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Quickly setting the tray down in the kitchen, Tenma was soon occupying the only available seat around the table. As food was being passed around she made sure to grab eatable portions of almost everything but typically stayed clear of most seafood. Though she had been known to eat small amounts on occasions, Tenma rarely partook in eating fish and other water creatures because she was a Fujiko. With her plate contently filled she kept her eyes out for any wandering hands that might attempt to steal anything off of her plate. It was an almost overbearing wave of chatter coming from all sides and quite a bit of it was intended for her.
“I am nine.”
A small, miniscule bite of oddly flavorful salad.
“Fujiko is a clan from Amegakure.”
Next was a bite of some sort of yellow fruit, she had to try a bit of everything.
“We trained in taijutsu together but we have not had an official spar.”
Another odd vegetable, everything was so different from home.
“I would but I must first earn some money.”
More salad, she liked the salad.
“I believe I will receive my Konoha headband tomorrow.”
Yes, the salad was good. Maybe she should eat that first so no one could take it.
“Yes, the food is very good, thank you.”
A polite nod of the head because she wasn’t familiar with the people yet.
“I suppose I have no reason to oppose such a name.”
Thank goodness she didn’t know their names yet or she would be getting everyone mixed up. Finally she got lost in the conversations, but she felt that her run was pretty good. A smile remain on her face but it was quite evident that she wasn’t sure who said what or what was intended for who or what came from where. It was overwhelming, but in the best way possible.

Tenma was all too glad to see the conversation beginning to break off, but she did find herself surrounded by people with questions. Then again, it was better than what was going on just a moment ago. Beside her was the girl with the odd spikes everywhere and the eldest woman in an upper ranked uniform. At least Tenma would have someone of, theoretically, higher understanding so she could have a somewhat controlled conversation. However, when the woman threw her arms around the child, again her bubble was being violated, all hopes were dashed.

“Well, to be honest, my grandparents sent me here so I could be in a better situation than at home. Otherwise I truly do not have much business being here.”

It was as close to the truth she could risk at the time, especially with such emotionally unstable company. It was almost ridiculous that an adult shinobi, even a female, would be so prone to being touch by such sentiments.

Suddenly there was another voice on the other side of her, the elder of the two, as she apparently didn’t really care about what her sister was talking about.

“No, I really am not one for any type of fish because of the Fujiko’s strong ties to the earthen spirits. But that is also a personal preference. Oh, and I have not yet received any word on when the ceremony is to take place, but I will gladly inform you of when as soon as I find out.”

That was when Rhiam and his sister went over and caught Tenma’s attention. Then again, she wasn’t one to make a scene in the first place, but she didn’t startle or rise to assist because of the family’s apparent calmness.

It was almost nice to actually hear that she was part of a family. Then again, the girls were beginning to creep her out. With her adorable smile she muttered a “thank you” to the spiked one. Then it was, once again, the other one’s turn.

“Well, I am not vegetarian but the meat I do consume is very limited in comparison to most people. I have only been in the village for…well I suppose just over a week, but I did spend most of that time in the hospital. And no, I do not have contact with anyone back in Ame, but that is alright because I have managed to make friends here.”

The child felt like she was giving them a bit too much information, but then again they were her friends…right? Once more Rhiam caught her eye and…did he really just swallow a fork?! Even worse, the girl still wanted it back. This was an overtly odd group and they seemed just fine with it, but it would take some getting used to on Tenma’s part.

Tenma took the hint when everyone began attacking their food to also make sure that what she was particularly fond of, namely the salad and fruit. Apparently Rhiam was the one to watch when to eat and when you could just relax. When he was paying attention eat, but when he was distracted by one of his sisters one could be a bit calmer about when to consume their food. It was only after Rhiam went after a prawn that his sister had that everyone resumed their previous activities – how bizarre.

“I appreciate your offers, it truly does mean a lot to me. I mean, I do not have a family here and not much of one back home, so you have no idea how much this means to me.”

