[center][h1][b][color=darkorange]S U Z U K I[/color][/b][/h1][hr][/center][right][sub][color=#4c4949] ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 𝟷| ᴘᴀʀᴛ 𝟷[/color][/sub][/right][right][sub][b][color=gray]HOME OF THE SHISHIDO MATRIARCHS — KUSAGAKURE[/color][/b][/sub][/right]
The light of Suzuki's paper lamp flickered in the darkness of the early morning, its flame silent and calm. She was quick to dress and refresh herself from morning fatigue, and even quicker to start scanning her eyes over the neat layout of scrolls on her study desk. Even with the chuunin exams looming over her head, exemption from her daily hour-long readings was not acceptable. Another hour of meditation followed that, as was the norm.

The cawing of the birds was Suzuki's signal to finish, and a soft yawn escaped her. Last night's celebrations with the Council and the Shishido matriarchs had kept her up a while longer than she normally allowed herself. Having to leave earlier than usual today meant she wouldn't be seeing her family at this time, but that was more of a relief than Suzuki would ever admit. Not only had they given her more than enough of their wisdom yesterday, it just wasn't the sort of atmosphere she wanted on a day like this.

Before leaving she slid into a different room and sat by the family altar, lighting a stick of incense. Suzuki glanced at the names carved into the numerous wooden memorial tablets, standing tall and proud above her. Her eyes met the one with [i]Shishido Kotoko[/i] etched onto it, its wood yet to have been discoloured by the passage of time. Suzuki's gaze lingered on the tablet, her head lowering and her expression softening. For just a minute, she let herself forget the existence of her surroundings, focusing only on Kotoko's name.

The sky was starting to brighten as Suzuki walked away from the house and towards Kusagakure Shrine, which was just metres beyond the trees and shrubbery that separated the two areas. Suzuki stood in front of the shrine's oratory, ringing one of the waniguchi bells and humming more quiet prayers under her breath. She called upon [i]Himoto-no-kami[/i] to keep her safe and well on this important day, and her teammates too for that matter. Though there were some she openly admitted she disliked, Suzuki knew her success at the chuunin exams was reliant on not only herself, but her teammates as well. But seeing how they had been getting along these past few months, it was probably best she prayed for a while longer.

The orange sunrise spilled over the horizon, shining bright and strong over the shrine. Suzuki walked towards the stone steps and gazed up, face hardened with determination. Failure was not an option. Not now, not ever.

[b]"Suzuki."[/b]

She stopped for a few seconds, and then turned. The stare Suzuki's mother, Sen, gave was sharp and intense, pricking her daughter to attention. Suzuki straightened herself, then bowed.

[b]"[color=darkorange]Good morning, mother.[/color]"[/b]

Another silence. Sen slowly approached her daughter, and Suzuki kept her head lowered. She didn't lift herself until Sen was directly in front of her, and even then Suzuki kept her eyes low.

[b]"I pray that you don't disappoint me today, child."[/b]

Sen went to pat Suzuki's shoulder, but her fingers curled back for a moment, hesitant. She took in a slow, quiet breath, then gently placed her hand on her daughter. Suzuki finally met her mother's eyes, weary with stress but shining a deep blue in the sunrise. Sen exhaled, the look in her eyes softening.

[b]"Take care."[/b][hr][right][sub][b][color=gray]TRAINING GROUND #11 — KUSAGAKURE[/color][/b][/sub][/right]
The walk to the training grounds gave Suzuki the boost of energy and enthusiasm she needed, and upon seeing her instructor she greeted her as she usually did; with a polite bow and a deadpan expression.

[b]"[color=darkorange]Good morning, Kameyo-sensei! I hope the day finds you in good spirits.[/color]"[/b]

She then turned to the teammates who had arrived before her, and gave them an uncertain look. Both isolated in their own corners, unsurprisingly. [b]"[color=darkorange]Likewise for the both of you, Mirai-san, Shunbin-san.[/color]"[/b]

The apathy was apparent in her tone.