+- Naruto: The Hidden Curse -+ ---[Starts!]

[Bulbasaur4]

Naruto
The Hidden Curse

In the land of Konoha, every year new students graduate from the Ninja

Alright, I’ve once again been hooked by the addiction that is Naruto. This RPG will be unlike my last idea, and instead it will follow the Naruto anime’s basic plotline. (Mission taking, Chuunin Exam) and it will include original Naruto characters as well. With that in mind, I ask that if you sign up you be at least somewhat familiar with the anime… and feel free to brush yourself up on Naruto-related fandoms by going to a good website. (I recommend Wikipedia for an easy source.)

In this RPG, your main character will be one that you have made up. Feel free to get as creative as you want… but within reason. I reserve the right to deny and accept anyone that I chose, as the creator. Not only am I allowing people to create their own character, but you may also play a pre-existing Naruto character. The only prerequisites is that you must have a made-up character before you are allowed to play an already made one. Also, make sure you have a GOOD understand of the Naruto character… (stay in character! Of course there is a little give and take in this area… but I don’t want to see Gaara loving everyone and giving them huggles… unless he’s on drugs. And even then…)

Obviously since we’ll be having made-up characters, the RPG will stray from everything that occurs in the anime. However, things like Oochimaru and Itachi still exist… I just might not use them as huge source plots in the exact time that the anime does. The first part of this RPG will be to get to know your fellow characters, your abilities and the Naruto Universe.

Another thing: Jutsus. You guys can summarize what your character is working to specializing is or what they use… but you are not allowed to use any uber-powerful Jutsus unless I grant them to you. I might, from time to time, PM you and grant you a Jutsu. If you have a specific Jutsu you want to work towards your character getting, then PM me and I will keep it in mind for you. I just don’t want some Genin knowing the Chidori or something right off the bat… and I’m sure you understand. I trust everyone won’t try to be uber powerful, so I won’t go into too much detail here unless it becomes a problem later on.

Oh! And a fun thing… make sure to have character relations. It helps… and it is fun to see people already have pre-existing rivalries and/or such things like that. While the beginning of this RPG will have us “getting to know each other” (Chiyoko: YAY!)… it is fun to have some bg to work with.

I’m repeating myself, but the start of this RPG will be a day after you graduate from the Academy. That means right off the bat we’ll be getting team assignments… and I’ll be randomly drawing those once everyone is signed up.

Any other questions? I’m making a topic in the RPG LOUNGE so post them there and they will be answered. Also, discussion and what-nots can take place there. ^_^ (It also might be noted, that I’m a character whore and I had to add in one character from… well, based off my other character from Shikou. ^^;

OOOhhhh! One more thing. Made-up characters may only be Genin, unless I’ve given special permission. If you wish to acquire special permission for a certain character… PM me. Also, the only playable Naruto characters are the obvious ones… like, as in not Itachi or Oorochimaru. I also made Kakashi, Naruto, Gaara and Sasuke unplayable… but if you really want to play them, let me know via PM or in the lounge topic.
I will reserve characters too.


[ Make sure to post your form first, for your first post.]


Here is a list of the four sensei that you guys will know and interact with. It is important to know them and their speciality, if you want to be mentored by them. ^_~

The Four Sensei
Due to the overwhelming numbers of the graduating class, Konoha had to recruit four extra Ninja that perhaps would be interested (and well qualified) to teach and lead groups of graduating Genin. They were all originally from Konoha, but for various reasons had gone out doing their own travels or aiding other villages. Accepting the offer, these four have returned to Konoha to become sensei and shall prove to be interesting and very beneficial sensei.

Meet the Sensei:

Kakashi, Yukiso
Name: Kakashi, Yukiso
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Appearance: Yukiso strangely… well, until you look at his history, looks just like Kakashi. However, his hair is not a silvery grey but his is completely black, with a slightly reddish tint to it in the sunlight. Yukiso however does not have the Sharingan like Kakashi, so he wears his protector on his forehead, but usually the metal part is to the right side. [For an image of what Kakashi looks like for reference, click here. ]
Personality: Yukiso is pretty laid back and generally has a good sense of humor. However, when dealing with training issues or missions he seems to do a complete 180. He becomes extremely serious and very cold to a point. Often when around Kakashi, he seems to like to try to push Kakashi’s buttons and the two are almost comical at times. Yukiso also seems to have a dangerously curious nature and loves learning, and often will halt anything for the opportunity to learn something new.
History: Yukiso was born into the Kakashi family, two years after Hatake Kakashi. Mirroring his brother, Yukiso was a very talented student and extremely smart. While his talents seemed to not be as quite up to part as Hatake’s, his wit and intelligence seemed far beyond (when comparing their academy life). Yukiso also became a Jounin at age 13, like his brother. However, as soon as the war ended… Yukiso went off to do training in other villages to hone his skills and learn advanced knowledge.
Growing up, Yukiso and Hatake had a great rivalry… mostly from Hatake, who did not like the idea of his younger brother surpassing him. This only grew when Hatake gained the Sharingan, in which Yukiso worked extra hard to learn advanced techniques to rival the powerful ability of the Sharingan. They seem to have glimpses of this rivalry from time to time, however it is not as nearly prominent as it used to be.
Today, Yukiso has come back from his travels to become a sensei for new Genin. No one seems to know this yet… (his arrival will be a surprise to anyone, for no one knows Hatake has a brother except for some Jounin and such.) Yukiso is a Jounin, like Hatake.

Main Jutsu: Genjutsu – he’s renown for his impressive Genjutsu techniques, because they’re very unique compared to normal Genjutsu. <mwhahahaa…>
Special Abilities: Time Illusion: Passing Days – [ A Genjutsu that is extremely hard to detect, but has the ability to trick the victim for a long amount of time into believing an illusion. A day could pass in their realty, when really only an hour has passed or the reverse etc… ]
Hobbies: Yukiso likes to read books, like Hatake. However, he is found reading ridiculously hard text books… like the Theorems of Calculus etc. He also loves to “pop” in on people randomly, usually by surprise. He is very much a people person.
Relations: Brother of Hatake Kakashi. (Any other relations or acquaintances is accepted! Future relations… (like if anyone wants to look up to my Yukiso… aww… that’s fine too!))
Other: Yukiso rocks. That is all.


Kuroda, Miharu
Name: Kuroda, Miharu
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Appearance: Miharu is no exception to the term “beautiful” in description. She has long, flowing vibrant red hair that gently is layered to frame her face. In full length, her hair reaches midway down her back but usually is done up into a complex and elaborate arrangement of circlets to form a thick ponytail. Her eyes are a fierce green, seeming to mirror the same jungle green that one often sees on missions. Her skin is fairly pale but has a healthy glow and brings in her crimson hair and green eyes. She wears her headband loosely around her neck, and her overall costume is a kimono-like outfit. However, the length of the kimono is cut right above the knees and allows for free movement. The midsection of the kimono is very tight while the arms are large and flowing, cutting off midway through the bicep. The color of the kimono is strangely enough, black with light crimson trim. The large sash around the midsection is also red, and the kimono only has one large pattern on the back- the symbol of the dog. She usually trains with no shoes, but otherwise wears red sandals.
Personality: Miharu has a very soft tongue and is generally extremely kind. She would go out of her way to protect anything natural, and many of her techniques reflect on her desire to preserve nature. While she wishes for others to excel and do their best, she prefers for people to do so without harming themselves too much. Still, she has great work ethic and places great emphasis on studies and using your mind to think through situations rather than brash action. Her quite nature might come across slightly creepy since her appearance does draw some attention. She doesn’t get along well with those of loud demeanors and often will remain quiet. When she does get loud or angry however, it usually comes as quite a shock and scars many people.
[I’m leaving the history of the other three sensei blank. You’ll find out some how if you want.]
Main Jutsu: Medic Ninjutsu – She is highly revered for her medical Ninjutsu and crafting it not only to heal others, but to strike at perfect points of attack.
Special Abilities: Main Point Explosive Chakra Shards – One of her most perfected Jutsus. The attack allows her to mold her chakra into several shards, in which she can blast outwards at her opponent. The only thing is, being a medic Ninja gives her advanced knowledge of all chakra points and the body, thus allowing her to direct the chakra shards to any point of the body she wishes- making the attack completely harmless if she wishes… or quite lethal.
Hobbies: She pays regular visits to hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, usually helping out or at least adding flowers to the place to make it look nicer. She gardens as well.
Relations: Relative of Tsunade, but tends to keep a low profile about that and herself in general.
Other: *eats other*



Hara, Takumi
Name: Hara, Takumi
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Appearance: At first glance, anyone can tell that Takumi is a bit… wild. His hair alone gives it away- being a very messy or frayed looking mop, with a few strands covering his eyes. The light almost white-blue hair color seems to contrast well against his vibrant golden-orange eyes, that seem to have really small pupils inside giving him a rather insane-eye look. His body is slightly tanned and his overall build it large and toned. He is usually seen wearing a Jounin green vest, with black fishnetting underneath going all the way to his wrists. Upon his lower half he wears royal blue baggy pants, which cut off tightly around the midsection of his calves. On his left leg he has tape wrapped about his leg, along with a regular pouch strapped on as well. Fishnetting is underneath these pants as well, and goes all the way down to his ankles where he wears blue ninja shoes. Also, he wears his headband around his right arm and has deep blue paint marking underneath his eyes as a symbol of the Hara clan.
Personality: Takumi is very eccentric, to the point of sometimes being pondered as slightly insane. He is wild and is an extreme version of a go-getter, and doesn’t hesitate to offer himself up for any challenge. He believes that one should put all of themselves into whatever they do, and if they don’t then they should just give up to begin with. Despite being wild and unpredictable, he is extremely talented in Ninjutsus- all of his hyperactivity being channeled into training gave him an edge over others at an early age.

Main Jutsu: Ninjutsu – He is extremely talented in executing several Ninjutsus and memorizing many of their techniques. However, his biggest strength lies in the amount of chakra he possess- which is “insanely” large.
Special Abilities: Force Jutsu: Dragon Blast – Using a huge amount of chakra, Takumi molds it together in the form of a dragon blast attack. This attack channels outwards from his body with gaining moment, to collide straight into an opponent. The force not only damages their chakra channels and points, it also pushes out their own chakra. (the amount of chakra depends on the opponent and the amount of force Takumi applies.) This technique is extremely draining and Takumi has only had to use it twice in his life.
Hobbies: Takumi does a bit of everything… he often gets bored and goes meandering around the town to find things to do. He loves talking but even more so, he loves competition and won’t back down to a challenge. This often gets him in trouble with the more intelligent Yukiso and the more athletic Kazuki.
Relations: Believes to be related to Jiaraya.
Other: <3



Saruwatari, Kazuki
Name: Saruwatari, Kazuki
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Appearance: Kazuki has a very lean build, however every inch of his body seems to be extremely toned and detailed. He has strong facial features and prominent cheekbones, which are only accentuated by his thick black hair which is drawn back into a tight ponytail, leaving only a few strands near his right eye. His eyes are a deep brown, almost to the point of making his eyes look black. His skin is a slightly olive shade and seems to reflect in the sunlight with a healthy glow. Upon his body he wears a jumpsuit that is such a deep blue it almost looks black- except the neck of the jumpsuit widens out so not to be tight around his neck. Around his waist, Kazuki wears a black sash that hugs his abdomen. Around his left leg he has his ninja headband wrapped around the upper thigh. The odd thing about his suit however, is that he wears long black, rugged-looking boots that reach halfway up his calves.
Personality: Kazuki is probably the coldest and most aloof sensei out of the four. No wait, he is… out probably anyone in Konoha. He hates being social or doing anything social… except when he begrudgingly has to do missions with others. In all actuality, he was rather blackmailed or “forced” into coming back to Konoha to become a sensei. Thus, he’s very harsh and does not tolerate incompetence or stupidity… or failure in any form. He expects the best and does not acknowledge anything less. He’ll ignore you if he has deemed you incompetent or not worth his time.
Main Jutsu: Taijutsu – He may look too lean or tall, but he packs quite a punch.
Special Abilities: Surrounding Force Jutsu – A special form of Jutsu which he himself perfected. He uses his Taijutsu skills and hones in limited amounts of chakra, to place a great amount of force into his surroundings so that he may use them for his own gain. Don’t worry about the description… you’ll see it eventually.
Hobbies: Kazuki just trains… and trains… occasionally he sleeps.
Relations: Gai is probably his best friend, even though Gai drives him crazy with his “social” thing.
Other: Kazuki will make you cry… and if he doesn’t, he’ll hurt you.



A ROUGH SKETCH OF THE FOUR SENSEI



Name: Okami, Chiyoko
Gender: Female
Age: 12
Appearance: Chiyoko!!
Personality: Chiyoko is very cheerful and welcoming of others, and some how finds a way to be endearing despite her occasional ditzy moments. She often goes out of her way to help others or to even say “hi” and often tries to make as many friends as possible. While she doesn’t avoid conflict, she is not fond of it. However, if threatened by something while she is near someone she cares about… she’ll turn incredibly stubborn and fiercely loyal.
History: Chiyoko’s true origins and past are pretty sketchy, even to herself. She cannot remember anything beyond the age of 7. She was raised in the Hidden Cloud Village, where everyone showered her with affection and she was raised as a whole by the village. She was told by the leader that her parents were killed during the Hyuga Clan conflict by accident. Nothing else was ever spoken to her about her family or her family line. However, Chiyoko trusted the words of the village and grew up happy and optimistic of people.
Chiyoko seemed to have a natural talent and ambition however, and excelled at school. However, about a half year ago the village told Chiyoko that she would be better suited to graduate from the Konoha village’s academy. Thus, they sent her to Konoha and to the fellow students at the Academy, she is very new. Has has only been in Konoha for six months, but easily passed and is excited about being a Konoha Ninja. She hopes that at some point she can return to the Hidden Cloud village to be a Ninja for her beloved town as well.

Main Jutsu: Ninjutsu, however later on in the RPG she’ll be interested in perhaps learning some Genjutsu.
Special Abilities: Her special ability is not apparent yet, but as the RPG progresses she’ll learn she has a natural ability for Ice-based Jutsus. Currently however, she uses a water-blast technique and body freezing technique, neither she's great at.
Hobbies: Chiyoko likes exploring and cooking in her spare time. She often will be searching for ingredients in the forest for her latest “cooking” experiment, which nearly always turn out to be hits.
Relations: [ None yet, again… if you’d like some, let me know! No family relations please.]
Other: Dogs love Chiyoko and she has no idea why.

CHIYOKO OKAMI & THE FOUR SENSEI COMBINED POST! WOOT!

“Mmmm…” Chiyoko heard a voice through her window, and turning her head for a moment she let out a yelp of surprise to see Naruto hanging by her windowsill.
“Naruto-chan! What are you doing hanging by my window!?” Chiyoko calmed herself for a moment, as she walked over to him, her cooking apron fastened around her waist. Naruto sweatdropped for a moment as he showed his cheesy grin.
“I was making breakfast when I smelled some thing delicious… and it was coming from your room. Are you cooking ramen!?” He added, his voice raising in excitement. Chiyoko’s face turned from confusion to laughter in an instant, as she grabbed his arm and helped him climb through her window. Shaking her head, she couldn’t help but chuckle a bit more as she headed back to her stove where the ramen was cooking.
“You know… you could have just knocked on my door. You live right above me.” Chiyoko added, taking out a bowl and a pair of chopsticks and setting them down on the table, across from her spot. She then walked over to check on the ramen, stirring it to see that the ingredients were almost done.
“Chiyoko-chan… why does your ramen smell so good?” Naruto asked, tilting his head to the side as Chiyoko laughed and looked at him.
“Naruto… you’re so funny. I would hope that it smells good because it tastes good! I rarely make ramen but… today, being the first day I am officially fully a Genin seemed appropriate.”
Naruto nodded to this, “And we’re assigned on teams!” Chiyoko nodded.
A knock suddenly was heard on the door however, and Chiyoko walked and opened it to see Masato Kazuma standing there, holding a carton of juice and looking rather sheepish. Chiyoko’s eyes widened in surprise- never before had she more than one person visiting her in her apartment. Especially in the morning… usually people only stopped by to deliver the mail or perhaps to drop off some supplies.
“Umm… good morning Chiyoko…” Masato said, suddenly holding out the juice in a dramatic manner. “I apologize for being here so early, but I smelled the ramen coming out from your window and was hoping to acquire some of it in return for this carton of juice!”
Chiyoko’s blinked for a moment as both her and Naruto stared at him, but then her face molded into a big smile as she graciously took the juice and beckoned him to the table.
“I accept your offer, Masato-chan.” She sat the juice on the table and soon had another place set, along with cups this time. Just as the ramen was finished, Chiyoko walked by the window holding the container of ramen and saw a fellow student known as Raizen walking by. Figuring perhaps he would like some too… (and trying to push her luck with friends), Chiyoko called out to him.
“Good morning Raizen! Would you like some ramen?” She asked, smiling cheerfully only to have the cool-faced Raizen stare at her for a long moment with a confused expression, and then shake his head and continue walking. Sweatdropping, Chiyoko shrugged and soon served Ramen to everyone at the table.
After thanking for the food, everyone dug in- especially Naruto who made exclamations about “the best ramen ever”.
After the breakfast, Chiyoko took off her apron and grabbed her headband, fastening it in her hair as she looked to the other two and smiled.
“Hey, want to head to the classroom now? We should get going anyways… so we don’t miss team assignments!”
“Yeah, I’m ready to go.” Masato said, getting up as Naruto nodded and over eagerly headed towards the door.
“I’m one step closer to being Hokage some day!” Naruto proclaimed with a fox-like grin, as Chiyoko smiled back and nodded. “Yes, yes you are.”

The three soon headed down the street towards the classroom, meeting up with several other students and talking excitedly (well, some talking excitedly as others seemed to just remain quiet.) Soon, Chiyoko and others had entered the classroom to find that some were already there. Chiyoko’s eyes scanned for a moment, as she took in many of the classmates and was happy and surprised to find that she now almost knew everyone by name and something interesting about them. (she had been trying very hard to learn something about everyone… her desire to make and maintain friends fueling it.)

She saw Raizen sitting in a corner, staring out the window as a fellow classmate, Ushi seemed to try to get his attention but was failing at it as Raizen merely seemed annoyed and further tried to pretend to be staring off outside. Inuzuka Hige seemed to be in a heated debate with Shodou Kukai, and both seemed to be equally as stubborn and not backing down. Next to them was Sasuke and Shikamaru, who both seemed to be trying their best to ignore the argument despite their best efforts. Yakusha Inakamo was near the door of the classroom, fixing it most likely for some sort of prank as he smirked to himself slightly. Kozue Haru was sitting next to Hinata, and the two of them seemed like peas in a pod when comparing the aspect that neither of them was talking but looking at everyone with a slightly nervous expression.
Hiro was sitting next to Sakura and Onitoge, and seemed to attempt to make friendly conversation. Sakura nodded to him a bit, but her eyes seemed fixed on Sasuke with Ino glaring from behind, as Onitoge merely listened but did not respond as much as Hiro probably would have liked. Shiro was sitting next to Kiba, who seemed to be either extremely tired or very anxious to get things started as Shiro looked about the room in a curious manner. Masato sat in the front row, leaning against his hand as he almost mirrored Kiba’s look. Selekis was sitting in the back row, mostly to himself with a gap between him and Shino. Chiyoko quickly took the last open seat next to Selekis, who seemed surprised- although he seemed surprised everytime Chiyoko talked or sat next to him anytime.

