Genin Count

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

(Don't ask about the title XD brain-dead -cough- But I felt I should get Kotsu up and posting and for you little genins to get to know him better )

He wasn't expecting alot out of these new genins of his. He shouldn't have agreed to teach them. But in a way he was proud of them. They had worked so well in an attempt to complete the object of the game. They had succeeded in learning so many attacks, skills, and among other things. He couldn't help but keep the little brats around for awhile. To get to know them alittle better. Afterall, their first meeting was a very quick and short one. He wouldn't mind learning alittle more things about them. Though he didn't really have much to say about himself, he didn't really know alot of things about himself.

Toukon trudged alittle the Jounin's side, as they took a quiet night stroll along Konoha's outside borders. Giving himself alot of quiet thinking and abit of relaxing here and there. Not entirely sure why he needed to think things over. It wasn't like he had anything to think over. His mind a total blank, his memories lost in a far world so unknown. In truth, he had never really dwelled to much on the past. It only made you weak to fall back on the past. You fall deeper in the hole. Look forward and you climb further towards the skies. Such an interesting thought, he presumed.

Arms folded as he slowly leaned against a tree. Looking directly at his dog. Eyes narrowed in a less threatening way. He almost admired the dog for sticking around the grinch such as himself. Then again the dog had a lot more patients then the average human. A light chuckled was emitted. "I feel so old....25..it seems so old." His voice deep and sweet, yet low. Toukon perked his ears and slunked to his haunches beside Kotsu. "Aye...25 isn't that old." He coughed. "I'm the old one, I've been by your side since you were 3." He reminded him. Kotsu rolled his eyes and leaped up towards the closest tree branch. Nestling in place and leaning against the bark. Planting himself on his ass as he rested semily there.

[Tsukiyo Raven]

Raven strode silently through the trees, her soft green eyes looking around her dully. Today she was not feeling very well. Her head ached, and it hurt her head to be in the light. She must've slept wrong or something. But, her team needed her, and her sensei had called them, so there was little she could do but go. So, she had picked up her staff, and marched out.

Many thoughts came to Raven as she walked in the forest. Aaah...the forest. It was her favourite place to be. Why? It was because of its calm tranquility...it cleared her head and helped her think. In fact, the scent of the surrounding forest began to dull the pain in her head, which was good. Now she could concentrate on whatever Bonkotsu-Sensei had to say. Raven always came to the forest whenever she was upset, confused, or just felt like taking a breather and thinking for a while. She didn't even have a special spot, for the whole forest was her special spot. Sometimes she would be gone for hours, and one time, even days in the trees, just wandering and thinking. It wasn't as if anyone would have missed her though.

Raven finally arrived at the designated meeting place that Bonkotsu-Sensei had told them about. And, speak of the devil, there he was, Bonkotsu-Sensei, leaning against the bark of a tree while sitting in it's branches. Raven looked up, and bowed in respect. Respect...that was a big thing with Raven.

"Good Morning, Bonkotsu-Sensei." She said, returning to her upright position. Her eyes quickly scanned the surrounding area...and did not find Raidon or Kakani. It was funny: Last time, it was she who was last to arrive and now, she was first. Funny how things like that worked....Raven leaned against the trunk of the tree Bonkotsu-sensei had leapt into, her arms crossed over her chest, waiting for both Raidon and Kakani to show.

[Tomoko Kaida]

Raidon found it odd that he was able to be much more active late at night than before sunrise. Yet, there he was, bounding through the branches of the trees that made up the tranquil little forest that team two was meeting at. Raidon had only a little bit of knowledge as to where he was going, for he was more focused on the sound of his surroundings than the general appearance of them. It wasn't like he could see the surroundings that easily, as every time he jumped to a branch he didn't stop to take a breather or anything. Raidon continued leaping across the branches, staying near the strong branches of the middle rather than the high, delicate branches at the top where he prefered to be. It was much more open at the top in a regular forest, and though he wasn't claustrophobic, Raidon liked things to be less cramped.

He knew he was nearing the spot they were to meet at when he heard vaguely, "Good Morning, Bonkotsu-Sensei." Raven, he knew, did not have a loud voice, and it was an obvious sign he was extremely close if he could hear her a little. Turning towards the direction of the greeting, he hopped a few trees over. The first one he could see was Kotsu, him being in the trees and all. He ducked his head and peered at the ground, spotting Raven shortly after. No Kakani yet, though. Quietly, he jumped some more trees ahead, so he was facing Kotsu and Raven in the opposite direction. Raidon tropped a branch lower and then slid to a sit, attention turning to the two in front. He put on his usual happy smile and greeted both with a generally bright-toned, "Hello."

