Everything in the Mist seemed so bland... It was the same old routine day by day, and yet nothing seems to move forward. Is it because as shinobi's we are to learn to follow and forget to think? Maybe we just heed to their will, thinking we're making a change no matter how small the impact. Although, I'm not sure how that even correlates to my stance on things. Still, no matter the thought, no matter the actions of me or others, there will always be a day of uncertainty.

Sighing at my negativity, I stand up from my windowsill and lean my arms onto it. I stare blankly towards the foggy mist that blocks the sky, I desperately want to see. It had been a few weeks since I had last seen it, which means my last mission was a couple weeks ago. I'm not for one to adore things labeled as female likings or slackers, but it's nice to see it once in awhile. Why... why must it be our village that would have no color or light? I envy villages who are able to see clear skies almost every day.

Thinking of its warmth, I bury my face into my arms, sulking momentarily before I raised my head again due to a loud tapping against my window. It was a pigeon carrier, tapping its beak on the glass. I frowned at the animal and opened the window, allowing it to fly in. I gently pulled the piece of string on its leg, making sure I wouldn't hurt it and retrieved the paper. The pigeon flew out the window as I read the note:

After reading the small note, I crumpled it up and threw it away in the trash bin. I was already dressed for the day so I was off to see the Mizukage in a flash. I wouldn't want her to wait for me.

Dashing through the village, I make sure not to bump into any civilians. They already complain about us shinobi's running around, I don't need them to have another reason to complain about.

About a few minutes later, I arrived at the Mizukage's building, ready to enter the room. I knock on the door once and almost immediately, the Mizukage answered, allowing me to enter. I gave her my respects by slightly bowing to her presence. I greeted her formally, and stood up, waiting for her request.

"Maasaki, it's nice to see you again." she said, smiling slightly. "I have a little mission for you."

"And that would be?"

"I need for you to represent the Mist village." she said.

"Represent the village?" I questioned.

"Yes, the Hokage requested one of my men to give a history lesson of how it's like growing up in our village to the children. One shinobi from each five nation will be doing it as our first act of being allied as a whole." she answered. "But it would be nice if you uh... Leave some part out." she added, nervously.

"Lady Fifth, you can't tell white lies already... this is important." I said, with a sweatdrop.

"Ah... I know, it's just that our customs were kind of... gory." she explained.

"But it is part of our history, is it not?" I said, knowingly.

"Correct..." she sighed in defeat.

"So, where will we all be meeting? Because I know the children of the Mist will also be attending with a few other shinobi's that will be accompanying me for something so big." I asked.

"You will be meeting them here." she said, pointing at the map on her desk. "You will all be resting in a neighboring village there to allow everyone to relax for a bit before the event takes place."

"I see, well, I look forward in representing the Mist village in the best way possible."

"I hope to see you through it." she smiled. "You will leave today, everyone who is going is being gathered up. So I suggest you yourself should be getting ready."

"I will Milday, but what about you? Surely this event calls for all Kage's." I asked.

"I'll be there, I'll just be running a tad late to the event." she answered.

"Alright, I'll see you there Lady Fifth."

"That you will, dismissed."

I bowed towards the Mizukage one last time before taking my leave, heading towards my apartment. From what I was shown on the map, we'll be heading west, just below the Land of Fire. It won't take long for us to reach our destination. Although, knowing that the children will be traveling with me, it might take awhile for them to get used to traveling. Well, that will be something to deal with once we begin our journey.

I arrive at my apartment and hurriedly pack basic necessitates into a summoning scroll. Before I store them in, I double check to make sure I have everything that I would want to bring. Seeing that I had what I need, it was time to store them and meet up with the others. I grab the scroll and put it in the pocket of my chunin vest. Alright, I'm all set now, I need to leave now. I walk out of my apartment, locking the door behind me. I set out to the front of the gate to see only a few people standing there. I guess we still have to wait for a few students before setting out to our destination. I sighed quietly to myself knowing that this trip was going to be a hassle with all these children...

"Oi! Put that down!" I half shouted at some kids playing with the decorations.

They heard me loud and clear and dropped everything, running away in a hurry. I groaned in annoyance as my brother patted my shoulder, chuckling at me. I frowned at him as I continued to help set up a ceremony of some sort that will be teaching the younger generation about all 5 nations with history and for them to interact with each other. This will help them to not think of each other as enemies, but to see that in the end we're all the same with different goals. Ahh, to see us gather like this is a dream come true for me. To actually to be seen together as one and not hold a kunai to each other's throats.

I know not every shinobi will be on board with it, but that's just how some people think. To them, they would rather have everything stay the same than to have such a huge change. I hope that one day they will see what this change will do and join us with open arms. I smiled to myself and lightly shook my head, I need to focus back on the ceremony. We need to have everything set up by the time everyone is well rested after they arrive here.

If I'm correct, the nearest villages should be arriving here tomorrow or the day after that while the others might take 3-4 days. I think we should be done the next day considering we were here a week earlier preparing everything. Lady Tsunade wanted everything to be perfect, as well as most females here in the village. They were really organized in what they wanted to do, but of course people like Ino and Sakura argued in what should go where. It didn't matter to me since all I had to do was place where ever they told me to put it. If it makes them happy, then I'm happy... for a split second before they argue again. Those two are worrisome, but I know they mean well and have a weird complicated friendship with one another, something I wouldn't understand at all. In fact, I don't think I ever want to know...

A few days have passed and everyone seemed to have made it from each village. The once open area that seemed to be empty due to only the Leaf being there is now filled with many people. All I heard were children's laughter and adults shouting with happiness. Of course, there were the ones who liked to keep to themselves in a small group, but at least they were getting to know each other.

