[center][color=f49ac2][h1]Asuka Koizumi[/h1][/color][/center]

It was finally morning. As the sun rose up from its midnight slumber, rays of orange and yellow spread themselves across the Hidden Leaf. The lively early light grew brighter as time passed, shining over the newly blossomed sakura tree in the Koizumi training grounds. A gust of wind picked up, blowing the dirt surface up into dust.

Then, a loud 'clang' sounded, quickly fading into the morning silence.

[b]“You’re doing well so far,”[/b] a low, hoarse voice said. [b]“I’m sure in a few weeks time you’ll be able to perfect this technique. You learn fast, Asuka.”[/b]

The young girl that stood in front of the aged clan member raised her head, her thick black bangs sticking to her forehead. She stood up, wiping the sweat off with her left hand and clutching her white hilted sword in her right. Taking large gulps of air into her lungs, Asuka sheathed her sword, trying to restrain herself from looking like an exhausted old dog.

[color=f49ac2]“Thank you, grandfather,”[/color] she replied, flattening out her clothes. [color=f49ac2]“I’m sure this training will be of great value to me in the near future.”[/color]

The elderly man smiled, sheathing his sword also. [b]“It will, Asuka, trsut me. But, with a technique as powerful as this, harsh training must come before it. After all, practise makes perfect.”[/b]

The young Koizumi nodded, the breeze blowing her sweat soaked hair. She straightened her posture, returning the man a gentle smile. Asuka knew that these intense weeks of training were going to pay off soon, and being able to see her grandparents satisfied with her efforts once she did continued to drive her forward.

[color=f49ac2]“Of course, Grandfather, I will do my best. Once my training has been completed, I will be sure to show you the final result.”[/color]

~

Soon after she had washed and eaten, Asuka was out of the house, saying goodbye to her grandparents and slinging her shoulder bag over her shoulder. With her sword strapped to her back and her sharp amber eyes glaring with intensity, Asuka made her way across the dirt road to the Academy, the scroll that had been handed to her previously clutched in her hand. 

Gazing at the blossoming sakura trees as she passed by, Asuka let out a small sigh. She was most definitely excited, but wasn’t as keen as to show her excitement for the entire world to see. Displaying such behaviour was something her clan opposed greatly; being polite and proper was just they way they did things. Even as much as forgetting to put an honorific at the end of someone’s name could earn you a scolding. Well, from those of the Koizumi clan anyways. Asuka, being one of them, was well known for ‘correcting’ people from their mistakes… It wasn’t just the pale skin and piercing eyes that scared people.

A small breeze picked up, blowing the pale pink petals into a gentle dance. Asuka’s lips curved up, walking a bit slower to examine this spectacular display. She’d always had a love for the spring. The cherry blossom trees were enthralling to watch, and Asuka was happy to know that her clan represented the beauty and grace of the spring season.

[color=f49ac2]“Maybe I should go for a little walk once we’re done with introductions… Yes, that would be nice.”[/color]

Finally, Asuka arrived at the Academy. Although she took her time whilst travelling over to her destination, she was still on time. As she walked into the building, she saw the other soon-to-be shinobi gossiping in their groups and sharing scrolls with each other. Excited cheers and disappointed groans could be heard as they stared at their scrolls, complaining about the new squad formations. Even Asuka was a little worried too. Was she going to be in a squad with any of her friends? Or some random person from the back of the classroom? As long as she was put in with someone that she was acquainted with, Asuka wouldn’t be bothered in the least.

Asuka stood in front of the door, hesitating to open it for a moment. This was it. She was about to become a fully-fledged kunoichi. Tightening her hair tie and straightening her back, the Koizumi girl entered, gracefully entering the room. Asuka fixed her eyes on her new sensei, immediately noticing his current, unconscious position. The girl’s eyes narrowed a bit, sighing softly.

[color=f49ac2][i]This is not the way a Jonin should be behaving… Well, sitting, more like. At least take your feet off the table… Just where on earth is your respect, hm?[/i][/color]