[center][h2][color=mediumorchid]Reiji[/color] and [color=brown]Hotaru[/color][/h2][/center]
Spreading the herbal treatment onto some wrappings, Reiji dressed both his left shoulder and leg. Being blown back by Fuyuko-sensei's bombs and driving his leg into what was essentially shroud surrounding her left him sore so to say the least. He quickly struck the air with punches and kicks to, feeling the remedy starting to work already. Fresh out of the shower with a towel draped over his mane, the battle in the forest played over and over in his head. [i][color=mediumorchid]An invisible barrier able to stop a sword and that flame samurai armor...she was basically untouchable. Her speed and reflexes make her all the more so the way she was able to avoid our attacks. A special squad...I guess the old man picked the right person run this operation.[/color][/i] Reiji's eyes drifted to the piece of paper on his desk. '...with fire.' That was what his slip had written on it. Walking to his bed he grabbed his headband off the pillow and returned the desk. He took the paper and slipped it underneath the metal plate. [i][color=mediumorchid]A reminder of how much stronger an adversary can be than me...and to challenge her to another match, just me and her~[/color][/i]

There was a sudden knock at the door. Reiji pulled the towel off his head, his mane naturally fluffing, and opened the door. [color=brown]"Hey, kiddo~ Ready to celebrate your graduation, I know I am~"[/color] The woman on the other side of the door brandished a beer with a shameless grin. Reiji chuckled softly. [color=mediumorchid]"I'd wager you've already started Hotaru."[/color] The woman shook the can highlighting it's lack of contents with snicker. [color=brown]"I can't wait on an underage lion cub can I~?"[/color] Reiji placed the headband in his pocket. [color=mediumorchid]"Yeah yeah...let me get changed."[/color]

[hr]

[url=http://i0.beon.ru/75/47/2744775/21/115928821/tumblr_ln40hvX4KF1qbybn4o1_500.gif]Hotaru Kuromizu[/url] snatched up a piece of meat from the grill and ate it with an expression of delight. [color=mediumorchid]"Oi, that was my piece."[/color] Reiji said annoyed with his chopsticks stuck mid-grab. [color=brown]"You know barbecue is my favorite. If you're gonna complain about my lack of control you shouldn't have picked this place."[/color] Reiji's eye twitched. [color=mediumorchid]"You picked this place...Whatever, I'll just order another batch~"[/color] He smirked and Hotaru grimaced. [color=brown]"Hey, don't drain my wallet over a little meat..."[/color] Reiji ignored her complaints, simply sipping his tea. [color=mediumorchid]"That little meat was to celebrate my accomplishments and you offered to pay. Besides, don't pull the shortchanged act."[/color] Hotaru smirked. Kid was a smartass but that might be her own fault. Reiji's father was her sensei so she was like the platinum haired genin's big sister. Since his father's death and his mother's disappearance, Hotaru has been looking after Reiji.

She rested her cheek on her palm and swished her drink around. [color=brown]"Really though, congrats. I'm happy for you and you deserve to be on that special squad~"[/color] Reiji nodded. [color=mediumorchid]"Thanks...for everything. So, you already know about the squad huh?"[/color] Hotaru knew how reserved he could be when it came to this kind of sentimental stuff. She wasn't too great at it herself but she knew that the little he said went a long way. [color=brown]"Of course I do. Info like that doesn't get by me~ So, what are they like? Your sensei and teammates?"[/color]

As Reiji finished chewing a piece of meat the test once again flashed through his mind. He took a sip as he gathered his thoughts. [color=mediumorchid]"Well, I think you and Fuyuko-sensei would get along well. She seems to have that same sadistic streak you do when it comes to training."[/color] Hotaru pouted. [color=brown]"Oi, I'm not sadistic..."[/color] Ignoring her protests Reiji continued. [color=mediumorchid]"She pretty much toyed with us the whole time. We weren't able to lay hand on her and the attacks that did hit their mark might as well have been us throwing pebbles...at least until she dropped her guard and I hit her with Flash Point."[/color] Hotaru nearly spit out her drink. [color=brown]"Y-You shot your new teacher with the strongest ninjutsu you know!? Well, you certainly know how to make an impression..."[/color] She glared at Reiji for a moment which he waved off. [color=mediumorchid]"She had some fire jutsu armor up until one second after I launched it. I doubt I could've broken through even with as much chakra as I put in..."[/color] He noticed her glare intensify. [color=mediumorchid]"Sh-She was fine...in fact she was up in less than twenty minutes. Much faster than me when you first taught it to me..."[/color] Hotaru's glare faded and was replaced with laughter. [color=brown]"Hehehe~ That's right, you were out cold for a good 4 hours~"[/color] Reiji's face was not amused. [i][color=mediumorchid]Who's not sadistic...?[/color][/i]

It took a full minute for Hotaru to stop laughing and even after she did she continued to snicker. [color=brown]"O-Okay, whew~ And your teammates?"[/color] Reiji sighed knowing she'd probably continue to laugh at his expense for the rest of the night. Resting his chin on his hand he decided to keep going. [color=mediumorchid]"They're all exceptional in their own ways. Hino-san uses his recklessness to his advantage, nearly blowing himself up to gain an upper hand. Slow may just be a foreign concept to Koizumi-san and you have to stay aware around Onoda's kekkei genkai..."[/color] Hotaru sighed as Reiji spoke getting his attention. [color=brown]"Do you have to talk as if they're your next opponent in some tournament? You should get to know them Reiji. Afterall, you'll be working together for some time."[/color] As they looked at each other she could see him rejecting the notion without hesitation. [color=mediumorchid]"We have our first mission the day after tomorrow. Do you think you'll be able to teach me that new jutsu in the meantime?"[/color] Hotaru knew he was dodging her advice but she also knew that the more she tried to push him the more he'd fight back. [color=brown]"I have my own mission tomorrow but I should have the time to show you and you can work on it on your own. It's Anbu, so I can't tell you exactly when I'm leaving."[/color]

[color=mediumorchid]"I'd appreciate that."[/color] They sat in silence for a while. [color=mediumorchid]"I'll buy dessert."[/color] Hotaru looked at the lion cub a little caught off guard. [color=mediumorchid]"Since you're buying me dinner to celebrate I'll buy you your favorite dessert...it's thanks to you that I've made it this far."[/color] Reiji avoided eye contact as he spoke but she knew he was sincere. He managed to surprise her every now and then. [color=brown]"I'm happy to help...buuut you will have to get me the deluxe edition for all my help~"[/color] Reiji smiled softly. [color=mediumorchid]"Who's draining who's wallet now?"[/color]