Within The Light

Hoodie Sleeves and Inuzukas

Ruri's POV

Quite exhaustedly, I threw myself onto the couch in the hotel living room. The events of the second and preliminary rounds flickered through my mind, basically on replay. Every move and every sound, I tried to remember it all. After my match, we were told that we would have a month to train for the third exam. There, spectators and visitors would also be coming to observe us. Lastly, we wouldn't know our first opponent until the very day of the exam.

For now, Tadashi Sensei was forcing us to rest for atleast three days. He was worried we'd over exert ourselves or develop unhealthy training habits. Something about his generation not knowing when to "chill the hell out and take a nap". His words exactly.  I couldn't imagine Gaara and Temari being unhealthy enough to do something like that. Especially when they were constantly trying to teach Shikadai and I healthy routines. Now, Kankuro... I'm sure that wasn't above him.

While Yoshi was in his room, Sora was nowhere to be found. I barely heard him before he left. He muttered that it had to do with both exploring and groceries. Left alone to my own space, there wasn't much to do.

I closed my eyes, huffing. I should have probably been heading to see Gaara, but I didn't want to discuss the exams. Though, I was sure Kankuro and Temari told him all about it by now. The two had tried to interrogate me, but I pushed Shikadai there way and made a beeline for the exit. I'm sure he was annoyed, but he's much better at answering their questions than I had ever been. I just said, 'thanks, I'm good,' and left.

'What you gonna say?' Ren pestered. " 'I took a kunai to the arm because my brother's spirit distracted me'?"

Not only was the little idiot vexatious, but also correct. How the hell do I even explain that?

'My deceased brother gives me headaches,' the idiot went on. Was he always this annoying? Before I could retaliate, a certain someone disrupted the silence.

My nose wrinkled, a tickling sensation running over it. I opened my eyes to see none other than Yoshi leaning against the arm of the couch where my head rested. His head hovered over mine, strands of his hair tickling my face. Of course he was up and running like a hyperactive child.

I sighed, "what is it, Yoshi?"

"So, Beehive. Got any plans because I do," he said with a smile.

*******

Arms tucked into the hoodie Sora gave me no time to return. The sleeves hung losely, Yoshi holding one while guiding me through the village. His eyes moved quickly through the are until they landed somewhere. Someone's back to be specific.

"Hey!" he yelled, confusing me in the process. Hashiro only yapped along with him. "Sir? Uh... Mr.Kiba!"

What?

The man's neck twisted around to acknowledge us, confused by Yoshi's call. The blonde walked up faster, pulling me along with him. I almost tripped over my own feet because of the eagerness in his movement. He was livelier than before the Chinin Exams now.

"Mr.Kiba?" our former proctor quirked a brow in surprise. "Kid don't call me that, you're making me sound old! Just say Kiba Sensei or something, yeesh."

"Sorry," Yoshi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Anyways, I was hoping you could tell us where the Inuzuka Compound is located."

Both Kiba and I were caught of gaurd by that. So, this is what he had in mind. With that context, it  was obvious to me what he was seeking for. Whether it'd go as he'd plan remained to be seen.

We waited on Kiba for the answer. The older man decided, "alright. I was heading back there anyways, why don't you two just come along with me."

As we walked, Yoshi still held my sleeve. Hashiro and Kiba's dog, Akamaru, walked together. Funny enough, it appeared as if they were conversing with one another. Maybe they were. They traded 'arfs' They were.