Searching For Answers, Or Perhaps Common Ground [Hakai/Hana/Hayden]

The thudding in his chest died down, each passing moment Hakai felt his body becomes more calm, that anxiety and stress vacating his body as he returned to his normal structure. Shaking the last remnants of sadness off, Hakai's thoughts traveled to the nation around him once more. The cobblestone under his feet echoing with the crash of his black boots, each step sending a soft tone into the air. It was truly an amazing city location, the long beach front was so detailed and lively it could make the harbors of Karakura look empty. The black haired Vizard wasn't sure of the direction Vastime was going in, nor did he truly understand their ideals, but he had to compliment them on the appearance and wonders they had done to Africa. "I have no shame in being a fool. If a fool is described as someone whom cares for his loved ones before the will of nations and groups, I am proudly a fool."

The longer he spent in the presence of Hayden, the more he felt as if there was something dragging him back to Earth, back to the troubles that plagued it. He had tried to leave this portion of himself behind, to try and live a quiet life, yet no matter how much he tried something caught up to him. In this case it was Hayden trying to win him over and bring him back to life and the fight. He was a man of principle, whom treated his nation with pride and strives to make the citizens strong as can be. While admirable to Hakai, he felt as if it made more hate. Not by itself, and certainly not creating it; but the sheer presence and power of such a group would always give rise to opposition, someone looking to challenge that power. To what end? Hakai wouldn't know, but it was a thought that crossed his mind none the less.

Hakai sighed lightly. "If it were up to me I wouldn't even be involved at all. But there's so much to consider that I now see you're right. I can't run So I guess you get to be content after all." As much as he hated to admit it, Hayden was right. Never the less he would continue to hold Hana dear, but perhaps it was time he prepared her for war. Prepared her for what was to come. Yet even as these thoughts ran through his mind, walking alongside Hayden as the purple haired woman was by their side, Hakai smiled and looked down upon her, hearing Hayden ask to speak to her.

"She's her own woman, you need not ask my permission to speak with her." Hakai spoke, gaze returning to the front of his body. From beside her father, Hana's ears perked up as her face shifted to look in the direction of Hayden, a look of curiosity crossing her face. Bouncing off from her fathers side, Hana smiled as she stood out in front of the two men, walking backwards as she continued to look towards Hayden. "How do I feel about fighting?" Her gaze looked to the ground momentarily, placing her right hand under her chin as if she was thinking with intense focus. Finally she clicked her fingers and looked back up, a deep womanly voice echoing into their surroundings. "I love a fight, the clashing of weapons and bruising bodies in order to train with someone is fun. I just..." Her eyes seem to lose all joy as she took a few moments in between her words, simply collecting her thoughts.

"I hate killing. I don't think anyone deserves to die... The world is already so sad, I don't want to make it sadder..." Hana looked genuinely sad, she continued to walk backwards and even bump into people in her path. Her face that was looking at the stone beneath her feet shifted up, that somber feeling returning to a more lively and energetic one. "But Vastime itself is fun! Those men weren't aiming to kill each other, but train and have fun. I love that." A cheezy smile crossed her face now, quickly skipping to the side of Hayden now as they continued to walk. The purple haired Vizard acted a little strange for someone whom carried the appearance of a full grown woman, atop of that she was rather naive. To some it would be quite obvious she was but a child in a adults body.

"Hey, that's a good idea! Food sounds so good, I'm starrrvviinnnggggg." Hana's voice shifted and dragged on as she exaggerated, her voice flattening as if she was dying. Hakai's eyes shifted between the two before letting a slight chuckle out. "Alright, lead the way then. I have more than enough stories under my belt."

Hakai gestured forward as if telling Hayden to lead the way, dropping his pace in walking down. "I believe Hana will do great things, I agree. A pillar of the new age? Only time will tell, I suppose."

"No one truly inherently deserves to die, the reason we take lives is not because the universe deemed it so- it's just the way the world works sometimes."

Hayden was practically an old soldier now, he had come of age in this new generation of warriors and gods but with that being said his experiences had shaped him into a man who held a large amount of wisdom. Even with the childish nature of Hana he knew that the world might take that and use it against her, that it would eventually fade as she came of age as a woman. She held the body and tenacity of an adult but when it came to seeing the underlying nature of the world, she would have to experience that to truly behind to comprehend just how fragile everything was.

None the less, as they walked feet pounding softly on the cobbled streets it was noticeably lively today. Vendors selling their wares, men and women going about their business in a mixture of moods and emotions- not everything was perfect as that was evident from a man yelling and cursing into a phone. In that instant he would end up closing the phone taking a tired seat on the bench, hunched over as if he has taken the worst news in his life. However, someone would also sit next to him striking up a small conversation one which seemed geuine in nature which as Hayden's eyes passed over them would visibly begin to make the once angry man smile.

It felt real. That image of anger and happiness, to know that the daily happening of the lives of Vastimians where filled with strife but small pockets of happiness created a unique vibe. Each day brought with it challenges but also solutions. The soul of Vastime burned bright today, a small smile beginning to tug at the corners of Hayden's lips.

