Itadakimasu!!! ~Keitaro, Nadameru~

[Tensei Kaori]

(OoC: Just to shake things up a bit, I've posted the first part from Akina's point of view. I'll get her bio up ASAP, but I didn't wanna make you guys wait.)

Akina glanced at the clock on the wall of her comfortable, if somewhat simplistic, apartment with no little excitement. Tonight they were celebrating the inauguration of two - two! new Jounin, when welcoming one into their ranks was cause enough for celebration. Each and every Jounin since who knows when had been initiated this way, and it was only known to those who had experienced it. She looked at her reflection in the low mirror - she looked every inch the Konoha Jounin, dressed formally in full uniform - and sighed. Without the high heels she usually wore, she looked just as short as she actually was. Well, there's nothing to be done about it now, she thought, and left.

Following tradition, the two would be greeted by whichever Jounin whose turn it was to do so - in this case, it was hers - and brought to the place of initiation at sunset. Of course, things would be a little different this time because there were two, but the principle was still the same. She looked at the sky. Perfect. She arrived at her first stop right as the sun was its own height above the horizon. She knocked on the door, and the first of the guests of honor opened the door.

"Good evening," she announced formally. "You have been summoned by your fellow Jounin. Please come with me."

(OOC Note: I left it open so whichever of you gets here first can be the first to be picked up. The basic idea is that they act all official like it's some kind of really scary initiation but it turns out to be a big fun time. Think of it as a ninja-style surprise party. ^_~ Anyways, any Jounin in the families know what's going on, and they're already at the place, waiting. The only Jounin not there yet are Akina and you two.)

[Kiel]

((OOC: ...poor Keitaro...he's a dumbass ^^;; ))

Keitaro Buyo opened the door.

"Hai, hai, nandaiyo--urk"

Keitaro saw the face of a neatly dressed Jounin. It took Keitaro a moment to recognise that this was the Hokage's assistant.

He saw her face fall a bit as she glanced at him. He was wearing an old cotton robe with his Librarian hat slidding haphazardly off his head. The very image of unkemptness.

"Good evening," she announced formally. "You have been summoned by your fellow Jounin. Please come with me."

Keitaro snapped to life.

The Inaguration! Crap, I almost forgot!

"H-hold on a sec! I'll change quickly!"

Keitaro raced back into his house, scrambling to get his uniform on. He remembered how the tailors had given him the incorrect size of shirt and pants. To be honest, they didn't stock uniforms that matched Keitaro's lanky frame.

Rushing to the door, he was finally ready.

"Okay *huff* I'm *huff* ready to go"

Keitaro felt a pang of discomfort as he saw the Hokage's assistant's face. His shirt barely fit, partially exposing his stomach. His pants cut off above the ankle.

Not exactly the best look for a new Jounin of Konoha.

((OOC: Keitaro's librarian outfit is something that is sacred to the Buyo clan. It consists of a ceremonial cloak and tall hat. Very similar to Boogiepop Phantom actually. I'll get my pic up as soon as possible))

[Kiri]

((OOC: WHEEE!!! I can write again!!! HUZZAH!))

Nadameru knelt quietly in front of the family shrine. Her mother's warm smile gave her courage and she bowed her head, saying a quick prayer. Tonight was to be her Jounin inauguration, and it was the first time she had been fully dressed in her uniform.

Three quick knocks sounded at the door, making her heart skip a beat.

Wish me luck, okaasan!

Nada got to her feet and hurried to the door, pulling on her shoes on the way. She was a little surprised to see Keitaro standing there with the Hokage's assistant upon opening it.

"Akina-san, Kei-kun. Kobanwa...." She paused, quietly taking in his issues with his wardrobe. His expression was one of mixed anxiety and embarrassment. She gave him a sympathetic, yet encouraging smile.

As they followed Akina blindly, Nada leaned over to Keitaro. "I'm glad you're here too, Kei-kun."

[Kiel]

Keitaro struggled to pull his shirt down as far as it would go.

"I'm...glad to see you too...rrf" He said, straining with his uniform.

"I only wish I could at least look the part" he added.

Nadamaru had always been one of Kei's best friends and most trusted allies. They had worked together on previous missions and Kei was always astounded at her skills. It was no surprise to him that she was becoming a Jounin.

