Should Have Gotten Waffles Instead «KOMON»

Because there was a shortage of food in her humble yet empty abode, Saya was seen hopping from rooftop to rooftop in the inner part of Kumogakure. Unfortunate for the fridge at home the young girl seemed to be more inclined to take-out food rather than purchasing a copious amount of ingredients to make a few dishes. It seemed as if the poor thing would only have a carton of milk (nearing its spoiling date) as company in its belly.

Keen on filling her grumbling stomach Saya entered the market street. It was, of course, filled with stalls selling cheap (and often fake) wares as well as on-the-go food. There were, however, a few well-established restaurants that many people frequented. That was where Saya was currently heading as she took a final leap to land in front of the buildings. It was more of a casual restaurant that could be considered a “fast food” joint, though its food was definitely top notch.

While Saya and her fridge were distinctly different things (one being an inanimate machine and the other being a human), they were both unfortunate. For Saya, as soon as she stepped inside, there were a faces she had been hoping to never see. It looked like they were in the midst of their meals, joking and laughing about something or other. She hesitated, unsure if she should hurry up and order her food or go to another place and eat there instead.

”Oh! Isn’t that Saya?” Masuyo.

A hiss and a garbled mess of curse words were muttered beneath her breath.

”Wow! You’re right. Should we call her over?” Niyou.

”Ew! Why would you want to do that? She was the only person in our year that wasn’t assigned to a team. Not trying to be mean or anything, but I heard Saya tried to kill a squirrel. Michi-chi told me after going to the training grounds. No wonder why they didn’t want her to be on a team.” Kaho.

Were they not aware that she could hear them? Clearly, they had still much to learn about being a shinobi. Saya didn’t need to turn around to see their expressions. Masuyo and Niyou almost always believed whatever Kaho spewed from her mouth, especially when her friend “Michi” was her source of information.

Sighing, Saya had the sudden urge correct her but decided to order her plate of tonkatsu and beef ramen instead. There was no use in paying attention to slackers. Well, Kaho was a slacker. The other two were somewhat decent. Above average. It wouldn’t surprise the petite genin if they were carrying her sorry ass through their ninja career.

”Damn. Really? I still think we should still talk to her though. It’s been awhile since our graduation. About three to four months, right?”

Kaho sputtered, trying to come up for more reasons as to why they shouldn’t try and get her attention. Masuyo, however, seemed to be free of his dog collar as he stood up and made his way over to her. ”Saya! Heey! Wanna come and eat at our table? It’s lonely without a team, right? Join us!”

Fuck my life. He’s heading... He’s here. He grabbed her forearm as if anticipating her to bolt. Where is my food?! Saya turned, an unimpressed expression etched on her face. The rejection was swift.

”No.”

WORD COUNT: 570
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 570

Komon was visibly drenched in sweat, a bit of a horrid smell would be coming off of him as he walked down the dirt roads of kumogakure and towards the market district where all of Kumogakures best restaurants awaited him. He hadn’t even really planned to eat and was just heading home from a harsh training session with Senshi that had left him exhausted, when his stomach had growled rather loudly as if to say “Feed me you ass”. As it often had to do, because Komon was horrible with keeping up with menial tasks such as eating.
 
Now in an effort to quell his hunger he’d look around at the several restaurants that surrounded him. So many options so little time. Growing all the more hungry instead of paddling through his decisions he’d close his eyes with his finger extended and do a quick spin, whatever he was left pointing at was where he was gonna eat. When he opened his eyes he’d look at the unnamed restaurant that saya had entered and a couple of people giving him and odd look on how he had decided to choose where he was eating.
 
He simply shrugged that off however as he walked up the stairs towards the building and made his way into the door. “Uh table for one please” He’d say to the girl that was tending the hostess station. The girl would nod and say of course as she turned and motioned him to follow, as he walked he’d see a gennin team trying to talk to another gennin who didn’t seem interested at all, the team was typical shinobi standards 2 boys 1 girl, and the uninterested party was a girl with purple hair.
 

Growing ever closer to the group as he followed the waitress he’d find himself passing them as the boy reached out to Saya and grabbed her arm. He’d hear her say no as it happened and stop beside them placing his arm onto the boy's shoulder. “Are they bothering you?” He’d ask. Looking over to the waitress as if to say give me a minute.


WC: 353

Masuyo blinked as if he had not been expecting her quick reply. He laughed it off, making the girl frown. Saya quickly went through their five seconds of interaction and wondered what she said or did to make him chuckle. She wanted to ask him what he found funny, but fortunately (or unfortunately) someone came along and placed a strong hand on Masuyo’s shoulder.

Niyou and Kaho had quieted down though they both had different expressions on their faces. The girl’s long brown hair seemed to be be filled with static as a few strands stood on end, looking like a cat throwing a hissy fit. Niyou, on the other hand, seemed troubled. Saya always knew that he had the most sense in the group. Masuyo too was somewhat smart, but the boy’s problem was his ego and possessiveness.

