Making A Wish Under The Sun

EPISODE 11: Practice Makes Perfect

A few days a week Emi would practice her shinobi skills with anyone who was free within their friend group. Today was unexpected to say in the very least. Sakura had set up a training date? It was unusual in the very least and she was a tad uncomfortable and confused why there was a second blind date. This time it was the young man, Neji.

"Looks like we'll be a pair," Neji stated, quite gentlemanly. Lee, the young man with dark thick brows, had brought Sakura many flowers and love poems. It would seem that training with them was postponed until Lee calmed down.

"What do you say we face one anoth instead?" Emi suggested, turning to him. This caused a hint of surprise to enter his expression.

The two poised to fight. Neji struck first, a kunai clashing against Emi's as he'd aimed for her face. She spun around, going for a strike from behind when he turned and lashed out, nearly grazing her. This continued until Neji activated he kekkei genkai which she came to know as the Byakugan. The fight came to a closing, Neji helping Emi up from the ground.

"That was quite fun," Neji stated, "It was a pleasure to face off a Hinigami."

"You weren't too bad yourself," she smiled.

"Guys, you were supposed to wait for us," Sakura stated, Lee finally calmed down.

"Well you two were much too busy with your infatuation to actually do what we came here to do," Neji stated, his expression cold.

"I am so sorry! Please forgive me!" Lee exclaimed.

"It's alright. We still had fun," Emi said, looking to Neji with a smile. Neji looked away, just the faintest bit of pink on his ears.

"Well, now that that's done with, why done we just go get something to eat instead?" Sakura suggested.

The group went to a ramen stand called Ichiraku's Ramen. It was quite old. Everyone ordered their preferred meal and conversation started within the group.

"Neji, what did you get for your lovely date Emi?" Lee asked loudly. Neji had his eyes closed, clearly irritated.

"Well, I don't really need anything. Isn't it enough to just be together?" Emi asked.

"Of course it is! However, to further show your appreciation one must bear a gift to show thanks for the woman spending it with him!" Lee explained, "I wrote Sakura many love poems and brought her flowers!"

"He's sort of right. It would have been nice if you got her a gift," Sakura chimed in.

Neji finished his food and left without a word. Emi stopped him before he could go much farther than a few feet from the shop.

"Listen, don't mind them. You really didn't have to bring a gift or anything. You're perfectly okay!" She explained. He then left, not a word in response.

Sakura came out and put a hand on her shoulder, apologizing for ruining her blind date. Emi said it was alright. The three finished and paid for their meals, heading out to find another activity to do, now that they were down to three people instead of four. Sakura and Lee looked at fabrics and foods, Emi hung back. She enjoyed the trinkets and charms of the vendors. Each one more unique than the last. Her eyes met a small little silver star hairpin, a mint jewel dangling from it.

"Emi! Come look! We got sparklers!" Sakura waved a sparkler in the air, it glowing in the oncoming darkness. She rushed to join them and the three enjoyed drawing shapes with the light from the sparks.

When it got a bit too dark, everyone decided to head home. Emi went and walked back through the market place when Neji approached her.

"Oh, hey. Are you doing any better?" Emi asked. He didn't speak but held out a small silver hairpin. It was not the one she'd eyed before, however, this one was just as beautiful. It was a gold pin, the star filled with a white diamond like crystal. Smaller crystals surrounded it like stars.

"Here," he said quietly, "Now, I'd like to walk you home if you don't mind."

The two walked in silence. Emi looked up at him, grinning. She took the pin and tapped him on the shoulder when they'd reached the front of her building.

"Mind putting it in for me?" She asked him, holding it out in the palm of her hand. He took the pin and gently placed it in her hair, tucking a grand behind her ear. The two said goodnight to one another with a smile, and Emi headed to bed.