<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/6gHyA34.jpg)</div><strong><span class="bbc_u">Kugetsuki Shiori</span></strong>(https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=236641.msg11654413#msg11654413)<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Kirigakure, North Gate<br/><strong>Tag:</strong>Kita Seiji, Kita Tomo, Zato Ichimaru<br/><hr/><br/>"Coming, Tomo-Chan!" Shiori called back towards her fellow kunoichi's enthusiastic call, a thinly present shift of amusement to her tone. Although her handsome teammate couldn't see her expression, the slightly amused tinge to her voice as she replied likely told the perceptive swordsman that she subtly joined their Jonin in bemusement over his exasperation. However, she knew her comrades enough to not to assume he couldn't read her, despite being deprived of the sight of her, a mistake many assumed to make. "We've just past the gates. Just a little bit more to go, Ichi-kun. I'm sure we can arrange a shopping trip for Tomo-chan and I, once we get settled in." She stated in a gentle tone, reassuring her exhausted comrade with the promise of some alone time, while she distracted their lively comrade for a bit. Truthfully, she was a bit tired herself, but Ichimaru always had a harder time with these longer trips. He had to be much more careful with his steps, after all, while attempting to follow along without costing them time. He could do it, no doubt, but it had to exhausting to balance those concerns without sight. While she walked, she made sure not to soft-petal her steps, just to make sure he could easily hear her presence close by as her sandals hit the paved road.<br/><br/>Fitting in with the colors of her team, Shiori was adorned a black dress-like robe, covering her from the collar down to past her waist, with a near solid black that matched her hair, if it wasn't for the short dark blue poncho that dropped her shoulders to her midriff. The flowing outer-garment gave it something of a conservative appearance, and definitely helped fit in with the vast lakes and islands that made up the geography of the Land of Water, but truthfully, part of the reason is that her budding anatomy was starting to really show through her robes, despite her efforts. In fact, she just had her under-armor readjusted yet again to accommodate her recent growth over the past couple of months. Not that her shinobi robes showed any cleavage, but it made it quite apparent that she was getting quite top-heavy. That wasn't the only change either. The hem of her skirt of her attire was rising higher and higher as well, and was now at least half way up her thigh. She was always shorter than nearly everyone else in her class, so it was just assumed that she was a petite girl, but it getting more evident that she might had just been a late bloomer. Once she got back home, she would really have to look into getting an entirely new outfit. In the mean time, she added some dark blue leggings that rose up to her thighs, and kept her long gloves on, on top of the poncho to help keep things modest, though she likely couldn't wear the latter during the exams. It was times like this that it might had been a blessing that her only male companions were Kita-sensei, whom she trusted, and Ichimaru, who luckily couldn't see her.<br/><br/>A soft smile arose on her lips as she turned her dark-eyed gaze towards Seiji, nodding towards him in that quiet but determined way of hers. "I'll do my best, sensei. If it's in my power, I'll do everything I can." She stated, earnestly, looking up at him earnestly so that he knew she was taking his words seriously. He always tasked her with a bit of extra, to look out after her comrades, but she never lamented it. It was her duty, after all, as an Iryou-nin. And, besides, she was kinda happy that he trusted her so much, especially considering...unpleasant circumstances about her.<br/><br/>After a silent moment, though, a tinge of a smirk arose back on her lips, as she continued walking along. "Although, while I appreciate your confidence, it might be presumptuous to assume we're making it through. Most aren't going to succeed in becoming Chunnin, after all." She stated, not lingering on the pessimistic note long before looking back at her instructor somewhat playfully. "Ichimaru-kun is a genius, so I wouldn't be surprised if he passes, and that vibrant energy of hers' will take Tomo-chan far. But I suspect you'll be seeing me in your care again in the next couple of months, Kita-sensei." It wasn't any secret that the maidenly brunette hadn't been as confident as her comrades in this endeavor. Initially, she was against coming for the test already, but she wasn't one to want to hold her friends back, and it was no surprise she reluctantly agreed to participate. He likely suspected it wasn't just the assessment of her talent that made her hesitant to come, but she didn't mention it. Despite not casting a favorable outcome for herself, her expression never faultered, as if that wouldn't be a disappointing circumstance for her. She was quite fond of Kita-sensei, after all.