GRAND REOPENING | Open

[Sotto Suisou]

A huge banner hung above the door of the Kashin Ryokan, declaring a grand reopening of the inn. Sotto Kana sat at the front desk, greeting those who came in, and her husband Suisou sat on the bench outside, staring out into space with an absent look on his face. He recalled the incident that prompted them to temporarily close, a rowdy bar fight that got out of control, and was glad that they were open again. His wife got so irritated when she didn't have anything to do, and she didn't have much to do in the way of rebuilding the inn.

But it was done, and she was happy. He grinned slightly and raised a hand, waving to a regular customer who had generously donated to the rebuilding fund. "You, sir, get a free round of drinks today." He called out, passing the information on thanks to his generous contributions. As the man smiled and entered, he heard his wife's beautiful voice ring out.

"Welcome back to the Kashin Ryokan!"

[Sandy]

A blond blur darted between the early afternoon commuters of Konohagakure, obviously in a hurry to get somewhere and unwilling to let anyone stand between her and her destination. That didn’t stop her from feeling bad about the numerous people she nearly collided with, but they’d have to be content with a trailing apology and a half-hearted wave.

Once her destination was in sight, Saikudan Shiori skidded to a halt and gathered her composure. She smoothed back her wind-swept mane, ensured the safety of the bonsai plant she held in her hands, took a deep breath… then continued charging right up the front steps of Kaishin Ryokan.

“Hello, Suisou-san!” She chimed happily, but didn’t stay to wait for his reply. Her entrance into the bar nearly cost it a new door before the current one had even been opened, yet she managed to brace herself against the wooden frame and slide it open properly. She wasn’t as careful when diving through the curtain that separated the entryway with the bar proper, however.

“HELLO KANA-CHAN!” She screamed. “Happy reopening! I brought you a plant!” Shiori approached the bar and set the potted bonsai down on the counter top.

[Sotto Suisou]

"Yo." Suisou said as Shiori rushed past, raising his arm in time for her to pass, but not in time for her to see it. He shrugged and relaxed on his bench. He wasn't in any hurry - having stocked the sake this morning on his own.

Kana blinked at the loud entrance before smiling awkwardly. "Oh... hello Shiori-chan. As energetic as always..." She sighed. The girl reminded her so much of her younger sister, the one that had become a kunoichi herself. Were all kunoichi this... loud? The innkeeper smiled broadly at the bonsai and placed her hands together. "Oh, thank you! It's beautiful. I'll get Suisou to place it somewhere later." She slid it along the counter for the time being, and then put two fingers to her lips and whistled loudly.

A woman wearing a waitress dress appeared almost as if by magic and took Kana's place at the counter. "Here, greet the customers as they come in. I'm going to go man the bar." She then motioned for Shiori to follow her. "So, how have you been, Shiori-chan?" She asked, sliding open the door to the bar and walking in to a chorus of cheers. "Calm down you drunks, we haven't even been reopened for an hour and some of you are already wavering!" She yelled angrily, but only as one would angrily yell at family.

[Michael Jackson]

“Hello, Suisō-san,”

A rather unperturbed, blithe tone echoed throughout the immediate space that separated the streets from the newly refurbished Inn; its originator, Ataisuru Sonzai. Long strands of vivid red danced behind his frame as his hair was fashioned in a ponytail. Orbs of luminous purple gazing towards the man who rested so peacefully on the bench that resided just outside the foundation of the hotel.

Yes, the Hokage had made an appearance. A regular at the original Kashin Ryokan, Sonzai was more than content with its reopening. In his opinion, it had been way to long since he had entered and enjoyed the company of the Konohagakure populace. His apparel as light-hearted as his demeanor. A red kosode fitted his torso, tucked into his white hakama pants as the ends eased effortlessly into the sides of his sandals producing a billowing effect at his ankles. To his side, a katana, and held securely in his arm, placed close to his chest, a vase and protruding from the top, the seasoned buds of fully developed red roses.

“ Congratulations on the reopening,” He exclaimed with a sincerity untainted with the influence of lies or deceit. Taking a few steps forward, he positioned himself in front of Sotto Suisō, only an estimate of three feet separating the two. The Hokage smiled cordially as he placed both hands under the vase, and proposed them to the brown-haired Shinobi.

“These are for Kana-chan, is she inside?”