[Michelle]

Kakani passed from tree to tree, making her way through the forest at her own pace. She knew she would probably be the last to arrive, but it didn’t bother her. She had contemplated using something to get there faster, but didn’t feel like hurrying for anyone, though it meant nothing personal to Raidon, Raven, or her new sensei.

She wore her clan symbol now, but it was a tad dim this early in the morning. Late at night yet after midnight it could be considered morning, but time meant little or nothing to Kakani right now. Keiyou was navigating through the branches in front and above of her, flying ahead to lead her on. She knew the place to go, but it was easier when you had a hawk; places were easier to find with a bird’s eye view.

Speaking of places, she quickly caught up to Raidon but no sooner had he come into sight then he stopped. So this was where they were meeting… she came to rest a few trees over from Raidon on the edge of the rendezvous point, seating herself on the limb cross-legged. A flurry of muted sound indicated Keiyou’s landing, the big hawk settling himself a branch above her. She figured they expected some form of greeting, or at least her peers did, so she obliged.

“Hello.”

It was a slight effort, but nonetheless somewhat toneless. Ah well; at least she had put forth something. She usually would express greater interest, but she had stumbled across an old box when she had returned to her house several hours before, the items within stirring memories she didn’t want stirred. She forced herself to discard the distracted attitude and diverted all of her attention the gathering.

Bonkotsu and Raidon were in the trees as was she, but Raven leaned against the trunk of the tree her sensei was resting in. She waited for someone else to speak, carefully keeping her thoughts blank for the moment. Keiyou watched her for a moment, reading his mistress’s thoughts like a book, uncomfortably wondering what was bothering her. He dropped his eyes to the dog, Toukon, keeping on eye on him out of habit more than anything else.

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

The dog quickly lifted his senses. Ears perking towards a sound. Faint sounds, but clear enough for a dog to hear. He grinned lightly and stood up on all fours. Wagging his tail in amusement and excitement. Unlike his master, Toukon was fond of kids at times. They were gentle and playful and a dog loved playing with kids. But at times the dog was almost as heartless as his master. Because he sees eye to eye, mind to mind, with his master. Soul linked with his soul, every movement was a life for one. One risked a life for another and in turn a life was gained or lost.

At the sight of Raven, the first to arrive, he grinned lightly. So the oldest was actually here before the others. It was quite interesting to see her actually be the first to arrive. But his memories were faint anyways. He couldn't quite remember who had gotten first. Though it almost seemed childish playing a game of 'Who got here first'. Child's play and that was not in these genins' vocabulary. He sneered lightly and ruffled his fur. Watching with ease as she leaned against the tree trunk Kotsu had took haven in. Though he almost laughed when his master did not answer the girl's good morning. It was still night, yet it was late late at night. More calming and relaxing.

Then Raidon came, the only male in the genin group. Hence the genin group. Eyes rolled as he watched the boy roll in. Relaxing in a tree in a different direction of Kotsu. Interesting, yes indeed. But his full attention gathered on Kakani when she finally arrived. The youngest child and the last one, who was first to have arrived last time. Her hawk still accompanied her as Toukon accompanied Kotsu. Those same eyes watching him with weeriness. "Kakani.." He faintly said her name as he kept his eyes among her.

"I see you have grown alittle more. Change I presume?" He grinned lightly and turned his attention towards Kotsu. Watching the silent jounin. He hasn't said a word since those three have arrived. Why so silent? His eyes widen alittle and he cringed lightly. He half-chuckled and shook his head. Looking back to the three as he stood silent for quite some time. As if waiting for a cue to strike his nerves. Like a puppet waiting for his puppeter to make the first move.

Kotsu slowly made his eyes turn to glance at his students. At the way he was angled, his right eye peered emotionless at them. The Sharingan eye was no longer hidden, he didn't care. Such a useless tool, a useless object. He lowered his head as he stared down at Raven. Ingoring her words as his gaze went towards Raidon, then Kakani and that hawk of hers. He smirked and slowly lifted and leaped down towards the ground. Almost dead near Raven. Taking a step back as he looked to them all. "I'm quite surprised you brats came out here. No matter.." He paused. "Do any of you care to express yourselves? Tell more of yourselves? Prove yourselves?"

