Team 8's first gathering...

[Tenko]

The Sandaime stared at the kitten-Ai for a brief moment, vaguely wondering why in the world she supposed this would work better than her regular self.

The begging did nothing to amuse him.

With a sigh, the Hokage looked towards the remaining member, Kyo (wondering if he, also, would try such a ruse), and back to Iruka. "You're genin seem disrespectful, spoilt, and mildly... well." Looking down at Ai, Sarutobi remarked, "I'm afraid parlour tricks and begging don't look well on an aspiring kunoichi. Shall the third team-mate attempt something also?"

He seriously didn't blame Iruka but were he any less kind (...or really, as mature as he'd been twenty years ago) Sarutobi would've been roaring with laughter, and informing Iruka how sorry he was for such a disastrous team; fortunately, the Sandaime supposed it was worth hearing aspiring shinobi out, and waiting instead for them to strike gold with his patience.

[terrx]

*Inner Ai: WHY YOU?!*

Ai twitched as she turned back to normal, "I AM NOT!!!!" She yelled as loud as she could. People ducked and hid from the booming voice, "Hokage-same...Please give us the anceint treasure escort mission? Maybe I should tell my grandmother about you rejecting me. After all...If you think I'm bad...My grandmother is 5x's worse. Just ask them." She pointed to some older men. Whispering and huddling in fear. Nodding...Telling him to give the mission to them.

[Taiki-kun]

^{Taiki stood up and clutched his fist as if he was about to slug on the Hokage... though, that would be risky, and considered treason, and he'll get the crap beat out of him by everyone in the village.
"Don't disrespect my clan..." he barely managed to gasp this out, for he wanted to burst into tears. He was shown up and beaten down by one of the smartest, honerable, trustworthy, and strongest people in the village.
After a minute of almost busting the veins in his hand open from the force at which he held his fist, he casually walked out of the office and shurgged his sensei on the way out. Once in the hallway, and about ten feet from the office, he punched the wall with sheer aggression. The wall only had a small barely noticable crack.
He then walked back into the office, like a bi-polar freak, and bowed quickly in respect. "Lord Hoakge," he spoke out of turn, "I will respect any decision you make, but we do disagree and woulden't a mission infact bring us together?"
Taiki then turned away... "This idiot better not make a fool of me again..." he thought wiht an angry gesture on his face. His arms were crossed and he stood behind Iruka.}

[Tenko]

Slowly, the Hokage turned his gaze back towards Ai - and yes, there was a hint of anger there. "Konoha Ai," He stated, accenting each syllable firmly as though to portray that she wasn't getting the message. "Under no circumstances can you frighten me with Konohagakure's shinobi or citizens. Under no circumstances can you threaten my authority - and under no circumstances does a ninja yell at her superiors.[/i]"

With a burdened sigh he walked forward to Taiki when the boy turned his back upon the leader, looking visibly unrestrained and mortally offended. Tilting his walking stick against the crook of his arm, the Hokage stared at the boy's back a moment with his pipe lowered, before resting his gnarled, free hand on Taiki's shoulder.

"Matsuo Taiki," Sarutobi stated gravely. "There is no one here to disrespect your clan but you."

And now he owed them an explanation.

"I am afraid what I see here is an honest and kind-hearted sensei whom at least two of you disrespect, using his disposition against him in a dishonorable manner. Matsuo Taiki - you can neither control your anger, and have an outward arrogance that will betray you terribly. Konoha Ai - you also are the heir to such an arrogance, though I assure you that there are many more choice kunoichi, genin kunoichi, that could defeat you in battle. You threaten me with your grandmother, and I am forced to say you are spoiled. Additionally, I have no idea who told you of the Relic mission, but those charged with their possession aren't paying for inexperienced genin to care for these exquisite items. Chuunin and jounin are expected to accompany such valuable goods, and while you are correct Taiki - a mission will do your team good - I have no intention of giving you anything beyond a disciplinary mission. Is that understood?"[/size]

[terrx]

Ai turned to stone.

And that when she snapped, "You-You!!! I can beat any Kunoichi anytime! Anywhere! Any place! Plus I'm not spoiled!! A Kunoichi must act tough to stay strong!" She said, her eye twitching, "But whatever...If you need me...I'll be waiting outside." She cursed under her breath. It was not like she had a choice. She wished she was in a solo mission.

