As the sun rose, a single ray shone in through an open window in Mikio's house and slowly crept across his face until he was wrested from his sleep, seeing only bright red even with his eyes closed. He wasn't really much of a morning person, but not the kind of guy who would sleep forever either. He did stay in bed for few minutes looking around the room, letting his eyes slowly get used to being open and breathing in the fresh morning air. 

Once he decided to get up he was fully clothed and had a piece of bread in his hand within a minute with the almost blinding speed of someone who does the same thing every morning. He ate the bread as he walked outside, crossed his small patch of vegetables and continuing on until he came to his own private well. The well had been an important part of the house back when he'd first bought it with a few friends from the orphanage. Having half a score sweaty and exhausted ninjas-more-or-less-in-training at the same time without direct access to cool and fresh water would've been hell. He grabbed the rope and threw in the bucket, far below it hit the surface with a splash that gave a slight echo as it travelled up to Mikio. He then pulled, hearing the satisfying sound of water drops dripping from the bucket and back into the water. The mere sound made him feel a bit refreshed. When the bucket finally reached him he lifted it up and drank five huge gulps in one breath, spilling cold water on his chest at the same time. The coldness spread through his body and as he was done he couldn't help but give a satisfied "aah". 

He washed the sleep off his face and turned to his vegetables. They were growing nicely, and would feed him for most of the year if he only tended to them properly. He dipped his hand in the bucket, grabbed some water and threw it out over the patch, effectively recreating a very short but intense rain. He pulled out a few weeds absent-mindedly and suddenly froze as he heard running steps approach. As opposed to most people, who tense up when they are caught in a fight-or-flight moment most experienced martial artists, such as ninjas, relax instead. A relaxed muscle can move faster and that fraction of a second can save lives. The steps disappeared and Mikio realised that they had probably come from a couple of runners on the road, on the other side of his house. It was a pretty popular path, but sometimes the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps of unseen people sent shivers down his spine. He'd dropped his bowl of food a few days ago just because some kid had rather hastily decided to take a break right outside his home. 

Mikio left the garden, he didn't have the motivation any more. He went back into the house and looked at the clock. He had an appointment at the school in an hour to teach basic throwing techniques to the youngest. He'd be really early, but getting out of the house would help dissipate the uneasy feeling he'd gotten. Besides, he could train at the school before the kids showed up, it would probably be good for them to actually see someone who knew what they were doing first, maybe one of the more perceptive ones would pick up a clue from the way he flicked his wrist or something. He grabbed his pouch which held his small supply of standard ninja equipment, which was what the kids were training with, and with a broad happy smile on his face he left his house and started to walk down the path that lead to the village proper. The school was on the other end of it, so he'd have a chance to watch the marketplace on the way there, maybe he'd set aside some fresh fish for later.