Clouded forecast [Nickito]

[Apple]

It was an average day, to give it the most praise that it could. The air was fresh, but the sky above was slightly darkened with clouds. Kusagakure did have its fair share of rain, but throughout the year sunshine usually dominated its plains. But - despite the fact that the feeling of warmth on your skin on a crisp winter morning was sometimes pleasant, I enjoyed weather like this most - slightly cold. However - I hadn't done much to combat this change, and instead chose to stick to a similar choice of clothes to what I'd been wearing previously - now, a soft, white cotton dress complete with a black belt slightly below my chest so that my form wasn't completely submerged beneath the fabric which clung somewhat to my midriff. The rest was similar to what I'd worn before I'd changed my appearance so drastically; a latex-like upper complete with long, black gloves, and the same black, knee-high heels that I wore day-in-day out. Of course - the time had come where they'd become slightly uncomfortable to wear, but - I was sure I'd be able to cope with them for a little while longer before having to exchange them with flatter shoes. But nonetheless. Treading through the unnamed garden that I'd been in somewhat less than a week before, I gazed around at the fauna that grew freely there, my hands outstretched to feel the various textures around me. From the more solid branches that poked out from the age-old treetrunks, to the soft petals of flowers that grew peacefully within the confines of the hidden space. However - I wasn't here merely on a whim as I'd been previously, no. I wanted to find someone.

Of course - I wasn't even sure that she'd be here, but I figured that this could be my best guess at the moment, an what I wanted to tell her wasn't exactly as official or formal for me to justify sending an ANBU to go and collect her for me. And because of this, one delicate hand carefully positioned on the side of my stomach as I walked, I now looked around the garden, attempting to find her. Given her appearance, I didn't expect that it would be too hard to locate her if she was indeed here. It was the bright red of her hair which I was looking out for, which was quite a contrast against the muted greens of the area. My free hand continuing to pass various plants, I'd turn a corner and move in to a different part of the quiet garden, looking about as the clouds passed overhead. Rain was undoubtedly going to fall within the next few hours, but I was sure that I'd be back in the Atrium by the time that the first few raindrops would drop to earth. Continuing to search, several minutes passed and soon I found the figure that I was searching for. However, approaching her, I came to notice that she seemed tangled - the long expanse of her hair caught somewhat in one of the many rosebushes within the area, the long, red hairs caught between the plant's stalks. Moving towards her, my hand slowly pulled away from my middle, and joined the other in attempting to help free her.

"..I figured as much that you'd be here, Kasumi."

I spoke softly, whilst gazing at my hands as they untangled her hair.
Hopefully I hadn't scared her as I had the first time we'd met here.

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[Nickito]

Despite her hair having become stuck in a bush, Kasumi had been rather calm as she attempted to unravel her red locks. It was rare for anyone other than herself to be there, and she was confident that nobody would happen upon her in her embarrassing state. However, when the familiar voice of the Kusakage reached her ears, she felt all of the blood and warmth drain out of her face and her heart sink into her chest. "L-Lady Blanche!" she exclaimed, more frantic than surprised. A woman that she had come to hold so much respect for as a kunoichi and as a person was witnessing one of Kasumi's more terrible moments. Needless to say, she was horrified. "What a surprise!" she continued, a nervous giggle coming out of her as she felt the woman's hands trying to separate her hair from the plant. As soon as the strands were released from the green's grasp, she turned around and smiled wide, not knowing what else to do.

A third encounter in little more than a week with the woman whose blond hair was unforgettable. It put her short, yellow kimono to shame in terms of color, but nature often outdid synthetic. "Its so nice to see you, how are you doing?" she asked with a smile, a less than subtle glance towards the woman's stomach making clear what she was inquiring about. Though many of the people in the village weren't thrilled about her condition, and even less excited about the man who had effectively put her in it, Kasumi was not one of them. In actuality, she was excited for Blanche, even though she knew the baby would have a rough run of things. From what she had experienced of Blanche, she would be able to brighten the child's darkest day if she needed to. Even if the child was to face persecution, she had no doubt that Blanche would be able to wipe it all away, and though she hadn't said it yet, Kasumi hoped to be able to look out for the child whenever possible.

