soul_campaign | [ VIDEO ] ✿✿ [ March 5 ◦ Afternoon ]

Entry tags:

[ VIDEO ] ✿✿ [ March 5 ◦ Afternoon ]

[ When the screen comes to life it doesn't show a face or anything of the sort. Instead, there's a pair of feet with the remnants of green nail polish along the toes, surrounded by papers everywhere. Papers with various scratches on them litter the floor of a common apartment, notes taken in a hurry of the area and of the people she's seen in passing. Not that the owner of these feet have interacted with them, no, these are definitely the notes of being watched in silence. Maybe one of them is a bit too recognizable for one's liking, but there's not much time to read before the scene abruptly changes. The blur is quick and then suddenly there's a girl with an irritated expression on her face. Holding her hair back is a significant band and while it's a risk to be seen with it, there's a brave disposition in showing it so freely. Well, to her at least. For those who are unaware, it's just another accessory for a girl's hair. ]

So there's no button to just turn it on, no, it just decides when it wants to start recording. [ Clearly a novice, but a quick thinking one as it didn't take her long to realize it's working. ] That's how it is, huh? Telling me I'm the type that will probably need a second communicator because I'll shatter my first one. [ Twitch. Twitch. ] Turns out this thing is pretty resilient. I'm grateful, really. I don't need seven more years of bad luck.

[ The angle of the view changes as she seemingly balances the communication device on her knees, staring down at it with a curious look. After spending a few days here, the darkened proof of exhaustion has just about left her face, but etched in her expression is concern, almost as though she's worried about something unspoken. Her thoughts are never brought up thought as she waves her right hand as a nervous gesture, trying to lighten up the mood with a half-hearted smile. ]

Sorry, sorry. It's common procedure for those who are new to introduce themselves, right? [ Although she suspects that she's not alone here, hence why she chose to wear the protector. ] My name is Sakura Haruno. Now that that's out of the way, I have to ask a question.

[ With as serious of an expression one can muster when asking a ridiculous question: ] Is there a reason for the toys of Kakashi-sensei?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ijustknockedonthedoor. I thought it was yours.

[PUT THOSE FISTS AWAY. Come on, he hasn't even done anything yet.]

I guess they won't know it was me now? Heh. [Ahem.]

Er, okay? [He waits. Of course... and presses his lips into a pout before reaching up his own communicator, just-- turning it off and setting it down on the table beside him.]

Uhm. Okay, well... This place is huge, and there's this big war going on--

[ Sakura's in a permanent state of willing to deck Naruto though. She can't help it if her fingers curl up instinctively... ]

I didn't mean about this place, Naruto-kun! [ Dramatic sigh. It's her fault really for not being specific. ] What do you know about back home? I'm told some people remember things differently, so I just want to confirm we're on the same page.

[ And if not?
She needs to know what to keep a secret from him. ]

[He'd sort of gotten used to being able to detect that-- so that familiar tightening of fingers against her palm makes him recoil slightly.

Once he actually understood the question though, at least there was a little confidence to shine through in what he said.]

Right right-- [A quick look at her forehead was a quick reminder of what he already knew. Ah. Right, everyone wanted him to be away 'training' that must have been what she meant earlier...]

Well, there's the war right? Against that masked man. It's okay though, don't worry Sakura-chan, 'cause I got it all under control. Me an' Kurama.

You do? [ His confidence struck her in a manner unlike her briefly, as she looks him over. ] That's a rel---wait, what?

[ Who was this Kurama? Tilting her head to the side curiously, she looks him over as though wondering just how far behind she is. He spoke about the war and then mentioned someone by name, a someone Sakura's not sure she knows. ]

Um, who's Kurama? [ Apprehensively asking. ]

Yeah yeah! 'Course I do.

[The grin is still there, even as she asks that question and he realises how much he might have to explain--]

Oh. Right, that's Kyuubi's real name, y'know? I learnt a whole bunch of 'em, all of them, the bijuu I mean. I wish I could show you. I had to go to the waterfall of truth, an' fight this 'dark' me. Well, anyway after that I fought Kyuubi, but then he almost got the better of me, yanno? So, well when Mum an' Dad died they left a bit of 'em inside me?

[It's then that he very gently touches his stomach-- affectionately almost, there's a smile to match...]

I met Mum. She helped me fight him, and told me a bunch of stuff... you know, about how her an' Dad met. So, I can use Kurama's chakra now? Well-- I mean that was before but them me an' Bee went to the battle field. Iruka-sensei let me. I know, I know - but it's gonna be okay, trust me! Even Kurama's helpin' me out now.

