hotsteamynights | YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

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!

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[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.]

[ 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.) ]

[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.

[ 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. ]

I appreciate your kindness, as always. ...Though I'm surprised that I beat you to anything, especially without meaning to. It was a simple matter of buying cherries, and selecting the seeds of the best-tasting ones to germinate.

[He snorts softly, taps Shiokaze against his temple; as much as he's thought and thought about (and regretted prematurely leaving) the Valley, there has been no worry. Sasuke's more than capable, and proven himself time and time over of being worthy to take care of any Masamune, as Kojuro would hope that he could care for Yukimura in turn, should it ever come to it. And this is as things are meant to be, right now...

Though getting to see a good chunk of people he knew also helps assuage any lingering fears, definitely. Hopefully, before the night ends and they all get sucked back to where they truly belong, he can give Sasuke one last jar of pickled daikon. End of the day, he owes him the most.]

...You pick the song, Sarutobi. Something that will let your talents shine. I can pick up as needed. [And he finally puts Shiokaze back to his lips, eyebrows raising expectantly. (He's definitely not picking the song, since all of his knowledge rails back to solos meant for Masamune to dance to, or to soothe his fraying nerves. That's not what one should play at a party like this.)]

[ "Something to let his talents shine." ... The look in Sasuke's eyes grow distant and wistful. There could only be one song, and maybe... now is the time to let that song live in the light once more. Would it hurt, just for one song? ]

... Then, please follow along, Master Katakura.

[ The song that Sasuke chooses isn't suited for a fiery-electric party of samurai looking for a good time. The song isn't one sung at festivals or after a hard night's drinking. It's a song he hummed while working on the farm when he thought no one was around to hear him. It's a song that's precious to his ~~non-existent~~ heart, something that managed to survive a lifetime before Sasuke Sarutobi, or even just "Sasuke," existed. It's a song a mother sang to her child, Yoshiharu, and husband, Katamochi, to fill their rare nights of peace.

Sasuke's previous songs were sung among the crowd, but for this he lightly hops onto a makeshift stage and let's the moonlight illuminate him. Whether it be due to the present company or something else entirely, Sasuke intends to perform. ]

This is called "Harukanaru Kawa"

[ His voice is gentle like a whisper. The party-goers around him fall quiet upon seeing Sasuke with an air that is so much unlike him. It's almost like he's a shade of himself. Sasuke and yet... not quite the Sasuke everyone knows. He bows, then reaches into his kimono to pull out twin folding fans. Yoshiharu begins to sing and dance. His moves are fluid like leaves in the wind, full of arcs and spins, moves pieced together from faded memories of his mother's graceful dancing. ]

A swarm of butterflies without wings
A deep forest of dead leaves
The sound of the wind is a flower's sorrowful road

A cut-off thread can once again be connected
What can a person weave in his hand?
If only it could be repaired like old robes

My heart calls out to yours
From a fleeting life, the response is only an illusion

If I love because of love
My foolish wish becomes a river
Until the past times come back
Where will this sand ship go?

I will even discard my name if it can answer this burden
The edge of the cloud summons the sky
Who will be the person that I meet on the other side?

A lit light leaves wandering shadows
If fear can be forgiven, our friendship will echo

If I love because of love
My endless wish becomes a river
Those that I hold tightly only in my arms
Will they fill my light?

If I love because of love
My foolish wish becomes a river
Until the past times come back
Where will this sand ship flow to?

If I love because of love
My endless wish becomes a river
Those that I hold tightly only in my arms
Will they fill my light?

[ Yoshiharu is still until the last notes of Kojuro's flute are swallowed up by the air. His fans disappear from his hands as if they were his shuriken, and he bows low, sinking into the shadows. Sasuke will reappear nearby leaning against a tree and looking upwards at the night sky as he catches his breath and returns to a ninja wearing the mask of a ninja. ]

[There's not much that can be said, is there? Kojuro plays to the best of his abilities, once he figures out the cadence and notes of Sasuke's song, but...He's also a tad distracted. It's hard not to be by a performance of that cadre.

When the song ends and Sasuke returns, Kojuro neatly tucks Shiokaze back by his hip and strolls over to the tree he's perched in, nodding all the while to acknowledge the gentle, awed applause from their scattered audience.]

