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Ninpocho Chronicles

Ninpocho Chronicles is a fantasy-ish setting storyline, set in an alternate universe World of Ninjas, where the Naruto and Boruto series take place. This means that none of the canon characters exists, or existed here.

Each ninja starts from the bottom and start their training as an Academy Student. From there they develop abilities akin to that of demigods as they grow in age and experience.

Along the way they gain new friends (or enemies), take on jobs and complete contracts and missions for their respective villages where their training and skill will be tested to their limits.

The sky is the limit as the blank page you see before you can be filled with countless of adventures with your character in the game.

This is Ninpocho Chronicles.

Current Ninpocho Time:

Medical Suspension (Open)

K

Kawakami Hotaru

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It had only been a week since the young Kunoichi had found herself released from her hospital bed, in that time she had received the news that for the time being she would be put on medical leave until able to demonstrate she was ready for combat again, not that it was a surprise. After all it had been less than a month since her examination for Genin, and the loss of her left eye. It had been an interesting time, in that short period she had slain two men, been nearly violated, and had the vast expanses of the left side of her face mangled. She assumed for most people this time would be apt to lament the loss of her vision, but she was not most people. Lamentations did nothing about the situation, the only thing a person could do in the situation was to push on, and that's what she attempted to do. Though, she was admittedly bummed about her Medical Suspension and the strict orders from her physicians, 'Take it easy! Don't get into any fights! Don't push yourself!' and so on and so forth, she felt their recommendations were largely a bunch of lily-livered shite, but the young girl took their advice none the less. For a quiet moment Chiyoko paused to gingerly touch the dressings that still covered the entirety of the left side of her face, it would still be a few weeks before she was cleared to remove them in favor of an eye-patch, she quickly recoiled her hands from the surging pain that immediately rocketed through her being, and a feeling of nausea immediately entered her stomach. The wounds were still very tender, having gone through several surgeries only two weeks prior. Had she not been a Shinobi the doctors would have almost certainly insisted that she stayed in the hospital for at least a month, but she was in fact a Kunoichi and held their unnatural constitution, the healing process was rapid but still very much painful.

Life was hard when there was nothing to do, and the Kunichi found herself wondering about the Susukino district taking in the cool night air, she wasn't entirely sure of the time but guessed it was somewhere around eight or nine PM. The Bars were beginning to pick up and several lively bands could be heard throughout the area, one in particular caught her attention as the young woman stopped her meandering to, hopefully, soothe her nausea and watch their performance as they played on the veranda of a rather popular bar. Her ears perked up listening to a few of the lyrics she could catch over the patrons of the bar who sat drinking and chatting as the band played, "-- Clean out the bank and bump off your daddy You can come live with us among the has-beens and the addicts ~" the rest of the lyrics were once again drowned out by a few noisy drunkards, already sloshed well before midnight. The performers continued on but it was obvious there wasn't much of a chance of actually hearing them, so the one-eyed fiend took her leave continuing to meander around the city, luckily it seemed her stomach problems had stopped.

One of the most evident changes in her vision, aside from the obvious tunnel vision and lack of peripherals, was that her ability to see at night had greatly decreased, beforehand walking about the city in the midst of night posed problems, but now she found herself sticking close to the street-lights fending off an overwhelming sense of nyctalopia. Of course sticking close to the lights meant more people around, and more people meant more drunks who would no doubt have little problems pushing their way into her business, and as if on cue a heavy pattering of foot steps hung behind her followed by the sound of two people sloppily singing some gibberish. Then a sudden stop in singing followed by one of the two men yelling toward her, "Hey, boy! Boy, come here!" now it was fair to say the young lass was a bit androgynous, but she still found it a bit offensive for a couple of drunks to accuse her of being a boy. Chiyoko paused for a moment, turning to face the two men as they moved closer to her, watching as they curiously peered at her bandages before one blurted out, "Goddamn, boy. Did you get mauled by a dog or somethin?" she immediately furrowed her one visible brow, more aggravated that he had once again called her a boy rather than his question, she was well within distance for the man to be able to tell his gender, but he was too lit to comprehend such a basic fact. "Are you fucking blind?</COLOR><i></i>" she paused waiting for the man or his friend to respond, well aware of the irony of her statement. The Drunkard looked confused for a moment before replying, "Uh, no, are you, boy?" this dude was infuriating. Chiyoko sighed heavily, remembering that she wasn't supposed to be exerting herself, for a moment she thought of decking the man but instead continued on with their conversation, "I swear to Aion, if you call me a boy one more time I'll find your home and rub dog-shit all over your door handle." her aggravation with the man was obvious, though the drunkard was still unsure why she was getting so upset at him calling her a boy. "Are you sayin'?" was all he managed to get out before immediately being interrupted, "<COLOR color="purple">Yes, you moron.<i></i>" the drunkard giggled nudging his friend, whispering something to the man. Yet before the two blithering idiots could continue their conversation with Chiyoko she had managed to escape them, moving toward a rather busy Taiyaki stand, and blending in with the others there.

The line evaporated rather quickly leading the young girl to a tasty treat, a fish-shaped cake filled with red bean paste. The owner seemed to notice the tattoos on each of her wrists, though the chrysanthemum upon her right side was still partially obscured by the bandage upon her right hand from another injury during her exam. The snack was deemed free by the man who insisted she take it for free, which she didn't have any arguments against. The man probably figured even if he didn't offer it for free the miscreant probably wouldn't pay, which was normally true. Needless to say the other patrons weren't terribly fond of his preferential treatment swearing under their breath as she walked away, nibbling on the cake as she did so.
 
As Chiyoko left the Taiyaki stand with her treat in tow, Hinote left a nearby Onigiri stand, nibbling on his own seaweed-wrapped round that was filled with some sort of horseradish and coconut concoction. The young Takayama imagined how jealous the coconut crabs roaming his clan's estate--descendants of the ones his father raised within the mansion--would be if they could smell the sweet, pungent aroma of the coconut as he took another bite.

But as thoughts of crabs, coconuts, and coups blinded him from the real world around him, the bulky ten year-old did not even realize he had been following the one-eyed Genin for quite some distance. In fact, he was just a feet or so from bumping into her, still oblivious to her existence.
 
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Osuteno had trained long after the sunset, had taken a long bath at the hotsprings, changed into a kimono and sealed his training gear away, before coming to the Susukino district where he was currently being harassed. "Eight... Year... Old... Boy," Osu slowly explained to a pair of drunks. As they walked away he heard them say,"Dammit man, what did I drink? Not like me to get someone's gender wrong" "You mean get their sex wrong." "The fuck what I said ain't it?". The other man proceeded to explain the difference as they stumbled off and the one began yelling at some boy they saw. Osu was going to have to figure out where people kept getting the idea he was a girl. He shook his head, face stoic, and went on.

Osu was currently scouting around on request from his cousins. As they were rather sheltered they had never really ventured into the village and mingled with "the lower class" they wanted Osu to guide them through it. Again Osu sighed while looking for places where they would not find trouble though he doubted that would be possible with a particular cousin in mind. For people raised in a "proper" environment his relatives could be quite the handful particularly how arrogant some of them appeared around regular people. One would not think Osu was the fourth youngest out of the 12 children currently living in the estate grounds based on how much he has to look out after them. He was a little glad that he had lived some time on his own before being adopted into the clan or he might have also been lacking in common knowledge.

Osu looked at various restaurants and street vendors knowing that one of the first things the group he was bringing out would be going after was commoner food. It was still dreadfully unnerving for him how quiet and formal the dinners were so he often stayed out late training before passing through his former neighborhood in Susukino's restaurant district to pick up some food on the way back. The tea shop owners ruffled his hair and gave him tea and a small bag of dango sticks every time he swung by as he did tonight. He had rented out a room upstairs of the restaurant for quite some time and the elderly couple had appeared to have missed his constant presence as they fussed over him. After a few minutes he had to excuse himself before they tried to convince him to stay the night. He had to avoid speaking too long with many shop owners in the area, as they had been used to seeing him run around playing ninja for most of his life and then he suddenly moved across the village one day. The onee-sans and aunties and obaa-sans were particularly fussy, straightening up his clothes and making sure he had not lost weight, every time they saw the little orphan they had deceitfully raised to be a bit more feminine than most and even the men would be asking if anyone was giving him any trouble and to come tell them if there were while pretending not to care too much.

Osu would always deflect their worries and tell them he was being well cared for while avoiding any details of his increasingly extreme training regimens and the fact he spent half his time at the hot springs healing his own wounds. He also never reminded them of the fact he was a shinobi and he was more and more often putting himself in positions of danger or even harming others. No, to these people he would try to remain the polite and helpful little boy they were familiar with, who was supposedly living a rather comfortable life now in some estate.

As he walked down the path he noticed a familiar person up ahead that he had not seen in about a month since he met her. Speeding up a bit he caught up with her. "Good evening, Chiyoko-Senpai," he said with a slight bow and his strongest attempt at a smile his stoic face would allow as he walked beside her. Then Osu saw the familiar hospital dressing covering the side of her face and how it was applied. "Dear goodness she must have experienced some eye trauma, the work is professional which means there is nothing I really do that hasn't already been done. I wonder if it is completely lost..." It would be impolite to ask her about it though so he left it be. Instead he gravitated a bit closer with his legs working slightly faster than hers to keep pace. "By the way, do you prefer Chiyoko-Senpai or Chiyoko-Oneesan?" he asked while pulling a stick of dango out and enjoying it.​
 
There was nothing quite like fresh Taiyaki, the smell, the cake, the bean paste, it was easily her favorite late-night snack, and a good pick-me-up when she was a bit down like tonight. The cake quickly dissipated as she ate with the ferocity of a bear, swallowing the fish-cake in no more than three whole bites. Brushing the crumbs from her blouse, a simple short sleeved-black button up that her father had purchased her upon her return to the village, she continued onward with her walk picking up her pace a bit, having the odd feeling that someone was following her about. While her hunch would later prove true it seemed her pursuer was completely unaware of the fact he was tailing her, it was a bit of an odd coincidence. For the time being, however, she still remained fairly unaware of the presence, assuming that it was hopefully just a figment of her imagination. No one could possibly be stupid enough to follow her about and incur the possible wrath of the Oyabun of the Wakahisa Yakuza. Chiyoko was actually a bit surprised her father hadn't insisted upon her having an entourage in her fragile state, even though she had officially been made a full-fledged Kunoichi her father still had the occasional tendency to dote upon her as if she were the last living remnant of her mother, who had long since passed. This tendency was typical when she was sick or injured, but it seemed Oyabun had decided to give her a bit of space to figure out what she was going to do from here on out.

