The House of Kamui Senju/ Hinazawa Inn and Hot Spring [Topic Done]

Kamui's Themesong


Near the resort that was the Hot Springs of Konohagakure, there stood a two story house built of stone and wood, with it's own private section of the hot spring in the back of it. This was in fact the residence of Kamui Senju, and it was originally built for his wife to be, Uzumaki Fumiko, but now, it was merely a fancy house, in which Kamui also ran his own business in his spare time, having two trusted clan members running it while he was away, those people being his cousins Mikasa and Kontou.

His house was thus being used as an Inn and Hot Spring, and with Mikasa-Chan and her son Kontou running it, the little house was never truly lonely, and neither was Kamui. Mikasa was a thirty-five year old woman who was of average height. She had short brown hair with long bangs, and the back of it was often pinned up. She dressed in the Senju traditional garb of robes, hakama, obi, haori, and geta. She had dark black coffee colored eyes, a tanned complexion, and she was fairly good looking and not in bad health, though she lacked in her chest, not having much cleavage. Mikasa was a pleasant woman, always cheerful, and loved having things to do. She had an injury though in her back, which prevented her from being active as a shinobi, and when Kamui heard that she needed a job, he offered it to her, the job of keeping up his house as an inn. Her son Kontou, though he was an active Genin, helped his Mother a lot, and he was glad to, because he hated to see his mom in pain. Kamui paid them sixty-percent of what the earnings were for the srvice of the Inn on a bi-weekly basis, always giving them a little more if he made a lot of earnings from a mission and such, and he let the two of them live in their own rooms upstairs, this way living for the two of them was easier. Mikasa's husband, Hideaki had died a year ago as a Jounin. Kamui hadn't known him very well, but he had met him, and he had given him respect, as he always respected the others of his clan, unless they proved themselves to be rude or not loyal, etc. The child Genin, Kontou, had the hair of hi mother, though it was a bit on the red side. He had vibrant green eyes like his father had, the same tanned skin his mother had, and he was a fit looking kid of twelve years old, a fresh Genin, ready to become like his father and make stuff happen. Kamui was happy to tutor the boy whenever he had free time, and Kontou usually was happy about lessons, unless he was having a rather fitful day, where the lecturing wasn't so in his favor. That was the thing about kids though, they were growing up, and they got into a lot of trouble. It was how people learned about the world though, so they can keep growing and learning, and making themselves better, improving their lives and the lives of the ones around them.

~~~

[522 WC]

The ninja known as Konoha’s white noise relaxed in the private hot springs in the back of Kamui Senju’s business and residence. Both shirtless and bottomless, he would be meditating yet again, this time in the springs if…if the residence had been empty of kids who liked to ask a lot of questions… “So did you know my dad? He was a Senju too.” Kojirama, with his eyes closed, would calmly speak in single words. “Yes.” “What was he like on missions?” “Successful.” “Did you ever go on a mission with him?” "Yes.” "Was is successful?” “Yes.” “How old are you?” “40” “Do you know a lot of wood jutsus?” “Yes.” “Will you teach me some?” “No.” “Why not?” “Busy.” “But you’re just relaxing here, how can you be busy now?" “Meditation.” “Meditation? Is that what you do on your off time that makes you busy?” “Yes.” “Is one word answers all you can say?” Kojirama would motion his face as if he was pondering on the answer, but soon returned it to its relaxed expression. “Yes.” “Hmm…Ok.”

About ten seconds passed and Kojirama was glad to finally have silence from the young boy who seemed to “What’s your favorite color? Mines gold.” Kojirama had finally had just about enough of the kid’s questions, with a slightly annoyed but still kind of calm tone he would speak in more than one word sentences, instead asking a question of his own. “What’s your record for consecutive questions asked? Mines one.” The kid seemed delighted and happy to actually receive more than a one-word response. “42, what’s your favorite Jutsu?” Kojirama’s face turned into a face of frustration and anger and was about to speak out harsh to the boy and tell him to go away but his mother that was near spoke up first. “Would you leave the poor man alone Kontou, I’m sure he doesn’t want you pestering him while he tries to relax. I’m sure he works hard and would like to relax in the spring once and awhile. Come here and help me with errands and leave him alone.” The young genin kid grumbled in disappointment but went to go help his mother.

Kojirama sighed in relief that the kid was finally gone and his face returned to that of a calm and relaxed one. Finally…silence. May whoever have to teach that genin be blessed with the patience of 1,000 monks. Kojirama would continue to relax in the soothing sensation of the Hinazawa Inn’s private hot springs not expecting another interruption for a while.

It was a pleasant afternoon and all seemed to be going well, Kamui Senju thought, as he approached the Hinazawa Inn. He had just gotten back from a round of training, and now it was time to relax for a bit. He was wearing his favorite color which was dark blue in his haori, obi, and hakama, and his robes underneath were a lighter blue. The Senju family crest was on the back of his haori, and his purple colored hair was tied up in a red ribbon, keeping his hair pretty much tamed. He came up onto the wooden porch and took off his sandals before going inside of his home, and he was greeted by soft music and the smell of jasmine green tea and of floral incense in the shrine room, an of food cooking in the kitchen.

"Kamui-Sama!! Your mean old friend won't teach me anything! Will you teach me wood jutsu today, or maybe some water jutsu, or maybe..."Kontou said, after running up to Kamui, looking up at him excitedly.

"Kontou! Back to work! Take the tea to the guests in the garden!", yelled his mother, Mikasa. She was getting irritated with her Son's behavior today, though she loved her son very much with all of her heart.

"Awww...ok.", he said, and he went to gather the tray with the tea and cups on it and he went about back to work. Kamui smiled at the boy, and this made Kontou smile again, and he went off more cheerily.

His Mother now looked to the man of the house, smiling pleasantly. She walked up to Kamui and said, "May I take your coat for you, Kamui-Sama?"

Kamui took off his haori and handed it to her, and he'd hug her, smile, and walk towards the back doors, saying, "Arigato, Mikasa-San.", and he'd go and open the back door and walk towards the hot spring, surprised to see someone quite familiar relaxing in the steaming water. Kamui took off his robe, and left nothing on but his Hakama and he'd sit down on a rock near the edge of the pool, dipping his feet in and taking a long sigh. He closed his eyes, smiling and let out a long relaxing sigh, accompanied by a little yawn.

[377 WC]

As Kojirama continued to relax he heard the familiar voice of his younger cousin Kamui whom he had gotten to know much better over the past week or so. Still with his eyes closed Kojirama would listen as Kamui must have disrobed some and dipped something into the hot springs, letting out a long sigh. Continuing to maintain his calmness and keeping his eyes closed Kojirama would speak to his younger cousin. “I’d ask a ryo for your thoughts but I’m scared you’ll never shut up like that poor kid in there…Has anyone ever thought of giving that kid a work out that when he comes home so tired that his lips would hurt to move? Either that or gluem shut for a few hours…”

Kojirama was possibly the calmest man in not just the entire village, but pissible the entire world when he was meditating…but even one as peaceful as he had his limits and Kontou had amazingly gone above and beyond his limits. The boy had asked questions for thirty minutes straight his first visit here, Kojirama had hoped the boy would have been absent this trip around but Kojiama did not luck out in that circumstance. Despite the annoyance of the kid, Kojirama enjoyed being here mostly in private. It was far better than any of the other hot springs in and around Konoha, mainly in part due to it being a Senju residence and that not many people had the opportunity to relax here. Yes…even within the confines of one of the most relaxful places in Konoha, it still had its nuisance.

With hearing the words Kojirama spoke, the purple haired Senju laughed heartily, and he replied, "No worries. I don't think anyone can possibly talk as much as Kontou. Though he may be annoying with ho many questions he asks, if you think about it, that also makes him intellectual. He's eager to gain knowledge. When I can, I train him a little here and there. It's hard when you lose your parents so young, you know? It's something a lot of kids in these ages have to grow up with though. I myself was fortunate to have my parents up until I was eighteen.", he said. Yes, Kamui had the patience to deal with Kontou. This man had a lot of patience, and he liked to believe he could also understand many things in the world, and that which he didn't understand, he quested to understand.

Kamui's feet were warmed by the water of the hot spring. He took another long sigh, and he'd get up off of the rock, and he'd walk back towards his house, saying back to Koji, "I'll be right back.", and with that, the man would go back inside and head from the living room, through the den, through the hall, and up the stairs, and from here, he would go into his room, and he'd take off his hakama, and he'd replace this with a white bathing robe and head back down, and outside to the hot spring. He'd then enter the hot water a distance away from Koji, letting the robe fall off of him on the grass. When he was in the spring, he would immerse himself slowly, until the water came up to his neck. His long purple hair snaked and floated along the water like a serpent behind him.

Once Kamui was relaxed once more, he would ask his older cousin, "So how does your life fair as of late, my friend?", and a he waited for a response from him, Kamui's mind wandered off to the past, specifically, to the day he created this place for his beloved Uzumaki Fumiko.

