Chapter 3: Amiability

Hyoshi Hyoga entered a dark, grey apartment. There were but a few simple things in his modest abode: a small night stand adorned with a green lamp, a single-mattress bed with gray sheets, and a door to a grey bathroom. Hyoshi walked over to his bed, crouched down, and reached under it. He pulled a 3-foot long scroll out from under it. This scroll had obviously never been opened, and signified by Hyoshi's small pry on its clasp, it could not be opened. Hyoshi took a seat on his bed and placed the scroll in his lap. He untied his Konoha head band from his upper right arm and laid it on the bed next to him. He stared down at his scroll silently.

"Irori Maguma... he seems like a good guy," Hyoshi thought to himself. "He's nice, seems funny... a little arrogant though. Probably due to his heritage, or at least what could've been his heritage. Regardless of his class and personality though, he's definitely a powerful asset. And if Ayaka-sensei was able to make that massive thing without depleting her chakra, she's definitely something. Even that lowlife, Mayaku is pretty impressive. But I'm sure that one poison is all she's got." Hyoshi frowned after this thought. "I might even be in danger of being the team's weak link," Hyoshi thought remorsefully. He continued to look at his scroll. "Well, I guess they finally give me a reason to try to get stronger," Hyoshi said aloud as he looked out the window on the other side of his bed, out at the dark village streets.

Mayaku opened the door into her small, dingy house. The carpet was green, with a raggedy little coffee table on top of it. Behind this table was a dingy, tacky red sofa that could not be seen past the woman sprawled across it. This woman had shoulder-length blonde hair and wore a long emerald dress. Her face could not be seen, as she was face-down in a pillow. Mayaku slanted her eyes at the woman and let out an irritated "ahem." The woman didn't budge. "Hey Mom! I'm home!" Mayaku said loudly, getting closer to the couch. The woman turned her head to the side, revealing a pale, tired face. Her eyes were a dark blue, and surrounded by red veins and dark black, sagging skin. She wore dark purple lipstick that contrasted her chalky skin. She spoke slowly in response to Mayaku's declaration. "That's good, honey... there's some noodles in the microwave. I haven't cooked 'em yet but..." Her voice drifted off. Mayaku grunted and threw her belt and the pouches on it at the back of the couch as she stomped into the kitchen.

Mayaku's noodles were cooking in the microwave and she stared blankly through the clear door, watching them rotate slowly. "Ayaka Midori," Mayaku's mind began to wander. "She seems like a good woman. Definitely better than the rest to say the least. As for Irori, he's just another arrogant man. That Hyoshi probably is too. They're all just so self-absorbed," She told herself. The microwave's timer went off and Mayaku angrily grabbed her bowl of ramen out. She stomped back out into her living room. "Not like a man would ever even try to get along with me. Just like dad..." Mayaku thought to herself as she glared daggers into the back of her mother's head, who lie asleep on the couch. She kicked the back of the couch in anger, and her mother didn't budge. She looked down at the ground and closed her eyes. "Stupid..." Mayaku whispered to herself before sulking up the staircase behind her to her room.

It was nighttime in Konoha, and the dark streets were beginning to empty, save one group of four. These ninja leaned nonchalantly against the walls of an alleyway. Smoke emanated from the tallest one's cigarette. This was the Jonin, Icchiro Fujasawa. He wore a gray, yellow, and black bandana over messy auburn hair. His eyes matched his hair. His rugged face was framed by complimentary stubble, and he bore sharp teeth wrapped around a cigarette, glowing in the dark. He wore a simple baggy yellow, gray, and black shirt that matched his bandana and simple gray pants. His overall appearance was not very impressive, nor was it classy. Next to Icchiro stood Tonou Tamekaze, a Genin. Tonou had messy green hair, and wore a black Konoha head band across his forehead to keep it out of his face. He wore a high-collared black jacket that buckled down his chest. The sleeves of it were long and baggy, covering his hands, and the tails of the jacket hung down to his knees. Under his black jacket, he wore a white jacket that lined the inside of the one above it and classic black pants. Adjacent these two was the Genin, Hana Himawari. Hana was a pretty blonde and the youngest of the graduating class. She had youthful girlish brown eyes, and wore a matching short blouse. She tied her head band around her waist. Finally, next to her was Ryo Aokawa, the last Genin. Ryo wore a blue and white t-shirt with blue pants. He had messy dark blue hair with a white patch in the very front. He also had piercing dark eyes that were unusually brightened by their large size.