[ All of that is a bit too much to take in at once and the kunoichi who normally can keep her cool in pressing situations felt herself even waiver at this thought. Maybe it's due to past experiences with that part of Naruto, but she's reluctant to really accept that a demon would help.

Swallowing hard, she does what she can to keep that part of her opinion to herself. Naruto's rarely like this and it would be in poor taste to kick him while he's exposed. ]

You met your mother? [ Her voice is soft, encouraging him to continue. ] Was it scary after all this time?

[Even he'd been on edge initially -- but things had changed now, and he had enough optimism to carry him through. Besides, if she'd been there if she'd seen the things he'd seen, heard the discussions they'd had she would probably accept it as readily as Naruto was doing.

It's nice-- that's she's asking him about how he is though, and for once he actually recognises that she's interested. Even though she'd told him she loved him, and that felt like such a long time ago, he never really accepted it. They were friends, all four of them, even if Sai and Sasuke would never meet, there was a bond between them that he would never allow to be broken.]

Ah-- It was... [Well he cried, but he's not going to tell you that.] It was really nice. She's-- got this real long red hair, yanno? She's real soft too, and pretty. I wasn't scared. Not really.

[ She's happy to hear that. Even if she doesn't know why her nose is runny, it's great to see that look on his face. The way he holds onto his stomach only makes the corner of her eyes well up, leaving her to quickly run a hand along them. ]

Naruto-kun... that's great. [ Long red hair though? She looks him over as she tries to picture how he would look with red hair. It's enough to make her let out a giggle even if she tries to contain it by covering her mouth. ] You'd look really strange with red hair!

[Luckily for you, Sakura-- and terribly unluckily for him he totally misses that very simple and telling gesture, too busy lost in his thoughts. Not until he hears her voice does he snap out of it, still wearing a proud grin.]

Ah-- Yeah. Guess it is, I mean--

[... Okay, so he'd thought about it too and... WHY ARE YOU GIGGLING LIKE THAT?]

Hey, it would have been really cool, dattebayo!

[ It's alright, she's used to being ignored, it comes with being a female in a Kisihmoto manga. ]

Because red and orange would clash badly. [ Laughing still. ] It'd be like a very spicy dish. You wouldn't be very subtle if you had hair like that.

[ Sniffle. ] So you're going to be okay?

[Well someone's got to do it. Hey! It could be worse. You could be what's her name? Yeah.]

Oi. It'd be amazin', yanno? [Just gonna grin, and lift his hand up to flick his hair, before doing a sort of piruet thing and drop down to sit on the bed there.]

Yeah. Reckon I've got it all under control.

[ Silly Naruto, there are no girls in this manga. Just really pretty boys. ]

You're not going to dye it or anything, are you? [ Because she already has a bias against redheads. ] If you want help with it, I guess I could offer my assistance.

[ As bitter as she would be, it's best that he gets help with it before he really ruins his hair. ]

I'm relieved to hear that. That means we can just focus on ending the war here instead, yeah? [ She's a tad bit eager to hear his response, but it's been a rough week. Enjoy the rare spike of attention in the meantime. ]

[... Sakura-chan... What're you saying?!]

What? My hair? [As if it needs pointing out he reaches up again, tugging some of it up to stand on end.] Mn, I kinda like it like this, just fine. Like my Dad, yanno?

[BEAMING, just for you.]

This war? Man, it's kinda harder than I thought but I reckon we can do that too. Just gotta find a partner and go out on all those missions...

[aaaand, if you thought he was on a downward slope with those thoughts, that grin he flashes might just change your mind.]

We can do it though. There's a whole bunch of real strong people here, even if we ain't got-- you know stuff from back home.

[ Would you like to find out? /eyebrow waggle ]

A partner? [ Tilting her head to the side. It shouldn't come as a surprise, but she needs the confirmation. ] Naruto-kun, don't you have a partner already? You've been here for a while, so I thought you would have already gone through all of that.

Even without that 'stuff' as you word it, we'll manage. I can think of a way. So just rely on me and I'll rely on you in return.

[... Is that honestly a question? YOU'RE NOT A MAN. You just-- have weird... manly strength.]

Er... Heh. [Oh boy. He's not good at this stuff is he?] Well - it takes a while t'get used t'this place, yanno? I guess - I mean I've been practisin' resonatin' with this girl Clare, but er---

[Oh hey! Topic change. Uhm, briefly.]

Yeah. That's kinda how it is, there's a bunch of us from back home, an' I reckon we're all lookin' out for each other right?

[ How do you know? Maybe this flower has a hefty stem =T ]

Yeah, I hope that's the situation, Naruto-kun. I've heard of a few others that were here. I'd like to be able to help where I can. Ah, but Clare...

