Regardless of her time at the Academy, regardless of her graduation to Genin and the symbol of her position that was now wrapped around her arm, the second ring of Kirigakure was still not a place that Ginde Arashi felt comfortable. It could have been paranoia, delusional thoughts poking at the edges of her psyche in an ironic twist on her own jutsu, but she swore that around every corner there were sneers and glares. She did not belong, regardless of what she tried to tell herself, regardless of what she had tried to prove. The gentle blanket of mist offered no respite from those imagined stares, the piercing eyes of the shinobi had little care for the island’s natural defences. But she held herself tall all the same, she walked through the streets of the district with poise and straightened posture, lowering her eyes and her head where required, showing the appropriate deference to those that she passed.
Maybe one day she would no longer need to worry herself sick just to get a bite to eat. It was a pleasant thought, one that seemed to come closer and closer to reality with each passing day. She was not comfortable, and she doubted that she ever would be, but the worries had gradually faded into the recesses of her mind. She was becoming used to her position and, hopefully, it seemed others were becoming used to her presence. She was a creature of habit, and the small ramen-ya she visited was the sort that could not afford to turn away customers. Arashi had never bothered to ask the name of the store owner, nor he hers, but her presence at the hole in the wall restaurant was met with a grunt of acknowledgement. One she responded to in turn with a bow of her head.
Calling it a restaurant was generous, a single kitchen opened out onto the street, allowing passersby to sit at the singular bench. Arashi was the sole customer and her order was taken and made with workmanlike speed and efficiency. Eating out was a small luxury, one that she afforded herself on more occasions than she probably should have. Still, the food was good and it gave her the opportunity to see the city. Despite her complaints, despite her internal worries, there was something still so wonderful about being out in the village. Restlessness, perhaps? Regardless, she could not stay still even on times that were set aside for respite. Idleness was the quiet killer.
So, with her excuse ramen before her, Arashi took to enjoying the gentle humming of the city’s sounds around her. Content to spend some time alone, but surrounded by people.
Maybe one day she would no longer need to worry herself sick just to get a bite to eat. It was a pleasant thought, one that seemed to come closer and closer to reality with each passing day. She was not comfortable, and she doubted that she ever would be, but the worries had gradually faded into the recesses of her mind. She was becoming used to her position and, hopefully, it seemed others were becoming used to her presence. She was a creature of habit, and the small ramen-ya she visited was the sort that could not afford to turn away customers. Arashi had never bothered to ask the name of the store owner, nor he hers, but her presence at the hole in the wall restaurant was met with a grunt of acknowledgement. One she responded to in turn with a bow of her head.
Calling it a restaurant was generous, a single kitchen opened out onto the street, allowing passersby to sit at the singular bench. Arashi was the sole customer and her order was taken and made with workmanlike speed and efficiency. Eating out was a small luxury, one that she afforded herself on more occasions than she probably should have. Still, the food was good and it gave her the opportunity to see the city. Despite her complaints, despite her internal worries, there was something still so wonderful about being out in the village. Restlessness, perhaps? Regardless, she could not stay still even on times that were set aside for respite. Idleness was the quiet killer.
So, with her excuse ramen before her, Arashi took to enjoying the gentle humming of the city’s sounds around her. Content to spend some time alone, but surrounded by people.