A Night on the Ghost Town

Konoha, it really had been abandoned. Other then a couple holdouts, some random stray citizens, and the 'Hokage'...the Twins was basically it. The streets was empty. Homes was empty. Tsukiyo had a bit of an idea...a night on the town--Ghost town that is. But for now, the sun was setting and the moon was rising, and it was time for a bit of...fun. Konoha had always been a place of displeasure for Tsu, tonight she intended to change that.

But first...where would they stay? Tsukiyo and her brother Tengoku was here in the streets of the village, a more upper end part of town. There was no one...what had this mad previous Hokage done? But really, this didn't bother Tsu, not even in the slightest. Just meant more territory for the Pack. Now it was time to claim that Territory.

The woman stepped through the streets, eyes up at the tall apartment blocks, almost all filled with high end apartments, and topped with penthouses. She'd smirk. "What you think Ten..." she'd say, glancing to her brother.

Tengoku would walk slightly to his sisters right. His wooden 'sword' slung over his shoulders and his hands resting on the blade and hilt respectively....whichever side was which. His fingers tapping on the wood idly as he looked around. Place sure was a lot creepier at night with no one around. Most of the shops were emptied and locked down with pull down cages. He grunted as they passed by a Mcchakra place. He was hungry now. He did so like the little fries they had. Mmm salty foods. Still it too was locked up and closed down. A small grumble erupted from his stomach and a low whine from his throat. Even in the upper part of town the buildings loomed like a shadow over them. She would of course be ahead of him on that thought process. Well beyond food and into housing for them. The thought hadn't even crossed his mind that there was no one to tell him no. She would smirk and ask him his thoughts. Drawing his attention to her gaze. It was high up. People lived up there that had everything they wanted...wait..no there were no people right? So if they weren't there then the pack could have anything they wanted.

Tengoku would glance at the door and then the sister next to him before frowning. He was hungry...but all that stood between them and food and comfort was what? Glass? He gave a grunt before putting some effort into throwing his stick. Never even checking to see if the doors were locked. Just breaking the glass with some luck. He would shift to move into the opening and collect his 'sword' before looking back to her and patting his stomach. He was hungry so she needed to hurry up and help him find the stairs.

She had asked for her brother's thoughts, it'd seem he had a fairly decisive response. Tsukiyo would find her brother's response...direct. Maybe a bit too direct. She huffed an annoyed sigh after Tengoku had shattered the glass, hanging back a moment while he went in and retrieved his stick. She glanced at him just in time to notice the young man patting his stomach, indicating his hunger...frankly, she felt his pain, the thought crossing her mind instantly causing a rumble to grumble from within the short woman.

"You could've at least checked if it was unlocked first." she'd mutter in a hint of frustration, but not too harshly. She'd approach the door and what would you know, was able to open it without having to step through the broken glass. "Honestly." she'd add as she crossed her arms, stepping into the building and past her brother. She'd find her way through the place, managing to find a small closed restaurant on the bottom floor. There wasn't any 'real' food left, but there was still an assortment of bagged snacks and junk food. She'd go ahead and snag some, a bag of chips, and some rice balls--oddly fresh. She expected Tengoku would have at it with the snacks.

She'd give him little time after grabbing what she wanted, slipping most of it into her dress, while taking a rice ball she acquired and chowing down on it. She did this while making her way into a hallway, around a bend, and finally finding stairs. "Here we go." she said with a smirk, gesturing for her brother to follow her as she started up the stairs. She had figured the elevators didn't work, most the lights and electricity seemed cut off, only reserve power on. The young woman started making her way up the stairs.

