On A Day Before Graduation [Open]

[Celes]

Across the cobblestone way, sunlight streamed; parting through, between, and, beyond the cracks in the many structures which stood upon the route. Intersections split from a central point, divided by a circular roundabout wherein thatched roofs of both red and white favored symbols, specifically: the moniker of a legend – at least to the village hidden within the leaves. The buildings belonged, or, held relation to the Uchiha Clan, enforcers of the law and the makeup of the larger police force within Konohagakure. And, around their headquarters were the homes of whom they called kin, either by blood, or, by marriage. On this day, the Uchiha District was relatively the same as it had been for the past several years. Peaceful. Lawful. Ordered.

In the years prior things had stagnated. The induction of a new Hokage, and, her subsequent replacement, were of course of the popular talk, but, the shadows which began to settle, never were; the stirred leaves were slowly becoming still – if they were not already. Times were good, but, only in the sense which would suggest the calming brunt of an oncoming storm. Ties were not strained, but, for those whom saw and sought the sanctuary offered, they were nothing if not vulnerable. However, as much as previous years would give cause for unrest (be it civil or otherwise): the spreading of a plague, the attack thereafter which saw many injured, and, many more dead; the youth of the next generation, were sheltered. After all they had to be protected, for, they in turn were the future.

Rumors spread into truths, where little white lies were told to children, and, children spread them to friends and acquaintances. Among them was Celes, more formerly known as: Celeste Marcelleus Uchiha. At the time she had naught been but six years old, yet, as the sands turned into day after night, and, while the leaves tumbled down at the coming of each season, she grew. Grew into no one special, save, for the name which bore the respect of many, and, the disdain of far more. Uchiha a named to be feared, but, one more likely to be cursed. Both lithe and short for her age, she melded easily enough into those whom wandered the streets. Slinking in between one shadow or another, several took no notice of one twelve-year old girl heading towards the Academy. Her auburn hair would sway every now and then, and, her blue eyes might look upon them; but, the silence within the crowd would not cease.

It was close to midday, although, she was not late. In fact, she would be early (quite a bit), for her first class period of the day. Normally there would be other students walking beside, or, close to her, today though, was different. There were only a few more weeks until graduation, and, everything that came with becoming, and, being a Genin. For her anyways, and, for those that were just as ready to pass their examinations as she, these days would not only be as stress-free as possible, they would also give time enough to reflect on what had been learned. Still others too young, or too inexperienced, were given respite as well. Konohagakure needed the flames of the young, and in that way, close to when they would become servants of the village, they were given what freedom they desired.

Celes did not care one way or the other. Glad for company, and, equally as happy walking alone, she did not mind that not one person had decided to take up a conversation with her as she walked. Occasionally, she would look around, taking in the sights, and, blinking up towards the sky where warming rays beamed bright in their respective lights. While, the familiar street-corners diverged here and there, and, so-on thereafter, she knew where they led; each and every one of them, their paths converging in all manner of different directions. They led around the village – her home – in a great sphere, then to all the places that could not be traversed without crossing into one another once, or, twice again. If she tried, she could find the shortest, or, the longest route to her destination.

Today, she had not yet decided which, so, she walked on.

[Chae]

The day, Chae's day, had been unlike any other, one that strayed away from the norm and plummeted into a cold abyss of confusion and mild regret. During the seven years of his residency within the walls of Konohagakure after vowing to stop drinking, there hadn't been a single moment when the idea of picking up a bottle crossed his mind, at least, not until that day. After having met up with Ashura, a Konoha native and renowned Uchiha clansmen, approached Chae and boldly brought him up to speed in both knowledge and presence regarding the slowly but sure rising organization known as MANJI.

Chae's general role, for the most part had been explained in dissatisfying detail, leaving his 'knowledge for Raiton ninjutsu' as the foundation for their meeting. Seven years of a peaceful life, flushed down the drain faster than a child's dead goldfish. Truth be told it'd been Chae's own naivety, his own belief system that escaping the things he did within his long standing career as a Kirigakure shinobi would've been made possible by settling down and marrying the woman of his dreams.

He fooled himself an infinite number of ways.

Nevertheless, as he roamed the streets drowning in his own pool of thoughts, he subconsciously made his way to the local tavern where, with a quick hand, plucked a bottle of the finest sake from its shelf. With an upward flick of his thumb, the its cap popped open just as Chae existed the establishment. Continuing down the road, he raised the bottle with his only arm, stared at it as though he'd been an angel tempted by the devil's empty promises. He wanted to drink it he truly did, but something sparked the thought of his wife and his newly conceived child, the only two things in the world that required his utmost attention.

