So close. He was so close to getting that mission, after all this training. It was finally within his grasp, he just needed to push a little harder, sweat a little more, bleed a little more, and he’d finally be treated like a shinobi. No more minor tasks. He would be an errand boy no more.
More changes were going on too. He had finally moved out of that crummy apartment, and got himself a nicer one on a safer part of town. The landlady was sweet – her husband was an academy teacher before he passed away, so she was quite fond of shinobi. So fond, in fact, that she actually reduced his rent. And this fine evening, he had actually taken the time to sit down and talk with her.
”So... Michi, huh?”
”Yes ma’am!”
”A fine young lady, if not a bit enigmatic. Are your motives for taking this mission pure...?”
”Of course they are!” Zashi set down his cup of tea, a bit offended at what she was suggesting.
”Mmhmm... I trust you, Zashi. But she is a lady, and I hope you will treat her like one.” Lady Famuri looked Zashi in the eyes, offering him a sincere smile. ”And I know you will. Now go train, sweetheart. I’ll contact the mission board and see if they can hold onto that mission for you, just for a bit.”
Zashi’s eyes sparkled like a child gifted with unlimited candy. ”Really?”
”Really. Now go! You’ve got things to do, don’t let a doddering old lady keep you.”
And so he did go. And so she did handle it. And so he did pursue this mission with all of his heart. And she knew that: he was a lot like her husband was. But something was off about this boy. She was probably just imagining it.
Probably.
[WC: 308]
[Marked for Training]
More changes were going on too. He had finally moved out of that crummy apartment, and got himself a nicer one on a safer part of town. The landlady was sweet – her husband was an academy teacher before he passed away, so she was quite fond of shinobi. So fond, in fact, that she actually reduced his rent. And this fine evening, he had actually taken the time to sit down and talk with her.
”So... Michi, huh?”
”Yes ma’am!”
”A fine young lady, if not a bit enigmatic. Are your motives for taking this mission pure...?”
”Of course they are!” Zashi set down his cup of tea, a bit offended at what she was suggesting.
”Mmhmm... I trust you, Zashi. But she is a lady, and I hope you will treat her like one.” Lady Famuri looked Zashi in the eyes, offering him a sincere smile. ”And I know you will. Now go train, sweetheart. I’ll contact the mission board and see if they can hold onto that mission for you, just for a bit.”
Zashi’s eyes sparkled like a child gifted with unlimited candy. ”Really?”
”Really. Now go! You’ve got things to do, don’t let a doddering old lady keep you.”
And so he did go. And so she did handle it. And so he did pursue this mission with all of his heart. And she knew that: he was a lot like her husband was. But something was off about this boy. She was probably just imagining it.
Probably.
[WC: 308]
[Marked for Training]