Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 0:42:23 GMT -5
Morning dawned bright and clear in Konoha, the night's rain having washed the dust of reconstruction out of the air. Normally Ayaka wouldn't have noticed, but someone seemed to have fastened the tent flaps back a little bit to let some fresh air in. That was understandable; tents could get stuffy when lived in for days at a time. Most of the tent's few occupants were still asleep, of course. The sun wasn't even all the way up, meaning that the light outside was more of a grayish hue than the bright yellow of daytime. Ayaka could hear a few people moving around outside, but as usual, she took a deep breath before moving. That would tell her if it was time to get up yet. And..... yes! There it was! The smell of food cooking, which meant that either the food tents were open or they would be soon. As though responding to Ayaka's thoughts of a meal her stomach gave a low rumble as she sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and giving a large stretch. Ayaka couldn't believe how well she had slept last night; something about the rain must have knocked her out. Or maybe it was last night's excitement, or both. She hadn't had much of anyone to talk to these past few days, after all. Still, she didn't want to wake anyone, so she was as quiet as possible - which was pretty quiet, all things considered - as she got out of bed, re-tied her waist sash, slipped on her shoes, and gave her hair a quick brushing. She'd want to be one of the first to the food tent, after all; anywhere the shelter crowds gathered, there were sure to be lines. She was, of course, especially careful not to wake the boy in the cot across the aisle from her as she made her way to the tent flap. Tsutomegi had been through enough; he didn't need to be woken up at the crack of dawn by early risers looking for a meal.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 20, 2009 1:06:03 GMT -5
In the still of the pre-dawn silence, Utsuro slept soundly, peacefully, for what seemed like the first time since he had left his home. There was a certain air of peace about the boy that one could wager was not common for him. Even the scent of cooking food, nor the quiet rustling of a nearby person, could hope to awaken him. And so the unusual Tsutomegi boy slumbered on, for now.
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 1:16:25 GMT -5
Success! Ayaka had made it out of the tent without waking anyone up. Now it was time to go freshen up a little, and then off to breakfast. Whatever they were having today was likely to be simple but filling, as always. The food here was actually surprisingly good, for shelter fare. It made her stomach grumble again just thinking about it. "Sorry, he's still asleep," Takeo told the medic who had come by to check on Tsutomegi. Normally they just came and went, but apparently this one wanted to take out the IV, too, which meant he needed to be awake first. "I see," the short, red-haired woman said with an impatient sigh. "I'll be back later."As usual, Ayaka had been one of the first people in line for breakfast. This meant, of course, that she got the hottest and freshest food there was. And it had been delicious as ever, which meant that, after eating a surprising amount for a girl as skinny as she, was quite content as she made her way down the streets of Konoha. She had some business to take care of today, after all.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 20, 2009 1:44:49 GMT -5
Today, Atsuko was helping with the food tents! And she was quite happy to be doing so, even if it meant being up early in the morning. Even so, there were already people getting in line! Either they were very hungry, or they really liked the food, but it made Atsuko happy to serve them. She made sure to sneak a slightly older girl- a refugee by the looks of it- a little extra, since the poor thing was rail-thin. That simply would NOT do for such an otherwise pretty girl! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It had taken some time, but later in the morning hours the dull gray eyes of the young man cracked open, still heavy as boulders, blearily taking in his surroundings. "....wh..." He tried to sit up, before slumping back down, incredibly woozy. Perhaps it was best to wait a moment or so for his head to clear.
