” he paused, peering over his table at what looked like a calendar, “nearly three years now, isn’t it?”

He shifted, his breathing becoming shuddered.

He knew? All this time?

“And you’ve, well—” A little laugh escaped him as he set his pen back down, leaning back. “Well you’ve been in love with her far longer than that.” No questioning in his tone. “Perhaps since my grandson, your very own student, was born.”

Hiashi Hyūga didn’t just speak freely. There was something there. Konohamaru was just desperately trying to figure out what.

“Hanabi’s mother was a wonderful woman.”

What now?

“But she did not love me, not truly. Not the way many think love should be. The love you share.”

Suddenly, he found himself kneeling.

“I was the heir, she had the farthest-reaching byakugan of our clan at the time. Invented several techniques that are still used to this day in our clan. Daughter to one of our own council members at the time.” He paused, head facing towards a window. Konohamaru observed his stoic expression slowly softening. “She was kind and a high-ranking jōnin. Advisor to my father, when he was clan head. My father decided we would be married when my brother’s wife fell pregnant.”

Did Hanabi know any of this?

“Post-partum depression took her.”

Oh.

Shit.

“I denied it for years.” He let out a sigh, and Konohamaru caught the way his hands twitched. “It wasn’t until I saw for myself how deeply my eldest loves that boy…”

Hinata and Naruto on their wedding day flashed in his mind.

“That is when I had to reconcile with the fact we had to change. That I could not allow what happened to her, to happen to our daughters.”

Konohamaru sucked in a deep gasp of air after realizing he was nearly going dizzy from his held breath.

Finally, those icy eyes met his once more. But they didn’t look so icy now. They may have even resembled something closer to Hanabi’s if he squinted.

“If what you say is true, then the way I see it, I have no other choice than to accept it.”

He didn’t realize his fists were shaking on top of his knees.

“And support it.”

Hanabi woke up to Konohamaru’s phone ringing. With a groan, she smacked it to try to hang it up, but it did not relent. She pulled the blanket off of her and leaned over to it, rubbing her bleary eyes to see who it was.

Tadashi.

“Tadashi…?” she mumbled, eyebrows cinching together. Tadashi didn’t use phones. Konohamaru had his number? Her heart dropped at what it could mean that he was calling Konohamaru. She answered it and with a little tremble, “Tadashi?”

“La…Hanabi.” He caught himself, and she almost cracked a smile. “Your father is requesting you.”

She paused, glaring at the wall in front of her. “You don’t serve us, anymore, Tadashi. Why are you calling me? And how did you—”

He didn’t acknowledge the question in his response as he cut her off, “see you soon.”

Something about this felt very wrong as the line went dead. With a sigh, she dropped the phone on the receiver and looked up to find water and painkillers on the nightstand. She glanced around, and with effort activated her byakugan to check if Konohamaru was even there. Shaking her head at the lack of his chakra network, she blinked it away and reached out for the medicine.

She pulled on her outfit from last night and checked herself in the bathroom. She winced as she grabbed his little comb and pulled it through her tangled hair.

What could it be?

When she entered the compound, nothing was off.

So she trekked to her father’s study and waited to be let in.

She found him looking completely normal at his nook, though without any paperwork in front of him and just some tea.

Fighting the pounding in her head, she walked over and took a seat without being asked. She also picked up the tea that was clearly for her without being asked and did her best not to simply chug it, her body begging for hydration.

He hadn’t looked at her the entire time, gaze cast out the window. She shifted in her seat, staring at him, dying to ask what exactly this was all about. Did he know she was at Konohamaru’s? Was she about to receive a scolding at the ripe age of 27? But she wouldn’t be the first one to speak, not this time.

Then, she heard him shuffle and turn to her, bringing his tea to his lips for a long sip. She eyed him over her own tea cup as he cleared his throat, light clinking as he set it back down. “I think it is time we consider passing new rules around clan marriage.”

She cursed herself for spitting the tea back into her cup. Thankfully, he didn’t bother to acknowledge it. Quickly, she set it down and wiped at her mouth. “Excuse me?”

“I propose we abolish the rule that clan leader and council choose the heir’s spouses completely. Allow the choice to remain solely with the individual.”