A second question quickly seized her, coming over her mind and body like a dark cloud. She didn't dare activate her Sensory talents for fear of what she might feel if he was present -- Blanche's Chakra had been frightening enough. Her tongue itched to speak the question, and though Kasumi was reluctant to voice it, it was impossible for her to restrain herself. "Is... Is... Kouketsu... Here?"

[Apple]

"L-Lady Blanche!



It seemed as if some things never changed.

However, undeterred by this, I simply acknowledged her words and continued to ply the thin hairs from the tangled rosebush. Despite the amount of long, crimson hair that she had, it seemed as if it was easily removed through both my own and her work at freeing it from its current captive state. I then took a single step back, both of my arms hanging to my sides as I watched her then collect herself after her slightly flustered moment, turning around and emitting what could only be described as a nervous laugh. I simply found it ... strange, how she could shout to the entire village her opinion on the most controversial subject as of late, but she still seemed.. surprised, almost scared to see me. Perhaps it was merely the same matter of the chakra that disturbed her, despite my promises that I wasn't going to harm her. Or perhaps nervousness was merely in her nature. Nonetheless, I turned to look momentarily at the rosebush she'd come from, before looking back to her. It wasn't flowering at this time, and looked slightly.. dead, but it had obviously still had enough strength within its roots to capture the young kunoichi. However - I looked forwards to the day next year where not only would the flowers come to bloom once more, but I the time where I could simply lounge in this garden, not alone, but with my child, and Kouketsu, too. At the moment, the leaves of learby trees floating to the ground, autumn was due to make its leave and make way for winter - but it all seemed so far away. A soft sigh escaped my lips.

However - allowing my distant eyes to reflect back on what was happening at the present, I stood in place in the garden, listening as Kasumi then began to speak after the bout of uncertainty had subsided. I hadn't required to even follow her eyes to tell exactly what she was gazing at, and in response to this, a small, quiet smile crawled on to my lips, whilst my left hand subconsciously moved to place itself to my side. "I'm fine - although this weather is making me feel considerably more tired. I don't think he likes it either." I spoke with the same expression on my face, gazing up momentarily at the sky as my hand began to repeatedly smooth over the top of my stomach, as if to gently comfort whatever it was inside. The weather was indeed dull - and it seemed like the pace in the village had slowed, not only because of recent news. The prospect of rain drove people out of the streets and back in to their homes, which in a few ways was a good thing, but - I enjoyed seeing the streets filled with the voices of my people. The gardens, too, were devoid of people bar from the few who chose to stay, alike myself and Kasumi, but then again - if it did come to rain, then there were only a few kind who enjoyed getting their feet and shoes muddy. I wasn't one of them. Perhaps I had been in my youth, but - For the sake of my health, I didn't want to be caught stranded in the rain, especially being so far from the Atrium. Being a medical practitioner, I knew more than anyone what problems being stranded in a shower of rain could cause. Or maybe I was simply being paranoid.

But - For a few moments, I'd forgotten exactly why I'd even come here to speak to her about. As I gathered what I was about to say, words flooding back in to my mind, her voice seemed to pick up once more, this time speaking about Kouketsu and whether he was somewhere within the garden, too. Despite the things she'd said during the meeting, it was understandable for her to be nervous merely thinking about him. I wouldn't lie and say that he hadn't done terrible things, but - he'd changed, but it was still clear within not only Kasumi's eyes, but the entire village's, that it would take some time to get used to having him somewhere in the village at all times. Shaking my head, I smirked - although, only through finding humor through her tone. "From what I know; no. You're safe." I parodied not only myself and others in the village using those two simple words, but Kasumi too, who was being her usual fearful self. But they were meant in good nature, of course, and I hadn't meant to scare her further through saying them, the tone I'd used whilst speaking them being enough to prove this to her. A brief moment of silence then concluded the end to her question being answered, before I began to speak to her once more, my eyes trailing to the floor for a short moment before our similarly-colored eyes met again.

"I hope you know that what you did a few days ago was incredibly brave."

"I .. just wanted to say thank you.
Not only from myself, but from all of us."

I was sure that she understood who I was referring to.

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1 infuin stack.