[ Back to the other topic so quick! ]

Oh, so you do have a partner? [ Is that just a twinge of disappointment in her voice? ] I'll have to find a Meister right away. I don't know much about this resonating business, but I suspect it's better if you're with someone you can trust.

[ She'll just ask someone like Kakashi! ]

[D-Don't say things like that! =O]

Ah-- Well, I mean yeah we like resonated a couple of times but it ain't-- we ain't partners or anything.

[Uhm. That sounds completely normal. Was that disappointment? It's-- Sakura. The girl who lied. He's still struggling to deal with that but it's a different story here. Isn't it?]

I guess-- we could try too? Loads of people just train together and try and-- er, resonate and stuff, even if they ain't partners.

[ Somewhere out there someone has drawn it. ]

We could? [ Quickly adding on: ] They do? So there's no real loyalty or anything when it comes to trying to resonate with someone?

That seems so wrong. [ She mutters under her breath as she shifts uncomfortably. ] It's just like teamwork then, right?

[Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.]

Well, I guess not? It's all practice right?

[Oh-- Why do you look so... Hm. He's just going to sort of awkwardly reach out his hand, as if to touch her on the back there and-- okay wow, snapping it back the moment she starts talking about.]

Yeahyeahyeah. Just like team work. Guess we'd be pretty good together too huh? You know? Clare's like-- uhm.

Well, when you're tryin' to resonate it's kinda like...

[Demonstration- AWAY! If you can understand what he means whilst he's holding his arms out bent at the elbows with his fingertips touching together, raising one hand and wriggling his fingers.]

So, this is me up here I guess, but Clare's like...

[That other hand he lowers, almost so he's leaning over with it.]

You can feel it too. It's weird.

[ Naruto, she just landed up in a weird world with a new set of weird rules and has to deal with your weirdness. She's going to be overwhelmed for a bit. He ought to just be fortunate she's handling it with confusion more than her brute strength. ]

Do you think so? I wouldn't want to waste my time with someone else if I could find a good partner right away. [ And Neji did mention that Naruto was a Meister. Was that a nudge in this direction? ] Plus, it's important that you try to become as adept with as many Weapons as possible, right?

[ His demonstration doesn't make much sense to her, but she's trying to understand it. Maybe it'll be better when she can feel it for herself. ]

I haven't gone for Morning Training yet though so I'm not even sure what kind of Weapon I am. Probably something from back home though!

[Maybe on reflection he might come to appreciate this fact? Later. If he ever gives it real thought, which he may actually-- after all, it was Sakura-chan, and she was here and things were so different now.]

People leave just-- without warnin' so I guess... maybe it's important to be able to do it with a couple of people?

[Naruto is completely oblivious to any nudges, and perhaps any openings to offer himself up to be Sakura's meister.]

Oh! There was this guy who told me what my ability thing was. You might be able to ask him! You goin' tomorrow?

[ Indeed, things were really so different. He won't be the only person left to think on the events of the day. She can already picture herself curled up in front of the window with a book in her lap, ignoring it in favor of her thoughts. ]

Yeah, that's a good reason as any to resonate with as many people as you can. [ Sakura might have to rethink her loyalty strategy here. ] I don't think I'll go tomorrow. Not yet.

[ She needs an excuse, doesn't she? ] I'm still trying to catch on to everything and I think I have some plans to meet up with others. Lee-kun is going to train a bit with me, so that might be a good time to do it.

[Thinking that far ahead in to the future? There's a ramen stand and-- yeah.]

It's kinda sad. [He's not sure he wants to think about it too much right now.] You should come! They have foo--

[Blinkblink.]

Oh, what? Bushy brows? I mean-- Well, okay.

[Yeah, his shoulders just slumped but you didn't see that.]

Yeah, it's sad. People need to return home sometimes though, Naruto-kun. [ Like them for example, but she doesn't need to say that. ] I'll come soon enough.

Huh? Is there something wrong with me training with him? [ Curiously inquiring about it. ] He seems knowledgeable of this place so I thought it'd be good.

Yeah, I know that. [He nods, looks up awkward and tries a smile.] Hope so.

[That question-- totally had his cheeks flushing. Why do you have to make things so difficult, Sakura?!]

Ah, there's nothin' wrong with it. 'Course not.

[Only, you're one of his closest friends here, despite everything. He can't deny he still had a crush and-- that she's training with Lee.]

He knows a lot of stuff about it. Been here for ages I think. I bet it'll be fun.

[ VIDEO ] ✿✿ [ March 5 ◦ Afternoon ]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action] GENTLY BARRELS BACK INTO THIS POST

[Action] =DDDD

[Action] AW YES

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]