Kikuae Meirou
Aug 28, 2013 6:48:07 GMT -7
Post by lothaliel on Aug 28, 2013 6:48:07 GMT -7
Name: Kikuae Meirou
Kekkai Genkai: None
Height: 5’9
Weight: 119 lb
Age: 18
Gender: Femmé
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Birth Country: Kaminari no Kuni
Village: Otogakure
Special:
. Suiton (Freebie) {0/500}
. Katon {0/500}
. Raiton {0/500}
Genjutsu Specialist:
. Phantasm (Freebie) {0/500}
. Shadow (Freebie) {0/500}
Clan Non-Specialist:
. Li Clan {0/500}
. Kasutā Clan {0/500}
. ANBU (future)
.
.
[/ul]
Primary Weapon:
Secondary Items:
[/b]
Large- is capable of holding 50 sq ozs of ink.
Limit: Can only be bought by Li Clan Shinobi.
Cost: 100 Ryo per Small; 300 Ryo per Medium; 1000 Ryo per Large.
.Painting Scroll
Rank: "D" Rank
Type: Secondary, 1 per Slot.
Effect: A scroll that is used for painting.
Special: ---
Drawback: Cannot be used in exchange for the Technique Scrolls, only usable with Li Clan jutsu.
Description: A scroll that is five meters in length and one foot wide. It is used by the Li Clan shinobi for their paintings. Most Li Shinobi are seen carrying around several of these painting scrolls, so that they are always prepared.
Limit: May only be purchased by Li Clan Shinobi.
Cost: 500 Ryo per Scroll.
[/ul] [/spoiler]
Watchful and curious, Kikuae is new to the world of shinobi regardless of her age. Having being protected and sheltered for a majority of her life, she is trained and honed herself in other arts that do not require illusions, elements and serrated metals. Consider her previous training to be of the domestic sort- stitching, beauty, clothing, posture and poise, tea ceremony- all of these activates that Kikuae was indulged upon and expect to exceed in from a young age she herself assures are life lessons. Her life is not smeared and tainted with cruelty and revenge- merely caressed with sadness, emotional neglect and vibrant loss that she has conquered.
Her smoking pipe is another attachment to her personality that she inherited from her mother, a tobacco smoker in her own right Kikuae is often found lighting up in her home, on missions or in the village, her clove and cinnamon scented tobacco wafting sweetly.
Thought to be apathetic due to her blank eyes, stiffness and silence (often mistaken for listening and contemplating) it is to be reassured that Kikuae is anything but so; she is vibrant. Her words, intelligence and fierce loyalty are something not to be trifled with. Once under her protection, feel assured that if you should ever perish whilst under her ward it is because she herself has fallen.
She stumbled upon this world of shinobi with little to go on other than the attraction she felt for it when mentioned by her father. Although, she herself admits that her beginnings as a kunoichi were embarrassingly quite romanticized, she considers herself to be capable of changing and adapting to the life she has chosen for herself.
Rarely will Kikuae speak unless spoken to, paying true to her strict tutelage, preferring to keep her opinions to herself- unless what is being said is malicious. Kikuae has no qualms with putting ignorant and rude people, regardless of gender or hierarchy, in their place respectfully- a trait that she is sure will get her in trouble in the future unless perfected. Mostly silent amongst her fellow and other factions of shinobi, though she is not afraid to begin a conversation, but bubbling underneath her seemingly blank exterior she is often writhing with comments, sarcasm and observations. Flirtatious, gifted and beautiful she is in her own right charming and warm, playful banter and codling are not beyond her and she relishes in the contact and verbal combat.
When in engaged in battle her mind is focused and coiled to the job at hand, her actions and her movements predictable but effective when put into play. She acknowledges her inherent weaknesses, strives to overcome and defeat her inadequacies to become a proficient kunoichi, one to be admired and respected.
