The Past is Behind and the Future is Ahead [Topic Done]

It was a bright and sunny morning in Konohagakure, in the late of Autumn. A tall young man in his early twenties walked towards the Cemetary of Konoha, where he was going to pay respects to his late Fiance, Fumiko Uzumaki. The man had the slightly tanned skin of the people who were native to hi no kuni. He had long flowing purple hair tied back in a red ribbon and pinned with wooden chop-sticks. He wore navy blue robes with a white under-robe, white obi, black robe belt, navy blue haori with the Senju Clan sign on his back in white, and he wore a navy hakama, wooden geta sandals, and white tabi socks. The man had bluish green eyes the color of the sea, and his face had a countenance of a subtle sadness hidden under a slight smile.

He walked quietly, listening to the birds chirping, the wind blowing the leaves of the trees, the conversations of people recounting the lives of their loved ones. He smelled the gifts of floral incense, the scent of the grass, the trees, the air. He was at peace as he traveled to the grave marker of his dearly beloved, a tall rose bush that had grown up like a tree. It had soft blue roses on it, Fumiko's favorite color.

The man had come up to the tree and lowered himself to his knees, and he would take out from his haori, a bouquet of the same color blue roses, and he placed these on the small stone at the foot of the tree that read her name, and that she had been a Chuunin of Konoha and respected as part of it's medical research corp. He'd then close his eyes, and he'd think back to the times when they would be together, and he thought of her soft skin, her lovely voice, the color of her light pink hair, her deep sapphire eyes, her pale pink lips, her warm embrace.

[329 WC]

Spoiler:

As the wind blew through the chilly early morning air, Kojirama Senju would already be in the presence of the many graves. His lengthy white hair slowly shifting as the wind moved it, sitting cross-legged with his usual black attire with his left wrist cuffed with white fluff accompanied by a signature Konoha Jounin vest. His eyes closed and his breathing ever so slowly. It would be clear to nearly anybody that he was meditating. The soft sound of crunching grass alerted the Senju Jounin that someone soon approached, however Kojirama did not budge nor did he make any notion that he was aware of the incoming person.

As the sounds of the crunching got louder it suddenly stopped, Kojirama sensing that whoever had approached had reached their destination. Someone else that had lost a loved one he assumed. The cemetery was full of graves, with so many deaths over the years it almost stretched as far as the eye can see. Kojirama was no stranger to death. He has lost nearly his entire family. His father was the first to go...not even a goodbye or a body to bury…only a head to identify the remains...He had seen his son and two other genins Kojirama taught...brutally murdered…right in front of his eyes...He had seen nearly the same with his brother a few years later...and only months after that…his beloved wife. Yes…Kojirama had seen death take nearly everyone he loved or ever cared about. Death had a way of changing people...and Kojirama was no exception.

Because of this...Kojirama often visited the gravesite most of the time to meditate. See…the people who have died…they had to be a peace. They had no more need to worry…no battles to fight…no more sickness…. they were just...there…. well here really. Not moving not doing anything just sitting here…Peaceful. This was one of the reason’s Kojirama visited the site so often, and most often when it was this early in the morning and in the cool winds of Autumn Kojirama was mostly here alone. Opening his mouth to speak in a very soft and calm but hearable tone, he would speak to the newcomer.

“The life of the dead… is placed… in the memory of the living don’t you agree?”

Kamui of the Clan of a thousand skills barely heard the stranger that knelt similarly to a grave nearby, as his thoughts were wandering off, to the memories of his beloved Fumiko, and of the things that had made their short time together special, and sadly and tragically, of the death that had come to claim her.

Kamui too had seen many deaths in his lifetime thus far. Not only his fiance had been taken away from him before her time, but his Mother and Father too had died, killed by someone out for revenge against the experiments and other operations done by the ANBU ROOT corporation. Kamui had remembered how shocked he was when he learned of what the ROOT had done, for he'd seen the bodies and pieces of people's bodies in the laboratories and holding cells deep within the Yamato Works. It was even more of a shock that his own parents had wanted to do something like that to people, "In the name of the good of Konoha.", he'd heard his Father Eiji's voice. That's what he had always said about his work, and nothing more. If only Kamui had known, maybe he could have done something, or maybe not. What was more, was that Fumiko had also been involved, since she was a medical specialist in the field of research. He knew she had been researching jutsu and kekkei genkei, but never suspected anything monstrous, as to subject people to unfair torture, even going so far as not to only use prisoners, but volunteered Konoha-nin, and they'd volunteered, regardless if they'd die, "For the Good of Konoha." Thinking about this made the young man a bit angry, but, he could never get too angry, that was just the way he was. He had to accept that what happened was in the past, and the future ahead could be paved brighter and better than before.

Then, a voice came to him on the chilled wind, asking calmly, “The life of the dead… is placed… in the memory of the living don’t you agree?”, in which, Kamui replied,

"Indeed.", and he'd come out of the visions of the haunted past, his calm smile hiding up his sorrow perfectly, he looked to the side to see an older man there, wearing a standard issue Jounin uniform in black, with long, choppy white hair. There was a certain familiarity in him, though Kamui couldn't place it. Instead, he'd add,

"I am Senju Kamui. Jounin now for four years. I was here visiting my fiance's grave. It is good to honor the memories of your loved ones from time to time, maybe more often than not."