...That was beautiful. I am honoured, that you would put yourself into a performance with me in such a manner. [Off come his geta, his tabi, and he climbs up into the tree with the practiced expertise of an exasperated mother who's definitely had to follow a little shit goblin for most of his life. It's only once he can sit himself on the same branch, though much closer to the trunk, that he risks talking again.]

Thank you, Sarutobi. I cannot gather words to express my feelings right now.

[ He gives a small hum at the compliment. Normally, Sasuke'd ham it up and make a bigger deal about how he's the Great Sasuke Sarutobi of many skills and all that. It doesn't feel right to claim that previous performance as his own. ]

Well, if I was going to sing that song, I might as well go all the way, you know? You're quite skilled, Master Right Eye, to improvise so well to a song you don't know.

[ He turns to finally face Kojuro, amused that he actually climbed the tree after him. Ah, there's that fox grin of his. The glimpse of the soul buried deep inside darkness is over. The mask is back in place. ]

Now weren't you going to try to make me eat something? I don't see how you can do that by climbing a tree.

I was there to simply complement you; I find that's far easier with someone you've spent at least some decent time with, don't you?

[Hang the fuck on there, pal. Momjuro doesn't mess about when it comes to feeding scrawny shinobi, and he's already pulling something lacquered out of the front of his yukata and offers it without quite making eye contact.

It smells vaguely of-- well yeah, it's zundamochi. Of course it is. He can't help himself, even when he knows that Sasuke would probably prefer something a touch lighter.]

My skills do not lie in music, Sarutobi. Far from it. Where I truly excel is in ensuring that unruly young men eat properly; that you doubt me there wounds me.

... How long have you been keeping that in your yukata?

[ What is with this zundamochi? Why does this have to be a thing? How long have you been planning to feed him food to be carrying around a container of food? Sasuke narrows his eyes suspiciously. He takes the box, however. It's too much of a hassle to fight Kojuro on this. (He learned!) ]

Not overly long; it should be cool still, though you'll want to take it before I warm it up too much and make it go too soft.

[He brandishes the nurimono with a knowing smirk, before getting comfortable proper. It's been a while, okay. Let him enjoy the view and relative quiet for a minute.]

...Sarutobi, have I ever told you about the youth I once was? [Oh no. Oh no. He's gonna try to continue bonding. Oh no.]

Not really. You were more concerned with a different youth.

[ He opens the box and starts to nibble at the zundamochi. It's sweeter than he'd prefer, and honestly, if it wasn't so sweet, he wouldn't have as much of an issue with it. He eats mochi occasionally. He eats edamame, but there's just something about them together that's unappetizing. (It has more to do with Masamune than the actual dish.)

However, Sasuke gives Kojuro the benefit of not voicing any of these thoughts and will humor him with listening to story time ]

Mm, fair point. I'll spare you the long and short of it and say that I was an absolute bastard. The worst fucker out, starting fights and causing trouble and ignoring every order I was given. I just thought...That it was interesting, that we should come to know each other.

Contrast and parallel. Almost artistic. [His eyes flick to the zundamochi, gauging Sasuke's bites, and-- well. Okay, okay. Both hands up in the air in sound defeat.] Shall I climb back down and get you something else, all the same? My pride clearly missed the mark on your tastebuds.

[ And just like that, story time is over. Sasuke waits for an elaboration, and when none comes, he feels disappointed. Oh no, he's not about to let Kojuro climb back down to try and find him more food. ]

... That's it? You were a hot headed kid, end of story? What exactly was your point for telling me that?

[ Give him the details, Kojuro! ]

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YEAR OF THE TIGERDRAGON

oldsuke pleas and thabk u

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well ofc we have to go with the classic harukanaru kawa. there was no question.

Sasuke-Kojuro performance of "Harukanaru Kawa" right here!

oh hey it's SASUKE EMOTIONS comin at me this is what i deserve

Character development from Starhue, he can be people sometimes!

starhue did them all a world of good even if i goofed. pours one out for bonten farm

Shush, it's fine. Bonten Farm continues to live on in our hearts

pours one out on the ground for Bontenako farm, it was the best

Had the best pickles protected by a good boy

the best boy ever, we stan mr tori

Even when he flies around town screaming like Oyakata-sama