Going home again [Estilo, closed].

[Yuki-chan]

[Enter]

Flakes of snow descended from the cloudy skies above them. "It does not look good senpai! We better get home before the snowfall becomes too heavy!" yelled the female as they jumped through the forest.
The watch on her wrist showed her that it was only noon, but the sun would go down in just three hours. And Kumogakure no Sato was about half of that time away.

Yukiko did not feel very hungry or thirsty since she had eaten a big breakfast two hours ago. But the snow was not the only reason that she wanted to get home.
Today was the girls 11th birthday and she had a suggestion for her parents. She wanted to attend lessons in some of the subject that would be necessary for the Chuunin exam. 'I cannot avoid math, but I will need Japanese, history, geography plus some science stuff too' thought the Genin.

She had graduated a couple months early; most people graduated when they were 11 or 12. Which meant that the female had not missed too much education. Ice blue optics narrowed a little as they tried to check the surroundings for spies.
'Nobody in sight so far at least...I just hope it will stay that way until we get back to Kumogakure no Sato' thought the brunette.

Both of her feet landed on a thick branch that did not have much snow on it. Tree jumping was safer than walking at the path below them in these weather conditions. Her parents had learned her that a couple years ago.
"I'm gonna take a couple days off when we get home. Wanna take a mission during the days between Christmas and New Years?" suggested the girl as she looked up at her male partner.

[Estilo]

OOC: I'll move this thread to Kumogakure, after your post!

---

( Enter Atlas )

Snow fall from the gray-laden heavens above, small snowflakes gently drifting down as they made their descent, made its presence known a few minutes after we'd begun jumping through the trees. A chill enveloped the air, our hot breaths coming out of our nostrils and mouths in a light mist. But we kept a steady pace despite the weather conditions, towards the outskirts of Kumogakure. When my little sister announced the severity of the climate at this very moment, I nodded in reply. "Seems like it's going to get pretty nasty, pretty soon." I replied uneasily. "I'm confident we'll make it to the gates beforehand, though." Plus, she needed to get to her birthday party!

Of course, as we continued on, we both kept a silent vigil of our surroundings. Once we reached the secret entrance that would lead us straight to Kumogakure, we'd need to make sure no one was eavesdropping as we entered. Taking these extra measures would ensure that Kumogakure's location was not given away by us. As we continued through the trees, hopping on and off of branches, I wondered when I'd get a chance to give the scroll I had written to Yukiko. It was still resting in the recess of my front coat pocket, awaiting to be received by its rightful owner. I'd most likely hand it over in Kumogakure.

I listened intently as my little sister spoke once more. I'm gonna take a couple days off when we get home. Wanna take a mission during the days between Christmas and New Years? A smile manifested on my features. Another mission! That sounded great. Although my recent "two-day break", helping Yukiko on her mission to help the orphanage, was bound to have piled my work as Raikage back at the tower, I was sure I could get it all done before New Year's, with time to spare!

"Of course, snow pea. Any mission you want." I answered, arching a single brow when I noticed we were nearing our destination. Soon enough, jumping through the snowy forest still, I noticed a thin canyon passage ahead. My sensory vision detected no one in the vicinity nearby, so that was my cue that we were all clear. "Ah, looks like we made it!" I beamed. Gesturing at Yukiko to follow me, as I landed on the snow coating the forest ground, I continued. "C'mon-- your birthday party awaits you!" With that, we would move on ahead.

[Yuki-chan]

White flakes came down from the clouds in a faster rate than earlier. The female did not feel that worried since theywould soon be at the Kumogakure village gates. "Of course, snow pea. Any mission you want."" replied her male partner as he arched one of his brow. "Let's take another "B"-ranked mission then!" yelled Yukiko as she jumped from one tree to the next.

Atlas jumped down at the ground and gestured her to follow him. "C'mon-- your birthday party awaits you!" informed the young man with a grin on his face. She jumped down from the tree before landing on the white ground below her.
"Yup, I cannot wait to get back to my family's house! I'll ask if you can join us for dinner today since you're too old for the party I'll have with my friends" stated the girl.

Both of them went up the steep hill towards the gates that lead into the hidden shinobi village. The bad news was that the hill was a bit slippery thanks to the ice that laid underneath. She walked as careful as possible since bruises was not something she wanted on her body.
"Looks like we're here" muttered the Genin as the incline started to decrease a bit. Home sweet home...they were now back in Kumogakure no Sato.

[Estilo]

( Moved to Kumogakure no Sato )

Now in the safety and comfort of our village, we leaped up into the air in unison, bouncing like flies from one balcony to another, until finally reaching the rooftops. Clouds congregated above my village, plumes of pearly white and wisps of deep gray. The snow that threatened us earlier had now become a grace, gently falling on Kumogakure no Sato and blanketing it with white. A winter wonderland in its own right. As we kept a steady pace across the rooftops of this peaceful and protected hub, I tossed my head north- gesturing for my little sister to follow. We had been headed, of course, to her home. But I wanted to show her something first. "C'mon, snow pea." I smiled, my coat tail flowing behind me as I ran. "There's something I want to show you."

