A Chance Meeting [Apple]

[~Rogue~]

The rustle and shouts of the city do not reach here. There is nothing but solitude and fresh air where these flowers culminated, and Wave laid peacefully amongst them. There was nothing better than slacking off on a busy day, after many desperate attempts to come up with rent money and living expenses. There was a certain fragrance that emanated from the fresh lilies beneath Wave. The aromas poured into his clothing and provided him with a natural soothing perfume, and with the  booming bass of Wave's over sized headphones echoed from his head it was no wonder that the boy would drift off into slumber.

Dreams of the future mixed with ghosts of the past, as Wave dreamed of his abandonment of Konoha, and his new found home in Kusagakure. Even in his  dreams, the boy was haunted by his on fears of the future. Would he ever become the ninja he aspired to be, or would his dreams be eternally deferred. Kusakage, there was a title befitting a brave shinobi of the Hidden Grass t,his is the title Wave aspired for. Wave's own feverish hunger for success also gave him respect for the current Kusakage, and it was this respect that would then turn to adoration. However, the young boy had never officially had an audience with his illustrious leader, so his  wonders would be restricted to child like representations and supernatural guesses. The only thing he was certain of was that she had a certain ruthlessness that would sprout forth when her village  was endangered, a trait Wave both respected and imitated.

Still, at the moment he was just a simple Genin, dozing in the fields of bliss and peace.

[Apple]

Given that it was quite a nice day and I sought to give myself some amount of fresh air from my usual duties in the Atrium, I found myself wandering around the village, a thing that I found myself doing quite often now that the weather had seemed to perk up somewhat. Despite the sun that shone down on our home - my home, I didn't doubt that the rain would come soon just as it had for the past few days. Kusagakure being one of the more tropical nations out of the rest, our weather was mostly sunny and warm, but there were always a few times a year where it would become the victim of a downpour, the rainfall easing the thirsty of the many different kinds of plants that lingered within its borders. Fully aware of this, I wasn't all that concerned as for now it seemed as if the heavens would remain closed, but you could never tell. Damp beads of sweat generated by the sheer warmth of the land could sometimes be mistaken for the moisture in the air, and perhaps also the soft spray of rain that sometimes fell on the village like some kind of mist. But for now, it remained fine, and I moved myself about the village, my eyes picking up on every little detail that came to my eyes. With my current thirst for chakra subdued, I gazed around at my surroundings with so much more clarity, sky-blue eyes drinking in the sights of Kusagakure and disregarding the looks I received from villagers who were either still unsure about the news in regards to Kouketsu, or those who were interested in seeing me. Wherein my appearance was concerned, it was clear that the child was due to be born within the next few weeks, and my usual quick pace had been dulled considerably.

I soon broke my way in to one of the many gardens in the village that harbored beautiful plantlife. Despite the fact that nature was prominent everywhere in the village, the gardens were especially preened and grown for their visual appeal, tended to by one of the many nature-orientated clans within the village - the Hanakora family. The village had entrusted such people with this duty for generations, and I was quite intent on keeping it that way for the sake of tradition, and because honestly, they did a good job. Clean air spread through my lungs and I breathed in the sweet floral scents around me, my eyes closing momentarily as I basked in this haven. However, as I moved deeper and deeper in to the area, I soon came to realize that there, upon the floor, was one of my own shinobi, his head bearing large headphones, the music of which I could faintly hear from my somewhat distant position. He was sleeping - or dead. Curious on what he was doing, I soon approached the silent shinobi, bending down slightly before him in order for me to try and form eye contact -- if he was to awake or open his eyes, that is. Attempting to gain his attention by speaking seemed like it would have no success given the volume of his music, and so peeling a single hand away from his side, I then gently tapped the boy's shoulder. Blonde hair swung down softly as I leaned over, the silken, almost water-like fabric of my dress following suit in a combination that could only be described a captivating cascade of color and elegance.

If he chose to remove his headphones or stop the music that was booming in to his ears, I'd begin to speak;



"..Are you alright?"

I was sure that he was merely resting - taking a few hours away from the rest of the world in the beauty of the garden, but it never hurt to ask, of course. Despite the infamy that surrounded me and my reputation, I cared for my people, and it was clear in the way that I spoke -- even the ones that had shown to be against me in the infamous forum that had occurred a month or two ago.

