[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

The day was finally here. Her first step into the life of a shinobi. The first step of a long road ahead of her. There was speculation at the beginning of if she was made to be a shinobi. Many doubted her because of her sickness and the problems she was going through at home, and of course while that did make her journey a hundred times harder than normal, it also gave the girl something more to be proud of.

To the public eye, Kazui was as calm and collected as ever. No smile on her face or anything that gave away her emotion, she just continued to make her way through the village with a bland and boring look on her face. She approached the Senju compound, and they allowed the girl to enter, albeit reluctantly. They were kind of used to her coming around as of now since they knew that they couldn’t exactly do anything about her without facing some kind of repercussions from their clan leader.

Each step led the girl closer to the home she had been in a few times before, it was almost like a second (or third) home for the girl, however Kazui was always welcome. She would lightly knock on the wooden door five times, one for each letter of her name. A code that she made up, assuming that Kazuto would get the understanding of without exactly telling him why she knocks five times. Stepping away from the door, Kazui saw a woman peeking through a window. Long dark brown hair in her face as she returned to whatever she was doing beforehand. The woman never talked to Kazui, or anyone in that matter, but for some reason Kazuto still housed her, but that didn’t matter.

Once Kazui entered the house, the girl would jump up and down excitedly, laughter escaping from her lips as she smiled big, the inner happiness that she hid from the rest of the world slipped out once she was behind closed doors. Normally, she would not greet her sensei in such a manner, but she couldn’t help but be excited for herself. A hand shuffled through the satchel on her back as she removed a folded piece of paper from the brown bag. Unfolding it, she would hold the paper facing outward for Kazuto to see. It was a sheet of her recent grades, everything was completely off the charts from academics to ninjutsu and even fuinjutsu. The girl was absolutely flying through the work assigned to her with relative ease.

Once she calmed herself down, she would find herself laying flat on the floor while Kazuto looked over her report card. Her chest would rise and fall steadily as her lungs were working a bit harder, trying to catch her breath from the exertion of energy she had displayed. Her laughter continued as her eyes remained fixed on the ceiling above.

@Senju Kazuto ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

The sound of his pen scratching the unpolluted paper filled the room. He worked at the flickering light of a candle and under the watchful guard of bookshelves lined with books that he had began to read one by one until he understood the most pure meaning that the author had tried to impart upon the pages they had written. He was dutiful, vibrant eyes of teal-green dancing from a sentence impressed by machine and then to another, scribbled by his left hand in his own prose and penmanship. He repeated that dance, again and again, encroaching over the piece of parchment as if it he were an eager student in the midst of a breakthrough. He was of course a high achiever. He knew this about himself. Sometimes feeling that he has to excuse those under his command, his kin, but then he feels guilty for making such excuses. He writes a great deal, codifying everything. Information is power. Technical theory victory. Or so he told himself when he formulated his theoretical and practical applications. He saw and reconciled what the pages told him and before long he leaned back on his chair, feeling the ache of his fingers and hand, rubbing it away as he examined his own conclusions. Eyes darting again and again in the tiny handwriting until he found himself satisfied. The Senju then turned his attention at the slapping sound of steps that broke the quiet sound of the estate of the leader of the Senju Clan, and the cheerful laughter that came with it. He felt a smile emerge and perch on his lips as a girl broke through the threshold of the hallway and his own personal study until she stopped. Her hand would rummage through her satchel, moving its contents until it produced a brown envelope that the girl held for him. Quietly, he obliged, plucking it from her grasp as the girl would sit down on the floor. Fingers began to unravel the envelope, opening it before he slid its contents out and peered on what seemed to be a report card. With the same effusiveness of a statue, he began the process again, reading through the information presented to him as he saw the marks in Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, Cooperation, General Studies and even special grades that dealt with fuinjutsu. Impressive. To have this grasp at her level. He thought before he folded the grades and gently placed them on his desk, slowly turning his chair towards her. "Well done." He told her, a hand reaching once more for the dark locks of her hair as he ruffled the carefully combed haircut, much to her annoyance but also as a sign of affection to his own student. He was proud of her, proud of how much she had advanced and learned, proud of her own drive and resolve, but also happy that she was laughing and being joyful. He was pleased that she had managed to go beyond what she had gone through and find a purpose of her own. "It means you shall be a Genin soon, taking your first steps." He said warmly, filled with pride on his student.

