The gleaming towers were replaced with something a little closer to what they were used to, with brick and stucco and buildings under five stories in height.
"You can tell why I started coming here," said Naruto over his shoulder as they left the odd mass-transit vehicle.
"Because everything else was so new and strange that you could unwind a little here among more familiar surroundings?" asked Kurenai.
"Yeah," said Naruto, glancing back at the red-eyed woman.
"You spent time elsewhere?" asked Kakashi.
"Undercover assignment outside the Five Nations area," said Kurenai with a miniscule shrug. "Details are still classified."
"Ah," said Kakashi, accepting that. It wasn't uncommon after all, and kunoichi DID tend to get assignments like that more than the male shinobi.
"This way," said Naruto, nodding to the person behind the counter of a ramen shop, then ducking down the alley to the side of it.
"Why did I know there would be one of those involved?" asked Kakashi of no single individual in particular.
The alley went down a few stairs to a dirty-looking door set in the brick wall with several odd languages posted around it.
"This is it," said Naruto, opening the door and motioning Hinata to go in.
When Hinata went in, she came to a complete halt, requiring Tenten to tap the girl on the shoulder to get her to move.
"byakugan," whispered Hinata, using her bloodlimit. Which was really handy for someone as short as she was when taller people were crowded around.
Two stories high, with ladders on tracks that could be scooted over to particular sections.
"Naruto! It's been awhile," said a stooped over old woman who wouldn't have looked out of place going to bingo and knitting shawls.
"Hey, Granny," said Naruto. "Need some supplies."
"Oh, well, you've come to the right place then," said the woman.
"Tenten? Tenten?" said Kurenai. "Stop drooling."
Knives, shuriken, kunai, throwing axes. Everywhere she looked, there were pointy-stabby bits of beauty. Some gleamed silver-chrome. Others seemed made of blackened material, while still others were dark green or glistening blued steel. Tenten let out a brief squeal as she went to a barrel marked [50% Discount] and began looking over the mayhem for sale.
"Hmmm," said Kurenai, walking around a plastic mannequin wearing odd armor.
"If you give me a list of what you need, I'll get right on it," said the old woman, rummaging around in her apron pocket and producing a pad and pencil.
"Hmph," said Princess Kodako Naga Kuzco. "Really. Can't they adjust their weather or something? It's entirely too hot."
"We don't have weather magics either," said the ragdoll maid.
"Miss Notch," said the Princess with a sniff.
"Sorry, my lady," said the somewhat-evil steam-powered ragdoll-golem maid.
"Remember," lectured the Princess of Najirea, "we must maintain our poise and image lest we lose bargaining ground. Our kingdom mainly produces high quality alcoholic beverages, and our magical studies are at least a few hundred years behind them. As long as we maintain a strong image though, we have room to bluff and negotiate."
"It is as you say, my Princess," said Miss Notch.
"Most of it was crap," said Tenten, looking down into the barrel of mayhem. "This was the only thing that really caught my eye."
"A good choice," said the proprietor. "Most of the items in there have minor defects, I couldn't sell them full-price."
"This, on the other hand," said Tenten, holding her choice up. "THIS is nice."
"It's a nice little throwing dagger, isn't it?" agreed the proprietor.
"What is it made of?" asked Tenten.
"A form of ceramic metal," said the shop owner. "Non magnetic, doesn't conduct electricity, keeps the edge well, won't rust."
"Interesting," admitted Tenten. "How do you make that kind of material, and do you have any kunai made of it?"
"Here ya go, Hinata," said Naruto, deciding that this would work. Guys who were engaged to a girl gave them gifts, right? They were both ninja, right?
"A-ano, Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata, sounding very uncertain.
"At first I thought of giving you a zanbato," explained Naruto, "but I don't know how good you are with swords. Then I thought what else could I get you that would help you on ninja missions? Especially with how some of 'em have been going lately."
"Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata. "What is it?"
Naruto beamed at his fiancee. "It's a -"
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(Posted Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:01)
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