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Hotarubi had spent far too long working out, far too long doing ninja things: many things other than what his secondary income was until he became a Ninja: a food shop. Noodles, specifically – as he had worked as an assistant for many years after his first run at the academy. It was already nearing the end of the shift – and he had been working helping make the broths – his "master” typically did not allow him near any of the noodles itself but had on the occasion. He wrapped his hands up as he had many times before, dealing with the hot water – scalding his skin, as he typically used chakra to remain human for several hours and it was every bit exhausting as it seemed, since he did not have all of the energy to keep it up all the time. "Hai,” another order and another order rolled by. Was it now past midnight? He could not tell, his current position would not allow him to see it. Perhaps by design? But, the bell did ring and eventually he would be handed in fist some Ryo: coins and some notes, not a great deal. "Go’ere and I’ll see ya around.” "Yeah.” Hotarubi responded. Out into the cold midnight.

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What would have he wanted to do next? Tomorrow was going to be a dull day, he walked through the streets with an amble in mind, letting the cool air run through him – this was good. Nice, though water was their mortal enemy in the wild, he couldn’t help but enjoy when a shiver ran down the back of his earthen spine, currently in blood and flesh format when he had been using chakra in order to keep it that way. He wasn’t alone: this was a busy village, when the sounds of thunder – that was – the constant stream of water, thousands of litres falling from the various falls of the village. He found his way taking a familiar route that he had gone many times before, enjoying his own presence. "Hota?” a voice rang out, causing Hotarubi to stop and turn. Nageku? No. It was someone else, a weaker face, scruffed and bruised; dirty. A ruffian like he had been. "Uh..?” The face was familiar to Hotarubi’s memory but he couldn’t remember it directly. "It’s Ninshuku..” a weak voice. Ah. The look of recognition fell on his face as he remembered the skinnier, runtish looking child that he had been in the same group as a time ago. Like he: Ninshuku had been forced out of the academy as well, despite not being a Yamakira. "What do you want?” Hotarubi’s face and voice were monotonous, as if to say, ‘why are you bothering me?’

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"Oh, nothing, I just wanted to say hello.” Ninshuku was meek. Crusty, his voice like shattered glass to Hotarubi’s voice. This was some of his lesser nice sides showing up. "Hello.” He turned, continuing to walk with the fingers curling in his bottoms. "Wait!” Hotarubi stopped again, but not looking back. There was a bit of eccentricity and arrogance that came to being a Shinobi made of earth: you were repairable. Many times had Nageku and he fought and they’d ended up just… tearing limb from limb. But it could all be mended. Why on earth was Hotarubi needed? Frankly, this was a spur of the moment, last ditch effort he supposed. Hotarubi turned back, his face less monotonous and more bothered by the infant before him. "What?” This weakling needed Hotarubi. "I wasn’t- I didn’t plan on seeing you tonight, it was just.. I have nobody else to as-" "Hurry up with it.” Hotarubi cut him off. "I owe money to some people and could use some-" "Fuck off.” Hotarubi began walking off, leaving the former underling or something akin to that in his wake. That was easily avoided thankfully – he wasn’t about to get himself caught up in some fucker’s shenanigans. He carried on walking.

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He wasn’t tired enough to go home and so the time had continued to roll on, he found himself staking the familiar areas of his youth some years ago. It had occurred because of the fucking child Ninshuku and his brow was creased as well as a tight walk had been fashioned by him. Various memories were taking place as he walked by playing in real time. He and Nageku spent a lot of time out here in the various streets. Back when he had been known as Ōja no Akkan – a terrible idea at the time considering there were many bigger fry than him. But Ninshuku was not one of those bigger fries, and he kept to himself. Places were closing for the night as well, leaving some of the more original sultry places to be kept open. It attracted the bad folk, but folk who were easy to part with their cash at the time – all so he could just be the big fish in a small pond. Hotarubi had not known how high the highs were at the time and how much he needed to grow. To be the strongest, he wanted. He had come to stand on a street corner perhaps akin to the thug he thought himself to be. But, he liked to people watch. So he did.

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The people who tended to come out here were civilians and more senior ranking Shinobi, and he knew to avoid those at all costs. But – it felt reminisicent as he did, though without the other people he used to hang around. His memories were still playing and his mind running with his hands still in his pockets till someone caught his eye and for what it was worth: was lucky it had not been caught back. That- his eyes widened, his heart beginning to race. From his position on a street corner would swurve, turning his back as he moved around a corner and away from the main street, out of the way. That was one of them. One of the Yamakira from before. He couldn’t be seen, not now. But this was a dead end alley! Shit! Hotarubi looked around, staring up – there was no direct way up without knowing how to parkour between one and another, but him being as weighty as he was made it unlikely he would get enough height to get away. So, he did the next best thing: hid behind a dumpster, by its side. Time would pass. Ticking by… He didn’t even stop to think or look around, hoping that they would pass by without noticing a figure on a street corner taking off.

