.The Scarlet Veil. (Private, Invite)

[Umehara]

The Home Of Uchiha Anotsu

Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.


Solitude appears to be the greatest of Anotsu's devices, this newly built abode ushering him into a new life thanks to merciful hosts. Impressive in structure and fortified by multiple rooms, this oasis provides many utilities for one of his necessity. Built upon a solid foundation and encircled by shallow crystalline waters, he enjoys the sounds of slightly disturbed waters to lull him into slumber. Rocks of illuminated hue line the bottom of the shallow body of liquid; when the night strikes, the luminous glow of the moon will turn the pool into a man-man aurora borealis. A moderately sized walkway leads up to the front door, twin mahogany constructs that depict halves of a dragon upon each of their faces. The nostrils hold a platinum ring that allows knocking. Once inside, the house opens up into four levels.

-- The First Floor: Tsukuyomi

This is the living quarters for any who would take up residence at the house, the entire layout giving off a japanese style. Paintings and the like of the moon and other wonders of nature span out across beautiful caramel and tanned walls. Cinnamon colored tables with crystalline glass are dotted every so often, holding various books for reference or note. A stand sits at the far end of the room, holding a decorative katana collection wrapped in scarlet and obsidian. Large windows allow one to see out into the yards, accentuated by matching curtains and wooden blinds easily pulled with drawstrings.

Large sectionals curve around the corners of the room, allowing ease of sitting for multiple guests. A fireplace rests on the center wall, though barely seeing much activity. The aroma of apple cinnamon constantly wafts about the place, giving off of a gentle calm. A staircase will lead one to the upper portion of the abode, while other doors lead into a large kitchen and a room filled with shelves upon shelves of books. A gift from those of Oto, one could find a long couch to sit or lay on to concentrate while browsing the text. Giving a great view of the sky, one can find themselves captivated by stars so bright within the sky that they would appear to be marbles.

-- The Second Floor: Susanoo

The stairs leads up to the second floor of the home, this being the general edifice upon which the bedrooms can be found. Numbering three altogether, the rooms are rather spacious and decorated for unisex living conditions. This floor, much like the others, is lined with hardwood flooring that seems to remain cool to the touch. Anotsu's own room is located furthest way from the stairs, bearing a large bed with a windmill shuriken cleaned and polished on the wall. The room holds a table and a long couch to sit on, more literature found here detailing the Uchiha Clan's general information. Light filters well into the room, though able to be dimmed by various light sources. Black and scarlet bed linens are soft to the touch, bearing only a few pillows. The bedposts are fashioned into the shape of tribal designs, intricately carved into to perfection without scratch or dust.

-- The Third Floor: Izanagi

To Be Detailed...

-- The Basement: Amaterasu

To Be Detailed...

[Umehara]

-- At long last.

His chest heaved heavily as his feet dragged along the walkway that would see him to his front door, the torn and tattered cloak upon his back discarded and cast to the side with little concern for where it would fall. The night had approached quickly, shadows bathing his hurt in secrecy with every step that he took up to his abode. Chilled winds nipped at his skin as he began to undress - dirt, grime, and all other manner of fluids stained his vessel, forcing him to disrobe what he could. His right arm thrust forward. And with a mighty shove of his weight, he crossed the threshold with an exhausted stagger and crashed onto the floor of his living room. A barely audible groan of pain, stifled mostly by dehydration, was all that he could muster. He could have fallen asleep right then and there; but with much temperance of his mental capacities, he would attempt to climb the stairs to his bedroom.

"M...Mayu...K...Kogaku.." he muttered.

Either of them would have sufficed. Atsuhiro gradually pulled his boots from his feet, their large thud along the floor followed closely by the sound of ruffled clothing falling into a heap. He clutched the railing as the soles of his feet dropped onto every elevated edifice. Slowly but surely, he made his way upstairs and took a much needed breath afterward.

Just a little further..

The railing continued to support his weight before he lifted a leg. Effectively thrusting it forward, he managed to kick his bedroom door open. Its wooden frame banged against the wall. And as if he had placed his eyes on it for the first time, he marveled at the neatly made bed that would house his vessel for the next while. One small step forward, and the Uchiha staggered twice before falling horizontal atop the blankets. Perfect stillness was achieved as his mouth lay agape, every quest for oxygen more difficult than the last. He could only hope that his vitals were sufficient enough to survive the next.

...'Lest Otogakure find his body there upon the bed and void of life. Only time would tell.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

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[Umehara]

"....My imagination deceives me.."

The words were groaned as only three hours had passed, the struggle to turn over an immense task that the Uchiha would not have managed had it not been for his stubborn ways. Scarlet locks lay obscuring his vision as he sat up, every inch of his form protesting. His lips parted to audibly inquire about what sort of death wish the intruder had. But for lack of energy, he merely lay back and sprawl across the bed again. Perhaps, he thought, the silence would shoo them away..

