Bankers and Shinobi

Mission: Monitor the Bank :

The sun was high in the sky, shining down and on the country of Kirigakure and warming all its inhabitants. It was a busy day for both citizens and shinobi alike. Ban, a newly formed genin, was on her way to the bank for a mission that had been given to her for the week. This was the very first mission for the Hozuki, and she was more than ready. She had her weapons packed and was dressed in her shiny Kiri headband. The mission? It was a basic guard mission for the bank. Though a very self-explanatory mission, the mission could change from a D rank level to an A rank level, depending on the events. 

Ban didn't show it much, but she was excited. She was on her way to becoming a real shinobi, just like her parents before. Not to mention, it would help her pay for weapons. Her eye was on a katana she saw at the ninja shop in the village. It cost 1000 ryo, while she only had 500 ryo to start off. She decided to get some kunai and shuriken instead but after this mission, she would be able to afford the katana. 

Once she arrived at the bank, Ban would switch out with the morning crew that was watching the bank. As they tagged out, Ban noticed that the shinobi were a bit rougher looking than she did. To them, she was just a shiny headband. They glared at her headband as they left. Ban sighed in annoyance that they even thought to look down on her, but remained a cool head as she waited for her partner to arrive. 

WC:278

Ban waits...

...and waits...

The people mill about and conduct their financial business, none the wiser as to Murata's tardiness. It's a beautiful day, after all, and it's a bit more crowded than usual. The citizens are taking the nice weather as an opportunity to go about and do their errands free of the usual drizzle and mist. There's vague chatter and laughter about an upcoming archery competition, a man saying that he hopes the weather holds out - he has a bet that they're not going to be delayed by rain this year.

Murata arrives fifteen minutes late with bubble tea, passing a cup to Ban and giving her an apologetic smile. Murata's headband shines brightly around her neck, at a midpoint between Ban's and the previous shift's - scuffed and marked, but not falling into neglect, still bright and shiny and well cared for. There's a bright sheen of sweat on Murata's forehead, making her stark black tattoos gleam against her skin, and her short hair is slightly mussed - she'd either come straight here from training, or realized how late she was and arrived in a hurry. Still had time to pick up drinks, apparently, if the latter is the case. "Apologies! It's so nice out, I lost track of time! Do you like honeydew?"

[215]

Countless amount of workers and citizens passed by her, going in and out of the respected firm. Ban was still waiting for her partner to arrive, doing double the work. There was still a job needed to be done to protect the people and the money, whether with a partner or not. She patrolled the grounds and scanned for any suspicion that she would need to report. Nothing came up. Ban frustration grows as waiting turned from 5 mins to 10 mins and then to 15 mins. Was she really supposed to do this mission by herself till the night crew comes in?

Finally, Murata arrived at the bank holding a drink and wearing a bright, forgiving smile. Murata was a taller woman, like Ban, with thick long black hair. The Hozuki also noticed that she had hints of heat scars around her right shoulder, possibly caused by a fire or an explosion. This could be a result of either experience or foolishness. Ban replied with a very unsatisfactory expression, causing her brow to flick with annoyance like a cow's tail swatting at a nat. "Apologies! It's so nice out, I lost track of time! Do you like honeydew?" Murata approached. Ban just sighed and looked away for a moment to drop her shoulders and relax. "I'm good." She replied emotionlessly. This was going to be a long next couple of hours. 

Ban remained to be a sentry at the entrance of the bank, letting Murata do whatever. She wasn't going to get held down by someone that clearly didn't care about the honor of being a Kiri shinobi. She let out a soft sigh again just at the thought of Murata's arrogance. Ban had and would continue to have a good work ethic. She found it honorable to work for the village. 

After some more hours, Ban began to get bored. She looked at the other shinobi, thinking she should probably strike up a conversation. "So, um... Why did you become a shinobi?" Ban couldn't think of much else to break the ice. She had never been this bad at socializing.  

WC: 352
TWC: 630

Murata looks to her two cups of boba, a little put out. So serious. Now she has to find a taker for this tea, which will only disrupt the mission further. "I will remember that you aren't a fan," she says graciously. It appears that her fashionably late entrance has resulted in a cool reception. To be expected, to be expected. It is alright to make a negative first impression sometimes. "To work, then!"

She moves to check in on the tellers, positioning herself near the bank staff to complement Ban's position at the door. One of the tellers is much more a fan of honeydew, and Murata strikes up a conversation in between customers, not particularly caring if it appears that she is slacking off. Any bank robbers or trouble are likely to make a more subtle attempt, such as passing a note, so it is good to keep a close eye nearby - and a conversation with the tellers gives Murata a quick rundown of any recent security incidents. It seems that life at the bank has been relatively peaceful lately, save for the occasional late night drunks lingering outside in the past week with the warm weather.

