Testing, Testing 1 [Mission/Private]

Mission Scroll:

After her mission to Ota, Riku felt ready to take on more difficult missions. Leaving the village on her own as well as successfully completing several D rank missions on her own and with others had boosted her confidence. The blue-haired genin had made enough money to help her mother with the bills and even increase her own supply of weaponry. However, there were still limitations. If she wanted to keep making poisons and drugs, Riku needed cash. Furthermore, she needed to try more difficult missions in order to continue honing her skills.

Thus, the blue-haired teen approached her best friend, Satori. The tall, spiky haired teen was stronger than her and had offered to go with her on more difficult missions before. Riku hadn’t been ready then, but now, she felt she could keep up well enough not to be a burden.

She arrived at the Ryuutei compound and sought out Satori. Finding him was easy; Riku knew her way around and people were more than willing to let her know where he was.

“Saa-kun,” Riku called out, approaching the tall young man. “Do you have time for a mission?”

[1]

Satori was currently writing out plans on the transfer of the clan into the village. He had to get everything drawn up so they could fit in everyone before he went to the Mizukage to ask about gaining an official clan district inside the village itself after all. The inkwell pen carefully marked along sections of the map, his mother Raika, and father Kiyoshi were sitting opposite of him while the elder was lounging nearby smoking from a pipe.

The old woman's gaze slid up as Riku entered, as Satori glanced up and smiled softly when Riku called out to him. The request caused his head to tilt as he measured the work he'd done, before nodding once.

"I have time. We're taking it slow for now anyway," he stated idly, before slowly hauling himself up to his feet. Both Raika and Kiyoshi inclined their heads to him, and he simply smiled. He'd already told them they didn't need to, but apparently, the fact he was their son didn't matter to them when it came to showing respect to their clan head. Satori had bowed to Kiyoshi as his clan head and father both. It felt odd, but he couldn't tell them not to really.

So instead he inclined his head to both before turning and focusing on Riku as his fingertips trailed idly along her head almost immediately out of habit. "What do you want to do, Riku-chan?" He inquired curiously with a slight smile.

Riku bowed to each of Satori’s parents in the room in acknowledgement and smiled at Satori when he approached her. She leaned into his touch, eyes closing for a few seconds before she answered his question.

“There’s some troublemakers at the market again. They’ve been vandalizing stores, stealing things, and causing property damage. I’d do it alone, but it’s a C rank mission.”

She presented Satori with the scroll. “I was told I could take it if I had supervision, so I came to you.” The blue-haired girl glanced at the table briefly, taking note of all the paperwork before returning her gaze to Satori’s face. She bumped her head against his torso, brushing it slightly in affection before stepping back a bit to give him space.

While she knew she was allowed to express her feelings, Riku also knew it was important not to overdo it in front of others. Ever since Satori had begun talking about taking over his clan, the short teen had observed his father and Raika’s interactions to learn how much affection was appropriate in public.

[2]

Satori smiled softly as she nuzzled into him, touching his forehead gently against her own in reply as his fingertips trailed through the soft blue curls. Tilting his head slightly as she explained the mission a low rumble filled his chest in understanding, accepting the scroll and reading over it carefully. It was true, he'd been given the approval of the Mizukage by letter to take on up to B-ranks by himself now, and he had a "test" that was being prepared for further status.

He was in an odd place at the moment. A genin, but one that was a bit of an exception to the usual rules considering his status as a clan head and power. Even if he wasn't nearly satisfied with his growth just yet. Relaxing a bit, he idly trailed his fingertips over her a final time. Kissing her forehead softly before he straightened and grinned softly.

"Let's go, then. It shouldn't take us too long," he stated simply, his mind flashing back to the mission he'd done with Miyu. Something similar, if a bit more advanced. Those had been true thugs, not simple delinquents. He'd take a backseat role in this mission like he had then, so that Riku could maximize her experience from the mission itself.

Riku’s face warmed when she felt Satori’s lips on her forehead, turning red. She barely held in an “eep”, to the amusement of everyone else in the room.

Understanding now that he didn’t mind affection in front of others very much, the blue-haired girl took his hand and lead him towards the Market. She couldn’t quite look Kiyoshi or Raika in the eye after Satori’s affectionate display, but she was sure they were laughing at her in their minds.

Her grip loosened a bit as they reached their destination while Riku considered dropping Satori’s hand. She glanced up at him briefly, but was distracted by a shout.

“Hey!” an angry shopkeeper yelled, chasing a group of teens no older than fourteen or fifteen. There were five of them, dressed in dark clothing and masks.

They had gotten bold. The blue haired nin had expected to wait until nightfall to catch them, but this time the group struck near the end of the day a few hours before sunset.

“I think we found our target,” Riku muttered. She dropped Satori’s hand and formed hand seals.

Water Whip!

She lashed out at the two delinquents at the front of the group, tripping them. The three behind them scattered in different directions.