Kikuae is very much a visual (whilst standard) depiction of a traditional oriental princess, along with her clans (Li) hereditary influence within effect. What should be cream skin is instead a pale, iridescent skin tone with a glow akin to mother of pearl. The natural shadows of her face and body are cast with ashen gray shades, like the colours of safe burning smoke.
Instead of inheriting her mother’s glorious viridian and gold eyes, she was given her father’s sunken onyx, to which in her entire life span (and even in his own passing) she believes have never reflected herself or her mother, nor sparkled with the exuberance of life. She hopes her eyes are nothing like her fathers.
She lines the corners of her top lids with the viridian of her mother’s eyes, her lips matching as a respectful and endearing homage to her departed soul. Thick and long lashes rim her lids, both upper and lower lid are both respectfully rimmed with fine ink coloured hairs.
Her greatest asset, which many would concur, is her eclipse black hair that span’s her own height, dragging a few inches behind her heels if allowed to be free from any restraints. Her forehead is covered with a curtain of black bangs, with her matching hime side lengths that dangle in straight strands to her middle of her cheeks. With her hair length, she would be foolish to ever consider training or entering battle without a majority of her locks managed in some way. Her strands are held in intricate braids, tails and loops harmoniously around the top of her head, her ornaments various as they are extravagant.
Kimono, hakama, hakamashita and yukata are the basics of her wardrobe. They are what you will find her parading around in within the village and on missions, varying in there expense and quality. Her more elaborate are of course restricted for special occasions and meetings, whilst her simpler kimono are reserved for wandering and training.
Kikuae rarely wears more than one layer when outside the village, the restriction not a problem for someone who has from a young age adorned and gritted through the heavy silks, purely just for the ability to shed her sleeves once a battle commences so that she may use her ink creations without splatter.
When encountered on the field of battle, Kikuae is quick to asses and strategize her opponents to the full of her capability. Her long and difficult sleeves are forgone by her immediately once a movement has been decided; her obi is slackened lightly whilst her obijime remains tightened to allow the removal of her arms from her bellowing sleeves. Her legs are usually wrapped in the traditionally movement restricted silk but once she begins her travelling out of her village, her cocooning silk is considerably loosened, especially more so once battle has been initiated, revealing her shapely legs.
Her ink set is hidden within the intricate folds of her obi, tucked within her own made secured silk fold, which she can retrieve it swiftly enough with seconds to spare. Whilst others would have to hack, cut or untie the obi to remove the wooden piece, she can remove it with a simple lax hand. Her rollable brush holder is kept within her sleeve, preferable her left. Although she is right handed, Kikuae knows that the price of being able to draw immediately or deceiving an observant opponent will be the factor in whether you lose a limb, become critically injured, are captured or die.
Once free, her arms, shoulders, neck and the flesh to the tops of her breasts are completely bare. Her boned lingerie beneath is a pastel beige and vibrant crimson with intricate gold brocades adorned with beads. The lace trimmed material cups and supports her breasts, hugs and gives an added figure from her waist to her hips until its ends just below the tops of her thighs in a perfect hourglass. Her skimpy panties are just barely visible beneath her girdle’s length.
Her upper thighs are wrapped in thick silk stockings that secure to her lingerie with fine intricately knotted ropes. She balances delicately on tall lacquered geta, which she has been trained to wear since a child to master with grace and devotion.
Kikuae’s early upbringing was that of clarity, warmth and laughter which she shared with her mother, Higanbana, surround by watchful servants and a compassionate doting mother. Kikuae’s fondest memory as a young girl was when she had just turned 4 and her mother revealed what her name meant and the meaning behind her name containing the flower chrysanthemum.
Higanbana is the maiko name that she had claimed from her geisha tutor, her own whims and teaching from those many years ago still in effect to the day her own daughter was born in the corresponding early dusk of October. The vivid red chrysanthemum kanzashi that had led Kikuae’s father, Daisuke, to meet Higanbana’s eyes on that fateful day is the honour and privilege that Kikuae’s name shares.
