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“Have your parents returned yet?' This was Kaoru; Naomi had always appreciated her concern, but the truth was she didn't believe they had any intention of returning. Coming to terms with that had been a long road, especially now that she was a shinobi herself. The inconsistencies of their disappearance were not widely known, however she understood well enough now when she was being lied to. The simple fact was, they abandoned their assignment; and in order to protect the Hyuuga from any ill-press amongst the village, the facts were distorted to make it seem like they had been captured or killed. In this regard, she only wished to know why they did not take her with them. She would have understood parting from their home, but she would never understand why they had left her behind. Even if they explained it to her, it was one of those voids in her heart that would just never fully close.

“No, the higher-ups think they were taken captive,” she sunk low into the couch away from the statement she had just made. Someone trained to recognize such actions, might have deduced that she had no faith in what she had just said and thus had to physically distance herself. However, sweet parents attending to their child would be equally obvious to it. The two of them exchanged glances as Iruka took his plate to the sink; he dropped it in, glad for the loud-SMASH it made with the metal.

“Don't just toss it, son,” his father scolded. When he turned back, he shoveled some food in his mouth and looked upon a clock on the wall. “Excuse me Naomi, I have to take Iruka to the academy now, feel free to stay as long as you'd like though.” As he stood, Iruka passed by him and went for the door. More excited than yesterday, Naomi noted. However, she hadn't even the smallest inkling of why that was. Masumi had in fact promised to show him the bushin technique, a bit earlier than he was meant to learn it. If he had known that she only promised him that to publicly humiliate him, perhaps that smile would have faded. Regardless, she peeked up from the couch and gave them a pleasant wave as they went off. The door closed on after them and from that time, Kaoru went about cleaning the kitchen, all the while observing her guest with the most compassionate of glances.

“You don't believe them do you?” She asked, while scrubbing one of their plates above the sink. Although she did not turn, Naomi certainly felt as if a spotlight had suddenly focused on her. She felt a mixture of heat, nerves and fright all at once. A wave of anticipation struck with the silence that followed. Water flowed for a few moments, and then light tones of cloth upon glass followed as the grime on plates was wiped clean. Each plate that was held was wiped, stacked and then wiped again. “If you ever need to talk about it, I'll be here for the next five or so months. With the baby on the way, I don't get out much.” Kaoru reflected when the silence did not break.

Off behind her, Naomi sighed. “I think they've left the village.”

[OOC: Enter. Note: A day after Naomi met Bit]

In Naomi's room, a new day had been marked in black on a calendar that hung loosely between two separate, yet equally as small dressers. Just below it, she looked at herself in a mirror, which caught and refracted several rays of light from a nearby window, (off and up to her left) and spaced out shadows upon the wall behind her; they danced just above her bed which was nothing more than a pillow and a blob of sheets and covers, curled up and tossed together in quite a haphazard manner.

By all appearances, she had just woke to meet the morning of a new day; and as she stared at herself she yawned and noticed the dimming color of the locks in her long hair. In some of the strands, mostly those at the tips, where her hair curled up naturally, hints of the purest white could be seen. Hints of her natural hair color. In a panic, she peered up at the calendar and noted that today was indeed a day marked with red marker; a day she needed to dye her hair in order to keep its ever unique sea-green hue. For a few seconds after this revelation, she lowered her body, bending her knees, and went about a rummage. She tossed through drawers, and moved clothes about until she found a boxed-kit with various labels and compartments. This she took along with her into the bathroom and behind her she shut and (out of good habit) locked the door.

She was in the middle of drenching her hair beneath its running faucet, when someone began to wrap at her door. Already, you gotta be kidding me... tossing her hair about, (half-dyed darker than the other) she turned and shuddered from the cold rush of water. With a click, she unlocked her bathroom door; walked passed her bed, in only a bra and shorts that she had happened to throw on in the minutes prior, and peered through the door-slit. As she looked, the drips and drops of recently wet, hair strands, ran down her legs from her back and onto the wooden floor by her feet. By the time she stepped away, a trivial puddle resided, that gleamed when sunlight shone upon it in just the right way.

