Grass District

[Mellow]

Shortly, Anrei turned his gaze from Jin to Tsubaki. Her words seemed to almost trigger Anrei as his his jaw tightened at the mention of the “other four.” He shifted his gaze to a distant area of the meadows, away from both Tsubaki and Jin. The wind stirred the dust around them, as Anrei knew that his feelings towards the other members were nowhere close to how it was for Tsubaki as he viewed her more like his bestfriend while he didn't particularly like the others at all yet. For a moment, he didn’t respond, allowing the silence to speak for him until he eventually responded. Anrei finally broke the quiet with a low, measured voice, his words coming out in carefully controlled tones.
​

“I appreciate the suggestion, Tsubaki.. But I’m not going to bring the others into this. There are reasons why I haven’t involved them."​

Casting a sidelong glance at Jin to make sure his cousin knew part of the reason from the simple gaze alone if he was paying attention.
​

"Even though i respect the others, I don’t trust everyone with sensitive matters. Not this… not with Jin. Too many people have their own interests at heart. The second they find out what i'm doing, especially after manipulating everything to make sure im the one looking after him, they’ll question my loyalty—our loyalty. The only reason I told you is simple... I trust you with Jin because I know how you feel about him. You… have always cared for him, and I know you’ll put him before anything else. On top of that you've not only earned my respect but my trust as well.”​

Anrei then paid attention to the exchange between Tsubaki and Jin with a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Standing a few steps back, he observed Jin, stiff and visibly uncomfortable under Tsubaki’s unabashed affection. Her arms were still wrapped around him tightly, and Jin's face had turned to the side, a blush creeping along his cheeks despite his best efforts to mask it with a gruff, impatient expression. Anrei let out a soft chuckle, his amusement only thinly veiled as he took in Jin’s flustered state. For a fleeting moment, he saw the cousin he remembered—someone hardened by circumstance yet still vulnerable to his closest companions’ warmth. Jin had always had a certain pride to him, and being seen in such a vulnerable, almost affectionate situation was likely making his skin crawl. But beneath that embarrassment, Anrei noticed something that Jin couldn't quite mask, a feeling of emotion towards Tsubaki that had only grown stronger since his return, at least in his eyes.

Stepping forward, Anrei clapped a hand firmly on Jin’s shoulder, bringing his cousin’s attention away from Tsubaki’s embrace and towards him. His tone was a mix of teasing and warmth, attempting to ease Jin’s discomfort without completely letting him off the hook.
​

“So, you’re planning to help us 'idiots,' are you? Last I checked, you barely got out of that Earth Golem battle without losing a limb.”​

With that, Anrei gestured towards the two to grab a hold on his shoulders he utilized the teleportation technique to return the 3 of them back to the hideout along with the captured rogue who was still tied up.

Current Location: Silent Meadows
Post Order: Jin Tendo -> Anrei Tendo
Time Limit: 3 Days
Skip Points: 2​

 

[Yatoru]

As Jin stood with Tsubaki clinging to his arm, avoiding any eye contact as he listened closely to what both were speaking about, it only arose more questions. Though he listened, it was Tsubaki who seemed to make a pouting face as Anrei had ignored her suggestion of taking Jin out to see the village and his mothers grave. Nonetheless, She adjusted her expression in response of Anrei as she herself spoke once more,​

"That is fine and dandy, But should the Remaining Four of the Shadow Five find out, it would be problematic if they go hunting us down if they view this as an act of betrayal. Not only to the Organization but also to the Clan. I understand that you cherish Jin's safety, even though it is small compared to what I feel for my darling Jin, We both failed in our youth to protect him due to our lack of power. With Toji acting in Xaio's stead while he is away, would only prove to make things far more difficult in the long run. And Should Xaio return... Then your plan is as good as finished."​

Her words seeming calculated and earnest, showing the more logistical side of the situation that both her and Anrei are facing whilst at the same time clinging to Jin's arm who remained looking away. But as it would seem the conversation coming to a conclusion where Anrei's hand clapped against Jin's Shoulder, making a retort about Jin barely making it out of the battle without losing a limb, the young Tendo's eyes slowly avert towards Anrei seeming more annoyed as he responded himself with a cold tone,​

