<div align="center"><strong>~ Seiyuri - Returning Home ~</strong><br/><br/></div>Evening was well under way when Seiyuri exited the forest. Rather than hurry home she took the long way around to reach her home, her mind wondering over the events of today trying to calm her mind. The exam had been more or less what she had expected, hard and brutal - physically and mentally and potentially fatal as Niikon had proven. She hoped that Niikon had been the only fatal casualty of the exams but she wasn't going to delude herself into thinking he wasn't. The exams were designed to weed out the weak from the strong and being strong meant accepting that would be an important aspect of their lives now. Every time they walk out of those villages gates is another chance for death to try and an claim them or move them to take the lives of their enemies.  And as much as she was dedicated to<em>saving</em>lives Seiyuri also knew that not every life could be saved that there would be times when to save one life meant she would have to end anothers. That was an inevitable fact, all Seiyuri could do was try to end them quickly and painlessly as not to inflict undo suffering.<br/><br/>She figured the other three that passed with her would be out celebrating and they should considering that out of all the genins that had attended that exam only the four of them were deemed qualified to achieve Chuunin status. Yet, Seiyuri found herself wanting just a simple quiet evening at home with her family than a night out on the town with friends, not that she really had any friends that is. Since her return to the Leaf several years ago Sei had found it hard to relate to peers in her age group; the hardships and nightmares she had endured at the hands of Tokoumaru and Tadashi had forced her to grow and mature long before her time twisting many of her perceptions of her self-worth and how she would perceive others seeing her worth as both a shinobi and as a young woman. Shaking her head Sei forced such thoughts from her mind. Yamanka Ichiro had done wonders, all things considered, in repairing the psychological damage from years of physical and sexual abuse. And though she was still left with many scars that would likely never completely heal she could never fully repay Ichiro for bringing her out of the darkness and saving what was left of her sanity.<br/><br/>It wasn't until she was taking at first step up the wooden stairs that Sei realized she was home. Pausing in her ascent she took a moment to look at the structure that that been her family's home for generations since the founding of Konohagakure. It was a large simple two story building set in the old style with slanting roofs that curled upwards at the four corners. There were a few other smaller buildings scattered around the property each respectively housing the family's dojo, a shrine to their ancestors and a green house where they grew their own herbs and spices. The crowing achievement of the estate however was the family's garden. Originally started by her great-grandmother on her grandfather's side when she first married into the Iniishi Clan. Being from Kusa her great-grandmother had an amazing way with plants and when she wed she brought with her many samples of fauna both domestic and exotic as part of her dowry. Within a a few short years of her marriage she created a lush vibrant botanical garden that was the envy of many of the other Clan Matriarchs.<br/><br/>A rare smile lit Seiyuri's as she remembered her earlier years kneeling beside her grandmother weeding and tending to that garden as she curiously asked questions about the various flowers there. Going up the remaining stairs she slid the thick rice paper door open and stepped into the gouken where she slipped out of her ninja shoes placing them in the shoe cupboard before slipping into her house slippers.<br/><br/><strong>"Tadaima."</strong>She called out making her way down the hallway.<br/><br/><strong>"Is that you Seiyuri-chan?"</strong>Her grandmother said wiping her hands on her apron as she came out of the kitchen to greet her grand-child with a warm hug with her grandfather following a few moments behind with a comforting hand on her shoulder.<br/><br/>She reciprocated the older woman's embrace.<strong>"Hai Obaasan, Ojiisan. The exams ended earlier than anticipated."</strong><br/><br/>Her grandfather frowned.<strong>"You were suppose to be gone for a few days. Did something happen? Are you alright?"</strong><br/><br/>She removed her shades, green eyes stared at her Ojiisan warmed by his concern.<strong>"I'm fine, nothing a hot soak and some of Obaasan's cooking won't cure. The exams ended early because four participants met with the requirements for completion."</strong><br/><br/>Both her grandparents seemed surprised by statement.<strong>"Only four made it out of all those genins?"</strong>Her grandmother exclaimed while her husband, just as shocked, rubbed his chin thoughtfully staring at the playful mirth dancing in his granddaughter's eyes as she tried to play it cool. "<strong>Hai, I'm pretty sure the news is going to surprise many people when they learn of it.</strong>" she said.<br/><br/><strong>"Do you know who passed?"</strong>Her grandfather question, trying to suppress the smile threatening the split his face as he suspected the news their Seiyuri was going to share with them.<br/><br/>The young medic nodded.<strong>"Hai. The first was a member of the Uchiha Clan, Kuroda-san. The next is Heishiro Kyoshiro followed by Kisaragi Reina and finally....myself."</strong><br/><br/>To say her family was ecstatic was an understatement. Vahn laughed heartily as he had to save his grand-daughter from turning blue in the face from his his wife's over jubilant hug.<strong>"Congratulations, we knew you could do."</strong>He said clapping the young woman on the back.<strong>"This calls for a celebration! Damn, its to bad that your mother and sister were both called away on missions."