”Haah? Can’t you see that we aren’t bothering her?” Masuyo tried to keep his voice even, but there was a vague growl that was almost nonexistent. Saya raised a brow. He’s learning to control himself.

”Y-Yeah… We were just asking her to come join us. She doesn’t have a team and we all graduated together so… ” Always the diplomat. Niyou’s gaze kept shifting from Masuyo to the Hyuuga to Kaho sitting in front of him.

The damsel in distress (note her blank face) glanced at her… Saya wrinkled her nose and observed his current state of wear. Right. Her raggedy knight in shining armor. ”Yes, they were.” As always Saya was a blunt girl, and her statement didn’t seem to go so well with Kaho.

”You BITCH!” The other girl shot up from her seat, slamming her hands on the table. ”We were just trying to be nice, but you go off and say we’re bothering you? Urgh. I just remembered why no one wanted to talk to you in the academy.”

As much as Saya didn’t want to react, she flinched. Her hand twitching at the painful sentence.

WORD COUNT: 334
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 570 + 334 = 904

The two boys responded before saya had the chance, as if the girl couldn’t speak for herself, naturally Komon ignored them and awaited the girl's reply. She seemed to think on it for a second, noticably wrinkling her nose as she did so. Probably in reaction to Komon’s sweat drenched clothes, a bit embarrassing but he wasn’t much one to care about public opinion so he’d just listen to her words instead of overthinking it.
 
When she confirmed his suspicions he’d hear a rather rude remark coming from behind him. The voice of the other girl in the restaurant. “What the hell have I stepped into?” He’d think to himself as he used the hand he had placed on the boys shoulder to turn him back in the direction of his table. “Ok then”
 
“Go back and Eat” He’d bark. A confidence in his voice that he’d picked up from several missions with senshi would linger in the air making it obvious that the order was not a suggestion. He’d motion to the rest of the group to follow suit, as he did this he’d activate his byakugan. Not necessarily because he needed any of its abilities but more so because he knew it often scared children.
 

WC: 531

Knight in raggedy clothes indeed. Saya, however, was a little bit surprised. She wasn’t used to people instantly believing her. A lot of people tended to be swayed by Niyou’s kind and understanding disposition, Masuyo’s “mature” facade, and Kaho’s sweet smile (or sometimes her indignant shouts that thoroughly embarrassed those who went against her word).

Easily, the Hyuuga pulled the boy’s grip from her arm and pushed him back to his table in a single and flowing motion. Saya mentally clapped at the move. It was like a flower petal in the wind. They had all frozen at the stronger ninja’s sudden use of Byakugan and a barking command.

Masuyo and Kaho could only grit their teeth, almost thinking on their next move.”Thank - - -” Just before she could finish giving her gratitude, Kaho screeched and stepped out from the table.

Saya and Niyou both heaved a heavy sigh. Half the restaurant were looking at them now. This was not how she wanted to spend her lunch time. Masuyo, seemingly energized by his team’s only female, pushed back up to glare at boy with the eerie eyes.

”Look, man. You can’t talk to us like that!” Stupid Masuyo. He probably thought the guy was a genin like them.

”Shut up, Masuyo!” Kaho hissed, her attention entirely on Saya. ”It’s all Saya’s fault that we have to deal with him. It’s whatever. She probably needs someone to protect her anyways. Too scared to face us alone. Killing squirrels is the only thing she could do.”

And then there were times Saya snapped. ”I don’t just kill squirrels.” That was a complete lie but she really didn’t want to argue with the girl. With a smooth motion, she threw a shuriken at the girl, purposely missing her face. Unfortunately, a nice chunk of her hair swayed to the floor.

I can kill you too.

WORD COUNT: 316
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 904 + 316 = 1220

The scene that had opened up in front of him was unexpected to say the least. These gennin all seemed to have a bit of confidence in them. A girl would screech randomly and abruptly, causing the eyes of most everyone in the restaurant to shift onto the unfolding scene. Masuyo obviously the loudmouth of the group decided that he would be the voice of authority, barking back at Komon as if he could take him.
 
Komon held back the urge to shup him up himself, knowing that it was a public restaurant and they had already caused enough of a scene, unfortunately the words wouldn’t stop there and the girl Kaho would begin to outright insult saya. Something about being weak and having to rely on people to protect her and a rather odd situation about a squirrel he didn’t quite understand.
 
It was almost immediately made obvious that Saya didn’t approve of the girls monologue as she threw a kunai at her and threatened to kill her. Truth be told Komon was impressed, but he knew if he let this continue to unfold he’d have to answer to the village for this, four of Kumogakures ninja causing a scene in a restaurant wouldn’t bode well for him, obviously the highest ranking one here.
 
