Konohagakure hums as it normally does. Villagers send chatters of companionship into the blue sky as the shinobi go about keeping the peace adrift with the falling leaves in which their home gets its name.

　　"Walk like a lady!" A command from the past whispers through Ryū Nami's mind, and subconsciously she listens. She defies the surrounding pleasantries as she treks towards the Hokage tower. Her long-festering irritation constructing a wall between her environment and the thoughts that poisoned her for a fortnight.

　　Her graduation from the academy had been nothing short of a gold medal disappointment and every moment since dared to compete.

　　Nami considers the fact that perhaps she would always be the odd one out; no friends; no family; and now, no team. Her classmates had all been teamed up after their final exam, but when it was all said and done the girl realised, she was the only one left. Nami had been sent home with empty reassurances filled with nauseating amounts of the words don't worry and soon.

　　The girl hadn't heard anything since. Fourteen days of empty promises and empty hours. Where she could remember the counting of every hour as it ticked past twelve on a clock (all three-hundred and thirty-six of them) through that glaze of boredom that blankets an inactive mind. That dense blanket that convinces your mind everything is just that much slower and that much more mundane than usual.

　　Her self proclaimed 'mission,' also known as pleading to the Hokage about receiving an actual mission, filled the girl with dread that pierces holes in her already damaged ego. Her Mother had always instilled the belief in her that women should never plead, especially not to men. That belief had been what stopped the girl from doing this in the first place. But her desperation trumped her ego in this case. She had worked too hard, studied and failed too many tests, and lived through too many awkward social moments for it to go down the drain because the past generation couldn't reproduce enough able-bodied shinobi.

　　The inner turmoil took a toll on the girl's normally immaculate posture. Her once straight and strong shoulders now fold in on themselves, physically holding the weight of all her worries.

　　But the voice of the past would not allow for such improper posture no matter what the reason. "Do not slouch!" it chastises, and with a withheld sigh the girl fixes her stance just as she walks through the daunting entryway of the Hokage's tower.

　　Nami really was starting to get sick off all this waiting. One would think making an appointment would guarantee you a quick entry, but apparently not. Apparently ninjas and employers hold priority over meetings scheduled in advance. And apparently, she wasn't considered a proper ninja, adding more insult to her already battered ego.

　　The small girl had taken to roaming the halls in hope of sifting through the time. So far nothing of interest had passed since her encounter with the secretary. Karu, a crude old lady who's wiry hair stuck out of her bun like flimsy electricity; which was ironic really considering her voice crackled and boomed like a faraway thunderstorm.

　　She had made a real scene about Nami's appointment with the Hokage, taunted her with a "Why would a child want to meet with the Hokage? Shops run out of candy did they?" Followed by a cackle that filled her beady eyes with a glint that shone past her drooping eyelids. It made Nami cringe.

　　But before the girl could snap back, that memory of a voice interrupted. "Treat the elderly with respect," it chided.

　　So with a begrudged sigh, Nami simply explained, "I am a genin and I wish to speak with Hokage-sama in regards to requesting a mission." She found she couldn't hold Karu's condescending gaze and instead focused her attention on her forehead heaped with frown lines. 

　　The secretary had just narrowed her eyes, the glint quickly changing from one of mirth to one of disbelief. "You?" She scrutinized. "A kunoichi? You're just a little girl, only– what? Ten?"

　　"Fourteen."

　　"Right." She snorted. "He's in a meeting right now," —Karu waved her hand flippantly— "It's supposed to finish soon so just wait outside his office, then he can deal with you." And she turned back to her work

　　"Thank you, Karu-san." Nami bowed and move towards and up the stairs.

　　But ever since she'd left she'd been mulling over the encounter with a grimace, specifically the issue about her age.

　　Nami had never considered herself 'baby-faced.' She knew she was too small and too frail for her age, especially so for a kunoichi. Her sickly pale skin didn't help much, nor how it contrasts with her navy long hair that frames her face in a curtain of deep waves akin to water. But her supposed youthful appearance had never been brought to her attention, not even by her classmates. They had all been of the same age group so there was never any suspicion. Now that she thought about it though, she was older than her peers due to her repeating, but no one had ever questioned it.

　　"Great..." Nami mutters to herself, glaring at her scuffing feet. Which she quickly regretted when her thick mane of hair covered the sight of an oncoming force that sent her colliding to the floor with an embarrassing squeal.

　　"That hurt, 'ttebayo..."

　　"Naruto! You're such an idiot!"

　　"Tch."

　　Nami rubs her now throbbing head and peers at the source of her pain.

　　A blond boy stands in front of the bluenette mimicking her expression and actions, his eyes squinting shut in pain and flinching away from the shouting kunoichi. She seems to be chastising his ear off whilst their other male companion broods off to the side, indifferent to what's playing out before him. Nami quickly recognises them from the academy: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke.

　　"Naruto! Apologise, now!" Sakura yells, smacking him in the back of the head, a look of annoyance painted onto her seemingly apologetic face.

