No Current Direction

Iku, the young fourteen year-old Uchiha "orphan" was roaming the Ninja Academy's halls. The floors and walls were bleached and quite shiny-clean. She could see herself in them, and smell the scent of cleanliness. Glancing down, with dark, deep pools of emotionless midnight-blue eyes, she absentmindedly looked herself over. Wearing, her usual attire; a long-sleeved, white cloak, held by a purple belt around her waist, her cloak hanging just below her waist - an improvised skirt, above mesh leggings that stopped just below her slender pale knees. Her headband hung loosely off her waist, among a few pouches filled with her ninja tools. A top the young girl's head was a bowl of midnight-blue hair, hastily combed, with bangs fluttering just above her eyes, with some considerable longer strands down to the mid of her back, just barely hiding her Uchiha symbol.

Yup. That was Iku's signature look. Rarely ever changed. Recognizing herself as being completely in order, she turned and began the trek down the hall, reaching out, and running her small hand along the wall. Glancing to the side, her stature was immediately apparent in the mirror-like cleaned walls. She was tiny, not even 5 feet. With a body built for basically no combat scenario. Iku was smaller than most girls that were not even quite her age yet. She was smart, but still had not been able to determine what had caused her stunted growth, leading to such a small stature. Iku had high aspirations of being a powerful shinobi one day, and her current mass would provide some hindrances. She already knew her outer shell was quite a bit more fragile than most. Rectifying this was at the top of her priorities, but so far she had found no answers.

Kids she passed by she did not speak to. If they said something to her, or mumbled something, Iku didn't respond. The small, young Uchiha girl mostly kept to herself. Except for in class, when she would readily answer questions. Or ask questions. Learning was a hallmark of hers. She intended to learn a lot. Quite a bit more than most she assumed.

{355 words}

To those in her general vicinity, the first signs of Sylvan would not be by sight, or with their ears, oh no. Rather, it would be through scent. The smell of wind through the various trees of the village, of mint crushed under foot, and animals going about their daily business without a care for the human values of modesty or dignity. The scent wasn't as pungent or intense as it normally would be, but perhaps this was because Sylvan had dunked herself in a river several times before walking inside. She had since tried off and taken the most wooded route the rest of the way to the school, but it helped lessen her odor a good deal.
Beyond that, sound would be the next indicator. Sylvan had dried off somewhat, but only in a lopsided sense. The result of this lopsided purge of water meant her hair and the twigs within were still soaked top to the core with water, further increasing the dampness of the rest of her. The result of his was a steady drip drip drip that preceded her. Normal she would be fairly quiet in her passage, having long ago become accustomed to sneaking through the woods in such a way so as not to disturb the animals. He skills were not on the level of real ninjas, but they were enough to get the drop on unaware newcomers. Well, newcomers who lacked a sense of smell, and, in this case, hearing.
Sylvan was actually looking forward to class, unlike some students. Her preference for the uncivilized wilderness aside, she had a great love of knowledge impart to her by her parents. She was expecting to do well in class, though there was an amount of doubt in the back of her mind. After all, this was in preparation for becoming a Ninja, a very daunting prospect. She had seen and met a few, and all of them vaguely terrified her. It wasn't that they were mean; in fact, many of them were nice to her, and one had even bought her soup. But even with the nicest of them, she was aware of a fraction of the power they could hold, which terrified her. And she was acutely aware that what she had witnessed in her life so far was a very small fraction, which was perhaps the more terrifying part of her fear. Nevertheless, she was resolved to learn as they did.
Lost as deep in her thoughts as she was, sylvan did not notice the short girl, Iku, in front of her as fast as she ought've. She refocuses just in time, hopping to the side awkwardly and avoiding a collision. "Oh! Um, sorry. Didn't meant to- Erm... Yeah." She blushes vividly, shuffling to the side in embarrassment.

{468 Words}

Iku had been lost in thought about other things. Namely how to train, namely getting stronger, and namely how she could further progress her studies. She had uncharacteristically, not been paying attention. So when someone leaped to the side, just in time for the two not to collide, Iku was slightly surprised.

Normally she would have noticed much sooner, and corrected her path. Wrinkling her pert nose at a not-so-lovely smell, she noticed it was coming from this disheveled person before her. This girl was taller than her, and Iku found herself looking up at the embarrassed girl. The Uchiha was more annoyed with herself. She should have been more aware. The smell would have given away this person long before the sight of her, and she had noticed neither.

Every day something revealed itself to her that would show her she needed more training. It was becoming an increasingly annoying pattern. Iku stood staring at the girl, and finally spoke in the middle of her stammering. "You smell weird." Iku normally didn't mince words, and if she had stank, Iku would have said so. However, she didn't exactly smell bad, just unusual. "A pungent odor gives a ninja away to those with keener tracking senses. It would be sense, to clean yourself up better."