And so I would lead the way from there, the two of us expertly racing across the four-story buildings, jumping over obstacles and avoiding serious accidents. Towering mountains in the horizon afar blessed our sight, beautiful works of art created by Mother Nature herself. Snow-capped and still, they remained as one of Kumogakure no Sato's most formidable allies and protectors. Picking up the speed as I ran, in order to make time and ensure that I returned her to her parents for that birthday party, I abruptly stopped at the edge of a rooftop to turn and face my little sister. "It's going to take a little effort," I beamed, grabbing my knees as I gathered my breath. "So I can give you a piggy back ride, if you want. Consider it a birthday courtesy, ha ha." I smiled. She would only be a kid for a little while longer, after all. And kids liked piggy back rides, right? As Nii-san, I'd provide one! For I had the strangest feeling she'd grow up faster than I'd ever expect.

I'd give her a chance to hop on my back before I leaped into motion once more, making strides and jumps that she was still incapable of making in her current form. We darted past clock towers, marketplaces, parks and fountains- an exciting and fast-paced tour of Kumogakure no Sato I was almost certain she was enjoying. It was my village- it was her village- and I was ecstatic to show my little sister exactly what Kumogakure offered. It was a bit sad, that she was growing up before my eyes so quickly. I knew in my heart that I would never have the same experiences with Yukiko, with her at this age. Things would be different. Better? Almost definitely. But different nonetheless. I was going to miss that ten-year old snow pea I'd met at the market, the one I'd tried to 'wow' with a coin trick, the one I'd helped take some of her first steps as a full-fledged shinobi, doing missions and other said tasks.

Carrying her with ease, I leaped into the vicinity of the Raikage Tower- ANBU at its perimeter alarmed, at first, but then returning to their natural calm when they noticed it was me. The tower, it skyrocketed into the sky, a true example of Kumogakure architecture. I leaped up onto it, from steel beam to open balcony, rising higher and higher with little sister on my back. Until finally, the summit. A circular roof plated with slip-resistant steel. I landed onto said rooftop with a dull 'thud', my boots planted firmly on the floor. And before us-- the radiant and ever-expanding beauty of Kumogakure no Sato, as far as the eye could see. A real stunning sight, one that few but the Raikage and those close to him got to see. I looked over my shoulder, still holding her firmly on my back, and tossed her a smile. "It's beautiful... isn't it? That's our village, kiddo. What we strive to protect everyday."

Cascading clouds slowly drifted across the horizon, snow falling down from the heavens above, a light breeze sweeping over the rooftop of the Raikage Tower. While she remained enthralled with the view up here, I took out the scroll I had prepared from the inside pocket of my coat. Keeping my serene gaze fixated on Kumogakure no Sato's beauty, I held the emerald green scroll over my shoulder- gesturing for little sister to take it from my grasp. "This is for you, kid. Happy Birthday."

SPOILER: Click to show

Blank Scrolls ( B, Atlas Burabiya Summoning Contract )
Rank: D - S
Type: Accessory / Self
Special: -
Description: Scrolls remain one of the most important pieces of equipment in a ninja's arsenal. Because of their size, multiple scrolls can be carried into battle in the front pouches of a flak jacket or in a satchel. This will save space and not sacrifice a much needed piece of equipment which may be required later. In the end, the scroll is useful because it allows the ninja to summon creatures, people and items to their aid.
Cost: 100 // 1,000 // 5,000 // 10,000 (price per scroll!)

[Yuki-chan]

((OOC: You're right...she's gonna grow up faster than you'll think. She will go from 11 to 18 in no time XD))

"C'mon, snow pea. There's something I want to show you." said the male with a secretive smile on his face. "Right behind ya" replied the female as she jumped across a new roof.
But she was unable to match her speed with Atlas, but that was not that strange. He was after all an adult man with longer lengs plus more strength than her.

The young man then stopped at the edge of a roof a minute or two later while the girl tried to catch up with him. "It's going to take a little effort. So I can give you a piggy back ride, if you want.
Consider it a birthday courtesy, ha ha." beamed the Chuunin as he bent down a little. "Fine with me...I don't think I can run much longer" muttered the Genin as she climbed onto his back.

He then leaped towards the Raikage tower while the female hold onto his shoulders with her gloved hands. Her weight did not seem to bother him that much so far. The duo then started to jump from balcony to balcony and the brunette felt a little scared.
What if the male dropped her or slipped at one of the rails while he carried her like this? 'Eh...he would probably try to save unless the ANBU's get me first' thought the girl.

