Jamie had been getting a bit used to the village life, though he was not sure if he would find the need to wander off again since he soon learned wandering around was no good if you had no idea which way you were going, or where you were actually going to.

Step by step, in his new sandals as he slid on the bits of sand and dirt. The grass scraping the calves of his legs as he dashed through the small forest to the south. He did not want to venture far as he made his dash through the fields the wind blowing on his back as he made a jump over a large root and then ducked under a few branches before getting into a small open field of grass as he was about to head towards the river which he was sure was somewhere out there in that direction. He was not sure how far, but he knew a good half an hour of running should be enough to get there.

The river was actually several meters to the right of where he was heading, but he would still get to it eventually either way. He got distracted though, as he was looking at the green grass and instead found that the green grass was swaying in the air and it was then that he saw a rather strange girl. He had never seen green hair before and this was the first time he had ever seen it as he did not know if he should keep running or reach out to the green girl. He did not even notice as he approached cautiously towards her taking soft and silent breathes.

He was a bit nervous and his instincts were telling him to run away from something new, but his curiosity was stronger then his fear of the unknown girl who appeared to be more of a young lady. She actually seemed similar to those tiny girls he read about in stories, she looked like a garden fairy from fairy tales.

Before he knew it he was like five or four meters away, not that he could even tell since he was too nervous to judge at this moment as he waited to see the face of this girl.

(383)

Having woken early, it had already been a long day for Airi. She had strolled through the woods once more to find medicinal herbs of all sorts. Unlike usual, where she picked them to foresee in natural medicine for the villagers of Konohagakure, Airi had been gathering these as preparation to a rather big step in her life - travelling to these 'Summon Lands' to see what Daremo meant with the whole dying to become a Sage-thing. There was certainly more to the trip than that, but those words had been lingering in her mind ever since. How did one become a Sage when they had to die?

The water was quite cold, its sprinkling blue fitting for the time of the season. The day hadn't been exactly cold, but there had certainly been warmer days. Airi was seated near a river, one of her feet teased by the passing water as her toes occasionally dipped into it. A simple black dress adorned her figure, but since most of her was hidden by the verdant sea of tall grass, it might be somewhat hard for people to realise a person was sitting there quietly as long, green hair further gave the impression of her just being a strange, shadowed mound. Small, and buried equally in the tall grass, her satchel with herbs rested next to her, accompanied by several filled bottles of clear water - bottles she had filled just a minute ago. One of them was stuffed with various leaves, which could be recognised by knowledgeable people as being mint and lemon leaves.

As the young woman quietly enjoyed a moment of rest with the beauty nature had to offer, her ears caught the sound of rustling grass somewhere in the vicinity. Not exactly expecting an attack or an assault in this remote area, Airi turned her head with casual curiosity and saw a young boy approach. His brown hair, brown eyes, or maybe red, it was hard to say from this distance, his general childish countenance and the way he was dressed, made Airi guess him to be ten, maybe twelve years old at most. Since she couldn't see anyone else, she wondered if he really was out on his own, maybe even lost. Then again, the mixture of worry and curiosity that played on his face seemed more like he was out on an adventure of sorts. Airi smiled at the thought people were still out exploring Gaia's bouty.

"Hey there.", she spoke, smiling gently. "I'm Airi. Can I help you?"

The Senju hoped the kid wasn't in any sort of pain worse than thirst or hunger, even though she could easily remedy that. Perhaps he was looking for her, and just being shy, which could be a possibility since quite a few people sought her out with requests for herbal remedies, but she honestly hoped there was none of all that. She just wanted to enjoy nature's beauty serenely before she had to leave.


wc 503

The moment of truth as his heart began to race, she simply greeted him as he looked at her gentle smile that reminded him of the old lady, as well as the shinobi who once taught him a bit. She introduced herself as Aira and asked if she could help him with anything. This was too casual for him to make sense of it at all, and a part of him felt fear at her sudden response.

A gentle smile, a beautiful face and hair that looked like the wavy green grass. He was nervous, his heart racing and he was sweating slightly though it was only cause the sun had managed to shine upon his forehead for a moment before the wind blew his hair back in the middle of his face. He answered her slowly as if to keep track of what he was saying as he thought back to what he was taught when being greeted.

When someone introduces themselves, you normally do the same as he took a deep breathe and finally spoke.
"Hi, I am Jamie", as he blushed slightly while looking to the side, he had this habit of fidgeting with his feet sometimes when he was nervous. He also was a bit restless so fidgeting was all he could do to keep himself from running away as he rubbed his left foot on the back of his right calf. "Your hair is cool" as he looked down after getting that off his chest as he put his arms around his tummy to keep his shirt from blowing up.

