Here's that story I promised. Took me a while, mainly 'cuz I wanted you to read and enjoy. So here 'ya go Vy! Happy belated Birthday, Christmas, New Year… Sheesh, I really do have a lot of making up to do, don't I? Now I feel like a jerk for making you wait this long… Like several other writers we know of… (((￣へ￣井)
Oh! Right, disclaimer time. I do not own the rights to Naruto, anything related to Type-Moon, the entirety of the Souls Series - Yes, Bloodborne too - and Civilian Pianist, written by Writer-and-Artist27. The only things I own are Faelan and all of possessions and misfortunes.
Chapter 1, here we go! 始まりよ！
星野朋子
Konoha during the winter is quite beautiful and tedious. Beautiful because of the white blanket that is draped over the entire village and the sea of forests outside the great wall. It was tedious because of how cold it is! I mean, I like the snow now and then, but did it have to be so cold!
"Tomoko-chan, hurry up. We need to get those supplies requested before the warehouse closes today." Oh, right. Mom and I were walking to the warehouse district to submit a requisition order for more matcha and Blue Moon tea leaves from Cha no Kuni. With the recent flash cold that hit the village, more and more people were coming to Nagareboshi to escape the cold. Yay for us because that means more business, Nay, because we already used up the entire months stock of matcha tea powder, as well as several others.
Mom and Dad said that most of the tea leaves we use in the café are locally grown, but the Matcha was requested through delivery from Cha no Kuni. Mom also needed a new set of silk and fur for some of the designs she was working on, so she decided to take the requisition order for papa and take me along so that I can offer my own thoughts on the silk and cloth. Sadly, we had to head to the warehouse district first because they were going to close the doors early because of the snow.
"Coming Mama." I am really glad that the snow was shoveled out of the way for the street to be clear, it made catching up to mama really easy. Plus, I didn't have to worry about my feet getting cold. Really glad that there was another design of footwear besides the standard tabi in the Elemental Nations. No one should walk in the snow with bare feet.
Mama and I walked in silence towards the south side of the village, and as I walked alongside her, I noticed that some of the villagers were decorating their stores and homes with decorations and lights. I almost completely forgot that Rinne Matsuri was coming soon. I guess when we get back to the café, mama, papa, and I should start decorating as well.
"Tomoko-chan? Is that you?" Hearing a familiar voice from behind, I look and, just as I thought, there stood Kakashi. What surprised me though was the additions that he was with.
"Kakashi-kun, Obito-kun, Rin-chan, Minato-san, Kushina-neesan, good morning! What are you all doing here this morning" Kakashi was about to answer my question, but before he could, Kushina just runs up to me and started smothering me in her arms.
"Tomoko-chan! Oh, you are so~ cute! Look at you! You're all wrapped up like a present!" Oh, hello dizziness, my old friend.
"Kushina-san, how many times must I ask you to stop trying to smother my precious child to death. I believe this now makes it the one-hundredth and twenty-seventh attempt to date." And now mama is in her 'annoyed mother bear' mode. The moment that mom's eyes sharpened and glued on to Kushina, the woman that was suffocating me in her grasp, stiffened up. She was as still as a stone statue, but her heart was beating like a hummingbird's. I know mama can be scary, but the cold may~be making her a little bit extra scary.
Kushina gave off a small giggle, embarrassed and worried by the stare she was receiving. "Sorry, Hikari-san…" Kushina then let me go, allowing me to catch my breath again. Ah, fresh air! I don't ever want to be without you again. Though, at this point, I think this is karma playing me back for all the times I tackled Leo and Josh when I was still Vy.
Well… you did make Josh trip once by catching him off balance that one time at the mall. You also gave Leo that bruise that one time during your date, too. I could just feel the grin spreading across Hisako's lips. I would have felt madder at her snark, but being reminded of those times just made me embarrassed.
Hisako! But then she only laughed. Jeez, why did she have to tease me?
A touch at my shoulder drew me back to reality, only to realize that we were already in front of the office doors of the warehouse me and mom were heading to. Though, I am still curious as to why Kushina, Minato and his team were coming here as well. I looked to the hand that touched my shoulder, seeing it being attached to Kakashi. Looking into his eye, I was going to ask him the question on my mind, but he beat me to it.
