I meditated for the rest of the day. Sort of. My mind kept wandering so it was tricky bringing it back each time. Still all the same I by the end of the day I was very satisfied.

Meditation proficiency has levelled up! X3

INT has risen X1

ACU has risen X1

That felt like a very productive use of time, even though I hadn't physically done anything. When it was done the sun was starting to set so I headed inside. From the looks of things Ami was trying to figure out how to work the washing machine and failing miserably. It was actually pretty understandable as most of the labels on the buttons where hopelessly scratched out, making it very hard to operate. Not that it would help her much when it didn't have any soap to add.

I moved to the stove, it was electric so I put the element on full, I filled the bigger of our two pots with water and dumped a good amount of rice inside to cook. I looked around agitated. Who gives people canned food but no can opener? Resigning myself I took out two instant ramen containers and two spoons. Tomorrow I need to get lots of cleaning supplies, food and apparently a can opener. When the rice was finished I used the water that was already hot to cook the instant ramen separating the rice into the two bowls. When the ramen was done cooking in all its five minutes glory, I poured it over the rice mixing it to make it something other than ramen hopefully and more like some weird salty stir fry. I refuse to pull a Naruto, sue me but I refuse.

New skill!

Cooking Proficiency Level 1

Ability to cook food using different tools and ingredients. Taste improves per level, nutritional bonus 0.1% per level. Current nutritional bonus 0.1%.

I placed one bowl in the table next to me and began to eat. I could see Ami looking at me, a mix of scorn and anger. Why was she so against me already? This can't be a healthy mindset. "Dinner's ready." I told her motioning towards the second bowl of food. Honestly why does she think I made two? Her brown eyes narrowed at me and from this angle I could see that in a very noticeable and odd way one strand of purple hair was much longer than the rest of her otherwise shoulder length hair. Is there a story there? Should I ask? No… not yet. I know I'm older than her, well mentally at least but… I was never really good at the whole making friends thing… I ate the food, it was salty but not terrible. Ami said nothing as she ate hers up until I got up to clear my plate.

"I don't owe you anything." She told me and I paused looking at her. "Your not better than me because of this." She then added and my heart broke a little.

"I just wanted to make a nice meal for the two of us. That's all." I told her rinsing the bowl and putting it on the counter. She watched me the whole way to my room her eyes drilling into the back of my skull. In that moment though all I could feel was sad for her.

The next day I got up at an unspecified time. Clearly an alarm clock also had to be added to my shopping list. I neatly folded my one set of a shirt and shorts that were for night time and made my way to the kitchen once again making rice in two bowl. No flavouring this time just rice but better than nothing at all. I grabbed my key, about a tenth of my money, and my flute shoving them all in my back pack before heading out, so early that Ami hadn't even woke up.

I made my way through the streets without much trouble despite not being from here, without a shinobi escort I blended into the populace. Just another little kid wandering the streets alone. Perfectly normal in this world. Did they ever wonder how the likes of Orochimaru and Danzo managed to get their hands on so many children? I'd just have to be careful not to get lost or something like that or kidnapped. Ya, really don't want to be kidnapped.

With those pleasant thoughts I decided to appreciate the environment around me. It was a nice day sunny with a few fluffy white clouds and a gentle breeze that brought a sort of music as it rustled the countess leaves that sheltered the village. Slowly as I explored I began to see patterns. Some areas were as I suspected more commercial, for shopping and the like. This was obvious due to the stands and signs, all of these buildings were clumped together in little districts. Others areas we're far more residential with houses of all different colours and shapes side by side, Sometimes even with a little front yard. However the biggest similarity was the compounds I managed to stumble onto. Clan compounds most definitely. Each compound was surrounded by a wall and from my peaks inside every house and shop in there was in a similar style, a stark contrast to the more civilian, or non shinobi affiliated parts of the village that had mismatched style and colour all together.

I didn't get to go very far, I had plenty of time to explore but didn't want to get into some kind of trouble and had a mission to do today anyway. It seems we were surrounded on three sides by the Naara, Akimichi and Yamanaka clans. I figured it out by a few simple things. The Akimichi clan is… very easy to spot and their compound smells amazing with restaurants and food stores everywhere. The architecture is big and robust like the clan, all of it looks sturdy like it could weather a small hurricane. A lot of metal surprisingly made it's way into the structures decorating walls and roofs in strange patterns. This compound is my first stop of the day as they didn't seem to mind people coming into their compound.

All the food was sold in bulk and at much lower prices than one would expect. At least compared to the prices I saw of civilian shops. Why aren't more people here? Is it becuase they don't want to buy from shinobi? That would be stupid but a vaguely remember, maybe in a later episodes of Naruto them saying that shinobi were discriminated against. It could be the case here too right? I want to get some good food but at the same time I want to be careful with my money.

"Welcome!" A large and deep voice rumbled and I turned to see a man with spiky greys and brown hair, dark eyes, a pot belly, a large purple circles on each cheek. I had been eying his shop's vegetables, he had some carrots, onions, and canbbage that I think would go well together in a stir fry. They all also have a pretty good shelf life too. Besides meat is just too expensive right now… and I absolutely hate the taste of fish. I'll eat it if I am really hungry but no way am I actively buying it. Nope.

"Hello." I say looking at him. I can sense he's a shinobi. Or was one at least. His chakra is just to large not to be. I feel deeper, he is close enough for me to do so.

