Making A Wish Under The Sun

EPISODE 10: Fail

Emi received a lecture from Iruka the next day. His voice stabbed at her brain like knives. She was exhausted from the lack of sleep. The night prior, she'd attempted to stop the ninja that had invaded her home and tested her. She'd come to find his name was Kakashi Hatake. Emi would not have another chance for quite some time to redeem herself. She was lectured on her drive and motivation. Then Iruka asked her why she even wanted to be a shinobi in the first place. To be honest... She didn't know.

"I've always known that becoming a shinobi was something everyone did... So I pursued it," she stated.

"But a shinobi had goals. All shinobi strive to protect the people of the village and keep people safe," Iruka began, "You need to find tour motivation."

That afternoons lesson didn't last as long as usual. She was released and headed out into town. While perusing about, she was snatched by someone. She turned, only to find Ino.

"Are you ready for your date?" She purred.

"I didn't think it's be this soon," Emi admitted, a bit worried as Ino dragged her along.

"It'll be fine. Sure you look a little depressed, but just put a smile on that face of yours and everything with look so much better," Ino said.

Ino had dragged her to a smaller restaurant. It served plenty of different foods. She led her towards a booth in the back. There was Sai on one side and Kiba on the other.

"Alright!" Ino seated her next to Kiba, and took a seat for herself next to Sai, "So? Emi, Kiba. Kiba, Emi."

"Well, we sort of already know each other..." Kiba said.

"I know, but you're the first person I thought of when I needed a date for her. I mean, you'd date a stick if it had tits and a hole," Ino muttered the last sentence under her breath. Kiba had a partially redeemed face and scowled.

"So Kiba," Emi began, trying to lighten the mood, "What type of jutsu do you specialize in?"

"My family breeds dogs for shinobi, so mostly that. I'm pretty sure you've seen Akamaru, my dog," Kiba said, a smile appearing on his face when he spoke of his canine companion.

"That's cool. What qualifications do you need to be able to have a dog like that?" Emi asked. The two got into such a deep conversation about ninja dogs that Ino was a bit worried and ordered food, suddenly interrupting their conversation.

"So, Emi, this is your first date ever, right?" Ino piped up.

"Wait, really?" Kiba asked, shocked.

"Well, yes. I travel too much to really get involved with people on such a... a..." She was looking for the right word, "Romantic. Yes, romantic level."

"Where have you travelled to?" Kiba asked. This led to a conversation about Emi's many travels through it each land. She recounted her experiences with other shinobi, people, villages, and techniques she'd learned.

"And you're still not an official shinobi?" Kiba asked after she was done.

"I have to pass the test first," she said, her expression suddenly somber, "I actually failed last night."

The group comforted her and told her it's be alright. If she wanted, they'd help her train for the next time she was tested. The so called date lasted the evening, ending as they walked through the marketplace together.

"I had a lot of fun today," Kiba said, smiling. His canine companion, Akamaru, had joined them after leaving the restaurant. He hadn't been allowed inside.

"I agree. You're not so bad for a first date," Emi smiled. She held a small dog plush Kiba had given her. The group had gone into a store to window shop when Kiba had surprised her with the little white and black toy.

"Guys, Sai's going to take me home. I'll see you tomorrow," Ino called over her shoulder, walking away with Sai.

"So, I can walk you home if you want," Kiba offered.

"Sure," she said. The two walked quietly, discussing small topics such as their families and the weather. They'd reached Emi's apartment building and she turned to say goodnight. Akamaru gave her a lick on the cheek and she gave Kiba a verbal Farwell with a smile, heading inside. He'd seemed slightly disappointed as she'd said goodbye.

As she contemplated his expression she headed to her room. She passed Narutos room, his lights already out. Then she headed to go to bed herself.