[center][img]https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/square_small/8/80630/1860058-rider.png[/img]
[h1][s][color=a187be]Kiku[/color][/s][/h1]
[sub]Interaction with: [@Syn] [@Odin] [@Spanner]  -- Location: Funeral -- Time: Past[/sub][/center]

The lavender Kunoichi stood assembled with the rest of the village. Matching in black with the rest of her student body, superiors and then some. She had never met the Hokage, but had a deep rooted respect for the man - as he did lead the village, and in a way encouraged her to become a better ninja. The respect of the man was deeply engrained from birth - one of respect and compassion. Though, the empath couldn't exactly show much empathy as many others- she had never met the Hokage. So this death was stifled for her in some way. Her fingers delicately pushed her glasses back upon the bridge of her nose, feeling Shizukas arm gently glide over her shoulders. Her hands lacing in front of her, the exams seemed to bring about a new life while in the midst of tragedy. Though this blossoming duo held no relevance to that of Konohas current predicament. 


She looked to Shizuka, staring at the boy that for some reason took an instant attraction to her. Through the trial the girl found herself enjoying the cool breeze that blew off the windy boy. Kiku looked back to the Hokage to see the change, her eyed widened with confusion as the transformation unfolded in front of her. Her hands clasped to her face as a gasp escaped her lungs - brows burrowing together in confusion. Her eyes scanned thr crowd seeing the bewilderment flow through everyone, conufsion ensued and a small rumble of voices could be heard collaborating on what had just unfolded before them. Her hands fell back to her sides as she examined the crowd around her, absorbing every emotion that was resonating from the beings around her. She swallowed a lump in her throat had formed, and leaned slightly into Shizuka. He for some reason could always settle the nerves of the Kunoichi. Something that dumbfounded her.

The mood seemed to switch as the man that stood before them reigining as the doppleganger settled the crowd in  just a few short sentences. He seemed at ease, confident, and commanding of the whole crowd. Like a light director, he knew the cues and scenes to play out amongst the crowd to perfectly set the emotion of the show that was laid out before the village. It was then after his speech, that the assistant rose forward and listed the names of those graduated. Her stomach tightened and  jaw clenched - the names weren't raddled off that quickly, but it seemed to fast. Did she miss her name? Kiku let out a breath, and crossed her arms - her demeanor changing to a guarded one. Her face turned towards Shizuka, and she smiled at him widely with closed eyes [color=a187be]"Shizuka! You did it! I'll just have to try harder next time..."[/color] She opened her eyes to focus in on his face, and her eyes quickly shifted away. Jealousy gripped the young girls heart, but it also illuminated another pathway for the girl. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, and then held him out at arms length, [color=a187be]"We'll have to celebrate".[/color] Though the girl was upset, she couldn't exactly ruin someone's else delight.

[center]- A few weeks later - [/center]

The graduated Shinobi seemed to frequent her days. Typically in the later mornings/afternoons as to Kiku would wake up far too early to train - while the effervescent boy slept so purely.  He appeared at her home today, a rare sighting in the Kurama household. Somehow the boy had a breakthrough with her ever so overly protective father, and he appreciated the boys existence. It weirded out the young girl, as she watched them talk and seem to bond. Her eyes rolled too frequently, and one might assume she was malfunctioning. It almost irritated her as some days it seemed the boy came over only to talk to her father, which her father took a great delight in igniting the boys fleeting mind with stories of his past. Shizuka was quiet the conversator, and her father greatly fed into it. 

Though this time, Kiku and Shizuka were perched on the back porch of her home. He seemed to put forth more effort in ensuring that she knew she was a great ninja - mainly due to her not passing. It seemed to haunt the girl, as she now trained longer hours - but these hours also included far more stretching then previously. As her muscles were still damaged from the lava, the pain  was still noticeable as she lept, or attempted quick moves. Kiku couldn't tell if it was a mind over matter deal, but it seemed with her rigorous and dedicated training schedule - she was beginning to adapt to the pain, or possibly heal. As the two enjoyed the company of each other, Shinko appeared and elaborated a message to the two young ninja. Pursing her lips, she looked to Shizuka who also seemed to be caught off guard. A deep sigh released itself and she began to chew on  her lower lip, her concentration being caught short by his words  - Kiku turned to face him and smiled half-heartedly. [color=a187be]"I don't think you should....These are orders from the Hokage. Despite how it makes us feel, we should have faith in each other. As comrades..."[/color] The girl smiled weakly at him, of course - she'd rather know his whereabouts. But after the dismissal of her graduating to a higher rank, she felt a need to just follow orders and execute them perfectly to hopefully advance. 

It wasn't but mere seconds later there a shift in the wind, and that a black eyed Shinobi landed in front of them, followed by a vibrantly red-headed Uzumaki boy. Kiku blinked a few times out of confusion, and watched as he rose - and listened as he addressed them so smoothly. He was a Shinobi Kiku knew by name, but never once had she heard him speak. Kiku then inhaled sharply over his next sentence, her eyes narrow. Clearly, it was looked down upon by many due to her actions of abandoning her team - and now Shizuka seemed to be taking the brut of the blame. Before she could open her mouth to detest his sentence, Sakana left his distaste of their leaving on the floor in  front of them - and removed himself to the rooftops. Next, the Uzumaki boy voiced a short but sweet and effective sentence - following Sakana soon after. Arms crossed, she narrowed her eyes and watched them both leave -  her gaze fixated back on Shizuka. [color=a187be]"I don't think we'll live that one down..."  [/color]She huffed, and then gave him a quick hug resting her hands on his shoulders as she pulled away - [color=a187be]"Go on, I'll be fine, and so will you. We'll see each other again, I should gather my things and go find my team as well".[/color] 


[center] - Hours later [/center]
[sub]Interaction with: [@Grey Sama] [@Altered Tundra] [@BladeX] Location: West Gate/ Konoha[/sub]

After what seemed to be a wild goose chase, Kiku had finally found every member of the Special Forces team she had been put on and was now standing with all 4 members, herself included, of the new founded team as they deliberated over their situation. Kiku had already worked with Jaakuna and knew of his abilities, though wasn't sure if he wore the disdain all the others did for her leave during the Forest of Death trial. The other was Kaba. The boy was in her class, and though she had never spoken to him much - she never felt ill will to the boy. The hardest to find was Ryoko as she had no idea who the girl was. But so far, so good - she sensed nothing ominous emitting from  her.

[color=a187be]"Well, since Ryoko is from Kumo - we should let her guide us around and take lead,"[/color] Kiku spoke to Kaba and Jaakuna - appearing to take on a leaderly role. [color=a187be]"If you guys have everything you need, we should leave now".[/color] Kiku had a backpack, as well as her usual black and purple garb. The backpack containing minor details for a successful travel to Kumo. Kiku felt a bit nervous for the travel, only because of her legs and the muscle damaged, it had decelerated her movements but may have only been noticeable to her. [color=a187be]"Ryoko whats the best way there?"[/color]