{213 words}

Sylvan resisted the urge to simply stick her foot in her mouth and be done with it. It would probably cut straight through the awkward conversation that was about to happen. Oh, and the girl was wrinkling her nose. No doubt she had noticed the smell. Sylvan tried, she really did. Dunking herself in the river had helped somewhat, and at first she thought she might be okay. alas, it was not to be. Sylvan simply couldn't resist a tromp through the woods. How she had managed to get this much of an odor during a five minute walk eluded her. Perhaps she had encountered a skunk without realizing it? No, she would definitely know if she had run afoul of a member of the striped ones. Such scents were unmissable.
Returning her focus to her no doubt furious 'victim', Sylvan mentally kicks herself again. The person whose walk she had disrupted was quite short, and she was quite tall. Hopefully they weren't sensitive about that. Being yelled at was quite unpleasant.
Finally, the girl spoke. Unlike Sylvan's (perhaps paranoid) fears, the girl did not yell. This prompted both relief and more mental kicking within Sylvan's mind. On one hand, the girl was calm. On the other, being quietly reproached was slightly better than being yelled at. sylvan also picked up on the fact that the girl had said she smelled 'weird', not disgusting or horrible or any of the other descriptors she had heard before. Sylvan was glad; not only that the person she had nearly run over polite, but it also meant that the dunking in the river had in fact done something to mitigate her scent.
The next words the girl said quickly rained on the introspective parade. The girl was right, of course. Her distinctive scent tag had given her away in the past, and would continue to do in the future if she couldn't fix it somehow. Such give-a-way's could get her killed, or worse. She needed to figure out something, sooner rather than later. There was probably a chakra technique of some kind, but sacrificing some of her energy for something she could fix through simple self-restraint did not sit well with her. Still, her odor did have some advantages. Afterall, smelling like the sum-total of the surrounding area's scents meant that smell was essentially useless in finding her. At least in a wooded area.
"Perhaps, but it is quite a bit easier to hide in a forest when you smell like the forest." Sylvan says to the girl, her blush fading as the embarrassment fades. "Though you are correct, I need to fix it at some point. Sylvan has to look down to meet the girl's eyes. This was mildly irritating, not because she minded the effort. Rather, she did not see her fellow student as someone to look down on.
"Thank you for your honesty. Might I have your name?" She asks, interested. The girl looked very determined, but nature had placed a hurdle for her to jump over in the form of her stunted growth. She wasn't sure of the full extent of the girl's physical abilities at a mere glance, but not being able to reach the top shelf was probably a disadvantage in a lot of situations.
{548 Words}

Iku stood staring her deep pools of midnight blue at this person. She seemed to be distracted. Like she was battling herself in her own mind. A quality that Iku did not possess. 'Quality' used more sarcastically there. She thought it was far more cumbersome to quarrel incessantly in one's mind. When, instead, one's mind could instead be calm, and quiet. In control of your person at all times. When she finally spoke, she refuted Iku's words, by claiming it would be better to have the scent of the surrounding forest about you. While that made some sense. Iku figured being odorless was just the same, if not just simpler.

"What if you smell like a forest near our city -near Konoha. While you are doing reconnaissance in a forest near Kiragakure. Large oaks do not smell the same as tall pines." Iku pointed out sensibly. Iku appreciated being thanked for her honesty. It was better to learn mistakes, and quickly correct them. If one was to become a fine shinobi. "I am Iku Uchiha," she gave out her name, at the person's request. Throughout the conversation Iku's voice barely revealed any inflections, indicating any manner of personal attitude towards the given situation. Yet she spoke with confidence; as if she knew greatly of her own self-worth and importance. It almost seemed as if she spoke down to the much taller person. Quite ironically. It was also easy to note, that Iku did not reciprocate and ask for the other girl's name in the way her name was requested.