Ten would frown as she just opened the door. Well that wasn't fair. Those other shops were locked so he assumed that this one would be too. What kind of shop owner wouldn't lock his...oh right...they weren't coming back. Most likely not anyway. Well that was sad. This was probably someones dream. To own or live in a building like this. Memories had been made here. Still he wondered about behind her as she scolded him lightly. However his eyes lit up as the found a small restaurant. He was already eating some candy when she finished collecting some things and heading out. He shoveled what was in his hand into his mouth. Quickly grabbing junk food and drinks and shoving them into a to go bag. She was already gone when he finished so he poked his head out of the restaurant. Looking around for anyone that might have caught him before remembering there was no one. Idly with a thought he grabbed some crayons and paper from the gift shop before making his way back down the hall. He wasn't sure where his sister went but there was something he recognized further down the hall. An elevator. Fancy.

Assuming his sister had done the same he would head towards the machine. Not even sure if it worked but not seeing any reason why it wouldn't. He hobbled into it with his goodies loading him down and pressed the top floor button. The machine would ding as expected and lurch slightly as he continued to chew the candy in his mouth. Taking the leisurely way up. Finally it would slow to a stop and the doors would ding open right around the time his sister reached the top of the stairs. The simple mind found the simple path. He would smile happily at her and hobble out of the elevator waiting for her to take the lead. Assuming she had simply been waiting for him to catch up like usual.

By the time she made it to the top, the woman felt like she was gonna die. So many flights of stairs, it nearly killed her. She sprawled out on the floor after reaching the top floor, trying to catch her breath. It'd be about this time the elevator immediately to her right would ding, and two pairs of parallel doors opened, revealing Tengoko inside. For only a moment their eyes locked, and the annoyance and frustration in hers likely sent a shiver down his spine.

But what happened had happened...no use fussing over it now. The woman took another deep breath and sighed it out, picking herself up off the floor in the hall. There was only one door, this simply a lobby for the elevator and stairs to land on. Tsukiyo stepped over to the doors, a double set, very fancy looking. She gave the doors a 'mighty' shove, but they didn't budge. Now they'd come across a locked door...and there was no glass to break to get in. She growled in anger, her cheeks flaring up red.

"Damn door." she growled, even giving it a punch...this did nothing but bloody her knuckles, causing the woman to wince after the adrenaline rush quickly faded. She rubbed her knuckles slightly, stepping back a little from the door, her bravado diminished now that she went and hurt herself--her cheeks shifting blue again. "Come on...help me get through this door." she said, gesturing for Tengoku to join her in shoulder-ramming the door open. She'd count down, and on 1, she rushed towards the door shoulder first. Between the two of them if he joined her, they'd make it.

Ten would be confused on why she was laying down and glowering at him. He would slowly swallow what was left of his candy and cough a little. Stepping out of the elevator he would watch as she picked herself up. He wanted to keep eating but she seemed in a mood. Luckily she was more interested in punching a door than him so he watched as he thought she was just taking her frustrations out on the double doors. A thud an a small cracking noise made him wince. When she insisted he help with the door he would nod and unceremoniously drop his bag of goodies. As soon as she was in position next to him his eyes focused on the task at hand. His face dropped the innocent look as the hair around his ears stood up. His silver eyes taking in the target his sister had given him. His usually simple and hunched posture turned as he brought up the stick in a kenjutsu stance. One that flowed well. He was slightly faster than her so he gave her just a slight head start before he busted after her. His movements flowing into a moonlight stance as he planted his stick in the ground and his feet came up. His boots slamming into the doors next to her shoulder with just enough for it to break the lock between them.

His coordination was just enough to keep from falling on his ass. He would flick his stick and sheath it into his belt with a grunt and a nod. He would go back to grab all the bags and rush back quickly. The penthouse was wonderful. Three walls were just windows with each having their own covered balcony. There was a kitchen with two sinks and a lower and upper stove and two fridges. One for produce and one for anything else. It even had that thingy for ice and water. And a dishwasher and oh there was a washer and dryer in the back you could see into. White stairs led up to a platform bedroom on the next story above and below there was a walk in shower and outside a hot tub and a fireplace with a dark bearskin rug and a couch that ran all the way around it like a square. Ten would smile as he hopped over the couch and plopped down. Landing on a remote as a tv dropped down. Oh he was happy.