[443 WC]

Still remaining calm in both demeanor and voice, he would respond to the greeting of Kamui. “Hmmm. Kojirama Senju…You know what else is great about the dead. They don’t move anymore…they don’t talk…they make no noise. They are at peace…as was I….” Kojirama’s breathing became a little more unstable however within a few seconds he was able to get back on trace, his eyes still closed and would speak again before the Jounin of four years could say anymore. “Not many come this early in the autumn…. but...since you’re here sit and listen as the wind blows. If you pay close enough attention…you can still hear the laughter…you can see the smiles…and the tears…The graves may be still and their bodies skeletons…but their spirit…their energy…their…will of fire...It never truly goes out. If you listen closely….You can still hear everything they have to say...or do.”

Kojirama’s breathing and meditation would continue, frankly he didn’t care whether the man joined him or not. He was here mostly for meditation but also expecting a meeting from an important person. Today was not only the anniversary of his son and first squad’s death…but it was also that time again. The time he would take on a third squad, his second having failed due to his own anger and non-peace. He was incomplete from within…but now…now he felt more whole…at least…closer to that full circle of joy he once had in his life. The past few years as his meditation had increased, it has helped him earn the right to teach again...to show those of the future that…. death didn’t have to be the end.

Kamui listened intently to the words of the older Senju, and it made him feel good. This man was much like himself, loving Zen and peace, in the words he spoke, showing he was in tune with the earth and all it's things, and he was a good spirit and he had wisdom and a lot of experience. Kamui nodded and he said,

"I agree, Kojirama-San.", and he knew always that Fumiko was there with him in spirit, smiling at him, speaking to him, laughing, and singing, dancing and enjoying her after-life. In the after-life there was no more pain, no suffering, there was only peace.

Kamui took in a deep breath and he sighed. He was training his breathing to the utmost of calmliness, and he'd close his eyes and relax his body and mind, and he'd feel more peace within his spirit. Meditation was one of the arts that Kamui quite enjoyed. I he wasn't doing missions or training, he was often found meditating peacefully, to expand his awareness of what life was, to find the deepest truth about it's beauty.

"What is life, but beautiful. Everything about it is magnificent. Even times of sadness, even times of darkness have a beauty to them, because we learn from them how to make our lives better, and to help others as well.

[221 WC]

As Konoha’s white noise continued to meditate, now along with a newcomer, he would listen to the soft words of Kamui as the wind blew, some leaves from nearby tree’s sweeping by them. “Hmm… Nothing in life is to be feared… it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less….Darkness…sadness…All accompany fear….only when you are not empty in your soul will all this be left behind. To fill your soul you must find enlightenment….find peace. Be it something beautiful…magnificent or the aura of calmness among so much death such as this…”

Kojirama continued to breath in rhythm as birds started to fly around and over them seemingly enjoying the wind that blowing there. “Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more fascinating the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. What has puzzled us before… seems less mysterious, and the crooked paths look straighter… as we approach the end.” Like a wise Sage, Kojirama had learned this simple truth. What he saw as a young genin...as a younger chunin and as a young Jounin, paled in compression to what he saw now. What were once crooked, dark, mysterious and narrow paths...were now golden waves of straight amber roads. As straight as the crow flies, as wide as the largest forest. Yes…With eyes closed one could see everything...if they only listened.

Kojirama sounded so right, and the more he spike, the better Kamui understood him, and felt a bond of kindred spirit, almost as if he had just met his older brother for the very first time. The younger man had to ponder if he was afraid of anything. Everyone was afraid of something after all. Perhaps what Kamui feared most was if he forgot the voices of the people he loved, but then again, he had never forgotten them yet, and he was sure he'd never forget Fumiko's voice.

The purple haired Senju allowed himself to mediate for a while longer, feeling the breeze, the flutter of birds' wings, hear the sounds of the village and the cemetery, and he just relaxed and he would focus not on the parts of his past that haunted him, but he would think of happiness, and he would think of what his goals were for the future.

For one thing, the Senju wanted to become an ANBU, and make the village even more secure than before, that way tragedies like kidnappings and murders would happen less often, and second of all, Kamui hoped to train a team of Genin, so that he could impart his knowledge of Shinobi Skills on to them and make them into truly wonderful shinobi. He also hoped that one day, he could find new love, and maybe even have a child of his own, but this thought conflicted with him, on the need to hold onto Fumiko's memories.

After an hour of meditation, Kamui came out of it, and he'd stretch and get up, and work out the kinks, and he'd say to Kojirama,

"I know what I have to do to make myself more at peace than I am now, and how to honor my Fumiko-Chan. I will keep defending Konoha, and make it a wonderful place, and I will help a new age to become strong, so they can follow their dreams too.", he said. He also added, feeling rather hungry, "What would you say to having some food?"

[340 WC]

After Kojirama had spoken his wisdom once more, he was partially glad that the other Senju remained silent for an hour.  Through that hour Kojirama’s managed to take in the surrounding sounds as his ears and mind remembered his fallen loved ones. His father’s greatness as a ninja, bestowing his knowledge upon him in his youth…His son’s brilliance as a ninja reminding him of both his father and himself…his brother…cut down in the prime of his life….his wife…his rock that had been with him through the tragedies that transpired years before….taken by something as little...yet as great as a flesh disease. Yet…it was this...all of this that had led him here…That had led him to find a true inner peace that not many others could find even through meditation…his meditation was so great…so fulfilling…it was the thread that held him together.