.....Thud!

Yet again, that infernal racket. Eyelids peeled back brusquely as he sat up yet again, the speed at which he'd done so causing him to bite his lower lip in a muffled groan of pain. Anotsu's bare feet pressed to the cool hardwood of the floor, his upper body lunging forward until he crashed against his dresser. He bit out a cry of pain that was surely carried throughout the house, the misery followed closely by an anger that lured him to action. Weakly, he pressed his palms to the floor and stood to full height. One foot in front of the other, he bent over to pick up the grimed clothing before tossing it into his room onto the floor. Once he'd done battle with the steps that would lead him downstairs, his vision slowly began to worsen. Blurred outlines greeted him as he blinked multiple times. Thankfully, he noted, he was not without aid.

Sharingan.

The scarlet oceans appeared instantaneously as he blinked only once, its gift of sight allowing him to relinquish worry as he stood upright and approached the front door. A sea of red locks fell over his shoulders as his bare chest pressed to the twin dragons that kept trespassers at bay. With a wrap of his fingers around the handle, he stepped back only once and forcefully yanked the doors open.

Thud!

Either of his arms lay perfectly outstretched, fingers extended as he stared into the face of fowl and female.

"Who the f- .....Ko-....Kogaku?" he muttered. An entire plethora of feelings cascaded over him as his arms slowly fell and draped at his sides.

....At least, right before the Uchiha's body fell forward toward her in an unconscious heap.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/i]" She exclaimed as she thrust her arms out to wrap around him. She balanced her stance and worked to keep him upright. He weighed roughly sixty pounds more than her, and her own physical skill was not great, yet she could not simply let him collapse upon the ground.

She allowed one hand to drop, fingers carefully working through a set of seals. In a moment a faint pop would issue forth along with a gust of smoke. Four shadow clones had come to her call. She nodded and they quickly came to help her lift the man. Gently they lifted his legs and shoulders while the spare clone rushed through the house to find a bedroom. They were quickly directed to the second floor. The stairs were a task indeed but they got him to the bedroom safely. With a small word of thanks Kogaku dispelled her clones before kneeling next to the now occupied bed.

She looked over him carefully. Something was clearly wrong. Her hands began to glow the palest shade of green as she raised them to rest upon his chest. Her head bowed and energy began to pulse through him, seeking out areas of injury and healing them. It was oddly silent as she worked, not even Athena would make a peep to bother her as she worked on healing the man.[/font][/ul][/size]

[Umehara]

".....That bitch again."

The concept of time was once again lost on him as Ekirei called to him after such a long and undisturbed slumber.

The sensation of his eyes being opened was both a blessing and a curse. He could perceive that he was alive, and yet he could not see his immediate surroundings. The darkness had all but swallowed his cognizance. And to him, it felt much like the dreams that the Curse Seal had taken him through. But this was different; there was nothing more than an eternal shade that he could not have begun to fathom wading through.

And so Anotsu would search for a symbol of reality's blessed assurance. The faintest of warmths began to rise around his abdomen. It was oddly comforting, a pocket of chakra that coaxed him forward. His initial thought was just where it had originated from. Its allure was undoubtedly strong, but at the same time foreign and unfamiliar. The second thought, ironically, was why this hadn't been gifted to him during the onslaught of the Curse Seal's painful machinations. He swam through the nothingness to reach the surface. And somehow, he had managed to mentally pull himself to the shore of his consciousness.

Awakening..

Eyelids slowly fluttered until his vision was restored, blurry at first but settling in as his first instinct was to move. A big mistake. His lips parted so that he might groan, though the motion allowed him to feel Kogaku's hands along his skin for moments before he lay back again. "...Mm....you.." he began. Mentally kicking the colossal dragon that had spoken, Anotsu took in her features for what seemed to be the first time all over again. That single eye, crafted like a gem and accentuating the porcelain beauty, was steadily working to perform healing Ninjutsu along his person. "What are you doing here..?" he managed, his throat still very much dry and giving his tone a hoarse sound.

"Destroyer. I have been watching you quietly. There is much for us to discuss. But seeing her face....I could no longer hold my tongue." The corner of the Uchiha's lips curled upward into an almost imperceptible grin. There was a grim satisfaction in knowing that just Kogaku's appearance could force the otherwise cold and brooding Burakku to speech. Already, the effects of her healing were beginning to mend and heal. Parts of him were already feeling relief, but the tension was still clearly haunting him - he'd have reached out and hugged her, otherwise.