The class was loud and active for several minutes as they impatiently waited for someone to come in to tell them their long-awaited team assignments.
“I wonder who will be on my team…” Chiyoko wondered absently, looking about the classroom and having a hard time determining who she would like to be on her team the most. Those she knew she would enjoy being with, and those she didn’t know… well, she would like to try her very best to become their friend.
“I’m sure that the sensei will properly group us together… and that the sensei will be fun too.”

The door opened quietly, and everyone turned to see Iruka walk in, along with four other odd-looking figures behind him.
“I don’t recognize those four…” Chiyoko thought, being slightly confused. She had made a point to know most of the Jounin or at least as many as she could. Having four, together, that she did not know was odd. Sure she was new… but she had worked hard!
Iruka went to the front of the classroom and coughed to get everyone’s attention, but everyone was already staring at him- or more importantly, at the four who stood along side of him.

“Good morning everyone… as I’m sure all of you know, today is the day that we assign you to your teams. After we assign you to your teams, you will be contacted by your sensei and they will take things on from there.”
Iruka glanced to his side a bit, as a few glances from the four figures in front of the classroom were on him. Iruka quickly looked back to the classroom, seemingly a bit intimidated.
“Most of you will be assigned to a sensei that you already know and who has either taught you in the past or has done things in Konoha that has made you aware of them. However… this year, your class has shown extreme promise and talent. This has prompted the Hokage to find more Ninja qualified to train the groups that we will divide you into. Thus, we have found four highly qualified and talented Ninja who also graduated from Konoha like yourselves. You might not be familiar with them, which is why we were told to acquaint them with all of you. While you will be divided into teams, it is highly encouraged that perhaps during your spare time between missions you find a sensei who could aid you in training your abilities further…”
Iruka withdrew a deep breath after that, looking to the other four.
“Let me introduce them before I tell you your team assignments…. “

A narrow-eyed Ninja with long black hair tied back into a ponytail seemed to cough with agitation as he glared at Iruka, and pretty much everyone in the room. His jaw was secure and his lips pursed, as if he was completely unhappy at the situation he was in. His lean but obviously toned build would have made him not very intimidating, had his head not been attached.
“First… Saruwatari, Kazuki. He is an-“ Iruka began, but Kazuki coughed loudly and glared at Iruka.
“Unlike Yukiso, I think introductions are unnecessary.”
Silence filled the air, as the other three seemed to shake their heads and Iruka almost seemed frightened. Gathering his wits, he nodded and continued.
“Um, also Hara, Takumi.” This was directed to a rather wild-gazed figure, who grinned madly while staring at the students with a piercing see-all gaze. His wild hair seemed to go in almost every direction at times, as he gave a thumbs-up at the students.
“I look forward to training you to become victorious!” His wolf-like golden eyes gleamed as he said this, while the other two not being introduced seemed to shake their heads only slightly and Kazuki rolled his eyes.
“Yes… then there is Kuroda, Miharu.” Iruka continued, obviously skipping to say anything else about the sensei in fear of being yelled at again. Miharu Kuroda stepped forth lightly however, bowing as her long and vibrant hair of silk wavered with every moment. She seemed extremely young compared to the other three sensei; a soft and form-fitting kimono showing off her figure as she smiled at the students.
“Pleased to meet such promising individuals.”

The last figure to be introduced seemed to be the most familiar- or at least, someone whom the students felt they should know. If his hair hadn’t been black and his left eye uncovered, anyone could have sworn he looked exactly like Hatake Kakashi. This figure however, wasn’t looking at the students at all but seemed very immersed in a book at the moment, labeled, “Advanced Theories of Inorganic Chemistry.”
“Lastly, Kakashi Yukiso.”
With that name being said, many of the students seemed to have wide eyes and a few mumurs went through the room. Yukiso looked up from his book for a moment and then seemed to smile, although his face was halfway covered.
“It is good to be back.” He stated, his voice seeming a bit more light-hearted than his relative’s.

Iruka then turned to the four with his back to the classmates. A mumur of talk was shared by the five, and soon the four Sensei left the classroom- Kazuki going out the window in a hurry as Yukiso just seemed to vanish and Takumi seemed to explode into confetti as he disappeared. Miharu simply used the door.
Iruka sweatdropped as confetti floated about him for a while, before pulling a sheet of paper from his pocket.
“Yes… like I said, the sensei you are assigned to will be meeting with you later today. However now, I will read off the team assignments…”
Iruka called off all the teams, until he finally came to the last four teams.
“Now… Team 12, under Saruwatari Kazuki…” There seemed to a few held breaths, as if many of the students did not want that certain individual sensei to be their leader.
“Retsun, Selekis … Yagyu, Shiro … and Iokawa, Hiro.”

“Team 13, under Hara, Takumi… Onitoge… Yakusha, Inakamo… and Okami, Chiyoko.”

“Team 14, under Kuroda, Miharu… … Shodou, Kukai… Kozue, Haru… and Inuzuka, Hige.”

“Team 15, under Kakashi, Yukiso… … Hyuga, Raizen… Kazuma, Masato… and Kurama, Ushi.”
A loud distinct thud could be heard, as Raizen smashed his face into the table and Ushi squealed with delight, hugging Raizen.

Iruka sweatdropped. “Good luck with your teams… and I wish you the best.”



[ Feel free to post before, during this and after… or what-not. Your Sensei will contact via piece of paper, feel free to pick a random spot to meet. Have fun! ^_^ ]

[Mystic_clown]

Name: Retsun Selekis.
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Appearance: with a dangerously thin build and a pale complexion, Selekis has chin length, white hair with blue highlights which is considered less than neat and covers in left eye. His eyes are blood red, leading people to mistakenly believe he has the Shaningan ability. His sharp eyes stand out on his otherwise smooth, beautiful face. This combination of sharpness and beauty leads to a lot of people staring at his face (a characteristic Selekis doesn’t like).

He wears a black, sleeveless shirt with a white jacket over it, hiding his thin form. He also wears a pair of black jeans and shoes. He wears his Konoha headband around his neck, like a choker.
Personality: Distant and pretty much anti-social. He prefers to be alone, why is pretty much a mystery, although it must have something to do with how he was brought up. Selekis can be considered a brilliant tactician, preferring to stay out of battle and plan. The most noticeable part of his personality is his refusal to speak. He never says a word, instead communicating via writing it down on a piece of paper. This have lead people to believe he’s mute, although this hasn’t been proved.
History: He was found at the age of five wandering around the outskirts of the Konoha Village. However, when approached, a nightmarish beast would appear, frightening the approaching parties away. The beast was really an illusion unconsciously conjured up by Selekis. The Hokage was the one to realize it was all an illusion and brought the boy into the village. He was adopted by the Retsun family, who were still a bit wary about him and his Nightmare Beast. Selekis interpreted this as mistrust and had shut himself off from everyone else, not saying a word and using his illusion to frighten people away.

He entered the Konoha academy and has been studying there for a year now, successfully keeping himself isolated. However, lately, he met a girl whom caught his interest. Okami Chiyoko. Much to Selekis’ amazement, his illusion didn’t seem to affect the happy girl. While he does not consider himself her friend, he continues to keep an eye on her.
Main Jutsu: Genjutsu
Special Abilities:
Nightmare Beast
The user conjures up the image of a terrifying demon, capable of instilling at least a small amount of fear within the victim. The beast however is not real and hence cannot hurt the victim, merely scare them.
Hobbies: Selekis prefers to simply read and once in a while can also be seen drawing, though what he draws he wont reveal.
Relations: Although he does not consider himself her ‘friend’, he seems to show an interest in Chiyoko, whom is immune to his illusions and hence the only person who willingly talks to him.
Other: Ever since he was first seen, no one has ever heard Selekis’ voice, not even the Hokage.

Selekis - The Silent One
------------------------------------------
Selekis stared blankly, taking in what he heard. So it seemed he got stuck with what everyone else considered, the 'evil one'. This didn't seem to bother Selekis at all. Saruwatari Sensei seemed straight to the point. He seemed like a man who more focused on his studants skills than becoming their friend. Selekis was used to cold behaviour.

"I'm sorry Selekis." Selekis perked slightly and looked over to see Chiyoko looking at him. Did she feel sorry for him?

Pulling a small pad from his pocket, he scribbled the words "It's alright." and showed it to her. She nodded slightly.

Selekis looked over at his teammates, Hiro and Shiro. While Selekis didn't want to associate with anyone, at least it was people he could tolerate. At least it wasn't that psycho clown...what was his name?

He glanced over at Chiyoko again. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he wasn't on her team. She was a sweet girl.

Wait...did he just think that?

Selekis blushed slightly and quickly turned back to the picture he was drawing. Chiyoko however caught sight of these actions.

"What are you drawing?" she asked, smiling cheerfully. Selekis silent pulled his picture out of view. Just because he tolerated her doesn't mean he had to be nice. He hoped this would give her the hint and leave him alone.

However, this was dashed when he felt a wait slump onto his back.

"Aww, come on," Chiyoko mocked whined, looking over his shoulder, "Let me see."

Selekis' blush returned. He was not used to being touched, especially like this. Normally in these situations, he'd call out the Nightmare Beast, however, it would have been pointless as she was immune to it for some unknown reason.

Chiyoko 'ooohed' at his work. It was a forest landscape, complete with the occasional form of wildlife. Selekis was a very skilled drawer, since that's what he did most of the time.

"That's great!" Chiyoko complimented, causing Selekis to blush even further. He was not used to being talked to, he was not used to being touched and he was not usde to recieving compliments, especially from a girl he might actually like.

GAH! There's that word again!

[Sworkill87]

Name: Hyuga, Raizen
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Appearance: As a member of the Hyuga clan Raizen has the characteristic lavender, pupiless eyes. He has spiky brown hair that extends into a Hyuga style ponytail in the back. Raizen will normally be found wearing a light green t-shirt and beige shorts. Unlike most Hyuga members, Raizen does not wear his Konoha headband on his forehead, but on the sleeve of his left arm. This leaves the cursed seal of the side branch open on his forehead. Also Raizen has bandages up to his knees. He trains in high speed combat and works his legs quite a bit, not to mention the bandages just plain look cool.

Personality: Raizen is a pretty laid back guy. He has his ambitions to hold up the honor of his family and become a powerful ninja, but unlike Naruto or some others, he doesn’t feel the need to express this to the world. Some might think Raizen is shy, but that is just because they do not know him. He is just a person that rarely speaks unless you have really gotten to know him, or he has something important to say. He usually seems quite serious, but like I said, once you get to know him, Raizen will open up and joke around.

History: Raizen has lived in Konoha all his life but has traveled outside a few times, and knows his way around the world. The main aspect of Raizen’s history is his Hyuga lineage. When he was four Raizen was given the side branch’s cursed seal. This is a mark on the forehead that when activated by any main branch Hyuga member, will literally destroy brain cells. If activated for a long enough period of time the seal will cause more than just pain, but also permanent brain damage and eventual death. The curse also seals the secrets of the Byakugan in case a Hyuga member ever falls in battle. Because of this side/main branch turmoil; Raizen has a strong dislike for his main branch family members, and any person born into a place of power, such as a prince. Although he does his duty to the Hyuga clan, partially out of honor for the clan, partially for fear of his brain melting.

Main Jutsu: Raizen is a taijustu specialist, though this does not mean he can’t or doesn’t use ninjutsu or genjutsu. This also means that as described before, Raizen trains his legs, and is faster than most ninja.
Special Ability: The gentle fist. This is a form of taijutsu that involves using his bloodline limit, the Byakugan, to see and attack in various ways the chakra network that runs through every person’s body. This can cause physical damage as well as temporary, but lengthy chakra damage. The byakugan is a pupil condition that only appears in the members of the Hyuga family that gives the user the ability to see through solid objects, see chakra both inside and out of a person’s network, and the ability to see in every direction, that’s right, 360 degree vision, with only a small blind spot, the location of which only Hyuga clan members know, and they aren’t telling. Also with enough training the byakugan’s range of vision can be extended. Eventually Neji Hyuga can detect anything within an 800 meter radius of himself.

Hobbies: If he isn’t on a mission, one can usually find Raizen training with Neji. Though he does have a fondness for tenpin bowling.
Relations: Raizen is Neji Hyuga’s younger brother, making him Hinata’s cousin. Raizen gets along quite well with his brother, and although would never admit it, sees him as both a rival, and someone to be respected for his great skill.
Other: Raizen hates baseball, but loves um…kittens.


-------------------------------Raizen's terror------------------------------
Raizen woke up to the sun shining in through his window. “Hmm, looks like its time to get up.” Raizen looked pretty much like your average Konoha ninja, except for his pupiless, lavender eyes, and long dark brown hair, characteristic of the Hyuga clan. He took a shower and got dressed in his usual green t-shirt and beige shorts, then looked down at his bedside table. “I finally get to put this on.” Raizen said, as he tied his Konoha headband on his left sleeve, and pouch of ninja gear to his right leg.

“Raizen! Hurry up; you’re going to be late!”
“Don’t worry Mom; I don’t have to leave for twenty minutes,” Raizen muttered as he walked into the kitchen, “Plenty of time for breakfast.” And he sat down for some scrambled eggs and toast.
“Oh, I can’t believe my little Raizen is already a genin, you grow up so fast.” Raizen rolled his eyes. “Now don’t forget to work hard honey, you know your brother Neji graduated first in his class, I don’t want your grades slipping any farther.” Raizens mom said as she scooped more eggs onto his plate.
“Mom, I only got an A- in genjustu, and besides, everyone knows they give that Uchiha kid pity points since his entire family was killed.” With that Raizen chugged the rest of his milk, said goodbye to his mom and left for the academy, where he was going to finally find out who his sensei and team will be.

It was a nice day, few clouds in the sky and nice breeze kept it nice and cool. It wasn’t too long after Raizen left his house before he saw a fellow classmate of his, Chiyoko, hanging out her window asking if he wanted some ramen. He thought as he gave her a raised eyebrow stare, “Is she hitting on me?” then shook his head and walked away.

About ten minutes later Raizen found himself sitting in the familiar classroom with most of his old classmates. He nodded to Masato and a few others then took a seat at the window to wait for Iruka to give out the teams. It was pretty noisy, everyone seemed pretty anxious about getting a sensei. “Well, I think I’ll just sit here and try to look cool.” Raizen thought as an odd looking kid sat down next to him. He looked a little older than the rest and was wearing pink, had white hair running past his shoulders that eventually turned… red?

“Hi!” The kid said as he sat down next to Raizen. “My name’s Ushi! What’s yours?!”
“This guy seems kinda weird.” Raizen thought. “Um, hi, I’m Raizen.”
“So do you know who your sensei will be?!” Raizen shook his head and continued to stare out the window. “Me neither. Hey!! Maybe we can be on the same team!! Wouldn’t that be cool?” Raizen continued to stare out the window. “Hey Raizen.” Ushi poked him. “Hey Raizen.” Poked again. “Hey Raizen…”

“Oh god,” Raizen thought to himself, “if this kid is on my… Wait a minute. Did Naruto just kiss the Uchiha kid? Ouch, that looks painful. Anyway, I swear, if this Ushi kid is on my team I’m gonna kill myself.”

After about five more minutes of poking and increasing annoyance, the class finally quieted down. Raizen looked up to see that four unknown adults had walked into the room. One looked uncomfortably like Kakashi Hatake, one looked just plain mean, one was really hot, and the last one looked a bit eccentric. Iruka walked to the front of the class and started introducing who turned out to be new sensei. “Okay, I don’t want Hara sensei or Saruwatari senei.” Raizen thought.

Iruka continued, “And for team 15, Hyuga Raizen… Kazuma Masato… and Kurama Ushi.” Many people looked around as they heard a loud thud that turned out to be Raizen slamming his head into the table as Ushi squealed and hugged him.

“This isn’t going to be fun,” Raizen muttered as he stood up, “At least I got the sane sens… did that one just explode into confetti? Okay I’m leaving.” He started to leave the room but…

“Wait Raizen! Let’s have lunch together!” Ushi yelled after him. Raizen just sped up and ran out of sight of Ushi.

[Dr.McNinja]

It had been an amusing morning, Ushi thought, as he watched Raizen run away fearfully. First breakfast at Chiyoko’s house, no one had actually seen him as he sat quietly at the table eating his oatmeal, but the conversation had been quite stimulating. He had gotten to know one of his teammates too, even if he had only learned which parts of his arms were squishy enough to poke without hurting his finger. Konoha, his new home, was such a wonderful place. He couldn’t imagine ever living somewhere else…though he supposed that he may have been happy back in the Village Hidden in the Stars…of course he had been to young then to remember so it really didn’t matter did it?! Raizen must be hungry. Ushi's hand brushed against the flute that hung reassuringly at his side as he took a step.

Raizen was bolting past the local Ramen shop when Ushi’s hand shot out to grab him, his soft pink sleeves rustling gently.

“Marvelous! I didn’t know you liked to eat here too! My treat!”

Raizen’s eyebrows rose alarmingly. The strange boy didn’t have any pupils but Ushi assumed that his expression would have been delighted if he did. Raizen was muttering something, Ushi strained to listen.

“B-but how? I left you…back there…ran fast…”

Ushi chuckled happily.

“Oh, I couldn’t believe that you didn’t want a free lunch…so I just chose to not believe it!”

Raizen fell silent, he must have understood the wisdom of his words and was taking the moment to contemplate them. Were the youth to actually look and see the young Hyuuga’s confused and somewhat disturbed gaze…he probably would have still thought the same thing anyway.

“So Raizen, since we are to be teammates we should learn each other’s skills backward and forwards, so we can devise marvelously devious strategies!”

Handing Raizen a bowl, and pushing his hair out of the way, Ushi dug into his with frightening enthusiasm.