Their plan was made. They was set. Fire. Tsu charged with her shoulder, and only a moment later was followed by her brother. They both connected with the doors at the same time, and the lock broke--snapping both doors open. Tengoku was able to land without falling, but Tsu stumbled, and had to catch herself on him to keep from falling. She sighed and she stood upright next to Ten, eyes peering across the apartment. This was when Ten went back for his bags of goodies. She smirked. This was what she wanted...finally, a nice home...and rent free at that--who was gonna tell them no? Haku? Even if he did, she'd likely laugh at him and call 'nice joke'...even if the Jounin could pulverize her.

She took in the sights as Tengoku ventured in, finding a comfy couch, and seemingly finding a remote for a fancy drop-down TV. This...it brought a rare smile to the woman's face. The place was still lit up, the backup power for the building keeping it lit and alive with energy. She walked into the kitchen, and would turn on the sink. Running water. It was perfect! She'd walk over to the couch her brother had sat on, and snatched the remote from him--turning on the TV. It was on some show...but quickly the channel was interrupted. A rogue broadcast.

Her eyes narrowed, smile vanished, and she watched what would unfold. As the broadcast was taken over, she'd find a woman--one Tsukiyo had heard of before, but now saw with her own two eyes on the TV. It was Nozomi...and she had a lengthy speech to give. It took a while, Tsu stood in complete silence as she watched this unscheduled programming, a Statement to the World...this was something important, something major. Her features showed no more joy, only a dead serious stare as she listened, absorbing the information provided.

She remained with this unchanging serious expression, all the way to the end even. The broadcast was cut and the regular station came back on air, as if nothing had happened. Tsukiyo remained in her same pose, steel eyes glaring at the TV as if Nozomi was still on it. Finally she turned, tossing the remote with a bit of extra force to Ten's chest, maybe enough to even leave a small bruise, as she stormed off towards the bathroom. "I need a shower." she growled with a sharp tongue...it was clear what they had just watched had gotten under Tsukiyo's skin, which was very very hard to do. She'd disappear into the bathroom, which soon running water of the shower could be heard.

Ten would quickly lose interest in the broadcast. He had no interest in such political statements. He didn't understand the threat there and how it involved them. Or the revelation of their villages being a big deal to anyone. Instead he had found himself something else to entertain him. The bear rug. As the lady on the T.V. Prattled on about injustices he was more focused on the bear. He had slid off the couch and over to the rug only to slowly touch the glass eyes. Hesitant at first but once he figured out the eyes were glass he was enjoying himself fully. Oh and the fur was soft. He had expected it to be coarse like a real bear but they had done something to soften it. He poked his fingers in the nose and played with the teeth a little before he was satisfied. He turned at the sound of his sisters frustration only to have a controller hurled at him. Hitting him square in the chest. He winced and glowered at her as she would head for the shower. Rubbing the now sore spot on his chest. He wished she wouldn't be so mean all the time.

Still as she would head off to the shower he would take his fur lined coat off and toss it on the floor to the side. It was fine right? Nothing else was there and it wasn't a walkway. What was a coat rack anyway? Instead he began to look everywhere for wood. Well the only bit he could find was in the fireplace and it looked burnt already. But...he couldn't get into it? The darn thing had a gas plate over it. How did one expect to keep a fire going? He would frown and sit down on the rug again. He wanted it warm for his sister when she came out of the shower. Picking up the remote he looked at it a moment before something highly noticeable caught his attention. There was a button with a katon symbol on it. He would frown before hesitantly pressing the button. Suddenly the fake fireplace burst to life and began crackling like a real fire. Filling the room with warmth. He didn't understand how that worked but mission accomplished.

