YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

[vengaboy]

No matter what language you speak, no matter what country or universe you reside in, a mysterious letter has found its way to you. Those who can read it will recognize it as an ornately scripted Japanese new year's invitation; those who don't might not even know these elaborate squiggles mean anything at all. Either way, when you look up from the neatly folded paper, you're probably nowhere near home anymore.

Where is this?! When is this?! Welcome to Japan as it was kinda, sorta, just shy of the year 1600, esteemed guests! If it somehow feels like it isn't even the right month anymore, that's because local time and date is still on the lunar system. It's fine. New Year's parties are New Year's parties.

And those parties mean alcohol! Music! Dancing! Feasting! Don't be shy! There are a number of attendants in colourful livery nearby, eagerly expecting an influx of new guests. They're all friendly enough, but they don't seem to bear the crest of any particular clan and sharp-eyed visitors may catch the briefest glimpse of a striped fluffy tail or a foxy grin... or is it a trick of the light? If you want nothing to do with any of this, they might pout a little but will send you home without any problem. But if you choose to follow them beyond the gates, get ready for one hell of a night. The only kind of explanation you get for what's going on is that the Takeda and Date clans have set aside their rivalries for a night of PEACE AND PARTY and everyone's invited. What does that mean? Go find out for yourself.

Of course folks from all over have been invited to this thing, but outnumbering the other guests by far are a bunch of rowdy samurai types, some in their armour, many in more formal robes, several proudly bearing banners of red or blue. Nobody appears to have any weapons on them, but if any guest takes that as an opportunity to start some shit they're going to be swarmed in like two seconds, so... maybe don't do that. However! There is plenty of space outside to spar in, if that's your thing! Or you can stay inside and drink, eat, enjoy the music, exchange raunchy stories, be an awkward wallflower, drink some more, witness some weird and kind of horrific family bonding, watch the unique display of gun- and canonfire alongside the fireworks, explore the scenic countryside outside of the compound, listen to some smug asshole in an eyepatch and some kid in red scream really loud at eachother, get playfully bullied into taking part in a ceremony you know nothing about, drain a bottle or two, flirt with famous historical figures, or... whatever you want!

All fandoms, all mediums, AUs, doubles, OCs, etc are all fair play here! Invite your friends! Invite your dog! Go nuts! Just slap a warning up if any threads take a particularly violent or sexy turn. Or both. I ain't judging.

LET'S PARTY!

Comments

3 Sasuke for the price of 1! Choose your ninja

[gatescostmoney]

[ Given that party is partly sponsored by the Takeda (RIP finances. Again.), it shouldn't be any surprise that the Sanada Ninja Corps are present. What might be a surprise is how many Sasukes are dashing around. They're busy keeping things running smoothly, making and delivering food or sake, stopping conflicts from developing into anything serious, and tackling whatever task like repairing that wall his master just went through comes up. He really should get a raise with all the hard work he's putting in!

But there's an even bigger surprise. Not all the Sasukes are actually shadow clones!

One will see the usual Sasuke Sarutobi (gatescostmoney) taking the occasional break to either rest in a tree to people watch or chat with a few guests. Later, with a lot of goading and harassing, Sasuke finally joins the party proper. He may even be persuaded to sing a song as the night goes on. Who knew a ninja could sing so well?

There's a younger, modern student Sasuke Sarutobi (shinbunshinobi) who keeps himself busy with a camera. All of this is so different and new. He's not sure what kind of article he could make from this, but he'll be damned if he doesn't get some material out of this. No singing from this kid, though. His agent won't let him. (Why does he even have an agent?)

And those with sharp eyes may catch sight of a rare, bitty Sasuke (sixcoinsshort) watching from the edges of the party or sticking to the shadows. He seems... unsure, hesitant to join in the festivities. He's still settling into his new job of being kagemusha (and caretaker) of Benmaru. Cut him a little slack and sympathy. ]

[alloutoflove]

[ She's a modern girl, let's go with a modern boy.

She's a little older than high school aged at this point, but she was a teacher once; she's all about encouraging people whenever and wherever she can. And it's for real now! Not It's Complicated Real.

For the most part she's here to flit around and chat with random people, dressed for the occasion with silk peony blossoms plaited into her pinned-up hair. At first glance, she might look like she's more in line with the past-era folks... but when she catches sight of Sasuke with his camera, she strikes a pose, one hand up in a V-sign. ]

Hi, cheese~! ♥

[shinbunshinobi]

[ Sasuke takes the picture before it clicks in his mind what he took a picture of. (Part of the job is to review all the snapshots after, okay?) Now, that's interesting. Her reaction clearly puts her outside of the Sengoku Era. Well, that's interesting. ]

It looks I'm not the only one who got sent here from the future.

[ It's actually the second time this has happened to him, so he's not as confused as he could be. ]

[alloutoflove]

Ehehe... something like that!