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 541 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

For Kazui, this was a dream come true. A story where a child overcame the doubts of many and continued to pursue her own footsteps, fighting her way through thick and thin until she managed to finally achieve what she had been working so hard for. Become a shinobi meant much more than just doing missions and getting paid, for Kazui this was a way to not only prove herself but protect the ones she loved while she did so, the money just so happens to be a plus to the profession.

It was rare to see the young Uchiha so happy, especially since she lost her grandmother, she often found herself in a rather bland and indifferent mood, but today her emotions would escape. It had been the first time she laughed genuinely in weeks. Once she managed to collect her, the young girl would sit up as her master read from the report card. She watched with excitement and joy in her eyes as Kazuto’s eyes shifted down the printed page of ink.

It was easy to tell that he was proud of her. A hand reached out and ruffled through her neatly dark hair that she took so much care of. It truly annoyed her, but she couldn’t bring herself to get upset with Kazuto. She was too happy, and honestly it felt nice to get praised for her hard work.

"Hai, Sensei!”

The girl would hum as she quickly rubbed her hair back into place with both of her hands. A smile perched on her lips as she inched closer to her master. Her mind pondered for a bit before she spoke.

"Oi. Soon enough I’ll have my very own leaf headband, and go on missions with you, Master.”

Kazui would say as she pointed at her forehead. She didn’t know what kind of missions Kazuto was known for, but she still wanted to participate.

@tagsomeone ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

"Quite, so." He would tell the girl as he could sense the radiating joy that came from her. He could do little but maintain a smile even as he knew that the life ahead of her wasn't an easy one. He would have time to speak with her about the subject when she had her final certification and a headband to boot. And now, he couldn't bring himself to take away that childish joy from her, it wouldn't be correct. But first she needed to complete the final trials and it would be for the proctors to determine whether or not she was ready to become a shinobi just like him. Still, Kazuto couldn't imagine himself in the midst of ANBU missions with the girl. Not that he would find the idea abhorrent, but simply he wished to see how time passed and how the promise that was her abilities would flourish under his tutelage and that of her future genin team leader. Perhaps in time she would form part of the ANBU if he was still commanding them, and then they could do what she had just said. Still those missions had a peculiar ability to change the perception of an individual. He wasn't same man that he had been when he had joined the secret organization and he secretly wondered whether someone like Kazui could handle the somberness that such duty would demand of anyone. "Alright... Alright... Settle down Kazui." He would say to calm her down, to reign in her enthusiasm for the news. Still it was too soon to celebrate something that hadn't materialized. As much as he longed for calling her more than just his student, she still needed to present herself to the exams for her final trials and then hope that her performance was enough to convince the proctors that she was ready for the privilege of becoming a shinobi. "Remember you need to pass your exams first... And if you do, I have a surprise for you." He told her with a warm smile and leaned against his chair. "Also, when are you taking the exams?"

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 364 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

The seemingly never ending smile that was perched on Kazui’s lips, finally came to subside after Kazuto asked for her focus, to settle down, and so she did. The girl sat and listened timidly to whatever her master had to say concerning the situation but she couldn’t quite hide the fact that she was still very excited. She was on the verge of making her dreams come into reality, and would be able to protect her loved ones.

The thought of going on missions with Kazuto was what she looked forward to the most. Perhaps she could learn more than when she’s just training along with him. Dark hues met with Kazuto’s teal eyes as he spoke.

"Oh..yeah. I almost forgot about the exam.”

The Uchiha would say behind soft laughter as she scratched her head gently. There was one last obstacle for her to overcome before she could finally take her first step into being a shinobi, an exam that was normally given by proctors from the academy. Kazui didn’t know much about what exactly it consisted of, all that she did know however was that she was prepared for anything that would thrown her way.

The mention of a gift caught her attention as well, but she didn’t get much time to ponder on what it could possibly be. Although she didn’t really want anything, the thought of a gift was warming. Before she could contemplate any more, Kazuto would ask when was she going to take the exams. Most would want her to take some time before giving the exam a shot, however if it were up to Kazui herself she would..

"Today!”

She would blurt out with enthusiasm running through her body like a circuit. The girl was more than ready, and honestly she felt as if she had been in the academy for way too long, albeit she started later than others.

"I want to take it today.”

Her gentle voice would add on as she looked at her master. She was passionate about becoming a shinobi, so hopefully he understood why she was in such a hurry.

