Trouble Makers (pt 3): I Wanna Know What Kind of Porn You Like

It had been days since the young Zakiyoshi had seen her team mates, with her birthday approaching her training was getting stricter and stricter. And this meant less and less time to herself. As day 6 rolled around, Kotone was just tired. Really tired. She was aching all over, just waiting for her break to finally come around. Advantage though was that her team didn't have to see her looking so disheveled. That too got plenty of ridicule from her Priestess teacher, meaning much of the time she spent in those lessons, she was in the Priestess robes, and with her hair tied back just to keep it tidy when she couldn't give it the intensive washing treatment that was the norm for her.

As the bell in the temple rang marking eleven in the morning, Kotone had already had to sit through elocution lessons, Siren Song lessons (to which Kotone had no clue why she had to attend when she was a half-Soulless and therefore unable to mold genjutsu), and history lessons. The latter of which she didn't mind so much typically, especially as that day her tutor was a young woman from the once separated branch of the clan. Learning about her people who only recently rejoined much of the clan was so interesting. And... she had to stop her own train of thought. She was so distanced by blood, it didn't really matter if she was pretty, it wasn't exactly going to be negative right?

"Young Miss! You are late!" And now, he kenjutsu lessons. Instantly Kotone felt any little crush euphoria swept away. She hung her head, dropped her gear, retied her hair out of her face and went to ch- "Seconds are waiting. Get in to position, before I misjudge your posture," She knew that that meant. And taking a deep breath she stepped in to her circle in the training ring facing her teacher. Still dressed in her robes she already knew this was going to be torture for her.

An hour later Kotone was truly worn out. But that alone wasn't enough. Her teacher felt she was no prepared for long term fights. He didn't care about how much more work she had, if she was to be the face of the clan, the temple and the village, the latter of which she truly did not want, she had to be able to 'do more than standing around for just an hour waving your sword like a child with a rattle'. Left alone, her stomach rumbled and almost hurt, but she at least had her training room open to the great fields and gardens of the clan-slash-temple. She could at least feel the breeze. But this was all for the clan, right? This was what was expected of her. she needed to do better. Her robes had gotten dirty during training, leaving her having the torso of her robes open and tied around her waist.

Kotone would see her team next week. She promised herself that. She would work harder, no matter how exhausting this all was. She had to be the best. The best. The best. The best. The best.

"The best." the two words we hear from the mouth of Elias as he is seen along with Jinnouchi a few feet away from the Zakiyoshi palace. As we see them, the two are wearing maiden outfits and powder on their faces to resemble women." Even as i think it over, this is the best way into this palace, Jin. No one will ever suspect us, but if you tell anyone about this imma kill ya!" The two genin stood anxiously outside the gates hoping that the guards would let them in. But how did they end up here? and what lead to this extremely disturbing sight of two young men dressed in traditionally female attire?

Earlier that day:

Tv: " Are you suffering from dry skin caused by your fire style jutsus?!"why yes! yes i am!"" Well shut the fuck up and suffer no more! Introducing Ninjaline! The Vaseline for Ninjas! Simple apply Ninjaline on your skin and all your orifices and feel the experience of smooth non-charred skin for up to 12hrs! "Hi my name is Captain Dragin before Ninjaline i lost 3 squadrons who were brutally killed on life and death missions because i wouldnt use my fire style.  Using fire style left my skin feeling dry and sore, and it simply felt very uncomfortable. Now with Ninjaline i lose less people than before, it leaves my skin feeling smooth and moisturized even after my strongest fire style technique. Thanks Ninjaline!" " If you act now we wont just give you one jar of ninjaline, NO! we'll give you not one, not one and a half, but two heavy fucking jars of ninjaline with your purchase of one! So act now!"

Elias would turn off the tv and look to the counter at his dad's two jar of Ninjaline. He'd sigh to himself denying what his eyes could see, knowing full well that neither his mother or father are fire style users. It didn't take long after he shut the tv for silence to fall upon the house and for boredom to dawn on him just as quickly.  Now he was left with the decision of figuring out what he was going to do today.  It's been over a week since he's seen kotone, which probably marks the longest time apart from her since they became squad mates. He'd get up off the couch and look through the mail for letters that could be sent from her to explain the absence. He searched and searched yet nothing at all. It wasn't as if Elias really gets mail anyway but this was particularity strange for him.  At this point he's been seeing more of Jinnouchi than he has of Kotone, which can only mean one thing. " Kotone is either dead, or in trouble!" His eyes widened at the possibility that Kotone has been killed and he spent many days inside his house getting fat.  Something had to be done.  He'd grab his radio and send a message for Jinnouchi to meet him outside the Zakiyoshi palace.

