[Graded]Guess who's coming to dinner.

[Mino]

The whole thing was embarrassing. Upon returning home, Minoru found his house was completely empty of food. His mother and father both gone (though their clothing and belongings remained, he checked) and no sign of struggle. Perhaps they'd run away from him. Perhaps they were out shopping for food (he doubted this heavily, as he hadn't given them money from his most recent mission yet) or perhaps something terrible had happened. Mino decided not to jump the gun, and to deal with his immediate concern: he was starving.

He had meant to amble through town toward a ramen shop- it would be good to choose what he wanted, watch it prepared, and then savor the taste, but as he walked his thoughts drifted. His home was becoming a hostile place- his mother's silence coupled with his father's aggression just made Mino not want to return there. Obligation be damned, sometimes the young Awai thought of renouncing the family altogether. Even if that meant being ostracized. Even if it mean leaving the Leaf.

Dark thoughts tumbled through the boy's brain as he weaved in and out of residential pathways, until he found he needed to talk to someone. Leaving wasn't such a bad idea really: he had no secrets for Konoha to fear, his doujutsu was a joke (that wasn't true, but he held on to the thought anyway) and who exactly would know he was gone, and care? Takeo-Sensei was a great jonin, after the recent battle he and Makoto had, Genin would line up for the opportunity to train with the man. And then he settled on his only friend- Makoto. What would the Hyuuga say? Would it matter to him if Minoru was gone? He doubted it would slow the Genin's ascent to greatness- if anything it would fuel him to be stronger and better to make up for Mino's weakness. Makoto had a very rigid set of standards, and a matter-of-factness about executing it that made Mino think he would shrug and leave no more time to think about it. He hadn't made a mark on Konoha at this point to be admired, and anything had to be better than living in a place where your father thought you weren't good enough to breathe his air. (Mino knew that wasn't true either, the problem was much more convoluted than that- but 13 year old boys think what 13 year old boys want to think)

Before he knew it he was staring at the Hyuuga clan symbol on a rather large sign. This was the entrance to their compound- one of the most powerful and respected in Konoha. Maybe he would talk to Makoto and feel better. Maybe he'd talk to Makoto and feel worse. But Mino was sure talking to his friend would decide his path one way or another. Greeting a lesser branch member on the outside, he spoke Makoto's name and inquired if the two could meet.

[Ducks]

As it happened, Mino was not the only member of the team with parents in absentia. Makoto’s father was out on an multi day mission/training exercise outside the walls of Konoha, and his mother was dining with prominent members of the family. Coincidentally, a child of Hyuuga Kiyashi and Yumi happened to be passing through the gates of the complex around the time of Mino’s arrival that night; it was not, however, the somber, dark haired, white eyed ninja that Mino had come looking for.

I may be able to help you with that. The feminine, alto voice would come from behind Mino’s left shoulder. Its owner, a somber, dark haired, white eyed young woman, about seventeen, walked past Mino for a moment, and nodded to the Hyuuga Mino had originally addressed who nodded in turn and took his leave. She then turned to the genin in question. While somewhat tall for her age and gender, she was barely taller than Mino, if at all, and gave no hint of condescension as she turned and addressed him. You are Makoto’s teammate, correct? Minoru, was it? He talks about you.”

She gave a little laugh without much mirth behind it, over almost before it began. “As much as he talks about anything, that is. I am Hyuuga Satomi, his sister. Come,” She gestured vaguely toward the center of the complex. “You may walk with me to the house. Our parents are otherwise occupied tonight, and I’m sure Makoto would be pleased to see you.” Not waiting for affirmation or response, she turned and strode serenely through the complex, clearly assuming Mino would be right behind her.

[Mino]

A female voice wiped all emo thoughts from his head. It was like medicine that took his angst and threw it away completely. Too self-absorbed to have noticed the girls arrival, Minoru turned to behold another Hyuuga- one tall and lean, clearly athletic. She spoke to him confidently, and spoke his name. It was hard to fight through the shock that someone in this compound knew his name at all. Then her next bombshell hit. "He talks about you." It was a difficult pill to swallow- that Makoto would discuss him with anyone. Perhaps she let on too much and didn't know it- but the reserved Hyuuga was the last Minoru would think to be talking jovially about anything.