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[Nickito]

"Yea... Its starting to look like rain, isn't it?" she said, glancing upward at the sky, paying close attention to the clouds that blanketed the village. They were melding together little by little, becoming darker and darker as the evaporated water sank in and became a part of them. It was a good day for the garden, the rain would be welcome by all of the flowers and bushes and trees, even if the rest of the village hid from the precipitation. Kasumi was prone to walking in the rain every once in a blue moon, but that particular day she planned on heading home before the first drop hit the ground. The mood of the day wasn't exactly right for a romantic walk alone.

"Wait... He?" the girl asked, her attention snatched away from the atmosphere above them as her mind grasped the pronoun and ran into it like it was a brick wall. As she confirmed that, to her knowledge, Kouketsu was not present, only one person came to mind; Blanche's baby. "You're having a boy?" she asked with a growing smile. On one hand, she was overjoyed for the woman that stood before her. Motherhood was something that she hoped to experience one day herself, unable to imagine it being anything but good and fulfilling. On the other hand though, knowing it was a boy made her feel sad to an extent. The fact that the baby would share gender with its father and not its mother would probably serve to link it more closely to Kouketsu than Blanche. People would see only Kouketsu in him as he grew up, whereas if he were born a girl, they might see more of Blanche, and associate the good that she had done with the child. The world's ignorance would be the baby's undeserved punishment.

"Congratulations! He's a lucky baby to have such a wonderful woman for a mother," Kasumi said. "I'm sure he'll be amazing, despite what everyone else might feel... Pass on my congratulations to Kouketsu as well," she said, swallowing a knot that had formed in her throat. "And if you ever need a baby sitter, I'm always around." Yes, she was still intimidated by the fact that Kouketsu was around and was going to be staying, but with time she would surely come to be more comfortable with his presence. If was Blanche said was true, then there would be no reason to fear the man. She wanted the baby to be happy a great deal, though likely not as much as the two of them did. Kasumi always thought that a parent's love, if true, could not be broken or outweighed by anything.

It seemed that after the first surprise dropped, Blanche had been prepping to drop another on Kasumi; she told her that what she had done at the gathering was brave, and thanked her for it. A slight tint of red flared upon Kasumi's face, and she shook her head with a bright, wide eyed smile. "You don't have to thank me," she said. "I wasn't trying to be brave, I was just doing what I thought was right." Sighing quietly, she thought of her next words rather carefully. "Your baby shouldn't be born into a world where its already been condemned for something that it wasn't even around for, and not to seem strange or anything, I know we don't exactly know each other very well and all, but I'll do whatever I can to make sure that he has more than two friendly faces in this village."

[Apple]

I nodded softly at her comment about the weather. I enjoyed the rain; the soft sound that it made whilst going against the few glass skylights within my office. It was so.. sleep-inducing. There was nothing better, however, then being inside and being able to hear the rain pouring on the streets. It was comforting, or, at least, to me it was. "..I'm sure that if it starts raining, we won't be seeing the end of it for a few days.." I murmured. Whilst Kusagakure had its more than fair share of warm weather, it seemed as if nature was intent on keeping the balance, and when it rained - it poured. The air was naturally more humid here than anywhere else in the world - but over time, you tended to get used to it. But where my home was concerned I still lived within the compound, deep beneath he earth, which was merely .. makeshift, although it had worked up until now. Perhaps by this time next year I'd be in a house, listening to the rain as it pattered down its sides. Maybe. However - as the matter of the child came back in to discussion with Kasumi's surprised response to the gender which I'd spoken of, I nodded softly. She seemed quite.. ecstatic from the expression that slid on to her face in response, and despite my forbearing to not act stupid, the same small smile continued to rest on my face, as if it had found its home itself. He was healthy - and that was all that mattered to me. I couldn't lose him, too.

"..A boy."

I repeated the words with quiet enthusiasm, but I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of sadness.


"Yuuchiro."

"..Perhaps when he's old enough, you'll teach him."
"I can tell you now; He's going to be a handful."

