[Right][h2][color=a187be]Koharu[/color][/h2][/right] Koharu weakly protested being drug around. Had it not have been for the bone deep ache in her feet she would have happily accepted Natsuko's offer to soak her feet. Koharu could endure training with Osamu, with her teammates and Minoru, but she couldn't handle aching feet. Koharu's face twisted into a brief, uncharacteristic pout when Minoru ignored Kazuhiko's pleading. [color=a187be]"Hmph. Picking favorites as always."[/color] She said, not really catching the hurt that flashed over the jonin's face. Oh she knew that Minoru-sensei favored Natsuko, not that she could blame him. Koharu and Kazuhiko were far too serious while Natsuko and Minoru were loud and boisterous. [Color=darkgray]"Have fun you three. Be safe!"[/color] There was no harm in letting them go soak their feet. They weren't used to these long trips uet and he didn't see a problem in rewarding them. Perhaps it would put the girls into a better mood. "Hey wait for me!" Koharu looked back at the little boy and sighed. No doubt he'd want to go just to annoy them. Koharu didn't mind, her sister was about the same age as he was and she didn't get to see her often so this would be like having her around. Koharu looked back at Minoru and found him smiling. It was tense, sure, but he seemed to trust them with Hachiro's safety. That was a big responsibility. No doubt it was a test of sorts. If they could do this mission successfully then they could take more than errands in the village. [color=a187be]"Three feet away from him, Suko-chan. Minoru-sensei won't let us take another mission if you beat him up."[/color] Koharu gave a soft smirk, despite the desire to protest. The river was beautiful, reflecting the colors of the setting sun. It wasn't very wide or deep so it was perfect. Koharu wasn't the tallest around, Hachiro wasn't much taller than she was, so deep water intimidated her a little bit. She rolled her pant legs up and settled on the ground, making sure there was at least three feet between Natsuko and Hachiro. She enjoyed the cold against her skin, and if the small yelp that Hachiro gave when he put his feet in the river too was any indication, then she was likely the only one that would. A soft giggle came from the girl and there was a look of mischief in her eyes. It wasn't often that she showed this side of her but she needed to get payback for the brat's earlier comment about Natsuko. Koharu wasn't bothered by the white hair comment, she learned to tune those out long ago. With a few moments of concentration she focused her wind chakra out through her still submerged feet, causing the water to get colder than it already was. Ah, that was better! Hachiro was screeching, holding onto his cold feet in ab attempt to warm them up. Please, it wasn't as if his feet were going to fall off. [color=a187be]"Hey Kazuhiko, how does a bit of friendly competition sound?"[/color] She asked the boy. They weren't rivals, well she didn't see him as a rival (she couldn't say how Kazuhiko viewed her). Often, though, she liked training with him because they had about equal skill. She felt he was more skilled at her in many areas, but that was her opinion and every time Minoru was asked who was better he'd never give them an answer. [Right][h2][color=darkgray]Minoru[/color][/h2][/right] He chuckled as they walked into the trees. The guards wouldn't be happy about letting their young master out of his sight but as far as Minoru was concerned the boy was safe. They were all close enough to jump into action if any of the kids yelled, and he thought of his team as being strong. Even Natsuko, if she'd ever believe in her abilities. Minoru couldn't help but to think back to Koharu's statement about favorites. Had he really been that transparent or was the girl just good at picking up on thongs like that? Minoru didn't have time to dwell on the quesion when the guards came back, the sound of clattering wood announcing their arrival. [Color=darkgray]"Relax, he's safe with my students. They will not let anything happen to him. They are fully cap--"[/color] "They are genin!" The guard captain, who'd gone to relieve himself in the bushes, interrupted him. Minoru sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. [color=darkgray]"The boy is of the Taketori clan, the auburn haired girl is of the Rinha, and the white haired one is of the Wakahisa."[/color] The weight their clan names carried clearly didn't end at the Land of Fire boarders. The guard captain didn't seem so certain but another guard, this one at least a decade younger with a fresh scar on his face, looked up wide eyed. Minoru felt a flash of pride in his students. If just their clan names could make someone look like that them he couldn't wait for the day when their own names would provoke such a reaction. [@Dusksong]