"The soul of men and women can never truly be defeated, it can be destroyed and killed but defeated? We where not built to be defeated." Hayden remarked as they arrived at the doors of the establishment, the banana yellow bricks which laced the cafe indicated a mix of traditional dishes to the native area. Vastime was after all a melting pot of cultures ranging from African, Greek, Hispanic, and surprisingly American. The food would also reflect this as they where able to seat themselves, Hayden obviously suggesting a seating arrangement outside to enjoy the sun.

"My goal ultimately, is to inspire people. So I want to ask, do you have any goals in life Hana? "He inquired about earlier his hands resting on the table idly, shifting as he leaned forward gazing at both Hakai and Hana. "About what you said earlier, about those men not seeking to kill each other- you're right. No one deserves to die." Hayden mused before his lips would purse as he looked directly into the red eyes of Hakai.

The brown coffee irises of Hayden vibrantly focused on Hakai's red one's for a second, but the second could convey a sorta brief understanding. Hayden served his life as a soldier, as a grunt in the thick of war for most of his life. In that time he had learned something that was important, that dehumanizing one's enemy did not make your life any easier or effective- it only turned you into a monster.

"Yet, I sit here and I think Hana; death and murder is the way things happen. No one deserves to inheritly to die. Not even my enemies. But it is when you draw a line and you proclaim that this is where you stand, to preserve your place in time, history, or simply the world. Sometimes, even in the defense of those we love, we have to kill." He would emphasis the last part not as an attempt to sway her but perhaps place a bit of his own logic into the conversation.

"I'm part explorer, part soldier at war. I'm willing to shoulder the heavy burden that comes with the act of taking one's life. I hope, I truly hope you never have to do that. But if you should, I hope you do not do so out of hatred- but you do it to protect. My hands where not made to destroy or kill, they where made to protect."

Coding By: [THEFROST]

"Then the way the world works is ridiculous. People shouldn't fight out of anger, they should fight out of friendship - sparring, training. I know that's unrealistic, but..." Hana took a deep breath as they walked, she closed her eyes and took in the surrounding scenery through smell and sound alone. The strong wafting smell of the ocean had all but ceased, the freshness of the air began to creep in - the soft gusts of wind rustling up against her rather skin-tight suit and messing up her hair. The sound of feet upon cobblestone echoed out, the chatter of people passing by, a manner of different languages - most of which she couldn't even understand. It didn't matter to her in the end, while she only spoke Japanese, Hana could tell simply by the tone of their voices that joy was in the air. It wasn't without tension, for the world was a scary place and many terrifying events were yet to take place, but people were happy. Not many places on Earth could boast about happiness in this day and age.

Her red eyes reopened and scanned, still walking beside Hayden and Hakai, she couldn't help but smile. She still didn't know much about Hayden as a person, but she wouldn't be opposed to learning more. He had built a nation that stood on principle, brothers and sisters in arms. What the ultimate end goal of all this was a mystery, but she felt safe here.

As they arrived at their destination, Hana and Hakai had both scanned the room. The yellow overtone of layered bricks was the most obvious part, followed by the unique languages, menus and items which were up for sale. For someone like Hana whom spoke a single language, most of this was foreign and confusing to her, being unable to read many of the signs before finally finding some Japanese writing and imagery. It felt strange, this place was an amalgamation of different cultures -- taking the traditional cuisine of Africa while bringing in other inspiring delicacies into a single location. Vastime was proving to be the epitome of a successful multicultural society, in Hakai's eyes. With a loud yet mature Japanese voice, Hana sang out in awe. "Wow! There's so many different foods here, I don't think I've ever had so many food options!" All in all, she truly was still but a young girl.

The three had taken their seats, the glistening sun wasn't normally something Hakai had enjoyed, yet even he had to admit the sun was quite refreshing in this instance. "This is really quite a selection. I don't think I've ever had to use so many languages at once". A sly smirk crossed the face of Hakai as his eyes met Haydens once again. "I'm impressed, I will admit."

Hana's eyebrows raised at the question from Hayden. She wasn't quite sure how to answer the question in truth, what goals does she have? It wasn't something to cross her mind. She felt pressured, as if put on trail all of a sudden. At first, she began to stutter her speech. "I... uh... Well, I think..." Her gaze shifted to the side, meeting her fathers as their red eyes locked. With the slightest of facial muscle movements, a very small smile and nod crossed the face of Hakai. Hana met him in return with a very slight smile, quickly returning her gaze to Hayden. Her back straightened as she exhaled harshly, as if clearing her mind and body of all anxiety.

"I don't think I have a goal. Unlike you, I don't think I'm going to build something of great influence. I don't think I have that in me... I'm not a leader in anyway. I'm a warrior like you, but I think of a different kind." Her eyes shifted to the side, listening to the words of Hayden before continuing. "I... know killing is sometimes necessary. I'm not... quite as innocent as you might think, I have killed... And I lament it every day. I think we're similar in a sense... I may still be young and learning, but I have enough experience to know I would never kill out of hatred. At least I'd hope I wouldn't..." Hana was right in a sense. Both of these individuals were warriors in their own regard, yet they were of different effect. Both warriors of peace, both fighting to protect, but she remained an outsider. A rogue for all intents and purposes. While he fought as a leader, commanding one of the greatest nations of earth...

She fought for justice and peace as an outsider. The teachings of Hakai were to treat every situation with peace, yet she was quickly learning from both her experiences and the words of Hayden... Death was, perhaps, the only outcome in the coming days.