Bones of Frost and Golden Hues--Starting a new Chapter

Chigetsu...Chigetsu...Haruko thought for a moment, trying to remember. A little came to her, very little. "Hm...That name rings a bell....ah....is he one of the once announced to be finalists for the Chuunin Exams? I ah...haven't been paying much attention to the exams...didn't wanna enter myself--plus I had no team too..." she'd say, it seeming the only info she knew was what she'd heard about the current events of the Chuunin exams, and even then hadn't invested any interest in it. Not to say she wouldn't mind going and watching the finals though...

Haruko watched as Rei walked up to the counter, her hanging back a bit as the ice colored hues fell upon the plump man behind the counter, noting his size--sort of rare in a village of ninja--as well as the mustache. Hearing the order, the girl blinked a few times in confusion, but simply said nothing about it. Then her shifted to the man grabbing a piece of cake--just to turn back and grab a second. Now she'd sink a little back into herself, but tried to not show it to much--her head only lowering an inch.

As Akeruseirei turned about, two plates with cake on one side--a bottle of honey on the other side. Haruko would give a slight bow towards the shopkeep. "T-thank you..." she'd thank him, before going ahead and stepping over to a table, offering to take one of the plates so the woman didn't have to carry both with one hand.

The name still crossed her mind...Chigetsu...Akeruseirei called herself a Hozuki, mentioned a husband--could Chi be a Hozuki in more then just name? If he made it to the finals, he must be pretty strong. She wondered...if Akeruseirei called herself Haruko's new mother...does that make this Chigetsu her brother?...This was a lot to think about and she'd save it for another time.

Haruko took the plate she'd be handed, and would set it down on one side of the table she planned to sit at--she was about to basically what Akeru beat her too, noticing they hadn't gotten forks...but already Rei had went to get them. She'd sit down and take the fork, a small nod in thanks, before looking at the slice of cake...It looked good. She'd look back up to Rei, hearing her mention they mostly did deliveries out of the Pizzeria. As if it was planned--off went the delivery runner carrying two Pizza boxes, disappearing outside. "I see." she'd say with her soft hushed tone.

The young woman would go ahead and with her fork, slice off a small bit of the cake--and take a bite, albeit small. She'd smile a little--a sign it was good. But her eyes went back to Akeru as she held a bottle of honey and mentioned she now did have a team. Two other teammates--and...wait, two teachers? "Mm...two teachers? What you mean?" she'd ask in confusion, which was written in the inflection of her voice and all over her face.

Haruko was still unaware of the truth Akeru had uncovered, the past few days had seen a lot of changes in her life--the young woman had a lot on her mind as of late, and even more after the events of earlier. But she had been trying her best to not think to much on it...to focus on the good...the woman who had reached out and plucked Haruko from the crowd to become her student. It didn't help that the next thing Akeru would do was...well, distracting. Haruko watched her form a fork of bone, again showing her power over the bloodline they both shared. This was something she could do too, although likely less refined as Akeru's. The girl had yet to master her bloodline...she couldn't yet control the finer details of her bones.

She'd hear the woman mention her other students. Jess, and Zeke...well, through one way or another, Haruko had met Jess--paired up with her to take on a Mission. Zeke was another story, she was clueless as to who he was. After Akeru had chewed her food--haven spoken with her mouth full of cake before--the KaguyaHozuki woman went on, explaining the other one she mentioned--yet left unnamed. "I see...I met Jess the other night, we was tasked with making sure some teens would stop painting up the market. I don't know Zeke though..." she'd explain. Haruko went ahead and continued eating some of her cake...luckily the pizza should be there soon. Haruko didn't like being in a public place like this...although the very low foot traffic did help ease her anxiety.

Although one thing was sure...

"...There sure are some things no one should see..." she said as her eyes focused on the plate...well, more unfocused--almost as if looking through it--things running through the half breed's mind.

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She was naive...but who could blame her honestly. Haruko's life up until now...well, it'd been something else. Sure, she matured physically...but her growth had been stunted by her ordeal, despite being eighteen, she was probably closer to sixteen mentally and fourteen education wise. She wasn't amazingly bright...but she wasn't dumb either. Still, the young woman was blind to it...that naive nature of hers not letting her see the details that Akeru did. Haruko kept her distant gaze aimed down to the table between herself and her aunt Rei, her hands having went to rest on her lap. She was trying to fight the thoughts...but she was loosing the battle in her mind, and couldn't push them back.