[Sandy]

Shiori laced her fingers behind her back and followed behind Kana. She looked around the newly renovated bar before transitioning between the two rooms, happy that it had been repaired so masterfully. The war had tightened everyone’s budget, and the damage to the bar following that brawl had been so severe she’d heard rumors that the foundation would need to be demolished. She was glad none of that had come to pass.

Shiori had felt somewhat guilty that she hadn’t been present for that fight, as always believing she could have done something to curtail the damage and extricate the thugs before things turned irreparably ugly. She’d expressed that to Kana and her husband before, but oftentimes felt like reiterating it for the sake of moral support alone.

“You know me, no complaints,” she replied, doing her best to remain at Kana’s left as they walked as to avoid any unwanted attention from the patronage. “What about you?” The younger woman asked, taking a seat on a bar stool and glancing at the newly revised drink menu. “What have you and Suisou-san been up too for the last few mon —”

Shiori caught herself mid-sentence as something began tugging and restricting the movement of her right leg. She looked down and saw one of the bolts protruding from her bone brace had caught on the stool’s metal base plate. Blushing and swearing under her breath, she took a moment to unhook it.

“Months?”

[Sotto Suisou]

"Hokage-sama."

Suisou acknowledged the Hokage's presence by actually standing - something he didn't do for anyone else that had come past. Granted, it wasn't a formal stand - he lifted his legs off the ground and launched himself to his feet, rather than just standing - but still. Raising a hand in half-salute, he shifted it to scratching the back of his head. "You know, another man might think you were gunning for his wife. Bringing flowers and all that..."

The Jounin chuckled at his own joke and lowered his arm. "Yes, Kana is inside. And she'll appreciate the flowers. But you might have to armbar bast a particularly enthusiastic young one. Shiori-chan beat you here." He thumbed towards the door. "I'm just the greeter though."

Kana, at the bar, giggled at Shiori. "Aside from rebuilding the Inn? Not much, we've been passing the time. He hasn't been sent on many missions lately, and is worried his skills are deteriorating. But, all that free time means I get a lot of wood." She filled a glass with sake and put it on a coaster, sliding it down the bar to a waving customer. "Firewood, that is. He practices by cutting logs apart."

She smiled to the customer that got his sake and looked back to her guest. "Would you like anything Shiori? We have more than just alcohol. Some fruit juice, perhaps? Suisou only drinks orange juice when he's in here, that's partially why the fight happened." She rolled her eyes, thinking back to the time when a particularly drunk customer had accused Suisou of being a pansy because he was drinking orange juice in a bar. And then the fight had begun.

[Michael Jackson]

“Oh, I don’t think my fiancé would like that,” Sonzai replied to Suisō’s joke with a rather split statement. Both holding traces of joking and all seriousness. Yumi wasn’t very trusting of women around her fiancé due to his reputation and overall appeal; the Hokage was fortunate to get out without her stalking his every moment. Nonetheless, he found her protecting nature for him pleasing, and relatively commendable. She knew how to keep her man. A relaxed laughter escaped his mouth at the thought of all the possible comments she’d have at Suisō’s teasing statement; all being filled with colorful words and vivid body language. But you grew to love her.

“And plus, I also have something for you Suisō-san,” He said as he reached into his Kosode with his free hand, and within a fraction of a moment, he’d gradually pull out a tan envelope, sealed; Sotto-san’s name printed on the front. “Nonetheless, I’d rather you open it later in the evening, when we can discuss the details,” Sonzai added with a smile, and soon he’d proceed into the Inn with a moment’s notice indicated by a following gesture of his hand to Suisō.

Stepping into the fully-furnished inn, Sonzai was greeted by many, all welcoming the Hokage with open arms as he accepted their warmth. Finally finding room to move through the crowd, Sonzai found his way towards the two people he had been waiting to see since his arrival. Placing the vase on the counter, the red-haired Shinobi smiled towards the two young women who stood in front of him.

“Kana-chan, Shiori-chan, it’s been a while.” Sonzai said with a lighthearted smile, his orbs of vivid purple glaring towards the two with a relaxed intent. Due to his tedious and demanding duties as the current leader of the village, Sonzai realized he hadn’t seen Kana since the closing of Kashin Ryokan. Shiori had been developing herself as a young and prosperous assist to the village, so it was obvious she hadn’t been near him as well. Nevertheless, it was always nice to see those who knew him more as a person then as the Hokage.

