[Hatake Shinde]

Her promotion was a swift one, and with it, her growth seemed exponential as she made her way in travel across the land of fire towards their border villages. Always seemingly rife with crime in one way or another, it was her first time doing a mission with Ataru since his promotion to Genin. On this fine winter morning, the snow fell lightly through the dim cold of the morning's shine. A deep exhale through her scarf, she'd firmly wore the Chunin Flak Jacket and made her advance towards the rendezvous. Based on what she'd seen from Ataru's file, he'd already done missions just like this. More than a couple of times now. Which made this pretty damn easy all things considered. Shinde probably didn't look all that different, not drastically anyways as she made her way to the little redhead and the wagon they'd escort.

"Ohayo!~" She'd felt validated when she'd made her advance, and with it, to have scored as well as she did? "I didn't get the chance to say it before, but I wanted to congratulate you! I'm happy that you made it to Chuunin!" Taking the liberty to ruffle his head with her hand, she'd hoped that this didn't get to his head or anything. Ataru was stubborn enough as it is and always sought to push himself beyond his limits, even if it was to his detriment. He didn't need some overconfidence now to make that situation worse, considering how he'd made his advance. "Shall we go over the plans?" 

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Ataru had passed the Chunin exam and while having not yet elevated in rank it was good to be home after the time spent away. Honestly he hadn't felt like much had changed and yet on the same token as he reflected on things over the past few days he began to see things a bit more differently and seemed determined to learn from the feedback and experiences gained whilst enduring the tests and interaction with fellow Kumo nin in Akazaya. Breathing a crisp, cool, deep breath the Uzumaki contented themselves by signing up for a mission with his sensei Shinde; together they would provide escort for a merchant caravan carrying a sum of goods. It was no different that what his father did but with the exception of Ataru serving as a guard for it not a passenger.

Stretching upward before bending down to touch their toes, he would sway left and right cracking his back before flexing their fingers out into an elongated stretch limbering up before their journey began in earnest. The speedy redhead was already waiting as his white haired master finally came along signaling the totality of their travel group being assembled in full now. "Ohayo!" Echoing her greetings as she sallies forth to him the boy gives off a bright smile, with gem-like amber eyes radiating a glimmer of brilliance born from the morning sunshine.

"Hehe, thanks Shisho. I'm glad I was able to pass, one more mission and I'll be officially putting in my request to promote." As she ruffles his hair, their crimson crown becomes frazzled as the tresses parse between her fingers as she gives him a light hearted yet soft noogie. "I understand, I understand. Please stop now!?!" Rubbing an idle hand through their hairdo returning the normal spikiness, he breathes a sight of relief and grows a bit more studious focusing on the task at hand as she presents the chance for them to deliberate on a viable plan together. "Hai, first things first we should decide on a plan of action or formation, like how'll we place ourselves in order to protect the caravan fully? Would one of us at the front and back work out as good coverage; what do you think?"

[Hatake Shinde]

He seemed like he was a little bit different from the last time vthat they met. Though whether or not that was because of her own insights or otherwise, she wasn't sure. Maybe he was just a bit different after finding out he passed. "Sorry Ataru. It's just too easy since you're so short." She says jokingly. However, in those next moments, he seemed ready to talk about formation. How she was going to handle it. To which she nods her head. "You more or less got the idea that I was looking for." She says, tilting her head back and looking at their little supply train.

"We could do it that way, yes, but I'm thinking that now's a good time for us to talk. So...That considered? I'll make a few clones and put them in the front and back, and we'll sit along the middle. Should be close enough that we could get to the front or back, wherever we're needed." She seems rather nonchalant, and with it, she comes to look towards the wagon, patting along the back, before she leaps in. Kind of weird. Her treating Ataru like a kid, considering she was just six years older. Maybe it was a little inconsiderate to talk him down. "You're a man now." She says, laying back, and looking at the roofed top. Enjoying some peace before they were to drive off into the distance. Just a little moment between them. 

"Weird to say, but you've reached a point where people will treat you like a real ninja. A ninja proper." She says, before taking the liberty to turn her head to look at him from her laid back position. "You've stuck with me as a student all this time. Learned a lot. Grew fast. And I want to let you know how proud I am. I know you did the work and effort but...I like to feel I had a part in that." She says absentmindedly, before she gives a small smirk. Before slowly moving her hand into her flak jacket.

"I know now that you're about to promote, there's a good chance that we'll be moving a bit farther apart from one another. Less student and master, and more equals. Which is why I wanted to give you something. Something...To remember me by."