Of course, a shower was definitely in order before any such thing could take place.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

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[Umehara]

- 1st Person -

"Kogaku..."

Equanimity had all but vanished as I watched her magnificent transformation. And yet simultaneously, I felt an indescribable alleviation that fueled my chakra and nurtured my wounds until I was once more in perfect condition. Completely prostrate and attempting to make sense of the majesty that occurred before me, Kogaku's once modest frame was now a fully matured vessel that beckoned the eye's attention and demanded the tongue's hunger. An ocean of ebon curls cascaded from atop her crown and around her shoulders until falling lusciously below her waist, accentuated greatly by the increase in her more unmentionable measurements. This "wine" of a woman had aged beautifully, every aspect of her character enthralling my senses whilst leaving me curious as to what had transpired before me. The nascent Kogaku had used her chakra to permeate through every inch of me. And as I felt my fatigue vanish, I sat up and slid forward to sit at the edge of the bed in evident wonderment.

To have simply spoken her name was almost pragmatic in response - it was a surprise that I could not have fathomed.

".....Say something, Destroyer. Your mouth is agape." The last traces of red chakra coursed my epidermis, the goosebumps traveling the expanse of my arms slowly subsiding. The evidence of her sacrifice was breathtaking. But unfortunately, the consequences were more than apparent. "What have you done..? That red chakra..? The sheer quantity of what you gave me...? Kogaku, your hands.." I inquired. It was then that I remembered the Curse Seal's mark placed below my right eye, its passive effects surfacing and granting me a small boost to my overall physicality. I somehow found it in myself to swallow, the gulp more audible to myself than to any else. After moments of stillness, the sudden urge to touch her became necessity. I'd managed to wade past my more perverted astonishment. But a nagging thought, I realized, was that I could not wait to test the "mettle" of her curves at a more appropriate interval. Still, I had missed her.

And so I reached out for her..

The pads of my fingertips were the first to make contact with her hands, my form leaning forward as I took my time in taking her wounded fingers in mine every so lightly. My touch was chaste, the concern I wore across my features playing out as I licked my lips to convince speech. "Thank you..." I murmured. How ungrateful I sounded, her injuries forcing her to suffer while I had merely gawked at the more than welcome spectacle. I did not know how to properly respond. I knew not what to say, knew not what to do to capture the overflow of thoughts that jumbled together and forced my mouth's stay. I could only recognize the adoration I felt. I had gone through Purgatory, and she had been the hand of deliverance.

I awaited some form of response with bated breath. But one thing was for certain:

...My feelings for her had deepened, and the proof was as clear as crystal in my unyielding gaze.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/ul][/size]

[Umehara]

"All of that. All of your stored energies.....for me?"

I was taken aback by her words, the depth of her change deepening as she spoke to me in a manner that was somewhat foreign to my ears. Ekirei's guttural growl signified that he knew her speech well. But I could discern the quake in her voice, even her own words approaching as if she couldn't believe what she had done. I stood almost at the same time she would, perhaps my own speed just a bit too forthcoming - I was more worried than even I had noticed. Perhaps not as much for her injury more than my perception of her expression. She had withdrawn, even if only for but a moment. I suddenly began to curse myself inwardly, wondering if Abaddon had seen my inability to sustain myself.

And I was at a loss to attempt to make sense of it.

I feigned a certain aloof nature to her demeanor, nodding at her words and feeling the need to express my gratitude before I allowed her to escape with no sense of reassurance. And so I stepped forward and allowed my hands to lift toward her cheeks. I caressed her skin, the line of my body meeting hers before I tilted my head and pressed my lips to hers. The gesture lingered for seconds before I pulled away, forcing my mind to stay its search for answers. It took a great deal of effort not to search her countenance for some sign of resolve. So much so, that I slowly sat at the edge of the bed again and allowed my gaze to drop to the floor.

"As you say." My apathy, genuine and yet forced, had returned to defend me from trivial notions. Closing my eyes, I once more fell still and sighed without further address. She would go to the hospital, and I would be left to my own devices. There was much to do now that I had been fully revitalized. For that much, I was more thankful than she could have known.

[|Ayame Unbound|]

[/ul][/size]

[Umehara]

For the first time in ages, I felt foolish.

My ignorance had indeed been bliss, Kogaku's departure nothing short of my failure and inexperience with handling the virtues of a woman. She'd slipped through my fingers with such ease that it could have been deemed effortless. And now, as I lay back upon my bed and placed my hands behind my head so that I might simply stare that at the ceiling, I was completely unaware of how to proceed. The memories of the Curse Seal's transitional phases poured through my mind again as I gradually closed my eyes, wondering if sleep would overtake me in all of my rapid thinking. The room slowly began to fall away, chipping and tearing until I'd found myself in completely mental darkness. I knew what I felt for Kogaku. But on the same note, I knew not how to express it.

