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 Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:19 pm
~The Iwadate-Oshu City Train Line~
Part of a large line of trains running through much of the Northern portion of the Japanese Mainland of Honshu, this portion of the greater line is known as the Iwadate-Oshu Line due to the two locations on either end of the short ride across the province. In the West is the greater Oshu City, the line running east to the shores of Iwadate and the Eastern border of Japan. Between these two close rival cities, it is possible to drive the distance between them, but most choose to take the train for vacation excursions or for sports outings, etc. One can board a train on either end of the line at almost any time of the day and make the journey from one city to the other.
It is also possible to board in either station a train which can run south from the northern part of the country to the south, following with few stops all the way down into the Tokyo, Osaka, and even lower Inaba provinces. The distance is so great, however, that to reach the lower country can take an entire day at times. It is not a journey many take lightly.
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:58 pm
~Sai Sakurazaka, the Sakurazukamori~
(Location: Iwadate Train Station) It was a long night, but a good night. Even by Sai's standards and with so few nights anywhere near considered 'good' ones for reference, he knew that the night that had just gone by was something special. He couldn't quite say how or in what way it was special, but as little as he knew about what was going on inside of his heart and mind, what happened back on the pier was...different from anything else in his life. Just like Suzume. His fingers stayed wound together with hers as they were slowly winding back into the Iwadate Boardwalk's slowly-dwindling night life, navigating past the stands and all the shining, happy people towards the large station that stood near the northern edge of the town. It was the slow end to what had been perhaps the best day of his life, but he couldn't say that he wasn't satisfied. To expect too much of a good thing was to always be disappointed; to live life in moderation meant there was always fun to be had the next time. ...Had he really just had a night that he could consider 'fun'? It was hard to imagine. And yet he knew that as they crossed the threshold of the station together, there were very few words more accurate to describe the last few portions of the night they had shared. Maybe watching Suzume eating pudding, collecting seashells, and walking her down to the boardwalk for fireworks wasn't the most flashy night that a person could imagine...maybe the old Sai or the new one with any other person might have been fed up from the outset, unwilling to even think about continuing on with things, but to do it together with Suzume made him feel...different. It was like an experience that he simply wanted to take in, every last minute of it, so that he would never forget that days like this were possible. Even now, it was an experience...his thin lips never betrayed those thoughts, however, to anyone other than the most seasoned Sai-observer (read: Suzume). Moving towards the train, his eyes remained set on their destination; he had watched the girl for the majority of the day and he knew on instinct and sense the sleepy, dwindling consciousness and expression that he would see if he were to watch her now. Still, the feel of her hand and the light swinging of their arms, like a muted reminder of the energy she had swung them with earlier in the day, was a feeling he couldn't forget. And he didn't know exactly why it mattered or why he didn't want to forget the contours of her palm or the unique feeling of fingers between fingers, the smoothness of her skin, only he knew that he didn't. It was precious somehow.
Stepping through the turnstiles and onto the train he could see that the car was entirely empty at this time of the night...few people made the ride from Iwadate to Oshu or vice-versa at or after midnight unless they had ill intentions or had made some sort of a mistake. Tonight was silent save the metallic rustling of the train, which was a welcome sort of quiet. It was almost midnight now, in fact, and he knew what happened around here when that hour struck. Finding a seat somewhere near the back of the car, he situated himself against a wall and lead his companion to join him in the very next seat over, right beside him, never letting go of the hand that he had held all the way from the pier. It was just too nice...his mind didn't think about it, it was natural and he didn't particularly seem to mind it, so why would he make a fuss over something so small as a hand inside a hand? Only now that they were settling he could afford the girl another look, the exhaustion clearly written on her soft face, even in the slight dips in her smile and the unconscious batting of heavy eyelids. She was probably going to fall asleep soon, he knew on instinct...he was, after all, the most knowledgeable Suzu-watcher short of her family. He hadn't spoken all the way from the pier, allowing her to do the talking as he focused on the feelings, taking in the last of the balmy air and the relaxing atmosphere before the ride back into their concrete jungle. Now he spoke again, compelled simply by feeling. His fingers tightened around her hand for but a moment, an idle sort of thing, but comforting all the same. "You're right," he ceded now, remembering her question from a while back that he hadn't answered...his eye on her chestnut orbs for just a moment before they found the window, watching as the train just started to screech to life, "We'll come here together again. Soon. You can count on it." Even if it would be impossible to recreate this day again, there were a great many things to experience in Iwadate...too many, in fact, so many that it was sometimes impossible to imagine ever getting them all into a single lifetime. Today was just the first of many visits. Tomorrow...the next day...whenever they returned, they would simply pick up where they left off. Provided...nothing strange happened. But then, she had his word, and he never went back on that after it had been given. Not because of honor or self-righteousness or anything so boring as that. It was simply who he was...he didn't have the time for lies or deceit. And he never said anything unless he truly meant it.