Then the follow up statement hit right on the mark.

Bowing in silence to Satomi, Minoru followed her and tried really hard to appear nonchalant. It was tough to do, as Mino had little to no experience with women. Considering her cool and aloof manner was working for her, Mino figured he'd do so in kind. "Thank you for the opportunity, Satomi. Have you two eaten?" What he really wanted to know was about their parents. The Hyuuga were a large and powerful family, one whose prestige nearly outshone their power in the Leaf. With all that power and influence, it was tough to think that children gifted with so much would be so alone on such a simple occasion. Shaking his head slightly to clear his mind, he walked alongside the woman, offering her a smile if she decided to look his way.

[Ducks]

She smiled politely, though again a bit emptily. "Not yet. If you are so inclined, we would be happy to have you." She said no more until they reached the house, although that was mainly because the house was about forty five seconds from the gate. It wasn't the nicest house in the clan, but it was certainly nice enough; two and a half stories in immaculate condition, complete with a little garden and burbling fountain. "Brother!" Satomi called, raising her voice just enough for it to carry to the second floor of the house.

Makoto was meditating. The day's work load had been a light one, and now, with his parents gone for the night and his sister out on some personal errand or other, he was free to do whatever he liked. The list of things he did because he liked them was a short one, thanks in no small part to a rigid upbringing. He rarely played any kind of game, and his social life was essentially nonexistent. He read occasionally, but while Mino was meeting Satomi at the gates, he was simply sitting on cross-legged on is bed, eyes closed. Breathing in, breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out.

It was, in Makoto's opinion, rather a pity how many, civilians especially, took breathing for granted. Perhaps it was a consequence of his fuuton affinity, but he found deep, slow, uninterrupted breathing to be an extremely pleasant, soothing experience. A light breeze wafted through his open window, and he reached out to greet it, grasping, merging, pulling, until the rush of wind in his room became audible. The shifting air caused a series of mild disturbances about the room: pages flapping, shirts swaying, dust scattering. He smiled.

The voice of his sister came through his open window. He stopped smiling. The wind construct collapsed, and the air by comparison felt tepid and stale. Sliding slowly of his bed, he wandered casually over to the window and looked out. "What i . . ."

Satomi cut him off. "Your friend Minoru is here to see you." There was a brief pause. "Oh." Came the reply. "I will be right down." He disappeared from the window and hurried down the steps, wondering what on earth his teammate was doing at his house in the evening. The two had certainly grown closer over the past few months, but nothing of this nature had been undertaken thus far. Makoto wasn't really sure what to do.

His sister, on the other hand, seemed perfectly in control. "Please, come in." She invited, sliding open the front door and gesturing to Mino accordingly. She would follow him, sliding the door shut just as Makoto appeared in the common room. "I will be in the kitchen." Whom she was addressing was unclear.

Makoto cleared his throat rather forcibily and addressed Mino, in his confusion and nervousness forgetting to smile. "Hello Minoru." He said, using his teammates full name as he was wont to do. A few awkward moments later he followed up with what he gathered was an appropriate question for polite social conversation: "How are you?"

[Mino]

Awkward.

The whole meeting reeked of it. Letting Satomi lead him to the house Minoru took a moment to marvel at the house that lay before them. It may not have been the most prestigious home in the Hyuuga compound, however it was by far the most prestigious home he'd been to. It was hard for the Awai not to think bitterly of his own humble abode: it was more akin to a beggar's shack than a proper family home such as this. Jealously was ruthlessly squashed as he neared the home, and heard the exchange between Makoto and his sister.

Minoru was fully aware he was intruding, and further more, knew Makoto was possibly the last person (second only to Minoru's father) expecting the Awai to show unexpectedly. Addressing the fact that he'd obviously barged in on Makoto's evening, Mino offered a quiet but purposeful: "Sorry."

In response to the Hyuuga's greeting, he smiled. Wasn't it just a few moments ago he was thinking of leaving? "I can't say I'm good. But I'm better, anyway." He bristled as if a cold chill ran down his spine before continuing on. "I want to talk to you about a few things: about our team." After the training session with Takeo-Sensei, Mino had really given the team's future a significant amount of thought. Now it was time to see what Makoto thought. He would just come out with it:

"Are we ready for the Chunin exams? You and I."