"Team Minato is here to drop off the monthly requisition orders from the Reserve Corps Quartermaster. He needed additional replacement arms and armors that we lost during the war and the ongoing skirmishes we are dealing with rogues and bandits. Kushina is here to request for some things that she needs for a party she is planning during the Rinne Festival." Huh… guess that his team was stuck with a D-rank today, seeing as he didn't need to hesitate or sugarcoat that info. Yay! No dangerous stuff today!
"So, Tomoko-chan. Why are you and Hikari-san here today? Shouldn't you two be over at Nagareboshi? I would think with the cold, people would be packing in for a hot drink." Obito asked, all while holding a satchel, that was hanging from his shoulders, open and letting Rin reach for the huge stack of papers that were inside. Though she didn't say anything, Rin's eyes were telling me that she felt the same way, and was as curious as Obito.
"It was earlier. But then it just got really slow. You are right about people wanting a hot drink to warm up to though. So, a lot of them wanted our blends of hot tea. Sadly, they drank their way through a month's supply worth of matcha, and half of our other stock. The regular blends can be made at home or bought from the warehouses, the Matcha for our café, on the other hand, is another story. The only way to get the blend we use is through import, so mama and I decided to turn in the request form and payment. We were also going to make a request for a special tea leaf blend. Blue Moon, I think it was called?" Kushina straitened up when she heard the last part of my statement. She turned towards me and then to mom, smiling with the patented Uzumaki-grin.
"Hey! That's the tea I was going to order for my party! Good choice Hikari-san! It's expensive, but it sure is going to be worth it!" That last part got me, along with Rin, Obito, and Kakashi curious.
"Why is that Kushina-san?" Rin was the one to ask, yet before Kushina could reply, another voice decided to answer the question for her.
"That's because the blend is only made under the light of a true-blue moon." The voice came from the doorway on the other side of the office desk. All of us turned toward the sound of the voice and were greeted with the sight of a gruff old man. I mean, he was like the perfect stereotype of a gruff old man! White hair, scared face, a grizzled face that wore a permanent scowl, it was the perfect combo!
"Anji-san! So good to see you again. You look well." Minato was the one to greet the old man, followed by mama and Kushina. The man actually smiled at them and gave them a nod. He then turned back to the four of us, scowl back on his face.
"The true-blue moon is a celestial event that only happens every fifteen years, where the moon turns shades into a brilliant azure. A special chakra is emitted through the light of the blue moon, amplifying the abilities of jutsu that are tied to the moon. A clan over in Cha no Kuni has found a way to use the light of the true-blue moon, and channel it's chakra into a special type of tea leaf that they grow. The dried leaves are then paired with dried fruits and herbs to harmonize the taste. That is the Blue Moon tea blend, a beautiful, calming tea that exemplifies sweetness in perfect harmony with freshness." The way he spoke of it, and the look of nostalgia in his steel eyes, it was clear that the tea was an absolute must try.
Once more the man began to speak. "Tonight is the night of the true-blue moon. It will begin to turn into the celestial shade when it reaches the half way into its zenith. Only when it has reached the very top of its cycle, will you actually be able to see its full beauty." Now he began to look at us piercingly. "Tonight, look up into the night and watch as the moon turns. This world… it is a hard one. Let tonight remind you that it is also a beautiful one. You kids deserve that much." Now he was looking at Obito and Kakashi. "Especially you two… I'm both glad… yet sad to see two youths already hardened from the hardships of the shinobi life."
Anji shook his head, but I could tell it was not from disappointment. It was like he was trying to stop bad memories from crawling into his head.
That man… he must have been a shinobi once… that's the only reason I could think of for him to be able to say something like that. I agreed with Hisako. Anji's words were not something that you picked up from a book. There was just too much emotion behind them.
But what he said about the True Blue Moon; it gave me a really great idea. Tonight, I know exactly how I want to spend it!
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"Tomoko-chan, slow down with that tray, please! You're going to trip!"
