Friendship sealed?[Hideo]

Two weeks passed since Rei first met Hideo. For her, it was a fast two weeks. Day in and out, she spent training with her father and the other elders. Training consisted of many things, mostly learning Jyuken and reciting the knowledge of their clan heritage that she had remembered. Hideo had appeared in his father's stead to conduct a business deal with Rei's father: he had proven competent, both Rei and her father saw worth in him. being from one of the prominent clans of Konoha, the elders saw worth in furthering the acquaintance into friendship and by default, better business arrangements. Of course Rei had already considered these options, though she was more personally keen on the friendship. The rest, were benefits.

Rei, the ever hard working and devout girl had decided to double up on her activities this day. two weeks had passed and she had yet found the time to go and visit Hideo and his family after being invited. Today, she was meant to train her Byakugan further: so she figured: why not train her Byakugan while she visited Hideo? Surely her father couldn't find any fault with that. Even if somewhat unorthodox. As such, she had activated her Byakugan even before she had bathed that morning. This day would be a day of stamina so to speak. She bathed and dressed in her usual shinobi attire of a black haori, white waist sash, black shinobi sandals and her hyuga crested white overcoat. Her ninja tool pouch and multiple sied scrolls tucked under her coat and behind her lower back.

Leaving the clan compound, she left alone. Wishing to be free of her clan's stifling background while visiting Hideo. He had been immersed into her clan's traditional lifestyle while he visited, so why shouldn't she immersed herself into the Uzumaki culture while she visited?

In truth, Rei wasn't even sure geographically where Uzushio was within the land of fire. There was an easy remedy however, she arranged earlier with her clan, passage by boat to Uzushio. Apparently, traveling there by boat was the only way to reach Hideo's home. To her analytical mind, that told her the most reasonable explanation was that it was either an island or a peninsula separated by a mountain range. Her assumption was proven correct when she boarded the boat and was shipped some distance away with Branch family attendants, which were instructed by her to stay on the boat. After a time though, they arrived within sight of the island. Uzushio was a port town with an extended mountainous range behind it. Hideo lives in such a beautiful little place. she admitted to herself. It was quite different than the never-ending compound with walls of the hyuga family.

Once their ship docked at the harbor, the Branch members stayed aboard the ship, patent but somewhat sour about not being allowed to escort their young mistress. Rei disembarked along with a few merchants who had made the trip. She went her separate way as they rolled out their cargo. her eyes activated the whole time, she quickly took in the surrounding scenery and found a random stranger to inquire information from. "Excuse me sir, but where may I find Hideki and Hideo Uzumaki on this island?" she asked a man politely.

Hideo had been training hard all of those two weeks, he sensed he would be much stronger if he continued with the intense training but his mind did wane at times with thoughts of what learning and knowledge had to do with combat, he justified it to himself that he was learning just by training so it was always easy to motivate himself. He had been called back home a few days before Rei was set to depart, a little curious at first as to why he had been called back as he had not been made aware of this situation.

Once he arrived he was still kept in the dark, did he really get called back for nothing? The Uzumaki would soon realise when he found himself waiting at the docks for a visitor his father seemed to be expecting and when he realised who it was he loudly sighed before they walked over to greet her which Rei would probably see with her Byakugan.

"You cunning old fart"

Before Hideki could respond his son had walked over with a smile on his face, to greet her and the tall man followed in his casual clothes. The two of them might've seemed surprisingly casual for the occasion to Rei, the two red-heads smirked to each other at this attire.

"Wow.. We need to get your new clothes, you'll faint in that get-up"

Hideki spoke his jest and laughed while Hideo looked at her and noticed the Branch Family members stuck on the boat before giggling. Oh Rei's father couldn't have been pleased about this, he must've seen this as her walking into a place of no return. He did wonder though how Rei might handle this new setting and being so isolated from home.

"Alright Dad you've had your fun, off you go before you chase her back to Konoha"

Grinning the older man gave his son a small slap on the back which inadvertently sent him stumbling and making him recover quickly before he fell on the young woman.

"You bastard."

But when Hideo turned around the Head of the Uzumaki Clan had already disappeared as though he wasn't there. Body Flicker Technique most likely leaving Hideo and Rei alone. He looked at her in thought before spoke up.

"I apologise for my Dad's humour, he is much less... reserved than me."

Now that was saying something if Hideki could be more casual than Hideo, he was hoping this situation hadn't ruined the experience for her. Hopefully it only made it more interesting or something to that effect.

