A Meal and a Mission

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Chapter Cover: Uraji and her team eat at her house along with some other guests. Tadashii is talking to an older woman in the kitchen in the background. On a picture on the wall outside the kitchen is a young Uraji with her mother and father.

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It was a slow day in Konoha, and a few of the teams decided to rest for that day. One of which, was Harabi's genin, which congregated at Gin Uraji's house. She lived next door to Fuyu Atataki, who'd bought his team over as well. They were eating a meal prepared by Uraji's mother, while Uraji herself simply sat there, presumably watching everyone eat. She didn't show it on her face, but she was a little amused.

Inazuma broke down the small piece of steak, cutting it into smaller pieces until he was sure he could consume it with no trouble. Fuyu blew on his food to cool it off. Fuyu's teammte, Rira silently ate with her eyes closed, making sure not to make any noises while eating. Tachimachi, had already finished her food, although Uraji wasn't sure when exactly she started.

Tadashii was busy talking to Uraji's mother, Konno, a kunoichi herself. She was a slim woman with a pale face and her shoulder length black hair framing her face. Her brown eyes smiled as Tadashii constanly asked questions about her daughter.

"Miss Gin," Tadashii looked behind to make sure no one heard him but her. "How come Uraji always has her eyes covered?"

An erie quiet fell over the house, and Konno looked up and realized that Uraji had, in fact, heard the question. Uraji turned her head to the side, putting her utensils down.

"It's okay, Uraji," Konno said, then looked back to Tadashii. "It's just that - her eyes are a little too sensitive to light, so she keeps the bandages over her eyes."

Tadashii looked down, apologizing.

"Don't worry Tadashii," Uraji said, picking her utensils back up again. "You're not the first to ask that question. And you probably won't be the last."

Tadashii returned to his meal, which had gotten cold. Suddenly, he felt a different kind of cold.

"Achisuto?" Konno said, not looking up. Sure enough, the icy young man was at the door smiling.

"Sorry if I'm interupting, but I just wanted to tell my genin that we have a C-rank mission coming soon, and to prepare themselves," he said. "How are you doing, Konno?"

"Oh, I'm fine," she laughed. "Are your genin coming along okay?"

Achisuto put his hand to his chin in thought, then smiled.

"A little early to tell, but I think they'll be OK."

Achistuo left, and Fuyu looked at Tachimachi, who looked at Rira.

"Does that mean we're the first genin team this year to have a C-rank mission this early?" he asked.

"Maybe," Tachimachi said. "I know Ren's team had a D-rank mission. Kind of fits them, if you ask me."

Inazuma finished his food, then joined the conversation.

"I can't wait until our first mission," he said. "It'll be fun to see how everyone fights."

"You think we're going to fight?" Tadashii asked. "I've always heard that the first few missions are usually pretty menial chores."

"Well, missions are pretty much congruient to the team type. Some teams that the Hokage feels would fare better in battle sooner are given a better chance of the higher rank missions. Fuyu, your team has a C-rank. There may be a chance of you fighting, or using your skills, unlike on D-rank missions," Konno exaplined. "So, Inazuma, you may see action sooner than most teams."

"Sweet,"he said. "I'm really looking forward to see how strong I've gotten."

"Of course," Uraji said. "Sometimes, the best battles are the ones not fought."

Tadashii frowned a bit. He learned the basic jutsus, but wasn't sure if it would stack up to Inazuma or Uraji. He idly poked at his food while Fuyu arose.

"Tachi, Rira," he said. "If we have a mission, then we should at least train a bit. It is a litttle spontaneous, but I think we could benefit."

"Sure," Tachi said, grabbing a piece of steak off of Rira's plate. Rira smirked a bit before rising with her parasol over her shoulder.

"Thank you for the food and hospitality," she spoke with her head down, then bowed before leaving.

Konno picked up the plates as Fuyu and Tachimachi both left and closed the door behind them.

"So Uraji, do you have anything planned for today?" she asked. Uraji helped her mother with the plates and placed them in the sink.

"Mmm ... probably not," she said, looking at Inazuma and Tadashii. "You guys have any ideas?"

"Why don't we train?" Inazuma said. "My dad taught me that for every moment that you're idle, is a moment someone else is using to get stronger."

Tadashii stood. "I'm ready."

Uraji nodded, then smiled.

"Well, I guess there's my answer,"Uraji said, kissing her mother on the cheek.

"See you later."

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No Shinobi Profiles this time, but if you would be so kind as to leave a review? Criticisms, well-wishings, even suggestions are all welcome. The more I know, the more I can put into this fic, and the more you can enjoy it!