It'd seem the older woman had a plan for them to all meet together officially, which would be nice...and hard, for Haruko at least. Maybe mentioning this while she already was in such a mindset wasn't the best idea...but she's shut her eyes and focus on breathing in a smooth, controlled, and calm manner. She'd take a moment, before her eyes opened once more, those icy azure hues vibrant but burdened.

After hearing the man call out how long it'd be before their food was done, she'd shift her gaze finally, but still didn't look to Akeru now...glancing off to the side, eyes half lidded and seemingly not even watching the world of the physical before her--still in her own head it seemed. Haruko needed to shatter her habit...but she didn't know how. How to not look to the past and let it effect her present...how to grow to accept what happened, not to forgive--but to come to terms with...and lay it to rest. Only then could she break from her mental prison of ice.

"I hope....I don't disappoint everyone." she said, almost a whisper, likely only heard by Akeru due to her peak human senses used to listening for such subtle things as footsteps in low visibility battle scenarios. "...Not again." would be said even quieter. Akeru couldn't see it due to the table, but Haruko's hands resting on her lap had been balled into fists--shaking. She'd let out a slightly shaky breath and try to put the lid back on...once more bottling it up--it was enough to make her dizzy--the young Kaguya-Yuki hybrid, or half breed depending on perspective, composing herself and forcing her hands out of the fists.

How could someone be this down with a plate of cake in front of them? Survivor's Guilt was a hell of a thing.

It'd seem the woman was quick to respond, a 'you won't' cut the air and would bring Haruko back, the young woman's gaze lifting to look towards Akeruseirei. Rei leveled with her, which Haruko would silently nod to as she went on, picking up the name of whom she was speaking of before--and what he'd be around for. It wasn't much later, after the older woman had gotten another taste of her meal, before she continued on about Haruko and Jess, surprised at least a little that they have already met. Haruko nodded.

"I took a mission for the first time in four years, she is who I was partnered up with for it...weird it worked out that Jess is also your student--but we talked a little about it." Haruko explained. "We accomplished our mission pretty easily..." she'd go on, mentioning their success when they had worked together. She'd look back to her barely eaten cake, and go on to start eating it again, her a somewhat slow eater, although not as bad as some girls. Haruko tried to be polite and well mannered, despite the nearly primal rage that was kept on a leash within her. Truth was...she could be very different depending on the situation--here she was nice, sweet, a bit broken, but overall kind...but at the flip of a coin she could become someone else nearly, cold--filled with unyielding rage...a ghost of what she'd been made into.

While Akeru had the word 'disappoint' playing through her head in every variation under the sun, Haruko quietly ate the cake, finally finishing it off just in time to look up and see the man approaching with a large Pizza at the ready for them. After he'd set it down Haruko handed the Pizza Chef her empty cake plate, the man taking the plates before returning with drinks for them, of which Haruko accepted with a thanking nod. Haruko took a bit of a drink before setting it down, listening to Akeru speak up again. After listening, the woman addressed the man back behind the counter again, before 'nevermind'ing him and once more using the ability shared between the both of the white haired woman in the Pizzeria, her forming two plates of bone, Haruko receiving one.

It'd seem Akeru wished to let the food cool down a bit before digging in, the woman speaking as Haruko went ahead and got herself a couple slices, placing them on her plate. Due to her resistance against heat and flame, she was unphased by the heat of the pizza--beginning to dig in after Akeru said she could, looking up with a string of cheese between her lips and the pizza slice she had bit into as Akeruseirei went on about the admination keeping tabs on such things. Haruko chewed and set her slice down before responding.

"Hasn't really changed much it seems...was like that before. We'd train every so often togerher...go on missions together as a team...but most of the time I spend by myself." she said, noting its not any different then what she'd been used to years ago. Still, it'd been a while, may take her some time to get back into the groove of things. "Thank you Akeru...I know its a lot to take me and others under your wing as a teacher...and even more so to open up the doors to your home and welcoming me in to stay...I appreciate it at lot." she'd say while looking over to the woman, her tone serious, even if her words still quiet and very much just between the two of them. She'd wait a moment to let Akeru respond if she was too--before digging back into her Pizza. She did seem pretty hungry...maybe it had been over a day since she ate last?

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Haruko was munching down on her food, elegantly, but it was obvious she was hungry. But she wasn't so imperceptive to not notice Akeru turn away in thought, but she thought not too much of it, they both were tortured souls, its understandable to need to clear one's mind every so often. She continued eating the Pizza, which was good, moving onto a second slice, but for now she left it untouched on her plate of bone--compliments of Akeruseirei.