The name was quite personal to me - and Kouketsu, too. Derived from the name of the man who would have been the child's Uncle - Uekyuuchi, I saw it as all-too befitting. I'd been told several things about how he'd changed after he and I parted on that fateful day several years ago, but from my own experience growing up with him, he'd been the kindest, most level-headed man that there had been. Perhaps it was somewhat strange to say, but I'd looked up to him. He'd always been much more reserved than me - but he pulled it off with such style, whilst I'd always run in to rooms shouting and becoming an annoyance. Even if we hadn't reconnected after that day, even after whatever involvement he'd had with Kouketsu during the second shinobi war, he was my brother, and I loved him. Even to this day, past the upsetting news of his death. If the people of Kusagakure didn't want the child to grow up to be like his father, and I didn't want him to grow up to be like myself - then I sought for my brother to guide him on the correct path. I wasn't sure what he'd look like - if he would gain my quick-growing, long, blonde hair, whether or not he'd have sparkling blue eyes, or if he'd be born bearing the dominant traits of the Uchiha clan - but whatever the case, I knew that he'd be perfect.

"Congratulations! He's a lucky baby to have such a wonderful woman for a mother."

Of course - I was sure that there was a lot that this girl didn't know about me - that this village didn't know about me. I'd been tamed, in a way. But perhaps this was all that I wanted after all of these years, and now, I could look back and see that the cruel declination of such a natural right had stripped me bare of my humanity, and upon its restoration.. I felt.. alive, perhaps for the first time in years. But I could remember it all - the nights I'd spent in with nails digging in to my scalp, trying to get my brain to just stop. Trying to make sense of the hell that I'd carelessly been thrown in to head-first. I could remember the voices that lurked in my head with such a distinct resemblance to my own. This child - calmed it all, brought the raging storm to a halt. "......" But what was to say that it wouldn't simply begin turning again once he was born? Could I, the woman who still desperately tried to clean the blood of those I'd disemboweled from beneath her fingernails, truly start again anew? There were a few questions that I didn't particularly like thinking about, and although Kasumi's intentions had been purely innocent, such doubts drove in to my head like a metal bullet.

Having lost my train of thought, I soon returned to reality.

"..Thank you."

But - it wasn't her fault. I merely had some things that I needed to settle before it would be too late. My left hand still subconsciously resting on my stomach, now still, my head tilted to the side softly, causing waves of blonde to tumble down alongside the movement. And I listened carefully as she spoke of her reasons as to why she'd spoken out during the meeting, and her choice of words were admirable, to say the least. "It's nice to know that some people understand." I spoke with a trying smile, gently patting down my left hand twice before allowing it to go back to its position at my side. "I merely hope that by the time that he arrives.." a pause. "..That most of the village will share your opinion, Kasumi - or at least accept him for who he is - whether he merely shares the looks of his father, or be born with his eyes." It was something that I often thought about, but Kasumi's words gave me somewhat amount of hope that perhaps people could change and by the time that he'd be in academy, he'd be as included and loved as anybody else within the village. I didn't want him to stand out - for being the child of the man who had destroyed the entire shinobi world as we knew it, or for being the son of the Kusakage. A normal upbringing - it was all that I wished for.

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[Nickito]

She nodded in agreement, having been in Kusa long enough to experience the rain and how it affected the lands that they called home. More often than not, it came in large increments that almost seemed spaced out to the red head. Sometimes it was enjoyable, but other times it was something to be avoided like a plague. That particular day was one of the later. It wouldn't be enjoyable if she got soaked by the rain given the day's conditions. It was a little too chilly for her, and a little too sticky. "Might give me an excuse to stay home for awhile and get some rest then. Take some time to think things through," she said with a small smile.

They stood there for awhile, and when the woman spoke the name of the child that was to come, Kasumi mulled it over in her head. "Yuuchiro," she said, trying it out. "That's a really great name," she finally said after a moment, smiling at Blanche until she dropped the bomb of possibly teaching the child when he was old enough. She was stunned to say the least, but at the same time, flattered. Her Kage thought she would be good enough to teach her own child. "You and Kouketsu wouldn't train him?" she asked, her head tilted to the side. "I figured he'd probably learn the most from the two top shinobi in the village is all," she clarified. She would never say no to the idea if she was considered talented enough to have such a place in Yuuchiro's life, but at the same time, she wasn't looking to step on toes. "Needless to say... I'd be honored to take up the role." A momentarily bow of her head sealed it.

She was resolved to get stronger and become more disciplined than she already was. If she was going to have such a place in the baby's life, to teach it the way of the ninja, to guide it as it grew up and became stronger, then she herself would need to grow up more and become strong enough for more than just herself. She was completely ready for the coming Chuunin exams in terms of the requirements, but she had been questioning whether or not she was ready as a person, as a kunoichi. Whether or not she was strong enough yet, whether or not she would just get herself killed. It was just something that time would tell her, she hoped. One way or another, she would eventually become strong enough. It was just something that had to happen.

