If you looked up irritable in the dictionary, you'd see Makoto's face. Her scrunched up, teeth clenched, nostril flared, eyebrows furrowed, red as a ripe tomato, face. Just about everything pissed that girl off, "Don't do it this way, do it that way! Don't look at me like that! Just do it! What? You wanna fight about it?! Blah blah blah blah."

And yet, I remained calm to work through it. I denied myself every chance I had to run away, all because of the damage I caused to her personally. Mostly, because I have nowhere else to go. The ninja glade is-was my only home. It'd be foolish to flee from the only shelter I have.

Aside, from work there really wasn't much else to do. Makoto never seemed in the mood to talk, there wasn't a TV or games to play, there wasn't anyone else around (aside from the occasional visit from that Farmer Ono who gave me stink eye), and I felt like if I left her line of sight she'd freak out.

At most, she'd just sit on the patio and meditate for hours on end. Occasionally, Makoto would join by my side.

In summary, I think I'm gonna go a little crazy.

On the upside, I think things between Makoto and me got a little better though. Just the other day, I helped her clean up and re-administer the bandaging for the stab wound.

Although…

"Ah! Ah! Don't do it behind me! Stay in front so I can see you!"

"But-"

Makoto growled and started to stand up. "Okay. Okay! Sit down! Sheesh."

We sat face-to-face with my arms long enough to reach behind her back. I handed myself the roll time and time again to fully encase the bandaging around her torso. My fingertips gingerly applied pressure to get the bandages to stick. I've applied bandages so many times, to both myself and others, that its just basic muscle memory at this point.

I could feel that she was still at unease. Makoto's bare, muscled torso held at a tensed state, "You can relax, y'know."

Her mouth stiffened. Her eyes practically burned a whole into my skull, "I am relaxed." She muttered.

Occasionally, during the short process that felt like forever, our eyes would meet for a second and then I'd dodge away while her gaze remained vigilant. The more I looked at her, the more foolish I felt for confusing her for a boy at first. Sure, Makoto had smooth yet striking features…short flowing hair…deep brown eyes…

"You gonna kiss me or somethin'?"

"Eh?", Shit she must've caught me gawking, "…Sorry." I sat back, a bit embarrassed. "It's…It's all done."

Makoto ran her hands along the bandages for a test. They passed as they failed to move from their position, "Thanks."

Or the time I tried to teach her something useful.

"What the matter with ya? Ya don't like rice?"

I was scared to even open my mouth to give an answer. I didn't want to seem ungrateful. But my mouth reacted a lot faster than my brain, "It's terrible," I mumbled. I didn't want to spray any uncooked grains from my mouth.

Makoto snarled in deep, "Excuse me?! Who do you think you are?!", she jabbed her rough finger at my chest. I didn't bother to swat her finger out of my face, but I couldn't back down on this, "All I'm saying is that this rice is cooked improperly."

"There is nothing wrong with the way I do it! It's how my father taught me and it's the best that it'll ever get!" She stood over me, her hands clenched and eyes furrowed, with the face of a mad woman. Clearly Makoto is a person crafted of stubbornness, old-fashioned ways, and a boiling hot temper.

She began a strut out of the room, hopefully to cool off, when…when I opened my mouth again.

"You sure about that?"

Makoto's eyebrows tightened. Her head rotated similarly to a vacant merry go round. My feet felt glued to the floorboards while I watched her take one heavy step after the next until our noses barely touched. Through her clenched teeth she spoke, "If you can do better…show me."

"Fine."

I poured water into the pot and let it heat up until bubbles constantly rose from within. Then, I made sure just enough had filled the pot till I saw a good rice to water ratio. "Here's where you did things wrong," I said feeling like a school instructor.

"I'm listening." Makoto spoke, leaning in.

"You gotta stir the rice the entire time it cooks so that each grain soaks up an equal amount of water and so that they can't stick to the bottom."

"Uh huh." She scooted closer and observed my stirring technique. A simple circular motion of the arm while the wrist stays firm, "The thing about technique and knowledge is that they're just as important as it is in the battle field. C'mon, your turn to stir."

She rolled up her sleeves and sighs, "Alright, lemme see." Makoto stirred a bit too roughly at first, water nearly spilled over the edge, and the motion of the rice was chaotic, "I think I almost got it."

She needed a little push.

