Sun was instructed to take shift at village's gates from 8am. She was also told that someone would accompany her. Yet it was 8am and she was alone at the gates. It didn't bother her much for there wasn't many who wished to enter the village at this time of day. In fact, Sun was rather excited who her partner was. "I wish he is blonde and has blue eyes," she said aloud before snapping out of her dream. Even if it didn't turn out to be prince charming, she hoped it would at least be someone interesting to talk with. This duty didn't offer much action, thus the gate watchers had to idly sit and entertain themselves in whatever way they wished. If Sun were a fan of books, she probably would've taken one with her for this duty. But she went quite unprepared. She did have her bag with first aid kit with her (like she always do), but otherwise she was in casual clothing - white skirt and sky blue blouse. The only thing that struck her for shinobi was the headband that was tied around her head. Today was hot like always, thus she had no need to dress more warmly. Though her workplace consisted of a small booth that protected her from direct sun, and this shade could get too cool once in a while. In that case Sun just got up and took a quick stroll in the sun, not wandering too far away from the gates in case someone decided to come in or leave. For those who wished to use the gates, Sun had prepared some forms to fill out (and a pencil) that were placed on a table in front of this booth.
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Sabishi would sigh as he had risen up at the ass crack of dawn. His mother was still sleeping which was a good thing for once. She had been up all the way until about ten in the evening with a coughing fit until her medicine finally kicked in. It was taking longer and longer for it to work nowadays. Still if she could sleep he could sleep. He stood in the kitchen in dark blue jeans and black boots with the pants tucked over the top of them. His top was a silver button up shirt tucked into the pants with a black tie he was adjusting. He would hear the pop tart snap up out of the toaster just as a ray of sunlight would burst into the room as the sun hit over the mountains. It was going to be a long day. He would shift to the side of the room an pull his blue long coat off the hook on the wall with the yellow trim around it. It looked like a military uniform but he liked the coat. It was old, one of his ancestors had worn it a long time ago. Still he would slip it on and button it up. Checking the Kunai in the pocket. The rest of his weapons stuck into a target in his bedroom wall. Too far to go collect. The kunai was still clipped into a sheath his mother had stitched into the right hip pocket so that was good. With a sigh he would turn and collect his pop tart before heading to work.

He would make his way across the village. He was already late after all but why hurry? What was fifteen minutes more? After all his job had a partner and all it was today was simple registration work at the gate. There were other guards there if anything went wrong and who needed to use the gate at eight in the morning? He would sigh all the same and pick up the pace to a brisk walking pace just to be safe. It would take him some time to get there but still he would figure his partner might be angry whomever they were. So on the way he picked up some free coffee from some charity serving the homeless and added some milk to it. Two cups he made while eating the last of his pop tart and putting lids on them. With that done he would quickly make his way to the gate. Not noticing his head band was still stuffed under his bed where he had accidentally kicked it the night before. So he would arrive at the gate and glance around. No one was at the desk but there was a girl looking around on the other side of the gate and two guards on top the wall. He figured the girl may want to register and checked his watch. Eight-twenty. He was a little late but he doubted anyone would throw up a fuss. He was here after all. So he would move behind the desk and plop into a chair before setting one of the coffee down and sipping his own. If the girl wanted to register she could come to him.

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As Sun was admiring the warmth offered by the Sun, someone was closing in from the Suna. In distance it resembled some tourist, but no tourists would leave Suna so early. She paid little attention to this person since she couldn't notice anything that would resemble ninja in him. Therefore - not her partner on the gate duty.

Or was he? The boy went closer to booth. "To fill out a form perhaps," Sun thought, but that was no true at all. This kid (although he was bigger than Sun) didn't stop at the desk but instead went on the other side and took a seat. Surprised Sun just stood a distance away and observed the boy. What was he thinking? This wasn't a rest zone for someone who's tired. Those seats were reserved only for Suna-nin. How rude to just go and occupy a seat! Was he just going to sit there and enjoy that... whatever it was in the cup?