</strong><br/><br/>No sooner had those words left his mouth than Vahn cursed himself as he watched Seiyuri expression dimmed.<strong>"Oh,"</strong>was all she said for a long moment before shrugging,<strong>"I guess that it can't be helped then. I'm going to get cleaned up and changed."</strong><br/><br/>The elderly couple watched as Seiyuri walked the stairs to her room. Waiting for her to be out of sight Itsuko reached out and smacked her husband on the arm.<strong>"What was that for."</strong>he asked, rubbing the sore tender area where his spouse had struck.<strong>"For being so careless with your words, Anata"</strong>she hissed, hands on her hips glaring up at her husband.<br/><br/>Vahn sighed before hugging his wife,<strong>"I know, forgiven me for being an insensitive boar."</strong>he said. Moving back to the kitchen he continued to speak his mind.<strong>"Sometimes I have to wonder about our daughter. I know she really hasn't been the same since Kaien's death and then Seiyuri's abduction certainly didn't help matter any but you would think she would be happy to have her daughter back. I know things were hard in the beginning for both of them and though they have gotten considerably better I can't help the feeling there is no true connection between them, not like with us. Ayano treats that chit she adopted more like her flesh and blood daughter than she does Seiyrui."</strong><br/><br/>Itsuko sighed. She too had seen what her husband had described and being such a nurturing spirit could not understand for the life of her why her daughter insisted in keeping such a distance between them until she had made the mistake confronting Ayano on the issue a week ago on her lukewarm reaction when they learned Seiyrui had been nominated for the Chuunin. The conversation that followed had deeply shocked the older woman and made her realize how broken and bitter her daughter really was. Perhaps she would talk to her husband later tonight about it, after Seiyuri went to bed.<br/><br/><strong>"I know dear, but you really can't fault Kazumi for Ayano's short comings where Seiyuri is concerned. Ayano is a grown woman and responsible for her own mistakes."</strong><br/><br/>Vahn stared at his wife sensing there was more to what Itsuko than she was saying but didn't press the issue she would tell him when he was ready.<strong>"So are you going to be making our grand-daughter's favorite dishes tonight?"</strong><br/><br/>Glad for the change of topic Itsuko nodded.<strong>"Off course and if you behave I will also through in those Sweet dangos you love so much."</strong><br/><br/>That brought a smile to the older man's face.<strong>"Lead the way, I'm just going to make a quick call."</strong>he said ducking into the common room. Shaking her head she figured that her husband would be inviting Ichiro-san over to celebrate the good new on Seiyuri's promotion if the woman didn't already know by now.<br/><br/>Meanwhile as her grandparents talked Seiyuri had made her way to her bedroom where she began unpacking her things. She would need to replenish her medical scroll later on tonight as she was uncertain given what Izuka said the Hokage needing combat ready team if she would be called out on mission the minute she accepted her Chuunin vest. The rest of the scrolls were fine since she hardly touched them during the exams. Stripping out of her clothes she donned a robe and grabbed her bathing supplies in a small basket heading for the bathroom where she scrubbed herself down thoroughly from head to toe and all the places in-between washing away all the first and grime before rinsing the suds away. She repeated this twice before she felt clean enough to slid into the steaming tub for a nice long soak.<br/><br/>An hour and a half later Seiyuri was coming down the stairs. She was dressed in a simple pale lavender cropped top with black drawstring pants. Her hair, still damp, was coiled up into a messy bun held in place with a pair of chop sticks. white tabi socks adorn her feet muffling her steps as she made her way to the common room. She was surprised Ichiro-san was there talking with her grandfather. She could smell all of her favorite foods her grandmother had prepared wafting from the kitchen.<strong>"Konichi wa Yamanaka-san. I see that my grandfather has called you over to celebrate my promotion."</strong><br/><br/>Ichiro Yamanaka nodded, her clan's trademark pupiless blue eyes shone with good humor as she brushed a lock of honey blond hair away from her face.<strong>"That would be right. I am so happy for you Seiyuri. You have come a long way since you were entrusted into my care."</strong><br/><br/>Seiyuri  could feel the faint heat of a blush stain her cheeks as she slight bowed.<strong>"Arigato, Ichiro-san. I couldn't have made it this far without you."</strong><br/><br/>The jounin laughed.<strong> "Oh, you would have gotten there eventually, don't ever doubt that. Now that you here maybe your grandmother will let us at all the food she has made. I must confess to I was hungry when i arrived now I'm down right famished with all the smells coming from the kitchen."</strong><br/><br/>This brought a laugh from her grandfather as he offered up both his arms to women present.<strong>"Well then we can't have that now can we. Allow me to escort you fine ladies and we shall get started." </strong><br/><br/>Accepting his gallant offer he lead Ichiro and Seiyuri to the dinning room where Seiyuri's grandmother had laid out a fine spread of food. For the rest of that evening Seiyrui enjoyed the company of her grandparents and Ichiro. Seiyuri talked about the the events of the exam and what was like to happen now. The other in turn shared their previous missions experience, more often than not ending up laughing at some crazy exploit her grandfather and his team at the time was pulled to complete their mission. All an all Seiyuri couldn't ask for a better evening.<br/><br/><br/>((will have Reina's post up shortly. This post was too big to put hers here ^^;; ))<br/>