Akio bound through the streets of the Red Oak District of Konohagakure, his boundless energy belying the fact that he was absolutely exhausted. Over the past several days at the academy, he'd been working hard, learning a handful of new jutsus, and not to mention spending his time after class in dreaded detention. The latter only made his load larger, as his stern Senju parents had immediately put him to work after each day of his punishment. Today, however, was different. Detention was over and young Akio was free to explore the city after school. His mom even gave him a small allowance of yen to treat himself to a tasty snack or a trinket that he might find amongst the numerous shops and restaurants that lined the busy late-afternoon streets. There was a noticeable bounce in his step and he'd been wearing his characteristic bright smile for so long that his cheeks were starting to hurt. Nothing could get the upbeat academy student down, not today.
The young Senju bounced up to one of the street stalls, fidgeting impatiently but waiting politely as the line in front of him cleared out one by one. "I'll have a tri-color dango please!" Akio said brightly, holding up the few coins that his mother had granted him. "Comin' right up." The cheery round-faced man behind the counter said, smiling at the young shinobi-to-be. 'Today's the best! I learned a new jutsu, mom and dad didn't yell at me, they even gave me some spending money! Plus, I get to explore a little on my own!' Akio thought as the man stuck three freshly wrapped balls of rice, one green, one pink, and the other white, on a thin stick and happily held it out for the boy to take. "There ya go, little buddy." The street vendor said with that same cheerful smile. "Thanks mister!!" The bubbly boy exclaimed, his voice pitched high in excitement and appreciation. Without hesitation, he waved to the man and turned to continue bouncing his way down the street as he chomped the green ball off the end of the skewer. 'And I even get to enjoy my favorite snack! Yeah, today's the best!'
The young Senju bounced up to one of the street stalls, fidgeting impatiently but waiting politely as the line in front of him cleared out one by one. "I'll have a tri-color dango please!" Akio said brightly, holding up the few coins that his mother had granted him. "Comin' right up." The cheery round-faced man behind the counter said, smiling at the young shinobi-to-be. 'Today's the best! I learned a new jutsu, mom and dad didn't yell at me, they even gave me some spending money! Plus, I get to explore a little on my own!' Akio thought as the man stuck three freshly wrapped balls of rice, one green, one pink, and the other white, on a thin stick and happily held it out for the boy to take. "There ya go, little buddy." The street vendor said with that same cheerful smile. "Thanks mister!!" The bubbly boy exclaimed, his voice pitched high in excitement and appreciation. Without hesitation, he waved to the man and turned to continue bouncing his way down the street as he chomped the green ball off the end of the skewer. 'And I even get to enjoy my favorite snack! Yeah, today's the best!'