[center][color=82ca9d]Haitani Hyuuga[/color][/center]

[color=82ca9d]"Mother, I'm leaving now."[/color]

Haitani gripped the handle of the front door, heart tight from the graduation ceremony that would take place today. His mind had been on it for a month now and he could barely focus at times. It was truly a fascinating moment for him indeed. Many acknowledged that he was a brilliant genin to be able to advance as far as he had with the illness that plagued him. Eyes full of darkness unable to see the world for the beauty that lived within it. Most shinobi would give up their dreams but Haitani was not one to fail without trying even if he was mostly doing it for his dad. A single tear formed in the corner of his right eye, heavy as if it was made from steel. The tear rolled slightly down his cheek and another almost formed until he felt a warm body push against his back. Slender arms wrapped around his body tenderly. The warm feeling of his mother and one that instantly stopped the tears. 

"Me and your father made the perfect son. I'm so proud of you. Go and enjoy your graduation. Become the man you were meant to be." Hitomi's words reverberated throughout her son's body, "I believe in you." Those last four words hit Haitani like a ton of bricks, bricks made of love. Words so comforting that all his worries left his mind. 

[color=82ca9d]"I'm off, Mom."[/color] Haitani finally opened the door to see Tetsuo waiting for him to help him get to the Academy. Haitani could make it himself but it was always nice to have help and rely on his friend. 

[i]Later at the Academy[/i]

Eyes peering into nothingness, heart beating intensely, Haitani listened intently to the students rambling about graduation. A few of the kunoichi spoke shy greetings to the blind hyuuga, a thing that had always made him wonder. Why would the girls really be into a blind man? He was always told that he was a handsome individual or freakishly sexy by those that were jealous but he never could see why. It mattered little to him during such a crucial period of his life. Women were goal number two whilst ascending in the ranks of the ninja was truly his main goal. A goal he shared with his best Tetsuo. It was odd how the two met at a informal get-together between the Hyuuga and Senju. Two boys just looking for mischief. Ever since that day Haitani always had trust in Tetsuo. Tetsuo was always more then his friend but his brother, someone that was willing to put up Haitani. From fights to dinner, Haitani and Tetsuo were inseparable. He smiled at the thoughts of the past, ignoring the Hokage seemed to trail on endlessly. The Hokage didn't catch the young heir's attention until it was about the teams. 

The boy listened as intently as ever before ready to see if he'd be with his best friend. He never heard Tetsuo and his name together. It was a plus that he got to be in the same team as Ryu Uchiha, another friend to the Hyuuga. Ryu was a kind individual that treated Haitani like any other person, never condescending nor treating him like he needed help but just giving it. It would be a nice departure. Tetsuo, on the other hand, was the person he wanted to be on a team with the most. They had spent nearly 8 years perfecting their fighting style together and could pretty much use teamwork without any words. Now Haitani would have to abandon that to work on, what will be awkward, teamwork with others. The Chunnin Exams became a huge thought in his mind. The exams were a battleground against those you trained with and Tetsuo would no doubt be his opponent. Tetsuo knew every one of Haitani's weaknesses but regardless Haitani would be ready. A smile formed on his lips before activating his byakugan for a moment. The white eyes peering at Tetsuo, who sat behind Haitani. 

[color=82ca9d]Team 9 but I'll be number one, Tetsuo."[/color] 

[i]Presently at the meeting location west of the village[/i]

It was a wonder how the blind kid made it to the meeting location before everyone else. Actually it was kind of impossible but that was the kind of guy that Haitani was. He made his blindness seem irrelevant and he might have had a small guide in a villager but that wasn't the point. His nose caught the faint scent of his teacher, and his ears could pick on his steady breathing. Shi Norohara was the jounin's name, a name that was known throughout Konoha though not as a legend but more so as a warning. Haitani could make out what the man might look like and his mind sure did wonder. He could only picture Shi being about 7'10" with long black hair and huge muscles big enough to crush metal in his pecs. Shi was the complete opposite of that. 

[color=82ca9d]Thank you for taking the time to train me, Norohara-San."[/color] Haitani did a light bow before taking a seat on the ground, missing the rock entirely.