"They'll come around," Kasumi said, her face as solid as stone to back up her statement. "It will just take some time. I mean... There will people who don't accept it ever, and perhaps even pass the ill will down to their children and children's children, but not everybody follows those types of cues, even if they come from family." She stepped a little closer to Blanche with a comforting smile. "Some people just know what is wrong and what is right, and are able to break free of the status quo to think for themselves. I think that's what needs to happen concerning Yuuchiro, and I think it will happen," she said, a comforting hand resting on her upper arm. "Even if they need to be shown, to be convinced... That's where I'll come in, if the two of you let me," she began. "If I do become his teacher, I'll help to make him into a good, caring shinobi. I'm sure it won't be hard. You're a very caring person after all, he'll probably inherit your care for Kusa anyway."

Her comment about his inheriting his father's eyes was understandable enough. The Sharingan was well known, the things a possessor of the special ability was able to do were often components of horror stories that she had heard as a child. If Yuuchiro were to inherit it, the people would surely be more afraid of him than they would be if he didn't inherit it. Kasumi nodded her understanding, speaking softly. "An ability doesn't make a person inherently good or bad. If he does develop the Sharingan eye, he can be taught how to use it to protect people that are important to him rather than harm them those who are seen as threats. Hopefully Kouketsu would see to that, considering what you've said of him as of late."

[Apple]

Her response to the name that I'd revealed to her seemed to be taken well, and in response, I gave her a simple nod. I'd already found myself lovingly referring to him as Yuu, even now, although Kouketsu was the only one to hear the name, accidentally slipping past my lips when in and out of conversation with other people. However - it seemed that she'd misinterpreted what I'd meant when I suggested that perhaps she'd be the one to teach him. She was a genin now - but perhaps by the time that he was old enough to join his first team, she'd be a chuunin - or perhaps a jounin of the village, and be designated to lead his. I wasn't sure, but it was a concept that I mused over. I felt somewhat more comfortable knowing that someone who wasn't judgemental of his existence could possibly be the one to help season him in to a capable shinobi, after all. The possibilities, the potential captivated me, but - thinking about it tended to distract me.. as it did now. Collecting myself again from the brief wall that I'd found myself staring at, I began to move slightly, turning my position so that I now faced the somber-looking rosebush, my hands weaving between its hazardous stalks, my fingers gently pressing against the barbs. Of course - this action brought no bloodshed, I was more careful than that. Pulling my hand away and turning to face Kasumi again, I'd respond to her further comments.

"..As much as I'd hate to say it, he needs other people in his life other than simply Kouketsu and I."

A gentle smile.

I wanted nothing more than to hold him close and keep him as mine for the an eternity, but - I knew the time would come where, alike each other person in the world, he would begin creating a journey of his own.

And friends. He would, undoubtedly, become a shinobi, but would he follow in the footsteps that I and his father had created? I wished for him to create his own - and I was fiercely intent on making sure that happened. He wouldn't step in the large footsteps that Kouketsu had created for the sake of warding him away from the path that he had chosen during his younger years, and neither did I want him to step in to my own unfortunate steps. He'd be different, I was sure of it. But as the young genin began to speak of those who had spoken so strongly against the connection that Kouketsu and I had, I listened carefully, my eyes interlocked with hers. It was strange, almost, for a girl of her age to speak so maturely, although, the truth was I'd been in a similar position to her but a few years older, having to mature for an entirely different reason. But - she spoke calm words and seemed to show her own hope towards the subject that concerned me as of late giving the mixed responses I'd recieved after the meeting I'd held. "As long as he can live a happy life, then I'll be pleased." I spoke quietly, although, my tone not sounding sad in any way, but instead, quite neutral. However, feeling as if I'd personally exhausted the topic, I chose to instead focus on Kasumi and her future and what would come of her. The red-haired kunoichi was determined, I was sure of that, and I had numerous questions to ask her. Would she be interested in joining the ANBU division when she was older and more qualified? Or would she choose to retire of a life of teaching others as an academy teacher? I could tell with most, but I wasn't sure. She seemed to have the sense of justice and order that could be seen in ANBU, but at the same time - she had a strong mind and a sharp opinion which could sway her view on things.

