Hello everyone! Here is the updated Ch16, hope you all enjoy! ~KB
Ch 16: Cover Story
Manami completed the paperwork she was given and handed the packet to Tsunade.
"Finished filling out the personal profile. Thank you for allowing me to stay here," Manami said, "I really don't know what I'd do if you had kicked me out."
Tsunade simply nodded her head. "You're in quite a predicament," she said, leaning on her desk. "Here's the deal though: if you're going to stay in Konoha while you search for a way to repair your ship, you'll have to earn some sort of living for yourself. Are there any crafts or skills you have to work a job?"
Manami creased her eyebrows in thought and grimaced.
"Uh, I know how to repair clothes," she replied weakly, "and I can cook a little bit. Other than that, I can't think of anything. I've been so busy concentrating on my training, I guess I never really focused on anything else."
Tsunade asked, "Training, as a Keyblade Apprentice right?"
"Yeah," Manami nodded in response, "but I still can't summon the Keyblade."
"Do you think you could handle other weapons?" Tsunade inquired curiously.
Manami shrugged, "I don't see why not. I would probably handle some sort of a sword best."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, furrowing her eyebrows as she thought hard.
"Would you be willing to fight for the village?" she asked bluntly.
Manami straightened in her chair. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean," Tsunade continued, "is if you fight well enough, you could go on missions with some of our shinobi."
"What kind of missions?" Manami asked warily.
Tsunade stood up and walked to the window, staring out to the village. "The shinobi take on various missions depending on how they are ranked. Lower level ninja do small jobs around the village and occasional escort jobs." She turned to face Manami, "Higher level ninja are asked to do more difficult jobs, such as retrieval or escorts for more important official. Amongst other things."
Manami considered the proposal. "Sure," she replied, "I can do stuff like that. But what level would I be."
"I don't know," Tsunade grinned, "we would have to test you to see where you would rank."
"Test me? How would you do that?" Manami inquired.
"You will fight a few of our shinobi to see where your skill level is." Tsunade responded. "So, what do you say?"
Manami thought about it for a minute. I don't see why not. I can't do much else anyway except fight. And if it will help pay for a place to stay, I don't have much of a choice.
"Alright," she replied, "I'll do it."
"Good," Tsunade said with a large grin. She turned to her assistant, "Shizune, I need you to bring in Mitarashi-san."
"Yes, ma-lady." Shizune said with bow. The woman in the blue-black kimono exited the room, followed by a little pig.
"Manami-san," Tsunade started, getting Manami's attention, "you don't want anyone else to know why you're here or where you came from, right?"
"Yes ma'am," Manami replied, "the fewer to know who I really am, the better."
Tsunade grimaced, "If that's the case, you need a cover story for your sudden appearance in the village."
"Ok," Manami said, "what do you have in mind?"
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation and Shizune entered the room followed by a woman in a large tan trench coat. Manami caught a glimpse of mesh netting underneath and an orange skirt.
"Here's Mitarashi-san, as you requested Tsunade-sama," Shizune announced.
"Thanks," Tsunade said, turning her attention to the new comer. "Anko-san, I need a favor from you."
Anko looked at Tsunade and popped a sucker out of her mouth, "Oh yeah? What cha' ya need, Tsunade-sama?"
Manami eyed Anko warily; her purple hair was tied up in the back so it flared out in spikes and her demeanor showed she was confident, almost cocky.
Tsunade gestured to Manami, "Can Manami-san stay with you for a few nights? Her village was destroyed and she's sought shelter here in Konoha."
"Why should I have to watch over her?" Anko asked sharply.
"I want someone high ranking to watch over her," Tsunade replied. "Ibiki's already had his go with her but I still want someone to keep an eye on her."
Anko rolled her eyes. "That doesn't explain why is has to be me." She directed her attention to Manami and asked, "So what happened to ya?"
Manami had caught on to Tsunade's story and was about to follow up but her voice caught in her throat. Her inner conscious cringed at the thought of lying to someone she just met.
"I- uhh, I- you see-" Manami stammered.
Tsunade sighed and took over, "As you can see, she's having a hard time after such a traumatic experience. After leaving her village, Manami-san looked for shelter and found her way here."
"Oh!" exclaimed Anko, "Is this that chick Genma brought in?"
Tsunade nodded, "Manami-san was still in shock from what happened and was spooked when Genma suddenly appeared in front of her. So will you watch over her?"
"Makes sense." Anko said, shoving the sucker into a cheek. "I can do it. Don't worry Manami-chan, you'll be safe here."