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Name: Shodou Kukai (last name first)
Gender: Female
Age: 13
Appearance: Slightly taller than most girls of her age in Konohagakure, with a perfectly ordinary build. Her skin is a pleasant pale colour that can best be described as strawberries-and-cream; she'd like to tan, but instead tends to turn a lobstery shade of red. She has a clever, sharp face, though the soft curves of her cheeks contrast well with the general angularity of her other features. Her hair is chestnut brown, and her bangs are long and pendulous, framing the sides of her face to below her chin; conversely, the rest of her hair is chopped off short at the nape of her neck. She wears her hitai-ate back-to-front as a bandana of sorts that goes from the bottom of the back of her head to her forehead, under her bangs. Her eyes are black. For clothes, Kukai wears the fishnet shirt common of most ninjas, under a sleeveless top the colour of which is best described as ashes-of-roses, and knee-length black shorts. A kunai pouch is bound round her right thigh over her shorts. Her sandals are the same as any other genin's - navy blue and unisex. She carries a large writing brush strapped to her back, longer that she is tall; it's made of bamboo and horsehair, and hollow, so it's relatively light.
Personality: Kukai is very vocal. Please don't get her into a verbal sparring match unless you are very certain of what you're doing. She is adept with words, and feels safer with them around to play with. She is also very preoccupied with justice; she doesn't like to see others being framed, and will speak up for the underdog, regardless of whether the underdog likes it or not. Sometimes displays a certain type of blunt word-for-word memory that catches people unawares. A resourceful thinker who adapts well, Kukai is intelligent enough, although nowhere near resident lazy genius Nara Shikamaru; she usually doesn't plan, just changes according to the situation. She's easily provoked, if you know just how to get under her skin. She likes stories, although she doesn't write her own; she doesn't like lies or liars. Deception and illusion put her on edge, and she lashes out at people who try to be something else than themselves.
History: The Shodou clan is a small but established clan who have lived in Konohagakure for generations. There was no designation between main family or branch family, probably because the numbers of the clan have dwindled to the point where there is only one nuclear family left who still retain the name and traditions of the Shodou, Kukai's. This is due mainly to the fact that although all Shodou were born debaters and wordsmiths, most of them decided to capitalize on that trait, and gradually left the traditional profession of the clan, paper milling and stationery, to become, among other things, lawyers and journalists.
Kukai's father and grandfather died in the fight to contain the Kyuubi, leaving the womenfolk to tend to the small stationery shop and bring up the two children, Kukai and her older brother Ryokan. Kukai is a firm believer in the emancipation of women, possibly due to this. Ryokan, being five years older than her, is currently a chuunin working in the Hokage's office. Kukai did okay in the academy, neither too well nor too badly, except that her teachers and other students were generally wary of raising her ire in an argument, because once she started she wouldn't stop till she won. She is one year older than most genin because she went to school a year late - the missing year was spent learning the basics of calligraphy.
The Shodou have never had a reputation for being expert in offensive combat, but they are often sent on diplomatic missions since they can talk so bloody well, and on missions where survival is tantamount because they're so bloody hard to kill.
Main Jutsu: Ninjutsu - her taijutsu is decent as well, but her second favourite jutsu next to her clan jutsus is Kawarimi no Jutsu. (She's very good at Kawarimi no Jutsu. LOL) I think that explains a lot about her fighting style - run and smack, decoy, run and smack, decoy, rinse, repeat xD Kukai has an intense dislike of genjutsu, to the point where she'd rather learn ways of resisting them than performing the actual jutsu.
Special Abilities:
Sen no Kotoba - "Thousand-Word Jutsu"; likewise, this jutsu can be applied in just as many ways. It has a lot to do with calligraphy, and kanji; the way a word is written will determine the effects on the target. It's the signature jutsu of the Shodou clan. Chakra is focused into the tips of the hairs of her brush, becoming as pliant as the strokes require it to be. The user then wields the brush as if writing the word, and even the effects of the word change with the person using it as everyone has a different style of writing. For example, if you write the kanji 'fire', the damage done would be distributed over a wide area because the strokes of this kanji stick out in every direction, but if you were writing the kanji for 'one' it would just be a simple horizontal slash. This jutsu is sometimes rendered obsolete as the effects can be replicated by other damage-inducing jutsus, even taijutsu; its only unique point is that it is completely unpredictable, even if you know what word the user is thinking of. I guess this jutsu is a.. 'style' thing.
Argh, it's hard to explain -_-
Hobbies: Arguing, reading, being a busybody. As expected, she's well-versed in the classics, and has a natural talent for exquisite calligraphy and sumi-e (ink-wash) painting.
Relations: Kind of... knows everybody, but doesn't really know them, sort of thing. On friendly-ish terms with most people. Friends with Haru, since he could, er, buy his notebooks from her family's stationery shop, and she likes stories, although she doesn't like his genjutsu? *pokes Nab* *aside* She'll terrify him. *cough*
Other: Primarily a fun/support character - I don't expect Kukai to come out of this RPG loaded for bear or immensely talented in any field. She'll turn out to be competent at what she does and that's it (like the other six of the original rookie nine...). She's best used as a speedy/evasive annoyer in a standard 3-man team. *is talking like a game guidebook* Her gigantic writing brush, besides being the main item used to facilitate her jutsu, may also double as a cudgel or staff. She's also ambidextrous.


Shodou Kukai/Team 14/F
5. "OBJECTION!!"
-------------------------------

"So you concede, then?" Kukai leant forward, glaring into the pinprick eyes of one Inuzuka Hige.

"What?! Whoever said anything about conceding, woman?" Hige returned the glare, drawing himself up to his full (considerable) height.

The look on Nara Shikamaru's face seemed to say: Some people just don't know when to give up... as the lazy boy shifted his chin from one palm to the other, rolling his eyes. Uchiha Sasuke merely turned away, refusing to acknowledge the existence of either debater, dismissing them as fools and idiots. He was very soon to find himself being harrassed by another fool and idiot, better known as Naruto, the dunce of the year's graduating class; and not too long afterwards, to become the source of certain rumours pertaining towards either boy's sexuality.

"Inuzuka Hige, a few minutes prior to this you clearly stated that you wished to conclude this discussion with a fight," Kukai paused, beaming, not breaking away from their eyelock. "I believe that shows an unwillingness to continue with our verbal duel, which would naturally lead to an assumption that you are conceding this argument to me."

Hige bared his teeth in a snarl, frustrated; Ginmaru, from somewhere down below, growled at Kukai, whom he rightly viewed as a threat to his master.

"I do so hope that you won't harbour any resentment against me because of this; you see, circumstances-"

"All right, all right, ALL RIGHT ALREADY," Hige broke into her litany, running an annoyed hand through his hair. "Your tongue must be ten feet long, the way you talk."

"I have proof that my tongue is not, in fact, ten feet long. If you would care to measure-"

Shikamaru yawned as they began yet another round of their neverending argument. His respite would come soon enough. Iruka-sensei... where are you...?

As Iruka-sensei walked into the room, followed by four unknown jounin, Kukai was compelled to break off her... she preferred to think of it as intelligent conversation. Inuzuka Hige was a worthy opponent, although he tended to break off and then jump back into the fray with unfailing regularity. On occasion, Ginmaru put his two cents in with sharp, short barks interspersing Hige's words; Kukai could only guess at what the dog was saying, but she was sure it wasn't anything pleasant. She slid into her seat next to Haru, who was quiet as usual, scribbling distractedly in a notebook.

Kukai liked stories; they were composed of words, painting gorgeous landscapes and cunning plots in a way that was impossible in the real world, where there were often no happy endings, only perhaps blood and a kunai stuck in the dust of the path. But she could never write her own - she'd tried and tried as a younger child, and nothing came out that seemed proper and storylike, nothing after the standard wording of Once upon a time-; despite the beauty of her strokes, the ink words that stained the paper were as dead as the paper itself. You couldn't have everything. What you made up for in technique, you lacked in spirit.

That was how she had met Haru, she supposed. He was always buying notebooks, a curious skinny waif, who nevertheless spun tales of an immortal and golden splendour contained within a cage of paper. It was his stories that had drawn her, and she had tried to stick up for him in all other aspects, and now no one with half a working brain would dare call him stupid within hearing range of Shodou Kukai, not if they didn't want their ears to drop off.

Taking care not to disturb Haru's story-grinding reverie, Kukai half-listened, half-stared openly at the four new sensei. One had all the likeability of an aged scorpion; another, a young female, seemed too good to be true; one with all the feral grace of the jungle; and lastly, a Kakashi clone. She hadn't known that the copy-nin had a brother...

Kukai struck lotto. Iruka-sensei reeled off the groupings, and she was fortunate enough both to be placed together with Haru; also, she was somewhat relieved that they had the gentle-looking Kuroda-sensei as their teacher. Saruwatari-sensei left a bad taste in her mouth; Hara-sensei was okay, she supposed, only too Inuzuka-like for her to appreciate properly, and Kakashi-sensei liked chemistry, going by his choice of books. She wasn't sure she could win an argument about chemistry. And she was very thankful for the absence of any psycho clowns.

Speaking of Inuzukas... her last teammate was an Inuzuka. Inuzuka Hige from the endless argument of fifteen minutes ago, no less.

Oh well. Could have been worse... could have been one of Sasuke's fangirls...

She essayed a tentative wave at the Inuzuka from across the room. Beside her, Haru finally put down his pencil.
----------------------
Aaaahaha, Phoenix Wright x) *happy toecurl*

[Outlaw JT]

Name: Onitoge
Gender: male
Age: 12
Appearance: Onitoge is very lean and of average height for his age. His hair is short, spiky and blood red. His eyes are also a piercing crimson color with very thin pupils. He typically wears a sleeveless black training gi and a heavily weighted long black hooded cloak. When on a mission he pulls the hood forward and wears a cloth mask that covers the lower portion of his face so that only his red eyes are visible. Unlike the other shinobi of Konoha he wears two identifying silver plates. One for the Land of Fire for where he was raised and one for the Land of Water which was the only thing found on him as an infant. He wears them on his belt on either hip; Water on his right and Fire on his left. When he gets real serious about a match he removes the weighted cloak so he can move at full speed.
Personality: He tends to be reserved and quiet and a bit of a tag-a-long. He is eager to be more open and try to make friends but is afraid of what happens when he doesn't hold back. This carries into training as well because of a few accidents in training when he was younger.
History: Onitoge was found at the edge of Konoha clutched in the arms of a dead woman with nothing but a silver shinobi plate from the Land of Water to identify him as an infant. A retired Shinobi named Urukani, Shenji claimed responsibility for him and tried to return him to the Land of Water. The old ninja returned a month later with the baby in his arms and several wounds on his person including several puncture marks. He told the village elders and the hokage that he would raise the infant and that he had named it Onitoge. So, Onitoge grew up in the care of Shenji. While he always took great care of Onitoge he always seemed saddened and worried on the inside. He took it upon himself to train the young boy as soon as he was old enough to stand and kept him fairly isolated from other people. Onitoge learned everything he could from Shenji, soaking up information related to Shinobi like a spunge. He was very eager to learn the secrets of Jutsu. His early training stopped when Shenji succumbed to age and illness when Onitoge was only 7. Since then he had been passed around the village to whomever had time to care for him but never found another true home. Shortly after he started training at the academy, just as he was starting to make friends for the first time he accidentally injured another student while training. It took a month for the other student to recover and since then everyone has always picked on him. He has also taken to holding back both in training and social situations for fear of hurting someone again. He even went so far as to take up wearing a heavily weighted cloak to keep his speed and strength in check so he wouldn't accidentally go too far in a match.
Main Jutsu: Taijutsu
Special Abilities: He has developed no known special techniques yet but has a fair knowledge of basic Genjutsu and Ninjutsu as well as the extreme speed and strength you'd expect of someone who focuses on Taijutsu. He also has the strange and unique ability to summon a seemingly endless supply of ivory colored weapons from under his cloak even though none are ever visible until he produces them for use. Onitoge claims that he doesn't even know how he summons them and because of this rarely uses the ability for fear of the unknown.
Hobbies: Onitoge doesn't have hobbies of his own but instead picks up the hobbies of those around him as a way of trying to make friends. He reads when he is around people like Kakashi, he plays chess around people like Shikamaru, he trains vigorously when around people like Heji
Relations: He spends time occasionally reading with Hatake Kakashi who treats him both kindly and with concern. He also plays chess with Shikamaru a lot even though he can never win. (open to anyone else who wants to be acquainted or friends).
Other: Although the people of Konoha aren't as disrespectful and suspicious of him as they are of Naruto he is generally looked down upon except by the Jounin who knew Urukani Shenji well.


Onitoge - Genin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Onitoge looked at himself nervously in the mirror. He didn't look any different than he did yesterday. He didn't seem to feel any different either. And yet, he was different. At least as far as the Academy was concerned. He was Genin now and that meant being assigned to a team and it meant missions. It meant he was expected to give his all......but his all...... it frightened him.

"No. I have to grow strong and make Urukani-sensei proud of me," Onitoge said to his reflection, his voice only wavering a little.

As he turned towards the door he reached for his belt and hesitated again. He knew no one liked it that he wore the symbol for the Land of Water beside their native symbol for the Land of Fire. Today was a day for making good impressions. Maybe it was time to let go..... but he couldn't. It was all he had of the family he never knew. He had to honor them as well as Urukani-sensei. So, he fastened the belt and threw his cloak over his shoulders, drawing it about him. The weight of it slid over him like a familiar warmth, comforting him.

The walk to class was particularly uneventful for such an important day. Being rather early he didn't see any of his classmates until he arrived. One or two always managed to beat him there no matter how early he showed up. He nodded a hello with a faint, unsure smile and took his seat.

Time passed slowly as the rest of their class filed in in spurts. He found himself sitting next to Hiro and Sakura who both came in after him. Sakura was nice enough but whenever Sasuke was around she was always too preoccupied to notice him. He always felt there was something about Hiro that reminded Onitoge of himself but he could never put his finger on what.

Onitoge tried hard to listen to what Hiro was saying, occasionally vocalizing agreement or making a comment about his own morning but he was fairly distracted. It was hard to focus knowing he would be assigned to a new sensei today. He was hoping to be assigned to Kakashi-sensei's (ooc:Hatake Kakashi) squad. He was very skilled and knowledgable and was always nice to him even though he seemed worried sometimes. Onitoge knew there would be a good reason behind whatever sensei he was assigned to but he still hoped.

Shortly after the last of the students arrived Iruka opened the door and entered, followed by four shinobi. One of them was almost a dead ringer for Kakashi-sensei but Onitoge knew it wasn't. Apparently since their class was so large additional sensei had been recruited for their benefit.

And so, the moment of truth. Team and sensei! Onitoge listened intently as their names were called out. He almost slipped out of his chair when Kakashi-sensei was mentioned. He barely caught himself from falling back out of his chair when he heard the third name wasn't his. Sakura sitting next to him seemed to have the opposite effect, almost falling forward out of her chair in Sasuke's direction.

So he wasn't to be assigned to Kakashi-sensei's squad. Whomever his sensei was would no doubt be very skilled as well and there was likely some higher reason he was placed there. And then the words came out. Hara Takumi, the wild eyed and wild haired shinobi who had boldly exclaimed his training would make them victorious.

Victorious at what? Onitoge thought to himself as he struggled to sit still, holding in any reaction. He took some comfort in knowing Chiyoko was also assigned to the same squad. He didn't know her very well at all but she seemed very nice and she wasn't from here. She arrived long after the incident when he was just starting at the Academy. Chiyoko might not even know about it if no one had taken the time to tell her.

He was less enthused to hear Inakamo was also in their squad, though Onitoge respected that he possessed talents he could not replicate.

As Iruka and the new sensei left Onitoge took a moment to think. Something about his new sensei's attitude made him uncomfortable but he didn't know what just yet. Hopefully it was nothing. In any case, for now he had to think of his teammates. He knew very little about either of them. He slowly rose to his feet and walked towards Chiyoko. He would talk to Inakamo when they were decidely not alone.

"I was thinking that since we're...... team.....mates......" Onitoge's voice trailed off as Chiyoko was already engaged in conversation.

Rather than interrupt Onitoge bowed his head and exited the classroom quietly. There would be time later, he supposed. Lots of time actually, since they were teammates now. So, he would wait for now. He could try to get to know her and Inakamo better after they met with Hara-sensei. In the meantime, he would do what he always did when there was no one to hang around with. He went to the clearing in the forest where he often spent time reading with Kakashi-sensei and he trained. He trained with his cloak off, which he only ever did when he knew he was alone.

[Heald]

Name: Yakusha, Inakamo
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Appearance: About 5' 8". Very slim and doesn't look muscular, although he is very flexible. He covers the right-side of his face (left from a looking-on perspective) with a clay half-mask of a scary, almost evil looking clown. He also paints the area around his right eye black with a white cross. He wears a top with the left sleeve cut off and and the right sleeve long to the wrist. The left side of the top is orange and black vertical stripes, while the left side is black. He has an orange belt and wears his headband over the buckle. He wears black tight-fitting pants and the normal ninja shoes. His hair is worn both up and is black with red and orange streaks.
Personality: He acts somewhat insane and has a habit of tricking, pranking and annoying people. He'll turn up the annoyance on people he especially doesn't like and turn it down on people he wants to be friends with. Most people would think he is a bit of a weirdo but he has a loveable aspect to him - also, people seem to think if they get on the wrong side of him, he might murder them in their sleep. As a ninja though, although he might not act it in battle, he is a serious and dedicated contender, although he tends to annoy or wind his opponent up to get the upper hand.

Up front and in person, he is a perfectly nice and kind person, especially since he enjoys being incredibly social. Very few people seem to know the real him, as he often takes the chance when there is a crowd to show off his skills.

On a side note, he loves bright lights, music, explosions and generally mayhem. He especially loves carnivals and festivals, hence why he dresses up as a clown.
History: Not much is known about Inakamo. He has not come from one of the main families and was raised by a foster family after his mother died shortly after his birth from natural causes, only saying his full name. His foster father saw he had great ninja potential and contacted one of his friends, a Jonin from the Village Hidden In The Leaves who suggested that Inakamo be enlisted into the Academy. He graduated a few years afterwards.
Main Jutsu: Ninjutsu
Special Abilities: Chakra Strings Jutsu - much like how this is used to control puppets, Inakamo uses Chakra strings to set traps and launch heavy objects at great speed. While he can use Chakra strings on the living, it uses up far more chakra, plus an unsuspecting opponent, or at least an opponent who has far less chakra than him.
Carnival Ball Jutsu - He can summon his favourite toy from a scroll, a large wooden colourful ball. Due to his familiarity with this toy and his practice with it, he can keep a somewhat unlimited and unbreakable control over it using his Chakra Strings, and then launch it at his opponents, usually when they least expect it.
Hobbies: Practice circus tricks, mainly. Also, sneak up on other characters and surprise them.
Relations: Friends with Chiyoko, mainly because she is the only person who doesn't shun him and doesn't mind his pranks (hence he stops pranking her).
Other: Along with his Carnival Ball, he also keeps summoning scrolls for explosives, flash bangs, fireworks and even an anvil.

---

Inakamo Yakusha

"Yes, perfect," Inakamo murmured to himself, adding a devlish, insane cackle to the end of his spoken thoughts.
"What are you doing you clown?" Shikamaru groaned, awoken from his daydreaming by the clown ninja. Inakamo, who was hanging upside-down from the rafters of the classroom just above the door. In one hand was a frying pan and he was positioning it above the door with the other.
"Lets just say Naruto is gonna get a surprise when he gets back from the toilet Shika," Inakamo giggled. Shika buried his head in his hands.
"Not another one of your lame pranks," he yawned, before going back to dreaming.

"Done!" he announced to himself and backflipped into his seat next to Choji. Choji was already halfway through what had to be his third breakfast this morning. Inakamo whispered to him,
"Hey Choji, betcha a bowl of ramen that Naruto will fall for this so-called lame prank."
Choji's eyes lit up, but only at the mention of the word 'ramen'. He turned to Inakamo but couldn't speak, his mouth already full. Inakamo suddenly heard Naruto's whistling, and as soon as he could see Naruto's dumb haircut, he pulled on his chakra string, releasing the frying pan into Naruto's face.

*PANG*

Naruto fell onto his backside and, looking up, saw Inakamo the only one pointing and laughing. Naruto ran up to Inakamo about to give hima piece of his mind, when Iruka walked in and Naruto eagerly sat down, wanting to learn the teams. Ino piped up to the giggling Inakamo,
"Sheesh Inakamo, I hope I don't end up on your team, you're such an immature idiot."
Inakamo didn't really care though, for in his mind every single one of his little pranks were hysterical. It was also great ninja training, at least for him.

Iruka began by introducing the new Jonin team leaders. Inakamo thought to himself,
"There's a Kakashi and some cold guy - I hope I didn't get either of them; their strict styles would probably cramp mine, plus that guy looks even more murderous than me - if I tried my pranks on him, he'd probably kill me!"
Finally, when all the introductions were done, the names were listed off.

