The old man stood like a statue, calm and tranquil as he leaned upon his walking stick, a pleasant smile plastered on his face that caused his eyes to narrow to the point that they were barely lines beneath his brow. A small knapsack-style bag hung from a simple rope that he wore diagonally across his robes, and he wore geta sandals with a strap and a covering for his toes, indicating he'd expected to travel. In fact, old Itsuki had planned this day in advance and had left a letter with Suniwa, Kiriyomi's mother, for the young boy to receive upon returning from his day at the academy.
It read:
Young Kiriyomi,
I have someone I'd like to introduce you to. Please meet me at the forest's edge outside the gates. And be prepared for a journey through the forest.
~Senju Itsuki
I have someone I'd like to introduce you to. Please meet me at the forest's edge outside the gates. And be prepared for a journey through the forest.
~Senju Itsuki
There was no true way that the elder Senju could have known whether or not the boy would arrive, but the way he stood unperturbed gave the impression that he had confidence that he would, that it was as good as pre-determined. In truth, Itsuki had great compassion for the young Aburame. The boy was forced to face the grim realities of life as a shinobi far earlier than any should. It had clouded the young man's mind, and Itsuki's watchful eye had taken note of the way the once-sweet insect-lover had been developing. After all, in the elderly Senju's mind, it was his responsibility to care for the saplings that grew within the walls of the village. To him, this budding seedling needed some careful attention and pruning. And the sad reality was that the old man knew he would not be around long enough to see it done. So today, he resolved to find a solution, and one in particular quickly came to mind.