That was why... "Suzume..." ...When he spoke... "...you are..." ...you listened, and... "special." ...You took what he said to heart.
...If you were conscious to hear him, that was.
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:30 pm
Suzume Kirihara  And so, after so many places visited, tons of pudding devoured, and new experiences lived, the amazing day of skipping class in the beaches of Iwadate had come to its end, and the petite girl was more than contented with the outcome. It had been a great day, starting from the fishing/ocean staring with Kosuke (aka: sunburn time), to the shrine visiting, to the beautiful fireworks she had watched with Sai not so long ago…to the hand wrapped around hers warmly. Nervousness and fear for their classes lost was completely gone after meeting with her friends, her short span attention taking her mind away from whatever repercussions that might come later that night (by her parents, after finding out she hadn’t arrived at school at all) or the days after, away from worries; only to fix her thoughts in the moment. Yes, it had been a very special day, even more so because she had spent it with Sai, and she had been able to see the smallest changes on his expressions, to see him enjoying this as well. Sure, his cold demeanor might show otherwise, but…she knew better! And with a giggle and that thought on her mind, she turned to gaze at her companion from the corner of her eye, as they made their way towards the station, getting nearer to their way back home. She had been speaking about light things, perhaps to keep her mind from wandering too far into thoughts that confused her, or just because she liked blabbering about the simplest things. He kept his gaze up front, absorbed in his thoughts, but the girl didn’t seem to mind, happy just to feel the warmth of his fingers tangled with hers and the moment.
Though, even if it was thought impossible, the seemingly never-ending amount of energy the girl carried inside of her was steadily slipping away, and it wouldn’t be long before she would need to recharge once more. It might go unnoticed by many, her chirping and bright face making it look like she could go on forever; but her slightly slower pace, the small swinging of arms instead of the energetic one earlier that day and her sleepy-looking smile couldn’t fool Sai. Like she knew better about him, she was sure Sai knew better as well. But still, they were close to the train, and there she could probably lean against the corner and drift off…or she could wave away sleep with all her might and stare out the window, like she always did and loved to do! In no time, they were inside the train, and its emptiness only brought a loud gasp as the girl’s reaction. “Wow! We have the entire car for ourselves!” True, she had never traveled so late, so it came as a surprise. A surprise that made the girl forget about how tired she was, for only a fraction of a second. Big brown eyes examined the empty seats, all the time being guided by the violet haired young man. She sat close to him, her hand warm and safe inside of his, the last of her energies wasted on the excitement of traveling this late at night. “Though…I can’t see much out of the window…” she muttered to herself, only dark shadows, outlines of buildings and little bright dots of turned on lights the only things she could distinguish. She squinted her eyes, but…nothing. Oh well! At least she could still talk with Sai…if she didn’t pass out any time soon.
