Quarter To... (open topick!)

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke face palmed as he sat in his wheel chair listening to the anbu's report. This was a murder scene and the evidence wasn't deeply looked into. The Steward looked up at the Anbu who was trying his best to describe the scene. Sousuke lowered his hand and wheeled himself over to the thick strip of tape. He looked at the scene. A vicious triple homicide with a crater in the middle of the street. Two bodies in the crater, and one outside of it.

If it weren't for his legs being broken, he would have gotten up and had a closer look, but no. His legs were useless to him for the time being, unless he used his armour. With the Mark I's drastic change in appearance, Sousuke thought it would better if he didn't scare people with his slightly more grim and darker armour appearance. Sousuke looked at the scene and folded his arms. "The crater is three meters, and with a depth of one and a half. The technique used was not the killer's maximum potential. I suspect that the person was trying to be discreet, but was forced to handle the situation with ... "<i></i> He paused as he looked. Sousuke's eyes narrowed. Well. Someone had to get down and dirty.

***

The Steward crawled about in the crater. The bodies had been removed with Sousuke's instruction so as to not have the evidence destroyed. As he made his analysis he was dictating observations. The Anbu outside of the pit were making notes. "Shadow-grade explosion, timed with three quarters flame technique. I think this was more of an explosive device than a technique."<i></i> Sousuke crawled about more. His wheel chair was now positioned just above the crater. "Did I say flame technique? No. this angle here was from an explosive note detonation. It's a dark displacement of explosive notes strapped to a source. The source was what detonated the e-notes. I'm thinking it must have been a flare core."<i></i>

***

Twenty minutes later an anbu team was dispatched to find and locate an illegal weapons dealer who sold flare cores. Sousuke's instructions were to capture him, and have him ready for questioning. The Steward wheeled himself down the street. He looked tired, but that was mainly because he crawled out of the pit and put himself back into his wheel chair instead of asking the Anbu to help him. "Once you find the arms dealer probably the one in the Red Light District, check his records. Check his last six transactions. Flare cores are legal, but the applications are few and far between. In the sense that if you're not using a flare core as a power source, you're using it to make a bomb."<i></i> The Steward explained to the anbu at his side.

"Sir. Would you like me to accompany you to your next appointment." The anbu asked.

"No that's fine. It's 6:42am, and I need to break my fast."<i></i> Sousuke then gave the anbu an observatory glance. "You have a red stain on your robes. When I was in the pit you and some of your men broke your fast with those pastries from forty-two and Oak. I wish you saved me one, but no matter. Are they really worth the yen?"<i></i> The Anbu looked left and then right and nodded his head. Following that came an apology. "It's fine. Save one for me next time. I would very much like to try one."<i></i> The anbu nodded his head. "Tell me what they find at that arm's dealer."<i></i> Another nod of the head and the anbu was off.

Now then. Where to go? Where to dine this fine early morning? Was it even with in the Steward's budget to dine here?

 

[Suika]

“So I'm sailing through the sea~”</B><i></i> sang a pink-eyed, white-haired one-legged boy as he strolled down the fancy and decorated paved roads of the Desert Crown, “to an island where we'll meeeet~”

It was the butt crack of morning and most shops were barely opening. The smell of fresh coffee beans being ground and boiled filled the district's atmosphere with a warm, morning aroma. Bakeries fresh breads were being put to display, and restaurant were opening their doors for breakfast. It was this time in the day that life was breathed into the Desert Crown. It was a fun sight to see.

Despite this, it was early. Although it was impossible to really determine this due to the village's constant underground lighting, most went by the time. 6:30 AM wasn't too early for most, but for a ten-year old kid with a broken leg, it might as well be 4:00 AM.

Why was he up so early anyway?

Maji had a mission! It wasn't one assigned by the Steward or the village. No, this was his own personal task. He sought out, as the winter party drew closer and closer, to find Okibi the perfect gift. The boy was aware that the shopping districts here were a bit pricy, but he had saved all his mission and chore earnings to pick out something nice for his dog-woman caretaker and friend. She had done so much for him, it was the least he could do. Waking up early was worth it – he'd have a better chance of finding more worthwhile deals at this time of day.

As he continued to walk down the paved roads on crutches with his leg in a cast and Ippin (butterfly lizard Sousuke gave him!) on his shoulder, they made their way deeper into the classy area. Everything was decorated so nicely. Maji's eyes sparked and mouth fell agape in awe of the detailed and refined ornaments and colorful lights that were adorned everywhere. Every shop and restaurant, even the roads and light stands, were embellished with Christmas and winter decorations. It was a season of good cheer.

