Open The New Kid Takes A Trip Around The Block

[Ajisashi Yosuke]

Yosuke stood in his new apartment, not entirely sure what he should do. His new living space was a studio apartment provided by the village while he was attending the Academy. It was about as big as the living space he shared with his five siblings and father back home. Only, this place was all for him. There was a single bed tucked into a small alcove, horizontal to the only window in the room, letting him watch the busy streets below as he fell asleep his first few nights here. Now, on one of his rare days off from the Academy, he had finished all his homework, done his basic training for the day, and was completely free to laze around and do what he liked. It was the kind of day he'd always dreamed about having back home, one where he wasn't being pulled in fifteen different directions by all his responsibilities. Despite this fact, Yosuke found the quiet rather unnerving. He hadn't had time to think since he'd gotten to the village, and now it felt like he had too much time to think. So, he decided the day would be better spent wandering the streets of his new home and, hopefully, getting to know some of his neighbors. Yosuke put his backpack on and headed out the door. He'd left his comfy (and worn-out) old sweater behind and was just rocking a black T-shirt over his usual fishing trousers and black waterproof boots. Despite his tired appearance, there was an excited pep in his step, the kind that spoke to his child-like wonder and curiosity for his new home.

Might as well pick up some things while I'm out. Maybe I'll stop by the post office and check my P.O. box. He'd sent a letter home earlier this month and wondered if his siblings had written back to him yet.

As he descended the stairs of his new apartment building, he marveled at the cleanliness and lack of disrepair. This was clearly one of the cheaper areas of the village to live in, but most of the buildings here in the Cronopolis, as the locals called it, were in far better condition than most of the infrastructure in Yosuke's hometown. As he exited onto the street, he looked both ways, trying to decide where to go. It was around midday, and there was a solid amount of traffic on the main streets, with people shimming past each other to get wherever they were going just that little bit faster. He shrugged and decided to stick to the alleyways. From what his teachers had told him, he'd need to learn them eventually if he ever had to patrol the streets as a genin.

Yosuke moved with a speed and alacrity that the old him would hardly believe. The Academy's training was no joke, and just learning the basics of manipulating chakra had allowed him to jump and run with a strength that easily dwarfed the capabilities of a normal adult. So, as he dashed through the hidden passages of Kumo, he made a mental note to watch out for civilians. As he ran, he consulted his mental map of his home and headed towards the main marketplace in Cronopolis. A bustling center of commerce in the area, and as likely a spot as any to meet friendly folk and pick up what he'd need to make it through the coming week. As he neared the marketplace, he slowed down to a walk and considered the colorful stalls stuffed into the square reserved for merchants to hawk their goods. As he started his slow saunter through the stalls, he whispered to himself, "Wonder if I'll see anyone from school here?"

[WC: 622]
*Edit: Added WC

 

[Akira Kazan]

Many people would think that Kazan, being one of the highest ranking individuals in the village, would live rather lavishly. However, the truth was he hated the idea of it all together. Before ever even being in consideration for the position of Sennin over the main branch, he lived in a modest home outside the village's walls. He preferred his small thatched roofed home to just about anything the village had to offer. He didn't care for modern conveniences, like air conditioning. The hearth in his old home provided more than enough warmth during the winter, and it's basic design kept him cool during the regions mild summers.

Still, this was his life now. A few days after his sparing session with Abyss, the Sennin of the Anbu branch, Kazan found himself at home alone. Going through the motions, he prepared his gear for the day and hopped into the shower. Unfortunately though, before he could finish rinsing himself off a knock came at his door. Grabbing a towel, right as he exited his shower, he wrapped it around his waist to cover himself. Up until this moment, no one had ever bothered him here. In fact, even his closest neighbors somehow were oblivious to who he actually was. Realizing this might be something urgent, he didn't hesitate to walk towards the door in nothing but that towel. Upon opening it, he glanced around and noticed no one was there.

Confused, he stepped through the threshold of his doorway to get a better view. To his left, nothing, but to his right he spotted some children running and laughing from the vicinity. "Pranksters, huh?" He thought, assuming some of the neighborhood kids were just goofing around. Shaking his head in disappointment, only a second before hearing his door behind him close and click shut, his eyes widened as he turned around and went for the door knob. "uhhh." He grunted, realizing that his door had locked itself when it shut. Sighing, in frustration, he raised one hand up to his face.

"I'm really out here nearly butt naked and I just got locked out of my own house...." He thought to himself, as his eyes shifted to his surroundings. This moment, right here and now, seemed unbelievable to him. Quickly, and nervously, he grabbed the knob and started fidgeting with it as the cold wind blew against his skin. Little by little, what few suds were still clinging to his skin would begin to pop. Enduring the cold was something he had done plenty of times, but never in a situation like this. "Windows...." He thought, wondering if he had left one unlocked on accident.

Instinctively, he began walking down the street to the alley behind the building; the entire time, his eyes kept catching glances at all the people in the area staring at him. Focusing his eyes forward, he stopped and paused for a moment once he reached the alleyway. It was then that he spotted another kid. In frustration at the situation Kazan had found himself in, he called out to him. "Hey, you're not one of the kids knocking on random peoples doors are ya?" He shouted, while looking at the young boy in a black t-shirt, fishing pants, and black boots.

[Wc: 546] [Marked] [Topic Entered]
[Click profile in signature to read characters physical description in terms of physical description, size, hair color, ect. He's in only a towel tho XD]

 

[Ajisashi Yosuke]

"Hey, you're not one of the kids knocking on random peoples doors are ya?"

Yosuke stopped in front of the alleyway as the frustrated voice reached his ears. Turning, he blinked slowly as he took in the sight before him. An incredibly muscular man, with sharp features, red hair, and eyes, was standing next to him. The reason he could tell the man was so muscular was that all of his chiseled features were revealed, since the man wore nothing but a towel around his waist. Despite his lack of dress, the man still exuded a sense of command and respect, while his unique red eyes bored down on Yosuke with the same question that had come from his mouth.

What?

Yosuke's mouth opened and shut like a fish, gaping for air in a hoisted net. He had no idea how to respond to this incredulous situation until two conflicting memories began to battle it out in his mind. The first was of his mother and father sitting him and his siblings around the table to discuss several very important rules regarding strangers and danger.

"Remember, avoid back alleys and strange men. If they tell you they have candy or that they need you to come with them, DO NOT FALL FOR IT! You scream as loud as you can and run away until an adult can find you!"

It was an important lesson he'd had to employ several times while in his hometown. He'd managed to generally avoid such situations while in Kumo, which allowed the other memory to win in the mental battle. It was a memory of his recent Academy class. His teacher was preaching on the importance of deception, lies, and false truths. Also, on how to avoid them.

"Remember, a shinobi must see through deception to the truth below. If something seems too convenient to be true, it's probably a trap. If something seems too convincing, it's probably a lie. If it seems too strange to be real, it's a distraction. In this shinobi world, your senses can fail you, even your common sense. However, that is why you must train your mind to pierce through any veil that could obstruct your reasoning."

That's it. It's a distraction, or or or... a test, yes! a test! This must be some kind of surprise exam from my instructors today! I can't lose my cool!

In what could only be described as a neural short-circuit, Yosuke immediately smoothed his facial features and bowed to the man in front of him. When he rose from his bow, he replied,

"No, sir, I have not knocked upon anyone's doors today. Should I be doing so? Or perhaps you need help finding these other children? I would be more than happy to assist you."

[WC: 467/1,089]