He had red hair, though from a distance it would seem brown and even his eyes which were brown had a slight reddish coloring to them. Now even his face was starting to match with the light pinkish red blush on his face. Though he was calming himself down a bit, or maybe it was just the wind making him feel a bit less restless in this grassy area. He then noticed that he managed to actually reach the river as well having not noticed it because of the distraction known as her rather unique hair, even though his red hair stood out quite a bit too.

Jamie was not that good at conversations, but he still wanted to speak more and also wanted to ask her why her hair was green to begin with. He was also a bit curious as to why she was by the river, as it looked like she was enjoying the water as he watched the river flow as a few fish were swimming as fast as they could. He was not the biggest fan of the fish, but he did like the idea of racing to be the fastest of them all as some went with the river flow and others battled against it.

(476)
[859]

The boy had something adorable. He was clearly nervous, if not shy, and as he looked for words to somehow get over it all, he introduced himself and complimented her hair briefly after. Airi smiled, chuckling softly. "Thank you, Jamie. I like yours too. It makes me think of autumn leaves with that reddish brown of yours.". It wasn't too hard for Airi to associate things with what she discovered and learned form nature. It's where she lived, ate and breathed, so to speak.

The boy still seemed somewhat reluctant about their meeting, unsure as what to make out of it. It made her think about the times she took care of Academy Students when they were out to the swimming pool. There had been plenty of kids who just needed a little encouragement to get out of their shell.

"Why don't you come sit with me?", she offered. "The grass is soft and the water's nice."

Since it was the warmer time of the year, the river was not that cold. Perhaps not warm enough for a swim just yet, as the water was always on the run, but it was at least warmer than usual. The river had a clear, sibilant tone as the water rippled  about, dragging silt and tiny stones in its race towards the end. Sometimes, a leave would tumble down and land in the water, coursing towards a new life somewhere else. The whole picture, found Airi, was lovely to see and often made her envious that she couldn't paint or draw that well.

"Are you from Konoha?", she asked Jamie, whether or not he had taken seat next to her. He seemed a little familiar. It was possible she had spotted him at the Student Academy before when she helped out there, but she couldn't say for sure. He certainly looked the age to be at the Academy, perhaps freshly graduated.

wc 324 + 503
= 827

Jamie was a bit shocked to hear her thank him as she told him he had nice hair too and that it reminded her of autumn leaves. He thought back to the old lady who also told him the same thing once even though he did not take much note of it back then. His memories of his time with the old lady seemed to appear more often now that she was gone, he really wondered what was her journey like as he too had started his journey into a new world without her.

Airi told Jamie something that seemed more familiar to him, though he was a bit hesitant and had not realized just how much his reddened face matched his hair and eyes. She requested that he sit by her as he moved closer slowly, step by step approaching her as she told him the grass was soft and that the water was nice. He was a bit curious and looking at the river flow began to calm him as he came closer his first instinct to run away, now overtaken by his feeling of wanting to fit in.

He sat next to her, though a bit forward so he could also reach out to the river as he moved his foot slowly towards the flowing river as his toe made contact. It might not be ice cold, but the coldness of the river was not something he was ready for as he pulled his foot away immediately after making contact as he hugged his knees against his chest looking down. A bit disappointed that the water was so cold, but also expecting it as he turned his gaze slowly towards Airi hoping he did not do anything wrong.

It was then that she asked a question that everyone seemed to ask, a question that made him feel left out as he began feeling the need to accept that he was an outsider in this world he knew little about. He looked down as she asked as he instinctively grabbed the shirt in front of his chest area as his heart was wavering over what he knew.

"I do not come from anywhere" as he looked down to the side away from her a fear building up deep inside, he was struggling with his emotions. He had accepted his fate, but deep down there was something missing that he could not understand. A part of him that was not there anymore and a feeling he felt would leave him with time. Jamie liked this girl, just like he liked the green grass and the beautiful trees. The fish swimming in the river flowing like a never ending sea of ecstasy as the green hair of this beautiful lady who seemed calm like a soft gentle breeze. Jamie's toes clenching into the grass as he hugged his knees tighter to his chest. Even when he was with Cloud and Kyoko he never understood how to interact with others, how was he suppose to fit in when he had nowhere he really belonged. A wanderer at heart, he had followed the old lady everywhere. Without her guidance he was like a leaf in the wind, going wherever the wind takes him.

(542)
[1401]

Airi remained calm and quiet as she waited for Jamie's actions to unfold. He seemed to be of the quiet type, introvert, perhaps shy, as he came closer to take a look at the river she had mentioned. He leaned a little forward, as if to see if it was true the water was really nice as she had stated, and even attempted to dip his toe into the river much like she did, only to pull it back right away. Airi smiled softly, as it hit her that not everyone was used to run barefoot like she did, and thus didn't have the layer of callous on her feet that protected her against most underfoot hazards. A bit dumb of her to forget about that little detail, but she just couldn't help herself.

