[Graded]Will Of The Leaf

[Hakuro]

It was yet another typical day for Hashiro. Taking an afternoon walk down the eastern roads of Konoha, the buildings stood high above the residential houses shining bright, so that even the village Shinobi were at ease. Knowing that their people were safe was a top priority for all Shinobi, Hashiro had learned that from his father. Hashiro's father was an honest, and loyal konoha Shinobi, Hashiro always looked up to him, or went to talk to him when he needed help, or was in some sort of trouble.

Hashiro looked to the sky and noticed a few birds flying above, they flew in a v like pattern with each other, they stayed together as a group. That short moment Hashiro couldn't help but wonder about who his Nakama would be, sure he had trained with other kids at the academy, but he never actually shared a bond with anyone, the thought ran threw his mind like a strong wind.

He took a short breath and took a seat on a near by rock that was just outside a newly built ramen shop. "Ahh... It's been about 3 weeks since I graduated from the academy, I've been threw so much although I'm so young." Hashiro took another deep breath as he laid back and looked up at the sky.

[Ein]

Chikako didn't exactly look like her typical self as she was walking outside of the village, briskly enjoying the slight breeze and sunny day.

Her clothes and skin were damp with sweat, her gloves filthy with dried on dirt and grass, her feet bare with the typical blue sandals stuffed into her Ninja pouch, the distinct shape stretching the bag, and her kunai holster hanging open; empty.

The girl's luminescent white skin was tinged pink from being in the sun so long. Her long, crimson hair was splitting at the ends. The crimson locks were damp with water, the occasional droplet dripping onto her head-band. Upon spotting the stranger walking towards her (a Genin?), Chikako stopped, casually waved as she typically did, and then realized her appearance.

Not exactly how a refined young lady of the Hyuuga clan presents herself.

As the stranger came in within ear-shot, the girl panicked a little, before laughing nervously and saying, "Uh, y'know how it is . . . . training I mean!" Chikako said, motioning towards the stranger's headband. "I mean, it's hard to, keep your hair in place," with this, she removed her sweaty, filthy gloves, and faced away from the stranger, adjusting her hair to something that resembled her hair-style quickly and abruptly. Turning back to the stranger, Chikako laughed at herself, feeling a little too embarrassed to look the person in the eye. Probably a good thing her cheeks were pink, her blush would be unnoticed. "Uh . . . ya wanna, you know, keep this between us? Just us girls?"

[Hakuro]

Hashiro was a little startled as he heard a sudden voice speaking over him. "Uh, y'know how it is . . . . training I mean!" Hashiro then stood up to get a closer look at the girl, she was just a little shorter than he was, looking like she had been out in the sun too long, her hair stood out making her look really cute though. Hashiro noticed by her eyes that she was a Hyuuga, and obviously a genin. She was speaking in a low voice making it really hard for Hashiro to make out her words. "Uhh..H-" As Hashiro was about to speak the girl continued.

"I mean, it's hard to, keep your hair in place," Hashiro then knew that the girl must have been training and wasn't in the best looking state she had hoped to be in, but it didn't really matter to him , she looked nice either way. Hashiro watched as the girl turned to adjust her hair, she looked older than Hashiro, but they were the same rank, her hair was extraordinary, no doubt about it that she was a Hyuuga, and a beautiful one. Hashiro's face slowly began to turn red, "So.. Uh..-" Again the girl began to speak leaving Hashiro with a O.O look on his face.

"Uh . . . ya wanna, you know, keep this between us? Just us girls?"

The girl looked as serious as the words she spoke sounded. Hashiro was obviously not mad at her because it was their first encounter, and his hair did make him look somewhat like a girl, with it all in his face. "I'm not a girl, but that's ok because this hairstyle might give you that impression. So what brings you all the way out here at this time of the day ?" Hashiro spoke to the girl trying to sound like a Jounin, or much older at least.

[Ein]

Well . . . I've fairly successfully stuck my foot into my mouth.

Chikako stopped in her train of thought as the Genin sitting a top the rock told her the startling revelation: She was really a he. Clearing her throat, closing her eyes, and allowing the tint of pink to go full-out into beet red, Chikako didn't think she could make much of a reply to the boy.

Taking in a few deep breaths, Chikako figured that, rather than run away and cry into her pillow about what an idiot she was, she should ride it out and be polite. Lifting her head to meet the boy's gaze, the darker tint of red would be evident. "I-I was just out training . . . cause I'm gonna get into a squad soon, and . . . well," scratching the back of her head and looking away for just a moment, Chikako looked back towards the Genin and bowed deeply. "I'm so sorry! That was rude, and I'm really, really sorry!"

