The Dealer of the Cards (Akihana,IO)

"Akihana. In this world you know just as well as I do people will get hurt. People will rise and fall to meet any obstacle in their place. You cannot be afraid to use the gift you were given because you do not want to hurt anyone...Use that gift to assure that no one DOES get hurt anyone," his eyes for a moment glow a vibrant yellow before it dies down as he continues speaking," All i've known in this life in destruction...until my last breath. It was in death that I truly understood what it meant to treasure life. Yet you? You've walked in the light. You have the ability to mend and heal bodies and hearts alike. You cannot hide that from a world that needs healing. You need to embrace your gift and use it. Never let it settle as a curse my friend," he would allow those words to penetrate her ears so that she could truly understand what he was saying.

He had not honestly expected it to go on like this....he was the one constantly getting talked to and told that he should do better or not let his rage get to him. He felt like a father scolding their child, but not in a bad way. He was trying to bring her back to the reality that she was still needed...not as someone hiding in the darkness of her own shadow, but as the light she once was. As their talk evolved more and more he made a small smirk as to what he would do to get the previous ANBU captain's attention, but nothing would be done. Yet. For now he focused more on the woman in front of him as she told him about the current state of things in their homeland which caused him to chuckle," I'm a bit rusty after all these years so that is yet to be seen. However, once I get back into my prime we shall see what has become of it. In the meantime, do try to rekindle that light you once had when you were apart of the Disciplinary Squad," the words echoed from him as if they were something that needed to be heard.

The blonde hand not expected her revelation to affect Yaju to the extent it had. In truth, she had started to suspect that her decisions affected no one. From Maku's reluctance to speak of how she should use her abilities to Den's never ending patience in letting her stew away with her own feelings, no one had pushed her, encouraged her or even mentioned that she should not give up the art she had held so dear all her life. But that was the thing about the former Raikage, he did what few others managed to do. Honest and frank to what others considered a fault, Akihana had always known it to be one of his finer qualities.

It also reminded Akihana, in a round about way, that regardless of the time they had spent apart and what had happened to them, the fox sage still believed in her... Even after all that had come to pass, he believed she possessed the ability to heal and help, something the kunoichi had not believed of herself for an age now. He remembered the light she once was... and his faith could bring her out of the darkness once again if she tried.

Akihana had spent her entire life believing in people, and now here was one of her oldest friends, saying he believed in her.

"I'll... try," she managed, her voice once again almost breaking with emotion as he lectured her like in the old days. The blonde couldn't help but reflect to the days of her promotion to chunin serving under this very man. Someone who had forced her to acknowledge the evils of the world if she was to help make things better. He had taught her to fight external forces then, now he was intent of teaching her to face her internal demons.

The two old friends sat in the tent for longer than she cared to count, hiding away from the world for as much time as they could before the call came. Reality came tumbling down when she realized she still had a party to manage the catering of and Yaju, from his words, sounded like he too had a friend to catch up with. Instead of saying goodbye however, the young woman gave the former Raikage a tight hug, reminding him once again of the invitation to come to Fang country when he could. She even jokingly added that he could bring his entire pack, except they both knew it wasn't a joke. No matter where in the world Akihana Akari was, Yaju Hayate and his brothers would always be welcome.

Later that night, Akihana would sit and reflect on Yaju’s advise, after a night full of events that pushed her to her limit and forced her to use her chakra in the face of unspeakable events. But for now, it was enough to know that she had one more friend in the world than she had before tonight. One more person who believed in her more than she believed in herself.

The man disappeared into the misty night, almost making his appearance seem like an illusion. But the warm feeling enveloping Akihana was enough proof to know that he had been very real.

(Exit Akihana)

Total Words - 3,614

Claiming: 18 stats (10 to stamina, 8 to health)
Claiming: http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42562-icing?highlight=icing (1,500/1,500)
Claiming: http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t42569-caramel?highlight=caramel (1,000/1,000)
Claiming: http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t40578-hikarition-radiant-showers (1,100/2,750)
Claiming: 14 words to charity
Claiming: Yaju's new chakra signature (if applicable?) memorized

The night had been filled with many things. The Joys of laughter with a friend. The soft comfort of a hug that he had not felt in ages. Lastly the pain of separation as he knew their time was drawing near. As the two began to bring their conversation to an end he smiled and hugged the woman for a moment before pushing a stray strand of hair away from her face," All I ask is that you try. As for your food offer I'll make sure to take you up on that at some point." As the two departed the mist of the night would overtake his tent and himself seemingly whisking them both away into the unknown. In reality he left just as swiftly as he came, looking Into the distance of the area and wondering what he should do now. There was much to do after all.

[Exit. Will post claims later]

3,277 wordcount

16 stats

2500 words toward http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t40912-fire-release-hiding-in-the-ash-and-dust
777 toward http://naruto-role-play-rpg.forumotion.com/t39108-split-second

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