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Enter from The Great Crevice of Sunagakure

Like Kensei, Sora spoke her awe. Although, rather than his specific comment, the girl's was an overal, "Uwah...." However, the younger girl managed just enough willpower to walk calmly into the cool office despite how much she longed to get out of the heat. She remembered that while in a foreign village, she also served as a representation for all Kumo nin. Best to do what she could to leave a good impression.

As she waited besides Kensei, Sora couldn't help but feel that the tension between the two guys of her group was slowly but surely rising. True, Kensei didn't relay the information nearly as well as Laxus did. However, he had said what was needed and he was the squad leader. Perhaps the girl was imagining things, but she saw at least the beginnings of a heated rivalry between genin and chuunin. Of course, the fact that now even Laxus was getting Kensei's name wrong didn't help to make the scene between the two peaceful.

Choosing to tell the other two about her thoughts on the matter some time later, Sora turned about to get a full look of the entire room. She appreciated the differences between this office and the one in Kumo with a smile. After taking in the large picture, Sora focused on the area immediately around her and saw a boy her age with vibrant red hair standing not too far away. Most of the hair was covered with some kind of cloth; although, Sora couldn't understand why anyone would want to cover such a pretty color. Either way, Sora being Sora, the obvious thing to do in her opinion after seeing the boy was to greet him and try to be friends with him. However, since she didn't know the name of the boy and because there were a few others in the room, simply calling out to him wouldn't necessarily attract his attention. Knowing this, the bright blonde girl walked up to the slender red head and held out a hand for a shake as she cheerfully introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Sora Hikari from Kumogakure. Are you waiting for the Kazekage as well?".




《2450 gold》

《Misc. Information》

Sora observed lightly and haphazardly when Aoishi finally took her hand and spoke, Honestly, even if someone had access to Sora's thoughts, it would be difficult to place them. On one hand, she was genuinely making careful, rapid observations. On the other hand, though, those observations were made in such a carefree, almost fun manner hat Sora had a genuinely bright smile on her face through all her thoughts.

Sora's thoughts, quick as they usually were, were easily finished by the time it came for her to speak. Without a break in the conversation, the happy-go-lucky genin broke off the handshake and answered, "Aoi-" before pausing. A moment, a small waver in her smile was all that passed before she regained control and continued, "-shi Sarutobi? Nice to meet you. Mm.... You have really pretty hair." That last part was completely out of the blue, even Sora thought that it was a bit strange. However, it wasn't a lie. She had been wondering only a minute or so ago why Aoishi covered such nicely red hair. Her reason for saying what she did, however, had nothing to do with Aoishi's hair. It had to do with the small falter in Sora's speech and smile, it had to do with his name,

Since this was just a friendly chat, Sora wasn't really paying much midn to her expressions. Thus, not long after she regained control of her smile, it slightly dimmed. Then, it brightened up again--but with a tine of embarrassment this time--when Sora made the hair comment.

She wasn't done, though. Nope, something was still missing, even if the chances of Aoishi actually accepting the offer were pretty close to nill. Unable to resist, the still-small preteen brought out of her sack of candy. As her smile returned to being a full-on smile without a hint of anything else, not even embarrassment, Sora quickly asked, "Would you like a sweet?".




《2450 gold》

《Misc. Information》

Y a m a t a n o H a t a k e
山田野 はたけ
White Fang of the Mist
Kirigakure no Sato || Suiton || Hatake Bloodline || White Chakra Manipulation|| Snake Summoner
Speed Shinobi Capabilities || Battle Support Specialist || Summoning Specialist

“Those who dare bring harm to my friends, my village, and my way of life…”

xxxxYamatano walked into the surprisingly crowded waiting room of the kazekage, still annoyed that the guards did not allow him to get any more water. having seemed to walk in on some sort of exchange between the kind blonde girl and another child, Yamatano decided to keep silent. Leaning against the wall, he waited to see if the Kazekage would make an appearance.



Fiercely Loyal || Determined || Protective || Aspiring Oinin

As yet another party entered the room, the receptionist looked up from her paperwork at last, and sighed. Three groups wanting to meet the kage at once... Well, at least one could be... Removed from the equation. "Missions for genin are assigned at the mission hall." she stated, pointing at the young Sarutobi to indicate she was referring to him. And for the others... She frowned, unable to decide just how to split them up. In the end, she decided not to bother. David seemed capable of deciding who to deal with on his own. Waving at the stairs nearby, she spoke again. "The rest of you head to the top floor. And do remember to knock." One had to pity the foreigners really. They already seemed pretty beat up from the sun, and now they had to climb what was most likely the tallest building in the world. And the cool ended in this room too, since she was the only worker in the entire tower who seemed to dislike the heat. The highest floors were like an oven.

" Thank you very much. " Laxus said turning to the receptionist and bowing. He turned to look at Sora who was still talking to one of the Suna ninja. The guy looked dangerous, but that was probably because his face was shrouded. " Sora, come up when you feel like it, but please don't spend too much time down here, you're holding an important piece of what we're here for. " Laxus said, turning to Yamatano as he completely ignored the fact that Guy called him Moe.

" So you're from Kirigakure? " Laxus asked, waiting on the first step for him, indicating he'd like to talk to Yamatano on the way up. It definitely beat talking to Guy, and Sora was otherwise disposed. Plus, Yamatano looked like he might share a bit of Laxus' militant mannerisms. " I'm from Kumogakure if you hadn't already noticed. " Laxus said slipping a thumb under his necklace and pushing his arm out so that it pulled the dog tags out of his shirt. " I'm Laxus by the way. " He said smiling.