The girl seemed a little on the, well, not-so-mentally-healthy scope of things.

[Hakuro]

The girl was quiet for a few seconds, most likely still shocked at what Hashiro had said. Then about 5 seconds after she finally began to speak, "I'm so sorry! That was rude, and I'm really, really sorry!" Hashiro didn't want the girl to feel bad, It was a common mistake that could happen to about anyone even himself. It was a little awkward for a few seconds, the two young gennin meeting each others eyes thinking about what to say next to clear the sudden silence.

" Hey... Hey, don't beat yourself up about that, really, it happens to me a lot." ( which was obviously a lie ) So lets just forget about what just happened while I walk you over to the ramen shop. You must be hungry after your training, and don't worry it's on me." A slight smile came over Hashiro's face while he looked directly in to the girls beautiful white eyes. "So how about it ?"

[Ein]

Chikako managed to recover enough to realize something; the kid kept staring at her eyes. Not much of a shocker, though; her eyes were a little unusual. Blinking rapidly a few times and feeling the blush go away, Chikako laughed at herself, "Hm. Ramen sounds good now, doesn't it?" She said, flashing a coupon good for one bowl of ramen and grinning, relaxing a bit.

Chikako seemed to make a conscious effort to keep about two-feet distance from the boy, trying not to gross him out -too- much, with her sweat-coated skin and the scent of her skin after working too long in the sun.

Walking along side the Genin, Chikako said, "My name is Hyuuga. Hyuuga Chikako," introducing herself a little formally. "Though," she laughed, "you probably already knew me from a Hyuuga, huh?" Making eye contact.

[Meraxa]

"Brrruuurrrppp." Belched the red-headed genin as he dug into his bowl of ramen, man that was good.
"Hey now, you haven't even payed you ungrateful little-" The ramen store owner was mere inches from reaching his carving knife, held back by only his two sons.
"Oh come on pops, you're the one who hasn't given Meraxa the chance to give you the money. Now how about it Jonny? Wheres the cash?" The eldest asked, and Meraxa - giving in - pulled out the ryou.
"Uh you know..."
"We don't exactly have change." The brothers finished for each, with Meraxa raising an eyebrow as he stopped slurping on the ramen. You had to be kidding? No change? This had to worth only three bowls, and they didn't even have the change for that? People must've been ordering in large amounts these days. He looked around, there had to be somebody he could treat - because there was no way he was gonna eat three bowls of ramen...
He was expecting to have noodles later.

Finally someone stood out from the passers by; genin, two of them even. They seemed to be chatting it up so...
"Oi love birds - if you want I'll pay for your ramen, won't owe me a favour or anything." He yelled at them, he knew they probably weren't romantically involved or anything, but hey - that would only get them over here faster in their anger.
"Two more bowls please." He ordered from the stand, handed over the money, and then set the bowls into the two seats next to him.
"C'mon, its gonna get cold."

[Hakuro]

Hashiro and Chikako were both sharing smiles while they exchanged names with each other. " Oh Chikako is a nice name. My name is Hashiro, and yea I knew you were a Hyuuga when I first looked into your milky white eyes."The Ramen Shop was a small rectangular structure. Both Hashiro and Chikako stopped as they approached the entrance of the shop. They listened as a young boy about their age addressed them.

"Oi love birds - if you want I'll pay for your ramen, won't owe me a favour or anything."Hashiro was shocked but at the same time pleased that he was being offered a free meal. He turned to look at Chikako giving her a (is this ok with you look.)

[Ein]

Upon seeing the rather, well, rude character, Chikako strode past her acquittance, grabbing the two bowls of hot ramen in each hand, and sitting to the far end of the ramen shop, grabbing one pair of chop sticks, and sitting down in front of her hot bowl. Seemingly solemn for a moment, Chikako broke out into a smile, clapping her hands together and exclaiming,

"Thank you for the food!"

Her chop-sticks were a blur, slurping up the noodles and chewing on the beef rather rapidly and with little discretion for the first few handfuls of ramen noodles. After hunger had lost its edge, Chikako exhaled, smiling towards her blond Genin friend, and looking him over once. "Ya know, it's bad manners to not introduce yourself when someone's given you their name."

Turning back to her food and eating with more discretion and control, Chikako slurped up another bunch of noodles, letting out a satisfied sigh. "But," she said, turning back towards him, "I guess I'll forgive you since you were nice about forgiving my earlier rudeness." She made a point of making eye-contact, examining his fascination with her eyes.