Her hand was paralyzed as it sat over her mouth.

“The goodwill we have right now with the dissolution of the houses will not last. We should act on it now.”

“Father?” she managed to choke out, hand slowly lowering down. “Wh…what brought this on?”

Finally, he raised to meet her eyes and she found a smile on his face. Not the one he offered other dignitaries. It was the one she normally only saw Boruto or Himawari receive. The one he had the day of Hinata’s wedding. “Surely you agree.”

Hanabi’s mind went fuzzy as she sat in silence, her jaw hanging open in a completely un-heiress-like manner. Slowly, her fingers curled around the material of her skirt, clutching to white knuckles.

“…I do agree.”

“Perfect.” He nodded slightly, looking over her shoulder. “We’ll plan to meet with the council this evening.”

“This evening?”

“The sooner, the better.”

“Shouldn’t we…shouldn’t we draft some sort of proposal? Or…something?”

“No, I don’t think that will be necessary. I will meet you in the hall at 6.”

Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth as she searched for words.

Instead, she silently rose to her feet and left without another word.

Feeling like she was in a fog, she found her feet carrying her to her room.

She collapsed immediately onto her bed.

It must be some sort of cruel nightmare.

One that would end in misery.

Best to get it over with.

A knock on her door roused her later. She blinked her eyes open, glaring at the door and whoever dared to disturb her at this moment.

It had to have been some silly dream.

Another knock and she grunted, turning away.

“Hanabi.”

She sighed at Tadashi’s voice.

“Come in,” she grumbled, pulling the blanket over her. She heard the door softly open and shut, his light footsteps approaching. Then her blanket was being ripped off her and she shot up to glare at him. “Excuse you!”

“Excuse you,” he said in a correcting tone, pulling her up by the forearms. She swung her arms erratically, stepping away from him.

“Tadashi! What in the—what are you doing?!” she asked incredulously, pulling her shirt around her tighter, baffled at the blatant disregard for her.

“Time to rise,” he said, simply, gesturing at the door, “and meet with the council.”

“About what?” she asked, eyes lowering as she pulled her fingers through her hair.

“About you.”

“This is insane.” She waved him off, turning around. “I didn’t realize you and my father could be such great pranksters, but bravo.”

“Pranksters?” he questioned and she huffed.

“Just stop it. Leave me alone.”

She gasped when he took her wrist and began pulling her towards the door. “You were always stubborn.”

“Tadashi!”

“Trust me.”

She tempered at his tone shift, one that was more asking than commanding. She searched his expression, and though it was still as stoic as a Hyūga’s should be, there was a hint of gentleness.

“…Fine,” she relented with her shoulders sagging, retracting her hand from his released grip. Reluctantly, she followed him out. She noted the lack of light outside…what time was it?

Soon, they were entering the council, where Tadashi left her to return to his seat.

“Ah, my daughter returns.” Hiashi gestured for her to come forward. She darted her eyes around the room, feeling like she was in some sort of fever dream. “I trust everything is well with your team?”

“…Yes.”

“Good to hear.” He nodded as she took a seat next to him. “We were just finishing up. Tadashi, would you summarize our meeting for Hanabi?”

“Of course.” Tadashi nodded. “As of adjourning, the clan marriage statute will be null and void. The council has come to the agreement that every Hyūga will be allowed to marry freely, including clan heads and heirs, within and outside of the bounds of the clan.”

“What...” It was barely a breath as her eyes scanned the room, feeling like she was going crazy.

Completely insane.

She reached over to her forearm to pinch herself, hard. Reality remained, or at least it seemed that way.

“All we need is your vote, Hanabi.” She looked up at Tadashi, serious expression. “And it will be.”

“I…” Her voice hitched in her throat as she side-glanced at her father, who was staring straight ahead. “I vote in favor…”

“Lovely,” one member in the middle ended the gathering, “that will conclude tonight’s meeting.”

Locked in place, her fellow Hyūga began shuffling up and out. Her father remained next to her until the hall was empty. She knew her skin must have been ghostly white. Translucent, maybe. She stared at the seat Tadashi had been occupying.

This isn’t real. I’ll wake up soon.

“I think it’s a nice night for a stroll.”

“Huh?”