Overjoyed at the idea of her mother being someone of such an art Kikuae, who had barely turned four, begs to be taught the same traditions Higanbana embodies. Higanbana, in the joy and the naivety of her sweet daughter, decided to play along and teach Kikuae for that day only on the beginnings of a maiko.
During that day, after their lunch while sitting in the vast and well groomed garden, her mother produced ink and scrolls in order to deter her daughter from the path she had chosen for the day. Upon realizing what her mother was demanding she do, Kikuae groaned and whined much to her mothers amusement.
She remembers violently what followed in that moment, the wetting of the ink stone and the twist of the brush in Kikuae’s hand as she fell into a trance; her eyes ,which were black as winter, became dull as she pressed her brush tip to the parchment and drew.
Kikuae recalled the shape and the thickness of the curved petals corresponding with the tight bundled petals within the centre; she drew the slow but unique unravelling of leaf and stem
“I knew it. It is perfect my dear- you are an artist... Just like your dear father” her mother cried joyfully, her creamy arms wrapping around her sullen daughter and hugging tightly with devotion.
Kikuae’s birthday suddenly became ash in her mouth.
On her fifth birthday her father returned on the darkest and gloomiest day that Kikuae could ever recall in her five year living experience. Her mother was overjoyed but patient, knowing better than to disrupt or rush her husband, who returns from a five year absence.
Disputed leader of an ANBU squad, Daisuke Meirou, was a member of the Li clan, the clan of manipulation and control of ink. Be it birds, tigers, deer or even goblins, his blood deemed that if he could draw it her could bring it to life with ink for blood.
Kikuae, unlike her doting mother, did not partake in her father- merely accepting his existence beside hers. He regarded her much in the same respective.
She did was she was told and obeyed purely to avoid confrontation.
Her mother, after meeting with her husband for under an hour, informs Kikuae of the training and tutelage she was to be placed under so that that she would find a suitor. So began the training and womanizing of Kikuae under the wise, watching scrutiny of Higanbana.
Thirteen years dwindled and ebbed, Kikuae began as a five year old but now emerges at the age of eighteen as a practiced and defined image of a noble wife, versed in the many art forms of a performer and domesticated woman.
The perfection she sought in her training did little for her appeal on the opposite sex coming to court her, her family and her talent fell short when it came to her ability in interact and entertain guests. Her methods, although delicate and sincere, were considered cold and calculating. Kikuae’s father grew tired of her lacking social skills, her inability to stop being a perfectionist began to wear on his patience, his abhorrence for her became harder to conceal as he got older and more tired with life.
Even once he made the gruesome statement that she would have been better off as a kunoichi, with her dedication and determination for her art almost inspiring, if it weren’t for the fact it was hindering her betrothal and future prospects.
To Higanbana it was distressing and unacceptable, but to Kikuae it suddenly clicked. Although not immediately, Kikuae began training her art and drawing, relishing in her clans ability to manipulate and use ink in many fashions; especially un-lady like fashions.
Her family life continued to erode with time, her mother taking ill not short after an accepted then called off betrothal with an esteemed merchants son.
Kikuae blamed herself, while her father took liberty in doing so as well.
Her death stole something from within Kikuae, her brilliance was dimmed, replaced with silent, rusted and cold gears that revolved to push her forward as she prepared her mother’s funeral. Kikuae had never seen her father cry, and she was not disappointed to see he followed the tradition during the long and expensive ceremony. Kikuae, she assured herself with doubt, and her father did their own fair share of crying once they were alone.
Their duty to one another was void with the absence of Higanbana, Daisuke was a broken man, more so than before, but he did not wallow. He wandered, read, wrote, fixed awnings and gardened. Kikuae was surprised by the almost domestic tendencies that her father showed, even going as far as to have dinner with her in the evening and sharing the same drawing room to read and sketch with her in the weeks after her mother’s passing. Kikuae acknowledge the attempt for making up lost time, she appreciated and respected her father because that was all she knew of how to deal with him. Her mothers and father’s relationship was mutual, often Kikuae determined that her mother’s love and devotion was almost unrequited compared to the indifference displayed by her father. Kikuae hoped that if she was to find someone suitable for herself they would be passionate and warm not monotone.