"..Are you going to participate in the upcoming chuunin exams?
If I recall correctly, you have a few more months to prepare."

I wasn't aware of the correct date as it hadn't been given to us yet, but - all I knew was that given the timing, I wasn't sure if I would be able to attend. Coincidentally, the month the chuunin exams were scheduled to start was also the month when Yuu was due to make his arrival, and for that reason I wasn't sure whether I should risk leaving the village. But at the same time - I didn't see the harm in attending for a short time, if I felt well enough. But Kasumi - she opportunities before her that would change her life, and I wanted to see her prosper, just like every other hopeful genin in the village.

SPOILER: Click to show

2 Infuin stacks gained.

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[Nickito]

It was hard to hide the grin that formed on her face after Blanche's first choice of words. It was almost strange that Kasumi found it funny, but it was almost odd to hear the woman speaking like a mom. It was very clear that she was pregnant and there was no disbelief or shock to be reeling from at that point in time, especially when the last few days had been carried out the way they had been. The kunoichi almost didn't understand her own feeling, but at the same time, she knew why she was struggling with a laugh. "Spoken like a true mom," she finally said, stifling the laugh before it could come out. "He's not even here yet and you're already thinking about him like he is," she said, conveying not only to Blanche where her funny feeling came from, but to herself as well. "I'd be more than happy to be one of those people, though. Everyone could use a friend that's able to look out for them."

The sudden change in topic was surprising to Kasumi, but not exactly hard to understand. She almost felt bad for her prying, even though she hadn't even caught herself doing it and had not known until after that she had been. The segue wasn't exactly smooth, but she didn't bother herself with it. It wasn't always a good idea to dwell on the ways that the present might make a person feel about the future, or what signs seen might say about the things that are to come. Yuu would have a good life, no doubt, and that was all that truly mattered. As Blanche began to speak of the Chunin Exams, however, Kasumi froze up, stunned in a way. It was as if the woman had been able to discern her thoughts by just looking at her. Not only that, but the Chuunin Exams were something that troubled Kasumi a great deal, and they were something that she was still trying to feel out.

"The Chuunin Exams," she said softly. Just saying them, acknowledging them out loud in front of somebody was a struggle for her. The words seemed to catch her breath and drag it away from her as they drifted away from her. Her heart fluttered and the world felt as if it might fall out from beneath her feet. Not long ago she had been confident in her abilities and was more than ready to show her strength to the other villages and their competition. She had her missions completed, and she'd been training and growing more capable as a ninja in preparation. The man that always greeted her at the Kusakage Atrium seemed to think she was on her way to reaching them, what with her constant missions. At the time, so had she, but something had changed and taken all of that confidence away from her.

"I was planning on it," she said, a sharp sigh forced from her lungs. "Now though, with everything that's going on, I'm not sure if it's a good time," she continued. "Not only that, but... I'm also kind of scared about going. They get really serious, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to handle all of that or not." She took her hand away from Blanche and used to it to rub her own arm, a million thoughts running through the highway of her mind at the speed of light. "I got all my missions done, I've been training and practicing as much as I can, but I'm not sure if I'm as prepared as I had thought that I was," she admitted, her lips pursing together after she had spoken. Deep down, she wished that there was some type of edge she could come up with, an advantage that might give her a better shot. Her parents had each had their Kekkei Genkai -- her mother, a user of Futton, her father a user of Shakuton -- when they attended the Chuunin Exams, and all Kasumi could think of that might help was her Sensory abilities. The skills would help her to stay alive as they had for so long, but they would do little to nothing in defeating an opponent.

"I'm just not sure I'm strong enough. I'm not sure that I have anything that will make me stand out enough to rise above the rest and qualify as a Chuunin," she explained to Blanche, a sad look on her face. "I've been asking myself the same question over and over again; 'Do I have what it takes to be a Chuunin, or am I too mediocre to even dream about becoming one?'"