"Hey!" she shouted to gain some attention, but didn't come any closer to the booth. There's no way her headband could go unnoticed now. Looking at his clothing it was hard to tell, but he was probably just some rascal. Although those kind of kids usually wore torn jeans and dirtier t-shirts. This one was somewhat different. He had a coat. In this kind of weather. Perhaps there was a reason the boy was dressed like that and had to take rest there. Sun decided on a more peaceful approach:"Are you lost or something?" she now began to walk closer to the desk but kept looking directly at the boy sitting at the desk.

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Sabishi would sip his own coffee as he would kick his feet up. One ankle crossed over the other with just enough pressure to push the chair onto its hind legs. He was going to be comfortable if the village was going to force tasks his way. He understood the concept though. If they were going to invest time and resources training you in the basics of being a shinobi they wanted a return on their investment. Still it was a bother for him when they caught on every month that he had managed to evade being put on any missions. Still gate duty was a simple one. He just had to invest time and his voice really. The guards did the work for anyone trying to burst passed or sneak in. He was a glorified receptionist. Which suited him since he wasn't much of a combatant. The abilities of a shinobi simply gave him an edge in defending himself as well as a boost in the job market. Someone that could correctly operate the puppet constructs for the construction jobs had a high value and the pay was great. This was just a trial he had to get through. A once monthly demand for obtaining what he had.

A small shout broke him from his thought process as he glanced back around. His grey eyes falling back on the young lady now facing him. He seemed to glance over her lazily but something about his gaze denoted intelligence. He was marking every detail visible about her while he could. He was highly observant at least even if he was acting slow. What drew his attention the most was the headband. Another Suna shinobi huh? Interesting that they would be....ahh well that would be the ideal scenario. Not many young shinobi would have much reason to just be hanging around the gate at the ass crack of dawn. This was obviously his partner. His gaze would shift to his right shoulder and note the lacking headband he was supposed to have tied there. Some protocol or something. A standard which most shinobi were held to. Still he would roll with this and have some fun while they waited for foot traffic to pick up. He could play the punk kid sitting somewhere he shouldn't be. At least that would provide for some entertainment. Assuming she didn't just throw a fireball at him like others might. God damned jutsu happy chakra cannons.

"Lost? I guess if you are asking metaphorically then we are all lost in a way. However if you mean literally. We are currently sitting or standing at the Northern gate to the village of Suna are we not?" He would smile with a bit of mischief behind it but other than that he wouldn't let on that he was teasing. His voice sounded serious and almost monotone. Still he would sip his coffee as he watched her and waited for a response. He really hoped his smart mouth wouldn't land him in the burn ward. Not again.

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Steam raised up from the cup that was being held by the boy. Was he cold or something? It's unheard of someone being cold in Suna (when in good health, of course). Yeah, it was chilly in the shade. That's why Sun wasn't just sitting there but moving around in the Sun instead.

She looked to her left. No one was approaching them. No one was thinking of getting into Suna yet. She jumped over the table and landed on the second free chair. It was an elegant maneuver. She placed one hand on the table and swiftly shifted her mass over it. Nothing else touched the table except for the loose medical bag. It almost destroyed the fine formation of forms placed on the surface. "Hmm.." Sun looked in the boy's eyes with a mean expression on her face. She was slowly forcing her neck closer and maintaining to look in his eyes. "What's in the cup?" She quickly broke the eye contact and leaned back in the chair. She was genuinely interested - why is someone cold in Suna? This response also could mean that Sun missed what this boy previously answered. But she didn't. The answer just was so confusing that she didn't want to discuss it any further.
"Tea? Coffe? Chocolate?" she started to guess maliciously. "Give me a sip, will you?" But it wasn't even her goal. She wanted to know more about the boy himself. "Why are you dressed like that anyway?" maybe it was impolite - but she was straight forward.

She wasn't going to chase the boy away although he was occupying a seat he wasn't supposed to be in. He might as well stay and entertain Sun (who knows, maybe she will come up with a medical breakthrough when the boy reveals that his body is a power source and he needs extra heat to keep it running) untill her partner for gate duty comes. Hopefully no caravan or someone important shows up untill then. She was kind of anxious about greeting people of high status.

