Kirigakure [Village Hidden in the Mist]

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu flashed a smile as Misaki closed in, caressing his face with her fingers... then she slammed the door in his face. Just a wild guess, but she was still mad, huh? "Thanks!" Rasetsu shouted in expressed gratitude. It was cut short when he realized what had just happened. "Wait... baby! Come on! I can explain everything!" Rasetsu stood at the door of his own home, many curious onlookers in the block staring at him like a wild boar on the loose. "Can't you at least hear me out??" Well, at least the make-up intimacy would be fanatical.

[Tai-chan.]

After Misaki slammed the door in Rasetsu's face, she gave an exasperated sigh. She leaned on the door, arms folded, listening to her husband whine on the other side. He was being SO loud, she knew that the neighbors had to be staring. Misaki mumbled out a few curse words before opening the door once again. She harshly took Rasetsu by the hand and pulled him inside of the house. She walked over to the couch and plopped down, staring intently at him. Oh, he was definitely getting the silent treatment. Misaki made a small hand motion in Rasetsu's direction, as if to tell him to start explaining.

[Big Guns]

"Okay well," Rasetsu began, starting with a blank, wide eyed gawk. He had everything planned and mapped out, he knew exactly what had happened in the last two years, why he had inadvertently left Misaki and his village without any explanation, after he had already deserted the village once, as the Mizukage. Well, he couldn't blame her for being a little upset. He rubbed the back of his head, unsure how to put it into words now that he actually had to present himself and do it. By Misaki's glare and impatient gesture, she was in no mood to wait around for him to articulate his explanation, so he went ahead, going by instinct more than anything.

"I was on a mission," Rasetsu began. "A top secret mission, which is why I couldn't tell you. Because it was, you know, top secret..." Rasetsu awkwardly looked around the room, formerly his room, it had been decorated and assorted with adornments he didn't recognize, apparently in his absence. Rasetsu grimaced to himself. He just lied to her, in her face. Why did he do that? Before Misaki could say anything, he spoke up again.

"Okay, I've been traveling the world." Rasetsu said. "And...." he seemed embarrassed to reveal the authentic reason for his departure. "Writing a book."

There you have it, former leader of a prestigious criminal organization, former Mizukage, a nomad, an author.

[Tai-chan.]

Misaki gave the blankest stare that she possibly could as she listened to Rasetsu's reasoning. When he had first said that he had been assigned a mission, she had felt somewhat relieved. But when the actual reason came out, Misaki's heart panged with disappointment. The only thing she could do was shake her head.

"You're telling me that you were gone for years, and you were just having fun? You traveled the world and wrote a book, and couldn't even check in with me??" Misaki's voice started off calm and even, then began to shift to despairing, crackly tone. She arose from the couch slowly, pacing in Rasetsu's direction. "You didn't think, not once, that I would have liked to hear from my husband? To know if he were safe and not killed by some assassin or evil entity that I wasn't even informed of? But no! You just went to other villages and chilled, with no worries, right? And then you had the nerve to lie about it!" She was right in front of him now, her blue eyes glaring disapprovingly at him. Just as Misaki felt her arms lifting from her side, she turned away abruptly, causing her long, crimson hair to bounce off his chest.

Misaki wrapped her arms around her torso, hugging herself lightly to hold back the tears that she felt welling in her eyes. "I just want to know why, Rasetsu.. Why?"

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu scratched his head as Misaki finished her heartfelt speech, trying as hard as she could to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. So, he could understand why she was upset. "Well, when you put it like that, it makes me sound like a jackass," Rasetsu said with a casual shrug. "Okay so, I'm a jackass. But if it makes you feel any better, I almost got murdered by some plant bitch on my way back here." Rasetsu rolled his eyes. Although he was never good at showing it, he hated to see Misaki cry. Knowing he was the root of the problem didn't help his case. He hurt her, it was his fault. No amount of explaining could probably repair the aperture punctured in her heart, but he had to say something. Too bad he was always awkward with matters like this...

"I'm sorry," Rasetsu said, attempting to sound as chill as he could. He hesitated to continue, swallowing hard. "That I, you know, hurt you." It was rare to see Rasetsu stumble upon words, the man who never hesitated to tell others to eat a sock. He moved closer to Misaki, debating in his head whether he should hug her, kiss her, pat her on the shoulder, or not. He didn't know what to do, women confused him. They were more confusing than any political matters he had to deal with during his tenure as the Mizukage, from the little actual paperwork he did do, anyway. He figured the best thing he should probably do was tell her she was right, girls usually liked hearing that, right?