[~Rogue~]

I could feel a mild disturbance in the air, nothing dramatic, but there was indeed a sudden shift in the serenity of the flower bed around me. The inviting fragrance of the ground below me was now mixed with a unique womanly scent. Wave laid still as he sharpened his senses and focused more on the warm sensual smell that stood above the scent of dew and perfume that surrounded him. 

This smell, so inviting, and motherly. I don't think I've smelled a flower quite like this, but's its so damn soothing.

Instead of reacting to this new presence like a good shinobi would, Wave instead decided to bask in it. Whoever approached was surely not a threat, not with this warm aura surrounding them. No, this faint feeling belonged to one who knew love, not blood, or at least, that's what Wave would think. He would have no clue that the one approaching  him had indeed seen more battle and hardships than the rugged Hyuuga himself. The one who stood above him now was a shinobi who had gained the title Wave so desperately wished for, the one who placed there hands on his shoulder now would be none other than the Kusakage herself.

As Wave's eyes opened, a wide shock would be sent through his body as a beautiful woman leaned over him. Her face seemed familiar, but the dazzling view of her golden locks of hair were more than enough to distract him from identifying her. She seemed to speak, and as her lips began to move Wave ceased the booming music coming from his headphones.

                                          "...Are you alright?"

             

"Uh!!!... uhm I'm fine.. I just got wrapped up in the moment ya' know."

Wave motioned towards the scenery around them. He was right, this place was truly beautiful. Whoever the caretaker's  were it was easy to see that they put alot of time and precious work into these gardens. The long expanse of different colors and mixing aromas were enough to calm a heart even as restless as Wave's.  The young  Hyuuga felt silly for sitting here while the woman, who was clearly physically burdened, leaned over him. As the boy stood he swiped up a quick make-shift bundle of flowers and nervously offered it to the goddess before him.

       

"My name is Satoshi Hyuuga, but please, call me Wave. I abandoned my surname a long time ago."

Its seemed the boy still had no idea who he was talking to.

[Apple]

"Uhh!.. Uhm I'm fine.. I just got wrapped up in the moment ya' know."

It seemed as if the boy was responsive from the tap on the shoulder that I'd given him, and that made it much easier for me as I didn't exactly want to be stumbling upon corpses in my own village. His tone suggested that his words were true and he had been caught up, but then again I'd assumed that initially as I'd seen him slumped on the floor as if in some kind of deep sleep. Retracting my hand so that it now pressed against my knee as I continued to lean over, I smirked in response to his words, and moved back slightly to allow him room as I saw him begin to change his position. The warmth of the sun shone down on us both, but it held some amount of coolness and the air seemed.. damp, in a way. Perhaps there was a storm on the way -- I wasn't sure, but my safest bet was that it would begin to rain in the next few hours. Living in the village and often spending time about its confides, I'd become quite adapt to noticing the weather patterns that it submit to. Not only was it nice to be able to guess what the weather would be like in hours to come, but also it was useful. Pushing back a long strand of blonde hair with my other hand, I then moved to my full height myself as the boy withdrew from his previously lazy position, now standing. I was usually known to wear heels that made me tower above people even more than I already did, but given circumstances I'd decided to revert back to more mundane flat shoes. And on this note, as I looked back at the boy, I came to notice that the both of us were of similar height - which suggested that he was unnaturally tall for his age. But, then again, I knew giants; specifically one by the name of Akira, and it only made me wonder just how tall he was in his youth. Having watched him tear a variety of flowers in one quick sweep from the ground, his offer was, admittedly, sweet. There were many moments in the village wherein I'd been handed flowers by villagers, but none as.. abrupt as this, and in response, I could only, again, smirk as I took the stems in to my hands, gazing down at the mismatched arrangement I'd been given by him.

"..It seems like you abandoned your name, too."

I said, although my words hadn't meant to be malicious or unkind in any way, moreso a simple comment.
Albeit with a tone that suggested that I was somewhat entertained by his declaration.

"If I was you, I'd keep a close eye on the weather and try not to doze off."

"It's due to rain within the next few hours."

I sought only to save him from having to go to the hospital with the flu, or worse, as a result of staying out in the rain. Continuing to stand tall at my height, a single hand positioned on my middle whilst the other hung to my side clutching the makeshift bouquet of flowers I was given, I paid a glance to them, before looking back to the shinobi. "..Thank you." I spoke with a playful grin. "The plants grown here are truly beautiful, aren't they? I'm glad that the Hanakora agreed to continuing their services of tending to the village gardens." I both inquired and enlightened him. In my opinion, there was no other village as beautiful as Kusagakure, but.. perhaps I was simply biased on that matter.