[Apple]

It seemed as if whatever choice of words I'd chosen previously had seemed to entertain her to some degree - although from the verbal explanation that came after it, it seemed as if the root of it had been the way that I'd been talking over the last few minutes. Often portrayed as a cold, and generally dislikable woman as far as I'd heard, I was sure that this ... side was typically unseen. But as of late it had bloomed tenfold, and even I found it strange to approach people in such a different way, but half of the time I didn't even notice that I was doing it. Kasumi's enthusiasm was noted, and I was sure that she had a bright future ahead of her whatever options she chose - she seemed to have her heart and mind in the right place, and that was the most that I could ask from any of my shinobi. It was people that held similar thoughts and ideas made me feel as if perhaps, just maybe this world wasn't as twisted as it sometimes made itself out to be. The world was too far gone for me - everything had happened and I couldn't bring myself to escape from the past but this, this was a new world for them, and I didn't want them to have to walk the same troubled streets that my generation had.

But now - back on the note of the chuunin exams, I listened intently to the girl's response. I'd been told - and I'd looked at the register in the Atrium's office in order to see who could be eligible to take part, and one of those who'd seemed to complete the required mission count was indeed the very girl who was standing before me. Having completed them well within the timeframe, it was a good sign for things to come, although as her voice became slightly wistful and almost.. apologetic in nature, my head tilted slightly - was she thinking of leaving them until another time? Minutes passed as she seemed to figure out what she was going to say, but - I anticipated her change of mind about the exams from the way that she'd approached the subject, but I wanted to hear her reasoning for not attending this time around. There could be several different factors, but perhaps she simply didn't think that she was prepared enough, despite the time that was left. The powerful word was came to my ears, and I knew immediately that my assumptions were correct. She voiced that she thought that she was unprepared - and if she wasn't confident in her own abilities, then that would show itself whilst she'd be competing, I was sure - which wasn't exactly the most desirable thing that one wanted to have happen, especially at such a crucial time. The chuunin exams could spell life or death for some people, and for those less lucky who weren't focused enough, they often became the unjust victims of the game that shinobi played. I too had played predator - and perhaps those days weren't over just yet. But as for now, I simply existed.

"..I'd seen that you'd completed your missions - and in good time, too." I spoke, a silent compliment towards the dedication that the girl had shown towards attending the exams. For the last ones; Ujiyasu had been the only one to attend out of the entire shinobi world, which was.. a strange thing to try and picture, but his efforts and surely the examiner's disappointment had rendered him a chuunin - which, really, wasn't all that bad for us as a village, and wasn't that bad for the career of the shinobi himself. Shifting my position, both arms dropping and being held on either hip, I watched on at her as she elaborated on her anxiety to do with the games, but soon thereafter began to speak, myself. "If you feel as if you aren't prepared enough mentally or physically to attend and take part, then I won't force you." I spoke gently, to reassure her that choosing not to attend the chuunin exams this year wouldn't be something that I or the entire village would take in offense. If anything, it was understandable. "Personally, if you aren't confident in your abilities now, I'd rather you stay back and train more for the next exams, so that you fully embrace the capabilities that you have. By then, I also don't doubt that you'd have expanded your knowledge." I didn't aim to belittle her through my words, but I merely understood each thing that she told me in regards to her doubts about attending - and I wasn't going to push her. I knew that the games could be dangerous, and whilst getting injured was something that usually happened in the lives of even the most able shinobi, I didn't want her to risk it - or perhaps it was only my own strong maternal personality that shone through as she - merely a young girl, spoke of potentially getting killed in the games that would soon come upon us.

"I've been asking myself the same question over and over again; 'Do I have what it takes to be a Chuunin, or am I too mediocre to even dream about becoming one?'"



A small, yet somewhat sly smile made itself apparent on my face.

"I was promoted to chuunin just a few years before I became the leader of this village."

It was the truth - I'd become chuunin only a few years ago, although it was a truth that only a few knew of. Of course, with that said - I wasn't ashamed of it. My life had been too turbulent to take part during the first shinobi war and afterwards, becoming chuunin was the least of my worries when I had no village to dedicate such a title towards. Perhaps our reasons weren't the same, but I merely sought to comfort her.

"You have plenty of time, Kasumi."

As I spoke, small droplets gradually began to fall from the sky.