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OOC:

Sabishi would watch the girl approach him further. He only had a second to snatch up the second cup and hold them both before she was launching herself over the table to the side he was on. She was certainly lively. Her energy along was exhausting to witness. He didn't really care for the forms or if they got knocked off the desk by her or not. After all in his mind if she did it, made the mess that is, she could clean it up. That seemed to be his perception of Suna. Everyone had their own mess and it was theirs to handle. It was pointless to expect anything from anyone else for free. After all everything had its price. Even graduating from the academy wasn't enough to let him handle his own business. They wanted a return on their investment and saying no, well he imagined that would be a poor choice.

Suddenly he would note that she was closer now and had a gruff expression on her face. Almost stern or an attempt to be. For a moment he figured his antics would get him a lecture. God he hated those too. Someone droning on and on about some rule he cared little for. Social standards and proper use of jutsu and when. Hell he would use jutsu when he damn well felt like it. Still her eyes would draw closer to his own empty grey gaze and he would lean back a little more as she breached his comfort zone. No sense of personal boundaries this one. However she just asked what was in his cup and suddenly sat back. He had wondered if she was frigid but this was the opposite. If he had to put a word to it he would utilize the one known as 'impulsive.' It seemed to fit the situation anyway.

Still he asked several questions in a row and he would feel his shoulders slump. This must of been part of his task. Did they purposefully pair him up with someone with the opposing amount of energy as him? Like a jack rabbit on speed and demanding too. He would sit forward in his chair and set the other cup he wasn't drinking from between them before leaning back again. His own expression blank as he settled with his head leaning back. Speaking to her while not directly looking at her. After all he was still tired and she was....she was not.

"It's coffee. Even the desert gets cold at night. Freezing temperatures and under. There isn't a lot to protect us from heat escaping. No mountains or clouds. Just open, cold sky. That coffee is for you, god help me. As for how I am dressed I rather like this attire. So I wear it. Sturdy enough to keep the cold out and thin enough to keep the heat from exhausting me. On another note, have you done gate duty before? This is my first time and I was expecting more traffic. Didn't bring a book and all."

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"Oh, thanks!" Sun was excited and grabbed the cup offered to her. The cup itself was hot. She couldn't hold it in her hand and soon placed it onto the table. She didn't dare to drink it yet. It was probably poured just recently. "How thoughtful of you!" she couldn't guess yet that this boy was the one who had to work together with her, but she wanted to appreciate stranger's effort.
Regarding the boy's appearance - the answer was rather simple. He just liked it. Sun would discuss the benefits of wearing clothes that revealed more skin (like her skirt and blouse), but she didn't comment on it. Perhaps his heart rate was just slower than usual, that's why he was cold. Nothing serious like Sun had imagined previously (she even got a little embarassed about thinking that she could achieve something wonderous). But his own explanation for general cold was marvelous. Sun liked how smart he was. She didn't know a thing about geopgrahy (let alone climate). Even if he didn't have blue eyes, he had a brilliant mind.

"So that's why he is here" Sun finally caught onto it when the boy started talking about gate duty. Really thoughtful of him to regale his partner with coffee. "No, I haven't done this before," she honestly replied and peeked over to her left and right to see if anyone was coming. The only reason people came here was to leave or enter Suna. No other attractions here. Except for this booth where some of the genins were forced to work.
She had prepared some forms on the table - just like she was instructed to. She knew which ones to give to whom. "But I know what to do," only in theory of course, but she didn't mention that. Without hesitation, she proceeded to explain everything she knew.  "When someone comes through, we give them this paper and wait for them to fill it out," yes, it was just that simple! "If it's a trader with cart, we have to check their goods. You could do it," she now gave this boy another responsibility. "You know.. they can't bring in anything illegal."

Then she suddenly jumped up from the chair. Still facing the boy she extended her hand and with an open palm moved it to the boy. "My name is Sun!" because of his extravagant appearance, she completely forgot to introduce herself. She offered to shake hands. This way he couldn't escape telling her his name.