Honestly she was largely unsure of what route she wanted to take in life, though her mind near immediately made it's way back to Saeko and the exam. She, Chiyoko, was by and large Takaki Saeko's apprentice by this point, Hell Saeko had said it herself. There was no doubt that saving that crazy bitch from those Marsh Jaegers and that Tenouzan Bishop had cemented Chiyoko as the Tax-Bitch of Kumogakure's apprentice and personal friend, and perhaps only friend. While it would be nice to train under someone who was already so well versed in the Shinobi world she certainly didn't want to learn the more logistical side of Saeko's business, Taxation of Kumogakurians, while it did sound fun to legally rob people the paperwork that went into the matter certainly did not. It seemed that would not be the correct path for her, she hoped her future path would soon occur to her.

Her thoughts ceased as a familiar face appeared from out of the blue, the voice of a child rang through her ears as the young Osu came into her field of view causing her to squint for a moment to ensure that it was actually him. Once she finally realized that it was, in fact, him a small smiled perked up on her face to mimic his, though hers was a bit more natural, or so she thought as she waved at Nee-Chan. A moment of insecurity spasmed in her chest, outside of Saeko and her family Osu was the first familiar face she had seen since her exit from the hospital. The last time she had seen him she still had her full vision and an unblemished face, though her faint scars and missing eye was blocked by her dressings, which had been freshly redone by the nurse she had to see daily only a few hours ago, still it was a bit embarrassing. Behind her crass visage Chiyoko was a girl just like any other, and was very conscientious of her appearance and had already began to feel her femininity, what little she had, drop behind her dressings. Of course she couldn't allow Nee-Chan to know this, even though a twinge of anxiety lingered in her stomach as Osu very briefly inspected the bandages, though he was far too polite to ask about the bandages she knew full well what he was thinking and it was just as painful as him asking how her injury had occurred in the first place.

Pushing away her diffident thoughts away she looked toward her acquaintance as he asked his question, for a moment she thought of patting the adorable little figure on the head, but quickly decided against it shrugging her shoulders and answered his question "Honestly, you don't have to use any honorifics if you'd like. I do like the sound of 'Chiyoko-Oneesan', though. It's what my little brothers call me.<i></i>" thinking back the young woman was pretty sure she had never mentioned that she had any siblings to Osu, who she presumed was an only child. She had never met another Chigokai in the village, so it seemed to make sense. For a moment she thought of asking Nee-chan how his month had been since they had last met, but the return to the question would for him to ask how she had been, and it seemed fairly obvious that wouldn't make for the best conversation. Instead she remembered the last time they had met and a certain promise she had made to the young man, and with an expanse of coin from her recent mission and a good amount of time on her hands it seemed to be a good time to bring it up, " So, Nee-Chan.<i></i>" she paused with a light smile still sitting against her pert lips, raising her one visible brow and staring down at her young friend "Last time we met, when that crazy-ass dude sent out his giant monster, I promised I'd buy you a new Kimono, and I don't really have anything to do tonight; so,<i></i>" once again she paused moving her hand over toward Osu's head in an attempt to muss the young boy's hair up before continuing "How about you accompany me around, and we take a look-see?<i></i>" honestly it was more a plea for companionship than anything else, after being alone in the hospital for a while she yearned for someone to walk around with and have a bit of fun. Hopefully it would take her mind away from her earlier thoughts, though the feeling that someone was nearby still lingered in the back of her mind.
 
Hinote choked on the last of his onigiri as an acquaintance of his spoke to an equally androgynous girl before him.

"My apologies, Osu-chan," he interrupted their conversation, his face turning a light shade of red from a mix of anxiety and embarrassment. "I did not realize I had been following you and your friend for so long."

A quick glance around revealed that he himself didn't know where he was at or what hour it was. His gaze happened to linger upon the girl's bandages for a second, though this was more out of curiosity than pity.

"Would . . . um . . . either of you care if I joined you on this fine evening?" he requested as he continued looking around, "I mean . . . we'd have a better chance against the Yakuza in the area if we stuck together, right?"
 
Osu nodded as cheerfully as he could manage, "Then Chiyoko-Oneesan it is! I didn't know you had brothers, I only have cousins myself." It seemed it was best to avoid anything that would lead to the topic of her eye until she felt like speaking about it. He carefully made a list of topics to not initiate himself and to maintain eye contact. As he was about to ask about her brothers she smiled and looked down at him and brought up her promise from last time. He also happened to notice her hand drifting around his head. "I would love to come along with you Chiyoko-Oneesan! Osu gave his best attempt at a knowing look and said, "By the way Chiyoko-Oneesan, I just spent some time in the hot-springs and my hair is currently extra soft and smooth, it would be a shame if no one gave it a good pat." He tilted his face towards her with his eyes closed, a small smile still on his face and grabbed a hold of her arm with both of his. This usually cheered bigger people up for reasons unknown to him, but ergardless Chiyoko certainly seemed like she needed a friend. After a couple seconds of holding that position giving Chiyoko a chance to play with his hair, Osu heard another familiar voice call his name.

Osu opened his eyes and looked behind them. It was Hinote, Osu had only met him once before when... actually that was a story Osu wished had never happened. "No Hinote-San, I am sorry for not noticing you earlier. He saw that the other boy was rather nervous and was looking around nervously before mentioning joining them and the yakuza. Osu gave a very nervous forced laugh. "Well, as long as Chiyoko-Oneechan is fine with it so am I, but I don't think we have to worry about the yakuza here in the Susukino district, that business was... settled... last time. No one trying to add anyone to their collection tonight. Nope, that is history." He continued his very obviously forced laugh and a single bead of sweat on his brow from nervousness. He honestly did not want to stick to that particular subject as he was actively trying to block it from his memory. "Anyway, we are going to look at the kimono shops and anywhere else Chiyoko-Oneesan leads if you are really interested.

There was no way Osu was going to find even more trouble tonight, no way at all. He was being a good young man, sticking to the main roads, not entering the bars or gambling houses, avoiding any men in suits and covered in tattoos and sticking with Chiyoko to help her out. He looked up at the girl whose arm he was currently latched to and asked if she minded that Hinote joined them. Osu assured her that Hinote was a good if a bit excitable person. Any which way she went with that, Osu would offer both of them some of his favorite dango while he drank from his tea. He couldn't wait to try on some more kimonos, he had a number of them already, but it couldn't hurt to have another. His face was starting to hurt from all the smiling though so he turned his head away from the others, pretending to be looking at passing stands but really just giving his face a break. He considered just how much he was going to have to work his face tonight and sighed inwardly. He really wished at times like these he could just show how he felt with his face like a normal person. As it was it felt like he felt something first, then had to contort his face to share those feelings with some language he had a rough understanding of. When he looked back though he had his slightly unnatural smile on, though it did show what he really felt.

"So Chiyoko-Oneesan... are any of your brothers as manly and tough as I am?" He said jokingly as they walked down the busy street, though he did not realize the real humor in his statement was just how feminine he was. After giving her some time to say her piece about her brothers Osu said, "What about you Hinote-San," Osu turned his head towards the other boy, "any siblings, or maybe some close cousins?" Osu felt like family was likely a fun and safe topic as they traveled, at least he hoped it was.​
 
Her hand sat gently upon her young acquaintance's head, gently stroking his hair as he exclaimed that he had just made his way from the hotsprings, a place which she hadn't ventured to in some time. The last time she went there she had managed to meet the current Raikage, though back then it seemed he was on the verge of retiring, Chiyoko wondered how Saito would manage in his new position, it seemed he had already made some massive changes, disbanding the council, and focusing more on domestic issues. Hell, as long as the City continued on with their arrangement with her family she didn't particularly care who was in power at any time, just a bunch of loutish giants still pissing on those beneath them regardless of their words and intentions. It seemed likely nothing would change. Absentmindedly she gazed down toward Nee-chan, a faint smile attached to her being "Ha, I haven't been to the hotsprings in ages. Maybe I'll go in a few weeks.<i></i>" her family, despite their ill-gained wealth, had very few amenities but a nice bath was among those they did have. Father was never a big fan of stripping down in public amongst men and women that weren't Wakahisa by name or blood. Thinking of her family Chiyoko's mind returned to an earlier statement from Osu, who as she suspected didn't have any siblings. "I have four blood-brothers brothers, actually. Along with a few hundred related to me by name, big family.<i></i>"

Soon afterward another young man joined in the fray, addressing Osu and causing Chiyoko to turn and look at the dark-haired boy with a look of slight confusion as he mentioned they would have a better chance against the Yakuza if they stayed together, was he fucking with her? It was only made worse as she noticed the boy staring at her bandages if only for a moment, a light pang hitting her in the chest once again, it was something she would have to get used to. She wondered staring at the young man, it was highly unusual for someone to come up and mention the Yakuza with her, as her family was the preeminent Yakuza family of Kumogakure, the Wakahisa. Before she could even attempt to ask the boy, Nee-Chan immediately jumped into the conversation eschewing from the conversation, obviously uncomfortable, Chiyoko thought back for a moment trying to remember if she had shared her surname the last time they had met, though even if she hadn't the tattoo on her wrists clearly gave her away as a Gang-member. It didn't take a lot of brain power to figure out the two had ended up running into some Shatei, and her interest was piqued. it was obvious that Osu didn't particularly want to go into the conversation it was very much her business, especially if they had managed to run in with her family instead of some goons claiming they were made men. "You two had a run in with Yakuza?<i></i>" it seemed unlikely that it was with her family, as they would have likely told her, but then again in her injured state they may well have been keeping her out of the loop. For a moment she thought of exposing the tattoo on her right wrist which was still partially covered by her bandages to ask if they had ran into someone with the Chrysanthemum tattoo, but she didn't particularly want to delve further into the situation. She would simply have to talk to Oyabun later, and potentially smooth out the situation if they had made trouble for her family. "Well, I hope you both settled the matter, doubt anyone will be bothering you tonight.<i></i>" it was considered a matter of treachery to knowingly harm a friend of any of the blood-members of the house, an offense punishable by the removal of five fingers. If a death was involved the punishment was made that the member who had committed the treachery was immediately put to the sword and dumped outside of the village, a grisly affair.

