Masoda Gaiden - Chapter 2 - Proving Grounds

[SeraphMazrakiel]

She said to meet here in the foyer of the Ninja Administration Building. Now it was the late morning, and Dayna had called them to meet together. But where could she be?

Not long after, Sorien showed up. Maz gave a nod to him, and as Sorien walked towards him, he called out.

"Yo man, you seen Dayna around?"

[Sorien]

After Soriens normal solo mornings training, he made his way over to the foyer. He came across Mazz, and before he could speak out Mazz spoke first "Yo man, you seen Dayna around?" . Sorien shook his head "Naa mate, I haven't, I've just made my way over from the ninja memorial, didn't really see too many people around the place." came the reply. "Do you have any more of an idea than me, what we're here for?" He asked

[SeraphMazrakiel]

"I don't have a clue mate."

Dayna walked out from the hallway, looking slightly concerned. She walked over to her team mates, and greeted them.

"Hi guys."
"Hey, what's up?"
"Not much... I've just been up to see Tokugawa-sensei about getting ourselves a teacher."
"And?"
"Well, she says we have a teacher, but he's out on Konoha business at the moment. Doing a dangerous mission of some sort."
"Oh... did she say what exactly?"
"She didn't say the specifics. She simply said that he was somewhere around Hidden Cloud Village."
"Ah, right. I suppose he has a legitimate excuse then."
Dayna laughed. Maz smiled.

Dayna continued. "I also asked about missions too. She said there wasn't much going on the roster at the moment for a new Genin team, and there were very few missions."
"... you what?"
"I got us a mission. It's not much, but it's about all we can take. We're kinda lucky, actually. There are only three more D-rank missions left, so quite a few teams will be missing out on work today."
Admittedly, Maz wasn't too excited. Sounded like they were going to do nothing fun that day.
"...oh, alright. What is it?"
"Well, you know Yaki-Yaki, right?"

Of course he knew Yaki-Yaki. That was the restaurant he took them to.
"Yep, what about it?"
"We'll be washing dishes there."
"...we what?"
"Washing dishes."

Aieee. Washing dishes. People had told him his whole life "You have to start somewhere. You start at the bottom and work your way up." And Maz knew that at heart. He just thought he might've taken a running leap and started up a few rungs.

"...you're kidding, right?"
"No, not at all. Remember, we're only new Genin. They can't send us on combat missions. Especially not without our sensei."
"I suppose."[/i] Maz began to whine. "But... anybody can do the dishes."
"Well, for today, we're that anybody."
Maz paused. She got him there.
"Well..... oh, alright."
"Good then. What do you think, Sorien?"

[Sorien]

After a quick interchange between Mazz and Dayna, she got to the point. They had a mission. Their first mission. Sure, it wasn't the most exciting, but for Sorien, this was a foot in the door.
"Good then. What do you think, Sorien?"
"Well, I think that Dayna has a point. We are just genin. I'm sure we're all capable of combat, but we have to prove ourselves to the senior members first, and with the added fact that we don't have a sensei." Sorien decided an answer was required from the look on his team mates faces. "I'm up for it." He quickly added. "Not only that, we can do a really good job, using our jutsu. Just think about the possibilities" He continued on. "So, give me a full low-down. Who, what, when, how, where and why." He finished.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Dayna nodded.

"We're to meet up with the manager of Yaki-Yaki tonight at 6 o'clock... his name's Soba. They're hosting a large banquet tonight, and we get to do the dishes."
"Sounds fun... how many're attending this banquet?"
"About seventy odd people."
D'oh. That's a fair few dishes there.
"I see... do we get any food out of it?" Maz joked.
Dayna smiled. "Nope, just a completed mission on our record."
"Aiight... well... 6 o'clock, right?"
"Yep."
"Well... what do you guys wanna do 'til then?"

[Sorien]

Sorien quickly took in all the details. "Right. Got it, good synopsis Dayna" He smiled.

