Sitting at the table, I watched as Kurenai ladled out some soup, filling the four bowls on the table.
In the center was a fresh loaf of bread, steam still wafting off the golden brown bread.
Pursing my lips, I continued watching Kurenai set the table, feeling slightly bad about letting her do all the work.
Noticing that, Kurenai smiled at me, saying "Don't worry about it Kokoro, I don't mind doing all this."
Sighing, I nodded at her, sliding the bowl forwards.
My right arm still stung with every movement, tiny jolts running through it if I exerted it too much.
So, it was currently laying across my lap, and I had to adjust to using my left arm for everything.
We set about to eat, Cameia nodding as she took a sip of the broth, while Anko slurped it down in gulps.
Nodding at Kurenai again, I slowly took another sip of the wolf meat soup, the various vegetables and herbs giving it a good flavor.
"May I ask a question?"
We all turned towards Cameia, who's head was tilted to the side.
"Sure, go ahead."
"How strong are all of you back at your... village?"
Chuckling, Anko nodded.
"Yeah, it's a village called Konohagakure, or 'The Village Hidden in the Leaves'. As for our strenght... well..."
Scratching her cheek, Anko just gave Cameia a wry smile as she said "We're above average at best..."
That made Cameia tilt her head the other way, asking "Above average?"
"She means that our 'rank' is in between the average Shinobi and the elite Shinobi. The ranks go Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, and Jonin. We're recently promoted Special Jonin."
Cameia turned to me and said "But you're all decently strong? Your coordination is incredible as well."
Chuckling, I said "Well, that's why we were made into a squad. However, as individuals, we aren't as strong as those ranked as Jonin."
She just nodded, still looking us over.
"Our turn. What's the difference between the warriors eye colors here?"
Turning back to me, Cameia said "Blue are capable of using illusions, green have better control over their chakra, while gold has increased chakra capacity, control, and enhanced vision. I have no idea why though. You'd have to ask Hailyte or Celete about their research into the subject."
Kurenai looked at Cameia's eyes for a second before turning to Anko and I, asking "Do you think its some kind of Kekkei Genkai related to their eyes?"
Pursing my lips, I shrugged.
"It could also just be a by product of their lineage, a birthmark of some kind. I mean, the Uzumaki's tend to always have red hair when pure, or how all Uchiha have black eyes."
She nodded, before looking back at Cameia as she asked "How large is this Konohagakure that you live in?"
Quickly falling into discussion about our lives, we revealed things about ourselves while Cameia answered our questions with ease.
Cameia was more interested in what we had grown up doing and more about our duties as a Shinobi, while we asked about her early life as well.
She had grown up an orphan, and those around her didn't like or trust her due to her talent and darkness chakra, believing that she was going to be evil and warped.
As such, she was reclusive, training and honing her skills on her own, hunting by herself for years before eventually proving herself by saving one of the hunting parties from a rabid bear, using her body to shield one of the downed women.
Cameia even showed us the large scar on her back, the three long, jagged claw marks going from her right shoulder all the way down to her left hip.
Besides that, she told us about why she was intent on staying with us, more particularly me.
Hearing that before meeting me she had felt little in her life, I bit my lip as she turned towards me, her golden eyes dripping desire as she intently stared into my eyes.
"After being with Kokoro during the hunt, I wanted to get to see more of her, learn more. So, if possible, I wish to join you when you leave to return to Konohagakure."
"Will the Chieftess..?"
Shrugging, Cameia said "Well, if she doesn't I'll just leave anyways."
Anko laughed at that, while Kurenai and I both pursed our lips.
Seeing our concern and worry, Cameia shrugged again.
"She owes me for saving two of her mates, as well as training Yunache and her sister, Sacoybe to use their chakra and weapons effectively. She also owes me for finding a large vein of chakra metal a year ago..."
Looking at the table, Cameia tilted her head as she listed out some more things.
We chuckled, making Cameia confused before she just shrugged.
Finishing the soup by mopping it up with the bread, Kurenai took the bowls away, setting them into the sink as she started washing them off.
The meal finished quietly enough, with Anko pulling me into the bathroom to help me bathe, Cameia wanting to join.
However, Kurenai just grinned at the woman, while Anko narrowed her eyes at her.
Raising her hands in defeat, she remained seated at the table, her eyes on me as Anko led me to the bath.
I sighed, realizing that I would have trouble in my future making these three play nice.
Yet, the idea of having them with me made me more excited than worried, and my heart warmed at that thought.
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Shorter one today...
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