[h3]Saji Estate - Dojo
[sub]5/31/2015[/sub][/h3]

	"Things have gotten kinda crazy around here, haven't they?" A youthful, and spirited voice called out in the background, echoing subtly in the open air of the dojo who's only competition was the subtle grunts of Masahide as he swung his Shinai. It was that time of year when Masa's cousin -Yamato Saji- and his family paid a visit to the estate. Today marked the fourth year anniversary of Shinjiro Saji's passing, and without fail relatives would flock to the estate to pay their respects to the man and offer assistance to his widow and son. Always, Masa's mother turned down the offers, each with a polite bow and a friendly smile... But these were things that Masahide took no part in. His father had passed, and now he was responsible for the well-being and reputation of his family in Warakuma, customs and sympathy be damned.

	Still... The boy would be lying if he said it didn't effect him somewhat, possibly the cause of his growing frustration as he attempted to perfect his strikes, though seeming to be of no avail. With one final downward strike, Masa paused, "I haven't noticed."

	"Right. You haven't noticed several of your classmates disappearing and suddenly winding up in the hospital? Not even the one out of your class?" Yamato spoke, his tone clearly agitated though with a bit of jest.

	"You're well informed." Masa replied, lifting his arm to wipe the accumulating sweat from his brow. He hadn't kept track of how long he'd been practicing, though from the mounting fatigue and soreness of his already worn muscles, he could fathom a guess... Then again, time seemed to drag on while Yamato was on a tangent.

	"You know me, always up with the times. Plus, the updates on the news help... You sure you're ok?"

	"I'm fine. I go to school, I work, I come home. Not much time to get kidnapped."

	"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say mister perfect," Yamato waved his hand dismissively with a sigh as he stood from his seated position, brushing off his jacket before looking back to his cousin, "So, Auntie wants me to take you around town. Anything in particularly interesting around here? This place isn't like Okinawa, and I haven't really spent much time outside of the estate."

	"Not interested, thanks." Masa said flatly, reversing his grip on his weapon before making his way over to place it in the empty spot on the rack alongside the few others that sat perfectly aligned.

	"Not like you have much of a choice. You really want your mother to yell at both of us? Nothing against your mother... But she can get scary when you piss her off."

	At this, Masa couldn't help but chuckle. It had been a long time since he'd seen his mother truly angry, most of the time she was casting her usual smile as she tended to her business around the town and home. For what all she's suffered and been through, you'd never meet another with a more cheery disposition... Yet the memory of Yamato being scolded for knocking a set of dishes off the counter was always a rather amusing image. Her eyes narrowed in anger, her voice booming and echoing within the dinning area while Yamato stood there dumb-founded with a broom and dustpan. A priceless image.

	"Uh huh. That's what I thought. Come on, let's go," Yamato remarked, having spotted the subtle smile that had grown across Masa's lips. In annoyance, the raven haired boy sighed, wiping his brow once more with his arm before following after his cousin.

	"Let me hit the bath first, I'll meet you in town."

[h3]Warakuma- Streets[/h3]

	"So, what's the plan?" Yamato remark, lifting his arms up and behind his head before crossing them, seeming overly relaxed and at ease in contrast to Masa's rigid demeanor, his hands stuffed into his pockets with his gaze locked forward.

	"This was your idea, idiot," Masa replied curtly, his agitation worn like a badge upon his button up shirt.

	"Moody much? Still, it's good to get your ghostly self out into the sun every once in awhile," Yamato seemed pleased with his own retort as his gaze faced forward once more, wearing a triumphant smile as they continued to walk down the sidewalk, "Oh, by the way, don't dare check your phone. Any talk about going to your 'jobs' and I'll smash it on the pavement."

	"I'll be sure to return the favor to your teeth if that happens." Yamato let out a audible laugh at Masa's threat, seeming to not be intimidated in the slightest. Onward they ventured, the contrasting duo roaming the city out of boredom.