Tsukiyo had went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. It was spacious..two sinks in front of a large mirror, a stand up shower that could easily fit four, and a bath that doubled as a hot tub...another when compared to the hot tub out on the balcony. She sighed, trying to let out her pent up frustration. What she had just saw...the woman knew was major. Maybe her brother took zero interest in it, he was too busy playing with a Bear Rug during it before she tagged him with the remote, but the woman knew it had big implications. Konoha's location had been revealed to the world...and it was nigh defenseless, a lowly Jounin parading around as Hokage--and the Shinku twins.

She stripped down and ran water in the shower, letting herself soak into the artificial rain of the fancy showerhead. She'd shut her eyes, soapy hands brushing up and down her curves as she thought. The woman's cheeks shifted red like before, but this was caused by her deep thought, not anger or frustration. She'd wash her body and move on to her hair, it'd been a while since she had a proper shower...living in the woods, they only bathed in a local creek's waterfall. It was nice to have warm water for the first time in years...she sank into the shower, sitting under the water after she was clean, letting it rinse her hair out as she thought.

'That Nozomi...she had a hand in Konoha's disbandment. Her and her Society...damning a nation to death when literally half the people here hadn't even been a part of the village in years. Haku had said the former Hokage, now going by a new title, had up and moved everyone from the Leaf to the Stone...and Nozomi left Iwa out of her little stunt.' "Tch..." her fangs showed for a moment as she grit her teeth in annoyance. 'Still...maybe this Society could be of use to us...Nozomi is strong, I've heard stories about her and for her to pull this, she must feel confident in her safety.' her train of thoughts continued.

She sighed and stood up, ringing out her long silver locks and shutting off the water. Her figure dripped as she stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel that with a sniff, seemed perfectly clean for use. She dried herself off and would get herself covered up. The woman emurged from the bathroom, fresh faced and hair freely hanging down to her knees, still dripping a bit. She hadn't put her dress back on, no, she now only had on the pants she would wear beneath her dress, some simply black flexible capri. Her shins to her ankle was covered in bandages. As for her top...well, she had none. Not real clothing anyways.

She simply had her torso twisted in bandages, covering from just above her belly button to barely containing her bust, but managing to. She'd raid the kitchen and managed to find an assortment of bottles of alcohol under a bar. She quickly grabbed the biggest bottle of Sake there and would return to the living room, plopping down onto the couch and sinking into it--a cork flying across the room as she popped it off and begun taking long swigs of the Sake.

Tengoku watched the fire for now. It was warm but didn't smell like the fire he was used to. Unique in its own way. The flames were still fun to watch dance but those logs never seemed to fully burn. Never getting smaller. He had begun thinking of it as magic wood. He wished they had some back in the forest so he didn't have to spend so much time cutting up tree's. He could relax here and just be lazy. He would plop another piece of candy in his mouth and savor the chocolate and peanut butter. It was just soo good. Still his sister would come out of the shower and he would pay her a glance before harumphing and turning back to the fire. He was giving her the silent treatment now. Sure he had lit a fire to keep her warm but that was just instinct by now. The point is she had thrown something at him and now she didn't deserve his attention. Not until she said sorry. Still his thoughts drifted to Haku. He was strong but there was just too much territory for the three of them to cover. A pack too small for its woods usually consolidated to a smaller territory.

He would listen to the pop of a cork and his nose would crinkle as the sour smell of sake hit him. She did this when she was thinking a lot. Drank. He wanted to do something else though. Play a game or watch tv. Maybe nap. But certainly not hop in the shower himself just yet. Just like in their academy days she likely used up most of the hot water and he wanted a steaming hot bubble bath himself. For now he would try to ignore the smell accosting him. He wasn't much of a drinker himself since the closer he got to a bottle the worse it smelled. For now though he would only barely glance at her to see if she noticed him not noticing her before going back to glaring at the fire. She was yet to say sorry.

Tsukiyo paid no attention to her brother, she had noted he was giving her the cold shoulder, and she only returned it in spades for now. The woman wasn't very nice...only from time to time would she show her softer side. Ten knew this, he'd spent enough time with Tsu to know how she was. She took another chug from the Sake, her cheeks still lit red as she continued to think. She would do this...sit, drink, and think. Tengoku was likely used to this. She remained this way for a number of minutes, occasionally drinking from the bottle of Sake.