Radio Message:
" Jin... come in Jinnouchi! It Eli, over.  Jin? Look Jin, something is seriously wrong with Kotone. Don't ask how i know, its just a feeling. Ok here's how i know. Do you remember how she was acting the last time we saw her? * Flashback to : Kotone laughing with them, Kotone giving them hugs, Kotone punching Jin's arm, and finally Kotone waving good bye* Elias would then get emotional as he fights back his tears. Sorrow can be heard in his voice as he continues the message holding back his tears. " She... she was trying to warn us of something! She was trying to say good bye! DAMN THOSE B*&H a$$ mUTHA f&*KIN Royal pieces of Zakiyoshi SH^&! They killed Kotone! Listen im going to avenge Koto wither you're coming through or not! But if you come with you need not to worry, I've gotten better at this strategizing thing. I wont get your in trouble like last time. I'll find the best way in, I promise. Eli over and out."

The communication ended and Eli would get into his full gear to meet Jinnouchi outside the palace. Unfortunately when Elias got to the palace the place was heavily guarded. There was no way for him to get in unseen, that was until he spotted two Zakiyoshi servants heading out to retrieve some herbs. Who were the herbs for? Eli didn't care, he felt that he needed to find out the truth about his friend. So with a prayer hoping that his ancestors and mother would forgive him; Eli laid multiple hands upside these women's head. Rendering them unconscious and tripping them of all their clothing. He would of course cover them up with leaves from the bushes , after all he wasn't a savage.  Once Jinnouchi arrived he'd convince him that he had simply brought these clothes that smell and look worn on his way over here. He'd hope to convince Jinnouchi  to get into these robes and to wear make up so that they would disguise themselves as these women. " There's no way to sneak in. The only way i can think of is to be let in.But we can't tell them that we're looking for Kotone, because then they'll cover it all up and not let us in. So we must disguise ourselves. Its...' He'd think of Kotone not being ok for a while and then snap back into the moment. "The best."

Which brings us to now. Eli gestures for Jinnouchi to follow as he approaches the first guard with a basket of herbs in his and Jinnouchi's hands. He'd attempt to disguise his boyish voice as well as he'd say. " Oh you...you strapping young men, can you let us in? We are done with are womanly duties of picking flowers for the palace. He's clear his voice as nervousness began to overcome him.

Stored:

With the time that passed, Jinnouchi spent most of that time trying to study the items that he got from the delves the first time. It was something akin to a mystery novel with him shopping around and trying to get some information from either other people or looking up other things. With how more complicated it got, he started to realize that it made his brain hurt. So to pass the time, he worked out and trained his skills quite often.

"But I'm always going through new training shirts every single time...."

That was the one thing that didn't change, the fact that Jin always kept ripping his clothing if he was doing something too dynamic or if the heat his body gave off at times started to burn through his clothes when he went at high speeds. But just as he was at the shopping market, he realized something.

"WAIT, IT'S ALMOST KOTONE'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!"

He screamed out at the heavens as if he was cursing himself for forgetting. How could that be? Jinnouchi was the leader, it was his job to make sure that he took care of mostly everything. If it was going to be Kotone's birthday, he needed to at least plan a secret surprise. If not that, he needed to at least give her something that would have seemed like a surprise.

"Wait...i know!!!"

For most of the day, Jin was trying to have a mermaid-themed cake being made and some balloons as well. He felt that she would have rather spent it with her family, so he wanted her to have it.

------------------------------------------
When the radio message came in, Jin just returned home from his shopping.

Jin: Wait, what? If that's the case, the only thing to do is save her right? Besides, how can't she make it to her birthday surprise if she isn't here to be surprised?! What?! She can't be dead man! Let's just sneak in and have a surprise secret birthday party instead, i'm sure she's just doing priestess stuff like ...being a hermit...wait...hermits live in solitude.....ELI WE HAVE TO BREAK HER OUT!"


