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"I am serious because I have to be, Bass." I know I nearly spat the words at him, but oddly I wished that I had not. Maybe it was because I knew the boy---Bass was actually trying to make amends for the humiliation he had caused me. In a sense it reminded me how Saya would act whenever I was displeased with her actions of her disobedience. I found myself grow slightly, as in so minuscule no one but myself would notice, more fond of the darker skinned boy in front of me.

"What I mean to say is, I am serious because one can not achieve their goal and attain their dreams unleash they are fully devoted to the cause---as I am." I trailed off at this however, my dreams were mine alone. Even if he and I could use each other for some sort of profit, he would never know of my dreams. It was what I had been destined to do and I needed no help from the likes of him. Unfortunately I needed him for one task and one task alone. "Saya..."

The murmur I gave surprised me but thankfully he had already began speaking of his use for me. It was nothing but battle tactics and shinobi warfare. Typical of such a male character. However I entertained his thoughts with a sly smile that crept across my lips. After all, he was complimenting my brilliance as he spoke as well. "Well, Bass, your little heathens would indeed find solace within my forest. I can turn my victims in circles within my wood and have them run straight into your little...friends."

That dreadful kiss was mentioned, however I would shrug it off. There was no use in getting worked up over it again. After all, I hardly wanted to lose control and get myself all dirtied up. I eyed him as he came close once again to crouch in front of me. Hobbies? Color? Drink? He was really trying to make small talk with me, something, again, only Saya would ever dream to accomplish with a Queen such as myself. However I felt oddly compelled to indulge him, and perhaps indulge myself on what information about himself that he would give.

"Blue. Chai Tea. Reading." I started, answering his generic questions first before eyeing the headset he passed my way. Music? I was quite well versed in music however the moment I put those god awful gaudy things to my ears I yelped and threw them back at him. "That music is terrible! If you want to hear some real music, dear, then I suggest you trash that!"

"I would normally ask of yourself, Bass but instead I will show you true music." My hands flashed through a handful of seals and wood sprouted from my being. It broke off however and fell like a log shaped lump to the ground. However in my hands and in the area we were within, anything was possible with my mastery. With my chakra the wood was molded into what some might say the most beautiful violin they did see. Of course I had seen much better but I had very little to work with. Plucking some tall grass from where we sat as well as using more wood to make a bow, the strings and what normally would have been coarse horse hair had been made from the tumbles below.

I smirked now, or so I thought, but really it was a smile, one so genuine if I had caught glimpse of it I would not have known I was myself. "Pay attention." Using my makeshift bow I put it against the strings of my violin. Slowly I ran it across and a melody as beautiful as my creation itself rung with an echo. Slowly a waltz started to play but there was something much darker to my version than what would have been to the original. Gloom, melancholy, sadness, all were traits of my waltz. My eyes even dared to close as I played, my body swaying slightly with the tune as I played for him.

This was what true music was like. Artful, classic, and elegant---poised with a regal beauty.

"Bass."

One worded and simple. That was my response to such a ludicrous display of affection. If it could even be called that. However, he knew my name, and he was indeed 'nice' enough to not simply address me as 'girl' or 'woman'. I supposed that just this once using the name he had given me wouldn't destroy my ego all that much. However if felt weird to address the boy I held such a grudge with by a name, like he had become someone personal within my life.

Again, how absolutely ludicrous.

He claimed that he had come to merely see me. I suppose putting those nasty hands of his up were proof that he came in peace. But really? How utterly disgusting could one like him be? I had not seen his hands when we fought all too well. Now, however, those hands were open and and their tongues rolled to doubly prove his innocent. I felt my stomach flip and I could have nearly vomited at the sight. However I had such class that I would not ruin it due to something regarding him.

"Fine," I started, while staring at the dark skinned boy before me. Anything around myself that would have still been touched with chakra and poised to attack would be drained. The plant life would fall back into place, though significantly turned over in places. I even impressed myself sometimes, really I did. However I had almost lost control there, which would not have been too good. "Let's talk."

I put sit down into the now undesirable looking grass, now staring up at him as he walked closer. I did not like this new position, but perhaps if I budged a little he would be comfortable enough to be nowhere near as ready to make any of those dreadful clay bombs. And if he was in the grass, one wrong word and I could perhaps skewer him on a pike made from the wonderful green below.