"You're right," Off to a good start. "I should have told you. I shouldn't have left without a word. I didn't even plan on being gone this long, but with my affiliation with Kusagakure, I got a bit carried away." Rasetsu explained, and sighed. He decided to delve into the center of the storm. He touched her shoulder lightly as she turned her back to him. He looked at her with the most modest onyx eyes he could possibly manage. "Look, I screwed up. I really am sorry, I can't take back what I did. There is one thing I do know though. I can't stand to see you cry, especially because of me." Rasetsu said, the most sincere thing he had said since he arrived back in Kiri, he really meant it.

"How about I take you out tonight? We can catch up, I can apologize another 100 times. You can even shove my face in the pudding, if it makes you feel better." Hopefully by now, Misaki would know to look past his rough demeanor and tone, and look into his sincerity. Beneath that rough exterior, was a heart of gold.

[Tai-chan.]

Misaki began to listen to Rasetsu's story, her heart still indifferent. As he went on, she noticed her husband's tone become more tender from the nonchalant one that he had earlier. Her eyes held a steady gaze unto the floorboards, her eyes softening as he continued to talk.

And then...Rasetsu turned her around, wearing the most sincere eyes she had seen in a long time. She couldn't help but to give a (very) tiny smile. He had obviously learned a few things while being away-apologizing and saying that she was right. Misaki loved being right.

She looked up at Rasetsu, trying to fight off the giant grin that she could feel forming on her face. "Make it 101 times and throw in some kisses, and I guess I can forgive you."

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu smiled in triumph upon seeing Misaki's mouth broaden with inevitable time. He wasn't sure all the heart-spewing apologies would actually work, but he figured he would keep trying and someday it would work, he nailed it on the first roll!

"Sounds good," Rasetsu said triumphantly. "I know I just got back and everything, but I'll give you time to freshen up. You look like you were just struck by a bus." Rasetsu said with a snicker, waving nonchalantly, wasting no time to sugar coat his words like he just had a minute ago. He was Rasetsu, he'd say whatever was on his mind. Had to give the guy one thing, he rarely ever lied. If he did he was quick to man up. Most people don't like what he has to say, whether people viewed it as being a jackass or not, he was honest. People just didn't like hearing what they didn't want to hear.

"We'll save the formalities for tonight." Rasetsu smirked, walking out of the house. This was going to be a long desired treat, the makeup intimacy was always intense, and they'd had plenty of it in the past.

[Tai-chan.]

Misaki rolled her eyes and threw a semi-playful punch at Rasetsu, dead center at his chest. She had gotten a lot stronger over the past few years. "You're still an asshole," she mused, shaking her head lightly before she walked into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

After about thirty minutes of washing, brushing, and combing, Misaki exited out of the room. Her crimson hair had gotten even longer since the last time she saw her husband. It flowed down past her lower back, almost to the backs of her knees. She wore a small casual, but form fitting black dress, hoping to possibly get some after they went out. Her icy blue eyes reverted to their natural gleam. "I'm ready," Misaki called out, almost timidly. She was actually quite nervous, since this was the couple's first time going out in a long while. She just hoped that everything would go right.

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu gleamed ahead, his hands rested behind his head as he sat against the wooden floor. He took a good look at Misaki as she stepped out of the room. Wow, she certainly cleaned up good. He made no attempt to hide his study of her figure, eying her up and down like a naughty magazine. From her attractions were her icy blue eyes, which were much like staring into a maze of crystalline mirrors; their clarity absolutely stunning; to her long red mane of hair usually tied in ponytails, reaching her knees. He was pretty sure she had grown in a few other private places as well. That was a query he intended to save for tonight.

"Hell yeah, that's the shit I wanna see! I wouldn't expect anything less out of my wife." Rasetsu arrogantly howled. While waiting, he had done a bit of cleaning up as well, simply sporting a plain white shirt with black hakama pants, only these were without the excess of dirt and blood he accumulated on his way back to Kiri. He stood up. "Well then, madam, I hope you're hungry." Rasetsu said slowly. "'Cause we're about to chow down on a buffet of food!" Rasetsu, having little regard for mannerisms, rushed out of the door.

[Tai-chan.]

Hearing Rasetsu's reaction, Misaki let a small sigh of relief. She gave her hair an almost dramatic flip and batted her eyelashes, giggling like a little school girl. Rasetsu definitely hadn't changed personality wise, but hey. His personality was one of the main things that Misaki loved about him-he wasn't afraid to be himself. She scooted out of the house in her heels, trailing shortly behind her husband.

"Hey, wait up!" Misaki called out, walking as fast as she could. The way that Rasetsu was rushing, you would think that he hadn't eaten in weeks. She extended out her hand in front of her, hoping he would grab on to help her keep up the pace.

