Wandering under the Setting Sun [Travel]

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Ami had had a restless night with very little sleep and had woken up that day feeling quite ill. So she had chosen to stay home for most of the day, not leaving the comforts of her bed for anything other than to grab something quick to eat. She often had sleepless nights, and would end up making up for them during the day. She hated such nights because she knew that the next day would pretty much be gone because of sleep. The girl woke up in the late afternoon, feeling slightly better. She had been told by a medic not to overly exert herself so she was glad to have had the rest. But now eyes wide open, she thought about the long and probably sleepless night ahead of her. She wanted to do something...but what?

The Hyuuga got up from her bed and changed into a dark red dress. Pulling out her coat, she would head out of the compounds, with her katana strapped to her waist and her weapon pouch to her left knee. She wasn't really out for any particular reason but she just wanted to get out, to breathe some fresh air. It was suffocating to always stay in her room and she longed for some adventure. The girl turned onto the main streets, admiring the sky. The sun was about to set, she thought to herself, smiling. She loved to watch the sun set. Ami thought in her mind about a few places she could go. She had been to the lake too many times recently that it was starting to get a little boring.

Perhaps a little traveling wouldn't hurt...

The girl double checked that she had her antidote strapped to her neck, in the form of a locket. Ami always carried this with her especially since her heart condition could act up at any moment. She didn't want to be a burden for anyone especially on missions. Pleased with herself that she didn't forget, the young girl would make a swift turn off the main streets, and would head straight for a place she had only gone once before, with her friend Karite. It was Kataki Road, a place that all shinobi had to pass through to travel outside of the village. As the sun was beginning to set, she noticed that the road had little people, perfect for a lone traveler like herself. She hated the bustling streets. Walking slowly, she would think about the possible places the road would lead her, quite excited for what was about to unfold.

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The green haired Hyuuga was marveling at the beautiful sky when a familiar voice interrupted her. "Greetings Hyuuga. . . Hunting Prey. . .?" The voice she knew, belonged to Adam Kaguya, a young boy she had met on a mission a couple of days ago in the jungle. She had recognized not just his voice but also by the fact he was probably the only ninja in Gokkousato to call her by her last name. Although she didn't mind, it made her feel slightly uneasy, especially from someone so much younger than herself. She would smile and shake her head in response to the question.

"Adam! Didn't expect to see you here," she chirped happily, a little too cheerfully as her smile widened. She was always careful to show positivity and lots of energy to other people, especially to young children. Though Adam was not your usual kid, she thought, as she remembered that chilling tone he used when he fought the tiger just days ago. Shaking her head she'd quickly add, "What brings you out here? It's getting late, don't you think?" Her day had just started, she mused.

They were outside the village gates. Since he had been behind her, she guessed that he was about to go out, the same route she was taking. But a child like him shouldn't venture out of the village at these hours, she noted, wondering what the Kaguya clan family rules were. Before she turned sixteen, her parents forbade her from taking night missions or doing night training outside the compound. Too dangerous, they told her strictly. So the sight of the Kaguya made her more than just surprised.

"Taking a stroll. The skies beautiful, isn't it?" She'd turn her lavender eyes to look at Adam. She guessed his age to be close to the age of her younger sister before she died. Also a reason why she felt extra protective towards young children. She wanted to do the job she had neant to do for her sister. The girl had a faint sign of sadness as she turned her head to look down the streets again, memories of her sister flooding her mind. If only she could have made it up to her...Ami thought and heaved a little sigh.

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The girl was happy to see a smile, though ever so faint, start to appear on Adam's face. He had never shown anything more than an emotionless expression since they met. She would listen to his story, deeply moved by his words. It seemed he had been through quite a lot at such a young age, something she unfortunately couldn't relate to. Ami didn't offer any words of condolence or sympathy as she felt that would just make her sound fake and probably make him hate her. "I see." She murmured quietly, the only response she could give.

"I'm okay," she would begin to say as he seemed to show concern for her. After a moment's pause she would continue, her voice never carrying above a whisper and her gaze up at the sky. She hadn't told anyone this, much less to that of a child. "I have a sister. Had, to be exact. We weren't the best of sisters though..." she started to say, her eyes drifting to a far away spot as she continued. "We fought over everything, and we were at each other's neck aboyt being the next Hyuuga successor." Admittedly her sister was more aggressive about it than she was. "If she hadn't died, she would be about your age or a little older." Her smile turned into a grim expression.

"I've never known been through what you have, Adam. But I do know one thing, the past can never be erased, but if you let it shape us into who we are, then we'll never be able to come out of it and live our lives fully." Ami was no counselor nor did she have the intention of preaching. She simply reiterated the words of her elders, after the death of her sister. For a long time she could believe nor accept that she had died but her elders reminded her that the memories would remain in Ami's heart. The Hyuuga gave a small giggle and attempted to lighten the seemingly dark mood.

"Where are you planning to go then, tonight?"