"Thank you for the compliment, I suppose. Though I already knew as such. I come from a noble family, mind you." Most would think it was just my attitude and unreal confidence that would conjure up such a statement. But back home, I had really hailed from 'the greats' so to speak. "As for my legs, Bass they are doing fine. I have not been able to work or walk correctly until just yesterday. So though they have healed, it was still quite the annoying process...and rather undesirable!"

Pausing I would idly sift my fingers through the grass. The feeling was much better than the thought, of say, that boy's lip pressing against mine once more. That awful moment was simply done to rub more salt into her mental wound. He was such a terrible boy. Granted he spared me my life, but really! A kiss?! Again, I felt as though I would vomit just thinking about it.

"What of you? How has your time away been?"

It had been a while since I had even stepped foot outside of the village. Not by choice mind you. I was tied up with legs that were not working properly. It was the most dreadful of feelings. Someone such as I should never be bound and cooped up like some fledgling bird in a next. Let alone should I have been injured to such an extent. That boy would pay. If not now, if not tomorrow, if not for thirty years. He would PAY.

Today, however, I allowed myself to think not of revenge nor my rise to glory. In fact, it was almost disheartening as to how nostalgic I had become over the last couple of hours. After wandering away from Kusagakure no Sato I had found myself in the same field of flowers that my sister and I had parted ways. My dear, dear sister. My twin who had the single flaw of different colored eyes. Otherwise she would be as perfect as I.

Red was not our color. I could not help but pity her. Perhaps it was that pity that made her do as I said for so many years. I suppose leaving home was not the easiest on her. But I did it for us. I would be great and she would be there to witness it. She would have had it all. But no. She ran away and now lost to world like most things I had once cherished.

Flashes of a life I once knew in Hoshigakure no Sato buzzed about in my head. My sister and I playing together, on fair terms, no arguing or controlling, while our Mother watched from a distance. Father would come home, always polishing his headband before passing it over to Mother. It was hers after all. When she had retired to be a Mother, Father promised to carry on her legacy along with his.

Very drab, but romantic to say the least.

Sometimes I missed, I yearned for that life back. BUT that was impossible. There was no life for me to return to, nor my sister. All we had was each other and she abandoned that. I could feel my hands ball into fists at the thought. I would be great and I would get what belonged to me. Power. Glory. Rite to rule. Nothing about Hoshigakure would ever allow that. With a growl that was ever so unbecoming (something a woman of my caliber thankfully did within the privacy of my loneliness) I ripped a handful of flowers, a bouquet if you will, and threw them to the sky.

"I will never go back! You watch Saya! You just watch!! I will become the star and twinkle of the people's eye and all you will do is fall to shadow."

I paused, inhaling as if every breath counted before screaming at the top of my lungs; something else that was just ever so unbecoming for me.

"YOU HEAR ME SAYA!? DO YOU HEAR ME!!?!?" However even with my gut wrenching, and rather overplayed antics I clung to my stubborn demeanor and arrogance. Even as tears from memories passed clung to the edges of my beautiful cerulean eyes I paid them no mind. Instead I allowed myself to fall backwards amongst the many wildflowers at bloom. They would be my sanctuary for now.

Even in her absence, they still reminded me of her.

I flinched when he said boom. I could not help it after all. His attacks were violent and unpredictable, so how could I know if he was merely toying with me or being serious? However he seemed to be showing me pity. I hated that. I did not want pity from anyone, especially this boy. But, I needed to eat it up, chew it slowly, and digest. I needed to use this to my advantage; otherwise it would be just as he said. Boom! I would be blasted to bits. Sadly, for him at least, that was NOT in my plans nor was it my fate, after all I had a future waiting for me.

“Thank yo—“

The words I tried to speak fell short after his. The pain came back, but unlike before, it was not tolerable. Idly, in the back of my mind, I could not help but wonder what motive he had for doing this. Last time I had checked, ninja from other countries did not help those they had beaten. Again, it was a refreshing sight. But these thoughts of mine were drowning in my own scream. My body writhed beneath him, his handle on the kunai in my legs, though delicate and careful, still sent that flame, though now an inferno, through my body. I wish I had passed out.

