Kuro talking is in bold

Igneous talking is in Italics

Raven's pov

I stared up at the towering gates with a mixture of awe and curiosity. Never had I seen an entrance quite so large. What was this place? I could see a strange symbol carved above the huge gateway, although I wasn't sure what it meant. "It appears to be some sort of village." Kuro voiced. "A big one." Igneous added. I had to nod in agreement. The walls attached to said gate stretched on for what seemed like forever, and I could see a large mass of clustered buildings beyond the entrance.

I took a few hesitant steps forward, peering through the gates of the large village. I wonder how big it actually is. The walls, I assume, form a circle from the shape and slight bend of the stone. However, I can't actually see where they end, or where they curve. I wonder how long I'd have to walk to see the end, or if I ever would see the end. I'd honestly more than likely die of starvation or from a bear attack before I could make it to the bend.

"Hey kid, what're you doing?" I jumped in surprise, my head snapping to the left so fast I nearly got whiplash. Standing in front of what looked like a small checkpoint building was a man with a bandanna on his head. There was a rectangular plate of metal on it with the same symbol carved into it as the one that was carved into the gate. I backed up slightly, trying not to show how much he'd spooked me. "I'm clearly looking at this gate." I analyzed him. He had brown hair, and his bangs covered one eye. Not useful information at all. Kuro is better at observing than I am. "Why?" He looked bewildered. "I've never seen a village this big." I admitted, glancing back at the mass of buildings.

Movement to the right of the small structure the first man was in front of caught my attention. I watched sourly as another man, this one with spiky hair and a bandage running across his nose, walked towards us. He had a headband instead of a bandanna, although it had the same plate of metal with the same symbol. I twitched slightly, wondering if I was fast enough to outrun not one, but two grown men. With these short legs, I was willing to bet that I was not.

"What's your name?" The man with the bandanna asked, eyes narrowed slightly. "Tell me yours first." I narrowed my eyes right back, folding her arms over my chest as I looked between the pair. The spiky haired man sighed. "I'm Kotetsu Hagane, and this is my buddy Izumo Kamizuki." Kotetsu introduced, still eyeing me as though I were a walking bomb set out on destroying his home.

"My name is Raven-" My breath hitched, and I mentally cursed myself for my near slip up. It wouldn't be good if someone found out my last name. It would put both them and myself in serious danger. "Raven what?" Izumo leaned forward slightly. "I don't know my last name. I'm an orphan." While my voice started out strong, it definitely died down near the end there. I kinda am an orphan now that I think about it. "It's going to be okay." Igneous assured. "Unless someone finds her." Kuro's words made me stiffen. "Shut up, Dipshit." Igneous sighed. "Loser." Kuro replied simply. That was the end of the conversation, one that did little to soothe me. I sighed and shook my head a little at the pair. I guess it's the though that counts.

"We need to take you to the Hokage. You're pretty suspicious." Kotetsu said. Hokage? What was a Hokage anyway? I guess that's what they call their leader. "Or I could just... you know... leave?" I tried, inching back slightly. Izumo shook his head. "It was a nice try?" Igneous shrugged. "Shut up, this is the most exciting shit that's happened so far." Kuro hissed. "Are you eating popcorn? Where'd you get popcorn?" Igneous sounded both betrayed and slightly-offended. "The mind is an amazing thing." They went silent again.

"Sorry kid, but that isn't an option. You look pretty young, you probably shouldn't be traveling alone at this age, especially not a little girl like you." 

I put a hand to my chest. "So I can't travel alone because I'm female?" And what did he mean leaving isn't an option? "He didn't mean it like that. Just... young girls like you... Uh." Kotetsu looked at a loss for words. "You're not leaving." Izumo said simply, a sigh in his voice. I glanced at behind me. I wouldn't get far with them on my tails. They'd probably send more people from their... village after me anyway. I can't risk them capturing me unwillingly. It'd draw a lot of unwanted attention my way. Besides, I need to learn more about this place anyway. This is a good change to. "Fine," I sighed. Izumo nodded to Kotetsu, "lead the way."

Izumo began walking forward, and I reluctantly followed. He led me straight into the bustling streets of what I knew was a humongous village. I saw a few people with headbands like Kotetsu's, all with the same symbol from the gate. Maybe they're like the warriors they had in my clan or something. I didn't know. I tried my best to be as observant as I could as we walked through the busy streets of the large place. The streets were packed full of people, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary other than the occasion headband-bearing individual. It was very possible that this was just a really big village I'd somehow made my way to.

"Hey Izumo... what's a Hokage?" I decided that it would be good to know about the leader of this place. Izumo glanced down at me, clearly surprised. "The Hokage is the leader of the village. He runs everything here." Izumo looked around, and I nodded. That makes sense. He sounds like an important person. I hope he isn't in contact with my clan. I'm sure they've put out word to all their allies by now that I'm missing. They'll be looking for me. Hell, they probably already are.

