The Ghost of Christmas Past and its guest pause, hovering in the sky over a large town built at the foot of a mountain range, large stone heads dominating the landscape. "Konohagakure," it states softly. "The Village Hidden in the Leaves. One of the great ninja villages of this world. And one of the many worlds that, unfortunately, has never learned the joys of Christmas."
Slowly, it guides itself to the ground, near the outskirts, and gestures for the other to follow before strolling through the scattered crowds that fill the streets casually, gliding through people when it needs to. "Instead, their closest equivalent is something that they call the Rinne Festival. Once a ceremonial day, meant to pray the dead, they now give presents to friends and loved ones. I'll never cease to find fascinating the parallels some cultures come up with." It ghosts through several buildings, leading to a large clearing, with a large, red statue of flame centered in it. Beyond, there are small headstones everywhere, offerings placed around some few of them. "Not everyone forgets the Festival's origins, however."
And one of those who apparently hasn't forgotten is a New Hire with a very familiar hairstyle. She can't be much older than five or six years old now, but she's still near one of the more isolated stones, desperately clapping her hands over her head and pressing them together. There's a bit of uncertainty about her as she prays, but Tenten's still giving it her all. "Mother, Father! Sorry I'm a little late this year! I was busy with the paperwork!" She straightens, kneeling on both legs, hands resting on her thighs. "I don't know if you would have approved or not, but Hinori-san says that it's important to repay favors. Since Konoha's taken care of me all these years, the only way to repay the people here is to take care of it. So I'm going to be a kunoichi, like Lady Tsunade!"
The Ghost clicks its tongue, clearly disapproving, and turns its head to its guest. "There aren't really many other things for a parentless child to do in this village, but it seems a waste to dedicate one's life to death on a festive day like this. Don't you think so?"
PAST
Slowly, it guides itself to the ground, near the outskirts, and gestures for the other to follow before strolling through the scattered crowds that fill the streets casually, gliding through people when it needs to. "Instead, their closest equivalent is something that they call the Rinne Festival. Once a ceremonial day, meant to pray the dead, they now give presents to friends and loved ones. I'll never cease to find fascinating the parallels some cultures come up with." It ghosts through several buildings, leading to a large clearing, with a large, red statue of flame centered in it. Beyond, there are small headstones everywhere, offerings placed around some few of them. "Not everyone forgets the Festival's origins, however."
And one of those who apparently hasn't forgotten is a New Hire with a very familiar hairstyle. She can't be much older than five or six years old now, but she's still near one of the more isolated stones, desperately clapping her hands over her head and pressing them together. There's a bit of uncertainty about her as she prays, but Tenten's still giving it her all. "Mother, Father! Sorry I'm a little late this year! I was busy with the paperwork!" She straightens, kneeling on both legs, hands resting on her thighs. "I don't know if you would have approved or not, but Hinori-san says that it's important to repay favors. Since Konoha's taken care of me all these years, the only way to repay the people here is to take care of it. So I'm going to be a kunoichi, like Lady Tsunade!"
The Ghost clicks its tongue, clearly disapproving, and turns its head to its guest. "There aren't really many other things for a parentless child to do in this village, but it seems a waste to dedicate one's life to death on a festive day like this. Don't you think so?"