As Maji made his way, his stomach growled. At that moment, he realized he should have ate before he came. Restaurants were expensive here, so that'd blow a chunk out of his savings towards the gift he wanted to buy. “Ippin, let's go find somewhere inexpensive to eat. If that's possible...” his face contorted slightly into an expression that was filled with mixed with shallow emotion. While he was happy he was here, he really didn't want to spend too much of his cash.

As he looked around for a restaurant that appeared pleasing, he spotted something familiar within his peripheral scope. A flash of purple hair and yellow eyes – he sat on a rolling chair. Wait, Sousuke? Maji's ears perked and he shifted his body, with the use of crafty crutch movement, towards the man. He then, enthusiastically, made his way over towards the man that opened his home for him. He smiled and shouted.

<B>“Sou-kun, good morning!”<i></i> he tried to wave as he walked, but his crutches made it awkward. He ignored it and paced himself closer to the man. He finally made it before him. “Hey, Sou-kun, what brings you out here so early?”<i></i> he asked with a small, pleased grin. He was excited to see a familiar soul and was even more stoked that it was Sousuke. He had been meaning to spend more time with him, but he always was busy. Ippin fluttered her wings with rejoice from the sight of her creator. She was obviously happy to see the purple-haired village leader, too.

Despite this fated encounter, Maji's stomach growled aloud again. He bit his lip. He'd need to get food soon, and fast. Maybe Sousuke would join him?

 

[Uri]

The village hidden in the sand was an odd combination of ingenuity, modern engineering, and good old-fashioned stonework, but despite all of these things there was still the occasional mishap that needed fixing. Ever since getting back into the village, Uri had almost become the village's caretaker, being called all over to help fix, patch, or build whatever was old, degrading, or destroyed. He had toyed with the idea of getting a pair of blue overalls and a box cap to really cement (Ha, architect pun) the unofficial job title. These jobs usually had him up much earlier than most people and before businesses were open, which was good because no one liked to see a shop in disrepair, especially those who frequented the more ritzy Desert Crown area.

At a local tailors, they had a serious crack working its way up the way of their workshop and put in a request for it to be fixed. Normally, this would have been a much greater feat, but since Uri had a unique way of working with stone and minerals, fixing it hadn't been anywhere near the issue they had anticipated. So much so, that they had given him a tip for being so swift in his labor. While being a repairman or janitor wasn't glorious work, Uri didn't mind doing the more menial chores others hated. They allowed him to keep perspective and to remain humble in his work, which ultimately was to serve others.

As he was exiting the store, hefting his satchel over his form, he heard a familiar name called out. The irony of it was that this person hated nicknames or abbreviations, but the chances of it being him over anyone else was just as good. Looking around it took Uri only a moment to spot the two handicapped people near one another. The sight was unusual in itself, but even more so that they would both be out this early; or in Sousuke's case out in the Desert Crown at all. It didn't seem like his kind of place. Too extravagant.

Retrieving a box of pocky from his inside coat pocket, he stuck the cherry-flavored candy between his lips and headed on over. A wide-swinging wave, he called out to the Steward, the stick bobbing dangerously close to the edge of his mouth, "Sousuke-kun!"<i></i> A short jog later and he was standing near the two infirm villagers, "Ohaiyo! What brings you two-"<i></i> He stopped and eyed the reptile handing from the boy's shoulder, "You three to the Desert Crown so early this fine morn?"<i></i>

 

[Takahashi Aki]

"Salutations Maji."<i></i> Sousuke would stop as he heard his ward call him by a nickname. Sousuke was quite sure that only a few people in Suna could call him by his proper name. Maji was not one of them. Such was evidenced by the use of the nick name. Sousuke heard the question, and spent a moment trying to figure out how best to explain to the boy that he was investigating a triple murder, and that he had to get down and dirty to analyze the crime scene. Before he could answer Uri had not dropped by and joined them. He noticed that Uri had an interest in Ippin. "Ah. Salutations Uri. This is my Ward Maji, and his ... companion... Ippin."<i></i> He was going to say pet, but the word pet was taken as an offensive. "Ippin was a toy I made for Maji, but then a certain someone who will remain nameless starting touching some of my experimental equipment ... and both Ippin and Kitchy were subjected to photonic bio-plasma rays and were converted to organic beings. In the case of Ippin she maintained her original form. Kitchy ... did not. Kitchy is now a grey husky... who is still getting used to her new form. She is not quite used to a quad-pedal form over a bi-pedal form."<i></i> As if on a sort of cue, said husky appeared. Kitchy began to charge at Sousuke, and mid charge she seemed to have absently forgotten her front legs, and she fell over. Sousuke's eyes widen, but soon enough the husky took off again, and made it to him. The husky let out a series of barks and popped up on her hind legs with her front paws on Sousuke's knees. "Spying on me girl?"<i></i> He would ask as she rubbed her ears.