@tagsomeone ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

Kazuto widened his eyes at her answer. Enthusiasm was something that the girl seemed to have on troves for the short time that he had known her and both of them had become a master and apprentice. He could do little more than chuckle and even if he wanted to tell her that she could wait and refine her skills, he had to be in agreement with her. She was night ready for examinations. Although he wondered if there was any time for a scheduled examination. Perhaps he could finally use some of the pull that his station as clan leader and high ranked shinobi would grant him. Even if he felt strongly against using that for personal benefit. He imagined that his student would be delighted and it would be for her benefit. "Alright, alright." Kazuto entoned as he pushed himself from his chair and rose to his complete height, towering over the girl easily before he would begin to make his way towards the doorway of his study. Signaling the young Uchiha to follow him so they could make it to the academy. "Well? Come on then. We want to make you a shinobi before supper." He said as he continued his steps. He would reach towards the threshold that led into the street and away from the clan compound. After they had left the compound he would turn towards Kazui, trying to gauge how confident she was, but he could tell by the sole happiness and joy that she transmitted that she felt ready for the examination. He once more shot a smile towards her, not speaking for the remainder of the journey towards the academy building. He had something to prepare of his own, something of a surprise to her as while some shinobi would take their examinations before the proctors, Kazuto would make sure that his apprentice was ready by his own hands. Standing before the academy, the Senju would turn to the Uchiha and give her another smile. "Are you ready?" He asked and awaited.

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 351 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

The young Uchiha remained seated as she told Kazuto the answer to his question. Fire burned deep within her soul, and it could be seen through her dark gaze. Her hands fidgeted restlessly, as she anticipated his answer. The girl knew it was on a rather short notice, but if she had to choose when she wanted to take the exams, it would be now! Not later. She watched as her master rose to his full height, towering over the young kid.

A chuckle from the man would leave Kazui confused for a moment. What was so funny? Did he not believe in her? Did he think she needed to sharpen up on her skills for a few more weeks? Those were the thoughts that raced through her wandering mind. As much as she hated it, if Kazuto were to tell her to take her time and make sure she was ready, the girl would be left with no other choice, albeit she would do so reluctantly. A pouty face of confusion grew on Kazui’s features as dark hues followed the Senju around the room. He would gesture for Kazui to follow him, and that they both wanted her to become a genin before supper.

"Yes!”

She would squeak as a smile broke out. Her energy and excitement carried her to her feet quickly, almost in a pouncing motion as she scurried past her master. Kazui didn’t want to waste any time, and like an excited child, she would quickly dash from Kazuto’s study, into the hallway and towards the front door, where she left her sandals. Quickly slipping them onto her feet, she would wait as the Senju made his way to the door, and then they were on their way.

The journey to the Academy seemed like a lifetime, but it was mostly because Kazui was being impatient. Humming a catchy tune as she walked alongside the Senju, something to fill the silence between the two. She was used to him not talking, and so she wouldn’t force conversation or ignore him with a thousand questions. Instead, she would just enjoy the silence until they had arrived at the front door of the ninja academy, a place that Kazui knew like the back of her hand. The question she was faced with was a question that she knew the answer to for weeks now. A deep breath would calm her down a bit as she clenched her hands tightly into fists as they rested by her side. Was she ready?

"H-Hai!”

She would say with confidence in her tone and posture, albeit there was a moment of what if that crossed her mind. Fortunately, that thought faded out as quickly it made its way into her mind. There was no turning back now, she had come so far.

@tagsomeone ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

The Senju would accompany her inside the academy. It had been years since he had walked within the atrium and halls of the academy. Aside the few times that he would spend times with his friends from his academy, there wasn't much of that he liked to remember about the days in which he was a youngling, in which there were only halcyon concerns of a child. Still, he supposed that the academy hadn't changed much since his time here, the classroom layout seemed to be the same, the boards with the information about extra courses continued to be present like it had been back in his day. But a sign that said examinations loomed large at the information desk. Kazuto took a first step, marching towards the desk, his hand reaching for one of the inscription forms and began to write Kazui's name in it. It was all but a formality. Once he handed it towards the woman behind the reception desk, he would turn towards his student, taking a knee before the girl, trying to instill confidence on her, making sure that she got no clue of his plan about her exam. "You need to go into that waiting room." He said, pointing to a door in the far side of the reception. "They'll call you when they're ready for you. I can't go in with you, but I'm sure you will do well. You'll make my proud." He told her that with a smile as he raised to his full height and began to make his way towards the entrance of the academy, feigning that he was going to leave her all alone, wanting to see how she would react to that. Sure that he was outside her line of sight, he would continued walking, breaking to the right as he entered a narrow alley and jumped over a fence, taking a few more steps, he would soon find himself within the academy staff room as a teacher awaited for him. "You're being sentimental. That's not like you. Said the man. "Anyways, the room the test is going to take place in is going to be available soon." Stopping for a second, he waged the words of the teacher, a friend from the academy that had taken this posting after an injury. She turned to face the man and shrugged. "We all change." He said calmly. "Take me to the room." Kazuto would tell him, allowing the teacher to lead him towards the examination room.