"Yakusha, Inakamo..." Iruka finally said. He was in Team 13 with Onitoge and Chiyoko! He saw Onitoge leave the room. He decided not to follow - he and Onitoge were completely different; whilst Inakamo was loud, brash, extrovert and insane, Onitoge was quiet and reserved. he'd have to be friends with him soon, but he could wait until their team met for the first time.

He looked at Chiyoko, who was talking with the other Kunoichi. He jumped up into the rafters again and began listening in on their conversation.
"Sakura, you lucky girl, getting with Sasuke!" one kunoichi said. Another said to Chiyoko,
"And Chiyoko, you're on the team with a crazy sensei, an even more insane clown and Mr. Quiet."
He was about to hear Chiyoko's response, when one of gus scrolls fell out of his bag. It began unravelling as he grasped for it. He then prayed it wasn't the anvil scroll and quickly used his chakra strings to grab whatever came out of the scroll.

A small firework rocket shot out of the smoke of the summoning right in the middle of the girls, causing much mayhem and screaming. He quickly tried to redirect it out of the window, but he chose the wrong one and it hit a tree outside, exploding into a melody of colours. He realised the kunoichi woould probably tear him apart for this, so he quickly leapt down, picked up the scroll then backflipped out the window into the playground, finishing his escape.

[*Duke*]

Name: Kazuma, Masato

Gender: Male

Age: 13

Appearance: Masato wears his village’s head protector on his forehead and is dressed in a thin black flank vest with a crimson hooded sweat shirt under it. He wears black leather gloves with a thin strip of metal on the back of the hand. Over the black pants he wears he covers his shins in white wraps. He has a rather average build of a thirteen year old, having jet black hair and dark brown eyes.

Personality: Masato is rather mature for his age, though that at times is broken when not in combat and tries to still have a little fun acting his own age now and then. He comes off shy or standoffish around others unless he truly knows them, though when he does become friends with anyone he is loyal to them to the end. If he feels betrayed by anyone, he can become consumed by self doubt and anger towards those that had betrayed him and will not stop until he achieves retribution.

History: Masato Kazuma is an average ninja from the village hidden in the leaves. He has trained constantly to try and stay on-par with everyone in his class. Though one night after returning from his training, Kazuma found his family dead, having been murdered by an unknown assailant. Even his puppy patches had been killed by the murderer. This sent Hamano into a deep rage in himself, he wanted revenge and to avenge the death of his family and puppy. He trained himself to the point of near death to achieve Genin status, improving his techniques and Taijutsu in order to track down his families’ murderer and finish him off in the most horrific way possible.

Main Jutsu: Taijutsu

Special Abilities: Leaf Gale: An offensive short range attack Masato his quickness and agility to perform a spinning kick to sweep his opponent off their feet.

Hobbies: Masato prefers to train his body and mind when not in battle, though to keep himself amused he likes reading cartoons.

Relations: Masato holds no real relations to anyone…yet

Other: ~Insert song title here~, is for if the mood calls for the Naruto soundtrack if any of you have the OST.


Masato woke up with a stir; another dream seemed to slip through his head and no matter how hard he tried to concentrate on it he just couldn’t. Turning off his alarm he began his daily routine of some light exercises to warm up for the day. After a quick shower and getting dressed, the smell of freshly cooked ramen seemed to wafer from across the building as Masato realized Chiyoko had to have been cooking again. Since he hadn’t seen pillars of black smoke he had to assume she succeeded in her attempts. He had been living in the building for a whole year and though he had occasionally passed her in the halls or in class he had never really gotten to know her, though from what he had seen of Chiyoko in class, she seemed very friendly, cheery and seemed to have a habit of being rather eccentric. Though the smell of something home cooked seemed to out weigh the cup of ramen he was preparing. Opening his fridge he looked for something to offer her for a bowel and decided a carton of freshly squeezed juice could probably get him by. After locking his door and walking down the hall, he took a couple of deep breaths and tried to work over in his head what he was going to say. Pushing away some worse case scenarios of Chiyoko round house kicking him into the next village, he proceeded to knock on her door.

Not making direct eye contact Masato tried to force out: “Umm… good morning Chiyoko…” holding out the juice in front of him, “I apologize for being here so early, but I smelled the ramen coming out from your window and was hoping to acquire some of it in return for this carton of juice!”
She blinked for a moment as he noticed that another student from his class seemed to be there as well, Naruto Uzumaki, who seemed to have a piece of a crab cake on his cheek, both staring at him. Son Chiyoko’s face turned into a big smile as she took the juice and beckoned him to the table.
“I accept your offer, Masato-chan.” She said as she sat the juice on the table and soon had another place set. With everyone digging in, Masato began to think about what was going to happen today, they were going to be assigned teams today. In the back of his mind he began to wonder…but before he could Chiyoko interrupted between sips.
“Masato-chan, aren’t you going to finish your ramen?” Little had he noticed that as he was only a quarter into his meal, Chiyoko and Naruto only had a quarter left of their own dishes. He ate quickly trying to catch up, when they finally were just about done only a small clump of noodles remained Masato went for a quick grab but was stopped by Naruto and his own chopsticks…(Lightning strikes between their two eyes)

~It’s the training!~
Naruto tried to go for a quick dash as Masato went for a counter with his chop sticks. Almost imagining they were kunai, Naruto went for a downward stabbing motion only to be blocked by a front push of his own chops sticks. Eventually each grabbed each others’ cheeks with their free hand lifting them upward. As with their other hands both caught the ramen and tried to bring it to their mouth, only to trip over each other and go tumbling to the ground sending the ramen into the air. As it hung there in an almost suspended free fall Chiyoko caught it effortlessly and in one gulp swallowed it all whole. (Sweet drops appear on both Naruto and Masato’s head)
“I’m done!” Chiyoko said cheerily, taking off her apron and put on her headband.
“Hey, want to head to the classroom now? We should get going anyways… so we don’t miss team assignments!”
“Yeah, I’m ready to go.” Masato said, getting up as Naruto nodded and over eagerly headed towards the door.
“I’m one step closer to being Hokage some day!” Naruto proclaimed with a fox-like grin, as Chiyoko smiled back and nodded. “Yes, yes you are.”

Konoha seemed in quite in uproar as the three of them walked by others in excitement about today. With the classroom almost assembled Masato decided to bid farewell to his companions and proceded to take a seat in the front row. He choose to ignore the commotion behind him and watched as the door opened and Iruka sensei walked in with four other Jounin.
“Good morning everyone… as I’m sure all of you know, today is the day that we assign you to your teams. After we assign you to your teams, you will be contacted by your sensei and they will take things on from there.”
Iruka seemed a little nervous as he continued explaining about Ninja behind him and the division into teams and tried to introduce the instructors.

“First… Saruwatari, Kazuki. He is an-“ Iruka began, but Kazuki coughed loudly and glared at Iruka.
“Unlike Yukiso, I think introductions are unnecessary.”
This rather upset Masato, but like with most other Jounin they had their own quirks and were well respected so if he was going to train under Kazuki he was going to have to respect that.
“I look forward to training you to become victorious!” Said Hara, Takumi.
“This guy is nuts,” Was Masato’s first impression of the overly excited Jounin, making a mental note to avoid him.

“Yes… then there is Kuroda, Miharu.” Iruka continued. Miharu Kuroda stepped forth lightly however, bowing as her long and vibrant hair of silk wavered with every moment. She seemed extremely young compared to the other three sensei; a soft and form-fitting kimono showing off her figure as she smiled at the students.
“Pleased to meet such promising individuals.”
“Hm…wouldn’t mind being on her team,” he said to himself in a rather low tone.
The last figure to be introduced seemed rather immersed in a book at the moment.
“Lastly, Kakashi Yukiso.”
“It is good to be back.” He stated which in a way that sent a little bit of inertest into Masato’s mind. As soon Iruka called off all the teams, finally caming to the last four teams.
“Now… Team 12, under Saruwatari Kazuki…Retsun, Selekis … Yagyu, Shiro … and Iokawa, Hiro.”

“Team 13, under Hara, Takumi… Onitoge… Yakusha, Inakamo… and Okami, Chiyoko.”

“Team 14, under Kuroda, Miharu… … Shodou, Kukai… Kozue, Haru… and Inuzuka, Hige.”

“Team 15, under Kakashi, Yukiso… … Hyuga, Raizen… Kazuma, Masato… and Kurama, Ushi.”
A loud distinct thud could be heard, in which Masato turned and saw that Raizen had smashed his face into the table and Ushi squealed with delight, hugging Raizen.

Masato didn’t know much about his teammates outside of their names, though after what he had just seen he was going to be in for a long, long, long time with some very colorful people.

[Shadow Djinn]

Name: Yagyu Shiro
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Appearance: His jet black-blue hair is one detail that people seem to recognize when they first look at Shiro. His pupils are ice blue, though often looking cheerful and making people feel comfortable around him. He wears his forehead protector on his right arm, just slightly above the elbow, and tied very loosely. A thin, black, spiky star serves as his clan's birthmark, placed on the back of his left hand. Though kept very unkempt, Kyoshiro's hair is also stylish in a certain matter, pausing just above his neck, while his bangs often stray into his eyes. He possesses a lean and compact build, though he possesses a degree of strength behind him, standing at roughly 5'6. Black, leather fingerless gloves guise his hands, allowing him greater flexibility. His main garb is usually a black, blue or white gi to maximize his agility. Occasionally for more serious missions, he wears a black bodysuit, with violet straps going across his chest, with shoulder pads of identical color. A belt loops across his waist (even if he's wearing a gi), holding shuriken or kunai, along with other tools he might need for the mission. Pads also go above his knee, along with shin and arm guards. Occasionally he lets his dark hair grow long, and he ties it into a rat tail or ponytail. His main footwear is plain oriental sandals, and sometimes he hides throwing knives, or a plain dagger strapped to his calve or ankle. Otherwise he may have a sheath on his belt for a melee weapon.

(super confusing, I know. I kinda scattered my thoughts >_<;)

Basically two sets of clothing: Either a gi + belt with a dagger/throwing items, or an ANBU-esque uniform with armor. The latter is sparsely used.

Personality: Aloof, carefree, and sarcastic. Those would be the first things someone who just met Shiro would notice about him. Despite this, he has a rather soft side beneath that, often working hard to cheer others up, along with a strong love of messing around. However, he isn't a big fan of teamwork unless he is coordinating it, possessing a strong mind for strategy, though he is incredibly unreliable in pressing situations. His abilities are often consistent, and he posssesses little desire to excel, though he has some notable abilities. He's also a main contender in any fights he can find, unwilling to back down even if an opponent is stronger then he is. Though he seems very chivalrous, he wouldn't object to stealing if the opportunity called for it, and is very casual around people even if he just met them. He has a knack for ticking people off, and often exploits it, leading into scuffles. Despite his inability to catch on quickly to something, he is able to adapt flawlessly to a new situation within several minutes (or hours/days depending on the scale of the change). He's decently known for the tricks that he plays on others, along with his ability to make incredibly odd excuses or lies. A plain dislike is shown for those who like to rush things, hot headed and justice-preaching, as he prefers to go at his own pace. When he encounters people such as them, he often serves as the anticlimactic one, much to the chagrin of such individuals.
History: As far as Shiro remembers, he'd been raised by an old couple in the Land of the Waves. He didn't know what clan he hailed from, who his family was, or pretty much anything about himself. Because of this, he considered himself 'unique', and formed his own clan name. (Yagyu) The husband of the couple was a retired shinobi from the Village of the Mist, and due to the harsh graduation exams (where graduate to bes were pitted against each other in a free for all to the death, if I recall) he often discouraged Shiro from becoming a shinobi. However, witnessing the many ninja that trooped into the town on missions surpassed the small damper on his spirits, and he journeyed to Konoha when he was ten, immediately enrolling in the academy. He was slow to catch onto the teachings, getting poor grades the first year, though excelling in practical work. Eventually he met one of the Jounin of Konoha, who lectured him on the importance of dedication, and since then, he began to put more effort into his work, though he tries not to show it. When he began training, he already had a small affinity for water jutsu, but began resonating with the sky instead, who was akin to him in behavior.
Main Jutsu: A mix of both Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, sort of using them in combination. He has only a small interest in Genjutsu.
Special Abilities:
Wind Manipulation - Shiro can manipulate the wind to a minor extent, creating a quick, weak breeze, or summoning a blade of cutting air for several seconds. He can also 'enchant' his weapons for a brief period, coating a throwing weapon in sharp air pockets, or one of his daggers. This ability can also be used in conjunction with his taijutsu.
Moonshine - When a cloudless night occurs, and moonlight shines on Shiro, his abilities are heightened along with his senses, along with a more serious attitude. His ninjutsu and taijutsu are also strengthened, and he has a stronger grasp of chakra. The extent of his heightened abilities depend on the moon (IE: when it's a quarter moon, it's not that noticable, full moon, big difference, etc), along with the small risk of Shiro instead feeling immensely tired, and losing a severe amount of energy. The unpredictability of Moonshine is often Shiro's downfall, since it seems that it backfires on him more then it works. If it does occur, he's often tired the next morning.
Hobbies: Athletics/Sports, along with schoolyard fights. Likes to read and draw, though he's really bad at the latter.
Relations: Open
Other: Despite Shiro's unknown origins, he feels that he was born for a purpose, though he's unsure of what. He sends frequent letters to the couple in the Land of the Waves, who occasionally send him things in reply.

Yagyu Shiro - Genin
-

As the lean boy clambered out of his small bed, he gazed despondently at the time before dressing, eyes dull and lifeless as he exited his small house, trooping down the street. As he went, his eyes gradually gained more cheer, and by the time he reached the Academy, his mind was mulling over listless thoughts, though the major factor of his concerns was the placement that was to happen today. So far, he'd been performing decently in the academy, though his classmates weren't something he was fond of. Shikamaru was much too lazy for his taste, and Chouji was the opposite, rather sensitive compared to others. Ino and Sakura were mainly focused on female-esque things, and thus Shiro possessed no interest in a conversation with them. Sasuke intrigued him only slightly -- he admired his skill, though he disliked the seemingly pompous vibe he exuded. Naruto was the opposite, however. His fiery spirit was annoying, and Shiro noted that he was someone he wouldn't want on his team. Kiba was the same, excited and energetic, and much too hot-headed. He paused in his mental notations to take his seat in the Academy classroom, (which is where we are, right?) quickly tuning out Kiba's annoying rambling.

Chiyoko was another oddball, rather jolly and ditzy despite Shiro's efforts. Then there was Retsun, a kid who was constantly doodling, and had that weird demon thing...His eyes wandered, and they next fell on Raizen, a descendant of the Hyuuga clan. They were rather cold, and were scarcely amused by Shiro's efforts at conversation. Then his eyes fell on Shidou, a girl that Shiro had attempted to argue with once, ending poorly in his favor; he had willingly conceded after the girl skillfully pummeled him with a sentence in which the only words that he knew the meaning of were 'all though'. His fingers danced idly upon the dagger seated in its sheath, roughly tied to his belt in an untidy manner, then noticing a small stain on the sleeve of his black gi, frowning at the mere thought. Impatience then proceeded to grow as the time ticked by, his curiosity to discover his placement overwhelming his calm composure. Eventually his desires were fufilled as Iruka strolled in, a list in hand. The noise immediately stifled itself, and Iruka began to speak. Shiro sighed, leaning back on his chair and tuning the sensei out for a while, until he immediately snapped back in place upon hearing a cold voice that split the room.

He glanced at the owner of the remarkably cold tone, and was only slightly surprised to see it was Kazuki sensei, a man of cold demeanor that he had crossed once or twice, and did not desire to do so anytime soon. He looked over the other senseis that strolled in, though his disinterest was plain until..

"Team 12...under Saruwatari Kazuki...Retsun Selekis...Yagyu Shiro...and Iokawa Hiro."

"How fun," Shiro commented. Kiba looked over, and merely snickered at his predicament. Shiro wrinkled his nose at that, muttering something about a wet dog odor before walking over to join Retsun, who was already doodling away once more, in 'conversation' with Chiyoko, who was chatting away amiably.

She paused as Shiro walked up to the silent artist, nodding with a grin at his teammate.

"Yo, picasso."

[Roy Karrde]

Name: Iokawa, Hiro
Gender: Male
Age: 11
Appearance: His hair is messy black, dipping down to his eyes which are hidden underneath the hair. His skin is soft and a light tan. He is only five foot, two but his body is extremely muscular and hidden beneath a black one-piece jumpsuit. He keeps the head band placed in his messy hair to which it can some times be glimpsed. He carries a long a long yellow pocketed belt around his waist that he uses to carry any ninja related objects needed for missions.
Personality: Although it may not look like it he is extremely friendly to people, and keeps his past and hidden pains a secret. He doesn’t like to talk about his past and will usually lie about it. When asked about why he doesn’t use Chakara he will boast about how he has gotten too strong with Chakara and wanted to try something else out.
History: Originally born in the war torn Sand Village, Hiro only saw death and destruction at the hands of ninjas and chakara. Seeing this and seeing his father and friends killed at the hands of a bloody war, he shut out all connections of chakara within them, scared to even touch or use his own chakara in fear of causing the exact same harm that he had seen brought upon his home. When he was five his mother smuggled him into the Leaf village making a small and meager life inside of the village. Plagued with nightmares of his past Hiro eventually set out to become a ninja but would not use his Chakara no matter what.
Main Jutsu: Taijutsu
Special Abilities: Mighty Fist of Wind – A Taijutsu that uses the fist and arm to strengthen the air around it, compressing and firing the wind at a speed that when hit it feels the same strength as if hit straight on by the fist. This can be used for long range attacks against further away foes.
Hobbies: He builds small sand castles and clay figurines which give away a clue of where he was originally from.
Relations: Open
Other: Does not know how to use his Chakara, because of this is Chakara is very raw and if used can be extremely damaging to both him and his opponent.

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ Breakfest ~*~*~*~*~

No matter what herbs I took, or how much I tried to make myself comfortable. There was just no way I could fall asleep the night before the biggest day in my Ninja Career. Not to mention that the sounds of the leaf village were different and unsettling, I missed the soft sound of sand blowing against my window like back at home. Here… it was just too quiet. The morning activity though was different, sounds and smells filled the room as those around our small apartment woke up and began life.

“Hiro-ne are you ever going to wake up?” The shrill voice of an annoyed eight year old drew me back to the reality around me. “I already made breakfast and your eggs are getting cold.” She pouted, my adopted sister, Hikari.

I grudgingly got up, waving her out of the room while I changed and reappeared in the doorway a few minutes later. “I see you burnt the eggs again.” I groaned slumping into the chair, every muscle in my body exhausted from lack of sleep.

“Did not.” She retorted, puffing up her cheeks in annoyance as she swiped a spoon full of eggs into her big mouth. “So today is the big day huh?”

I nodded back in response, slumping even further into the chair. I felt as if I were being pulled by two sides, one being exhaustion, the other being enthusiasm toward today’s events. “So how do you plan to be a ninja if you can’t use any Chakara?” She asked a bit absentmindedly as I rose from the table.

“I’ll just use Magic.” I rubbed her hair, heading out the door and into my new life.

Ever have second thoughts about this? That was the question that I asked Sakura and Onitoge as we made our way to our seats. My enthusiasm rising with every step and any feelings of sleepyness were shaken away. Onitoge shrugged and Sakura’s eyes and head continued to follow the movements of Sauske.