- Currently-

Jin had a few aquatic sea shell balloons and an aquamarine beaded necklace on as he held the birthday cake in a box with one hand. It was a small one since the designs made it harder for him to pay for it and it was all he could afford, but he was still hoping the pretty gem necklace would be a nice decoration for her.

"Huh?"

The train of thought was a bit cut from the whole birthday thing when he heard the voice of Elias, they both standing in front of the temple. Elias had the idea of dressing up as a woman and for some reason, Jin agreed with it. He had the bust, but not for the right reasons. Besides, who would have ever thought that someone as muscular as Jin could be a woman?

"Are you sure this is going to work Eli?"

Jin whispered as he approached the Zakiyoshi male.

"Yes...we are er-.. on delivery from a special bake sale in the market. We have cake and treats and even balloons, something different to liven up the place."

Jin would say this while hoping they wouldn't take Kotone's cake and balloons.

The guards were little more than guards. Their job was just to keep the peace in the local area, and especially to keep the area tranquil. It also meant they weren't exactly privy to the goings on, especially around the clan politics and heir business. The guard in particular that Eli had chosen to speak to just looked first at him, and then at Jin. Finally he looked at his fellow guard as they shared an 'are you seeing this?' look. The woman on the other side just shook her head and shrugged. "Erm... yes of course. Go on in," Neither knew what the hell was going on here, but they'd seen the two before. They just stepped aside and swung the gate open for them to enter. Only once they were in, and the doors shutting, did he speak again. "Miss Kotone is likely in her training field," He made it clear now they hadn't fooled any body.

"Sissie had history class with her earlier, apparently she was giving the teacher real heart eyes,"

"Really? She always wears those dresses, I would've never thought the Tribals were her type," The conversation was hushed, clear it wasn't directed at the boys but they weren't out of earshot yet.

"The sweet ones are always the ones with deficiencies like that. Master Elgis will teach her to keep focused on finding an acceptable partner. Don't need our" After that the two guards would go silent.

~~

Meanwhile inside Kotone was finally getting some time to herself. She sat on the edge of the training room, feet hanging off the edge besides the stairs to just let them sway beneath her. She knew when she got older she would eventually be able to sit here and touch the floor, but for now she was content to know for now she was still youthful enough.

"Enjoying your self there Young Miss?" Kotone flinched at her mentors voice. She had just barely gotten to relax, hadn't even gotten down to eating her lunch. She just looked down at her lunch with a longing look. "... I have an appointment to make. I trust you to go through her exercises in my absense. I will be testing you when I return." It wasn't usually like him to give her a break, and it must have surely shown on her face as she looked back to him. But he wasn't even looking at her, he was just brushing down his favoured ornate naginata, and then just leaving. For a minute, Kotone felt a little lost. Perhaps this was a nice perk to all this learning, she'd earned a little respect? No. She looked in the mirror and understood. The bright cheery girl wasn't looking back at her. Her tied back hair had gotten loose, and strands stuck clearly to her forehead where she had overworked herself to a sweat. There were bags under her eyes, and even those were mildly red. She was just glad her team didn't need to see her like this. She just turned back, watching the clouds above, the nearby handbuilt lake barely moving, and watching the floral life sway in the breeze. She'd get to her drills. She just needed to... eat...

And then she was falling asleep.

" Thank You loves!" Eli would say in his female voice as the guards let them in. As they walked away , he could hear the guard's directions towards Kotone's whereabouts. For a moment Eli thought that the guards had figured out who they were. But he'd quickly shake off the idea and nudge Jin for such a masterful performance. " See bruh? I told ya it would work. You shoulda seen how they were just looking at each other. Like they were lost for words man. We...We some good lookin girlies!" He'd quickly realize how suspect he sounds. "Im just sayin, not that i wanna be a girl. You feel me. " They'd walk for what felt like forever before they could even get to the training grounds. They probably had gotten lost about fifty times as well. But when they finally got there, Eli sensed someone on the other side of the door. " Alright Jin, that must be Kotone, so three, two , one and then we say surprise? Yea lets do that. Three, two, one ....SUPR!" He'd throw the door open to shout surprise along with Jin, but what they saw was not the Kotone that they had known well. This was Zombie Kotone! Eli fainted onto Jin. He felt that he was too late to save her from being killed and turned into a battle puppet.

"Thank you..."

