Teach the Kids [M: Complete]

[Hikaru Akadou]

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Name: Teach The Kids
Rank: D
Reward: --
Description: A gennin will be sent to the Ninja Academy to tell them about the shinobi world and life immediately after the academy. This is a simple task but is necessary for the students to learn more about the life of shinobi's.
Recommended Party: 1 (Maximum)
Status: Open

Word, apparently hadn’t been sent to the Academy that their dispatched mission had been assigned. This was understandable, considering that only an hour prior did Hiraku receive his slip. He had since that time, rushed over to the Academy. Granted, the distance wasn’t great, but far enough to cause him to walk, rather than run. Although, it could be argued that all missions should be treated with urgency, he felt there was really no need to sprint all the way there. Not when he’d likely only be teaching a very small portion of a class period.

This was true, elaborated further by the Chuunin instructing the class. In fact, he seemed quite dumbstruck upon the Genin’s arrival. As Hiraku entered, he titled his head in utter confusion, and in cohesion with this rubbed a finger upon his chin. After a few seconds of this pondering, it seemed he had remembered about the assignment he had sent over to the Hokage’s office. As such, he turned to address the class.

The class consisted of only a few students, such times as the current were deadly for shinobi, and this resulted in fewer applicants, and fewer willing parents to submit their children to danger. However, despite their meager numbers, many were interested in the newest arrival to their little classroom. “An actual Genin,” one of the younger ones had spoken up, rising out of her seat to address him. He returned the favor with a smile and a wave while approaching the center of the classroom.

The room itself was divided up by several long, table-like desks. They were silver, or white in color and were only divided by small places where each student sat at about arms-length from each other. There were several rows like this, however only the first three were partially filled. In each row, about six students sat, totaling eighteen present, one absence today the Chuunin in charge had mentioned before introducing Hikaru.

The instructor spoke with veiled boredom, only displaying moderate enthusiasm, for a job he did not seem to care for. “Everyone,” he said, while pointing towards Hikaru. “Today we have a guest speaker, his name is Hikaru, and he sat in the very same seats you do now a little while ago.” A few of the students turned their heads at each other, as if they were excited about that. Those in the back row, weren’t really paying attention at all, one was firing spitballs at a girl in the front row, missing quite terribly.

Hikaru had noticed, but was not about to get the young student in trouble, boys will be boys after all. Not everything about the Academy was all exciting if he recalled correctly. Still, he rubbed the back of his head while being introduced, a thin shade of red setting in upon his cheeks.

“Although he hasn’t been a Genin for very long, he’s currently assigned to explain what you are to expect after graduation.” With that said, the Chuunin was rather relieved to allow all attention be upon his guest speaker. This was mainly revealed by the way he quickly dove in the paper-work upon his desk. This action put Hikaru on edge, and he swallowed some saliva rather noticeably. After clearing his throat though, he felt a little better. His eyes scanned each of the students present before he began.

“Everything is rather confusing at first. I mean, life as a Genin is much different from life as an Academy student. Before, well, now for you guys.” He made a few rather awkward hand gestures. Even to the young students, it was obvious that Hikaru was no public speaker. In just a short amount of time, and in a couple of sentences he had already begun to perspire. The lighting from above made each sweat droplet glisten as the Genin shifted.

“Grades were important, what you scored determined when you advanced. As a Genin though, a shinobi, it’s about working together to reach a common goal, not about who does the best, or who is the smartest. If one member of your team fails you all do.” His explanation had left out the part about teams, and a few seconds later he noticed that, reaching a hand behind his head to cover such a mistake. He began to pace instead though, moving from row to row, across the classroom and back as he finished up his mini-lecture.

“What I am trying to say, is that as a Genin of Konohagure, you have to be willing to work with others. You have to understand, that life isn’t about advancement, life isn’t a competition. If you are loyal to your team, and to Konohagure, rank doesn’t matter. Just the fact that you serve and protect your home is enough.”

The Chuunin instructor seemed to disagree with him. No doubt he was one of the short-lived Genins. The ones that had shown so much talent that as soon as Chuunin exams were announced his team leader recommended him for the position; regardless of such an opinion though, Hikaru stood by his, and as he fell silent, he was met with silence. Looking back from student to student, he became real nervous, until one of them, the girl whom had been taking spit-balls to the back of the head, raised her hand.