~~~ One Year and a few months ago...

It was a special kind of day. Just a few months ago, Kamui had the pleasure of meeting his fiance, Fumiko Uzumaki. The day they had met started off really awkward, because you see, Fumiko had been tending to a little girl and he had thought maybe she had already had a child by another man, but luckily this wasn't the case. The child had just been a very young Genin. It was quite embarrassing, and the woman had been very nice to him afterwards, and they'd spent a lot of time between then and the following few days, laughing, and going places, and talking, and training together as well.

Now though. since Fumiko would soon have some time to herself from her own duties, he'd decided to do something nice for her. It was a secret surprise though, so he had made a clone, using a customized hand seal with both hands touching each finger, splayed, and the index fingers curled into a heart shape with the thumbs below, and he'd disguise this with the Transformation technique as a woman with pink curls deliver it to her. What was it? It was an invitation to a party at a new spa and tea house in Konoha, in the lovely Hot Springs district. It was signed anonymously, and so that Fumiko wouldn't think it was advertisement, he drew little hearts on the paper and said it was from someone who truly admired her beauty.

After preparations were made, the letter sent, Kamui's Shadow Clone came back to his location, and he would disperse it. Now, Kamui needed to build the spa and tea house. First of all, he needed the house part. Kamui would make the hand signs for Snake, Rat, Ox, Ram, and Snake. Holding the last sign, the purple haired, blue eyed Senju channeled his chakra from his body, through his feet, and into the earth. Roots underneath the ground would combine together to make big strong material and it's form would shape, coming out of the ground around him. Kamui kept his hands and his chakra steady, thinking in his mind of the perfect little hot-springs style Inn and spa, which included an area to chit chat and eat, a bed-room upstairs, fine double doors that led out to a back yard. It had everything a real house needed to be functional, including a bathroom and kitchen. This would be quite lovely.

Feeling happy about this little accomplishment, Kamui would walk around the house first, inspecting it, making sure there was nothing wrong, and when he deemed it good, he smiled quite a bit. Next thing he needed to do was go out to the back yard. Here he'd need to make the hot spring-like pool, so he'd need to use Doton and Suiton. Only thing is.....he didn't have the Doton element, so he'd need someone to help him. This is when he set out to find someone to help him build his place!

He didn't even have to go far. Walking around town no too far away, the young man of eighteen years old had found an older woman who was walking around with a young boy in the academy age range. She looked very sad, tears running down her face. She had walked to several establishments, seeking employment first as a maid, then as a waitress, then as a hostess, etc., but no one wanted to hire her. She broke down and started crying, her the little boy with the brown hair and green eyes hugged hi mother, sobbing into her kimono.