In my uncontrollable rage of pain I had not noticed the bugs leaving me and smashing together to form one large glob of clay. It was not until the kunai had been fully removed that I even dared to glance over towards him. He said he did not trust me, as he should not. I still did not trust him. But despite that he started to clean my wounds and dress them. The pain was still there, but nothing like the pain he had given me while removing the blades. Instead of bandage though, he used clay instead. It made sense, but I was lightheaded. Not just from the loss of blood but from the anxiety of being blown to bits.

Again I was to try and say thank you, but I found myself choking on my words. He ripped my headband from me, not that I cared. I was used to a different headband anyways. However, it would be quite a chore to get a replacement. But a prize for him to gloat about sounded like something I would have done as well. But I did not like the sound of him strolling into the village to check on me. Why would he even want to? Why would I want him to? Drab like him did not belong in something as beautiful as Kusagakure.

“Boy, why would you even attempt such a thing? Check up on me? You realize that—kiss?!”

This clay-wielding boy had yet again found away to silence me. He surprised me left and right to the point I was not even sure I could ever regain control of the situation or myself. It was so disheartening. I wanted to reject the poor thing and his attempt, but the clay on my legs reminded me that if I did, out of spite, he might indeed send me back to Kusagakure with no legs. I believe the term for this would be grin and bare it, but I did not such thing. A scowl clearly went across my face before his lips met mine in a rough, albeit messy kiss.

I wanted to spit in his face.

Despite myself, I could feel the heat of a blush coloring the normally milky white features of my face and I mentally cursed him for it. But as quick as he had initiated it, he was up and gone. As soon as he was, I back to my feet, with a hobble, then had to catch myself before I stumbled over and back to the ground. However it was good to hear that the clay would lose all of its explosive properties once he was out of range. That also was a good tidbit of information as well for the NEXT time that we met. I would not kill him, no; I did have some compassion for mercy within me.

“Of course! I will look ever so forward to it, boy!”

The sarcasm was there, but I knew he knew I would not try anything. Not now. How dare he do this to me, belittle me like some common form of person. I was better than that. Even with this loss, this utter embarrassment I would see my future, my given right, bestowed upon me. I would not let people like him take that away from me.

Next we meet boy, I will show you just what a mistake it was for you to humiliate me.

I knew of clan that used clay as a weapon but I had never been entirely sure just what it was that they did with them. Upon meeting the boy it would have been supposedly apparent that it was used to create golems and other objects to use as attacks and weaponry. It was reminiscent of something akin to the paper users I had also heard of. Despite my faulty decision to break contact, though only briefly, I had thought that my wooden beams would be able to ensnare him.

My eyes narrowed. That clay creation was the only saving grace he had. If the boy had been on his feet, he would have belonged to me. That was fine though. I could simply control the wood to snake its way after him. I noticed it then, something small floating between the beams of the wood. Before I could try to attack him once more however, the brilliance of my technique was blown away by an explosion that I could only attribute to the object floating within the radius of the structure.

Exploding clay. How messy. How unsatisfying. How utterly destructive and careless. The smoke screen from the explosion mixed with the burning smoke from my wooden creations made me grumble. How rudimentary and boring. Did he really think such lowly of me? It made my blood boil.

Unfortunately for him, it was easy to know what he had planned before he set it into motion. Smokescreens could be useful but not when flying. The sound of the clay wings slicing through the billowing smoke alerted me quickly of the trajectory of his flight. I too would use this to my advantage as this smokescreen went well with what I had already planned.

With the prepped technique I had ready, more wood rippled from my body, pulling away from me and into a perfect clone just as beautiful as I. He would try and ram me most likely, or jump from the bird and attack me himself. That was fine considering what was waiting for him. It was then that I would leap back once more [5m] to put more distance between us while my hands flew together.

Even if he saw my last minute leap from the smoke, his quick attack to my previous location could not be easily turned in such a blink of the eye. And if he did? He would have to worry about behind him as well. As for my attack, with the last hand seal I extended my arm, the flawless skin there darkening as it morphed into wood to the cellular level. The wooden beam shot straight at where I expected him to travel. Even if he moved passed my clone and attempt to go passed the beam, I would have the beam split itself into two spikes; one going upwards should he attempt to fly higher and the other to the left if he tried to go around the assault. After all down meant he would hit the ground and he was already coming from the right.