Icchiro spoke up first as they leaned somberly in the alleyway. "Well, we had a nice little meeting today. I think we're gonna work just fine as a team," he said lazily. His voice was quite scratchy from years of cigarette smoke. Tonou was silent, but nodded in agreement. Hana pushed herself up from the wall, and smiled. She bounced up and down with excitement.

"All of our jutsu just compliment each other so perfectly! It's like we could never be beaten!" Hana exclaimed happily. "No one will be able to ignore us!" As she finished, Ryo stood up straight also and smiled.

"We should be one of the most effective team of Genin right now. Well, except for Team 1... But that's enough for me!" Ryo spoke smooth and politely, much like Hyoshi. He smiled solemnly and began to walk away. "But it's about time to go home, isn't it Icchiro-sensei?" He asked. The other two looked up curiously.

"Yeah. I reckon so," Icchiro answered lazily as he also stood up straight. "We'll pick up a mission tomorrow, everyone. G'night," He threw his hand up at them as he began to leave and they all followed suit.

On the other side of the village a group of four ninja walked down the lamp-lit sidewalk. The tallest was the Jonin, Satoshi Saotome. He had blue hair, tied back in a ponytail and glasses. His simple tunic and pants bore a tan and brown palette. Next was the Genin, Raiken Ikazu. Raiken had big spiky yellow hair and a smug look on his face. He wore a white shirt with a yellow vest over it and had a wrist band on his right wrist made up of large yellow gems. The only other boy with them was Matsuda Takeo. Mastuda wore blue pilot gear. He had a boyish face, goggles, and a little bit of messy black hair sticking out from under his cap. Finally was Aimi Himoto. She had long straight red hair, bright green eyes and a youthful face, littered with only a few small freckles on her cheeks. She wore a red and yellow top that showed just a little bit of her stomach, and wore a short matching skirt. For what the skirt didn't cover, however she wore small burgundy shorts that only went halfway down her thighs. Covering the rest of her legs were high red and yellow boots. Satoshi spoke up first. "Alright, good meeting today! It looks like everyone will get along fine! I'm heading back home!" He said happily before making a hand seal and disappearing in a poof.

"Well, Satoshi-sensei seems to be as excited about this as I am!" Matsuda spoke up in a nasally voice. Aimi smiled and Raiken smirked. "I'm just glad you didn't turn out to be a jerk, Matsuda!" Raiken commented. "And I'm glad I'm on a team with you Aimi. I'm glad now that Irori introduced us," He added. Matsuda blushed and Aimi smiled.

"Yeah! I thought I was going to be on a team full of strangers! At least I knew you beforehand," Aimi said happily. Matsuda took advantage of being left out and began to make his leave. He waved and backed away, and Raiken and Aimi returned the gesture.

"Hey, Aimi. Do you think it'd be cool if I crashed at the Maguma place tonight?" Raiken asked in a tone that assumed it would be OK. "Actually, Irori wasn't too happy about his team. You know how he gets when he's upset. He'll probably just want to rest," Aimi replied in contradiction to Raiken's tone. Raiken frowned, then smirked. "Yeah, he's probably gonna have a little family hissy. I hate being around for that. So, AWKWARD!" Raiken complained. "I'll just head back to my place," Raiken said lazily as he walked away. They exchanged waves and Aimi began to stroll back home to the Maguma District.

Irori Maguma entered the golden doors of his family's royal palace. The inside of the lobby was filled with red and golden decorations. The walls were covered with ancient paintings and scrolls, and the shelves were adorned with various golden statues and other valuable artifacts. Several red-haired ninja, clad in red and white, were scattered about this lobby. This palace was located at the middle of the back of the Maguma District, dedicated to the Maguma Clan. It served as housing for all the royal Maguma and as the center for Clan affairs. As Irori entered he was greeted by a tall and grizzlier man. This man had hair similar to Irori's, except the mohawk and ponytail was white and the surrounding hair was red. His ponytail trailed all the way to the back of his white robe with orange flames. His robe was held closed by a massive red ornate belt, adorned with a large golden buckle that resembled the clans complex crest. This man was Kishi Maguma, Head of the Maguma Clan and Irori's father.