Kamui Senju approached them, and he would ask the woman politely, "Excuse me ma'am...do you need employment? I just so happen to need someone who can use the Doton element o help me build a hot springs spa. Do you happen to use that element?", he asked. Then that's when he caught sight of the Senju Clan's symbol on the sleeve of her right arm. He may be in luck, because most of his clan had this element handy.

"Mama! This guy here said he'll give you a job! Mama, stop crying!", Kontou yelled. He loved his mother, and he hated to see her upset.

This is when the woman would look up, meeting the soft sea-colored eyes f Kamui with her own coffee ground colored ones. She wiped her tears away, and she said, "Oh, yes sir! I do know Doton! I am Senju Mikasa, and this is my son, Kontou. Can you please help us? We've been hungry for the past few days. I have been out of work since I hurt my back in my last mission, and I'm no longer able to fight in battle, but if it's buildings you want made, I can do that well."

This was music to Kamui's ears. He took the lady's hand and he gently kissed it, and he looked into her eyes reassuring ly and he'd say to her, "Have no fear, Senju Kamui at your service. I will employ you, and your son as well so he can make some extra money, assuming he' an aspiring shinobi?"

"You betcha I am! I'm gonna be the great,, just like my dad!!", Kontou yelled. He was really happy. Seeing that joy in the boy's face, and the woman's made Kamui even happier, but now there was a race against the clock. Fumiko-Chan would be at the Inn in no time. There was no time to lose now!

[1262 WC][2161 WC so far. Learned Shadow Clone Technique and Wood Release: Four Pillar House Technique via WC. 161 WC left over.]

Kojirama continued to relax as his younger cousin spoke, when he got to the words of it tough growing up with parents at a young age Kojirama sighed and opened his eyes for the first time and looked down and away from Kamui. Upon finishing, Kojirama remained silent on the words at hand remembering how his own father passed away when he was only eleven…He was about to speak back up but Kamui beat him to it saying he was going to be right back. Kojirama nodded in acceptance and would go back to relaxing as Kamui got up to leave. Upon his return, Kamui asked how Kojirama had been lately. His eyes now closed again and continuing to relax he would speak. “It fairs well I suppose…How does your life go? How do your genins fair in the thick of things?” Kojirama asked continuing to relax.

The younger Senju would come out of his flashback in his mind with hearing the voice of his older cousin, and thus he would reply in his gentle tone of voice, "My life is going well. I am ever striving to improve myself as always, as we all must do. As for my students, they too are doing well. Axel was just recently promoted to Chuunin, so I suppose he won't stay on my Squad for very long. Hyuuga Sora is by far the most rambunctious one, but he's doing well too. I went along with him while he did some missions the other day. He handled both very well. Akane...well, I've gotten to know her a little more personally," , he said and winked, and he laughed, "But don't worry. It was nothing too personal. We jut had a couple of drinks together and talked about life. She has good aesthetics.", Kamui would say. He felt very warm in the water now, and he wished to wet his whole body, so he would sink himself into the water completely, then emerge, completely wet from head to toe, and he'd look back at Koji, and he'd ask another question,

"Before I went back into the house, you said something, but I didn't reply. I'm sorry about that. Would you care to tell me what it was?"

[225 WC +161 WC from previous post=386 WC total thus far]

Kojirama would listen, as Kamui would speak about his genin, Kojirama being surprised that the young Axel had become a chuunin already but thinking back he did see leadership qualities in him and was not overly surprised at the news. He saw it in all the genin but the rambunctious one that Kamui spoke about. When Kamui got to the female genin, the statement and wink caught him by total surprise. “But You’re  a ...and she’s a…but you guys are close in….It’s so weird with the..” As Kojirama struggled to find the words to say for once, Kamui finished laughing and settled Kojirama’s mind down when he said they only got a couple of drinks and talked about life.

What Kamui said next also caught him by surprise thinking that moment had passed, Kojirama would look away and down remembering flashbacks of his father, almost with every mention of such things Kojirama gets emotional even at his age and the years that have passed by. Some things just never got easier…but he felt like Kamui was owed an explanation to a hint of his past so he would speak and reveal it. “I was going to say that...I know what it’s like to lose a parent, especially a father at such a young age. I was…I was eleven when I lost mine…It changed my life around when that happened...I not only wanted to become a better ninja… but I was willing to exhaust myself to see such a thing through…you were right before… about his questioning and losing his father…it may very well make him a better ninja and strive to be better because of that…I just...I didn’t have that same excitement to become better like he does…I didn’t ask questions. I wasn’t so...joyous…I was more angered and saddened by the fact that if I didn’t train as hard as I did…then I would be the one to leave loved ones behind like that…I would be the one leaving others to feel the same way I do…and even though I used that emotion to train….it still wasn’t great enough.”

Kojirama looked back over to Kamui and quickly spoke again, clearing his throat to get rid of the sadness in his voice from the previous words he had just said. “Sorry bout that, I shouldn’t have started to say anything in the first place…but I think I will teach the boy a few things…after I relax more though.” He would finish speaking, close his eyes again and do his best to return to relaxation.

Anger, sadness, they were both human emotions, and as such each human had these emotions whether they wanted to admit to it or not. Kamui could understand Koji’s anger and sadness over losing his parents.  He could also understand the way he felt...how he feared he’d leave others behind the way they had left him. Kontou was one of those rare and fortunate children who could push through anything, but then again, he still had his Mother. If he had lost her too, perhaps he would be different, or perhaps not.

“Human emotions drive our human minds to make decisions based on how the heart feels. More so we all make mistakes, but from those mistakes, we come out stronger human beings. This is all a part of the lesson of the Will of Fire. If you believe in the Will of Fire, you can accomplish great things. I believe this still, even if I lost the one I loved, and even if my parents were hiding cruel secrets from me. I want to honor  Konoha, and the Senju, and our ancestors by doing the bet I can to become a better person so I can help others become great in turn. It’s like....leaves floating on the wind.”, Kamui said with passion.