After the kunai had soared through the air, a large coat of blue electricity would begin to spread around Komon as his arms folded across his chest. “Enough” He’d say his voice low and emotionless, the blue aura surrounding him reinforcing his words. His face would turn towards the group of three and he’d continue. “She missed on purpose” To the gennin it might not have seemed obvious, but Komon was a weapons expert and Sayas execution of the throw had been perfect. “Gather your things and leave the restaurant or I’ll personally speak with the raikage himself, I’ll handle the bill for your food.”
 

Next he’d turn to Saya “If you want to throw Kunai at them in the future I’d suggest you do it on a training field” His voice would be softer with her, after all he probably would have done the same in her position.

Before either genin could do anything there was a burst of chakra engulfing the Hyuuga, crackling the once chaotic air. Saya had to step back with a startled expression, her chakra sensory making his presence more prominent in her radar. The young girl suddenly felt the sensation of winter, the picturesque vision of white lining the ground and falling from atop tall pine trees coming to mind. There was also an odd combination of biting into waffles with some kind of zap to it.

Her graduating yearmates, though she wasn’t sure if they had the same skill she possessed, felt the oppressive atmosphere surrounding his person. They each glanced at each other, all coming to a consensus as they moved without a word. Before they would really leave, however, Kaho turned back around and glared at the duo before huffing and leaving with her teammates. Dashed out of the door with their tails between their legs.

The moment the higher ranked ninja reigned in his chakra, Saya let out a sigh before smelling a faint scent of saffron. Talk about sensory overload. She rolled her shoulders, blinking at his mild scolding. ”They said I killed squirrels,” the small girl told him, as if that was all he needed to know and that totally justified her use of a weapon.

She didn’t expand on why she was upset about the little forest creatures, or why being accused of decimating their population rankled on her nerves. Taking a few steps forward, Saya retrieved her weapon and placed it back in her pocket. ”Oh, I forgot… Thank you for trying to help.”

Bowing to him Saya then stuck out her hand in greeting. ”I’m Saya Kirihara, by the way. And you don’t need to pay for their tab. I’ll do it. They’re my… ,” A small pause. ”Yearmates from the academy.”

WORD COUNT: 311
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1220 + 311 = 1531

The situation seemed to de escalate after the activation of lightning javelin. “Maybe I should have started with that” He’d think to himself as he watched the three scurry off, the over dramatic girl being sure to let out an over dramatic humph. He’d let out a sigh as she did, this was a very dramatic group of ninja.
 
Before he could even turn back to face Saya he’d hear “They said I killed Squirrels” And he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. That was what this whole thing was about. “Well waitta shut them up” The girl would then thank him for trying to help before extending her hand and introducing herself as Saya.
 
Komon would reach out and gave her hand a shake before saying “My name’s Komon Hyuuga” and denied her offer to pay for their food. “I’m a Chuunin I get paid more” He’d joke before handing the ryo to the waitress that had been guiding him to his table. “Sorry about causing a scene” he’d say to the woman before telling her he’d be a while and letting her leave.
 

WC: 1082

Her cheeks seemed to puff up slightly when he laughed about her statement about the furry creatures. Still, she let it go as he seemed to approve of her tactics despite telling her to take it to the training grounds next time they clash. Saya, however, would do a double-take when the name he gave her rang a bell in her head.

”Oh.” Her expression turned from an apathetic stance to recognition. ”The guy that got knocked out during a mission somewhere.” The conversation she had with Sakana quickly flowed to the forefront of her mind. Hidden Rain, the village of their station making itself known in her thoughts.

As if the thought of her friend melted her usual blank facade, her lips suddenly bloomed into a small smile. ”Sakana told me a lot about you! And your brother. Komori, right? And someone named Hitori. But mostly you two.” She was a lot more talkative now, shedding her single word and single sentence dialogue.

Jabbing her thumb to a vacant table, Saya asked him, ”Wanna sit together for a bit?”

WORD COUNT: 185
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1531 + 185 = 1716

Komon was quickly learning that Saya was a bit blunt. This was made even more obvious by her following statement. Referring to him as the guy that got knocked out was a bit strange, and he couldn’t help but wonder how of all the the missions that he had been on she had managed to hear about the one that he had been beaten up in. She couldn’t have heard about the bijuu fight I guess. He’d think to himself as she continued to speak.
 
As Komon found out that Sakana was the rat he’d make a mental note to punish him for it, maybe 30 laps around the training field or something like that. “So you’ve met sakana I see. And Yeah, Komori’s my twin, hitori’s my gennin, Like Sakana.” He’d say.
 
Then Saya would invite him to sit for a little while. Komon would joke “Only if you don’t mind the smell” Making an obvious reference to his current state of being, due to senshi’s overly rigorous training exercises. After which he’d take a seat in the booth across from Saya. “So How’d you meet Sakana”
 

WC: 1270