[center][i]Kiyomi Sato-Hon, Hokage apprentice, Leader of Team 2.[/center][/i] Laying on her back, Kiyomi stared at the ceiling. She couldn't get the idea out of her head. She had been responsible for Katsuko's death. Yumi's loss of memory and what else? Narrowing her eyes, she tried to find a reason to make it up. A way that she could make things better, but she couldn't turn time back. It had happened and she had to live with the consequence and result. Though she disliked what they were. Sighing, she closed her eyes and suddenly fell like her room was too small. It felt like a prison that kept her in such a gloomy mood. Getting up, Kiyomi thought about what she could do. Hayate was together with Mimi in Amegakure. As was Kensuke. And going to Amegakure wasn't an option while she had been tasked to help Tatsuya. Who wasn't in a good mood either, at least the last time they had spoken. HIsoka was also at Amegakure and as she kept trying to come up with a name of a person she would like to spend some time with, Kiyomi realized something. Why didn't she just spend some time by herself? It wasn't like she never had done that, but that was mostly just training and studying. It was time to do something exciting. Something that had nothing to do with being a jounin or the one that managed the Konoha Guardians. No, it would have to be something that she had not done before to pass time. Walking towards the door of her room, Kiyomi thought about her options. Somebody was snoring and she noticed Samehada in the corner of her room. Maybe it would be best if she would go alone for now. Matatabi was most of the time silent, so she wouldn't need to worry about him. Opening the door and closing it softly behind her, a smile was growing on Kiyomi's lips. She was dressed in her casual atire, but she carried no pouch. No weaponry at all. This time she would spend time on doing something fun. And harmless or well, almost completely harmless. Exiting the house, Kiyomi felt a bit excited. There were many things she could do. Realizing that there were most of the time ANBU following her actions, Kiyomi thought differently about it. Remembering that she had gone a bit worried and angry over it, only to turn indifferent towards it, she thought of something. She had her own invisible escort. That would come in handy! Though she still had the dark thoughts in the back of her head, she managed to slowly distract herself. Now all she would need to figure out was what she would do. There were some things that were going through her mind. Like jumping off the Hokage Mountain? Though then she would need to use ninjutsu or tools to not jump to her death. Thinking about some other options, Kiyomi was absent mindly walking through Konohagakure. Biting on her lower lip, she noticed something. She had to step aside as a carriage was heading down the street. While she would step aside, she saw the horses. Not really though an expert on the animals, they brought a brief experience back. One that she had enjoyed. A memory she cherished. [b]''I could do that.''[/b] Kiyomi mumbled to herself as she would then head towards the main gates. She had to pass the inner gate of the inner wall, but she had no problem with that. At least being infamous had a plus at times like that. Heading towards the merchant quarters, it was not that busy as usual. With the evening most merchants weren't really as active as they were in the noon or afternoon. Still, there were some places that were still trying to sell or were just open. Hearing the sounds of the animals, Kiyomi started to smile. While she was heading towards a stable, Kiyomi wondered for a brief moment. She was thinking about her being half a Sato. Did that mean she would get a rush and joy from riding a horse? That was what most nomads did, right? [i]One way to find out[/i], she thought to herself. Entering the stables, she noticed some horses. Some of them were quite big. Curious, but yet careful, Kiyomi approached a big black colored one. He was in his pen and eyed Kiyomi curiously. [b]''Hey there.~''[/b] Kiyomi softly said as she stretched her hand. The horse's nostrils widened as the animal seemed to sniff her hand. Slowly taking a step towards the curious animal, Kiyomi smiled. [b]''You're a pretty one, aren't you?~''[/b] Then she had to jump back. Surprised, she quickly examined her hand. The horse whinnied as it throw up its head and for some reason Kiyomi thought it was mocking her. [b]''That wasn't nice.''[/b] [b]''A wild one, he is.''[/b] Hearing the voice, Kiyomi looked over her shoulder. Noticing a man with a pitchfork approaching her, Kiyomi tried to flash a smile. [b]''Sorry, I didn't mean to trouble-''[/b] But the man raised his free hand and shook his head. [b]''No, no. Don't worry lass. I was just going to set him and two others in the meadow nearby. Just need to wait for my sons and daughter to help me out to bring the horses outside.''[/b] The man said. He smiled at her as he nodded with his head. [b]''What is your name, lass?''[/b] Feeling a bit embarrassed as she had almost been bitten by a horse, Kiyomi smiled and answered back. [b]''Kiyomi Sato-Hon, sir. Pleasure to meet you.''