He looked to his older cousin and he smiled happily, and he added, “And you have nothing to be sorry about. Kontou’ll be happy if you teach him something. He’s eager to learn, that boy, and he’s so optimistic. He’ll be a good strong role-model some day.”

After saying these things, Kamui wold relax himself in the water once more, closing his eyes and becoming quiet, he breathed a sigh, and let his mind drift back to the memories of the past, memories of his love for his lost one, of the love of his clansmen, of the love of Konoha...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kamui took Mikasa and Kontou back to the home and hot spring resort he was building for himself and Fumiko Uzumaki, and he took them inside of it. Once inside, Mikasa exclaimed at how beautiful it was, that Kamui really had a hand for home building. This made Kamui a bit flattered, but he would reply very humbly that it was all in a day’s work. With how lovely the place looked, Mikasa could only guess the reason for it, asking Kamui,

“Young man would you have happened to have made this place for your lover?”

Kamui smiled greatly as he continued on through the house now and through the back doors, saying as they all walked together, “Ah yes. I am making this place for my beloved Fumiko Uzumaki. She is the old Uzumai Clan Leader’s daughter. We are engaged to marry by the end of the year.”

With that being said, Mikasa gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth. She couldn’t believe who this man was, as she’d just figured out. When she was calmed down again, her son looking at her with concern, she said , “Well count my stars, you’re Eiji’s Son. It’s an honor, Kamui-Dono.”

Kamui smiled to the woman, walking out into the yard and inspecting the land out here. While he did this, he replied to her, “It’s quite alright, Ma’am. You don’t have to call me Lord. I’m not any better than you or anyone else. Now...I need you to use your Doton to help me with the Hot Spring.”

“So humble and kind....Yes...Kamui-San.”, and with that, Kamui would explain to her how he wanted it to look, and she got it after a few minutes of studying the crater and it’s surrounding area.


First of all Doton would be used to create the lining of the pool and the featured rocks within the pool. Kamui wanted it made to look as natural as possible, yet make it the size and structure he wanted, so that it was both good to look at as well as safe. Because of this, Mikasa selected a Doton jutsu that usually varied in size and structured appearance according to what the user wanted. That jutsu would be Earth Release: Multiple Earth Style Wall.

What made the pool creation all the more convenient was the fact that Mikasa had chosen this particular plot of land because it appeared someone had made a good sized crater in the earth here. The size and depth of it was good for a pool, and that's where the whole idea for the little hot-spring came into fruition. Now, time to get to work. Out here in the heat and bright sun, leaving the nice house he had created behind with it’s shade and comforts, Mikasa put her hands together again to weave kata and channel chakra, this time in the Doton seals needed for Earth jutsu. She wove the specific sighs for Tiger, Hare, Boar, Dog, and repeated this over several times. As she did so, she created four curved walls of strong and hard stone, and made a few "broken" pieces come up within the pool, to provide sitting places, etc. When that was done, Kamui smiled at Mikara’s work, and she smiled back to him, wiping her hands of as if they were dirty, and she sighed.


The group would take a quick break now and they went to the the front yard where Kamui had accidentally left this cooler he'd brought, stuffed with jugs of lemonade. Kamui, Mikasa and Kontou  took a small break to relax, and drank some of this before they'd continue the construction work. Good thing it was almost done! the sooner it was done, the better! Especially since, they still had shopping and decorating to do. Sheesh what a day this would be, merely preparing it.

The best thing was though, that Fumiko was told not to arrive until tonight, which gave himand his new friends  about five hours to complete everything. That gave them time to do construction/train the body/relax after doing all the errands. Now, Kamui picking up the cooler, they would walk back into the nice cool house, back to the back yard area. Here was the pool, with no water in it! Well, time to fix that! So, facing towards the empty "spring", Kamui would raise up his Suiton natured chakra, bring it to his mouth and he’d seal the Snake hand seal and open his mouth using Suiton: Bakusui Shōha, spewing a great amount of water up from his throat, directing it into the empty pool. He'd continue to do this until the pool was filled, which didn’t take very long, after which, Kamui felt really lazy. So, he went inside, made himself a wooden couch, and fell asleep for a little while, apologizing to Mikasa and Kontou, but he was just too tired .

When he woke up, it was time to finish off the job! Kamui looked at the time. There was only an hour before she'd arrive! That meant, things needed to be hastened up! The house was made, the pool was made, now he needed to buy food, candles that smelled good, more things that smelled good, comfortable fabrics, kitchen supplies, towels, soaps, shampoos, you name it, you want it. Only thing was....he was only one man. ....luckily though, when he looked around at everything more closely, his eyes coming into focus and him waking up, he noticed that Mikasa and her son had already done so much! Mikasa-San was amazing! Still, seeing as Mikasa was so wonderful and such, he couldn’t let her do everything on her own! He had to help out!!


