Iruka is sorting out his bill while I wait outside Ichiraku Ramen. The streets are busier now as civilians and ninja mill about post lunch break. This being so close to the city-center, I've received many inquisitive glances from both over the last few minutes. I try to focus on reading the citizenship booklet and application.

To become a citizen of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, one must complete the one of the following paths:

a) Civillian: 1) Obtain a natural citizen's sponsorship, 2) Submit a the corresponding Citizenship Application, 3) Remain in good standing throughout the entire 12-month probationary period.

b) Shinobi: 1) Obtain a natural chūnin or jōnin sponsorship, 2) Take and pass the Academy Graduation Exam, 3) Remain in good standing throughout the entire 6-month probationary period OR until promotion to Chūnin, whichever results first.

So, it takes twice as long to become a civilian immigrant as it does a shinobi. That's either really stupid or really smart. The Leaf Village is supposedly doing well economically, I can only assume immigration is high here. These two options make me inclined to believe the shinobi force here is quite substantial.

"Sorry about that—oof!" I react before I have time to think, throwing my left elbow back and up into Iruka's chest and pivoting to face him.

"Iruka! I'm so sorry, you startled me!" I had been so engrossed in the booklet, I didn't hear Iruka come up behind me. I awkwardly place one hand on his shoulder, hoping to offer some sort of comfort or stability as he rubs his sternum and coughs.

"No worries," he wheezes. "We'll consider it a test of your reaction time. Congratulations, you pass." I can feel the heat rising into my cheeks; I've never been more thankful of my choice to wear a mask than I am right now. Clearing his throat one more time, he stands upright and takes a step back. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we need to finish our plan. I see you've started reading through the citizenship booklet."

"Yes. I still definitely want to take the shinobi path. Sorry you had to find out about my reaction time the hard way."

"You'd be surprised how much I put up with at the Academy. I should be able to take a hit better," he jokes.

I chuckle softly. "If it's okay with you, I'd like to get out of the street so we can finish discussing this."

"Of course! We can head back to the academy or I can show you the way to my—"

"No need," I interrupt. "My hotel is just down the street. I rented the room for the week, so I need to talk to Shou about leaving anyhow." We start walking in the direction of the Mountain Villa.

"I can help with that. Shou is an old family friend, so I might be able to convince him to refund you for nights you don't stay should you decide to come stay with me before your week is up." I'd hate to take my money back from Shou, it'd feel like backing out of a contract. On the other hand, I don't have much left in the way of cash. I know I'll need to pick up some more things—namely clothes—now that I'm working on settling somewhere permanent. But am I ready to move in with this complete stranger? I still know practically nothing about him. It's one thing to receive help from a friendly stranger, but an entirely different thing to share a home with someone you just met. Before I know it, my feet have carried me inside the lobby of the Mountain Villa.

"Iruka!" drawls Shou, coming around the counter to hug the ninja.

"It's good to see you, Shou. I'm sorry I haven't visited lately." Figuring I have a few minutes for these two to chat, I turn my thoughts back to the issue at hand. Stay here for the next six nights and then move into Iruka's or negotiate a refund today and move into Iruka's. Groaning, I drop my head into my hands. I'll be living with a stranger by the end of the week regardless.

"Where are my manners? Shou, you know Mei." Oh great, they've remembered me.

"Of course, Just Mei over there came into town yesterday," I can hear the smirk in Shou's voice. "Any luck today?"

Lifting my gaze, I will myself to be positive. "Yes, actually. Iruka here has decided to sponsor me while I work on becoming an official Leaf shinobi." Shou doesn't seem surprised.

"I suppose you've come to ask for her money back then, huh," he directs at a blushing Iruka. For a ninja, he sure wears his emotions on his sleeve. Or more accurately, his face.

"Well, that's entirely up to whether or not Mei chooses to finish her stay here." Redirecting the question back to me. Sneaky ninja.

"I think we will need to discuss that with the rest of our plan." I start making my way to the hall. "I'm in room four when you're done catching up," I call over my shoulder.


Perched on the edge of my bed, I think about what I do and don't know about the ninja downstairs. He is brazenly kind, which means he may be a poor judge of character, possibly stemming from his career as a teacher. The Hokage—a formidable woman without the title—seems to trust him and his judgment. He immediately knows quite a bit about me, more than any other person actually. But I don't know anything about his personal life; I don't know who his friends are, if he has a family, his motivations for helping me. Oh no. Is he involved with someone romantically? I throw myself back on the bed with a grunt. I need to take this mask off. The mental suffocation I feel is eased slightly as I pull my mask below my chin. The last thing I want is to step on anyone's toes and give the wrong impression by moving in with him.

Tap, tap, tap. "Mei?"

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. I push myself up on my elbows. "It's unlocked." The door swings open to reveal none other than the source of my woes: Iruka Umino.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I really haven't visited in quite some time, but Shou agreed to refunding you for any unused nights should you decided to go ahead and move in with me. I didn't even have to convince him really."

"About that," here goes nothing. "I'm not entirely sure it would be wise for me to move in without learning a little more about you. I don't think it's very smart of you to offer me a room without really knowing me either." I scoot over, leaving half the bed open for him to sit.

"I understand your caution," he crosses the room and takes a seat beside me. "In fact, it's quite admirable that you're keeping your guard up in such a difficult circumstance. But realistically, you have to open up and learn to trust someone as well as let yourself be trusted if you want to move forward as a shinobi of the Leaf."

"I've thought of the pros and cons for staying here for the remaining week or going ahead and moving in with you."

"And?" He questions.

"The most logical and strategic choice would be to move. There's no sense in delaying the inevitable to save myself from self-imposed social awkwardness."

"So you'll be coming with me then?"

"I need you to answer one question first." He gulps audibly. Oops, I didn't mean to come across as ominous.

"I'll answer any question so long as the answer does not contain restricted information." Ever the loyal ninja. Here goes nothing.

Trapping him in my stare, I mumble "do you have a girlfriend?"