Both father and daughter came to the mutual understanding without verbally expressing it, that Daisuke lacking motivation for life without his wife. He left four weeks after the death of his wife, a mission that Kikuae was sure he chose to be his final.
Upon receiving word of his death, the messages of sympathy and funeral preparations began. The scroll of condolences from the Raikage was suitably buried with him, her names sake kanazashi that brought her parents together to be wed she pinned delicately to the front of his haori before drowning his form in white chrysanthemums of mourning.
Once her father was buried, Kikuae remained no longer than a week in her home before arranging the forward payments of her wards and servants, the selling the home and packing of necessary items before purchasing a home within Otogakure. She wished to no longer remain in the constant moist and humid toil that was Kaminari no Kuni. Two ghosts, one charcoal and the other iridescent, haunted her, pushing her to leave and continue living, not just existing.
Her savings went to her faithful helpers who raised, protected and taught her. Once selling her home, the money went to the purchase of a vast apartment within the central district of Oto. Heirlooms consisting of furniture, extravagant kimono and other clothing, jewellery and products travelled in a large caravan with Kikuae as she travel at a snail’s pace from the middle of Lightning, through Frost and Hotsprings, until she arrived via the coast to the border of Sound. She took her place on the lowered back door of the caravan, jostling around on the rain ruined roads, happy to observe and soak in the sites with her mother’s elaborate tobacco pipe in her hand as she smoked the weeks away to her destination.
At eighteen Kikuae knows that her training years are far behind her and that children nearly ten years in her junior would most likely be more powerful and skilled than she. She looks past these excuses, in hopes that she will exceed and become exceptional regardless of her age, sure that her life up till now had been full of purpose and lessons that others cannot comprehend.
Kekkai Genkai: None
Height: 5’9
Weight: 119 lb
Age: 18
Gender: Femmé
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Birth Country: Kaminari no Kuni
Village: Otogakure
Special:
. Suiton (Freebie) {0/500}
. Katon {0/500}
. Raiton {0/500}
Genjutsu Specialist:
. Phantasm (Freebie) {0/500}
. Shadow (Freebie) {0/500}
Clan Non-Specialist:
. Li Clan {0/500}
. Kasutā Clan {0/500}
Miscellaneous:
. ANBU (future)
.
.
[/ul]
Weapons
Primary Weapon:
Secondary Items:
Large- is capable of holding 50 sq ozs of ink.
Limit: Can only be bought by Li Clan Shinobi.
Cost: 100 Ryo per Small; 300 Ryo per Medium; 1000 Ryo per Large.
.Painting Scroll
Rank: "D" Rank
Type: Secondary, 1 per Slot.
Effect: A scroll that is used for painting.
Special: ---
Drawback: Cannot be used in exchange for the Technique Scrolls, only usable with Li Clan jutsu.
Description: A scroll that is five meters in length and one foot wide. It is used by the Li Clan shinobi for their paintings. Most Li Shinobi are seen carrying around several of these painting scrolls, so that they are always prepared.
Limit: May only be purchased by Li Clan Shinobi.
Cost: 500 Ryo per Scroll.
[/ul] [/spoiler]
Non-Weapon Items
Character Depth:
Personality:
Character Depth:
Personality:
Watchful and curious, Kikuae is new to the world of shinobi regardless of her age. Having being protected and sheltered for a majority of her life, she is trained and honed herself in other arts that do not require illusions, elements and serrated metals. Consider her previous training to be of the domestic sort- stitching, beauty, clothing, posture and poise, tea ceremony- all of these activates that Kikuae was indulged upon and expect to exceed in from a young age she herself assures are life lessons. Her life is not smeared and tainted with cruelty and revenge- merely caressed with sadness, emotional neglect and vibrant loss that she has conquered.