However with the smokescreen clearing, that is when I saw what looked like the little thing flying between my trap from earlier. Many of them in fact scattered. Just how many I was not sure quite yet. But each one had the potential to explode. The realization that I may be in trouble started to hit me. Thankfully I had seen the extent of the last explosion that covered roughly 5 meters. I would have to remember that.

Though I could not right now, I knew my next move, and I knew it would be close. However there was no way I would belittle myself as to lose to such a rowdy, disastrous brat like him.

It had been some time since I had left the village. Granted it had not been all that long since I first arrived. Regardless of the times of the past I shook my head and held it high towards the future. As I neared the gates there were the staple ANBU Guard fulfilling the duties that trickled down their strings. They were such puppets. Even with strength and stealth that is all they were.

They disgusted me.

A smile stretched across my face, my perfectly glossed lips, a shade of dark blue, parting slightly to show my teeth. Within a efw steps I was greeted by the ANBU in which all I did was nod and curtsy. After all I was a lady of the highest caliber. It would be rude not to. "Hello Sir ANBU, I do hope you are having a nice day. I am glad that it is such a sunny and bright day, I would feel horrible if you had to stand here in the rain."

How sickenly sweet I was being. As disgusting as the idea, I actually thought I would enjoy vomiting more. But what could I do but act with such an air of caring and humility. One day I would rule, I would be Queen. "I am Kobayashi Azami, Kusagakure Genin. I have no mission other than to simply enjoy the day and take a stroll through the countryside."

And perhaps train a little, not that I needed any. I was a master at what I did after all.

"Ciao, love. Do remain vigilant."

//EXIT to Kusa no Kuni

Upon arrival to the Kikiyoda family apple orchard I could not help but stand back and revel in the beauty it had. Mind you, it was a particular kind of beauty, one that could easily be ever lasting if taken care of properly. It was like my beauty. After all, I certainly planned on taking the necessary steps to keep myself as well taken care of as this place. Why would I not? A Queen must be not only have power, but beauty as well. It’s like holding the weak down with an iron fist; only in my case I will possess two. How delicious the thought was. I could almost imagine the plush cushion that would sit pretty at the center of a glorious throne made of the most expensive white gold and ivory.

I deserved it.

Shaking my head, then tucking the few stray locks of my perfectly tamed hair back behind my ears, I stole my gaze from the horizon of pink blossoms and swollen, red fruit in order to meet with the elderly woman who ran such an establishment. Normally such old and feeble people I would wrinkle my nose to. What use were they? A trove of knowledge can only last so long before it runs dry. However Mrs. Kikiyoda was different. I found myself respecting her. Her will and sheer strength was enough to be awe inspiring. She seemed as though her flow of knowledge had not quite run dry yet.

I could use her to my advantage by the time I finished this mission. Lovely.

Finally reaching the quaint little home of the elderly woman, I stretch my arm out, fist prepped to knock. However I could not help but eye my nails briefly. They needed a new coating of polish. Sighing, I finished what I had originally intended to do and gingerly rapped on the door twice, paused, then two more times. I waited patiently, hearing a bit of rustling behind the closed door before it finally opened. The poor crone before me was somewhat hunched forward and much shorter than I. Her clothes were as nice as an orchard owner could be, I supposed, but regardless she still had a smile on her face. It was quite admirable.

“Ah! You must be the young one come to help me. Bless you child, I didn’t think they would ever send someone!”

I smiled and could not help but bow my head slightly, simply out of respect. Again, I seemed to have found an immediate respect for the woman. How odd. I curled my lips into a smile in response to such kind words and merely nodded my head once before speaking. “Thank you miss, but I could not think of anything more important than helping you.”

Mrs. Kikiyoda seemed to enjoy my response. The withered grin she gave only proved to confirm that. From there on I knew that I could wrap her around my finger. I would run dry whatever knowledge she had left and would use to my own advantage later. With a hand gesture, her movement brought me from my slight daze of power and glory as she began to move passed me, the door already closed. We were heading into the orchard no doubt, which meant my work would begin. How I loathed the word. However work I must. It was the only way to bring my dreams, no, my future, come true.

One step at a time.