Still it seemed largely out of character for Nee-Chan, for the very short time they had known each other anyway, to get mixed up in the affairs of Yakuza. Leading her to think to the new boy to have played more a part in the matter than her friend. She would have to keep an eye on him. "Feel free to join us.<i></i>" She stated still looking over the boy, and while her words were polite, the tone behind them were less so, they sounded more like a forced obligation more than anything else. With her hand still pressed against Osu's head she continued on speaking with the newest member of the group, "What's your surname, little one?<i></i>" she lifted a brow awaiting his response, she had already learned his first name from Osu who had referred to him as 'Hinote-San' a bit earlier. Once he gave his response Chiyoko gave her own full name, half-wondering if either of them knew that the 'Wakahisa' were Yakuza, "I am Wakahisa Chiyoko Onee-san.<i></i>" she gave a light chuckle to diffuse any potential tension that the reference of her surname might have brought, she also made sure to include 'Onee-san', because well, she found it cute.

She lightly laughed with Osu exclaiming, "No, I'm afraid none of my brothers are nearly as manly as you, Nee-Chan.<i></i>" once again she gently patted her friend's hand before removing it from his head and allowing it to dangle at her side and listening to Hinote, still trying to gauge his character despite Osu proclaiming he was a good young man. "So, Nee-Chan. Are you close with your cousins? Despite having such a big family, I'm pretty close to everyone.<i></i>" She quipped as they continued to walk toward a small well-lit tailor that specialized in traditional Japanese Kimonos, specifically Yukata and Furisode. With her waning Femininity Chiyoko thought of purchasing one for herself, not that she would likely ever wear it in public, but hell it might be fun for Tanabata or Bon.

[MFT 1200]
 
"I am very much obliged," Hinote replied with a sigh and bow before the three resumed walking.

"I'm quite pleased to hear that you and your other friend are safe now."

"I apologize for not properly introducing myself earlier," the bulky boy responded when Chiyoko inquired about his surname. "I am Takayama Hinote, son of the late Takayama Damashi."

To the general public, the Takayama name alone was fairly well known: the Takayama Mining Corporation alone provided a steady stream of revenue not only for Kumogakure no Sato, but also the majority of Kaminari no Kuni, and his father had become somewhat of a folk hero when news of his exploits (along with his body) in Sunagakure finally reached Kumogakure several years ago.

However, the Takayama clan--in particular Damashi himself--was not without its rivals and enemies. Not only did the family business face fierce competition from the Titan Corporation, but the Toragawa and Takayama clans have been vying for influence and thus dominance within the corporation; over the years, only the name has stayed the same. And Damashi had gotten himself involved with both the Wakahisa Yakuza in Kumogakure and the Cabal in Sunagakure; the former upon uncovering a smuggling operation through his own mining tunnels and the latter after they had kidnapped him and forced him to make weaponry for them.

Thus, when Chiyoko formerly introduced herself, his eyes widened quite a bit. Between Toragawa Dio assuming control of the Takayama Mining Corporation after his father's death and his own encounter with the Yakuza not too long ago, the remainder of the Takayama clan didn't exactly have the influence--monetary or otherwise--for Hinote to be continuously putting himself at risk.

The boy was not one to be rude towards his host, however--especially when they shared a mutual acquaintance.

"I see . . . " he acknowledged her own introduction after a noticeable pause. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance then, Chiyoko-san."

Hinote chuckled with relief as Osuteno inquired about the masculinity of any potential relatives, briefly deflecting the topic away from family feuds.

"I'm afraid I'm an only child, Osu-chan," he replied.
 
As Chiyoko stroked Osu's hair Osu reacted much like a happy cat, pressing his head up against her hand. Osu was surprised as Chiyoko mentioned just how large her family was, "Oh, so the Wakahisa's are also a large clan? I am sorry for not being aware." Osu was always finding he was lacking knowledge in certain areas such as politics and the like. Most of this 'who is in this business' and 'these families are in a centuries old blood feud for who knows what reason anymore' scenarios simply flew over his head. He was gradually being forced to learn more of such details lately and it was far more comforting to read his medical books. Though Tanake, the head butler, would likely lecture Osu on just why it was important that the major clans failed to gt along or something if he mentioned those thoughts. Osu almost sighed thinking about it. Medicine and shinobi training was just easier to understand and a lot more straight forward.

He watched as Chiyoko regarded Hinote and began asking about the yakuza run in for a moment, before dismissing it suddenly, much to Osu's relief. Yes indeed, the matter was all settled Onee-san. There is simply a casino in this district and people with dragon tattoos that I tend to step wide of now." With that, Osu once again tried to forget the matter. There is no way I will allow myself to get mixed up with that sort of thing anymore,, he thought while doing exactly that by hanging onto Chiyoko's sleeve, not knowing her family was yakuza. He nodded proudly as she said none of her brothers were quite as manly as he. It was to be expected though, it would be difficult to be manlier than he who had been trained for a good portion of his life in tea ceremonies and flower arrangement, for some reason he saw very few other men doing these things. He simply nodded to Hinote explaining he was an only child. "I would very much like to meet your families one day," Osu said smiling as naturally as his face could achieve. Of course he forgot that since he asked them about their families it would be common courtesy for them to do the same.

As Chiyoko asked him about his cousins he grimaced a little. "I am afraid to say I am not all that close with my cousins yet. I have known them for about 2 months now and most of them still don't seem to be quite used to me. They have been raised behind rich walls of an ancient and proud shinobi clan as a few princes and many princesses, and one day I am suddenly brought into their home and placed into one of the primary side branches. It is understandable that they likely feel I have invaded their home even when I did not have much choice in the matter myself. Indeed, they are a matriarchal family used to having dozens of branch families that are deemed unworthy to live on the main estate and one day a young male orphan who is a bit strong in the family bloodline simply..." he noticed the kimono shop, simply forgot what he was speaking about some serious thoughts for an 8-year-old to have, grabbed both of their arms and gently pulled them forward a bit faster. A faint smile was returning to his face. "Oh good we're here! Come on now, let us get you both into some snazzy clothing."

As they entered the shop Osu let both of them go and went up to an old woman and began whispering something to her and she simply nodded. The old woman seemed to be sending someone to the back of the store while Osu walked back to Chiyoko and Hinote. "Now let's see what would look good on you two," he said and would dismiss any objections with phrases similar to 'you don't have to get it, just let me see how it looks on you' or 'I promise you will like this' as he picked out some appropriate designs for each of them. It was an exercise he himself had been on the receiving end of many times. If they went willingly along with it all the better, sometimes people just needed to see themselves in nice traditional clothing. After he got them in, or had been convinced that it just wouldn't happen, he went and picked up a rather unusual kimono that had caught his interest and went behind a curtain himself to change.​
 
It would seem that her young friend had no idea what her clan was, which was both comforting and disconcerting, she felt it was surely in the best interest of their possible friendship that she be honest with her affiliation to a clan of Yakuza, but then again it was so rare that she found someone around the village that didn't directly know of her and her family. It was refreshing. So she decided for the time being she would not mention what her family did directly, however if the opportunity came up to explain then she would take it. For the time being she instead simply answered his question with a quaint smile upon her face, "We're a couple thousand strong, though you wouldn't know that unless you frequent the Cronopolis. We don't really get a whole lot of press coverage in the village as my family generally only produces one Kunoichi per generation.<i></i>" which was true, she was the only Kunoichi out of her family. There had been situations in the past, such as her mother's, where a Kunoichi married into the family but such situations were far and few between.

The younger boy introduced himself as Takayama Hinote, she had heard of his surname before, though only briefly. They were diggers, or something like that, she thought nodding at the young man. Supposedly his family had ended up in some sort of mix-up with her own if she remembered correctly they had been smuggling some illicit weaponry through their company, but that was hardly news-worthy. Every hard-working honest family in Kumogakure had been fucked over by the Wakahisa in one way or another. Unlike Osu, Hinote seemed to completely understand the implications of her name as he took a moment to reply from his apparent shock, which was only natural. "Right.<i></i>" Was here reply to his confession of it being a pleasure to meet her, they both knew that was unlikely.

The conversation soon returned to the earlier topic that the two had ran into some thugs, with Osu proclaiming that they would no longer be venturing into a gambling-den which held the more unsavory members of society, "It's not the ones with Dragon tattoos you have to worry about,<i></i>" the ones with the Chrysanthemums were far more dangerous, "though I'm glad you two made it out of whatever it was you got into. Besides, you're both a bit too young to be in such a place anyway.<i></i> her tone implied that she was of course old enough to enter a Csino and gamble all her ill-gotten money away, despite the fact that she was at most only five years older than the two. The most naive member of the group then stated he would like to meet their families, Chiyoko putting on her most dead-pan tone replied to him rather quietly "Doubt it.<i></i>" no one wanted to meet her family. In fact it was usually the opposite of that, people tried to actively avoid them as much as they possibly could as not to get sucked into a ring of extortion.

Chiyoko listened quietly as Osu waxed on about his living situation and how he had basically been abducted into some sort of odd existence, into a well-off family whose children, naturally, did not care for him. It was saddening, to say the least. Though before she could manage to interject on his situation it seemed Nee-Chan had gotten himself distracted by the Tailor that had come into view, with a gentle tug on her sleeve the group seemed to pick up speed toward the building. He was clearly excited about the opportunity to buy some new clothes, God he was more like a girl than she was. "Whoa, Nee-Chan they're not going anywhere!<i></i>" she lightly joked picking up her pace and heading toward the store.