Riku rushed at the fallen ones, keeping her grip on them tight.

[3]

Satori chuckled in amusement at her shyness, the eep making him grin at her softly. "Cute," he stated simply before his gaze slid toward the path. It was a bit of a walk back to the market, but they were used to silence with once another. It wasn't awkward, and as their fingers intertwined (his own large hand nearly swallowing her own) he hummed softly in approval. If she let him he'd probably carry her around all day. But, she'd resist for long-term usage of such. So, for now, he was content simply holding her hand.

Glancing around once they entered the market, Satori's eyes located the targets almost instantly. His heightened senses giving him an edge, before he glanced down to Riku as she commented on locating their target. A grin formed on his lips as he simply nodded once. She was already performing the Suiton technique, and so Satori let her handle the two idiots. Instead turning and launching himself up the wall. Quickly scaling his way up it using chakra along his feet before he launched himself up.

Landing lightly on the roof, he trusted Riku to handle two downed delinquents. He'd deal with the three runners.

Riku dragged her victims towards herself with the whips, squeezing them tightly.

They gagged and glared at her.

Smiling sweetly, the blue-haired genin pulled down their cloth masks with the ends of each whip.

“Why are you causing such trouble in the Market? People are trying to make a living while you run around and get in the way.”

The whips tightened, and the two teenage boys started to look nervous.

“I think I know why, you have nothing better to do.”

She added pressure until they started to turn blue.

“Well, I have a suggestion. Once you've been turned in and properly punished, you'll go and clean up the messes you've made. Am I clear?”

Even tighter.

They nodded quickly.

“Good.” Riku dropped the technique and darted forward to hit each one on the back of the neck, rendering them unconscious. She used some rope to bind their hands and ankles and left them in a pile before running after Satori.

[4]

Satori was standing on top of the building, watching the teenagers desperately split up. His eyes followed each movement carefully as his mind went over the layout before him, two dead ends, all he had to do was spook them a bit. Drawing out two kunai, he spun them idly around his fingertips before drawing them back--

The blades thudding into the walls beside two of their heads caused them to scatter like chickens in fear. Another kunai sent them careening into one another as he controlled them like rats running through a maze. Idly tilting his head as he crouched down and arched a brow slightly. Not very organized even for delinquents, a bunch of idiot teenagers.

Grunting he leap from the building and flickered in a blur right about the time Riku caught up, Satori idly spinning the kunai on his fingertip, the metal wires having allowing him to tug them back into his hands after their initial throw. The teens were groaning, scrambling and trying to get back up; Satori disappeared.

Re-appearing in the center of the group, one hand around each teens neck and his elbow locked around the throat of the third as they all desperately clutched at his limbs with all their strength. The Ryuutei didn't budge.

"If you have time to be idiots, go join the Academy," he stated bluntly to them, glancing toward Riku as his brow arched. A silent question where the others she'd caught were so he could toss them together.

Riku gave the three runners a once over, and repressed an amused smirk. “The other two are this way,” she said simply, turning and running across the roofs to where the altercation had begun.

She leapt from the rooftops and landed nimbly on the street. Straightening, the female genin gestured to the two unconscious delinquents bound and slumped together in an alleyway between two shops. They were still damp from Riku’s water whips and looked unusually pale.

Grabbing each one by the backs of their shirts, she dragged them out into the open with some effort.

“Let’s get these guys to the nearest police station and let the civilian authorities handle them.”

[5]

Satori grinned softly as Riku gave the trio one of her cute little wicked smiles, before following after her with a single nod as they struggled to hold onto his arms and hands enough not to choke. Satori, thankfully, was holding them primarily by their necks, but it still wasn’t easy to breathe and the strain wasn’t going to be pleasant.

Watching her gather up the other idiots, he nodded once at her statement in clear agreement.

“There’s quite a few other missions that are up… why don’t we go on a bit of a spree?” He inquired idly, shifting his arms around the trio he was holding as Riku drug the other two behind her. Both heading toward the police station as he glanced down at her.

“Some are simple D-Ranks but ryo is ryo, and it’ll be good experience for you as well to get some versatility in,” his head tilted slightly with a smile.

“Sounds good,” Riku grunted, giving the two boys behind her another tug as she pulled them along. By the time they reached the police station, the two were beginning to stir. The female genin dropped them at the front desk.

“We found these kids harassing a store owner in the Market. There's been reports of a group of delinquents causing trouble in the area. We apprehended the group and brought them in. They have promised to clean up and repair any messes or damage they've done.”

With the idiots left behind to get scolded by local authorities for their misbehavior, Riku took hold of Satori's hand once more as they left.

“We can pick up a bunch of missions at the administration building and make a day of it,” she suggested. Then, the blue haired teen pulled away to stop at a stall selling juice.

“Two glasses please.” She reached into a pocket for some ryo.

“That made me thirsty.”