　　"Ah! Sorry, uh..." The blond finally takes in Nami. "Hey! I know you! You're– uh... Na–Naaa... Nagi!?... Right!?" He grins.

　　Nami couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth twitch into a minuscule smile filled with amusement, his confidence and glee filled expression simply too infectious. "It is Ryū Nami, Uzumaki-san," she corrects softly. "And it is quite alright, I was not looking where I was going." Nami didn't mind his error, she was surprised Naruto had recognised her in the first place since she had rarely conversed with her peers.

　　Naruto grins in reply, satisfied with the outcome. "Hey, whatcha doin' here anyway?"

　　"Naruto! Stop prying into other people's lives!" Sakura smacks the blond in the back of the head, again.

　　Nami couldn't help but think to herself, 'That is definitely not healthy...'

　　"It is fine, Haruno-san," Nami waves the pinkette's anger off politely and turns to Naruto, "I am here to see Hokage-sama about a mission," she answers Naruto's question.

　　That seems to pique Sasuke's interest. "Alone? Where's the rest of your team?" He steps away from his little corner to finally join into the conversation. He narrows his eyes as he inspects Nami thoroughly, trying to pin-point something special about the small bluenette.

　　"I do not have a team, Uchiha-san."

　　"Whoa! So you go on missions all by yourself, Nami-chan!?" Naruto questions, bright blue eyes set alight with excited wonder.

　　Nami frowns and glances at team seven as a whole; Sakura grumbles at the Naruto's noise level and disrespect as Sasuke continues to peer at Nami questionably. 'What were they thinking putting these three together?' She wonders.

　　"Ryū-san? Are you okay?" Sakura's jade eyes gaze at Nami's dark blue with worry.

　　As she responds the small girl is cut off by a grumble that makes her freeze, "These brats are too loud."

　　The bluenette lets out a shaky breath and tries to look normal as her eyes flick over to the babbling blond next to Sasuke. She had heard this voice only once before and she didn't think he had yet realised she could hear him. "Kyūbi..."

　　And then utter fear fills her entire being. No, not fear. A horrid hybrid of being watched and being suffocated physically and mentally. She knew what this was: the demon was watching her through it's host's eyes. "You can hear me. How interesting." Sarcasm drips from his voice in tune with his over-flowing malevolence. He chuckles deeply, it laced with a growl that she drowns in. It consumes all of her senses even when she knew he is just a voice. He couldn't reach her, he couldn't harm her.

　　A hand clasps her shoulder and she whips her head around to meet it's owner. "You okay?" His close-eyed smile and aloof emanation eases Nami's quivering heart in mere moments.

　　"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto addresses the man. "This is Nami-chan! She's a friend from the academy!" He introduces, his grin making Nami's heart quiver again. No, it fluttered like a butterfly, just escaping it's cocoon and basking in the warmth of the missed sunlight.

　　Nami quickly shakes off that feeling and bows respectfully, "Hello, Kakashi-sensei.

　　The man just shifts on his heels. "Ah, so you're Nami." At the bluenette's questioning gaze he continues, "The Hokage wants to speak with you now."

　　And as if on cue a man peeks his head into the hallway and calls out for the girl. Once he realises who he's calling out for he nods his head as an invitation inside them disappears back into the office.

　　Nami automatically steels herself; straightening herself into that ingrained confident and respectful posture. She then turns to the gaggle of genin and their sensei. "I'm sorry, but I must be going now. Thank you for the talk, Kakashi-sensei, Haruno-san, Uchiha-san, Uzumaki-san." She bows to each aforementioned.

　　The three genin were slightly unnerved by Nami's respectful demeanour. The only way they could describe it was plastic. Moulded to an exact cold and lifeless form, perfected by years of practice and utilisation.

　　But Naruto quickly clears the awkward atmosphere. "Bye, Nami-chan! I hope we get to see you again!" He grins, waving an arm avidly at the bluenette's retreating form.

　　Little did they know they wouldn't see each other again for quite some time.

　　The Third Hokage was known as a kind and wise Hokage. His decisions were always thought through with his people in mind. He allowed Konohagakure to remain the most peaceful village amongst the Five Great Shinobi Nations.

　　But serenity creates fear of the unknown. And that fear summons hate and paranoia.

　　There was nothing Sarutobi Hiruzen could do about this, a fact he hated to relent to. However that didn't mean he would just stand by and watch.

　　The man watches swaying blue hair from his tower window, it's owner walking with a new purpose. She hadn't grown much since she had arrived in Konoha; physically or mentally. Since the day she stumbled into his office, her small form covered in grime and scratches from a long and hasty travel, she had held a stony respect so fundamental to her entire being that it had alarmed the old man.

　　That's why he was so surprised seeing her in his office, a shaky mask on her normally controlled expressions.

::

　　"Hokage-sama," — Nami bows deeply in respect — "I would like to request a mission."

　　"Where is your team, Ryū-san?" A shinobi mission consult asks from the Hokage's left.