"Uhh.. Welcome to Uzushiogakure, I really had no time to prepare sorry. Was it a pleasant trip? I apologise for the rough water but there's nothing we can really do about that."

She had indeed seen them coming. Her Byakugan awakened, she saw them approach from behind. Immediately she recognized Hideo, an by default: his father, which very similar but older. She could have used the word "mature" to describe Hideko, but she had heard stories by her father and of course- the way he walked with his son in casual clothing- said everything needed to be said. "Thank you very much, but I have found who I was looking for." she told the stranger she had previously asked for aid- this of course, was even before she had turned to look or greet Hideki or Hideo. the stranger, thought that peculiar. To be asked for help and then immediately be told nevermind. Regardless, Rei turned to face the two Uzumaki of a likeness. Hideo really did resemble Hideki. She bowed politely to the two of them. "thank you for the invitation, my family has high expectations from our interactions. she said more to Hideki, greeting their clan leader before addressing Hideo.

Of course she ignored Hideki's comment about her clothing. While it was true that it was hot, she wasn't sure how she felt about wearing more casual clothing, especially around strangers. Again, she ignored the little rough play Hideki and Hideo exchanged. She was no fool and could obviously tell that Hideki was a meddlesome father albeit he had the best intentions for his son. Rather, Rei found it entertaining that Hideo's father knew just how to unsettle his son around women. Unlike Hideo, Rei noticed Hideki leave. As she had near perfect speed and sight. Once he was "gone" for she doubted he was ever truly very far away from this "orchestrated" meeting... Rei responded to Hideo's greeting. "Don't worry about your father. I've beaten up old perverts similar to him." she would say in dry humor, likely leaving Hideo to wonder how much truth was behind her nonchalant joke.

"i am pleased that you invited me here. It is very refreshing from Konoha's forest climate. The waters on the way here were fairly calm today. We passed with little incident. She swiveled her head and looked around, unnecessary due to her Byakugan being active. Probably somewhat of a strange sight for Hideo to see such a pretty girl's face slightly contorted with bulging veins beside her eyes. She would point to her eyes however as she smiled. "My schedule has prevented me from visiting, so I decided to visit today while I am training my Byakugan.
Please forgive my rudeness, I understand that some people find the Byakugan unsightly."

Hideo was pleased that thus far his father seemed to be docile enough not to irritate this situation further and left, by no means was he embarrassed about his father's actions simply because Rei was his friend and he didn't want his deviant father to try and push something which might ruin it or leave the young man with a broken chakra network.

"And he's charmed women far more deadly.... I mean, what did you think of the King of Charmers himself?"

His comment slipped into the conversation as more of a defence for his father but at the same time he hoped this encounter could remain pleasant for the both of them. It was good she enjoyed this place though and she had only seen this small part of it. Uzushio could easily be comparable to Konoha if not bigger due to the amount of trade and resources it could bring in but it came at the cost that the village focused more on development than actual security aside from the small groups of people that practised Ninjutsu on the island or people like Hideki and the Uzumaki Clan.

"I'm happy you like it. I think my father had a room set-up for the duration of your stay if you plan to or he might have not just to put me out of mine. Nevertheless I do hope you stay for a bit and train away, I quite like the Byakugan. It's such a lovely Kekkei Genkai, one that provides the truth and allows for one to decipher the world. It does make me a little envious in all honesty that such a gift is reserved for the Hyuga but I will make do with the tools I am provided with."

The Uzumaki's eyes flicked over to her Branch Family escort and smirked at them with their Byakugan active, just finding it curious that they were watching ever so intently.

"Would you mind if we take this conversation somewhere else? Your escort look like a group of hawks waiting to strike me. I would love to show you around anyway, the village is so vast with many different things to see and experience, it might be a shock for someone who is so used to Konoha do you think you can handle it?"

King of charmers? She had never heard the title. Then again, she hadn't been too impressed with Hideo's father. Actions spoke louder than words. Hideki had skipped out on an important business arrangement with the Hyuga clan and sent his son instead. Granted Hideo proved capable and Rei was certain that Hideki purposefully send his son to foster ties with her: it was still a fact that Hideki had shirked a responsibility he was solely entitled to. Hideo wanted to know what Rei thought of his father, that was a difficult answer to explain. "I believe your father's methods are questionable, but he has the best of intentions. Most of the time... but then again, I don't really know him passed stories and small conversation." she would say, somewhat with a political response. Honestly, she had no personal opinion of the man. To her, he was a person of only business value due to his position of responsibility and talent.

