Chapter 3: Night Life

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Night Life
 
Iwato: Clothes hung loose from elongated limbs, the fabric while different in material had been equally creased in a squalid mess. Obviously the individual hadn’t been trying to impress with his homely attire. The dim light set the ambiance for the setting he had found himself in. It was late at night, one-thirty in the morning to be precise his eyes had glanced over the clock several times since his arrival. The main entrance had been left askew; a gentle twist of damp air infiltrated the establishment with grace going unnoticed by those except the few who sat at the bar closest to the door. His forearm rested along the polished blank of wood. The timber had been recently given a fresh coat lacquer; its distinctive lonely glow present under the lights above. Muscle and tendon flexed languidly under his command, his index and middle finger pressed delicately along the brim of his small shot glass. The skin of his thumb felt moist against the container. A sweat of condensation perspired along its cylindrical form. Inside the dark colored liquor had become faded by the melting cubes of rock ice. Like clockwork he rose the intoxicating beverage to his lips taking the occasional swig before setting it back in the small puddle it had formed on the bar. Oddly he sat alone, though his eyes continued to find their way back to the door as if expecting company.
 
 
Verin: Verin had been working all day at the hospital and her last shift had just blown over. Though it was volunteer work she always gave it her best. Removing the white long drabby clothes she wore a loose thin black shirt that stopped just under her belly button revealing her mid drift. Her long legs decorated in a dark net pants that disappeared into her calf high black boots nothing to special. Ofcourse she always kept her black gloves on her hands and the familiar blue pendant bouncing on her chest gently. Her long finger looped into her hair band pulling it out as her long red hair fell over her shoulders placing itself neatly for once. Verins blue eyes darted around the dark streets. She had just blown over a 24 hour shift and the last load was huge she wasn’t ready to just go to bed yet she wanted some excitement though shed never say out loud and it’d never show on her face. Her dull blue eyes saw a bar and quickly stepped into it. Opening the door she stood in the dim light as the door slammed behind her. Instead of her dull expression her eyes glittered with excitement. She chewed her lower lip ever so slightly. Shed surely get a drink in her system Sake sounded great right now. She walked through the room her eyes focused on the bar but her senses or guard never down of course she was a ninja. She got to the bar asking for her cup of Sake and as the man scurried off she turned placing her elbows on the bar she felt so relaxed and yet awake. Her blue eyes scanned the room. She was not herself tonight that was for sure.
 
 
Kyo: -The Hokage sat in the farthest corner of the Bar sipping on a cup of Sake and staring out the closest window her white orbs slightly glazed and her slumped body language suggesting that something was in deed on her mind. It had been a few days since been out and about in the Village today she hadn't yet met one person who had greeted her, in fact she hadn't spoken to anyway except the mysterious Ryu Uchiha in days. Kyo sighed lightly as she looked out at the rays of sun illuminating the vast green foliage that seemed to hug all of Konohagakure tightly, it had been a quiet and rather boring day and she longed for something to do, hence why she was currently busying herself with a bottle of Sake. Her red hair was braided messily as usual and hung down her left shoulder and atop her chest, she wore her usual deep crimson Hokage cloak adorned with white flames reaching from the bottom to just below knee height, the current Konohagakure Symbol etched neatly in white on the back. Kyo lifted her hand once again and downed some more Sake her eyes closing half way as she narrowed them to get a better look outside, it seemed that the Village was a buzz today with news of the Kazekage coming to visit in a few days, many people were adorning their houses with decorations in which to welcome him, Kyo smiled lazily as she dropped her hand back down to the table and then lifted it, running it through her fringe 'slowly.-   
Iwato: The drink was bitter on the tongue and left warmth along the throat which was carried into the stomach. Alcohol was well known to warm the body, and in the stuffy heat of the tavern his clothing seemed odder. He couldn’t have been sure if the Hokage had spotted him as he had done her so easily. Though from his positioned even she looked lonely and in need of some company. With a sluggish flick of the wrist he waved down the bartender informing him that he would be taking his drinks at the far off table. Rising he idled by the stool for a moments breath before he made his way across the floor; whose planks scuffed under his every step. His pace seemed lethargic with each stride towards her. “Drinking alone too, eh?” his message but a whisper audible only to her. With a tinder touch he brushed his finger tips across the table before he took a seat across from her. His left leg had been thrown over the right as he exudes a sense of comfort and familiarity. Truthfully he had worked with her on countless missions, and while completely capable of talking to the lower ranked shinobi of the village he had always felt it had some degree of simplicity with other anbu. Perhaps it was the similarities they all held with one another as a task force of sorts. “So what brings you here this late Kyo-chan?” He asked in a low tone to keep the conversation between the two of them. His fingers fidgeting with his clothing as to cover any shameful or embarrassing battle wounds.  