[Ducks]

Makoto gave a quick, jerky little shake of his head. "No need. Mino's visit may have been unexpected and thus far rather uncomfortable, but the small Hyuuga was not annoyed. More than anything, he was intrigued to know what had brought his only/best friend to Makoto's home for the first time. Part of him hoped it was nothing. Part of him hoped it was life-changing.

As it happened, it was more the latter than the former. "The . . . Chuunin Exams?" For a few moments, he was so taken aback by the question that all he could do was uncomprehendingly restate the question. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but shut it after a few seconds. His jaw clenched, his brow furrowed, and what had been a perfectly neutral expression mutated into a distinctly frown-like shape. It was a frown of concentration, worn by one too preoccupied to be bothered with a false projection of positivity or apathy. The seconds strectched by, and he gave an utterly noncommittal "hm".

It was somewhat odd that he, ever the worrier, had not seriously thought about the chuunin exam. Of course, he knew it was coming, and that he would have to face it sometime, but now? It seemed so soon. "It is not something to be undertaken lightly." He stated, staring intently at a particularly unexceptional bush. The state transferrred itself to Mino, as Makoto cautiously queried: "What do you think?" It was a bit of a cop out, but anyone who came to Makoto expecting brutal honesty or firm decisiveness did not know him very well.

[Mino]

Mino's eyes widened at Makoto's expression. He expected an array of things: he expected Makoto to have been three steps ahead: of course he'd already thought about the exams- of course he'd been prepared. He was a Hyuuga after all. They were basically born Jonin. He expected Makoto to frown- not in contemplation but in disappointment. Nobody knew just how dangerous and explosive Makoto could be better than Minoru (outside of family, of course) Mino expected Makoto to shrug and remain aloof. I've been waiting for you this whole time he figured Makoto would say with a shrug or a sigh.

He always seemed so cool- so together.

Looking at him now, it was curious that Mino thought his teammate a touch hesitant. Makoto. There was just no way it could be possible. Mino pressed on, swallowing his own sense of fear. "Takeo-Sensei has trained us. He wouldn't let us take it lightly. When's the last time you took something lightly anyway?" Mino didn't mean it rudely, though it certainly could be perceived as such. It was a short homage to Makoto's nature. He had a calm, centered manner that suggested he was always in top form. He never seemed at a disadvantage, never out of his depth. Mino just couldn't believe Makoto would ever be forced in a position to where he was unprepared.

And of course if Makoto ever was, Mino had confidence he'd be right alongside the Hyuuga. They'd figure things out.

"When we fought, I felt ready. I've gone to the training grounds every day since I graduated from the Academy. I've seen a lot of fights, fights between Jonin, fights between Genin.. and just about everything in between. I haven't seen what we did. Ever. Don't get me wrong. Takeo-Sensei is superhuman, and Yoru-Sempai is as well. But we're not the Genin we were when we met them both." He threw Yoru's name in there because it held a bitter taste for him. He was defeated swiftly and easily by the man- his higher rank and confidence shone through. Minoru still held on to feelings about Yoru- it was he who taught Minoru the feeling of utter helplessness. A feeling he would not soon forget.

"When I fought Yoru.. well when we fought Yoru- Kamiko was already incapacitated- and I hadn't the slightest clue what to do. The man was out of our league. Everything I thought to do was easily countered. And you were beaten just as soundly, because we didn't take risks. We didn't work together. The exams won't be like that. We didn't know each other back then. And.. well we do now." Plenty more things bubbled in Minoru's thoughts, but rather than blab throughout the evening, he decided to stand back and see his teammates reaction. These exams were the next step- they were the entire reason a Genin, is a Genin. It was a rite of passage every young Konoha ninja dreamed of. Would Makoto walk alongside him into the unknown?

[Ducks]

Mino was surprised, and Makoto was surprised at his surprise. Had Mino really interpreted his somber mood and taciturn nature as capability and, it was almost to ridiculous to think, self confidence? Perhaps the two were not as well acquainted as he had suspected. Makoto might have been a fierce, dangerous, yes, even explosive shinobi to contend with at close range, but sometimes he felt like a doll or automaton, having no spirit, no motivation, no power of his own; he was just a pale relection of his clan's power, etched into him by years of rigid, impersonal training. Mino, on the other hand . . . come to think of it, Makoto knew as little of Mino's upbringing as the Awai knew of his. For some reason, Makoto had always assumed he was exactly what he looked like: strong, determined, and wholly self-assured.