Her smoking pipe is another attachment to her personality that she inherited from her mother, a tobacco smoker in her own right Kikuae is often found lighting up in her home, on missions or in the village, her clove and cinnamon scented tobacco wafting sweetly.
Thought to be apathetic due to her blank eyes, stiffness and silence (often mistaken for listening and contemplating) it is to be reassured that Kikuae is anything but so; she is vibrant. Her words, intelligence and fierce loyalty are something not to be trifled with. Once under her protection, feel assured that if you should ever perish whilst under her ward it is because she herself has fallen.
She stumbled upon this world of shinobi with little to go on other than the attraction she felt for it when mentioned by her father. Although, she herself admits that her beginnings as a kunoichi were embarrassingly quite romanticized, she considers herself to be capable of changing and adapting to the life she has chosen for herself.
Rarely will Kikuae speak unless spoken to, paying true to her strict tutelage, preferring to keep her opinions to herself- unless what is being said is malicious. Kikuae has no qualms with putting ignorant and rude people, regardless of gender or hierarchy, in their place respectfully- a trait that she is sure will get her in trouble in the future unless perfected. Mostly silent amongst her fellow and other factions of shinobi, though she is not afraid to begin a conversation, but bubbling underneath her seemingly blank exterior she is often writhing with comments, sarcasm and observations. Flirtatious, gifted and beautiful she is in her own right charming and warm, playful banter and codling are not beyond her and she relishes in the contact and verbal combat.
When in engaged in battle her mind is focused and coiled to the job at hand, her actions and her movements predictable but effective when put into play. She acknowledges her inherent weaknesses, strives to overcome and defeat her inadequacies to become a proficient kunoichi, one to be admired and respected.
Appearance:
Kikuae is very much a visual (whilst standard) depiction of a traditional oriental princess, along with her clans (Li) hereditary influence within effect. What should be cream skin is instead a pale, iridescent skin tone with a glow akin to mother of pearl. The natural shadows of her face and body are cast with ashen gray shades, like the colours of safe burning smoke.
Instead of inheriting her mother’s glorious viridian and gold eyes, she was given her father’s sunken onyx, to which in her entire life span (and even in his own passing) she believes have never reflected herself or her mother, nor sparkled with the exuberance of life. She hopes her eyes are nothing like her fathers.
She lines the corners of her top lids with the viridian of her mother’s eyes, her lips matching as a respectful and endearing homage to her departed soul. Thick and long lashes rim her lids, both upper and lower lid are both respectfully rimmed with fine ink coloured hairs.
Her greatest asset, which many would concur, is her eclipse black hair that span’s her own height, dragging a few inches behind her heels if allowed to be free from any restraints. Her forehead is covered with a curtain of black bangs, with her matching hime side lengths that dangle in straight strands to her middle of her cheeks. With her hair length, she would be foolish to ever consider training or entering battle without a majority of her locks managed in some way. Her strands are held in intricate braids, tails and loops harmoniously around the top of her head, her ornaments various as they are extravagant.
Kimono, hakama, hakamashita and yukata are the basics of her wardrobe. They are what you will find her parading around in within the village and on missions, varying in there expense and quality. Her more elaborate are of course restricted for special occasions and meetings, whilst her simpler kimono are reserved for wandering and training.
Kikuae rarely wears more than one layer when outside the village, the restriction not a problem for someone who has from a young age adorned and gritted through the heavy silks, purely just for the ability to shed her sleeves once a battle commences so that she may use her ink creations without splatter.
When encountered on the field of battle, Kikuae is quick to asses and strategize her opponents to the full of her capability. Her long and difficult sleeves are forgone by her immediately once a movement has been decided; her obi is slackened lightly whilst her obijime remains tightened to allow the removal of her arms from her bellowing sleeves. Her legs are usually wrapped in the traditionally movement restricted silk but once she begins her travelling out of her village, her cocooning silk is considerably loosened, especially more so once battle has been initiated, revealing her shapely legs.