Jin said with a small bow to the other two, kind of knowing that they didn't really fool anyone but was merciful enough to let in Kotone's friends. It was her birthday soon, it was a festive time and Kotone should be happy. Or better yet, Jin would have wanted her to be happy around these times, he wouldn't be satisfied with anything else. But right not, seeing that she was alright would be the most important thing for him to do, that and make sure Eli stays out of trouble.

"No man I know what you meant. I mean, this is the year of the new age of shinobi, people can self identify as trees or whatever, so no one would really say anything to anyone regardless. "

Jin kind of grasped the entire thing, but didn't spend too much time on it. As soon as he entered the room and saw a "Zombie Kotone", Jin quickly caught Eli with hi free hand at B rank speeds.

"Woah! Eli!"

Placing him down softly, Jin walked over and opened the cake, taking a slice of the cake and moving it closer to Kotone's mouth.

"Maybe she's starved? If we feed her cake, would it break the zombie curse?"

Kotone was curled up, admittedly rather cutely, on the edge of the flooring. She was completely gone, her day far too long and finally catching up on her. She grumbled a little only as Elias burst in, shouting. Something that normally would have woken up, another testament just to how exhausted she was. It was however Jin, and his cake, that actually woke up. Another grumbled, and without even opening her eyes she took a little nibble of the cake. "... Mm, so tasty," Her voice was a little raspy, but she slowly opened her eyes, meeting her gaze with Jin's looking down at her. "... J-Jin?! Wh-what're are... ugh, what happened to him now?" She looked over towards the fainted Eli. There was no signs of the usual Kotone in attitude as well as appearance. He was usually more than happy seeing her two friends, but even if she really was trying not to, her words were still snapping out. "What're you both doing here?" She questioned, just as sharp toned, and turned her back towards them. She just didn't want them seeing her at her 'weakest'. She curled up, tucking her knees against her chest. "... You're both going to distract me again. My teachers keep telling me so. You boys, that cute guest speaker they invited in for history class, my stories. They're all distracting me. I've got to be the best. For my clan." She wasn't even able to hide that she was just repeating a very recent lecture. "... And why are you both looking like clowns?" She was trying to find humour. But Kikuri dammit, she was just so, so tired. She finally lifted her head, if only briefly to glance to the cake, then looking away with just her hand out. "... Can I have some more cake? I missed lunch because I messed up my drills,"

It was nearly over for Eli. Once Jin caught him and laid him down, he was just about ready to die. If there was such a button that he could press to have his soul leave his body; he probably would've pressed it by now. Thanks to Jin's quick thinking, Kotone was brought back to consciousness and soon after Eli was as well. It was the sound of her voice that woke him up from his defeated state. He'd look on as he'd notice that Kotone was acting very different. " Whatchu mean Koto? These disguises are fire! No one was able to tell it was us, now we can break you out!" Eli wasn't very sure now at this point. It seems like Kotone wants to stay and train, but really what has gotten into her? Brain washing? It had to be that. He'd look towards Jin for solutions since he's probably seen more in his life time.

"It worked! Muhahaha, the wish came true!!!"

Jin felt rather triumphant at the fact that not only did Kotone like the cake, but she has risen again to her usual self. Or mostly her usual self, something about her changed. She seemed grumpy, which was odd for Kotone to be this way. Was her lady parts doing that magical thing that his father told him about all those days ago?

"T-this is your birthday cake! And the balloons and...."

Jin handed her the cake and took off the sapphire beaded necklace with small seashells on it.

"This is a present, we would never forget your birthday but you've been locked away for so long. So I figured that i'd go along with Eli's plan to sneak you in and bust you outta here, we thought something happened to you. "

Jin then decided to ask.

"Oh.... is it.... "the..... month time of.... thing" that's going on? That's not going to make us look at you any different or not hang out with you, it's nature kotone!"

Nailed it, he addressed the problem perfectly!