Verin: Verin saw a few men playing some game and she grinned cheekily walking over to them plopping next to them slamming her sake down. “Play me in…” She demanded the men gave her a strange look but did so. She had seen this game before but never played today would be a first she wasa rather excited taking a large gulp from her drink. She didn’t however over see the two comfortable people in the corner. Oh how she loved love well if they were in love…. That would be awkward though.. She kept her thoughts to her self looking back at her dick and gulping some of her drink more.  
Noah: Noah was preoccupied for the past couple of days around Konohagakure with patrols and playing unofficial hide and seek with the Hokage. For someone that was supposed to be like a bodyguard, he kept LOSING THE DAMN BODY! Let's pause for a minute and think about that...maybe people will think the body is being guarded closeby if they see this cheeky little minge standing there like a derp, instead of some fodgy little minsepot who forgets to keep tabs on his own damn leader. But the narrator digresses and continues to type in a British accent and breaking the fourth wall in a manner. BACK TO THE STUFF AT HAND: Noah was patrolling through the entertainment district, making sure no decorations were being tussled and messed with by any hooligans, his cerise eyes scanning up and down the streets.  
Kyo: -Kyo, who had already noticed Iwato but had not spoken up, looking to the man across from her, her eyes softening slightly as they rested on him and looked him up and down a small smile appearing on her face "Good evening Iwato" She paused for a moment with a childish grin "Or should I say morning". It was only someone who was in a semi-intoxicated state that could find something so childish amusing, her cheeks went a light pink as she grinned wolfishly at her oldest comrade. "I'm always drinking alone, people are to scared to speak with me, ya'know?" Her words were not slurred but her voice was softer than usual and the haze with in the room made her pale features look warmer, she looked prettier and more youthful in this light, less stressed and harsh. Kyo lifted her hand and moved her fringe out of her face in one fluid movement before sharing her Sake with Iwato and looking back up at his eyes "What brings you here at this hour?" She asked returning his earlier question and tilting her head childishly as she waited for a reply. She had known Iwato almost all her life and aside from Noah, her Right Hand Man, she trusted him more than anyone, he was loyal and kind hearted not to mention that when it came to ANBU work he gave her a run for her money, she had been surprised that he had not made Hokage instead of her. She lifted the Sake to her lips and took another swig a small smile still on her face.-  
Iwato:  “Why else would I be here?” He tilted the drink to her before taking it down in one hit. “The night terrors, the things I’ve, no, which we as the Anbu have done. The Shinobi world isn’t pretty Kyo you know this well. You’d think that after the fourth shinobi war such a meaningless thing would have been replaced with peace.” He paused steadily pouring himself another glass.” But this isn’t the case, in my time outside the village I can’t begin to tell you about how many smaller villages I see in some feud over territory.” His speech hadn’t been slurred but was akin to hers; soft. He meet her gaze with his own the black opals which were partially hidden behind his disheveled bangs. The orbs seemed poignant and empty. Was it perhaps guilt from the countless lives he had ended with such expertise precision. Silently he choked down another cup of the bitter drink. “It’s rather funny, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything and yet I hate it so much.” He smiled softly. “Some people have to do the dirty work so other may retain their innocence so who better than us, right?” He asked, taken back by his babbling. “Sorry if I went on a rant Kyo..”  