[/justify][/blockquote]

[Nickito]

[Sorry in advance for this piece of junk post. Sweat shops be takin' dey tol' ;~;]

"I guess when I set my mind to doing something, there's little that can get in my way," she said, shrugging her shoulders as a heavy, tension fill sigh left her lungs. "I was determined to be ready for them, and then I was. I thought I'd have more time, more space to get myself ready to actually compete, but I'm not so sure now," she admitted, a sad smile forming on her lips. "I guess I was rushing myself too much." Though she had lived her life in almost constant danger up until the day she arrived in Kusa, she had never truly seen combat or action on her own. She'd always had her parents, two incredibly skilled shinobi in their own rights, to act as a safety net. The Chuunin Exams were not somewhere that she could bring that net. Even though she was much older than a great deal of Genin, it was possible that she just hadn't prepared herself properly. Nobody ever said that age equaled experience.

"I think I might do that. Stay back, train, actually get in the mindset of preparing myself. Not just push myself forward ignorantly like I have been," Kasumi said, nodding her head quietly, not saying anything else. It was true that she had been trained every day since she was a young child, but she had still only recently graduated a Ninja Academy and become a Genin. Despite all her prior knowledge and years of training, she still hadn't been the top of her class, and that spoke volumes. There was much room for improvement, something that had always been stressed in the Academy, and something she had always been too pigheaded to let sink in. "Maybe by then I'll have developed the Boil Release skills that my mother is known for. It's that or nothing, what with my two Chakra Natures," she said nervously. The Boil Release was something she had always admired about her mother, and after learning that she followed in her footsteps in terms of Elemental Chakra, it was something she had always hoped of growing into.

In all honestly, she wasn't exactly sure how old Blanche was. She didn't look to be much older than herself, but she'd also heard rumors of the woman's medical prowess. Perhaps she had tamed the aging process of herself, or maybe she just aged gracefully. "Maybe you're right," she said. "I just hope I'm not stuck as a Genin for the rest of my life. It would suck to find out I'm not actually cut out for this line of work," she said, laughing nervously.

[Apple]

Despite the fact that it seemed as if Kusagakure wouldn't be gaining another chuunin in the shape of Kasumi this year, by allowing herself space and letting her pace herself for the next games it only made the chance of her recieving the promotion that she wished more likely. It had taken quite a while for me to gain my title of chuunin as I'd always been put off attending due to other events, but I'd passed them like a breeze and completed each of my matches and all of the tasks that it had required. I knew that each exam differed slightly each year, but it only made me wonder what the genin that I'd be sending out to the exams would have to go through this year. With the failure of the last exams given the extremely low number of participants, I wasn't sure if the arrangements were those that they were planning to go ahead with last time before only Ujiyasu had seemed to show up, but I was sure that they would be challenging. And - if the girl could prepare herself well before they began the next time around, then I was sure that whatever challenges the games would throw at her, she'd be able to overcome easily. All she seemed to need was more practice - and she understood that.

But on the note of her obtaining the ability that her mother had through her natural affinity to her own two elements - it seemed.. interesting. I could recall her saying something about her parents having unique abilities, and I remember pondering whether or not she shared the ability that they had in one way or another. It seemed that from the way that she spoke about it, that she had the building-blocks that compromised the advanced release but she had yet to unlock it. The mere understanding that she even had these two releases suggested that she'd be able to inherit that of her mothers lineage in time, and I was interested to see where she'd take it - whether she'd truly be able to unlock her ability, or if it was only a false sense of hope. She would have other abilities and would have furthered her skills in both releases she had at the moment by the next exams - so what's to say that she wouldn't also gain the advanced release that she suspected was dormant within her? There was no way of telling right now even to medics alike myself - it seemed as if we'd have to wait and see. Shifting from one foot to the other, I then held myself still, looking over at the young red-haired girl.

"I'm sure you'll do well, Kasumi."

Turning slightly, the rain starting to fall down heavier, I gazed momentarily at the sky.

"It's about time I headed back; Good luck with your training."

Allowing us to part with a soft smile from my own countenance, I then began to make my way out of the garden, in search of shelter in the form of the atrium.

EXIT!

SPOILER: Click to show

3 Infuin stacks gained.

[/justify][/blockquote]

[Nickito]

As the first raindrops fell to the Genin's cheek, she nodded in response to Blanche's words. "Thank you... I hope so," she added to her nod. "Goodbye, maybe we'll talk again sometime soon," she said, speaking with a chipper tone. As Blanche left, so too did Kasumi, searching a dry place of her own.

EXIT~

[Messatsu!]

+50 @ Both!