His face contorted in a brief expression of anger, thereafter his arm flung out to the side, hurtling the bottle into a nearby wall. The abrupt sound and gesture alarmed all those around, warranting the now skeptical eyes many, even those who personally knew Chae. Breathing heavily, he made his way to the side of a wall and leaned against it with his right shoulder, devastated at what he had almost done.

[Celes]

For a time, Celes, kept the company of only her thoughts as she walked. Wandered perhaps would better describe whence her footfalls fell; after all, she hardly seemed to be taken great care in choosing her route wisely, rather, she passed under arches which connected one roof to an adjacent one, stretching along in mostly stone and brick, and, branching the side-streets from one scape and onwards. She turned from one walkway onto another, and, found herself relatively no closer to her final destination. Each glancing step brought her towards the center of the Uchiha District, where the buildings were separated further apart, divided by type, and, function: homes surrounded by apartments; administrative quarters sheltered by police stations, and, lastly, vendors, corner shops, and, their local competition running side-by-side paired on the widening streets.

Avoiding the cluttering crowds became her priority, weaving in between people as they stopped to converse, to peer at each other, while, some even simply took a little respite in the start of the oncoming lunch hour. They ate leaning up against walls, sitting on benches and at tables in front of shops and bars. But, needless to say, the afternoon fever was honing in on its peak. She passed many of them right on by.

In retrospect, it had not been the best idea to head for the Academy close to midday, where everyone would be getting food, or, otherwise engaged in the midst of whatever they happened to have plan for today. However, it was far too late to go back on that decision. Her home was several blocks behind her, and, she had sent no word ahead of her to get approval to be absent. So, she thought on the times that were changing, joined with the sort of feeling that it provided, rising in the pit of her stomach, and, just not settling. She thought upon her upcoming graduation, the exam that came with it, and, everyone else whom – for better or worse – was in the same position as her. Yet, being alike made her feel no more at ease. Under relatively the same pressures as them, she did not think she would make a very good Genin.

Despite what praises she received, she felt more inclined to meet those expectations, rather than exceed them, or, undercut them. She wanted to be like her elder siblings, and, while they each bore the name Uchiha, none went on to further the name of their family in substantial ways. In that regard, she did not want to upset what little balance and stability her family had left by upstaging them. From that thought spurned another: perhaps it was better to fade into obscurity.

No sight in particular pierced the haze in which her thoughts swirled. On the other hand, a sound sure did. Glass clattered and shattered against a nearby wall just up ahead. Its pieces fell to the ground, glittering in the sunlight and clinging to what substance still lingered in their shards. She cringed, startled. A liquid wetness stained the wall, and, several people in front of her, and, considerably taller, stood in her way. They stared at the source: a man and his now destroyed bottle of booze. Some gave him looks of recognition, but, none appeared willing to approach him. A sort of weariness stuck in their eyes, maybe, pity as well, but, from her vantage, it was nigh impossible for Celes to see. They soon cleared, walking on and leaving the individual to lean up against the wall he had doused. A few went as far as to leave the road entirely.

Cautiously she moved on too, approaching him, but, stopping just a few meters short. Although he leaned against the wall (stunting his height by an inch or so), he still towered over the girl whom now stared up at him. She blinked. Barely five feet two, she clearly was short for her age, but, that did no favors in hiding the distinguishing features of budding femininity. A fair, and clear complex, the blueness of her eyes, the skirt which ran into panted shorts, and, in turn sandals, of dull grays and light blues her upper garments swayed into hoodie which dropped just beneath a set of locked auburn hair. She didn't smile but she observed for a few moments with a plain expression, then, her lips parted to speak. Interupption came first.

'Leave him be young one' a passerby intoned; though he did not know Celes personally, he knew that she belonged to his kin, and, given the display was honestly worried about the hostility of the person unknown to him. He went as far to place a hand upon her shoulder, but, the girl shrugged it off.
And, in a soft tone she asked anyways: “Is there something the matter?” In contrast to what she said, she could not help but to wonder if she should pry into the aggression of someone she had never seen before. However, the familiar and safe walls of the Uchiha District gave comfort and confidence, which, otherwise would have been quite void from existence.