I sat down in the chair rubbing my chin, wondering if this truly was the right thing to do as doubts began to creep into my mind. “I have a little sister, with our parents not around much she and I usually take care of ourselves, now even I won’t be around.” I explained, turning to see Sakura continued to be preoccupied and Onitoge just nodding ever so often.

A small glare crossed my face and I leaned my arm back to smack both of them on the back of the head but decided against it at the last second. I had heard rumors about the possible repercussions of making Sakura angry.

“Good morning everyone… as I’m sure all of you know, today is the day that we assign you to your teams. After we assign you to your teams, you will be contacted by your sensei and they will take things on from there.” … Here we go, I hope this is the right decision…

[Arnen]

Slightly more belated than I would have liked, but here it is!

~Name: Kozue Haru
~Gender: Male
~Age: 13

~Appearance: People usually look at Haru and assume that he is much younger than he actually is. This may be because many boys his age have already started going through puberty; it may be because of the soft look to his face. Whatever the case, he is definitely several inches shorter than most of his male classmates, and much smaller of build. The slight paleness to his skin may also attribute to his feeble appearance, contrasted with the tousled black hair that falls to just below the nape of his neck, being slightly longer in the back. His eyes are brown, being the color of sun-baked mud toward the pupils and getting darker towards the edges of the irises. Usually, he is seen garbed in a white short-sleeved shirt with sky-blue collar and sleeve-cuffs. A round green tab adorns each cuff, which can be used to buckle on a pair of matched gloves, which have navy-blue fishnet at the knuckles and fingers, and straps at the top to connect to his shirtsleeves. His pants are olive-green capri-style cargos, leaving a few inches of his calves bare above his standard-issue blue sandals. His ninja band is worn tied around his neck, as it falls down onto his nose when he attempts to wear it on his forehead.

~Personality: Haru is a very timid boy. He prefers to play by himself instead of with his classmates, and tends to get nervous when approached. Because he speaks very little, his voice is very quiet, and he has a slight stutter and sometimes stumbles over his words. His fellow Genin peg him as stupid because of this, which makes it all the more difficult for him to connect with other kids his age. He also tends to get wrapped up in his story-writing, which often lulls him into a state of reverie in which his perception of reality becomes somewhat skewed for several minutes after he puts down his pen.

~Main Jutsu: He specializes in medical Jutsu (which I noticed wasn't on the list Oo), although he also handles Genjutsu fairly well (his special technique being of this variety).

~Special Abilities: Iki ta Monogatari no Jutsu - Living Story Jutsu
This Genjutsu enables him to use his words to create a fairly strong illusion. The person he uses it on will not hear the descriptions he works into the Jutsu, as he whispers, but will gradually see the scenery around him change as though he were a character in a story being told by Haru. (Example: Haru could activate the Jutsu and say something like, "A heavy fog rolled in, obscuring everything beyond a few feet in front of so-and-so," and whoever he was using it on would suddenly see fog all around them.) However, the person will not be able to touch or feel any of these effects (as in the last example, they would not have felt the damp of the fog).

~History: Haru's parents work at the hospital in Konoha, with his mother being a surgeon and his father being a pediatrician. It is through them that he learned much of his medi-nin abilities. Living in a house near the edge of Konoha proper, Haru never made many friends growing up, as he hardly ever left his parents' property. When he finally did start school, he had a tendency to stick to himself, choosing to sit in the grass and dream up fantastical stories instead of running and playing at recess.

~Hobbies: Haru likes to write stories. In classes, he's always seen scrawling away in one of his notebooks. He also enjoys helping his parents in the hospital.

~Relations: Friends with Kukai, who shares his love of stories.

~Other: Haru's a little older than the other kids in his class, despite his younger appearance. His birthday is right after the cut-off date, so he turned 13 before most of his classmates.



=°' Kozue Haru of Genin Team 14 '°=

Clap, clop, clap went the blue sandals over the pavement. At a glance, it would seem that Haru found his shoes extremely fascinating, as he stared straight down at them. Occasionally a pale hand would reach up and adjust the hitai-ate that struggled to remain perched atop his brow. The other hand firmly gripped the edge of a spiral notebook with a red leather cover, with his name written neatly on a white paper label adorning the front.

He looked up as the shadow of the academy fell across his feet. This building, so familiar, harbored so many memories and emotions - some good and some bad. And now, his time here was virtually up. He was a Genin now. The idea washed over him slowly but powerfully. Like a wave breaking upon a rocky shore, he mused.

Once again, the troublesome head adornment took the opportunity to slip forward and onto the bridge of the boy's nose. With an irritated sigh, he reached behind his head to untie the blasted thing. Pausing for a second, running his thumb over one of the bolts at the edge in contemplation, he decided to tie it around his neck. It would be much less cumbersome that way.

After the headband was securely fastened in its new location, Haru took a deep breath. Today was, after all, the day he was assigned to his Genin squad. He didn't know which way the scale would tip - would he end up with two new potential friends, or would his new teammates shun him as so many had before? Or worse - he could end up with that clown freak (shudder to think). It was all up to fate now. Straightening his back, he strode forward and into the academy proper, hoping he looked more confident than he felt.

Upon entering his old classroom (how odd to think of it that way!), Haru found himself glancing about, more sheepishly than he would have liked. Seeing Kukai seated by herself, he scurried over and sat down in the seat next to her.

"Hello, Haru!" she greeted him with a grin. "Might you by any chance have another new masterpiece at work? If I recall, you finished your last piece yesterday, did you not?"

Haru smiled back, almost apologetically. "W-well.. I don't really have anything on paper... 'S all in here." He tapped his head to indicate that he was still sorting out the ideas in his head.

Kukai's smile broadened. "Excellent! Well, I shall eagerly await it!"

This was why Haru liked Kukai. She didn't judge him because of his small stature, or his slight speech impediment. She was patient with him, knowing that he was much more articulated when his thoughts were written out on paper. Whenever he needed someone to look over one of his stories, he could always turn to her. While he would forge the words into being and weave the sentences together, it was Kukai who would go through and correct his minor errors in grammar and spelling.

And he always thought of his writing as an art. Just as a potter at the wheel or a weaver at the loom put so much effort to produce their respective art, he took care to select each word from his vast repertoire, to shape and form the malleable sentences into something absolute, something that only his sole friend in the world acknowledged as anything good.

Haru and Kukai continued to carry on a conversation (however one-sided) as students continued to steadily file into the classroom. It wasn't long, however, before Kukai became ensconced in a heated debate with a boy he didn't really know, one of the Inuzuka clan. Haru wasn't sure what about, nor did he think it really mattered. He took the opportunity to scribe a few lines in his notebook.

Before long, the squads were announced. Haru barely glanced up from his notebook, as he had not heard his name called quite yet. However, he began to listen more intently as four new sensei were introduced, to accommodate this year's abundance of new Genin.

A blessing! He was paired in a squad with Kukai! The Inuzuka she had just finished a debate with was also in their group, ironically enough. Their teacher seemed to be the most sane of the bunch as well. He finally set down his pen.

"I.. guess we got lucky," he muttered, half to himself and half to his friend.

[Bulbasaur4]

Chiyoko Okami

Chiyoko’s eyes widened as she watched Inakamo leap out the window in a hurry. Her eyes widened for a moment in shock, along with the other girls who decided to chat it up with her. Speaking with the girls was sometimes scary… especially when Ino and Sakura were in the same area. Their love for Sasuke seemed to always ignite some sort of conflict or yelling match.
“That Inakamo… he’s nothing but trouble.” Ino grumbled, glaring at the window as the rest of the girls sighed.
“Yeah, I’m glad he’s not on my team.” Sakura added, although soon she was poked by Ino. “But you’re with Naruto…” Ino said with a grin, to which Sakura suddenly hissed back, “AND Sasuke!”
Shaking her head, Ino looked back at Chiyoko and withdrew a deep breath.
“I feel sorry for you Chiyoko, having to be with such a clown freak.”
Chiyoko blinked for a moment and then her face transformed into a smile, as she stood up from her chair and seemed to brush herself off from a few dust marks which the firework had caused. Shaking her head, her soft hair wavered with her movement as she grinned like an innocent child.
“I think it’ll be a lot of fun. I do not know Onitoge-chan very well and I look forward to talking and getting to know him better. Then of course, I know Inakamo-chan a bit too and while he might dress a little strange, he is actually nice once you get to know him.”
The rest of the girls were silenced for a moment, as they seemed dumb-founded by her words. Chiyoko bowed lightly as she headed out the classroom. “I must be going! I hope to see you all later and good luck!” She waved to them as she dashed out of the room, running out of the academy and into the town. Looking about, she didn’t see anyone else around and shrugged slightly. However, as she began to walk down the streets suddenly a dog began barking at her. Tilting her head to the side, Chiyoko knelt down to the little brown dog and began to pat it on the head. It wasn’t until after a while that she noticed there was a white scroll-like piece of paper attached to the dog’s neck by a blue ribbon. Untying the ribbon out of curiosity, Chiyoko took the scroll and opened it. She let out a surprised gasp as she read the letter.

Okami, Chiyoko –
Meet by the second bench near the Eastern Forest. It will be well marked!!!
- Hara, Takumi


Blinking with slight confusion, Chiyoko shrugged and decided not to waste time. She soon ventured swiftly through Konoha until she came to the eastern side near the outskirts of the forest. Looking about however, she realized that there were… many benches.
“Which one…?” Chiyoko began, before suddenly her sparkling eyes of blue caught sight of one bench that seemed to stand out. It had a huge, splashing “2” painted rather crudely all over the bench. Blinking a few times and seeming confused… Chiyoko walked over to it. Onitoge was actually already there, standing silently and looking about. His eyes hit Chiyoko’s and she immediately by instinct waved at him.
“Hey Onitoge-chan!” She said, running up to him until she was next to him by the bench as well.
“I… assume you received the… same message..?” Onitoge said quietly, holding up a piece of paper as Chiyoko nodded.
“Yeah, from our sensei… sort of an odd way of telling us where to meet.” Chiyoko said thoughtfully, looking around as if expecting to see Hara-sensei anywhere. It wasn’t long until Inakamo-chan also showed up, looking as wild as ever.
“That was thoughtful…” He said with a grin, staring at the red two as if it were something to be marveled. Chiyoko imagined it must have given him an idea about something, but she didn’t press on it. She looked at her two teammates and smiled at them, instinctively bowing before both of them slightly.
“I am pleased to be on your team.” She said with a bright grin. “I’m sure we’ll do great!”
As if on cue, suddenly a loud and eager-sounding voice echoed in the air.
“Great! My students are all here!”

Appearing instantly from behind the three, Hara Takumi stood proud with his hands upon his hips with a wild grin still plastered upon his face. His striking gold eyes of a wolfish nature seemed teeming with a burning energy and an eerie excitement. His wild hair wavered in the wind slightly as he stepped forward, placing a hand on his nearest pupil- Inakamo.
He seemed to scan the three of them for a bit, as if assessing them and then he gave a nod.
“You all seem very unique by your appearance, and from what I’ve heard… you all have some talent that I can work with. That’s good! There are many Ninja that do not have the talent or what-it takes to become…” Hara-sensei seemed to look off into the sky for a pondering moment. “… GREAT!” He suddenly said, holding a fist to the air with his other hand in a dramatic motion.
Chiyoko sweatdropped lightly, looking at Onitoge who almost seemed to cringe slightly- not in fear, but perhaps from some inner thought.

Hara-sensei then brought a fist to his mouth as he coughed, as if it were some gesture to signify that he was ready to get a bit more serious. He motioned to the bench, ushering them to sit down and they did so- the paint being dry.
“Umm… so, Hara-sensei…” Chiyoko began, but he swiftly held up his hand to silence her.
“Not now Chiyoko! There will be time for questions later! FIRST I must know something very important about the three of you…”
Hara’s eyes scanned them for a bit, as he then gave a nod and sat down upon the grass in front of Inakamo, Onitoge and Chiyoko. Crossing his legs, he looked up to them and grew a serious face.
“I want to know what you think you’re best talent is. Tell me. Once you have told me, I can begin your exam.”
“Exam?!” Inakamo said loudly, his eyes widening as if confused. “B-but we graduated! We don’t need to take another exam!”
Takumi laughed heartedly, but within a second suddenly his eyes narrowed into a peer as his voice grew lower.
“You merely graduated based on the Ninja basics. Any child could do such simplistic and unimpressive things! If you wish to have a sensei and wish to be trained further, you must pass my exam.”
“What happens if we fail?” Chiyoko immediately asked, her eyes widened with confusion.
Takumi grinned like a rogue animal. “Then you will no longer be a Ninja. Failure is not an option.”





“Good, I see you had little difficulty finding this place. That is one less worry.” Saruwatari-sensei said to the three students. He had met with all three… well, if one could call a cold glance and then pointing to the Hokage cliffs and saying, “go there” was “meeting” someone. Still, the three students had managed to gather at a nice foresty opening that was at the base of the Cliffside. It was a perfect place for a sparring area, which was exactly what Kazuki had in mind and he was not in the mood for giving much detail.
“I don’t care about your likes or dislikes. I don’t care about your so-called talent.” Saruwatari looked at all three of them. First, he stared harshly at Selekis. He seemed to stare for a moment, and then he scoffed slightly.
“I don’t care about your inner problems.”
He then looked at Shiro, scanning him for a bit longer.
“I don’t care about your history.”
He then looked to Hiro, and almost instantly seemed ready for some comment.
“And I don’t care about your secrets.”

He then walked a few feet away from them, and opened up a bag he had upon his back. Opening the large rather rustic brown bag, he took out four weight-like devices. He then strapped one to each of his legs, wrapping more bands around them so to fasten them tightly. He then placed the remaining two upon his arms, wrapping them in the same fashion to equally tighten them and to make sure they stayed upon his limbs. Folding up the bag rather ceremoniously, he brought it to the edge of the clearing and sat it down under the bushes. Whirling around with a deep brown-eyed stare, Saruwatari-sai folded his arms across his chest.

“I will only remotely care about anything about you if you actually can become a Ninja.”
The group seemed confused, as Hiro opened his mouth to say something but Kazuki shot him a death glare. “You can’t officially become Ninja unless you pass MY exam.” With the “my” part in his speech, he seemed to almost growl with the intensity of a fierce tiger.
“But don’t worry… it shouldn’t be that hard.” He said with a flashy grin.
“All you have to do is touch me, and you pass.”





The sound of muttering could be heard near a large garden, in the backyard of a house that was on the edge of a forest. Kukai and Hige were seemingly at it again, but this time Hige had gone to a more muttering sort as Kukai seemed to try to pick any of his words perhaps as a trigger to harbor a more interesting argument that she no doubt could win. Haru had his book at his side however, and was watching the two for a moment before gazing about as cherry blossoms seemed to waver in the wind softly.
“I see I have a very… colorful combination of students.” Kuroda-sensei said, stepping forth from around the house. Her walk seemed to be extremely graceful so that she mirrored the wind as she approached the students. She seemed to smile graciously, although it was apparent that she was surveying them.
“Let me see… you are Kozue Haru…” She said, reaching him first as she looked at the book by his side and then nodded. “You are Shodou Kukai, no doubt.” She said with a grin, as if she was very identifiable. “I hear you make a great conversationalist.” Kuroda added, before looking and nodding at Hige. “ And you must be Inuzuka Hige.”

Walking away from the three, she went towards one of the gardens near the house that seemed to have no plants in it, but was simply a patch of black earth. It looked rather bleak and barren compared to the other gardens, which were filled with flowers of all sorts that were in full bloom.
“Like you know, I am Kuroda Miharu. You may call me Miharu, for I am not a huge fan of formalities.” She said with a smile, looking to the gardens around her.
“I hope that I can get to know all of you better, but that will have to be in due time. I am unsure if you are aware… but you cannot be fully allowed to be Genin until you have passed one more test.”
The three seemed to be in shock and Kukai opened her mouth as if to protest, but swiftly Miharu continued.
“It has been this way since even I was a new graduate from the Academy and it will not change.”
She then pointed towards the dirt and flowerless garden.
“The test is rather simple. Do you see the beautiful flower gardens around you?” She asked, and the three slowly nodded.
“I want you to make this patch of dirt look just like the gardens. Of course… not just look, but actually be like one of the gardens. You must do this without harming the other gardens and of course, no illusion techniques. I want actual flowers.”
The three seemed speechless, and Miharu took out a few seeds from her pocket.
“These will be a good start. I expect to see a blooming garden when I return!”
With that, Miharu gave them a bow and simply walked into the house.




Yukiso dangled from a tree by his legs as he read his book upside down. The book now seemed to be different, titled, “Physics: The Forgotten Theories”. It took a while, but soon a loud voice could be heard in the forest, nearing the clearing where Yukiso’s message had told them all to meet. (Of course, his message seemed to pop up in extremely odd places.)
“Raizen-chan, isn’t this exciting? Our first meeting with our sensei!!” A loud and rather energetic voice could be heard, followed by an, “URRRGGGH!! Be quiet!!”
No sooner than later, the figures of Raizen and Ushi broke through into the clearing. Raizen seemed to have an extremely agitated look upon his face, making it looks almost as if his eyes were activated as Ushi practically hovered about him.
The two of them saw Yukiso dangling from a tree, which caused Raizen to stop for a moment with a look of confusion. Ushi however, seemed to find that this was a good idea. Within one bound, he leapt upon the branch and soon mirrored his sensei’s pose.
Yukiso looked at Ushi for a moment, and then looked back at Raizen.
“You’re quite a pair.”
Raizen audibly seemed to twitch at that comment, just as the last member arrived- Masato, running into the clearing. All three looked at Masato, Masato glancing at Raizen for a moment as if wondering why the guy looked rather peeved.
“Ah, now Masato is here. We can begin!” Yukiso said with a smile, well… a smile if anyone could tell beneath the black part of his mask-esque clothing.

Swiftly Yukiso released his leg grip on the branch he was dangling from and his body started to fall, Effortlessly he flipped and landed upon the ground, still holding the book in his right hand. Ushi tried to mirror the same thing, but ended up half-landing in a some-what comical manner. Raising a brow at Ushi for a moment, Yukiso positioned himself so that he could see all three of his students.
“Well, now that you’re here… we should get acquainted more. To start out, let’s sit down in a circle.” Yukiso said with a cheerful manner, instantly sitting on the ground cross-legged. Ushi did it too as Masato slowly joined, looking at the others as if wondering why they were sitting in a circle like elementary students. Raizen seemed to have to make a mental effort to sit down, but once he was down Yukiso shut his book and placed it upon the ground next to him. Ushi reached out to perhaps touch the book, but instantly like a blast of lightning, Yukiso’s eyes seemed to meet Ushi’s with a tremendous death-like look. Ushi slowly pulled back his hand, reassuming his position- realizing he perhaps should not do that. (Raizen slowly smacked his forehead, wondering how his death glares had not worked on Ushi… yet the Sensei seemed to have it mastered.)
“Now that we’re sitting in this lovely circle, why don’t we talk about ourselves? Say your name, just so I remember… okay Ushi, Raizen and Masato-chan? Then, tell us some of your likes and then some of your dislikes. Finally, end by complimenting everyone in the circle. That should build up some teamwork confidence! I’ll go first!”

