A New Story

Team Eat Out:

Last night was a relief. Despite the awful revelations it confronted and absolved a past that always troubled me. When I was an inter-village ninja, when we were ostracised and when Kazumi disappeared, it was a hard time but it was a time that brought out the strength in us. Now I could look to my past and smile at how bright my future, my present has become. In all of it there was much to feel accomplished for. My friend Kazumi wasn't dead but an elite ANBU, though she suffered as a child she was independent as an adult and her powers had fully developed to reveal her as an owl not a spirit or demon. She commended me on my team, that they loved me as I loved her, that though we were alone as kids at least now I had a team and she had an ally in me.

I looked in the mirror before my big day out, our team eat out, and wondered. "When will I see you again my old friend?" In it, peering into my reflection I thought of her yet I also thought of myself. 'I have grown just as you have though our new strengths are different we are the same'. During the Chunin exams I developed my technique and my reputation as a ninja, but now with my past mended and the memory of my old friend smiling once more, I have grown internally. My inner self knows that you are strong, that I am strong, that the boy I see standing in front of me isn't hiding the child I have hidden within because that child and that boy are Ninja in their own right. "Thank you my old friend."

Kazumi was now on a secret mission to infiltrate an unknown organization. I could no longer utter her name. When we reunited last night we were protected by a genjutsu I was shielded from. A vortex of small feathers surrounded her in her flight, helping her escape the Leaf unseen just as our meeting had been. Our conversation was private between her and I, not even the Hokage could have seen her through the spell she cast. She was smart and her owl blood limit powerful, though I wonder if the Byakugan which is known for its ability to see through illusions could see through her jutsu. After all I am being tracked too, Neji's warning has always been in the back of my mind. That they are watching me, only the Great Kami knows just how closely. On the other hand if Kazumi's words were true, then the Hokage sent us to our deaths on that mission. She would not have expected us to survive; there would be no need for the Hyuuga to spy on a corpse.

Washing my face off of these thoughts I prepared for our day out. Strapping my Kunai Holster and ninja pouch to my leg and hip, we were going to train after, I headed out. If all goes well I want to see Kosuke to discuss my blood jutsu absorbing the emotions of my enemy as well as their chakra. As the oldest Genin in the Leaf, and secretly a member of my clan, he would know what to do and he wouldn't hold any prejudges against me for the sinister abilities of my blood. Kazumi's emotion easily overcame mine, so much so that my instinct wasn't to jump in front of Hakari but to save myself. The emotions of an Owl spirit I thought then, a hatred for everyone and her rejection fuelling her certainty that no one could understand her, make me care only for myself. I should have jumped out in front of Hakari, even if I wouldn't have been fast enough, thankfully Nari was there. Hopefully Kazumi is in a better state of mind now.

Out the door and down the road, Nasantot here I come.... Oh Wait!!! "Shippuden!" I forgot to tell Hakari and Amoroto where we are going to eat out, so much for waiting for them to arrive, well looks like I'll just have to go to them.

...

Argies, Chakra Kyuin Jutsu user of the Leaf, walked to Amoroto's place with his head held high. Ages taking his journey there first, though they excluded Amoroto often for last, because the younger boy was more likely awake. Making a Judgement considering their last early encounter, it seemed like Hakari enjoyed her sleep, though Argies had visited her at four in the morning. This time however their schedule was founded in reason, unlike Tensue's test confounded in madness, Argies reached Amoroto's house at the not too early time of half past six.