[center][b][color=00746b][h1]Keita Ryuukaze[/h1][/color][/b][/center]

The night before had been terrible for Keita. Not only because he was nervous about the next day but he was worried. Despite having flawlessly passed the practical exam to become a genin, he was worried that maybe he wasn't quite as ready to face the real world as he originally thought he would be. What if he messed up? What if he failed his team? What if he.. what if he died? The only thing he could have done was tell his wild thoughts to get a hold of itself and force himself to sleep. The next day the sound of birds were what had broken him from his troubled slumber. It had been nearly 2am when he had finally managed to force his thoughts under control long enough for him to get a modicum of rest, but he still didn't feel like he'd gotten enough.

There was a knock on his door: [b]"Keita-sama. It is time to wake up. Your team assignment is today,"[/b] the sound of one the resident maids came through the door.

[color=00746b]"Coming,"[/color] he mumbled, but he was sure the woman heard him for she knocked and said no more. The walls were paper thin in the traditional home, after all. Keita forced himself out of bed and got ready. Brushing his teeth woke him to at least a semi-normal state of awareness. Once dressed, he headed for the kitchen where the time was on the wall. It was still early so he could afford to sit down and have breakfast. However, Keita didn't like to. Morning meals meant sitting with his parents and that also meant he had to interact with them. Don't get him wrong, he loved his mother, but his relationship was somewhat strained with that of his dad. Their conversations with each other tended to be short and clipped, and despite his mother's best efforts, the routine could never change.

As was expected, his parents were already at the table. He kissed his mother's cheek in greeting, earning him a smile. [color=00746b]"Good morning, Mother,"[/color] he told her and sat beside her before nodding at his dad who sat at the head of the table, [color=00746b]"Father."[/color]

[b]"Good morning, sweetie."[/b]

His father's answer was a noncommittal grunt. 

Nothing more was said and only the clinking of dishes filled the void of silence that had filled the dining area. His mother cleared her throat when it got to be too much for her. [b]"So, dear, today is your team assignment. Are you excited?"[/b]

[color=00746b]"Delighted,"[/color] he mumbled, sarcastically.

[b]"Oh, I am sure it is not so bad,"[/b] she reassured, while sending meaningful glances at her husband. Ryuusei said nothing, however. She sighed.

[color=00746b]"It might not be,"[/color] Keita mumbled, ignoring his dad as he spread jam and cream cheese onto his toast. He shook his head and set the knife down. [color=00746b]"I'm probably over-reacting."[/color]

Meta smiled and reached over to pet his head, something that generally annoyed him because it made him feel like a child, but today was different. He needed the soothing touch. [b]"It's fine, dear. It's normal to be nervous on the first day. You're a genin now and you will be given lots of responsibilities, but nothing you have not done before. I know you will surpass even your own expectations." She paused. "I know your sister would have been proud."[/b]

Keita felt a small bubble of pride in his chest at her words. He smiled. [color=00746b]"Thank you, Mother."[/color]

Breakfast was finished quickly and the two maids came in to clear the table as Keita stood up to go to his room and gather up his gear. He paused as he reached for his sister's scroll. Would he need it? He doubted it. They were only meeting their jounin-sensei today, but one could never be too sure. But he also didn't have space and unless they were going on a mission outside of the gates he didn't want to have to take a whole backpack with him in order to conceal its presence. In the end, he left it. Hopefully, he wouldn't regret it. He left his room, fully geared and headed for the front door. Before he could, however, his father's voice stopped him:

[b]"Keita."[/b]

He looked back to see the man standing at the opening of the hall. 

Keita raised his eyebrow, though he remembered to remain respectful. [color=00746b]"Yes, father?"[/color]

Blue eyes watched him for a moment, then inclining his head said, [b]"...Good luck."[/b]

The well wish was short, but in those two words, Keita felt there was so much more being said. He smiled minimally and bowed. 

[color=00746b]"Thanks."[/color]

[hr]

Despite his aloof appearance, Keita was quite excited as much as he was impatient in his seat. He did not suffer restless leg syndrome nor did he shift around like the other kids in the classroom while waiting for his name to be called, but it was something close. The hairs on his arm pointing sky high belied his otherwise calm demeanor. Keita was a friendly person. And as such, he had lots of friends to choose from, others he spoke with as just acquaintances, and still some he only saw on occasion. Momo Sakurai who sat at the window was of those he spoke to rarely but she did seem nice if a bit eccentric. He didn't see Rima. Perhaps he was running late? Overall, he didn't think he would be put on a bad team and could only hope he did his best to not hold them back. 

Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to meditate. Getting all jumpy now wouldn't make the instructor's role calling move any faster, so he preoccupied himself by talking amicably with his friends until one by one, they all were assigned and he was left with others he didn’t otherwise know. But he wasn’t bothered. Talking helped him to focus and pretty soon he was over being nervous. Whatever happens, happens, he could do nothing to change that and so he resigned himself to knowing that he would just do his best. He had worked hard for this day. There was no reason to believe he would fail. He imagined his sister sitting up front with the instructor, possibly cajoling her into letting him be on a good team. She looked up and a smile appeared on her pale features, an encouraging one that told him he could do it.

And he believed it.