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Ataru seemed a different kid now though weather or not he realized how his experiences at the Chunin exam helped to mold and influence him or not remained to be seen, rubbing along the back of their neck as they assume their place along the back of a wagon within the center. He extends out a hand and helps Shinde up into the back making themselves comfortable by sitting along the edge of a sealed crate. "Yeah, yeah... I was the smallest one at the exams too." Waving off her joke with a little playful humor and motion of his hand back and forth recalling how he had been the youngest of the lot in attendance at Kumo; his age, height, and whatever else were things he always considered but didn't really bother him. The Uzumaki had not only grown in terms of his abilities since leaving the Academy but also in overall physicality with plenty of room to go further.

"That sounds like a great idea, it'll keep us covered from front to back." Speaking forthright and honestly, he accepted the Hatake's idea as a rather solid one and given his own arsenal she was the only one capable of pulling it off and multiplying their force by adding more bodies to the guard retinue. As the wagons kick off with a start the horses whinny as they pull forward with a lurch swaying back and forth in his impromptu seat as they set off together, it was the start of their journey and only time would tell how eventful it would turn out to be.

Looking at her a bit quizzically as she calls him a man, he raises an eyebrow as it feels a bit out of nowhere. Deciding to listen before speaking the boy remains silent examining the white haired heiress as she continues the idle chatter. Smiling a small bit breaking through the stoic taciturn expression he had adopted as they set out, he peers into her orbs and holds their gaze. "You were the first person outside of the Academy who really believed in and helped to train me. I owe a lot to you, Sensei. I never really said it before but thank you!" He gave her a look that could melt hearts, starry and pure though reflecting a steely aspect too brimming with conviction not only in his words but actions too. She had been a cornerstone in his life up until now and the Uzumaki would never forget it.

Craning his head to the side as she mentions how they'll be equals together and moving off from one another, that bit made him a little sad but he understood why. Their paths would naturally diverge as they both became Chunin and joined separate teams, undertaking missions for the village and such but Ataru had no intention of letting their bond sour or grow stagnant though that may be a little outside of his control he admitted. Visibly perking up as she mentions giving him something, he couldn't help but feel immensely curious at what she's alluding to especially as she reaches within her jacket remaining cool, calm, and collected even as its about to be present. "Ooh, really?! And what's that, Sensei?"

[Hatake Shinde]

"We're all a family together. In this village. Despite our differences and backgrounds. I understand that because of that, we should hold pride in who we are not as individuals or our clans. And I think in the Chuunin Exams, we'd showed a sense of unity and togetherness that no other village had." She says, and as they begin to move along, she felt a strong sense of connection with Ataru. She didn't mean to say that they'd be separating in the sense of different duties. More so, their difference in power. They were close to equals now, and she was sure the next time they came to compare themselves head on? There would be little to differentiate them. Daresay. She knew that he would be stronger than he was, if he matured a bit more. Gained a bit more experience. Knowledge.

"..." Reaching inside of her jacket, she slowly presents to him a blade. A two food long blade with black thread along the handguard, and a beautiful crimson red scabbard. "This village that we live in. The bonds that we build. It extends beyond ties of friendship. Beyond superficial ties. You're my friend. And my comrade." She says, and with it, she slowly hands it out to him. If he took it? Drawing the blade, he would see that it was indeed a tanto, and while most of its length was a flowing and almost shining white, its edge was a crimson shade of partially stained steel. "I'm not the kind of person who gives useless gifts. So...I've decided. To give you a chakra tanto. As my disciple. So that in the event I fail? You can be there for me. My Red Flash."

"...Doesn't that sound like a title worthy of Uzumaki Ataru?"

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He listens and with it digests the sum of her words listening to the context and finding them incredibly warm and wholesome, holding a content smile across his face as they ride along the bumpy path together. Nodding his head along in agreement with her assessment sharing in the sentiment she espouses to him as two people who follow the will of fire that brings strength to them as Konoha Shinobi. He felt much the same, a kindred bod and true connection to the girl who was only a few years his elder but whom he was catching up in being equals with not only in rank but ability should he persist along the same path.

Watching as the blade comes revealed from outside her flak jacket's zipper, the Uzumaki's eyes widen the sense of expectancy given way to excitement as he sagely reaches out taking receipt of the tanto. Unsheathing it from its scabbard reveals the beautiful tang its edge lined with a similar crimson red and nature of its make, she had schooled him in Kenjutsu but this meant something far more and greater. It was a symbol of trust and embodied the essence of their relationship from student and master to how it was now evolving into something beyond that as peers. "Woah..." Amber eyes stare forth staring into the mirrored reflection with an intense gaze calloused palms clasped around the haft and hardened sheathe of the chakra saber.

