Location: Hitokurou: Before a Waterfall (Inyi and Ichiro)
The waters roar with the timeless strength of a
hundred dragons, rushing over the ledge of the
Hitokurou waterfalls, sending sprays of liquid
sparkling into the balmy air. On an adequately dry
edge close beside the top of the overhang rests a
slim genin, legs crossed in the lotus position in
the perfect portrait of meditation. A Hawk-beaked
mask sits rather precariously at a skewed angle on
the side of Inyi's head.
With a large splash, a ninja wearing a wolf-shaped
mask lands on the surface of the lake. As the
water settles, Ichiro looks around intently.
Noticing the slim genin sitting on the rocks, he
realizes he may have accidentally disturbed her
meditation.
He wouldn't be intruding on something of great
secrecy, apparently. The painted hawk's beak dips
slowly towards the ground as Inyi's head slips
quietly sideways, before snapping back upright,
sleepy eyes blinking. She was napping! In the
midst of a jaw-cracking yawn, Inyi notices the
spikey-haired lad from the corner of her eyes,
noting the carved lupine mask in interest. She
cocks her head aside, flashing him a smile of
greeting.
Ichiro gives a friendly wave to young woman as he
removes his mask. Walking towards her, he says,
"Hello there. I don't believe I've seen you here
before. My name is Sasaki Ichiro."
A wide grin breaks on Inyi's features, rising up to
leap nimbly down the slippery rocks to meet him
halfway. The shield on her back clacks loudly after
a particularly large jump, as she straightens up to
find herself a few inches shorter than Ichiro. Her
chin tips up alittle to meet his gaze. "Likewise!
Ai Inyi. You're not a resident of Hitokurou, are
you? You're dressed differently."
Ichiro chuckles, "No, I'm not a resident of
Hitokurou. Although the amount of time I've spent
in the library here recently, one might think I
was." Looking about, Ichiro asks, "You haven't
seen a husky sort of ninja with an eye-patch around
here, have you?"
Inyi hmms, tapping her chin in a thoughtful manner.
"Sounds like a corsair more than a ninja! I don't
think I have, no." Slim shoulders lift lightly in
a paired movement. "I've been refining my
techniques in the woods around Hitokurou," she
said most seriously, "I suppose I've been out in
the forests more than the village proper." She
smiles. "Well, any friend of the Hitokurou would
be a friend of mine. Nice to meet you, Sasaki."
Ichiro sits on the surface of the water and
produces a small cup and a bottle from his
backpack. "What techniques exactly have you been
refining, if I may ask," Ichiro says as he pours
some sake into the cup.
Well placed on more solid grounding, Inyi couldn't
help but glance alittle enviously at the ease at
which Sasaki balanced on the surface of the water.
A hand reaches to touch her Time Village Protector
absently as she spoke. "Oh, some ninjutsu this and
that, nothing particularly groundbreaking." A
sheepish grin flashes across her features. "I'm not
as smart as the other genin, so I need to put in
more effort."
Taking a drink of the sake, Ichiro says, "I see,
well, being smart isn't all there is to ninjutsu.
My good friend Taiki Yamashita isn't the smartest
fish in the basket, but he can handle this and that
in ninjutsu. I've taught him a thing or two over
the years. However, he's never really bothered to
keep up with it." Ichiro pauses for a moment to
pour more sake before continuing, "I've been
working on my taijutsu lately. I'm getting better,
but I'm still lacking a bit."
Adjusting the fit of the shield strap on her
shoulder, Inyi glances at the wet granite pebbles
beneath her sandals, before ditching the notion of
sitting. She shifts her balance to her left foot,
murmuring thoughtfully, "I remember someone saying,
'Genius, is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.'"
Flat teeth flashes in a brilliant grin. "Because
I'm dumb, I like that saying."
Ichiro grins back, "Well, I'm not sure I consider
myself genius, but I've certainly perspired a lot.
with the research I've been doing lately. Don't be
so hard on yourself. You've made it this far in
life, so you must be somewhat smart."
The village protector glints blindingly in the
sunlight as Inyi tilted her head to glance at him,
her grin subtly taking on a teasing note. "Aw
thanks, you're a sweetie. Don't suppose you need
any help finishing that sake of yours?"
Ichiro stands and walks towards the shore,
producing another cup as he does so. "Sake is
always better with company," Ichiro replies as he
sits on the shore. Handing the cup to Inyi, Ichiro
says, "Just a moment..." Ichiro sets the bottle in
the shallow water and forms a few quick handseals
before spitting a very small fireball into the
water near the bottle. After several moments,
Ichiro pulls the bottle out of the water and pours
freshly heated sake into both cups.
A pleased smile lights up her doll-like features,
accepting the ninjutsu-warmed sake graciously.
"Thanks, Sasaki. You're pretty handy with fire, I
see!" Carefully selecting a patch of marginally
dry ground, Inyi sits, almost a perfect mirror of
Ichiro's repose. "So what's this research you've
been up to, or would that be a deep, dark secret?"
Ichiro sips at his sake and says, "Hmm, well, I
would like to keep it somewhat quiet, as it's
always nice to have a trick up one's sleeve in the
event that one needs it. However, I'm actually out
looking for Yama-kun to tell him about it. Looking
about warily, Ichiro says quietly, "I'll tell you
this much though: I've been researching fire quite
a bit lately."
Holding up a finger as comprehension flashes across
her features, Inyi remarked, "Oh! The pirate-ninja
with that eyepatch you were talking about?" She
leans forward in a conspirator's pose, hanging on
to his words. Interest sparkles in her eyes. "A
gentlemen needs to have his mysteries. That does
sound fascinating, though."
Finishing his sake, Ichiro says, "Well, I should
probably get back to looking for Yama-kun before
the day gets too late. It has been a pleasure
meeting you Inyi-san." Ichiro returns his cup and
bottle to his pack before standing and bowing.
"Ahh, of course." Downing the last dregs of fiery
liquid, Inyi rises to her feet, handing Ichiro back
the emptied cup. "All the best with your research,
careful not to burn yourself!"
Placing the cup in his pack along with the other,
Ichiro smiles, "Oh, I've done quite a bit of that
lately. Thanks for the concern though. Farewell."
With a friendly wave and a smile, Ichiro leaps off
into the trees in a blur.