"This morning..."<i></i> Sousuke would left to Uri, and then to Maji. He could tell Uri the truth, but Maji ... was still too young. "I was asked by the Anbu to consult upon a mystery."<i></i> Sousuke spoke finally finding an answer he found to be satisfactory. "Now that I have consulted them ... I am now attempting to..."<i></i> Maji's stomach growled. "Break my fast, which I would think that Maji would like to do too."<i></i>

 

[Suika]

As Sousuke greeted Maji, the boy tried not to focus on the hunger that resided loudly within him. He just nodded it off and grinned as if he didn't have the urge to viciously engulf a horse right now. As he awaited a response towards his given query, a chipper and cheerful white-haired man entered the scene. He wasn't temporarily physically-impaired like the Steward and Maji were, but Maji thought it was nice. Broken legs weren't fun and he didn't wish that fate upon anyone.

The man had interesting characteristics. He was pretty tall, well, to Maji he was. He was slightly taller than his purple-haired caretaker and had a burst of moppy white hair. The boy's pink-eyes sparkled with a coating of curiosity and satisfaction; he had never met anyone except for Okibi who, under the age of 40 and wasn't albino, had that specific hair color, or rather, lack of it. It was fun to see. He smiled cheerfully at the sucker-sucking male as Sousuke identified him as Uri and introduced him.

“Yup, I'm Maji. Nice to meet you, Ur-kun!”</B><i></i> Despite the shortness of his name, Maji had still nicknamed him. He had a nasty habit of doing so.

As Sousuke explained how Ippin's existence came to be, the lizard butterfly fluttered her wings in excitement and hopped on top of the student's head. Maji grinned and glanced upward. “She's so appreciative of you, too, Sou-kun. As am I.” Ever since Ippin had came into his life, there was never a dull moment. She always encouraged him when he was low and always made him feel as if he had a companion. He cherished her greatly and was eternally grateful towards Sousuke for gifting her to him.

Ippin's attention shifted towards Uri and she let out an exotic and excited reptilian growl of some sort. It was her way of greeting herself and expressing her happiness. Maji chuckled lightly in response.

Suddenly, Kitchenzilla popped out of no where and lunged at Sousuke. She was to the Steward that Ippin was to the boy. This, too, brought him warm feelings and a delighted expression. He wasn't too sure if he bought the story that she was once some type of robotic being, but he just went with it. The purple-haired Steward was a genius, after all, so it seemed plausible.

After the cheery encounter, the Steward explained how there was some type of ANBU mystery that he dealt with. ANBU... what exactly were they? They were a mystery in themselves. He could have swore he's spotted one before in some type of peculiar-looking mask, but he wasn't too sure. Whatever they were, they seemed more secret agent-like than your average shinobi. It was pretty intriguing. Maji's mouth opened to an 'o'. His child-like curiosity made him itch to know what he consulted them for, but he knew best not to question it. There was a lot of things that went on in the village that he wasn't ready to know or be aware of. Honestly, he was fine with that. He was just happy that he was allowed to be a part of this place.

Suddenly, his ears perked and his heart pounded fast as Sousuke mentioned breakfast. Yes.

<B>“Yes, I'd definitely love that!”<i></i> he announced with a little too much enthusiasm. His hunger was apparent within his pupils, his body expression, and his occasional stomach growl. He then shifted his attention to Uri and smiled. “You should join us if you aren't too busy, Ur-kun. We could all hang out and bond!”<i></i> Maji clenched onto his crutches and flashed his pearly whites even more. It was amazing how different he was today compared to how he was when Okibi had first found him. He used to be shy and without confidence, but he was slowly building up to be some type of friendly extrovert. He had his moments of insecurity and bashfulness, but his true persona was being pulled by people like Okibi, the Steward, and more as time continued.

He loved Suna.

 

[Uri]

While many people would find the Steward's explanations difficult to follow, Uri enjoyed them to the utmost. It was the one facet that they exchanged a lot of in their letters. Lots of science, theory, and things a lot of people couldn't comprehend. Uri wasn't not a genius or a savant like a lot in Sunagakure, but he had an open mind, a creative way of looking at life and how the energies could be manipulated. Inorganic beings coming to life was completely possible. The chuunin flexed his gloved hands know all too well that something of that nature was all too simple. At the mention of ANBU, Uri simply nodded and didn't let any telltale emotions slide across his face. If Sousuke was called for an ANBU investigation, it couldn't be good. The normal security force would handle it normally, to charge ANBU to the case meant it was extremely volatile; more so if the steward had to be present as well.