Her ink set is hidden within the intricate folds of her obi, tucked within her own made secured silk fold, which she can retrieve it swiftly enough with seconds to spare. Whilst others would have to hack, cut or untie the obi to remove the wooden piece, she can remove it with a simple lax hand. Her rollable brush holder is kept within her sleeve, preferable her left. Although she is right handed, Kikuae knows that the price of being able to draw immediately or deceiving an observant opponent will be the factor in whether you lose a limb, become critically injured, are captured or die.
Once free, her arms, shoulders, neck and the flesh to the tops of her breasts are completely bare. Her boned lingerie beneath is a pastel beige and vibrant crimson with intricate gold brocades adorned with beads. The lace trimmed material cups and supports her breasts, hugs and gives an added figure from her waist to her hips until its ends just below the tops of her thighs in a perfect hourglass. Her skimpy panties are just barely visible beneath her girdle’s length.
Her upper thighs are wrapped in thick silk stockings that secure to her lingerie with fine intricately knotted ropes. She balances delicately on tall lacquered geta, which she has been trained to wear since a child to master with grace and devotion.
Background:
Kikuae’s early upbringing was that of clarity, warmth and laughter which she shared with her mother, Higanbana, surround by watchful servants and a compassionate doting mother. Kikuae’s fondest memory as a young girl was when she had just turned 4 and her mother revealed what her name meant and the meaning behind her name containing the flower chrysanthemum.
Higanbana is the maiko name that she had claimed from her geisha tutor, her own whims and teaching from those many years ago still in effect to the day her own daughter was born in the corresponding early dusk of October. The vivid red chrysanthemum kanzashi that had led Kikuae’s father, Daisuke, to meet Higanbana’s eyes on that fateful day is the honour and privilege that Kikuae’s name shares.
Overjoyed at the idea of her mother being someone of such an art Kikuae, who had barely turned four, begs to be taught the same traditions Higanbana embodies. Higanbana, in the joy and the naivety of her sweet daughter, decided to play along and teach Kikuae for that day only on the beginnings of a maiko.
During that day, after their lunch while sitting in the vast and well groomed garden, her mother produced ink and scrolls in order to deter her daughter from the path she had chosen for the day. Upon realizing what her mother was demanding she do, Kikuae groaned and whined much to her mothers amusement.
She remembers violently what followed in that moment, the wetting of the ink stone and the twist of the brush in Kikuae’s hand as she fell into a trance; her eyes ,which were black as winter, became dull as she pressed her brush tip to the parchment and drew.
Kikuae recalled the shape and the thickness of the curved petals corresponding with the tight bundled petals within the centre; she drew the slow but unique unravelling of leaf and stem
“I knew it. It is perfect my dear- you are an artist... Just like your dear father” her mother cried joyfully, her creamy arms wrapping around her sullen daughter and hugging tightly with devotion.
Kikuae’s birthday suddenly became ash in her mouth.
On her fifth birthday her father returned on the darkest and gloomiest day that Kikuae could ever recall in her five year living experience. Her mother was overjoyed but patient, knowing better than to disrupt or rush her husband, who returns from a five year absence.
Disputed leader of an ANBU squad, Daisuke Meirou, was a member of the Li clan, the clan of manipulation and control of ink. Be it birds, tigers, deer or even goblins, his blood deemed that if he could draw it her could bring it to life with ink for blood.
Kikuae, unlike her doting mother, did not partake in her father- merely accepting his existence beside hers. He regarded her much in the same respective.
She did was she was told and obeyed purely to avoid confrontation.
Her mother, after meeting with her husband for under an hour, informs Kikuae of the training and tutelage she was to be placed under so that that she would find a suitor. So began the training and womanizing of Kikuae under the wise, watching scrutiny of Higanbana.