[Tsukiyo Raven]

Raven frowned. So...this would be their introduction. She'd heard from other Genins before her that their sensei usually told them to tell the team a little bit about themselves. Then again, Kotsu wasn't your average Sensei. She wasn't very good at introductions, as was probably apparent to the team by now. There was like....a wall between her and socialization. She'd throw Kunai at it, smash it with her quarterstaff, punch and kick at it, but there it stood, firm and tall and in her way. It was quite annoying, and it usually prevented her from getting close to anyone. Her parents had raised her in iscolation, beliving friends to be a distraction from training. They were right about one thing though: Iscolation did help her training. She was able to graduate a year early thanks to that training, even if she did begin the academy late. The problem was still there though....maybe this was a chance for her to open up a bit more?

Raven sighed inwardly. No one else was saying anything. She'd take the innitiative to get things started then? "My name is Tsukiyo Raven", she began, formally putting her last name first as in Japanese custoums. "I came from a small clan of ninja far off to the west. I live alone in the village, and came here late in the academy, but graduated a year early." She said, explaining her age. "I don't really have any hobbies besides training. I favour healing, defense, and strengthening jutsu rather than offensive jutsu, though I do have a few of those as well." She finished, nodding her head. She then returned to leaning back upon the tree, eyeing the remaining two of her team as if to say, 'Your turn.'

[Tomoko Kaida]

Raidon blinked. Introducing themselves, hmm? He never did like starting conversation about himself because he never really knew what to say. He knew himself well enough that he didn't need to constantly think to remember - and so all the information about him got stored at the top of his mind, like peanut butter on the roof of a mouth, and just was stuck there, never really going away, but never really reaching it anyhow. Rai, however, was very relieved to find that Raven had the courage to speak first. Funny, though. He had never seen her as the kind of girl who would willingly go first. What impressed a little, however, was that she was going to go ahead and try anyway. That was what was necessary in a ninja - to go carefully, but to take the risks anyway no matter the cost. Well, it wasn't like there was a lot at stake anyway.

Soon after, Raven was done speaking. He decided, that, he would go then. Quickly he turned his head to see if Kakani was about to speak, since he didn't like to start talking at the same time someone else did on accident. Seeing no signs of words forming on her tongue, he turned his head and began his usual keep-eye-contact-without-seeing-gimmick. He had always learned to show respect by keeping eye contact when speaking, but looking into people's eyes wasn't his favorite hobby, to say the least. So he had learned to look not directly into their eyes, but inbetween, or a little above. Same impression, no awkwardness. How perfect.

"I'm Yasashiku Raidon," started the male genin of the team, as Raven had. "My parents came to this village from a different one - one that has, by now, been destroyed away. I was, however, too young to remember anything of that." He paused. What else was there to say. Actually, there was a lot to say. He just had to get it organized. Not that he was going to say it all, anyway. "I like to work with my bostaff, water, and mostly, poison. I like to train, but I also like to read. A lot. I dislike morons and absolute immature jerks. And..." He paused and glanced around the three quickly, pondering if he had anymore to say. Within a second, he found, he did not. "That, would be all."

{sorry for keeping you waiting ^^;}

[Michelle]

Introductions.
She had feared they might bring this up. Truthfully, it was because when it came to defining herself in any small way, she froze up inside. At a loss for words, she simply watched while her teammates, Raven and Raidon, said a little about themselves. What they had to say was honestly in her interest, but she only half took it in. Her turn was next. Bloody hell. She shifted her weight nervously, but kept her face inexpressive. She hated showing weaknesses, almost as much as she hated having them, and had them she did. Unfortunately, they were also some of the hardest to deal with.Raidon finished, seemingly uncomfortable himself. He managed to do decently, though, which was more than Kakani expected of herself. ‘Why did we have to do something like this?’ she thought, exasperated.

She put aside her uneasiness and attempted to say something that would pass. When she finally spoke, her voice was as controlled as always though this time her tone was not flat and cold. Her teammates and her sensei might not know it, but if you chipped away the icy exterior there was a human under there. She just didn’t like to come out- she better prepared to face the world alone behind the cold glass, but here she was, talking about herself… that was a first. Keiyou watched curiously from his higher perch, hopping from one foot to the other a few times and ruffling his wings with the strangeness. She had trouble starting, but she had the idea from Raidon and Raven.