" What is Kirigakure like? " Laxus asked, looking at Yamatano. Laxus seemed genuinely interested. ' I wonder if we'll get ot go to Kirigakure after this. That would be quite a unique endeavor. ' Laxus thought to himself chuckling lightly. " I've always wanted to see the ocean, but I've always lived inland. Then after my parents died I got stuck on top of a mountain. " Laxus said, mentioning several seemingly personal things, but they gave nothing away other than his parents were deceased and what Yamatano already knew. " Have you ever been to Konohagakure? " Laxus asked, wondering about the village that rested in the forest. " If I might ask, why the mask? Is it simply to copy a person from your clan's past and forever live in his shadow, or is it because you genuinely wish to hide your face? " Laxus asked. He'd heard something about some Hatake whose name started with a K who wore a mask, and apparently that was this Kakashi guy. Laxus was jumping to conclusions that Yamatano was mimic-ing the mimic, but it seemed solid.

" That's fairly cool. Kumogakure is simply a village on top of a mountain. We don't eat many bread products though, we're lucky to have noodles. Other than that, we've got a small forest, and a lake. " Laxus said smiling, he was having a nice time talking to Yamatano. It beat talking to someone who can't even get his name right or make coherent sentences, and Sora was just too much energy for Laxus to handle for prolonged conversations.

" Hmm. I always wondered, they seem to have the best area to prosper, having the ability to fish, as well as hunt and farm extensively. " Laxus said shaking his head. In his mind it was a land of greatness, and equality. Never would Laxus derive the thought that it was nothing more than a military grade prison camp.

" Okay, I was merely wondering, not many people wear masks outside of the Oinin. " Laxus said shrugging his shoulders. He thought a bit, and came to the conclusion that none of the people he knew wore masks, except for the ANBU forces that worked the gate in Kumogakure. ' Just how powerful is this guy? ' Laxus thought when he connected the dots and associated Yamatano as being an ANBU.

" I don't really know, I'm not the leader of this group, and he didn't find it important to tell me anything beyond we were coming to Sunagakure. I got more information from the little girl that was with us. " Laxus said turning to face Yamatano. " I guess we're going to return to Kumogakure, although I'd much rather go to one of the other lands instead. " Laxus said thinking about it. " If you meet a man named Jishaku Furimawasu, please tell us if we're still in the area. If we aren't, please report it to someone who can get a hold of Kumogakure quickly. " Laxus said, not feeling the need to elaborate on it any further. Yamatano was too young to be Jishaku, and he was a Hatake. Furimawasu would have the last name Hatake if he was from that clan. So in essence, Yamatano could not be Furimawasu.

Sora turned to Kensei surprised for two reasons. First of all, she could have sworn he wasn't where he was a moment ago. Second of all, As always, just about anyone that seemed to be the same age as her and friendly enough to her became Sora's friend.

When she turned back after looking at Kensei in surprise, Sora felt as if something about Zeero's face was different. Although, she couldn't put her finger on what exactly it was. She busied herself with thinking about what in Zeero's face had changed while waiting for his reply. The question remained with her as she listened to his reply; although, she did not let it distract her from listening and dedicating to memory the useful tip Zeero gave, .

At the comment about her eyes, Sora made a short, "Eheh, thank you," right before the assistant spoke. She could guess that it was likely meant to be a compliment judging from what she had said before.

Then the assistant spoke and Zeero's face returned to normal. The girl's eyes widened, as she had realized, Okay, it was an incomplete observation, but it still made her happy to have noticed it. Well, it would have made her happy if Zeero hadn't seemed less happier than only a moment ago. The only reason for this mood change that Sora could think of was,

Still a bit worried about Zeero's unhappiness even as he handed her gifts, Sora offered him a cheerful and grateful smile as he said his goodbyes, hoping that maybe they'd make him feel better. When Zeero reached for a candy, she would nod and open the bag wide for him. Then, as he walked away after saying his farewells, Sora would reply with a happy, "Thank you very much for your advice and gift. I hope you'll be able to meet with the Kazekage soon. Hey, who knows, maybe he'll send you to Kumogakure and we can see each other again?". Sora didn't say the words that Zeero failed to nearly as ignorantly as she seemed to say them. She had already guessed that assassin was a possible profession of Zeero's during their conversation. His build, clothing color, and mannerisms all matched the ideal assassin that Sora's teacher had constantly drilled into her. It only made sense for Sora to have such knowledge drilled into her, she was just about the opposite in everything an assassin was... even though she had once been of the assassin class herself. The clincher had been the way Zeero walked, Sora was almost certain Zeero was an assassin. Therefore, she could also piece together, Even after thinking through such grave possibilities, though, Sora could still genuinely hope that she and Zeero would meet one day again. It was better, in the girl's opinion, to look at the bright side of things. Worrying all the time just wasn't worth it. Being careful? Of course, she once had a nightmare that taught her just that. Being depressed? No, that definitely wasn't the answer regardless of what was to happen.

Sora turned to follow Kensei and Laxus after Zeero left. As she walked to the door, the girl inquisitively checked the bottle she had been given. It was most definitely more useful than any of her canteens, especially with the little area that held salt. Stopping at the door, Sora took a pinch of salt as she had been instructed and put it into the water, She then stowed the bottle away and opened the door.

The door was immediately shut right after opening. "Hoo.... Hot," Sora commented out loud. Indeed, she couldn't help but feel that she was walking right into a preheated oven, particularly after getting settled to the air conditioning of this room. She considered simply running up the stairs as quickly as possible. However, she doubted that such an endeavor (for her) would be safe. In the end, the girl simply sucked it up and walked up the stairs without complaint. Although, by the time she reached the top she was sweating profusely.




《2450 gold》

《Misc. Information》