[6]

Satori dropped off the near-unconscious trio on top of the other two (much to their chagrin and groans of pain). He let Riku do the talking, it was rare for her to be so forward and vocal. A smile formed on his face from it before he glanced down at her as she took his hand. His own fingertips wrapping around her own before he straightened and nodded his head once in agreement.

“Sounds like a plan. I need a break from all the paperwork anyway, and this will give me some extra funds for the clan construction,” he chuckled before glancing down at her and offering a slight smile.

“Speaking of, how’s your chemistry going? Any potent toxins or drugs?” As he inquired this, he accepted the juice and chuckled at her statement. “You need to carry a water jug around with you,” he stated idly. “Both to drink from and use for techniques.”

Riku handed over the ryo and chugged the juice, barely tasting it.

“Another,” she requested pushing the empty glass forward along with more money. The shorter genin nodded at Satori's suggestion.

“I've been saving for another shopping trip.” Riku stopped talking as soon as the glass was refilled and chugged that too.

The blue haired teen let out a little sigh of relief and gave the woman working behind the counter a short bow of thanks.

“I'm working on a few new things. I need more ingredients and supplies to produce new batches. How is it with the clan?”

The two moved on from the drink stand and melted into the crowd, chatting just loud enough for one another to hear. Riku relaxed some, leaning against Satori. It was rather affectionate for her to do so in public, but the conversation had distracted her from her efforts not to publicly embarrass the new clan head.

[7]

Satoris hand lifted up and caressed her head as she leaned into him, contemplating her statements for a few moments before he chuckled softly.

“We’ll definitely have to get you a nice stockpile of money then, the monthly payments help as well. I didn’t realize Genin were paid, but I suppose it does make sense that we’d get a salary of some description,” as he stated this his gaze slid down toward her and contemplated her other question.

“The clan’s doing well. They’ve accepted the idea of moving into the village proper and forming a clan district. Once we have a solid foot in the village and I have the proper rank officially, I’ll be looking into taking over a minor country for us,” as he explained this Satori idly trailed his fingertips along her hair.

“Preferably somewhere on the front line between Kumogakure and here to act as a defensive line for the village.”

She squeezed his hand and hummed when he mentioned stockpiling money and monthly income for Genin. Riku had discovered recently that having the Hozuki bloodline entitled her to a monthly stipend, even though her connection to the clan was weak. Not really comfortable with it, she had yet to mention this discovery to anyone but her mother and aunt. Still, her practical side wouldn't let her refuse the income. After all, Kyoji-san had recognized her as a legitimate clan member. Perhaps there were some in what was left of the old clan who also thought her bloodline meant she was good enough.

Riku looked up at Satori, the twitch of her brows revealing that she was impressed with his ambitions. Then, the blue haired teen looked away, a contemplative expression on her face. Was it possible for her to establish any meaningful connection to her own clan? More importantly, did she want that connection?

[8]

Satori looked down at Riku as she hummed, and he knew that look in her eyes. But, he had little context on what could be troubling her. So, as usual, Satori was direct. Gently bopping the top of her head to get her attention and halting their walk briefly to touch his forehead against her own.

“You know you can confide in me, Riku,” he murmured softly. Eyes looking deeply into her own for several long moments before his face softened and he pulled her head into his chest. He wouldn’t force her to. But he knew quite a bit now, in regards to many things. Diplomacy, politics, clans, groundwork and more included.

He was there to help his friends and clan, his village. If they didn’t come to him with his troubles he wouldn't be able to help them. That didn’t mean doing things for them, but instead helping them learn how to do things for themselves. That was the trick between being a protector, and a leader.

Riku nearly yelped at the bop on the head, and gave the tall boy an annoyed look. It faded quickly, though, as Satori rubbed foreheads with her. Her face reddened, but she nuzzled him in return anyway.

Her grip on his hand tightened, and she readily buried her flushed face into his chest. Satori was getting so tall that she barely reached his chest now.

“Later,” she mumbled into his shirt before pulling away and leading him into the administration building by the hand to select more missions for the day. The issue wasn't that she didn't want to talk, but that she didn't know what to say. Sure Riku was better than Midori with words, but not by that much.

[9]

// Thread Exit.

Satori’s eyes softened as she mumbled into his shirt, petting her head gently for a few moments before nodding in reply and moving on. Turning and moving toward the administrative building alongside her as his mind went to the next step. They had a long list of missions that could be done, that much he knew. It had been a month since he’d done most of them after all.

Bemused, he glanced at the walls as they entered. D-Ranks that were minor chores, C-ranks that held a bit of responsibility, not much in the way of higher-ranks they could take just yet. They’d focus on the missions they could do inside first, and then come back for the missions that could be performed outside. Go on a bit of a field trip, as it were.

For now, they entered and prepared for the next step. In the back of his mind, pondering what was bothering Riku so much.

// Thread Exit.