[/b] The man seemed to frown. Rubbing his chin with his free hand, he leaned more on the pitchfork as he seemed to ponder. [b]''Familiar name, that is.''[/b] He mumbled briefly, on which he then cleared his throat. [b]''The name is Lee. Lee Akaike. Pleasure to meet you too. But what brings you to the stable?''[/b] The question made Kiyomi a bit shy. She wasn't sure how to phrase it and started to realize it could be a bit rude to just enter a stable and then ask to how expensive it was to rent a horse for an evening. [b]''I wanted to see...if I could like..''[/b] [b]''Try to ride a horse? Hahahahaha, sorry miss, but that is quite funny. I have been in the horse business for quite some time. But never have I met somebody who just approached the wildest stallion and then express she wanted to ride a horse.''[/b] While the man laughed, Kiyomi felt a bit shy and embarrassed. She wanted to mock him back as she got the idea he was doing that. But she remembered her lessons well. Trying to look calm, she then tried to answer back in a serious tone. [b]''I would love to rent a horse for an evening. What is the price for that, mister Akaike-san?''[/b] Kiyomi asked. Her question caused the man to slowly stop laughing as he then seemed to think about something. [b]''I know a good deal. Come back over ten minutes. Then you can ride with me and get a ride for free. Only, you need to ride Kazeya.''[/b] Lee nodded towards the horse, who snorted as he shook his head. Looking sideways at the black stallion, Kiyomi thought about it. Then she decided to take the chance. [b]''Mister Akaike-san, I will see you within ten minutes.''[/b] Kiyomi flashed a smile as she would then quickly run away. She had something in mind. Lee looked at how she ran and chuckled. [b]''Poor lass. Well, time to saddle some of you, heh.''[/b] -------- [center][b]Ten minutes later.[/b] [youtube]qFuiLMVzDqI[/youtube][/center] [b]''Everything is ready, pa.''[/b] One of the boys said. Three boys and one girl were checking if the horses were saddled up like they should be. Sitting on top of a grey mare, Lee looked at his children. He scoffed. [b]''Well, seems the lass-''[/b] But then he heard somebody. [b]''Here I am!''[/b] Kiyomi came running around the corner. She had a pair of apples in her hand and a shoulderbag. [b]''Well, seems she came after all.''[/b] One of the boys said, grinning. Two boys exchanged a grin after they had examined Kiyomi. Kazehaya snorted as he shook his head before he eyed Lee. [b]''He is all yours, Miss Sato-Hon.''[/b] Lee said, gesturing to the stallion. Kiyomi frowned as she approached the horse, who was much bigger than the others ones. At a few steps away from the horse, she raised up her left hand, offering a red apple to the horse. It bowed his head and sniffed at the apple and then took a bite. Even while she was pleasantly surprised, Kiyomi was on guard. Nearly had she pulled back her hand, but she managed to control her nerves. Lee chuckled and then gave a signal. His children mounted the horses they were supposed to ride. [b]''Go on ahead. I will try to help Miss Sato-Hon over here.''[/b] This earned the laughter of one of the boys and it annoyed Kiyomi. Focusing her attention on the horse, she tried to whisper things. Instead of telling him how pretty or big he was, she just talked about stuff. About how she would like to have Hayate here or Midori. That she knew a nomadic clan and then just started to whisper about the Sato Clan. Not that she had in mind that it would help to convince the horse to let her mount on him. But if she could distract him with the apple and whispers, it was better than just trying to jump on his back. Interested, Lee watched how Kiyomi offered the horse another apple, this time managing to do so without worrying too much of getting bitten. Approaching the side of the horse, Kiyomi patted the neck of the animal. She continued her rambling softly about the Sato Clan. How she had played a very fun game with Midori, on trying to jump on the back of a horse. Then finally, as Kazehaya finished the second apple, Kiyomi slowly mounted on his back. Not that she was a stranger to a horse back as she remembered the few times she had been on them. Mostly just for travel or to chase a target. And the last time just for fun, though it wasn't probably fun for the surprised horses. [b]''Well done, Miss. Shall we proceed?''[/b] Lee asked amused. Nodding, Kiyomi took the reins and then softly tried to instruct Kazehaya to move forwards. Instead the animal shook his head as he then whinnied. [b]''You need to show him who is the boss, Miss Sato-Hon. Creatures with such fierce attitude don't tend to listen to soft words and actions. You need to force him.''[/b] Though she nodded, Kiyomi felt a bit in conflict. Why would she need to force him? It brought somehow back the memory of when she had tried to force Matatabi into trying to open a bit up to her. No, forcing Kazehaya wouldn't do it. [b]''Mister Akaike, may I suggest something?''[/b] Kiyomi asked, on which the man nodded and frowned. [b]''What about a race?''