OPEN THREAD

[majutsu_gm]

Characters: Civilians & anybody else inside Konoha
Setting: Konoha Town Square on December 31/January 01
Notes: Mostly anybody can attend... if you think your character could get away with showing up. Most likely, though, no Sound, Sand, or Rebels will be there just because it either doesn't make sense or it's too dangerous.

Summary: It is New Years

Comments

[healers_flora]

The crisp night air was like ice in Hana's bones, and were it not for her cloak, she would have rattled and shook like there was no tomorrow. Still, she stayed out in the square, among the people, among the festivities. She'd always loved the New Year's festivals the best--there was so much energy around, and the fireworks were always a sight to behold.

Haimaru nudged at her hand, glancing up at her with his tongue looling from the side of his mouth. She smiled; he always loved the festival, too. Pushing her way through the crowd, she made her way closer to the alleyways; despite being the number-one place to be mugged, it allowed for a greater view of the sky, and the sky was the only reason Hana was out tonight.

The dog at her side growled somewhat when they entered the alley, and Hana narrowed her eyes despite herself, straining her senses. There was a young woman here, and...someone else; she couldn't pinpoint the gender. Taking a few steps closer to the shadows, she squinted, finally making out the outlines of the two people; a knight, from the looks of the tunic, and...

Hana sighed, making her way over to the two people. If there was anyone with enough gall to be walking around, dressed like that, it was Naruto. "Naruko, there you are. Mother's looking for you, you know," she called out to the young "woman". "What are you still doing out here, anyway?"

[king_streetfox]

Naruto's eyes widened and her turned to face the moderately familiar voice. The woman down the alley looked like someone he knew, and he scrambled to place the name, never one to look a gift-horse in the mouth. The dog, marking her as one of the crazy animal-lover Inzuka, helped.

"...Hana!" he yelled finally, dancing over in a flamboyant way, as was his tendency when he used the illusion. "Oh, I'm sorry, the time must have gotten away with me! Is mother worried?"

Please, he pleaded to any Gods that were listening, let this make the knight leave him alone. Then she smiled up at Hana, silent gratitude in her eyes.

[sir_tenten]

It almost wasn't - though Tenten was eyeing the dogs more than the other woman. The three of them were far more indicative of a fighting spirit than the woman; if she was taking the human counterpart lightly, it was out of consideration for the canine friends.

Tenten was more familiar with human opponents than animals. The two moved in distinctly different ways. "I am glad to see the maiden had good people out looking for her. You will," she asked, eyeing the dogs again, "Be safe in returning to your home for the evening? Fine dogs these seem." Appearances could be decieving.

[healers_flora]

Fierce brown eyes snapped in the knights direction, sizing him up in a way that had become habit for the healer. Below average height for a man, smaller build; it was obvious the knight had been built for speed, although the mail lowered that a bit.

The woman offered him a smile, on pretense. "We will, sir knight." She saw him glance at the dogs. "And worry not; Inuzuka dogs are trained for battle." She patted one fondly. "They'll let no one near." That includes you. The rest of the statement was left hanging, but Hana got the feeling the knight understood.

"Now, if you'll excuse us; Mother's been looking for Naruko here for hours, and we simply must be getting home." She grabbed onto Naruto's arm, tugging him away as she left.

[king_streetfox]

Naruto turned and smiled coyly at the knight again, just for fun.

"Goodbye, sir knight! Have a pleasant evening~" she cooed, blowing him a kiss to seal the deal. Then she turned to the tall Inuzuka and grinned broadly. "Thanks for the save, I guess. What do I owe ya?"

Because no one ever did anything for free; that much he'd learned on his own. It was just a question of whether they got payed in the end.

[sir_tenten]

The smile that turned Tenten's lips up at the corners was due to the older woman's implied statement, and her appreciatory amusement.

Konoha took care of its own; the Inuzukas, she supposed, were one example.

Though Tenten sadly had no direction on the whereabouts of the thief. She knew she would search the alley, and pending nothing coming from that... Pray, maybe. She didn't particularly believe in any set of Gods or any one God, but it couldn't hurt.

Or at least if it hurt, it would be holy pain.

[healers_flora]

Hana frowned at the boy. "You could release that ridiculous spell, for one; that's probably what got you in that mess in the first place. And for two, you could stop teasing the knights, or whatever that was." She paused, sniffing the air for a moment, and focused a bit on the sound of footsteps. Her eyes narrowed. "And I won't even get started on that pickpocketing habit of yours."

She sighed, turning to face him. "And if nothing else, keep yourself out of trouble."

[king_streetfox]

Turning his head to make sure the knight was out of sight, Naruto sighed. "Fine, fine."

With a poof of smoke, the illusion vanished and Naruto was standing in his own skin again. He had to admit; he liked his own body better than the girly shape. He always got all wobbly with those two weights on the front of his chest. He really didn't get how girls did it.

"Hey, I gotta eat, though," he grumbled. "It's not like anyone'll hire a dirty orphan," he added bitterly, in case she tried that route. "But, uh, I'll try and keep myself outta trouble. I guess." The he smiled broadly at her again. "That was real nice of you."

[healers_flora]

It was a bit of a relief as he released the illusion; while it was convincing to anyone who didn't know Naruto, those who did could see his swaggering walk. And that walk was certainly not a feminine one.

Her eyes softened, her lips turned upward somewhat at his grumbling, and the older sister in Hana rose to the surface. "You're welcome to visit the clinic sometime. We don't just shelter animals, you know." She glanced at him sharply. "That doesn't mean you can just up and live there forever, though. Just...once in a while."

With a sigh, she slung an arm across his shoulders, ruffling his hair. She bared her teeth in a grin. "And someone's gotta look out for you, right, kid?"

[king_streetfox]

Naruto made a surprised kind of squeaky noise as she slung an arm around him, not much used to affectionate displays, and especially not from girls who were so...pretty. Still, he looked up at her with a smile, if a bit more awkwardly.

"Thanks, I'll remember that. If ol' man Iruka starts getting on my nerves, I guess I still got a warm place to crash, huh?"

He fidgeted a little, a little frightened by the sharpness of her teeth and wondering if she'd let go of his neck. Man, the Inzuka could be freaky.

[healers_flora]

Hana let out a laugh; the boy was sweating bullets by now, and she knew exactly why. She ruffled his hair one more time before letting him go, pushing him off in the direction of the square. "Now go have fun," she commanded playfully. "And stay out of trouble!"

[king_streetfox]

Released from the unfamiliar hold, he regained his former confidance, shown in his expression.

"If you say so," he said, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Can't make any promises but, uh, I'll try! See ya later, Hana!"

And just like that, he darted off into the crowd again, looking for his next source of entertainment; assuming there'd be one.