"Well... what do you guys wanna do 'til then?" She asked. Sorien pondered for a while before responding "Well, I'm off to train for a while. Can't let myself get slack now" He grinned, as he knew he trained as much as he should be. "Do either of you want to be a partner or am I going solo again?" He looked at both of them "I think it might be a good chance to practise teamwork, but either way, I don't really mind" He added.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

"Heh... I suppose, sounds good. I'm... eager to see how strong you are, Sorien," said Maz. He looked to Dayna, waiting to see if she'd come too. He hoped so.

* * * * * * *

Dayna shook her head at the boys. Men. They always wanted to fight. Did they care about nothing else? Boys will be boys, though. She had nothing else better to do... so...

"...well... I suppose I can come watch, hmm?"

Maz smiled.

* * * * * * *

It was minutes before 6 o'clock that night. Earlier in the afternoon, the three had split up, after a small training session, which had proved quite successful. Maz and Dayna had arrived together and were waiting outside the front of the restaurant for Sorien, when Dayna turned and asked him a question.

"Hey, Maz?"
"...yeah?"
"...you said, your father was... assistant to the Ninth Hokage... right?"
"Yeah. A long time ago... before I was born. Why?"
"...and... you were... you wanna be assistant to the Ninth Hokage someday too... right?"
"...I... don't know. I'd like to be... but, I don't know if I have what it takes to be like my father. He's awesome. I think it'd be great to... be assistant to the leader of the village. To be... I dunno. Useful, you know?"
Dayna paused. A smile slowly crept over her face. "...that'd be great..."

Maz smiled back at Dayna. What was she thinking? What was she looking at? What... did he have something on his face? Was it a spider?...

Maz's attention was diverted for a second. Sorien was approaching.

[Sorien]

After the successful training with Mazz, and Dayna watching, the three split up. Sorien went home, to clean himself, before preparing for his first mission. "Hmm...what do I need for washing dishes?" He asked himself. After packing what he thought he might possibly require for this mission, he slung his bag over his back, and made his way to Yaki-Yaki's.

Upon reaching there, he saw Mazz and Dayna, standing near the entrance, engrossed in conversation. "Konbanwa Mazrakiel-kun, Dayna-chan." He said, still approaching, looking at each person as he addressed them.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

"Hey!" Dayna replied cheerily. She smiled at Sorien.

Maz glanced at the time. Ten minutes to go.

"Well, let's get going then, eh?" The group agreed. Together, the three of them walked through the doors of the restaurant, and approached the counter, where behind sat a lady, dressed in a waitress outfit. She greeted the team with a smile. "Irashaimase!"

Dayna stepped in front. "Hello, we're Genin from the Academy... we're here to see Soba-san."
"Ah, you're the ones who're on duty tonight. Follow me."

The trio followed her through a doorway and down a hall. Passing several waiters who all seemed to have their hands full with drinks and other such things, the lady turned to them. "We've got a real full house tonight, 120 people are here."

120 people?! I thought there were only going to be seventy... Maz and Dayna thought to themselves.

She led them to the kitchen, where the chefs were hard at work preparing a special meal for tonight's feast. The room filled with the noise of dishes clanging, and people talking above each other. It was hard to think in there.

The lady spoke to the team, but Maz and Dayna could hardly hear her over the noise. "Your job for tonight will mainly be doing dishes. You will listen to the waiters in particular, and whatever they bring in, you will wash. Understood?" Maz and Dayna nodded. "I will go and inform the manager of your arrival. He'll be here soon. Now, until somebody brings something in for you... make yourselves at home. It's gonna be a long night."

[Sorien]

After quickly greeting Dayna, he turned to Maz. "Well, let's get going then, eh?" He said. Maz and Dayna led the way into the restaurant, with Sorien trundling behind. "Monkeys! A full house" He thought.

As if to answer Soriens thoughts the waitress spoke: "We've got a real full house tonight, 120 people are here." . "No kidding" he thought. "I thought there was only 70 planned...must have mis-heard" He continued to dwell on his thoughts...still walking behind the others.