{258 words}

Sylvan was almost disquieted as the girl stared her down with those deep blue eyes. Almost. While she could wax on like the finest of poets in her free time (and probably would, if she was to be as honest with herself as one could be in the privacy of the mind. Hopefully no one would hear her, for such things were best purged from the mind into the open air) now was not the time. And besides, such a thing would be disturbing and display a degree of social ineptness that did not apply to Sylvan. Sylvan was fairly good at not doing foolish things, though the obvious exception was her personal grooming habits, which, she would readily admit, required serious revision or an entirely different culture that just didn't care. Sadly, both of those had several difficulties. Obviously, organizing a cultural revolution would be a massive undertaking, one which would require the ability to defend her beliefs though both combat and debate. Such a task would be best taken after she had gained significant abilities through ninja training. Waiting that long would rather defeat the purpose though. Meanwhile, changing her habits would in this case require undoing something that was quite a large pa-
It was at the point that Sylvan returned to the conversation and issue at hand. The girl made a good point about the nature of her argument, one she would be kicking herself for later. After all, Sylvan was naturally inclined to think she was more experienced with the forest than this girl. And as such, allowing herself to be one-upped on basic forest knowledge was incredibly embarrassing. Before Sylvan could deliver her counter argument, the girl gave her name. Iku Uchiha. A... nice name she supposed. The Uchiha bit was especially interesting, though not as interesting as the way the girl said it. Self-posessed, confident. A great deal more confident in herself than Sylvan was in herself.
"Iku Uchiha. Hmmm... Well, my scent is generally based on the nearest forest or the one I am currently in, for I dunk myself in rivers frequently. I am aware, quite painfully so in fact, of the social connotations that my scent carries. It just sort of... keeps coming back." she shrugs. She had attempted in the past to get rid of it, but regular river dunking seemed the best bet for now.
{397 Words}

"So my point stands, then. You generally smell like the forests surrounding Konoha, because you spend your time in those forests. Regardless, I'm sure you'll figure it out for yourself, before you are sent on any important mission," Iku stated simply. She cared not about the social aspect of this girl's particular odor. Her mindset was one of an aspiring shinobi. Not a normal person looking to make friends, or win any popularity contests. Those things were trivial and seemed inconsequential to Iku. She could not know Sylvan's overall worry about her displeasing smell. Iku merely spoke of it practically.

"Anyways, I have given my advice, I think I shall be on my way," Iku stated simply, as she began to walk in the direction she was going, basically ignoring Sylvan as she would have done at any other time. Iku had learned something fascinating about one of her classmates. That there was a student that liked to smell like a forest. That particular bit of information may come in handy later, but for now, it was moot.

{177 words}

Sylvan winces. She had screwed up, for sure. The girl seems to have completely misunderstood her, but much of that was probably her own fault. What had she been thinking, talking that way to the girl. 'Because you I want to fit in? Because you I know that being silly and fancy might attract some? Perhaps, but I should've known betters. She's perhaps a bit more like us me than you I was willing to admit. Still screwed that up though. We'll I'll do better next time.' Sylvan smiled ruefully, sensing that the girl was done with this 'social' interaction for now. Iku Uchiha. Iku. Uchiha. She'd have to remember that. Gather more data and try again. She could not afford to just let the girl go, such a person was important to have as an ally friend, after all.
Regardless of whether each girl realized it, Iku's analysis of Sylvan's mind was completely accurate. Very few would be able to tell, but Iku had stared down those grey eyes. Apparently, that had been enough. Sylvan was able to hide most of the warning signs of her inner turmoil, but the eyes didn't lie. Still, she was together enough to do well in class. 'Speaking of which, I'd best not be late. Such would incredibly embarrassing. Still, I shouldn't turn my back on this girl.' Sylvan backs away from the area they had stopped in, looking around warily until she was a few feet away from Iku. At that point she would turn and quickly hurry towards her next class. 'I will need to explore social interaction with myself, it appears. I we I we I can help with that. ... I'm not crazy. Of course not. Now let's get to class. Let's.'
She quickly runs down the halls, eager to get to her learning opportunity. Oddly enough, she never once slips or slides on the water she's dripping, though many of the others certainly might. Her time in the forest had taught her of difficult terrain, and using it in mundane situations such as this was no issue to her. She probably didn't need to run, she still had plenty of time. But running was enjoyable for her, and any extra time to prepare with before the learning opportunity would be good. Preparation time was always good. It was important that she take ever advantage she could find, after all. Competition was fierce, what with all the students aspiring to become the next greatest thing in the ninja world. That wasn't really her goal, and she had long ago recognized it. Her goal was merely to not be scared. To be able to defend herself when monsters and demons carried out their wicked machinations. When such times came, she wanted to be bale to, at the very least, flee. Perhaps this pragmatic goal made her weaker than the other students. Sylvan herself was still unsure about it.
{487 Words}

Iku noticed for a moment that other girl was following her. Suddenly she sprinted, running beside her and down the hall. It seemed she was in a hurry to get to class. Though Iku did not understand why. At her normal walking pace, she would be fine when she reached class. Iku was thorough in that way. Her eyes glanced down, as water dripped and splattered from her as she ran. Iku frowned and stepped gingerly around the water that had came off of that girl.

It did not take long for Iku to reach the classroom. The small, young Uchiha entered the classroom, and glanced her dark orbs around. Many students were already in the room. There was plenty of noise, as students rambunctiously messed around before class. Many seemed to know each other. Or even be... friends. Iku stepped over the water leading into the room. Clearly that one girl was in their class. Iku had never really noticed. Now she could definitely smell that foresty smell. It would be hard to not notice now. Her thin mouth frowned as she stepped inside, her eyes met with other student's gaze. Many glanced away. Iku was not exactly a well-liked student. She tended to be a know-it-all, with an arrogant attitude. Iku slowly made her way to an empty seat.

