Meeting the Villagers [IO, NK]

Arcanis sent a clone down to the gates with the note from Navi allowing him entrance.  He walked into the city but knew nothing about the layout of the city.  He had been to the gates before but never inside the city.  He was amazed at how huge the city was.  He would need directions if he was going to find his way around.  He began to ask the random passerby how to get to the Hokage's office.

Koaru was in an alley way between two buildings in the bustling village of Konoha. He was sitting on the floor against a crate, legs and arms crossed over one another. His head was tilted back and a large bubble expanded and retracted from his nose. He had dozed off while attending to his duties. The sound of the villagers' commotion were all just white noise to him now. The boy slept peacefully amongst the noise, like a butterfly flying gracefully even though it was a windy day.

The bubble on his nose suddenly popped. Koaru's nap was interrupted when he noticed a strong presence nearby. Koaru looked beyond the shadows of the alley way over to the main streets, where villagers were passing by. A boy dressed in black was passing by. His green eyes showed a soft compassion, almost as if he belonged here. Yet, at a proper glance, his clothes were not like what most wore around the village. He was asking every other villager that passed his way for directions. Koaru revealed a mischievous grin.

"Hmm. A tourist, eh?"

Koaru said as he hopped on onto his feet. He walked along after the mysterious boy with one hand in his pocket. Koaru spotted a glint of light shine off of the boy's pocket. It was a chain, probably from a pocket watch or something. Koaru picked up his pace while remaining quiet. He reached out for to pickpocket the newcomer of his watch. The pawn shops in this village were very reasonable with their buying prices and would definitely take interest in foreign accessories. He would make more than what he was making working for his Hokage, anyway...

As arcanis walked through the village he was not given much help as to directions.  He asked every other person but nobody seemed to want to tell him anything.  It made sense though.  He was in a fairly strict military village.  Not many people were going to offer him, an outsider, directions to their Kage.  He would have to find information other ways.  

He let the blackness of his eyes expand completely blacking out his eyes.  He continued walking not looking up studying his surrounding hoping to locate some help.  What he located was a tail.  Someone was following him.  Why he couldn't say.  As Arc continued the man reached out for his back or maybe his pocket.  Arcanis stopped and turned around releasing his jutsu.  He turned away from the mans hand and made sure his eyes were back to normal before looking at the man once more.

"Why?"  was all Arcanis said.  He didn't look intimidating or threatening.  Just curious.

Koaru was shocked. The boy knew of Koaru's presence and intention to pickpocket him, even though he was positive he had not done anything to give himself away. He had pick pocketed many villagers before when he needed a quick buck. Koaru's face was blank for a minute. He was trying to come up with a good enough excuse to give the stranger. Koaru's expression changed to a nervous laughter as to indicate that there had been a misunderstanding. Koaru used one hand to rub and rustle the thick, dreaded hairs on his head. 

"Eheheh, so sorry. You just had some dust on you, is all"

Koaru let out another burst of nervous laughter as he went to pat the non exisitant dust off of the ninja's body. Koaru would accidently also pat the stranger's butt, which would create an incredibly awkward tension between the two strangers. Koaru would then withdraw his hands into a folded position to prevent further embarrassment. He took a step back to give the guy his personal space back. Eager to change the subject, Koaru said,

"So...you're not from around here are you?"

Arcanis stood there as the man laughed nervously.  He seemed harmless enough.  The other thing that Arcanis noticed is the guy didn't run off or anything.  Instead he began patting Arc down saying there was dust on him.  Arcanis watched the man closely with an inquisitive look on his face.

When the man asked him if he was new Arcanis put on his trademark fake smile.  Mirroring the mans folded posture.  

"Nope. New in town my names Arcanis.  I'm here on business with the Hokage.  Doesn't seem like anyone knows where he's at though.  Maybe you could help me out a bit?"

Arcanis stood there smiling watching the man carefully.

"The name's Koaru. Koaru Garinado. Its nice to meet you"

Koaru scratched his chin as he thought of where the Hokage of the village could be found. Koaru began to walk, gesturing for Arcanis to follow along. Koaru would lead Arcanis throughout the village, passing key visiting points of the village. Koaru found something to say in regards to the Hokage's location.