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 1:51:43 GMT -5
The red-haired medic came back a couple times, but every time Takeo had to turn her away after checking on her would-be patient. Until, at last, a quick peek into the tent revealed that Tsutomegi was at least halfway awake. Takeo pulled out of the tent quickly and dashed off to fetch the medic, who then immediately ordered him to turn around and show her to the patient. Why she couldn't just go to tent seven and find the kid with the IV in his arm, Takeo didn't know, but this was a Jounin - who wasn't in a mood to mess around, it seemed - and so he did as he was told. He did, however, stand back as the petite woman made her way over and sat on the cot next to Tsutomegi's, studying him with a piercing green gaze that Takeo didn't think missed much, if anything. "How are you feeling?" she asked without preamble, but still in a calm, gentle voice.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 20, 2009 1:59:04 GMT -5
"...O..okay.." Utsuro replied timidly. This was not the same woman as last night, and he was not quite sure if he liked that or not. Granted, he could not say if he was sure of much at the moment. That sleeping pill had really knocked him through a loop. A whole second war could have been waged around him and he probably would have stayed out. "B..B-better...I....think.." He was still quite groggy, but he no longer felt quite as overwhelmingly exhausted, though his body ached a good bit in soreness. "A..a..little...anyway.."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 2:11:48 GMT -5
"Good, good," the medic woman said as Takeo idly studied the tent. There were still a couple people sleeping, but most of them - including the red-haired girl from last night - were already up and about. He was vaguely aware of the woman performing some medical jutsu - he thought it was the same one Tensei-san had used last night - and then she was talking again. "The pill Sensei gave you was a strong one," she was saying, "so even if you took it shortly after she gave it to you, it's likely you'll still be feeling its effects. And besides that, you've been through a lot. Hold still, now, and relax your arm. I'm going to take the IV out now. And why are you still here?""Oh!" Takeo jumped. He'd completely zoned out! "Uh... in case you needed me. Tensei-san had me running errands and stuff when she was here." "Well, I'm not Kaori-sensei," the woman replied, not looking up from what she was doing. She didn't snap, but she was firm. Very firm. "Surely you have more important things to do than watch me treat a patient.""Uhh... I'll just.. be going, then," Takeo said a little uneasily. "Tsutomegi, good to see you again. Glad to see you're feeling better." And he turned to leave the tent before this whoever-she-was removed him by force. He could still hear her behind him, though. "There you go," she was saying - just as gently as she had earlier, with no sign of the pushiness she'd given Takeo! - presumably having finished removing the IV. "You're all set. Be sure to eat proper meals and drink plenty of water. And for heaven's sake, go back to sleep if you're still tired."If there was anything else said, Takeo didn't hear it, having moved quickly out of fear of being chased for eavesdropping.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 20, 2009 2:36:28 GMT -5
"Y-yes..M-ma'am.." He hadn't quite liked the way she had treated Takeo-sama, but he supposed that she outranked him, so it was not all that surprising considering the way Takeo had spoken of his superiors yesterday. At least the IV was out. His arm had become rather stiff from laying straight all night. "A-and thank.. you..I will..." Utsuro added, resting his head back against the pillow again after inspecting his arm. He might not sleep again, but it was certainly a wonderful sensation to be laying on something other than hard ground.
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 11:22:48 GMT -5
Takeo was glad to see the medic walk past the admin tent and be on her way. Thinking about it, he supposed he didn't really blame her for acting the way she had - she did seem really stressed, after all - but he was still glad she wouldn't be sticking around. At least he had thought to come back later and move that bundle out of the aisle; she might have gotten mad if she knew he was the one who had just left it there in the excitement. That had been an interesting episode, though; he had been surprised to find those two already asleep, and moving that thing around quietly had been a real challenge, even if it was just a few feet. Ah, well. He thought about going to see Tsutomegi himself now that the medic was gone, but he had seemed tired. Probably best to leave him alone for now. And he did have work of his own to be doing. Later, he resolved, and went about completing his assignments. Ayaka found it hard to believe that any stores at all were open right now, with all the reconstruction and the damage that had been done to the village, but quite a few of them were. Even some with minor damage - one had a tarp over the front window, and a few pieces of glass could still be seen on the ground - the vendors had opened up shop, and there was a surprising amount of people out shopping. Mostly mothers with little kids, but that was understandable. Families needed things from those stores, and shopping with their mothers was something normal for those kids to do. Ayaka ambled down the street, not in a hurry in the least, reading the signs above the shops to try and find what she was looking for. She was careful to keep to the middle of the street; there was still some debris scattered around the edges, and her shoes - thin, woven sandals with a couple simple straps - wouldn't protect her very much from pieces of glass or metal. That was what she was looking for now, actually: some better shoes. Her guide had recommended that she find some that would be safer for wearing in the damaged village, and after wandering the village for herself, she knew he had been right. The people in the shelters had wanted to find her a secondhand pair, but Ayaka couldn't accept that. They were already housing and feeding her, and some families had lost everything. Let them get the donations; Ayaka still had a little money left. She could buy her own shoes. It took a little exploring, but she finally found what she had been looking for: a clothing store. Now, hopefully the prices weren't too bad... * * * * * Ayaka sighed to herself as she left the shop. She should have known that she'd have to pay more for such nice things, but still! She had very little money left, now. She'd have to hurry and finish her other objective: finding a job. But first, she wanted to change into shoes that wouldn't result in her getting stabbed in the foot if she took a wrong step. And so she made her way back to the tent, slipping in as quietly as she could with her bag rustling the way it was.