Near the end of the hour Kojirama had tears running down his cheek...but not from sadness. No…the mere happiness of the peace he had gotten to know. Had gotten to listen to...had gotten to see without seeing… Yes…the peace that the dead brought in this location was grand. It was his beautiful it was his majestic. It was his magnificent. Breaking the peace was the words of the other Senju, whom Kojirama had forgotten was there over the hour. "I know what I have to do to make myself more at peace than I am now, and how to honor my Fumiko-Chan. I will keep defending Konoha, and make it a wonderful place, and I will help a new age to become strong, so they can follow their dreams too. What would you say to having some food?"

Still not bothering to move Kojirama would answer the younger Jounin. “Not hungry…besides…we have company.” When Kojirama had been broken out of his meditation trance state, he had heard the feint sounds of someone else arriving. It was quick and near silent that only meant it was a skilled ninja that was use to such entrances. Still not bothering to move as the tears that had ran down his cheek were being washed away in the cold windy air, he would let the Anbu speak up first. “Koji-sama, the genins you requested are on their way. May I ask why you requested so many?” The white-haired Jounin continued to speak softly while remaining still. “You just did…I had planned to send the ones I did not connect with back to be revaluated…but…an alternative has approached itself. The young Jounin beside me here…Kamui Senju has just had a revelation…whomever is not chosen by me…will be chosen by him. Report this back to Kagura-san. There will be no genins sent back for reevaluation.” Without offering up a response the Anbu nodded and took his escape via a cloud of smoke.

This would be the moment when Kojirama finally broke his multi-hour long meditation session, opened his hours and got up to finally put a face to the voice and sounds he had heard from Kamui. Putting a hand on the young Jounin’s shoulders, Kojirama would speak. “I apologize if I put you in a sudden decision that you wished not to make. However, there is no time like the present and a ninja must always be ready to make snap decisions. Thus is the way of many things in a ninjas life…Ah, here comes but the first of the future generation. Look happy; don’t want to discourage the boy on the first day.” Patting him on the shoulder Kojirama would to and face the oncoming genin. Putting on a stern face, Kojirama would speak once again loud enough for the genin to him hom from his walking distance to the two Jounins. “You’re late. Lesson one. A late ninja is a lazy ninja. A lazy ninja is a dead ninja. It’s not good to be dead before you’ve even begun to sprout and grow.”

'A cemetery? Are you guys freaking serious!' The genin thought to himself, as he walked slowly to his destination. The early morning air touched Axel gently enough for him to shudder, as if someone had just touched him on his neck, which was rather uncomfortable, or maybe it was just uncomfortable at the moment because of the mood he was in. Apparently a Jounin called for Axel and other genin to meet with him, and the chestnut-haired boy assumed that it meant he would be getting a teacher. That was good and all, but Axel was angry because this jounin was forcing him to go to the same place that his mother's dead body was placed just a few years ago. He was not good at confrontations, even with dead people, so Axel walked as slowly as he could, holding back this fated meeting.

This morning, Axel had wore his usual attire, which was a white and green school-like overcoat, a gray collared shirt beneath it, and even a white T-Shirt underneath that, as Axel liked to keep himself nice and warm. He also wore black pants with a black belt, and black sneakers. As he neared the cemetary, he began to sprint, passing his mother's grave. He believed that it was not time to face her yet, but maybe in the future.

“You’re late. Lesson one. A late ninja is a lazy ninja. A lazy ninja is a dead ninja. It’s not good to be dead before you’ve even begun to sprout and grow,” Said a man that Axel now was waking towards, who was the very jounin that requested here. He had long white hair and had on black attire, and there was a man in robes with long purple hair.

"Sorry sir. I wasn't feeling that good, so I began walking slowly. I will take any form of punishment," Axel responded, smiling. He was now 5 meters away from the two, standing and facing them.

WC: 329

Kunai. Check. Shuriken. Check. Tags. Check. Smokes. Check. Katana. Check. Jin had neatly placed each item he needed in their pouch or sheath along a table, preparing for his big day where he would finally find a squad to join. The idea had sent shivers throughout, exciting him down to the very nerve as he did some last-minute exercises to get his body going. Slammed his leg into a hanging bag of beads, he watch as it swung to and fro from the force of his kick. Calming down so that his body wouldn't resort to crashing the bag through his home, he had heard a happy chime from below. Wrapping himself up in his equipment, with his pouches on the back of his waist and his sword resting over his right shoulder, he decided to rush down stairs for breakfast. "Oi! Don't eat so quickly, big day today!" Jin smiled, scarfing down his food even though he was warned not to eat like such. Leaving the dishes to his mother he saluted his parents before heading off. Dashing throughout the streets, he wondered who it would be he was meeting and where destiny will take him this time. A squad is essential, the bond and interaction between mates had been critical to team work and if they held back the team, he would adjust his tone. If they all found an equilibrium, his mind would be plenty-filled with joy.