“You know my name already. I live alone, on the edge of Konoha, in a two-story apartment, unless you count Keiyou,” she paused, gesturing towards the hawk above, then continued. “I work with the concept of sound controlling fire, and occasionally shadow as is the style of our city. I have also been experimenting with explosions, and I favor beast mimicry. I suppose I might enjoy training, or even perhaps learning, as you might call it. My only current goal is to become strong, so that I might find someone that I have been looking for.”

It was obvious whom she used the beast mimicry with, so she didn’t go into detail. She didn’t go into detail about much else either, because there hadn’t been all that much to say. She certainly couldn’t talk about her brother… everyone presumed he was dead, as they must. She didn’t know why, but it was her business to find out, among other things. She had left out a lot of things, but hadn’t they all? Surely there was more to Raidon and Raven than they let on. That left the matter of their sensei, of course. He seemed quite reclusive, and she was somewhat surprised that he had actually called them here to speak like this. Unless this was a required procedure, in which case her surprise was misled.

She nodded in his direction, saying, “And I suppose you’ll tell us all about yourself, mmm?” Her tone now carried a slight hint of sarcasm, but used in the sense of detached teasing. Her sensei’s odd behavior compared to that of other Jounin intrigued her, as far as things could. She doubted he would grace his students with whatever went on in his head, if anything that he could tell them. Who knew, perhaps what they saw was what they got and there was nothing hidden about him. Perhaps not. She shifted and leaned back against the bark, leaving the conversation for someone else to pick up on.

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

The first one, Raven, had the first guts to stand up and talk first. Impressive he had to say. The eldest kid was more quiet and silent about half the time. Apparently she was gathering more courage each day they all spend time together. Not that he had really enjoyed spending all his time with those three genins. Then again, it wasn't like he had anything better to do anyways. All his time was wasted on protecting this village. Never once did he ever had time for himself. But he almost enjoyed killing those arrogant ninjas that dared to attack or run away from their home land. Pathetic losers they were, not even worth calling a true ninja. The way of a shinobi: Your path is your own. To make your own image, your own person. Don’t mimick someone else’s way or persona.

Then Raidon spoke, the only male genin in the group, but not the only male in the group. But he didn’t push his name on the list. Raidon was alone on dealing with the girls. And God help him if he got either of them mad. He grinned lightly at that and shook his head. Raidon had a very good interest and his life wasn’t so original. Many had lost their villages or some kind of love life to think about it. But he was abit surprised that the boy enjoyed reading, and as he put it, a lot.

Then the youngest girl spoke. The girl in which he had grown perhaps alittle to fond of. Maybe because in some ways he was once like her and perhaps still, deep down inside. A solemn creature and a lone wolf as most say. No desire to associate with those around you or anyone at all. Just barely even associating with the things that dare to stay around you. This world a very odd one, so many things to discover, yet so many wished not to cross that line. Whether out of fear or hatre. It was way beyond the limits of temptations. While others try to go beyond the line. Becoming fools of their own game. Cold, heartless monsters.

Toukon tilted his head as he was interested in the genin’s comversations. He was far more interested then his master, of course. He grinned lightly and loomed out his tongue as he panted, his own way of breathing. He slowly circled around the students as he got a better view of them. A better sense of their emotions and chakra. Hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting far beyond the human senses. Far beyond anything inhuman to say the least. He wanted to gather as much information as he could. Not that he was desperate or anything, he just wanted to keep things stored, for later use. Just as he did with Kotsu’s memories. His ears pricking up as Kakani finished, hearing her last words.

And I suppose you’ll tell us all about yourself, mmm?

Kotsu had caught this aswell. He was silent for a moment or two. Then he busted out laughing, slowly regaining himself and relaxing himself. Looking his genins over once more. “About myself? You are mistaken…I don’t know anything about myself. Even if I did, I don’t think I’d go into great details as you three had done. The only minor details I know of my life is this…I lived in the village Inuzuka. Some things in my life had happened. What they were, I have no recovered memories of that.” He paused. “My dislikes? Fools, Arrogant morons and useless people. Those that give up to quickly are worthless. They don’t deserve to be a ninja.” He sneered. “Speaking of that…I’ve noticed a lot of changes in you three. But if you wish to leave now. Do it now, don’t waste my time. If you are to scared to face the dangers of this world, then leave.” He snorted. “I have nothing to like. Hatre consumes my soul.” He turned his gaze away.

