Freeloader [semi-private/Roku]

[Hanone]

It was a terrible thing. Being underground meant the heat of the desert rarely made it down to the village. It meant cold mornings and a deep bone chill. What was worse was the lack of sunlight pouring into one's bedroom at dawn. When you awoke, you couldn't tell if it was 3 am, 11 am or 2 pm. Luckily Saemon was a man of habit. When the clock turned to 6:03 am, he woke up. For the last several years it'd been the same way.

6:03 Am.

Sighing darkly, the tall Banzoku brother sat up and propped his weight up on his hands. His hair was disheveled and in his face and he smelled rather badly. A few bottles of sake and rough nightlife did that to a person. Which reminded him...

Opening his dark green eyes, the oldest Banzoku peered down to his side nervously. Last night he had been too drunk to get a good look at who he was bringing home with him, so he barred himself for something bad.

...

Well she wasn't too bad. Light hair, relatively shapely, a few scars. Sigh. A shinobi girl.

Groggily, Sae rolled out of bed. The girl didn't even stir as he got up. Suggested she had been smashed too. His bare feet hit the cold tile floor and sent chills through his body. He only managed to pull on a towel before wandering out of the room. He never knew if Roku would be home. Not that he had been for weeks now. Sae slipped his fingers through his long brown hair to make it somewhat tamed and started for the kitchen.

[waiting for roku]

 

[Raizo]

Re: Freeloader [private/Roku]

The key slid into the door and like that the obstruction would fold open allowing him safe passage into the domicile. Even though it was his home and he knew his brother would never kick him out there was always a slight curiosity when he returned home if the locks would be changed. Even at the young age of 16 Roku could only image how Saemon tolerated his antics, and yet at the same time knew that something like could never be the type of issue to sever the strong bond the two had formed. Yet you never know with people. As an expert at pissing off randomly people he knew it only took the right amount of 'pressure' to fracture a situation.

Entering the apartment his eyes would dart around as it seemed that Saemon was still in bed or maybe had left for the day, he wasn't entirely sure of what time it was himself. Making his way to the kitchen he would shed his vest, well what was left of it. The poor article of clothing looked like it had encountered a wild animal as large chucks had been forcefully ripped from it and it was covered in filth. Just the remnants of another series of brawls and living out on the streets.

Unlike his clothing the physical appearance of Roku was clean, which was a telling sign of the damage inflicted as opposed to the damage received. Like he hadn't been gone for weeks he seamlessly made his way about the kitchen pulling out a pot, prepping the water and starting the process of boiling up some noodles. His ears would perk as the faint sound of rustling caught his attention; brother was home.

"Ooooooh, Saemon! Do you happen to have any cigarettes on you? Could use a dessert course."

 

[Hanone]

Re: Freeloader [private/Roku]

The sound in the kitchen alerted the man. Roku was home. And he had heard him as well. His words carried easily through the small apartment, finding Saemon's tired ears.

"Ooooooh, Saemon! Do you happen to have any cigarettes on you? Could use a dessert course."

Not that it would be surprising, but his response was curt about the smokes, "No. Don't keep em, you know that." And matter-of-factly, if he saw Roku with one in his mouth, he'd usually pluck it out. Of all the vices, cigarettes were the worst in his opinion.

The taller man finally entered the small kitchen. He opened a beat up looking cabinet and withdrew a heavy mug and set it on the nearby table. For the time he passed from table to fridge, collecting up some juice from its belly, then made his way back to table where he sat down and poured himself a glass. All the while he looked over his brother. It wasn't a penetrating look, but rather a quick look over the boy. He didn't always come home so healthy.

Figuring he was fine, he took a sip then spoke to his brother again. His tone was light if not a little tired, "Nice you're home. Doesn't look like the mongrel hounds have eaten you yet."

"Shit." He mumbled, stretching his back some then waved one hand at the fridge.

"There's some smoked ham in the back there. Get some then some sit a while." It really was nice to see him. But if he wanted to hear what he'd been up to, he'd need to get him in once place long enough. Some food was a good idea anyway.

 

[Raizo]

Re: Freeloader [private/Roku]

Well it seemed that Saemon was still being as stubborn as always when it came to the topic of cigarettes. And while Roku had the urge to retort with 'I can smoke if I want, I am a shinobi' or something to that effect he knew it would be shot down. Saemon had done a lot for him so the least he could do is respect his wishes when within the house. While he didn't full understand or appreciate it the fact Saemon was stubborn was because he had taken on the role of both mother and father to Roku; and much like all parents there would be disagreements and standoffs to test the limits.