When she asked about his origins, the boy crawled into an invisible shelter even more than he already did. Hands around his knees, he looked down, a glint of a forlorn expression on his face before stating he came from nowhere. Airi wondered what he meant by that exactly. Did he have no home, or did he simply not know where he came from? He seemed well-dressed enough, though casual, not to be considered an urchin, at least.

"I'm sorry to hear that.", she replied softly. Not wanting the boy to feel down, however, she smiled warmly as she tried to change the perception of solitude into a broader perspective. "If you live with mother Nature's embrace, you must have plenty of stories to share about the beauty of the world. Perhaps you would like to share a tale or two with me?"

The roads he had walked, the trees he had seen, the animals he had spotted. The world had a lot to offer to those who weren't bound to live in society. At least, that's how Airi perceived it, despite that other people generally considered that a naive point of view. Adventure every single day. One of the reasons why she had picked up her grandfather's herbalism.

Shifting her weight to the right a little, Airi picked up the bottle filled with water and herbs. It looked like the leaves had been given quite some time to release their flavours and pigment as the clear water had turned into a slightly misty colour by the lemon leaves. Popping the bottle open, she sniffed its content to assure her the scent of lemon and mint was really there, and upon confirming its presence, offered Jamie the bottle.

"Self-made lemon and mint tea. Would you like some?", she asked, showing him the bottle and its content. Though subtle, the refreshing scent of the cold tea lingered around the bottle as the leaves inside easily revealed its ingredients. Airi hoped he'd take a sip, as she found sharing to be a heart-warming thought most of the time. She'd have offered to grow him a flower in his hair as well, but perhaps the young boy would find that a tad too girly to his tastes.


wc 521 + 827
= 1348

Jamie looked up to her slightly as she apologized for something which was not her fault. He did not understand why she did this when she did nothing wrong to begin with. Not one to understand the way the world worked as he had a look that was still solemn, yet little less then it was a moment ago. He had a personality that seemed to brood heavily over things as her soft reply was gentle to his ears and in another sense gentle on his heart.

Her warm smile that seemed to light up the air around them with her bright mood, she change the feelings he felt in a moment. She spoke about living with mother Nature's embrace as he misunderstood her words to some extent. She spoke of there being many stories to tell about the beauty of the world as he tried to think more deeply about how beautiful the world is. While he knew about fairy tales, he did not understand what a tale actually was as he began looking behind him to see if he had any tails.

As Jamie was confusing himself even further as he tried to understand her words the distraction at least made him feel a lot better now. She began to move around a bit as Jamie began looking at her as he seemed to hug his knees again gently as he now just had a clueless look on his face rather then a sad one.

She took hold of a strange bottle with misty water as she popped open the bottle he looked a bit excitedly at it, he had mainly just drank water and occasionally juice as well. This did not seem like either of those and the strange pop meant it was not that strange medicine water he would get when he was sick. She offered him the bottle as he got a taste of the scent on his lips as he then took in a breathe as he smelt the lemon and some strange herb.

She told him it was a lemon and mint tea, but he felt a bit confused since he thought tea was suppose to be hot. She did offer it to him and he felt it might be rude to say no. The old lady always used to tell him not to accept things from strangers, but they knew each other's names. Were they still strangers, were they friends or were they strange friends as Jamie began confusing himself before snapping out of his confusion.

"Lemon and..." as he tasted a bit of it he gave a look that told you he was not completely okay with the taste, but he took a slightly bigger sip anyways before stopping for a bit. He did not like it, but he did not want to not drink it since wasting was bad. "what was that other thing in the..." as he paused for a moment with another question. "Why is the tea cold?" as that became the even bigger question on his mind as he did not get any of it, he did enjoy the lemon though as he felt it was nice. Though he wanted to know what the mint was since he forgot the name due to being a bit distracted as he did not even notice he had moved a bit closer to her.

(566)
[1967]

"Lemon and mint", Airi reminded Jamie as he took a sip of the cold tea and didn't quite seemed to find it to his liking. "Not too much, just enough for a taste. Both ingredients are known to refresh the mind and spirits."

It was a simple recipe, but her grandfather and her would probably drink themselves to death if it was possible. The slightly sour taste of the lemon was enough to tease their taste buds into waking and enticed them to stay sharp and awake, while the mint refreshed their breath and mind. The combination of the two, so they had found, was just perfect for them. Sadly, not everyone shared that opinion.

"The tea's cold so as to add to the refreshing properties of the herbs, but the herbs require to soak longer than in warm water. It's a simple recipe, really, but I like it a lot."

The tea would have been of a better taste if it was allowed to soak a little more, but Airi found it rude not to offer something to visitors if she had something available. Not that the tea was that bad, the leaves were given quite some time already, but... there was room for improvement still.