{220 words}

Sylvan makes it to her class with much time to spare. A few students may have slipped and skidded in her watery trail, but so what? They lived, and beyond the momentary disruption they would be fine. Really, their shouts of angry were uncalled for, utterly uncalled for. 'Stop thinking like that silence you me!' She had her writing utensils and other such things all arrayed as preferred. There was an empty seat to her right, the only one left in the class. That could be good or bad. On one hand, she might have an extra place to set her things so that they did not have to lay out of easy access on the floor. Well, things such as they were. She had her weaponry and writing utensils, but very little beyond that. Beyond that, her own mind would supply anything she might need. 'Gone off on a tangent have youI?' The downside was that she would be seated next to an idiot. That was always a worry. Hopefully it wouldn't be an idiot. Hopefully no one would show.....
Sylvan was not crazy. She knew this about herself. So why was she now second guessing herself at every turn? Had that girl, Iku, triggered some sort of cascade? Some madness? She didn't look that powerful, but then again..... No thought Sylvan, shaking her head, Such thoughts are the gates to the realms of madness. Honesty Sylvvy, stop being so dramatic. You're fine.' 'Are you?' '.... ... ... Why isn't...?' 'Hush, me, and pay attention to class.' 'Right, right.' She really needed to stop being so melodramatic. She wasn't crazy, just a bit annoyed and perhaps sleep deprived. She was a night owl after all, and had trouble getting a full amount of sleep. Her turmoil was easily attributable to that.
Having (temporarily) resolved that little issue, Sylvan takes a moment to look around the class. The walls were a drab olive color, artificial. With a real-life forest full of lush bushes right outside, the attempt to provide a natural feel to the room had completely failed. It was a little depressing, honestly. The seats were made of old wood, oak she was guessing. Unlike the walls, they had a great deal of character. Tiny cuts and scratches accumulated from who knows how many years of bored or focused students sitting at these very desks. She always wondered what the desks would say. She did this every time, since the first few. There was little else to do after all. She might as well do what she could. The chalk board was covered in a fine layer of chalk-dust. despite being freshly cleaned. Like her, no amount of daily effort ever seemed to do the job. She had idly wondered one day if she had somehow cursed the chalkboard, but soon dismissed the idea. She wasn't powerful enough to curse a chalkboard. And besides, how did one curse something. Pick up the thread of fancy from a week ago (for that was when she had pondered curses and the like) she realized that curses didn't fit in with any of thing things she had heard. There were gods, apparently, and spirits. Great beasts and the like, all made of chakra. To her, the fact that they were made of chakra, had ordinary limits like her, diminished them. She didn't like it. It made them seem too... attainable.
Abruptly, she noticed Iku Uchiha entering the classroom. A quick look around confirmed that the only seat left was the one next to her. 'Well at least I won't get an idiot. And I'll have chances to talk to her.' Sylvan gave a half-hearted wave. 'Not today though. She'll likely be angry she has gto endure my scent. Perhaps I should do something more... permanent about it.'
{634 Words}

Iku glanced around the room, and high up into the seats. The sensei wasn't yet in, and the clock behind her head indicated it was nearing time for class to start. She avoided the gaze of most students. However, the students that met her gaze, she met with firmness. Those students quickly glanced away. Iku's eyes were dormant, and usually blank. It was unnerving to stare into her dark blue orbs. For a young girl, there was a certain "spark" just missing in her gaze. Often her deadpan face looked lifeless. Almost doll-like. Often others considered her eerie, though she did not know this. And even more, she did not particularly care.

Spotting the only seat. She stepped up the steps, brushing aside two students who were having a mini-wrestle on the middle of the white steps. They grunted when she forced her way through them, with not so much as a glance in their direction. As soon as she passed, and they had given her one good glare, they were at it again, as rambunctious as ever. Iku was young, at the age of fourteen. But a lot of students were even younger than that. In fact, fourteen was pushing Academy student days. Soon she would be a full-fledged Genin, she could feel it. That time was quickly approaching.

Taking the single empty seat, Iku sat her butt down. For a moment, she looked towards the front. Her nose twitched, smelling a familiar outdoorsy scent. Turning to the side, she noticed a taller girl sitting beside her. With a few blinks, she suddenly realized who it was. "Oh! It's you. Hello again," Iku muttered. Her voice held disinterest, but she at least acknowledged the other student, whom she had met only minutes before.

