'Tis the Season(?) Joke's on you.

[Decadence]

ooc: Reserved for Chicha. I'll be putting Ryuushika in my sig soon, but for now -link- (http://www.theninja-rpg.com/forums/showthread.php?54337-Genin-Ry%C5%ABshika-Konoki&p=1582296&viewfull=1#post1582296).


Mei, the city that is brimming with hope was now overflowing with good vibes as the citizens prepared to celebrate that special time of year that was drawing near. Though the people had endured hard times, they defied despair, and walked with a spring in their step. Not only were they given a second chance, but now was a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.

Indeed, there was a certain happiness in the air, but to a certain young Genin from Konoki, the only thing in the air was a chill. Ryuushika walked the buzzing streets looking rather indifferent to all the 'good cheer' that was supposedly fluttering about. It wasn't that she was a grinch, nor did she feel any ill will toward those who enjoyed the season, but the novice ninja simply could not relate what with her lack of friends, and her family being so far away.

Putting it that was was actually rather depressing.

Ryuushika clenched her fists and gave a defiant whine as she shook her head, pushing away the negative thoughts. Patting a sealing scroll at her side, she reassured herself that all the friends she needed were right there beside her. Always. The Oborozuki siblings would never leave her. With this in mind, the young Konoi tightened her red scarf and continued on her way. As per her usual, she stopped by a toy vendor and pressed her round face against the transparent shield that protected the seller's model's from the elements. Viewing the girl as nothing more than a street rat, the merchant quickly shooed her away remarking on how he 'knew her kind', as well as other unkind words.
Clearly the holiday spirit hadn't yet reached everyone.

Pouting, Ryuushika took to wandering the streets once more. Once she was far enough away from the evil vender, she reached into her pockets and grabbed everything that was there. Looking over the contents in her palms, she realized it was coming time to return to her duty. If she wanted any new toys, she would either have to give up eating, or work to earn luxury money. Of course, for Ryuushika, there was a third option. In truth, she was never very good at asking for, or buying the things she wanted. She had a terrible habit of simply taking. All she needed was an easy target. She began to look around.

[Chicha]

In a nearby alley, Taisou Chihara covered her ears. She wasn’t sure where she was, but she disliked the place. Around her, walls of sound had erected themselves, bullying the girl with their screaming and whistling. The sheer amount of noise was overwhelming. Everywhere, people had flocked to the city to do their shopping for the season, buying gifts and food for family and friends. Chihara had never heard so many voices speak at once. Her hands instinctively gripped her black messenger bag, ready to throw a kunai if someone would dare to come close.

The bag had been secured to her hip for years. Wherever she went, the bag went with her. Two straps black straps held it in its place. The bag itself was filled with random equipment; a rusty shuriken, money pouch, ink and some empty scrolls. Most of Chihara's actual equipment was fastened to one of her two straps for easy acces.

The girl sighed. After travelling for five hours straight, the smells of the food stalls on the streets were becoming too powerful to resist. The walls of noise were overpowered by a man screaming ‘fresh Udon’, in a stall not far from where Chihara was hiding. Udon, she thought as she carefully stepped out of the alley, I love Udon. Back home, the days where her father brought home Udon had been her favourite days. The thick noodles that filled the room with steam once you opened them. Udon from Mei.

‘Mei!’ She couldn’t hide her excitement. ‘I’m in Mei!’

Overjoyed, Chihara ran towards the stall. The wall of sound had turned into pleasant background music, guiding her as she made her way towards her favourite food. Three more steps, two more steps, then suddenly a loud bang. A man that had seen the fall rushed up to help, but the girl was already on her feet, scratching her head in embarrassment.

‘Did I hit anyone? I am so sorry. I can’t really see. Actually, I can’t see at all, but I wanted Udon so I thought I would come and get the Udon and then there was this thing,’ Chihara lifted a brick, ‘you see; that thing is really dangerous. I don’t know what it is but it feels really dangerous and,’ she paused, 'Has anyone seen my bag?'

[Decadence]

"Fresh Udon!", Ryuushika heard, and instantly she became conscious of the smell. Following this, of course, was a rumble in her stomach, which in turn intensified the search for a negligent civilian whose guard was down.

