An Unexpected Encounter (Kyson)

“Pass me the ball!” A soprano pitched voice screamed as a little girl with almond hair waved her arms frantically, her eyes glued on the raven haired little boy across from her. Several other children joined the duo in the open field as they kicked around a spotted black and white ball. The sun was burning their backs, sweat dripping off their tiny faces, yet they didn’t have a care in the world, living in the moment of playing games with friends.

They weren’t haunted by the memories of friends long lost to the world, plagued by the thoughts of never seeing those they love ever again. They were free to laugh and enjoy themselves to their heart’s content.

Oh how envious the snowy haired woman was of them, her lilac tinted eyes narrowed into a slight glare as she tore her eyes away. She wished nothing more to go back to much simpler times, when death and loss weren’t a noose around her neck. When she had her siblings and friends by her side to smile and love, to bask in their warmth once again. But all she felt was a biting cold that froze her heart, hardening her soul along with it.

Some people were fortunate, born with it all and graced with luck at keeping it, while some were not, forced to deal with pain left and right. Hikari was, in a sense, fortunate enough to no longer have many she cared about, allowing her to steel herself from the heartache that would eventually come, as it always had.

Evading the people on the bustling street as she did her own emotions, the Hyuuga sought refuge from her thoughts in the only solace she knew: seeking out those who had come from the other three major villages for the chuunin exams. Meeting new people and learning about their culture seemed to be one of the few things that could distract her long enough to numb the ache in her chest.

The only limit to her relief was finding such people. She had gotten lucky before by being able to sense their general location through chakra sensory, but with it being high noon at the moment, she wasn’t so sure she’d be as lucky. Thus she headed off away from the marketplace to a less dense area o the village, hoping that by being near the training grounds area of Konoha she would be graced with the chance of finding someone new to talk to.

In a twist of fate, due to her being immersed in her own mind and neglecting the world around her, her wish seemed to come true sooner than she expected as she bumped into someone in her absent mindedness, her dull eyes having been scanning the area to her right and not looking straight ahead. The collision wasn’t enough to send either of them to their feet, but enough to knock her petite frame off balance, her left leg taking a step back to steady herself.

“I’m so sorry for bumping into you.” Her monotone voice broke through while she was moving, her eyes looking up at the person who towered above her four foot, nine inch body.

(WC: 535)

Its been years since he’s been in the Hidden Leaf. At least 4, maybe 5 years have passed since he was sent here by Suna. Back when Koroshi wanted him and Royalty to relay a message to the Hokage, Kurisu; he believed his name was. That was back when Kyson was just a Chunnin. It honestly didn’t seem that long ago. But strolling through the streets, it reminded him of Suna. A peaceful environment, you could see it reflect off the people. Smiles on peoples faces, a lot more folks outside, the sounds of children laughing and playing. It put a smile on his face. It’s the vision he had for Kumo in the mere future.
 
The weather was almost perfect here, not too cold, not too hot. But you could wear just about anything and still feel fine. His attire was a more formal one that consisted of a long-sleeved black jacket with two rows of gold buttons on the front and red details including the shoulder epaulets. With the Kumogakure symbol on the left side of his chest. Black fitted dress pants that matched the top color with black dress shoes. Finally, his Bashosen Fan was strapped on his back. Being around Maku taught him to look more businesslike, it was never his thing growing up, but it grew on him.  
 
Looking over to his left, he saw the training grounds. Cracking another smile, it brought back more memories. When him and Royalty were sent by Koroshi, they both sparred here. Which was funny because the whole point of Koroshi sending the two here was to speak to the Hoakge but also giving the young shinobi a little vacation. Back then they took the vacation part for granted and used that time to train. But Kyson had matured a bit. So, whenever he has time for a little vacation, he doesn’t take it for granted. He learned that quick after spending a year in the Raikage’s office trying to maintain the Raikage’s work and his own work at the same time. It was a stressful time, but it was necessary for the village.
 