Yukiso seemed to reposition himself slightly as he began, seemingly not as enthused to talk about himself but a little more serious.
“I am Kakashi Yukiso. I like reading books that help me learn interesting things about the world and I absolutely love kittens. Oh yes… and I like bothering my brother Hatake from time to time and … hmm… I do believe I like occasionally relaxing in the hot spring. I dislike… well, that’s not important. As for compliments… I just met you! How could I possibly compliment you? I will after your test.”
The three seemed confused, well… except Ushi, who just seemed happy.
“Test?” Raizen questioned, as Yukiso nodded.
“Oh nothing big… just, in order to officially be a Ninja you have to pass my test. It is quite simple, all you have to do is wash your Kunai. Just don’t leave the forest area… so you have a nice river to wash them! But seriously… that’ll be after our little chit chat. Raizen, why don’t you go first?”



OKAY… little help here:
[ HARA-SENSEI’S STUDENTS: Just have to say what your biggest talent is. After that, he’ll inform you that your test is to beat him in whatever you’re best at. (Example: Chiyoko’s is cooking, so they’d have a cooking contest.) Post as much as you’d like… just your outcome will be failure in the ‘basic’ understanding of the test. (So yes, even chiyoko will lose at cooking despite how awesome she is.) Oh, and your message from Takumi can be in anyway. Chiyoko’s was by dog since she likes them a lot.

Takumi’s “lesson” in this exam, is basically to never give up. So, if your character keeps trying and trying and trying… but they still fail, to him that actually isn’t failure but growth. Then they pass! BING! ]


[SARUWATARI-SENSEI’S STUDENTS: Try to touch him… but you’re gonna fail. He added weights to himself, and he still is going to be uber fast. We’re talking uber fast. You guys can get close to touching his hair and come up with creative ways of trying to touch him… but, no.

Saruwatari’s “lesson” in this exam is really rather simple and actually much like Hara’s lesson. Acknowledge your own weakness and others superiority, yet still with this knowledge don’t give up despite knowing that. ]

[KURODA-SENSEI’S STUDENTS: The seeds are fine… try to come up with a creative way to attempt to make a full garden bloom. Yes, you also fail… but have fun finding creative ways to screw up. Lmao. Your message was delivered by a flower girl... the message being wrapped about the stem.

Kuroda’s “lesson” is completely about teamwork. Even though you fail, as long as you try to work as a team or demonstrate some sense of teamwork or camaraderie, you get the lesson. Sorta like accepting your differences and putting them aside for a mission. ]

[KAKASHI-SENSEI’S STUDENTS: Yeah, you fail too. Remember he’s a master at Genjutsu, so most likely no matter how or what you do to try to wash your kunai… it just isn’t going to happen. Your message of where to meet will be delivered in the weirdest ways... think really weird. Like, the message could be found in your ramen, for example.

Kakashi’s “lesson” is about teamwork as well. He is expecting everyone in the group to go off on their own to wash the kunai, however this won’t work. He eventually wants those with pride to put aside their pride to work together and those who aren’t typically leaders to try to step it up- all to try to do teamwork. His lesson is basically “accepting your team, even when the task seems simple and easy.” In a way… but you get the picture. ]

[Sworkill87]

Raizen

Lunch was odd, in the time it took Raizen to calmly eat his one bowl of ramen, Ushi burned through eleven. After the first seven Raizen just stared on in awe. “Where is he putting it all?” Raizen thought to himself. It wasn’t too long after Ushi ordered his twelfth bowl that he started turning blue and holding his neck. Out of instinct Raizen dashed behind Ushi and performed the Heimlich maneuver.

Hack… Hack… on the third try Ushi spit up what looked like a scroll. “Wow, thanks!” Ushi exclaimed as he gasped for breath. Raizen looked up at the shopkeeper while pointing at Ushi, “Why is there a scroll in his ramen?”

The man just looked confused. “I didn’t put that in there. But I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“Whatever, what does it say Ushi?” Raizen asked. Ushi unrolled the scroll, coughed, and proceeded to read it out loud, trying as hard as he could to sound official.

“Raizen, and Ushi. Meet me in the forest clearing just outside the village as soon as possible. Bring your ninja equipment. –Kakashi Yukiso”

“Hmm, I guess we should get going.” Raizen got up to leave only to see Ushi roll up the scroll, look right, look left, then slowly raise it back to his mouth. “No!” Raizen grabbed the scroll from Ushi. It looked like this kid has no common sense what so ever. “Right,” Raizen mumbled, “I’m just gonna…” and he started sprinting toward the forest clearing.

“Waaaaaaaaiiiiiit! Raaaaaaaiiiiiiizen!” And Ushi ran off after Raizen. It took about five minutes of Ushi sprinting madly after Raizen, who was failing miserably at evading him, to get to Kakashi sensei’s clearing. When they finally arrived Raizen looked slightly murderous, but Ushi didn’t seem to notice. “Look Raizen! It’s our sensei! Isn’t this exciting?!!!”

All that ran though Raizen’s head while he walked over to Kakashi and raised an eyebrow was, “Why God, why?” Their sensei was hanging upside down from a tree branch reading another book, this one labeled “Physics, the forgotten theories” Immediately Ushi jumped up and mimicked Kakashi perfectly, minus the book. Raizen just stared at the two, shaking his head until Kakashi called them a pair, at which point he audibly twitched. Yes, an audible twitch. After Masato arrived and Ushi got a death glare for trying to touch Kakashi’s book, the three were finally informed of their task, to wash a kunai, by any means in the forest.

“But first we all need to get to know each other.” Sensei said. “Let’s see, why don’t you tell me your names, your likes, your dislikes… and then give everyone in the group a complement. Here I’ll go first. My name is Kakashi Yukiso, I like kittens… and I dislike… well, that’s not important. And I just met you, so how am I supposed to complement you. Ok, Raizen.”

“He didn’t tell us anything…” Raizen thought. He sat there for a moment questioning why his sensei was treating them all like five year-olds before speaking. “Ok, well I’m Hyuga Raizen, I also like kittens-“

“Oooo! Do you have one?!!” Ushi interrupted.

“Yeah, I do.” Raizen continued. “Anyway, I don’t like-”

“Oooo! Is it a boy or girl kitten?!!” Ushi interrupted again.

“He’s a boy. I don’t like-”

“Oooo! What’s his name?!!” Ushi asked as Raizen twitched again.

“His name is Mitch… and he’s black, with a white tip on his tail.” Raizen shot out before Ushi could say anything more. Anyway I don’t like… people interrupting me when I’m trying to talk.” Raizen said, as he shot Ushi a death glare very similar to Kakashi sensei’s. But Ushi seemed quite unfazed by the glare and continued to look on with curious excitement. “Right…complements, Masato, you’re very determined. Um, sensei, you’ve got to be intelligent to understand the books I’ve seen you reading. And Ushi…you’re…” Raizen twitched at the thought of complementing possibly the most annoying person he’d ever met. “You’re… the most enthusiastic person I know.”

The others then shared about themselves and Kakashi sensei disappeared to leave them to wash their kunai. Raizen stood up and pulled out his kunai. “It doesn’t even look dirty.” He thought to himself. Assuming that there had to be more to the test that sensei wasn’t telling him about, Raizen pulled out a small cloth and made to polish his kunai. But the cloth never touched the blade. Try as he might Raizen couldn’t force his cloth within a centimeter of it. He looked over at Ushi and Masato; they didn’t seem to be having any luck either…. Ushi was trying to lick his. “Ok guys, I’m going to go see if water will work on this thing.” And with that Raizen wandered off to find a stream that he knew was nearby.

[Mystic_clown]

Selekis
-------------------------------
the pale boy just stared at their sensei. All they had to do was touch him. One single touch and it was over. It seemed so simple. The fact that he was weighing himself down also made the task seem even easier.

However, he knew that this sensei wasn't just any ordinary ninja. He also knew this task would be much harder then expected.

He had to test the waters first.

With only the sound of rustling grass, Selekis shot towards Saruwatari, stretching his arm out at the last moment to reach him.

At first it seemed like their teached vanished. Selekis stopped in his tracks, his eyes looking around while his head remained still.

His ears twitched when he heard the sound of leather touching wood. All three of them turned their heads to see Saruwatari Sensei standing on the branch of a nearby tree.

"Woah," he heard Hiro mutter softly. He figured Shiro was nodding in agreement.

Selekis' expression remained blank as he stared at their teacher. Even with weights he was fast.

There was no way they'd complete this test with speed alone.

This required strategy.

Something Selekis considered his forte.

[Outlaw JT]

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

Onitoge danced about the small clearing making intricate motions with his arms and legs. Jumping from branch to branch on either side of the clearing with fantastic speed. Speed he never let anyone see since his weighted cloak slowed him greatly and he always wore his cloak when he was training around other people.

Onitoge had only gotten a quarter of the way through his usual warm-up routine when a kunai screamed out of nowhere and thudded the branch at his feet just as he was preparing to leap again. He quickly grabbed it and jumped down, scooping up his cloak and slipping it on in one swift motion. He scanned the trees, kunai at the ready, but they seemed to be empty. Onitoge took a closer look at the kunai and noticed a scroll tightly packed around the grip. Unfurling it he read that it was his new sensei's first instruction.

Being near the area mentioned, Onitoge only took seconds to get there and quickly found the vandalized bench. Hara-sensei was a strange one. Chiyoko arrived next and Onitoge eagerly returned her greeting and bow. Inakamo arrived last looking his usual self. Onitoge was still leery of him but appreciated that he brought an element to the team that Chiyoko and himself couldn't.

Their sensei appeared just as soon as they completed their greetings. It made Onitoge uneasy that he hadn't detected his presence. Not much escaped his attention. His eyes and ears were as fast as his body.

Hara sensei introduced himself and then got right to the point. One more exam for them to pass if they were to truly be Genin. That uneasiness crept over him again. What was Hara-sensei after?

"So, tell me what your best talent is so we can get on with it. We don't have all day!" Hara-sensei barked but in a cheerful manner.

"Umm..... people say I'm really good at cooking," Chiyoko was the first to speak up.

Inakamo enthusiastically blurted out his talents next. Hara-sensei then turned towards Onitoge expectantly. What should he tell his sensei. Outside his Taijutsu he couldn't think of anything he was particularly talented at. What should he say?

"Speed," he blurted out without thinking, regretting it the second he did.

Inakamo looked at him with a crazy confused glare. After all, while wearing his cloak he was no faster than anyone else in their class with a few notable exceptions like Choji and Shikamaru (really only because Shikamaru didn't care to move any faster most of the time). It no doubt seemed very odd for someone of seemingly average speed to claim it as their best talent.

"Alright then. For your exam, you're going to have to beat me at your best talent. A friend of mine owns a restaurant on the far side of the village from here. Chiyoko, Inakamo, meet us there for your exams. Onitoge, your exam is a race to get there. If I get there first, you fail! Starting now!" and Hara-sensei was off like a shot.

"See you there," Onitoge shouted over his shoulder as he jumped up into the trees after Hara-sensei.

He could hear both of them wish him luck, a skeptical tone in Inakamo's voice. He couldn't slow enough to look back though, because Hara-sensei was faster than he looked. Moving at full speed while in the cloak he was barely managing to keep up. In fact he was slowly losing ground. He had to do something to even their pace.

He closed his eyes as he jumped to the next branch and when they opened his arm slid out from underneath his cloak with three ivory colored shuriken in hand. One of these days he would have to figure out how he does that. Watching Hara-sensei's movement carefully he projected the next branch he would land on and threw the shuriken with perfect accuracy. They sliced clear through the thick base of the branch and it fell to the ground just as Hara-sensei was about to land on it. Instead of plummeting to the ground though, buying Onitoge the time he'd need to catch up and get ahead, Hara-sensei corrected instantly and his speed jumped radically as he landed on a branch quite a ways ahead.

"What the......?" Onitoge muttered under his breath, dumbfounded by the vast jump in his sensei's speed.

"You call that pace fast? You're gonna have to do a lot better if you plan on ever being Genin!! Looks like I'll only have two students on my team," Hara-sensei shouted back as he pulled away quickly.

What should he do? There was no way he could keep up with his sensei with the cloak on now. What could he do if he hoped to pass? For the first time in years he slipped the cloak off in public as he moved. It sounded a thunderous boom in the forest behind him as it created a deep crater, kicking up a billowing cloud of dust. Onitoge hoped Chiyoko and Inakamo would find it and between them be able to carry it to the restaurant.

With the cloak now off his movement became as lightning through the trees. Hara-sensei had almost gotten far enough ahead to be out of sight but Onitoge was closing ground quickly now. With the cloak off his speed was blindingly fast. Some of the Genin wouldn't even be able to track his movement with the eye.

They were almost across the village but Onitoge had managed to completely close the gap. The restaurant was coming into sight and he was about to pass Hara-sensei. He was fast enough to win! He was going to pass the exam!!

"Turnabout is fair play. Sorry Onitoge!" Hara-sensei said with a sadness.

Onitoge barely had time to react as several shuriken flew over Hara-sensei's shoulders. They were all aimed at the branches ahead of him. In an instant Onitoge blinked and several ivory colored shurikens went flying from his hands. The pairs shurikens all intercepted and canceled each other out. All except one, which sliced through the branch Onitoge was about to step on. And just like that, it was over.

His own tactic turned against him, Onitoge flailed wildly to try to grab anything to prevent himself from falling. Moving at his full speed, though, he was going too fast to correct himself. He tumbled through the air and hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop as he slammed into the trunk of a tree. He got up, clutching his side which now hurt a lot, and began running but they were too close to the restaurant now. Given another 100 yards he could've caught up and passed Hara-sensei just in time but at this distance he barely managed to cover half the gap. Nevertheless, he ran the final distance at full speed, arriving no more than a second after Hara-sensei at the entrance.

"Great effort Onitoge but you lose," Hara-sensei frowned. "I want you to wait here with me and watch the other exams, though. Maybe you will learn something so you'll be better prepared the next time you get a chance to become Genin."

So, they both took a seat inside the restaurant and waited. About ten minutes passed in silence before Chiyoko and Inakamo walked through the front doors of the restaurant. Onitoge let his head drop, ashamed that he was unable to pass his exam. Hara-sensei stood up and looked at his two remaining students.

"Your turn, Chiyoko. Let's get to the kitchen and make some lunch for the four of us!" Hara-sensei said enthusiastically as he led her to the kitchen.

"Good luck!" Onitoge managed to say meekly before burying his head in his arms.

ooc: figured I'd leave the revelation that even though they failed they didn't truly fail till after everyone on the team fails. Also, if you decide you two do find Onitoge's cloak on the way, it is in a small crater and weighs almost as much as the anvil in Inakamo's summoning scroll. Perhaps one of those scrolls would be a good way to pick it up and carry it....

[Heald]

Inakamo Yakusha

Inakamo had retreated into a clearing in the forest near his house where he liked to practice his tricks and acrobats. He was doing a one-handed handstand on his carnival ball and then leapt up into the air, whipping his carnival ball into action with a chakra string. using a topspin, it sped along the ground and up a tree. Inakamo yanked it towards him and ot flew towards him, and with that Inakamo made a perfect landing on his feet on the spinning surface of the ball, rocketing him into the air. He began yelling with delight,
"Woooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooo!" as he flew over the trees on his ball. As he looked over the trees, he saw a firework being set off in the distance. He quickly descended and running on his carnival ball, he decided to roll towards where the firework had been set off from.

It was there he saw a kunai with the instruction left by his sensei. He noted it would take him a while to get there and he unsummoned his carnival ball into a scroll, then began jumping through the forest to get to the meeting point.

Upon arriving, he saw Chiyoko and Onitoge had already arrived. Chiyoko waved at him and then bowed at him. Inakamo smiled and said,
"Guess I'm late as usual guys, eh?"
Onitoge seemed indifferent to his arrival and, aside from a slight nod, didn't seem to welcome him. Inakamo understood - he and Onitoge, although both orphans, were wildly different; while Onitoge was a recluse, Inakamo loved nothing more than public scenes, noise and mayhem. He appreciated it would take time to bond with him. There was another difference more important to their team's attributes as an effect ninja squad - Onitoge had barely shown any of his own skills or any outstanding power or technique, always hiding behind his cloak and keeping any displays of unique skills to a minimum, whereas, once again, Inakamo was the complete opposite; he relished any opportunity and sometimes too excited to wait for an opportunity at all to show off his skills, tricks and acrobatics, whether as a ninja or a prankster. It was nice to have Chiyoko on the team to balance what had to be the biggest mismatch out of all the squads, except for perhaps the incompetent Naruto and the vastly-talented Sasuke. While not as outgoing, cocky or as brash as Inakamo, she was definitely not lacking in social skills or displays of her own skills as Onitoge was.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Hara-sensei appeared with a big thumbs-up and a huge grin. He put his hands on Inakamo's head and ruffled his wild hair. Inakamo enjoyed the attention but stepped back quickly, just in case he tried to remove his mask. Inakamo was enthusiastic to begin his Genin training with someone whose eyes showed him to be almost as insane as he was.

Hara-sensei announced that they had to pass an exam to continue their training, which no doubt horrified Inakamo, who viewed exams as the opposite of fun. Hara asked them all what their best talent was. Chiyoko announced her talent was cooking. Hara-sensei looked at Inakamo, who didn't take two thoughts to know what he thought he was best at.
"Pranking," he announced, unashamed of the fact that he loved being a clown. Chiyoko giggled and Onitoge sighed. Onitoge then surprisingly announced that his speed was his talent. Inakamo almost protested this, since Inakamo was in fact one of the faster pupils in the graduating class and probably one of the most agile, at least in his opinion. However, he also knew Onitoge wasn't the type to lie, and if he had speed, then he must have some skill in it. A jutsu perhaps?

Hara-sensei laughed and told them that their exam was to outdo him in their chosen talent. Onitoge was the first up, and the race began almost instantly. Onitoge bid us farewell and raised after the teacher. Inakamo almost felt like chasing after him, but Chiyoko didn't want to go full pelt.
"Why are you in a hurry?" Chiyoko asked him on their way. Inakamo smiled and replied,
"A chance to prank my sensei in a contest? It's my dream!"
As they followed the wake of the racers, Inakamo stopped.
"Chiyoko, all the leaves have been knocked from the branches in this area. Something must have hit here pretty hard."
Chiyoko and Inakamo began looking around and spotted Onitoge's cloak.
"You think he dropped it?" Inakamo asked. Chiyoko looked slightly worried.
"He never takes that off. Something must have happened," she said with concern. Inakamo sighed and went to pick it up, only to discover the cloak weighed far more than it looked.
"Sheesh! This thing must weigh a ton! I can't carry this all the way to the finish line!" he exclaimed. They both then realised something - if Onitoge wore this thing day in, day out, he must be able to move at lightning pace! Inakamo smiled.
"So our mystery man is a speed-demon? This should make things interesting."
Chiyoko nodded and smiled. However, they still needed to move the cloak.

Inakamo had a brainwave. He got out a scroll and began the summoning,
"Carnival ball summon!" he yelled and his toy popped out of the scroll onto the ground. Chiyoko seemed somewhat perplexed at the good this would do. Inakamo made a set of handsigns, the password that opened the ball and struck the centre line of the ball, opening it up, revealing a hollow center. He picked up the cloak and threw it into the ball, then closed it and sealed it together again. The ball would weigh much more now but it could take the weight. He then began making chakra strings at the base of the ball until he had about twenty chakra strings coming from his hands, and he yanked as hard as he could, then commanded the ball,
"Superspin Carnival Ball Jutsu!"
The ball span on the spot for a second, kicking up dust violently, then shot through the forest towards the finish line. Inakamo quickly followed in order to steer it with his strings.
"Come on Chiyoko! We have to get to the finish line!"