[Chae]

Leaning up against the surface wall with his stunted height, his eyes watched the bold, yet considerably younger and smaller girl approach him where the others dispersed and retreated. An eyebrow raised in confusion and curiosity, namely his left, after having noticed the dull expression that'd been thrown onto her face. Once his eyes met with the young girls own, Chae knew, he knew that the girl hadn't been just some run of the mill girl who played with dolls and her mothers make up, nay, she'd been cut from the same threads as Chae once was at that age.

The threads of Shinobi.

Chae's torso -dressed with a red kimono like top tucked into standard, blue shinobi pants- uplifted itself from the wall where he stood and faced the girl properly with a frontal view, revealing the left sleeve tied at the shoulder where his arm had once been . His eyes, jet black in color, soon turned themselves onto the approaching male with a skeptical gaze and offered a warm smile. Truly, he meant no harm to either him nor the girl despite what the surroundings could've suggested. In the following moments, she inquired if something had been wrong with him to which Chae in turn answered respectfully and politely.

"Yes, everything is fine, I just. . .I had to stop myself from returning to bad habits y'know. They really do die hard."

His tone, innocent in nature with the intention of inducing laughter or brief happiness within the young girl, at least while there had still been time. As he looked at her, beaming with young beauty and potential, he knew her soul would be tainted somehow and somewhere along the road she'll walk as a shinobi.

"Thank you for your consideration, but really, I'm fine. A young girl like yourself shouldn't worry about such things, I could've been dangerous."

Once spoken, his playful tone continued in an attempt to further lighten the mood. Although he claimed to be fine, his entire life had been turned around by one conversation, but why worry such a young woman with such things?

[Celes]

Actually, Celes did not know; she did not know which habit in particular, but, with a glance she was able to guess. Drink. The broken bottle told more than his playful tone ever would. At one point, he had been in a dark place, or, maybe he still was, and, 'a habit' formed over time to cope and deal with that. Although he might not have gotten her to smile, her posture considerably relaxed. She folded her arms solely together wrapping each one around opposing sides of her navel, then, stared – for a moment – at his shoulder. Rather . . . what was visible. Her eyes widened, but, she quickly remedied that stare, looking away, while trying, but, perhaps failing, to not be awkward. Regardless, even without the change of an expression, or, the presence of laughter, it was clear that she was put much more at ease by the first parting of words.

When he spoke of potential danger (in particular to herself), she would have blurted out that she was far more worried about his present condition, than, her own. After all, chucking an unopened bottle of sake at a wall for no apparent reason, usually, was not a sign of good health. Furthermore, if he had opened the bottle, it would be barely past midday, and, the booze would already be flowing. She had seen it before, her eldest brother inherited such habits from her father. Another, bad sign. However, you just do not lead with something so direct, or, at least not like that. Being blunt was well enough and okay, but, there were times wherein restraint ought to be used. What little she had, she did employ, somewhat anyways.

“Well, you don't seem to be – worrying – so, maybe, I should.” She retorted.

While there might have been a playful edge to his words, Celes, was a tad aggressive. Granted the fuel behind it seemed not only to be genuine and sincere, but, out of a considerable amount of respect. What confidence she had in approaching him had been increased two-fold by his responses, so, she was no longer thinking on what present danger there might be for herself in a situation like this. Still, as he had noted, he could have been dangerous. Yet, she did not possess the sizing gaze of his eye. She did not see the 'thread' of a Shinobi in him. If she had, she may have been more wary. Instead, all-she-saw, was someone that looked like they needed some company.

The Academy could wait.

From the opposite direction a few more people went about their business, forcing her to step off to the side to give them room enough to pass, and though, she did so with an open gesture of her arms, she did not relax upon the backing of the wall. For, a few meters down from the start of it, a door to another shop opened, thereafter slamming rather suddenly, causing her to shut her eyes and to wince. A second or so passed before she opened them again, She inhaled, breathing in deep as her arms cross-crossed once more into that same-pattern. The motion in itself slowed her breathing, sending a cool calming wave throughout her body.

“If you were; dangerous I mean,” she titled her head, gazing at him directly. “You would have to be pretty brave to act. You're in the Uchiha District,” now, she did smile, “or did that slip your mind?”

[Chae]

Chae seemed to be worrying? That girl, Chae admired her observational skills, at least for her age and size. Judging from that alone coupled with his experience as an instructor and Kirigakure academy graduate, he expected her to be nothing more or less than a regular growing genin, though he could've been wrong. Either way, she was young and Chae doubted that She saw the things he'd seen and commit acts that could easily have been considered cruel, even for a demon. Moving his back flat against the wall, he scooted low to the ground eventually sitting at an 90 degree angle with a single leg extended while the other remained bent inwardly closer to the center mass of his body.