{292 words}

Sylvan sighs as she sits down in her seat. Thus far, things could have gone better. She had found a new person, Iku Uchiha. Very promising. Befriending her would be hard, but Sylvan had felt she could at least earn trust. Key word being had. She had completely botched up the interaction with the girl, both miosjudging and being misjudged in turn. Continuing her look around the room, Sylvvy spots the two arguing, fighting students. They always did this. One day, Sylvan wanted to get them to stop. she was not sure how, but it was a definite goal of hers. 'What sad goals. Shut up!' Lke Iku, she would soon be a Genin. She still had some things to learn, but not much. She would make it.
Of course, gnawing away in the back of her mind was her reasons for doing it. Fear. A poor reason to do anything, in her opinion, yet she was basing her entire lifestyle around the damn emotion. Fear. Fear of being defenseless, of having to rely on others. Of not being able to defend herself when the monsters came. It was pitiful, but that was life. She wondered what the girls first words would be, when she saw her. 'Oh look, its you'? Or would she just glare. 'No, idiot, you're misjudging her again. think about what you know of Iku Uchiha.' Based on what she had seen of her thus far, her most likely response would be either ambivalent silence or plain acknowledgement. She might scrunch up when the smell hit her. But beyond that.... Iku seemed to have less emotions than Sylvan herself, so it was entirely likely that the girl wasn't angry at all. She had never asked Sylvan for her name. Sylvan could just give it to her, but that would ruin the fun. Someone might eventually tell her. Maybe. 'Interesting. So many glares. I guess she's not very well liked. And no others will meet her gaze. I wonder why...'
Somewhat worrying to Sylvan, the girl had not yet noticed her presence, despite how obvious it was. That was worrying. To be able to miss such obvious clues not once, but twice indicated a certain unawareness of her surroundings. Such an unawareness could get her killed in the future, if no one corrected it. Perhaps Sylvan could correct that. 'No good deed goes unpunished. Shut up!'
As the girl sits down, Sylvan taps her on the shoulder and locks gaze with her. Unlike Iku's cold, dead, doll-like eyes, Sylvan's were filled with classing thoughts and ideas. It was the complete opposite of Iku's gaze, yet just as unnerving in its own way.
"Iku. This makes twice you didn't immediately notice me. You need to work on that. You should've begun looking for me the instant you smelled the forest." Her tone is calm and matter of fact, yet it doesn't sound like she's trying to imitate a teacher. More like someone commenting on the weather then reproaching her. Still, the fact remained that she'd called Iku out. Sylvan was a bit worried that the girl would misunderstand her like the time before when she was explaining herself. She was a bit worried the girl didn't care.
{536 Words}

Iku's eyes connected with the formerly-met girl's. But any inner turmoil that might hint at something catastrophic underneath was lost on the Uchiha girl. Instead she just stared, with the occasional blink. She didn't wrinkle her nose at the smell. To be honest she didn't find the scent bad, just not normal. Which of itself was not a bad thing. She had already expressed how the smell might prove to be bad, but for now it could be ignored. If other students were bothered by the way this person presented herself: odor, or otherwise, it was not a concern of Iku's.

Then the girl attempted to scold Iku. Whether she was trying to be mean, or give constructive criticism, as Iku did just minutes before, Iku hardly cared. Or probably didn't even notice. A smirk crossed her lips momentarily, before they fell back into a straight line. "You are correct. I was absent about your first appearance. That was entirely my fault. However, this second time you misunderstand. I did not not-notice you. I merely ignored your presence. Willfully. It did take me a moment longer to fully recognize you, but that was just because I had written you off. As I do to most others." She shook her head, clearly amused. With a sharp breath, she stated, "You seriously are calling out an Uchiha on being unobservant?" For a moment, she allowed her eyes to lighten to a red, two black tomas manifesting in her iris. "Do not worry. I am the most observant one around here."

A moment later, her eyes shifted back to their dull midnight blue, and she turned her head back to the front. It did not mean her interaction with the other person was complete. She had just spoken her fill on the current matter.

{299 words}

Sylvan glared at the girl, even after she had turned away. 'That... that.... Uchiha! Are/were/will they all (be) like this?! So arrogant... Willful misunderstanding do i suspect of her. Iku Uchiha, you did not even ask my name! 'I expect you will learn when on a mission' indeed! That smirking little..' Sylvan twitches noticeably when the flashes the sharingan. In her opinion, the girl was flaunting herself shamelessly, and putting far to much faith in those eyes. The sharingan was not the be all end all, it had weaknesses. And now Sylvan would have to figure them out. A few obvious ones came to mind, of course. It was based on vision, so reducing the visibility of the area would probably hinder its use greatly. She suspected it would work similarly for the other kind of mystical eye that could be found in Konoha. After that, well... Sylvan had a couple of ideas, many of them featuring her own unique abilities. 'I must balance embarrassment with duration. It must be believably Iku long enough for no one to check and see if it actually is Iku. Then I shall leave her to deal with the chaos. There is the possibility she might not care, but I somehow doubt it. Even so, it may well be a blow to her ego. That is the goal her,e  knocking down the Uchiha ego a few steps. Otherwise, something tougher than her is going to kill her one day. Perhaps because she believed she was "the most observant one around her". ' Needless to say, the comment had thoroughly incensed Sylvan, to the point where her plotting against the Uchiha was taking a darker turn. 'And when she wakes up, she'll be tied upside down to a tree with monkey's dancing around her while one paints her face for the sacrifice! ... ... .. Perhaps I should focus on class.'
{318 Words}