If he wasn't, he was certainly playing the part for Makoto. The Hyuuga opted to make no reply to his first statement, except for a momentary deepening of the frown. It was true, he worried often, excessively even, but he wasn't sure what point his teammate was trying to make and didn't care to read too far into his words. Makoto turned and jumped a short distance, landing in a crouch on top of small boulder before swiveling to face his friend; their heads were at approximately equal height. It may have seemed a bit odd, undignified even, to Mino, but to Makoto it was perfectly natural; he needed to think, and this was a thinking position.

His frown gradually dissolved as he listened to Mino, reverting once more into the pure neutral expression that he typically bore. He was, if not quite inspired, stirred by the words. Mino seemed to really truly believe what he was saying; Makoto envied that. "They are not the only ones." The words, referring to Yoru and Takeo's superhuman abilities, were quiet, but articulate, optimistic even.

A flinch ran through his eyes as Mino brought up the day of their first meeting. It had not been an easy day, nor a pleasant one. He, Makoto of the Hyuuga, had been tossed and beaten like a common thug for hire. But Minoru was right; Chuunin exams aside, neither of them were the the same as they had been that day. They had grown. But had they grown that much? "Many wait much longer before even attempting the exam." He observed; he for one had certainly been planning on it. But Mino had done something rare, almost unheard of; he had made Makoto excited. "We would have to train hard, and not just to learn new jutsu and hone general fighting skills. We will need to practice working in tandem against a superior foe, one whom we could not hope to beat by our own merit." He stood and slid down from the boulder. Now, he was looking Mino straight in the eye, the hint of a smirk playing on the side of his face. "Perhaps Takeo-sensei could help us with that."

[Mino]

Watching Makoto's dexterity and grace was something that Minoru had come to admire. He leapt casually and poised himself in a rather strange position. Mino had learned to accept the Hyuuga, and more importantly, he thought he might even be beginning to understand him.

Not "understand" in a deep sense, Mino suspected very few people, if any, knew what motivated the stoic Hyuuga- but the young Awai was at least getting a grasp on Makoto's mannerisms. Being physical for a Hyuuga must be ingrained in every day life. Using dexterity and agility probably helps him focus- as he's been balancing and training his body since before he could remember accurately. This was a great example off said theory. Once Makoto was at eye level with Minoru, he let a smile spread along his features.

Makoto was thinking about his words.

In taking his response, Mino did not fault Makoto for them: he was right. Many did wait longer to take the exams. Many did not pass. They, were not many. They.. these two were strong Genin trained by a strong Jonin. These two would not fail. Preparation and potential- both ingredients for success.. both exhibited by the two founding members of Team 19.

With his last statement, Makoto hit the nail on the head. Now that both boys were fond of each other's presence, and had fought each other, learning each other's strengths and weaknesses, team work could truly begin. There's an honesty to battle that is undeniable between friendly opponents. Minoru and Makoto shared in this- drank from the cup off combat and learned to communicate on a deeper level. This fact alone helped deepen the connection between teammates, and would be a strong reason for their success later on in their career. To build off that, they would need to further their team work to a point that they worked as one unit: Takeo-Sensei seemed the perfect target for them- however, it was not he who Minoru thought of first.

His first thought was of Yoru. That feeling of pure helplessness descended upon him when he thought of the man- it was nearly as intense as the first brush of it he'd felt- doomed to be crushed beneath the enormous weight of one of the man's Jutsu. How could he not wish to redeem himself? "You're right. If we can work out iwth Takeo-Sensei, or Yoru-Sempai and test ourselves, we'll know just how ready we are. If we can convince them we're ready.. then we're ready." Blonde hair danced in he arificial light as the sun made its descent. Mino was nodding to himself- probably working on the courage to tell Taeko-Sensei anything that might offend him. Regardless, the two would brave that path when they arrived at that crossroads.