Hearing Hideki had prepared a room for her was somewhat of a relief to Rei. Traveling by boat had taken a good portion of the day: returning by night could be perilous indeed. At the minimum, she needed to stay a full night. "Thank you for the hospitality. My two family members and I will stay with you for the night. Tomorrow we must be headed back however, I have other business matters to attend to in Konoha." she would bow politely to Hideo. Probably unnecessary, but it was the way she was raised. She was relieved that Hideo was not offended by the Byakugan, it meant she could continue training in comfort while also conversing with Hideo and his clan. She smirked though slightly at Hideo's mention of the hawk-like gaze of her two Branch family members. "I would like to explore Uzuhio and meet some of the inhabitants here.
As for my clan members. Their Byakugan will follow you so long as you remain within their range." which of course was about half a mile's distance, though she wasn't ready to disclose her clan's doujutsu strengths.

Le bump

Hideo stood ready to lead her along the busy streets of the port village, Hideo noted some traders from Sunagakure were showing off their puppets and one was offering a few to sell which even for the busy metropolis the young man rarely saw puppets being sold. There was a sentiment to them he guessed, all that work. The Uzumaki Heir sighed as he heard Rei's answer towards his father, how dull and boring he hoped she'd form a more interesting opinion of things. One day he'd open her eyes to there being more than the rules and traditions that she held herself to.

"Well if you would like to see Uzushio, I suppose since it's business we can make something out of this. As you see the village is neutral which makes us very easy to trade with and for villages to obtain equipment and resources from us. In fact a lot of our business comes from villages laundering through us. Take Iwa and Kiri, two villages that still have a tense connection, now if you were Kiri you most likely wouldn't want that quality stone and metal by asking the Tsuchikage for it. Soooo you buy it from Uzushio that gets the same product but saves face. That's the beauty of business so I am sure we meet whatever your father.. clan wants oh whoever wants this deal."

He continued down the street leading her along to take in the environment. The day was still young though and the two of them had a lot of time before nightfall. Best make the most use out of it.

She walked slowly and took in the scenery as she listened to Hideo's words and allowed the deeper principles sink in to her understanding. Being a neutral vilage defiantly had its benefits, though Rei was also certain that there were those who didn't wish for such beneficial marketing. "It's a wonder that you can get trade to ad from Iwagakure and Kirigakure without any serious complications. Do the two villages ever try to sabotage each other's merchandise?" she would ask while eyeing the puppeteers selling puppets.

It was difficult for her to believe that tensions wouldn't be high even though technically all the villages were at peace. Also, she found it curious that the puppeteers were sellin puppets. Surely a show of good will.. but a puppet was just a giant doll of the people weren't taught the secret of properly using puppets. "I've seen a lot today. I'm certain my father will find worth in benefitting each other once I give him my report." she would say. Her stomach grumbling, suddenly realizing she was hungry.

Hideo turned and faced her again in a brief stop, noticing her looking at the puppets which amused him. His sister liked puppets, he never saw the use in them though they were good but left the user more likely to be vulnerable if someone was to slip past them.

"Well. They don't exactly talk over getting it, it's more like we buy their product and then the other village buys it from us. It means that you can get the benefit of the not interacting with the other village, despite the fact it would be cheaper to buy from them. My father found out that pride makes people willing to give up more money than give up their pride and so the village has been very good for business since he took over after my grandfather died in the war."

He turned to continue the trip before hearing her stomach growl and turned back with a broad grin.

"I wouldn't have thought the princess of the Hyuga's stomach would ever growl, she's always so disciplined that I thought she might control her body functions to the dot. Anyway I kid, you want some food I assume?"

She was suddenly embarrassed, evident on her face. Rei was not used to being embarrassed: her best friend Kazue often tried to embarrass the hyuga princess, but Rei had become accustomed to her friend's childish antics. Hideo proceeded to poke fun at her a little and she couldn't help but smile a little. She had tried so hard to make herself into what her clan needed, that she always found it difficult to relax and actually enjoy life. She nodded her head at Hideo's presumptuous question. He was right after all. "The trip to the island was a lot longer than I expected... and no, it's impossible to control every bodily function" she said, admitting that it had been some time since she had eaten and to respond to Hideo's jesting. Suddenly, she was curious to know what kinds of things the Uzumaki cooked here. "What kind of food does your clan cook here on this island?" it was an odd question but Rei wanted to know. Though they were of the same village- clans and culture could be completely different.

Hideo gave her a grin as he pointed towards the roofs of some of the more stable buildings that weren't stalls. He was pointing at a few of the village children who were running along the roof tops much to some of the adults disapproval.