Toukon heaved a sigh and looked to them. “I do have memories of everything that has happened to both me and your sensei. But I am not allowed to reveal them. They are very painful memories, and they kill me every day I stand.” He flatten his ears against his skull and slunked to his haunches next to his master. Kotsu slowly leaned against the tree next to Raven.

(Muwhaa in due time I'm sure Toukon will slip >3)

[Tsukiyo Raven]

Raven frowned. Was Bonkotsu-Sensei trying to scare them off? After all they'd been through, all those years of training at the academy, and he was trying to scare them away? Pfft. Raven was, to say the least, withdrawn, but she was stuborn. If she was going to do something, she was going to do it RIGHT. Becoming a ninja was one of those things. With no parents or siblings, the people gathered around her now were probably the closest she'd ever get to having a family again. So she'd be damned if she'd tuck her tail between her legs and quit now.

"Never..."

She said quietly, mostly to herself than anyone else. She was positive that Kakani and Raidon wouldn't give up either. They too were determined, and each of them had their own goals to acheive. The day she saw Kakani or Raidon give up at something would be the day that Bonkotsu-Sensei dressed in a women's kimono and sang 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'. She was positive....that was apparently how much trust she had in her new team. Without realizing it, Bonkotsu-sensei, Kakani, and Raidon had become her family. Giving up on becoming a ninja meant giving up on them, and if there was one thing Raven would never do was leave a friend or family member in trouble. So....no giving up for Raven!

What Toukon said next made her quirk a brow, but nothing more. He held all the memories of Bonkotsu-sensei? She had no idea that a jutsu such as that even existed...if it indeed WAS a jutsu. Something came across her as odd though....hiding away painfull memories in another....wasn't that like running away? She'd never say that to Bonkotsu-sensei, but it nagged at her brain. He talked tough, about how life was hard and you wouldn't survive if you didn't have the will to live. But when it came down to it...wasn't he hiding from his own memories? She didn't know the details, so she wouldn't assume. Still...it was like a splinter in her mind. It was her personal belief that you learn from all experiences, good, bad, or horribly traumatizing. How would Bonkotsu-sensei learn from them if they were hidden away in Toukon? Raven prompty shut off her train of thought. Thinking such things right now was completely uneeded. Instead, she looked around her at her teammates and sensei. Did they have anything else to say? She knew she didn't.

[Tomoko Kaida]

Raidon half-listened to Kakani. He doubted she would let much out in mere words. No, Kakani was more of the character you had to watch for a long time to finally even begin to understand the kind of person she really was. Raven was much the same, only her attitude was far different from Kakani's, which could certainly throw a different kind of spin into how he really learned about his different teammates. Now, Kotsu, was an entirely different story. It was going to take so much more than mere paying attention to the sensei to really understand him. It hit him for a second, a question, a good question at that: How could he, a pretty open optimist, have been put on a team of pretty damn much quiet-in-a-sense introverts?

His thoughts were interrupted by loud laughter. Huh?, was what first came to mind as he lifted his head (When did I start staring at the ground?) and saw it was, infact, Kotsu, who was laughing. Funny. He never took him as the kind of ha-ha kind of person. Raidon listened as he had to the other genin to his sensei, blinking. The dog held all of his memories, did he? How.. peculiar? His gaze turned to Raven as she said but one word: Never. She was responding to what Kotsu had said.

If you are to scared to face the dangers of this world, then leave. Leave? What point was there in leaving? They were official genin. There was no where to go except up, unless one of them really screwed themselves over, which Raidon, most certainly, was not going to. Tonelessly, Raidon said, "The phrase 'give up' is nonexistant to shinobi." Which was his own coded way of saying, 'Give up? Are you insane?', just a little different.

(ew. it's short and gross. it's like a fungus bottom scraper post :x)

[Michelle]

Kakani watched Raidon with the faintest traces of what might be a quizzical look, head tilted ever so slightly to the side. It was amazing that someone could be so damn cheerful all the time. Did he get up in the morning just to smile? If so, why did he get up at all? As far as she could tell, there wasn’t much to be happy about right now. To tell the truth, she was a severe screw-up of a person. She had no friends that understood her, no family that really cared, which left her with the ambition that someday she might be with her brother, who was both in one.