"I don't need breaking out! And I'm not on my... That's not your business!" Kotone was still rather irate, but she didn't actually seem that annoyed at them both. More so just fed up in general. It definitely did not help that she was eating with food in her mouth. "... You really came to see me though because..." Now the real Kotone was showing again. An incredibly tired Kotone, but still. "... Guys, I told you I was going to be training. You really didn't need to... And yes Eli, the guards totally knew it was you. Ella is on guard duty today and I... I have a photo of the three of us from our first mission together on my wall!" Tired, and annoyed, but just her friends presence was bringing her back. Giggling, she picked up another, if the smallest slice of cake. She split it in half, and just jumped on her friends, literally rubbing it in their faces. "You both are jerks! I look awful right now!" Here was the real Kotone. She did however keep rubbing it in Jim's face more. "And that's for suggesting I'm on my time of the month when I'm not!"

In the midst of all the talking Eli would wake from his fainting act. He'd then look off to the corners of the room while Kotone berates them for coming here and also for being a tad bit inappropriate. He'd remain quiet for a while realizing that Kotone was not being herself. Or at least the self that they knew her to be. It was a bit sad because even though she claimed that she wanted to be alone, she didn't look like she was happy here. " Ah man Koto, we're sorry for acting soo mean, but Jin went through all this trouble to get you a cake. Plus we missed ya, its not like you to not answer your radio messages. " He'd look towards Jin from where he was sitting on the ground and mention, " She's like 10 years old Jin i dunno if she gets that yet. My moms taught me that stuff early; something bout the men from her side of the family being late bloomers made her feel like teaching me early. Unless its dif for Zakiyoshi's" He'd then shrug and get up to look around Koto's training grounds. " Anyway Koto, Jin and I will leave.. Yup we're going to go and not bother you any more......RIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHTTTTT after you feed us some of that palace food. All this trouble has made us sooo hungry, there's no way the two of us will make it home alive." He'd start to pretend that his feet were wobbly and that he was at a weaken state. Meanwhile signaling for Jin to follow along.

"I'm not trying to be noisy or anything, my attempt was to be understanding. Not too sure how much it helps though, girls can be so sensitive about things these days. However, you aren't just some girl, you are a team member of JEIKO. Eli can take credit for the name....but that's not the point. It means we are a team. We can't just sandbag on your health and wellbeing, so the very least that we can do at times like this is try."

But when she jumped on his face, he was literally taken back when the sweet frosting made contact with his lips.

"Woah! Hey, there birthday girl! I know I messed up a second ago but can I opt-out of the birthday cake torture? I don't want to get too hungry and eat up your stuff hahaha..."

As he licked the icing off his face, Jin looked over and shook his head.

"You look....tired.... but.... not awful. Why are you training so much anyway? It's ok to take a break every once in a while, you don't have to live like a hermit to train."

But even though Eli said to follow along, Jin's muscular frame did sorta mean that he had to eat every now and again, and the "now" bit was quite obvious with his tummy rumbling.

"Palace food has a lot of seafood right? We can be good, maybe we can convince your master or parents to come outside and play?"

Having them here really was helping to ease the tension and lift her spirits. But when they were already so low any way it really did feel like it was going to be a long uphill battle to be back to her normal levels of 'Kotone brightness'. She finally relaxed, popping what remained of the small slices of cake in to her own mouth after rubbing plenty on her team's faces. A sigh followed as they both suggested eating before they left. She supposed it wasn't an impossibility exactly, but she was already having some trouble with having a break when she really needed to be working on her technique. "... I'm training because it's nearly my birthday. When I turn eleven I start on my actual journey to be the next head of... well... everything. My stupid blood line," And this was definitely a first. Everybody knew Kotone loved her family and the stories they shared. Any other day she wouldn't have dared say anything of the sort. "I'm being trained to be the next clan head, the next head priestess. I have... I have to be the best. I have to be the face of my clan in both spirituality and strength and I... I'm just so tired," She collapsed over in to Elias. She couldn't even pretend to be angry still. "I train all day, and study all night. I love the temple, but I don't know if I want to run it. You know? But I can't, because... because it's in my blood."

