[center][h3][color=0072bc][b]Shimura Kanzaki[/b][/color][/h3][/center]
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Kanzaki stood there along with the rest of her classmates as the ceremony concluded. Lord Kuroda responded to them, then came down the line handing each of them their Konoha headband- the symbol of the village shinobi. It had an odd weight to it, or perhaps it only felt that way because she knew what it was. It was both a symbol of merit to be treasured... and a burden to be carried, even unto injury or death. In a way it was similar to her sword, or at least how Suzaku-sensei had instructed her to view her sword. That made it easier to handle. She did not smile as she accepted it, like some others. Instead she bowed dutifully, thanked the Hokage, then tied it loosely about her throat like a necklace.

A short while later she learned she'd be studying under the Hokage himself in the three-man teams they all had known were coming. It was a bit shocking, discovering that the best shinobi in the village would be her instructor, but it was also sure to be a one-of-a-kind opportunity. She'd be paired with Shikkaru... and with Keizo. That would make things interesting. Truth be told, she'd barely interacted with either boy in the academy. Shikkaru because she'd never really had a chance to, but Keizo she'd actively avoided. He always seemed upset about [i]something[/i], and it always appeared that speaking to him was asking to have all of it shifted onto the speaker for no reason. But, she reasoned, there was no helping it now. She'd have to do as her sensei always said; surmount it, move past it, put it behind her. Just like her slip of the tongue on her name.

[color=0072bc]"I'm looking forward to it, Shikkaru-kun. Just some water for me please, Kuroda-sensei."[/color]