Once the three managed to get inside the store Osu immediately began picking out designs for the group with the fervor of a young fashionista, Chiyoko didn't have any direct objections to the treatment, she had already decided earlier to try on a few Yukata as it would perhaps make her feel a bit better. Traditional Japanese clothing fit her frame well, they were generally meant for more lithe women than for others and she fit the description of lithe quite well. It was unfortunate that her personality couldn't match her physical grace, instead she found herself hiding her physical assets to fit more with her personality. She soon found herself dressing herself in a strikingly cyan-blue Yukata, a flock of small white doves scattered across the Kimono save for the bright yellow Obi-Sash which she had trouble tying with all the bandages on her hand. Darker blue ribbons held along the sides of the Sash and slightly fluttered as the young woman twirled in an unusually girlish manner, admiring her new found frame in the mirror, only to be brought back to reality as she spied the medical dressings on her face. With a heavy sigh she turned away from the mirror, readying herself to leave the dressing room.

Exiting the dressing room she looked toward the others, with a forced smile plastered on her face. "So, do I still look like a mutt chasing my own tail?<i></i>" She asked recalling an asshole who had called her that only a month or so before. Laughing a bit she continued speaking, "If dad was here he would probably shit his pants seeing me in this, I can hear him now.<i></i>" she paused to clear her throat and put on her best 'old-man' voice, " 'Chiyoko, you look so much like your mother, I can now leave this world in peace. Arrrgghhh!' <i></i>" she finished by making the sound that dying people in movies made, that weird croaking thing. She knew full well that dying men didn't make that sound, but it was funny none the less.
 
Hinote chuckled as Osu-chan rushed the others into the shop to try on clothes.

"Oh . . . I . . . um . . . very well then," he managed to chime in as the youngest of the three began picking out traditional outfits for the others. "Could I at least try on hakama along with the kimono though, Osu-chan?"

Once Osuteno had gathered anything and everything he thought would work well with Hinote's wide, bulky frame, Hinote would start with a more conservative outfit--a burgundy kimono accompanied by a black obi, black hakama, and black leather zori. The boy took a moment to admire Osu-chan's sense of style in the mirror before leaving the dressing room to show Osu.

"You have a good eye, Osu-chan," he said with a smile as the two waited for Chiyoko-san. But as they waited, the curiosity that had been piqued when he originally saw her medical wrappings was now bouncing between pity for Chiyoko and satisfying retribution against the Wakahisa Yakuza. Despite what all he had learned about that branch of the Yakuza, he did not know Chiyoko's story personally. As such, he remained distracted with internal conflict . . . at least until Chiyoko herself revealed herself.

"Whoa . . . " he said as her feminity, accented by the Yakuza, was finally unveiled. For a moment he remained a speechless observer, jaw slightly agape before he returned to his senses.

"I mean . . . um . . . you look great." he stated as he looked away nervously, his face turning a deeper shade of red.
 
Osuteno had allowed Hinote's request for hakama and planned the designs for him around that. Chiyoko's were admittedly much more fun for him to play around with and he nodded to himself as they entered the dressing rooms and took a single outfit in with him. It was a strange one with obvious foreign influence but it had kept pulling at him the entire time he was choosing their's out. At first he looked at the thing with no small amount of confusion, there was no grace or modesty to the creature. His first thought was, "Who created such a chimera?!" It was an insult for such a thing to even be in a store with kimono... It was green... with yellow sleeves... and it was red below the minature obi.... which was bowed in the front?! Why did it have frills!!?
Osu had initially looked away from the shameful thing, but as he went around gather clothes for the other two he caught himself looking at the beast. After they had went in he had given up and grabbed it when there weren't any witnesses.

Osu wore kimonos a few times a week and was rather adept at removing and putting on kimonos of all varieties with such a speed and precision that would make even the strictest obaa-sans proud. He looked at himself in the mirror and sighed. It was disgusting... that he absolutely loved the thing. "Not a single thing traditional about it," he murmured to himself embarrassed with what he was doing. After a moment though he closed his eyes, nodded twice, and when he opened his eyes he could not help but smile. This mockery of tradition was the single most rebellious thing he had ever done and it was exciting. He spun around while looking in the mirror beaming to get a good look to make sure everything was in place and stepped out.
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He had to wait a good minute before Hinote stepped out and Osu circled him. Of course he would choose the blandest of them Osu thought to himself with an inward chuckle, still Hinote was right, he did have a good eye. He straightened the other boy up a little but otherwise he had done a fine job putting the outfit on. As he was finishing with that he heard Chiyoko stepping out from behind her curtain, and heard Hinote's whoa before he got to see for himself.

He turned to see a struggling to smile Chiyoko while looking absolutely amazing. He knew exactly why she was struggling and he was not going to stand for it. He listened to Chiyoko joke around about her appearance with a small small on his face and shaking his head in false exasperation. He saw the employee that was sent to the back earlier coming with the items he asked for as if on cue. "Onee-san," he began sternly, "You are stunning. Even Hinote-san here is blushing from how pretty you are. There is but one thing missing." He basically forced Chiyoko to sit down in a nearby stool in front of a mirror and the worker held a box low for him. It was full of a variety of obi made for toddlers and thus were thinner and shorter than most one would run across. He looked at the kimono she was wearing and smiled gently picking up a yellow and a cyan obi. He folded them, layered them and gently knotted them together before beginning to wrap them gently yet firmly over the dressing as he would if he were applying extra bandages. He had not done something like this before so he took his time making sure the dressing was completely covered, her hair wasn't caught anywhere, and that everything was neat and pretty before tying a miniaturized obi bow on the upper side of her head of her head.

Osu leved his head with hers in the mirror and had a good look at her. He had done a fine job if he thought so himself. It was rather cute on her in fact."Now that the silly thing you have been letting bother you is gone, I must tell you that the only thing missing is a real smile from you, though I am afraid that if you give me one I might fall in love with you Onee-san."

Somewhere a few blocks away, the two drunk men from earlier were sitting in an alleyway drinking while one was giving the other a lecture about how one's preferences were as important a factor as any when it came to self-identification, when the confused one suddenly began slow clapping. "Why are you clapping like that?" asked the one who had been giving the lecture. "Dunno, feels like sum bastard sum'ere just pulled it off, ya know?" "What in the world is this 'it' you are referring to?" "Dunno, it feels like he was rather ace when he told sum girl she was dishy." "I swear no one in the world speaks like that. Do you mean to say... that someone just told a girl she was pretty in a spectacular manner? The gruff man looked up his drink while raising an eyebrow and said, "The fuck what I said ain't it?"​
 
For a moment the young girl thought was having an aneurysm as she exited the changing room to the others, they both seem to approve heavily of her new found clothes. It was honestly a bit disconcerting (and admittedly flattering) that two children found her to be pretty. It was a bit of a rarity for others to compliment her on her appearance, outside of a few ironic assholes from the Cronopolis and a few odd Shinobi into pettankos. She was unsure how to reply to their compliments outside of a halfhearted, "Uh, thanks, I guess.<i></i>" while suppressing her natural inclination to blush. Her attention soon focused upon the other two, Hinote had found a rather conservative Kimono and Hakama which was a dark red, while rather unassuming it seemed to fit him rather well. Nee-Chan's outfit on the other hand was something to behold entirely, for a young man who exclaimed his masculinity his fashion choices did the antithesis of that. What he had managed to find reminded her of some Avante Garde wedding dress-esque mixture of a Kimono, yet he somehow managed to pull the ensemble off. She certainly couldn't have pulled it off, for a moment she mentally put on the ensemble only to vomit in her mind.

Next thing she knew Nee-Chan was sitting her down and commanding her to stay still as he searched around for something or other, clearly she would be the next test-subject in his maniacal game of fashion, normally she would have refused his advances, but hell she was already sitting in a Yukata in front of others, this was uncharted waters already. So, what the hell, if he wanted to dress her up a bit more she was down for it, wasn't like she did this every day. "Hopefully whatever you're grabbing isn't filled to the brim with frills, Nee-Chan. I have an aversion to them.<i></i> She joked but remained seated quietly resigned to try on whatever Osu was rummaging through.

To her surprise Nee-Chan soon returned with a toddler's Obi, and without warning began to wrap it around her bad eye, for a moment she slightly recoiled unsure of what he was doing, but soon accepted his touch. Since her return to Kumogakure she had grown a bit of an aversion to other people touching her without consent, but it seemed the young boy was fairly harmless, so once again she allowed him to continue, though a bead of cold sweat trickled down the nape of her neck, clearly uncomfortable. Chiyoko had honestly expected the whole situation to be a bit painful as her wounds were still fairly tender, but it seemed the young man moved with the ease and gentleness of a practiced medical Shinobi. His touch was fairly seamless, though a few prickles of pain shot throughout the back of her brain, luckily his treatment would be coming to an end soon.

Her head trained upon the mirror as her young friend stood beside her, endearing her with a fair amount of flattery. He was a good kid. He shouldn't be hanging out with people like her. Chiyoko thought to herself extending her arm and wrapping it around Nee-Chan in a light hug as a grin settled upon her face, it would have been a full-blown smile if her troublesome thoughts hadn't gotten in the way. The fact of the matter was that Nee-Chan was a nice and fairly respectable young Shinobi and she was a street-rat from a family of fiends. After a quiet moment of resolve she decided to air her thoughts on the matter looking rather seriously, "You're a good kid Nee-Chan, and I'm sure your friend is too. I would really hope you wouldn't fall for a firebrand like me, way too much trouble.<i></i>" she had intended to speak a bit more but her speech was stopped as the sound of a wooden cane clacking against the ground caught her attention.

