[indent]   [/indent][hr][h3][color=lightsteelblue]Kazuhiko Taketori[/color][/h3][hr][sup][i]Mid-morning ||  Land of Fire: Konohagakure — Kawaguchi Household[/i][/sup][indent] [/indent]
Kazuhiko listened to Koharu with interest, nodding here and there as he cross-referenced what she said with what he knew about her family. Since he’d met her uncle, Osamu, the other day and seen a snippet of their relationship, it made sense for her to be excited to receive a sword with a history like that. Her uncle was her hero or something along those lines, Kazuhiko figured. Though he had no real “heroes,” giving the default answer of the Hokage when asked, he understood that others tended to find figures they looked up to, pushing themselves harder to be like their idol.

As for the details of how the clan trained in kenjutsu, he compared it to his training in taijutsu: Just as the Wakahisa had a disposition for kenjutsu due to the possible applications of their ice, the Taketori favored taijutsu because it meshed well with possible utilizations of their dojutsu. While his clan also had levels of improvement people rose through, they were much looser than Koharu’s, perhaps because of the Wakahisa’s samurai roots. The act of focusing on kenjutsu rather than their kekkai genkai first was similar to the Taketori preference to hone their use of their chakra nature before their dojutsu. Again, though, the reasons differed—the Wakahisa using the kata as a vehicle to train control of their kekkai genkai and the Taketori favoring ninjutsu to knock out enemies disabled by their dojutsu—their methods were similar, proving again that the organizational system most clans operated on was a universal one, though with variations. Kazuhiko was half-tempted to ask Natsuko about her clan’s training system as well, but a glance at his currently less talkative teammate showed that she’d completely lost interest in the conversation, having moved onto watching Azumi cook out of boredom. At this point, though, he didn’t even bat an eye at the sight, instead focusing his full attention back on Koharu without a word.

When Koharu brought up her lack of control with her ice, it was clear that she had some insecurities about it, but Kazuhiko was relieved to see that she wasn’t as bothered by it as she might once have been. She continued, saying that she’d make the team proud and that she’d be open to an alliance. 

At the mention of the latter, Kazuhiko’s eyes widened, but he quickly recovered with a gentle smile. [color=lightsteelblue]“You’ll find an ally in the Taketori as well. As will Natsuko,”[/color] he said, catching the eyes of his still-surprised teammate as she tried to understand what the conversation had turned into. 

[color=indianred]“Um, thanks you two, but I’m not the heir, okay? I’d sooner become a missing-nin than try to climb [i]that[/i] social ladder,”[/color] Natsuko joked, her laugh a bit off-beat. [color=indianred]“But you can bet I’ll be there to fly-kick anyone who’s threatening either of you.”[/color]

Looking at her, Kazuhiko decided not to pursue the topic, choosing to nod instead. Then, deciding he needed to change the topic, he figured he’d take a page from Natsuko’s book, for once, because she was pretty good at doing just that.

[color=lightsteelblue]“And Koharu, you’re a great teammate. My best teammate, actually.”[/color]

Natsuko’s jaw dropped. He shrugged, which seemed to throw her out of her shock.

[color=indianred]“That is [i]so[/i] not—”[/color]

And, right on time, Minoru called for lunch.
[h3]   [/h3][hr][h3][color=indianred]Natsuko Rinha[/color][/h3][hr][sup][i]Noon ||  Land of Fire: Konohagakure — Kawaguchi Household[/i][/sup][indent] [/indent]
[color=indianred]“Mochi really is the best,”[/color] Natsuko said, sighing in contentment as she popped the last piece of mochi into her mouth and chewed. Across the table, Kazuhiko stared at her with a pointedly flat glare, but she easily avoided eye contact with him, instead looking to Azumi and Minoru.

[color=indianred]“Minoru-sensei, Azumi-san, can we step out for a bit? We’ll be back in an hour or two. We’ve barely spent any time together outside of missions and training, with these two’s heir schedules.”[/color]

She pouted. [color=indianred]“Please?”[/color]

Then, at the first sign of weakness—or hesitation, because they were pretty much the same thing in her eyes—she leaped to her feet, a grin on her lips as she looped her arm through Koharu’s and looked to Kazuhiko, whose gaze was shooting wildly between everyone at the table.

[color=indianred]“C’mon, Kazu!”[/color] she said, skipping towards the door with Koharu in tow. When she didn’t hear two sets of footsteps behind her, she turned around, catching Kazuhiko give Koharu a near-imperceptible nod as he dashed deeper into the house.

[color=lightsteelblue]“Bathroom!”[/color] came echoing out from where he disappeared, and Natsuko frowned, looking to Koharu.