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Sabishi would listen to her explanation of their duties. His head would lean back as he rested it over the back of his chair and closed his eyes. It sounded time consuming and tedious. He doubted anyone had any reason to sneak illegal things into Suna. Drugs and slaves were a big trade in the desert surrounding villages but neither of those were simple to hide or useful to bring into the main village. Too much risk without any reward. Weapons were legal of course, didn't even need a permit to own one. He didn't really know what they expected a genin to find...explosives? There were rumors of war brewing in the east but it was on the opposite side of the continent from Suna. The idea that any of it would of made it this far was preposterous. Nor did he suspect a single refugee from it to come to Suna of all places. It wasn't a place known for comfort. If anything it was a harsh world. One eye opened though as he realized what type of person would be looking to gain unknown access to Suna. Missing nin and criminals. That was what his job was really. Identifying and raising the alarm before a criminal could slice him up. Discouraging was the word that came to mind.

His other eye would shift open as he decided it couldn't be helped as he sat forward and leaned his elbows on his knee's. His grey eyes looking at her through his grey bangs. Even his skin was surprisingly pale for a Suna nin. It was as if he lacked color in a nation burned into being. He was young in appearance and yet he felt like he was older. Matured beyond his age. Perhaps he had to be that way but it was hard to tell. Which made him the opposite of her. Full of color and energy. She didn't seem to be tired of the world in the slightest. It was as if nothing terrible had ever happened to her. He wondered how that was possible in a world where terrible things were a daily occurrence. She would be an interesting study subject given the time and energy. Coffee was perhaps something he would regret. Decaf would of been a better option. Still he wasn't one to take away something given. He hated paperwork anyway so poking sacks of grain with a stick was going to suit him just fine.

He would shrug and nod when given the responsibility. He didn't mind following directions when given all that much. Besides the mission was only a couple hours together. So far there wasn't any sign of anyone so he would simply wait and do as needed. He was being paid after all to simply waste time for the current moment. He would start a little though as she suddenly launched out of her seat and he would lean back. His hand sliding quickly to a strange pattern. As if preparing to hold strings of some sort. No sign for ninjutsu or grip for a weapon. He was a puppeteer and could do some damage with strings if he needed to. However he hadn't activated any chakra. He had resisted the urge long enough to see she was simply being energetic again. He would sigh as he realized she was going to keep him on his toes with those sudden movements. Still he would take her outstretched hand in his own and shake it as he mumbled out "Kikyojin Sabishi. Well met." His clan was well known enough. They were considered a puppeteer clan but barely. Everyone considered them to be incapable. Weakest amongst the puppeteers was their rumor.

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(Would you PM me this mission?)

Kikyojin! Wasn't it those pricky people who secluded themselves more than they should? This particular individual was hiding himself, no doubt. He said that he likes it. 'But that's probably not true,' was Sun's reasoning. It was terrible reasoning, of course. She liked the clothes she was wearing and so probably did the boy. But if he was a Kikyojin, he must have a puppet with himself. Where was it? During all this time the girl hadn't noticed anything that stood out. Yeah, puppeteers didn't show off their toys all the time, but it couldn't be so easy for genin to hide it.

Sun wanted to see it! What could it even look like? A wooden skeleton with some weapons? A monster from nightmares? Maybe something like iron maiden? Suna's puppet masters were getting more creative every year. The Kazekage should host a competition amongst puppet masters - who would make the most unique/intimidating puppet.
At first she was eager to find Sabishi's puppet with her own powers. Was the puppet lying below the chair? She leaned down and checked under the chair Sabishi was sitting on. Nope. Was it well hidden behind him? She walked over and looked. Nope. Was it invisible floating around? She started grasping the air in all directions in 2 meter radius. Nope. "Wh.. Where.." she was catching breath, "is your... puppet?" If she couldn't find it, Sabishi had to show it himself!

This fooling around has lasted long enough. It was to cease when a cart moved in from the gates. Someone seeked entrance in Suna! Losing all the silly ideas in her head immediately, Sun grabbed the necessary papers and pencil and rushed over to the merchant. She looked back once and beckoned Sabishi to come with her. His task was to check out the cart's contents after all. "Hello, sir! Welcome to Sunagakure! I hope you enjoy your stay," she was holding the papers and pencil still in her hand. Only at this moment she presented them to the trader:"But first you must feel out the formalities!" She was looking directly at the merchant and hoping that Sabishi would do his job just fine. This was to be done in a team, after all!
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Spoiler:

