Snippet #2417462

Kaoru Fuoka

Kaoru gave a sigh and relaxed further into the hot water, feeling the tension in her body ease with each passing second. It was just what she needed after an early morning training session.

"It's official," she spoke aloud, pure bliss rolling off her tongue. "Amegakure has the best bathhouses ever. Of all time."

"I am inclined to agree." Kokuo, the Five-Tailed Beast, stated, his voice deep and booming within her mind. "The water has a nice feel and texture to it."

Kaoru gave a snort, shaking her head. "That's not surprising, coming from the resident Dolphin Demon. You'd like anything about the water. Even if it was toxic and poisonous."

"True. But still, this feels nice." Kokuo responded cordially.

Kaoru had to give the Tailed Beast that much. Demon, human, Jinchuuriki, or whatever; there was no denying that this hotspring felt so damn good.

It made Kaoru wish she could spend eternity in this bathhouse, just washing her troubles away. No more Akatsuki, no more hiding in Ame, no more worrying about what was happening back home in Iwa...no more conflict or pain or anything. Just eternal bliss. How nice that would be...

Unfortunately, that just wasn't possible. She had too many responsibilities and troubles for that to even be a remote possibility. Still, it was a nice thought...

Kaoru soaked in the steaming water for another five minutes, enjoying its soothing effects. Then, with a good deal of reluctance, she slowly stood to her feet, and walked out of the water. She dried herself with a towel, and put her clothes back on. She stretched her limbs for a moment, working some feeling back into them. With that done, she left the bathouse, and drifted back over to the compound where the Jinchuuriki were housed.

Life in Ame was...something. It definitely wasn't home. Iwa was a proud and stout nation, and everything about the Stone's very nature was molded into the earthen buildings of the Land of Stone. Ame...well, it felt like the exact opposite of Iwa. And it wasn't too surprising. The qualities of the Rain were different from the qualities of the Earth. Still....it made her quite homesick. She had grown up in Iwa, and it had been the only home she'd ever known. Ame wasn't too bad in of itself, but...it still didn't feel like home to her. It probably never would be...

But would that be so bad? After all, she wasn't going to spend the rest of her life in Ame, was she? Kaoru rather hoped not! It was dangerous to venture outside the protective walls of Ame right now, of course, and trying to go back to Iwa now would probably get her killed. Still...she wanted to go back home one day. She was still a proud Kunoichi of Iwa, and she was still loyal to her Village and to her Tsuchikage father. The current political climate prevented her from going back home, but perhaps one day, things would be different. Maybe things would die down, after a few years or so, and she could finally return home...

Maybe it was naive of her to believe that. But still, it was something to hope for, something to achieve. As long as she had some sort of goal, she had a purpose in life. And at the moment, that was enough for her.

"Have faith, little one. I am confident that you will return home one day." the voice of Kokuo rang demurely inside her head, projecting confidence to her.

Kaoru didn't answer it, and felt a flare of annoyance that it invaded her thoughts. But the Gobi meant well, and it had been nothing but kind and cordious to her since being placed within her body. And their thoughts were largely shared between them both now, too. So it wasn't right to scold him over listening in on thoughts he couldn't help but hear. Even if he was a bit noisy at times. Kokuo truly did mean well.

"Thanks, Kokuo." she replied at last, mentally smiling at the Tailed Beast. "I appreciate your reassurance."

"You are welcome, Kaoru." the Gobi replied, a pleased note in his tone.

The young Kunoichi continued her way to the compound, and eventually arrived. She wandered over to the small metal building that was, essentially, her new home, and walked inside. She moved into her bedroom, and picked up a small book that rested on her nightstand. Now that she was done training for the morning, a little more relaxation couldn't hurt; and besides that, the novel was quite good, too. She was eager to finish it.

Kaoru opened the book and continued where she had left off.