Jill
While the informative text on the subtle intricacies of shurikenjutsu was exceedingly interesting — topics discussed in manifold, from the precise speeds required for each individual throwing star to properly ricochet off each other mid-air in regards to the exact location of a static target (alongside a warning that such an instance was highly improbable to happen, and so should not be relied upon) to just how much error an improperly-forged shuriken could have on air speed and direction, complete with an f(x) model that assumed the unweighted-ness was locked to one side (which, while as unlikely as a static target, was still incredibly fascinating and good knowledge to have) — Itami found herself unable to properly focus on her text. She was about to close the tome in favor of simply staring at the flowing leaves above her when a voice, coincidentally also from above her, startled her out of that notion. She jumped a bit — it was surprising — and closed the book with a loud snap, knowing in all seriousness that her attempt to dispel an illusion had failed and a terrible fate awaited her for her lack of constant vigilance. 

However, upon actually deigning to gaze skywards, Itami's expression donned a raised eyebrow rather than carefully-masked apprehension. The figure was tall, even standing horizontally (tree-walking?) as he was — the exile's four-foot-nine positively paled in comparison. They looked older, far older than she was, and the pacifist wondered for a moment if this was perhaps a jōnin. There was an aura of death about him that made Itami's skin crawl.

"I suppose it is," Itami said ever-noncommittal, surreptitiously standing and brushing off her rear end with her free hand. "Equally interesting is why I feel as though we have crossed fates before, though it matters little. I am Itami; who might you be?"
James
Blinking blankly at Itami's action the closing book rather dramatically, Takeshi walks off the bark of the tree and back to the simple ground that every mammal walks on. 

The man only wore simple clothing, one that contain neutral colors—being black in this case and some white—however, the floral pattern on his kimono coat pop out more thanks to the plain choice of colors. A mask hangs from a chain through the eye hole on his pants. While Takeshi is far older than the stranger, his face is smooth but expressionless and in reality he's just in his early 20's. The golden eyes can be piercing at someone's soul, but it's most likely the look of him. He's not a very approachable person and the tone does not help either. Yet, only a couple has ever approached him. Most of the time he has to do the whole greeting thing. 

Analyzing the genin, he can obviously point out that she is much shorter than him. The Jonin stood at 6'4"/193.04cm, which is a huge difference in height. She seems very skinny as well, which might be an effect of her possibly being fresh out the academy?

"Uchiha Itami..? Weird name," Takeshi says, looking off to the side. He also has the weird feeling that had met... Maybe in a past life? Well, if reincarnation even exists. "Kurokawa, Takeshi. Frontier Patrol and Jonin."
Jill
Itami's neck hurt from how much she had to crane it backwards just to look her conversation partner in the eyes. How unfortunate. She'd have to massage it tonight to avoid getting a crick overnight. It would severely impact her day tomorrow if she left it as-is.

The jōnin's clothes — and he *Was* Indeed a jōnin by his own admission, and though he could lie Itami saw no particular reason that he would — were even more greyscale than her own, and Itami found herself impressed. Whereas she preferred muddled grays, Kurokawa Takeshi-san (-senpai? The exile wasn't sure if it was appropriate to refer to him as such) donned blacks and whites, which were far more difficult to camouflage in than light and dark grays. That meant that Kurokawa-senpai (she had decided within that thought that the suffix would, indeed, be acceptable, at least within the sanctum of her mind) was powerful enough to not need to worry about stealth. Even so, he very easily either snuck up on her or — more alarming — he had been there for the entire time and the ostracized Uchiha simply hadn't noticed him despite how paranoid she was.

She shuddered imperceptibly, though Itami supposed that the jōnin could tell anyway. Jōnin were terrifying.

"It is good to meet you, Kurokawa-senpai," Itami uttered, and promptly blushed lightly at her slip. "Ahem — I apologize."

*"Silly girl," Her father whispered guilelessly into her figurative ears. "Watch your tone when speaking with your betters. Transgressions are just as easily met with acquiescence as they are with punishment. See to it that you remain in one piece."*

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Itami continued: "How was it that you were able to move out of the tree soundlessly? You left no audible trace upon the bark nor the grass. Do you have the time to instruct me?"
James
*Kurokawa-senpai... Hate that.*

The Jonin has never been one for formal talk. While he uses honorifics, he rather uses first names than last names. Last names can become confusing at some point, especially if someone is part of one of the 12 major clans. He knows so plenty of Uchiha, so he has to address them by first names. Sadly, rankings in branches make it hard to address people by their first names. The commander has to bite his tongue so many times to hold back using his way of addressing people. So annoying...

Takeshi squints his eyes at the Genin, then retracts them back to normal. He simply observed her motion, always being one take on body movement and gestures. Expression is such a common language in the world, but there are some people that cannot express very well as others. The commander has learned the ability to read a person's emotions, it was his way to compensate his for his lack of expressing himself. 

"Please, do not address me as Kurokawa-senpai. Takeshi-san is way more comfortable for me."

Giving Itami a small smile for a quick second, Takeshi looks off to the side then back to her. "Oh, that? Well, it gets super complicated but... I don't mind giving you some advice." Seriously, he isn't the best when it comes to stealth. He just can't deny giving advice. 

"Let's see... How about we start how to hide and knowing the common types of way people can detect you."
Jill
Itami frowned at the correction, more so at the desire to be referred to with a given name than with the chastising. She had already apologized for the latter, after all. No, the only experience Itami had with wanting to be separated from your family name was in regards to her own situation. Did Kurokawa-san — rather, Takeshi-san — have issues with his family, too? The exile's frown stretched further, her eyebrows sinking to match. She hadn't hoped that anyone would be able to relate to her on a personal level and she daren't ask for advice on how to cope. Not when it could draw up unpleasant memories.

Of course, there was indeed the possibility — a very probable one at that — that Takeshi-san disliked referring to others by their surname, and extended the same courtesy to others. It made some measure of sense, Itami supposed, but she couldn't understand it. Not when she'd been taught since before she could remember to act with platitudes, respect, and honor to all. Left unthought was that Itami had a few people she did not respect nor honor.

"How to hide, Takeshi-san?" Itami echoed, intrigued. Pursuits of knowledge and proficiency always attracted the short girl. "I do not quite understand. Is there some sort of technique to it? As for ways of detection... I suppose sight is a common way. Hearing, too, and possibly scent?"