Rock Solid [Open]

Months had passed since Guren began a seemingly endless string of missions that took him outside the walls of the village. Surveillance, intel, and investigations were all that he had known for that period. While sleep, food, and relaxation had become distant strangers. It was a strenuous, yet necessary time. And the toll it had taken on Guren's body became apparent. His body had slimmed up from it's former toned state, all the result of constantly expending energy and rarely taking in sustenance. His face: unkept, and rugged. It bore more abrasions, cuts, and imperfections. Clearly the harsh climate of life outside the haven of Sunagakure had made its mark on the man. None of these things had mattered to Guren though. He had become more hardened than before. Life on the road again unearthed an intensity that he had not felt since he had been on the run from Kumogakure.

Having completed his most recent, and final mission before earning some time off, Guren finally had returned to the gates of Sunagakure. Almost unrecognizable, the gate guard Han had initially stopped the man. Yet once he noted the dainty Sunagakure headband slung across Guren's neck, he simply nodded his head and allowed his entry. "Long time, it's been..." Han let out as an unfazed Guren continued through. 

"Long time indeed."

Having proceeded through the gates and now trudging his way down the main entryway, a wave of fatigue slapped him across the face. And the famine of night bore so heavily upon him that he could feel the weight of the evening pinpointed on his eyelids. At this point, Guren just wanted to rest at his favorite ramen spot, have a meal, and reflect on his findings. He continued off in the direction of the shop as his mind wondered like it always did. The doors of the shop lightly swung open, to which a hearty greeting was exclaimed by the store owner having seen Guren's familiar face. Guren cordially responded with a wave as he fulfilled his tradition: he maneuvered himself to his typical booth, slid into the side facing the front door, and calmly waited for the server. He was a regular, so he had the menu memorized at this point. 

"What can I get for you today, love? You look like Hell!"

Guren's face relieved itself of its former tension and now bore a exhausted half smile. "I feel like it too...But just a bowl of spicy miso ramen please. And hold the meat this time. I feel heavy enough."

The server sighed, shook her head as she turned around and started towards the kitchen. As Guren would wait for his meal, he leaned back in his booth, arms folded, and kicked his feet out a bit forward. This had been the first time in months that Guren was finally able to relax, and it felt...good.

It had been a while since The Flame had been out and about. Since his training with the Kazekage, he had kept himself within the confines of his home. During that time many things had begun to change within him, namely puberty. His hair had gotten considerably longer to the point where he had to cut it, the soft red orbs kept their embrace though it seemed like the the coloring had changed. They had became blue with a burning red umbral ring around them, the hold of his bloodline. He began dressing differently as well. Instead of his usual appearance he now wore a grey and black hoodie, blue pants and no shoes (not like he ever wore shoes to begin with). Today he felt like getting out of the house for some fresh air and to stop training, his mind still racked with the thoughts of possibly leaving Suna to find out more about his bloodline. This thought process over the next fifteen or so minutes brought him to one of the more popular ramen spots. Walking in he would take a seat by the weary traveler and smile," Can i get the Tanboku ramen with raw beef, shrimp and tempura please? No need to cook the ingredients and broth i got it," it was an odd request but the person whom had taken his order knew exactly why he had done it. Along with his order he kindly requested a pot of plum tea which when it was delivered to him, his left hand rested upon it and slowly it would begin to steam.

Most days, Asuka could probably be found training or helping people out. Today, however, seemed to be a rare break for him, with no jutsu left to learn and nobody needing his help. It made him feel useless, and his aimless wandering was brought about as a result. In the end, he’d wandered around the village for half the day before coming to a stop before a restaurant. He hadn’t eaten all day, and he was rather hungry… a moment of debate later, and he was stepping into the small place, feeling grossly out of place in his long, snowy robes.

He didn’t let that fact show on his face, though, sliding into another booth near the two other customers he’d seen in the restaurant. He didn’t attempt to make conversation, choosing instead to peruse a menu. When the server came by, he ordered a simple shio ramen, deciding to splurge and adding extra tofu and vegetables to the dish. With a grateful smile, he settled in, ordering a pot of green tea for himself to add to his meal. Now, all he really had to do was wait.

In the meantime, he studied the two customers who’d arrived before him. Both definitely looked like shinobi, despite the rather casual dress of one. His own headband remained firmly in place on his forehead, and he reached up to adjust it on habit. What kind of shinobi were these guys? He couldn’t help but wonder after it with nothing else to do.

As Guren awaited for his order to be delivered to the kitchen for their completion of it, a shinobi would slide into the booth Guren sat at and would sit right next to him. He would proceed to order his own ramen, refraining from indicating who he was or why he chose this seat of all those in the ramen shop. A peculiar person this was. Guren scooched over to give the shinobi room and with a slight smile on his face would let out a "Well please, take this seat". Any and all those within Sunagakure were his family, even if he did not know them. He wouldn't waste any time introducing himself to the dark haired lad. "Guren, but call me G. And you must be hungry," he further joked, poking fun at the rather large order that the shinobi would place. 

With that, the waitress would walk off towards the kitchen to inform the chef of the incoming orders. Guren's eyes would follow her until they landed on a genin sitting by himself. He too placed his order, and then sat quietly. "You there," Guren would call out in the direction of Asuka. "Come, join us. I suppose we may as well make this a family outing."

Guren would wait for Asuka to join him and Mitacho at the table before continuing in any conversation. When all three were comfortable, Guren would issue a question to the two of them. "So, how did you guys find out about this place? And also, do either of you indulge in sake?"


Guren would spend time eating ramen, drinking sake, and sharing stories with the two lads. Refraining from diverging too deeply on things about him, instead he talked more on the happenings of the world and other light banter. When the checks would come, Guren would pay for the bills of all three people. He would then stand from the table, bid the two farewell, and then return home. 

-Exit-
WC: 330. Total = 810

Max Stat, 25% Discount Claims
247 words towards Healing Hands (878/1125), towards B Rank). Rest trained here
563 towards Limitation Removal (563/3000)

Is approved