He sighed inwardly, he knew the only reason he was being appointed to the Jounin level was because of the shortage of high ranking ninjas in Konoha. He was skilled, but not to the level where he felt he could be a senior shinobi.

Ever since my meeting with Kaori-sama...I feel somehow inadequite to everyone else now, yet I'm being promoted?!

"So, um...what have you been up to lately Nada-chan?"

Nada-chan?! Were not little genin anymore you stupid pissant. Nadamaru is a senior ninja now, treat her with respect!

The evening was heading off to a swell start as they got closer to the restaurant.

[Kiri]

"I'm glad to see you too... I just wish I could look the part....."

Nada watched Keitaro struggle with his wardrobe for a moment before looking ahead. She knew him well enough to know what he was thinking. Perhaps he didn't look the part, but she knew inside he was questioning his own worth as a shinobi. She sighed softly. Self-confidence had always been one of his weak points.

"So, um...what have you been up to lately Nada-chan?"

Nada grinned, a rare expression for her. Keitaro had to be the only person other than her father who still addressed her as "Nada-chan." Not that she was about to complain. It was just another little quirk in Keitaro's charmingly odd personality.

Her face fell a bit as she sensed his anxiety grow.

"Oh," she responded softly. "Not much, I guess." She paused, then looked at him, watching him fidget. Reaching over, she slipped her hand into his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Daijobu, Kei-kun."

[Tensei Kaori]

"Perfect! Not a speck of lint anywhere!" Tensei Kaori was back in Jounin uniform after only a day as the Tenth Hokage, and it already felt strange. For as long as she had known, no matter how long they had been away from the ranks of Jounin - whether due to retirement, enlistment into the ANBU, or even duties as Hokage - everyone attended the Jounin Initiation, as equals. Ranks were forgotten for the night - every rank, that is, except that of Jounin. It was a tightly knit group. She remembered very well how she had felt for her own Initiation, and how tension had eased once she was greeted with her comrades' smiling faces. It was one of her favorite memories, and she hoped the two new Jounin would feel the same when they looked back on this night. With a twinkle in her eye, Kaori ducked out of her apartment and set off through the shadows towards the meeting place.

* * * * * * * * * *

It felt strange going about the initiation this way. Normally things were done a little differently, but well, even if tradition had to bend a little, it was for a good reason. Akina looked at the sun. It was just touching the horizon. Perfect.

Suddenly she stoped dead in her tracks and spun around to face her two followers. "It is time," she announced, still sounding formal and rather impressive. "Before we go any further, I need you to trust me. Will you continue?" When each of them had assented, she gathered chakra as only a trained medical specialist could, precise and controlled to the tiniest reverberation. As fluidly as water, her hands formed the seals her fingers had shaped since she was a child. Just before the jutsu was completed, she paused. "Look into my eyes," she instructed, "and relax." With that, the jutsu was performed and the genjutsu settled in. The genjutsu she had used was very mild, more like a glorified blindfold than anything else, and more efficient. "I will lead you there," she told Nadameru and Keitaro. "Just walk with me and follow my directions." Then she took each of them firmly by the arm and together they set off down the street.

* * * * *

At last they reached their destination. Akina opened the door silently and guided the two rookie Jounin inside before shutting the door again and locking it. Soon they were inside of the main dining room of everyone's favorite Barbequeue restaurant, and it was packed. Everyone was there, from Kaori-sama to Hoshi-kun, until tonight the most recently promoted of the Jounin crowd. Above the room where no one could miss it hung a huge colorful banner proclaiming "CONGRATULATIONS!" to anyone who saw it. She looked around at the familiar faces. Everyone was smiling. With winks from some and nods from others, Akina once again gathered chakra and formed her hands into a seal. "Kai!" Her voice rang out sharply in the silent room. As soon the illusion was dispelled, the gathered Jounin went nuts.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" everyone yelled as loudly as they could, cheering and smiling, and some were even already enjoying the restaurant's hospitality. Without even waiting for the toast, Akina thought with a mental eyeroll before ducking forward and gesturing to the rest of the group. "What are you waiting for? This is your party! Enjoy it!"