SPOILER: Click to show

1 Infuin pack stored.

[~Rogue~]

"..It seems like you abandoned your name, too." 

Wave scratched at his nose as he realized he had completely forgotten the name "Satoshi". The only people who would ever call him by that name was his parents, and with them parading aound in Konoha's back-room politics, there was no one to keep the boy from forgetting himself. The golden haired goddess before the boy stood on equal footing with himself. This was something Wave was not quite use to, seeing as most people his age rarely shared his height, and according to a few medical reports, Wave would simply continue growing. He shifted nervously as the woman accepted his gift, and then spoke:

"If I was you, I'd keep a close eye on the weather and try not to doze off."

"It's due to rain within the next few hours."

Wave had  watched the skies for a good 3 hours before dozing off into this fragrant bed of flowers, and not once had he seen a storm cloud on the horizon. However, due to Kusagkure's tropical climate, it was more than reasonable to suspect that these rays of sunshine could soon be replaced with a feverish downpour. So, perhaps it was best to get out of the  open air he was so thoroughly enjoying, but where would he go? His home was more than a few hours away from here, and thanks to his nonchalant wandering it would take Wave a while to get on the road home. Then there was also the thought of abandoning a helpless woman before properly escorting her home. say what you will about the Hyuuga's but at the very least they had instilled a strong moral code within Wave, and one of these codes was to never abandon a woman, especially one who has shown you kindness.

The woman once again turned her attention to the flowers the young man had set out for her, and thanked him. Wave had not really expected any gratitude for his make-shift gift, he was simply reacting on the etiquette that had been drilled into him in his earlier years. Then, the woman spoke once more:

"The plants grown here are truly beautiful, aren't they? I'm glad that the Hanakora agreed to continuing their services of tending to the village gardens."

The beauty of the surrounding fields was obvious to any man, but now that Wave knew who to thank for the construction of his beautiful little getaway, he smiled warmly.

"Kusagakure has many beauties. Be it the large, lush grass-fields, the mysterious and spontaneous storms, or even the architecture of the village itself. This land was  built from beauty into beauty. That's why I believe it's worth I believe its worth fighting for ya' know?

Wave chuckled at his own words for a moment, before motioning to the headband worn around his waist.

"I'm a shinobi in case you couldn't tell! Not just any shinobi either, soon I'm going to be the best of the best, and then the entire world will grow to respect this village even more!"

Wave stuck out his chest a little to  seem more official and proud. No doubt this woman would be impressed to meet a shinobi of Kusagakure, after all Wave was a man worth knowing! Or at least thats what his ego kept telling him

[Apple]

With he now standing at his full height, It wasn't long until he responded to what I had to say. I couldn't blame him for wanting to take a break in the gardens of Kusagakure, of course. But -- I was merely watching out for him just in case he'd wake up within a couple of hours only to find that he'd been caught in torrential rain. Whilst we as shinobi had good reflexes, in the past I'd found myself easily being able to go to sleep in even the most complicated of situations. Under loud sound, or bright lights – after the second shinobi war had left me homeless due to the fact that Kusagakure had been destroyed, I was lucky to find sleep anywhere that I didn’t have to pay for. Of course, I’d slept rough for the majority of my time given that for the first half of my journeys money wasn’t something that was easy to come by, and in contrast to how I lived now, the plush Kikkawa manor being my home, it was, truly, a difference to what I was used to. It was also quite a difference to the compound that I’d been living in for the time prior to moving back in to the manor. With slightly stale air, no sunlight and a single bed that had long since outlived its purpose, it was, nonetheless, better than anywhere else I’d been sleeping at the time, so I’d had no problems with it. I was sure that some would find it strange, really, how I was content with the simplest of things given the fact that I was made out to be such an extreme character in the media. Moreso with the latest news that was given to the village in regards to the child’s paternity – None other than Kouketsu Uchiha bearing the title of father, I was sure that there were several rumors currently circulating the village.