*Inner Ai: How dare he say I'm spoiled?! I'll prove him wrong in the Chunnin Exams! Just you wait!! I'll beat everyone in the other teams to a pulp!!! CHA*

[Taiki-kun]

^{Tears dropped down Taiki's face. The realization and the truth of the Hokage's very intellectual words made Taiki realize that he isn't as ready for the true world as he believes. Taiki did whatever he could to hide the tears. He wiped his face, looked down, attempted to stop sniffling, ect... A revelation has clicked in his mind and a slideshow of his wrong-doings flashed through his head like a near death experience.
"Lord Hokage... -Sniffle- I... I am sorry."
He coulden't look him in the face, and no one probably realized that this was acctually one of the most influencial and important times of his life. Only two other events in his life match up to this moment... that is birth, and the death of his father.}

[Tenko]

OoC//; This is what Tenko's writer's block creates.
Genin Sacrifice: Slaughtering Pride!

IC//; Not even offering Ai a double-take as the kunoichi screeched and stormed childishly from the offices, Sarutobi's features did nothing to soften as Taiki's sensibilities caught up with him. The boy was crying because he knew he'd been doing wrong against the way he was raised - Taiki at least understood that, being so fiercely protective of his Clan's name. Sarutobi remembered another spitfire child filled with rage and glanced up at Iruka, knowing that Taiki's sensei would do what he could for his genin team and make up for what he couldn't.

"Cry as you will, Matsuo Taiki," The Hokage bid gently. "It is best to know these things before a mission."

Leaving that comforting hand on the genin's shoulder, he turned his eyes to Kyo and invited him into the conversation, with all the formidable attention of a severe and wise old man. "Forgive me, Iruka, but I think I'm going to place a hand on your team for a moment, and see what I can do for it at the root of the problem.

"I was supposed to send you a mission scroll for a C-rank mission today, considering your talents and your needs to exploit them, but I've henceforth changed my mind. Instead, I'm going to assign a D-rank maintenence mission to Team Eight, in order to further discipline them on the work of a Shinobi." Twisting his hand to grasp both his staff and his pipe, he poised the latter between his teeth and continued speaking, the bottom of the staff returning to the floor with a firm clank. "You will be redoing the roof-tiling on one of our exam stadiums after you complete today at the river, continuing to work at the water until night has settled in; Iruka, I find myself considering that you have already - or will - go through the tree-climbing excersise with your genin in order to assist in the task.

"However. I would like Team Eight to do me another assignment, considering what I have seen here today." Patting Taiki's shoulder lightly, the Hokage withdrew his hand to place it upon his staff and set his eyes on Iruka once more, almost asking permission to set this next task to the lively group of three - or rather, to the two here, who would (should they accept), have to convince Ai to do the task with them.

"I would like the genin members of cell eight to hand in their Konohagakure Hitai-ite to me, and complete the missions assigned to them without the luxury of calling themselves ninja, until they are able to honestly consider themselves a team - and honestly consider themselves, as a whole, ready to serve their Hokage and village."

[Taiki-kun]

^{Ooc: You have writer's block, and your post are still longer and more literate than mine...
Bic: Taiki slowly took his headband off, he didn't want to really leave it wiht the Hokage, bu he decided that it would be the best thing for him. He needed to prove that he can be respectful, to teh country, village, and clan. Still... he was very hesitant about giving it up.
"Here, Lord Hokage... Please take care of it, I will know which one it is, don't lose it. Please...
Taiki slowly handed his headband over to the Hokage, hopefully he'll be an example to the other genin that it is the right thing to do. Anyway, Taiki can tell which items are his. He has an awkward bond with them, like his clan to nature. Once he recieved his headband, he made mental notes on his it fit, and felt.
"I'm coming back for /you/..." he thought to his headband.}

[Ari ღ]

Iruka stopped before he could reach the door of the Hokages office.
He slowly turned his feet and legs facing Sarutobi, in shock.

"He's making them hand in there Hitai-ite?" He thought looking at Taiki and Sarutobi.