She listened to and watched her Sensei, sensitive ears picking up on the inflections and tone of her voice as she spoke. The way she would say 'We are family'...the second glance away and a face that told the tale of knowing something more then the younger, naive Haruko. But even if she was naive...the icy hued woman picked up on this. Her growing suspision was only bolstered by the mention of 'More than you should know.' She watched on, almost as quickly as it came, it went--Rei going ahead and chomping on a slice of Pizza, while affirming from today on--she belonged to the Hozuki District.

Haruko smiled subtly, but the seed of truth had been officially planted in her. If she wasn't curious about it before, now it was at the forefront of her thoughts. She'd nod, giving the impression she was non-the-wiser or picking up what Akeruseirei was putting down. This wasn't the time to talk about it...not yet. Haruko needed to process it...but she will soon. The truth was inevitable now. A matter of time.

"Mmm...I think I'm going to like this change. I can't thank you enough...maybe I can finally move beyond the past. I've....I've struggled to move on...after what happened. But...maybe now I finally can. I want to be strong...strong like you, Akeru." she'd say, her words very genuine--but also a good attempt to avoid the inevitable. The truth...her father...her blood shared with the woman across the table from her being closer then first imagined. Why Kanzentai had tried to stop Rei from leaving with Haruko...why he said her name for the first time in her life. It all circled inside her mind, but she was able to keep a lid on it, eating more of her pizza. Very soon enough, she was done. "I'm full. Thank you for the meal Akeruseirei, I should come here from now on..."

She was hoping to leave soon. Haruko was trying to keep her excitement in check...but she looked forward to seeing her new home. Joining...her family. However deep that blood ran. "I'm ready to go when you are." she said, taking another drink of the water she'd been provided. While it never had frozen from the half Yuki drinking it, upon setting her glass somewhat near Akeru's, it was notable that it had the condensation on the outside of the class softly frosting over from her chilling it with her touch--unlike Akeru's glass.

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Haruko was slowly piecing it together, at this point--she already had the answer on her mind, the truth was there, all she needed was the confirmation now. The man earlier...was her father. Akeru was Haruko's aunt....Chigetsu her cousin. They was there...Haruko could see it--and this begun to be reflected in the growing distance in her eyes as she stared at what was left of the pizza. But as she was getting lost in thought, Rei spoke--just a moment before on cue the man from before brought them two small boxes. Haruko would take the boxes and go ahead and start boxing up what was left of their pizza, going ahead and giving herself a little bit more for later--and leaving the rest for Akeru.

She was too busy with this to even notice the woman staring right past her--out the window too a woman--it wasn't until the woman stood and said her name--the tone serious it seemed--did Haruko pick up what was going on. She'd go ahead and finish boxing it up while Akeru went outside--the girl stacking the two smaller boxes and getting out of her seat. She managed to make it outside only in time to hear 'He was trying to... well we told him'...

she'd listen to Akeru introduce the woman she'd been speaking too, and be offered a hand shake. "H-hi.." Haruko hesitantly responded, reaching out and weakly shaking the older woman's hand--Haruko's hands cold as ice. Wonder what her response to that would be...Either way, with that--the group seemed ready and set off towards Home. Not a house...Home.

But...Haruko wouldn't stay naive or in the dark any longer. Her voice was colder then usual, a reflection of the ice in her veins, as her eyes showed that determination from before, a serious look. Still, her words though serious, was hushed enough so only Akeru could hear as she walked beside her, eyes forward. "Akeru...tell me whats going on....I'm weak, but I'm not a child...I don't need to be left in the dark. I figured it out...I know who Kanzentai is to me...who you are to me...at least I think I figured it out..." she'd say in an almost whisper, but also clear and lacking the timid nature she usually expressed.

e]Name: Body Flicker Technique
Rank: D
Power: C
Activation Cost: 5
Upkeep Cost: -
Range: 50m
Speed: -
Element: -
Skill: Ninjutsu
Classification: Open
Requirements: -
Parent Technique: -
Hand Seals: Half Tiger
Description: This technique enhances the user's movements by fortifying their step with chakra. This is essentially a burst of energy to make their body function at higher speeds. This technique boosts the user's movement speed by one tier up to 100 meters. If at any time they stop running they must require an reactivation. The hand seal may be held to constantly refresh the 100 meter limit providing a constant speed increase.
Weaknesses: Just like a full sprint the user must remain in a straight line in order to benefit from the bonus. If the user were to change direction they must reactivate the technique.