But now as he spoke, listing all of the things that he enjoyed about the village – our home, I lowered my gaze slightly so that my eyes were now focused on the grass below our feet as I took in the purpose of his words. The place, despite the changeable weather that we tended to have at this time of year, was a paradise, or at least it was to me, and as Kusakage, even as I was at the moment I was still intent on keeping the place just that – a paradise. But again, my mind reflecting back on the ill-fated forum that had happened a while ago, I was believed to have begun destroying the village internally through my personal decisions – a comment that I felt was unjust and ignorant. But, there were a few people who supported us, and that was more than what I could ask for. I merely hoped that the rest would soon fall in line once they realized how harmless the unity between myself and Kouketsu truly was. I wanted nothing more than to protect my village; but how could I do so when I had people waging war on me from within the village itself? ”..I’m glad that even after all that it’s been through it’s managed to stay this beautiful.” A soft sigh momentarily left my lips as I turned to face the young boy again as he soon finhed reciting, his dedication bringing the same soft smile back to my face. If I was, contrary to popular belief, able to feel warmth, then I was through his words. I didn’t want our children running blindly in to fights in the name of Kusagakure, but the vigor and belief that he showed was comforting to see.

”The best of the best?”

I spoke with a grin.

Personally, I hadn’t ever imagined that I’d become Kusakage.

Kusakage had always been something I believed my brother to be more suited towards.

Not me.

However, the boy’s attitude was refreshing, and despite being a little bit too headstrong, it seemed as if his heart was in the right place, and so what right did I have to strike him down for having such a dream? Whilst I wasn’t a sappy person, it was nice to have goals and aspirations. ”Good luck – but it sounds as if you’re planning on running me out of a job.” I spoke playfully. Whilst my own position at the moment as Kusakage was compromised slightly by my own personal circumstance – the child that was due to be born soon and my future with him and Kouketsu – I had no intention on leaving my post. Leading the village was something that I’d become so acquainted with doing day in and day out, and I truly couldn’t imagine myself with a different lifestyle. I wasn’t sure what I’d do. But, from all that he’d said – it seemed as if he didn’t recognize me, which was quite entertaining, however I hoped that he’d take the information given from my last sentence to piece the puzzle together. ”..This village has come a long way since I tried to reinstate it into the shinobi world a few years ago.” I spoke, suggesting the work that went in to restoring it to the condition that it was in now. ”It’s up to your generation to take the role of protecting this village once the time comes.” I detailed, commenting on the strong attitude he’d shown in regards to his dedication and hope for the village. Perhaps, in many, many years to come, my child would join the ranks of Kusagakure and help lead it to the glory that I tried to move it towards now. Perhaps then he'd be viewed as a hero and not as the scum that he was perceived to be even now. The same soft smile heading towards Wave, despite the fact that perhaps his outburst was the product of pent up teenage thoughts, he seemed to truly care about the village - which was a trait that I enjoyed seeing in my people.

"I'm sure you'll all do a good job."

[~Rogue~]

                    ”Good luck – but it sounds as if you’re planning on running me out of a job.” 


A cold chill washed over Wave after hearing that one sentence.

Out of a job, what does she mean by.... aw shit.

There were two things that got around in the slums of Kusagakure: money, and rumors, and there were plenty of juicy rumors about the woman Wave had now identified as the Kusakage. Wave is not too big on politics. In fact, if they did not concern him directly they really weren't worth knowing about. However, the story of how the village's own Kage had condemned her own village by sleeping with the devil (quite literally of course) had always drawn Wave's intrigue. He could never really wrap his head around why this "Kouketsu Uchiha" was such a terrible person. While he knew that the utterance of that name was enough to strike fear into many shinobi, Wave could not personally make the attachment between the man and his legend. Now looking at the woman for the first time with new eyes, or rather through his Byakugan, he saw all he needed to confirm the rumors... a small body nestled within the Kusakage's own...a baby. As the Shodaime finished her words a sudden guilt fell over Wave.

"I... I had no idea you were the Kusakage! Forgive me! It's just that I had never seen you in person and I only ever received missions through the Atrium attendants! Had I known it was you I... I don't know... Wouldn't have said something so foolish."   

It was true. The boy had spoken so fool-hardly about replacing the Kusakage in front of her. He couldn't imagine anything more brazen then that. Surely she would think him a fool. But Wave's ambitions did not come from arrogance, but for his sheer love  of the village. The young boy truly believed that by becoming the Kusakage he could defend the village that took him in when his own family abandoned him. Flashes of Wave's pass echoed in his head as he remembered his father's words, written in the last letter Wave would receive from them:

"A boy like you... a Kage... how foolish. Stay where you are, a boy like you is not welcomed in this clan, nor this village."

Wave's hands trembled slightly at the thought of his father, and it only amplified his disbelief in the rumors he has heard. How can a woman who has given herself completely to her village be the traitor they claim her to be? Furthermore, how could they condemn the child because of his father's wrong doing? If there was ever any piece of wisdom within the boy, it was that the Son does not always follow the Father.