Slightly turning she spied the figure of an elderly man dressed in a traditional Kimono, which was near chocolate in color, hobbling into the store, she had met him before on several occasions and knew him to be the owner of the establishment, though she had never caught his name. Even as he stood hunched over holding a simple wooden cane of what appeared to be made of cherry wood, a sense of refined dignity emanated from the man, a few flecks of snow white hair dotted his head along with a set of bushy brows and a fairly long goatee, solid white in color and curled at the tip through his constant fiddling. His voice was scratchy and faint, but held a sense of both happiness and consternation as he spoke looking a bit shocked as he noticed the Obi covering her face, "Wakahisa-Sama, it's always a pleasure to see you. Is your father attempting to dress you up for Tanabata again? He does love seeing his only daughter wearing something other than your contemporary attire.<i></i>" the old man held both his hands against his cane, slightly shaking from his age. Had she not went with a few other people the man would have probably assumed she come for their monthly collection from the shop, the shop was one of many her family collected protection fees from within the Susukino district, but tonight was clearly different as she sat with a couple of younger Shinobi. For a moment she thought the old man was going to comment on her earlier statement of having someone fall for her, but while possibly senile the old man was not an idiot clearly avoiding the subject pretending he had heard nothing. "Hello, Shitateya-San. I'm actually here on personal business today, I would appreciate it if you kept it to yourself next you see Oyabun.<i></i>" it was habit for her to refer to her father by his rank, and it felt like a natural little fact-drop for Osu who still seemed unaware what her family did, seemed like a decent time to (falsely) inadvertently inform her friend of her familial status. Shitateya-San nodded quietly looking over to her two friends, "Of course, Wakahisa-Sama. I take it you and your friends have found everything to their liking? As per the usual any of your purchases will be comped, and I would be more than happy to prepare something personally for each of you. Tanabata is coming soon, and I would love to see the youth wearing more of my designs.<i></i>" despite the fact that he was no longer spry the old man could still tailor with the best of them.

Chiyoko chuckled lightly knowing that the man would be rather insistent upon making something for each of them, he had been tailoring her festival-wear since she was a babe, though she rarely actually wore them. In that time she had learned resistance was futile against the man, the best she could manage was to stave his intentions for a little while, "Shitateya-San, you and I both know you'll be making something for me against my will, but as far as my friends go that's up to them.<i></i>" the old tailor briefly chortled staring back toward Chiyoko, "I see you're as cheeky as ever young Wakahisa-San.<i></i>" his cane once again began clacking against the ground as he looked toward the other two, knowing that they both likely had no interest in changing again.

Her gaze returned to Nee-Chan as she briefly scanned his face to see if his expression had changed since she had blatantly admitted to being the daughter of the head of a fairly prominent Yakuza, she figured he was certainly smart enough to piece together everything in conjunction with her earlier statements. Hopefully he didn't think of her differently, but that was unlikely.
 
Hinote's eyes widened as the shop owner revealed that Chiyo-san was not only a member of the Wakahisa Yakuza, but that she was directly related to the clan itself.

"I'm afraid you are mista--" he tried to mask Chiyoko's identity before the girl cut him off and acknowledged the old man.

With a sigh, the boy went into the dressing room and changed into his less than traditional outfit before carrying the kimono and hakama combo to the counter.

"As much as I appreciate the offer, I'll pay for my own outfit," he told the owner as he fished an adequate amount of yen from his wallet. After the transaction was made, he looked back to see how Osu reacted to the revelation, frowning at how the inconvenient timing of Shitateya-san had forced the younger boy into an awkward position.

Knowing his presence, let alone his interference, would only exacerbate the situation, Hinote silently left the shop and walked home, wondering why the bond between Chiyo-san and Osu-chan had to become as complicated as the uneasiness between Chiyo-san and himself.

[Topic Left Unless Stopped]
 
Osuteno returned Chiyoko’s light hug and her grin slightly stronger, it seemed he had managed to cheer her up and he felt a sense of accomplishment. Something about her grin troubled him however, almost as if something was still wrong. Suddenly her face became more serious and for some inexplicable reason, Osu felt something bad in the pit of his stomach. It was much more difficult to hold on to the grin when Chiyoko’s was gone, yet he did as she began speaking. She stopped suddenly and Osu began saying, “There you go again Onee-san. Why do you keep saying you are trouble or an agitator?” That was when Osu noticed she was looking at someone behind them.

The old man was very well dressed to say the least from Osu's perspective. Sure it was rather conservative, but it was of fine make and material with a subtle pattern almost hidden in the fabric, tasteful. This man was more than worthy of respect if he was the owner, which was what Osu was suspecting from his attire and dignified manner. The kimono was a part of the man. To Osu's surprise the man started speaking to Chiyoko. Apparently the man was a friend of her father, as he spoke of the father's preference for her to be in traditional clothes much in the same way Chiyoko just did. At the very least they were on familiar terms, from the way the man spoke. Osu listened quietly throughout the conversation, trying not to pay it too much mind at first. And that was when he heard Chiyoko refer to the Oyabun... "Wait what was that?" Osu thought to himself not quite sure he heard her right. In context he thought she was saying she was the daughter of an Oyabun... but that could not be correct could it? He looked at Chiyoko unable to hide his surprise and concern. He had to have misheard it, Chiyoko was a shinobi... The only shinobi in a clan of a couple thousand in the Cronopolis.

Osu was not a fool. He was beginning to force himself to acknowledge what he had heard as correct. It simply made him more nervous, not of Chiyoko, but of her well-being... But she did say she was pretty close with her clan... of criminals. This was a bit much for Osu who had only recently put in the effort of learning facial expressions and he had no idea how to show whatever he was feeling at that moment, so his face became stoic and empty. This was a lot to sort through. Not but weeks before some yakuza tried to claim ownership of Osu as a plaything for his daughter's collection (whatever that was supposed to mean) and tried to kill his friends. That left a bad personal impression on Osu on exactly what sort of things yakuza would do if you simply walked in their line of sight.

Osu almost didn't notice the man asking indirectly how they were finding things. It would be rude not to say something. "You have an amazing selection Shitateya-San, though I am rather confused... by this particular outfit that is." That was nowhere near what one could call a close shave but hoped Chiyoko would not read too much into his slip and recover there. He was confused by her too though, so much so he didn't notice Hinote paying and departing. The kimono being comped, meant that... what? That it would be payment towards protection money or something? The old man didn't seem to mind that much but was he just wearing a face to hide that? Would the kimono be bought through extortion or dirty money? As he was thinking that however he noticed the old man had approached and was looking at him. It was then that Osu noticed at some point Hinote had left.

For a minute the two just stared at each other. Osu was quiet mostly because he was feeling a bit overloaded and didn't know what to say and he had a feeling the old man was sizing him up. Another minute passed with the 8-year-old and the old man simply staring at one another, Finally the old man spoke up "Are you the little... boy who has been playing around with using obi as bandages?" He asked casually glancing towards Chiyoko.

Osu did not know why but he was a little annoyed at the comment on his work and couldn't help himself when he replied, "Are you the old... man who created this creature I found hiding in a kimono shop?" Osu had even gone as far as mock the man's uncertainty of Osu's gender. This was very much unlike him to disrespect an elder so upfront, but Osu was growing upset from how confused he was. The two of them continued to lock gazes for a bit until the man started laughing.

Yes, well there was a rather annoying story behind that particular monstrosity, and it was too much effort to design and create to simply toss it out young Chigokai. Don't act so surprised. No one else has those blood filled eyes. Still, you are gentler than those I have met before, if only because you are not attempting to tear me apart from the inside for questioning you. I meant nothing by my comment on your handiwork, you must be a rather good doctor for one so young." He paused for a moment staring at it more. "But was it necessary for you to have knotted those two obi together?" the man asked with a bit of dismay.

That part was a fair point Osu thought begrudgingly, also looking at the obi on Chiyoko's face. It would have been better if he had stitched them together. It wouldn't ruin the material and would give a bit more length. His attention soon shifted from the accessory to Chiyoko's face. "I admit I could have treated the material with better care, but I was trying to get Onee-San to realize she is pretty." He blushed slightly as he said it. It was a bit embarrassing to explain that to someone else without it sounding odd. He almost swore that he saw the old man raise his eyebrow at him in the corner of his vision.

But Osu did not turn to the old man to confirm, instead he continued looking at Chiyoko. She was not suddenly any different from just minutes earlier. She was nice to him. She certainly did not act like a scary person. He did not really feel in a rush to ever meet her family, that much was certain. He could not help it. He could not help that he felt things were a bit weird, at the very least he would need to talk to her at some point about her being the daughter of the head of a criminal organization and exactly why she was a kunoichi, as much as he liked her he felt it was odd that the daughter of the Oyabun was a shinobi, someone who was expected to help keep the law, and they still apparently got along. He wasn't one to simply ignore things once he noticed them and felt that was a sort of lie he did not want marking his friendship with her. It was very likely that she was an inside person to help the yakuza stay clear of shinobi. He had no idea what he would say if that turned out to be truth, but he still needed to know if she meant the village any harm.

That would be a discussion in a more private setting though. For now the only thing he was absolutely sure of was that this girl in front of him was a nice onee-san, and that would be the understanding that he would act upon. "Are you sure about the kimono Onee-san? Part of the reason I was in such a rush to get here was so I could see you in clothes better suited for how pretty you are."​
 
Chiyoko pondered Osu's question for a moment, why did she try an continue to reinforce the stereotype that she was nothing more than a trouble maker? Hell, even at her young age she had done more for her country than others could claim to, losing her vision in an attempt to save a foreign dignitary from the clutches of Tenouzans and Jaegers only on the request of her Country. Still, that did not amount to being a good person, she was still a petty thief with a rap sheet that no one that young should possibly have, a litany of charges sat upon her and ensured that she would most likely gain any high standing in the Shinobi world. She had been deemed a trouble maker since her conception under the guise of the sins of the father passing down to the child. Which seemed to have proven true throughout her life span. It seemed, to her at least, that no matter what she did for her country, for her people, for her friends, and so on that she would never surpass her title of trouble maker. This was simply a harsh reality of the world, no matter how much your reformed criminal or former junkie tried to better themselves to attempt to change the perceptions of others it mattered not, they were still just that junk-bag or hood that used to steal Gyoza and electronics. Such was the world. In the end such opinions of others meant fuck all and the best course of actions for such people was to live for themselves in a pursuit of betterment, but our young Kunoichi still hadn't quite grasped that concept as well as she let on, as evidenced by her trepidation today. Though it didn't particularly help her case that she was still in the habit of stealing and philandering with other illegal activities, on most days she felt resigned to the fate of her title and acted accordingly. "Because I am.<i></i>" she replied reticently, the smile had returned to her face extruding her slight dimples. The smile while genuine seemed a bit tired, like one of an older midwife after a long day of work. Her arm tightened slightly along the young boy, before loosening again as she noticed the sound coming from behind her, along with the fact that for a brief moment she felt she was getting a tad bit too familiar with the young man which she felt to be a bit unbecoming of her for some reason or other.