(OOC: Yay! The genjutsu Akina used was to keep people from guessing what's going on before it happens. It's like a blindfold, but it also causes the victim to temporarily lose their sense of direction. It doesn't cause any harm and all the other senses remain intact while under the illusion. This genjutsu is mostly used the way Akina used it in this post; for surprise parties. ;D)

[Kiel]

Keitaro felt Nadamaru's hand on his, warm with friendliness. He looked over to her and smiled.

"Arigato. I guess I'm just nervous is all. Thanks, though".

And they continued to walk with Akina.

Soon afterward, Keitaro found himself mentally blinfolded by Akina, who was leading them somewhere. Keitaro had yet to learn what exactly happened at Jounin inaguartions. Other senior ninjas kept it a gaurded secret.

With my luck, It'll be some kind of test that I can't do or something...

He felt Nadamaru's hand still grasping his. It reasured him, making him feel that he wasn't in this alone.

"Kai!" he heard someone shout.

Keitaro's vision returned to him as he saw the crowd of people in the Barbecue restaurant, many of which were his friends and comrades.

"SURPRISE!"

Keitaro felt joy and excitement wash over him, with a smidgen of relief.

"W-wow! This is fantastic! What a spead!" He said joyfully.

He stomach rumbled, he suddenly felt very hungry.

((OOC: sorry for taking so long to post. School and exams are crackin the whip, so I won't be able to reply for a bit. Good fic so far tho ^_^))

[Kiri]

((all this time and it's not all that great >__> but I did my best. ))

It seemed like they had been walking a long time to Nada, though she knew they hadn't. She supposed it was nerves making it seem that way. Suddenly, Akina stopped walking and turned to the two of them.

"It is time," she announced. "Before we go any further, I need you to trust me. Will you continue?"

Nada gave a quick glance to Keitaro before turning back to Akina. Without a word, she gave a quick, but firm nod. When Kei had agreed as well, Akina began forming seals quickly and skillfully.

Once finished, the jutsu covered Nada's vision with a darkness and she found herself blind to the world around her. She felt Akina take her by the arm. The Homura girl found herself wondering even more what this initation was going to entail.

She held tightly to Kei's hand as they were led somewhere outside of either's knowledge. They would find out soon enough. And at least they would be together.

It was not long before they stopped walking. Akina released them, and Nada stood waiting with baited breath. All was silent.

"Kai!" Akina's voice rang out.

As soon as vision was restored, Nada found herself standing in the local Barbeque restaurant. More surprising still, it was full to the brim with the jounin of the village, all of whom were shouting "surprise!" and "congratulations." She could only imagine the ludicrous look she must have on her face.

In the back stood her father, a ridiculous smile on his face. Nada finally grinned and began to relax. Some jounin initation.

[Tensei Kaori]

Kaori grinned as she addressed the newcomers. "Tonight, we hold no other rank than that of Jounin." She gestured around the room. Several familiar faces stood out as belonging to ANBU and retired shinobi, but every person there held or had held the title they were celebrating tonight. "Tonight, there are no -sans and no -samas." She chuckled and waved them over. "Now get over here so we can have the toast already. I'm starving!"

"Hear, hear!" came a voice from the back. Kaori looked in the direction it came from and noticed that the speaker was already eating. The others noticed it too and instantly the room was filled with laughter. "Looks like you don't need to worry about that, eh, Masakazu?" someone called. "Whaa?" exclaimed a very concerned-looking Masakazu, which in turn caused more friendly laughter. He eventually caught on to the joke and laughed right along with everyone else.

* * * * * * *

Akina laughed right along with the rest of the Jounin crowd. Masakazu was notorious for digging in before a toast or anything like that, and he actually seemed to enjoy his infamy. After awhile the laughter died down and everyone started calling for the toast. "You're up," she said to Nadameru and Keitaro with a grin.

[Kiri]

OoC: WOOT. This thread shall LIVE! Live I say! It's not a long post, but it'll do.

Nada had been watching everything in something of a daze when Akina waved them over.

"You're up," she said to the two new jounin.

Up? Up for what? It took a moment for Akina's words to register. Everyone in the room went quiet in expectation. A toast--they had to give a toast? Nadameru subconciously shrank behind Kei a bit. Everyone was looking at them. She was not a big fan of this at all.

What are we supposed to say? she wondered nervously. She didn't know what sort of things people said when they were toasting. She peeked at Kei-kun, giving him a pleading look that clearly said "help!".