She shifted on her seat, finding the most comfortable spot before going still, relaxing against the back of her seat and partly against him, before turning her eyes back to him, listening to his deep voice breaking the silence. “Really Sai? Sooon? How soon?” She blinked slowly, almost as if her eyelids were made out of lead and it was quite the task to keep them from keeping shut, the girl struggling with the fatigue that had hit her all at once now that the excitement at the train had passed. “It would be reaaaaal nice…” she added, a yawn catching up with her in mid sentence, a small sheepish giggle leaving her after. “Real nice to…spend more…days together…” she mumbled now, her words coming out more slowly, in a slight drawl. Yeah…it wouldn’t be much longer now. Even so, she was able to catch those deep words…or maybe she was already dreaming…She wasn’t sure. Still, they painted a soft smile on her lips, and sleepy eyes shifted over to face him, perhaps not catching the full meaning, her brain working too slowly for her to think on it...and perhaps only on the morning she would wonder about them, or think of them as part of her imagination…"You too… Sai,…are special…" Half conscious words…honest thoughts…Well, not anyone could know with the girl…except for a few.
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:57 pm
~Sai Sakurazaka, the Sakurazukamori~
(Location: Iwadate Train Station)"Soon, Suzume. Rest now," the violet-haired man assured his companion as she slowly began to drift away from the exhaustion piling upon her after the day; throughout the entire town she had bounced around as though she were a child seeing the entire town for the first time. Now she was still much like a child, all the energy spent as she drifted away, unconsciously leaning on the shoulder of Sai in the train's open car. It would have been easy to mistake her as such, her exuberance and youthful charm giving her a fresh feel to those who met her...you only would have to know her to know better. Happy as she was, there was a mature person buried deep underneath those beaming smiles and the seemingly-endless streams of pudding that she could somehow tuck away inside of her slim stomach...one who loved her family more than anything and was constantly worried for them, one who was willing to look past the scarred surface of the town's most ominous urban legend, through his disfigured cheeks and fearsome face, to see the person that he was underneath. Some might call that naive, but Sai Sakurazaka knew better. To him it was the ultimate...to him it was a perception, a maturity that people just didn't have anymore. And he was grateful for it, always. So no matter how much energy she spent during the day, and even if he had to endure the weight upon his shoulder as she rested there, eyes drooping, happy smile upon her lips, he would do it for her. For a little while, that is. All things in moderation, of course. Except for pudding. And apparently not for heartwarming gestures, the last words she muttered in her sleepy haze...wanting to spend more days together, uttering precious words that he was...special. Deep inside of the cold chest and sturdy shell of the scarred man called 'Sakurazukamori' there was a stirring at those words that was hard to ignore, hard to define. It felt...nice. To be called special...had anybody called him such a thing before and not been referring to something violent?
He wasn't sure what those feelings meant, only that they were something that he wanted to preserve, something that he was willing to do just about anything to protect. Things that he never would have imagined were becoming everyday occurrences now, and there was only one person that he had to thank for the changes in his life, the darkness becoming something altogether bright. And that was Suzume Kirihara, the sad-looking girl that he had met in the hospital that night not so very long ago, the one who had been just so gut-wrenching, whose face was so very innocent that the very sight of tears upon her cheeks just seemed wrong in more ways than could be said, that anybody should have been inspired to talk to her and do whatever it took to erase them. Yet somehow, out of all the people who had been through that lobby that night, it was he who had spoken to her instead...why had it been him? Why had he spoken to her? ...Those were questions that only he knew the answer to, and for her part Suzume had never stopped to ask him. She was the only one he would ever tell, too...those were thoughts that he couldn't quite explain, couldn't justify, and yet they were precious to him all the same. Those thoughts were the impetus that had started a whole new life for Sai Sakurazaka, and now he was on this train back home together with someone who was from an entirely different world, an entirely different life...one with family and friends and school days that were nice, of pudding dates in a small shop on the boardwalk and seashells and fireworks and all the happy things that a boy like him had never even dreamed of, could never even conceive in the world he came from. It was a secret between the two of them how it all came to be, and he was perfectly content with that knowledge. And of all the things they had shared, before that moment beneath the fireworks tonight, there was nothing that could compare. Now...well, even the beginnings had a challenger to the throne. His fingers idly drifted from his side, the free hand not linked with hers, and nearly ghosted over his lips before he realized where they were going, changing course to brush a stray strand of hair away from the girl's eye as she began to drift away. So sweet...so soft and innocent. Nothing in the world should ever be allowed to taint her happiness. Nothing...
