[B]Minoru Maki[/B]

Watching the funeral processions from atop a nearby stone, Minoru let out a puff from deep within his lungs. Just a deep breath. Despite the fact that he knew next to nothing about the departed, he felt his bones grow cold when he thought about their sacrifice. Of course it's the honorable thing to do, laying down your life for others, but he was forced to wonder what they were like when they were among the living. [I]Too late to find out now,[/I] he confessed inwardly.

He felt like he'd missed a grand opportunity. Now, even if he wanted to, he could never know this pair of heroes. He held an arrowhead in his hand, not to harm anyone on an occasion already so grim, but just to make himself not feel empty. Watching the tears stream down the faces of others was touching, and a bit inspiring. He looked at the other genin scattered around the area. Some were crying, some were stoic, and others simply seemed a bit lost.

"I promise..," he muttered, "I promise.. that I will value every shinobi I meet in my lifetime." [I]Who knows if one day I'll be the one carrying that casket, and it's one of my friends who have gone cold. [/I]