[Shadow Djinn]

Shiro - Genin - Team 12
-

The first burst of speed that Shiro witnessed elicted a smirk that went across the preteen's face. He reached into the pouch seated on his belt, unearthing a shuriken before dashing into the cover of nearby foilage, glancing at his teammates who pursued other methods.

"My needs outweigh theirs for now, unfortunately." Shiro frowned. His eyes swiveled, falling upon his sensei, who was seated idly in the branch of a tree. A flash of black signalled the attack of Iokawa, who lashed out at his sensei, fingers reaching feebly for the Jounin, who faded into streaks of color and dissapeared. As the Jounin propelled backwards, Shiro burst from the foilage, tossing the shuriken forward and lunging forward, swinging wildly to place his hands upon the garments of Kazuki, who simply blended into lines again, disappearing as quick as he came.

The shuriken struck the ground, and Shiro joined his projectile moments later, grimacing at his failed attempt.

Maybe if I speed it up...

Drawing a kunai, Shiro looked about wildly to find Kazuki standing atop a high tree branch; his facial expression had failed to change since the introductions. Shiro grinned, and he called upon his chakra, welcoming the slashing hiss that signalled the arrival of a gust of wind, swirling around his outstretched kunai and encircling it in razing air. Deftly tossing it forward, Shiro somersaulted into the air to join the projectile; it whizzed forward at a wild speed, striking dull wood as Kazuki went airborne as well -- a muscled leg lashing downward and striking Shiro's exposed back, sending the Genin-to-be sprawling downward.

Brushing away the clump of dirt that he landed in, Shiro rose again, managing a grin on his face despite his past two failures. He saw Iokawa strike outward again, noticing a blast of wind erupt from his outstretched palm. Though Kazuki had to be fazed, he effortlessly evaded once more, somersaulting upward, limbs lashing against a tree trunk to propel him outward. Quickly, Shiro launched an air-coated shuriken upward at the colored zephyr before rolling aside as it was sent hurtling back downward, burying itself in the ground.

Rising to a crouch, the apprentice watched Kazuki land in a leaf-less tree, enjoying the challenge his sensei had bestowed upon them. Despite this, he felt slight frustration, but he quickly brushed it aside.

Doesn't matter what the situation is, his foster parents had said.

Just keep trying.

[Prof. Jb Wolf]

Name: Inuzuka Hige
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Appearance: Like any Inuzuka worth his name, Hige has a wild almost feral look to him. Somewhat stocky, he's larger around than most of his clan due to both a case of genetics and a love of food. Hair is light brown in color that falls just past his chin in messy locks. His eyes are a dark golden-brown though in times of stress or extreme emotion, his pupils narrow into animalistic slits. His hitai-ate headband is worn around his left bicep, but before he goes into battle, he place it around his head in a bandanna style. This leaves dark shadows around his eyes that make him seem all the more fierce. Having graduated, he's also earned the right to wear the Inuzuka Clan markings, the double red fangs, just beneath his eyes. Usually wears a red shirt beneath a black hooded-jacket that's half-way zipped up, navy blue cargo pants, and sandaru. Instead of wearing a kunai/scroll pack on his left leg like most nin, he instead had his pants modified so that both pockets on each side can serve as such. A crescent moon mixed with the Konoha Leafmark is stitched on the back of his jacket in white and green. He wears a dog collar that matches the one to his own dog, Ginmaru, though its a fang that dangles from it rather than a bone.

Personality: A wild, hot-blooded individual, Hige is often the first to a battle and the loudest. He puts a lot of energy into anything and everything he does, whether its training, cooking, or even walking Ginmaru. Despite being a bit reckless, he realizes that a ninja can't face every situation with yelling and fists. He knows that during a mission, a ninja needs to be able to rely on his teammate and will reign in his impulses. An affable and loyal person, Hige is a stalwart guy who will defend his village and his friends with a ferocity few can match.

History: Born and raised in Konohagakure, his father was heavily injured by Kyuubi during its attack. Though he recovered, he was deemed unfit to be a ninja any longer. So while he was raised by his father and mother (one of the non-ninja inhabitants of Konoha), he was trained by his Aunt Tsume. A natural, he and his partner Ginmaru have been together since he was old enough to crawl. He is one of the youngest members of the clan to take the Rite of Passage, where he and Ginmaru spent half a week within the outskirts of the Forest of Death. Upon completion he was presented with his father's dagger, carved from the fang of one of the First Inuzuka's dogs. He carries this with him wherever he goes. Nowadays he spends his days wandering Konhagakure and its outlying forests or frequent Ichiraku Ramen.

Main Jutsu: Ninjutsu/Taijutsu - Well versed in his family's techniques, Hige is also a capable fighter on his own whether armed or unarmed.
Special Abilities -Jujin no Jutsu (Man Beast Techniques) The ancestral art of the Inuzuka Clan, passed down from generation to generation. Techniques include

Shikyaku no Jutsu (Four Legged Technique) A supplementary technique, it forms the basis for the rest. By tapping into his chakra and the more primal nature of his body, Hige is given a boost in strength and speed while his nails lengthen into claws. His senses of hearing and smell are also enhanced, though this is as much a liability as an advantage. Often much more feral and wild in this state.

Jujin Bunshin no Jutsu (Man Beast Doppleganger Technique) A transformation technique, it is usually performed by or on Ginmaru. It transforms his canine companion into a physical replica of Hige in while using Shikyaku no Jutsu. The two are prety much indistinguishable from each other while the technique is in place, though if struck Ginmaru returns to his normal form. He must also be in this form in order for the two to unleash Jujin Taijutsu Ougi: Gatsuuga

Tsuuga (Piercing Fang) An offensive technique that both Hige and Ginmaru can pull off on their own. Launching themselves forward at the opponent, they begin to spin rapidly becoming literal whirlwinds of fang and claw. Jujin Taijutsu Ougi: Gatsuuga (Man Beast Ultimate Taijutsu: Double Piercing Fang) is a more powerful version of this technique as Ginmaru and Hige use Tsuuga at the same time, usually crisscrossing in mid-air. While the two have to stop between normal Tsuugas, while using Gatsuugathe two are able to attack continously though it takes a toll on both of their bodies.

Jujin Henge no Jutsu ~ Zangetsu (Man Beast Transformation Technique ~ Moon Cutter) Another transformation technique, this one is unique to Hige himself. Having once read of the ability to transformed a summoned beast into a powerful weapon, Hige immediately latched on to the idea. Using this technique, Ginmaru is transformed into a large metal claw-gauntlet that attaches itself to Hige's right arm. It substantianally increases his strength and speed, but he can only hold it for a minute at most before the two are seperate again. At the beginning he will still be developing this technique and even then he's wary of the reprecussions it might have on Ginmaru's body so is loathed to use it beyond a last resort.

Hobbies: Cooking, Playing catch, 'Walking' Ginmaru
Relations: Hige is the nephew of Tsume Inuzuka, making him Kiba and Hana's cousin. He's on good terms with all three of them, though he and Kiba are the closest having grown up together. Harbors a bit of a crush on Ayame, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen's daughter. Friendly with Chiyoko, mostly because she forages near where he and Ginmaru train. Has a conflicting relationship with Shodou Kukai - they often argue, but he respects her strength of character and shares her dislike for deceit.
Other: Hige only has one goal in life - To always have his father proud of him.

Name: Ginmaru
Gender: Male
Appearance: Somewhat of a runt in comparison to his parents, Ginmaru barely comes above Hige's knee when sitting. He gets his name from the silvery-white color of his fur. Resembles a labrador somewhat with his muscular yet lanky build and squarish features. Wears a collar similar to Hige's though his has a paw print charm.
Personality: More laid-back than Hige, Ginmaru enjoys sleeping in the noon sun or having his belly rubbed. That's not to say he isn't energetic, but it comes in strange fits and bursts. He was once nicknamed 'Cannonball' for his strength and sheer momentum would often topple others over. He is deathly loyal to his partner and would gladly lay his life down for him.

Inuzuka Hige
~A Wild Dog's Musings~

Growling quietly to myself, I slumped into my seat fuming over yet another stalemate in the war of words between myself and Kukai. Over the years my vocabulary had grown and I learned about things I normally wouldn't even care about, and still I'd never had a decisive victory against the sharp-tongued woman. My ears twitched slightly at the sound of snickering and I threw a quick glare at my cousin Kiba who only smirked back. Bickering was often a sign of affection in the Inuzuka Clan, and ever since the day I met her Kukai and I had been at each other. This fact amused Kiba to no end and he often teased me about it during our training.

Still neither one could quell the energy bubbling within. It was all I could not to be running around proclaiming to the entire village that I had become a shinobi. Sure, I may only be a Genin right now, but everyone starts somewhere. Oyaji had been so happy when he heard I'd made it that he nearly burst into tears. "I won't let you down Oyaji...I'll become a shinobi you can be proud of!"

As Iruka-sensei began introducing the four new Jounin sensei, I quietly evaluated each of them in my head. Saruwatari-sensei seemed like a scary fellow and just as much a jerk as that Uchiha kid. I liked Hara-sensei and I wondered if perhaps he had any family members in the clan judging by his appearance. Kuroda-sensei seemed to a be a sweet woman, but one of the first rules of being a shinobi is to never judge a person's power by their appearance. As for Kakashi-sensei, well I found it ironic that the famous Copy Ninja had a twin. I looked down at Ginamru who had taken a seat next to me. "Ne, Ginmaru, which do you think will be our sensei?"

My partner yipped quietly back, Hopefully the cute one! He wagged his tail happily at the thought.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head "Team Fourteen - Shoudou Kukai...Kozue Haru...and Inuzuka Kiba." Ginmaru gave a bark of victory as I blinked slowly in surprise. Glancing across the room I saw Kukai give me a small wave while Kiba tried not to laugh too loudly. Waving back weakly, I wondered to myself whether this was a good thing or not.

"Good luck with your teams and I wish you the best of luck."

"I think I'm gonna need it...."

=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=

Deciding to start on the right foot I invited my teammates to lunch. Kukai readily agreed, as long as I was paying for it, while Haru just nodded quietly in acquiesence.

"So where are we having lunch Inuzuka Hige-san?"

"Ichiraku Ramen Bar of course. They serve the best ramen in the city and its affordable!"

And you have a crush on the owner's daughter. Ginmaru yipped.

I shot him a quick glare which earned a strange look from Kukai and Haru. Acting as if nothing strange had happened, I moved a little faster, almost running down the street towards the well-known ramen shop. There was no one seated when we arrived and Kukai once again spoke up. "Are you sure this place is reputable?"

"Of course - if you can't trust your teammate than who can you?"

"We have only be teammates for thirty minutes."

"A minor detail."

"Irrashaimasen!" Ayame-san's beautiful voice tinkled in the air like a clear bell and I felt a silly grin plaster across my face as her face came into view at the counter. "Oh! Hige-kun! It's been so long since you last came."

Her smile sent my heart fluttering and I felt the heat creep into my cheeks. "Ah-ah, go-gomen nasai Ayame-san! I've been busy with school and training." I cursed silently as my voice seemed to squeak as I spoke. "B-but I finally made Genin!"

"Oh, congratulations Hige-kun!" She gave me another smile. "How about an order of the usual on the house to celebrate? Father won't mind what with you being a favorite customer. And for your..."

"Teammates!" Kukai interjected. I looked over to her and saw a smile that filled me with dread on her face. "My name is Shoudou Kukai, its a pleasure to meet you...Ayame-san was it? And this is Kozue Haru."

Haru inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement before going back to the pad of paper in his hands. "Welcome Shoudou-san. Please order whatever you'd like."

"I'll take a Kyushu ramen and Haru will have a..." She glanced over at the boy and gently nudged him.

"...tempura ramen..."

"One All-Meat Special, a Kyushu ramen, a tempura ramen, and a bowl of scraps for Gin-chan coming right up." With that Ayame disappeared into the kitchen as we took our seats at the bar. I turned to Kukai who was still smiling scarily at me.

"Tol-"

"You have a crush on Ayame-san."

"Na-nani!? Wh-what wou-"

"The pitch of your voice rises when you speak to her, not to mention you develop a stutter, and your cheeks are flushed red with blood, all of which are synonmous with the biological reactions of a person when around another he or she is attracted to."

"Stutter? I do not-"

"So you like brunettes, ne Hiiiiige-kun?" I didn't think it was possible, but Kukai was capable of sounding like one of those Uchiha fangirls.

"I-we-it-"

"Or is it the girl next door type? Because she can cook?" She flashed me a sickly sweet smile. "C'mon Hige-kuuuuun, you can tell me can't you? We ARE teammates after all."

She giggled as Ayame returned with our ramen and laid it in front of us. "Here you go, please enjoy your food."

"A-a-arigato Ayame-san....Itadakimasu!" I immediately concentrated on my food, trying in vain to tune out Kukai's voice as she continued teasing me throughout the meal.

No sooner had we finished when a little girl came up to us. She carried a basket of flowers in her hands. "Ano...Inuzuka Hige?" Nodding an affirmative she produced a flower with a piece of paper tied to it. "This is for you."

Confused I took the flower as the little girl handed two more to both Kukai and Haru. As she skipped away we looked at each other before opening the paper. The message read:

Inuzuka, Hige
Please be at the house at the edge of the forest past the Eastern Gate as soon as possible.
Signed,
Kuroda Miharu

Glancing at the others I saw they both had the same message. "Guess it's our first official meeting as a team." I said before pocketing the message. "We'd better go."

They both nodded in agreement. Thanking Ayame again the three of us sped off on the rooftops towards the eastern gate.

Kinda long I know and I didn't get to the test yet. Still at least its posted

[Roy Karrde]

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ Woah… ~*~*~*~*~

”Woah..” That word tripped off my tongue in shock as I watched our sensei disappear from sight. We all watched as he reappeared on one of the tree branches. I glanced over at Selekis to see him deep in thought.

I glanced over at Shiro and considered asking what they had in mind, but nixed the idea. Anything we said we ran the risk of sensei over hearing us. Any strategy right now would be useless because he could easily counter it. Meaning I had to depend on one of them to come up with a strategy while I worked on my own. Hopefully the two would work out. “I’ll be right back.” I nodded to Shiro and Selekis leaping up to one of the tree branches opposite of sensei.

The weights on his feet meant that he had to use specific branches to hold him or else they would crack and break. “What kind of lesson is this sensei?” I asked crouching on a tree branch before leaping as the words left my mouth. Moving to a tree to the left. No other strategy would work, not even frontal assaults, any other would require more than one person and we couldn’t risk that. “Think we will be facing opponents with handicaps like those weights on our missions?” I jumped to another branch, working my way behind him. He knew that.

“Why not take those weights off and show us what you can really do?” The branch he was standing on had to be cracking by now as I leapt to the branch on the tree behind him. Now he had to split his attention between Shiro, Selekis, and myself behind him. Something that would be easy for him.

The minute I attacked he would leap to another branch, but only a select few could hold his weight with those weights on. I could only hope that the other two knew that and were preparing. “Unless you don’t think we are worthy of becoming ninjas.” I reared my arm back just as the words left my mouth. I could only hope that the mind attacks would throw him off. I threw my left arm forward as hard as I could, using the wind to carry my punch to shake his tree. The only down side was my left arm was exhausted.

The second the attack hit, sensei jumped away to another tree. I could only hope that Shiro and Selekis knew which one.

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Shodou Kukai/Team 14/F
20. Little Seeds
--------------------------

If the Inuzukas thought bickering was affection, the Shodou family could not have held a more different viewpoint. Battling with tongues was much more prestigious than coarse, boorish dueling of the common, physical variety. Shodous valued worthy opponents - those who would not back down and came back for more even after repeated defeats at the tongue of the relevant Shodou. Bickering was practice. Given that, there was a certain amount of tomfoolery involved; practice partners of the opposite gender usually wound up married, since they weren't used to practicing with anyone else and it was more convenient that way anyway.

(I, the narrator, am now breaking the fourth wall to inform the general populace that this is not foreshadowing. I could be telling porky-pie lies, though.)

Shodou Kukai was ready to swear on oath that she had just been to the best ramen lunch ever, period. Not because of the food, though it had been extremely good. Oh no. There was something far better, something that superseded mere lunch...

Inuzuka Hige + Ichiraku Ramen's Ayame = OMG O RLY?/YA RLY/NO WAI!!/Free lunch/Free show.

Being a relatively normal adolescent girl, Kukai naturally possessed that very essential part of the female psyche which can best be described as a compass pointed due Gossip. She couldn't deny that she enjoyed Gossip. She was pretty sure that this was a prime piece of information and not a single opportunity to extract further information and/or argue with the Inuzuka about it should, indeed, be passed up. She didn't have many opportunities to handle such a juicy bit of Gossip as this - among the males she was close enough with to discuss such matters, her brother Ryokan was either gay or celibate, and Haru wouldn't react in quite the same way as Hige would: she rather suspected she would have had no amusingly repeated denials but either a quick agreement or silence.

With this line of action firmly embossed onto her efficient mind, Kukai restarted her haranguing of Mr Inuzuka Hige as soon as they reached the traditionally built cottage, and its extensive garden. Well, Kuroda-sensei was nowhere in sight, and Haru was staring rather fixedly at the movement of the cherry blossoms in the wind, so why the heck not.

"So what's Ayame-san like in private, huh, Inuzuka Hige?"

"P-private? What the - I don't KNOW her in private!" The explosion was almost instantaneous.

"Oho, so you've not been on a date yet!"

"Of course not! I would have thought that was obvious, to someone as perceptive as you." Good parry, and judicious use of perceptive; Kukai knew he'd picked up that one from one of their previous arguments. Nevertheless...

"You know if you want to I bet I could fix one up with her for you..."

Ginmaru barked something, which earned the dog a laserbeam type-A6 glare from Hige.

Kukai nodded as if she understood what had just been yapped. (She hadn't. But something that got Hige to give out that kind of glare had to be good.) "Excellently observed, Ginmaru. Even your dog, Hiiiiiige-kun~ -"

"Let's not bring Ginmaru into this conversation, okay? And why are you suddenly so interested in my personal affairs? It's none of your business!"

"Precisely because it is none of my business, I prefer to display a burgeoning attention to the intricacies of your romantic involvement with Ayame-san. The study of human pheromones has long been a hobby of mine, and of late I have not had the occasion to be a first-hand witness of such situations. This opportunity is truly an irrevocable pronouncement that my luck has finally turned for the better."

Hige rallied, admirably. "And now could I have that in plain, simple Japanese*."

Kukai smiled a smile that sent shivers (the negative kind) down Hige's spine. "I'm a busybody."

Leaving it at that, she walked over to Haru, who was still watching the flurry of petals, the pages of his open book turning in the slight breeze. She poked her head over Haru's shoulder, scanning his messy handwriting. "I before e except after c, Haru - receive's spelled wrongly."

Haru roused himself from whatever daydream he had been having. "You know, a-about the old man who made the cherry trees bloom..."

"He had a white dog and it died but he kept the ashes in his mortar," said Kukai. "But wasn't your latest story about a girl and the sea?"