They came to a stop and the waitress spoke out once more. "Your job for tonight will mainly be doing dishes. You will listen to the waiters in particular, and whatever they bring in, you will wash. Understood?" She said. "Tell me something I DON'T know" Sorien thought. Still in his own world. "Make yourselves at home. It's gonna be a long night." Sorien managed to hear over the clatter of pots and pans.

He stopped and took a look at his new comrades. "Well then...shall we get started. I think we need a plan of attack." He said, finally breaking out of his silence. "We're going to need a washer, dryer and someone to return things to their places... and after deciding that...we're going to need tools: Soap, towels, water...and so forth" He continued on. He had a serious look about his face and tone that told everyone that he was taking this mission very seriously.

(OoC: No there are not monkeys in the Restaurant...its a term Sorien uses in place of expletives)

[SeraphMazrakiel]

All of a sudden, Sorien broke out with his plan of attack: suggesting that one person handle each task -- the most logical plan. He was serious about this mission. Almost too serious.

"Calm down, mac. They're just dishes." Maz added. "You are right though..."
"--I'll put the dishes away!" Dayna snuck in, chuckling.
"Hey!... yeah, alright." Maz smiled. She just got off with the easy job.
"Well, I'll dry, then."
"I, uh... I think you should wash up, Maz."
"Huh? Wha? What for?"
"Well, Sorien uses fire techniques."
"...yeah."
"So, he'll be able to get the job done faster."
"...and?"
Dayna stared at Maz for a few seconds.
"Oh, alright, alright... I'll wash up."
Dayna smiled at him.

* * * * * * *

After a minute, the manager walked through the door, and after seeing the Genin hanging around in his kitchen, made his way over to them.

"Ah, the Genin. Welcome to the restaurant. I'm Yaki Soba, the manager of this establishment." His eyes quickly scanned over Dayna. "I didn't know we'd have such a beautiful girl working for us though." Maz rolled his eyes.

"I may have another job for you later, Miss...ummm...?"
"Dayna."
"Miss Dayna. It... won't require you to wash dishes."

Maz and Dayna looked at each other. What job was that? What did it involve? What was he thinking of... doing...

"Hmm... maybe. What does it involve?"
"Well, if you'll just follow me, I'll explain on the way."

Dayna nodded. "Okay." Confusedly looking at her teammates, she said "Well, I guess I'll be back in a bit, then, maybe. I'll meet up with you guys later, eh?"
"Sure thing."

With that, Soba-san and Dayna left the two boys in the kitchen. It was time for Maz to get acquainted with the tool HE would be using for tonight: the sink.

* * * * * * *

In a dark room down the hallway, Soba-san was holding a conversation with a certain Genin.

"Miss... Dayna. You seem like an approachable girl."
"Uh... yes, I suppose."
"Easy to talk to."
"...yes, I guess so."
Dayna was getting nervous now.
"Tell me, have you had any experience serving others?"
"...what do you mean?"
Soba smiled. He tossed Dayna some clothes: a white business shirt, short-sleeve... a black skirt... and a black apron, from her waist to her ankle. "If you're up for it," he continued, "I'd like for you to be a waitress tonight."
Dayna raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"If you'd like, that is."
"Yeah, sure!"
"Excellent. I shall wait outside. When you're changed, I'll get you started then, hmm?"
"Sounds good!"

Closing the door behind him, Dayna proceeded to get changed. After a few minutes, she was fully dressed in her new outfit. Tying her hair back, she also remembered she brought her glasses with her, which she might need. She put them in her pocket, and looked down at herself.

"I wonder what my teammates would think of me wearing this outfit..." she chuckled.

[Sorien]

After a quick exchange, the jobs were quickly taken, and Sorien grinned at Daynas quick thinking, of using fire jutsu to dry the dishes. "Hmm...what jutsu would be appropriate..." He pondered away to himself..."Ahh I know...Dessication would be perfect..." He thought to himself. It seemed that Maz was mulling thoughts over in his head too.