===============================
"Sai Sakurazaka! I can't believe it's you...heard you died in a blaze of glory, taking down something like fifty of the Amakusu's best men!" a voice erupted from the doorway of the train...it was night then as well, the dark light seeping into the windows on the journey between the beach town and the dark city, having just pulled out of the station in the latter en route to the former, and while the scarred young man had been sitting alone in the corner of the train silently, a second passenger had boarded some time later, recognizing him immediately from the doorway as he made his way over and stood before his violet-haired car-mate. He was well-dressed, or as well-dressed as street rats like the two of them tended to be...a loose button-up shirt, unbuttoned, with a silver chain and slick hair, nice pants and a pair of glossy boots, probably brand new...his smirk belied the friendly tone that he put into his words, revealing the hint of amusement and perhaps mocking intended to test the ire of Sai as he spoke. Or perhaps he really was just trying to be friendly but couldn't help but be tasteless, the way that they were with their types, their lifestyle, all double-talking and rarely ever sounding as genuine as they intended. Sai had always hated the type, but he never acted upon that hatred, such a thing as tone these days hardly being motive enough to break out of the life that he had chosen to lead, the one that he had known that he wanted ever since that night not so long ago. He didn't acknowledge the newcomer. He only frowned out the window out the back of the car, the very last on the entire train today, and waited silently as the last lingering rays of daylight fell beyond the horizon in the West. His lack of interest seemed to amuse his companion. "Tch, tch...I guess it is true what they've been saying. ...The Sakurazukamori gone straight...who would have thought it? What do you think? Are the Amakusu happy? Or are they even more pissed...?" His words were speculative still, pretending to be happy and friendly while poking little needles into Sai's defenses, trying to find a way to rile him out of his calm attitude, knowing that by reputation he would never snap at something so small and actually do something about it. And true to form, when Sai finally spoke he was calm, his passive and disdainful disinterest cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
"I haven't changed. I was never "one" of any of you to begin with," he dismissed the claims that he had 'gone straight' easily, his own attitude clearly that whatever 'crooked' way that was being implied about his past life had never been quite what the man thought...or that he simply disassociated from it entirely, "And I don't have the slightest interest in what the Amakusu "feel" about anything. They're nothing more than rats scuttling about in the gutter. Let them fester and plague one another until they all wind up dead. It makes no difference to me." His words were sharp, his tongue cutting off the venomous dismissal at that, feeling that there was no more need to say anything further about the matter. And his answer had the intended effect, a narrowing of the eyebrows evidence at the man's anger, the instant annoyance he felt at the words, something of an insult but not directly pointed at him...he still felt the sting of Sai's lack of interest in the matter, in his words, in that life anymore. Had he really never cared at all? The man shook his head in disbelief, taking a seat across from Sai as he crossed his legs, one over the other, and smirked widely, a Cheshire Cat look, as though he knew something that his companion did not. "You really are out of it...I can't believe it. But you know, there was one other rumor...I'm sure if somebody were inclined to tell them, the Amakusu would pay a pretty sum to hear it," the man started, the tone in his voice sharp, his words like some know-it-all who was about to take a great and violent dig at someone less intelligent, somebody who simply wasn't in the know...and the pointed tone raised the crimson eye of his companion instantly, Sai's dislike for the man growing with one look at those thin lips, "I heard...that you're doing all for some girl. Some cute, brown-haired girlie from 'Shu City High...some boys said they'd seen the two of you around town together. I think her name was..."
