Progress (Private, no kill)

Akina walked through the forest along the border of Konoha. Her step was somewhat lighter than normal, and a smile was on her face. Mostly, the girl was taking in the peace and quiet of the day, as the sun was warm and bearing its light on the land. She began humming a little tune, watching her kimono sleeves sway to and fro from her springing step.

As Akina looked to her kimono, she grimaced slightly. Her thoughts wandered back to the day Seth ran from the hospital. A little later, her aunt and uncle had appeared in the hospital with very stern looks in their eyes. Immediately, they began lecturing her about the dangers of training with someone who had weapons, and they were also asking about who would be foolish enough to do such a thing to not only her, but also her kimono. With a tsk, they displayed a new kimono.

It does feel like a heavier silk, and it seems to let me move around a bit more easily. I wonder if they got it specifically got it for my training. The autumn leaf print flashed with gold every now and then, and a brilliant red obi completed her look.

The girl stopped to watch the leaves flow in the wind.

Seth was walking threw the woods he was out side of Konoha's limits. Seth knew he was tired due to hours of walking. His eyelids were hanging so you could tell he was tired, Seth was still wearing bandages from his last training session. He walked up a side of a tree and lay down on the branch to sleep. He was sleeping well when he awoke to foot steps, he did not worry till he heard the feet stop. He was sure that this could mean a fight Seth slid a kunai out of his pouch in his right hand the body flickered behind the ninja. His kunai near their throat, He then saw it was Akina. He spoke his voice was lazily "I...am sorry Akina... I was unsure what had happened around me." He had a mission on his mind one that could lead to his strength but he may loose Akina.

Akina spotted a figure in a tree above her. There was a flicker, and the next thing she knew, there was a kunai to her throat. She had prepared a hand sign that would have prepared the substitution jutsu, but something made her stop. She recognized the person's voice, which caused her to turn around and smile.

"Seth!" she said as though nothing had happened, "It's ok!" There was a smile on her face, but she quickly noticed his body language and demeanor. "Are you alright, Seth?" she asked carefully, hoping not to upset him too much.

Her feet kept walking forward for a little while she thought of a way that she could tell him her good news.

Seth spoke again "Nothing... Nothing I am fine." He watched her walking forward H put a fake smile on his face he knew that a mission was a mission but his real question was how would Akina feel if she knew. He couldn't bare the thought of the look on her face. "How are you Akina?" his voice was flat and lost in thought.

Akina stopped quickly. She had a very serious look on her face. Her head turned toward Seth. Her hands balled into slightly tight fists. She had recognized that tone of voice from her uncle whenever he had been hiding something from her. Her eyes had become cold, and her mouth was set in a firm line. "If you're going to lie, at least make it convincing, Seth." her voice was clear and cold.

She took a few steps toward him, purposely making them slow and calculating. "I made a pact with you, Seth. I promised to stay by your side, no matter what happens, without giving up. I won't run, and I won't lie...these things will make up my Nindo...my Ninja Way," her voice was suddenly filled with determination. She took a quick breath, calming herself. She turned from Seth for a moment.

"Whatever it is, it must be very hard on you, judging from your smile and tone of voice. Friends aren't always happy with each other. You can choose to tell me or to hide from me, but I simply have one request." She turned to face Seth. "I humbly ask that whatever you have to say that you will say it truthfully." A warm smile graced her lips.

Akina waited for a moment before answering the question directed to her. "I'm great, Seth! I have got my hands on some jutsu, finally! I'll probably be taking my exams very soon. Thank you for helping me train! I learned so much, even if it was a little risky, so stop being so gloomy," she said with mock seriousness, hoping to make him laugh a little.

Her eyes drifted to the ground. "I'm still not sure how I feel about you in my heart, but I know you are very close to me. Even though the feelings I have for you are not those of a romantic nature, I realize that those feelings may grow as I grow, and hopefully, they will grow as we learn more of each other. So, I wonder, would you mind it if I considered you my nakama?" Her cheeks were slightly rosy.

Seth looked at her and spoke his voice was a sad and dead inside "Akina I need to tell you something that can never be repeated.... I have to steal intel from.... from.... the Hokage." He looked into her eyes to see how she was taking it. "The worst part is if anyone gets in the way they have to die." He felt his soul die as he spoke. "I accept you not returning feelings tho."

Akina listened to what Seth said, and was left with her mouth hanging open. Her hands promptly covered her mouth. Her silvery eyes were flaming with denial, but she knew that the words he had said were true, and very hard for him to convey, judging from the way he seemed to pause as he spoke. Her head drooped low, for once, she had to struggle to control all of the emotions bursting forth from inside her. Her hand raised stiffly and then lowered.

Her eyes switched from trust to cold hate as her mouth opened and closed without a word coming forth. She finally just exhaled in a low, rumbling roar. Her eyes regained their gentle nature, and the girl raised her head to look at Seth. "I understand. I will not speak of it again, ever. I understand that a mission has reasons, and I should not question what they are."

She smiled gently, as though nothing was going to happen. The Hyuga girl bowed gracefully to Seth. "Thank you for being patient with me." she mumbled in a low voice.