Jamie seemed a little lost though. In thoughts, perhaps, or in life. There was the semblance of a brooding expression on his face, found Airi, and he didn't seem very talkative either. Quite young as well. Perhaps he was just having a bad day. Boys around his age did often get into fights with each other or easily expressed their sorrow when scolded by their parents. Though... they didn't often run around alone in such cases. Looking up at the sky, Airi sighed softly. It wasn't really her duty to watch over an unknown kid, but she couldn't help but feel a little worried nonetheless.

"Do you like the cold tea, or are there other sorts of tastes you prefer?", she asked Jamie in the end. Talking about tea was always a good idea. She had once picked up a conversation about tea in a shop where she delivered herbs exactly for that purpose, and she found elder people to appreciate a good cup of tea just as much. Perhaps Jamie might too.

wc 387 + 1348
= 1735

Jamie decided to remember whatever this mint thing was, to remember it as something he should ask not to have in the future. Airi told him the ingredients were meant to refresh the mind, so this must have been medicine water. At least this is how Jamie interpreted her words as he looked to her still distracted by her long green hair. Airi then explained that the tea was cold to make it more refreshing and that it had herbs which were suppose to soak a bit longer and that it was a simple recipe she liked.

Jamie noticed as Airi looked up to the sky as he also looked up as well as he noticed a cloud in the sky and began thinking of how the cloud was floating lazily like his friend Cloud. She asked him if he liked the cold tea and whether he had some other sort of taste he would prefer as he tried to think about it he looked down as he answered. He had moved closer and was now sitting on his knees as his two hands pressed in front of him as he leaned forward.

"I like juice more" as he did not bother to tell her he hated the mint flavor, he seemed nervous as well since he was not really sure if it was polite not to like free food or drinks. As he looked down a small leaf floated down with the wind and landed on the top of his head as his eyes looked rather sleepy even though it was still day time. Jamie often liked juice and had many juices from lemon juice to orange juice and on a rare occasion apple cider.

Jamie was also getting more nervous since he had no idea what to talk about, while he had spent some time with Kyoko and Cloud. Kyoko generally spoke too much and Cloud always said confusing things which caused him to be a bit left out at times. He needed to learn to talk to people more, but he also needed to behave and his mind was not quite sure where the line of being polite and being rude was really drawn. Jamie did not know why, but he then looked up slowly into Airi's eyes. A look of loneliness as he was not sure what it was that he needed, or what he really wanted. At that moment he almost felt like he may cry, as his eyes resisted his heart knew something was missing.

(422)
[2389]

He really was quiet. Perhaps it had to do with him being young, but the loneliness in his eyes told Airi it had more to do with Jamie not quite feeling home. She wasn't sure how to deal with this. Having no home, seemingly alone, Airi could only wonder why he wasn't living at an orphanage or what exactly happened in the boy's life that made him feel this secluded.

"Are you alright?", she asked cautiously. She knew he didn't feel alright, but the question might perhaps trigger him to speak about his sorrows. Then perhaps, Airi could help him out as she knew quite a few people in Konoha. There were plenty of people that wouldn't mind watching over a young boy, perhaps even adopt him if he did well. Or people that could use an extra pair of hands at home or shop since they were getting older by the day. There was an orphanage too, but it was possible Jamie might already be a little too old to really settle in with the other kids there as she knew from first-hand experience those could be quite a handful. Even though solutions streamed in, Airi could offer none until Jamie told her what was on his mind, however.

Awaiting his reply, she left him the bottle of cold tea even though he stated he preferred juice. She'd offer him some but she didn't have any of that with her. She could, however, walk him to a local bar and get him some juice over there, even if it was only for him to forget his sadness for a moment. The thought didn't seem all that bad. Taking her foot out of the river, Airi grabbed her satchel and rose to her feet. She dusted off her dress briefly, slipped the satchel over her shoulder and picked up the remaining bottles from the floor.

"Shall we go for a walk? I know a good juice bar in Konohagakure.", she offered. If Jamie would accept and they'd walk to the juice bar, Airi would listen to his story, if Jamie so wanted to talk about it. The idea was to find a place where he'd be a little more comfortable, while all together having a possible new starting point to show him what Konohagakure had to offer - potential friends and a new home, perhaps. After all, it wouldn't have been the first time Airi played the guide for a stranger.

wc: 422 + 1735
= 2157

Jamie was brooding again, almost as if brooding was natural. The truth was that he did not really know the answer, as he got a bit more confused as Airi asked him if he was alright. How was he suppose to answer, could he say he was fine when he did not even know what being fine actually meant. He might be okay, but he was not sure if okay told her anything at all if he gave that answer. Jamie was really in a tight spot, like a lemon hidden amidst the oranges.