"Oh Rei you are in for a treat, hope you don't mind a little exercise though to get it through the roofs"

The Uzumaki was curious to see if Rei would follow, even though it was childish and immature he wanted to see if she would really abandon this disposition towards being what everyone expected to see in the Hyuga leader or if she'd take a gamble for the opportunity of food and a possibly fun experience.

His words were clear in intent. Her brows furled over in dis-contempt at the idea. Yet she was under his hospitality and his father was the clan leader. Refusing to play along could be more offensive than actually breaking away from serious traditions and demeanor. If Hideo jumped to the roofs, she would leap after him gracefully, though not breaking a smile. Her eyes were on him, copying him and learning the rules of whatever game he was introducing her to. She was a fast shinobi, yet she purposefully controlled the output of her speed, allowing Hideo to lead to wherever he would take her. "With that speed.. I'd say you don't exercise enough." she would say in a joking manner, albeit a bit in dry humor.

Hideo jumped up and watched as she arrived as well on top of the roof, looking down he saw a woman give them both displeased glares for their childish behaviour. Hideo honestly was surprised that Rei had come along with him up here, he expected her to back out but then again, it could've just been peer pressure into following just didn't want to lose to Hideo it seemed.

"Alright, I wasn't expecting that. Guess I underestimated our little princess and I am sure you out-match me in speed, I prefer to be balanced. Who knows I might even be able to beat you in an arm-wrestle so speed isn't everything Rei. Now food. Just follow the kids, I can imagine you'd be pretty hungry so I can catch up if need be. I'll just take it smoothly since I was doing some physical tasks for my Dad earlier before we met you."

He'd insist on waiting for Rei, he did try to be courteous where possible and this also allowed for him to gauge her speed. He was aware of much of Rei just by her heritage, but there were always unique things about a person and with the Chuunin exams coming up he wasn't going to wait around when he had possible chance to get some pre-game info on one of the more stronger contestants.

To each, their own. That was all Re had an opinion on when Hideo said he preferred balance. Balance was good. Her style just differed based on her upbringing and the requirements to perform Jyuken. Physically, she was strong- though she was certain she was not the strongest of her age group. She was strong enough to pick up and throw objects the size of an elephant however, so she could just imagine how an arm wrestling contest would go. It was a slightly amusing thought to visualize as she listened to Hideo explain that she needed to follow the children at her own pace. It seemed that he had other matters to attend to at the moment and would catch up. Maybe a slightly foolish idea, but she decided that she would toy with Hideo a little. He had after all, made her jump irresponsibly across the roof tops of the little village. "My two Branch family will head to the house to prepare my room." she would say to Hideo in response. Of course her two bodyguards were watching with the Byakugan and could read lips. That was their que to leave the boat and begin moving.

For a few seconds longer, she would run at Hideo's pace. She would have liked to gleam information about him before the Chuunin exam soon, but he was shrewd. Instead, she assumed this was an opportunity for the Uzumaki to gauge her own speed. She didn't mind, in fact. She had already guessed that her own speed far surpassed Hideo's own speed. As such, if she moved with all her effort- it was likely that Hideo would only see a blue of her movement. But she wanted to take this to the next level and toy with Hideo a little. She would be running beside Hideo, only hands reach apart- when suddenly her physical body would vanish. Not instantly, but more like that of a ghost as her face would turn and wink at him. Then, she was just gone. In truth, she had used a technique, her illusion step to enhance her speed and leave an afterimage to fool Hideo. The real Rei would have dashed forward with extreme speed and surpassed the children's location without them realizing it. All of this had happened in the blink of an eye and if Hideo's eyes were sharp enough, he would spot Re standing on a high rooftop looking down at him, a good seventy meters away. Two other afterimages standing forty five degrees to her left and right t half the distance. Her intention was to show Hideo that though speed was her specialty- her speed tactics were far more advanced than just moving fast.
CP-405/455
Jutsu- Illusion Step(B)

The young man certainly was a little surprised such a powerful technique was in possession of a Genin, her speed would be quite the nuisance if someone on her level was to fight her so early in the education the Uzumaki noted as he saw the young princess further down the roof. Taking his time at a fairly casual pace he would make her pay by making her wait before he arrived and stretched.

"Alright little miss show off, food's just down there"

He pointed towards a small stall which was selling squid and other seafood. Usually seen in Mizu no Kuni and island states but Konoha wasn't known for its seafood and the best seafood was homemade. They just imported it. He could never enjoy the taste of Konoha's seafood as much as he enjoyed Uzushio's.