The conversation between Shitateya-San and Chiyoko has the result she had initially expected, for a moment her good eye darted toward Hinote who insisted upon paying for his clothing and swiftly exiting the building to the dismay of Shitateya-San who simply shook his head briefly a bit disappointed that he would not get to test his designs on a young man. Of course the older man lingered on his thoughts for only a second before delving back into the conversation. Chiyoko all the while looked over to her young friend who seemed a little daunted by the news that the girl he was sitting beside was the daughter of what the public perceived to be a fairly bad man. His reaction was to be expected, everyone who didn't know was always frightened at first, and generally that fear would turn to concern and that concern to abhorrence. She hoped that this wouldn't be one of those times, but the young girl decided to keep her expectations low. She had found keeping low expectations to be a valid coping mechanism for being constantly shit on by people who didn't intimately know her, feeling that it was always preferable to see the lesser outcome as normal and the better outcome as a pleasant surprise.

The unfortunate moment of unease passed fairly quickly as Osu returned to speaking Shitateya-San asking about the abomination of a Kimono he had been parading around in only to be met by a silent stare from the old man, who then seemed intent on getting into a staring match with Osu. The old man had proved difficult to get along with others in the past, which was probably why he had never had any problems meshing with Chiyoko who often seemed to have a similar problem, they both had trouble playing with others so to speak. The old man's social aggressiveness kicked in once more as he asked the young boy, after taking a moment to deliberate on his sex, as he asked Osu rather pointedly if he had been the one to apply the Obi to Chiyoko's face, giving her a quick glance. Chiyoko fidgeted for a moment under the man's gaze along with the tense tone that had filled the room again as she thought about replying for her friend; however, before she could it seemed Osu took the initiative prodding the man back as they continued to lock eyes.

Quietly Chiyoko began to hold her breath awaiting for the locking of their eyes and the battle of their wills to subside exhaling fairly heavily as she heard the old man's laugh bringing them back into the realm of friendly discussion as the old man expounded on the monstrosity of a Kimono that Nee-Chan still sat in, how he seemed to know the boy was a Chigokai, and his chagrin that Nee-Chan had tied a couple of his Obi together.

Upon Osu's explanation she began to fidget again, though this time out of embarrassment as the two stared at her, with Osu still exclaiming that she was pretty, which she was still fairly uncomfortable with. Those statements were still fairly foreign to her, and once again she tried her best to suppress her blush, gazing up toward the ceiling to avoid eye contact with the two men. Of course Shitateya-San had to interject on the manner in his usual fashion, the dismay had been removed from his face as a rather jolly expression returned, "I've tried to get her to understand for years now, Chiyoko-Chan's actually had many attempted suitors over the past couple years, though she's too damn hard-headed to realize it! Plenty of boys fawning over her, even a couple girls I hear. Hell even my son -- <i></i>" Chiyoko's face had turned beet-red since the older man had started talking and she found herself now giving the man a death glare cutting off his speech from aggravation not even realizing that he had referred to her as 'Chiyoko-Chan' rather than 'Wakahisa-Sama', "Sh-Shut up, old man!<i></i>" she managed to get out squinting her eye closed in embarrassment only to hear his light laughter.

She returned to reality as her young friend asked if was sure about her choice in Kimono, only to jab her again with another compliment as her face remained a shade of crimson from Shitateya-San's earlier agitation along with Osu's seemingly constant flattery. For a moment she thought her brain was going to melt into a pile of mush from being overloaded by compliments, though she did manage to get her reply out, "Well, I mean, I guess I could try on a couple more, or I mean, we could, go for another walk? I mean, it's up to you. Uh, I'm having fun, so, whatever you want to do.<i></i>" her reply was actually a fair amount of jumbled words pausing after every couple seconds clearly befuddled by the situation. Hrrrng, her brain was pounding against her skull from the sheer confusion of what was going on. Of course Shitateya-San seemed to be enjoying himself as he continued to prod her a bit looking back over toward Osu, "So, should I alert Oyabun that his daughter has another admirer? Or, perhaps your brothers, Wakahisa-Sama?<i></i> the old man looked back toward Chiyoko with a slight chuckle enjoying the mortified look on her face.

Frantically she spoke unsure if he was joking despite his laughter, "For the love of all that is holy, man! Are you trying to get us all killed?!<i></i>" her questions were followed by more light laughter from the old man as he continued obviously having a bit of fun, "Maybe when they come in for their Tanabata-fittings I should inform them of your new found interest in boys.<i></i>" if her face could have grown anymore red it would have, but it seemed she was at maximum capacity. If this were a cartoon steam would have been shooting out of her ears as a train-whistle went off in the background. Realizing that she could no longer verbally battle with the old man she stared down toward her feet rubbing them against each other as a look of defeat settled over her features, letting out a faint "Shut up, old man.<i></i>" hoping her embarrassment would soon come to an end, buuuutttt that was unlikely.

[MFT]
 
Osuteno nodded knowingly while looking at Chiyoko as the old man explained how oblivious to how pretty others found her to be, at least until she shouted for him to shut up. Osu and the Shitateya were quickly coming to work off the same page concerning Chiyoko. He could not understand why she was so resistant to the idea that people could find her pretty. However, it could possibly stem from her not wanting to get too close to people and... no he was not going to psychoanalyze Chiyoko, in part because it would be a decade before he could even consider being certified and in part because he did not really feel that it was his place to take guesses at his friend's motivations and he should simply wait for her to open up more. When he asked her about trying on some more kimono Chiyoko, strangely enough she started speaking in a rather flustered, though positive, fashion. She was looking rather red too. He simply nodded at her willingness to try on a few more kimono and went over to look at the patterns they had on display while she and the owner had a quite conversation.

There was quite a bit of laughter coming from the old man as Osu looked at some flowery patterns and compared them. He did turn around when he heard something about everyone being killed but didn't see anything that would suggest any immediate danger. As he picked through the kimono designs he could hear bits of what Shitateya said but nothing particularly meaningful. He had heard her family mentioned for some reason. And their conversation got a lot quieter. Osu was doing is best not to listen to anyone's blood-flow but he couldn't help but notice Chiyoko's heartbeat was odd. "Oh I hope Onee-san isn't beginning to feel unwell," he thought to himself. He had not realized that the things that were slightly embarrassed him to say were apparently a lot more embarrassing to be on the receiving end of.

As he picked through the yukatas absentmindedly rating them, he thought about the questions he should take the time to discuss with his model. There was quite a bit to discuss just about her being a yakuza boss's daughter. Of course he was the last person who needed to question another person's family circumstances. He had plenty of new found problems of his own concerning his clan. He had to make sure he did nothing to bring shame to the clan that took him in. There were also certain important details of his life he possibly had to give up his control over, not that he was against those sacrifices in exchange for a family. Before he learned of his bloodline and his clan he had never put too much thought into families. He was well cared for at the orphanage and by many of the shopkeepers in the Seki Market District. Discovering there were people he was related to by blood had been a shock and the events of the last couple months from his numerous training sessions in the clan jutsu, the social training, and all of the lessons about the clan's bloody and influential history reaching all the way back to ancient Kumo had not given him much time between his normal shinobi and medical training to get used to any of it or even make any headway in getting to know his cousins.

It was odd that this was only his second meeting with Chiyoko and he was already on better terms with her than he was his relatives. He couldn't put his finger on it but he felt she and he were pretty similar for some reason besides purple hair. He looked back at the crimson face that seemed to denote a very high fever. "Chiyoko Onne-san are you alright? You aren't feeling feverish are you?" He put the patterns back and quickly rushed over to her where he first put a hand on both of their foreheads for comparison. Odd, she didn't feel feverish. He placed his forehead directly on hers to make sure. "Strange, you don't feel feverish." He heard the old man start laughing again for some reason.

"Perhaps it would be best for us to continue this fitting another day young Chigokai," the old man had an odd smile on his face, "You should escort Chiyoko-Chan and get her some fresh air. It is a fine evening for two young people to go on a walk together. You should be careful when dealing with an older girl, young man, they can be quite tricky."

What did that mean? "Uh right, I guess." He looked down at the abomination he had just remembered he was wearing. Sadly he knew he could not part with the sin against kimono everywhere. A plague on western culture and the mockery it made of traditional aesthetics. "We will be purchasing the clothing we are wearing." Shitateya seemed both shocked and relieved that Osu was taking the shocking fusion of culture out of his shop. Osu began to get out his own pouch of money when he remembered that Chiyoko had been planning to give him one as a gift, though he still questioned the deal involving the kimono being comped. He paused for a minute and looked at Chiyoko before closing his eyes and nodding twice in a sagely fashion which did not suit him. "Onee-san!" Osu said with a voice of adorable authority while pointing at her. He was trying to channel that over confident and commanding personality of his that showed up from time to time with limited success. "Even though I did not win that game you still offered me a kimono as a prize, so I offer a compromise. I would not call this clothing I am wearing a kimono, thus I will purchase it myself. Instead I want my prize to be the kimono you are wearing and for you to wear it when we meet up to hang out! It is fine if you want to dress in combat clothing all day and not act very girly, but as long as I, Chigokai Osuteno, am around I will not let you believe yourself to be less pretty than you are, if I have to tell you myself!" He was looking straight into her eye as he said it, not knowing what declarations like that usually implied.

