True Lightning

Prelude


After 49 hours of struggled steps and restless nights, accompanied only by the gentle hum of the ocean and her own weak shadow, she had finally made her way out of The land of Water and into a small coastal town across the border. Safe from Hidden Mist anbu


The young kunoichi tapped her fingernails impatiently on the receptionist's bamboo desk, rolling her eyes as the the trainee struggled with various pieces of paperwork and keys.

"Have you been here before?" the receptionist asked shakily, a fake smile plastered onto her pretty, delicate face. Her emotions ran vivid in her eyes as her pale blue orbs swiftly passed over the dark patches of blood that stained the shinobi's clothing. Her flamboyant character was easily overpowered by the intimidating teen.

The kunoichi returned her gaze to the fearful assistant, eyes narrowing as she subtly cleared her throat. Fatigue and blood loss were beginning to take control of her body, leaving her weak and fragile.

"No," she replied shortly, gripping the desk to keep herself from falling from exhaustion, simply standing was becoming a losing battle. The lobby was bright with natural light and the overwhelming floral scent of the receptionist's perfume was headache inducing, only worsening the situation.

"Well, you should visit the gardens. They are so beautiful, my sister had her wedding there last month," the receptionist chatted in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood as she guided a calligraphy brush across a page, leaving neat, black characters. She then proceeded to busy herself with a small wooden box filled with silver keys, each with a small coloured tag attached, inscripted with a cursive number. Occasionally she plucked one from the box, examined it briefly before dropping it and shuffling through the keys once again.

Maiko swayed dangerously, resting her elbows against the wooden surface to balance herself, closing her eyes to steady her fading mind.

"Honestly, how long is this going to take," Maiko sighed in annoyance, only to be further frustrated as the girl shakily dropped the keys in fear.

"Ahh here it is." She bent over her chair and rose with a single silver key in between her dainty fingers. She passed the key into Maiko's rough, bloodied palms, carefully avoiding contact with the shinobi's skin. "Room 14 is just down this hallway, if you..."

Maiko began stumbling down the indicated hallway as the receptionist continued rattling off various instructions and rules from behind the desk. She was halfway down the window-lined hall before she heard a pause and a feminine sigh of relief from the main office.

Barely sparing her room a second glance, Maiko shuffled across the slippery, wooden floors towards the bed. Using her remaining strength she gently laid herself down onto the soft mattress; head resting on the cheap, plush hotel pillow. Still adorned in her dirtied, bloodstained jounin outfit, she allowed her eyes to close as she slowly drifted off into unconsciousness.