[ At this point, honestly, Chisa isn't really sure where she qualifies as being from, though at least "the future" is a fair enough assessment. Even if her current home is more antiquated than the modern day she was born into, it's still further forward in time than this. But at his comment, she drops the pose and trots over. ]

It looks like they cast their net pretty wide for the guest list. There are people from alllll over.

[ Including not from Earth as they know it, probably, but that should also count in "all over," right? ]

So are you in a newspaper club, or a photography club?

[shinbunshinobi]

I'm in the newspaper club. The photography just supplements the stories.

[ He's never had much of an interest to take artistic photos. He wants the facts, the information, no matter how pretty or ugly it might be. ]

Sadly, I don't think anyone would believe me back home if I told them that in another place and time, I was that guy. [ He points to his Sengoku counterpart who still looks like he'd be a threat despite appearing unarmed and not in armor. ] So, the photos are for my own enjoyment mostly.

[ Why put in the effort for a newspaper article that's just going to be read as fantasy by others. ]

i'll take bitty ninja for 400

[lucenumbra]

[ ... Yeah, no. You would've thought you'd get away from her sight BUT YOU THOUGHT WRONG. ]

Now, what's a little thing like you doing hiding away? The party isn't going to come to you, you know.

[sixcoinsshort]

[ But he wanted to stay hidden! Being around other people who are not ninja and aren't related to a mission is still new. Also, thank goodness he's in a tree at the moment because he'd have to crane his neck to look at her face. So tall...

He's not quite at the age where he'd gawk at her beauty, but his eyes go wide at being address. ]

I'm not here for the party.

:v

[lucenumbra]

[ Like seriously, she could just pick you out of the tree like an apple but that'd require effort and she didn't feel up to exhausting that much just yet. Give her some time though, the urge to do so will emerge eventually. ]

Oh? Then pray tell, what are you here for? Don't tell me your parents abscondered off somewhere and left you here to forage for yourself.

[ A trick question, considering anyone who received a letter was brought here against their will. She, being one of the recipients but she also didn't care. Seriously, where are your parents?? ]

[sixcoinsshort]

I don't have parents.

[ He crouches down more on his tree branch to solidify the fact that he is not getting out of his tree. ]

And my reasons for being here are my own.

[ He might be looking for his master. ]

oldsuke pleas and thabk u

[righteyed]

[Funny, how they've been performing on opposite sides of the party. Not for all that long, however; when Kojuro hears just who's been singing magnificently without him in attendance, he comes bustling over with his party tit out and Shiokaze at the ready. ...Yeah, he's definitely red with tipsiness. But like hell that'll stop him from A) getting to hear Sasuke sing and B) getting to perform with him holy shit.]

Sarutobi! Sarutobi. I've heard about what you've been doing without me, and I'm insulted. And I'll bet that you haven't eaten anywhere near as much as you should have tonight, either...Will you humour me for one song, and then let me get you some imoni?

...I've been leaving things out for Mr. Tori most of the night, after all. I hope he doesn't object to zundamochi. [KOJURO HOW IS HE GONNA EAT A DAMN MOCHI.]

[gatescostmoney]

[ Clad in a simple green kimono, this particular Sasuke is trying very hard to ignore how many of his battle scars are visible to the general public. Also visible is a rokumonsen around his neck, which isn't a standard Sasuke accessory. Perhaps the Junimo and harvest gods let him keep it after he cursed them for the making and breaking of bonds, which was the opposite of what they intended. The harvest gods fucked up a perfectly good ninja. Look at him. He's got anxiety. Either way, Sasuke is doing his best attempt at enjoying the party and not trying to think too much about things night.

And then he starts to do just that. Why would Kojuro be so excited about playing together? And why would he be insulted? It's not like they ever talked about performing together.... That plus knowing his eating habits (and Mr. Tori's) can be easily answered by one thing. ]

I suppose I can do one song. Are you going to just spin a negi while I sing, or are we going to plan an actual performance together?

[ If his suspicions are correct, and he thinks they are, then Kojuro will know what he's referencing. If not, then well, Sasuke will just troll him. (Jury is still out on whether or not he'll sit down and eat something. Mr. Tori is learning to master eating his new treat.) ]

[righteyed]

[Really, his suspicions are confirmed as soon as Kojuro's eyes lock onto the rokumonsen, but...Referring to the dance thing? Also a good idea, going by the way his mouth twists to try and hide any further smiling. GODDAMN IT SASUKE NOT IN FRONT OF THE KIDS?]

I will play, not dance tonight. You didn't like my choice of dances for you in the first place, so I'm left at a loss. Then again, not all of us are trained in quite so many areas as you must be.

