Keiko and Yamamoto: Catching Up Near Kouin Square

[Higa Yamamoto]

Yamamoto was back in Uchuugakure to pick up more kunais after he broke his last set from his training, when suddenly:

Racing through the crowds, Keiko charges directly through the square, headed towards Yamamoto.

Seeing Keiko from the corner of his eye, Yamamoto rushes up to her.

Keiko hurls her own weight into Yamamoto once she's in range, sending them both toppling down roughly onto the ground.

As Yamamoto hits the ground he lets out a soft "Oomph". Then he beams the widest smile at Keiko.

Yamamoto yells, "Keiko-onee-chan! I did it! I really did it!"

Managing to pin Yamamoto down beneath herself, Keiko tilts her head to the side as she surveys him. "Managed to do what?"

To that question, Yamamoto points to what he's wearing on his neck, a Time Village Forehead Protector.

Keiko looks at Yamamoto. Letting her gaze drop down to his neck, Keiko's silvery blue eyes light up, "Congratulations, Yama-kun!"

Keiko eventually lifts herself up from Yamamoto, then extending out a gloved hand, she smiles down at him, "I'm proud of you, kiddo!"

Noticing Keiko lowering her guard, Yamamoto unexpectedly pushes his weight from his left side against her, causing her balance to shift. Following this, he rolls on top of her, pinning her down. "I've learned a few moves too," he says with a smile.

Having not quite gotten up there to her feet, Keiko grunts and shifts her hands beneath Yamamoto's slender body, hauling him up and throwing him off her.

Keiko smiles down at Yamamoto as she slowly attempts to climb back onto her feet, "Haha, Yama. Nice try."

Letting out a happy laugh, Yamamoto says, "Sorry Keiko-onee-chan, I got carried away."

Laughter and yelling fills the square as children dash around, waving wooden kunai in the air.

Adjusting her bandana on her face, Keiko looks over at the other children. She asks, "Why aren't you playing with them and enjoying yourself?"

Lifting himself from the ground, Yamamoto gives the children a quick glance and replies, "I can't spare any time other than for training. It's hard to always push myself to train while I see the other kids playing games, but..."

Keiko rolls her eyes and pulls her red bandana back into place over her lower face, "No one's too old to play." Squinting an eye at him, "Have you begun your missions yet?"

Rubbing his left shoulder, Yamamoto replies, "I almost didn't make it back alive from doing some reconnaissance for my first mission. It was hard enough to get to the camp, but inside, the guards discovered too quickly where I was. I was lucky I was able to come back with only a broken arm."

Keiko lets out a muffled snicker from beneath the bandana covering her face. Hefting her backpack a few times, she reaches forward and ruffles Yamamoto's hair, "You'll be able to kick my ass before you know it, kiddo."

With a devilish grin, Yamamoto says enthusiastically, "You know it! Haha. All my hard work is going to pay off. I'm learning this new kick right now too." And with a gentle smile, he continues, "But I know that day is still far away, have to keep training."

Suddenly shuddering as the howling winds begin to pick up once more, Keiko sweeps a gloved hand through her untamed curls and steps out of the way of a group of children running past, "Well, maybe we can complete missions together some time. Just send a bird my way, eh?"

Patting the dust off his bottom from the tumble earlier, Yamamoto says excitedly, "That would be awesome! I'll let the Uchuukage know the next time a mission comes up and ask for his permission."

Looking as if she were going to say something, Keiko suddenly stops short and reaches a finger towards the transmitter around her neck, "Looks like it's time for me to get back to work. I've got to get going!"

Understanding the importance of the transmission, Yamamoto nods. "Go quickly. We'll catch up again next!"

Leaning forward, Keiko presses her lips against Yamamoto's cheek quickly before turning and dashing away through the crowd towards the east.