As for Sasuke and I... eeeh, we're not one to mingle easily, but I at least try, unlike a certain . Although, meeting with a lot of people and standing there talking for I don't know how long really takes a toll on you. I had to take a break from all of it and decided to go get a snack from a vendor and sat down on the grassy terrain and taking it easy. I bit into the sweet snack and looked around to see the faces of people that showed up since looking at nature would be pointless when it's being blocked from them ha-ha. I can see my brother is having fun talking to new people with his little group of friends, and Naruto who was trying to make everyone laugh with his personality, but of course making a fool out of himself as always.

I continued to look around when I spotted a man with teal hair, gazing at the sky by himself. I thought it was kind of odd that he wasn't interacting with the others seeing that at least one person was with a friend or with a group of people. I hummed to myself thinking to myself if I should approach him. After all, I did say I was taking a break from talking to others. I looked away from him from him and took another bite of my sweets, but soon sighed, knowing my conscience wasn't going to let it slide.

I stood up from my spot and began to make my way towards the man. I guess this could be interesting...

Looking up at the sky again felt so great. The way the warm sun rays hitting against my skin and how the clouds gently floated by instead of being an ugly fog that covered the sun. With my time here, I didn't really spend any time with the people here. I just feel like the only friend I need is my childhood friend. Maybe I'm being a bit sulky, but it's how I feel. Although, with the Mist's past, I think developing friendships is a bit hard for us. Even I can see how my comrades are feeling around cheery people, they seem to be in their own little bubble. The children of the Mist are enjoying the ceremony, though which is great. They'll have a better childhood knowing that things have changed since then.

Maybe then, our past will be put behind us and let the younger genera-

"Is this spot taken?" a voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked to my right and seen a white haired male with piercing red eyes staring back at me. Not wanting to be rude, I shook my head, allowing him to sit next to me. The man looks at my headband that was tied to my forehead and smiled.

"So, you're from the Mist?" he asked. "It must have been tough living under such a hierarchy."

I stared at him in disbelief at that choice of words he said to start a conversation. I mean, of course it was tough, but I'm sure that's not how small talk goes. Noticing my lack of words, the man stumbled on words, seeing how his sentence could have sounded offensive. I lightly smiled at his idiocy and looked at his arm to see what village he was from. It seemed that he was from the Leaf... I guess I can see where his laid back attitude is from now. I could say that his life in the village was much better than mine, but then again, I don't really know him so I could be wrong.

"L-Let me start again." he said. "My name is Satoshi Hatake from the Hidden Leaf, what's your name?"

"Maasaki Ito." I responded.

"Mmm, any hobbies you like?"

"Look, I know you're just trying to be nice, but I'd rather be by myself." I sighed.

"Hm?" he hummed as he looked at me. "Why would you want to be by yourself? Doesn't that get lonely?"

"No, I enjoy solitude." I stated.

"That doesn't sound so fun." he frowned. "I know I enjoy being alone here and there, but to be alone all the time with no one to talk to is a little sad. I mean, you may think you don't need a friend, but I assure you if you accept others you'll be able to enjoy life more."

"Sounds stupid..." I mumbled, looking away from him.

"I know the Mist had its dark past and that it still affects you all till this day, but today is a new day where everything changes." he smiles as he looks towards everyone. "New laws are being made, treaties are being presented amongst the 5 nations, and new bonds are being made. I don't know how your friends were when you were a kid, but I promise you, this time your friends won't have to die by your hands. Open up a just a little and have some fun, yeah? Give an example to your peers so they too don't have to be afraid."

"I guess the rumors are true with you Leaf Shinobi's." I sighed, getting up. "Heartfelt speeches to always save the day."

"Wha? Who said that?" he asked. "Do we always do that? Now I'm self conscious..."

"You can't just change your mood from inspirational to worried!" I half shouted.

"How would you know? When was the last time you actually interacted with someone like this?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but closed it when I knew I couldn't say anything. I watched as he smirked in victory which made my eye twitch. He's so laid back and stupid yet his sarcasm hits like a venomous snake!

"No need to be flustered, I only state what I see." he said with a smug look, looking off to the side.

"You have a lot of nerves!" I said, getting a bit angry.

Having enough of the ignorant Leaf Shinobi, I turned around to walk away, but I was stopped by a forceful tug on my arm, causing me to fall down into Satoshi's lap. It looked like he was quite surprised by that tug as well.

"Oops, didn't mean to pull you that hard." he said, rubbing the back of his head."

"R-Release me!" I said, flailing my arms about as I tried to escape his grasp.

"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about." he smiled innocently.

"Snake! That's what you are!"

"How mean, I like to think of myself as a little rabbit." he said, as he pulled out a book.

I was a bit curious as to what he was reading and since the book was in front of me since I was still in his lap, I read only one measly sentence and I think my eyes burned! That book was erotic with what I just read!

"Put that disgusting book away!" I said, slamming the book to the ground.

"Hm? How is it disgusting? It's a well written book." he said.

"There was nothing well written in that book!"

"How adorable, you must have an innocent mind." he said nonchalantly.

"That's it! No more!" I break free from him and dust myself off trying to get rid of his ! "I don't need friends, I'm fine being by myself! Everyone is different, you can't expect someone to understand your perspective so easily!"

"Then I guess I'll just have to stay by you until you open up." he smiled.

"Like I'd ever let that happen..." I spat.

"You're very ignorant." he said as he got up from the ground. "We'll see how much I can open you up by the end of this ceremony." he added as he walked away with his book in hand.

"Wait... WHAT?!"