[center][h1][color=skyblue]Asashio[/color][/h1] [@schadenfreude][@Odin][@Syn] [hr][/center] It was a bittersweet day for one young girl. The dark skies brought no comfort to Asashio as she stood among her classmates before Yogensha, finally graduating from the Ninja Academy and becoming a true shinobi. Of course she was happy that this day had come. The first step on her path to greatness was graduating, after all. But she still had to hold back tears today for her father couldn't make it to see her. Her mother's betrayal meant it was no surprise that she didn't attend but Asashio would not weep for her. The generally strong girl would probably be mistaken to be holding back tears of joy by any classmates of hers nearby, which in itself was uncharacteristic of her in their eyes and surprising. A few tears escaped her as she accepted the headband and held it in her hands. As the Amekage gave her speech the young girl hardly paid attention. She was prepared and already knew what becoming a genin would entail. The words about money meant little to her, as Asashio had more than enough already to survive on her own until she got her steady income as a shinobi so was never lacking. But the rain that came pouring down captured Asashio's full attention and she put her new headband on, letting her long bangs drape over it to keep her eye concealed. The naming of her team, henceforward Team 12, was the most important part to the young girl since she lacked family to celebrate with. She had a vague memory of her sensei's name, Iyokan Koko, but she was more familiar with her two genin companions. Sadako and Kasumi were classmates after all, but Asashio never spent time with them outside of class. She also couldn't particularly recall their skills or techniques as she never trained with them either. It was embarrassing but at least she knew their names and faces. [I][color=skyblue]So this is it,[/color][/I] she thought, overpowering her tears and looking forward towards Yogensha. [I][color=skyblue]I'm a kunoichi now, father. I hope you're proud.[/color][/I] [center][hr][/center] The next morning had arrived and she stirred in her bed and began to stretch she felt her arm bump something on the bed next to her. Something light but decently sized. This surprised Asashio, as she never brought anything to bed with her, and it forced her to jolt upright to see what foreign object disturbed her morning stretch. She found a scroll by her side, surprising her further. [I][color=skyblue]Someone broke in without waking me?[/color][/I] A skill to be expected of shinobi but still a surprise to be on the receiving end of it. Opening it up revealed that Koko-sensei was the culprit, as judged by her awkwardly friendly letter detailing the meeting place. [I][color=skyblue]Did he have to do this in such a strange way? And a week early at that.[/color][/I] With a sigh she let the scroll fall to the floor and she laid back down. [color=skyblue]"I'll be ready..."[/color] [center][hr][/center] And so she was. A week had gone by and Asashio arrived at the Academy grounds, timing her exit and trek perfectly to be there no earlier and no later than 9:00 AM. To her surprise she found only a paper crane. Or rather a long trail of them that she diligently followed to a restaurant. The culprit had to be Koko-sensei and Asashio wasn't surprised to find her there in the booth. [color=skyblue]"Good morning, sensei,"[/color] Asashio greeted with a polite bow. [color=skyblue]"Suzuki, Asashio present."[/color] It hadn't been difficult to remember her fake surname in years, though saying it out loud this time made her wonder when exactly would be the best time to reveal her identity. But now was surely not the time. After the others had arrived shortly after Asashio they were given their first mission. [color=skyblue]"Onsen?"[/color] she said aloud after reading the mission scroll. She looked back up to Koko, who had finished her meal finally. Asashio couldn't help but feel as if this woman was [I]fake[/I] and [I]lazy[/I] based on what little she observed. Her judge of character had always been accurate but in the world of ninja it wouldn't be a surprise if some were charismatic enough to fool her. Either way her starting impression of Koko-sensei wasn't very stellar. After a moment of awkward silence following Koko's last question, Asashio spoke up. [color=skyblue]"I am ready, sensei. Civilian thugs don't stand a chance."[/color] Her visible eye looked forward into her sensei's eyes, a passionate determination burning inside. This was her first official mission. Her first chance to truly stand out. Excellent grades and high marks meant nothing in the real world. She was more than ready.