Another day, another drink (open to all)

Maku wondered the streets once more in the late ours of the night, or first hours of the morning depending on your philosophical stance.  He entered the same bar he had been at the other night, waved to the bar man, and took his same seat at the bar.  He had asked his secretary to meet him there, perhaps it would give him someone to talk to.  

Ordering a drink, he took a deep drink, and spun in his chair to watch the patrons enter and leave the establishment.  He might have to take this place over, he did enjoy coming here after all.  It was several days after his spar with Kira, his wounds had healed nicely, and not much had happened.  All in all the village had been very quite.  The notice for chunin exams had just been posted, it was not by accident they were done at 1am, this way they'd be up and a surprise to the genin when they awake.  

Taking another drink and leaning back, he would wait to see if any of his ninja arrived, or Charlotte.  He would give things a chance to happen before he started to look for more to do.

On top of the building was where Kiru sat. He seemed to have been the first genin to sign up for the exams, but that was probably because he was the only one up at this ungodly hour. He kind of felt bad up here. Wasn't this some kind of loitering? While he enjoyed feeling the wind, he wasn't sure he should be up here. He wasn't sure he should be on top of any building really.

Jumping down, he decided to see what was inside the actual bar. It didn't seem like anyone was intent on kicking him out, so he took this as a sign he was allowed in. Looking over the patrons, he noticed Maku sitting by himself at the bar. If he walked over, this would be his second time meeting the village leader. He decided to sit next to the man, and smile. "So you're setting up the Chuunin exams?"
It was a poor question, or maybe statement? He wasn't sure how he meant it, he just needed a conversation topic. Something other than the large scar on his chest where he had made his oath with Daiy.

Looking at the ninja who walked in and sat down, he contemplated a few things.  WHy was he wasting his time training these ninja.  None of them seemed up to snuff.  After all Maku still considered himself fairly weak in the grand scheme of things.  Had he ever reall been that weak.  O well, why not cut the kid some slack, perhaps he would grow into something useful.  Maybe he could even take his seat as the Yukage if time permitted. 

"Yep, chunin exams are in full swing today, now to see if everyone follows orders as they were given.  Remember that Kiru, you don't always have to be the best, but you do have to follow orders to the best of your ability."  

Taking another drink, Maku was starting to feel depressed.  First Youka had left him, and now he couldn't find Kira anywhere.  He was all alone, again just like he had been in Takigakure.  THe memories disgusted him.  He needed something, but what was the question.  They had been such a tight nit group, and now the weave had all fallen away.  Had they ever really cared about him, or was he just support to be used for them.  Perhaps Youka only had wanted him as fodder for their assaults, a scape goat, or at the very least some one to use genjutsu when he was over his head.  Little more than a tool to be used and disgarded.

Kira, and what had that bitch done for him.  He saved her miserable life several times now, and even after all that, he couldn't help but feel that she saw him as her equal.  When in truth, well it just wasn't the truth.  He fucking ran across countries, tearing the very muscles from his bones to rescue her, and what did he get, nothing.  Now that he held this village, she did missions took her money and ran.  He had offered hospitality just to be tossed aside.

Perhaps he didn't need either of them.  Maku wasn't even sure if he had any worth in this world.  His skills were modest at best, enough to get him out of sticky situations, but little more.  He needed something big, something that would act as a game changer in the future.  Did he even deserve this village.  If truth be told, he didn't feel like he did.  Maybe it was the drink, but the once proud and confident ninja found himself a bit faded.

Looking around he realized he had been thinking for a long time, he wasnt even sure if Kiru had been talking or not, so he decided to say "Mhmm that's the way it is kid."

Being the best... It truly wasn't just about strength was it? You had to be quick, and clever too. These exams... Maybe they could help him prove his strength. He would have to invent something clever though. Something that didn't rely on strength, but skill. "I just want to get stronger I think. Someday, I want to be someone who is an important asset to the village, rather than just someone who lives here. I won't.... I can't abandon this place."
Like he had abandoned Shima, like he abandoned his clan. He had to protect at least this place. He would defend it with his life on the line. Maybe, someday, he could show his clan just how powerful he could become.