This was a job for many men! So, Kamui would once again, utilize his Mokuton chakra, using the hand seals of Tiger, Dog, and Snake. This time, he'd make clones of himself, and he needed twenty men, so he made twenty clones! They were Wood Clones to be precise, and after using the Wood Clone Technique, he sent off all of his clones to do various shopping activities around Konoha. When they'd come back, he and the clones would set everything up nice and good, so when the sun was going down, the Inn and Hot spring would be open for business. By the time Fumiko would arrive at the front door though, Kamui would be all tuckered out. It wasn't something he wished, but come to think of it, it should have been expected. The clones dispersed, and pieces of wood fell around inside of the house. It's be an odd sight, but hey, he got the job done at least. Mikasa got Kontou to pick up all the wood and stack it neatly by the fireplace, and after this, she instructed her son to help Kamui, stand up and go it on the couch, since her back was too frail to lift him any, and Mikasa herself went to get Kamui something to drink. Just then though, there was a knocking on the front door....

~~~~

[1484 WC][+386=1870 total]

Spoiler:

[1870-1500 WC for an A rank tech=370 WC left over]

With his eyes still closed, Kojirama would listen to his younger cousin speak. Slightly smirking at the wisdom of his youthful Senju relative. As Kamui finished speaking saying they were like leaves in the wind, Kojirama would add to that. “Or like the branches of a tree that sprout out from the trunk…without a strong center the branches would be scrawny and as weak as a small twig…I understand what you are saying…It is good to have such strong eager ninjas such as Kontou..Heh…it is also good to have words of wisdom come from someone other than myself…Not many people today hold such wisdom that can be put into words…” With that said Kojirama would continue to relax and drift off into his own flashback about his son.

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A young boy with short white spiky hair, a small frame, and red slash tattoos on both cheeks dressed in attire much like that of today’s Kojirama but with two white cuffings on his wrists instead of one. The young boy was almost a spitting image of his father Kojirama. Smiling the young boy would look up at a younger albeit mature Kojirama and speak. “Dad…you know my ninja way. It is to inspire to become a great ninja and above all else a great leader that inspires through words and actions. My words will be like the sweet solace on a summer morning, my words will be like the wind going through the trees. Whispering insight as they pass through each leaf and moving on again to tell another…my actions will prove to show that my words are not just empty words...but a way of life. Dad, I will grow to not only make you proud but that of every shinobi in the village and one day...maybe even the world. For we all all shinobi’s of this great earth, no matter the village not matter the loyalty, if one shows compassion and strength it is like a wide spread disease not meant to be contained in just one area. That is why I strive to be a ninja…”

Kojirama would look upon his son and give a big smile while rubbing his head and speaking. “I cannot wait to have my own son on my genin squad...you will indeed become a great ninja one day Hatchirama. It makes me happy and proud just to know that you have such a wonderful nindo like that…” Kojirama’s son smiled as he tried to wrestle his dad’s hand away playfully.
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Back to reality, a small tear rolled down Kojirama’s left cheek remembering that memory and then knowing what would happen only a short year later…another tragedy in Kojirama’s life that would shape him.

The young man once again came out of his own memories as he listened to the thoughtful and serene words of his older cousin, Kojirama. He added onto Kamui’s prose about the leaves on the wind, mentioning that it could also be seen as frail branches growing from a tree’s sturdy trunk. They could be easily broken. This unfortunately, was how much of life was, and it was just something to accept, no matter how difficult it was. Kojirama had seemed to be very impressed with Kamui’s wisdom. Kamui had this wisdom because of the amount of time he spent out in nature, and the amount of time he had spent listening to his Father and Mother and their wise words. How he only wished they had not done what they had done. Right now though, he didn’t want to think about that grim part of his past. Instead, he would open his eyes and turn his attention to his cousin, seeing a tear run down his face.

From this, Kamui could tell that he must have thought about something that had deeply troubled him, something very saddening. The young man wandered a bit nearer to his cousin, but no where near enough to touch him, and Kamui would say to him,

“It can be difficult to think about the past, especially when you think of memories that hurt you. That’s why I try my best to focus on the positive ones. Even I though, can’t always think about the positive. A balance of emotions is important in life.”, he said. He didn’t know if his words would help any or not, but he hoped they would.

Not long after this, Kamui had decided he was clean and quite warm enough, actually feeling rather hot. He made his way to the edge of the Spring and got up and out of the water, his naked form wet in the sunlight, he quickly located a towel and his robe drying off best he could. He’d place the robe on then and take the towel and wrap it up around his hair to dry his luxurious purple mane.


Now, Kamui would face the Hot Spring, placing his hands on his hips, and he’d say more mightily, “Well then, Kojirama-Sama, are you ready to get out?! I’m hungry. What about you? Mikasa-San is a wonderful cook! She can cook you anything yo like! I myself am in the mood for miso soup and unagi sashimi.”

[411 WC +370 WC from previous post=781 WC]

Kojirama would listen as the motion of the hot water changed, indicating to him that Kamui had moved and only when he heard his words did he know that he had moved close to him. As Kojirama listened to the words of his younger cousin he smiled, as he would wipe away he moisture on his face that the tear had left behind. Before Kamui would get up out of the hot springs, Kojirama would offer up more words as well. “You know… I believe that true focus lies somewhere between rage and serenity…and in that small area of gray is where memories need to remain…Remember the pain so it will help improve the joyous memories…but sometimes…sometimes the pain is so great that it overwhelms this…alas those occasions are rare and like you said we as humans are driven by our emotions…and sometimes those emotions cause us to make mistakes…Such a mistake is letting the pain take over.”

Kojirama would then listen as he heard Kamui step up out of the hot springs and ask if he was finished relaxing and if he would care for some food made by the other of Kontou. Opening his eyes once again he would speak. “Yes…food would be lovely right now.” Kojirama would then proceed to step up out of the hot springs and wrap his lower regions in a white towel. “I’ll have whatever you are having, I assume she makes what you like very well so I presume it will be delicious.” Kojirama smiled and then turned his head back to the springs, remembering a small flashback of him and his son in a similar setting smiling and splashing in a hot springs. Kojirama would smile.