Verin: Verin beet the men in their own game gathering their money and pictures of their wives... ew she shivered a bit at that walking out the front door with a cheeky grin she stepped out of the bar breathing in the cool fresh air. Tongight would be a great night to sleep in the grass on ehr favorite hill. She looekd around seeing some guy running around desperetly and blinked. Watching him had he losy someone or was he looking for a dead body?  
Noah:  Noah was so concerned with trying to find the Hokage, he had not noticed the lass coming out of a local bar, or is it a pub? Does the japanese culture in this time frame even have pubs or bars? Seems like they would be more like...open air drunken patron spawners, yea let's call them that. Anyways, the cerise eyed lad took note of a patron spawning from the open air alcohol receptacle and he tilted his head whilst looking at her, she did not seem too far gone to have a coherent conversation with, so he made his way over to her post-haste to get the 4-1-1, "Do pardon the intrusion upon your night m'lady, but I am seeking the Hokage as she seems to have been temporarily misplaced and eluded her escorts yet again, you would not happen to have witnessed her person within the vicinity have you?"  
Kyo: -Looking over at him Kyo's smile slowly left her face she understood him better than anyone else ever could, even within the ANBU "I'm used to you Iwato, you forget" She said gently her eyes softened further as she looked as his slightly dead gaze. Perhaps that was indeed why she was drinking this night, it certainly helped with the issues of remembering all the people she had carelessly disposed of and destroyed, not to mention those whom she had tortured. She reached over and handed Iwato some more Sake before downing hers and nodding to him "I understand Iwato, we've worked together for a long time sometimes i feel that perhaps you would have made a better Kage than myself, you've always been a few steps ahead of me" What she said was truthful and she sent him a small smile as she spoke it "You've always been my closest comrade, there are horrors we have seen that I would not wish on any of our young Shinobi, unfortunately the time is ripe for war at any given moment in the Shinobi World and we must all be prepared, though being prepared does not help near as much as one would hope, ya'know?". As she spoke her eyes had travelled out the window next to her, her white orbs becoming glazed and slightly sad, the people they had lost, the people they had taken, heavy on her mind like the weight of the world. It was a burden that her and Iwato must carry forever, it was what made them such close friends to begin with. Her ears pricked up at the moment as she heard the sound of a familiar voice from outside, her escort, advisor and also another of her closest friends, Noah. Kyo smiled to herself as she waited for him expectantly.-  
Iwato: “Indeed another war could happen, but we’ll be ready for it we always are.” Tilting his head back he downed the drink with ease. Perhaps it was his usual visit, but he seemed to have been barely affected by the alcohol. Barely tipsy he placed a few paper bills and coin currency on the table before standing. “Well it’s too gloomy in here, shall we step out?” He offered to continue their conversation outside in the comfort of the night air. Now bathed in the light of the wall mounted lamp his face could have been made clearer to her. His cheeks seemed burnt in comparison to his usual skin tone. His vision had been barely disoriented and he held himself differently. Slowly he walked to the door; hands tucked into his pockets. He carried himself in a relaxed manner as he exudes a sense of vulnerability he rarely showed to others “You coming?” He called back looking over his shoulder at her.  
Verin: Verin laughed loudly and boisterously which was not of her character her pink cheeks bright as her eyes glittered. “Oi boy don’t worry about it shes fine… a handsome fello is taken care of her in there they look like grand ol friends~” She laughed a gain biting her lip as she smiled at him. She wasn’t drunk just buzzed maybe… She crossed her legs and then tried to balance pulling out the time. “Shouldn’t yeuh be getting to bed?” She asked ruffling his head.   
Noah:  Noah furrowed his brow and shut one eye as his head was ruffled by the total stranger, "I am a Jounin I will have you know madame, and I have a job as the Kage's bodyguard." He tried to glance over the woman's shoulder to see the Hokage indeed sitting inside safely, that was reassuring at least, and he would not have to worry much about it.  