"The Uchiha District huh? Hate to say it but I've seen and opposed people and things far more fearsome. Don't get me wrong, I've always held their clan in high esteem, I've just never feared them or anyone else for that matter but one man."

Diminishing the playfulness within his tone, Chae looked to the girl and then up towards the clear blue sky thereafter, basking in its infinite glory. Momentarily, his attention snapped back to the girl, forgetting all of the manners taught to him as a child.

"Sorry, where are my manners. My name is Chae, Chae Yoon Kushinada, native of Mizu no Kuni. . . As for my arm, well, lets just say I lived that life that hadn't been to kind for me later down the road. But eventually it led to me quit drinking."

Realizing his mindless ramblings to a girl he barely knew, he laughed loudly and abruptly, and excused himself for doing so.

"Hehe, listen to an old man like me ramble on about the past, young kids these days would probably think i'm not cool."

[Celes]

Old? The man before Celes did not seem entirely spent; he was younger than her father by years, or, so it appeared at least, and, perhaps only a bit older than her eldest brother. Granted, Chae was rambling, but, he would find that the youth did mind in the least. In fact, it only led towards another pleasant distraction, which, in turn drew her mind farther away from the Academy, and, her upcoming exam. For awhile she would happily listen to the flow of his words, if, it meant forgetting about all the weights pressuring down upon her, and, the coming storm of responsibility, she'd stay all day and watch the sun creep low beneath the rise of the mountain scape. Being capable and trained, hardly meant she was fit emotionally to be a Genin. However, one way or another, the path of the Shinobi was hers to take, even, if it was not entirely of her will.

She had eyed him as he slumped into his seat against the wall; her curious gaze falling unto the slot where his arm should be, mostly, subconsciously. He must have noticed, for, soon after he brought it up, albeit, in a sort of one-off casual manner. Her face flushed with a streak of red just beneath the eyes, and, running low across the breadth of her nose. In that instant she looked away, and, she too fidgeted into a sitting position, as though trying to give cause for her embarrassment. Unlike he though, she criss-crossed her legs and brushed her back up against the wall. Thereafter, she stared out into the street, watching, observing those whom passed right-on-by, going about their day, and, only occasionally glancing over towards the right.

As his laughter did die down, and, his words began to fade into obscurity, she uttered: “Celes,” pausing to ruffle some of her long hair with a hand. “Celes Uchiha, is my name.” Then, looking upon him, she gave slight bow – out of respect – in his direction. Although it was not to confirm him as her elder, it might appear that she was agreeing that he, indeed, was old. “And, this village, is my home,” she went on as her head rose from its brief bow. It shifted until her gaze matched the opposing walkway just across from them, and, there, it remained.

She let the silence wash between them for just a little while, with, the only sounds muffled by those that went on by them with their steps and own conversations. Their shadows danced in the light of the beaming sun-rays, forming in turn their own footfalls, as though, they were dancing right along the streets. Eventually, adjusting to what had been said, she took a breath and addressed him again: “It is good that you quit drinking – my father always promised that he would – though, he never did.” There was little emotion behind those words, but, it was clear she had at one time oft thought about them. All the same, she did not leave them lingering in the air for long.

“Did you serve as Shinobi, in Mizu no Kuni?” It seemed to her that he would have, baring the scars of one not just trained, but, deadly. Her eyes when they glanced at him contained hints of fear, but, within the fear as well, was respect and recognition. She had believed every word he told of; she had no doubt that he had no cause to warrant fear of her kin, nor, were his words hollow. He could back them up, and, his missing arm only served to make him more powerful from her perspective.

[Chae]

Celes, a nice name, one that easily rolled off the tongue rather smoothly. As she bowed to him, Chae returned the gesture without hesitation as a sign of immediate respect as not only a shinobi, but a human being in general. Thereafter, she stated that Konohagakure had been her home and oddly enough, Chae had to agree. Living within the villages walls for a grand total of seven years, Chae appreciated the village more than he ever would have had he remained within Kirigakure, visiting every so often for supplies, or missions involving its presence.

"I know, It's become my home as well surprisingly. It's been pretty peaceful here."

Once spoken, silence followed, save for the metameric sounds of footfalls filling up the streets once more as Chae's brief breakdown became nothing more than an afterthought within the minds of all those around and not personally involved. A deep breath had been drawn into her lungs, perhaps indicating that she'd been just enjoying the fresh air or readied herself to voice something that she wanted to say, either way, Chae returned the look and waited to gauge her reaction.