“Naomi,” a familiar voice said from behind paneled wood. Through the slit she could easily make out whom it was. Obito, a Branch family member that lived just down the hall. He had a son named Iruka and a wife named Kaoru, whom also happened to be five-months along in her second pregnancy. “I was thinking you might want some company before the festival today. When you're decent, stop on down.”

Creepy how he did that, without even attempting to open her door and without hearing her stark protest to his admittance. Perhaps it was because she did not respond that he knew; or maybe he had saw the calendar and knew today was a dyeing day. Regardless, when she did in fact step away from the door, and once more saw her partially dark and partially not dark green, hair in the mirror, she also saw a small smile. Shaking her head, she went back into the bathroom and tended to the rest of her hair. Mostly, she ignored the rampart chills that came with it; currently she had no hot water.

Today, was the anniversary of the mark on her forehead; but most in the compound x'ed their calendars in accordance with the birth of a Main family Hyuuga: Sanosuke, whom was turning sixteen.

Naomi laughed; his enthusiasm was certainly the type to inspire those around him. However, had he not realized how late it was becoming? The day wouldn't last forever and in that regard, with the celebration she had to attend tomorrow, she couldn't risk being assigned a mission that would last a couple of days. After all, per her conversation with Obito, she was expected to attend, with the best smile she could muster. In his defense, she would have very much liked to join Bit today. Yet, it seemed time was no longer in their favor. It had been earlier, when they had first met; that had been a touch of destiny, she supposed. For a few seconds, she let her laughter hang in the air, giving her ample enough time to reflect on what they had done together. What they had shared in one day, was an uncommon amount of pleasantries, and it probably wasn't best to do everything at once; they still had a lot to learn about each other.

“Come find me in a few days, Bit-kun.” She said as her giggles rescinded. Although her statement might have confused him, one thing was for certain, she was much happier than she had been a few minutes ago. Now those things she was obligated to do, seemed so far away and she was glad that in a few more days she would have a viable escape into the true shinobi world. “I might not look it, but I'm actually pretty worn out now,” she explained. “And I also have to be present here at the compound tomorrow; so I can't get wrapped up in a mission quite yet.” Out of respect she bowed her head towards him, even as he took a step towards the stairwell that they had climbed together minutes ago. He seems better now... She reflected, hoping that he would not take her words the wrong way as some people tended to do. She wasn't saying no; she was saying not right now.

As she turned to go, this time off in a different direction from him, she shifted her head back towards him and tried to match that goofy smile he had shown so many times earlier; it wasn't quite right, but she tried. “I would ask you to walk back to my room with me, but I think they (her family) are already talking about us enough. What would they say?” With a wink, she turned away from him and walked on by, passing where he had spoken to Hiroshi-sama and continuing on around a curve in the hallway. Within in the span of several seconds, she was gone from his line of sight. The hallway that led away from the main hall, circled around and if Bit happened to proceed down the stairwell at the right time, he would catch a glimpse of her as she opened the paneled door that led into her residence. Upon it, etched in black and white was a symbol of peace; yin-and-yang; opposites that attracted each other and reflected upon her way of life. A sign of the Hakke.

[OOC: Exit. We can still start a mission if you want. The days refer to IC time not actual OOC days.]

“She's fine, five-months along now and she's been restricted to household upkeep.” Naomi was surprised by this, it felt like only a few days ago Kaoru's pregnancy had been formally announced. Now that she took the time to recall it though, that had been back before she graduated. Hitu-sama had taken her out to prepare for the exam and reassure her that there was no need to fail a third time and when she returned to the compound that night, there was a festival in celebration of the new year. Sometimes she was shocked by the way time moved; it either passed in a blur or lasted an eternity. That same night, the couple had announced that they were to have another child. Lately, the numbers within the Branch family had been increasing at a rapid rate, and she wondered if they were upon the brunt of change. Perhaps time really did change things, but a part deep within her told her that time really changed nothing; change could only be brought about if people were willing to change themselves.