"Yes, that may be the case, but till I can alter the energy output it is a risk for an unfathomable strength. One which you the idiot has yet to even learn to awaken. When you do, lets see which limb you end up breaking... Anrei."​

Though his tone seemed cold, there was almost a sensation of humor and joking beneath his disposition. And though the group was Teleported by Anrei back to the Hideout, where Tsubaki would Let go of Jin's arm speaking with a calm tone,​

"I'll take the Prisoner to Lord Toji. You boys better behave."​

Her words not matching her expression as she scowled towards Anrei hinting at a hidden message to have Jin see his mothers Grave but also winking at Jin causing the young Tendo to look away with discomfort. As Tsubaki lifted the unconscious mentally damaged Rogue shinobi and leaving the room with him, Jin looked towards Anrei as he spoke with a calm tone,​

"Anrei... I need a favor..."​

His words which would seem extremely surprising as Jin was never a person to ask another for a favor, but what could it be?

Current Location: Silent Meadows -> KLAW Old Hideout
Post Order: Jin Tendo -> Anrei Tendo
Time Limit: 3 Days
Skip Points: 2​

 

[Mellow]

Anrei’s gaze sharpened as Jin’s words hit him with an unspoken challenge, he absorbed his cousin’s blunt yet quietly incendiary words. Jin's tone was both smug and distant, his lips curled in a slight smirk that carried the weight of someone who’d just brushed against something greater than himself, someone who had already tasted the dangerous, addictive power of their bloodline’s strength. Anrei let out a low chuckle, one that was equal parts amusement and challenge.
​

Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much about me, Jin. I’ll awaken my eyes when the time is right. Just stay focus on your training and less on getting... distracted by Tsu.​

Right after their exchange, Tsubaki's expression towards Anrei was hard as her brow furrowing as she scowled at him. The message in her gaze was clear: and he was already planning on doing that with him even if he didn't think Jin was ready to face that fact yet. Shortly, the silence was met with confusion as Anrei’s eyes widened in genuine shock, his mind going blank for a split second as the words of his cousin asking for a favor hung in the air. Jin never asked for help. Not even as children, when he’d stubbornly tried to master techniques twice the power of what he was capable of, falling and failing a hundred times over without so much as a glance for reassurance. Not in training, when he’d grit his teeth through the pain, refusing any hand or offer of support. Jin always prided himself on his independence, his fierce will to push through alone. And now, here he was, openly asking him for a favor.

Anrei stared at his cousin, caught between disbelief and curiosity. He had spent so much time preparing himself to handle Jin’s coldness, his relentless drive, that this side of him felt foreign—unfamiliar enough that Anrei didn’t quite know how to respond as he thought to himself.
​

Anrei's Mind: "The hell's going on?! He's asking me for a favor, what the fuck?!"​

Anrei’s confusion grew, but beneath it all, he felt a rare spark of resolve to support him, even if he didn’t yet know what the request entailed but assumed it may have been something important.
​

Alright... What's the favor, Jin?​

Current Location: Silent Meadows
Post Order: Jin Tendo -> Anrei Tendo
Time Limit: 3 Days
Skip Points: 2​

 

[Yatoru]

Jin Leaning against the wall of the Hideout, his eyes shrouded by his hair as Anrei retorted with his wise crack, speaking of getting distracted by Tsubaki, and yet something in Jin felt more uncomfortable about that situation. Yet it was after Jin making his request for a favor that his eyes caught the expression flowing across Anrei's face. Though he couldn't read Anrei's mind one thing was certain, Jin's request had almost knocked Anrei Tendo off his feet. Taking a deep breath, Jin finally spoke forth,​

"Anrei... I'd like you to cut my hair... And to get a new outfit. I'm not so good at choosing a style for my hair, as you can tell with me trying to replicate your hair style... But I feel as if I need to spread my wings and gain my own sense of individuality."​

Jin's face shrouded by his hair it was clear that Jin was embarrassed to ask for such a favor, yet as Jin adjusted his hair to reveal his face there was some form of determination engraved upon his stoic expression, as if at this very moment Jin was trying to set himself apart from the rest of the Tendo clan, to show that he was more than Xaio Tendo's child; that he himself was his own sentient person. Waiting for Anrei's response Jin's eyes seemed to catch wind of the Old Geezer Toji Tendo walking through the halls, Toji's eyes seemingly glaring at both boys, not a glare of pride of the future generation of the Tendo but rather Disgust at the two byproducts in his lineage. As Toji continued forth on his walk before Anrei would be given a chance to notice him, Jin slowly felt his fingers curling into a ball, faint glimpses of a twisted and altered memory flashing in his mind, one of Toji showing a kind smile to both a child version of Anrei and Jin; with both boys standing in front of their respective fathers...
​