Much to his surprise, she motioned towards his habit of drinking and how he overcame the urge and quit where her father -unfortunately- did not. Immediately following with another question, Chae's mind naturally appealed to that easily, once more causing him to question her ability to observe. He chuckled and sighed, a clear-as-day indication that she undoubtedly struck a nerve.

"I sure did for the entirety of my life, proudly too. Won't say it was good or bad, it just, simply had its own way of coming back to bite me in the ass. "

For a moment, his head sunk down towards the ground as all of the things he'd done and swore he put behind him came rushing back full steam ahead. The murdering of shinobi's whose names he never knew or cared to even remember, the assassination of the Jinchuriki Raikage as well as his successor, including the Tsuchikage.

"If I could do it all over a different way, I definitely would. But now I think the best thing to do is prevent people like who I used to be from being thrown out into the shinobi world. It gets nasty out there when shinobi with power and no direction wreck havoc on society."

With that, he gave his response, knowing that he wouldn't have been able to even anticipate Celes' reaction, whatever it would've turned out to be.

[Celes]

Rather the arm, Celes, could not help but to think. Of course, she had no way of knowing if Chae was referring to the incident in which he lost his appendage, nevertheless, she found herself looking in its place again; like staring not into emptiness, but, into a void where something important had once existed, except it no longer did. When her eyes locked, a shiver crept down her spine, and, she shuddered, also, averting her gaze and tilting her head towards the ground as he did, while, telling on about his past. Without cause to interrupt, perhaps because she felt he needed to say on, she remained respectively silent.

He had regrets. That much was clear to even someone as young as she. What he wanted to take back, or, do again, do differently, she could not tell, but, given the life, and, the way of a Shinobi, the choices he had made involved life and death more oft than not. Wherein what ramifications that were held accountable (at least to himself), were not only significant, but, widespread as well – affecting the lives and the futures of many. Frankly, she did not want to imagine the things he had done, however, her mind wandered for her all the same. And once more she found her eyes closing for a few moments; she gripped each arm with the opposing hand, and, by the time he finished speaking her head had risen once more, and, her gaze was upon him.

Strangely, she smiled, because, she thought he might need one. With a nod her arms stretched out back behind her head and she ruffled the back of her hair, thereafter, shaking out what windswept tangles there were, which, had formed as she walked. The fiery locks then fell loosely back into their place. She tired to keep smiling for him, but, her expression turned more serious by the second as darker and darker thoughts took shape. Unable to resist to urge, she wondered on the sorts of acts her siblings had committed in the name – and for peace – of her home. Even now, her father was out on assignment. And soon, she would be doing the same, granted, with less responsibility given that she would be a raw Genin.

With a sigh, she shook all those thoughts away, realizing, that maybe she had pressed a stranger just a bit too hard to speak about a past which contained great pain. For that, she was sorry, but, found no words to match her intent in apology. Instead, she addressed her concerns indirectly, as though, she were tip-toeing around a much more serious conflict within herself. “Do you think it's right – is peace worth the sacrifices and evils done to ensure it?” As she asked, she looked over to him, not so much glaring, rather, staring intently with a fixated disposition, and, a blank expression strewn about her face. Clearly, there was much unwritten about the young girl before him; many decisions and paths open.

“All I wish is to protect my home, yet, there seems to be so much more that is left unspoken about Shinobi.” Oddly enough, a few clouds were now drifting across in overcast, fracturing the rays of light and casting more shadows about the ground. Time was ticking on, and, still she sat here. Although she had not spoken about it – the Academy – she knew that if she did not take leave soon, she would be late. Really though, how much trouble would she be in for missing a study session? The more she thought about it, the less of an urge to stand and move on she had.

[Chae]

The girls smiles hadn't got unnoticed, least of all unappreciated, in fact despite what his expression may have suggested, he enjoyed the fact that someone other than his own wife went out of their way to 'cheer him up'. He chuckled from the thought alone just as Celes' hands retreated to the back of her head in an attempt to untangle the locks within her hair. She sighed, which warranted a more than curious look from Chae's perspective, wondering what could've been on her mind at that very moment, and then, she spoke. Listening intently, she asked if it'd been right, if peace had really be worth the sacrifices and evils that entailed in its seemingly endless pursuit. As she went on, the light of truth had shed upon her reasoning for asking such a question.

Protecting her home.