"I'm sure this is resonable..." He calmly said.

"Good for you Taiki, your now more resonsible..." He thought while watching him hand over his Hitai-ite.

"Even though you didn't receive the mission you ideally wanted, I'm sure this will improve you as an overall ninja, it will improve you all as an overall ninja." He thought, and a happy smile feel across his face.

[terrx]

(Oh snap...Ai will not like this.)

Ai was outside in the hallway poilishing her sword. Grumbling and growling, cursing at the fact that she was being treated like a child. She wanted to excell...Pass her family. To become a great and honorable member of her family. She would run away to be a Shinobi. But had too much pride and steam...And that was her problem. She waited to see what her team's decsion was to come. The sword gleamed in the sunshine...It was an honorable blade. Passed down in her family...For it was used to slay and protect in the Great Ninja war.

[Tenko]

OoC//; No, I don't think she will. x3;

IC//; Considering the forehead protector wth utmost care, a smile twitched the corners of the old man's face as he removed his pipe and withdrew it into the folds of his robe, taking Taiki's forehead protector in hand with almost meticulous notice.

"As your Hokage, Taiki, I can promise you that."

Casting his eyes towards Iruka with a knowing look, the Hokage gestured for the remaining genin of Team Eight to come forth with his decision. "This is a team assignment, m'boy - so do you accept it also? All for one, after all."

To Iruka he added patiently, "And someone will have to pose the suggestion to the kunoichi of the team."

[terrx]

Ai sighed, staring at the fine blade. The sword was her source of pride. When she recived it...She felt proud, honorable, like a Shinobi should. She placed it back in it;s hilt and started to whisper a small song to herself, "I'm standing on the bridge
I'm waiting in the dark
I thought that you'd be here by now

There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening, but there's no sound

Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home
It's a damn cold night
Trying figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I, I'm with you
I'm with you

I'm looking for a place
I'm searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
Cos nothing's going right and
Everythings a mess
And no-one like's to be alone

Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody take me home
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I, I'm with you
I'm with you

Oh, why is everything so confusing
Maybe I'm just out of my mind
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Yeah

It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I, I'm with you
I'm with you

Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but i, I'm with you

I'm with you

Take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but i, I'm with you

I'm with you
I'm with you." She sang. Waiting for her team

[Ari ღ]

Iruka looked up at the Hokage, he had no other choice.

"I'll tell Konoha Ai, Hokage-sama..." He mentioned while he walked towards the door.

He slowly made his way near Ai, where he found her whispering to herself. And un-familiar song she sang.

"Excuses me, I'll have to ask you to hand over your Hitai-ite to me, the Hokage insisted for him to keep it, and he'll return it when he is certain you deserve it." He said bluntly.

This was a point where Iruka couldn't feel happy, it was quiet serious.

[terrx]

Ai gave a gasp, "He wants me to do what?!" She didn't ask anymore questions. She took off her headband...Staring at it, "Four AM in the morning,
Carried away by a Moonlight Shadow.
I watched your vision falling...
Carried away by a Moonlight Shadow.
Star was glowing in a silvery night...
Far away on the other side.
Will you come to talk to me this night?
But she couldn't find how to push through...

Caught in the middle of a hundred and five,
The night was heavy but the air was alive.
But she couldn't find how to push through...

Carried away by a Moonlight Shadow,
Carried away by a Moonlight Shadow..." She said, plainly, "This headband contains a very precious memory to it. It's more valueble then my life. Tell gramps in there he better take care of it..." Ai's left hand that had the sword shaked. It was like losing apart of herself. "He can take away my headband...But he can never take away my sword...My source of my pride." She thought.

[Taiki-kun]

^{Gramps? What a disrespectful thing to say. Taiki was rude, but not insulting of the leader of the village. He knows that the Hokage can eaisly make all the missions harder just because he's angry. Lord Haokge now has complete power over their future Shinbo carrers. Lord Hokage can ruin their lives if he wanted right now. Disrespect is the last thing you would want to give him.
Taiki nudged Ai and whispered, "Respect him... give give him the headband..."
Truthfully, giving him the headband will probably better the lives of all the Genin if he is a good hokage... which he is.}