Upon arriving within the area of meeting, he noticed he was coming upon the cemetery, which was quite the peculiar place to be recruited by a Jounin. He was arriving the same time as the other genin, and being told he was late made him shudder mentally, for he had already been disappointed in himself. "Oi! I apologize for being late, my parents held me up." he scratched the back of his head with his right hand, keeping it close to his blade in case the Jounin tried to test him. His left hand kept a the waist, with the left pouch on the waist un-buttoned for the same reason. He chuckled a bit, ready to finish his thought. "They cried a bit, their boy is growing up and all that jazz. I'm usually on-the-clock, but I can't blame them for almost strangling me with hugs." he was pretty open about his family, which he knew was a mistake but on the field he had no reason to talk of them. Taking his left hand away from his waist, he pointed a thumb at his chest, making a proud face. "My name is Jin. Jin Celebrimbor." Scanning his surroundings, he kept a smile on his face as he switched which hand pointed at his chest, keeping his left by the open pouch. "And I am going to be something one day. If Senpai is correct, no one can be anything if they are lazy. But me? Oh...I have no doubt in my mind." He kept a proud nature about him, adamant that he would indeed be something and not some nobody, lazy failure.

--

514 Words

Akane was pretty miffed. She had just gotten off of work and was ready to head to the training grounds to let off some steam. She had a series of crummy customers and wasn't feeling so hot at the moment. As soon as she left the doors, some guy in a white mask showed up and ordered her to the Cemetery of all places on the orders of some Senju with white hair or something. She didn't want to go here. She usually only visited the place once a year to honor her biological mother. She didn't need this crap.

And yet, it happened anyways. The adult gennin made her way there, pouting and had her arms crossed under her generous bust.  She entered the area they were all in and pointed at the jerk Senju who had the audacity to tell people what to do for no reason. He may be a superior officer, but he wasn't HER superior officer. "Hey! Some people have lives too you know? If you wanted to see me, you could have came to find me yourself. I was about to go train, you know..."

Frowning, she just stood there, not really caring about the other people. Usually, she was much friendlier, but she was pretty upset right now. She was having a bad day, and this guy decided to make it worse. Now she just wanted to go home and take a bath. Graveyards were so creepy.

[243 words]

It was about that time in the year when Sora would go over to his grandfather's grave at the cemetery in order to talk. Sometimes, he needed advice, and sometimes he just wanted a friend. He was feeling particularly down as he failed the Chuunin Exams. It seemed that his goal of freeing the branch members was simply out of his grasp for now. Sora tried his best to avoid facing his parents and talking about the issue..he couldn't stand to talk to them when he felt like such a failure. Thankfully, they both went on a mission that could take up to a month to complete so he had a little alone time to himself.

His attire that he was going to the cemetery with would be a bit casual. Fishnet that would cover his entire body with a solid black shirt underneath, along with black pants and some wooden sandals. His headband was wrapped neatly around his upper arm. Sora headed out of the house and into the streets.

Autumn was beautiful, but it made Sora a little sad as it reminded him of better days..days that were spent with his grandfather. The two fished together, gardened..all the fun stuff that a child should be doing. If he wasn't a shinobi, he could still live his life as a kid.

But did he regret becoming one? No..not really. It gave him the power to protect what was important to him. His family, the few friends he had, and justice.

Once he arrived at the graveyard, he noticed that more people were here then usual. But, for now, he chose to ignore them. His grandfather's graveyard was about two meters to the south of this group.

"Haha..hey grandad. I came here with some bad news..I failed the Chuunin Exams..but. I'll just do them again next year! I won't stop until I accomplish my goals.."

Sora took a momentary pause, and sighed, looking off into the distance.

"Sorry grandad..it's just..I didn't think I would fail. I thought I was ready..but, enough of that! I have some new moves I wanna show you! You'll totally be impressed! My skills are way above most other Genin!"

Settling into a boxer's stance, the target of Sora's attacks would be a rock about the same size as him. He threw a simple right jab, but it was one with enough power to shatter the rock..his punches moved fluidly, at the strength of a master...and the strength was obvious.

"I could break way bigger rocks, but ya know..I didn't want to disturb the peace! See ya later.."

Turning to leave, he saw someone familiar..Axel.

Wanting to confront his squad member about what happened at the exams, he walked over to him.

"Hey, Axel..I'm really sorry about the exams. If you hate me..I din't blame ya."

WC: 490

Jutsu Used
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Name: Boxing
Rank: B
Type: Taijutsu
Used For: Offensive
Element: None
Range: Self
Duration: Maintanable
Hand Seals/Charge up: None
Description: Getting into a standard Boxing Stance, the speed and strength of his hands are increased by an additional tier, Also, Jutsu under the "Boxing" branch of technique are increased by an additional rank.
Weakness: Unfortunately, the power of his kicks are lowered by a tier due to the lack of emphasis on kicks in boxing. But because footwork is so important in martial arts, it does not effect his speed. Also, the bonus only applies to punches.

Kamui had not expected the other Senju to do what he had planned. Obviously he'd been coordinating a meeting of Genin to come here to the cemetery today, most likely for his own choosing. AN ANBU had come via the Body Flicker Technique to report to Kojirama that the Genin he had requested were now on their way. The older Jounin had also given Kamui yet another lecture, telling him not to look gloomy. However, one thing Kojirama didn't know about this purple haired Senju was that he was a very optimistic man, and he smiled nearly all of the time, regardless if he was truly happy or not. He always seemed to be calm and serene, and now was no exception, in fact, the Senju prince was brimming with a very big smile right now, especially due to the fact that he now thought Kojirama to be a bit full of himself. Kamui didn't particularly like it when he had said, "Whomever is not chosen by me…will be chosen by him.", however, this was nothing to get truly angry with. He would let Kojirama play his game, and they would both see which Genin would be placed with what Sensei. It honestly didn't matter to Kamui. He just wanted to have the opportunity to teach and impart knowledge to others.