This attitude was brought to the moment in part by the result of years of work by female shopkeepers and their daughters right there in the Seki District, in their effort to turn the young orphan into an ideal gentleman. At least that was the original goal, though the current product was the perfect little sister who just happened to be a boy. Though many of those women would quite honestly be distraught if they learned that their little Osu-chan was fraternizing with the daughter of a yakuza boss. Shitateya on the other hand was currently laughing so hard he seemed to be in a bit of pain while the female assistant and the old woman from earlier were currently gushing over how adorable Osu and his little declaration was. Yes, if Chiyoko had not had enough cause to be embarrassed before, she certainly did now as the young girly boy settled payment, sealed the spare possessions in a small scroll he had on hand, and escorted Chiyoko locking his arm with hers, looking for all the world like a little girl pulling her elder sister out to the market to play, eat and shop.​
 
The conversation between Shitateya-San and Chiquita began to die down as the young Chigokai returned into the fold questioning her health, she had been acting a bit sporadically for the past few minutes which for someone so young innocent meant they were probably ill. Which Chiyoko thought she might be ill as his small hand touched against her forehead, admittedly it took a damn good amount of her willpower not recoil backward and lay the poor boy out with a left straight to the face. It was still very unusual for anyone outside of her family to touch her without the young woman initiating contact, it was sort of a no-no. "I'm feeling fine!<i></i>" she replied in an octave a bit higher than she had wanted, though that was more due to the fact that Nee-Chan had taken it upon himself to move in a bit closer toward her, making the young woman incredibly unsure of what he was about to do. The urge to punch him in the face returned, as did her inclination to not act on her thoughts. Her one eye widened dramatically as he briefly pressed his forehead against her own, had her skin been biologically able to become any redder than it was in the past few minutes there would be no doubt that it would have, but her blush was already at maximum capacity. What the Hell is going on right now? The pain-killers from the hospital are fucking with my brain, making me feel all mushy. Get it together, Chiyoko!<i></i> She thought to herself as Nee-Chan retracted his forehead from hers and uttered that she didn't feel feverish, "No shit.<i></i>" she replied through a heavy sigh before wiping a single bead of sweat from her brow as Shitateya-San and Osu spoke.

She noticed the old man speak about the dangers of older women causing her to immediately shoot him a terse look sticking her tongue out childishly, obviously trying to recover from her apparent embarrassment. For a moment she thought of how she would reply to his slight, it was in her normal manner to chide him on the fact that he probably hadn't been around a woman of any type in the last twenty years while throwing in some colorful slang and swearing, but as she finished her internal planning Nee-Chan's voiced called out to her. "Huh, what?<i></i>" She asked somewhat confused as she had found herself lost in thought only a second before, all the while the blush on her face began to retreat, though her cheeks were still a rosy pink. Her eye momentarily stared down toward the small finger that pointed toward her before returning to looking toward his eyes, alternating every couple of seconds with her one, as Osu began his speech.

The young boy was cute, but now he was trying a bit too hard. Her smile returned as the feeling that she had gained the upper-hand in the conversation returned to her, she would have to let him know her thoughts on his prose. "You know you're a cute kid, Nee-Chan. You're trying a bit too hard though, honestly I'd rather talk about how dashing you look in that not-quite-Kimono. Well, I don't know if dashing is the right word, more like adorable.<i></i> she joked a bit, smiling as she did so. While the Chigokai was in fact trying a bit too hard she still found it be endearing in the way only such an innocent young man could, he seemed to mean those words. Honesty, children were honest to a fault, and it seemed the one before her was no different.

While Osu managed to seal his spare items away she did not have the same luxury, preparedness was not one of her specialties, instead one of the shop-hands took a moment from her laughter with the others to grab the young woman a large bag to hold her items. For a moment she contemplated leaving the Obi over her dressings, but felt it was a bit too much to walk the streets with it, if she managed to run into her brothers it would be hard enough to explain the Yukata and the stray Chigokai, the Obi would be near impossible. So with a fair amount of quickness she removed the sash from her face, placing the sash into her bag, she would of course be keeping it as a reminder of fond memories, a keepsake of sorts. Hopefully she wouldn't receive any resistance from Nee-Chan about her removal of the Sash, she doubted he would take issue with it as the majority of her ensemble persisted.

Happily she locked arms with the young Chigokai exiting the store, but not before sneaking of a quick shooting middle-finger to the old tailor and all the store-hands who had been giggling for the last few minutes. Shitateya-San gave her a brief goodbye through his scratchy voice, "I'll see you for your Tanabata fittings later, Wakahisa-Sama. Try not to get into too much trouble.<i></i>" any conversation of payment was virtually nonexistent, as he had stated earlier her Kimono was comped. If her friends wanted to pay that was up to them, he couldn't force them to take his works for free.

Upon exiting the store the young woman stopped abruptly as an unfortunate addiction wracked her brain, fuck you advanced metabolism! "Hope you don't mind.<i></i>" She stated absentmindedly, half sure she was about to receive a lecture as all the rest of the medical troupe loved to give. Oh, you'll get COPD! Oh, you'll get Leukemia! As if Shinobi weren't prone to die early from being stabbed in the face... Since her trip to Swamp-Country her choice in cigarettes had changed, the last ones she had received had been from a Tenouzan, one of the few good ones, who died in his line of duty. Pulling the black and silver paper package from her bag she briefly examined the design, reading the name splayed across the top 'Lightning Spirit'. A silhouette of a man with a bolt of lightning shooting into his palm outlined the box. They were far more expensive than most of the others at the local store, but she felt they were worth the extra Yen. With a bit of difficulty she pinched the sponge bringing the cigarette toward her lips, a small flame emanated from the pinky of her left hand lighting the Joe.

The blue smoke moved rhythmically escaping from between her lips as the young girl spoke, "So, Nee-Chan, what do you want to do? The night is young, and while I do love a good drink I don't think anyone would let you have any booze, so that means we can't exactly go have drinks, or something like that...<i></i>" why her mind immediately moved to alcohol she did not know, probably the influence of a certain mentally-unbalanced someone she knew... "There's an arcade around here somewhere. You know, the one with the crappy goldfish game, the one where you have the little scooper. They have other things too.<i></i>" She tried her best to sound unamused at her prospects but that was nothing more than a facade, arcades were fun and she was still a child. Quickly she tapped the ash of the cigarette, sending an ashen snow onto the ground before returning the smoke between her lips drawing lightly upon it.

[MFT]
 
Osu didn't really know what she meant by trying to hard but he got the feeling she was feeling a bit better now. She wasn't as flushed at the very least. If it looked like she was getting ill again he would have to call the hospital on his headset and get the information on her prescription to make sure it wasn't a side effect. He was distracted by her comment of him being less dashing than adorable. That bothered him a bit. Men weren't supposed to be adorable, they were supposed to be dashing and tough. Osu looked at himself briefly in the mirror trying to see how she could get that impression. Was there something he just wasn't seeing he thought to himself as he had many times before, always failing to notice the person before him looked like sugar, spice and everything nice combined together to make the perfect little girl (though if some professor somewhere created him then he accidentally dropped a bit of chemical crazy into the bucket but that is a different story). He waited as Chiyoko got her things together and might have been a bit disappointed when she removed the obi, though she did decide to keep it. They then went out to have fun in the market.

As soon as they stepped outside the door though Chiyoko lit up a cigarette. Osu simply sighed. He was used to seeing quite a number of people from the main branch smoking, including people around onee-san's age. It seemed as if they handed them a pack the moment they joined or something. That and a bottle. Almost every last main branch member he knew, regardless of age smoke and/or drank, typically both. Chances were they Chiyoko probably also drank and... yes there it is. And she was definitely right, very few places would let him have alcohol, as well they should not considering he was nine. Well alcohol wasn't that bad admittedly. A glass of something like red wine actually had a few health benefits if one limited themselves to a few ounces. Even Osu had had a little at Aunt Manane's dinners though he didn't really remember much of what happened afterwards. Smoking on the other hand had absolutely nothing going for it. It was one of the worst things a person could do to their bodies. But he had given this lecture a number of times only to be met with a pat on the head, the other person saying they know and watch them continue smoking anyway. That was the thing he didn't get, they KNOW what it will do to them and they do it anyway. So he said nothing about it to Chiyoko. It would simply waste time and spoil the fun atmosphere. He did feel a bit like marching into the Main Branch Sennin's office and giving him a piece of his mind concerning the environment that his branch has that encourages such self-harming behavior even among their youngest members. Even his cousins... Wait... did she mention arcade games?
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Osu was so excited he forgot to force his mouth to match his emotions. It was hard being a born stoic sometimes. "Onee-san we should go to the arcade," he said with his eyes sparkling. He was still a little kid despite everything and fairs and games were still obviously exciting prospects. Competitions of skill and technique where you were rewarded with prizes for your efforts were more than exciting for the young shinobi. Perhaps too exciting. Osu had not been to a fair like setting in quite some time, not since before he began his shinobi training, including all the training he had with ranged and projectile taijutsu. Osu would not know how to hold back.​

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A couple blocks away, two men were setting up a cork rifle stand. It was the latest business venture for the rather drunk man who was fumbling around trying to put the prizes that also served as targets on shelves in the back. "I told you we should not have gone drinking before coming here," said the more reasonable but rather boring member of the pair. "Ah shut your yap, it's fine. Besides, if we don't set up every night and sucker so many people out of their money we will lose money on the permit fees." Arcade stalls typically were not big money and had a bit of a start up cost. In really busy areas like this one though, owning at least one allowed someone to earn enough money for food and booze all while sitting on your ass for a few hours taunting people. It was as good as a scam as most and perfectly legal. As the drunk one finished putting the exciting variety of prizes on the shelf (most of which were too heavy to be knocked off a shelf with a cork rifle) the drunk heard the people in the stall next door speaking. He couldn't make out distinct voices for various reasons but he could hear what was being said. "Something feels odd tonight, I can feel it in my gut and I have been doing this for 20 years so trust it I shall. We have almost met our quota so as soon as we do we are closing up. Don't question me just do it." The drunk laughed a bit. "Old people are all nutters. I can feel it in my bones ~ohh. Hah! That is some funny stuff. Welp time to taunt some kids and idiots into wasting money."​

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Hopping back to our heroes, Osu was very excited as the two walked along and had been speaking for a few minutes about the excting things people could do at an arcade, "We can get those weird sugar cotton cloud things, win toys and prizes, and even pets! My favorite game is the strength test with the hammer which lets me see just how strong I am, though I never do very well. What are you excited about doing Onee-san? Do you have a favorite game?" It wasn't all about what he wanted to do after all, everyone could have fun at an arcade though it might be less exciting to big people. He hoped Chiyoko wasn't going to be bored, he would hate to have fun if she wasn't having any. Though it was hard to hide is excitement as the arcade came into sight.