"Do I think its right? I don't think there is a right or wrong nor a good and evil, not when wanting to protect something so precious you'd be willing to die for it. . .You just, do it. I've killed so many in the name of peace, and it brought peace to what it was I fought and still fight for. So i'm content without regrets on that matter, however -"

His words, weighed down by years of experience, drilled into the young girls ears. His playful expression faded into obscurity and swapped presence with that of a more serious tone. What he had already told and readied himself to say hadn't been anything remotely playful, in fact, it all had been quite the opposite.

"There is no 'evil' or 'darkness', these things don't exist. There is only good & light. Less good, & and less light. Darkness & 'evilness' aren't entities of their own, it's simply less of something greater. So in that sense, is peace worth becoming less good and less full of light?

I say it is."

Despite having known Celes for the duration of the conversation, a deeper connection had been established as a shinobi. That girl had been special, she spoke and inquired about things that many humans and ninja Chae knew hadn't even bothered to wonder about let alone ask until later on in life, or just before their last pull of air.

"Peace isn't achieved externally, but internally. As long as people and shinobi can't find peace within themselves, then achieving external and universal peace will be no different than sitting here trying to reach out for the sun, expecting to grab it with our hands."

[Celes]

They stung; the words which parted in drilling ululations from Celes' right – from someone whom told with an authority that she could barely begin to grasp: experience. She had none, not like he, nor, like those whom had died to further his own cause for peace. There was some solace in such blankness, in the unwritten, the unknown, and, in neutrality whose colors she bore. However, most of it swept-on-gone by what passed as truth between them. To protect something precious, you had to be just as willing to take it away from someone else, and, in turn willing to die fighting for it. By sheltering something from an oncoming storm, you, were also tossing something out into it. Without right and wrong, all that remained, was perspective.

She looked away, staring off into some far distance (a distance where one street merged into another and groups of persons crossed paths). Those that moved were but vague visages, shadows in their own right, stepping upon stone, gravel, brick, and, thereafter vanishing around one corner; vanishing into shops, homes and other alike places. The echoes of where they'd been, where they were going, resounded in the passage of time, their conversations, and, soft pats and taps unto the ground. They drew closer, then, went away, while only a few lingered, as though listening to what exchange was being made. They turned towards the pair against the wall with curious gazes, mostly confused as to how such a serious topic came up in what otherwise would appear to be a rather casual encounter.

A young girl, speaking to a man was not so strange as, it had been when Chae had hurled a bottle of sake against a wall, which, was still stained, but, at least now dry. The remnants only existed in smell and sight. Brief odors creeping about, only, in what little wind churned up, stimulating a sense for a moment or two, then, all-but, disappearing. She blinked, loosening the grip in which her hands were anchored to her arms, and, running them gently along one another.

The sun breached another cloud and once more showered the pair in its brightness. It revealed the slight glimmer of sweat on her brow, so, with a hand she wiped it away. Her sleeves were rolled up and thereafter curled to expose her bare arms, while, she relaxed her head against the wall. Within the slight breeze her hair blew into disarray, fluttering and landing wherever it pleased. Granted she did not seem to mind in the least. Despite the seriousness of the conversation, she almost appeared relieved; with her breathing slowing, her eyes closing and opening every now and then, and, the briefest indications of a smirk – laughter crossing her lips.

“I'm late,” she muttered, mainly to herself, but, with Chae so close there was no doubt he could hear her. For some reason those two words made her chuckle lightly. A quick breath, a tiny laugh, and the flicker of a smile, shifting from one expression into another seamlessly. She wasn't scolding herself, in fact, it seemed that she was rather proud. “Would you mind walking with me – just for awhile – or, did you have some place to be?” Regardless of his answer, she stood rather nimbly, applying pressure to a hand and pushing off of it as one leg swept beneath the other, and, leaping upright. Stepping towards him, she spoke once more:

“ And, thank you,” she brushed her bangs down her forehead, and shook out some more. “People don't always – well, they have a habit of lying when things are unpleasant.”

[Chae]

As Celes looked away, breaking eye contact, Chae had soon followed suit and looked back into the infinite space that'd been the sky, completely oblivious yet still also fully aware of everyone and everything that surrounded him. Enjoying the warmth provided by the sun, Chae remained ever still, not moving an inch in reserve out of fear that he'd have lost that warm and comfortable feeling had he moved. He had to admit, the beautiful weather that accompanied that day had -in and of itself- lightened the mood from their serious conversation coupled with the fact that Celes commented on be late, but to what? Where was it that summoned her attention so contentedly. Chae looked to her therafter, worried that his ramblings and conversation ultimately held her up from business she needed to attend to.