Not soon after, the Genin began to arrive in the cemetery. A total of four Genin showed up. There were three boys and one woman, whom wasn't too much younger than Kamui himself, but he'd try not to think too much on how she looked appealing. Besides, he couldn't let go of Fumiko's memories now, could he?

The man looked upon each of the Genin, smiling lightly, his face full of calm and peace. He would get up onto his feet, boy his head slightly, and he'd say to all of them at once, "Konichiwa, Genin of Konoha. I am Senju Kamui, Jounin of Konoha, at your service, and this is my new friend, Senju Kojirama. I believe he has summoned you. For the purpose is to be placed on a squad." , he said, and he'd look at them, expecting them to introduce themselves back, as was common courtesy.

[370 WC]

As the first of several genin arrived, Kojirama was impressed with that of the first whom responded to his late remark with that of a disciplined attitude and response. Kojirama cracked a smile at the chestnut haired boy. Now that’s a proper response I want to hear. The next to arrive shortly behind that one was slightly less impressive at first but having been a parent himself, he understood the excuse the boy who introduced himself as  Jin Celebrimbor had. The young boy impressed Kojirama with his last remark showing his utmost confidence. It was good to have confidence, however those who boast highly of it with constant effect were usually looked down upon, especially if they were unproven genin.

The next to arrive after the two males was a slightly older looking female, who seemed to ‘have a life’ and didn’t need to follow the protocol of a prompt-to meeting. Heh…feisty, old, and seemingly uncaring. I can see why she’s still a genin… before the next genin would arrive he would comment on the impromptu female genin’s comment. “Fellow genins...let it be known that this aged genin has a life and doesn’t see it necessary for her to follow the rules of anyone but herself...on the account of her solo training… Now…as genins you may not truly know this but you are the supposed future of this village. You as ninjas have taken oaths to protect, serve, and love this village as if the entire village was your whole family. This could be seen as an unnecessary work to some…” He would glare at the elder female genin. “But it is much more than that. All around us are the shinobis and civilians of this village who relied on their skills as a shinobi or the skills of others to protect them while they lived. Some failed...some managed to die peacefully after their long-time success. One of our duties as Jounins is to make sure you are trained well enough to have the skills so that the latter happens. Sometimes as a ninja one must set aside their selfish needs in order to see to the needs of others. That is why there are squads. That is why there is a village here today.”

Another genin would arrive, but stop and pay tribute to one of the graves and then proceeded to crush a nearby rock. As the genin then made his way to the group that had gathered, holding his arms out to signal the graves around them, he would finish talking for the moment with a last statement. “You may have wondered why a meeting of Sensei-less genin would happen at a graveyard. Theirs several reasons to that question. One, I myself find it a place of peace, those of you who are taken under my wing will come to know that I seek peace quite a lot. Two, it serves as a reminder. A reminder that a lot of people have lost there lives defending, protecting and serving this great village. We often pay homage to lost loved ones by visiting here…but the real...the best way to pay homage to the ones you may have lost is to honor them by living… and doing what they did. Let the memories of those that are lost strengthen your resolve to make sure you do the best damn job possible as a shinobi…so that you can make sure that this cemetery… stays less occupied and the houses and establishments out there” he pointed to the surrounding homes and compounds that were around the cemetery “Stay more filled. That is your responsibility as a shinobi.”

Kojirama would lower his arms back to his side and become silent as the other Jounin stepped up and greeted the genins and in turn introduced them and made the point that they were there to be placed in squads under the two. After his fellow cousin finished his greeting, Kojirama would briefly speak again. “Each of you genin...introduce yourself and tell us what made you want to become a shinobi.”

After Axel, two more genin came. One, a boy who seemed very nice and who had goals that he believed would one day be accomplished. His name was Jin Celebrimbor. The other, a woman who looked like an adult with a feisty attitude that Axel did not like much. Once the three of them were here, the white-haired jonin began speaking about what it meant to be a shinobi, which made Axel feel like he was needed, even though he had a long way to go. After that, Axel noticed Sora Hyuga bash a rock in then he came over to the group, and began to talk to Axel.

"Hey, Axel..I'm really sorry about the exams. If you hate me..I din't blame ya." The black-haired genin said. Though Axel was a little mad that he and his team failed the chunin exams,  he did not want to blame anyone, as they were all responsible in a way. Instead, he learned from their mistakes, and did not look back.

"Don't worry Sora. I never blamed you dude, and I would be more than happy if you stuck around for this. Two jonin are recruiting us," Axel replied, smiling at his friend. After that, the jonin in robes introduced himself as Kamui Senju,and he also introduced the white-haired jonin as Kojirama Senju. Axel was surprised by that, since the senju were a prestigious clan in the village, and that he would be able to choose between the two, having a squad leader by the end of the day most likely, unless they did not like him, but Axel doubted that. Atleast he didn't have the attitude of the red-haired girl. Axel thought she was hot, but too grumpy. Kojirama then gave the genin the reason they were in a graveyard, and that calmed Axel down about the whole location situation. Kojirama also asked the genin to introduce themselves, and to give the reason they wanted to become shinobi.