Kyo: -Kyo nodded gently and stood with little difficulty allowing herself to follow Iwato out into the cool night air of Konohagakure, she liked being out at this time of night more than she liked walking around in the sun. It reminded her of camp fires and long Missions, adventures and the aching of being young and free out in the Shinobi world, she sighed as she glanced over at the Hokage Mansion in the distance. "Noah" She said pleasantly as her eyes slipped down to her trusted Body Guard whom looked rather ruffled at this point in time "Were you looking for me?" She asked raising an eyebrow. the cool night air sobered her up slightly but she still reached over to Noah's hair ruffling it slightly a small smile appearing on her face "You don't like Sake Noah?" She said her voice moving a few octaves higher in pitch making her sound slightly odd, she was extremely tipsy.-  
Iwato: He had taken the upmost care not to run into the other redhead; instead he placed his right hand upon her left shoulder and wispily moved past her. He hadn’t moved too far past her before turning to face them; the group gathered in front of the business. “Ah Noah, come to join us on this…*yawn* lovely night have you?” His gaze seemed to soften while he looked the Jounin over. Both hands placed firmly on either side of his neck he had begun to work the tension from his sore muscles. He was fairly taller than the other three and felt awkward among them now.”Tch…haven’t felt this tall since the academy..” He murmured softly under his breath, while mostly sober it could have easily been mistake for drunken gibberish so hastily thrown out.   
Verin: Verin giggled and slumped her shoulder on his. “Oooo~ a jounin~ d’aaw I feel like a baby~ now.” She purred her face close to his with alcohol evident. She then leaned back and stretched her gloved hands to the sky. She probably could’ve been a chunin at least by now but she didn’t bother herself with trying to hard. 18 years old a genin? Working at the hospital taking easy missions. She was good But don’t take her wrong if the matter was important shed find a way she was a fighter someone who pulled through regardless that’s why she called her self a Konoha nin.. but she also was a bit of a slacker passing everything on the bare minimum. Snapping out of her thought bubble when she heard a voice turning carefull as not to fall she smiled taking a few steps back letting the kage do her thang she just smiled wide and wiggled her fingers at her. Her blue eyes widened as the man touched her throwing off her much needed balance she waved her hands back and forth frantically finally standing still what a lucky genin she was ;o. The kage and two upper level ninja to far gone to care what ranks they were even though one of them had just told her. She smacked her lips quietly licking over them now remembering the alcohol taste as she stayed silent but a lazy smile toyed her pink lips.  
Noah: Noah sighed, it seemed everyone was getting drunk but he was. CONGRATULATIONS ADULTS MAKING THE MINOR THE ADULT. "Just what the hell is sake? We don't have anything like that in my homeland..." He sat down with the Hokage and the others, looking at them, "And I will refrain from drinking anything alcoholic, as you seem to have consumed enough for the both of us Lady Kyo."  
Kyo: -Kyo smiled at Noah and allowed her hand to drop to his shoulder her eyes lighting up at his talkative manner, her was always as such and it made her extremely happy to have him around. It was by her request that he had become her Advisor and Guard, aside from Iwato there was no one more capable than him and he did his job extremely well. "Sake? Is an extremely pleasant alcoholic beverage that you should try" Kyo blinked at Noah and tilt her head gently giving him a small smile as she waved the Sake bottle in front of his face. She took another slow swig and then put the bottle away feeling that she had, had enough for this evening her eyes slightly glazed as she swayed slightly and managed to hold herself up by gripping Noah's shoulder tightly.- 
Iwato: “Guess those two are too far gone to have heard that, and I assume Noah mistook it as some drunkards rambling.” His lips pursed softly before coiling into a small yet obvious smirk. He wasn’t too far gone to have said his thoughts out loud so he took time to enjoy his remark to himself. Rather than laughing he seemed to have exhaled loudly a few times, his chest expanding and sinking rapidly. Taking a few steps back he held his gaze adverted from them and to an apartment complex just down the street. Odd, he had never before noticed just how close he lived in vicinity to the bar. He stood unspoken captivated by the paper lanterns and more modern street lights which provided illumination to the city at these earlier hours. “Kyo-chan, are you really trying to influence your young sentinel there with Sake?” He shook his head in disapproval momentarily before taking a few more steps towards the side street that lead to his home.  
