Naonari sighed. She hated how she just left him there, but hoped that Hiei character would learn more from Momoko.

Picking up groceries at the end of the week was routine for Naonari, because she had the weekends pretty much to herself. Should I go see Momo this weekend or patrol the forests and plains? But Naonari had the problem of feeling guilty yet in her mind. I'll have to go see her, and hope he is staying with her. I can join them for dinner...or something.

Sometimes she hated herself. Naonari still didn't think she was a very good town leader; She was more of a puppet, anyway, because Momoko didn't like to face the public when it came to major issues. She was always the deciding voice in meetings, though, which helped Naonari out quite a bit.

Naonari grabbed some vegetable plates and started to head to the cash register with her basket. She never bought much, save for her lunches, because she went to visit people, among other creatures, quite often. The most useful thing that Naonari had was the peace she could create between herself and the creatures outside the town. After all, she never really felt human herself.

Unfortunately, Naonari was too deep in thought...and she tripped over her own two feet.

Suzu was walking into the convenience store with the intent to buy salt and rice (all she can afford since she has no students. *sigh* but fear not, for she can hunt for meat and there’s enough mushrooms and wild vegetables in the forest for her to not starve. But wherefor art her students, those elusive shadows? No, back to the story….). She then saw Kyou-sama fall over for no apparent reason, spilling her vegetables all over the ground. Though the fall wasn’t broken, her face was spared, as it smashed into a now unidentifiable red fruit (or vegetable, maybe?)

“Kyou-sama!” Suzu rushed over helped her stand, and then offered Kyou-sama a cloth to wipe off her face. Suzu had to contain her laughter, as the face Kyou-sama as making under all the red mush was priceless.

"Well, those were badly placed," Naonari said as she wiped off her face. "and what's worse is I only like them in chili...bleh. Thanks a lot." The director of the school was helpful and a good friend to Naonari, and she was glad for it, at the moment.

Naonari pulled herself to her feet. Luckily, only her face had landed in the now-tomato-mush. Merde alors.... "How's it going sweetheart? Any new students yet?" As always, she was worried that Suzu had too much time on her hands, not having students and everything.

"I really wish we had some kids to attend, but this is a trade town with a magical forest. Only recently have there been newcomers." She thought back to the man she'd left behind, until she was called upon again.

Suzu’s chipmunk-like eyes faded to a dead fish-like glaze. “No, no students… but just wait until they get here!” her eyes lit up again as her energy found her. “I’d found a spell book in some unknown language, and had been working on translating it. Fortunately, there are many diagrams in the book, so I was able to interpret many of the nouns and have worked out the basic sentence structures…” She noticed she was digressing. “Any who, I’m almost done with the basic portions of the book, and I could use the content to teach a whole new magic class! Which is only useful for me if I get some students.” She finished with a slight tone of exasperation.

“I’d take the local children as students if I could, but over time that would whittle away at the farming work force and there wouldn’t be enough food to go around…” Suzu’s stomach growled as soon as she mentioned food and she stared into space for a moment, trying to think of the last time she had something to eat besides salted rice and wild game. “I’m paying attention!” she exclaimed as soon as she realized she was ignoring Kyou-sama. She awkward silence that followed was accompanied by the rising blood in Suzu’s face.

"Well," regaining her composure, and bringing her mind out of the gutter, Naonari spoke, "Can I ask you out for lunch? After I pay the grocer for spoiled goods....I hate uncooked tomatoes."

She helped herself up and took the sensei's arm, dragging her to the front of the store. Her friend looked flustered, but Nao was all about mixing fun with business. After she paid the grocer, Naonari looked at Suzu and pleaded with her to come. "If you stay with me, I can finish my work for the day too. I'm terrible without a companion at my side, even with my people skills which seem to scare some away."