And so with Kojirama's agreement to eat and enjoy the cooking of Kamui's live-in friend and co-worker, Mikasa, the two Senju would head inside. First though, Kamui would excuse himself back to his room, and he'd change into a black men's kimoni with a red inner lining and trimmed at the bottom in a flowery design, accompanied by a white obi. His hair, as it usually was, would be brushed out and tied up in a ponytail. Now, after he was done with this, he'd head back downstairs to his friends.

Spoiler:

The Senju smiled and waved to Koji as he saw him again, and he also waved to Mikasa, who peeked out of the window of the kitchen to see him come back. The older woman was looking very happy when she walked up to Kamui and Koji, and she would ask the two of them,

"Would you two happen to be hungry?"

Kamui laughed and replied to her, "You've read my mind, Mikasa-San. Yes. We'd both like Miso Soup, and please add mushrooms and menma to that. We'd also like the fresh unagi that was caught yesterday, in a sashimi, and please a side of white rice, and tempura shrimp too please, and wasabi and ginger."

Mikasa was happy to do this for her Senju-Dono and his friend, and she went to go start cooking, while Kamui and Koji would go have a seat on the comfortable sofa in the meantime. The dinner table, they would move to when Mikasa would tell them it was finished.

Kamui sat down on the black leather couch, and he’d ask Koji out of curiosity,

“So, what other elements do you use besides Mokuton? Or do you not yet possess the ability to wield it I myself use Mouton and Suiton, but I have a deep suspicion that I also possess the element of Earth. The reason why I think this is because the Earth speaks to me so much, especially when I sit outside barefoot and touch the cold soil with my feet.”

Before he could get his reply, a certain rowdy youngster came running over, yelling “Kya!!”, as he would jump over the back of the couch, to land on it right next to Kamui and attempt to strike him in the face with a fist, of which Kamui had perceived would happen, palm open already, he simply moved it slightly to block and then clutched his hand around the small fist, smiling at the child, Kamui said to Kontou,

“I got you again, Kontou-Kun. That was close though. You’re getting good at stealth.”

“Really?! You mean it?!”

Kamui nodded, “Yes, I do mean it.” Kontou would hang out with them, grinning from ear to ear. Kamui smiled like a cat, and was quiet, still waiting for Koji’s reply.

[485 WC] [+781=1266]

As the two entered the house form the hot spring, Kojirama would depart just as Kamui did for the exact same reason, to get dressed. Dressing in his usual normal shinobi attire, he would meet Kamui back as he was coming from upstairs. Responding to Kamu’s wave, Kojirama would nod his head and then turn his attention to Mikasa as she came over from the kitchen and asked them if they would like anything to eat. Kojirama would remain quite while his younger cousin replied and put in their order. Following Kamui to a sofa, they would sit and Kamui would ask Kojirama a question. Listening to it Kojirama he was about to reply, however was interrupted by the rambunctious Kontou. Watching Kamui easily block the young ninjas strike, the elder Senju would half smile when the two exchanged words. Waiting for them to finish Kojirama would reply to Kamui’s previous question.

“No...I stick mainly to mokuton although if I were to focus on suiton or even doton I have no doubts that I would not be able to perform with either…I just prefer to…stick to my roots…for now at least” Taking a moment to pause he would then offer up a question of his own to his younger cousin. “Are you skilled in anything non-elemental wise? Although I consider myself to be a master of ninjutsu I also am fairly fit with Taijutsu and knowledgeable with Genjutsu…The three main arts as they are.” Kojirama would then sit patiently awaiting a response from Kamui.

Kamui’s attenton had turned back to his cousin Kojirama as Kojirama began to speak. Koji said he mainly stuck to Mokuton and so far, and that he hadn’t ventured out of the box to use Suiton or any other element yet. This to Kamui was fine, though Kamui would hope that Koji would in time try to use other elements. A balance was a good thing after all, and that was one lesson his father Eiji taught him that had been good. In truth, his Father had been a very wise and caring man, though, he had his secrets, and was not afraid to use force for the means of an end. In his Father’s own end though, this had been his undoing. Kami would think about his Father for a moment and how he had betrayed Kamui’s trust in him now that he was dead. He had thought his Father to be heroic and Kind and Just p until he had found out about his dark secrets. It was such a shame. However, he realized now, four years after Eiji Senju’s death, that that was how a lot of the world was. Good men were corrupted or were blamed for things even if they weren’t guilty. Oh, yes, his Father HAD been guilty, and had met his maker because of the bad things he had done, however, the things he had done were ordered unto him, and in the words of his Father it was “All to protect Konoha.”

Back to Kojirama though, Koji now asked Kamui if he was skilled in any non-elemental jutsu. He also explained that he himself was considered a Master of Ninjutsu as well as skilled a bit in Taijutsu and Genjutsu. This was a pleasant question to ask Kamui, to get his mind somewhat off of the gruesome picture in his head, of his Dad’s lifeless body...blue eyes staring up blankly at his Son, even after death.

Kamui replied, smiling as always even through his torments,

“Well besides Ninjutsu, I also use Kenjutsu. I am a Master in both of these arts, inheriting my strengths from both my Mother and Father. The swords I use once belonged to my Great Grandfather, and they were passed down to me from them, and one day it will be my turn to pass them to the next generation.”, he said. His mind had trailed off once more, thinking about Fumiko. If she had lived to this day, perhaps they would have had a child of their own, and she and Kamui would be raising their child to some day become a Ninja too.

From the kitchen, the smell of delicious food came forth, the scents of seafood, spices, and vegetables wafting along the air of the room, as well as the slight scent of jasmine infused rice. Scrumptious! Fumiko would pop her head out of the window of the kitchen and she’d say,

“It’ll be done in a few minutes! All you boys go and wash your hands! That means you too Kontou!”

Kontou got up from the couch, looking upset, but he was also really hungry, so, thinking about the food, he smiled and ran off to wash his hands for supper. Kamui would get p to do the same, and he assumed Kojirama would as well. Now, there was more to ask  of Koji, so Kamui would ask him, wondering, since he had been thinking about his own parents,

“What were your parents like, Koji? Did you inherit your wisdom from them?”, as he’d wait for the answer, he’d go into the nearest bathroom to wash his hands, Kontou rushing by, leaving the water dripping, the faucet not all the way turned off Good thing Kamui and Koji were there, that way water wouldn't be wasted.