Unlike regular parents, however, Saemon had his own faults being a young man. Nights of heavy drinking and womanizing weren't uncommmon but Roku didn't view it negatively. Everyone needed something to take the edge off at times is what his mind had created to sustain his rationale. The mention of ham quickly broke him out of whatever thoughts were going through his mind. Snapping back up he would make his way to the location of the piggly remains, removing them from the fridge and bringing the whole course back to the table. Knowing Saemon didn't prefer him to pick at the whole thing he would carve some chunks and place them on a plate, in which he would begin to eat with his hands; baby steps for civility.

"Yea the wild dogs aren't really the biggest concern out there. Some people are just desperate enough you don't know what they will do to survive another day."

These words were spat out while he continued to push the food into his face, like he hadn't ate in days. And while this was inaccurate it wasn't too far from the truth.

" 'sides crazies aren't my thing. I keep distance between those types of things... I like the bar scenes. Those people are just asking to have a fun time... so I oblige them."

Never wanting to be the sole point of the conversation he would turn his glance to his older brother, "How's the life of a military higher up treating ya these days?"

 

[Hanone]

Re: Freeloader [private/Roku]

The pig reached the table quickly and despite his brother's attempts at being civil, Sae took a chunk out with his fingers and popped it into his awaiting maw. Both brothers had been graced with good teeth genetics. No real cavities or crappy enamel. So it only took a few moments to chew it to bits.

He was reaching for his second piece (while choosing to ignore his brother's ravenous eating for the time being) by the time he dropped the tidbit about barfights. His brow creased and thought about saying something but decided not to. He cared for Roku, raised the boy so he felt compelled to look down on some of the things he did for his own safety and protection. But Roku was 16, hardly a child and he had to bite his tongue more often than not. He wasn't his father afterall, he reminded himself often.

Instead he offered up an answer when the topics turned, "Shit as always." He began. Content with the two pieces of ham, the taller male pushed off the table and walked to the sink where several glasses were waiting to be cleaned. Disinterested in them, he turned his back to them and rested his weight back on the sink. "Well the sennin is a complete fool so I keep ending up doing these bullshit missions." It was policy not to actually speak about ANBU work and so he didn't say anything in detail. "Last one had me gone for two weeks. Lulu died too." His fish. Actually Lulu was what he named all his fish. Saemon was renown for being unable to keep fish alive so this Lulu was probably number 23. But who's counting anyway?

He was about to bring up the sennin again when he heard a muffled voice from the other room. A hard expression came over him and he passed from the kitchen back toward his room, leaving Roku with a raised index finger as he went by.

The teen would be left in the kitchen alone for almost 5 minutes. Saemon returned then alone. The front door clicked closed as he was entering the kitchen once more, this time with a pair of pants. "Sorry about that, man. Had to...untangle the guest." Which could have meant anything. "So... what are your plans?"

 

[Raizo]

Re: Freeloader [private/Roku]

It was always a joy to hear about the shinobi work of Saemon as it was almost like Roku's own little television series; the epic tales, even if Saemon passed them off as boring or gave little detail, he would romanticize them within his mind as something straight out of a comic. This sort of view point probably is what made him go out and crave his own adventures. As a Gennin there was only small odd jobs for assignments so the thrill of a battle, actual shinobi work (or what his mind considered shinobi work), seemed to evade him. This time however Saemon did not have much to say and kept it about the annoyance of his superior, the Sennin. "Heh... really don't like the guy, huh?" It would occasionally cross his mind why his older brother didn't have a fancy title, especially for someone that rose the ranks pretty quickly. "So... the three branches of this system... any insight on what I should enlist for?"

The ANBU, the Medical Department or remaining within the mix of the Main Branch. All had perks and all had drawbacks, and one just not seem to fit his mold; Med-Nin. However he was always interested in his brother's opinion when it came to decisions like this. But it seemed that he would have to wait for his answer as his brother raised an index finger and left the room. Looking around as he waited for the return of his sibling his leg would begin to bounce up and down. Wonder if he would be pissed if I drank some of his alcohol? He would right? Haven't fought him in a while... but not sure if I want another ass thumping... The elder sibling would reappear, the sound of the front door closing was audible, as Saemon addressed the matter. A 'shit eating' grin would curl up on Roku's face as his brother seemed to dismiss the guest as nothing.

"Big brother, do you plan on marrying that one? Will I have a sister???" he was joking of course but it was a force of habit to try and rile people up. "And I didn't even get to meet her... was she -thick-? Did you pork, pork!?" Even though he had seen a lot and was mature in many ways, he still had a child-like mentality to himself... oh and he was an ass.