"I don't know" as he finally looked down, giving an honest answer. Anything other than not knowing would have been a lie, and he did not see any reason to not tell her the truth. If he knew if he was alright then he would not be brooding to begin with. Jamie did not understand this, or he understood it deep down and did not have the words to describe how he felt. Not to mention he was nervous speaking on his own, even with Cloud and Kyoko he had trouble speaking as he struggled to keep up with their conversations.

As if to change the mood with a change of scenery, he heard drops of water as he looked towards the river watching carefully as Airi pulled her foot out of the water. For a moment he thought of her legs as roots soaking in the moisture in order to grow into tall beautiful green grass, he nearly wanted to laugh again. His sad mood was still prevailing, otherwise he would have at least let out some emotion for joy at the strange thought he had inside his head. He watched her grab her satchel and was a bit nervous as he hugged the bottle of tea tight forgetting to close the top some of it spilled on his shirt as he shivered slightly, but it was only a little bit that spilled over so he was a bit fortunate.

She asked if they should go for a walk, and while he did not always like walking he preferred it to standing still as he slowly stood up having only realized how big she was now. She looked really big to him as he looked up to how huge she was. She mentioned a juice bar and he simply nodded in reply as she began walking.

After a while he began opening his mouth as he looked to Airi, but he got nervous and looked away. He did this a few times before finally saying something while looking down. "Why is everything so weird, now that she's gone?" as he looked up to her not realizing he just told her something that required more context, at best all you could tell was that someone had left him alone. He did not understand it and maybe Airi understood what he meant. He would remain silent and hug the bottle to his chest nervously as he would await her response like a lost lamb hoping for guidance.

(512)
[2901]

Lost in thoughts, the semblance of a sorrowful mask over his face, Jamie's answer didn't quite come as a surprise. When she had lost her grandfather, Airi had been mourning for over a year, refusing most contact as she played the memories of the two of them together over and over again in her mind. Even if Airi couldn't say if it was exactly that which plagued the boy, his hollow mood seemed to be very alike. Walking day through day, just hoping it would pass. Life urged them on despite the sorrow, and time wouldn't wait.

As they moved on towards Konohagakure and the promised juice bar, Airi remained quiet to give Jamie the time to speak up. She had been asking him questions this entire time, and felt as if she was coming over strong towards the quiet boy that seemingly had little desire to strike a conversation. Her feet shuffling through the grass at first, her bare feet didn't even feel the tickling of the grass or the occasional sting of a root or thorn that tried to make itself known. The long grass brushed against what little of her legs were bared, their signs of affection ignored. A woeful sigh of wind passed by, unlocking a faint smile from Airi as it played with her hair, and as they left the grass to hit actual road, the wind too seemed to quiet down to let both of them go.

As the Village appeared in the distance, Jamie suddenly spoke up with a most strange question. Why is everything weird, now that she's gone? Airi wasn't quite sure about who he was talking, but the sorrow in his eyes wasn't the sort that would be associated with a broken heart. The boy was probably just a little too young still to even think about things like that. Maybe. No, Airi related it to the same loss she had felt with her grandfather.

"I don't know, Jamie.", even today she couldn't answer that question. Why had everything been so different when her grandfather had left the world of the living to return to Nature? "I think it's because every life is unique, no matter their strengths and flaws. They can't possibly be replaced."

Nothing ever lived without it affecting someone else. She guessed that, whoever Jamie had lost, it had to be no different for him. A family member, a friend, even a favourite animal pet... all life was connected to each other in a way, influencing life of another for good or for bad. It was a force human kind could never master.

---

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Total: 2605

Airi seemed to be lending Jamie her ears as she walked with him on their journey to the juice bar. She seemed to think of something as she told him she did not know, as Jamie looked down in a sadness of not knowing rather then being sad because of what happened. When Airi told Jamie that each life is unique and that nothing could be replaced he was even more confused as he tried to figure out what to him seemed like a riddle.

He looked up to Airi then asked her something. "She went on a journey..." as he paused for a bit to look down at his small little feet again before moving a bit closer to Airi as he took hold of her hand instinctively. If she pulled her hand away from him he would step away, but if she let him he would stay close to her as he would follow her to the juice shop.

He would be quiet for a short while before speaking up again. "She left me a letter, she told me to look after myself and find my own way in the world. Does Airi know what that means..." as this was the most he had ever spoken since getting here as he looked up to Airi expecting something from her, maybe she did not like expectations from her. Jamie wanted to know what she meant and thought Airi might know.

(241)
[3142]

As they walked the road, Jami suddenly inched over to hold her hand. She was a bit surprised at first, since he had been quiet and seemingly distant, but she didn't remove her hand, instead grabbing his firmly. She was rather used to call people her 'brother' or 'sister', but perhaps for the first time she really felt more like a big sister than anything else. He continued his story stating she went on a journey. The way he had said it, the sad expression, Airi nodded her head in understanding, and as he proceeded to ask the question what it meant to look after himself and find his way in the world, her eyebrows raised. This was a difficult question, no matter the situation.