After a moment just lying there against Elias, she sat herself back up again, clearly having made her decision. "... C'mon, we're gonna go to the lunch hall." She offered both of her hands to her team. She still looked exhausted, but now she was smiling again. She was finally taking a lesson from Elias and rebelling a little. With their hands in hers, she began to pull them off, albeit first away from the smell of food, and down some much more private corridors. They were clearly leaving the teaching zones and in to the residential of the compound. And she let go outside of one in particular. Sliding open the door she let them in to what was clearly her own room. Thadie slumbering on her Queen size bed's pillow amidst a pile of plush toys. "I gotta change," She slid another wall out from her wardrobe as she stepped behind it, with her robe being tossed out from behind. "Then we eat. I've worked... my ass off for weeks. I haven't seen my friends. I've barely been able to look after Thadie, which is actually supposed to be a requirement for my trials on my birthday that they're keeping me from." Anger like this was definitely something new for Kotone too, and as she stepped back out from behind her wall in her more typical pale blue flowing dress, there was little red embers sparking from her lips. "Ok, so, food now? Let's get food. And yes, we have plenty of seafood." She took a glance towards Thadie, but she was still asleep. She made the mental note to bring her something back.

Dressed once again, she led the two out and back towards the smell of food. With the late time, much of the lunch rush was over. It meant slightly less option, but also meant there were lots of empty seats around kotatsu. Modernity just didn't exist for the traditional Zakiyoshis. "... Because you're my bestest best of friends..." She began in a sing-song way, "... Can you get me a 'speciality pork sandwich'. Also if you just tell them you're with me they'll add everything to my tab with a discount," She motioned towards the back of the room that looked to have a very much modern canteen and kitchen, whilst she slipped herself in to a seat by one of the kotatsu.

Eli mostly listened in to everything that was going on. Jin came back with his form of an apology which left a bit of a cringe due to saying that Kotone looked "tired". Back at home a while back, Eli's dad once greeted his mom after her long mission with a kiss and a comment along the lines of looking tired. Needless to say, his father spent weeks living with his friends before being allowed back into the house. Apart from that Jinnouchi was right, she isn't just some girl to them; she's a member of Jielko. But as she explained further it seemed to them that she not just some girl to many people. A lot more people than Eli and Jin can possibly hope to be important to. As she described what she is to inherit , Elias couldn't help but to look around the massive palace. He didn't have to be forced to imagine how amazing it must be to inherit an entire kingdom. His whole life he's trained with his father and applied what he learned in books to maybe be thought of as someone special. Yet he stands so closely to a person who actually is that special but she doesn't seem to want any of this. For the first time, Eli is witnessing Kotone in a seemingly depressing mood. It only figures that the very same person who can light up an entire room with a smile and change the entire day with a few words would be the person who can do the exact opposite just as easily.

She described her"special" situation almost like a curse and looking at her condition it might as well be. As he followed the two around and supported Kotone weight whenever she threw herself on him, he remained oddly silent. This just seemed very different than what he'd expect and didnt really know what to say. It seems that the Zakiyoshi, ASN, and Jielko all benefited from Kotone's strength and grueling training. Unfortunately the training was coming at a cost of Kotone's mental, and physical well being. Eli would whisper to himself under his breath, "It's in your blood". He'd then snap back into it and smile once more when the talk of food became prominent . " Yea! Let's go eat! And if ya need to be training all day then i got just da thing." He'd chuckle to himself as his order gets made.

"Well, just look at me. I was once apart of the bakuhatsu clan due to my ancestry, but we seemed to have lost touch with each other because of history and whatnot. I mean, a heir was my great great grandfather, it should be in my blood to come back and say "Yo! I should  get something too  i'm family!", or something."

During that last bit, he was trying to imitate Elias a little bit, but not to make fun of him.

"However, even in the case that it is in my blood, I ended up choosing a different path...by proxy! And...well..living a different life. I'm sure if i was raised as a true bakuhatsu from start to finish, would I have been able to even meet you guys? Everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure that a lot of people have a lot of expectations for you. But!!! What of your own expectations and your own dreams?! Every choice you make or decision you decide to go with is something you'll have to live with till the end. If you can't live with it, then you shouldn't go with it, Kotone's life is the life that Kotone has to live and no one can do it for her. So whenever you try to please anyone just think about it, what do you want to do? Can you live with that decision and all that jazz?"

But even with the big speech, Jin's stomach started to rumble again.

"Ok that's all I got !"

He continued to follow the rest to the dining hall, sitting down and waiting for Kotone. However, he did elbow Elias and whisper in his ear.

"It's worse than I thought, I know it's not our place Elias but she isn't happy, or she doesn't seem that way..."

When she came back, Jin moved away from him and placed both hands on the table.

"Then I'll take, the lobster surprise! Elias wants the chicken...... I think....but not because you are a Rikigaku or anything.... I mean.... I just heard they like chicken. Wait ...is that really a thing?"