Thirteen years dwindled and ebbed, Kikuae began as a five year old but now emerges at the age of eighteen as a practiced and defined image of a noble wife, versed in the many art forms of a performer and domesticated woman.
The perfection she sought in her training did little for her appeal on the opposite sex coming to court her, her family and her talent fell short when it came to her ability in interact and entertain guests. Her methods, although delicate and sincere, were considered cold and calculating. Kikuae’s father grew tired of her lacking social skills, her inability to stop being a perfectionist began to wear on his patience, his abhorrence for her became harder to conceal as he got older and more tired with life.
Even once he made the gruesome statement that she would have been better off as a kunoichi, with her dedication and determination for her art almost inspiring, if it weren’t for the fact it was hindering her betrothal and future prospects.
To Higanbana it was distressing and unacceptable, but to Kikuae it suddenly clicked. Although not immediately, Kikuae began training her art and drawing, relishing in her clans ability to manipulate and use ink in many fashions; especially un-lady like fashions.
Her family life continued to erode with time, her mother taking ill not short after an accepted then called off betrothal with an esteemed merchants son.
Kikuae blamed herself, while her father took liberty in doing so as well.
Her death stole something from within Kikuae, her brilliance was dimmed, replaced with silent, rusted and cold gears that revolved to push her forward as she prepared her mother’s funeral. Kikuae had never seen her father cry, and she was not disappointed to see he followed the tradition during the long and expensive ceremony. Kikuae, she assured herself with doubt, and her father did their own fair share of crying once they were alone.
Their duty to one another was void with the absence of Higanbana, Daisuke was a broken man, more so than before, but he did not wallow. He wandered, read, wrote, fixed awnings and gardened. Kikuae was surprised by the almost domestic tendencies that her father showed, even going as far as to have dinner with her in the evening and sharing the same drawing room to read and sketch with her in the weeks after her mother’s passing. Kikuae acknowledge the attempt for making up lost time, she appreciated and respected her father because that was all she knew of how to deal with him. Her mothers and father’s relationship was mutual, often Kikuae determined that her mother’s love and devotion was almost unrequited compared to the indifference displayed by her father. Kikuae hoped that if she was to find someone suitable for herself they would be passionate and warm not monotone.
Both father and daughter came to the mutual understanding without verbally expressing it, that Daisuke lacking motivation for life without his wife. He left four weeks after the death of his wife, a mission that Kikuae was sure he chose to be his final.
Upon receiving word of his death, the messages of sympathy and funeral preparations began. The scroll of condolences from the Raikage was suitably buried with him, her names sake kanazashi that brought her parents together to be wed she pinned delicately to the front of his haori before drowning his form in white chrysanthemums of mourning.
Once her father was buried, Kikuae remained no longer than a week in her home before arranging the forward payments of her wards and servants, the selling the home and packing of necessary items before purchasing a home within Otogakure. She wished to no longer remain in the constant moist and humid toil that was Kaminari no Kuni. Two ghosts, one charcoal and the other iridescent, haunted her, pushing her to leave and continue living, not just existing.
Her savings went to her faithful helpers who raised, protected and taught her. Once selling her home, the money went to the purchase of a vast apartment within the central district of Oto. Heirlooms consisting of furniture, extravagant kimono and other clothing, jewellery and products travelled in a large caravan with Kikuae as she travel at a snail’s pace from the middle of Lightning, through Frost and Hotsprings, until she arrived via the coast to the border of Sound. She took her place on the lowered back door of the caravan, jostling around on the rain ruined roads, happy to observe and soak in the sites with her mother’s elaborate tobacco pipe in her hand as she smoked the weeks away to her destination.
At eighteen Kikuae knows that her training years are far behind her and that children nearly ten years in her junior would most likely be more powerful and skilled than she. She looks past these excuses, in hopes that she will exceed and become exceptional regardless of her age, sure that her life up till now had been full of purpose and lessons that others cannot comprehend.