[Ducks]

As Mino nodded distractedly to no one in particular, Makoto had briefly withdrawn into himself. Though surrounded on every side by dense forestry, the Village Hidden in the Leaves was by comparison quite flat, and the entirety of the day's dying majesty was now on display to anyone who bothered to turn their eyes westward. As he lazily basked in the last light of the day, his musing mind waxed philosophical. He considered the singular way the yellow orange pink light pervaded everything in sight, giving color, warmth, and meaning to dull, cold, lifeless matter. He glanced at his partner, though only for a second; the light-wielders were an easy target for bullying at the academy, when their powers amounted to little more than mediocre built in flashlights. But now, as the little Hyuuga considered the sheer magnitude of the light's presence, he wondered what a true master of light could do. He hoped he would get the chance to see someday.

The mention of Yoru brought a hard look into Makoto's eyes. The day at the lake had been a hard one, but he had never held a grudge against their sensei for his role in it. It was his duty, after all, to prepare the genin for real, dangerous missions, and Makoto firmly believed that he had only done what he had had to do. Yoru, however, was another story. Though a Jounin like Takeo, the russet haired shinboi was unstable and dangerous. When Makoto had head Yoru had been given a team of his own, Makoto had been skeptical, to put it mildly. Far, far be it from him to question the will of the Hokage, but if Makoto had been placed on a team with a sensei with Yoru, he just didn't know what he would have done.

"We wil..." The end of that sentence would remain forever a mystery, for his voice was cut off by another. "Brother! Supper is ready!" Makoto, who thought he had been about to say something important but couldn't quite remember the details of it, scowled for a second and considered an irritated reply. After a second or two, his expression softened, and he sighed, sliding off the rock and making a bit of a face at Mino. "We must go. It is no good to keep her waiting." He turned and went into the house, assuming Mino would follow.

The table was arrayed with a modest, though certainly quality, spread; there was enough rice, fish and greenery for three to eat well without much being left over. Two empty places sat on one side of the table, with Satomi standing by another opposite. Makoto nodded curtly to Satomi, then took one of the empty spots, leaving Mino to do the same. Brother and sister would eat in silence for a few minutes, at the end of which it was broken by the latter. "So, Minoru, do you have any older siblings? Or perhaps a parent still engaged in active duty? I have a few friends among the Awai."

[Mino]

The sunset was a point of reverence in the Awai world, something that every Awai was in some way expected to celebrate in his or her own way. Some families feast with the sun, some ensure a quiet time of reflection, watching the sun's light stain the sky with color upon it's passing. Regardless of how it is celebrated, dusk is a joyous time for the Awai- where Nature passes the baton to man: when it is the Awai's job to light the world in the sun's absence.

Watching the sun descend was something special to Minoru, to the point that once he glanced and saw Makoto watching he felt akin to the Hyuuga all over again. Perhaps Makoto would never know the importance of dusk and dawn but his ability to stop and appreciate the majesty of the day's passing was enough to garner the young Awai's respect.

It was dinner time, and Minoru realized his stomach was threatening to rumble. It'd been a while since he had eaten, and so the smells of freshly cooked goods wafted to his nose in the middle of talking about the exams. Sauntering inside behind Makoto toward the table, filled with rice, fish and crisp greens. Minoru's mouth watered at the prospect of eating such a meal: he was also happy to relaize the familiar pang of jealousy at a decent meal shared in another household wasn't there. He was able to provide some crisp greens himself after the last mission he and Makoto had been on- it gave him a sense of pride to think that his Mother and Father ate well in his absence. A few months ago, he would have been plagued with guilt.

Taking the empty chair that Makoto left, Mino smiled brightly toward Satomi before annoucing: "Thank you for the meal." After a brief moment of smelling the food and preparing himself to eat, the Awai began to slowly and methodically divide his portions so that the could savor each piece of food he devoured.

Eating in silence was no departure from what Minoru did at home. In fact, the majority of his meals he ate were done so in solitude, his mother often gave him the space awared to a bread-winner, and his father.. well.. who knew where the man was during the day. It was quiet surprising to him when Satomi spoke up:

"So, Minoru, do you have any older siblings? Or perhaps a parent still engaged in active duty? I have a few friends among the Awai."

