Lightning In The Hidden Leaf

8 - Calista's Honesty

"So you're from the Hidden Lightning?" says Kurenai

"Yes. Well, sort of. That's where I was born and spent most of my childhood. I moved around a bit in my late teens. It's just easier to explain it that way."

"I see how it is. But our Hokkage is going to want as many details as possible when she does your assessment. She has a strong personality but she is a good woman."

Calista looks from Kurenai to their surroundings. The rain has mostly stopped leaving nothing but a faint mist in the air. The children are outside now, splashing in the puddles with one another, trying to get as much play time in before their parents call them in. Calista smiles at the warmth coursing in her body as her heart picks up speed.

"She must be that, a strong and caring leader. I mean, this village is incredible. The energy here is so warm. So welcoming."

Kurenai looks around too. "It is. I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up and raise my own child."

I hope I'm so luck to be able to do the same, thinks Calista.

"So who is your family? What's their names?"

"My daughter's name is Anna. She's with my mother now while I run some errands. She's only three but she's a hand full."

"She sounds adorable. What about your partner?"

Kurenai is quiet for a moment and then she shakes her. "No partner. It's just me and Anna. It's complicated."

"I'm sorry I asked. I guess we can all be a little complicated."

Kurenai laughs delicately into her hand. "Yes, we sure can be."

They both stop outside of HQ. There are  people going in and out every few seconds. The Hokkage must be a busy woman, thinks Calista.

When they step inside, Calista' realizes how intimidating this building is. There are hallways going every which way and dozens of people too busy in their work and missions to notice anything else going on around them. She hopes that she won't have to navigate this place on her own.

"Oh, Shizune," says Kurenai speaking to woman holding a stack of books so high that it blocks her line of vision. "Here. Let me help you."

"Thank you so much, Kurenai," she says passing her several books.

"Busy day?"

"Yes. I hope you don't want to see Lady Tsunade. It's been one of those days and she is in one of her moods. You know how she gets."

"Actually, it's not me who needs to see the Hokkage. We have a woman here who wants to do an assessment. She would like to become a citizen of the Hidden Leaf." Kurenai leans closer to Shizune so Calista cannot hear. "I have talked with her for some time. I have no suspicions about her as of now."

"Alright," says Shizune sighing, not paying much attention to Calista, " I'll make Lady Tsunade aware."

Kurenai reconvenes with Calista. "Tsunade is tough on everyone here but don't let that intimidate you. It's only because she values this village so much. She appreciates honesty above all else. Do that and be yourself and you'll have no trouble. Hold on." She takes out a pen and paper and scribbles something down. "Here's my address. Come find me anytime though I'm sure we'll see each other around."

"Thank you. For everything," says Calista taking the paper.

I feel like I may have lucked out coming here. Then again, I shouldn't hold my breath just yet. I still have to do this assessment.