[center] [IMG]http://i62.tinypic.com/1zeed76.jpg[/IMG] [color=00FA9A][h2]Yuna Hōjō[/h2][/color] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYwPISE0bzM]Mothers[/url] o---ooo------------------o----------------------ooo------------------o----------------------ooo---o [h3]The Next Morning[/h3] [/center] What a whirlwind last night had been. Yuna was indescribably dumbfounded by the events that took place. She'd done her best to erase the images that she had seen, but her nightmare last night had been profoundly worse thanks to it. When she had arrived back at the Bathhouse, she found it slightly difficult to put her daughter to sleep, her own mind roaring with uncertain thoughts of her future in Konohagakure. But her child was a glimmering image for her, which brought a gentle tugging to her heart. And on top of that, she was grateful that with the help of another ninja, she was able to get Nobunaga to the hospital for some much needed medical treatment. She'd remind herself to go visit him later. Just to check on him. And that genin. His fiery outburst had certainly gotten her attention, but she knew, he and some of the others who voiced their feelings...they were only asking for trouble. She wouldn't dare. Not yet anyways. She'd keep relatively quiet, as she usually did. Oh, and the red-headed jonin who kicked her in the side before she could touch him. For some reason, she wasn't mad or upset at him for what he did to her. It hurt, like a bitch. But the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like she was at fault for trying to intervene. Then again, did he have to hit her so hard? She was conflicted about him. As the heavy rain conjured by Ayame continued to fall from eerily darkened morning sky, Yuna looked out the window in a gloomy manner. She watched the pattering of the aggressive rain, and thought of it washing away the bloody remnants of the Hokage's lifeless body. When she had finally gotten home last night, her mother and father had already closed up the bathhouse early, as if they had already anticipated what was going to happen. It was a strange, but she didn't question it. Well, scratch that. The thought nagged her too much. She would ask. And just when she had come to that mental decision, a concerned voice from behind her shook "awake". [b]"You look like you've hit your expiration. Feeling alright?"[/b], [url=http://i60.tinypic.com/k4b961.jpg]Anna[/url] spoke, as she came forth and stood near the window beside her. Yuna looked at her with an uncertain and deeply vexed expression. She glanced over to her sleeping daughter before looking back out the window. [b][color=00FA9A]"Why did you close the bathhouse early yesterday?"[/color][/b] [b]"Hmmm?"[/b] Yuna looked at her with a cold stare. [color=00FA9A][b]"Why did you close early yesterday?"[/b][/color]. Anna rubbed her daughters shoulder lightly as she too looked at the gloomy atmosphere outside the window. [b]"We all have our ways of seeing things before they occur my love. You may come to see them too."[/b] Yuna didn't exactly appreciate her mother's blatant misdirection and cryptic manner of speaking. Yuna furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. [color=00FA9A][b]"See what?"[/b][/color]. However, before her question could be answered, a high-pitched scream came from her now jolted daughter, who suddenly awoke in a fit of distraught. Yuna, rushed over to her daughter. She sat on the edge of the bed and lifted her daughter onto her lap, cradling her gently. [color=00FA9A][b]"It's okay hunny. It's over. The nightmare is over"[/b][/color]. Her daughter, Noh, was weeping in her chest, clearly upset. [b]"I...I..."[/b], she muttered emotionally. [b]"I....s-s-ssaw someone die mommy..."[/b]. For a second, Yuna looked frazzled, but ultimately said nothing, and simply used her remaining time to cradle her daughter and gently caress her hair. Anna looked on with an oddly peculiar expression. [b]"Eliza!"[/b], she called out, finally turning her peculiar gaze to the [url=http://img-cache.cdn.gaiaonline.com/05ea2fa8d7064012837183fd289af017/http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/hinata_hyuga101/Yukata46.jpg]petite young maiden[/url] in a purple yukata who approached. Some of the staff actually lived in the Bathhouse and Inn. Usually Anna's favorites. [b]"Tell my daughter [url=http://i60.tinypic.com/2akembn.jpg]Hanako[/url] its time for us to go please. And....tell my husband we are going as well. He's most likely in the boiler room".[/b] The maiden, smiled, bowed, and retreated to take care of the task. ------------------------------------------------------------- Having finally left the Hojo Bathhouse and Inn, Yuna left her daughter in the watchful care of her mother's favorite maiden, Eliza. With her mother in the front, Yuna walked along the left side, while her older sister Hanako walked on the right. They glanced at each-other briefly, though didn't speak. They carried no umbrellas however. The rain simply patted on and rolled over the invisible dome that seemingly floated over their heads, leaving them completely dry. From an onlooker, it would appear as though the rain stopped just above their heads, hitting something solid, yet, not see-able by the normal eye. This was most certainly her sister's jutsu. Once they arrived at the Teahouse, Anna walked in slowly, confidently, with Hanako trailing behind her and then Yuna. It was quite a sight to see. Three beautiful woman walking in, hair of bright ginger that radiated a peculiar solstice warmth throughout the entire teahouse. They certainly were capturing the attention of those there. Anna acknowledged everyone's presence pleasantly, as did Hanako, though Yuna remained relatively distant and quiet, her naturally cold expression made her seem very unapproachable, even somewhat intimidating. She wasn't quite radiating this same, warmth. As Anna took her seat at the table for the esteemed clans, her smile radiated with a womanly pride. To think, the Hojo's had only been in Konohagakure for 2 or 3 years and had already been considered amongst the elite. She internally pampered herself with those thoughts. Hanako shot Yuna a cross look, almost of disgust, before sitting down at the table next to her mother. Yuna, reluctantly, sat on the opposite side of her. As the proceedings and customary formalities began, led by none other than Reijo Minamoru himself, they were soon over and it was time to get down to business. Yuna's eyes wandered around the room, though she listened quite exceptionally to what was being said. She recognized the scar-faced boy from before. She was honestly, quite surprised to see he was of the esteemed Minamoru. Yuna glanced at him briefly before her eyes fell on the boy who kicked her in the side. The one with the red hair. The Naito. Her countenance was one of great discomfort, as if she REALLY didn't want to be here. She glared at Daiki until she again looked away once her mother spoke. Anna, in the layered fancy kimonos, stood up and smiled.[b] "Quite frankly, I am honoured to be amongst the elite. And I apologize for the absence of my husband, Hidemoto. He isn't quite in tune with politics. But alas, I have certainly seen many of your faces at the Hojo Clan's bathhouse and I hope to see many more in the future. However, in regards to the matter that took place last night, the Hojo clan, because we are still relatively new to Konohagakure, shall remain neutral to the sudden acclimation of the throne by Ayame Choko, the previous Hokage's former assistant. She is a powerful force to be reckoned with and one the Hojo collectively does not want to tempt. We will do what we do best, bring much revenue and satisfaction to our patrons from around the world and in Konohgakure. So please, bless us in these wavering times."[/b] Hanako smiled approvingly to her mother, but as her gaze fell upon Yuna, it was one of utter disdain. Yuna on the other hand, hadn't noticed. Her gaze was entranced. Entraced by the pitter-patter of the rain outside the window...