She kept noticing he'd glance at her every now and then, checking to see if she was paying any attention to his pouting. She'd stand from the couch, dropping the bottle onto an end table as she did so. Tsukiyo stepped over to the fireplace--and her brother--knelling down. A single finger stretched out from her hand, and traced a line on Ten's wolf-like ear. "Brooo...." her smooth voice burned in his ear. "We need to get stronger...and fast. We need Haku to help train us...he said it...and now I know it...a war is coming, and we need to be prepared." she'd tell him, rising back up to her full height.

"We know some things...but we're still pups in this world...Haku may have been quick to underestimate us but we are nothing compared to a Shinobi like him...and that girl on the TV earlier...she's much much stronger...she could wipe out this village if she tried hard enough. We need to be stronger, smarter, faster, tougher...Only then can we get what we deserve. Only then can we command power. Have what we want...this penthouse is nice, and we can stay here for now...but I want a mansion, a compound even. I want what the world owes me..." the last bit had a darker tone to it, a hint of wolf's fury behind it. Tsu was weak...but she was smart. But she also was greedy...and had no issue with her greed. "I am going to help teach you...I know I been a bit lazy about that over the years and I'm sorry, I keep my intellect to myself...but I need your help Tengoku-Nii...are you with me?" she'd go on, giving her brother a rare genuine smile after her 'pep talk'.

Ten would glance at her and watch suspiciously as she drew closer. She had something planned as usual. He always lost to her in any game they played. He supposed she might cheat a lot but he couldn't prove anything. It might help if he could remember the rules and she didn't have to keep reminding him. Still when she began to scratch behind his ears he would let out a semi pleased growl. He knew what she was doing of course. She always took advantage of his sensitive ears when she wanted her way. But much like a dog he really enjoyed it. He would pout a little as she took advantage of it but only to try to not show he was enjoying it. Though his toes twitched slightly in response betraying him. Darn toes. He would listen though. There were others stronger than the two of them. Faster and stronger in almost every way. His silver eyes stared into the fire as he listened. They had to get stronger. Smarter and definitely faster. He would be faster than his enemies. If war was coming he would become a silver blur. A wolf tearing apart the cattle served up to them for some fool trying to reclaim their home.

He would sit up as she mentioned teaching him. Increasing his knowledge instead of him always relying on her mind. He had been a shy boy and happy to remain in a simple world up until now. Not really putting much thought into anything. That was always her job just to keep them surviving. But he agreed with her. He liked this. He liked lavish things and wanted comfort. He didn't want to be cold or hungry anymore. He didn't want to be looked down on. He wanted to be better. To have better. His sisters greed didn't bother him because he shared it. Anywhere she went he would go to. He would be her sword cutting a path through any enemy for her goals. So long as she never left him he would get stronger. He took in a breath and reached up with warm fingers to grasp her by her cheeks and look into her eyes. His silver eyes seeming to show the utmost sincerity as he spoke in one of those rare moments. He usually didn't speak to others but with her he did. His words rarely wasted.

"I will learn, but both will become stronger in body. Stronger than Haku or strange woman. Stronger than war."

Tsukiyo had went on for a fairly long moment with her pep talk, and had fallen into silence as she awaited a response. It came rather quickly, Tsu finding her brother reaching up and grasping her cheek, followed by a rare moment from Tengoku as he spoke up, expressing his desire to become stronger too--that he indeed was with her on this. This drew a bigger smile on her features, nodding to Tengoku as their eyes met--hues of silver and red--before she'd raise back up from having knelled down. Their motivation to become stronger was rising...and soon enough they too would rise with it.