"Forgive me if I speak out of term, but know in my eyes you are not a traitor. I have spent most of my time here striving to become like you, so I could protect the village that had protected me, I did not mean to replace you. 

Also, I have no idea who this Kouketsu guy is, but I have heard some truly terrible things, but this is was your own decision, and I firmly believe you wouldn't condemn the village you love so much. It's just the opinion of one shinobi but.. well... I just wanted to say.."

Wave's words garbled up in his mouth as he tried to think of what it is he was truly trying to say. It was not an easy to feat to look one's on Kage in the eye while openly admitting you have heard every piece of her "dirty laundry", her beautiful glinting eyes and flowing golden string like hair also proved a distraction. Finally.. after almost 3 seconds had passed Wave had finally found the words he had wanted to say.. the words that defined his feelings.

"...I just wanted to say... I believe in you."

[Apple]

And I waited patiently – patiently for the moment where he’d seem to twig in regards to just who he was speaking to, although it seemed as if I didn’t have to wait long as his face contorted slightly in response to what I’d said in regards to him running me out of a job. Of course, I was merely joking as I was hoping to hold on to my position for several years to come, but his face seemed almost.. horrified. Of course, I couldn’t blame him given the current rumours revolving about myself and the truth that had been leaked, and I didn’t doubt it that parents told their children that I ate their souls, or some other bizarre concept. However, of all things I hadn’t expected him to apologize. Standing close by, my arms still held to my side as I watched on at him, the once strong expression he’d showed seemed to falter considerably, now giving way to a much more unsure one. Upon recognizing that I was, indeed, the Kusakage, his attitude changed, and it seemed as if he was now much more aware of just what he was saying. But, despite the words that were pouring from his mouth, in all truth I hadn’t mattered. His spirit was perhaps a little bit arrogant, but I couldn’t exactly say that as I shared the same trait. But, his own was arrogance to succeed – arrogance to protect his home, and arrogance to do well in the village rather than spite it, and it was something that I respected. He had no reason to blurt his apologies out in such a manner, as I wasn’t exactly expecting one.

”You don’t need to apologize.”
“It wasn’t foolish.”

I spoke, reassuring him.

”..And neither is your dream – work hard and you might achieve it.”

Where the best of the best was concerned, I wasn’t sure if there was even such a person in this world, even with Kouketsu inhabiting it, but it was nice that he had some kind of goal at least.

After I chose my words carefully, outlining that he wasn’t to feel such guilt for anything that he’d said, I rose my arms to cross them. I understood that there would come a time where another would replace me, due to old age, perhaps, voluntary retirement, or death. The latter of which I didn’t particularly want to happen now that I had so much to look forwards to in life itself, but I had my own concerns in regards to that sensitive subject. The most silent of sighs slipped past me before I repositioned my attention back on the boy, he beginning to speak himself, not in regards to the dreams that he’d told me and the hopes that he’d had for the future of the village with his name in dazzling lights, but instead, now, about me, and it merely confirmed to me just how fast word did travel around the village. I couldn’t recall seeing him at the meeting I’d held in regards to the matter at hand, but he’d surely heard off someone else. I didn’t doubt that surely the information was starting to spread to other villages, too. However, it was done with now, but I felt assured knowing that I had Akira’s understanding, he representing the village of Kirigakure. ”..I appreciate your words.” I spoke, my tone silently thankful as my eyes dipped to briefly gaze at myself and the soft white fabric of my dress, before returning to the milky eyes of the boy. ”I think that the village has taken to the news better now that time has passed; but I won’t denounce those who still have firm opinions on the matter.” I explained honestly. It seemed as if some people were still irritated, but for the majority of people it had calmed down, although I still received many different looks from people whilst walking around the village. ”..But you mustn’t concern yourself with such things too deeply; you have your own future to look forward to, wave.” I grinned, attempting to bring light to the sombre mood that his words had brought the situation in to. I expected people to gather opinions, but at the same time for those who sympathized with the situation myself and Kouketsu were in, I didn't want them to worry. ”..Perhaps you will replace me one day; and when that day comes, I wish you the best of luck.” of course, I was merely playing – but truth be told, I didn’t know who would succeed me. No-one had any way of telling. Would it be Yuuchiro? Was I destined to rule this village until my own death? There were several questions, but I couldn’t bring myself to stunt Wave’s own dreams.

