Spring was finally in full swing in the mountainous region of Lightning, its late arrival a great blessing to the citizens of Kumogakure. Spirits were high as everyone rushed outside to enjoy the weather knowing that, all too soon, the icy grip of winter would return to pluck away their joy. The Dawnbringer Plaza was teeming with people. Children ran and played near the fountain while their parents sat on the patios of the café’s that lined the edge of the plaza, having their coffee alfresco and enjoying the company of friends.
It was at one of these establishments that Takeo wished to patronize. He had spent the entire morning at the Academy training as per usual, but today was a little different. Instead of beating a helpless wooden post senseless with taijutsu, his specialty, he had been training his ninjutsu. Until very recently, he hadn’t been able to perform ninjutsu at all, but now he had a small arsenal of lightning-based attacks to help round out his fighting style. Learning to channel his chakra through handseals and shift it’s form to a basic element had been a difficult concept for Takeo to even grasp a few weeks ago. Now that the majority of his time and energy wasn’t going towards surviving to see another day, he had been able to buckle down at the Academy and get some real training and study in.
Takeo smiled. The reason he was able to excel at the Academy now was because he was blessed by the good nature and generosity of the Tsuyoshi clan. They had adopted him into their family and helped him to overcome his uncles abuse through direct confrontation. He could still remember the way it felt when his uncles jaw broke beneath his fist; like breaking a thick, green branch, POP! The clan that took him in had treated him with the same care that they would treat a blood relative, and the basic needs to survive that he had been struggling without for so long were finally being met. No, exceeded! He was proud to be a member of the clan, and had sworn to do everything he could to pay them back for their kindness.
His stomach grumbling loudly brought him back to reality. Now that he was eating on a regular basis, his appetite had grown tenfold! He was a growing boy, after all, and training helped build up an already healthy appetite into an insatiable beast. With ravenous intent, Takeo approached one of the café’s lining the plaza and took a seat at a table on the patio. With weather this nice, who would want to sit inside? A perky, blonde waitress quickly came to the table with a menu and a set of silverware rolled up in a napkin.
”Hello! Can I start you off with something to drink?” She asked cheerily.
”Yeah, I’ll have…” Takeo scanned the menu for a moment, settling on something he’d never had before, but sounded pretty good. ”An elderflower lemonade, please.”
”Okay, I’ll be right back with that for you!” As the waitress rushed off to get his drink, Takeo took in his surroundings.
It was a perfect day! It was pleasantly warm with the occasional gently wafting breeze. Only a few small, puffy white clouds dotted a cerulean sky. The weather was so nice that Takeo hadn’t even felt the need to wear his usual hoodie, instead opting for a royal blue t-shirt with the Tsuyoshi clan symbol, a white tiger’s head in profile, on the back. The rest of his clothes were his standard garb, though; denim blue jeans and a pair of white tennis shoes. It was plain attire, but Takeo liked it that way. Hell, he was happy just to have clothes that weren’t patched together or full of holes!
A breeze ruffled his messy, brown hair and caused the canvas of the red umbrella that gave his table shade to billow playfully. The patio was furnished with black, metal tables; the kind that were grated so that rain and snow could fall through them instead of pooling on top and causing rust. The chairs were made the same way, though the restaurateurs were concerned enough about their patrons’ comfort to add red seat cushions to them. The laughter of children playing and quiet conversation of the other customers, combined with soft background music, created a soothing atmosphere. All in all, Takeo really liked this little place.
”Here you are, sir!” The waitress said as she set his drink on the table. ”Do you need a couple more minutes to look at the menu?”
”Yes, thank you, ma’am.”
”No problem! Just flag me down whenever you’re ready.” She said with a smile and a bow before walking off to serve her other customers. Takeo picked up the menu again, this time reading it a little more thoroughly. All things considered, he had to admit that it was turning out to be a pretty good day.
[MFT: 833]
It was at one of these establishments that Takeo wished to patronize. He had spent the entire morning at the Academy training as per usual, but today was a little different. Instead of beating a helpless wooden post senseless with taijutsu, his specialty, he had been training his ninjutsu. Until very recently, he hadn’t been able to perform ninjutsu at all, but now he had a small arsenal of lightning-based attacks to help round out his fighting style. Learning to channel his chakra through handseals and shift it’s form to a basic element had been a difficult concept for Takeo to even grasp a few weeks ago. Now that the majority of his time and energy wasn’t going towards surviving to see another day, he had been able to buckle down at the Academy and get some real training and study in.
Takeo smiled. The reason he was able to excel at the Academy now was because he was blessed by the good nature and generosity of the Tsuyoshi clan. They had adopted him into their family and helped him to overcome his uncles abuse through direct confrontation. He could still remember the way it felt when his uncles jaw broke beneath his fist; like breaking a thick, green branch, POP! The clan that took him in had treated him with the same care that they would treat a blood relative, and the basic needs to survive that he had been struggling without for so long were finally being met. No, exceeded! He was proud to be a member of the clan, and had sworn to do everything he could to pay them back for their kindness.
His stomach grumbling loudly brought him back to reality. Now that he was eating on a regular basis, his appetite had grown tenfold! He was a growing boy, after all, and training helped build up an already healthy appetite into an insatiable beast. With ravenous intent, Takeo approached one of the café’s lining the plaza and took a seat at a table on the patio. With weather this nice, who would want to sit inside? A perky, blonde waitress quickly came to the table with a menu and a set of silverware rolled up in a napkin.
”Hello! Can I start you off with something to drink?” She asked cheerily.
”Yeah, I’ll have…” Takeo scanned the menu for a moment, settling on something he’d never had before, but sounded pretty good. ”An elderflower lemonade, please.”
”Okay, I’ll be right back with that for you!” As the waitress rushed off to get his drink, Takeo took in his surroundings.
It was a perfect day! It was pleasantly warm with the occasional gently wafting breeze. Only a few small, puffy white clouds dotted a cerulean sky. The weather was so nice that Takeo hadn’t even felt the need to wear his usual hoodie, instead opting for a royal blue t-shirt with the Tsuyoshi clan symbol, a white tiger’s head in profile, on the back. The rest of his clothes were his standard garb, though; denim blue jeans and a pair of white tennis shoes. It was plain attire, but Takeo liked it that way. Hell, he was happy just to have clothes that weren’t patched together or full of holes!
A breeze ruffled his messy, brown hair and caused the canvas of the red umbrella that gave his table shade to billow playfully. The patio was furnished with black, metal tables; the kind that were grated so that rain and snow could fall through them instead of pooling on top and causing rust. The chairs were made the same way, though the restaurateurs were concerned enough about their patrons’ comfort to add red seat cushions to them. The laughter of children playing and quiet conversation of the other customers, combined with soft background music, created a soothing atmosphere. All in all, Takeo really liked this little place.
”Here you are, sir!” The waitress said as she set his drink on the table. ”Do you need a couple more minutes to look at the menu?”
”Yes, thank you, ma’am.”
”No problem! Just flag me down whenever you’re ready.” She said with a smile and a bow before walking off to serve her other customers. Takeo picked up the menu again, this time reading it a little more thoroughly. All things considered, he had to admit that it was turning out to be a pretty good day.
[MFT: 833]