(Done on phone, so any mistakes will be fixed later)

Maku could almost feel the boys determination.  It even knocked him out of his contemplation.  This boy wanted strength, he wanted to be an asset.  Hell he kind of reminded him of himself.  Pushing the mug away, and off the counter to smash on the floor, Maku stood and looked the boy up and down.  "I have little doubt you will be of use Kiru, little doubt indeed."  Maku walked over to the dart bored, and started playing a game.  THe bar was pretty much deserted so any conversation they had was easy enough to keep.

"Kiru, perhaps you should get some rest.  You have a big day ahead of you, and if you want the rank of chunin your gonna have to earn it.  Lets be honest you aren't the fastest, and you sure as hell aren't the strongest.  Neither are you my favorite for winning this shindig.  But god damn it, I love an underdog."  He would give Kiru a patented Maku smile, one that had more than once got him out of sticky situations.  The message had been clear to anyone who listened.

Kiru was happy at least somebody war cheering for him, if only kinda. Deciding rest might be a good idea, he stood from his seat. "Thanks. And you're probably right, so I'll head home. My first Chuunin exam test is tomorrow anyway. I'll see you around."
And with that, the young Genin left the bar, lost in thought, and headed back to his home. He had a lot ahead of him.

(EXIT)

(Again, on phone. I apologize for shortness and any mistakes)

Maku continued to play darts as the boy left.  He wasn't a bad kid after all.  While playing, he suddenly got a message from Kira.  SHe had goten herself into trouble with Echo.  Thats not good.  What had she done.  Had she blabbed to someone about Echo.  WHAT THE FUCKITY FUCK FUCK FUCK WAS SHE FUCKING DOING.  ECHOS IS GONNA FUCKIN MURDER ME.  GODS DAMN THAT GIRL GODS DAMN THAT GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

As this all ran through his mind, Maku asked two questions one to Kira and one to Selene.

To Kira
"O I am sure its fine, what happened sweet heart?"

To Selene
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON, AND WHAT THE FUCK DID SHE DO TO GET ECHO UPSET??!?!?!?!?"

~maku I don't appreciate your yelling. Hind sight I probably should have monitored her actions more closely but you also probably should have not let her leave at least without an escort." Selene's voice was calm and dripping with disinterest. She would not be spoken to the she was, she was a protector not a child care worker.

~ no I'm fairly positive I pissed him off bad this time. I sorta accidentally told navi that the three of us work for echo and thst you took yuki in echo's name. Oh also hey maku just wanted to let u know I'll be leaving for konoha soon. Also just wanted to send u a message that I made it to konoha safely.~

~ dear god.....you must have had no idea she was gone....~

Maku was deathly still, mid throw with a dart.  She had done what.......  He knew she left when he couldn't sense her, and hind sight he should have stopped her, but no one was so stupid as to spill that kind of information were they.  WELL WERENT THEY.  Maku had completely lost all of what had gone on.  All the depression he had felt was instantly evaporated.  The only good thing was, his purpose was back, and it was to not suffer DBE (death by Echo)  a remarkably difficult feat indeed.  FUckin Selene talkin back to him like its no fucking big deal.  Sure must be nice to be locked away in a little girl while he was out here about to be fuckin murdered.  

"Kira, yea I am pretty sure you pissed him off.  Damnt Kira, i mean why would you say that, I dont understand why it would come across your mind to even for a moment believe that thats ok."

"Selene, Don't fucking tell me I need to monitor her actions, your the fucking guardian.  Gods be damned, I can't be expected to baby sit someone like her all the time."

"Well I was taking to navi and wanted to make sure he understood that I was safe to trust, so explained that I worked for a kage who liberated a village from an evil dictator? It didn't seem like a problem at the time and I don't think navi's even heard me. He was kind of zoning out. " she was soaking wet from the water and fairly miserable. It was clear she had screwed up badly and her reflexes caused her to only get in deeper trouble.

"And what makes you think I exist solely to watch and make sure she doesn't say something dumb ? I've been a bit buisy taking care of other affairs maku ull have to forgive me. And wasn't it you who told her all of this? It could have been completely handled by just letting her know it was to be kept secret yanno..... This is your fault." She didn't sugar coat or lessen the words. She was certain he deserved her wrath for the rudeness in his tone and goddess be damned if she wouldn't pay her debts.