That caught him off guard, causing his eyes to widen a fraction. How should he answer? Makoto didn't know much of his family life, and he wasn't exactly proud of it either. Hiding it though, would be worse than letting it out. While embarassment is something that a team can work through, dishonesty or holding back truths is not. Taking a breath to steele himself, Minoru began. "I have no direct siblings, no. My parent's aren't active either. I'm the only recognized Konoha Nin in my family right now. My father, Awai, Katsu was a ninja, but that was before I was born." Popping a piece of food in his mouth so he wouldn't say any more, Mino figured if any more questions were to come of this, he would answer as truthfully as possible, but this was dinner after all- he wouldn't force a story on them unless they requested it.

[Ducks]

Makoto's eyes turned to steel when Satomi broke the silence. It had been a nice silence, and he had just started to enjoy it when Satomi decided to ruin it with her invasive questioning. Makoto had never probed into Mino's personal life, nor his teammate into his, and that was fine by him. He threw a narrow-eyed glance in her direction. Why was she taking such in interest in Mino? The chuunin for her part, ignored Makoto, gave a polite little "Hm" and returned to her meal. After a fruitless scowl, Makoto did the same, and neither Hyuuga would attempt conversation for the remainder of the meal. Which, as it happened, would be cut a little short.

A faint rustling sounded from the kitchen, followed by the emergence of large, dark-feathered bird: a ninja hawk. The instant it came through the door, Satomi's calm air vanished. The friendly, slightly dull look went out of her eyes, and it seemed every muscle in her body tensed as she stood up and extended an arm for the bird's benefit. The creature obediently touched down, and Satomi practically tore off the small piece of paper attached to one leg. Holding the miniature scroll with one hand, she artfully slit the seal with a tiny chakra blade and gave the paper a dextrous flick, causing it to roll out in front of her, though not in such a way that Mino or Makoto could read it. The latter could have stolen a glance with his Byakugan, but he knew better than to meddle in Satomi's private affairs, especially right now; he could not remember the last time he saw his sister so tense, and it rather frightened him.

After a few seconds' scanning of the parchment, the chuunin's face relaxed, though whether from resignation or relief was unclear. Without acknowledging guest or sibling she hastily left the room through the kitchen door, whence there issued the two bursts of hasty scribbling and another rustle of feathers. Satomi returned to the room holding a folded note instead of a bird and addressed Makoto. "I need you to take this to Kazuo-sama on the other side of town. It is important." She gave no further explanation, and this time Makoto asked for none, taking the parchment and stowing it in a pocket without a word. The elder Hyuuga then turned to Mino and smiled apologetically, her face regaining some of the easy calm it had held earlier that night. "I am very sorry, Minoru-san, but I am called away. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance." A short, polite bow, and she was gone.

Makoto, who had been very still and silent during the procedure, seemed to break free of whatever was troubling him. "I . . . We should go." He made as if to go to the door, but hesitated and turned back to the table. "You can take that, if you want." He gestured to whatever was left on Mino's plate. To go meals weren't necessarily the most decorous, but Makoto felt rather guilty that the meal had been interrupted, although this time he wasn't angry at his sister; something had her properly agitated.

Walking through the now dimly lit streets of Konoha, he would not venture into small talk with Mino. In fact, he scarcely looked at him, not out of rudeness but preoccupation. What was in that message? Was it from her squad? Was it about our father? Things happened outside the walls of the village. Sometimes, even the best didn't come back.

[Mino]

It was a wonder that his explanation, however short, didn't illicit more questions. Minoru, being self-conscious about his family and the shame accompanied with it, figured that everyone was just dying to hear everything about the Genin's broken family. Minoru was discovering more and more that people were preoccupied with their own lives.

Makoto's sister was a perfect example of this.

The world of the ninja never took days off- and nor did the stewards of Konoha, the Hyuuga or any other nin that donned the sign of the Leaf. The female Hyuuga's hawk made him contemplate his own capacity for animal-kinship. Many successful ninja used animals or summons alongside their own talents, making teams where an enemy would suspect only one. It wasn't a bad idea.

As he cleared his plate quickly (focusing on not stuffing the remains of the meal in his mouth) and following Makoto, Minoru lent some thought to the idea of having a pet. He'd not really paid attention to much in the way of Academy life, but he remembered hearing of different strengths and weaknesses associated with types of pets. A flying pet would extend the owner's field of vision- it also augmented genjutusu and other forms of long-range combat. Stalking pets lent to taijutusu and mid-range. While depending on the choice, the stalking pet may be able to extend perceptions via scent, often these pets were more able to pinpoint enemies in a certain vicinity rather than scan terrain.