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 429 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

With her answer, both Kazui and Kazuto made their way into the ninja academy. It wasn’t anything big to the Uchiha herself, it was something she has seen almost everyday for the past 3 years or so. The same walls, the same boring classrooms, everything about it was so bland and uninteresting, albeit most of the village’s greats treaded the very corridor that she was walking through now. Perhaps that thought alone, and maybe the fact that she dreamed of being a shinobi is what made her interested in the building more than anything else.

The two of them entered together and made their way towards the front desk. Kazui literally following in Kazuto’s Shadow with each step he took, standing behind him as he signed the forms that rested on the counter. The girl waited patiently as the scribbling of the pen against the paper filled the rather quiet hallway. Once the Senju handed the paper to the lady, he would turn to Kazui and tell her that she needed to enter the waiting room. Her eyes followed his point, and for a moment she had gotten nervous again. Fidgeting with her fingers, the Uchiha would nod her head and take a few small steps toward the door.

"Hai.”

She would say softly as she continued her march toward the room. Her hand rested on the handle before she turned back around to face Kazuto, and with a nod of her head, she would enter the room. Kazui waited and waited for her name to be called, in a room with a few other people that she had seen at the academy before, some even older than her. The girl remained to herself, avoiding any interaction with any of the people until her name was called.

@tagsomeone ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

Kazuto took his seat in the examination room, behind a portable desk that after an academy student had left, the face of the boy rife with disappointment. His eyes examination sheet and the annotations from the precious proctor had written, declaring him unready to become a shinobi. But he understood that it had been done, after all the village needed more quality than quantity and he would agree with the boy being sent back to the academy to resume his studies and try again once he felt more comfortable with his skill set. Still he hoped that such a face would not mean discouragement, neither of the boy nor of everyone that had the little fortune look at him as they arrived. Taking a look of the paperwork, he would begin to fill out the information of the student that would take the test. He took his moment to revise everything that had being printed after he had penned Kazui's name. As ever, she would need to show what techniques she had learned during her time of the academy. He was sure that she was at the very least able to perform a technique that after he had tutored her. Most of their training until now had been spars to see how far the reach of her skills extended, and for the most part Kazuto was satisfied. She had shown drive and ingenuity in the midst of combat and for that he could applaud her. He had seen use clones, but other than that, her skill set wasn't much explored and he would hope that she was capable of surprising him. More often than not, she would, that was what he had gathered in his experience as his teacher. He would look towards the other examiner and spoke. "Bring her in. We shall see what she can do." He said and would await, his eyes drifting towards the assorted headbands on the table. None would fit her, he thought. Provided that she would pass the test that was.

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 349 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

The young girl sat and awaited for her name to be called. The wait was nerve wracking as it allowed Kazui more and more time to doubt and question her abilities she watched as kids went in and out of the room, one by one, few of the edited with smiles on their face and a brand new shiny headband tied neatly around their forehead. However, the majority that exited the room did so in a walk of shame, many were angry, others left the room crying empty handed. Kazui tried her best to not pay attention to the other kids, but instead focus on herself and when she needed to do to pass. Time passed, and the numbers in the waiting room grew thinner as the exams continued on. A familiar face entered the exam room, a boy who performed exceptionally in class, surely he would pass. But surely enough, he didn’t. Kazui watched the boy take the walk of shame like the many who went before him.