" Yea! Let's go eat! And if ya need to be training all day then i got just da thing."

"Eli! You know I don't like that tone," Kotone called back after her friend, refusing now to move from her seat at the kotatsu with their food, puffing out her cheeks and looking towards Jin. "Jin, you're our leader, make sure Elias isn't gonna feed me something gross." She settled her head in to her hand leaning in to the table, looking about the empty room and thinking things over. "... You say that though Jin, but all of this, this was built by my grandmother. Clan leadership is hereditary in this clan, from parent to first born. I'm the only child to my parents, which means it's got to be me. And I... I don't want to yet. I'm still young, I'm the youngest in our team but sometimes it feels like my teachers think I'm an adult. I know I can be kinda mature when a certain someone isn't being a bad influence," She gave Elias a little nudge of her own, not that he would need it to know exactly who she was talking about influencing her.

Before she could continue though, the room was no longer just for them. An older teenage girl with a sleeve of intricate blue tattoos down one arm, long hair though shave down on one side strode in, and Kotone just stopped dead. "... Th-thats..." Her tanned skin flushed red in her cheeks. Before she could properly say, the girl was smiling and waving and heading on over.

"Well hey there little Koto, hope your teach' isn't workin' you too hard," She spoke in a way that definitely set her apart from the other Zakiyoshi, but much of the rest of her appearance still suggested she was still a part of the clan. "And y'all must be her team right? Elias 'nd Jin? I'm Kara, one o' Koto's personal teaches. My specialities the former outcasts history. You ever heard of that? Lot of us are kid o' pirates. Anyway if y'all excuse me I'll be right back. Need me some o' those pork thin's Koto loves so much," With a grin she got up and left the table.

Kotone immediately just slammed her head in to said table. "... She's just... so cute guys. I need help,"

Shortly after Eli's comment he'd get up from the table and head over to pick up the food for the team. Leaving him to  hear the part where Kotone chastised him about his tone. Once returning since he didn't take very long he'd over hear Jin's remarks to Kotone. Admittedly Eli never really took the time to learn much about Jin. It's possibly because Jin is older that Elias didn't take much time to study him instead he mainly finds himself learning about Kotone. It didn't have anything to do with favoritisms just the fact that Kotone's age brings more attention. Elias found it interesting that Jinnouchi's family started off as near royals too. But what is this outlawish history that he speaks of? His great great grandfather must've been a real villain to be cast out of headship. Nonetheless this made Jinnouchi seem a bit more badass than usual. As Eli listened on he made note of something Jin said. So once Jinnouchi finished his speech, Eli would intrude by placing their trays on the table and then taking a seat between the two. "Different path", is all he could think of before Jin would elbow him and make a comment about Kotones attitude getting worse. In fear of being chastised by Kotone he'd just nod at him and continue to listen.  Jin would then order for the both of them and since Kotone liked pork the server would put that order in. It didn't take long after for Eli to realize that he just stole someone else's food. This realization clouded the near stereotypical comment that Jin had made about rikigaku members. Being that the rikigaku clan is one of the premier clans in the five nation with dark skinned people and leaders in their history.

Nonetheless Eli really did want chicken. Kotone would go in venting a bit more, stating that someone was a bad influence to her. Which drew Eli's attention because he figured she'd tell them who it is. Instead all he got was a nudge which just confused Eli because they seem to be nudging him a little much. Where they using him to clean something off their elbows? It could possibly be from a dirty spot on these seemingly clean tables. Eli would check his sides then look at them suspiciously before this edgy looking lady came through.  If hardcore and feminism had a child it would look like that girl. She came in and knew who everyone was off bat. This lit some light bulbs in Eli's mind about what's going on. Especially once Koto starts slamming her head against the table. He'd place a hand on her shoulder signifying to stop the self abuse then push a tray of pork near her. " Cmon Koto you're gunna hurt yourself, here eat something . That's yours." Hed then lean towards Jin. " Bro, we gotta do somethin bout that girl. She's the bad influence Koto is talking about!" He'd then turn back to Kotone and then look at the girl  whose at a bit of a distance to make sure neither of them is hearing  what he's conspiring. He'd then gesture with his index finger a throat slash. "Whenever we see the chance. For Kotone!" Their actual food was now ready.