"She wants you to make sure you don't get sick, find good food and enough water. A home to live in, to remain safe", she explained. It was more a sort of thesaurus explanation than really a lesson in life, but the boy was young and Airi wasn't sure how else to explain it. "You'll have to grow strong. Find the friend you want to fight for, find a place you'd like to live in."

But it was so much more. To Airi it would fall along the lines of having 'your own shinobi way', finding your reasons to live and fight, but that didn't say much to a lost child who probably was just looking for a new home. Perhaps she would have to give him a little hand to point in the right direction.

"What are your dreams in life?", she asked. Perhaps, if he could give her an answer to that, she might explain him a little more how to go about that. Work hard, meet people, things like that.

As the road came to an end, the juice bar came into sight. Soon, they'd be able to sit cosy with a healthy drink in front of them. The owner of the place was known to use only the freshest of ingredients, even if that made things a little more expensive. Hopefully Jamie would find something to his liking here.

---

365
Total: 2970

Jamie looked up as Airi gave a nod to him and then raised her eyebrows as he was following her while holding onto her hand rather firmly as he was growing a bit attached to her, not knowing why he was doing this or that he was attaching himself to her to begin with. If anyone saw them now, they could only think of it as a young mother and child, or a big sister and her little brother.

Airi said that she wanted him not to get sick and to find really good food and always have plenty of water. She continued with her advice as she also said he needed a home to live in and a place to stay safe. All these things were obvious, but to Jamie they seemed so natural he never really thought about it much. She then told him something he did not understand at all. Airi said he has to grow strong, but he was not sure if he had to grow at all. She told him to find a friend to fight for, as he looked down for a bit thinking about it deeply and a place to live in as he then kept looking down at the ground deep in thought.

Jamie liked this lady Airi, but he also liked Arashi and the two halves of Arashi as well. Jamie had met a few nice people in Konoha, but he was not sure if they were really his friends or not. He did not fully understand what friends were to begin with as he kept on walking alongside Airi, some of the people were whispering and some were gossiping while others were just generally talking. Jamie moved even closer to Airi and he was now nudging into her side slightly as the crowds made him a bit uncomfortable. She would notice him always pull away slightly when there were less people around, as she asked him an important question.

A question he had forgotten, and a thought that he had once lost. He remembered the old lady say to him, "Jamie, you been having any nice dreams lately, about this life of yours and anything you want from it?" as he had answered at that time that he did not know, he was trying to change as he looked up to Airi while also brooding about what she said.

He replied to Airi and said. "I want to know" as he then looked down to the side as he continued, "what is being strong? do i have to have dreams? am I allowed to just live, is any of it okay?" as he looked up to her his eyes looked like they had a shimmer of wetness to them. Almost as if his eyes were ready to open their flood gates. "Did she leave, because I did not know?" as his heart was paining as he held his one hand to his chest and moved closer to Airi as he hid his face looking down again.

They stopped then as he looked up slowly to find the Juice Bar was right there, but right now the juice was not the only thing on his mind. However he would need some juice and something to eat as well. His tummy growled softly as he looked down and said, "sorry" as he apologized for his tummy growling as they had just gotten to the place. The walk had made him hungry, the thoughts in his head were starting to swirl around like a storm was brewing inside his head.

597
[3721]

What is being strong?

Airi had never really thought about a question like this. In nature, every plant and animal had its own strength. There wasn't really much point in asking a question of what strength meant. Human nature instinctively went for the toughest, roughest animal, but really... How many predators does a tree outlast during its life time? Is it true then to state the animal is the strongest in a world ruled of survival? She couldn't say, and truth to be told, Airi couldn't care about such a seemingly trivial thing in life either.

"You are allowed to just live.", she confirmed. That line of thought was probably the closest thing to the road of nature. "But one day, someone will wish to fight you, someone might want to hurt you, or steal from you. Some will want to see your simple life destroyed. To be strong, is to fight for your the life you wish to have."

Survival of the fittest. She so wanted to simply tell Jamie all would be fine, but then she'd feel a traitor to herself and to the very environment she so loved. Perhaps it was for the better she had stated like this. Now he would know, and with it the budding inspiration to fight for what he believes in might grow.

"No, Jamie. She left because it was time to do so. There is a time when everyone of us will return to earth's embrace. Knowledge or strength has nothing to do with it, it's just how nature works.", she sighed, pushing back the memory of her lost grandfather. Nature was beautiful, but in her own way just as cruel. Before entering the juice bar, she asked Jamie, "You know now what strength is, but do you know what life you wish to live for yet?"

