Legitimacy (Ukita)

"Mommy, are we there yet?"

Akihana resisted the urge to roll her eyes as the question was put forth by an impatient Arata for the sixth time in the short half an hour they had been hiking. On one hand she could understand the little boy's concern. He was tired and cranky and wanted to go home and sleep. On the other hand, she was doing the best she could while keeping to his wishes of not carrying him on her hip like a child. It both scared her a little and warmed her heart to see the small flame of male pride suddenly taking root in her son. It seemed to have happened overnight. One day he was perfectly fine with being carried by his mother and the next he was too old for it.

"Ten more minutes sweetie," she called back, keeping the boy's hand firmly in hers. The day's activities had tired both mother and son out, Arata because he had been swimming in one of the many natural pools that rested on the outskirts of the village of Cloud and his mom because she had been using the same opportunity to train. Fusing fire and lightning was getting more and more difficult and she had needed an open space that also kept her son occupied. The small family had compromised on Arata swimming as Akihana made bubbles in the water for both her training as well as her five year old's amusement.

"Mommy... why don't you train with the other ninja down at the training center," this time, a note of seriousness permeated her son's clear voice, showing that he was tired enough to phrase questions he generally steered clear of. Akihana had done her best not to make him aware of how difficult it had been raising him. She loved her son with all her heart but no one could deny how hard motherhood was. Heck if it was easy, it wouldn't be motherhood. But that was not Arata's fault, and she was going to make sure he never felt it was.

The reason she couldn't practice with the others was because they only had that one responsibility, to practice. They didn't have a child to look after, a job to do, a home to maintain. Akihana had to get creative because she couldn't divide her time and attention, because Arata had priority over every other aspact of her life.

"Because I like hanging out with you more," the kunoichi grinned down at the dark haired boy and gave his soft hand a squeeze. "Why? Don't you like training with mommy?"

"Of course I do," the boy replied a little too quickly, making Akihana suspect he had been thinking about this for longer than the duration of this conversation. "Its just, Mrs. Yoshino says you need to make friends your own age."

The words made the blonde stop in her tracks. While she appreciated their elderly neighbor offering to babysit Arata from time to time, this was not a conversation the lady should have had with her son.

"Well, Mrs. Yoshino doesn't know that I have the bestest friend in the entire world," Akihana smiled, pulling her boy closer to her and ruffling his hair. "You," she finished, bending down to kiss his forehead and in the process, lifting him off the ground. And this time, Arata didn't complain.

They walked in silence for a few more minutes, both mother and son lost in their own thoughts until-

"Are we there yet?" A beatific smile lit up Akihana's face. Things were back to normal. At least for now.

With a deep breath the crisp Autumn filled Ukita's lungs. Subtle hints of the changing seasons were almost everywhere, reddening of leaves, a cool breeze every once and a while, and the odd overcast skies. Yet, today was a bit different than most, summer's last hurrah perhaps? The air was a bit warmer and sky a bit brighter. However, rotting leaves could be faintly smelled intermingled with fresh mountain air, an odd mix to be sure. All in all, the weather made for the best training weather Ukita figured he'd see for a while before blankets of snow covered the land.  

So, it was early in the morning when the chuunin stalked off into the wilderness of Kumogakure. The vast evergreen forests that dotted the mountainsides around the villages hidden in the clouds made for the a most serene training ground. Sure, he may have left a few broken trees in his wake, but after a considerable bit of effort he felt he had done enough, it was time to be on his way; it was time for him to be going home.

Thus, the man walked began the long path down to the village from his alpine training grounds. As he descended the mist that once swirled around his feet dissipated allowing a full view of the Uchiha.  As usual he wore a long white sleeved shirt and a pair of loosely fitting brown pants. Though, he also wore a plain brown duster stretching down to right above his ankles. Adding to his samurai-esque appearance was a single sword that hung on his left hip and the singular braid of hair that ran from his head down his back only stopping at the bottom of his shoulder blades. Yes, he was quite the sight.

For the longest time, he had not seen a soul-it was rather nice. Alas, as he neared the village two figures came into sharp focus, a woman and child. Mother and son perhaps? Ukita was unsure, but he was quite sure he did not really want to bother either of them. So, he lengthened his strides in an attempt to pass the two. In fact, as he did he thought of little else save for being alone once again. As such, he did not realize that the headband he often wore around his neck had fallen from his back-pocket where it had been placed during his training.

Shame really, he did not notice that it had fallen. It would, in all likelihood, be found missing once he got back to the village if no one mentioned anything. The paperwork required to get a replacement? Well, it was nothing short of dismal.

With Arata's warm weight slung against the body and the comfortable weather lulling Akihana onwards, the kunoichi was at peace. It had been a long time since she'd felt this comfortable. Tiredness was one thing but for once in her life, the blonde wasn't worried about the future. She had the most important thing in her life with her, nestling unconsciously into her shoulder as she walked towards the gates that were nowhere in sight as of yet but just around the corner.

As was their future.

It took some time for the medic to become aware of another presence down the path but when she did spot the young man who looked about her age, give or take a year, she fully intended to wave. Akihana was friendly by nature and it always took her by surprise when she saw others were not. The young man with a sword dangling from his belt did not appear to be in the mood to be disturbed so she let him pass them by, continuing on her own leisurely pace as Arata continued to sleep.

Until the sound of metal hitting concrete drew her attention to the ground where the other ninja had passed by. Silently activating her Golden Eye, Akihana confirmed that the object was indeed a Kumo headband, no doubt belonging to the man who was now a good dozen feet ahead. The kunoichi opened her mouth to call out a warning but realized that shouting would only wake her son and closed it again promptly. Arata could sleep through much but a shouted conversation was not among those.

Improvising, the blonde closed her eyes briefly, the golden tint in them still evident from her activated bloodline. The golden ball jutsu was supposed to give light in the dark, ideally for seeing when the opposing shinobi rendered everything lightless. With Akihana however, practicing the technique had been acting as her son's nightlight. Arata had only recently admitted to being afraid of the dark and as a result, his mother had been sending the golden ball to his room every night to lull him to sleep.

Concentrating, the blonde send the orb of golden light ahead, chasing the ninja who was slowly disappearing from sight. As the pinprick of light hovered to attract his attention, Akihana waited for him to turn before gesturing to herself and her sleeping son.

"You dropped your headband," she mouthed, hoping he could either read lips or least come close enough to hear her properly. The genin pointed to the ground to emphasize her point. "I can't pick it up, hands full," she attempted once more, making the golden ball hover in front of his face to get a better view of what the man looked like. Sharp, angular features stared back at her, formed in an expression Akihana couldn't quite read.

(Because it's been a lot longer than 48 hours, sorry Shinji but I need to exit here go get killed by your friends. XD)

Despite all her best efforts, it appeared the young man she had been trying to engage with had not seen her, or if he had, he simply had no wish to be engaged. Akihana could understand that even if she felt sorry for all the paperwork he would have to put together to replace his lost headband. Oh well, maybe she could bring the headband to the administrative building and they could track him using the code. It might make his life a little easier.

Keeping her son tucked close to her body, the kunoichi continued at her own pace back towards the village gates, the day's tiredness somehow both exhausting and refreshing as it washed over her slender form in waves of alternating emotions.

[Exit Akihana - TWC - 1204]

Claiming 6 AP
Saving the rest for something else

AApproved