Darkness...this is what she was left in in regards to her question, the girl's gaze sinking as her heart did, falling low after the glance from Akeru. But she wouldn't let it linger there, she looked ahead once more, paying attention instead of walking on autopilot. Whatever it was...it wasn't good. If it wasn't already obvious, the woman drawing her weapon would be a sign. Haruko dropped back only a bit as the two older woman had their exchange, the Kaguya-Yuki hybrid handing off the pizza boxes to the maid. If something popped up, she wanted to be ready. While they was on their way, Haruko keeping pace, she pulled her hood up over her head, covering most of her hair.

The group reached the Hozuki district and people practiced social distancing with them, staying back from the serious--sword wielding--woman...They seemed to know better then to get into Akeruseirei's way. Upon approaching what would be Akeru's home, it seemed there was already a scene happening just outside, a good six or so maids standing out in the yard--and the man Haruko had met just earlier was on the ground, with the man of the hour over Kaisaki, fists about to crash down on the robed man. Her reaction was to rush in, but Akeru beat her too it--the more skilled shinobi speeding off in a blur from Haruko's perspective, before slamming the man with the flat side of her sword, sending him across the yard and into a roll.

Haruko watched as Akeruseirei would hold the large cleaver sword towards her brother Kanzentai, an exchange between them going back and forth. Now it was all coming out...Haruko wasn't surprised though. She had figured it out...now it was confirmed for her. Haruko approached them as Rei had the man pinned down at the end of her blade, standing off to the side and back maybe 5 meters at best, likely closer. Her expression...pain...anger...sorrow...betrayal. These could be read in her narrowed icy hues.

Haruko listened to every word between the two...That Rei didn't deserve to do what they had failed too, Rei's response of asking where he'd been her whole life, that he clearly didn't deserve the girl. Haruko's fists slowly gripped closed, clutching tight as the argument went on--Akeru turning her back towards Kanzentai. Then...a simple question was asked. Just one...one that mattered more then most of this. What of Haruko's mother...who had given her the Yuki blood. Haru's heart sank slowly as the silence grew, before her father's words let it fall completely. Her mother was dead. Haruko's eyes fell to the ground, no longer able to even look at Kanzentai as it went on. Every word crossing her ears.

Akeru had walked away after speaking her thoughts...speaking the undeniable truth. Kanzentai may have been part of how she was brought into this world...but he could never make up for neglecting her existence all these years. He'd never be her dad...family only by blood and not bonds. Akeru stopped her march fairly close to Haru, her being roughly in the middle between Kanzentai, and Kaisaki. As Rei's gaze fell on Haruko, the tears rolling off her cheeks and falling to the ground would be obvious. While the maid and the robed--masked brother of Rei had their....discussion. Something was brewing inside of Haruko. Something enraged. Something furious. Something...primal. Haruko's gaze shot up, a tear filled glare towards Kanzentai.

Haruko's bones begun to crack and creak, and as two handles protruded from either side of her spine, her grabbing both handles with each hand and pulling them out, giving her two blades formed from ribs she'd shifted and molded into swords. Each blade held bits of ice throughout its structure--as if the bone had broken away and ice replaced the damaged spots, a visual cue to her mixed bloodlines. Seeing this happen the man would come to stand up, right as Haruko charged at him--her hood flying back off her head as she did. Using the familiar style of the Kaguya clan she'd pull her blades to form an X across her torso as she charged, before slashing outward from the compressed position. Kan had to leap back to avoid the twin sword slash. Haruko kept going at him, a yell from her as she attacked in a nearly blind rage. She kept stabbing at him with each blade, forcing him further and further back across the yard.

"You don't get to show up now and try to claim me as your own, its too late!" she said as she kept trying to jab the blades at his torso, close to his stomach due to their height difference-tears stinging her eyes and making her aim messy. Finally in a skillful movement, Kanzentai was able to disarm the weaker Kaguya-Yuki hybrid, both swords landing sticking straight up out of the ground to either side of the two. Haruko instinctively crossed her arms in front of her and tucked, bracing for a counter attack from him...but it never came. Kanzentai stood still over the much shorter girl.

---

CP: 130/135

Haruko's eyes had shut when she expected a counter attack...but none came. She'd open her eyes, and loosen her brace--arms unlocking from in front of her so she could look at Kanzentai. He didn't even look at her now...only at Akeru. Haruko almost wanted to attack again...but the rage inside her was subsiding and her more stable mentality now stopped her. As the man and Akeru spoke--and he turned around to leave, Haruko's arms dropped to her side, watching him walk away. She'd seen the tears...but she couldn't understand them. If he couldn't care before...then why did he cry now? Tears for someone he never cared for...someone he never spoke too....someone he'd abandoned to become the clan's burden, to ashamed to claim as his own because she was a half breed...