The difference between her and others was that she was focused, more so than most kids her age could manage, and that she had learned to scrape by without getting up and bawling every morning because poor wittle her didn’t get everything, or even most things handed to her on a silver platter. Honestly, she got little or nothing handed to her, other than the her adept ability at analyzing and fighting, which was something she had worked for so the case rests.

From past experiences, she didn’t expect either of her teammates or her sensei to understand her. She figured none of them would want to get close to her in the first place- she was in no sense of the word charismatic. Anti-socialism radiated off her in waves, which made it hard to believe that anyone, least of all those that she would be working with, would be willing to, and actually want to get to know her.

Ah, but they couldn’t be serious when it came down to the truth of the matter, it simply couldn’t in logical terms. They had their lives and their morals and beliefs told them they should care for their teammate, but she doubted they would throw their own life on the line for hers at this point. This might not be true, but Kakani didn’t think to consider this. After all, the world looks different on the other side of the glass, especially when it’s raining if you get my drift.

She only half-listened to her sensei, wondering if it was really necessary to ask them if they were ready to face the music, so to speak. Damn it if she would step down now, when to do so was out of the question, not even worth considering for a moment of her time. She only lifted her gaze back to Bonkotsu for a moment when he so stated that hatred had consumed his soul, and he had nothing to like. At this, she actually snorted. When Raidon had finished speaking, she spoke up herself.

“So, hatred has consumed your soul? If you have no memory, then hatred of what?” She paused, then continued. “If there is nothing for you to like, then why are you here? Why not just die? After all, hatred rules you and you have nothing to like. I’m assuming you won’t stroll of a cliff while we’re training, because I really don’t have time for a suicidal teacher. The real question is, are you willing to teach students whom you apparently do no like, and are you prepared to put aside your all-consuming hatred to pass on some skills to currently hopeless Genin? Because if you’re not, I can always leave you be and head back to the village now.”

Somewhere inside her head that still had some vestige of what she used to be like screamed at her for saying something like that to a Jounin when she was nothing but a pathetic Genin, but the other part of her could do nothing but. For now, she held her silence and waited patiently, eyes lifted to his coolly, for his answer.

[Inuzuka Bonkotsu]

Kotsu slowly listened to every word the genins had said. He sneered and slowly crouched. His hands, extended claws, raked across the grass as he drew scribbles on the ground. He made his sole attention to pay no heap to the genins. But oh he was listening very carefully to them. He was applauded and shocked at the same time by their answers. So they weren’t going to go back? They’ve decided to not give up, to push themselves ahead and never look back ever again. Pitiful they were, but he had to admit. They had guts and a lot of it. Atleast he wasn’t teaching a bunch of sorry ass losers. So the Hokage had actually given him more of challenge this time. This was going to be fairly interesting.

He stood up and half-glanced to Raidon. “True Raidon. But there are many different things about a shinobi you have yet to understand. One..” His gaze went directly to each student as if he was talking to each and every one of them. “In the life of shinobi, you never act alone. You take chances and you never think twice. In fact, don’t ever think. You must act quickly.” He paused and looked to Kakani, falling back onto her words again. He decided to ingore them for the time being.

“Two..A shinobi picks a life of hatre or peace. We become a ninja for one purpose and succeed on that purpose.” He looked to Kakani as if he was speaking to her. “You are probably wondering what made me the way I am. What purpose I’ve used to succeed as a ninja...I..” He was cut off as Toukon stepped forward. “...to protect the ones around us. To make someone proud.” He flatten his ears against his skull as Kotsu shot him a glare. The jounin began to speak once more.

“I’ve always pushed myself to think that everyone got into my way. That I needed nobody but myself. Not even my own dog, whom I only used as a tool.” He growled and leaned against the tree trunk. One leg propped up and his arms are folded while his eyes scanned up towards the night sky. “The truth is, you three need to learn far beyond this. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. God knows they were probably the worse things any ninja has ever done. You’re better off with someone to protect then to die alone in this endless cowardly world of ours.” He finally fell back onto Kakani’s words. The girl had a lot of guts to speak to him that way. But instead of getting angry, he laughed.