Both of them reached the flat top of the Raikage tower after a minute of jumping up the large building. Yukiko stretched her neck a little to see how the view was from the top of this tall building. Her eyes widened....she was able to see THE ENTIRE VILLAGE FROM HERE!
Not a lot of people could say that they had seen Kumogakure no Sato from the roof of the Raikage tower. This was definitely one of the advantages to have a kage as your senpai.

"It's beautiful... isn't it? That's our village, kiddo. What we strive to protect everyday." informed the auburn-haired man as he looked at her with a big smile on his face.
"Yeah, I have never seen Kumogakure no Sato from a place like this. I can see the whole village from here" muttered the female as she looked at the different districts.

She then felt something poke her hand. The young man hold an emerald green scroll in his hands while he looked at the village that was in front of him.
This is for you, kid. Happy Birthday." muttered Atlas. "Thank you senpai" replied the Genin as she took the scroll from his hand.

"Can you put me down please so I can open it?" inquired the girl while she leaned a little forwards. She would climb down if he let her before she opened up the scroll. A small frown appeared at the brunette's face when she studied the content.
"Uhm...what is this senpai? It looks a bit like some summoning seal I saw in a book" said the female while she looked at the seals on the scroll.

[Estilo]

OOC: I know! So sad. D;

---

I let her down to open the scroll I'd given her, flashing her a content smile as I carefully released her from my arms. When she made an inquiry after what it was, I nodded in reply. She was right. "It is." I answered, beaming as I turned around to face her, leaning forwards to reach eye-level with the kiddo. "That scroll there," I continued, tapping the side of the parcel with a single finger. "Is the summoning contract I wrote for you this morning." A smile, tinging the tone of my voice with complete sincerity and glee. "It's set to summon me, kiddo. In case you ever need Nii-san in a pinch. It's pretty special, as I'm entrusting you with my safety, after all. And in turn, hopefully ensuring yours. But I know you'll take good care of it."

Giving her a light pat on the head, I gave her some time to place the scroll away before standing up straight again and looking out towards that cloudy scenic view. Yes, I whole-heartedly believed that she would take good care of that scroll. And I wanted her to have it. Knowing that she held said scroll would put me at ease. After all, I wanted to make sure I was there for her always. I'd promised her that back in Tetsu no Kuni, during the Chuunin Exams. And Atlas Burabiya kept his promises. Whenever she needed me, I was only a technique away.

"You're going to have to learn the summoning techniques, however." I smiled, turning down to my little sister. "I can teach you those if you have time after New Year's, however. They aren't that hard." Unless she had anything else to ask, or whether she simply wanted to stay up here a bit longer to gaze at the beauty of her village, I was all set to carry her on my back once more in order to make our careful descent downwards. When she was ready, we'd make our way towards her home soon enough. And did I hear her mention a dinner earlier?

My mouth salivated at the thought of a cooked meal. The journey from Kami no Shima to Kumogakure had left me famished, despite our previous big breakfast, and I could do with a well-done steak. "C'mon, sis." I said after a moment, dropping to a crouch in order to give her access to my bare back. "Hop on. I'm sure your parents are waiting on you. Wouldn't want to keep them waiting, right?"

( Exit Atlas? )

[Yuki-chan]

"That scroll there is the summoning contract I wrote for you this morning. It's set to summon me, kiddo. In case you ever need Nii-san in a pinch. It's pretty special, as I'm entrusting you with my safety, after all. And in turn, hopefully ensuring yours. But I know you'll take good care of it." informed the male.

A small gasp escaped the female's lips when she understood what that was. She had heard of human summons before when they had about the shinobi wars at the Academy. But this made her able to summon Atlas if she was in an emergency!
"You're going to have to learn the summoning techniques, however...I can teach you those if you have time after New Year's, however. They aren't that hard." said the Chuunin.

"Sure. Sounds good to me" muttered Yukiko. Her eyes then gazed over the village that had been her home for the last seven years of her life.
'I need to become a competent shinobi like senpai in order to help him out. Or to travel alone without being afraid of people attacking me just because I'm weak' thought the girl.

"C'mon, sis. Hop on. I'm sure your parents are waiting on you. Wouldn't want to keep them waiting, right?" chuckled the male. "Definitely not...I don't think my brothers want to wait either!" exclaimed the Genin as she laid the scroll in her weapon pouch.

Both of them jumped down towards the ground before they headed for the Fuyumori household. Time was passing quite fast, but now was vacation time. Christmas as well as New Years Eve were not that far away.
'I suppose I just have to do my best in order to become a better shinobi. Hopefully, I'll become a Chuunin soon' thought the female as they raced through the snow covered streets.

[Exit Yukiko]

[Pwn]

+32 Yuki / +30 Espada

[Apple]

[/color][/B] has been awarded an additional 64 EXP[/B] for her role as YUKIKO FUYUMORI under the title COMPANIONSHIP. [Only posts in January graded][/ul]