"Irori, miboy!" Kishi spoke though a large scar that went through the left side of his lips, deforming his mouth. His beady eyes were filled with joy, but Irori knew it was fake. "How was your first day as a Genin?"

Irori sighed. "It was alright. Had to fight a giant caterpillar... or something. Got a pretty lowlife team too." Irori said without any kind of excitement. He didn't want to show his father any of the real enjoyment he actually felt in the time he spent with Hyoshi and Mayaku. He felt as though the two were a lot like him. As unexciting as Hyoshi was and nasty as Mayaku seemed, he felt they shared the same aura as him. They projected the aura of people left behind by society. However, he would never let his father know that. "I need a new robe too," Irori added at the end of his statement.

"Ah, we'll fix you up one of those real quick. When's your first mission? Kurata's out on one right-" "Dunno," Irori interrupted his father. He didn't want hear anything about his almighty, god-of-all-shinobi brother. Kishi's mouth dipped into a frown, then straightened back up. "Dinner will be ready soon," He said sternly. He left and Irori made a move for the door before the sound of the door behind him stopped him.

"Iroriiii!" He heard sang in a bright voice behind him. He turned around to see Aimi jogging up to him. He smiled halfheartedly. She ran directly to him and nearly knocked him through the wall with an embrace. He returned a simple pat on the back as she released him. "How was your day?" She asked him curiously. His demeanor got a little brighter. "It was actually pretty good. Our sensei seems nice, and Hyoshi, Mayaku, and me work together pretty well. What about yours?" Irori answered offhandedly. Aimi smiled. "Well, Raiken's on my team, so that was good. Matsuda seems nice too. Overall, they're a nice group of people," She answered brightly. Irori snorted as he began to walk through the door he was going through, with Aimi on his heels. "Ya know, being a ninja team means more than just being nice, eh?" Irori commented smugly. Aimi frowned. "But it IS important to get along!" She whined. Irori snorted again. Aimi smiled again. "You're such a boy, Iro," She said mockingly. Irori chuckled and changed the subject. "Father says dinner will be ready soon, but I think I'll skip it," He said nonchalantly.

"Too tired?" Aimi asked curiously.

"Too annoyed."

Aimi hesitated. "Talking about Kurata?"

"Of course."

"Well," Aimi hesitated. "I'm a little beat, so I'll probably join you."

Irori smiled halfheartedly. The Himoto Clan had paid off Kishi to have Irori and Aimi married once they came of age. Irori liked Aimi, but just not romantically. He was there when she was delivered. She felt like more of a friend than a girlfriend. Irori didn't like to give her the wrong impression and tried to distance himself from her at times, but sometimes it was hard due to the simple fact that she was the best friend he had. Irori opened a golden door at the end of a long hallway on the upper floors of the palace and entered his and Aimi's private suite.

The room had white walls, a large red and gold rug in the center with an ornate golden table on it, and red and gold curtains. Making an L-shape around the rug were two red velvet couches. The first was aligned where it's back was to the door, the other to it's left. To the right were two king size beds, adorned with red and gold velvet sheets. In the back of the expansive room was a cutaway wall, with more matching curtains pushed to the side. In the cutaway was a rock room with a small personal hot spring inside of it. The palace had been built into the side of the mountain, and this room was actually cut away from the mountain. The moon shone in as there was no roof to this room. Finally, at the right of the room, the entire wall was glass and looked out across the district. Irori sat in the bed closest to the door and Aimi sat down beside him.

"Well, wanna talk about it? or..." Aimi asked nervously. Irori smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "I think I'd rather just go to sleep, Aimi." He said sympathetically. He patted her shoulder and then swung to lay down on the bed. "But, I promise we'll talk about it tomorrow!" He reassured her. She smiled and went over to her bed beside his.

"Good night, Iro!"