"Hmm, I can't seem to recall where the Hokage is right now. But maybe i'll remember with a little...incentive?" 

Koaru held out one of his hands in an open palm position in front of Arcanis. He was implying that Koaru would need to be paid to reveal information about the most important figure in the leaf village. Koaru returned Arcanis's smile with a warm grin.

Arc followed Koaru as he walked down the street.  Arcanis memorized the city as he went.  the city was beautiful.  He could imagine himself putting up his swords and settling down here.  Koaru told him it would take money to find the Hokage.  Arcanis smiled.  He was not a fool.  He responded simply,  
"If it's money you seek I could give you some now.  Granted it would be a pittance but equivalent to your help.  Now if it is true wealth you look for, heh I can offer you much more If you were to provide me with more assistance.  So if you would like and of course with your Hokage's permission I would hire a stong able bodied young man and offer you the adventure of a life time."

  Arcanis loved to sew his words into a tapestry of potential. But soon he would needed to fix something.  

"Is there a rest room around here?  I have been traveling for a while and could use some freshening up."

Arcanis held his stomach subtlety.

"Hmmph."

Koaru grinned at Arcanis, who had met his demand for monetary compensation with an intriguing offer. An adventure of a lifetime? Koaru began to think about what that could mean for him. He had always wanted to see the world beyond the Fire country. Koaru led Arcanis to an outhouse on the outskirts of town. Koaru extended his hand, allowing his guest to pass through the door. After that, he posted up with his back against the wall outside the bathroom while Arcanis handled his business. The wall that would separate them was thin, allowing Arcanis to hear what Koaru would say from inside the bathroom.

"Well, the truth is, the Hokage is off on some business."

Koaru said, sounding sorry to dissapoint. Whatever business the boy had with the Hokage would have to wait. The grin soon returned to Koaru's face. He was more interested in Arcanis's proposal.

"Say..Arcanis. Whatever it is you're planning, will there be women there along the way? You can't expect me to serve under someone without there being something worth my while."

Arcanis went into the bathroom.  He needed the cover.  Arcanis formed handsigns to create a clone in the bathroom with him and immediately had one clone use transformation jutsu to disguse himself as a plunger.  Arcanis smiled.  Koaru had been speaking to him through the wall.  Arc rolled his eyes.  he never liked it when people talked to him in the bathroom.  

Koaru mentioned women and whether or not there would be any involved.  Arc's mind drifted to Aku and Kira that he had just recently met.  both would be working for him.  

"Yeah there will be women.  And Money, and fame, and glory.  But that comes with time.  For know just women and money.  But the more pressing matter is convincing your Kage to let you leave with me.  Otherwise you could be deemed a traitor to your village, and you'd never be able to return."  

Arcanis sewed his seeds.  Words had always been his forte.  He exited the restroom leaving his disguised clone behind.  "Shall we Arcanis gestured with his hand in a sweeping motion outward suggesting that he was willing to follow.

Koaru was delighted. Even though he was not particularly interested in money, fame, or glory,  Koaru loved the thought of promised women. Plus, having all those other things may help Koaru get even more woman. What a steal! Koaru would have to be an idiot not to take Arcanis up on his offer. Koaru regained his composure when Arcanis left the restroom. Koaru raised an eye brow at Arcanis, staring at him long and hard. To Arcanis, it might have appeared that Koaru was onto his plot, whatever it was, and had seen him plant a disguised clone in the bathroom. However, in actuality, Koaru was just surprised at Arcanis. He hadn't washed his hands after relieving himself...

Koaru shrugged his shoulders before leading the way back toward the gates of the village. Koaru considered what Arcanis was saying about notifying his kage and requesting a leave of absence. Koaru would explain to Arcanis that he would leave a note for the Hokage, and that it would be okay for him to leave in the meantime. By the time he was done explaining all of this, Koaru and Arcanis would have walked into a lush pasture separating the inner village from the gates. Koaru would crane his neck over his shoulder, then turn around completely to face Arcanis before saying,

"But before all of that, I have one more question...How do I know you are strong enough to be my master?"

Koaru eyed Arcanis, expecting a rise out Arcanis.