Having arrived at the juice bar, she pushed upon the door and flashed the owner a warm smile as he raised his hand in greeting. As if on cue, she heard a soft growling, only to see Jamie apologise. She giggled softly, off-handedly stating a 'no worries, bro' and proceeded to sit on one of the comfortable bar stools, aiding Jamie to get on one if this would be needed.

"What can I get you two?"
"I'd like a big Konoha Whirl Smoothie, and I think my new friend here will need something to eat and drink.", she said as she placed her order. Then turning to Jamie, she continued, "It's on me, so please take anything you like. Juice, and food, if you so wish."

---

441
Total: 3411

Airi said he was allowed to live, but one day someone would want to fight Jamie. He did not understand why anyone would want to fight him, as he starts to wonder if he did anything wrong. She even said hurt him and steal from him, but could they not be friendly and just ask for things from him instead of stealing. She even told him that some people would want to see his life destroyed which made even less sense since he was not sure what life he even really had right now. She said being strong was to fight for the life you wish to have, but Jamie was not sure what he wanted to have. Truth be told if he understood himself better, he would have known that he missed the old lady and wanted to still be with her a lot longer. Which was another reason the old lady left, she knew deep down inside if he remained dependent on an old lady who can die at anytime, when she did eventually die he would be broken apart. She chose the path of running away, but Jamie did not know this.

She told Jamie that it was her time to leave, which is why she left. If only Airi knew just how true her words were, even Jamie did not know how true they were. Jamie noticed she talked a lot about nature as he wondered if she liked plants and animals too. Then as they entered the juice bar she stated that he should know what strength was now, but she asked him if he knew what he wished to live for. If he said no, he would feel bad, but if he said yes, he would feel like a traitor. Just as he opened his mouth to say something the door opened as he got a bit startled having lost track of how far a long they had come while walking. Jamie was really embarrassed at his growling tummy, which made noises like a small lion. Jamie noticed the bar stool was a bit high and then felt himself flying as he got a bit of assistance from Airi. She was a really nice lady as he admired her more and more, he was a bit of a spoiled little boy.

Someone asked what they should get and Airi mentioned a Konoha Whirl Smoothie which sounded like some magical medicine, as Airi said Jamie was her new friend. A part of the strings in his heart had been broken, even Arashi tugged at them, but her timing after everything that was said combined with his emotional confusion brought about by hunger made this moment rather intense. She said he could take anything he likes and that it was all on her as he looked down, before struggling with his emotions as he looked like he was about to cry.

"I.." as he hesitated for a moment before looking at the menu and just pointing at what he wanted. He chose the Orange Juice and a Shinobi Hero Roll which was a long thick roll with a bunch of salads and other stuff all mixed in it as he looked up to Airi. "Am I really your friend?" as his eyes looked about to burst as right now his heart was opening up to her

(560)
[4281]

As the owner of the bar went to prepare their requests, Jamie asked suddenly if he was really her friend, eyes teary as if it was the first time ever someone had offered friendship in his life. For a moment, she just looked at the boy, wondering what sort of life he had gone through to become so emotional about friendship. Offering another smile, she ruffled his hair, and nodded.

"Yep. You're my friend too now, so don't give up on yourself just yet."
"You're lucky. Hanahime has a lot of friends in Konoha", the owner chimed in. "And since you're a new one, you can have your orange juice on the house, kid. Got to stay healthy to maintain friendship."

Airi nodded in confirmation to this. A healthy life was a good life. Even if hardship crossed paths, as long as one stayed alive there was still hope to rebuild anything that was broken. And when one wasn't alone, rebuilding things was even easier.

As the owner returned, he put the requests in front of his customers. An orange juice and Shinobi Hero Roll for Jamie, and a Konoha Whirl Smoothie for Airi. Offering a thank you paying instantaneously, Airi took a sip of the green and yellow fruit drink, which got its colours mostly from the kiwi and banana used in it. Taking a good sip, the tart and sweet tastes of the fruits rolled over her tongue, thickened and refreshed by the yogurt mixed in it. For a moment, she enjoyed the smoothie in quietude. Soon enough, she'd have to part from Jamie to bring her herbs home. She wondered if the boy would be fine, on his own, saddened as he seemed to be.

---

294
Total: 3705

His eyes lit up as he had heard them again, those precious words that said he was someone's friend. He did not understand it all that much, but he knew that friends were really important. So he felt that he was really important to her and he felt the same way. Though whether accepting her friendship this easily was a good idea is something that was beyond his abilities to judge or even care about. She told him not to give up on himself and then the owner said he was lucky to be one of her many friends as he felt a bit less special knowing he was simply one of many instead of one in a million. Jamie did not understand this feeling as he was putting himself down in his own head without knowing it. He told him to stay healthy to maintain friendship as he wondered if this meant friendship breaks when you get too sick, the confusion of that last part made him have a slightly confused look on his face.