"Thank you, Shinde. I'll treasure it forever and I want you to know I consider you my friend and comrade as well." He meets her eyes and with it looks back along the extend of the blade, as she utters his nickname the same one heralded from others in Konoha and repeated at the Chunin exams he smiles and nods to her. "It does, I'll make sure to put it to good use and help you whenever, wherever. I promise!"

[Hatake Shinde]

As they moved along, and he seemed to enjoy his gift in earnest, Shinde would form a singular handseal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." Forming four doppleganger copies, they'd disperse themselves along the other two wagons, forming a solid enough formation as she took a deep breath. That jutsu never did get much easier, but at the very least, her training along that regard allowed her to really take charge and get accustomed. She always had large reserves, so it was a bit easier to do more with them, and it allowed her time to rest. Sitting on the back of the wagon in a meditative stance, her legs crossed, she focuses on her chakra. The little funnel of energy that seemed to fluctuate into her gradually. Her knuckles held in the reverse lotus stance as she takes deep breaths in.

"I know that this might seem a bit early to ask, considering everything, and the fact you've just started your career. But...have you thought about the kind of ninja you want to be? What you'd want to do with the rest of your life?" A bit of a personal question, but she figured she'd ask and get some insights onto his character, especially considering she'd been thinking about that question a lot herself. She was curious anyways. Some ninja held many expectations and or pressures placed upon them. Ambitions. Whilst others were more down to earth and content with living relatively simple lives. That was a pretty wild thing to think about. The rest of your life. The things that'd come in the years.

"...Any plans or dreams?"

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Watching as the clones form from thin air in a poof and then hop off n away towards their respective places in the caravan the boy takes a moment to levy a content sigh. Afterwards peering left and right over their shoulder keeping up a degree of vigilance through situational awareness. The attitude he had wasn't allowed to dull his senses, though they were on a mission things seemed to be going fairly well and he greatly valued the present he received from his master savoring the rare heartfelt moment. Sheathing the blade in its scabbard, he tucked it into their belt and allowed it to rest their for now. Gazing along at the stretch of trees as they continue jostling along the well beaten path, he hears out Shinde's question and remains silent for a handful of moments bordering on eerie silence as he contemplates his future clearly.

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. I want to go where I'm needed, where I can do the most while also improving myself to the fullest. It's my hope that one day I'll become one of the best Shinobi in Konoha, an Elite Jonin or Anbu and heck maybe even lead a team of my own one day. But my Mom always says if you want to lead, first learn how to follow. I'll do whatever's needed to serve and fulfill my duty to the village, weather that be in the light or the dark." Ataru's tone speaks volumes despite how nonchalant he appears the boy speaks truthfully yet its also doubly layered with resolute steadfastness. Taking a sip from his canteen he  da bs away a bead of sweat before offering it out to the alabaster haired girl, not batting a second eye. The Uzumaki's fate though uncertain held promise but where that path or destiny for him would lead still remained in flux. "How about you Shinde Sensei, now that you're Chunin what does your future hold? What sort of path do you want to follow?"

[Hatake Shinde]

She was asked what she thought she was going to do with her life, now that she'd ultimately become a Chuunin. Well, with her father largely busy, she'd done a lot of thinking on that part. "Well...I'm going to be stepping up to the plate and taking more responsibilities for my clan. Especially as I look to push for Jounin. Otherwise? I guess I'm getting married. Sooner or later." She says, smiling somewhat nonchalantly. "Maybe you can be there as my ringbearer." She says, though she didn't really know what to make of everything as it happened.

"I know. It's a little bit to take in. Isn't it?" She thinks to herself, as she dances with the idea that her life was moving along so fast. As was her career. Though she didn't seem to have any ill feeling or resentment in that idea. Maybe a little more excited on how things were going to turn out. As their little caravan travels through, it felt good not to be fucking accosted and assaulted by bandits every single trip. As her clones walk along the path. Perhaps proving to be an excellent deterrent. Honestly. It seemed as if Konoha just naturally attracted trouble like that. Didn't they? Good thing that Konoha had ninja to spare, and that their lands seemed to be full of people with a talent for violence.

"Say...I never asked." She says, gazing the small boy over.

