Chapter 1: Arrival and Exploring
I briefly checked how much chakra I was putting out and leveled myself, brushing my hair out of the way and walking forward with a painted smile. There were two guards at the entrance given, both watching me with slight disdain as I walked through, bowing to each of them.
The city was a busy one, shops open, children running around, teachers running after them, teenagers chatting away idly, a bustling city. I looked up at the sun, some where close to 12, maybe 11 or so. Wondering the city for a while, I decided that I should probably get myself some food, I didn't want to starve. I walked around for a while longer until I found a cheap quality restaurant; the Ichikara Ramen Noodles Bar. I sat down and ordered a bowl; only realizing how hungry I was after it was set in front of me. I scarfed it down, almost forgetting to say itadimasu before. I bowed my head and paid, then left to wander the city some more.
"Hmm…" I noted, seeing a small flyer for an up coming event. The Chunnin Exams, the Preliminary Finals….
"Ah, so the famed Chunnin Exams huh?" A slick voice beckoned behind me. I sighed, a local sneak apparently. I slowly looked over my shoulder to see what was expected, the lowest end of poverty.
"Care to place a bet on any of the contestants?" He asked me, pulling out another paper. Taking the paper I read over it, reading it out loud also.
"Uzumaki against Hyuuga, Shubaku no Gaara against Uchiha, Kankuro against Aburame, and Temari against Nara. Hmm, don't know any of them, except…wait…" I mumbled to myself, reading over the names carefully.
"Well, do we have a deal lady?" the impatient man groaned. I glared up at him.
"No, no we don't. Thank you and good bye." I growled, performing a simple hand sign and disappearing in a small puff of smoke.
After I was some way across town I hopped up onto a roof, reading over the paper again.
"I've heard these names before…this one, Uchiha, father said something about it…." The Uchiha boy, I remember him. My father had been talking about some slaughter in a neighboring village some time ago. An entire clan wiped out by one of their own. It had only caught my attention at the mention of death, after that I hadn't paid much mind. I sighed, folding up the paper and throwing it to the wind.
Standing up I brushed my hair to the side and pulled out several senbon from bag tied to my sash. I flung the deadly needles at the paper, piercing it and watching it fall.
It was now close to 6 pm, and I needed somewhere to stay. I knew I should go to the Hokage, but then there was the chance of being told on to my father.
Sighing I walked into a rather large building, and walked up to the front desk. There seemed to be a wealthy resident flipping through some book or other.
"Can I help you?" she asked in mono-tone. I put on my mask again and smiled.
"Yes, I was just wondering, how much is it for a room?" it would be a while before I decided to travel again. The lady behind the desk raised her eyebrows.
"Excuse me? Get your mommy or daddy or something, don't bother me with your useless pranks." She murmured, waving me away. I looked down at myself; I didn't really look like I had just come from the imperial building. I sighed again and dug through my many pockets until I found my wallet again. I pulled out some bills and set them down on the desk after seeing a price board behind the lady.
"There. I want a room for two weeks." I replied in the same cheery voice I was so good at playing. The lady looked down at the money I had placed and gawked at me; I simply smiled and played my part.
"Uh, um yes, your name miss?" she asked pulling out a piece of paper, obviously flustered at my sudden wealthy appearance.
"Hanako. Gina Hanako." I smiled. Yes my disguise, the silvery flower child, still something close to the double-edged thorn I was. She, who I found out was named Arisu, handed me my key and gave me my room number. I smiled humbly at her and gave a soft bow.
Searching, searching, ah ha! Finally after walking around constantly I found my room. Taking the heavy bag that was dragging around my hips and setting it on the ground, I collapsed on the bed, enjoying the soft comfort after many days of sleeping in the woods. I sat up and looked around my room, snuggling a pillow to my chest. There was a small hall leading to a bathroom, a large closet, a balcony view and a vanity table. Good, I would need all of them, except for the closet; I didn't need a large one.
Tossing the pillow aside I walked to the bathroom, stripping my clothes and stepping into the preheated warm water. I sighed happily as the soothing water ran over me; closing my eyes and letting it drench me, as if hoping it would take away my past.
I sighed happily as I stepped out of the water, grabbing the near by towel and drying myself off. I pulled out some new clothes from the closet, and looked at myself in the mirror. I was now wearing a long green robe-ish thing; embodied with what looked like gold sting. Long sleeves, loose low cut neck, and it dangling around my ankles gave it a comfortable feel.
I had grown much skinnier, and my skin was somewhat paler than I remembered. Oh well. I collapsed onto the bed once more, allowing sleep to take over.