"Here, it's more like this." I cusped her hands within mine and start leading. The motion of the water calms and transforms into a satisfying simple whirpool of rice grains. I loosened my grip and at that time I was sure she had it.

I turned to her with a warm smile, "There! You're doing pretty great!"

Her eyes went from the rice to mine. For a brief second nothing was exchanged but the same warm smile. This was the first time since the couple of weeks I've been here since I've seen good genuine emotion from here. To say the least, Makoto's kinda-"Don't look at me like that!" She gave a gentle push and focused back on the rice.

Usually, white rice is served as is, but with a pinch of salt and pepper the taste can be magnified to excellence. Depending on the personal preference.

I took the seasoning, salt and pepper, and sprinkled in every few intervals along with her stirring. Together, we watched as the water begin to dissipate while the rice swelled up. Unlike hers that somehow had a chunk of uncooked grains.

Once the rice had absorbed all the water, I spooned Makoto a bowl and handed it to her. She silently took it, eyed it carefully, possibly unsure if she should eat it or not.

"Go ahead. Eat and tell me what you think."

Makoto fed herself a few generous sized scoops. The moment I saw her eyes lit up, that's when I knew I had bested her. She chewed very thoroughly, as to savor the rice like she's never tasted. After one swallow she paused for a moment. Next, thing I saw, was a blur around Makoto's mouth. Her chopsticks moved faster than the speed of light.

She set down an empty bowl. Again, for the first time, Makoto looked pleasantly surprised, well outside of work anyhow, "It's passable." She said wiping her mouth with her sleeve, "Where did you learn to cook like that?"

"Let's just say, when you go on as many adventures as me, you pick up a thing or two. I could've made it better, it's been a while. So, I'll just…"

"No! I'll finish the rest."

The following day, work was a strenuous as always been. From above the sun beat down carelessly. I could see my skin becoming tan just like Makoto's. Down below at the ground, bugs whizzed around and around. Sometimes taking small swipes at my legs and sometimes, hovering right in front of my face just to catch my attention.

If that was maddening enough, I got stuck with the duty of watering the field. My feet are absolutely slathered in the new mud. Every step on the firm soil soon turned into a sloppy trot until I got to an untouched patch of vegetables. Not to mention my nose was getting itchy from all the bugs flying around. I would scratch my hands are too covered in mud and I didn't want mud all over my face.

I swear if I wasn't going to get a break soon-

"Hey. Let's take five."

That's new.

Makoto informed me that we could sit on the porch while she stepped inside the house to get tea. I guess now she trusts me to not sneak off or anything. I sighed, that's a huge relief.

From the side of the porch, I grabbed the hose and started washing off all the mud that splattered on me. Suddenly, I get the genius idea to unravel the top of my dougi.

"Ah, I should've done that a long time ago!" My torso could finally breath. I turn the knob and experience the cool water relief my skin. Honestly, there's no better feeling after such hard work than being refreshed. I soaked myself head to toe. At least this way my clothes will retain some of the coolness.

After setting the hose down and smooth my down hair, I turn to the porch to see…Makoto, just standing there.

"Uhhh..."

"Tea! T-the tea is ready."

She set down the other, which I suppose is mine and starts sipping on hers. Her eyes dart away immediately to the other direction.

As time went on, silence created a gap in-between us. The silence made me feel ungrateful. As if there is something I should be saying-

"These floorboards are looking a little sharp."

"Hrm? Yeah. Looks like I gotta sand 'em again," Her head didn't move from the view of the horizon. Makoto must not be used to having a conversation…unless she yelling or being mean. There has to be more to her.

"So…", I rapped my fingers on the porch, "Where did you go to school?"

"Didn't. Mom homeschooled for two years before she quit that."

"Oh."

"Yep."

Another moment passed between us, "I graduated from Academy with a 3.9 GPA."

"Good for you. Folks must be proud, right?"

My eyes dodged away, "Uhm…um…I-"

"What?"

"I never knew my parents."

"…oh…" she stuttered, "Sorry."

I decided to not open my mouth for the time being. Not until Makoto would say something, which, she didn't. There was something I did want to ask. If she enjoyed, well, this? Living out here all by her lonesome, working day in and day out, toiling in the dirt, selling produce, and not to mention training as a world warrior. Way out here in the middle of nowhere basically.

You gotta wonder. Does she ever get lonely?

I gulped down the last few droplets of my tea and set the cup down. Damn, I could already feel my muscles getting sore from pulling all the weeds this morning. The rest of the workday is going to be hell.

