Taking a few more moments, I begin to compile a list of things I need. A wardrobe and more than three changes of clothes would be a good start. Crossing the room, I spread the contents of my bag out on the desk. I hope Iruka doesn't want to move this, I kind of like having a desk in here. I stack my neatly refolded clothes on one side, arranging my weapons on the other. Tugging the small drawer open, I carefully unfold the letter I've been holding onto all these years and check for damage to the writing. This is all that I have left of my old life, the only clue I have as to who I really am. Inhaling deeply, I begin to read for the first time in over three years.

Mei,

Meet me at our spot when the moon reaches its peak.

Crow.

There isn't much to go off of, but it gives me hope. I carefully refold the letter and tuck it into the drawer, closing it softly. I can't afford to dwell on this right now. Shuffling quietly to door, I can hear muffled sounds of papers shuffling. Pulling the door open, I peak down the hall. Iruka is seated on the couch, thick stacks of papers surrounding him. Forcing my footsteps to fall heavier than normal so as not to startle him, I make my way back into the main portion of the room. His flak jacket and navy long-sleeved shirt lay abandoned beside him, leaving him in a plain white undershirt. His headband hangs loosely around his neck leaving his bangs to frame his eyes. Suddenly, I feel self-conscious and slightly overdressed. Tugging the gloves from my fingers, I make my way to the kitchen taking a seat at the bar. I untie my mask and place it on the counter with my gloves. Iruka has yet to acknowledge me. Whatever he's working on must be important.

"Grading papers?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Mei," he say's unmoving. "I didn't hear you come in." More like you didn't see me. "I'm actually going through some things for you to study," he says while ushering me over. Glad to know he's on the same page as me with this exam. I take the seat beside him, gingerly pulling his discarded clothing into my lap. The scents of sandalwood and honey flood my senses. "These are old lesson plans. I want you to flip through them and let me know if anything is unfamiliar to you."

"Can I assume that I'll be taking the exam soon then?"

"I obviously haven't scheduled anything yet, seeing how I've been with you all day, but I'm going to try and track down a few instructors and jōnin at work tomorrow. It could take some time to arrange anything, but hopefully I can have an exam scheduled within the next two weeks." Two weeks. I could make it two weeks. This material all seems easy enough. Basic mathematics. Spelling and grammar. Geography of the Land of Fire.

"Oh, here." He holds out a pale green sheet of paper. "This is your copy of the sponsorship paper. Keep it on you at all times—this is your identification until you get your shinobi ID."

Sponsor Name: Iruka Umino

DOB: 06/26/54

Rank: Chūnin

Sponsoring Immigrant: Mei Unknown

DOB: Unknown

Expiration Date: 10/23/79

Tsunade is supposed to be a medical genius. I wonder if the medical-nin here can do anything about my memories.

"Is everything okay?" He must have sensed my shift in mood.

"Oh, yes. Just thinking."

"Today must have been a little overwhelming for you. Perhaps I should have waited until tomorrow to spring all of this on you," he sighs.

"No! I really appreciate this. I want to move forward as fast as I can. Really, it's nothing." He doesn't seem to be buying into my ploy. I don't blame him. That didn't sound remotely convincing. "Is there a market nearby? I need to pick up a few necessities tomorrow. I've tried to keep things light and well, you've seen how little I carried with me."

"There's plenty of shops back near the city center. Ichiraku's is at the edge of the shopping district." Perfect. I can shop around and work on familiarizing myself with more of the village at the same time. "Don't worry about looking for a wardrobe. I know there isn't a closet in that room, but there's actually a dresser at the Academy I've been meaning to bring home. You can use that if you like." Even better. That's one less thing for me to get tomorrow.

"I'm sure that'll work just fine. You'll have to start a tab for me." He stifles a yawn.

"Not at all. The dresser was free and I already told you I'll cover expenses while you're getting settled." He stands, stretching his arms over his head. I hear faint successive pops, the cracking of compressed vertebrae no doubt. "I think I'll head to bed. Mondays are always rough on me."

"Me too." A bout of drowsiness hits me. I guess the exhaustion from the poor sleep I got last night finally caught up with me. I follow Iruka across the room, leaving the papers strew across the table. I can organize them tomorrow.

"Goodnight," he yawns. His bedroom door shuts before I can respond. Entering my own room, I quickly get into bed not bothering to change for the second night in a row. These clothes are comfy enough.

"Goodnight," I whisper. Hopefully it will be. As I begin to drift off to sleep, I find myself cocooned in sandalwood and honey. I'm still holding Iruka's clothes.