　　Iruka intervenes, handing the man a paper. "Nami was the odd student this year, Haru-san. She currently doesn't have one."

　　Haru swiftly skims over the details of the paper. "Your instructions were to wait until a mission or team was appointed, Ryū-san," he drawls, never taking his eyes off the paper.

　　"I know! It's just—!" Nami quickly lowers her voice as Haru's intensely dull green eyes snap to hers. "I know. It's just, I have been waiting now for two weeks. I was sure that there must be something I can do." The girl wrings her hands behind her back, making sure to school her expressions carefully.

　　"If there was, we would've called you in by now." Haru runs his hand through his short strawberry blond hair in annoyance.

　　"Surely there must be something for the girl? A simple D ranked mission?"

　　"Those have all been filled up by the new genin for the next... three to four weeks."

　　"And with the exams coming up soon the genin teams hold priority over those missions."

　　Hiruzen and Nami just watch the exchange with matching calm expressions but thoughtful eyes. But then Hiruzen's gleam with an idea.

　　"Somebody pass me the terms to the Sunagakure alliance."

::

　　Hiruzen knew it was odd to transfer genins, but he knew it was the only way to get Nami away from the villages questioning and paranoid glances.

　　A spark of sunshine matched with clear blue eyes enters the man's vision, running towards the villages entrance excitedly.

　　Naruto, another child forced to submit to fear. But the blond wouldn't allow it. It made him resilient. He strives to be great, the greatest! To be able to stand before a wave of people crashing against him and wade through with no effort.

　　'Nami...' The Hokage could only guess what she had suffered through within her home island to make her want to come to Konoha at such a young age. She came here with so much hope in her heart, only for it to be squandered by the villages judgement.

　　Two children who face the same mistreatment, swimming in a sea of fear and judgement but with their backs turned against each other.

　　A splash of blue let the wave decide her life, riding along it with no input.

　　A spark of blond fought the wave, riding against it with his own determination.

　　"What will you two do now, Naruto, Nami?"

　　It had taken only a few short hours to pack the little amount of belongings Nami possessed; it certainly helped that she rarely got attached to any items. 'Attachment is weakness,' the voice had said long ago. The only item she would consider of sentimental value was the Aquamarine crystal necklace she always wore. It was her only keepsake from home...

　　Nami stands at the front gates of Konoha and takes one last look at the village.

　　People chatter away happily with the people they love, villagers go about their day with no worries—it makes Nami slightly put-off. This place was supposed to be Nami's fresh start, but she had expected more than was possible.

　　People don't change so easily and people aren't as accepting as they think.

　　With a depressing sigh, the bluenette turns towards the gates.

　　For as long as she could remember, Nami had interpreted gates as confinement; will-trapping and choice-binding. But now she saw them as another chance to be free.

　　She takes her final steps. And Nami stands amongst the nature which murmurs along with the wind in all hues of green and earthy tones, contrasting against her own dark blue and the bright blue of the clear sky above.

　　She had only ever seen such vivid spectrums of greens and bright blues here in Konoha, in the Land of Fire. It was a stark contrast from her home's dark blues and greys.

　　Nami sets herself back on task. She knew she had a long journey ahead and she couldn't allow herself to fall behind. She went through all that effort to get this mission so she was going to do a great job. No distracting or sentimental thoughts were going to ruin this for her.

　　The bluenette quickly calculates her travel time, estimating it out to take two days of travel time to get to Sunagakure. 'However,' the small girl thinks to herself.

　　Nami closes her eyes and focuses on her temperamental chakra, tentatively pulling on it until she knows she's ready to make the hand sign. Dragon. "Dragon's Gifts: Wings." Coursing chakra builds up at her shoulder blade area before flowing out slowly and taking the shape of two large blue wings, rippling with water as dark as the deepest ocean and emanating a soft shallows blue chakra.

　　The bluenette waits a moment to make sure the jutsu was stable, then crouches at the knees and prepares herself. She lowers herself into a balanced stance, ready for the force she'll need to take off. Her ever-flowing wings spread out wide on either side of her, eagerly waiting to unite with the sweet air. She builds a steady amount of chakra in her legs to assist her then pushes off the ground.

　　Her take-off is none-too-graceful. Her wings flapping erratically, trying to get ahold of the wind and her blue mane of hair covering her vision temporarily. But then finally the wind decides to lend its help, blowing itself under the bluenette's wing and pulling her hair away from her face, kissing it softly as she ascends higher and higher into the clear blue sky.

　　Nami takes one last glance at the place she called home for the past few years of her life with eyes filled with dimmed sadness. Sadness for what could have been and for what never will.

　　With one last sigh, Nami faces towards her destination, leaving those thoughts, and Konoha, behind her.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽
YES WE BACK IN BUSINESS BITCHES! I honestly don't even care if people don't read this anymore cause this is my baby and I will not give up on it! 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: If you could have any chakra nature, what would it be?

Go vote, comment, all that usual shit.
Thank you so much for reading!
Bye-bye!