An acute yawn and a smack came from my right. Makoto's stretches her muscled limbs, scratches her stomach, and rests her back against the side of her home, "I'm just gonna rest my eyes for a few." She mumbled, tilting her sun hat over her eyes.

I said nothing for a few minutes. Somewhat curious if she was actually resting her eyes or just-

…zzzzzzz…

"Hm. Looks like all that extra work she did tuckered her out."

And so, here I am. By myself for the time being.

I sat there for a few more moments. Just to wait for Makoto's snoring to get louder before I could sneak off. I don't plan to leave the dojo, but I do have to find something that I lost the other night.

CRREEEEAAAK

Dry air, the smell of musty heated wood, broken boards of wood scattered around. Yep. This is the same dojo I came to.

Over on the side of the wall there was a scripture next to a picture of a dark haired man with a long yellow headband. The scripture was written in traditional Japanese symbols. I could of course read it, but the calligraphy was some serious sloppy business.

Before I could even read the scripture a sharp glint of light stung my eye, "There it is!" I stooped down to pick up the phone to find two things. One, an insane amount of missed calls from Yuta and only Yuta. Two, the battery was dangerously low. But forget about that, what did Yuta call for?

My nerves shook as I broke out into a cold sweat. Yes, Yuta would show concern for me banished from the Ninja Glade, yet with the way I left the glade it seems a bigger cause of worry happened.

Barely able to still my shaking hands I redial the number. The cold sweat rolled down my cheek.

"Pick up. Pick up. Pick up!"

The dial hummed.

It hummed again.

"IBUKI! I've been worried! Are you alright?"

"Oh, thank goodness," the sound of my friend's voice calmed me down, "Yeah. I'm fine. I just can't return cause…y'know."

"It's a shame, Ibuki. If it were to happen to any of us, I imagined it wouldn't be you." He was being too generous.

I sat with my back against the wall. My lungs fill with air before I try another attempt at speaking. Yet, the memories of home, well, my former home touched my heart. All gone because of a careless mistake. I stuttered into a sigh.

"IBUKI?!", his voice crackled over the speaker. "I'm here," I responded with a ringing left ear, "Remember, you don't have to press your mouth on the speaker!"

We both took a second to chuckle at his foolishness. The weight on my heart feels like it's been lifted just a little.

"Where are you now? Are you alright?"

"No need to worry. I'm somewhere safe. There's shelter and food…and a roommate."

He spoke directly, "Tell me where exactly."

"No! It's kind of complicated right now and I don't think my roommate takes too kindly to guests. I want to stay here."

"Hmph."

"Yuta. I can take care of myself!"

"I know."

There's a bit of dead air growing between our conversation. I decide to put it to rest with the subject that I knew we both don't want to talk about.

"How is the village? Are things getting better?", The prolonged silence from the other end didn't give me much hope. "Erm…", Another dead silence. The longer he put off speaking the more worried I grew.

"Yuta-"

"I'm not sure how to say this," He interjected, "Some of the fellow ninjas…have gotten sick."

My throat choked up on me.

"A-And the farmers?"

"They passed."

At that moment, I shot to my feet. My stomach dropped heavily, my mind did backflips.

"Isn't there something we can do?" I whimpered uncontrollably, "The negotiations?"

I could tell on the other side, Yuta too was choking up.

"Fell through."

I leaned further into the wall. My lip twitched alongside my hushed sobs, his voice came over the phone again, "I'll try to visit when I can. Until then keep your head up. Please. We will beat this."

Before the next words escaped my mouth, a myriad of angry footsteps came into earshot.

"Hey! There you are! You better-"

I tried my best not to, but I whipped my head around. Tears that rolled down my cheeks flung to the wooden floorboards. My eyes streaming with tears look at her in pure desperation.

"I-I'm sorry, but can I have a minute?"

Makoto lowered, closed her mouth, and stepped back outside.

There just has to be something I can do.

After I calmed myself down I slid the cellphone into my pocket. I stepped out into the now cloudy skies. Makoto sat on the stairs, looking up but I turn so our eyes don't meet.

"Uh, ya gonna be alright?"

"If it's all the same to you. I'd rather just do more work to take my mind off it. Thanks, though." She nodded in correspondence to my somber presence.

From then on I haven't had the willpower to look at my phone.

I feel like I've let them all down.

There has to be something I can do.

There has to be something we can do.