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Minutes passed by with Hotarubi waiting in earnest for the individual to hopefully pass on by: Hotarubi knew him from the group that terrorised Hotarubi. The one that Nageku stood up for him from, and he put a hand to his now artificial heart, rendered back to earth in response. He had to consciously think on it, because the fear made him back into human and he couldn’t stay like that. He stood up – peering over the top of the dumpster, and did not see anyone. He moved out again, and didn’t see anyone. Continuing the process until out in the street, he tentatively began to walk again – eager to get out of the area. Till he saw Ninshuku, and some…. Unsanitary individuals. They were looking at him – Hotarubi stared back. At Ninshuku, and some clear thugs. Whoever it was they owed the money to. He didn’t spend a second thought, and carried on. Till he felt a tap on his back, some hundred feet down the road. Ninshuku and this… petty gang, forming a semi-circle in front of Hotarubi. "So, I see yer’ the one that this stupid fuck gave his money to, eh?” Hotarubi’s head tilted some, his heart racing a little bit. He was a bit more military trained now. Was this excitement?

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It was excitement and fear, knowing that he was in the area near to being found by an individual he really didn’t want to ever see again (not at least till he was a Chunin, or better.) But in front of him, he crossed his arms. "Eh? I don’t owe money to this fucktard.” Hotarubi was a bit potty-mouthed, because he didn’t like being told for something he didn’t do. He was made of doton, so it couldn’t really be anything bad. That was how he thought about it. They were all starting to have their little go, and little sayings – four thugs, plus Ninshuku, plus Hotarubi. That was not a fair fight if they were Shinobi trained. Ninshuku was being meek, as always, trying to place the blame. That in Hota’s eyes made him weaker than weak. It made him a traitorous rat, and it was not something that Hotarubi could allow. Still – Hotarubi kept his eyes monotonous. "I’m going to go in that alleyway over there and out of the general public’s eye.” Knowing that they were all closed ended, a point was enough to make them swear at him, as Hotarubi started to turn and put himself in a way that they thought would be advantageous to them. "Careful – he’s got a uh… Earth body. A Yamakira.” Ninshuku offered some advice to the impending fight. Motherfuck-

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Did that make things harder or worse? Hotarubi didn’t like the secret being out so easily but Ninshuku snuck away as the rest of them had focused on Hotarubi. "No head is no head, is that whatcha want?” Their leader spoke – the four of them forming a line in front of Hotarubi so that his exit was blocked. "Mebbe.” Hotarubi shrugged, causing the fight to break out. They began to try and spread out, but being in an alleyway meant that space was limited already. Hotarubi didn’t move, but they hadn’t used a technique although one of them withdrew a club – it was enough to swing by himself, and Hotarubi assumed that was the one that would attack first. Yep. Hotarubi was excited to put his training to the test, the first club coming at him, rose a hand and grabbed it – and his other hand to punch thug 1 in the face. A 300lb individual, more than a civilian could reasonably lift was going to hurt. His punch was slow, and so a result or byproduct was that it was not fully taken, as it grazed past their face. But, the club was in Hotarubi’s hands – as thug 1 stumbled into the wall and thug 2, but not their leader made a move in – planting their foot squarely in Hotarubi, pushing him back a little bit and trying to punch him. Wow, they were woefully underprepared as civilians. Hotarubi grinned evilly.

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Hotarubi dispatched of the non-trained, non-chakra using individuals. Even the academy students of a younger age were easier to beat. But, Ninshuku was nowhere to be found. "Just a point – I didn’t fuckin’ take any money. Come across me again and I’ll kill you.” Hotarubi was starting to sound like his brother in the arrogance that seeped from his voice. Whether or not they would hear it was another. Hotarubi set off trying to find this little grunt – and fell short. It would not happen; they had taken off and got Hotarubi to deal with his problem. But that problem would come back when they realised they had been had, and Ninshuku would get what was coming to them. Perhaps he needed to go out on a midnight walk again? No. He had better principles then this now. But, god forbid if Hotarubi ever found the grunt again in broad daylight because he would be pulled off the street and into a dark dark hole. Either way, he was arrogantly confident in his fight that what had been taught at the academy, as he felt he was ready to be a Genin by this point had given him enough learning, and enough time to take in that learning that he was fighting to a well enough degree. This was good. So very good. [End thread]