[Meraxa]

Meraxa watched as the girl of the two grabbed the two bowls of ramen without even a word, headed straight for the end of the shop, and only then did she say thanks for the food - and not even to the guy who had actually paid for them. He ate down his ramen before she had even finished, and began to listen in on their conversation.
"Ya know, it's bad manners to not introduce yourself when someone's given you their name."
"Its also bad manners to not thank the guy whose paid for your meal." Meraxa chimed as he stood up, seemingly to walk off, but in reality had merely turn the corner, where he used the good old Kinobori no Waza to climb the walls of a nearby building, and lightly jump onto the roof of the ramen shop - without even make as much as a stutter in its metal frame.
He found himself a position right above the two genin still eating, and continued to listen to their talking.
"I guess I'll forgive you since you were nice about forgiving my earlier rudeness."
"Are all you Hyuuga females so utterly fascinated by blondes that you forget common courtesy? This just does wonders for that image I'm having of my new squadmate."

[Hakuro]

Hashiro slowly walked over to Chikoko, he took a seat on the empty stool next to her and pulled up his bowl of ramen. He slowly turned towards the boy showing him a slight gesture of appreciation. Hashiro turned to look at Chikako, she was chomping down the ramen so fast it would seem she hadn't eaten for days. "Chikako, I just told you my name a minute ago did you forget ?" The expression on Hashiro's face clearly stated that he was confused.

He motioned to pick up his chopsticks as he again stated his name to Chikako." My name is Hashiro Nagato." The Ramen was really hot, just the way Hashiro liked it. He began munching down on his meal, while he kept looking up at Chikako every 4 seconds to see if she would reply to him.

[Ein]

Without glancing upwards, Chikako replied, "It's also polite to be courteous to strangers, rather than a wise ass!" Maybe training fried her brain. Just a tad. Looking back towards Hashiro, Chikako commenced her new mission; redeeming herself.

Chikako nearly gagged on a mouthful of ramen as Hashiro explained his name. Again. For the second time.

Play it off, play it off, play it off!

"Yeah, I, uh, was just testing you." She stopped, chewing slowly on some more ramen as she thought up a suitable excuse. "To make sure you were paying attention! I was just testing you to make sure you were paying attention!" Laughing slightly at herself, the tinge of pink returned.

"So, for how long have you been Genin, Hashiro? You look pretty young like me, but I haven't seen you in any of my academy classes." Flashing an exuberant smile, Chikako continued, "And what were you doing out there all alone? Hm?" Casually, as she was questioning Hashiro, she would twirl one chop-stick in her right hand, seemingly waiting for its intended use.

[Meraxa]

"Yeah, I, uh, was just testing you." Oh you had to be kidding, she complained about him being a smartass when she couldn't admit she'd forgotten the blonde guy's name?
"To make sure you were paying attention! I was just testing you to make sure you were paying attention!"
"I think you're the one who should be paying attention, can't even remember your friend's name. Hell you're blushing at the fact." He said pointing out the shade of pink beneath her eyes, either that or she was being hit by the love bug - hard.
"So, for how long have you been Genin, Hashiro? You look pretty young like me, but I haven't seen you in any of my academy classes." Oh? Going into blondies history was she? Well considering what Meraxa had known about the other classes in the school, he'd say this 'Hashiro' fella was part of the lot who'd graduated a fortnight and a half ago.
"And what were you doing out there all alone? Hm?"
"He was probably waiting until he got assigned to a squad - can't do any good missions without one. And speaking of squads, I do actually wonder what that Hyuuga chick is gonna be like. Chikari, Chikato..."

[Hakuro]

Hashiro excepted Chikako's explanation, although she did have a guilty look on her face. Hashiro didn't let that bother him though , he was much more occupied with filling his stomach."So, for how long have you been Genin, Hashiro? You look pretty young like me, but I haven't seen you in any of my academy classes." Hashiro took a look at Chikako, she wasn't looking at him anymore, she was also occupied with her ramen, so Hashiro continued while he stuffed his face. Oh.. that, I recently graduated from the academy a few weeks ago, I'm guessing you were not part of my group, which is why you never seen me."


"And what were you doing out there all alone? Hm?" "I usually take a walk down this section of the village every afternoon to ease my mind..... I don't see a lot of young faces around here much, which is why I was so startled when I seen you.""Or it was just her in general you lier !!" Hashiro didn't take much of a notice to the young boy who was treating them to the Ramen, it was very rude of him not to invite him into their conversation.

