Tachibana Estate

[» Comatose]

[X, X, X ]

Nestled into a separate corner of Konohagakure lies a swath of land solely owned by those who bear the Tachibana name. Erected in a traditional japanese shoin-zukuri style, the estate is a group of individual home-like structures surrounded by a large wall with two separate gated entrances, all centered around a large garden. Each structure itself is lined with engawa - or exterior hallways, which connect each room and every structure together via small bridge-like pathways. At any given time, several live-in kaseifu. These housmaids can be seen taking care of affairs around the estate from cooking, to cleaning, and everything in between.

Main House: ----

Guest House: ----

Atrium: ----

Library: ----

Tatami Room: ----

Alchemical Laboratory: ----

(Under Construction. . )

[» Comatose]

Smoke spilled from exterior shoji doors as hustle and bustle raged within a kitchen only barely visible through a haze of smoke. Several men and women barked orders at one another as they ran to and fro, carrying spices, ingredients, and dishes. This frantic scene was normal in the Tachibana estate, every preparation hectic and every meal lavish. There was only a few more hours until dinner would be served and the estate was in full roar.

Inside the tatami room, sat a long-haired male, staring outside into the courtyard to the kitchen on the other side. A small laugh escaped his mouth as he did, smirking as he shook his head.

"If there weren't appearances to uphold and the Tachibana name at stake I would have probably stopped this daily ritual long ago."

Even beside the small monologue-like introspection it was clear simply by looking at his face this was something he disliked, even if he enjoyed the resulting meal. Other than Takeshi (furthermore referred to as Tachibana) the rest of the room was empty. Though there was enough provided space for thirty or so people, just like everyday it would be only him and his wife. The kaseifu would eat much later, in their own similar much smaller room, located in the servants quarters. Throughout the whole preparation, service, consumption, and aftermath of the meal they wouldn't so much as take a bite.

Tachibana's sitting here like this hours before the meal would be served was too a daily ritual, albeit a much more meaningful one. Everyday, regardless of the rigors of life, duty, and service he would meet his wife. That is, even if they had been together all day that day they would still do this. The ritual was highly ingrained as a special moment in daily time where nothing else mattered but togetherness.

[⌈ addy ⌋]

The scent of mixing spices and roasting vegetables hung heavy in the air, a comforting haze that spoke of rituals and full stomachs to come. Kaori inhaled deeply, slowly, and then the breath with an audible sigh. After a long day at the hospital her stomach grumbled and felt like it was tying itself in knots, but she could still enjoy the atmosphere the servants created. With the rainbow of flowers in the courtyard and multitude of butterflies dipping to and fro, it was truly an idyllic spring afternoon.

The kunoichi kicked off her flats near the stairway up in to the tatami room, briefly pausing to feel the grass beneath her toes. Then she ascended, lips spreading in to a warm smile when Tachibana's face came in to view. "I'm not late, am I, anata?" she purred, more of a greeting than a question. From the din echoing across the courtyard it was clear that dinner would not be ready for some time yet. "We didn't have many patients today, but I lost myself getting caught up on some paperwork. They really should let me hire an assistant."

Kaori slipped in to the spot next to him on the mat, linking her arms around his shoulders and leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. She lingered for a moment, enjoying his scent with lidded eyes and a teasing smile. "How was your day?"

[» Comatose]

He couldn't help but smile as his ears picked up his wife's voice, head turning immediately to meet her gaze. There was of course never any real set time for their daily meetings so long as it occurred before the dinner meal, and he had never intended to fault her if there was. Not only was her job difficult - if not of the actual greatest difficulty, but his love wouldn't allow him to even slightly harbor such a thought.

"Late? You're probably early." He spoke, pointing slightly over to the ceremony of cooking that didn't seem like it'd be over anytime soon. "Any time so long as its some time, is great time."

Enjoying the closeness associated with her putting her arms around him and planting a kiss on his cheek he closed his eyes a moment, answering her question only when he felt satisfied with the time he had to absorb the moment.

"Times are peaceful - and while there are missions to do, most aren't fit to be done by more than a couple of Genin. In fact, I spent most of my time today lazing around here, the only thing pressing I had to do was go and guest lecture at the academy on some mundane topic I've already forgotten." He sighed some, recollecting what he determined in his mind to have been an awful day. While most would lavish in so much free-time for someone so used to doing so much it was almost torturous.

Smirking, he turned his head to directly face her own before bringing his nose to hers, moving his head back to its former position only to speak. "Since there is so much time.. " He motioned to the courtyard wordlessly, before gauging her reaction.

Something occurred to him though as he motioned, in that they were forgetting something pivotal. A month or two ago they had received information that it was likely that a legendary trove of treasure beneath a hidden jungle had been found - for information they needed only travel to the land of grass's capital.

"Actually, perhaps we should travel to Aokusa before its too late. We had inquired about that trove of treasure and it just occured to me that was already weeks ago."

Rising to his feet he waited for Kaori before exiting.

[⌈ addy ⌋]

Kaori felt her heart beat just a little faster, a reaction to the closeness of his face and the insinuation of battle. Adrenaline. Her lips parted to respond favorably, but she stopped when some recognition dawned in his eyes. "Oh my. It has been quite a while, hasn't it?"

With a sigh, the lime-haired woman rose to her feet and glanced longingly across the courtyard, in the direction of the kitchens. "Why don't you go prepare for us? I will inform the servants; they likely can find a way to make our dinner more portable. I also need to let someone from the clinic know that I will be away for a while. Let's meet at the gates in approximately an hour, yes?" She leaned in for a quick kiss, watched him leave, and then set off to tie up their loose ends as planned.

[EXIT]