Team 8's first gathering...

[terrx]

"Thank you...That's going to be a problem...You see...After Ai's 12th birthday. She said she said she found a "secret spot". I know the Leaf Village has many hidden areas...And I checked every one of them to see this secret spot...But I can't find it. Knowing Ai...She's probably there trying to calm herself...She tries to avoid people...As a Jounin...I can find anyone. But Ai's hiding spot is one I cannot find..." Kurokai sighed and nodding, stating the the truth. He was embaressed. He was Ai's father, but he doesn't know where his daughter disappears to.

[Taiki-kun]

^{Taiki listened into the conversation between Konoha and Lord Hokage, he realized Hokage's sheer intellect and graceful words, that it almost put ihm in a trance. But, Taiki was stumpted as to where he starts. Through all of the conversations and influence, he has completely forgotten what assignments have been given to team eight.
It dosen't matter now. Taiki is considering Hokage's traiining methods as 'special' opprotunities. No other squad is getting this opprotunity. It has to be an advantage, mabey not only Taiki's team needs this training. Every team might need this training. Lord Hokage might be acctually helping.
"So, Lord Haokge, What exactly do you want us to do... I feel naked without my headband."}

[Tenko]

"Kunoichi are fickle that way," Sarutobi responded with a dry little laugh. "My girls always insisted I pretend I couldn't find them." Shaking his head, the Hokage informed the jounin, "Kurokai - don't worry about her. I believe you when you say your daughter is a tough child; go home and wait for her there. I will make sure that she is safe until getting there and call you if the need arises; it would be best not to intrude Ai's privacy so harshly by telling you where she is."

Doubtless, the Hokage would scry for her using the Toomegane later; there was no need to look for the place she hid, but just whether or not Ai was all right. "Now: I believe you came looking for me for another reason all together...?"

At this point, however, he was quietly addressed by an altogether meek Taiki; the boy's words made him smile and Sarutobi regarded him in a manner kinder than before. "I think I asked you to go back and do more work on the river until nightfall, m'boy. After that, I think cell eight can go and wait for Ai to come home at the Konoha manor - though that is only a suggestion."

Glancing back through the doorway, he added, "And, after a bit of team training with Iruka tomorrow, and maybe the day after that, cell eight can work on their second mission - retiling an Exam stadium's roof. You may go at that gradually, before I assign you to the next mission - but take care to obey your sensei's instruction, and demonstrate a team foundation. I would like to give you your hitai-ite back quickly." With a friendly smile the Hokage added, "I always felt bare without it myself."

[terrx]

"Yeah...I came here to get another mission for shipment of sugar-free dumplings for my mother...ADD always seems to run in the Female blood of our clan. You remember the "Great crash" of the first tower of the Genkkou household? That was my mother..." Kurokai said nervously, sweatdropping "I'll do whatever I can to get Ai to start trusting people again." He saluted him and headed for the mission area.

[Tenko]

The corners of his lips twitching, Sarutobi watched the man go. "Good afternoon to you, Kurokai. I hope to see you soon." Nodding his dismissal to the man, Sarutobi returned his full attention to Team 8, waiting for Kyo to speak, the team's answer to his suggestion, and wanting to talk to Iruka on the side.

[terrx]

(Might as well bring in Suji-sama...)

That when a small boy wearing a black shirt with a net top and wore pants came in. He had hair covering one eye. His headband covering his forehead and perched on his shoulder was a falcon, "Darn it!!! Where did that rat go? Et!! Where are you?" He said

That's Kurokai twitched, 'Rat?! Where!!" He yelled jumping and clinging to the ceiling. Many of the girl Shinobi did the same, "Rat!! There!!" One screamed. Suji blinked, "Sheesh!! He's one little rat!" He said. The girls twitched, "Little?! He's huge!!" Kurokai yelled.

"Kurokai is afraid of a rat...Pansy." He said, picking up the rat. Kurokai twitched, "UGH!! Those things are digusting!! Why do you keep those ugly things?!" Suji smiled, "Training for spying missions. You know my clan raises animals and trains them for missions." He said, cheerfully

[Ari ღ]

This was far too much for Iruka, it wasn't that he wanted to quiet it was just allot of pressure upon his shoulders. Being a sensei for the very first time was allot of work, he never imagined what so many Joinins go through everyday. All that was happening before his own eyes was very dramatic, and hard to listen to. He felt as if this wasn't any of his bussioness, but it was, as a sensei he was to know about his students as much as possible, even if it was sad, in some way.