And that was all it took...in a flash the man's voice had been silenced, choked into submission by the grip of a single tight fist, fingers wrapped around his throat like a vice grip...and with one smooth movement the larger form was lifted from his seat and a head smashed through the glass of the back window of the train, crimson blood streaming down from cuts on his forehead and a bloody, cracked nose as he hung limply through the open window, dangling over the passing tracks below held only by the iron grip of a furious man looming over him in all black like the devil himself. His crimson eye practically burned with anger...his hand nearly shook in a repressed desire to simply close his fingers tightly and crush the weak pipes beneath, or simply let go and watch as he fell to the tracks helplessly beneath them and bounced once...twice. And yet he didn't, though his angry, purposeful stare burned into the man's face so furiously that he might have burst into flames from the sheer hatred if he could. The deep voice of his lifeline broke the silent air, stern and powerful enough to be heard over the screeching of the train and the rocking of the cart beneath them...and his voice was practically shaking with hatred.
"If you...EVER...speak her name. I promise you...everything that you have...everything that you ever loved...I will forsake absolutely everything! ...And I will not stop until they have suffered one hundred times the most terrifying fate that you can imagine," he pulled the squealing, fearful man from the window and held him inches from his own face, eyes boring into the others so that he would know just how serious he was...that was to say, dead, "And then, I will kill you. Do you understand me?" A hurried agreement could not stop the sudden whirl of Sai turning his body back into the cart, dragging his human luggage with him...and then, before he could gather what had happened, a steel hand rail bent behind his head, the force of Sai's arm driving his skull through it. And then he dropped him to the floor of the car, an unconscious body flopping limply at the feet of the once-Cherry Blossom Killer. His fist was still shaking as the train came to a slow at the Iwadate Station...his crimson eye burned...
Never...never would he allow them to hurt her. Never would he allow anybody to lay a single finger on a single hair on her head! Never...
"Suzume..." his voice whispered, body unmoving as the doors to the train car slid open all about him, all the light of the day extinguished entirely, "...you are...special to me."
==================================
All the night about him was now in full bloom, and resting against his shoulder was the person that he had sworn to protect. The person who was more important to him than any diamond, than any other person, the person that was...that was...
...His thumb brushed gently over the skin on her cheek, an idle gesture. He knew that she was changing him...there was no question about that. But maybe...after today...what was he to her, really? Was he truly someone special? Was he worthy of such a thing? Was someone like him worthy of...someone like her?
"It doesn't matter..." he thought solemnly, knowing that even if he couldn't be that, even if she didn't want him or he wasn't worthy, "I will protect you..."
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 9:39 pm
Suzume Kirihara Soon. It was enough for the girl, a tired chuckle resounding lightly and a nod the only sign that she had listened, and that she would be waiting for that day. Not that she needed to worry...because, Sai would always keep his promises...and he would never lie to her. Eyes fluttered heavily, and closed slowly. It hadn't been much longer before the smaller body relaxed and lolling head found itself falling against the soft shoulder of the one beside her. It had been just an instant, as easy as switching a light off, and the girl was out. Unconsciously she shifted slightly, stopping when she found a more comfortable position beside Sai. Soft breathing came out evenly and quietly, and for once...one could say that Suzume Kirihara was finally still, calmed and quiet, instead of the energetic ball of movement she always was. The brightness that characterized her though, could still be slightly perceived, if you paid the enough attention, on her now serene expression, the girl having a good rest after a great time. Lips were slightly parted, her always present smile hiding on the corners, as incoherent mumbles slipped in whispers...as dreams filled her head.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bright sun shone down over the brunette, rays licking at her slightly reddened skin, showing she had been working for quite a bit. Finally, she stood up, brushing away the lingering sand from her hands and observed her finish piece of art. A sand castle stood before her, tall towers, detailed windows, awesome gate and even the small red flag waving with the wind...Yeah, it was the biggest, most amazing sand castle ever! (Not that she could do anything like that in reality...the most she could muster was a small bucket form 'tower' and some rocks beside it resembling a bridge.) Either way! This was her dream! And she could make awesome sand castles if she wanted! A wide smile painted her face, bright brown eyes gazing proudly at her hard work. "Teehee! This was so much fun! I wish Sai could see this! I worked so hard! And and, it would totally win a contest!" With a plop, she sat down on the sand, taking out a small cup of pudding, letting out a tired, contented sigh. The spoon dug in to the creamy treat, and just before she could nom it all, a loud rumbling broke her concentration, the pudding falling to the grainy ground with a soft noise. The ocean bubbled; waves grew and crashed angrily against the castle. And out of the sea, out came the most evil creature ever...the evil sea monster she had thought she had seen before. "Heeeeey...!" The girl pouted, turning to look at the ruined pudding, before standing up, pressing her hands to her hips. "You ruined my pudding, and you are washing away my sand castle...Could you please-" A loud roar interrupted her, the monster trashing around its tentacles.