[626 WC] [+1266=1892]

Kojirama would listen as his younger cousin talked about being a master of ninjutsu like himself as well as being a professional with weaponry, both inherited from the young Senju’s parents and his swords he uses inherited from his great grandfather and in turn will pass them down to the next generation. Kojirama smiled and responded. “A noble and wise thing to pass such treasures down to the next generation. The only thing I have left to pass down is something of equal power, that of Knowledge.” The elder Senju’s ears perked when the working mother of Kontou leaned her head out and said the meal was almost ready and for them to wash their hands.

Kojirama would get along with the others, the young eager ninja bouncing off ahead of them to wash his hands first. As the two walked, Kamui would ask him another question, one about his parents. Kojirama looked to the floor, silent for a few seconds before he spoke. “I…suppose I learned how to take care of others from my mother...my father…he taught me some knowledge but not much before…before passing. Most of what I’ve learned I’d had to discover on my own. As the elder man in the house after my father passed… it was…difficult to try and uphold the household as per custom…I did my best to take are of my brother and mother although…my mother did a lot and has since paid the price for her…She’s…not very well right now.”
Kojirama would watch as Kontou bounced out of the bathroom with still wet hands and down the hallway back towards the living room and kitchen area. As they both reached the bathroom at the same time, Kojirama would let Kamui wash his hands first before he would. During his time, Kojirama would speak more on the subject of his past, still with sadness and regret in his voice. “With two young kids, raising us as a single mother was not easy...especially since me and my brother were both ninjas…Now...Now she’s mostly bed ridden with a bad back and has trouble breathing…There’s nothing I nor medical ninjas can do she’s just…she’s slowly going away…” Kojirama stopped speaking to dry his hands and turn the faucet off.

Turning to Kamui, Kojirama would speak to him once more albeit more personal and to him. “That’s why it is indeed crucial to pass on what we know to the young generation…our experiences can help or even change their lives…in the past...in the past I struggled with that…but now...now I feel mostly at peace it with…Even at my age I feel I still have much to learn…I’m only taking it one breath at a time…” Kojirama would then turn to leave the bathroom and exit first just in time to see the young Kontou having his hands swatted away as he tried to steal a quick bite of the food before they had all sat down. Kojirama smirked as he continued to make his way toward the dinner table, as Mikasa would nearly finish setting the table as Kojirama arrived. “Let me help miss Mikasa-san. You shouldn’t do everything…” Despite the quick protest from the kind women, Kojirama would smile and take the last two bowls and begin to set them. “Ma’am it’s my pleasure to help...I know it’s tough as a single parent trying to work to live…” The elder lady smiled and touched the side of Kojirama’s face and complemented him on his cute and helpful nature.

The moment passed though as she turned to poor Kontou who was stealing yet another bite and swatted his hands once more saying he could learn a thing or two from ‘The nice elder senju’ Kojirama half smiled as his mind flashed back to his mother…his mother had done the same thing to him and his brother when an older Senju was over for dinner with them. The past…it had a funny way of being repeated.

Kamui was really enjoying the company of Kojirama Senju. He may be a generation or two older than him, but Kamui felt like a kindred spirit was being formed between them. Kojirama enjoyed imparting knowledge and wisdom to others around him, even though he too admitted he was still learning new things each day, in which Kamui agreed. The younger of the two Senju men liked to listen to the older one, taking in information, and breaking it down the way his mind could comprehend it. In fact, Kamui agreed completely with many things Koji said, like how it was crucial to pass on one’s knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation, this way they could be prepared better for the world and such. He also liked that Kojirama was so kind and generous. He had offered Mikasa-San some help with setting the table, and since he was doing this, Kamui would help her out with the issue she was having with the thieving Kontou-Kun. he had tried twice now to eat food without everyone being ready to eat.

Kamui would sit down next to Kontou, across from where Kojirama had sat, placing himself comfortably on the cushion seat that went with the traditional Japanese style dining table. He’d now turn his head towards young Kontou and give the Genin a smile, saying to the lad, “Kontou-Kun, you should pay mind to your Hahaoya. When she swats your hand away it’s to tell you no.”

Kontou replied back, a little agitated, “I know, Kamui-Sama. I’m just hungry! You old people take too long to do everything!”

With that, both Kamui and Mikasa laughed, and Mikasa said, “I love you, my dear Kontou, now be good, and we can eat now that we’re all seated.”

“Indeed. Let’s eat!”, said Kamui and before he would dig in, he complimented to Mikasa-San, “Itadakimasu!!”, in which Kontou mimicked, giving his mother a big smile, before he started filling his bowl with miso soup and his plate with unagi and rice. Kamui helped the boy to get some of his food, so he wouldn’t make a huge mess, and then he’d make his own bowl and plate up After this, he’d take the drink in the pitcher, which was cold crisp spring water, and he’d pour everyone a glass. Now everything was good. Kamui picked up his bowl of soup and drank from it, drinking the broth slowly, then picking out the vegetables with his chopsticks and eating those.

Kamui ate quietly, taking his time with his food as not to burp or cause any other disturbances, since those were bad manners. While he ate, he would think of Koji’s situation with his Mother, and he thought of how he had wished his own Mother was still alive, and that he hadn’t found her body in the state it had been found in. He saw for a brief flash, her lifeless form on the ground of the tatami flooring in his Parents’ house, her life’s blood spilled out of her, her once lustrous eyes staring blank and lifeless up at him. He couldn’t think about his Hahaoya like that. Instead, he’d tell Kojirama,

“Kojirama-San, if you wouldn’t mind, could I come with you sometime to pay your dear Haha a visit? I know she’s in a rough living state, but...I’d like to meet your Mother. I wish you could have met my parents....then again, haven’t you met them at one point? After all, My parents had been leaders of our clan, and you would have been a young man when I was just an Academy Student, after all.” He’d wait for a reply now, taking his cup of water and sipping it silently. Mikasa and Kontou ate quietly, Mikasa looking at everyone endearingly. She thought that it was a good idea for Kamui to meet his new friend’s Mother, but then again, it was all up to Koji. Kontou on the other hand, didn’t really get it. All he was thinking about was getting to train with Kojirama later, like Koji had said.

