Ninja Love

The Trial

The Konoha Council dealt with all affairs, whether it be civilian or shinobi. However it was rare that the entire council, both the civilian and shinobi halves would be needed together. A rarity most were glad to have. Civilians didn't look at things the way shinobi did. They looked at things from exactly one spot. One vantage point. A single angle. Shinobi had an eye for detail that civilians didn't have. It was needed in their line of work. One doesn't become a shinobi by simply learning a few fancy hand signs and having chakra. It took discipline and focus. You couldn't see a mission through if you only do what's written. You had to determine what was needed. Split second decisions determined life or death.

As such, shinobi and civilians didn't always get along.

However, today was one of those rare cases where both halves were present in the council chamber. Today was the hearing for Haruno, Sakura and her possible removal from the ninja program. Clan leaders were present to assess the girl who learned with their children and how she contributes to the success of the village. Civilians were there as ninja were their protection, and had to decide whether or not the loss of a shinobi would take from the village's power.

The chamber was a large circular room that split down the middle with shinobi to the left and civilians on the right, the Hokage's seat separating the two halves. The shinobi clan heads were already seated, awaiting the rest of the civilian council to arrive before starting the hearing.

Inu no Taisho sat stoically in his seat as he waited for the preceding story start. His mind was racing as he thought about his children and the recent development with Soun'g. It was rather worrisome that the sword chose Kagome of all people to wield it. It was the least predictable of the three and the very definition of demonic.

As he pondered on this, his close friend, Fugaku Uchiha was absorbed in his own thoughts. The Uchiha head watched his friend out of the corner of his eye, absently wondering about the absence of his sword. His thoughts were more focused on his two boys. They were... off since they returned from their mission. The two were oddly quiet on what happened and when he inquired about Kagome, the completely closed off. Something had happened and he was worried. Not that it showed. He was a Uchiha and Uchihas showed no emotion. Fugaku briefly looked to the side to his silver haired friend.

They had much to speak of later.

As the last of the civilians entered the chamber, the Hokage stood to officially start the hearing.

"The United Konoha Council is now in session to make a decision on the removal of Haruno Sakura from the ninja program." The Hokage said before retaking his seat. ""May the first witness step forth."

The first witness was a tall male with short cropped silver hair and gold eyes that immediately identified him as a Taisho. He wore a standard jounin vest over a long sleeve mesh shirt. His pointed ears both had small silver studs and around his neck was a black face mask. Wore wore black pants tucked into knee high shinobi sandals. His hands were tucked lazily into his pockets as he leaned his weight one his right leg. To the civilians, he seemed lazy and uninterested but the shinobi saw the slight tension in his shoulders and alertness in his eyes. He made brief eye contact with his clan head before turning his attention to the Hokage. With a sigh, he began.

"I, Kusuke Taisho, tokubetsu jounin of the Taisho clan, present myself to the United Konoha Council as a witness in the Haruno Sakura hearing." He drawled, his weight shifting to the next leg.

"How are you related to Ms. Haruno's case and what do you have to say about her as a kunoichi of Konoha?" The Hokage asked, his voice carrying across the large chamber.

" Team seven has four clan heirs on it, two of which are of my clan. Kagome and Jack granted team seven use of the Taisho training ground number 3, which falls under my care as that is where I train with Sesshomaru on his kenjutsu." He told the Hokage, his eyes locked with Touga's before continuing. "However that is not how I came to meet Ms Haruno. In fact, she hasn't set foot in the compound since she trespassed two years ago seeing that she is now banned."