What would suit him best?

Lost in thought he tread alongside Makoto, pulled into his errand half out of curiousity, half out of absent-mindedness. Once he realized what was going on, he came to his senses and spoke quietly. "I really think Takeo-Sensei will support us. All we need is an opportunity to show him we can work together as a team. Think about the other Genin you know, Makoto. Can any that you've seen hold a torch to you?" It was an honest question, spoken specifically at the Hyugga's taijutusu and prowess. They'd been successful as a two man team, where other Genin struggled with three. Mino was more sure of this than anything in his entire life.

[Ducks]

For what was not the first time and what would certainly not be the last, it was Mino who broke the silence. Makoto was roused from his musings by his squadmate's quiet, insistent voice, and he gladly put away his worries. It was difficult, when left to one's own devices, to control the erratic wanderings of one's own mind. The company of another, however, can provide a hundred distractions, and Makoto was glad to exchange that which was beyond his power with that which lay squarely in his responsibility. "I . . . do not know." He gave a quick glance to his teammate and returned to dutifully studying the pounded earth before his feet. "My interactions with other Genin, especially those outside my clan, are quite limited. My missions, barring the one involving the feline, have all been undertaken solo or with minimal support from a higher ranked ninja."

"However, the other Hyuuga Genin that I have encountered have, well . . ." He had meant to say something complimentary about his fellow clanmates, but having taken the time to consider the matter he realized that most of the similarly aged Hyuuga he had interactions left had already moved on to Chuunin or, well, weren't all that good. They knew there forms, sure, and exemplary chakra control was a given for any Hyuuga worth anything, but being a real ninja involved much more than flashy fingers, and Makoto had difficulty thinking of another Hyuuga Genin who had demonstrated as much skill with advance techniques as he. Of course, he mostly trained with those older and far superior to him: Satomi, Takeo, even Haruki, the elderly clansman who demonstrated better fuuton chakra control with one of his outrageous sneezes than was present in even Makoto's best techniques. ". . . I suppose I do not know enough to tell."

"What about yourself?" He inquired, using a clever conversation tactic he had picked up lately that involved turning a questioner's question against them. People did, as a rule, enjoy talking about themselves more than listening to another. "I know that you have had dealings with other Genin. How did they strike you?"

[Mino]

Hearing the hesitation in the Hyuuga's voice only confirmed with Minoru had origionally thought. Makoto was too modest to think such things on his own, but not self-depreciating enough to deny it outright. Humility on the side of caution. That fit the Hyuuga Genin perfectly. Responding to Makoto's questions casually, Minoru spoke, a tinge of confidence in his words. It might have sounded odd on him. "That's it. Before I met you and Takeo-Sensei, I wouldn't really be able to tell you a Genin I wasn't petrified of." Mino shrugged his shoulders and conitnued to walk along-side Makoto. It was odd being so comfortable to talk with someone. "You especially. I figured I'd not have a place on your team. I just knew when we all met that I'd be the one sent to get your water and taking your orders. That's changing. We're changing. People that I've run across have no idea that I'm on a two man team that functions. I've faced a Genin or two, and I know this: I'm not the strongest, but I'm definately not to weakest and neither are you.

[Ducks]

Mino still surprised. Despite the length of their teamwork, he still found that he but poorly knew his comrade, as his comrade but poorly knew him. Mino, petrified? Perhaps it was hyperbole, but even so Mino had never much seemed one for fear. Since that first winter day, he had always seemed so intelligent, so confident, so firm in his beliefs and goals. Then again, did he not think I was the same? Perhaps our preconceptions are only now beginning to unravel.

The young Awai said something else that caught his interest. Change. It was a word often tossed and bandied about, so much so that it threatened to lose its weight, its meaning. But to Makoto, who had lived the entirety of his short life thus far walking down a narrow path, never daring to turn to the left or right, it was a novelty, a fantasy to be entertained in secret. If he could surpass his fellow genin and advance beyond his tutelage, would he not then fully come into his own as a ninja, no asterisk included? It was a thought both frightening and exhilarating, and Makoto's heartbeart soared at the thought.

