Aiko had never been the kind of person to enjoy being in the company of other people. At a young age the treatment from both his father and mother taught him that. In the beginning years at the Academy it was obvious that he was some sort of lone wolf ninja who wished to be left alone to do his work and his grades proved just that. All his time as a child was spent training and pushing his body past the limitations that normal kids would have at such a young age but it showed that if you strive to be something in the future, you will get there if you try hard enough. He graduated at the top of his class and now he was left with no-one but the partner that was announced to him just hours ago.

Maho Igashowa was the girls name. The two of them never crossed paths during the Academy and when they did Aiko was probably the one to dismiss that she even existed. It had as a realization to him after they graduated that when the two were paired it was too see how their chemistry mixed and it didn't work well at all. Maybe that was why they chose them to be together? With the Rain's new system of how Genin ranked ninja were paired it was obviously the best choice for the both of them. Two hard-headed, stubborn who wished to be the best of the best. That small amount of competition was what the Village hoped to fuel their drive and as seen at the Academy it worked.

But now wasn't a time for competition or cruel thoughts about his new partner. It was Aiko who invited her out to eat so they could talk about their cooperation for future missions if any came up. Who knew with them being fresh troops for the Village and both top of their class.

Aiko waited on the bridge for almost ten minutes before his gaze caught a glimpse of the orange-haired female approaching him. The rain was unbearable at this point and it was a sight for sore eyes to see Maho so the two of them could get out of this Rain and a warm meal in their stomachs. It would the first meal that he had eaten for days now...

Maho had been comfortable at home, sprawled out across the couch, mindlessly watching tv as the rain increased outside. She would have been happy to just lay there all day, but the knowledge that she was supposed to meet up with her partner nagged at the back of her mind like an insistent small child. Aiko Yuuko...

The Yuuko heir. Arrogant. Judgemental. Self-centered.

Why was she paired with a guy like that?

Exhaling harshly, the ginger finally sat up and got to her feet, her mesh shirt riding up slightly to show off a sneak peek of her toned stomach. Right. It was about time she got going. Pulling her maroon jacket off of the rack and sliding it on, she stepped out into the rain and made her way to Shibuki Bridge.

By the time she showed up to their rendezvous, she was drenched. No doubt the boy was even worse off than herself. Green eyes watched the boy, taking in his every movement as she came to stand in front of him. "Hey."

Maho didn't know what to say; she still didn't really even know how to act with him.

What a surprise that she would arrive a later then she was expected to be. Aiko has had experience dealing with people like her before so this did not even intimidate him. The nonchalant way that Maho walked up and with one simple word made it known that she was here showed that same attitude that Aiko had seen both in himself and her back in the Academy. For a first impression as his new partner it was pretty bad already.

"I am glad to see that you actually took your time to come out here and meet me. I thought that because we are partners we can act a bit civilized between us...no matter what little amount of animosity we have tells us to do otherwise." Aiko smirked just a bit while he bowed just a bit to show just a tiniest bit of respect. They were in public after all and appearance was everything for a young heir to a great clan. "So Maho Igashowa...I know the both of us would rather be doing other things at this time so let's make this quick." He twisted his body in on quick motion and began walking off towards the Dumpling shack that was just a little ways from the bridge. His hands were beginning to feel the cold from his soaked skin so he shoved them into his pockets hoping to gather some warmth until they could get to the restaurant.

As the two approached he moved the cloth that cut the crowded wooden shack away from the rest of the village and took a seat on the right side. The smell of the food was delicious, almost like the aroma of a home-cooked meal that normal children their age would receive, but Aiko was different. It was a rare day that he would get to smell something like this and he prepared to soak up every ounce  of it. "So you were also at the top of the class...right Maho? I never checked any of the grades you received so I wouldn't know. I'm glad I at least got someone as talented as yourself and not one of those hacks who just call themselves ninja."

Her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of his smirk as he bowed. Maho had never had anyone bow to her before. Was he mocking her? The smirk definitely made her think so. Responding in kind,though the bow only came as a slight bob of her head, she followed after him.

The sweet smell of dumplings permeated the air and the ginger visibly relaxed, reluctantly taking a seat beside her dark-haired companion. She remained silent, a scowl marring her features, but she listened as Aiko began what would appear to be casual conversations. "I didn't get awesome grades on theory test or any of the other subjects that 'challenged our mental capacity', but my field test results were one of the bests. Maho spoke plainly, ordering her food.