Deputy Hours [Meika/Ichi]

Alone with his thoughts, taking some time to clear his mind, Ichigo found himself at the Thunderpeak Campus. It was a beautiful night, as many were in Kumogakure, the moonlight shining brilliantly on the village in the Land of Lightning, all the more reason the Deputy ended up going out for an evening stroll. Late night chills ran over him, the armor covering his body hardly stopping the wind from touching his skin. Ironically it was a pleasant feeling, the blacksmith's son enjoying the gentle breeze as he walked closer to the library. "How long has it been since I visited this place?". He couldn't remember.

As dark as the night itself, the black Skies MK armor that protected him from any harm was worn firmly around his body. A gift he received from his best friend and Raikage, Noboru Kaito, the day before Ichigo set out for the Kage Summit in the Land of Tea. Memories of that time were vivid, the event he mediated per the Mizukage's request, hoping to settle whatever differences between the villages. The meeting was successful, discussions happening peacefully until the leaders of both Sand and Mist decided to battle it out over something that happened in the past.

Ichigo made it out alive, safely returning to Kumogakure where he now stood at the Thunderpeak Campus. A beautiful scenery, the moonlight shining as Raijin watched over the village. He noticed the many stars up high as he continued to walk around the building, witnessing a truly majestic view coming from the sky. Taking a moment to allow himself to collect his thoughts, the Drunk finally moved forward once more, following the path closest to the library. As he did, Ichigo noticed an open window not that far from him. "There's someone inside? At this time?". Wasting no time to think the Deputy would close the distance, hoping to find out soon.

Doing so, he laid his eyes on a young woman, her body covered with a black, short gown as she looked outside the window. "Looking for someone?" the man spoke out loud as he approached her, by that time having recognized the little vixen who kept herself getting into trouble more than once. 

(WC: 370)

The sound of footsteps that was eager to inc the stogate the library brought Meika's attention away from the window, and towards the direction of the soft footed approach. Even at the speed in which they fell, they was still carefully placed and barely noticable at such a deserted hour.

As she gazed into the direction, she quickly noted that the ghost was no longer swaying within the bath of moonlight. It had left her with whomever was on their way to her corner. Which she didn't expect to be Kumogakure's Deputy and Doctor that owned his own institution.

His figure became visible, and the sconces flickered dancing shadows amongst his appearance.

"Not exactly if you want me to be honest." Meika responded truthfully, as she inclined her head towards the book that was open within her hand. "But I wouldn't be complaining about you appearing at such an interesting time, yet again." Her voice added in a frolicsome manner. With that, the woman closed the book within her possession and rested it along her hip. It was always entertaining how the Deputy had the habit of finding her in such unlikely places in her quiet, sneaky hours. "Was you searching for someone instead?"

---

{WC: 204 | TWC: 712}

Her voice called out to him, while her eyes remained focused on the book she carried. "I didn't take you for someone who would appreciate our finest literature" he responded, noticing how the little vixen closed the book and turned both her head and attention towards him. It appeared fate always brought the two of them together, even in the most unexpected ways. If it weren't the Raikage's private hotsprings than it would be the village's library. Ultimately, it were always polar opposites when it came to Meika and the mysteriousness that followed her around wherever the kunoichi decided to pop up.

Ichigo would lean against the wall, close to the window she found herself looking out from. "I assume you have a reason for being here or did you simply decide to put on your gown in a spur of the moment?". The Deputy knew better than that, there were never any coincidences whenever the little vixen was involved. A momentary silence would fall, allowing him some time to come up with a suitable answer for his own reason of ending up at the Thunderpeak Campus. "The village never sleeps, and neither do I" Ichigo replied in a rather vague manner.

The shinobi world continued to change, more than enough reason for Kumogakure to not stay behind. It was inevitable, an occurence everyone would have to go through eventually. 

(WC: 230, TWC: 600)

Standing underneath the moonlight Ichigo continued to enjoy Meika's teasing. "Well if you're unable to sleep we could always take our conversation somewhere else" the Drunk jested in response. Despite their banter going back and forth, he was still interested in the kunoichi's progress as a shinobi of Kumogakure. "Follow me, we have a lot to discuss". And with that the night slowly came to an end.

(Exit)

(TWC: 667)
Claims, using max stat discount:
- 667 to finish Heavenly Foot of Pain (previously trained here)

Approved