Before he could voice his concern, she requested that he walked with her, to which he easily accepted, especially considering that it reminded him of his days as an instructor within Kirigakure. She stood up and Chae smiled, pushing and uplifting his body off the wall with a push against the ground and the support of both legs. At a full, he looked down to Celes and nodded, indicating that he'd been ready whenever she herself was.

"No, I'm free to walk and there is no need to thank me, only doing what was necessary. And yes, people do tend to lie for an infinite number of reasons that even I can't even begin to understand. "

Chuckling, he walked along side Celes (presuming she took the lead) and readied both his lips and thoughts as Chae formulated another question for the girl.

"I have to ask. As a shinobi and Uchiha, are your eyes awakened? Regardless if they are or aren't, 'eyes' are special and revered within the shinobi world, those who seek power will undoubtedly try to rob you of it in turn. "

He spoke the truth once more, namely from experience. Although he hadn't murdered any uchiha to obtain his eye, he undoubtedly took the lives of several Hyuuga clansmen in order to obtain his Byakugan, another doujutsu beneath the sharingan held in high esteem among power driving shinobi. Nevertheless, he meant not to scare the young girl but to inform and warn of the innate dangers that comes with being a descendant of those clans.

[Celes]

Celes did in fact take the lead, as, only she knew where they were bound. Although, despite her earlier comment about being late, her pace did not change much. Footfalls fell in soft clacking pats against cobblestone, evenly spaced, but, most notably slow in nature; spurned onwards by the shuffling of her sandals. Chae would of course have no trouble keeping up, but, given his excess of height, he might have issue with overtaking his shorter counterpart. Regardless, it would not matter, wherein the streets were once crowded, the shadows had thinned out, with, those whom had taken off for one reason or another at midday, now at their subsequent destinations. The pair largely had the backstreets to themselves, for, soon after departing from the center of the Uchiha District, the youth turned off, heading down one corner into a more narrow, but, exceedingly long passageway.

She was taking the scenic way, stepping against and forwards to the ending boundaries of the District, where the walls of the village hidden in the leaves stood tall, and, the many trees that lined the edge of the mountain-scape were swaying; a few leaves tumbled away every now and then. From there, they would head West, back into the main streets, and, finally onto the Academy at the center, South of where the Hokage took office each day. However, they were not quite there yet, with their resting wall only a few meters back and down the opposing route, they were still firmly within the confines of the Uchiha's domain. At least twenty minutes off.

As Chae spoke, she listened, albeit at-first in silence, then, shifting her gaze unto him, for, just a moment. A second in which her pupils contracted and her eyes narrowed in what was clearly a bout of fear. They glistened as her face grew red and she bit down lightly upon her lip; that was all he would see though, for, she looked down and watched as her feet took their steps and went on and on. The terrain slowly changed before those eyes while the last of his words hung loosely in the air.

Awakened, he meant the Sharingan. If her eyes had been opened, she would be only the second within her larger family to obtain them . . . but they were not. Even still, she would have bore the burden alone now. They youngest of her elder siblings, whom had unlocked part of his heritage, passed on shortly afterward, killed on assignment. So it was told anyways, they never actually buried his physical body. Chae's question on the other hand, had not stunned her because of its bluntness, rather, because it brought up memories which more often than not, laid dormant within her mind. Thinking on them now, distracted her, and, it showed in the way she walked. The slowing of her steps, the careless expression that eventually, was swept away as the thoughts faded.

When she did reply, she tried to play it off (her distraction), by tilting her head towards him and offering a teasing glance. “I'm not you know – a Shinobi – only a student.” She smirked and turned away again, cleverly (from her perspective anyways) ignoring the fact that in a few days time she would be a Genin. By the time she finished speaking she was staring right-on-ahead, increasing her pace slightly, and, slipping between a few persons whom were heading in the opposing way.

After a pause, she explained on. Her tone shifting from a teasing jest, into a soft-manner of expression. “I do not bear the Sharingan; my eyes have not awakened, nor, do I expect them too, really. My immediate family is not known for their . . . strong blood.” Her shoulders shrugged, as though the comment came from not worry, but, indifference. In truth, she did care, but, would not admit – not to a relative stranger – that her kin were pretty low on the totem pole in respect to the larger clan. To do that would be to disrespect her siblings, and, her parents, so, in turn she held her tongue properly in place. Then, her demeanor brightened up again. “I appreciate it though – your concern, I mean.” And, she meant that.