"Amusing. Something I don't know how to handle.." I muttered.

I contemplated leaving my abode to seek her out - to say something...anything...that would have allowed us to resume the course we'd been on. For the first time, I was allowed to rest and think upon the things that didn't involve war or strategy. Then again, perhaps I could associate such things with romance. There was no doubt in my cognizance that I would have to fight to maintain my position with this newly formed woman. Surely, she'd taken my lack of knowledge for insult. But far be it from me to regret the past. There was only the future, and I could live in the present to see to it that I would atone for my shortcomings. I could only hope that Kogaku would give me the opportunity to do so.

But indeed, sleep was beginning to overtake me. I could feel a lazy sensation washing over me, the full revitalization of my chakra needing assistance from slumber to sort out the remaining tension. I maneuvered to the downstairs couch so that I might lay along it; if Kogaku knocked, then I did not want to miss it. But with her hands in such a condition, I wondered, just how would she accomplish that?

...No matter. I would cross such a trivial bridge when I approached.

[Umehara]

I wondered if Kogaku still thought of me.

...Perhaps it was the influence of the Curse Seal, forcing me to relive the memories of what I'd done throughout my journey to obtain its dark power. It continued to remain dormant as its passive tattoo remained beneath my right eye, a constant reminder that I was its bearer and it would forever be my mark of dark integrity. I slowly stood to my feet and began to move toward the door. I couldn't just sit idly by. As if the whispers that plagued me were not enough, I feared that leaving matters unattended would only worsen my situation. And so I would make my way toward the hospital, if for no other purpose than to apologize to Kogaku and await her emergence from being nursed.

"Where are you going, Destroyer..?"

"....To do what I should have done."

I had rested long enough. Opening the door, the sound of the waters greeted me whilst light beamed down from the brilliance of the day. Locking the place up with a simple few twists and turns, I vanished into the forestry afront me and moved toward Otogakure's Hospital. Only time would tell if my initiative would be enough.

- exit -

[Umehara]

I had spent the better part of the day preparing myself for the journey at hand. Every article of clothing was washed and pressed, neatly placed along my living room as I showered and performed a once over of my physicality. My mind remained a well of information, leisurely sipped from as I recalled moments of my past that would enable me to once again pick up a trail that had been long vanquished by time. I would even go so far as to clean every secondary weapon that had been equipped to me, the butt bags and the cloak included. Neatly lining them up so that I might browse and inspect them, I slipped them into their respective holsters and pulled my headband from its place across the couch. Polished and shined, the musical note had never looked more glorious. Once I had prepared myself, sleep would have come next; I was going to need my strength.

- Time Lapse: 6 Hours -

I rose from my bed and ensured that it was properly made, showering once again and dressing myself before equipping all but the Red Queen and the Windmill Shuriken that now hung across the wall. Adjusting my cloak and fitting my butt bags along my posterior, I pulled the handle to my front door and let myself out before locking it up and moving back into the public eye. Half-lidded eyes regarded nothing in particular. And with a single jump, I vanished into the forestry.

- exit -

[Umehara]

-- enter.

Anotsu closed the door behind him before moving toward the upstairs portion of the abode. All had been left in its place, his cloak placed along the armrest of the couch before he ascended and confined himself within his bedroom. Much had come and gone since his last departure through the doors. Thoughts of Kogaku, a matter he would have to attend to later, stole his attention as he allowed his back to meet the soft mattress he'd been separated from for over what appeared to be a year. Even Burakku had become dormant - perhaps because the Uchiha had managed to quell his constant outbursts with chakra - and naught but silence prevailed.

Closing his eyes, he would catch up on much needed sleep before rising to greet the village with his ministrations.

[Umehara]

The time had come to end the nightmare.

The blood that pushed through his veins had spilled enough, had seen enough. He'd been dwelling there for too long, and the perpetual darkness had all but swallowed everything he was. Anotsu stood for what appeared to be an eternity in his living room, the Sharingan fully activated. As he performed a number of handseals, his only thoughts were those that reminded him of the Uchiha Temple....of Kogaku...of Mayu. As the last handseal crept upon him, Anotsu took in a breath and unleashed the most potent of fireballs into the wall only meters away. With his legacy aflame, all that once engulfed him would perish. The faint sounds of a dragon's roar could be heard throughout the heavens as he gave in to the tendrils of fire licking at his flesh.

He fell to his knees, his Sharingan fading...

....And finally, his soul relinquished from a Shinobi's dark existence. One less Uchiha for this world to lay upon and bear hatred for.

Uchiha Atsuhiro was dead.

-- Scrap --

[Fui]

noooo you dead