Sabishi would watch the odd girl as she seemed to search around him for something without a word. Had she misplaced her pen perhaps? Truthfully he just thought she was an odd one. He might simply be cynical but a shinobi with her personality was heading down a dark path. No one could be that energetic and cheerful if they had seen the damaged underside of the world hidden just beneath the surface. He came up for air when he could just to survive but he knew it was there and he knew for shinobi, it could only grow darker. He figured not many shinobi actually lived to an old age. Either dying in battle or captured or simply attempting to go beyond their means with what chakra they had. He wondered how far she would stretch herself before she had a mental breakdown....or perhaps he was looking at this from the wrong perspective. Perhaps she had seen terrible things and she was already mid mental breakdown right before his eyes. Screaming inwardly for something positive to happen to forget the negative. He wasn't great with people but his head did build on that work of fiction. His grey eyes lazily searching hers for a hint of madness.

When she began to grasp out at the empty air around her as if expecting to grab something he stopped trying to search her eyes. He felt that confirmed it enough. She was indeed lost a little to some form of her own inner madness. As she mumbled about looking for his puppet it struck him that she thought it may be invisible. His mouth opened as if he was ready to speak but for the moment it just kind of hung there as he was at a loss for words. He didn't know exactly how to handle the notions she was coming up with. Finally he closed his mouth and rubbed his temples as he spoke up in return to her inquiry even as a cart began to approach. His voice practiced and patient for the moment as he monitored himself. He was not here to be rude to his coworker. Even if they were opposite sides of a coin. He of course would be heads because she had lost hers and was on a tail spin. "My family is not particularly wealthy so I only rent puppets for mostly construction jobs. While my clan is puppeteer based we aren't very good at it. Lesser than even the most common of puppeteers. Even if I had a puppet it would be incredibly basic. Probably not even humanoid."

He would let her run up to the merchant and welcome him or her before rising from his seat with a sigh. Moving over to the cart and checking underneath and then inside the back of the cart itself. It appeared to be just a shipment of building equipment for perhaps a porch or a pool. He would shift through it for only a couple minutes while the paperwork was filed before moving back to his spot to the side. Giving them an approving nod before returning to his coffee. Even as he arrived back at the desk two new individuals in headbands were approaching from within the village. They were after all just temporary replacements. It seemed this mission was soon to be over. So for the time being he would bow his head to the two chunnin walking up as Sun would finish up the paper work of the one person that had come through in the last hour. His hand brushing through his silver hair as he considered already what to do with the rest of his day.

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Receiving approval of Sabishi and completed documents from the merchant, Sun could say "All seems to be fine. Good luck with sales!" and watch the merchant drive off. There wasn't much time to stare at the merchant for Sun wanted to hear a gossip of what was in the back of cart. "Sabishiii!" she joyfully called for the boy to notice her, "tell me, what did he have there?" it sounded less like inquiry and more like check-up if Sabishi really had checked the goods the merchant had brought.

However, it was a bad time to ask something like that. Two higher ranking shinobi had approached the little booth. "Are you here to leave?" Sun asked, still standing on the road, in the hot sun. But it seemed like they weren't going to leave Suna. Instead they were here to replace the two. A sad face took over Sun's bright and cheerful expressions. What did they mean replace? Were they doing something wrong? Of course not! Sun had carefully studied the responsibilities they had. "But we just started!" she whined even though she hadn't looked at the time. It was end of their shift. Kazekage made sure that shinobi are often replaced due to the hot weather. Otherwise they could get sunstrokes or simply do their job shabby.

It was time to say goodbye to Sabishi and be on her way home. She went up to the boy who was still sipping the coffee. It seemed like the liquid in the cup hasn't even cooled down since his arrival. It still kept bothering Sun - how could someone intake something so hot on a hot, sunny day? "Thanks for your hard work, Sabishi!" Sun bowed a little and then offered a handshake to the boy. "I hope to meet you sometime again! Perhaps on cooler terms!" she laughed and looked back at the two chuunin who were now impatiently waiting on the two genin to leave the only seats. "I think you ought to better hurry up too," she advised Sabishi, because it was a bad idea to upset chuunins of Suna.
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[exit]
WC: 2106
C rank mission: 1000/1000
C rank jutsu: Third Eye 1000/1000 (Using the WC as payment and not the mission)
Leftovers: 106

Spoiler: