Among the Clouds (Private thread with Hayasuba)

It was night time in the Hidden Cloud village, and for the time being, the sky was clear and spotless , allowing a brilliant view of the stars above. It was not a town know for any particulate night life, but it was still a lively town and Enja was seeking to kill some time.

It had been a rather stupid time for him. HIs training at the academy as a ninja was postponed due to the struggles with the goverment. As such, Enja was forced to continue his own training alone and without the guidance of the Hidden Cloud. It was stupid and foolish. Another reason why he had chose to follow his own path. Regardless, he needed power to do just that. The path to freedom required learning how to grasp it on your own.

For now, Enja just wandered under the night sky and starlight, along the path of the Hidden Cloud Village. He hoped his own training would allow him to gain the strength he needed, but he still required aid to learn ninjutsu and further martial training.

But how with the Hidden Cloud in disarray?

The ride had been a long one for the two. Fugaku rode at the forefront with his glowing eyes peering through the night.
“We’re here…” Fugaku said.
“Why are we here again, Sensei?” Kokoro asked.
“Well, Flower…” he began. “Firstly, I’m not prepared to leave you in Kiri alone. Not yet.”
“I’m able to take care of myself, Uncle…”
“I know… to be honest, I wouldn’t mind using your help to escorting a country rep to Kiri. A mission of importance.”
“Well… you should have just said that…” she said. As the unmounted their horses and looked around, the village seemed to be lively. The people were lively themselves, and full of… color. “Now what…”
“Now… I have preparations. I will meet with the rep. We will depart tomorrow afternoon. What you do from now until then… that’s up to you…” he gave her some money, and she went on her way, walking through the village and enjoying the scenery…
[160|160]

With his hands up behind his head, he stretched out as he walked. Lively as the village was, things were rather dull and horrible for him right now. The turmoil was only making him restless. Looking up to the stars, he did find a sense of tranquility as he made his way through the town...

... till he accidentally bumped into someone who would of turned the corner!

Snapped from the clouds of his head, he looked to see who he had bumped into. A young girl, rather a Kunoichi by the looks of her (Kokoro). A cute one at that. Still, he snapped out of the haze and went to look to her. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you like that," he said as he offered his help if she needed it. Likely though she wouldn't.

He had not seen her in the village before or rather, he had not seen many as he was always cooped up with the Asakura estate. So there were bound to be many people he did not know well outside of the academy.

Though one thing was certain... she was cute

"Hi there. The name's Enja. What's your business here?" he asked in a friendly tone.

(207 words)

Taking in the sights, as Kumo had been one of the only two Major countries that she had not lived in, she was quickly thrown off course by being bumped into. She stopped and observed the young man. She slightly bowed.
“It’s ok” She said with the kind of smile that lit her face up. She then proceeded to continue walking before he engaged in conversation.
“Oh?” It was a question he did not necessarily have to answer, but she was the kind of person to entertain questions when asked. “They call me Flower! I have a mission to do here in Kumo… but it doesn’t start until tomorrow. So I’m just keeping myself entertained.” She continued to look around. “I’ve never been here before.”
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Oh so she was new in Kumo. THis was fine and she was very cute to Enja indeed. She looked very attractive with black hair and blue eyes, a tad shorter than Enja but he enjoyed these types. THough for the moment he worked hard to not let any of his too obvious flirting tendencies come along so he tried his best to be a gentleman.

"Flower, eh? that's a pretty name," he said, standing tall and in attention as he followed her a bit. He was just curious. But then he did notice something. She seemed to be of a different nationality with her clothing and style. "Um... so your not from the Cloud Village? Where are you from?"

Keep herself entertained? His imagination ran a bit with the idea of asking her out but no... he didn't want to come off that way. Despite how cute she was, he was not some jerk. "I see. Well I wouldn't want to pry if your on a special mission. Though still, can I assume the Raikage is aware of your arrival. But yes, welcome. If you wan't. I am happy to show you around? " he offered, flashing her a smirk.

He had time to kill as well, as nothing else was going on. So they could walk and get to know one another. The night sky still twinkled with stars and the low hanging moon. It wasn't a romantic weather but it was peaceful all the same. "So... if i may ask, you are a Kunoichi, right? " he asked, curious. WIth his shortcomings dealing with the academy, he wanted to know about other ninja like him.

Maybe there was a way to become a ninja without the red tape of the academy and the official problems he had been having of late. He wanted to confide in someone-- but then again, he really didn't know this girl to open up to her as such.


(326 words)

“Hmmm?” she looked at him. Did he assume she could possibly be an enemy or spy?
“Well… if I weren’t allowed to be here… do you think I’d tell you?” she asked mockingly. “That wouldn’t be too smart of any threat now would it?” she looked around one last time. “I suppose… as long as you can point be to a good restaurant. I’m famished.” She said, as she rubbed her stomach. She walked in follow, continuing to answer his questions.
“Why, yes… as of recent. And yourself?” She asked.
[90|375]

Enja probably pried a bit too much about her being there. He was cautious though as the whole thing about new people in the village was always a need for caution. But if she was indeed an eenemy, she couldn't be allowed to walk around. She would of been spotted. He felt bad to assume as such. "You know what, you are right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Just being cautious. Welcome," he said to her properly, and they continued to talk.

She was indeed a ninja, and he was now curious to know more. "Yes I am a shinobi too... well, trying to be. I am still stuck in the academy due to staffing issues..." he admitted with a grumble. "I been pretty much training by myself but no luck being taught any useful jutsu. I have been working on the basic skills though. Hopefully, I can move past these obstacles in my way." He shared.

It was a frustraiting situation. A block in the path of progress and forcing Enja into a state of stagnation. He couldn't do more high profile missions or work till he graduated the academy and couldn't learn any new jutsu till after that. It was a pain in the ass for him.

Walking down the path, they soon found a good restaurant. It was an all in one diner, one that you could order any type of food you want and likely they could make it. Enja was not up for just getting run of the mill ramen anyway. "Want to get a bite here? " he asked.

Still... his mind did wander. She was very cute and he was getting a bit drawn to her. Either way he would enjoy getting to know more about her. At least, what was willing to be shared.

(305 words)

“This is fine…” she stated, as she prepared herself to enter. “You may join if you’d like…” she said, before continuing on to be seated. She was simplistic enough to order the daily special and awaited her meal.
“That is unfortunate.” She said continuing his earlier conversation about being short staffed. “I personally trained myself as well and simply requested a Genin test… it was kind of a personalized mission given to me to make me grow in the rank. Maybe that is something you can request?” She said with a smile before looking away off into the night sky. A thought then began to cross her mind. She looked at him.
“Do you not have a Sensei? Family here?” she asked him.
[123|498]

As Enja walked in to the restaurant, her words "you may join if you'd like..." sort of made him stop short. A frown took his face as he realized what just happened. Seemed his subtle hint was not really anything noticed. She had no real interest in him in That way. "Well... so much for this being a date," he said to himself quietly as he recovered and walked in after her.

They sat at the booth nearby and made their orders. Enja ordered a chicken dish with mach potatos. He needed the extra energy with all his training. Having finally gotten the handle of chakra control, he was really progressing. He ate it eagerly with his fork and knife, enjoying it.

After the first bite, Flower asked more about him. At least she was interested to learn more about his trouble at least. "I have requested it but it was delayed and delayed. It is frustrating. " he explained, as he ate another piece of his food. "But like you, I still train on my own."

The smile on her face did lighten the mood. Made things a bit better. As she asked if he had a sensai and family, he didn't mind answering that. "Um sadly I don't have a sensai. I was being tained by one of the academy members, but again, they went MIA. I am a member of the asakura clan so I do have family here. They specalize in priestly duties and spiritual jutsu. I guess you can say I am a black sheep among them." he said without any real shame to admit that. "I rather be a shinobi over being a priest . " he explained.

"What is your sensai like? " he asked next.

(305 words)

“Ah…” she said. She ate as well.
“Spirit jutsu huh?” this intrigued her even more. Her clan had been about spirit possession as well. “That’s ok… Most White sheep are just as black on the inside.” She said with a smile. “So… what about immediate family? Have you ever considered just requesting dual citizenship and going elsewhere that may better suit you? My sensei… he’s caring, for the most part. But very strict at times. About his business, and he does withhold a lot of secrets… but after all… he is like family to me.” She looked out to the sky once again in wonder, as she thought about both Shizou and Hayabusa, and their accomplishments… she was sure her Sensei had been proud of his sons. She smiled and continued to eat before coming to a finish.
“Why not Kiri? If you aren’t bound to this place…”
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