[Sandy]

“He doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy that likes sitting around,” Shiori chuckled. It was true that she didn’t know much about Suisou because most of her time was spent socializing with Kana, though they had talked in the past. Perhaps that was something she should work to change, but that would be a task for another day. Her schedule, at the moment, was unyielding.

“Oh, water is fine.” Shiori wasn’t a fan of alcohol, caffeine, or artificially sweetened drinks. It diminished her fitness and in the long run, could harm her body. It was unlikely a sugary beverage would be able to accomplish that before the reckless activities she so frequently participated in, but no one should expect a woman to make sense. “You should know this by now, Kana-chan,” she teased.

Shiori patiently waited for her drink to be delivered, but her attention was diverted when she heard a familiar voice speak her name. Turning around, Shiori beamed and waved at Sonzai. He was a good, longtime friend, and had they not been in public, she would have hugged him as they typically did. More importantly, she didn’t want to run the risk of his wife hearing about it. Yumi was like a mother to Shiori, but that woman was vicious when it came to even the most unfounded rumors of infidelity.

“Hokage-sama,” was the formal — and forced — greeting that came from Shiori’s lips. “How are you?”

[Sotto Suisou]

Suisou took the offered envelope and tucked it into the pouch on the back of his belt. Nodding to the Hokage, he stepped in after him and stood to the side as the crowd swarmed him. Grinning, he waved to those who noticed he was there - they had all greeted him on their way in after all.

After a moment he started waving people away so they could make it through and, with a quickened pace,leaped over the bar to land next to his wife Kana, whom he greeted with a kiss on the cheek.

Kana chuckled at her husband even as she set a glass of water down for Shiori, then a glass of orange juice for Suisou, who grabbed it and drank. She nodded her head to Sonzai "Hokage-sama."And smiled at the vase of flowers he was holding. "For the Inn, I suppose?" She held her hands out to take them, indicating she knew precisely where to put them.

Suisou, in the meantime, turned towards Shiori and spoke. "So, have you been pestering my wife, Shiori-chan?"

[Michael Jackson]

Warningly welcomed buy the two beauties of the inn, Sonzai smiled as Kana took the vase and placed them where she felt could be most admired by the locals. As she spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh to some extent, his hand now propped behind his neck as his eyes squinted for a moment. Regaining his sense of lessening, he dropped both arms to his side, and with that finally revealed his incandescent purple hues once more.


“Of course, it’s the least I can exchange for your guys fine service to me over the years” Making direct orientation to all the times they had served him prior to the provisional closing and his acceptance of the title of Hokage. Having worked with Suisō on numerous missions in both his Chūnin and Jōnin years, the Sotto family was more so like an extended family of his own; after all, currently, it was just him to carry on the Ataisuru name for generations to come. Luckily, he had a lovely fiancé who was willing to carry his child in the near future.

Turning his direction towards Shiori, and with an unconscious knell, he found himself positioned at eye level with her lower waist; his attention directed towards her leg. “So how is your leg doing, Ori-chan?” He inquired, using his nickname for her to produce a more casual air for conversation. Though he was the Hokage, that position only came second to him being a citizen of the village as well. One of the few Medical Shinobi who helped produce the biological information to create the jutsu that saved her legs, he made it a habit of checking on her every time they met.

[Sandy]

Shiori swayed to her left to avoid an accidental connection with Suisou during his dramatic leap over the counter. Why he didn’t just use the partition, she couldn’t be sure, but maybe he just preferred the path of least resistance. In her bid to establish a more friendly rapport with him, she took that as a sign of their similarities: He liked jumping over countertops and she liked socializing. That was similar… right?

“I don’t get to see her or you as often as I would like, Suisou-san. I gotta get my hits in when I can.” She winked at Kana, the silent gesture between the two of them that signified it was time to tease Suisou mercilessly.

Then Sonzai, being his usual worry-wart, workaholic self, asked the one question that always seemed capable of stealing away her good mood. Shiori’s attention left Kana and her husband and she became visibly downtrodden, but nodded in response to his question. He had been the major contributing factor in the restoration of her legs following the war, after all. She figured if anyone had the right to ask, it was he.

“I’m fine, Hokage-sama,” she deadpanned, clanking her iron heels together in emphasis. She then picked up her glass and took long and shallow drinks from it, hoping to turn the tide of the conversation.

[Sotto Suisou]

Kana cleared her throat audibly.