[/b] She asked, patting the neck of Kazehaya. The question of Kiyomi made the man burst out in laughter. [b]''A race? Good miss, I think that would be unfair. This mare is the fastest of the stable. I don't think Kazehaya could keep up with her, not as long as he won't listen.''[/b] Shaking his head, the man beckoned her to try to use force. Almost had she done it, but Kiyomi decided to give it another try. Straighten her back, she smiled. [b]''But if it isn't a problem, then why not give it a try? I think somebody might surprise you, Miss Akaike.''[/b] Kiyomi said, though she didn't feel that confident. But somewhere, she had the idea that it could work. [b]''Fine, I don't think I can see much harm in it. Though, if you fall of the horse then it is your own responsibility!''[/b] ------------------------ [center][b]Outside the gates of Konohagakure.[/b] [youtube]qFuiLMVzDqI[/youtube][/center] Kiyomi took some deep breaths. She looked at her side and saw the son of Lee that had laughed. He sat on top of the mare as he had switched with his father. Maybe for the better, Kiyomi thought as she hoped she had more of a chance now. Not that winning was important. But the rush of sprinting with the stallion and just being a bit outside, and near, Konohagakure would hopefully clear her mind a bit better. [b]''Ready?''[/b] The daughter of Lee looked at both one of her siblings and Kiyomi. Both nodded to signal that they were ready. [b]''I will promise you something. If you do your best, I will buy you more apples.''[/b] Kiyomi whispered as the daughter started to count down from five. [b]''Ride with me and not for me. Okay? We can win, together.''[/b] The stallion turned his head a bit, like he was giving her a glance. It was hard for Kiyomi to understand what kind of look he was giving her, but she noticed the ears were down. Was that a good or - [b]''Go!''[/b] The boy with the grey mare shot forward, like an arrow shoot from a bow! Kiyomi blinked with her eyes and then she felt a gust. Gripping with both her hands at the reins, she only realized a moment later what was going on. Kazehaya sprinted, trying to keep up with the grey mare. Trying to ride as best as possible, Kiyomi gritted her teeth. The boy was more experienced and they were so fast! They were gaining a growing distance between them. Squinting her eyes, Kiyomi tried to adjust herself to move better with the horse. Kazehaya whinnied as he lowered his head a bit, trying to move faster to keep up. [b]''Come on, we can do this.''[/b] Kiyomi mumbled, trying to move her body a bit closer to the horse instead of away. [center][youtube]KfPPOAN7eOM[/youtube][/center] They were racing down the dusty road, away from Konohagakure. With the forest at the sides, Kiyomi focused only on the back of the grey mare and the boy. Tighten her grip, she smiled. The rush of the wind, the race and the speed were just breathtaking. Not the kind of adraline that rushed in her body when she was fighting head to head against a strong foe. Then she heard something, which made her head whip to the left. [b]''See ya!''[/b] The daughter of Lee grinned and winked at Kiyomi. Surprised, Kiyomi noticed how she and the other boys were passing her. Like it was easy! Frowning, she then tried to more her best. Kazehaya snorted as he then almost slowed down. [b]''Come on! Kazehaya! Quick as the wind!''[/b] Kiyomi said, on a loud tone. The horse shook his head. They were losing the others! [b]''Let show them, together!''[/b] The horse then gained a bit more speed as the road would soon split up. The children of Lee took the left and Kiyomi followed, trying to keep up with them. The horse then shook his head again, turning his head to try to eye at Kiyomi. She then noticed what was wrong. He looked like he was in doubt or that was at least what she guessed. [b]''Together, promised! Now lets go! We got to show them who is boss, right?''[/b] The stallion shook his head and narrowed his eyes briefly. Beaming, she noticed how the distance between her and the few others became smaller. They were catching up! Smiling, she passed the first two sons of Lee and winked at one, who looked surprised. Then she had just to catch up with the daughter and the remaining son, who was riding on the back of the grey mare. They were still at some distance, but she noticed that they were catching up. Getting more excited, Kiyomi started to mumble that Kazehaya should try to go faster. Try to live up to his name. [i]Like she should.[/i] The thought surprised her a bit, but she managed to stay focused. The daughter looked over her shoulder, noticing that Kiyomi was approaching and catching up. Squinting her eyes, she then whipped her head to try to do her best to remain ahead of her and Kazehaya. But eventually, Kiyomi and Kazehaya caught up with her. [b]''Bye!''[/b] Kiyomi stuck out her tongue as Kazehaya whinnied. Earning a surprised look from Lee's daughter, Kiyomi noticed how Kazehaya went even faster. It seemed that he was going to give everything he had left! [b]''A little bit closer!''[/b] Kiyomi mumbled. She leaned far forward. There was just the grey mare and the boy. If they could pass them and then gain distance, they would have won the race. [b]''Go Kazehaya! You're awesome!''[/b] Kiyomi said, with quite some enthusiasm in her voice. [b]''Nearly there!''[/b]