When Jamie thought about it, he was sure Airi said something similar earlier as he began to wonder how important being healthy really was. Just as he was about to brood about something again the order arrived. Jamie first took a sip of his orange juice as he watched Airi slowly drinking her strangely colored drink as his mind began labeling her as the strange drinker, since her drinks all seemed strange. The owner seemed to be grinning as Jamie kept staring at Airi for a bit, before turning to grab his hero roll with both hands as he bit into the mixture of lettuce, fruits, veggies and it was not clear what meat it was, but it had a bit of everything as the mixture of many flavors made Jamie feel a sensory overload of tastes, as he got a small smile on his face as he began taking bite after bite messing on his mouth a bit. Though he still peeked at Airi every now and then as a part of him wanted to say something, but he did not know the words for what he wanted to say as he just kept eating a few small bits of lettuce and crumbs flying to the floor around him as his cheeks were all turning a bit crumby from the crumbs of the roll portion of the hero roll. Jamie really liked Airi a lot, though he also liked Arashi and would feel hurt if he had to try and compare them.

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Running at the end of her smoothie, it seemed Jamie had about finished his food as well. Crumbs and lettuce was spread a little everywhere, dirtying his immediate surroundings and his mouth. Pointing around her own mouth, she said to him, "You have a few crumbs here. And here.", but left it otherwise at that. She knew little other to say herself, enjoying the quietude of company for a while as she waited for Jamie to finish his food and drink. She'd have to go home as her parents would be waiting, and she had yet a lot to do with the herbs she had gathered.

When Jamie would have finished his meal, she'd stand up and grab her satchel with herbs again. Since she had already paid, all that was left to do was to thank and say her goodbye to the shop owner, taking Jamie along with her outside.

"I'm sorry, but I have to leave now. I still have a lot of preparations to do with my herbs, and my parents are waiting for my return to share a few household choirs with me.", she said, somewhat pursing her lips in sad anticipation of the familiar duties that'd befall her soon. It wasn't that she didn't like helping out, but... choirs... were like going to school. They were boring, evil necessities. "I'm sure we'll see each other soon again. So in meantime, take good care of yourself, alright?"

Airi gave Jamie a hug and flashed a last smile before she walked down the road towards home. That boy... She wondered what would become of him as he grew up. What adventures would he have to tell in time? What road would he walk? He was still so young, full of potential to grow, and as she walked towards home, she wished him all the best.

[Exit]

---

OOC: Sorry for the late reply!
I thought we could end here, since Jamie's at the hospital now? Is that thread still open?

316
Total: 4021

Training:

Jamie got startled a bit as Airi spoke, he looked to her and noticed her pointing to her lips as he stared curiously at her. She then said he had a few crumbs here and there as he blushed a bit before reaching around as the owner may have found it a bit cute, but knew he had to help a customer as he moved a paper towel nearby as Jamie got hold of it and started wiping off his face.

Jamie felt happy, but then that time came again as a part of him felt like he had seen this before even though he had not. She stood up to grab her satchel and as Jamie was preparing to also get going as he followed behind Airi. The shop owner just smiled as Jamie wondered why everyone smiled so much even though he should not be the one to worry about that.

She apologized and said she had to leave, a part of him felt hurt as he knew this meant good bye. She spoke of preparing her herbs and her waiting parents as he thought to himself. No one was waiting for Jamie to come home, and the inn keeper kicked him out for not having the funds to pay for another day.
She said they would see each other again and that he should take care of himself as he nodded, the herbs she carried had influenced him though as he was now curious about them as well.

Just as Jamie felt like he was going to have his heart break she hugged him, his mind crashed as he was lost at that moment as the wind passed him by that smile she showed him as she walked away. Jamie's heart was racing, the warmth he felt as he realized something was wrong the only greeting he managed to get out was a slight wave for goodbye and nothing else.

It was not her, but it was him. He made his way through the streets and fell asleep in a nearby alley way, he was a bit too tired to look for a place to stay and did not want to wonder around all day and night long. The shock he felt and the feelings he had were overflowing as he just went to bed as some of the other alley way people just ignored him as he had found a small box to sleep inside of. The alley way people were poor, but they were not bandits or scum. He slept there hidden inside the box, thinking about Airi and then thinking about herbs and soon the herb gathering adventures of Jamie would begin as a mission went up on the mission board to be taken the following day.

Gathering Herbs a mission for young genin.

(471)
[4782]

Exit Thread

3000 [Fire Element Training B -> A]
+1175 [Perception Training D -> D3 (325 + 400 + 450)]
4175
+300[Strength E3 - D]
4475
+300[Speed E3 - D]
4775
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