It's evening by the time Ban decides to speak to her once again. Murata is out in the lobby with a broom and dustpan, giving the workers a hand with getting the place tidy. Keeps a weapon handy for dealing with potential robbers, too. Murata idly wonders how much effort it would take her to kill a man with a broom - would she be able to do it without breaking the broom? She wouldn't want to pay for it...

The woman is obviously deep in thought when Ban asks her question, and Murata looks surprised that the other woman hasn't deigned to simply ignore her all night.

"Nobody else would take me! I was a mangy stray," Murata says with an easy shrug. "It wasn't something I wanted. But it's where my path has lead." She seems remarkably at ease admitting something that may raise eyebrows. It's no matter, she is confident of her own loyalty, and confident of proving it. "What about you?"

[363]
[TWC: 578]

When Ban caught up with Murata, she found the shinobi wielding a broom and dustpan. Murata had been helping the tellers with keeping the busy bank tidy but now she was still holding the broom like it was a weapon. It amused Ban into a small grin when she saw it. Obviously, a broom was only going to do minimal damage against a real threat but the thought was still wholesome. 

Murata shrugged as she answered the Hozuki. She explained that she was a stray, looking for a place to stay and Kiri was the place. "Oh, I see. So have you been here for a while then?" The small talk was cut short with a  loud thud outside. It sounded like boxes getting toppled over at the side of the building. Ban would quickly exit and check the noise out, drawing a kunai out. 

She reached the side of the bank where piles of packing boxes had been stored. The Hozuki noticed them scattered along the street due to being knocked over. Ban scanned the area for any threats, finding no one out there. A rustle in the boxes snaps Ban's attention over to. The boxes continued to rustle. Something or someone was shuffling around. Ban cautiously approached, drawing her kunai to her chest to strike at a moment's notice. As she closed the distance, she started to shuffle through the boxes to get a good visual of the target. Just before Ban could move the box to see what was causing all the commotion, a raccoon pokes it's head out. Ban sighed in relief and put her kunai away. The raccoon was small and very cute; it was only a couple of months old. "Jesus, why am I such on edge? This is my first mission." Ban kicked a box out of her way with a grunt as she went back to the bank entrance. 

WC: 317
TWC: 947

When Ban turns back, she finds Murata poking her head around the corner of the bank, heavy kanabo held on her shoulder - quite a more suitable weapon than the broom handle. Had she stashed it somewhere handy? "Trouble?" she calls, drumming her fingers on the handle, before letting out a bark of a laugh as the little raccoon scampers from its hiding spot and shuffles off into the dim. Murata steps aside to allow Ban to re-enter the bank around her, taking a moment to linger in the doorway and enjoy the cool evening air.

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and the next shift arrives much more punctually than Murata had.

"It was a pleasure to meet you! Until we work together once again," Murata says upon their parting, voice cheerful - though with a slight hesitance and hollowness to her tone and grin that was not present upon her initial meeting with the other woman. "I will be sure to be on time! And no honeydew!"

Though it is easy for her to tap into her natural boisterous attitude, there is something offputting to her about the other woman. It is natural for human personalities to have friction, after all. Murata cannot quite place it, which is what makes her nervous - it is uncomfortable to have a question posed to her about human interaction that she is not excited to answer. Ah, well. She will likely be over it by the next time they meet. They barely know one another, after all.

[Exit]
[254]
[TWC: 832]

Claiming: 1,000 ryo + 100 ryo genin pay bonus
3AP
8 stats (going into Chakra)
763 words into Bullseye at C-rank (previously trained 237 words here)
69 words into Throat Chop

Mutara laughed as the raccoon that had gotten Ban all worked up scattered away. She was embarrassed by it but Ban would soon just smile and shake it off to complete the rest of the mission. Murata's laugh was pretty contagious, causing the bankers to also laugh when Ban reported back to them.

The rest of the day was better as it became uneventful towards the banks closing, just a few citizens making deposits and withdrawals. The next shift shinobi come in and take over for Ban and Mutara. As Ban was leaving, Mutara would say some cute finally words. She said that next time she would be on time and NOT bring honeydew. Ban gave a small smirk back, "I'll count you to it." She had come to enjoy Mutara's company. It was a good contrast to Ban's uptight attitude on missions, allowing her to not worry about the mission all the time. Ban hoped to see Mutara again, on a mission or off one. 

WC: 166
TWC: 1113
EXIT
CLAIMING
1000 ryo + 100 ryo for genin bonus
2 stats from mission + 6 stats in CD extra= 8 stats
1000 WC towards Bullseye C rank (1000/1000)
113 WC towards Body Flicker (113/500)

Approved