"Almost there...Keeping a steady pace, it was not much of a challenge for the young girl to keep in time with her goal of training. Of course, added weights made the journey all the more intense, even for her. Despite having gotten used to running with extra pounds upon her, the added arm made for an almost unbalanced format to her running. Though still, it was more than an adjustment in balance that was a problem...
Moment MusicSince their leave from Sunagakure a few weeks ago, Ayukawa had done a lot with herself in trying not to cling too much to a certain side of herself that was lingering in the shadows. Of course, while she was technically ostracized from her Clan, her home, and from anyone that might recognize her, that made little difference in the larger world that laid before her out in the open. While members of the clan would be more than happy to simply leave her be, it didn't mean that there weren't those that would see her actions as an insult and wish to do more than just ignore her.
As such, knowing this danger, she did manage to change a bit of her appearance...to which to her own shock, seemed to draw just more attention to herself. Even her cousin before they left seemed to think it was a bit much.
Still, it wasn't as though she could go and find a tailor or something to do something about it.
Crossing the length of the desert, she'd come upon a small settlement, stopping short as she looked down at the small pack at her waist. She honestly wasn't sure why Zakku-kun thought this was a way to make money and to get supplies. She had heard of trading, but from the smell of it, it didn't seem remotely valuable in the least.
Scanning the area, she'd release a soft breath before seeming to take in the more various smells that surrounded her. Livestock, water, the smell of smoked meats and fish. It was far better than what was on her.
"Okay..find the buyer and give him the stuff...I can do this...Now what was it that he wanted me to say again?"
Placing one hand upon her hip, the girl would cup her hand beneath her face, nodding to herself as she tried to remember. From there, the vision of Zakku came to her, giving her the details she needed. With a grin, she'd then stride further in, looking for the one that match the description of whom she was supposed to meet.
He was an older fellow, seeming to have more whiskers on his cheeks than face, yet as he saw her, he'd bow his head before then smiling with cracked teeth.
"Oh finally! I wasn't sure you would come...so...did you bring it? I smell it so you must have..."
As he attempted to reach for her small pacel, Ayukawa would then cough into her hand as she reeled back.
"Ahem...no money...no deal...so did you bring it?"
Pulling the pouch from her waist, she'd then hold it upward as she soon caught whiff of it, drawing it away with disgust on her face as the scent irritated her nostrils. Seeing the man reach again, she'd then smack his hand lightly with her own, doing her best to resist using the fact one as it remained hidden beneath a glove and her sleeve.
"I do...I do...just...let me look at it...I want to be sure that it's just right..."
With a blank expression, Ayukawa would extend it outward to him, watching as he seemed to take hold of the bag, cradling it like a child. As his expression filled with glee, he'd soon look around for a moment before yelling out.
"WHAT IS THAT!?"
The cry was enough to draw Ayukawa's eyes away, looking off to where he had pointed. Yet, as soon as she turned around, she'd see the older man starting to run off.
"He..HEY!!! That's not fair!!"
It seemed as if the man didn't care, leading to the girl pouting before taking off after him.
"No no no! If I loss another one Zakku-kun will never trust me again!"