Maji did well to change Uri's thoughts to something brighter, the thought of food was always a happy one. It was good timing too since he hadn't had second breakfast yet.

"I would like that very much, Maji-kun!"<i></i> The appearance of the canine was unusual as it stumbled, but it brought a smile to Uri's face all the same. Dogs were wonderful like that; even if this particular canine used to be a contraption of metal and chakra.

Hands on hips, he looked around the small square they were in to situate himself. Then, with a wide smile and a finger raised for emphasis, he gestured to the northern most road, "There is this great bakery cafe a short ways north of here that makes the best omelettes I've ever had!"<i></i> He turned his body to better indicate the road, "And these really amazing flaky rolls with honey butter. C'mon. We can go there. My treat!"<i></i> Uri lived while within his means and honestly didn't mind spending what money he earned as long as it was on other people. To make someone happy or see them laugh was always better than having a fat wallet. Once they all started off, taking to a nice leisurely pace to not put too much stress on Maji and because no one should be rushing so early in the morning, Uri turned to observe Ippin further.

"He's quite the fantastic little friend! I can bring things to life too! Watch!"<i></i> Peeling away one of his gloves, the branded seals and runes on his hands began to glow. A mound of white clay and black shards of rock grew outward from his palm. It began to twist and distort like a living entity. After a few moments, it was an identical black and white copy of the winged lizard resting on Maji's head. After a moment of stillness, it started to move all on its own, crawling up Uri's arm and perching on his shoulder. It behaved exactly like Ippin in respects to being a happy, excited reptile. Creating live copies of things was a simple task, and they automated through Uri's memories, his observations on how these animals acted. This left them to their being without putting too much strain on the chuunin's mind. A neat technique he had refined to great levels over the years.

"Not quite as pretty as Ippin, I must say!"<i></i>

By the time his display was over, he turned to stop and see the cafe he had mentioned. It wasn't that busy because it was so early, but there were open tables and servers waiting for new customers.

"There we are! I can already smell the rolls!"<i></i> The imitation lizard gave an excited chirp in response. Someone was already moving to greet the oddball group of cripple and lizard.

 

[Takahashi Aki]

Sousuke was looking forward the prospect of breaking his fast with Maji and Uri. Sousuke didn't quite get enough time to spend with Maji, but he had Houjin acting in his best interests by proxy. Kitchy let out a series of healthy happy barks and stuck out her tongue before moving over to Uri to give him a light headbutt in an attempt to get him to go along with them, in which he ultimately did. More joyous barks followed from the former metallic monstrosity.

Sousuke wheeled himself along and listened to Uri describe the place. Sousuke licked his lips, which was something he never did before at the mention of food, but in particular this sounded like it was going to be quite exceptional. Honey butter? That sounded if anything, well it sounded almost too good to be true. "Honey Butter? I can't say I've heard of it, it must be imported."<i></i> Sousuke would speak as he tried to conjure the image of such a condiment in his mind's eye. "Ah... thank-you Uri. I'll chip in what I can since ... well ... because I can."<i></i>

Whereas Uri was interested in Ippin, Sousuke showed interested in the creation that Uri had made. Sousuke pointed to it. "This is like the time when you made that clone of CuRua correct? Uri works clay where as I work with metals Maji. Between the two of us, I would say that Uri is more of the artist than I am. His creations oftentimes have finer qualities."<i></i> Sousuke too inspected the Uri-created Ippin. "That is surprisingly accurate and made well."<i></i> Sousuke would say, which was then followed up by Kitchy who let out a few barks which was perhaps some form of agreement. "You don't even have to use a power core to make it move or act. It just does so out of free will?"<i></i> Sousuke would then inquire as he entered the place. Sousuke looked about and was mesmerized by the place. It was quite lovely, and the smells around him were all consuming. "You are sure about this Uri?"<i></i>

 

[Suika]

Maji’s face lit up even more than it had as Uri interacted and responded well to his invitation. He seemed like such a cheery person, and it was energy that he vibed off with well. Wait, his treat? Maji’s ears perked and his eyes watered with admiration. This guy was too much! “Ur-kun, you’re…”</B><i></i> he paused and glanced upward as he tried to think up of an appropriate adjective to describe his impression of the white-haired man, “…awesome! Lead the way.”<i></i> The student, alongside his caretaker Sousuke, would press forward and follow Uri to whichever restaurant he was guiding them to. He’d probably have to slow down for the pair, yanno, considering their certain ‘impaired’ conditions. Uri gave off an aura of patience, so Maji didn’t feel like he had to rush.