"Stop that! I won't let you destroy it! It took me hours to finish!" The girl yelled back strongly, pointing her finger back at the Kraken-like creature, "And! I won't let you take Sai away either!" she added, a subconscious reminder of what had happened earlier that day. "For I am Supah Suzu! And no meanies like you will continue doing evil stuff meanies do if I can stop it!" Magically, her clothes were different, changed to a generic super heroine attire, pink mask covering her eyes included. "So, HYAAAH!" The girl jumped, bright flashes and action lines blinking at the background as she flew towards the monster, a kick pushing it back. In retaliation, the creature swung one of its tentacles, snatching away a bowl of pudding the girl had been keeping for later. "Noooo! My pudding!" A loud FWOOSH! was heard then, the brunette already reaching out for her favorite treat, fist extended and ready to finish with her enemy. A tiny hand hit the huge monster's head...but it was enough to send it flying!
The girl nodded and stuck her tongue out at the monster, just as a falling (and miracleously fine) pudding cup landed on her hands, followed by the spoon, that landed neatly on the creamy treat, ready for her to eat. "That should teach you! No messing with my pudding! Or my castle! Or my friends! Or-"Her words were drowned by the spoonful of pudding that reached her lips in that moment, the girl happily giggling at the saved sand castle and rescued pudding. And of course, getting rid of the monster that had wanted to take Sai away from her!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A soft breath escaped the girl's lip as she nestled closer to the violet haired young man, the warmth radiating from his body unconsciously pulling her closer, the soft fabric of her pillow (read: Sai's shoulder) making her to rub her cheek against it...leaving behind a small damp splotch on the sleeve. "Pu...pudding..."
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:26 pm
 » Shαy Tαҡеɗα « ✘ ❝These are not tall tales.. ◚ ◛ ◚ ◛ ◚ ◛ ◚ ◛ How long had it been since Shay had been back in his home country? He pondered this as he lazily rolled an aged silver coin across his fingers, not dropping or missing a beat. His best guess was that he hadn't been back for a good break in about two years but that was about to change. He was heading to a nice place he heard of called Iwadate. From what he heard it was a nice place with beaches and a nice ocean, a peaceful place. "Excuse me.. Where did you get that coin?" This simple question snapped the man out of his thoughts and looked over at the fellow passenger. They had no idea what they were in for, not at all. He placed the silver coin in his pocket before speaking."This?.. Well after I fought off some mummies in Egypt I found out that they were actually grave robbers in disguise! After beating them the local Egyptians wanted to reward me by giving me what ever I wanted.. All I took was this single silver coin. It turned out that the gold was the princess's dowry and I couldn't take that away from her.. Hm? Oh! This is my stop. I should be going."
Shay got up and picked up a travel case to get ready to leave when. "Wait!.. What's you name anyway? And what's with the tall tales?" "I don't tell tall tales. These are stories of adventure told by a real adventurer!" He paused to fetch his old leather fedora and placed it on his head. "And my name is Shay Takeda. Expert Treasure Hunter.. On Hiatus." With that said he stepped off the train to look around, a bright look in his eyes. "I can already tell I'm going to like this place. It's much better than that tribal village in the Amazons I was in a few months ago." ◚ ◛ ◚ ◛ ◚ ◛ ◚ ◛ ..These are stories of adventure!❞ ✘
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