Iku sat beside the unconventional student, completely and utterly unaware of the girl's new hostile turn in her nature. She sat there, observing the front of the class, waiting for the sensei to come in, and start the lecture he had prepared for that day. Absentmindedly, she brushed some of her lengthy midnight blue hair out of her face, and around the corner of her ears. Soft bangs rested against her forehead, as she groomed herself.

She had no idea how much she had set off the girl sitting in the seat next to her. In truth, she had meant no offense in her comment to the outdoorsy-smelling girl beside her. Whether her 'friend' would take offense was entirely unintentional. It was even on accident. Iku had trouble understanding social customs, and very often spoke frankly. Her words were often misconstrued torment. She didn't not actually care about causing offense. However, offended parties could cause problems for her in the future, and that was completely something she wished to avoid. If only she knew the outrage she had caused the person beside her.

Iku's eyes fell back upon the two that had gone at each other again, after she had passed by and sat down. She thought their quarreling was fine. Whether it was playing or not. In a way, it was a type of training, and she always understood taking time to train. Often she would flash her Sharingan, in a way to 'train' it. By no means did Iku intend to rely entirely on her Sharingan, but she wanted to get used to it as a very powerful asset.

{269 words}

Unfortunately, perhaps for both girls, Sylvan was quite thoroughly convinced that Iku Uchiha was an arrogant fool, and intended to carry out her revenge. All she needed was some fog, and she could give the girl a comeuppance she deserved, or at least one she thought she deserved. It was tragic, in a sense The two might've become friends, but if even half the things Sylvan was planning were actually carried out successfully, such a possibility was very unlikely. Both were completely misunderstanding each other, it seemed. They should really pool their collective knowledge of social conventions, but alas, that was unlikely.
Currently, Sylvan's plan was relatively simple. Create through a method that was yet to be decided a fog. Her theory was that in poor visibility, the fog would hopefully mess with the Sharingan. The fog she conjured would be part genjutsu, and part something els.e Or all genjutsu, fi she couldn't lay hands on anything else. Really, all she needed was to keep the girl in one place and unawares long enough for her to perform the Mind Body Swap. After that, she would see how much trouble she could get into while in Iku's body. A simple plan, and much more likely to succeed then the previous one she had though. Getting a bucket of lamp oil would be pretty difficult anyways. So say nothing of gathering all those feathers and kindling. Plus, burning her fellow ninja alive was a very poor way to teach them to be less arrogant. All in all, she believed the mind body swap plan to be vastly superior. For now though, she had to get through class. The written work was no issue, but some of the combat training she was having difficulty with. Learning the Art of the Sword, in particular, had been issue. Her greater height and weight had been surprisingly useful in grappling though. The scent masking she had picked up almost on the day it had been introduced. She had already explored such ideas when she was younger, and had a bit of a head start on the other students. One issue that had been pointed out to her was her strength. She needed to work on that, or her taijutsu would suffer greatly. Despite her tall frame, she had trouble building up strength in training, meaning such skills took longer for her to learn. Besides, she was much more interested in the genjutsus. IT was this focus however, that she hoped would let her bring about Iku's downfall, or at least humbling. Downfall was perhaps a bit rash.
All these plans and more swirled chaotically in Sylvan's head. How many of them would actually work or were even grounded in reality, she had no clue. But she had a rough frame of a plan, which meant she could focus entirely on class for now.
{476 Words}

Iku glanced towards the doorway, to take a quick look at the clock. Class should basically be starting. Perhaps the sensei was running a tad late. She wasn't sure if she could sympathize or if it infuriated her that her sensei didn't have the sense or class to be there on time. Iku herself had never been late to anything. So she was inclined towards the latter. Regardless, there was still some time for meandering. -Time Iku wished was spent on something else. Perhaps reading scrolls, or practicing her taijutsu. The other students seemed to be fine with it. Going on and on, as boisterous and rowdy as ever.