She finally tore her eyes from the seat to look at her father stacking papers. He didn’t look up at her. “Enjoy the summer air, Hanabi. Winter comes too quickly, don’t you think?”

With her father’s exit, she was alone.

She looked down in surprise at a tear on her hand. She reached up, realizing tears were rolling down her face.

It couldn’t be that easy, could it?

Ignoring any looks her way, she left the compound, barefoot. She hadn’t even bothered to put sandals on.

It was a warm summer night. The air was comfortable. The tiniest of breezes could be felt, carrying that warmth over her skin. Everything around her sounded like white noise. If someone was trying to get her attention, she wouldn’t know it. If she stepped on something sharp, she wouldn’t know it. If she was expected to process this information, she wouldn’t know it.

Then she felt it, that warm, familiar chakra. That chakra that burned blue and could light up the night sky—and did. That chakra that could make her feel something underneath the numbness, always. That chakra that mixed with hers so effortlessly. That chakra she’d know from hundreds of kilometers away if she needed to. That chakra that was so uniquely his.

Her eyes widened, shining fiery as his big, blue Rasengan grew to an impossible size, enveloped in fire. She wasn’t sure when she left the village, how far she had gone, how long she’d been out. But she was deep in the surrounding forests, watching that impressive jutsu crash into the ground, vibrating her with it. As its light dissipated and quiet fell once more, she fell to her knees.

That’s when he turned, eyes locking with hers. And within the moment, he was coming towards her, and finally, she was enveloped in his embrace. Her body gave out.

“Hey,” he whispered, pulling her up into him as her head fell against his shoulder.

“They…they…”

“I told him.”

She stopped breathing, eyes like saucers as she stared down at their laps.

“Did he…did he do it?”

Wordlessly, she nodded.

“After all the work you’ve been doing…it…”

Its…

“…it was finally his time to help you…help his daughter.”

Help…

“He…really does love you.”

So that’s what this was.

So…

She slowly pulled away from him, and one of his hands lifted to rest on her cheek. She wrapped her fingers around that wrist and stared up at him.

Those deep, blue ocean orbs.

“I want to go to the ocean.”

If her heart wasn’t racing and her mouth wasn’t dry and it wasn’t this specific scenario, she would have laughed at the way his mouth fell open, eyebrows furrowing as he looked down at her in concern. But all she could do was stare—swim in his eyes, pleading with her own gaze. Then he picked his jaw back up and…he smiled. She raised her eyebrows, searching his eyes as he spoke, “then we’ll go to the ocean.”

The tears returned. She hadn’t been able to control them for a long time now. Not since he demolished those barriers she had so carefully constructed. When that exact moment in time was, she couldn’t tell. No, she was a vulnerable mess. One that was stuck on him. And the tightness in her chest was both welcome and unwelcome. Her eyes fluttered closed as he leaned down to kiss each trail of tears.

“Hanabi.” She forced her eyes open. She pursed her lips and gritted her teeth, trying with everything inside of her to force down a tiny sob that was desperate to escape. His thumb against her cheekbone stroked back and forth as he spoke, “I’m in love with you.”

The natural urge to tell him to stop was strong, years of pushing that emotion down. But she just couldn’t let it happen, not now.

He paused before continuing, eyes darting over her face before resting back on her eyes. “So…tag.”

Tag.

That involuntary sob broke out. His grip around her waist tightened, his eyes pleading. Pleading for her to just…

“I’m in love with you.”

A gasp escaped her as the words left her. Words she had wanted to speak for so, so long, but never allowed herself to say.

“I know.”

Was there ever a right time? She had to wonder as his lips enveloped hers in the softest kiss they’d shared in…a long time. Or ever.

Whatever this was, she wanted it. Under the moonlight, in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the ash and smoke of his flaming Rasengan. Crying, feeling like her sanity was slipping away only for him to swiftly pull it back. Pull her back to what was real.

Whatever this was, she wanted it. Suddenly, bliss filled her senses as she rose on her knees, wrapping her arms around his neck and allowing him to pull her completely flush against him, conform to him like she was supposed to. The tears continued to fall freely. This was reality. Her reality. Their reality.

Whatever this was, she wanted it. Desperately. Forever.

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