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 20, 2009 18:24:54 GMT -5
Y'know...the more I look at it, the more that stain right there looks like Uncle Yan..Okay...I get it...it's boring in here..Utsuro sighed. It WAS a little dull, just laying there, watching the dimly visible orb of the sun move along. Perhaps he should try getting up and going to do something. But what? The medics had told him to rest, and it was not as if he could be incredibly helpful with the reconstruction efforts. More than likely, he'd just get in the way and make things worse. Shifting up to a sitting position on the side of the cot, he stretched a bit. Someone had moved his bundle overnight. He truly must have slept soundly not to have heard THAT. Still, it was good to see it out of the way. A rustling caught his ears, honed over years of jumping at the slightest twig snap or the like, and he turned towards the sound. "A..Ah..Ayaka-san...Ohayo.."
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 20:01:00 GMT -5
"Oh, you're awake," Ayaka observed, sitting down on her cot and pulling off her shoes. "Morning." She did notice that he was now calling her Ayaka-san instead of Ayaka or Ayaka-chan. She was kind of afraid to point it out to him, though; he might think she had taken offense at his calling her by different names all the time. "Food tent's open, y'know," she continued. "Should be lunchtime soon."
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 20, 2009 20:25:04 GMT -5
"Y-yes....for.. a little while now.." He responded quietly. It seemed to be his normal tone of voice, considering the boy seemed much better rested than the night before. "Th-the medic came..took the IV out....thankfully.." That was a stupid thing to say...clearly the IV was out of his arm! Food did sound good, though...well...he assumed. It had been so long since he'd had anything other than solider pills, he'd forgotten what most things had tasted like. I like cake. And pudding...those sound good.."Food...would be good...Tensei-sensei had said to eat....she...does not seem the sort of woman...one would want to ignore the orders of.." Tsutomegi mumbled after a moment. "Ah.....um...How..are you?" That was normally polite conversation, wasn't it?
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 20, 2009 20:31:52 GMT -5
"Sensei?" Ayaka asked, but then shook her head. "No, it doesn't matter." She really didn't want to confuse Tsutomegi any more. She seemed to be good at that. "I'm fine," she answered quite honestly. "Glad I don't have to worry about getting stabbed in the foot anymore." She pulled out her new shoes: plain ninja sandals - black, of course, to go with anything she wore - and set about figuring out how to get the things on. "Too much glass and stuff around here to go around almost barefoot." Well. So that was how these opened. Time to see if she could get them on and fastened, now. "Feeling better?" she asked. "Seems like it."
|
|
strangevisitor
ANBU Squad Leader
Only a man looking for a dream
Posts: 1,754
|
Post by strangevisitor on Aug 21, 2009 6:20:45 GMT -5
"S-sensei...as in...an honorific for... a teacher or doctor?" Utsuro fidgeted slightly where he sat. It surely was not the first time he'd caught someone off-guard with his manner of speaking. Apparently his dialect was slightly outdated by the rest of the world's standards. "Is...th-that..not used anymore?" Perhaps he should just stop talking. Or at least only respond when spoken to. "I'm...feeling..a little better...sore...but...that is...most likely because the lack of...proper sleep has finally caught up with me...." He answered, watching her quietly as she turned the sandals over in her hands, inspecting them. She had gotten them open alright, at least. "Ah..that strap..over.." He hoped she would not find it rude that he was offering assistance. She seemed slightly confused by the footwear, which made a bit of sense as she made no indication of having a ninja background. "..Like that..yes." Utsuro nodded softly, making a small motion with his hands.
|
|
Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
|
Post by Tensei Kaori on Aug 21, 2009 11:25:57 GMT -5
"Sorry, not many doctors where I'm from," Ayaka explained, trying to figure out the shoes and talk at the same time. The suggestions did help, though. "None, actually. Only ever talked to one before, and I had to send to the city for him." Aha! So that was how you did it! "Besides, I was distracted," she said simply, picking up a foot and wiggling her toes. She then hopped off her cot and began shifting about a bit, testing how the the sandals felt. She'd never worn anything like them before. But they felt... good, surprisingly. "These're comfortable," she said, sounding a little amazed. She had been so used to going practically barefoot that she had expected all that covering to feel awkward. Instead she just felt... secure. Interesting. "And thanks. Y'know, for..." she mimicked the gesture he'd made when helping figure the things out. "I've never worn these before."
|
|