"Well what can I get you little lady?" He says in a playful voice. Deep his chakra is deep, and hot, very hot. Is he a fire nature?

Level up!!!

Sensing Proficiency Level 10

Ability to sense or detect others based on their energy signature and pick out details about them. To double range and accuracy cost 25-50energy type per second depending on accuracy wanted. (Available energies to sense- chakra) Range increase per level by 5 m, accuracy and details increase per level and closer to you the person is. Current range 50 m.

I've never sense an affinity before is it because of my increasing skill or is he just that good at fire nature? You wouldn't think an Akimichi would be a ninjutsu specialist but their must be variety in the clan. In any clan right? I mean if they all do exactly the same thing than the ninjas would be easy to defeat if you knew the clan name.

"I'm wanting to make better food." I tell him bluntly and he smiled widely. I think he sees my statement as a challenge.

"Oh… you came to the right place chibi-chan!" He declares and I blink. Chibi? Seriously? It basically means shrimp or midget! My name already means small no way am I being called midget on top of that. I keep a calm face not wanting to show my irritation and encourage it as a result.

"My name's Sayori." I inform him and he laughs. Ok so maybe being called small is still… well midget just bugs me ok?

"Alright Sayori-chan, you want to help your parents cooking?" He asks with a grin and I shake my head. Never actually had to explain this before… huh. Everyone at the orphanage already knew so this will be the first time.

"No. I'm an orphan. I just started living on my own with my roommate." I tell him and his smile falters, pity fills his eyes and it it makes me recoil. Pity is awful, terrible, and horrible to feel. Sympathy and empathy sure, but pity? Pity is irritating and insulting.

"Well do you know anything about cooking?" He asks a little less enthusiastically. I don't move indicating own way or another and he sighs helping me pick out different vegetables and regaling me with tales of his best cooking adventures. "When I was your age…" he starts slowly getting his enthusiasm back. "I once set a small devils on fire with my cousin Shou who had made a bad deal for some meat and had no way to cook it or store it. Made the whole thing into a giant barbecue!" He tells me enthusiastically and I try to picture. I can't help but wonder if that 'field' was in fact a training ground. The stories go on and on in an animated voice, it's honestly nice, he has me get some garlic too, and some cooking oil and it all comes to a rather good price all things considered of about 6000 ryo. Or that's what it should have been but he seems to insist on giving me a 'friends and family discount' making it a cool 5000 ryo instead. I am definitely coming back here. Its not much but it's good quality food and shouldn't go bad quickly either. It should last me a good two weeks but with Ami it will only last one.

"Thank you Akamichi-san." I tell him with a little bow. I am overly formal sue me when I want to never risk offending people that can manipulate the very elements especially after his barbecue story.

"Come again any time Sayori-chan. Names Yataka by the way, everyone here's Akimichi." I nod before leaving a few less things on my list.

My next stop is to a general store for the soap it is utterly uninteresting though, reminding me a lot of the general stores in my past life. The prices are a little steeper here but I get some dish soap, shampoo, body soap, lots of conditioner (it was on sale), laundry detergent and a can opener. I'll have to talk to Ami about splitting the costs for these type of things or I'll go broke and hungry before I know it.

After that I go to the Yamanaka clan district which is not nearly as open as the Achimichi district which so far is my favourite. It's not closed off and their are a few shops, but the Akimichi district was like a giant farmers market or fair while the Yamanaka district isn't. The Yamanaka district has wide streets separated down the middle with flower pots. The houses are taller than most I have scene going to three stories in the air with large circular windows. Definitely taller than the Akimichi's who were usually one floor homes. Each house is bright and colourful with well kept gardens bursting with life, and guess what? More flowers at every window! No wonder all I could remember about them other than the whole mind manipulating things was that they owned a flower shop. Everything matches with everything to a ridiculous, perfectionist degree reminding me of a movie set. The setting is serene and though I spot a few shops selling clothes, seeds, books, and strange looking sculptures nothing I need or within my price range so I do not interact with anyone and move along.

The only interesting thing I did note there is that not all Yamanakas are blond. Their were a few brunettes and red heads walking around though they are definitely on the fairer side. Come to think of it I would have fit right in with my own complexion.

Finally I make it to the Naara compound. This compound… I'm sceptical of. I wonder does the famous Naara laziness apply to decorating? The compound is forest. At first I thought it was a park and would still if not for the wall and archway with the Naara clan symbol at the top. It's full of shadows I geuss with the frosty floor looking an intricate mix of roots and wild grass. The silence inside is so deep just standing near it seems to such up the sounds of the rest of the village and I get the unnerving feeling of someone watching me. I don't dare go inside and I other than a loose trail I can't really see any structures. Instead I focus on my chakra trying to feel anything I missed and failing spectacularly. This is an adventure for another day I decide and head back home with little difficultly.

I didn't eat lunch, but at the same time with my budget that's probably for the best. The dinner is burnt… really burnt actually, though I gain a level in cooking and it is still edible!

Cooking proficiency level has risen X1

Ami however just smirks at my failing and I leave before she can open her big mouth because seriously has that girl never heard of a thank you? If she commented on my cooking skills right now I think I would have lashed out and hat would have been no good for anyone. I meditate before bed for an hour before falling asleep in the process but that too levelled up.

Meditation Proficiency level has risen X1

This is going to be a long eight days until the academy…