But for the moment, it was a moment of relaxation. They had broken into their new home and no one was there to stop them. The previous owners didn't care, clearly they had followed 'Neko-Sama', Tatsu, to Iwa to be a part of the Nekoian Empire. How such a thing was even happening was honestly beyond even Tsu's high intellect...How someone like that became Hokage, and eventually convinced or managed to order the entire village, sans a few like Haku, to up and leave. But Tsukiyo would push that annoyance aside, besides, sooner or later, something was to end that whole circus act. Be it at the hands of Haku and the Shinku twins, or someone else the former Hokage had rubbed the wrong way.

"Well. If we wanna be stronger then the strange woman on the TV...we best put every bit of our energy towards that goal, cause its a lofty one. I don't know the real extent of her power...but I've heard stories--She is no joke." she'd explain her Tengoku. After this she would step away, and 'quickly'...for snail...would move to find the bedroom of the place, and dig into the closet for new threads. It'd take a few minutes, she found out that at some point a woman must've lived here, finding clothes that luckily fit her. She'd return, and had on something completely new...but almost perfectly fitting her normal style, a thick overcoat lined and bursting with fur. She had put her hair up, and nearly seemed like a totally different woman, a much more imposing look then she had when in her casual outfit.

"What you think Ten?" she'd ask...cause asking her brother how she looked, when he likely couldn't give any less about it, seemed like a grand idea.

Tengoku had seemed to have pleased his sister which pleased him. The earlier issue with the controller throwing early was forgotten as easily as a child finished with a small tantrum. He would sit up now and as she went upstairs he would pop another piece of candy in his mouth. Ignoring the protests of his belly wanting real food and munch happily before drinking some cold ninjaraid. He was happy here and the less people the better. It was quieter and more peaceful without anything but them, the fire and the tv which was playing some show about a tracker nin that solved mysteries by talking to dead ninja. He was focused on that for a few minutes while his sister raided a wardrobe. It was interesting as the shinobi that was murdered had been done in by his partner. Another shinobi but secretly a pirate captain that was smuggling in slaves. He was watching intently until his sister returned right at a commercial for McNinja and he blinked his silver eyes looking to her. He would smile and speak again for a small amount. Without others around he wasn't as bad. Talking to her far more than others.

"Pretty fur. Can I have a bubble bath now?"

If she allowed it he would need help figuring out which was the hot and cold and getting a mild temperature going since he didn't like it too hot. He would wait for her to leave of course before he stripped down and tossed his clothes out so she could either figure out the washing machine or find him some pants. Either way there would be a splash as he literally dove into the pool hitting his head a little but surfacing all the same and blowing out a small bubble with a chuckle. Only once it was done would he lean back and relax with bubbles on his head and filling the bath. Letting the water and smells sooth him for the time being while his sister busied herself in some way or another. She had a shower, he had a bath.

Tsukiyo had been showing off the new outfit, turning some and stretching her arms out...but his response garnered a glare from her. As she should've expected, the man cared not for her sense of style. She sighed deeply. Sometimes it was like being around a child. But she knew her brother could be more then this and she'd help him get there. Either way she expressed an annoyed look as she crossed her arms, but huffed it out and turned, keeping her arms crossed as she walked away. She prepared a bath...leaving Tengoku to it.

She returned to the bedroom, beginning to look around. What had their new digs offered, valuables?  Cash?...More like a whole lot of nothing. Furniture, some clothes left behind like the overcoat she found, some simple things like towels and bedding. Everything else was cleaned out. She sighed. "Maybe we picked the wrong penthouse. This place is clean...but whatever, this place is nice...for now." she'd mutter to herself. Clearly the woman wasn't over some petty thieving. She wasn't the type to mug someone, but...finders keepers, right? You casa--me casa? Something like that. Her moral compass seemed to wonder side to side, never pointed north to goodness and justice, but not dipping to far into straight cruelty and evil.

But she wasn't given the chance outside of the left behind clothing. She rummaged through the stuff and managed to find some stuff for Tengoku. She looked it over, raising an eyebrow. "I mean...he should like this right?" she'd say, before shrugging and tossing it over her shoulder. Eventually, after gathering some choices of clothing, she left the bedroom. The woman could hear Ten through the door once she got to it--simply cracking it open enough to stick her arm through the gap and toss in a small pile of outfits. He could pick and choose at his desire.