Hashiro finished his bowl of ramen and pushed it to the side. Then turning towards the boy giving him a warm smile stating that he was clearly satisfied and grateful. Hey, I never got your name, it would be rude of me to walk out of the store ignoring the person that treated me to this delicious ramen .

[Ein]

Who asked YOU? Chikako thought. For that matter, what're you doing sitting on the roof of a ramen house? Losers obviously have nothing to do but bug other people! Thinking bitterly at the annoying ninja atop the roof, Chikako then opted towards ignoring him.

Glancing back towards Hashiro, Chikako began enjoying the boy's company; he seemed shy and, just a little bit cute. In a sort of dorky way. "So, I guess I can be your big sister since I'm older!" She said, playfully, patting his head lightly before propping up her elbow and resting her chin on her fist.

Finishing up her ramen, Chikako let out a long, satisfied sigh before glancing back towards Hashiro. "Thanks for the great idea! That really hit the spot, but I've kind of got to go back into the woods." Standing and kicking up dust, Chikako paused, before suggesting,

"Unless you want to come with me. I just need to take care of something really quick."

[Meraxa]

"Wait..." Meraxa said to himself as his mind clicked, he had suddenly remembered the name when...
"Hey, I never got your name, it would be rude of me to walk out of the store ignoring the person that treated me to this delicious ramen." Hashiro called out to him.
"Its Meraxa - Meraxa Enryu. At least someone here knows how to thank another person. But anyways..." He said jumping down in front of Chikako.
"Look I'm sorry for insulting you like that alright? Shouldn't have opened my mouth like that, especially since we're gonna be squadmates and all." He put out his hand, "Or is knowing 'the traitor' gonna tarnish your family name?"

[Hakuro]

Hashiro was pleased to see that Maxera was apologizing for the attitude he had shown Chikako earlier. Hashiro couldn't help but go over to Chikako and simmer down the steam that was in the air. He then reached out to grab Maxera's extended hand before Chikako could react. "Maxera huh.. It was my pleasure to eat with you today. As you probably already know my name is Hashiro, and if I'm correct the 3 of us here are all gennin. It's possible we could all end up in the same squad. Right Chikako ?"


Hashiro looked down and caught Chikako's gaze, and chuckled a little in his head. He was still not liking the idea of her making him feel so small, but he was ok with it. Hashiro then let loose of Maxera's hand. It seemed like everyone was ok and was already well acquainted with each other, so there was no point of Hashiro hanging around in the ramen shop anymore, his legs were already half asleep and he felt the need to walk a little. Never removing his lock on Chikako's beautiful, milky white eyes. He sent her a I'm happy to go with you look, Then turning around to walk towards the entrance of the shop. He held up his right hand just a tad bit above his shoulders , and made a gentle wave.


"Maxera I'll see you around" The words came out sounding a little competitive , Hashiro was obviously interested in fighting with Maxera someday and was not going to let him embarrass him if they were to meet again. "Chikako, I'll meet you outside, I'll let you two say what you have to in the mean time"

[Ein]

Squad mates? Traitor . . . ? What's he talking about . . . ?

Taking his words with some confusion, Chikako simply nodded abruptly, saying, "It's all right." Pausing and bowing respectfully, Chikako would dash out of the ramen shop. Seemingly rude, the girl was just in a hurry. Tagging along Hashiro, the young girl sprinted half-way across the village into a small flower shop.

Once there, a brief nod and smile to the owner and Chikako exited with a bouquet of twenty or thirty white roses, implying she'd previously ordered the flowers. Quickly nodding towards Hashiro, Chikako said little and continued her sprint back out into the direction of the Main Gates, carefully keeping the roses abreast, and slowing a little to make sure she doesn't ruin the flowers.

The ramen stop made me late!

[Meraxa]

Meraxa watched as the two of them walked off, and decided to follow - not much else to do was there? But it was kinda surprisng she didn't mind his presence after that apology. His academy years had always been smeared by people calling him 'traitor', having come from when his foster parents tried to stage an unsuccessful Coup. It had seemed half the academy had known, weird that it didn't reach the ears of the Hyuuga clan.
Watching Chikako start a high sprint towards the gate, he assumed she was heading into the forest. Luckily for him, he knew a way to get ahead of her. Using the tree climbing technique once more on a nearby building, he then slid across power line after power line - it was fast, easy, and thanks to wearing rubber soles, almost completely harmless.
It didn't take long for him to overtake Chikako, with him jumping off the final powerline and over the wall. The next bit would be even simpler, a simple jump from treetop to treetop as he followed her. Not only would this mean he'd get to see her capabilities, he'd be able to test out his own.

[Hakuro]

OOC: Everyone has left the topic