Questions followed, and he answered them. Soon though, the instructor cut him off, saying that the period was almost over and he still had to hand back, and assign assignments. With that, Hikaru took his leave, but not before getting the Chuunin’s signature on his mission slip. Shortly after, he left with the folded slip in pocket and headed back down the hall, and thereafter back out into the streets. From there, he’d return to the mission board.

[Hikaru Akadou]

Hiraku was up late, thinking about the following day. He had been reprimanded for a poor performance while on assignment. Although he attributed his poor lecture to nerves, he was slightly worried that the instructor was more against him than he first realized. They had opposing opinions about Shinobi life that much he was sure of in the short amount of time he had spent in the classroom. Yesterday, he had felt that Chuunin’s eyes burning through the back of his skull, either with rage, or annoyance. Regardless of which, Hiraku had almost expected something like this to happen.

However, even those thoughts did not allow him sleep. He was up to see the sunrise, and a little after that. In total, he had only had about two hours of sleep. It showed in his eyes, which were like dropping bags. The shadows underneath him them looked more like unnatural make-up and the mere thought that he would have to appear in that classroom again in just an hour or so was rather daunting. As such, he remained in bed, covers over top of his body, and eyes open and staring at the ceiling. He lay like this until his alarm finally went off.

It droned, blaring until he brought a fist over top of it. Luckily, even with underestimating his strength, the clock was not broken. However, the blare did stop, which was a relief to both his aching head and his ringing ears. Rolling over afterwards, he kicked the covers and sheets off of him and proceeded to get dressed. This only took a few minutes and during such a time he opened the blinds which blocked the sun out of his room. Light came streaming in, hurting his eyes momentarily and bringing life into an otherwise dull, wood built room.

The next twenty minutes consisted of breakfast, conversation with his parents, and an attempt to reach-out to his recently returned sister. She had since the first time they spoke, locked herself in her room. Apparently, she had done terrible things, actions which she was not proud of and of which she did not wish to speak to him about. Hiraku was hurt by this, but understood, after all they hardly knew each other, and he had only seen her a few times when he was barely a boy. However, he couldn’t understand why she’d confided in their parents, without as much as a word to him.

Regardless, after such a failed attempt, and after a full meal he said his farewells to his parents and walked out of the clan compound. The walk to the Academy, which he had taken several hundred times over since his youth, was further than that of the walk yesterday; however he would enjoy it while it lasted. Today was a nice day, with very few clouds above his head, and a sun beaming warm rays of energy upon him? This helped to calm him a bit as he made the final turns that led into the Academy’s grounds.

The door which led into the classroom creaked open, much to his disliking, and immediately afterwards all eyes were on him and he could feel them judging. Or perhaps maybe they were only happy to see him again. Which could have been true, he couldn’t tell with the simple glance and wave he gave as he once again stepped into the center of the room. This time the Chuunin only gave a nod in acknowledgment, for it seemed that he was still a little annoyed about the performance of yesterday? Whatever the case, the students were relatively docile this early in the morning, even the trouble- maker, whom had shot spitballs at the girl the other day, was too tired to make any comments.

The Chuunin then stepped forward, there was a small introduction, attributed to Hikaru once again, and he was gestured towards with small enthusiasm. However, nothing as grandiose as the day prior just a simple: “Upon my request, Hikaru is here to speak with you all again, I think you all could do with another lesson.” That said, the instructor took his seat behind his wooden-desk, and once more began to do some paper-work. However, Hikaru knew better than to assume that he was not listening, after all he had been paying attention yesterday.

“Too be honest,” Hikaru began, after several seconds of awkward silence. “I haven’t been a Genin that long myself.” He rubbed the back of his head with one hand. Also, briefly looking back the Chuunin for some sort of support, there wasn’t any to be found, just a stern face. When he looked back at the class he continued. “But, I’ll answer any questions you have about what I have experienced so far. Now, I know you might be reluctant to ask, or nervous even, I know I am, but it’s why I’m here.” True enough and his own nerves were causing small beads of sweat to form on his head.

The next thirty seconds felt like an eternity. There was just silence, other than the few students shifting in their chairs. Either they didn’t know what they wanted to ask or they simply did not care enough. How Hiraku hoped it was the former. For the latter would pose much trouble for the village later down the line. Luckily, such thoughts could easily be disposed of as one of the students; this time from the second row raised his hand. He was on the fatter side, to such a degree that it was pretty obvious that he was a member of the Akimichi clan. Whether that was true or not, Hiraku did not comment, and simple pointed adding in a muttered: “Yes?”