"Well, Hokage-sama, what can I get for you?" She asked with a smile while cleaning a glass, nodding her head to indicate their drink list which ranged anywhere from simple water to imported drinks, such as the foreign 'whiskey'. Suisou addressed another customer on her behalf, sliding him a bottle and cup for Sake and taking his money in return, storing it in the lockbox beneath the counter that held the earnings for the day. He held up the envelope the Hokage had given him and kissed his wife on the cheek.

"I've got something to do, Kana, I'll be back later."

With that, he hopped the bar again, making sure not to hit anyone on his way over, and headed for the door - sliding it open and moving back to his bench to read the message.

[Michael Jackson]

He could sense the oscillation in her tone, and the amount of time it took to articulate her words drafted from her accustomed prompt manner. Sighing in content however, He stood up, smiling at Shiori with a proud expression. She had come a long way since the surgical treatment and he couldn’t have been prouder. Turning his attention to Kana however, he was caught off guard by her inquiry. His smile magnifying as his eyes were sealed for the moment, he thought of what exactly he wanted.


“Water would be just fine, Kana-chan,”

Yeah, water; Sonzai was known for two things, his exceptional potency as a Shinobi, and his lack of a fortified consciousness when digesting alcohol. He could seemingly get intoxicated off a few small drinks, and when such happened, it was terror for anyone in his presence. Noticing Suisō walking off, his mind involuntarily assumed his curiosity regarding the envelope had reached its zenith. Diverting from the bar, he would soon make his way over towards Sotto, careful not to bump anyone as he gradually progressed.

[Sandy]

A little black cloud of depression floated over Shiori’s head. Her mopey expression was in stark contrast to her normally sunny disposition, but this was somewhat typical whenever “that topic” was brought up. She hated being thought of as weak, even when it was an injury and completely out of her control. This specific injury, however, had dogged her every step for far too long.

She began to wonder if she shouldn’t take Sonzai up on his offer to attempt his new medical procedure. Yes there was a chance for failure, yes there was a chance of making her legs even worse. Even if it was a success, she would be bedridden for months. Shiori sighed audibly and rubbed her throbbing temples; someone as young as she shouldn’t be plagued with such tough decisions.

Shiori took another ginger sip of her water and looked up at Kana. “Maybe I should just cut my legs off.”

[Sotto Suisou]

Suisou was sitting outside on his bench if the Hokage were to follow him, reading the message in the envelope. Another mission, and an A ranked one at that. He tilted his head while reading it, knowing he'd accept the mission but considering the implications of it.

Meanwhile, Kana simply shrugged and smiled. "It's alright, Shiori - We all get injured sometimes, you'll be fine." She slid the class of water Sonzai had ordered to him before he got up to follow her husband and leaned on the counter to look at Shiori. "Look at it this way; You could be a man. Wouldn't that be even worse?" She grinned in the way she normally did when making a joke at the expense of her husband or other male friends. "At least we have the sense and grace given to us by our gender, even with whatever other difficulties we may face."

[Katsuo]

Katsuo, dressed in his civilian clothing stepped out of the way of several passers-by, smiling as he walked with his hands in his pockets. He hunched a little, his shoulders slumped forward, and for all intents and purposes he appeared quite timid. The stance was a front, however, to better protect his secret identity as an ANBU.

As he neared the Kashin Ryokan, Katsuo noticed a number of people walking in and out, as well as a few milling around at the front door. He also noticed Suisou, who seemed to be in deep thought, seated all by himself on the bench before the inn.

Katsuo decided to be friendly, and approach him.

"Hey, Suisou-san," The ninja said, offering a nod of his head as he stopped before the other man, making sure to give him enough space to not feel as though his privacy was being invaded - he was holding a letter, after all. "Ryō for your thoughts?"

Looking up at the newly re-opened inn, Katsuo motioned at the building with his head. "I stopped by to offer congratulations and have a drink. Did you want some company, or should I head inside?"

If the other man wanted to be left alone, Katsuo would abide by his wishes. But, if Suisou wanted to talk, then the fellow Jōnin would offer a willing ear...

[Sotto Suisou]

Suisou looked up to the man who had spoken to him. "Ah, hello there Katsuo-san." He folded the note he had been given and pocketed it. "I was just reading a message from the Hokage." He said and stood up, crossing his arms and smiling. "I've actually got to go, but I believe Shiori chan is still inside with my wife." He raised a hand and waved before putting them together and vanishing in a puff of smoke, heading towards the Hokage's office.