“If she needs anything, remember I'm right down the hall.” Their conversation went on...and for a time she forgot she was waiting for Bit to come out the door beyond the bend. Out of the corner of her eye she could just make out a steady stream of smoke that trailed out of an open door. However, the conversation within was deaf upon her ears. They were simply to far away for her to listen in and even if she tried, she was almost certain that Hiroshi would be able to tell she was eavesdropping; and that would her relationship with Bit before it had even truly begun.

“She speaks of you often, you've cooked meals for her, Naomi?”

“Yes, I am not much of a cook though,” she tilted her head and giggled.

“You're just being modest now,” he replied with a smile. Those that had been talking beside them had since seem to fade far away. It was just the two of them having, for once, a normal conversation. They were many times he wished that life could be as simple. However, in such a troubled era, peaceful and inconsequential conversation was truly a rare feat to befall a person. Many had forgotten a time when there had been a soothing peace. Obito shrugged and he laughed too; Naomi really wasn't the best cook, but at least she tried to help. That was more than he could say for many whom did not. She had also many times before stuck up for his child against the ones that picked on him. One night she had taken a beating in his defense and that was something he would never forget.

As they talked of pleasantries and gladly lost themselves, Hiroshi continued to press Bit. He had listened, rather absentmindedly at that to the boy's responses and had since determined that his heart was indeed in the right place; but he could not say with any certainty that the boy knew what he was getting himself into. Naomi was a handful and often was subject to helping those much weaker than herself. She would be a liability within the grounds of a real mission. However, with a full team, perhaps they could do some good for the village.

“You are young still, however I find that your heart is in the right place,” he explained, after taking one final puff of smoke. He let the smoke drop to the floor and with a foot he stomped out what remained lit. “I only ask that you regard her with the same care you would your kin. Despite what you may think of me, I do care for her and she has a bright future here.” He sighed, and for the first time in Bit presence he chuckled and smiled. Shaking his head a bit, he gestured towards the door. “You have my blessing, enjoy what time you have earned, Uchiha.” With that, he had other business to attend to for today he would be picking up his daughter from the academy; and he in turn would depart shortly after Bit left himself.

What had been said, Hiroshi seemed to ponder, as he puffed yet again. A circular ring of smoke had time to rise to the ceiling and disperse across the room before he replied. “Naomi, leave us.” He instructed. If the measure of respect was obedience, he had earned it already from her. For she only nodded and slid by Bit in silence. In the next few moments, there was nothing but the awkward silence in which her departure left the room in. Yet, that wasn't entirely true; her footfalls could be heard for several seconds and until they were heard no more, Hiroshi remained silent as well, simply puffing at his cigarette. During this time he watched Bit, hoping he would try for the door; at least that would make his decision easier. However, he knew lads like this, and none before him had ever been foolish enough to walk out while be consoled.

“Your strength is not a matter of question young one,” he began to explain, now that they were alone “After all, even traitors can possess great strength. That is why they are hunted as nuke-nin, to keep such secrets hidden and power contained.” The Hyuuga spoke as if from experience. Whereas he may have seemed harsh before, now a more empathetic tone had taken hold. Not only was he trying to explain his own position, but at the same time he was trying to relate to Bit. “Tell me, has Naomi spoke ill of her kin?” The question hung in the air as a corpse would from a hangman's noose. Deadly in its simplicity, but complex in its true purpose. Here a truth was not necessarily a truth; a lie might not really be a lie. Questions of honor, and loyalty are often riddled with half-truths, but in the end a person must choose his or her side. Like revenge, there was a thin line between a comrade and the duty of a mission.

As her superior spoke, Naomi paced about the central hall. With a mix of emotions, she found it hard to remain seated, or standing still for that matter. Like a sphere of energy that can not be contained within tangible grounds, she could not help but to falter about. He wants to know if he can trust you... she thought. Unlike Bit, she knew that the conversation was in fact a test, for the same test had been given to her.

