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"Then why are you cuting up fish heads," Rin asked as she took the knife from Mai and put the fish heads away.

"If you'll do a little something for me later," She said making a cute face.

((Posted Rio and Issui's profiles. I seriously need an assistant translator. I'mma post Akira tomorrow. Gotta sleep 3nodding ))

Rio, Issui and Akira had been walking for days before they arrived at Konoha. Of course they had be able to hitch a ride out of the Vortex Kadou region through Tou Tenka's panther summons as a parting gift, but that was as far as they would go without their master. Still, they had made good time, and it wasn't like they were in too much of a hurry, but it would be good to sleep on actual beds again. At least Akira and Issui thought so, no matter how much Rio insisted that sleeping in trees was fine, they preferred mattresses and sheets over leaves and wood, of course Akira had always made a joke that Issui would prefer to sleep on water, if he could only figure out how.

Still, it was lunch time when the trio arrived, and they were all quite hungry for anything that wouldn't be actively trying to escape them after a few weeks in the wild. They had exchanged papers with the guards at the gate, their letters of recommendation were not needed, it seemed that Konoha's now 3 year old alliance treaties with the ninja villages within the Vortex Kadou region and Issui's home of Hidden Hyouga Glacier village were healthy as ever.

As they walked down the street they did attract a few prying eyes, which was to be expected, they all dressed differently from each other and from those around them, as well as had their ninja head plates visible, each with a different insignia. It was still strange for most countries to have many ninja from different villages work and travel together of their own free will, especially when not on any particular mission.

One thing that did catch their eyes, and that gave at least Akira a small chuckle was a little scene with a mother scolding her child over what appeared to be candy. "Remind you of anyone?" Rio said with a cocked eyebrow. "Yeah," Akira said with a sigh, "me, awhile back." With that they continued down the road to find a restaurant.

"Who? Mai? No. She's not with me." Sakurai said cocking his head to the side. Yes, it was true that Mai did some 'creepy' things, like not eating on certain days and talking to grave stones. But she wasn't scary. Not to him. She was offensive, yes, but Sakurai was sure that Karai is the strongest rookie Gennin in all of Konoha. "Yes, anyway, here," Sakurai said, unrolling the scroll. "'Touei, a quick flicker, used in battle to gain an advantage against an opponent while adding the element of surprise. Requires great speed,' This is perfect for you, Karai! And maybe you can let me in on why you're so fast."

A dish of hot food now in their respective bellies, the group of three ninjas made their way around town for awhile until they came upon a small clearing that looked like part of a training ground. There were two smaller teenagers in the clearing, milling over a scroll.

"Hey," Issui said as he held up a hand to Rio and Akira. "We've got some time to kill, why not watch what these two are up two?" Akira and Rio just shrugged their shoulders and stood, looking on with Issui.

"Well i saw Ion stealing candy from my store and when i told my mom she told me not to touch him, so will you," She asked with a pleading look on her face.