We arrived at the foot of the largest, longest staircase I'd ever seen. It led to a large red building that sat atop a mountain. "Let's go." Izumo told me. I tore my gaze away from the building so I could concentrate on where I was stepping as we started up the lengthy set of steps. I didn't try and make conversation, and Izumo didn't either. I tried to examine him more. He had a pouch on his right leg, one I could faintly smell metal coming from. It was very strong and durable. Did it contain weapons perhaps?

About five minutes later we found ourselves at the top of a very large staircase, and I was led into the red building. It was bustling with people. Some bore the same symbol as the gate, running from place to place with clear purpose. Some didn't have the symbol, simply carrying stacks of what I assumed was paperwork. I spotted a few people wearing animal masks standing about, observing the crowds. If I had to make a guess, I'd say they were security. 

Izumo led me though the crowds until we made it into a less crowded hallway, one that was almost empty. We found ourselves going up a zig-zagging stair case. Occasionally, someone would rush past us, but none stopped or tried to talk. I didn't complain about the stairs, even if they were a pain in the ass. I had no room to. I was in a sticky situation, and all due to my own stupid curiosity.

We made it to what seemed like the top floor, and I knew we had made it. A large door stood out clearly from the rest, and Izumo seemed to take a deep breath before knocking, proof that he was at least a little nervous. "Come in!" The voice was old and strong, muffled only slightly by the door. The reply hadn't been instant, but it was fast. Izumo opened the door for me, ushering me in first. I glanced around anxiously as I entered.

The room wasn't big, but it wasn't small either. Windows lined the back wall, which seemed to curve a bit. There was a single desk in the room, right in the middle. It was a large desk, with books, scrolls and papers stacked around it. Behind the large desk sat... well, sat an old man with a really weird hat and an old pipe. I'm not sure what I was expecting when Izumo said "Hokage", but it certainly wasn't whatever I was looking at right now.

"Hell, Izumo. Who might this me?" His voice was kind, not as strong as it had been when he allowed us into his office. I still recoiled a bit when he spoke, unsure of what to do, or how I would act if he recognized me. "I'm Raven." I said before Izumo could open his mouth to speak. "She claims to be an orphan, and was traveling alone. We found her staring at the gates." He explained formally, as though giving a report. The Hokage nodded. "Thank you, Izumo. You are dismissed." He flicked his hand. Izumo gave a stiff bow before doing some odd signs with his hands. In seconds there was a loud poof, and the man was gone. All that was left in his wake was a brief cloud of smoke. I felt my eyes widen slightly.

"How did he do that?" I questioned. The Hokage paused, raising an eyebrow. His brown eyes danced with amusement at me surprise and awe. "He's a ninja, Dear." The Hokage leaned back in his seat, giving me his full attention. "A... ninja." I repeated slowly, not quite believing what I heard. My brother used to tell me bedtime stories about ninja, but I never considered that they could be real. Is a ninja like a warrior? I can't quite remember, and I'm not sure how accurate my brother was anyway.

"Yes, a Leaf Ninja if we're being exact." The Hokage said. "I see." I mumbled, taking the information in. This was strange, but I couldn't really do anything about it. They were real. It's not like I could go back to being oblivious. To think, there was a whole village of ninja and I had no idea. I guess I really was shielded well from the outside world.

"What brought you to my village, Little One?" The Hokage asked, fishing for information. "My legs." I responded in a blunt, dry tone, receiving a chuckle in response. "Well, would you like to stay here?" He didn't seem to recognize me. I thought about if for a second. Hiding in a large village where nobody knew me, especially one this immense, it'd definitely be harder to track me down. Especially since I haven't divulged my surname. It's not like they'd let me leave...

"What's the catch?" I tried, narrowing my eyes. The Hokage smirked. "You have to enter the ninja academy here." He said. I was taken aback, unsure if I should question his motives or stay blissfully ignorant. Entering the ninja academy would probably help me learn to hide better and to be stronger, right? This might be a good place to lay low, at least for a little while. "Okay... okay, deal." I kept my guard up. I'm a stranger, and he's letting me in without any real questioning or body searches. It is a bit strange if you ask me. Maybe he really does know who I am... why wouldn't he just grab me now? Why risk me getting out?

"You will be placed in a girl's orphanage until you can be trusted. Then, you can go on and get your own home." The Hokage told me. I nodded. That seems reasonable enough. "I just don't understand how Izumo did that thing. That disappearing move." I wasn't sure what to call it. "That was a teleportation jutsu." The Hokage informed. "How do you do a jutsu?" I blinked at him.

"You have to use chakra and a series of hand signs to do it. There are five chakra natures. Fire, wind, lighting, water and Earth. For example, someone with the fire element would would master in fire jutsu's, and find it very hard to learn any other natures."

I nodded, soaking the information in. This is certainly an interesting discovery.