[The smile finally becomes open, if not subdued because YEAH, HE HAS A LOT OF MAKING UP TO DO TO HIS FORMER FARM FAMILY OKAY...Just as they were getting a real routine going, and things were nice, he had to leave. Besides...He heard about the solid Sasuke did him on the child-rearing front already. If nothing else, he'd at least owe him thanks for that. (Besides, it was nice having a mom friend. Really nice. He kind of wants to keep that, y'know?)] ...Though I'm in no position to force you into anything, am I? More the opposite. You have my eternal gratitude for caring for Masamune as you did, and my eternal apologies for leaving you both so suddenly. I am...not as good at alliances as I'd like to believe, apparently.

[gatescostmoney]

[ Sasuke's shoulder ease up and gives a lopsided, unguarded smile. Even with the disappearance and being saddled with a snake brat, Sasuke finds that he still trusts Kojuro. It's a plus that he's from a different timeline or however it was explained. They don't have to worry about being enemies on the battlefield, and this Kojuro can be privy to details he wouldn't otherwise share with him. (Sure it gives Kojuro potential fodder for the Sasuke of his timeline, but that's other Sasuke and not him.) ]

I can forgive you this one time for up and leaving the alliance, but I won't forgive you for finding a cherry tree before I did. I was trying to surprise you with one, you know. I knew a young lady who used her powers to help them grow and everything.

[ He just needed a cherry pit for her to use and grow. He hopes Martel is doing all right. He... hopes a lot people are doing well.

Except Pierre. To hell with that guy.

But on the topic of songs, Sasuke mentally goes through a few of them. He has a few songs in mind. None of them are fully apt for the time period, but this is also SenBasa that has its own mix of time and space. He's not sure how well Kojuro would be able to follow along with his flute (though one does have a flute in the instrumentals), but he has faith (what a strange thing to have) that Kojuro could figure something out. There are some that could better have a flute. And then of course this classic. ]

MOMSUKE

[powerhittou]

[HA HA. Fancy seeing Sasuke again like this. Over there, and over there, and... Masamune remembers witnessing the same trick being pulled at the valley a few times, so it doesn't disturb him as much as it could. Even if he knows that with all of the other alternate timeline doppelgangers running around all these 'clones' might be real after all.

The older Kojuro here recognized him, though... One of these older Sasukes has to too, right? He feels obligated to say thanks hello at the very least, and eventually he gives in to that feeling and raises his hand in greeting to the next one to pass by. It's a pretty pathetic attempt, but if he's unnoticed that means he can shrug and say he tried and get on with his life, right?]

You better not be trying to drink like Kojuro again, young man

[gatescostmoney]

[ This Sasuke wears a rokumonsen of his own. When he finally returned home after cursing out the Junimo and harvest gods for making him build bonds only to have them break and causing them to go "oh shit we messed up with this one", the strung coins hadn't disappeared. The necklace is only visible because he's dressed in a simple green kimono instead of his usual ninja garb. And truthfully, he's a little self conscious of how this outfit shows some of the scarring along his neck, forearms, and hands. Those are his secrets out in the open. However, he's making an honest attempt to simply enjoy the party as a person instead of a ninja... at least now he is. (Stupid Danna giving him a hard time... Why can't he ever win against him? grumble grumble)

He was on his way to get a fresh pot of green tea when a younger Masamune crosses his path and... waves at him? Sasuke stops in his tracks and stares. Why would a Masamune be bothering with him and doing so without obvious distaste?

Unless... ]

... If I mention Bonten or Katako Farm, would you understand what I mean?

He's behaving!! for now.

[powerhittou]

[Bonten Farm was bad enough, but what the hell is- oh. Right. He remembers now, and the circumstances behind the name change are exactly why he's sticking with tea tonight. He grimaces and crosses his arms.]

Wow. If you're just gonna mock me I guess I won't bother thanking you for helping me out after all.

oldsuke pls

[belomancy]

[ Just enjoy the party they say, have fun they say. Well, she's still sticking out like a sore thumb than most of the foreign-looking guests in said party. Mainly it's from body language than anything else.

But something has been bother her ever since she wandered around to find somewhere with the least amount of drunken, rude men. For one, the man in the green kimono just seems familiar but she can't place where she had seen him. She's been traversing outside of Inland Sea as of late that she's seen all kinds of people, but she can't put her finger where.

She keeps staring him from afar every time he caught her eye. It's gnawing her mind. ]

He's not old! Kojuro's old!

[gatescostmoney]

[ Sasuke is aware that he's caught Tsuruhime's gaze more than once tonight, but he can't figure out why the Oracle of Iyokono keeps looking at him. And she never approaches or gives him a clue as to why. Hm.

When he finally gets a break from his other duties and distractions, he'll appear quite suddenly from the shadows near her. He's all smiles and charm. ]

Lady Oracle, can I help you with something?