"Sorry Mama!" But I couldn't help it! It was already early nightfall, and the moon was already in the sky. It was going to begin turning any moment now! Holding a tray of warm tea, I was hurrying up the stairs of my home to a familiar door near the top of my family's café. The only times we used it was when we wanted to put decorations on the roof. Tonight though, every one of us, mom, dad, Sakumo-san, Minato-san, Kushina-san, Obito-kun, Rin-chan, Kakashi-kun, all of us were going to watch the moon become blue!
Nothing like this ever happened back home. We had blue moons, but those weren't really blue. The only thing that could be compared was the lunar eclipse, but that one was kinda scary, with how the moon looks all red and… bloody.
Oh, come on, it wasn't that scary. Also, watch your step. WHOA! My foot was going to miss the next step. Thank you, Hisako!
The others had already made their way to the rooftop, mom and I went back inside to get everyone a warm drink to fend off the cold winter air. When I got back onto the balcony and rooftop, I saw a spread-out blanket with all the others having their own place. There, between Papa and Kakashi-kun, was a space for mama and me. Taking our spots on the spread, and with the group, it now was just a matter of waiting.
I looked to the moon, and sure enough, there was a navy-blue shade of a shadow that was spreading out from one of its corners. It will only be just a bit longer until the True Blue Moon is here!
But as I am stuck gazing at the moon, I feel a hand grasp and interlock with my left. I already knew who it belonged to though. I've held it so many times already. Turning my head slightly, I can see that Kakashi was also gazing at the moon too. His charcoal black eye looking at the celestial body with anticipation.
I wanted to pass the time though, so I just started talking. It just came from the top of my head. I spoke in a low whisper, only the two of us can hear, thankfully with how everyone was spread about. "I never had a chance to do this as Vy. Simply stargaze with my friends. We were always so busy, the world so disconnected, and the stars… they never really shined as bright as they do here. You would be lucky to see even a couple when you lived in the big cities like I did."
"Sounds like… it was a tough place."
He's not wrong. "At times, it was. But it also had some amazing things. During the winter, some people would decorate their homes with thousands upon thousands of lights that would sparkle in the night. They would make their own snow and practically paint their houses snow white. They made their own Winter Wonderlands. It was pretty."
"I wish I could see for myself." His voice, despite being a whisper, I could tell he was genuinely interested.
"Me too… Kakashi… thank you, for being my first friend here. For being with me. For everything."
"Silly girl, shouldn't I be the one thanking you. After all, I'm the one who lucked out with you." I was not expecting him to turn and give an Eskimo kiss. And now I'm blushing.
Yet, before I could respond to the sudden kiss, it began.
Light so bright, yet so soft that it enraptured us all in its glow. A sphere of the most brilliant and bright azure, it was almost like a crystal had taken the place of the moon. The twinkling of the stars on the black canvas was not repelled or overshadowed by the new arrival; in fact, it seemed as if they were glowing even brighter. When one dimmed for a moment, several others brightened. On and off, they played a game of 'hide and seek', all while a blue diamond in the sky shined on.
Its… wow… Hisako was speechless. And so was I.
And then, it began snowing.
And the world exploded with a touch of magic.
"The snow… they're… glowing!" Rin's shock was well deserved. The snow was capturing the light of the moon and making it their own, at this moment it was like they were-
"Fairies… the snow looks like fairies!" And to me, that is what they looked like. Fairies dancing in the sky, chasing and prancing, soaring and gliding. Each one was a mote of beautiful blue. Despite it being night, it felt like it was the brightest day.
I looked again to the moon, now standing on my feet, and smiled. I smiled at the beauty. I smiled at the warmth it gave, despite the cold. And I smiled at the light it shined, so kind and pretty! A part of me will always treasure this sight. I never would want to forget it. It was a moment like this, that made me really glad that I was Hoshino Tomoko.
I just wish, Leo and Josh got to see this sight… I hope… they are doing okay.
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When one story ends… it is merely the beginning of a new tale. A crossroads for adventurers and travelers to make their own marks… but someday… their paths may cross again… and their stories shall be shared…
But some stories… are more singed and scarred than others…
While one enjoyed the moon in its splendor and gorgeous appeal; a ballad of brilliant light to celebrate.
The other was struggling against old foes, thought forever disposed of. A battle that will end and herald a long-awaited reunion.