Haruko hated him. She did...she couldn't even lie to herself like she does about her resentment towards the Kaguya clan and tell herself she didn't. She shut her eyes and lifted her arm, soaking her tears into the sleeve of her hoodie...after holding it there a moment she'd wipe the rest away and turn her back on the man as he walked away. She was surprised when she opened them and saw a pair of feet in front of her--her gaze rising from the ground all the way up to meet the golden hues of Rei. "...R-right. Home..." she'd say...she never looked back. She refused to see him...if she ever did again. She'd kill him. Haruko nodded to Akeru and stepped past her, iced hues falling back to the ground as she walked. She'd wait near the door for Akeru, and follow her inside once she went in.

But there was still a light in the darkness. She turned her back on one family today...

But she gained a new one.

Haruko would shuffle in, mentally exhausted from the events of the day, but as she entered the home she'd look up and around, taking in the home as it was shown to her. One inside she'd notice the two carrying the swords she'd used...she'd reached over and take them, holding onto them carefully as she was shown to what would be her room. She was surprised to see her stuff already unpacked and out, and even more then she had before among the items in the room.

Her eyes would take in the sights...whites, blues, a beautiful color pallet. The bed looked comfy...the pillows looked soft. She'd even notice the bedroll under the bed. She'd step in a bit more and stand there a moment, taking it all in. She'd turn back to look at Rei. "You...sure this is okay? Me having this room?" she'd ask, glancing around once more. Her eyes caught something...

The Picture.

She'd stare at it from across the room for a moment, before slowly turning and walking over towards it. She'd set the swords of bone down on the desk once she got to it--before picking up the picture...looking at the image just as she did earlier in the day. She'd simply stand there for a moment, before slowly setting it back down in the place they had put it, turning around and walking back towards the door, listening to Akeru. "Alright, I'll tell them if I go anywhere." she'd say, looking back up to find Rei's eyes. Her own showed she was holding back a lot of emotion...the event with her father...thinking of her old team...thinking of her new family, her new team. It was overwhelming for Haruko. It showed...she looked pale, more pale then normal.

*"Leave us."

The young Kaguya-Yuki hybrid didn't even notice the words spoken in a language she did not understand, at the time she was staring at the photo, only noticing the door being shut by Caitlyn, her hearing Akeruseirei's footsteps quietly coming further into the room. She'd place down the picture and turned towards the taller white haired woman, looking at Rei as she spoke to Haruko. Eyes still a sea of pent up emotions. Haruko would feel the finger brush across her skin softly as Rei went to move the white locks from in front of her face, before the hand shifted to pull her in close...Haruko felt her face warming up if ever so slightly, even if her body was as cold as ice--she'd blush a bit when the woman rested against her forehead, speaking to the half breed.

But...she smiled, even if subtly.

"No, its perfect..." she'd say quietly in response. Truth was...she'd never felt so welcomed before. Her house before was a husk of loneliness, of darkness. But here...she felt like she was home. Akeruseirei had done so much to make this as good for the young ice blooded bone manipulator, Haruko reaching up to softly grip onto Rei's forearm of the hand that had pulled her in close, a caring squeeze given...essentially what she could muster of a 'hug' for now--even if not one.

She'd let go and lower her hand to her side as Rei stepped back, the woman of the Hozuki house asking if there was anything else she could do. Haruko would shake her head, and cast Rei a small smile. "You've done more then enough for me...more then anyone ever has." she'd explain, continuing to smile--even as a single tear would slide down her cheek. Before it was able to drip from her chin, it'd turn to a small droplet of ice--falling off and shattering on the floor--likely to quickly melt.

"I-if its okay...I'd like to get some rest. Its...been a long day." she'd say with a glance towards the bed...it was understandable that she'd been mentally exhausted by this day. She'd grown up never knowing who her parents were...only to find out one was dead, and the other simply neglected her existence, despite being in the same district as her--living in somewhat proximity to her. Yet had abandoned her...but as one would've continued to leave her in the darkness...Akeru was there to pull her out of it. If given the chance, she'd step closer to Akeru, and her arms would curl around the taller woman, Haruko giving her a 'warm' embrace...as warm as one with Yuki Blood running through their veins could, at least. After letting go a blush had returned to her face, and she'd glance down at the floor between them, trying to hide her embarrassment.

She'd never hugged anyone. Ever. Only Rei...