Manami looked up to meet light brown eyes. The large grin on Anko's face caused Manami to smile herself.
"Thank you," she said.
"Alright you two," Tsunade said, getting their attention, "the arrangement is only for a few days until we get Manami settled into some sort of living quarter. Anko, I want you to make sure Manami is well fed and gets a good night's sleep. I want her here first thing tomorrow morning."
Anko gave her a quizzical look and asked, "What for?"
Tsunade shot her a knowing smirk that made Manami tense. "She will be tested to see where she ranks amongst our shinobi."
Anko's eyes widened with glee. "I wanna watch! Its sounds like fun!"
"I'm afraid it's a closed event," Tsunade replied, sitting in her chair,
"Aaawwwww, but I wanna watch her-"
"No." Tsunade interrupted firmly. "Only a select few will sit in and you aren't one of them. So don't go around blabbing about it, got it?"
Anko waved her hand nonchalantly. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don't wanna cause a mess with the newbie. I'll take good care of her!"
Tsunade shot Shizune a worried glance and sighed. "Like I said, take care of her. Now get out of here; I have paperwork to finish."
Manami stood up abruptly and bowed with Anko. They left the room and Tsunade sank low into her chair.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Tsunade flipped through some files and jotted down notes. This should do it, she thought releasing a sigh. Tsunade had worked the entire afternoon coming up with ideas to test Manami's skills. It was only after downing three bottle of liquor that she came up with a final plan.
Scribbling instructions in three separate scrolls, Tsunade sealed them shut and handed them to Shizune.
"I need these delivered immediately; their names are on their respective scroll."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune replied with a bow. She looked down at her pig, "Come on Tonton!"
Tsunade looked at the three files lying on her desk. I hope this works, she thought tiredly. Time for another bottle of sake.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
"Would you quit gawking at every little thing?" barked Anko, glancing back at Manami. "Geez, I feel like I'm taking an Academy student to her first summer festival."
"Sorry, Anko-san!" Manami exclaimed, eying a book store. The village was huge! Buildings were everywhere and several stories high. "Everything's so fascinating here!"
Anko grimaced. "Where did you say you were from again?"
Manami stopped in her tracks and lowered her head, thinking about her home in the Land of Departure. How long would it be until she could stroll through the halls of the tower again? When would she be able to practice her skills with her master again? Noticing the sudden change in Manami's demeanor, Anko grimaced and marched over to Manami grabbing her wrist then dragging her down the street.
Manami struggled against the firm grip. She's going to cut off my circulation if she holds it any harder!
Anko continued to drag Manami through the streets until she stopped in front of a small shop. Manami stopped struggling when a sweet smell caught her attention. Looking up, Manami saw a few people in the open doorway eating off small plates. Anko shoved Manami through the entryway and into a seat.
"Don't move," she ordered.
Manami was stiff in her chair with wide eyes as Anko walked away. "Wait- Where are you going?!" she called out. Anko disappeared into a line of customers and Manami sat there dumbfounded. I can't believe she just left me here! she thought, silently panicking. She knows I don't know anything and I would get lost so easily. Is she just gonna leave me here? What if she doesn't come back? I swear I'm-
A loud clank interrupted Manami from her thoughts. Manami looked down in front of her to see a plate of two sticks with little balls on them. Anko was happily munching on one of hers as she sat down across from Manami.
"What's that?" Manami asked pointing to the plate before her.
Anko raised an eyebrow and answered, "They're dangos! Sweetest things around here."
Manami eyed the food suspiciously before picking up one of the sticks poking through three of the little balls. With caution, Manami slowly took a bite out of the first ball. Her eyes widened at the enjoyable taste that flooded her tongue. Anko snickered as Manami shoved the rest of the dango piece in her mouth.
"I thought you might like it," Anko said, grinning at Manami's expression.
"I've never had anything like this!" Manami replied enthusiastically. "It's delicious!"
Anko beamed with one of the sticks poking out of the corner of her mouth and Manami almost choked with laughter at the sight.
"What?!" asked Anko.
Manami suppressed her giggling long enough to answer, "Nothing. It's just, you kinda reminded me of Gemna-san."
Anko stared at Manami wide-eyed, "Welp," she started, pulling the stick from her lips, "I think you've had enough excitement for one day. Time to go to my place."
Manami nodded her head and picked up her remaining dango stick, munching on it as she followed Anko through the town once again.
FIN
So, not that much different, and still a bit of a filler. Lemme know what you guys think! ~KunoichiBlade