[Chae]

Through the corners of his eyes, Chae noticed and gauged Celes' reaction to his question regarding her dormant eyes, the biting of her lip, the redness within her face, the way she walked, nothing escaped keen eyesight for detail, after, such a skill had been deemed necessary for a anyone who walked the long and arduous path of a ninja.

Thereafter, he maintained his walking pace whilst listening to Celes - once she decided to answer his question. She claimed to not have been a shinobi -yet- considering she had not even finished graduation to attain the rank and every responsibility that accompanied it. However, one particular set of words stood out to Chae and burned deep within the forefront of his mind - "Only a student." Chae smiled and stopped, placing his only hand on her shoulder, briefly indicating for her to stop.

Presuming she turned and faced him, he crouched down to achieve an equal eye level, a sign of respect, a sign of trust. Looking left and right before his attention turned back towards Celes, he looked into her eyes with his own devoid of all degrees of playfulness. He leaned in towards her right ear and whispered.

"Don't humble yourself, you'll die like that. When you graduate, when you do become a 'shinobi', come find me at the valley of the end in a month from today. I'll give you something that no meager teacher can give you in any village. I'll be waiting "

Once spoken, Chae stepped backed and uplifted himself to a full stand. He smiled down at Celes before waving goodbye and offering his temporary farewell.

"It was nice meeting you Celes. Just remember, you'll be able to see the world clearly soon. Farewell haha!"

With a brotherly smile and toothy grin, a single handseal coupled with a small application of chakra summoned forth a harmless cloud of smoke that masked Chae's disappearance. Granted, he'd been gone, but if Celes managed to breakdown his words and grew willing to step outside of the normal conduct that'd been taught at the academy, Chae knew that she'd heed his words.

[Celes]

A shiver of a shudder tumbled down Celes' back; from a simple touch her footfalls ceased, and, for a moment, her shoulders stiffened, trembling, mostly, in the unexpectedness of Chae's gesture. Of course she knew it was him, none else were so close, and, there was his height to consider. The angle which she felt his eyes peer down upon her, with some intent, unknown, but, nevertheless placed there and passed unto her person. Yet, touch alone made her wary, and, from it stemmed her hesitation. Eventually though, she did turn to face him, at first looking up to match his gaze, however, then following the motions of his body as he lowered into a crouch. Their eyes in turn would meet at equal standing, and, the young girl was no longer dwarfed by a shadow which ran along through cracks within walls.

Words fumbled into her ear in brief, but, stern whispers. They spun about, lingering in her mind, none so prevalent as what he suggested. Far off near the edge of the Land of Fire, the Valley of the End, he wished to meet her there. She knew what it was, since, she had learned history in her classes at the Academy. Legends taken on by one generation, then swept on to the next and so on; the site of the start of a war, the end of another, and, where two opposites clashed on the last borders of land that they both called home. It represented the conflicts between ideals, and within two solitary statues, immortalized the dangers of those that sought power above their own ambitions, their beliefs, and their comrades.

In those thoughts, Celes, could not help but to see the parallels between what was said, and, what had already occurred. His words hinted at a muttered promise – a promise of something she could easily piece together: an awakening of some manner or another. As it stood, the bitter and his confused intent, could not be placed. Frankly, she could not understand why. A simple question that oft contained far more complex answers than any other poised issue. In this case: why would he make such an offer? There were any number of possibilities, but, by the time the whispers ceased, she was no closer to deciphering his reasoning, just that he wished to see her again. Perhaps, that was enough.

She just stared as he uplifted himself; stared as he waved and said farewell, and, stared into the smoke as it rose about his feet. Then, he was gone, and, she came back to her senses. “Peaceful days and pleasant nights, until, we meet again, Chae,” came her reply, if not too late. Still, a bit stunned, she mulled over the exchange as she walked towards the Academy. His words repeated, she listened to them again and again, still getting no closer to the absence of truth which plagued her worry.

He made it sound so simple. Graduation. After Graduation. Make trail from the Village Hidden in the Leaves, venture into Hi no Kuni, 'till the edge of it all where the Land of Rice stood beyond water. Did he think on how hard it would be for her to leave like that? Family not withstanding, by the time she was a Genin there would be far more responsibilities upon her shoulders. Could it be as simple as a departure? If she could make it back unnoticed, allowing for only a brief passage of time, maybe, it was possible. All of these things she only began to consider, for, the Academy beckoned, and, there was a long month ahead.

There were students out in the courtyard, and, the gates were open. She stepped across the thresholds several minutes later.

[End Thread]