“I uh-uh,” The boy stuttered, however still seemed determined to ask his question, even when he looked down at the floor. “A-are teams assigned or c-can you pick who you work with?” It was a good question, and one crossroad that Hiraku hadn’t yet had the pleasure to deal with. However, he still knew the answer to it, and gladly provided it with a small smile. He could tell that the boy was worried about being partnered with someone he either didn’t care for, or someone that would perhaps make fun of his stature.

“I’m not part of a team yet, but from what I can tell, you can choose whom you fight alongside with.” To his knowledge this was true, ever since the war. In a previous time, years ago, teams may have been assigned, but now it was better to work with those you trust; especially since many of the hidden villages are still is disarray, and are unwilling to defuse their suspicions. Shortly after this answer, the boy nodded, seemingly satisfied, and now that the ice had been broken a few students raised their hands at the same time.

For a few moments, Hiraku debated on how to choose the next question. However, upon realizing that he would eventually get to everyone he once more just pointed a finger. Another boy began to speak a few seconds later. His question was: “Is there ever a time when you have to work alone?” This confused Hiraku a bit, mainly because he couldn’t understand why the boy was asking it. Perhaps it was because he did not like to be alone, or maybe he preferred it that way? Whatever the true intentions were, they did not matter. Not when the answer to the question was so blatantly obvious.

“Most of the time you’ll want a friend at your back. Missions vary in difficulty, and some are nearly impossible without the help of another Shinobi. However, I’m on a mission right now. The request your instructor gave was given to the Hokage, and I was dispatched to fill it.” The instant after he spoke he knew he shouldn’t have added in that last part, for the next question in line would prove rather awkward. And of course he couldn’t get a lucky break; mister trouble-maker in the back decided to pick up on this little fact. He raised his hand.

The others had put their hands down, out of fear maybe? Hiraku couldn’t be sure, since the student didn’t look like the bully type. In fact, if he had to guess, he’d say the boy was more of a nerd, with big spectacles, and a book in front of him. Then again, the Genin wasn’t here to judge, just too talk. With a rather relaxed gesture, the boy began his question:

“Wouldn’t that mean that yesterday you were here on a mission too?”

“Yes.” Hikaru replied, albeit reluctantly, he knew what came next.

“Then why are you back again today and not another Genin?”

The question made a streak of red come across his cheeks, and out of habit a hand began to stroke back of his head. He stuttered: “I-I w-was asked to come back because; I didn’t do a proper job yesterday.” With that admission he prayed for another question. Anything to get that nerd-bully’s eyes off of him, however one did not come for several seconds, and each second was pure agony, even the instructor let out a big smirk, knowing that he had unintentionally ceased this awkward situation too occur. He really did believe that the students needed more than what was originally offered after all.

The girl from the front row, the same as yesterday broke the silence, much to Hiraku’s relief. In all honesty, she probably felt a bit sorry for him, since he was so cordial yesterday and now was put on spot so brutally. “Well you can fix that now; I have another question for you. What would you say is the most important thing to learn here before we become Genin?”

The Genin let out a sigh, and shortly following it was a bright smile. He was glad that the silence had been destroyed, and that the trouble-maker was silenced before events could progress further. Stepping forward, closer to all the students gathered, he answered. “Life as a Genin is unpredictable, one day you could be in a classroom teaching, and the next, you could be off to another continent. Just remember that those you see around you now, will always be your comrades. You can turn to them for help any time.”

With that answer, any remaining questions, not to say that there were any other hands up, and if there were they had be subsequently lowered while he spoke, he stepped back and looked around the room one last time. If there were no other inquiries, he had nothing more he could add. Like he had mentioned earlier this was only his first assignment, and he really hadn’t been a Genin for that long anyway. Perhaps another more seasoned would have done a better job. However, this time, the second time he felt like he might have done them a little good. Maybe now they would actually learn what his words truly meant: that trust in each other would one day save their lives.

How he hoped that was the case as he left the Academy behind, once more heading back to that office. A thought suddenly occurred to him though: How did the instructor beat me back to the receptionist last time? He smirked at such a though; one of the mysteries of the powerful no doubt.

[Haretsu]

hikaru: 20 EXP