“Interesting words coming out of the likes of you. Unlike you children, I’ve learned death is the coward’s way of leaving this earth. The coward’s way of living. Suicide is not an option in my book. I won’t die a coward.” He grinned deviously as he brushed away his bang from his Sharingan eye. “Hatre makes me stronger and that is what keeps me living. Not love or revenge or even kindness. Hatre and it pleases me more to see the blood run cold in my veins.” He cackled and rolled his eyes. Lowering his gaze towards the ground as his bangs fell forward. “As for hating something, I do not know. Perhaps I hate you or even the Hokage. Perhaps I hate the wandering ninja that cause havoc for me to correct. Perhaps I hate every damn living thing on this earth. Who knows what I hate.”

He straighten himself up and looked back towards the skies. Before half-glancing back to the kids. “I was born ready kid.” He chuckled deviously and shook his head. “I’m more then ready, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t wasting my time on pathetic whiny brats!” He pushed himself forward and was inches from Kakani’s face. “You’ve proved by far the worse student I’ve had. Your attitude reminds me so much of my own. It disgusts me to see another face in the mirror. But it disgusts me more to see a whiny girl think she’s full of herself. Wipe away those fake tears and get your ass moving.” He raised his left arm and gently barely pressed it against her throat, crouching in front of her now. “When you’re in battle, don’t be so stupid.” He leaped off the branch and looked to each genin. “Any objections!?”

[Tsukiyo Raven]

Something clicked inside of Raven....something she couldn't explain. It had never happened to her before...probably because she had never really had anyone to get close to before. But when she heard Bonkotsu-sensei insult Kakani, that one thing clicked, and clicked LOUD. It was like that feeling you receive when something bad happens to someone whom you are close too, the feeling that you need to step in and protect them. She knew Kakani might chew her up and spit her out later, saying that no, she didn't need her help and that she'd be just fine by herself, but that didn't stop Raven. The girl's eyes narrowed slightly, their green depths staring at Bonkotsu-sensei. She was taking a chance here...and Bonkotsu-sensei probably wouldn't like to hear what she had to say, either. Oh well. The words came out anyway.

"Don't," she began, almost icily, or at least, Icily for Raven, " talk to Kakani like that. She is probably the best of all of us standing here right now." It was definately evident that Raven had alot of respect for Kakani. Then again, it was her personal belief that all people, even people like Bonkotsu-sensei and Kakani, had a weak spot. A spot that they wanted no one to know about, so they hide it. She, too, was like that, hiding her weak spot behind a wall of what her parents iscolation had done to her. Raven didn't admit it...but maybe one day she would, that when she was at the academy, she had noticed Kakani. Admired her from afar. Many a time, she wished nothing more than to walk over and introduce herself...but she guessed Kakani would frown upon that, and so she never did. They way her new team-mate assessed each situation with icy cool resolve made her....what was the feeling? The only way she could say it was, she was proud. Proud to be on the same team as Kakani. It made her want to try harder, to prove herself. To whom? Kakani? Raidon? Bonkotsu-sensei and Toukai? Probably all of the above.

That did not mean Raidon was left in the dark, by no means. She admired him too, but, like it was with Kakani, he would probably never know unless he took the time to get to know her. The way he was always smiling was....amazing. What could possess a person to smile ever hour of the day...it was beyond her, but it was a skill she in fact admired. It took a real person of character to smile while the rest of the world is frowning. He was always cheerful too....and it made her feel like a freakin' iceburg. What with that wall of anti-socailism going on and everything. Still...Raidon never ceased to amaze her.

She even, dare she say it, had respect for Bonkotsu-sensei. He had apparently been through alot to be standing here infront of them, and the Hokage didn't just HAND OUT Jounin ranks to just anybody. He had to have worked for it, or he wouldn't have gotten it. And his past....even after sealing away his memories, he still took on Genins to teach them. He had courage...and she felt proud that he was her sensei. Damn. Now that she really thought about it...it sounded like she was getting really soft, what with admiring everyone, and being proud of everyone. Sheesh...

Raven's eyes stared into Bonkotsu-sensei's. She had nothing more to say, and she made it clear in her gaze that, yes, she was done and that, yes, he could start telling her what a dumbass she was. Whatever. She didn't care if the other's thought she was stupid. She had said what she thought, and she had meant it.

[Michelle]

(Oohh this is gonna be interesting >3)