Jin's Mind: "If he was so proud of us being born... Then why... Why does he look at us both with such disgust..."​

As this twisted and altered memory faded, Jin had ensured to keep his expression the same as when he asked Anrei for the favor, clearly trying to sort out his own individuality on his own whilst remaining observant of everything and his "Memories."

Current Location: KLAW Old Hideout
Post Order: Jin Tendo -> Anrei Tendo
Time Limit: 3 Days
Skip Points: 2​

 

[Mellow]

Anrei blinked, the shock that had initially seized him melting into a strange, almost comical confusion. Of all the things Jin could have asked for… a haircut and new outfit? He felt a flicker of annoyance bubble up, realizing that Jin’s grave tone a moment earlier had been for something as mundane as a style change. The weight he had felt about this “favor” lifted, replaced by the irritation of knowing he’d be the one footing the bill, too. Yet, beneath his irritation, he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of warmth. Jin, who had always been so stoic, even aloof, was finally expressing a desire to break out of his shell. It was something small but significant, something that hinted at a shift. Exhaling, Anrei crossed his arms and cast a mildly exasperated look at Jin.
​

"You actually had me going for a second, thought you needed something… I don’t know, a bit more urgent. But, alright. I’ll wing the haircut for you—make you look presentable, just tell me if you want your hair shorter or do you want ton keep the length you have now. However, you’ve got to give me some idea of what you’re after outfit wise."​

With that, Anrei began walking towards the hallways to go towards the door, waving at Jin to follow him as he waited for a response. Getting the outfit out the way first would be easier since he'd need some time to figure out what to do in regards to his cousins hair depending on the answer he gave,
​

Let's go. We'll go get your new set of clothes first.​

Current Location: KLAW Hideout -> Streets of Kusagakure
Post Order: Jin Tendo -> Anrei Tendo
Time Limit: 3 Days
Skip Points: 2​

 

[Yatoru]

As Jin had made his request, his eyes observed his cousins every movement, his every reaction; as Jin watched every motion his cousin did and listened to everything he first said only for Jin to twiddle his hair between his left index finger and thumb. It wasn't something Jin needed time to think about, as there was a thing about the Tendo clan and their long hair being sacred, Speaking with a calm tone as he followed Anrei into the hallway,​

"I want my hair short. The long hair is only going to be more problematic to my style of fighting."​

With his resolve on shifting his hair to disregard the current beliefs and standing of the Tendo Clan, one thing was for certain by Jin's answer, even if Jin himself was unaware of this consciously, he wanted to change the Clan from its old ways. Following Anrei through the hideouts halls, where it would lead towards a set of stairs tht ascended forth towards a cavern like Fungal Stalk, seemingly hollowed out for the Tendo Clan's usages as a storage unit with minor Genjutsu to keep on lookers from the outside seeing just that, a Fungal Tree. As the two would pass through the Illusionary Barrier, and into the outskirts of the Village where their journey on foot slowly but surely led them into the Village streets where many of the Civilian Mui clan, Tendo Clansmen all went about their daily lives. Some working stalls as workshops, many non clan civilians wondering around with no care in the world since the villages damages had been repaired. Jin's eyes fixated forth, speaking once more towards his Cousin,​

"Anrei... I'd like something with no sleeves. It'll allow more fluid movements for me. Pants can be the same as I'm wearing now. It doesn't gotta be high end you know. Save yourself some money. Plus... I know you want to goto HER shop."​

Jin's words jabbing towards Anrei as he followed beside his cousin, almost as if Jin was hinting at someone from their youth that Anrei was particularly close too. Nonetheless, this was just showing that even with Jin's memories being fabricated and personality altered by Toji's torture, there was still a sliver of Jin who still cared about his cousin.

Current Location: KLAW OLD Hideout -> Streets of Kusagakure
Post Order: Jin Tendo -> Anrei Tendo
Time Limit: 3 Days
Skip Points: 2​