Pre-Tournament Teatime
Four kunoichi sit around a table, occasionally sipping from a cup of tea while they chat. Well, all except for a certain mummy-wrapped girl who is characteristically quiet. With all the excitement of the first two parts of the Chunin Exams and the preliminaries they'd been thrown into after making their way through the Forest, some of the genin had decided to take some time to wind down before throwing themselves into training for the tournament. Of course, there was the unfortunate fact that some of them would only be watching when others entered the arena.
On one side of the table sits Himari and Ichika. The former was seemingly unbothered by her loss and even expected it, which was understandable when considering how ill-suited for combat she was. Even if she had managed to eke out a victory, it would have likely just delayed the inevitable. Ichika, however, couldn't keep herself from feeling a little downcast about her victory even if she didn't show it beyond her face slightly scrunching up. Well, there were other reasons...
"Should we expect any late arrivals?"
"Well, I invited Rinka and Choko. Rinka got upset and stormed off and Choko said she'd think about it. Her heart didn't seem in it, though. I think she's feeling embarrassed about dropping out. I tried to get Kita to come along, but for some reason, he got all shy when I asked..."
"How interesting... The offer must have seemed a tad intimidating. You should try taking him out on your own sometime."
"You think so? I guess this is a lot of people. Well, it was supposed to be."
"What about Sssen?"
Ichika's brows furrow at Remilia's question and takes a deep drink from her cup. Next to her sits Masukuda, both also winners of their preliminary matches. Neither were too surprising and both seemed quite pleased with their victory. At least Ichika thought Masu was pleased. It was a little hard to tell with her all wrapped up and the tendency to keep quiet. When Ichika is finished with her 'sip' the cup is nearly empty. Himari shakes her head as she grabs the kettle to pour her more tea.
"Apparently, she's disappeared into thin air. Lady Tsugumi could know where she ran off to, but she's apparently been busy with other matters and I doubt she'd be keen on sharing anyway. I can't blame her after that little stunt."
"I still can't believe someone would do something like that!"
"They were fighting. He won."
"I know that. I just... I don't like it.
"If you're worried about Junki, you shouldn't be. You of all people should know to trust in Kamiko's abilities."
"Yesss. He will be fine in her care."
"I know. That's not my problem. Well, I still don't like it, but it's even worse that Kitsumoto guy wants to do something awful to Sen."
"You'd be better off fretting over yourself than Sen. You still have the last stretch of the exams ahead of you. Jin might get jealous if he found out you were thinking about another boy."
She makes a sort of whining sound and squirms in her seat. She didn't enjoy how she worded it, but Himari was right — the Hyūga-shaped nuisance was scheduled to be her first match and there was no point in getting herself worked up if she couldn't even overcome that hurdle. And if she wanted to win, then she couldn't afford to treat him any better than that jerk treated Junki. Suddenly, Ichika's squeeze shut and she pats her cheeks several times as she tries to move her mind away from all the unfun thoughts bubbling up.
"Ugh. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me. Not like that or at all. Tahaki's the only person I can think of that likes me and he likes every girl."
"Hah~ Who knows? Maybe he just hates seeing a girl he likes dabbling in curses?"
"I doubt it... Anyway, what about Kichōna? There's no way she'd say no to tea with friends!"
"She said she may be busssy with her father. Everyone ssseems to be.
"They're preparing. For the tournament. Or the next."
"Well, I don't see why they can't enjoy some company first. Doesn't it feel great to hang out with us instead of just training all day?"
Masu doesn't answer right away, instead taking her time carefully considering the question. It wasn't that she thought this situation was bad, but she needed to decide whether the time spent here was better-spent training. Whether she could have significantly improved in this time instead and what it was exactly that she was gaining from being here. Ichika had stressed how important meeting with others like this was, but she still wasn't sure why.
This isn't useful. It is..."
"Comfortable?"
"I think so."
"I suppose I'll take it as a compliment."
Ichika lets out a sigh of relief and flashes Masu a thumbs up that she just stares at.
"Being with friends is great! You can do way more with them than you can alone. They'll help you out and you can help them! You shouldn't make them do anything they don't want to, though. And you shouldn't do anything you're uncomfortable with even if a friend says you should."
"I see."
"Oh? It seems you've taken her under your wing. I suppose it's not too surprising."
"Er, it's a little complicated..."
"It is?"
"They are teammatesss after all. It's natural for them to be clossse."
"Y-Yeah. I don't think there's anything weird about wanting my friends to have friends, is there?"
"No, no there isn't. So, since it seems we're all there is, is anyone up for a game? I bought a new set of cards recently and I've been meaning to try them out. Are you all familiar with Daifugō?"
As Himari prepares her deck, both Masu and Ichika make their lack of knowledge regarding the game known. She carefully explains the rules and, after a few slight hiccups, the four of them are caught up in the rhythm of the game soon enough. Minutes turn into hours as they go through several pots of tea and a fair share of snacks to go along with it.
Eventually, the time comes for the four to part. However, Ichika's reluctance to do so couldn't be more obvious as she tries to get at least one of them to get ramen with her. Alone, she aimlessly walks through Konoha's streets as she racks her brain for something to do. Well, something besides that.
"Mr. Hopo is probably free and I didn't get to hear the end of the story he was telling last time... Mmm. Or maybe I should try Himari's suggestion? If it's just Kita and me at Ichiraku then he should definitely come! Oh, or maybe-"
Suddenly, she bumps into something soft but sturdy — or more likely someone — and stumbles backward. She readies herself to bow and apologize profusely, but instead, she ends up spreading her arms open for a hug when she sees the victim of her lack of attention. The headband with Yugakure's symbol at her waist and deep red eyes were unmistakable. However, just as quickly as Ichika embraces her other mentor, she steps back and shamefully looks at the ground while taping her fingers together.
"What's wrong? You don't look too happy to see me."
"Of course it's great to see you! It's just, uh, I have a feeling you didn't just come to wish me good luck."
"Then you're right. You'll need more than luck if you don't want to embarrass yourself and the village in the final exam."
"See? I knew it! Well, I think I already have a pretty good idea what you're going to say..."
Ichika crosses her arms, teeth clenched as parts of her dream start to resurface in her mind. She isn't afforded any time to pout and wallow in her anxieties, though. Her shoulders are grabbed surprisingly gently as Ami pulls her close again.
"Then you also know I'm right. If you aren't ready to do what you have to, then you should just give up protecting anyone now."
"I... I can't do that."
"Then you'll listen to me. Come on. We can talk more while we eat."
Ami releases her and starts to lead the way, leaving Ichika somehow feeling even more alone than before. Hesitantly, she follows behind with thoughts of finding Kita and eating with him instead still lingering in her mind. She kicks herself for thinking it was okay to let him down again.