Quickly, she glanced beside her to the other girl. She seemed to catch her gaze. Iku's was as placid and unassuming as ever. However, there was something in her 'neighbor's' eyes that hadn't been there previously, as she stared at the Uchiha. Iku's lips pursed together as she obviously contemplated what the other girl was trying to discern.

"Yes?" Iku said simply, and finally. She actually vaguely wondered what was on this person's mind, as she stared at the Uchiha. Iku wasn't adept in social interactions. -That much was clear. So she couldn't see the obvious malice darkening the other girl's face. She approached the situation with simple curiosity.

{216 words}

Sylvan leans back in her chair, watching the girl's eyes. Now, she didn't know what to think. She had this wonderful plan, an evil plan, a perfect plan! A plan of revenge, one that would do this Uchiha a great deal of good, or so she thought. But now, she wasn't sure. After all, she herself thought in different ways to others. And she knew Iku was even further removed from interact then she was, given how easily she had misunderstood. Sylvan had been pretty sure she hadn't said her counter argument in a confusing manner, yet the girl before her seemed to have missed the point entirely, 'by a kilometer' so to speak. This left Sylvan ... unsure about enacting vengeance upon the girl. After all, she did not want to make an unwarranted enemy of a Uchiha. This would require finesse. Luckily, it appeared she had the time to think, by virtue of their teacher's appalling lateness. 'what to do.... I could ask her outright what she thinks of me, but the teacher might enter the room before she can answer, and I'll want it at face value. So that's out. Perhaps the best method is to request she meet me after class, and we talk more then? Yes, I like that.' "Iku Uchiha. Now is not the time for the questions I would ask of you. Can you meet me once class is done? I would rather not Sensei interrupt just as you are forming an answer to my question." Hopefully the girl would say yes, for her own sake. Otherwise, Sylvan would go through with the plan. This would be highly unpleasant for the girl. and possibly for Sylvan too, depending on Iku's reaction.
{288 Words}

Iku sat there, staring at this girl, as she stared back at herself. What a weird, awkward situation. Iku herself had not meant any harm with what she had said. Regardless, she possibly could have offended. If she did she wouldn't necessarily have cared. People's 'feelings' hardly mattered to Iku. It just was not really her intention to go about offending others. As she attempted to discern why this girl was glaring at her so, Iku finally heard her speak up.

Her words were rather cryptic. And she only just finished speaking, as the sensei entered the classroom. Students made some boisterous calls when he came into the room. He answered in kind. Their sensei was a likable person, and had plenty of charisma. Iku wasn't exactly sure what this girl was getting at, so she answered swiftly. "If you wish," she answered simply, turning her attention once more to the front and to the sensei for the lecture. She was mildly curious as to what this girl wanted. She had assumed their first interaction had gone well. -For what that was worth. Iku couldn't imagine what was swirling around in her head. But right now, none of that mattered. All that mattered was the lesson, and what she would learn and gain from listening to the sensei.

{217 words}

Sylvan turns away from Iku. As she expected, the teacher came in at exactly that moment. She knew a bit about how such things worked. After all, she had figured out a method of speeding up tasks when waiting on something to get done or someone to arrive. She need only take out a good book and begin reading, which would then summon the person or complete the task just as she started to get into it. It didn't always work, but it certainly worked too often to be a coincidence. And when it failed, well, she got to read her book. So it was a win-win situation, really.

Sylvan focuses her attention on the teacher. He was apparently nice, but much of that was lost on her. She could sort of see how 'I'm not crazy' but the full meaning behind his actions didn't always click with her. She often felt as though a part of her was missing, perhaps the other side of her frequent internal clashes, that would make everything about the world and the people in it she didn't understand just... click. She hoped so, anyways. It would be a long, confusing lifetime ahead of her if there wasn't. At the very least though, she could make sure she understood how to defend herself. The teacher would help with that, and so she would give him her attention. Well, as mcuh as she could anyways. Her mind wandered constantly, and there was only so much of her attention she could actually focus.
{255 Words}

Iku did not know of the troubles that plagued the person she sat beside. All she knew was a sensei meant learning, and that was just exactly what the girl strove for. The young Uchiha wanted to learn everything. She wanted to know everything. It was her ultimate goal of knowing every jutsu out there. As impossible as that sounded. Study and attentiveness in class was an absolute must. Luckily, she had no crazy delusions or voices interrupting her all day like the person beside her had. Iku was truly blessed to not be a weird freak.

As the lecture began, the class generally got quieter and began to listen. That much made Iku grateful, but it hardly mattered. As Iku basically ignored everyone else to concentrate. She was very good at that. As the day drew on, the class came to a close. Everyone, including Iku had had a decent days practice of simplistic Academy jutsu, and Iku had done her absolute best on them. However she also knew Academy jutsu were generally considered pretty weak. So even though she wanted to learn every jutsu, Academy techniques were not very interesting to her.