It had been a choice between two different versions of loyalty. He had mentioned an incident with the kitchen of the compound; this was years ago. And had brought together several of the Branch youth. He'd asked whom had been stealing bread from the kitchen's stores. His intention was to weed out those whom would seek approval by betraying those that they had become close with. In an instant he regard those whom old out their comrades as trash. She imagined, that he was posing a similar question to Bit now, to test whether or not he truly meant what he had said. They had after all, only known each other for a short time and within the shinobi world there were those that would take advantage, and always gain from the suffering of others. Although he might never admit it, he cared for Naomi, moreso than the ones that were compliant with the Main house. In her, she saw hope that one there would be no need for the petty squabble between the two houses.

[OOC: I couldn't sleep >.<]

When the Uchiha spoke, Naomi froze in mid-step and turned to face him. She couldn't say she was surprised; even in the short amount of time she had known him, he dd not strike her as the compliant type. He was stubborn, and perhaps quick to anger, however he had a strong heart. Knowing this, she smiled warmly, and nodded. Thank you... she had wanted to say, but instead found the words caught in her throat. The look in her eyes might have been enough though; compassion took the form of a soft lavender and it swirled in between the white that dominated much of her eyes. For a moment, she merely looked at him, but feeling that the matter was resolved now, and she confidently quickened her stride up towards the entrance.

The central sanctum, rested at the lone point of intersection within the mansion. The residences that formed an eternal sphere, divided in equal dividends, each had a lone hallway that led into a common area. This area was often used for meetings amongst the higher-ups and social gatherings. However, in more recent times it had also been a point of interaction between the Main House and the Branch family. Earlier in the day, Naomi had been called here to receive her charges and was met by several parents. Among them, was a man whom waited now for her to report in; a Hyuuga that she had called Hiroshi-sama in front of Bit. A Main-family prodigy in his youth, he now severed as an adviser to the youth and as a director in charge of relations between the two family sects. As the couple made their way up the staircase, he watched from afar.

At the top, she waited with her back facing him. “This will only take a few moments; he's probably waiting,” she said. “Even though he knows his daughter is safe, he'll still be on edge from the commotion I have caused,” here she paused taking the time to face him. “No matter what he does, do not interfere. If I am to go on assignment with you, he is the man that will give me approval to do so.” She explained hoping he would understand; however she also knew he had not dealt with her clan before, so the possible outcomes may be clouded from him. Offering a smile she finished, “You didn't think I just brought you here for comfort did you? He has to meet you.” Turning away from him, she would be the first to enter and for a moment, she held the door open.

The path they took curved around several buildings and passed through growing foliage that bore a lack-luster sheen of green and hung from rafters and beams and alongside walls. Whomever tended the grounds had obviously let nature take well, a natural course of growth. Despite the overgrowth, most of the buildings were in peak condition and some looked as if they had been renovated only days prior to their little walk. Whether or not this was true really did not matter; the fact was, Bit had been right when he called the compound exclusive. Unknowingly, he had the answer to his own question as well; because it was exclusive to to the Hyuuga and held such secret arts, a stranger within it stood out like a samurai hiding within the ranks of a shinobi force.

“You're different, so they feel the need to watch over you in case you try anything.” She retorted. “ You see, most of our secrets are protected here; and it's only natural for them to be wary around strangers, even if they happen to be in escort with a member of the family.” She left out the part about her own heritage. Mistrust and feuds had torn the two houses further apart, so they were also watching her.

Although she answered with relative ease, truly she was no more at peace than he was. Flustered was one way to put it. She couldn't help worrying about word spreading of their trip through the compound. Rumors had a nasty tendency to be twisted and contorted until all the truth was taken from them. She wouldn't think of what they might entail, but several key choices ran across the breadth of her subconscious; none of them were particularly pleasant. Ahead, the path evened out and the fortified mansion came into view. Leading up to it was:

A stairwell that stretched on forever, with its sections layered every so many steps. The stone would flatten out and span into a wider area; and then some meters ahead the staircase would continue heading up to a focal point at the top which led into the doorway of the mansion proper. The split sections of the stairwell led into the many different outer living quarters, which were housed in a spherical arc that connected on both sides. Here, most of the Branch house lived; the positioning and shape of their dormitories symbolized their duty to the Main family and also protected the inner sanctum with thick, stone walls. Naomi's own quarters were close to the top of the stairwell and off to the left around the outer, spherical bend and thereafter drawing close into the mansion itself.