Maybe that Sake she had earlier was making her a bit calmer, cause usually this kind of things annoyed her...but she had other things on her mind. She returned to the couch, turning off the TV--she didn't want the noise as she plopped down. The young Genin woman would snag the bottle of sake she found earlier, and pretty quickly polish it off. She'd lean her head back, shutting her eyes...The woman seemed to enter a state of deep thought, and would remain like this until Ten would return.

Tengoku would soak for a good twenty minutes. He barely noticed when the door was cracked and some random clothes were tossed in. He would rummage through those late. For now they were in an abandoned city on a building too high up to attack from the outside. He could let his guard down for a moment. Just let his tense muscles relax and let his guard down. He felt soothed by the bath and almost nodded off until his nose slipped under the water and he realized it had lost its temperature and bubbles. He would pull the drain cord and hop out of the bath. Along his body were some scars showing the cruelty of people towards a child. How he had been beaten and tormented. Due to all that he had been unable to learn social cues well and had left it all to his sister. He would stare into a mirror for a moment as he looked himself over. He was thin and his muscle definition was poor. He needed to work on that. Perhaps he would avoid the elevator as they came and went. Hunting for food and supplies. He would grimace at the mirror and his fluffy ears. Good riddance to most of Konoha.

Still he would select a pair of kaki pants and his boots with some fresh black socks. When he came out of the bathroom he left most of the clothes piled up on the floor as he slipped into a black turtleneck that hugged most of his form. His silver eyes located his sister and the now empty bottle of sake. She was likely drunk out of her gourd now. So he would go rummaging around himself. Soon he found something interesting. He found a pack of paper with tube like things in it that smelled sweet. Not like cigarettes but something else. He would return to the couch with the pack of joints and continue sniffing it as he plopped down to watch tv. Pulling one out and sniffing it again before krinkling his nose a bit ad glancing to his likely sloshed sister. She would know what they were. So he would quietly try and balance the pack on her nose. Seeing if he could do so before she would stir from her relaxed state. He was not having much success. Though he was certainly trying like he had already smoked one.

The Silver Wolf had remained basically still for every bit of the past ten minutes, maybe even longer, before her ears burned with the sound of Ten coming into the room. He nearly was able to sneak up on her, her senses was no where near as sharp as his. By the time she opened an eye an looked his way, he'd went off to rummage around. Guess she wasn't the only one wanting to find what they could around the place. She shut her eye, choosing to keep relaxing instead of questioning him. Maybe she should've.

Soon enough she heard him approach again, and half expected to feel him plop down on the couch near her, or somewhere over by the fire. She paid no mind for now...that was until she'd feel him place something on her nose while she had her head back. Like he was balancing something on her nose. Look, she was a wolf at heart--but this wolf didn't do tricks for treats. Her eyes curled open, sharp, fiery. "What...are...you...doing." she growled at Ten, basically going crosseyed in an attempt to focus on what he'd balanced on her nose. She just...couldn't. It'd fall to the side, now tri-podding between her nose and cheek. She sat up, and caught it as it fell off her face. Pinkish red hues gazed into her hands...it was a cigarette pack. She rolled her eyes, and decided to investigate--if only cause when it was so close to her nose, she caught a wiff--and it didn't smell like cigs.

Maybe Tengoku didn't know what he had found, but one glance inside told Tsu all she needed to know. She had been holding the pack up to look inside, but now let it sit on her lap as she stared blankly at it...as if thinking. "...Really, after today...maybe." she mumbled. She'd look over to Ten, raising an eyebrow. "Where did you find these? I can't smell for crap but these must smell strong to you..." she's say to him. She really did talk much more when around Tengoku then anyone else. Frankly...he probably didn't know what it even was.