"Ai needs a team she can rely on, a trusted team, is exactly what she needs. We will have to provide that for her, as she goes through a hard time in her family." He thought as he remember the expression on her face when he told her to give the Hokage her head-band.

"She must of had a very hard time as a child. Growing up without a mother..." When he thought such things it reminded him about how he never had either of his parents. In a way Ai was lucky to at least have her father on her side, trusting her through every step she takes in growing up, and becoming the ninja she is today.

"Now, we must return back to the river and finish our first mission." He recalled Lord Hokage saying to Taiki.

Iruka looked up at the Hokage warmly.
"Lord Hokage, I'd like to have a few words with you, privately, if you don't mind?" He asked with a ferm and important look of his face.

[terrx]

"Ai-chan? You're talking about that Kunoichi who is more stubborn than a bull? Sheesh. Breaking through to that girl isn't easy. Her family ruled by Suoh Konoha...One of the most powerful Shinobi around... Considering he forges those weird scythes. Maybe perhaps if you could find a friend for her...Like maybe Naruto? Or someone who has a bad past in their family as well, like maybe that Neji kid..." He suggested, "It's just a guess...Nothing more."

[Taiki-kun]

^{Taiki left the room and waited out in the hallway. He knew that Lord Hokage and Iruka Sensei wanted to be alone to talk about something probably important.Taiki didn't walk out happy though, his head was held low, and he was worried. He thought that mabey acting like a two year old infront of the Hokage dampened his chances in teh long run of being in the ANBU or even becoming a Jounin. He regrets everyhting he has done, and is now dedicated to working hard to reach all his goals. Once he returns home, he'll imply that courage, respect, breavery, honor, and dignity are new clan rules.
He is the leader of the small two person clan afterall...}

[♥Nicole♥]

Kyo had been in some other world by the time they had asked for the harder mission. It was only then that he had returned to reality and noticed that Ai and Taiki were gone. He also noticed the 2 headbands and the scroll in the hokage's hand. He blinked his golden eyes slowly. What the hell's going on? He wondered.

[Tenko]

"Of course," the old man responded, strolling almost leisurely aside; he spared a glance at Kyo who looked bewildered and - frankly - uncomprehending of everything going on, though Sarutobi trusted the boy to pick up quickly on the task at hand: the parting genin - well, Taiki - could probably clue him in on things.

Considering the chuunin momentarily, the Sandaime allowed Taiki to quietly detach himself from the two men and absently awaited Kyo to gain his barings. "Tell me, Iruka - you tend to have much to say where these things are concerned. What answers do you need this time?"

[terrx]

Kurokai signed in realif when Suji left, "That kid is weird...But he is an Animal Trainer." He looked upon the two Shinobi then at Iruka, "Iruka...I have one thing to say to you about Ai...Do NOT let her have any sugar!! Trust me..." He said, nodding, "Lets just say she's mastered a whole different type of Taijutsu...That's almost as bad as Lee's Drunkun Fist. Fast Fist..." He said, nodding, "See you later Hokage-sama." He said, vanishing.

[♥Nicole♥]

Kyo looked from the hokage to Iruka. "Did we get the mission?" He asked blankly. He still wasn't sure what had happened although he was now sure that the forehead protectors were Ai's and Taiki's and the scroll being the one Ai uses to summon the sanbi sythe. "What's going on Iruka-sensai?" He questioned, cocking his head with a blank expression on his face.

[Taiki-kun]

^{"Kyo... just think of this as a mission. To get our headbands back, we'll have to complete the Hokage's task. Just hand you headband over to him."
Taiki looked emotionally depressed and embarassed. He has just been stripped of his pride infront of his whole entire cell, and his sensei. Not to mention infront of the leader of the village. Taiki will really have to prove himself when the chuunin exams come along.}

[♥Nicole♥]

Kyo's eyes widened. He slowly untied his headband and handed it to the Hokage "Whatever..." He muttered. All the while I was in thought, Taiki and Ai go too far in asking for the mission and we end up losing our headbands for who knows how long. He shoved his hands in his pocket and trudged out of the office. He glanced over his shoulder at Taiki, sort of hoping that he would follow. He felt stupid and akward after having his headband taken away.