After shoving what was in her hands back into her pockets, the Konoi started off, but paused and back peddled a couple steps. Curiously Ryuushika looked toward a girl with a juicy bag at her side making her way out of an alley. This girl - she couldn't believe it - had her eyes completely covered by a white headband! It really didn't get much better than that... or did it?

Her aqua orbs quickly shifting right to left, the little klepto assessed her surroundings, then casually began walking in Chihara's direction. As she was getting closer, things improved in Ryuushika's favor - the girl went down, losing her bag in the process.

Chihara's may have only been down for a moment, but that moment was enough for the ninja from Konoki to get her hands on - or rather in - the bag.

'Has anyone seen my bag?'

After a few seconds, Chihara's reply would come in the form of a nudge at her left side. The material touching her would belong to the bag she'd lost, as Ryuushika tried to return it to her with a gentle thrust. Just a moment earlier, of course, the bag would have been opened just enough for the sticky handed Genin to slip her paw inside, determine the contents, and acquire the money pouch, the rusty shuriken, and two empty scrolls. It was obvious why she would take the money pouch, but the scrolls interested her because of the secrets they may carry within their text she had yet to learn was nonexistent. There was no particular reason why the shuriken was taken.

"A boy picked it up for you" Ryuushika whispered, trying to pass suspicion away from herself in case the blind girl checked her belongings and shouted before she could escape. She spoke in Konoi, knowing Chihara spoke it as well - judging by her moderate accent. Also, it made it less likely anyone was around who would hear and understand her lie. "I thought he was going to run, so I took it from him."

It was then that Ryuushika probably should have made her escape, but the younger girl was so peculiar, she couldn't help but question: "What were you trying to do?", and she continued to whisper, staying close to Chihara as though trying to hide herself from the crowd moving this way and that despite being out in the open.

[Decadence]

ooc: I'm terribly sorry to do this, but Ryuushika's been summoned elsewhere, and it's been a little over 2 weeks since I've heard from you ^^;;

If you ever make it back to tnf though, I'd be happy to rp with you again if you can make a little more time for it. Bye for now~


Ryuushika had her body turned toward Chihara, but she looked outward, watching the crowd. When no response came from the girl, Ryuushika turned to look at the younger Konoi, wondering what had stolen her attention. Going slack jawed, Ryuushika watched the silent Chihara - her blind folded gaze becoming scurtinizing, which made Ryuushika tear up and whimper.

"....I'm sorry"

Following that feeble apology, Ryuushika pulled the bag away from its owner, opened it up, and shoved Chihara's belongings back inside. Without even closing it, she shoved it back toward the blind Konoi while squeezing her eyes shut - unable to look her in the face - and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Ryuushika shouted, then released the bag and fled. She was still a novice when it came to the shinobi arts, but to civilians, and perhaps the academy student as well, her escape was sudden, making her seem to vanish in the blink of an eye. It helped that she was in a hurry.

------
Later

"Hwooooah"

Ryuushika stared in wonder at her new prize. To offset the emotions from earlier, she'd returned to the toy vendor and helped herself to what she thought was the prettiest figure of all he was selling - at a five finger discount, of course. Hidden in a tree, Ryuushika held up a princess doll with beautiful blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes. Behind the glass, when the sun hit it just right, to Ryuushika, it looked like an angel wearing an elegant white gown. As she held it up now, that same glamor reappeared.

"Aristella~"

Naming her new doll, the little Konoi thief continued staring up at the newest Oborozuki child with shining eyes. Lost in awe, she leaned back until she fell over the branch she'd been sitting on, but looping her legs around it, she remained holding on, though upside down.

"Don't worry. You have a strong heart. We'll train you~"

What could have been an hour later, Ryuushika hit the trail on the way back to Konoki. If she was going to turn Aristella into a ninja, she needed supplies, and to get supplies, she needed money; if she wanted money, she had to work, and though Ryuushika sighed at the thought of taking more menial jobs around the village, the pay off was decent. Of course, she still had an alternative...


[Exit]