Tsukiyo would pull one out, looking at it speculatively. She sniffed it...didn't smell laced or messed with, at least with her poor sniffer. She'd ask Tengoku who could easily smell the differences...but only if he knew what to sniff for. She shrugged and would stand up, placing the pack on the end table next to the empty sake bottle. Having consumed the entire bottle of Sake...she was pretty hammered, almost falling after she stood up. She regained herself, and went searching. Eventually she found a pack of matches. She'd return to the couch but didn't sit, instead standing behind it--it freely placed in the room and not against a wall. She leaned against the back of the couch hunched over it.

The long haired bombshell would strike a match...and strike it again...she glared at it, striking a third time and getting it to turn ablaze. She slipped the one she'd left out of the pack in between her lips, and cipped the match as she brought it to the end--a few puffs bringing the herb filled tube alive--marked by smoke. Surely Ten's nose would soon burn with the smell if he got too close. Maybe he'd be curious enough to try...she wouldn't stop him, she was protective over Tengoku and knew his flaws. But he was his own man, he could make his own choices. Not like she was his mom...even if at times it felt like she filled the role. Growing up without parents...it'd been rough. She took a long drag, before erupting in a fit of coughs. Some potent stuff...surely, considering whoever owned this place before was loaded.

Tengoku would sniff a little as she pulled one out and glance to her. Watching her set it down and go stumbling around as if prompted to look for something. He would frown before sitting cross legged on the couch and tilting his head. He wasn't sure what it was or why she was looking for something now but it was certainly a potent smell. Almost sweet in its scent. Like a more bitter honey. It was hard to describe. He would watch her find a pack of matches and he knew what those were. He usually built the fires and such in their cabin to keep the frost out at night. Or to cook. Meat just wasn't as good raw he had found out the hard way. He let his tongue flap out of his mouth at the memory as he made a face. Ew. Still he would return his face to normal as she returned and after some difficulties lit a match. At first the smell was familiar but as soon as she lit the herb it was so very potent. Like someone had just drowned the room in the scent from before a hundred fold. Tengoku would shake his head and sneeze.

Gods he could taste it. It was so potent in the air. Quickly while she was still attempting to remove a lung he scooted to the book shelf. He would grab a mostly simple looking thin book and head outside to the covered balcony. It was fresher out there. The air was a little thinner but more like the mountains and with less people there were less scents. Especially this high up. He would find himself a seat and cross his legs under him again and begin to practice his reading. He was a slow reader but he could read. So he would try enjoying that and practice working out his mind.

It wouldn't be long, maybe five minutes had passed since Ten had decided it wasn't for him...odd after finding them...and headed outside with a book. Tsukiyo had finished it off, and would join her brother out on the balcony. The woman would step to the edge, looking out over the large expansive village. She took in the sights, her expression still serious--but overall calm. Even after a joint she was still this serious? What was this woman? She sighed and looked to her brother before approaching.

"Well...guess we should get started." she'd say. From then on until it finally came time to simply go rest, Tsukiyo would help teach Tengoku--her making an oddly amazing teacher, if not a bit of a harsh one. Keep up nights like this...and he'll be outsmarting others soon enough.

Tengoku would spend the rest of the day light studying with his sister. However even with her there it was slow going. Learning words and actually having to use his to read out loud was irritating but he would manage. It kind of took away from the joy of the view but he did agree to train. Even if his mind was one of the more basic out of your usual model it had room for improvement. Still this was her field of expertise. He wouldn't question her methods. Instead he would pay attention and attempt to not let any of her frustrations feel personal.

Once the light faded they were both tired and her more so. He watched quietly as she slumped off to the bed upstairs but he wanted to stay by the fire. So he would scooch the couch to the edge of the fire and pull the bearskin rug over himself like a blanket. It was cozy. He would yawn as his ears twitched and smiled as he snuggled up into himself. He was with his sister, he was warm and he was fed. Even if she wanted the world that was enough for him. He just was happy following her anywhere.

post 10 exit thread 100 exp