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu barely looked back as Misaki rushed behind. Little had Misaki probably known, but likely had guessed, Rasetsu hadn't eaten a good meal in over a week. He hadn't eaten anything in two days. He was resilient, having gone much longer without a snack in the past when dire conditions forced his hand. The longer he went, the more satisfying the next meal was. This one was sure to be accelerating. "Get the lead out of your heels, babe," Rasetsu grinned, snatching her hand with breakneck agility, the guy never knew when to hold back.

They approached their infamous ramen shop, the place they also went for their first out-of-office date; and also the place Rasetsu made a scene and was banned for a year from coming back (and again when he was technically a missing-nin). Rasetsu still loved the place, and often had Ryukazi deliver takeout to him beneath observant eyes.

"Ladies go in first, right?" Rasetsu scratched his head, unfamiliar with the basics of the simplest mannerisms. Regardless, he went with his gut, pulled open the door, holding it open for Misaki to enter. "Well, go on then."

[Tai-chan.]

As soon as Rasetsu grabbed Misaki's hand, she nearly went into a full sprint, her red hair trailing far behind them in the wind. "Damn, Rasetsu!" she exclaimed, not fully comprehending her husband's deprivation of food. She didn't know why she was shocked though-he was always full of surprises.

"Why thank you sir," she grinned, shaking her head lightly as the door was held open for her. Misaki then took the lead, taking Rasestu's hand once again and leading them over to her favorite table. She went to the ramen shop a lot during her husband's absence. "Hey old man," Misaki said to the shop owner. " I hope you don't mind that I brought a date with me."

The shop owner smiled brightly at Misaki, then looked over to her guest. It didn't take him long to realize who it was, and his face instantly turned into a grimace.

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu rushed inside with Misaki as she took the lead, somewhat involuntarily. She led them to her favorite table, which was the table they had always previously dined anyway, before he was kicked out by the same store owner who was eyeballing him hardcore. The animosity in his gaze was apparent, Rasetsu sensed it quickly, and where in the past Rasetsu would have easily flipped over a table and possibly pile-drived him into another table, he didn't care anymore. He was above senseless violence now, but he certainly wasn't above senseless mockery.

"Gimme the special with a side of sake. Hurry it up, I'm hungry as hell!" Rasetsu shouted across the bar, resting his arms folded across the table. He paid no attention to the glances and gazes he received as a result of his barbaric shouting. Rasetsu always strived on intimidation to get what he wanted, which was his only forte as far as negotiations went in the office.

[Tai-chan.]

Misaki exhaled loudly, showing her disapproval at her husband's behavior. "Calm down, Rasetsu!" she whispered agitatedly, before looking over and giving the shop owner a weary smile. "I'll have the same as him," she ordered, a lot quieter.

Her gaze returned back to Rasetsu, lightly shaking her head. "You can't just scream out your commands like that anymore, Ex-Mizukage. Some of the people are still very touchy about that subject." When Rasetsu was away, Misaki was often interrogated by the villagers about her husband's whereabouts. When Misaki couldn't give an answer, people began to leave Misaki 'out of the loop', because they had assumed that she was covering up for him. So much for her gossiping days.

Literally as soon as she finished speaking, two steaming, hot bowls of the ramen special and cups of sake were placed in front of the couple. Misaki threw her hands up in the air, exasperatedly. "I give up."

[Big Guns]

Rasetsu groaned, leaning against the table, trailing his hand through his hair, his face lit up in revealed agitation "Touchy? Guess that's why everyone in this village is trying to cop a feel of my nuts," Rasetsu said, his tone implying he was only half joking. He relaxed some, leaning back in the chair, making his best attempt to at least be on a good behavior, but Rasetsu held grudges, it wasn't easy for him to forget the smallest things, which is why he felt so obsessive over his betrayal of Misaki's trust and love, and the shop owner's animosity toward him. He didn't expect any respect for being the former Mizukage, a lot of people still held it against Rasetsu that he abandoned the village without a word. Rasetsu had grown up in his head as well, he understood that reality wouldn't be kind to him, and he didn't expect people to cater to him. Even with all that in mind, Rasetsu still disliked being looked down upon, and his personality would prevent him from hiding his animosity toward anybody else.

Through it all, the one person who seriously stuck by his side was sitting in front of him, the love of his life. She never abandoned him, betrayed him, or lost any hope, but he did abandon her. It was the thing he was the most guilty about. The village was one thing, but the person you sworn to stay by their side in sickness and wealth, richer or poor? That was what hurt him, and he had to make it up to her. If it meant for once sucking up his pride, he would at least try to do it.

"I'm not worried about them. The only reason I'm here right now is for you." Rasetsu said, as sincere as he could muster.

When the food arrived, Rasetsu appeared to lose all train of rational thought. The steaming aroma of the ramen settled in instantaneously, he was drawn to the bowl like a magnet. He delved in, literally face first, canine-like, and began gobbling up the entire bowl without so much as an Itadakimasu.