First Day Back Home
I think I got a... little carried away with describing my day today. So I've broken it down into smaller parts and you can read what you like.
Still feeling nostlgic this morning, I decided to do something I've been meaning to do since after the war. I went to the stone memorial to pay my respects. But first, I stopped by the Yamanaka Flower Shop for an offering.
I was surprised to find Shikamaru behind the counter instead of Ino or her father. ...I was a little more surprised when he greeted with a smile, but after realizing it was me, he seemed to relax into his usual self. Turns out he was there out of a "punishment" of some kind...? I didn't bother to ask for details further than that, and he didn't offer any. That's fine. I told him I was there to buy an offering and he made a few suggestions (sounded like he was rehearsing them from memory), but left it up to me to decide, not really sure what I wanted. I wasn't sure either, but I appreciated the choice.
Shikamaru reminds me of Asuma in some ways. Both are pretty laid back and they don't push or pull too hard. Quiet and observant, but they don't go out of their way to make profit for themselves at the expense of others. They're the kind of people who you don't have to talk to to feel comfortable around. I'm pretty quiet myself, so I like that.
I finally chose a boquet of flowers that looked like the kind used for Sandaime's funeral. I'm not much of one for true meanings in objects or things. To me, the greatest importance comes from the intention behind gestures, rather than the gesture itself. But I figured if anyone would give me a hard time about it, using flowers I've seen at funerals would automatically hold a proper message.
As I waited at the counter for Shikamaru to put them together and ring me up, I noticed a cat lying there on the surface top. I'm actually more of a dog person. Had one myself when I was little. This seems to surprise people most of the time. Apparently I look more like the cat-type? I have nothing against cats, I just prefer dogs. Oh well.
While waiting, I also asked Shikamaru a little about his team and sensei. Ino will be leaving on a mission for Sand with Tenten apparently, and Shikamaru and Chouji may be going a trip, but he said nothing was finialized yet. He couldn't tell me much about Asuma. It looks like he's just been busy with missions lately.
I paid for my purchase and wished him luck with his "situation" (since I didn't get the details, but that's his business anyway).
The memorial site was empty. I didn't expect it to be crowded, but I know sometimes this place is used for training. Not this morning it seemed.
I still don't know that many names on the marker, but the recent additions are growing... more familiar. I remember when I was younger, I would sometimes come here out of a lack of anything better to do and sometimes just stare at the names, wondering what it would have been like to know them. ...Well now I do know some of them. In a way it's the honor I expected it to be, but... it's one of those honors you could do without.
I didn't stay there very long. Actually I was feeling a little frustrated afterwards, so I did somepersonal training until nearly 1 o'clock. I figured I should get something to eat then.
I grabbed some take-out and planned on going over to see Kakashi. Well, more precisely, to see how his plant, Ukki-kun was doing. I had left the Honored Grandson Konohamaru in charge of watering it while I was gone. I decided I could give it a quick watering and even eat my lunch there, or just take it back home afterwards.
I knocked politely, but didn't think anyone would answer since Jiraiya-sama wasn't back with Tsunade-sama. But just as I was about to let myself in, the door swung open. For a moment I'd thought Kakashi had managed to be pulled out of it, but instead I found myself face-to-face with one of the medics who are helping keep Kakashi healthy to be there. It was a young man, and he seemed nervous and looked embarrassed to be caught there he was blushing for some reason after I came in anyway. I felt a bit out-of-place, and suddenly kind of presumptuous for visiting. No to mention my excuse to water his plant suddenly sounded lame. Not that it's any of his business what my business is, but I just hate rumors. I was about to leave and come back later, but all at once he insisted I stay and not mind him.
...Okay. So I stayed. And... Ukki-kun is looking a little less-for-wear... I'm pretty sure its leaves are not supposed to be so yellow around it's edges...
Well, I gave it some more fertilizer, and the medic asked about it as I did. When he found out it's name was Ukki-kun, he suddenly laughed and said, "Oh, so that's what he was talking about!"
"....who?" I asked.
"Oh Kakashi-san." He snickered like a school kid would when poking fun at a classmate. "He actually talks a little in his sleep. He's been mentioning the name Ukki-kun recently. The team and I have been taking bets on who it was. Wait 'til they hear it's a plant..." I kind of tuned him out right then, this pitted feeling of dread dropping in my stomach. If this was that important to him.....
I went to leave soon after that. The medic, who then introduced himself as Yagazi, tried to get to me stay for a bit, but I told him I was done. He offered to buy me lunch, and I held up my take-out. He then offered dinner, and I figured I knew what this guy was after now. I declined him politely and left before he had a chance to press further. I'm just not interested in a relationship right now. I've got my job to think about as a teacher, and beinga ninja is a full-time career, especially in times like now.
...I'll want something like that one day, but now's just.... bad timing.
I stayed home for most everything after that. Just relaxed, read some good books, and planned a few good training exercises. Something feels... missing though. I keep thinking about the past, and where my future is going. Maybe it's a goal I'm lacking, and I mean besides the one to bring out the absolute best in my team. Beforehand, I'd always had goals like becoming a genin, or chuunin, or jounin... Now I've accomplished the ranks, but I haven't completely thought about what I wanted to achieve after that.
Perhaps I should think about what my next ambition will be. My next dream.
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OOC: Sorry, I meant to post this yesterday afternoon/evening but was left without the opportunity. I'll make another post later today if I can to make up for the lost time. Thanks!