SPOILER: Click to show

3 Infuin stacks stored.

[~Rogue~]

Wave couldn't help but sense a few mixed emotions emanating from his beloved Kusakage. Even when she complimented him on his dreams, even going as far as saying it was possible, he couldn't help but feel she was in some kind of internal conflict. Was it her child? Was she worried about the life of her child? Well, at the very least that would be a legitimate concern, after all, there were already mixed consensus' being built on the child before it had even entered this world. Some believed that it would follow after its Father, and become a indestructible force of reckoning. While others saw it as a chance to gain a powerful ally for the village, after all, Kouketsu couldn't forsake a village that bore his son could he? Wave however, bore  no expectations for this child, accept that it would come to love the village as much as he did.

”..I appreciate your words.”


”I think that the village has taken to the news better now that time has passed; but I won’t denounce those who still have firm opinions on the matter.”


Faint sighs could be heard coming from the village's sole protector, this was something Wave had never expected to see. When Wave imagined his Lady, he imagined a strong dominating woman, with an unbreakable will. But now, as he saw her laying her worries before him, he felt a small twitch in his heart. Something made him want to reach out and comfort his Lady, but out of respect, he resisted. It is a Kage's duty to support it's village, so who then supports their Kage? 

”..Perhaps you will replace me one day; and when that day comes, I wish you the best of luck.”

Wave was too far gone in deep thought to truly acknowledge his superiors words. Here she was, openly acknowledging Wave's ambitions, and he was too busy worrying about her to appreciate it. His face remained stoic, and for the first time he thought whole-heartedly about someone else. He wanted to be around his Lady, he wanted to protect the woman who protected her village, before thinking of herself. But he was too far away, too small a man in order to do it, he felt pathetic.

"Thank you... It's sorta' weird that your giving me such support when I so blatantly claimed I was capable of replacing you. If.. if it's not too bold, I couldn't help but notice you are walking around without anyone. Perhaps I could help you with... erm.. things around the village.. or something.. OH! I'm good at babysitting! Maybe if you need some time off or um... need help in the hospitals or something.. maybe.. I.. could help?

[Apple]

His comment in regards to my response to what he’d said before recognizing that I was undoubtedly the most powerful person in the village made the corners of my lips curl up in a kind of half-grin, half-smile. I didn’t care, frankly.

”I don’t doubt that many of you believe that you could replace me, but; here I am.”

I spoke with the same grin as my arms motioned to the space around me. In truth, despite all that had been done; all that had been said, I still remained the stoic leader of the village, and I’d had no true opposition. Whilst a lot of villagers may have contrasting thoughts in regards to myself and my family, it seemed as if for now they were content enough with me leading the village; which, in all fairness, made no sense at all. But, I was happy enough at my post, and it wasn’t as if I wanted to leave it. Despite the other commitments that I had now, I still saw the village and its citizens, in a way, as a collective group that I confirmed to protect almost as if they were a child of mine. The title of Kage wasn’t one to be held lightly, and despite the controversy surrounding me, nothing had changed in my attitude towards them. Perhaps I felt somewhat disheartened that so many would take offense but – it was only to be expected, and henceforth the entire effect of it all was dulled.

However, I was soon drawn away from my thoughts and back to what the boy was saying as he began to suggest ways that he could help me, and in response, I merely shook my head with the same grin on my face. I was usually alone when walking around the village, so that was nothing new, but merely the way that he was listing everything, as if he was thinking of every little bit of village life and my own life that he could attend do. ”Nothing needs to be done.” I spoke, the expression on my face turning my to one that seemed subtly entertained by what he was saying. ”Everything is fine – although your offers are appreciated.” I was more than capable of handling everything myself – even the hospital and the various injured people that moved in and out of there every day. Musing for a moment or so, I allowed both of my hands to drop to my side, my blue eyes targeting the boy before me. ”Just concentrate on your own things to do; I don’t doubt that, being a genin, you’ll be interested in joining the next chuunin exams, correct?” I assumed with a slight shrug of my shoulders. Being at the bottom of the food chain, per se, there was all too much for him to do in order to rank up – beyond chuunin even, onwards towards jounin. ”..Do some missions and get training. After all; we need some more chuunin about the place to lead the genin of our community.” In a way, by attending the exams and ranking up, he would be helping me, however – it was his choice, of course. I wasn’t going to force him to join the exams that he didn’t particularly feel as if he was ready for. But -- even just doing missions helped me in the long run.