"Ok then. I am Axel Rover, and that is an interesting question Kojirama sir. There are multiple reasons that I am what I am today. I always thought it was cool to be a shinobi learning all of these neat powers and whatnot, but as I grew up, I realized that being a shinobi was not all about just having power. They are able to protect those who need it the most, and save their home land from those who use the power for eveil, as well as annihilating this evil. As a shinobi, I am dedicated to the land of fire, and will risk my life for it's people. Now, I am not going to be cliche and say that I want to be the hokage, but I want to be someone that everyone knows and cheers for. I know that that last part may be a little selfish, but hey, there is a bonus to everything, right?" Axel replied, smiling to the jonin. He hoped that they liked him, because otherwise he would be in a very depressed state, having not had a squad for a year of being a genin.

WC: 523

Jin had looked at the girl who approached with an attitude without external fury, but the idea that she would end up with him was sickening for she would only hold the team back from their true potential. He was not a man who held acceptance for the lack of discipline that this girl represented, and he'd be more than willing to force her into submission and teach her to respect superiors such as Jounin. But it was not his time, nor right, nor was it appropriate in any situation. He noticed a boy walking up after crushing rock, striking him as someone who might be slightly pretentious but never-the-less displayed qualities of a ninja. Looking back at the Jounin, he entered a comfort zone where he didn't require himself to resort to ninja tools in case there was a test, but the pressure he had on his stance allowed for a quick reaction. Smiling once more, he had become excited that the Jounin had confirmed his suspicions - he was truly going to join a squad. "Why did I become a ninja? Well, let's start with the simple reason - my parents. They pushed me, I succeeded, but that was just the early stages of development and I had those dreamer parents who wished greatness in me. But my reasons now are far from being as simple - I am truly a ninja because I want to make change in some way, shape or form no matter my visibility to this nation and this world."

Jin had a warm smile, not one overly-pumped with joy or pride, but one of memory and experience that has led him this far to consider such a thing. To consider himself a leader for the future, to consider himself a game-changer and a world-mover...in development. "I am a domino, yes, and we all are to be honest. But I have no doubt in my mind that through sacrifice, ambition, cooperation and hope I can extend my will to this village and beyond. I am a small being with a big mind in terms of my dreams, but the clouds are not my threshold - it's my own ethic and my own will of fire that is. One day, we will be in your position, and one day we will pay our respects to you as the mentors who led us to our future. But I hope more than following a path of duty, I hope more than just following a path of righteousness. No, I want to carve paths. I want to see smiles everywhere whether they have no direction or they know who to direct them at - the heroes I contribute to or am apart of. I want to help carve paths for the future, to lead my generation, but I don't believe leading literally is the only way. There are always examples that must be made. There are always the role of a model that can be more than enough, or there are the shadows that catch everyone when they are falling. A ninja can be those things, the shadow or the light as long as they can achieve the goals of a boy's ambition." Jin kept a smile on his face, but reflected deeply on his own words as he considered that all of these thoughts had existed - they were just sub-conscious. He never truly told himself what he had just said, but deep down he felt it was true and deep down he felt that he had always felt this way. Regardless of his parents' actions, he always felt the need to set an example or help from the darkness, to abide by the law or break it for the greater good. The simple aspects of hero, no matter how blind they were. Blindness doesn't matter in the light of nobility.

--

641 Words

After yelling a little bit, Akane felt a lot better. She never was able to stay angry or long, and her temper was cooled a bit. She was just frustrated. She calmed down a little, but then that jounin who called them there opened her mouth again and she was not impressed. He called her out, trying to humiliate her for being human. She's rather have a personality then be a drone like him. He just seemed like an ass, ordering people around, even his fellow Jounin and ANBU. He spoke of setting aside their selfish needs. Yea right. While they were shinobi, they were also human beings. She had to pay for her apartment and keep up training. She may have been just a gennin, but that was because she spent most of her time training at the hospital.

He was really self-centered. He spoke as if a graveyard was peaceful. It may have been to him, and she accepted that, but for him to think it was a proper meeting place because he felt that way without any regard to anyone else's feelings was plain stupid in her opinion. She hated the graveyard. it reminded her of what she lost. Her mother. Her real mother, anyway. She had come to terms with that, but the graveyard was an ugly reminder of that for her. He spoke of using people's deaths to strengthen her resolve. She didn't believe in that. No, she found her resolve in the living. The dead were dead. Nothing more than that. She trained and lived to keep Konoha standing and strong. The people living in it were Konoha too her, and that was what she worked to protect.

Then he asked what they had become shinbi for. Axel's response was pretty generic. It was a pretty basic reason, but it was good enough, really. It was admirable, but she felt it was kind of bland. Plus, he really seemed to be kissing ass. That was kind of lame. Then Jin spoke up. He was pretty long winded, but not as annoyingly long as the Senju. Still, she liked his reasoning. He wanted to make people smile. That was admirable, as was him wanting to be a role model. Both of them had plenty of room to grow, and she wondered how they would turn out some day.

"Konoha is my home," she began firmly after everyone finished speaking. She was feeling a little more cheerful now. She still didn't like the location, but she could deal with that. "I became a ninja so that I could protect and guide others. I joined the ninja forces to protect others. Mainly, I did it because my mother. If there were more medic ninja around, maybe she would have lived. I'm grateful for family and all, but still- she was my mother. So I want to stop as many deaths as I can. Leave No One Behind- that's my ninja way as Akane Uzumaki." She finished her little speech and nodded to them. Her voice had been passionate about what she spoke. It was how she felt, after all. It made her feel a little better too.