[673 WC][2565 total WC]

Kojirama would sit down and then smile when Kamui sat down and lessoned to Kontou, Kojirama smiling while the others laughed when the young shinobi spoke about them being so slow to do everything. After Mikasa spoke about them having all been seated and ready, Kojirama would nod his head and start to gather the various food items on the table and put them in his bowl and on his plate. The food was indeed delicious and a few moments after Kamui courteous compliment, Kojirama would provide his own after having swallowed his current bite. “This is undeniably superb miss Mikasa. If I didn’t have so much respect for young Kamui here I would offer that you and Kontou come live with me so you can provide this type of cooking on a daily basis. I’d even take a weekly basis.” Kojirama would grin playfully and look at both Kamui and Mikasa hoping the two knew that such a thing would not happen and was mostly said to compliment her great cooking.

Kojirama would then continue to chow down on the delectable food, nothing much on the sage’s mind just the yummy food. That is until Kamui spoke up about wanting to see his mother and also mentioning his own parents, not sure if Kojirama had met them before or not. Kojirama slightly sighed, the young Senju was certainly questionative about his family and past. Although...Kojirama did feel a better sense in talking with it with his cousin rather than talking about it with others and Kamui only offered to come visit her…and she didn’t have many visitors…swallowing another bite of food Kojirama would open his mouth to speak.

“She would like you to visit I’m sure yes….As for your parents I had met and worked with your father on several occasions but only saw your mother, never spoke or got to know her.” Kojirama would pause for a few seconds before continuing “We have to visit her before dark as that’s usually when she goes to sleep…with her in such bad shape sometimes she can sleep all night but other times she tosses and turns…it’s…it’s hard to watch as well as talk about…” Kojirama grew silent once more, it was hard to talk about his ailing mother…she was the last immediate family he had left. Even if he was at peace about much of death’s role in things, it hurt more for him knowing that he would soon be the last line of his own blood, not the Senju’s, his brother not having had the time to garner a family.

Mikasa smiled happily at Kojirama’s comment about her cooking. It made her eel good to be complimented. Preparing food and having special friends to share it with made her life more worthwhile, even with her husband being gone and being a single parent. She laughed too, and so did Kamui, lightheartedly. However, Kontou really didn’t get it so he would comment,

“I don’t really understand old people.”, which made the adults laugh and even more, and Kontou blushed, but he would grin, and eat a bit more food, before he would tell his Mother and Kamui-Sama and his friend Koji, “Gochisosama [Thank you for the meal]”, and having his plate and bowl empty to the last grain of rice, he’d excuse himself from the table and get ready for bed. The sun would be setting soon.

Kamui continued to eat, having several bowls of miso with leeks and menma, and having rice and unagi sashimi dipped in soy vinegar and a little wasabi. The food was absolutely wonderful, fresh, and healthy. He also drank liberally of the spring water until his thirst was quenched, and after everyone else had gotten their fill, Kamui would place his chopsticks and bowl and such neatly back in their starting positions, bow to Mikasa-San as if she were the Hokage herself, and he too would say, “Gochisosama.”

Koji had spoken on the matter Kamui had asked about, saying that his Mother would surely like him to visit her, and this made Kamui happy. He had also at one point worked with his father Eiji on some missions and such. However, asking about that was a matter for another time. For now, Kamui would get up and help Mikasa-San with taking away the dishes, and he’d go and fetch Kontou from his room where he was playing Ninja Tournament Four on his Shinobi Station 2, and told him to pause his video game for a moment and go help his Mom wash the dishes. The boy complained a little, but he would nod and he’d go help her out.

Now, Kamui went back to the living room, and he’d say to his older cousin, “Alright. Shall we go visit her?”, and on his word, they’d either go see her, or they’d wait until tomorrow. It was Kojirama’s call.

[379 WC] [2944 WC total]

As Kojirama continued to eat and finish off his meal; soon after Kontou had finished offering up his appreciation to his mother for the meal and left. Kamui offered up his thanks as well. “Gochisosama miss Mikasa. I hope I can enjoy these pleasantries again in the future sometime.” Kojirama would smile and then proceed to clean up his own area and help clean up the table alongside the other two adults. After Kamui left to retrieve Kontou, Kojirama slightly smirked when he brought the young boy back to help with cleaning the table and dishes.  Kamui had a good fatherly tone for the young Kontou, with the young boy’s father being gone it was good to have that male role model to try and help make that absence a little lesser, for Kojirama it was his Jounin Sensei.

After helping with the clean dishes he would met Kamui in the living, the younger Senju asking if they could visit his mother right now. Kojirama would look outside one of the windows and could see it was close to becoming dark however was still an hour or so off from complete darkness. Kojirama would turn his head back to Kamui, nod and speak. “We can, but we must hurry. The residence is on the other side of the village. At most we’ll have about thirty minutes to see her.” Kojrama would then excuse himself from Kamui and poke his head into the kitchen where Kontou and Mikasa still were. “Miss Mikasa again it was a pleasure to enjoy the satisfactory of your gracious meal hosting. I must be going now if Kamui and me are to visit my ailing mother we must leave immediately in order to catch her before she falls asleep.” Turning his head to Kontou he would smile and speak to him.

“Kontou, I will come by tomorrow and give you a lesson on something. In the meantime obey Kamui-san and your mother for if I hear you disobeyed them then that lesson will be your one and only from me.” The elder sage would then give the two both head nods and turn back toward the living room ready to leave.

Kamui was happy with how the day had gone. It had been very peaceful and relaxing, and it was great to get Koji together with his makeshift family, even if Koji would never meet the lovely Fumiko Uzumaki. So, after everything was done and Kontou was helping out his Mother and such, and Kamui bid them farewell as Koji did, saying he'd be back soon and help around with closing up shop and such, it was time for the duo of Senju to be on their way and go meet Koji's Mother. Kamui really did hope that he was living in decent conditions, even with her ailing body and weary mind. He just knew somehow, his heart would be broken and in love all at once, even though he hadn't yet met the Lady.

[134 WC] [3078 WC total] [300 earned Ryo]

[Exit]

[OOC:Yea not gonna do a post exiting, I just exited with Kamui. Total WC:3,688]