"So.. I suppose that must've made you famished after that little jog so let's go"

Jumping down and flipping before landing firmly on his feet to stretch and pat himself down and look up at Rei waiting to see her get down so they could get some food, if she took to long he'd keep moving towards the food and order two of the squids that were on a stick one of course was her's he wouldn't expect Rei to pay for her own food in his hometown.

Hideo had reacted somewhat reasonably surprised but yet controlled for his age, Rei wound that equally amusing and admonished. She had learned that technique from her sensei: a troubled individual cursed with immortality. In fact, Rei had heard a story from her blue skinned sensei about her fight with the current Hokage Kosuke. "Ive never eaten seafood before, sounds fun." she would say as her eyes followed to where Hideo was pointing. He would arrive first, with Rei only seconds behind him. She would thank him for the courtesy of the meal and then she would find somewhere to sit down with Hideo and talk while they ate.

Now Rei having never eaten seafood before was a surprise to the young man, he would've thought that this woman in all her riches would have at least sampled new cuisine but it seems she didn't which was a surprise, that would be a shame though for any other seafood down the line since he was sure she'd never be able to stomach the stuff they call "seafood" in Konoha after getting the real deal.

"Well it's a good thing I am here to enlighten you to the many wonders of the world, jeez. With all your riches and power I'm amazed you've never travelled before or even eaten Seafood. What do you guys do all day? Just sit in your compound and eat rice every day?"

Following her he wondered where she might lead the two of them to eat, hopefully she didn't get them lost. He knew there was a beach close by or the rainforests which had some pretty cool old ruins from the early Uzumaki, it was funny they believed in such complex rituals for Fuinjutsu and other things but there were those that thought the ruins were from the Sage of the Six Paths, who really knew though. He just guessed they'd end up where she lead them.

"Riches are a thing shared between a family... and my family is quite large. Most of our proceeds are used to fund finances for various businesses and making sure our elderly are taken care of." she said. She cared very little for being rich. "My people spend more time in the dojo learning jyuken. More so than eating rice." she would say with dry humor as she munched on the seafood. It had an interesting taste, it wasn't much to her liking but she was not raised to waste food.

Unaware of where she was headed, she simply followed one foot in front of the other until she and Hideo would find themselves before the old ruins of the Uzumaki clan. Of course Rei knew right away that this place was of some significance. She just wasn't sure how though. She would point to the ruins in between bites of food. "What is this place?"

Hideo had to smirk at her comment, wondering if maybe she had taken his comment a little to literal instead of the meaning behind it. "Sitting around the compound" was just a figure of speech, oh well though it wouldn't be the first strange thing about Rei but that's what made her interesting yet also gave her a pretty bland personality at least what she tried to show it as.

Following along he looked at the woman as she lead them towards the old ruins and he noticed her curiosity towards him, part of him wanted to just fob them off as nothing and give a pretty bland answer to make it play on her mind but he was not that cruel even to play with her.

"This place? Rei it's rude to talk while eating. Anyway.. The ruins? Oh they're just some old relics of my clan's history. Fuinjutsu had to begin somewhere over the years it just became more refined, some Uzumaki think that if they train Fuinjutsu here then they can become really good at it just because my father created his unique Fuinjutsu here and Yu-Mi crafted her conceptual weapon here, it's all just old wives tales and stuff though so it's not really anything more than a historic piece of culture on the island"

Rei ignored Hideo's making fun of her, she was truly curious in the ruins. Not because of some mystical powers, but because of the history and culture that it supported. The Uzumaki were the most powerful Fuinjutsu clan in Konoha, likely even the whole shinobi world. She didn't really wish to learn their secrets, but she was not opposed to it either. That was however, a secret of the Uzumaki clan, just as the Hyuga possessed their own secrets. No, Rei wished to understand and explore the Uzuamki's culture and history: on her own. Hideo was a great young man and knew how to dig Rei out of her stoic shell. But Rei was beginning to see a picture of the future, and it was one that she needed to know as much as possible. Not just for success in whatever she did, but to pay proper respects and customs as well. She listened to the red headed boy as he went on about the superstitions of the ruins and she couldn't help but give a soft laugh herself at the idea. Didn't people know that a place wasn't important... but the people and their hearts? "Your clan has a rich heritage, so full of life and mystery. I'd like to stay a few days and learn as much about your clan as possible." She would yawn then, realizing how late it was becoming. "It is getting late however and I wish to retire to the guest room." she would say to Hideo, also indicating that she had finished her food while he had been talking.
[Exit]