After a quick minutes thought, Soba-san entered, quickly re-introduced himself, and then pulled Dayna away somewhere. Sorien turned to Maz, and he opened one eye wider, and mostly closed one () as an indication that he had NO idea what had just happened. "Ahh...Mazrakiel-kun...wheres she heading off to?"

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Maz watched as Dayna walked away when Sorien, looking confused, asked where she'd gone.

"I dunno, man."

He was actually quite worried... but then remembered, that if he tried anything, he'd probably end up dead on the floor before he could touch her.

Maz began filling the sink up with hot water, and found some soap nearby. He added that to the water, and watched as it bubbled heavily. Turning the tap off, he was ready to work.

"By the way, Sorien... you can call me Maz if you'd like. Most people do."

* * * * * * *

At that moment, a waiter walked through, carrying two trays full of soup bowls and saucers. He placed them on one side of the sink, and said "You guys are on dish duty, yes?"
"Yeah."

The waiter prompty walked off, leaving Maz and Sorien to take care of the dishes. It had started. Maz reached for the piles of bowls and began to wash.

Maz couldn't help but wonder though... where was Dayna?

* * * * * * *

Through another door, Dayna was led into the banquet hall. The restaurant looked amazing when all spruced up. Tables filled the room, and the room buzzed loudly with conversation. The room was brightly lit, and a chandelier that Dayna hadn't noticed before hung from the ceiling. One of the nearby tables had a group of men, all laughing loudly, obnoxiously. A older man -- or at least, older than her -- sitting at this table rose his hand and called out to Dayna. "S'cuse me! You, waitress!"

Dayna smiled, and tried to look her best as she approached the table. "How can I help you sir...?"

[Sorien]

"By the way, Sorien... you can call me Maz if you'd like. Most people do." This was a sentence that would remain forever in Soriens mind. "Yeah...sure mate...Maz it is."

As Maz begun furiously scrubbing at the plates, then loading them into the rack beside him, Sorien began to warm up his jutsu, he concentrated the chakra into his hands...and began expelling it...slowly. He felt his hands head up. He increased the flow of chakra and then placed his hands over the dishes. Steam began to rise quickly from the dishes.

After the first round of dishes washed, Sorien grabbed some of their plates, before asking quickly where they go, one of the chefs pointed him in the right location, and away he went.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

A handsome man with light blond hair, seemingly in his late twenties, called Dayna over to the table, where several men sat around.

"Excuse me, we'd like some drinks please."
"Yes sir." Dayna pulled out a pencil and pad while the chatter at the table continued. "What would you like?"
"Boys, what do we want?"
"BEER!!"
"Tchyeah, you ain't wrong there! The night is young, folks, we ought'ta drink up quickly!"
"I hear ya on that front, make it two Shuriken Lagers for me!"
"I'll do a KV Draught!"
"I'd rather find someone else to do, myself." He joked. The table roared with laughter.
The man with blond hair smiled, and stayed quite calm. "I'll have a bottle of sake for the table too, please." He smiled.

Dayna noted the number down. One for each of them, plus an extra for this one... that made ten.

"Right, so that's one each, plus two for you sir?... and a bottle of sake for the table."
"Yeah, that sounds good lady!"
"I'll be right back then."

Dayna turned around, and left for the kitchen area to fetch their drinks.

A group of loud-mouthed guys hoping to down as much alcohol as possible before the night was out? She hoped they wouldn't be too much trouble.

* * * * * * *

"Wow, man, who IS that waitress? She didn't have a name tag on or anything."
"I have nooo idea. If I'd have known the staff at this joint were so fine, I'd have come by more often."
A quiet man spoke. "She probably doesn't even work here. She's probably a ninja for the Academy or something like that."
The blond haired one laughed. "It'll take more than some ninja skills to resist my charm, ain't it right guys?"
"Yeah, you the man, man!"
"And maybe, if I play my cards right... I won't be goin' home alone tonight boys!"
"Hey hey, what about the rest of us?!"
The blond one smiled. "Don't worry fellas, there'll be enough of her to go around for all of us!"
The guys laughed and cheered. "HERE HERE!!!"