Even Tenma felt uneasy at the woman’s smile because she knew what was coming as well as Rhiam did. It wasn’t like the language of women was something she was unfamiliar with. As soon as the attack was launched the child was unfortunately focused and never even noticed the eldest Nara going for her plate. If she had it was quite possible that she would have stabbed at his hand with her utensils. Then again, that would have been a bad idea given that he was one of the adults that had so graciously allowed yet another female into his home. However, even though half of her food had now disappeared, Tenma couldn’t help but smile when Madam Nara mentioned that was a way that he showed that he liked a person. If that was the case, then Tenma didn’t mind missing a few bites of food since she didn’t eat very much anyways. Then, when struck with a very uncomfortable question, the girl drew her eyes away from the woman a sort of mumbled.

“A-actually, no. All I have is what was in that bag, which isn’t very much at all to be honest.”

It was slightly embarrassing, but it was also a bit nice to know that someone was looking out for her.

Though Tenma was slightly distracted by the thuds of Rhiam’s head against the floor she was very intent on the woman’s voice. It was odd that they felt so strongly for her though they had known her the lesser part of thirty minutes. The Fujiko wasn’t quite sure if she liked it or if it just made her uneasy. Either way, there couldn’t be much harm in all of this for now. Standing along with the child Tenma gave Madam Nara a bow, the only way she could figure out how to express her appreciation at the time, struck by something. At that the girl turned to follow the girl who appeared to be right around the same age as her, if not a year or so younger. Maybe, just maybe, this would become more like home than Amegakure.

Following the child to her room, Tenma shook off the warm and fuzzy feelings – it was just weird. Once she entered her fellow female’s room Tenma didn’t have a chance to look around because, almost unexpectedly, stuff began flying out of the closet. With a slight flinch she grabbed the duffel bag and simply began catching anything that was thrown her way. Unknowingly to her, the picture of Taiju would be a creepy surprise for later. Zipping it up Tenma flashed her all too cute “thank you” smile and lifted the bag onto her shoulder. Just as she walked out of the room she heard the only familiar voice in that house: Rhiam! With a nod she hurried off to her appointed room, ditched the bag and her sweatshirt on the bed, and returned to who she considered her partner.

Sitting down next to him, Tenma looked over at the book he had opened and smiled. This was a game that she would play with her grandmother on particularly dull afternoons, or if it was one of those “lazy days” and there was nothing else to do. Sliding the string over to herself Tenma knotted the ends together to make a loop and effortlessly twisted and tangled it around her fingers until there was a figure on her hands that matched the one in the book.

“Pardon my forwardness, but I know how to play this game so I assumed you could use a bit of assistance. All you do it grab the two x’s and loop them under and through my fingers. Then it slips off onto your fingers and I do the same. The only really difficult part is if you grab the wrong sides of the x’s, then you have to reset the enter form.”

There was a kind smile on her lips as she easily explained the children’s game. Hopefully Rhiam wouldn’t mind her slight moment of control, it was simply because she had prior knowledge of how to conduct the activity and the book seemed explicitly unnecessary.

“Would you like to begin?”

Cat's Cradle
Everyone should know this classic game played with a piece of string. You have to grab the X's to make the next cradle.
DC: 12
Formula: 1d20 + Intelligence mod. (1)
Train: 0/6
Rewards: +1 Intelligence

The girl smiled when she saw how easily this came to Rhiam. He was so intelligent, but he would never acknowledge it and that was one thing that she liked about him. With a nod, she watched as the form disappeared from her appendages and reappeared perfectly on her partner’s. For a moment she looked up and it was only then that she noticed he wasn’t wearing his bandana, which was a bit of an odd concept for her. Then again, she could only imagine that she looked odd without her oversized sweatshirt. The girls were right; she would have to get some new clothes if she was going to be a functioning member of society.

“Now, just to let you know, I never have been very good at this game. My grandmother always won when we would see who could grab the x’s the most times consecutively. For some reason I am easily turned around by this…”

With an explanation and a shrug Tenma grabbed two sets of strings with her middle and pointer fingers, disappointed to see that, once away from Rhiam’s fingers, the string fell in a long loop around her wrists. As she twisted back into its appropriate shape she chuckled, slightly embarrassed.

“See, I never have been all that good at this game.”

Cat's Cradle
Everyone should know this classic game played with a piece of string. You have to grab the X's to make the next cradle.
DC: 12
Formula: 1d20 + Intelligence mod. (1)
Train: 0/6
Rewards: +1 Intelligence