Kojuro is ancient, Sasuke is still o l d to her

[belomancy]

[ She jumps seeing him appearing seemingly out nowhere, with her hands holding up a yumi made out of air. Of all times someone sneaks up on her and it had to be the time when she doesn't have any means of defence.

At least the mysterious man seems to be polite, so that's a plus at least. ]

Oh, if I may ask, have we met before? I feel as though I've seen you before.

heyyyyy oldsuke

[shithefuckup]

[One, what the heck. Two, what the heck?? Three, where the heck even is he, this wasn't Hadriel anymore?! On the bright side, it's so much warmer than being stuck for almost an entire month in imminent frozen popsicle hell on some icy planet, thank fuck.

Of course he's gonna stick around for as long as he can (covered in scorpion blood and all. and with some of the looks he's garnered from a few people, it hasn't dried out either, eeeugh)! Though, as he passes by and sees Sasuke in the distance, there's slight tug within him. He...looks familiar? But, he's never met him in his entire life?! Yet, for how fuzzy a part of Zack's mind is, there's a faint sense telling him that he might have. Maybe it's from that weird dream he had one time of being on a farm, who knows.

What is he even doing anyway, he doesn't think about things this much. Nor does he ever want to! But, somehow- he raises a hand to try and catch his attention.]

...Sass-kay...?

He's not old, damn it!

[gatescostmoney]

Master Zack? You're here too? The gods are really pulling out all the stops with bringing people here.

[ Sasuke's pretty sure he didn't deliver one of his master's invitations to Zack; he didn't even have a way to drop one off even if there had been one written to him.

He's not complaining though. It's nice to see the guy. ]

If throwing a party was the secret to leave Pelican Town, then we should have done this sooner.

came for the food, stayed for tenko kamen

[mancub]

[ Yeah see, this kid has been walking around the compound all day and after getting lost like twice, (seriously why did this place have to be so big?) he's finally found the familiar face he was looking for!

Well... kinda. At least he thought he did from a distance since the hair looked identical to his timeline's Sasuke, but since he was running low on ideas on how to find him, what could be the harm in going over and asking? He did have very convincing identification for him too! ]

Excuse me sir, but have you seen my friend? His hair looks very similar to yours!

[ Cue the little munchkin holding up a crudely drawn picture of his nanny guardian. ]

internal Sasuke is making the face Mini Basara Kojuro makes when looking at his veggies

[gatescostmoney]

[ The Tenko Kamen mask was brought out only to tease a few people before putting it away, and that was when this tiny master appeared. Well, he can keep it on for a little longer. It'll be simpler that way.

Sasuke's urge to scoop up Benmaru is really strong. Oh how he wishes he could go back to simpler times not so steeped in darkness (well, compared to when he's older and sees more horrors of war) and appreciate it more. Master Benmaru is just too adorable. As is Benmaru's drawing. Although... he's pretty sure he has never had six legs.

Sasuke kneels down to be at Benmaru's eye level. ]

Ah, young master. I have seen many with that hair style here, but how am I to know if I am thinking of the right one?

[ Sasuke, or rather Tenko Kamen, warmly smiles. The gods really are bringing the party. ]

Would you like me to help you find your Sasuke?

1/2

[mancub]

[ ackifndfskdfaf!!!!! … is basically the first thing that springs to this kid's mind once Benmaru looks up at this strange man he swears he's never seen before, but feels like he has? Strange. This whole party was weird, and that one-eyed samurai man dressed in that weirdly colored jinbaori was also weird and loud, but details like that was neither here nor there, as Tenko Kamen had been the first actual adult to address him as young master (how did he even know??) and even went as far as to kneel down to his eye level!!! This Benmaru... is BEYOND AMAZED AND IMPRESSED!!

Oddly enough though, he looks like he dresses like someone he knows and has the same wild hair thing going on, if not more in abundance so who knows? Perhaps this man could have a clue on where to find his Sasuke? He hopes so. As for the whole six legs thing... well, no one without an artist's vision would understand!!!!! (hint: it's a reference and homage to how fast Sasuke can run, ok? Okay.) ]

₍՞◌′ᵕ‵ू◌₎ ♡✧☆*°

[mancub]

Oh.

[ He pulls back his picture and stares at it for a moment, taking another moment to look it over in thought. This Tenko Kamen guy did make a pretty good point in pointing out a major flaw in his design. Dark brown hair was pretty prominent and in this compound full of brunettes, alongside other abnormal hair colors... the difficulty in searching for his nin-nin trumped up 10x times in difficulty. ]

I... I suppose you would be right...

[ And here we are, encroaching into kicked puppy territory; complete with the bottom lip jutting out and his shoulders deflating. The more he thinks about it and the idea of losing Sasuke, the more he begins to panic and despair as any other child would. He's practically a few seconds away from glossy eyes brimming with tears but thankfully!!! Tenko Kamen saves the day?? ]

You mean... you would help me?