As he stares at the training grounds and lost in his own thoughts of the past. He felt a small frame bump into him, it slightly pushed him back a few inches but that was it. As he looked over to his right to see who it was. He saw a white-haired girl, he thought it was a little girl. But she had a mature tone in her voice, so she couldn’t be too young. “Oh, sorry, are you okay Miss?” He asked out of concern. “I was reminiscing a bit, so I wasn’t aware of my surroundings.” He said with a slight chuckle.

The raven haired man whom she had bumped into was very kind, believing it was also his fault that they collided as he apologized. He said he had accidentally bumped into her while he was reminiscing, something the duo had in common it seemed. She smiled politely at him as she replied, “Yes I am alright, I may not look it, but I’m a lot more sturdier than you’d think.” Which was, for the most part, true, she was stronger than the child form she gave off, but her small stature did come with some drawbacks a well, such as not being taken as seriously since she does look like a child. Perhaps, she mused, that was why she always spoke in a more mature tone and laced her words with overt respect, to help signify that she wasn’t a child like her appearance said she was.

Before she could continue talking with the man in uniform, a hawk cawed above them before landing on her shoulder, a note attached to its leg. She unraveled the paper with care, her lilac tinted eyes skimming the words quickly. It seemed that a drunkard was causing quite the scene in the bar district and the lower ranked shinobi sent out some carrier hawks to get backup to help subdue him.

“My apologies again, sir, but it seems I am needed so I’ll take my leave first. Please enjoy the rest of Konoha.” With that said and a bow given for him, she dashed off in the direction of the bars as the hawk flew off to its resting place at the carrier tower. Hikari wondered who else she would find assisting with this ‘mission’ as she ran, hoping anyone but Yensung would be there.

(Exit)
(TWC: 829)
(Claims: all 829 words towards Body Pathway Derangement, putting it at 904/3000, previous wc from here)

Approved!

Due to no being aware of his surroundings, after bumping into the young woman and apologizing. It seemed she was fine and also gave off a little joke. Kyson smirked when he heard her comment. Even though the situation wasn't a big one. It was still not a good idea for him not to be aware of his surroundings in a village he wasn't accustomed too. It just wasn't a good look for someone with high authority. So he would have to be a lot more mindful of that next time around. "That's good to know." He would say with a slight chuckle. It wasn't the first time he reminisced on the old days without focusing on his surroundings, It was sort of a habit for him whenever he went for a walk. Something he does quite often in Kumo, even back in Suna. 

Just before the conversation could continue, it seemed a messenger hawk appeared before them as it was clearly meant for her. Kyson knew their little talk would have to be cut short, everyone is pretty busy around these times. So it wasn't a big surprise for him to cut things short. Watching the hawk land on her shoulders, she took the paper that was strapped to its leg. Unraveling it and reading it before stating her departure. Kyson would nod at the young girl as he simply replied, "Will do." He said as he continued to walk towards the training grounds. 

He would look around as he took a trip back to memory lane. Thinking about how life was so much simpler back then and he didn't have as much responsibilities as he does now. It didn't hit him at first, but he just remembered the reason he came to Konoha last time was for Salzem's case. Which sadly, this was the village he was from and he just remembered he passed not too long ago. Hearing the news inside of a cell when he arrived back to Kumo for the first time in years. Kira visited him after she heard everything from him right before he lost his life. 

He hasn't been to a training grounds for a while, well honestly; He hasn't trained in a while either. He's been so busy as of late, its one of the things he never got around too. It sometimes would feel weird because he was always the type to train every day and push his limits. But as you grow older and you get more responsibilities. You start to over work yourself on things outside of physical training. And sometimes you just don't have time for the same things you did when you were younger. He always told himself he would get back to doing some type of training, but he probably would be lying to himself. He went so long without it and still doesn't really feel a huge difference physically. He wonders if its even worth it anymore at this point. As he continued to think back for a little while longer. The young Hozuki would finally begin to make his leave and head back to the Inn he was staying at.

(TWC: 1017)

(EXIT)

Claims:
- 1017 words towards Kyūshū Seal

Approved.