Still feeling nostlgic this morning, I decided to do something I've been meaning to do since after the war. I went to the stone memorial to pay my respects. But first, I stopped by the Yamanaka Flower Shop for an offering.
I was surprised to find Shikamaru behind the counter instead of Ino or her father. ...I was a little more surprised when he greeted with a smile, but after realizing it was me, he seemed to relax into his usual self. Turns out he was there out of a "punishment" of some kind...? I didn't bother to ask for details further than that, and he didn't offer any. That's fine. I told him I was there to buy an offering and he made a few suggestions (sounded like he was rehearsing them from memory), but left it up to me to decide, not really sure what I wanted. I wasn't sure either, but I appreciated the choice.
Shikamaru reminds me of Asuma in some ways. Both are pretty laid back and they don't push or pull too hard. Quiet and observant, but they don't go out of their way to make profit for themselves at the expense of others. They're the kind of people who you don't have to talk to to feel comfortable around. I'm pretty quiet myself, so I like that.
I finally chose a boquet of flowers that looked like the kind used for Sandaime's funeral. I'm not much of one for true meanings in objects or things. To me, the greatest importance comes from the intention behind gestures, rather than the gesture itself. But I figured if anyone would give me a hard time about it, using flowers I've seen at funerals would automatically hold a proper message.
As I waited at the counter for Shikamaru to put them together and ring me up, I noticed a cat lying there on the surface top. I'm actually more of a dog person. Had one myself when I was little. This seems to surprise people most of the time. Apparently I look more like the cat-type? I have nothing against cats, I just prefer dogs. Oh well.
While waiting, I also asked Shikamaru a little about his team and sensei. Ino will be leaving on a mission for Sand with Tenten apparently, and Shikamaru and Chouji may be going a trip, but he said nothing was finialized yet. He couldn't tell me much about Asuma. It looks like he's just been busy with missions lately.
I paid for my purchase and wished him luck with his "situation" (since I didn't get the details, but that's his business anyway).
The memorial site was empty. I didn't expect it to be crowded, but I know sometimes this place is used for training. Not this morning it seemed.
I still don't know that many names on the marker, but the recent additions are growing... more familiar. I remember when I was younger, I would sometimes come here out of a lack of anything better to do and sometimes just stare at the names, wondering what it would have been like to know them. ...Well now I do know some of them. In a way it's the honor I expected it to be, but... it's one of those honors you could do without.
I didn't stay there very long. Actually I was feeling a little frustrated afterwards, so I did somepersonal training until nearly 1 o'clock. I figured I should get something to eat then.
I grabbed some take-out and planned on going over to see Kakashi. Well, more precisely, to see how his plant, Ukki-kun was doing. I had left the Honored Grandson Konohamaru in charge of watering it while I was gone. I decided I could give it a quick watering and even eat my lunch there, or just take it back home afterwards.
I knocked politely, but didn't think anyone would answer since Jiraiya-sama wasn't back with Tsunade-sama. But just as I was about to let myself in, the door swung open. For a moment I'd thought Kakashi had managed to be pulled out of it, but instead I found myself face-to-face with one of the medics who are helping keep Kakashi healthy to be there. It was a young man, and he seemed nervous and looked embarrassed to be caught there he was blushing for some reason after I came in anyway. I felt a bit out-of-place, and suddenly kind of presumptuous for visiting. No to mention my excuse to water his plant suddenly sounded lame. Not that it's any of his business what my business is, but I just hate rumors. I was about to leave and come back later, but all at once he insisted I stay and not mind him.
...Okay. So I stayed. And... Ukki-kun is looking a little less-for-wear... I'm pretty sure its leaves are not supposed to be so yellow around it's edges...
Well, I gave it some more fertilizer, and the medic asked about it as I did. When he found out it's name was Ukki-kun, he suddenly laughed and said, "Oh, so that's what he was talking about!"
"....who?" I asked.
"Oh Kakashi-san." He snickered like a school kid would when poking fun at a classmate. "He actually talks a little in his sleep. He's been mentioning the name Ukki-kun recently. The team and I have been taking bets on who it was. Wait 'til they hear it's a plant..." I kind of tuned him out right then, this pitted feeling of dread dropping in my stomach. If this was that important to him.....
I went to leave soon after that. The medic, who then introduced himself as Yagazi, tried to get to me stay for a bit, but I told him I was done. He offered to buy me lunch, and I held up my take-out. He then offered dinner, and I figured I knew what this guy was after now. I declined him politely and left before he had a chance to press further. I'm just not interested in a relationship right now. I've got my job to think about as a teacher, and beinga ninja is a full-time career, especially in times like now.
...I'll want something like that one day, but now's just.... bad timing.
I stayed home for most everything after that. Just relaxed, read some good books, and planned a few good training exercises. Something feels... missing though. I keep thinking about the past, and where my future is going. Maybe it's a goal I'm lacking, and I mean besides the one to bring out the absolute best in my team. Beforehand, I'd always had goals like becoming a genin, or chuunin, or jounin... Now I've accomplished the ranks, but I haven't completely thought about what I wanted to achieve after that.
Perhaps I should think about what my next ambition will be. My next dream.
-----
OOC: Sorry, I meant to post this yesterday afternoon/evening but was left without the opportunity. I'll make another post later today if I can to make up for the lost time. Thanks!