This was going to be a fun morning.

As the trio, and Ippin, strolled along north, Uri began to demonstrate his extraordinary artistic talents. He had acknowledged the lizard butterfly and complimented her, which she replied with a grateful flutter of her wings and emitted a cry that sounded pleased. As a result, he created what looked like a clay replica of her from the glowing seals on his hands. Maji “oo’d” and observed with awe – how in the heck did he do that? Was he a sorcerer of some type or some just freakishly skilled shinobi craftsmen? The greatest part of it all wasn’t the fine detail in resemblance to his scaley friend that was displayed, but the fact that it appeared alive as well. He was able to create life?

Ippin, stirred up, circled around Maji’s head excitedly and then perched herself onto the crown of his head. She gazed at her doppleganger with the utmost curiousity. Maji mimicked her to the tee.

“Amazing, Ur-kun. Ippin thinks the same.”<i></i> stated the pink eye student as he was lost in wonder. Sousuke even seemed impressed, which was huge since he was a genius himself. “I see, Sou-kun,” he stated as he absorbed the new information his caretaker was giving him. The Steward then queried Uri with questions Maji wanted an answer to as well. Before Maji could further question the man on the secrets of his technique with his own, they had arrived at a café. Upon reaching it, aromas of freshly-baked pastries and fried food invigorated his senses. Smoke from the café traveled to them and its tendrils caressed his nostrils in an alluring way. His stomach growled louder as a response; his hunger, at that moment, demanded tribute. He wanted food now.

Once they sat, Maji would cock his head towards Uri and grin. <B>“Is it okay if I get whatever you’re getting?”<i></i> Since he was treating both him and the Steward, he figured he had a good idea of what was good here. Maji trusted his judgment completely.

 

[Uri]

Before Uri knew it, they were greeted and seated, leaving him little chance to offer a proper explanation to Sousuke as to the creation of the automaton reptile. Menus rested before them but Uri didn't bother opening the folds knowing that he had been there more than enough to have memorized it already, not to mention already having favorite things; this much Maji himself observed. Smiling back to the young boy, he nodded, "Quite alright. Everything is delectable here, so you won't be disappointed!"<i></i> The makeshift lizard took its time scaling the shaped column near their table, which prompted Uri to turn his attention back towards Sousuke in an attempt to help sate his hunger for knowledge. However, before he could even speak up, their waitress arrived with a tray carrying a platter of the rolls he had mentioned and a tea set for three. Once they hit the table, Uri's hunger for food overwhelmed his intellect and he immediately bit into a glazed roll, leaving traces of it stuck to his face. The sweet and savory baked good was always such a treat.

As the waitress looked at him expectantly, he put down the remainder of the roll, slowly wiped his mouth and recomposed himself, "Sorry about that, you know I can't help myself."<i></i> The waitress gave a short laugh and nodded; clear she knew him and his habits well enough, "So, I and my young compatriot here,"<i></i> he thrust a thumb towards Maji, "are going to have two of my usuals. As for Sousuke, have you had a chance to decide?"<i></i>

Meanwhile the fake Ippin had made a few rounds around the pillar, sneaking about and occasionally nipping on Kitchenzilla's tail before skittering away. The animated beings Uri created were a ton of fun sometimes.

Once Sousuke had made his decision, Uri would point at the lizard still making its rounds about their perimeter, "It's a symbiote. The material its made out of absorbs chakra from everything around it and it sustains itself like that. However, Wind Country has proven difficult for these since most mineral isn't as lively as the forests and oceans I spent a lot of time on. Luckily, since its so small, it can live off of very little for a long period of time."<i></i> He upturned his ungloved hand on the table and used his index finger to point at the design branded into the skin of his palm, "This allows me to transmute materials. It's similar to how handseals work with manipulating chakra. Each shape and symbol means something different, and in this specific order it allows me to conjure and manipulate earth, while conjuring both the life and subsequent death of my creations. What I mean by that is-"<i></i> A faint glow emitted from the lines in his hand and a tiny ball of white clay formed, no larger than his fingernail. A snap of his fingers later and it exploded into a tiny cloud of glittering dust, "That's the abridged version at least. There's a lot more to it that can't just be explained over breakfast!"<i></i>

While Uri was a much more happy-go-lucky person, it was clear he held a deep knowledge for the science of energy and its manipulation, be it chakra or otherworldly powers.

~|~

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