 

[Hanone]

Re: Freeloader [private/Roku]

Upon returning to the kitchen his brother was just fill of jokes. Giving him a joking sneer, he reached over, grabbed his brother's head and gave it a rough tussle. After a second he let him go and laughed, "No, she wasn't thick. But she wasn't pretty either. I wouldn't marry a girl like that anyway. I'll marry a virgin. I don't want second hand property." It was a rude comment and could be a joke, but with Saemon, you couldn't be sure.

Sighing and leaning back onto the table once more, the elder brother remembered to answer his brother's question, the one he asked before he left the kitchen. "Ya know, to be honest, all of them suck dirty cock. I mean, if there's a worst, it's the medical. It's basically where all your women and shitty ninja end up. Got no talent? Learn to put on band aids. Tits too big? Learn to kiss boo boos." He snorted and pushed a hand through his hair. Sae was vain about his hair. Touching it was also how he released some frustration. Sort of his nervous tick.

"The ANBU are probably the best. Only the best actually make it, the pay is a little better and you get to kill more people. But you can't talk about your work, not even with other ANBU. And the sennin is a shitbucket. But whatever."

He had to think about the last one. The main branch was just for everyone else basically. He probably hated that branch the most. Suna's dogs he called them. "Main branch is basically nothing. The mix of everyone. Any old genin is main branch. I'm probably not the best person to ask anyway."

He stood up then, moved his juice cup to the sink with the rest of the uncleaned dishes and gave his brother a signal to follow him. "Let's go a round." And headed out the door. He expected him to follow him. The nearest training circle was only a little ways down the road and little more than a dirt lot. Still plenty of the shinobi living nearby would use it for practice. Saemon, of course, didn't bring anything more than the pants he was barely wearing.

 

[Raizo]

Well it seemed that his assumption was correct; his brother's endorsement would fall with the ANBU branch. This was in his favor as that was where he had already placed his paperwork and soon would be getting word on whether or not he needed to report or simply forget his application was brought in. It was a pain, the secrecy of it all, but it was all interesting in that sense. The final part of his brother's endorsement for the branch is what stuck out to him the most; 'kill more people'. While killing wasn't something he had done the thrill of a fight was already something alluring to him. Maybe the next natural step in his 'addiction' was life or death situations?

His brother then motioned for him to follow and mentioned going 'a round'. Now this could mean he wanted a spar or that he simply wanted to do some training but knowing Saemon it most definitely meant a spare. This was annoying. For someone who enjoyed the endorphin rush caused by slapping around another person never seemed to get the same thrill when sparring with his brother. It was as if his older brother had some aura to him that made him unbeatable, and more so why would Roku want to see his brother to lose? That would only kill the legend of his Saemon within his mind.

Reluctantly, letting out a frustrated huff, he would pull himself up from the chair and start to follow his elder sibling. Much like Saemon, especially since his vest practically fell off earlier, he was only clad in his pants. Not much of a shinobi attire but it seemed that the two brothers were a different breed of shinobi. Standing fully the many scars that were etched on to his body would be seen, most notably the two diagonal tears that started from his left shoulder and moved down to the middle of his left pectoral. "So have you talked to mom any lately?" He knew this was a touchy subject but it was still his remaining parent, so it was only natural thoughts for her would remain no matter how incapacitated she had become over the years.

 

[Hanone]

The elder Banzoku brother's walk was usually very self assured, relaxed and even arrogant. There were very few topics that could throw it off either. As far as he could tell, there were only three things that ever did. The first was the talk about women shinobi. In this case his stride would reflect his annoyance and he would nearly start to stomp around. The next was the topic of Roku and women. Not his brother having sex, no. He expected his brother to be able to get some tail. It was the subject of his brother falling in love. So far it hadn't happened, well, that Sae knew about anyway. However, not long ago one of his old teammates was asking him about Roku and mentioned his brother finding himself a nice girl for keeps and Saemon almost stumbled.

He wanted Roku happy, more than anyone else. But he didn't trust any women. He didn't want to see anyone hurt Roku that way. It wasn't a sappy feeling exactly, it was because how he'd been treated by those who he trusted before. He really... couldn't explain the feeling, but he wasn't fond of it. It all stemmed from the third reason Saemon's stride could be thrown off balance: his mother.

Frowning darkly, a look that would be hidden from his brother who was at his back, Saemon's feet skittered slightly then moves more briskly from then on, that was until he was where he was planning to stop. Once in the middle of the sparring grounds, he turned around, a hand brushing through his hair. "No." was his only response on the matter. He pointedly did not speak about her, did not see her and really wished she would just die already.

Sae swiftly pulled out a hair tie from his pocket and tucked his long hair back into a loose braid, then stood up tall. Saemon didn't crouch when he was ready to fight, he stood taller. Usually he was holding weapons, but today he was only sparring. "Alright, come at me when you're ready. No weapons, just hands."