Suisou Out

[Katsuo]

"Ah, hello there Katsuo-san. I was just reading a message from the Hokage."

Katsuo nodded, feeling that his respect for the other shinobi's privacy had been a good decision. He knew how important some of the Hokage's messages could be, and didn't want to infringe on that trust.

"I've actually got to go, but I believe Shiori chan is still inside with my wife."

"Good luck," Katsuo said, giving a wave as the other man disappeared in a puff of smoke. It was clearly an important summons if Suisou had to leave in such a rush.

Turning to look back at the inn, the ANBU smiled and opened the door to enter. He paused, stepping back as he pulled the door all the way open to allow some patrons to leave, both men offering a nod as they hurried out of the way. Once the way was clear, Katsuo walked inside and looked about.

This place looks really good, He thought to himself, taking in the decor and the many people who were visiting. It seems the reopening went well.

Walking through the main area of the inn, making his way past the multiple patrons and tables toward the bar, Katsuo noticed that more than a few familiar faces were about; Suisou's wife, Kana, as well as Shiori and even the Hokage... and that wasn't even mentioning the magnitude of off-duty shinobi whom were enjoying themselves.

It was quite the crowd.

As he reached the bar, Katsuo nodded to the Hokage, pressing his fist against chest in a sign of respect. But seeing as the older shinobi was in the process of moving around the inn, the ANBU didn't do more than acknowledge his presence for the time being - maybe Katsuo would offer to buy a drink for Sonzai-sensei when the opportunity allowed it.

Seeing the assortment of gifts that others brought, Katsuo suddenly realized he hadn't even considered the notion. He was a little disappointed at not showing his enthusiasm for the reopening by offering a gift.

"Congratulations on the grand reopening, Kana-san," Katsuo said, bowing his head as he took a seat at the bar, before looking toward Kana. "I apologize that I didn't bring a gift for the inn... but if it's any consolation, I'll gladly purchase a drink."

Katsuo turned to smile at Shiori.

"And another round for Shiori-san, whichever she chooses."

It was pleasant to have some free time, and the chance to recover and unwind...

[Sandy]

Having had a few minutes to get over Sonzai’s slight, Shiori had polished off two more glasses of water and was now holding her belly and making an uncomfortable face. She was beginning to think some food was in order, to offset all the fluid sloshing around in her gut.

She returned Katsuo’s smile and gestured at the stool beside her, offering him the seat if he so chose. Though she attempted to conceal her urgent need for sustenance, she nevertheless politely declined his offer for another drink. “No thank you Kana-chan, but some nattō would be delightful, so long as Katsuo-san is still offering.”

Shiori did not know much about Kiyoshi Katsuo, though scuttlebutt claimed he was ANBU, which would explain the lack of concrete knowledge about his accomplishments and affairs. She knew better than to poke down that line of questioning so she instead decided to take a more impersonal — though hopefully still rewarding — route.

“We haven’t spoke in some time, Katsuo-san. How have you been?”

[Katsuo]

“No thank you Kana-chan, but some nattō would be delightful, so long as Katsuo-san is still offering.”

Katsuo nodded, smiling. "Certainly," He said, before placing his own order for a small glass of sake.

“We haven’t spoke in some time, Katsuo-san. How have you been?” Shiori asked.

Sliding across to the seat that had been offered, the ANBU pursed his lips as he thought. How had he been? Well, considering he was still alive, that was a good start right there...

"I've been well," He said, taking a sip of the warmed sake that arrived. "I've been kept busy with missions, training and helping out with village guard duty."

Katsuo also wanted to take the conversation focus away from his shinobi responsibilities.

"On top of that, my father has been fairly busy with the family dumpling bar. Things didn't go so well after the attack on the village, and we've been slowly getting back on our feet with the business."

He shrugged, taking another sip, savoring the flavor as it rolled across his tongue. He enjoyed the rice-based beverage, having found a fondness for sake during the Second Great Shinobi War.

"You wouldn't believe how hard it was to get some green onions imported for our Gyoza recipe..."

Looking back to Shiori, Katsuo smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"How about yourself?"

He refused to ask about her injury, having a feeling that if the situation were reversed he would get very annoyed being asked about his recovery. Instead he would let Shiori decide her own answer...