With as populated this district was the arcade always looked like a festival for a decent sized town (though true Kumogakuran festivals often went way over the top). Goods stalls and food vendors filled the streets along with a whole host of games for people to enjoy. Within just a few steps into the arcade area the intensity of the sparkle in Osu's eyes increased. He really, REALLY liked fair type things."Onee-san, you should pick the first games, where should we go first?" He asked, not having let go of her arm the entire time. He was looking all over at the other kids running around and the bigger people walking leisurely about.
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The look on his face, Chiyoko stared at the young Chigokai for a moment trying to determine whether he was excited or not, thinking about it for a moment the boy had always seemed a bit unemotional. He had obviously been excited about going to the tailor earlier, and from what she could tell he looked to be excited at the prospect of going to arcades now, she had made a good choice bringing it up. The arcades by and large barred Shinobi from entering the games of skill or chance, though, as they were seen to have an unfair advantage that the normal populace did not, which was largely true. So, if they were going to play they would simply have to put up a little white lie about their identities, the prospect shouldn't be too terribly difficult, she didn't carry her hitai-ate with her, and by and large she was only known as a Wakahisa-goon. Osu looked far too unassuming for anyone to assume he was a Shinobi, or so she thought.

A plan formed in the depths of her mind as she tossed her burnt out cigarette off to the side littering the street; it would be simple enough for the young Osu to pose as her imouto, er her little brother rather, she was still having a bit of a difficult time with the fact that the little she was actually a little he. No one would likely question such a young fellow who seemed to be escorting his rather mangled sister, or friend, to have a bit of fun at the local fair. The only issue here was to get the young man to go along with her plans, unsure of how he would react to potentially having to lie to basically cheat on some cheap games. "Alright the fair it is, but you know they're not too keen on Kunoichi playing the games, so we might have to tell a bit of a white lie.<i></i>" She paused for a moment realizing that she had just referred to both of them as Kunoichi, whoops. "I think you can pass as my Imouto, er not Imouto, my little brother. Or my friend, or something. Cheering up your older friend who got hit in the face by a stray steak knife, some sob story like that.<i></i> Or the people there could not ask at all, that was as likely an option as any other.

A few minutes passed as the two walked together and Osu's excitement seemed to be becoming more prevalent by the second as he expounded about fairs and how much he loved them, he was adorable as ever. Chiquita held her bright smile nodding as he spoke of Cotton-Candy, pets, and prizes, laughing slightly as he explained his troubles with the games of strength. For a few moments she thought he would be absolutely charming in a few years, though sadly outside of her age-range before replying to his question of her favorite games, "I like 'em all, big fan of the goldfish one. Won a big-ass solid black one last time I played, thing grew to be like a foot long! Used to feed it table scraps.<i></i>" she momentarily extended her arms to show the length of her former pet, lightly chuckling as she did. "To be honest with you I'm pretty good at most of these fair games, all of them are slanted more in the owners favor, but they all have little ways to improve your chances of winning.<i></i>" She stopped herself feeling as if she was going on a bit of a tangent, her mind worked in some truly odd ways on occasion, in fact it was currently filled with the facts on how to game the systems of the carnival games. It took a few seconds to push the thoughts away as the pair grew ever closer to the arcades.

She could feel the young man tugging at her sleeve from the excitement, asking where she wanted to go first as she spied a couple of men at a cork-rifle stand, they seemed to be discussing something or other and one seemed particularly hammered. He was clearly holding himself up against the shelves holding the prizes as he put them up, looking like a mild breeze could push him over. "Let's go shoot, after that we can go get some fried fair foods. They'll probably clog our arteries, but they're totally worth it.<i></i>" The young girl wanted to practice firing to get a feel on how her lack of depth perception could potentially effect her future endeavors, firing a gun at some targets seemed to be a good start at coping with her new-found disability.

Dragging Osu over toward the stall with her she put on an air of false timidity, her eyes darted from the drunk man to the sober one before finding the sign stating the price and rules of the game. They seemed simple enough, 475 Yen and five shots per try, the prizes must be fully knocked off the shelf, and at the end of each turn the prizes that haven't been knocked down will be returned to their previous place. Her gaze found it's way back to the sober man as he began to welcome them, though before he could formally do so the young girl spoke in a mouse-like tone, "Four tries, please. Two for me, two for my Imouto.<i></i>" quickly and quietly she dug into her coin purse obtaining 1900 Yen with an odd quickness. The sober man stared at the two briefly, confused at the situation that was upon him, but quickly accepted the money as his drunken friend sat in the chair beside him, obviously holding back the chance of chiding the girl about putting another out with a gun as he sat giggling to himself. Chiyoko ignored the fellow staring at the prizes on the shelf, a large, the ones you see people toting about with two hands like gigantic idiots, silver-back gorilla sat on the farthest shelves surrounded by a bunch of other plushies, though she had already set her mind upon that one.

The sober man stood from his seat moving over toward the cork gun, which was attached to the booth by a chain that extended a couple of feet allowing the customer to move around a bit and get a bit more comfortable with the weapon. "Know how to use this? It's about as heavy as a real one.<i></i>" he stated picking up the gun and handing it to Chiquita who had sat her bag beside her noting the weight of the weapon as it rested a bit heavier than expected in her arms, she had fired air rifles on several occasions and was somewhat proficient with fire-arms when she had full vision. Lifting the gun and staring toward the cork end she stated, "That's the end that shoots. The other end has the trigger.<i></i>" obviously. The sober man nodded sitting back in his chair and whispering to his drunken partner, having a half-blind girl come and fire a few rounds off wasn't likely a normal affair for these fellows.

It would be suspicious if she started off using a few of her Shinobi tricks to win, besides she didn't know if she could even hit the Gorilla with her bum eye. So the first five attempts would be set on actually trying to hit the damned thing, the second five would of course be set on knocking the stuffed animal off. Resting the butt against her should she looked down the sight, though she could already tell her perception was skewed as everything seemed slightly off as she focused down the sight, the fingers of her left hand still squeezed against the trigger. The first shot popped off around a foot to the left of her initial target, internally she made her recalculations. So, if I move it a bit to the right each time eventually I'll get a feel for it. Shouldn't be too hard.<i></i> Each shot moved her a little closer to her target, while her practice wasn't the most scientific it seemed to work. The fifth shot hit her target knocking the gorilla back an inch, teetering a bit. Holding the gun in her left hand she pumped her still bandaged right hand in victory, she had managed to hit it once. Both of the men laughed slightly amused at her excitement of hitting the target as the sober man chided, "Three more goes, kid.<i></i>" he nudged his drunk buddy who seemed to be giggling a bit too hard at the spectacle.

Getting the Gorilla would be even better as the two idiots sat and laughed, the easiest course of action would to be win it in two shots or so, but that would be a bit too suspicious. Instead she would opt for the full five shots, thinking as the drunk man placed the Gorilla back into it's original spot as it had moved an inch or so from her one successful shot. The best thing about having a control over Gravity was that it was an invisible force, something that on an average day no one even thought of. It was something that was simply there, something that was unchanging; however, today it would be changing. While she was still no expert on her newest found skill she could tip the odds of certain situations with her new found Element, and this was one of those situations.

The first shot hit the gorilla, skimming off the top of his head and wobbling the beast slightly. Her eye sparkled with the potential of winning the animal, and she found herself so in her zone that she did not realize a young hood was eyeing her bag from the next stall over, no doubt he was one of the unluckiest bag-snatchers in Kumogakure as he didn't realize that the two in the shooting-booth were both trained Shinobi. The second shot hit the left side of the Gorilla, causing it to lean slightly as the side peered ever so slightly off the front edge. The bag snatcher looked from side to side as he continued to look toward Chiquita's bag, trying and failing to look as inconspicuously as possible. It was time for her third shot and time to employ a bit of Gravity manipulation, the shot landed hitting the gorilla in the side of it's head as it teetered again, moving ever closer to the front edge with the assistance of a little pulling from her Gravity skills. It was during the fourth shot she realized that purse-snatcher intended to grab her items and go, her hands clenched a bit tighter against the rifle knowing full well that one good blast from the butt would teach the man not to steal from a Kunoichi, and a Yakuza to boot. Once again the shot in conjunction with her bit of cheating caused the stuffed gorilla to move forward to the shock of both of the men who she thought could only be thinking that this was some of the luckiest shooting they had ever seen, it wasn't like she could really cheat at this, right? Well, not really, but they didn't know that.

The bag snatcher rushed toward his goal as she fired her final shot, pulling the gorilla from the shelf, quickly she closed her eye and forced a heavy smile upon her face, hoping that she had timed this stupid ass idea right. "Yeah!<i></i>" in what looked like a fit of excitement the young woman swung the Rifle as best she could despite the tethering to the booth, having just enough range to 'accidentally' smash the piss out of the thief with it's stock. A slight shock-wave reverberated through her arms indicating that she had hit her target, along with a loud HMMPPHH and an odd knocking sound. A look of mock confusion settled over her features as she opened her eye, looking down at the thief who was sprawled out on the ground clutching his mouth. The drunk booth owner shot from his seat out of excitement looking down at the thief and yelling, "GOD DAMN! You knocked out his teef!<i></i>" the drunkard pointed down toward the ground observing a couple of canines and molars beside the boy before continuing, "Damn, that's going to be one hell of a dentist bill!<i></i>" while she hadn't wanted to knock the thief that bad, such situations were a possibility when you tried to steal things from someone holding a heavy bludgeoning weapon.

Her mock look of confusion continued as she sat the rifle down upon the counter, both booth owners had stepped over the man to observe him, the sober one had grabbed him a rag filled with ice and handed it over as the young thief sat in pain awaiting the village guards to come and take him to the cooler. Her gaze changed from the thief and moved toward Osu, "Ouch.<i></i>" was all she could think of cringing slightly. Making her way away from the thief she picked up her giant gorilla from the ground behind the booth, pleased with herself. Hell, they still had two more attempts.

After the situation with the bag thief settled Chiquita stood looking over toward Osu, slightly shrugging her shoulders at the situation, she wouldn't be letting some idiot dampen her mood. Besides, she wanted to see if the young Osu would have the same amount of success in the games as she did, or would she have to give him a little secret help.
 
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