"If your father's a merchant? Why is it you pursued the Shinobi life? I imagine it's a lot easier being a merchant. Well...assuming ninja are guarding the roads and oceans. What is it your father trades?" Inquiring a bit about her pupil's life might allow for her to get some insights on how she might interact with Ataru in different ways than just work.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Scratching at the corner of their eye he looked on as Shinde mulled it over, wondering what sort of life she envisioned for herself. It could be hard to balance such things as relationships or daily chores amidst the hustle and bustle of living given the nature of their work but there were people that made it not only work but raised families whilst doing so. Nodding his head as she mentions stepping up to the plate and assuming more responsibility for the clan while her father was busy. "Hey, guess I'll race you to Jonin then. First one who gets there buys the other one BBQ or some late night Ramen!" Though at the mention of marriage the boy goes a little bit more wide eyed visibly taken off guard that she would see herself getting married soon and that she wanted him to be apart of it.

"Woah, I wasn't expecting that... when is the wedding and to who?" He couldn't help but feel a little bit curious, but he supposed it made sense. They didn't exactly live the longest lives and there was always the clan to think of, political marriages and the like to secure alliances or deals between two groups. It was another form of war, thinly veiled or so the thought that struck through Ataru at that moment but perhaps that was a bit too cynical and Kobayashi was rubbing off on him somewhat too much. Humming as he returned back to attention as she mentions never having asked something puts the question on why he pursued life as Shinobi in the first place.

"Mmmm. I think I owe it to my Mom and the Clan as well as the rest of the people I grew up with both here and in Uzishiogakure. I wanted to be apart of something greater than myself, and following in the footsteps of my ancestors and family who serve and protect seemed... admirable. I was raised on the sorts of stories of sacrifice and duty, of ninja fighting ninja to preserve our way of life. It didn't sound like a bad way to live... not as safe as my Dad or Mom probably want but its my life to live and I choose this; good and bad." He thinks quietly to himself on all the reasons and decisions that have brought him this far and how much longer laid out on the road like the one they traveled on, uncertain but endless in possibilities.

"Oh, my father dabbles in everything and runs over fifty caravans now; maybe more that range all over... they deal in wool, salt, spices, furs, fine cloth, jewelry, timber, beer, and wine to name a few. Stuff that ranges from common staples to more luxury goods and a lot of other stuff too. He even gave me a gift to give to the Raikage during the exam, and hey now that you're getting married I can get something special for you as well. Heck, maybe he can even cut a deal on supplying some stuff. I'll put in a good word with him and tell him you want to talk if that's okay." He smiles from ear to ear as if what he said was the most normal thing in the world and not a wild revelation of sorts. Humming to themselves as they continue along the winding backwoods paths past an endless sea of trees and verdant greenery.

[Hatake Shinde]

"That sounds like a plan!" She says, as she tucks her knees closer to her chest. "We'll race to see who can reach that higher rank, and when it comes down to it, we'll face each other someday. The two of us, and see a real fight." Resting back with a smile on her face, he'd come to ask her who she was getting married to. "It isn't decided for sure yet, but a member of the Uchiha clan. As for when? Umm." Frankly, considering the situation with Daredemo, she rubs the back of her head. "I'm not too sure." She laughs a little nervously, to dismiss that awkward thought now. Maybe it was for the best after all. The world worked in mysterious ways.

Ataru spoke about why it was he wanted to be a ninja, regarding paying homage to Uzushiogakure and its ways, and with it, she could understand that. It was a life they were born into, had the background to enter, and so they did. It was hard to imagine a life anywhere else, doing simpler things, and living in their day to day life. "Life really isn't all that safe, but it gets safer depending on what we really want to do. The lives we choose." Shinde says, getting up and hopping atop the wagon, as she does a quick sweeping glance over their surroundings with her own eyes. Assessing the situation as she dances with some of her thoughts. Before then hearing of Ataru's father's wealth. It was a surprising thought. He didn't strike her to be a rich kid.

"So you were a rich boy all along? Huh...I never would have guessed! I hope your dad isn't too upset that there's nobody to inherit his trading empire." She notes, though maybe his family had other plans regarding that. Maybe a future sibling or something along that line. Regardless. She finds herself coming back down and looking Ataru over. "I'd appreciate that all the same. I have certain needs in the future, and I could always use a few luxuries here and there. I suppose I deserve to spoil myself, considering the occasion."

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Overall it was a strangely enjoyable time he didn't really think he would ever feel this way outside of places he considered home or felt comfortable in but it just go to showed that the place didn't matter as much as the people you were with. Despite this, he didn't let down his guard scanning the tree line while also acknowledging the fact that with friends and teammates like Shinde things didn't always need to be so stuffy or worrying at every moment outside the walls of the village. Humming to themselves as the length of their journey ambles along he smiles as she agrees to his bet. "It's a deal then." And with it he reaches out offering his hand, shaking it should she take him up on it with a firm calloused grip.