[527 words]

Sora felt much more at peace now that he knew his friend Axel didn't blame him for the Chuunin Exams. Sighing in relief, he decided that he would stay with the group of Genin and adults to see which Jounin he would prefer to have as a sensei.. It wasn't like he had anything else to do today.

Listening to his friend's motivations for becoming a shinobi, Sora nodded, very pleased at what he heard. He was glad that the few friends he had seemed like they would stick around forever.

Next, were two Genin that he didn't know very much about. Everyone seemed to be agitated around the red haired girl, although Sora had no clue why. Perhaps it had something to do with the yelling he'd heard earlier...he was just simply to busy talking to his grandfather.

"Well..I guess it's my turn to speak."

"But before I speak about why I chose to be a Genin.."

Sora turned to Kojirama, a little annoyed that this was in a graveyard setting.

"Mister..I don't mean to be rude, but I personally disagree with you choosing to bring us to a graveyard. I'm sure a few of us aren't comfortable with this setting. We aren't honoring the dead...we're just needlessly disturbing them by doing this. Couldn't his have been done at the ramen shop...."

Sora took in a deep breath, his eyes staring at the ground. He hated the feeling of people looking at him, and he knew that he didn't make himself any less of a target by speaking out his mind against the sensei like that.

Now everyone will think I'm some rude boy without any manners..oh boy..

"First, to understand why I chose to become a shinobi, you have to know what clan I'm apart of...I'm in the Hyuuga clan, apart of the main family. As a child, I got bullied...and seeing the main members bullying the branch members..it made me sick. But it made me realize I had the power to change things to the way they should be using my status in the clan..so, I became a shinobi so I can eventually fight the leader of my clan and change the ways of the Hyuuga for the better. Honestly, I don't know what I want to do after that...perhaps I'll travel the world, throwing the bad guys in jail..especially shinobi who abuse their power..they won't have any mercy from me."

He didn't want to say anymore. Bowing down, he moved behind Axel and began to whisper in his ear, low enough so that no one else could hear.

"Hey Axel, do you know any of these Genin? I was a bit of a nerd back in the academy..I don't really know anybody that well, haha."

WC: 479

Kojirama would tune his ears to the first one to speak, it was the one who had arrived first as well as had the manners that all young shinobi must have if they were going to be under his tutelage. With his answer Kojirama would get to know the kid a little bit better. As the young boy went on telling his name and his motivation to become a ninja, Kojirama would be impressed as he continued to show graceful manners at the start of his answer. Yet, the answer would get to be generic in a sense he saw the inexperience in the young genin as well as the great potential. When he finished, Kojirama’s overall impression of the boy known, as Axel Rover was that he had the potential to be a pretty great shinobi. Kojirama would keep his answer in mind as the next person started to speak.

The next speaker’s speech and determination in the boys voice would impress Kojirama the most as the genin known as Jin Celebrimbor spoke with the words of an elder sage such as himself. Even his first genin team, which included his own son, did not have the ability to wisely speak like this young boy in front of him did. To Kojirama it seemed the boy was wiser beyond his years and that not only helped a normal person with living but also that of a shinobi. Kojirama was surely impressed with this young man and would like to see how he faired in combat.

The next speaker was the girl who seemed to have a chip on her shoulder, she did however impress Kojirama with her words of becoming a medic and that Konoha was her home. Leave no one behind...that was a motto Kojirama could get behind and see. Medical ninjas were just as important as those that actively fought with the traditional three styles of the ninja art. Those ninjas were the medical lifeline one could say, while they were not the heart or the muscles...they were the blood cells that kept everything moving and alive. Kojirama was glad to see that the elder girl known as Akane Uzumaki had that way.

The next and last person to speak was the young boy who had crushed a rock earlier, and what Kojirama expected to hear first was his name or the reason he became a shinobi but instead...instead the young dumb genin spoke out about the places setting as if what Kojirama had said earlier went through one ear and out the other. The boy did not even introduce himself either instead choosing to have his nindo set on a pseudo act of vengeance on the Hyuuga clan and then when his supposed act of vengeance was done he would…travel the world throwing bad guys in jail? Was this guy new to how the world worked? The young dumb genin then decided to whisper to another genin, here this genin talked of his supposed rudeness with the choice of location and then had the audacity to be rude himself almost immediately after calling him out on it? After the boy had finished his whispering Kojirama would speak.

“First off…I applaud the answers from nearly all of you. I hope you each hold onto those reasons as just not a shinobi but a citizen of this village. Axel Rover, your intellects of manners impress me. Your ninja way may seem generic and plain to a lot of people, but a lot of people are not you.  Your ideals and mere presence is enough to set you apart from not just everyone here or in this village, but the world. No one shinobi is the same…each have their philosophies, their experience, and their past to set them apart from another…And you…Jin Celebrimbor, one quality a ninja must have in order to exceed past their genin rank is leadership. Leadership in and of itself can have many varying aspects… but one such aspect is speaking out and going above and beyond the age of one’s years with their words. You Mr.Celebrimbor have done that hear today. With the words you have spoken of your nindo shows to me that you can one day inspire other ninjas around you, if you haven’t already, and that is what being a great ninja is all about. Very impressive Mr.Celebrimbor.”

Kojirama would then turn his eyes to the eldest of the group, Akane Uzumaki and continue speaking. “You miss Uzumaki I’ll admit… did little to impress me when you first approached…but… hearing your nindo has reminded me that those with a fiery and independent soul can be a true difference maker on and off the battlefield. Those that journey into the medical field are many times the lifeline of a team...though they may lack the heart or the muscle to battle like those of a typical shinobi within the three main ninja arts, they to me are the blood cells that keep that heart going or that keeps those muscles in shape. That to me Akane uzumaki...is also the signs of a great future ninja.”

