The streaks of the morning sun peeked through the shades and thin brown veil cast from a rod atop the frame of the window; shedding illumination into a dim room with the mark of the new day's beginning. It was like a cue in a movie in that the alarm clock that was bedside ignited into pandemonium with The Hidden Stone's morning news to disrupt his slumber. His weary eyes were revealed as lids slipped open and the two blue orbs reluctantly cooperated into animation. His slender form churned for a few moments in rebellion to the inevitable though its fighting relented at the voice of his mother from the hallway.
"Hito, it's time to get up. You have a big day~!
Her words were pregnant with the type of excitement that was birthed by the fact that just a day earlier Hitotsu had been promoted to a full-fledged genin. He was going to groan in protest, but he realized this as well, and the mood of the boy diverted from regret to enthusiastic. He hurriedly threw off the blanket and sheets---white sheets and a thick blanket which sported a pattern of shuriken lined up in rows across it. His room matched the bedding with a plethora of ninja memorabilia as well as propaganda from The Hidden Stone. Even his curtains which were brown with the insignia of The Hidden Stone etched in black in the middle of each side. He exitted his room.
"I'm up, mom! Is dad in the kitchen?"
She quickly replied that he was already at the kitchen table, so Hito double-timed his morning routine of getting dressed, washing his face and brushing his teeth. The air was thick when he entered the kitchen, a plethora of thoughts tangling into a weave of one another between the three of them. He didn't bother sitting at the table, though he was quick to bow to his father and sport a toothy grin that was augmented with pride. His father returned with the shake of his head, with a fork in hand that was shaken towards him.
"What is your plan for today, ninja?"
His father spoke between a bite of his breakfast.
"Well, uh--I was hoping I could get that graduation money you mentioned..
As he spoke, anyone could tell he was both hesitant and nervous to breech the subject without his father first mentioning it. Nevertheless, he had a goal for today which required the money. His father gave him a nod and look which indicated he could go ahead with his plan to use it.
"Well, there's a katana I've been eyeing since I've been studying at the academy. And, you know, you practice sword technique and I always have too! I've trained enough with a bokken..."
The idea seemed to be convincing enough, or maybe it was just that his father had already been waiting for Hito to get up so that he could give it to him. Either way, the money was in a pouch and placed upon the table. Hito's grin widened from one ear to the other as he grabbed some toasted bread as well as the money. After exchanging farewells, he headed out of the house. The air was hot and dry, but it didn't seem to bother him as he high-tailed it from the compound and toward the shops.