"That is a good outlook to have on life." He remarked, referring to Mino's last statement. "I . . . I suppose that I have always felt as if my progress existed in a vacuum. I have always been told what I must do, and I have done it, and that has always been the end of it. No praise, no blame, no comparison. I think . . ." He did not stop, nor did he look at Mino, but his voice gained a little strength that his teammate had never heard in it. "I think that I am ready to move on."

[Mino]

"I think we are ready." Mino nodded at Makoto before turning back toward the path and walking along. It was pure exhilaration hearing the change in Makoto's voice: it was exactly the change Minoru was talking about. The two were similarly trapped. Mino's progress had gone largely unnoticed in his family, though he did receive an accolade from the clan. Once he was a Chunin, he would be considered a Konoha ninja on his own, independent of his current team, and hopefully independent of the mistakes of his father. He would be able to build his own house as a part of the Awai, and from there, be free of the burden of Kau's name.

Team 19, Makoto and Minoru's team had been a success so far. Challenging Takeo-Sensei would require a lot of training and teamwork. Minoru felt ready- it was time to see if his feelings matched the outside world. At the very least if they were unable to convince their battle-tested Sensei, they would have answers and a direction to move toward for development. Mino felt confident in this plan. Now all they needed was an opportunity.

[Ducks]

A serious, resolute nod was all the response Makoto gave, and indeed was all he needed to. He was hardly an easy sell on any new idea, let one as life-changing as this would doubtless turn out to be. Mino, however, had done his job well, and Makoto had latched onto idea with million clinging neurons. Doubt would come later, when the initial excitement had passed and he was given time to consider it in solitude, but now he was excited, and in the end that excitement would prove the more dominant force at work in his psyche.

They rounded a corner and came upon a small, squat little grey house, tightly shut against intruders and the prying eye of the public. Makoto sighed. "This is the house. I would ask if you wanted to come with me, but Kazuo-sama is a bit paranoid, and does not trust strangers. Truly, I do not think he trusts me." His white eyes tensed for a moment, only to return to their normal state an instant later; if Mino was watching closely, he would recognize the brief use of Makoto's Byakugan. "The Awai compound is nearby, yes? I do not know how long this will take, so it is probably not worth waiting for me. I will see you soon, then." A shallow bow, and Makoto turned his back, walking up the steps to the little grey house. Something about the parting, however, seemed a bit off; it was no more formal than the many like it he had engaged in over the years, but now it felt somewhat disingenuous. It couldn't hurt to be a little friendly, could it?

If Mino was still watching, he would see Makoto pause briefly, then turn to give a little wave, accompanied by what could have been a smile (though it would be difficult for the average eye to pick it up in the dim light). Then, the little Hyuuga turned and completed the ascension of the stairs, knocking at the door and waiting patiently for its cantankerous owner to rouse himself. Makoto would play the part of the dutiful genin once more, but as of that night, his days as an apprentice were numbered. He had gotten the idea of freedom into his head, and would not release it until he won it in the arena, or lost it forever in death or dishonor.

[Mino]

The wonderful thing about the Awai was Hiton. It was an amazing thing, Light. To be Awai meant to always see the light. Always. Dim lighting meant nothing to the young Awai, as a matter of fact, it was nearly impossible to tell just how dim or shaded something was unless of course, he concentrated his dojutsu to distinguish.

Needless to say, the worst person to hide in the shadows from was Minoru. The smile was noted doubly so, and it was yet another small way Mino knew the two had grown into a team over these past months. Chunin exam or no, Makoto and Minoru's bond had tread lightly beyond acquaintance and battle-buddies. They were a team. It was deeply buried within that smile and that connection that Minoru kept all his confidence. A few months ago he was the butt of many a Genin joke. Now, together they might have a shot at ascension.

"Goodnight, Makoto." Turning to make his way back to the compound, Minoru briefly lamented that he didn't have anyone other than his mother really to share the news with. He was putting it all on the line. He and his teammate. They were going to either conquer the Chunin exam, or accept that they weren't ready, and train like hell to be the Chunin Konoha needed.

Today was the first step of many. Mino was excited to see how this turned out.