Iku stepped outside the class, and waited for that outdoorsy smelling girl. As per request. It seemed somehow she had upset the other person. Oh joy, Iku thought with indifference. She generally didn't much care for these type of things. She just didn't understand the point of getting caught up on such frivolous matters.

{246 words}

Sylvan listened attentively throughout the class, the coin that was her brain having rolled into the slot. She had little issue following the the teacher's lessons. Academy Jutsu included a lot of basic skills, ones with Sylvan was sure would prove useful later. She had learned most of them already, but at the cost of physical training. 'I'm not crazy.' She needed to work on that, but she wasn't really sure [i]when.  
Meanwhile, within her head, negotiations were taking place. 'How about you let me handle Iku? I'm much more suited for it.' 'H-Hey what are you-' Flip.
[/i]

---

The teacher was soon wrapping up the class, and those who did not have to do extra curricular work were filing out of the class. Sylvan, a good student by most measures, was among those leaving. She would have to meet Iku. 'Ah. There she is.' Sylvan greets Iku. She seemed a bit different now, a lot less emotionally attached. "Let's go outside, so we are not disturbed. Whether you knew it or not, you were quite rude. While you may not care, it will impede your progress. I assume you'd rather not be impeded?" Sylvan hoped the girl would listen to her. Otherwise, a lot of people would be seeking petty vengeance on the Uchiha girl, like Sylvan herself intended to do. It would be an shame if the girl did poorly in her classes as a result of it, though sylvan doubted it would affect her too badly. Still, no reason not to see if helping her out now was an option.
{263 Words}

As students filtered through the hall, and out of the class, eventually the girl she sat beside made her way out. How she ended so far behind Iku, as they had previously been right next to each other, the Uchiha would never know. It couldn't be explained. Regardless, the girl made her way over to the girl clad in a white cloak with the Uchiha brand on its back. She expressed wanting to take this outside. That was ominous. Well whatever. Aptly, Iku followed, only mere steps behind the outdoorsy-smelling female.

On the walk over to a rather secluded area outside, cast in cool shade, Iku began to think about the previous lesson. It had involved Academy Jutsus. Something Iku knew about, and assumed she could perform rather easily. However, they were simple jutsus that the Uchiha had not proved yet she had mastered, thinking them mostly beneath her. She supposed, if she was on the path to learning all the techniques she could, that she should probably learn those jutsus in a way that she could say 'I know those jutsus', instead of saying 'I probably know those jutsus'. Maybe she could cheat it, and use her Sharingan to copy them. Nah, that would make them trivial, and make the learning process pointless. Besides, Iku was confident she could master them in a couple attempts time, anyway. No need to waste her Sharingan on something so minor.

As they reached the spot, beside a tree, Iku stood facing the much taller girl. Upon hearing her words, her face was slightly cross with shadow. "Rude? Impede? I don't think I see how those two things are related," Iku defended herself. "If the other students do not like how I conduct myself, that is their problem -NOT mine." Her words were firm, as she stared up at this person's face. "Also, I thought our interaction went rather adequately. Perhaps you misunderstood my words. The message I was trying to convey had nothing to do with your aptitude as a rising shinobi. It was merely me attempting to inform you how come I didn't immediately notice you."

{353 words}

Sylvan glares at the girl, the impudent Uchiha, as she had come to think of her. This was insane. She just didn't get it. 'Perhaps... Yes, perhaps I am wasting my time here. this is a pointless endeavor.' Sylvan sighs, clearly annoyed. "I see we have no ability to convey our points to one another. I am leaving now. Thank you for what I assume was a compliment. Perhaps later attempts will have more success." Sylvan backs away, keeping her eyes on Iku for awhile before spinning and running off across the rooftops.
As she runs, she contemplates, every foot striking a tile of woe. She wasn't sure why she wanted to reach out to this girl. That was more of The Girl's thing, not hers. Se was quite content to stay hold up in her little forest of isolation, thank you very much. "So why then, do I feel a desire to learn more about her? Oh. Oh no. NO." "What?" "N-Nothing!" "Are you blushing?" "No! Maybe! Shut up!" "Tee hee. You're adorable! Crushing as bad as me!" "Shut. Up."
They/she continued hopping along the rooftops, coming to a stop near one of the market stalls. Their/her head was a swirl of unwanted (by some) emotion and denial. It was with this headache that Sylvan Yamanaka trudged into her shared room and collapsed on the floor, taking refuge in her mat. "Sis? Why-" "Did you just call me 'sis?" "Well, yeah, I did. It's not like we're two sides of the same coin, right? We're separate!" "Well yeah, but... 'sis'?" "Well what else would I call you?" "Uh.. Well.... Love you too, sister dear." "Uh huh!"
{275 Words}