C̗̺̫̀͑̈́ͪu̳̩̪̥̤̻̻̾̅͛ͯṛ̝̯̗ͪs̥̼͚̎̎̒ͨ͒̿e̩͎̭̻͓ ̒͊̈̒t̗̗̼̻͔͔͑̐̋͛ȟ͇̯̳͓̽e͕̮̩͙̭̲͛̊̄ ̳ͣͨ̊̓ͫ̇̉F͕͗̆ͥi͈̳̿e̙̻̞̱̘̘n̰͍̙͈̣̬̤͐̈d̥̳͈͖̣͇ͧ͒͌͛̽̚s̏̋́,̱̹̣͙̅͊͌̊͂̚ ͥ̋̑̇ͧ͊T̿̓̚h̟̱̬ḙ̰̮͕̮̩ͅị̤̲̥̯̱ͨ̌ͅr̝̱̺̰̗̤ͮ ̜̬͉̺̲̬͑̏C͓̙͔̼̱̾ͥ̀ͅh̰͎͂͊͌ͣ͑̄̄i̠̜͌̈ͭͣl̇̉͆̓d̪ͪ̑̓ͅr̫̠̭̳̻̬̓̐ͪ̉͑e̹̥ͥ͊̈́n͖̤͙̹͈͇͓͒̑ͫ̌ ̘̮̬̲̬̭ͣ͋̐̀ͮ̂T͎̤̮̱̦̑̾o̳͇̭͑o̦ͭ̉̉͛̔͐.̜ͫ͑̾̉.̫͕̬̪̗̌͆̏ͬ.͙̖́
̊͐͊Ã̟̮̯͔̖̽̅̋̚n̻̩̻͓̊͆ͫͬd̹̥̦̠̎̎̿̑̓ͤ̇ ̫̲͍͒̐̐̋̆̊ͧT̙̭h̘̮̦̞͍̠̆ě̗̘̲͛͆̒ͅị͕̠̰̥̩̲̒ͬ̅ͭ̂r̦̫͖̻̟̭ͫ̑̑̾ ̫͓̮̮͖̭͑̍C̻̜͉͇̪͍̋̇̇͂h͂̄̓͒̓̎͗i͈͎͉̞̯̖̽ͯ̾ͪͭ̒̓l̠̖̝̪̺̔d̠͖̪̩̤͒ͥ̑͐r͉̾ͭ͂̆͐e̖̿̈́n̝̠͓̥̯̖̰̎̔̑̚,̑ ̦̘ͩͥ͐̑ͭͫͤF̌͂̃̓͋ồ͓̳̣̗ͫ͑ͧ̂͆r̮̩e̝̻̱̱̮͙̣̓̊͋̓ͨv̟̖̀͂̽̑̂ͫe͓̥̣̰͉ͥ͗r͈̫ ͚͓̖̯̉T̯̩̻̺̝͉̔̔̋r̠̓ͩ͐͋̑u̜̗̒ͨ̇e̋̄̏.̲̙̾ͥͤ͛̔̇.̦̪̮̭͎ͤ͋̅̑ͨͨ.̼͔̹͚́́
Y҉̸̶͟0̶͠҉u̶̵̶̕͢ ̷̴̛̛͘W̴͜1̡̀͘l̸̨͏̵L̡͘͡͞ ̴͝͞n̵̕҉͡3̵̢͟҉͞V̴̵̡͡e͜͠҉̢͞R͜͢ ̧͘R̵̴̴̕͝3̶̷̸͞t͢͜͡͏u̡͝R̵͞͡ń̴̛̕͝ ̡́͢͜h̕͘͟0̵̡͏M̨̨͜͢3҉̴̢̕͟!͘҉̀͠
̡̧͜͜͜T̕͏̸h҉͞1̴̢̕5̸҉̨͠͞ ̶̢͜͏͢m̸̴o͏̷0̵̡͢͡͏ņ̢̨ ̴̡̛̀͞s͢͠H͏͜a̴̶̷̢͘l͠҉́͝҉L҉̸͢ ҉̛͜͡b̨͜3͏ ̛͘̕͜͠ỳ̵0҉҉̀̕u҉͟͞r̵̛̀͜ ̀͘͡G̸̡R҉͏a̸̸V̨͢҉̷3̵̢́͜͞!̷