Listening a bit more as she elaborates on her marriage prospect, his curiosity came answered when he heard that it would be someone from the Uchiha clan. "Huh, okay... well I hope that it not only helps the clan but that you'll be happy too." He gives a comforting warm gaze to his mentor and soon to be peer as the wagon shifts before steadying out once more. Nodding his head in affirmation at her words this is what they had both chosen and so whole heartedly dedicated themselves to to doubt or reproach that would be disingenuous.

"I guess so, yeah... but we live pretty modestly. He was when I told him but he still taught me plenty of tricks of the trade, and even though I won't be taking over fully I'm sure one of my siblings will make him proud." He seemed confident at that and smiled a little bit more at the mention of his younger brother and sisters, swinging his legs as he idly sat gazing over past her shoulder toward the route ahead before returning his gaze back to meeting her eyes. "You definitely should, especially considering we both passed our exam and ya were able to promote."

[Hatake Shinde]

He said it was a deal. So, when she came to take his calloused hand, she would shake it firmly. It was weird to think about how his hand felt like that of a much older man, someone who'd been training longer and harder. Though, she did come to question something when he spoke next. He hoped that it'd help the clan, and that she'd be happy too. To which she really had to think about that. Is that what would make her happy? To be honest, she was pretty sure she already knew the answer. In which case, she made it somewhat clear to Ataru. "I probably won't." She said it so nonchalantly, but before long, she tries to brush aside the awkwardness before gazing out across the road. That was a bit of a bombshell to drop out. Wasn't it?

"We should be through the worst of the thickets soon. Into safer territory." She'd come to realize, never noticing how time could fly when you were talking to somebody. Especially when you had copies of yourself as an armed deterrent. Whatever the case, when she looked upon Ataru, her arms looped behind her head, she'd come to realize something. And as cynical as it kind of was, she felt like she could be honest with Ataru at the very least. Not like he was going to tell anyone that was going to ruin her life or make it hard or anything. "To be honest with you. I don't really think anybody loves me in that kind of way. Not that I know. And...I think I'm okay with that. So long as I do my duties and the people around me are happy. That's enough."

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Wow, her hand was a lot more gentle than he imagined it would be such was the first panging thought that idents against his mind as the solitary handshake comes to a close. Taking in a deep breath enjoying the crisp cool air and winding breeze rifling through his hair though a measure of awkward silence soon accompanied it following her statement in response to the young boy. "Well, I hope otherwise and even if it doesn't I'm confident that your kids will love and look up to you not only as their Mom but as a Kunoichi too. Just like I do with mine..." He smiles softly at her before peering over to the side making sure to cover the various angles of potential attack of approaching looking out for any discernable hides as they travel forth.

"Mhm." Was all the boy mustered in accordance to her words of reaching a safer area soon, hoping to round things out on a peaceful not than be forced into an altercation once more weather it be bandits or not. However the Uzumaki remained more than readily prepared for it should such a thing come to a head on this trip of theirs. Smoothing a hand against the varnished wood of the crate he sat along Ataru gazes skyward and the canopy of trees reigning overhead before returning to their conversation relying on both his awareness and gut feeling to guide his perception. Understanding that not everyone was as fortunate as them to have both a loving father and mother in their lives he tempered his next words seeking to choose before saying. "I'm sure someone will, someday. Until then though let's race ahead - together!"

[Hatake Shinde]

He seemed optimistic for the future at least, and with it, she felt that maybe she could be wrong. However, it was safer to just have a lower expectation she figured. After all, the Uchiha Clan were known to be one of the most prideful, prejudiced, and generally xenophobic to those out of their clan. There were exceptions in this new era of course, but that didn't inherently mean much until it happened. Until she was wed. However, in those next moments, as they made their way forward onto the new stretch of their journey, he talked about racing ahead. Together.

"Hai. Hai." She says, and with it, she thought about what the future had to hold and all of its nuances. All of the things she might struggle with, or be rewarded by. The thought of being a wife, a mother, it was things she was thinking about more recently, but it didn't really strike her. Not really. Though she imagined she'd be a decent one. Someone that her children could rely on for support, and jovial lightheartedness. Though she in a way hoped that her life would be a peaceful one, one where they could maintain this fragile state of being in an otherwise cruel ninja world. Taking a deep breath, she gets off the back of the wagon. It was time for her to get moving before she got a bit restless. Yeah.