’Just stay focused...Kazui.’ The girl would tell herself in her mind as her name was finally called, the nervousness became more prominent as her heart began to beat a little harder, her stomach turned, and her hands were a bit shaky. She couldn’t show this to the proctors, so with a deep inhale and exhale, the Uchiha would swallow ever thought of doubt in her mind. She quickly stood to her feet and made her way towards the examination room, standing by the door frame, the girl waited to enter, but once she did, she made her entrance with confidence..only to see her master sitting behind the table along with the other proctors. She was confused as to how and why he was there, but she wouldn’t question it at all. A smile perched on her face as she took center stage, waiting for the exam to be underway.

@tagsomeone ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

"Very well, Kazui." Kazuto said, breaking the silence that had reigned as she had entered the room. He would take a look at how the examination would take place, the proceedings on how they would have to start and what elements of this 'ritual' they would have to partake. It seem all far too complicated for a simple test but. But he would simply roll with the how the proceedings were supposed to take care. He leaned back against his chair, his weight making it creak before he would begin speaking once more. "Alright, we're here to determine if your current abilities are deemed sufficient for you to advance into the rank of Genin and join the active military forces of the village." He said as he remembered his very own graduation, facing an academy teacher that by now had retired and still lived as far as he knew although he didn't have the familiarity with the proctor that she had. Still even if he was fond of the girl, he would need to be objective in his assessment. His eyes would fall again on the girl as he leaned forward and faintly smiled back at her. She would pass, of that he was sure, she was gifted and the seeds of greatness were within her. He would just need to make sure he guided her correctly. "To do so, you will need to show us three techniques that you have learned during your time at the academy. Successful showing of these techniques will determine your advancement." The Senju said before he began to wrote down notes upon paper. He would turn once more to his student as he awaited for her to begin. "You may begin, when you want. You have three chances to successfully cast techniques. Meaning that if you fail three times, the exams will be deemed as failed.

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 322 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

Kazuto’s voice filled the room, bringing an end to the eerie silence that occupied the space for a few moments, as his student stood before him ready to take her next step towards being a full fledged shinobi. She would nod her head slightly as the silence was broken, standing with her hands to the side, she awaited instruction since the girl had no idea what the exam itself was consisted on nor how she could potentially pass or fail. Her eyes remained focused on her sensei rather than the others, mostly because it made her less nervous knowing that he was there. An assessment to gauge her current abilities as of now, if she performed well enough she would see a promotion and would be placed into Konoha’s active military force. She wanted to smile just at the thought of achieving her dreams, but the girl knew she wasn’t in the clear yet. Kazui would nod her head at the Senju, affirming that she understood.

"Hm.”

Her hands remained at her side, but her gaze shifted between the other proctors before finding her master yet again, warranting a deep breath to escape her lungs. If she remained calm then she could achieve anything. Kazuto’s smile would put her at ease, how lucky she was, stumbling across the man one fateful day. He went over the guidelines of the assessment, and it seemed simple enough. Three techniques, three chances, it didn’t seem too difficult.

"Hai, Master Kazuto.”

Kazui would say with a confident, yet soft voice as she took a step back from the desk. The Uchiha closed her eyes for a moment. A couple of deep breaths here and there, before she widened her stance, her hands weaved a few hand seals but she took a moment to ensure she was molding her chakra the correct way. In a poof of smoke, the girl would transform into one of the proctors that sat beside Kazuto.

"Henge no jutsu.”

She would say as she turned back to her normal self. Wasting no time she would jump into the next one, something she had used a lot before. Her hands weaved the hand seals perfectly and with a good amount of speed. Then once again smoke filled the room before quickly dissipating. There stood not one but three perfect images of Kazui. She would give the proctors time to take notes or inspect her clones before releasing them.

"Bunshin no jutsu.”

Now for the last one she would something to switch places with. Normally she would use a log or something of the sort, luckily enough the staff provided a training dummy for the students to utilize for their exams. Kazui would walk over to the dummy and drag it in front of the proctors’ desk. And with a sigh, the girl would form a hand seal and focus her chakra in the dummy, causing the two to switch places.

"Kawarimi no jutsu.”

The young girl would say as she took a step closer to the desk, and bowing her head to the proctors, thus bringing her assessment to a close. Now all she had to do was await the results.