Verin: Verin threw a scalpel in the air and caught it between her teeth sideways a cool trick she learned from some nurses. She looked at the guy being force fed sake. She paused that though process didn’t make sense she shrugged it off. Every thought that passed through her brain was clear as day on her face she even made a cross eye at some point. She got dizzy and hiccupped looking at the guy who was breathing like a hippo. “HYMN LIAYC MANUER!” She said gripping his man boobies and pulling him into her chest. “BREATH! Mother goat~” She screamed while she pumped his chest. 
Noah: Noah sighed heavily when the Hokage tried giving him alcohol, "I will have to respectfully decline, as you know that someone has to keep their wits about them, and drinking is for celebrations in Starseite I am afraid." He fidgetted a little, feeling   Kyo:  -Kyo looked at Noah and noticed his fidget, she sighed once and stood with her hand still on his shoulder nudging him away from the bar itself and further into the cool air of the night. "Sorry about that Noah" She said gently giving him a toothy smile and handing him a Warm Chocolate Beverage whilst drinking one her self "Sometimes it's nice to have some Sake this late at night, helps to clear my head believe it or not". Her head turned to the young female Genin currently groping Iwato, she raised an eyebrow at her "So this is what you get up to at this hour Iwato-Kun?" She said with humor as she turned, still standing next to Noah her eyes now shimmering in the moonlight. "You are Verin, yes? The new Medical-Nin I've just recently placed?" Her eyes remained on the girl as she waited for an answer.-  
Iwato: It wouldn’t have been on purpose, not entirely anyway. In a sudden exchange of movement he had felt his arms use leverage to break her hold. His elbow placed itself firmly against her cheek, though there it stopped. Paused mid-action he turned to face the small child. “Do forgive my brass behavior miss, but I’ll advise you not to do so again.” Anbu were bad at holding back their skill, more so to sudden attacks, harmless or otherwise. Now standing in the awkward situation that the girl had put both of them in he turned to Kyo. “I assure you Kyo-chan that such actions are far beneath me, as you should know. Though with that I think I’ll call it a night.” His arm naturally reached out and slugged her softly on the arm, similar to how an old sibling would. With his final parting he made his way down the dark street toward his small apartment.  
Verin: Verin giggled as the elbow made contact with her face her blue eyes looking at the hokage as she talked as the man left Verin swung her arms around in a soft hiccup. She smiled and wiggled her fingers at the Kage. “I-I’m not in my best face right no Kage-sama~” She bowed almost tripping but then stood up normal. “But yes I am she. At your service~” She saluted slightly smacking her self in the eyes wincing as she bit her bottom lip.  
Noah: Noah sighed, trying to think of how to tell the Kage about the news he received, that Starseite was coming for him and he would be receiving some, very few though, people loyal to his cause of returning to Starseite not as a corrupt Fanair but as a heroic one, yet many others were demanding a headhunt on the Fanair so they would not have to deal with them anymore, but a lot of people were buzzed tipsy or flat out drunk right now weren't they? What is Noah going to do? Whatever will the narrator choose to happen? Will he stop asking the voiceless audience of plush stuffed animals? WHO KNOWS?! The narrator does, and it is an endless vicious plush rumped cycle. We seem to have sidetracked from the story however, Noah looked at the Hokage and sighed again, "Can I speak to you when you sober up Lady Kyo?"  
Kyo: -"Of course you can Noah, I apologize for this evening" She bowed her head gently to him and smiled happily at him "I wont put you in this position again, ya'know". She turned slowly and headed towards the small bridge that lead to the park across the way waving a hand in Noah's direction as she did so assuring him that she would be okay and would send for him if need be. Once departing and crossing the bridge she sat down on one of the swings and allowed herself to swing back and forth slowly her eyes slightly heavy and her body leaning more to her left against the cool chain that held up the swing. She felt slightly tired but couldn't be bothered heading home yet, it was around this point during the night that she wished she had friends of some sort, or anyone for that matter, she sighed once more as she undid the braid in her hair and let her bright red strands flow over her shoulders messily.-