[center][img]http://i61.tinypic.com/vd1r2a.jpg[/img] [h2][b][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene, Honeybadger[/color][/b][/h2][/center] [h3][b]Before Arc 2.5[/b][/h3] After clearing the forest of potential threats within a mile radius, Tsukiko had returned to the camping area. While the kids were organizing to sleep in tents or such on the ground, Tsukiko instead remained in the trees. Before she was found as a child she had often slept in trees when she couldn't reach the cabin before nightfall. It had been ingrained into her mind that sleeping on the ground was a deathtrap, and even to this day she has yet to sleep on even the floor of her own home. Sitting on the branch with her back resting against the trunk, Tsukiko watched over the campground with a harsh gaze. Like an alpha wolf watching over its pack. It wasn't long before Tsukiko noticed that Ayame and Fujitora began to sneak away. [i][color=moccasin]Those fuckers,[/color][/i] she thought to herself, looking in the direction they were heading through the trees. [i][color=moccasin]They could've stayed here on guard and I could've made the delivery.[/color][/i] With a grunt of displeasure, Tsukiko leaned slightly and spit on the ground below her. [i][color=moccasin]Whatever.[/color][/i] Her gaze turned to her feet, further along the branch. With two quick motions she kicked her boots off and onto the ground, leaving her grey socks exposed. [i][color=moccasin]Much better.[/color][/i] She placed her hands behind her head and leaned back against the tree again. She didn't close her eyes, as she didn't intend to sleep. At least not until the Choko siblings returned. [hr] The next day had came without any issues through the night. Ayame and Fujitora had returned late in the night, confirming they succeeded at the delivery. Tsukiko finally slept after their return, figuring their arrival was good sign that there were no immediate threats in the vicinity. She didn't sleep too much, as she was also one of the first up with the sun. The kids were initially confused but Ayame explained the situation and Fujitora ordered them to head back to Konoha. The mission pay wasn't much, but it got the groceries that Tsukiko had been in need of. [hr] [h3][b]Arc 2.5[/b][/h3] [b][color=moccasin]"Fuckin' really?"[/color][/b] Tsukiko was sitting at the table in her apartment's tiny kitchen/dining room combo, wearing only a bathrobe. Her hair was wrapped upward in a towel, indicating she had just showered. Before her was an empty bowl and a box of cereal in her hand. Only it seemed the box of cereal was empty too. In a brief fit of anger Tsukiko tossed the empty box across the kitchen, where it bounced harmlessly off the wall near the front door. [b][color=moccasin]"I forgot to buy more cereal."[/color][/b] She stood up and let out a sigh, leaving the bowl on the table as she walked away. The woman slipped out of the bathrobe and towel as she walked to her room, getting dressed in surprisingly [i]lazy[/i] clothes. While most would be used to seeing Tsukiko in her combat wear, she was instead wearing jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Over that she put on a grey hoodie with the Leaf symbol emblazoned across the chest and replaced her usual boots with worn, white sneakers. Her weapons remained hanging on the wall above her bed as Tsukiko exited the apartment. The complex's hallway was devoid of neighbors, something Tsukiko was thankful for. While it was always fun instigating the local hoodlums and gangsters, she felt particularly lazy today. All she wanted was to make it to the market without being bothered. [i][color=moccasin]Get some cereal, get some more milk just in case. I have popcorn and stuff already... So yeah, just two things.[/color][/i] The plan to take advantage of a free day and relax at home was already falling apart, but hopefully it could be recovered with swift action and some kind of sugary breakfast. [hr] [center][img]http://i58.tinypic.com/inaedy.jpg[/img] [h2][b][color=orange]Shin Maru, Topaz[/color][/b][/h2][/center] [h3][b]Before Arc 2.5[/b][/h3] The whole mission didn't go quite to plan, in the end. In the middle of the night, Ayame and Fujitora had finished the objective, leaving the kids to figure it all out the next morning. This was fine with Shin, because he wasn't in the best condition and it meant there would be less travelling, work, and potential combat to go through. Now he just got to go straight home. Or rather: straight to the hospital. He and Jaakuna had both been roughed up on their mission, notably more so than any of the other chuunin that day, and both checked in to get some kind of treatments. The doctors and medical-nin were surprised when they examined Shin. The fact he was alive was impressive, blind luck having no small part in it. While his injuries were mostly healed by the professionals, as Paneru only mildly treated the wounds, the pain still existed and his chest was continuously sore following that mission. [hr] [h3][b]Arc 2.5[/b][/h3] Shin stepped out of the hospital's front doors, cracking his neck as he walked along. Already waiting for him was his uncle, Jugo. Despite being younger than his brother, Shin's father, Jugo appeared older. He was significantly balding, having a large portion of the top of his head missing black hair, and his face seemed more rugged and mature. Many would mistake Jugo for being the elder brother for this reason. [b][color=orange]"Didn't expect you to be waiting here for me,"[/color][/b] Shin greeted, clasping his right hand with his uncle's in a manly fashion. [b][color=orange]"They let you out the looney bin for the day or did you escape again?"[/color][/b] The joke brought out uproarious laughter from his uncle. [b][color=steelblue]"Aye, I escaped by the skin of me teeth this mornin',"[/color][/b] he went along. His voice was deep, and a clear indicator of a smoking habit. [b][color=steelblue]"I heard rumors, Shin, that you were almost killed on a mission."[/color][/b] Shin smirked and began to chuckle, but before he could explain his uncle continued. [b][color=steelblue]"I heard that you were beat by a woman in an underground fighting tournament."[/color][/b] The color drained from Shin's face in embarrassment, prompting more obnoxious laughter from his uncle. [b][color=orange]"How did you hear about that? That should be classified information,"[/color][/b] Shin inquired, his voice lower in volume now. [b][color=steelblue]"I din't go to no officials, if that's what yer askin'. I ain't a cop or shinobi, I get info from the source."[/color][/b] Shin pouted slightly as Jugo continued to snicker to himself. [b][color=steelblue]"I was told that she tricked ya into making out and she put snakes inside ya."[/color][/b] [b][color=orange]"Well..."[/color][/b] [b][color=steelblue]"Kaito would have a fit if he were to hear about that. T'was pretty dumb of ya, Shin."[/color][/b] [b][color=orange]"Yeah... Please don't tell dad?"[/color][/b] [b][color=steelblue]"Maybe. I won't tell him if he doesn't ask me, how bout that?"[/color][/b]