@tagsomeone ● notes here ● word count

MADE BY MIZO

[Senju Kazuto]

Again he could see the confidence in the girl after he spoke, and the same ritual that she would employ when she began to train, to calm herself, to center herself. His eyes would follow the right waving of her hand signs and the correct employment of her chakra. He saw the first technique that she employed, transforming in the man that sat to Kazuto's right. Taking his notes, he began to codify the information before him, noting that she was a perfect doppelganger of the man, finding it more than acceptable, and checking the box that she had performed the technique well before she dispelled it in a haze of white smoke. The scribble of pen over paper would continue, pausing as the girl would carry on and after forming the correct hand seals, she would cast her own replicas. The three Kazui's stood side to side, unblinking, as the images were like if they were taken out of a mirror. Once more he checked the box aside that testing and he would add a few notes of his own, noting how flawless she had done with that technique and wondered if she wanted to impress him with her skill after he had learned and improved under his auspices. Doing it without any of the difficulty that he had seen the first time they had trained together. Nodding, he would take his notes before the girl would again try to cast the final technique of her examination. Using one of the practice dummies in the class, the girl would switch places with the dummy, switching places, hid behind the curtain of white smoke that characterized all these techniques that were associated with the academy. Silence remained between Kazuto and the proctor, broken only by the sound of pens sliding over papers before they both turned to each other and nodded. The Senju would raise from his seat as the proctor began to write on a form of paper, prepared beforehand, before he passed it to Kazuto. Moment Music "Kazui." He told her as he presented her the certification as a shinobi to her. "You've made me proud little one." Kazuto said with a smile. His hand reached for his pocket, producing a headband that had seen use, but had been polished until it shone as if it were new, the symbol of the village etched upon the cold steel, almost blending into the white clothe that made the rest of the headband. "The path ahead will not be an easy one. There will be much hardship, much trial, but I and from now on, you, are shinobi. We endure." He said with a smile before he brought the headband of his sister forward, raising it to her forehead, hesitating slightly before finally finishing the not in the back of her head. "That headband means much to me, but you're worthy of its burden little one. He said, placing both of his hands on her shoulders granting her a small smile. "Take care of it, Uchiha Kazui, Genin of Konoha." He say would finally declare her, as what she was. A shinobi.

-tag- Lady Kazui -words- 531 -notes- --- -music- ---

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Deleted]

i never told a lie, and that makes me a liar.

Kazui stood a few feet away from the desk as the proctor and master both made their assessment of her techniques. She stood at the ready, expecting a good job or a pity shake of Kazuto’s head, even though she felt as if she had performed flawlessly. Her eyes shifted between the men as they looked at one another, both nodding in unison before Kazuto rose to his feet, accepting a document gifted to him from the other man, who happened to be the principal of the academy.

The young Uchiha watched as her teacher got closer and closer, the form in his hand as he approached and eventually stopped before her. Her eyes met with the teal color of Kazuto’s as he spoke her name. She would nod her head once before she was presented with the certification for her graduation. For a moment her eyes rested on the paper before returning to Kazuto, it felt like a dream, that’s because it once was. Kazui’s gaze diverted to the side as she gritted her teeth, and in that instant the girl shot forward latching herself onto the Senju in a hug for a brief moment. It had been a tough road, and took much much longer than what the girl would have liked, and honestly who knows where she would have been if it weren’t for Kazuto taking her under his wing.

Once she released the hug, her shaky hand would grab ahold of the certification, and her eyes began to quickly scan over the document, Her off hand reached to wipe a tear from her eye. It was warming to hear that Kazuto was proud. The girl didn’t even notice the headband that her master had presented to her, but once she did, the first thing that was noticed was the color of the band itself. It was the whitest white she had ever laid eyes on, and it was a lot different than the normal protectors that most shinobi had.

Her hands rested at her side as Kazuto stated that it would only get harder from here, but at this point Kazui felt as if she were ready for whatever life would throw at her. A nod of her head and a smile would show the Senju that she understood what he had said. Endure. It was a part of being a shinobi, besides she had been enduring as far as she can remember. After that, the white headband would be placed on her head hesitantly, and tied tightly towards the back. It was a perfect fit.

The girl would try to look up at the metal as it was on her forehead, but to no prevail. Instead, her fingers gently traced over the white cloth before her attention was redirected back to Kazuto. This headband meant a lot to him. Perhaps it was his headband from his genin days? Kazui wasn’t sure, but if it’s something that meant a lot to Kazuto, and it was something that he cherished, then it would be protected with her life.

"Hai, Master Kazuto. Thank you.”

The Uchiha would say softly, yet confidently. As she readjusted the position of the forehead protector ever so slightly.

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MADE BY MIZO