[b]Xavimaru Kishimoto[/b]

Xavi had been one of the ones carrying Hirorama's Casket, the Pulverizer had taught Xavi how to get out of the darkness, how to get redemption for what he did. He gave him purpose again and a reason to live, something Xavi could never pay Hirorama back for. Xavi was supposed to be backup on the mission, but was delayed due to enemy forces, and because of that he couldn't repay his debt to his friend and rolemodel, and it hurt, damn did it hurt. He put down the casket with the others, put a few flowers on the casket, and walked up to the open part of the casket, gently tapping Hirorama on the forehead, a sign of affection if there ever was one. He stood back with the others, looking at the ceremony, and as he did, he couldn't help but feel the need to light up. He fiddled into a pocket and found the papercovered roll of tobacco, as well as a box of matches, he lit the match and put the makeshift cigarette on fire, standing there smoking, looking at the scene that unfolded infront of himself. A few tears gathering in the side of his eyes, but they didn't fall from his eyes.

He inhaled the smoke from his cigarette and quietly let it out, not making too much of a fuss, his hair was brushed and the back had been put into a bun, the bangs gently swaying in the wind and the light downpour. "Dammit Hiro." He let out, Sebaru's speach being beautiful, and when the time came, he bowed with everyone else in the village for the fallen heroes.

He headed back with his fellow Guardsmen into the Kage's quarters, always wonderous about the location the Kage had chosen, why a dojo instead of a bunker, or a finer office? But then again, Sebaru was a man of principle, not one of style, unlike Xavi himself. Xavi got his files, thanked his superior, and headed out of the kage's mansion, not sticking around much longer, the sadness in the air was about to get to him, and he did not want that. He walked towards the monument where Hirorama and Rei were buried, and sat down next to it, leaning against it. He opened up his dossiers and read the files. "Heh.. Lucky me. This is going to be fun." Xavi thought to himself, looking at the pictures and the data that had been given to him.

***

[b]Hiruzen Dartan[/b]

Hiruzen had followed with the others in, still going over the mechanics behind sadness in his head, it kept him from actually grieving right now, something he didn't think himself capable of doing right now, he wanted to focus. He could feel sorrow and grieve once the war was over. He followed Sebaru into his office, walking right behind Kami. He got in and waited for the others to line up next to him, and when the Tsuchikage put the dossier in his hands, Hiruzen blinked a couple of times, having completely forgotten about the fact that they were supposed to be given apprentices. To train the new generation of Granite Guards.

Hiruzen listened to what Sebaru said, and stood there, waiting for all others to leave, holding his dossiers in his hands, not opened them yet. He looked to Sebaru with concerned eyes. "Sebaru-Sama. How are you holding up?" Hiruzen asked the man, whom scoffed. " I've seen better days, Hiruzen." Sebaru told his former apprentice, Hiruzen nodded. "I realize you don't want to talk now, sensei, but when you want to, just come by my office. Send others my way too, should they need it. Try and rest." Hiruzen recommended the elder shinobi, whom scoffed and nodded. "Will do. Now, make sure to brush up on your students. They're good ones." 

" You handpicked them, so I have no doubt that they are."

Hiruzen said, before turning heel and walking out of the office, heading home. He soon arrived in his home, and walking into his office where his clinic was, he lived in a quite large house, a mansion as a matter of fact, Sebaru had given him the house so he could give the clinic plenty of space. Hiruzen sat down in his chair and looked at his files, qutie intrigued with the students he had been given. Hiruzen had his assistants alert his students that they would be meeting in the town marketplace at 9 am tomorrow morning.

***

It was next morning, Hiruzen awoke at 7:30, the sun was rising, it was going to be a sunny day, a better tomorrow, one could say. Hiruzen got dressed and had a nice cup of tea and some biscuits before he would head out to gather supplies, he would try and test his student's minds. Just how good were them? A test sure would have to be in order, he figured. Walking around town gathering the supplies.

***
[b]Xavimaru Kishimoto[/b]

Xavi had not slept all night. He had been practicing his techniques all night, a way for him to deal with his loss, trying to make his techniques faster and stronger. That next time, he would have to be in time to save his allies. He had been fighting sand clones all night, and now there laid remnants of sand all over the west side of the mountains surrounding the village, where Xavi chose to practice. Xavi had dirt and shallow cuts and bruises on his upper arms, neck and a few scratches on his face, and a ever so tired look on his face, looking towards the ground. He held his fingers towards the ground, where a sand clone, looking exactly like himself sat on his knees trying to catch his breath. Xavi was gathering sand in front of his fingers that were aimed right at the clone, the clone himself was waving handseals, and just as the clone lunged at Xavi, the Sand for the Sand-Coffin Technique coming around to grab hold of Xavi, Xavi fired the sand bullet, the bullet hitting the clone between the eyes, instantly killing it.

Xavi walked down to a nearby small lake, which he jumped in and washed himself for a few minutes before taking in the morning sun and drying up. Putting on his clothes again, a grey shirt with a netshirt underneath, black pants and his tabis that were easy to slip out off, he also wore a bandanna on his head, like a cap, on the bandanna he had his forehead protector, his blonde bangs hanging down in front of his face. Normally, he would wear better armor, real armor in combat, but today was for practice, so he would wear casual clothes. He completely trusted that the Tsuchikage had informed his two students where they would meet, at the monument, and didn't bother to pay any mind at all to it, but instead took a relaxing walk towards the meeting place, enjoying the morning. He bought some fruit to eat on his way towards the monument.