Turning his eyes to the very last genin in the blue clothes, the one who had been the only one to not mention who he was, Kojirama would speak. “And then there’s you…You question my choice of the location of our meeting and call it rude and say I’m not honoring these graves but needlessly dishonoring them…However before you even arrived here you smashed a rock and literally littered the surrounding graves with unneeded fragments of rock and dust which had otherwise not been there to begin with…And also immediately after finishing what I thought was a very poorly spoken and flawed nindo you turn to the shinobi next to you and whisper in his ear..It makes me wonder…what is your definition of rude? To me…Rude is not only talking abruptly for no reason and hiding those words as if you have something to hide or have against the others in your presence but also the actions to desecrate other graves just to, I assume, impress the one in front of you… To me...genin who even failed to give there name…that…is one of the definitions that I define as rude. Now…onto your evaluation of your nindo…” Kojirama would pause for a second to gather his breath befor ehe began to speak again.

“I find that one’s clan should not define them as a ninja. Ninjas are so diverse, as I told to young Axel here earlier, that if you were apart of even one of the biggest clans in the ninja world or you were an orphaned kid that had never had any family of any kind, everyone has the opportunity to become a ninja. I am sorry that as a kid you were bullied...but not knowing why you were bullied as not many, if any besides you, main hyuuga branch members are bullied, so I cannot particularly comment on that...But that very power that you have because of your main branch status should not be the power you need to change they way things are run. It is because of that power in the past and right now that has your clan divided. It does always need power to change power. Yet you also talk of using that power to change the hyuuga for the better…I’m curious to know…what is your idea of better? Is it full equality no matter the branch? How would you handle that? Would you not abuse your power to make that happen?” Kojirama would take a few breathes before continuing to rip apart the young man’s nindo.

“Your talk of throwing people in jail...and traveling the world in doing so...is that not an abuse of power? The same power you wish to get rid of is the same power that is giving you the motion to move forward young one. Not only would traveling the world make you not one of this village and thus severely hurting your chances of getting or staying head of your clan...but it also would not give you this sudden sense of world justice of power to throw others you deem as abusive of their own power in jail…What jail are you speaking of exactly? Surely not the one here because we do not specifically seek out random troublemakers in other parts of this world just to throw them in our jail…If it was my decision young one, I would send you back to the academy to rearrange your ideals and hope that you try and learn more than what you know now cause clearly...to me...it isn’t much.”

Taking another long breath he would speak yet again albeit keep it pretty quick. “Since this was my plan to begin with…I will be choosing the shinobis I think would fit best with the current Jounins here…” Looking at Jin Celebrimbor he would speak quickly. “You, Jin, you’re under me.” He then would look at the other three and again keep his words quick. “You other three…are going to my younger cousin here. May the three of you learn and hold true to what this shinobi will teach you. After spending only an hour with him I know he has much to teach each of you and I hope you adhere to at least...most of it.” Kojirama would then remain silent offering any rebuttals to what he had just long widened spoke of. For a shinobi given the white noise moniker, he was certainly anything but in the speeches he gave here today.

Sora, Axel, and Akane would become his Genin Students. This was fine with this Senju, even if he didn't like the "selection process" that Kojirama came up with. The purple haired Senju had silently thought about what qualities each of these Genin had, and yes, they could be forged into wonderful Shinobi, and with some guidance, and with some effort, team work, and willpower, they would strive and succeed, and they'd overcome their own limitations. Kamui believed this. He had nothing much to say here either, in the Cemetery.

However, he would be beaming with a gentle happiness, and he'd nod to his students, and he'd begin walking past them, leading the way out of the Cemetary. It was time to let Uzumaki Fumiko's soul rest, and it was time for him to start back on the road to the future, to pave the way for his students. He turned his head simply, waving back to his cousin, and he said loud enough for his three students to hear,

"Well then, come on. We'll get of here, and get to know each other elsewhere, shall we?"

[185 WC] [1888 total WC] [188 Ryo gained]

[Exit]

"Oh, Kamui will be my squad leader? Cool," Axel responded with a smile. Finally he had someone to lead him and go on missions with. Shortly after Koji announced who would be with who, Kamui suggested to his squad members to continue talking elsewhere.

"Alright, let's go. I will see you later, Celebrimbor and Kojirama!" Axel shouted as he ran after his leader, not wanting to be left behind, ever again.

EXIT

WC: 72

Blowing off the white haired dude, Akane nodded and followed her new sensei and team. Blah blah blah. Don't feel like making an awesome post. She left, exiting the area with them. She was no longer by the place with dead people and some living ones. Gone.

[47] [817 total] [80 ryo gained]

Kojirama would nod to all those leaving, hoping the future was bright for them all. Being a shinobi was tough…the graves here showed that. But with the right teachers...the right principals…the future had the potential to be in great hands. One just simply had to...believe. Turning around and facing another long set of graves Kojirama would sit down, crossing his legs and getting into his meditation stance once again. Taking a few moments to relax his mind and breathing he would peacefully smile and let out a few words. “Peace…Peace once again.”

[OOC: Even though Kojirama is staying to meditate in the area this is essentially the exit post. 3,872 Total thread WC]