[color=indianred]“I swear he’s acting all funny. What’s with him today?”[/color]

Soon enough, though, Kazuhiko reemerged, sighing. [color=lightsteelblue]“Alright—”[/color]

[color=indianred]“Alright!”[/color] Natsuko repeated, her grin returning full force as she attempted to loop her arm through his as well. He easily dodged out of the way, tsking, and Natsuko flashed him a pout before she returned to grinning. 

[color=indianred]“Let’s go let’s go let’s go!”[/color] she said, practically bursting out the door. Dragging Koharu down the street—or however long she managed to hold onto her—Natsuko led the way through town, taking turns she’d memorized off a map the night prior. Judging by the worried expressions on her teammates’ faces, they were about a hair’s breadth away from asking her where she was leading them, but if they asked her only reply would be a casual [color=indianred]“to adventure!”[/color]

Eventually, she led them down a road that faded into light-trodden grass that soon opened up into a village-side courtyard with sparse patches of grass on one side and dirt on the other. On the barren side were various wooden logs that had been embedded in the earth, some with branch stumps and some without to act as training posts. Most importantly, though, on the dirt field stood four figures, three of which were sparring with the posts while the final, noticeably taller one watched from a short distance, their black robe contrasting sharply with their pink-brown hair. 

[color=indianred]“Mariko-san!”[/color] Natsuko called, waving at the grey-haired girl in their midst, who turned around when her name was called to reveal near-white eyes. [color=indianred]“Team Six has arrived!”[/color]

[color=#74677B]“Natsuko! Hello!”[/color] Mariko called back, waving as she walked over with the rest of her team. Her Byakugan flashed on briefly, the corners other eyes tightening into lines, but then she immediately relaxed her vision, a smile on her lips.

[color=#74677B]“Isn’t this rather rude, Kazuhiko?”[/color] she asked once they closed the distance.

Natsuko snapped out of staring at her teammates—both of whom were significantly taller than her—to glance between Kazuhiko and Mariko. At this point, Kazuhiko seemed rather uncomfortable, having set his jaw with a tight smile.

[color=lightsteelblue]“Sorry, I didn’t know we were coming to see you, Mariko,”[/color] he said.

[color=#74677B]“Hm.”[/color] Mariko’s smile widened. [color=#74677B]“I suppose Natsuko’s responsible for this surprise on your part?”[/color]

Kazuhiko nodded. Natsuko crossed her arms.

[color=indianred]“Will [i]someone[/i] please explain what’s going on?”[/color]

Kazuhiko looked to Koharu. [color=lightsteelblue]“Koharu, um, do you mind—”[/color]

[indent] [/indent][hr][hider=Jutsu]
[hider=Ninjutsu][indent] [/indent][list]
[*]Wind Release:
[list][*]Gale Palm: a technique where the user increases the velocity or density of wind to form a powerful gale capable of knocking over a person.[/list]
[*]Dark Release:
[list][*]Kusunemasu [Needs Practice]: A basic technique that allows a Rinha to absorb chakra from others and use it as their own. They can do this through direct physical contact or from a distance 
(Limits: distance-restrained, more concentration required without direct contact)
[/list][/list][indent][/indent][/hider]
[indent] [/indent][/hider]
[indent]   [/indent][hr][h3][color=lightsteelblue]Kazuhiko Taketori[/color][/h3][hr][sup][i]Early Afternoon ||  Land of Fire: Konohagakure — Kawaguchi Household[/i][/sup][indent] [/indent]
Kazuhiko stepped out of the bathroom, making his way to the kitchen with a sheepish smile.

[color=lightsteelblue]“Minoru sensei, Azumi-san, sorry for forcing you both to play along with that. Natsuko can be very… pushy at times. I actually wanted to come today to apologize for yesterday,”[/color] he said, bowing. [color=lightsteelblue]“Please forgive my father’s behavior. He’s a bit judgemental, especially about Hyuga since the Taketori… haven’t been getting along with them.”[/color]

He bowed lower, sinking to a near right angle. [color=lightsteelblue]“Please forgive him, and please forgive me.”[/color]

[indent] [/indent][hr][hider=Jutsu]
[hider=Ninjutsu][indent] [/indent][list]
[*]Lightning Release:
[list][*]Thunder: creates arcs of lightning that the user can direct towards a target.
[*]Thunderbolt [Needs Practice]: creates arcs of lightning that can hit multiple targets at once.
[*]Lightning Strike [Needs Practice]: creates a strong arc of lightning that can hit multiple close targets or be extended to hit a faraway one. 
[*]Lightning Clone Technique: creates a tangible clone that is dispelled with very little damage and cannot perform jutsu. The clone will also dispel if enough time passes.[/list][/list][indent][/indent][/hider]
[indent] [/indent][/hider]
[hr][sup][@Sunflower][/sup]