"Y-yeah..." Haru's eyes, set in his still childish face, followed the movements of the cherry petals from the gnarled branches to the edge of the house. The fallen blooms seemed to stack themselves up into the form of their new sensei, though she could just as easily have happened to be walking round the corner of the house at the exact same moment as the breeze blew the flowers in that direction. Kuroda-sensei was a real looker. She had curves in all the right places and a lovely coloring. Not to mention that she carried none of the cross-me-and-die spirit that Kukai had felt practically emanating off Saruwatari-sensei in waves.

She really, really pitied Shiro, Hiro and Selekis.

After receiving their instructions from Kuroda-sensei, however, Kukai was prepared to mildly revise her opinion. She had never imagined that there would be another 'secret last test' before they were officially declared genin - much less a non-standard test that appeared to vary in form from sensei to sensei. Instead of getting a straight-out show-off-your-abilities session, Team 14 had apparently been granted an IQ test. As soon as Kuroda-sensei disappeared into the thatch-roofed cottage, the three of them (and Ginmaru) moved closer together in a mutually agreed huddle.

Kukai twisted her mouth into a downwards frown. "That's failure to supply those immediately concerned with prior knowledge of exact circumstances, that is."

Hige prodded the discouragingly low number of feeble-looking seeds in his palm. "D'you think we can apply Bunshin no Jutsu on seeds?"

"It would probably qualify as genjutsu - well, it would be an illusion, anyway," said Kukai doubtfully. And then, offhand, in an unexpected aside: "I don't like genjutsu."

"It wouldn't be genjutsu," Hige pointed out. "But as far as I know bunshins are just that... copies of the caster."

Haru said nothing, but turned his notebook around and around in his nervous hands. A piece of stray notepaper fell out of it, and Kukai caught it just as it drifted to the ground. She twisted the prose-covered page with a few deft movements into an artistic semblance of a camellia.

"Would paper flowers work?" she asked, for the sake of asking, because she already knew the answer. Haru replied with just the slightest shake of his head, and Hige just said "No."

The garden, though filled with exotic fragrances from a wide variety of blooms and posies, began slowly to be overtaken with a dark sort of depression as they ventured through an assortment of ideas, good, bad, and the plainly ridiculous. Just for kicks they even tried out Haru's storytelling genjutsu, to the vocal objection of Shodou Kukai. They kept directing furtive glances towards the window of the house that Kuroda-sensei had vanished into, to see whether she was coming out anytime soon to announce that they had failed and were no longer worthy of the name of ninja.

Numerous botched plans later, Hige, Kukai and Haru came to a general consensus that chakra was the answer to their problem (or rather, Hige and Kukai agreed and Haru just nodded). they had abandoned the idea of replicating the seeds for now and had instead focused on how, exactly, to get the seeds to grow. With the correct use of chakra, one could in theory create a healthy bush or tree, at the peak of its bloming capacity.

They dug long furrows in the barren patch, and each planted a seed, to begin with. Their supply was limited; the most they could fill was one furrow without finding some way of duplicating the seeds, or taking plants from elsewhere. Time was also, nominally, limited.

Kukai concentrated, and channeled her chakra into the seed from the tip of her outstretched finger. She was not very pleased to find her plant becoming a rambler consisting mostly of leaves, perfectly shaped and green as these were, and not much else.

She looked around to see how her teammates were doing.

Because she was a busybody, after all.
--------------------------
* In other circumstances, this would be English. But Naruto takes place in a Japanese-ish universe.. so.. yah.
Tag Sorry if I RP'ed Hige or Haru wrongly :x

[Arnen]

=°' Kozue Haru of Genin Team 14 '°=


Haru was by no means a master of Chakra usage. Sure, his Living Story Jutsu was sort of powerful in its own right, but aside from the various medi-Jutsus he’d picked up at the hospital, he wasn’t particularly adept in anything else. Still, he managed as best he could to get his seed to sprout into a single, pale-blue flower. (Note: I couldn’t find an actual flower to use, so there. Haru probably doesn‘t know what it‘s called anyway.)

Kukai glanced over from the mass of leaves she’d produced. Haru chuckled nervously and turned his gaze on her much-larger creation.

“I…” he blinked, changing his mind on what he wanted to say, “L-Looks like you managed much better than I did…”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Haru-kun. Our ultimate goal here is to produce plants with flowers, not mere foliage.” It seemed that she had a good deal more to say, but was interrupted by a sneeze from Hige. It seemed that whatever plants he had concocted did not entirely agree with his sinuses. Haru raised his hand to his chin and tried not to allow the chuckle building within his throat to leak out.

Instead, he sighed. The meagre flora before them was most definitely not enough to constitute a garden. He stared fixedly at the frosted azure petals he had created, eyes glazed over as he entertained idea after idea.

Several healing Jutsu came to mind. He knew of one that would promote the growth of tissue, to help heal open wounds. Perhaps the same principle could be adapted to work with plantlife as well?

“Hey.. guys?” he interjected. His teammates stopped their conversation to look at him intently. “I know a Jutsu th-that might be able to make the plants grow faster… But it’s usually only used on people or animals, a-and I’m not sure.. if I can remember all of the hand signs…” He hung his head, gazing balefully back at his flower.


Kinda short-ish, but I figured that might be a good place to leave it open.

[Sworkill87]

“Ooooooo… Raizen’s in trouble!”

It had been a long time since Raizen lost his temper like that. But he really disliked genjutsu, and it had been a long day, actually it felt like a few days, if not a week. Raizen had always held the belief, why waste the energy to lure my opponent into an illusion, when I could just use that effort to defeat him right away?

“Sorry, sensei, I guess I’m just getting a little frustrated.”

“Well this isn’t supposed to be easy Raizen,” Kakashi sensei said as he appeared out of nowhere in front of them all, “It’s meant to test you after all.”

“No offense sensei, but so far this only seems to be testing my patience.”

“I understand that this can be frustrating Raizen, so I’ll let that comment slide, but remember,” Kakashi sensei said picking up Raizen’s kunai from the ground. “Insulting your sensei is a sure fire way to get yourself sent back to the academy,” He threw the kunai to that it just grazed Raizen’s face, leaving a small cut that bled a single drop. “I suggest you don’t do it again.” With that Kakashi sensei disappeared from sight yet again, and the three students were left with the conundrum of how to wash their untouchable by cleanliness means kunai.

Raizen looked terrible, not even one day had he been a genin and he had insulted his own sensei and gotten in trouble. “Cheer up friend Raizen,” Ushi said still looking positively cheerful. “That could have gone much worse for you, he could have-”

“Killed you.” Masato chimed in.

“Well, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine.” Raizen said as he dislodged his kunai from the tree behind him.

“Yes, I was going to say sensei could have failed Raizen right there.” Ushi said as he twirled his flute in his fingers. “So you’re actually quite lucky.”

“How does this guy manage to find a bright side to everything?” Raizen asked himself before nodding in agreement and slumping down against the base of a tree and contemplating his kunai further. Maybe his newfound teammate wasn’t so bad after all.

Raizen started thinking to himself again. “Hmm, none of us seem to be getting anywhere with conventional cleaning methods, but only because this is a genjutsu. What if our lesson is then to think outside the box? Then maybe the genjutsu only prevents us from cleaning the kunai with certain things.” Raizen paused for a minute and watched Masato dashing right and left in the stream, trying to catch it off guard. Ushi was playing his flute again, apparently deep in thought as well. “Here’s a thought,” Raizen was thinking to himself again. “Water is purified by boiling it, that requires heat, and from what I know about medicine, medical instruments are also put through intense heat for sterilization. That’s a form of cleaning. Ok I’ll light a fire.”

Raizen stood up, gathered some dry grass, twigs, and a few small logs. “Lighting a fire Raizen?” Masato had come back from the stream after what seemed like days. “I don’t know how you’re going to do that here; all the wood is pretty damp from the stream.”

“Come now Masato,” Raizen said with a small laugh, the first anyone had seen all day/week/month, nobody really knew anymore. “We are ninja you know.” He then stood back, made a few hand signs and said, “Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu.” (Fire release: Phoenix immortal fire technique) Raizen raised his right hand to his mouth and blew four small fireballs, just larger than a softball, at the logs, which instantly went up into flame. “There we go. Now, who wants to sterilize a kunai?”

As Ushi and Masato watched, Raizen stuck the blade of his kunai into the flames. They simply danced out of the way. Praying that this was a bit of bad luck Raizen thrust the kunai into the flames again… and again. The flames danced out of reach every time. Swearing quietly to himself, Raizen put out the fire with some water from the stream. “Sure I can touch water all I want now that I’m not washing a kunai with it.”

It took probably another twenty or so minutes before Raizen’s next brainwave, but for all he knew it could have been twenty or so hours. “Ok guys,” Raizen said allowed. “Ninjutsu won’t beat his genjutsu, so what about some other types of techniques?”

“What do you mean?” Masato asked, pausing from trying to disguise his kunai from the stream using bark from a tree. “Like Taijutsu, cause-”

“No,” Ushi finally piped in, his eyes widening with possible comprehension as he stopped playing his flute. He looked at Raizen. “Your eyes have no pupils… does that make them special in any way?”

Raizen smiled slightly. “Exactly, lets see what Dojutsu (eye technique) can do.” He walked over to Masato and activated his Byakugan. Raizen’s pupils finally seemed to show up and the veins around his eyes swelled. “Try to stick your kunai in the stream again,” Raizen said. “No need to try and trick the water, just put the kunai in.”

Masato shrugged and proceeded to try to stick his kunai in the water as he had so many times before. Raizen watched closely with his Byakugan. “With these eyes I can see chakra, sensei’s genjutsu must use chakra, I should be able to see as the illusion changes the water.” And sure enough, just as Masato’s kunai was about the break the surface, Raizen saw water in the area around the kunai light up with a yellow chakra which forced the water out of the kunai’s way.

Ushi bounded over to the stream excited. “Oooo Raizen did you see anything?!!” Raizen described what he saw and Ushi’s face lit up with excitement. “The genjutsu moved the water! Genjutsu is my specialty!”

“Okay…” Raizen said, “Let’s try this again. Masato you do exactly as before, I’ll watch again and when I say, Ushi, you try to dispel or mess with the genjutsu just around the kunai. That’s where the chakra concentrates.”

“Sounds good.” Masato said.

“Okay everyone,” Raizen said, “On three, one… two… three!"

(Kinda long, but I had to make it interesting. ^_^)

[ Sworkill87 asked me to edit his post while he was at class...since he made a mistake. ^_^ ]

[*Duke*]

Masato still seemed to be reeling from all the commotion of the day, seeing his new sensei and meeting the members of the team, he had to go get some air. On the roof of the school he could see the village a hustle and bustle with people coming and going, buying things from the market or just merely browsing. His mind slowly started to wander when something hard knocked into him. Turning around that something was now fluttering next to him, it was a book, a rather thick one, so it’s fluttering seemed weighted as it then flew higher and higher and then suddenly exploded into a flutter of torn pages leaving a message on the ground: “I rather do love a stroll on the roof, but now’s not the time to waste, meet me in the forest clearing just outside the village as soon as possible. Bring your ninja equipment.” With that Masato started to jog towards the forest clearing to meet up with his sensei.

“Ah, now Masato is here. We can begin!” Yukiso said, as Masato just came to the clearing seeing a rather upset Raizen and both Ushi and Yukiso hanging upside down on a tree branch. Yukiso released himself from the branch and landed on the ground while Ushi who tried to mimic the move in a less than graceful manor, tumbled and then landed on his backside. Raising a brow at Ushi for a moment, Yukiso positioned himself so that he could see all three of his students.

“Well, now that you’re here… we should get acquainted more. To start out, let’s sit down in a circle.” Yukiso said with a cheerful manner, Masato began to get a little bit more nervous at this moment sat on the ground cross-legged. Ushi and Raizen joined, looking at each other as if questioning the point. Yukiso shut his book and placed it upon the ground next to him. Ushi reached out to perhaps touch the book, but suddenly was frozen as if stopped in his tracks from his sensei’s death glare and quickly retracted his hand.
“Now that we’re sitting in this lovely circle, why don’t we talk about ourselves? Say your name, just so I remember… okay Ushi, Raizen and Masato-chan? Then, tell us some of your likes and then some of your dislikes. Finally, end by complimenting everyone in the circle. That should build up some teamwork confidence! I’ll go first!”

Masato tried to think about something to say about each of his teammates as Yukiso spoke first: “I am Kakashi Yukiso. I like reading books that help me learn interesting things about the world and I absolutely love kittens. Oh yes… and I like bothering my brother Hatake from time to time and … hmm… I do believe I like occasionally relaxing in the hot spring. I dislike… well, that’s not important. As for compliments… I just met you! How could I possibly compliment you? I will after your test.”

“Just great…he asks us to compliment each other and he can’t even come up with something for all of us…what am I’m going to say?” Masato thought.
“Test?” Raizen questioned, as Yukiso nodded.
“Oh nothing big… just, in order to officially be a Ninja you have to pass my test. It is quite simple; all you have to do is wash your Kunai. Just don’t leave the forest area… so you have a nice river to wash them! But seriously… that’ll be after our little chit chat. Raizen, why don’t you go first?”

“Ok, well I’m Hyuga Raizen, I also like kittens…” Raizen started but was interrupted by Ushi, Masato was starting to see a sort of connection between the two that he couldn’t really put his finger on but used the distraction to think of something. After Raizen was finished it was Masato’s turn.
“Um…I’m Masato Kazuma…I like cartoons…and I enjoy training a lot…” “Geez I sound like an idiot!” Masato said to himself as he tried to quickly say something else before Ushi said something to interject.
“Raizen, you seem very focused….Ushi you seem to have a very interesting perspective on everything and Sensei you seem…um…very intent on learning more about your students, hence why we’re in this circle...I think” “Well there goes my first impression,” Masato said as Ushi continued on.

With the pleasantries put aside Masato and the others began to head towards the nearest body of water after finding that trying to clean their kunai was not as easy as it seemed. Masato focused on putting more enthusiasm into trying to get his cloth to touch the kunai when suddenly he felt something cold and wet press against him…it was Ushi’s tongue. Flying backwards a little, Masato looked a little bit disturbed by the eccentric behavior of his teammate and was about to say something when he then saw Ushi continue after Raizen. After what felt like days on end trying vainly to clean his kunai and even tried thinking to mask his kunai as a piece of bark to perhaps trick the water into thinking otherwise, but shook that away as a silly thought. Ushi seemed to have an explanation as to what was happening “Genjutsu!” With that Raizen had a look of deep thought for a moment before suddenly throwing his Kunai to the ground in anger.
"Of course it's a Genjutsu....he's a Kakashi! They're all fricken crazy like that." Suddenly Yukiso appeared which made Masato wonder what was going to happen now when Raizen apologized: “Sorry, sensei, I guess I’m just getting a little frustrated.”

“Well this isn’t supposed to be easy Raizen,” Kakashi sensei said as he appeared out of nowhere in front of them all, “It’s meant to test you after all.”

“No offense sensei, but so far this only seems to be testing my patience.”
“I understand that this can be frustrating Raizen, so I’ll let that comment slide, but remember,” Kakashi sensei said picking up Raizen’s kunai from the ground. “Insulting your sensei is a sure fire way to get yourself sent back to the academy,” He threw the kunai to that it just grazed Raizen’s face, leaving a small cut that bled a single drop. “I suggest you don’t do it again.” With that Kakashi sensei disappeared, sending a shiver down Masato’s spine, from his first impression of the sensei, this side of him didn’t seem at all like him and now more then ever was motivated to try and succeed at his test.

Raizen looked terrible to which Ushi tried to comfort him by saying: “Cheer up friend Raizen,” “That could have gone much worse for you, he could have-”
“Killed you.” Masato chimed in sarcastically, trying again to move his kunai quickly enough to catch the water off guard.
“Well, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine.” Raizen said.
Trying to focuses more on agility and speed then strength the water itself seemed alive and would constantly shift.
“Counter balance the kunai, quick strike,” Masato repeated in his mind when after a few more tries saw Raizen rise up and start to gather materials for a fire.
“Lighting a fire Raizen?” Masato asked after following Raizen a little ways away from the stream. “I don’t know how you’re going to do that here; all the wood is pretty damp from the stream.”

“Come now Masato,” Raizen said with a small laugh, “We are ninja you know.” He then stood back, made a few hand signs and said, “Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu.” (Fire release: Phoenix immortal fire technique) Raizen raised his right hand to his mouth and blew four small fireballs, just larger than a softball, at the logs, which instantly went up into flame. “There we go. Now, who wants to sterilize a kunai?” Masato had to admit the idea was actually really sound sterilizing the kunai in essence was just the same a cleaning it, so he hopped this just as well would work, watching Raizen stick the blade of his kunai into the flames. Watching as they fluttered out of the way, he tried again and again the flames danced out of reach every time. Having a look a defeat Raizen put out the fire with some water from the stream. “Sure I can touch water all I want now that I’m not washing a kunai with it.”
“Ok guys,” Raizen said allowed. “Ninjutsu won’t beat his genjutsu, so what about some other types of techniques?”
“What do you mean?” Masato asked to which he tried his last thought and in a vain attempt tried disguise his kunai from the stream using bark from a tree. “Like Taijutsu, because-”

“No,” Ushi finally piped in, his eyes widening with possible comprehension as he stopped playing his flute. He looked at Raizen. “Your eyes have no pupils… does that make them special in any way?”

Raizen smiled slightly. “Exactly, lets see what Dojutsu (eye technique) can do.” He walked over to Masato and activated his Byakugan. Raizen’s pupils finally seemed to show up and the veins around his eyes swelled. “Try to stick your kunai in the stream again,” Raizen said. “No need to try and trick the water just put the kunai in.”

Masato shrugged and proceeded to try to stick his kunai in the water as he had so many times before. Raizen watched closely with his Byakugan. “With these eyes I can see chakra sensei’s genjutsu must use chakra so I should be able to see as the illusion changes the water.” So Masato did as he was told and went for a slight motion to try and dip his kunai into the water, when Ushi excitedly edged towards the stream. “Oooo Raizen did you see anything?!!” Raizen then described what he saw and watched Ushi’s face lit up with excitement. “The genjutsu moved the water! Genjutsu is my specialty!”

“Okay…” Raizen said, “Let’s try this again. Masato you do exactly as before, I’ll watch again and when I say, Ushi, you try to dispel or mess with the genjutsu just around the kunai. That’s where the chakra concentrates.”
“Sounds good.” Masato said as he prepared to thrust with his kunai again, “Okay everyone,” Raizen said, “On three, one… two… three!"

With that Masato’s muscles tensed as he trusted his kunai into the stream and watching as the water seemed to move. Looking over his shoulder Ushi seemed to be more focused now. Chakra seeming to glow brightly around him as the water around Masato seemed to rise. Ushi’s care free attitude seemed to vanish and in its place seemed to be someone drawing from a deeper sense of energy as he motioned towards Masato’s kunai and heard Raizen then call out: “Ushi!” With that the water seemed to rise higher and higher, going from past their heads to finally past the tree tops. With that Masato had a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach…

[Dr.McNinja]

Ushi focused on the illusion in front of him. This promised to be trickier than normal. His power was more proficient at altering reality, not breaking or changing someone else’s illusion…but the premise was similar. As Masato trusted his kunai in the water, accompanied by Raizen’s commanding shout, Ushi focused all his attention on the smallest area around Masato’s attack as he could. Melding his chakra with the water’s, Ushi mentally formed his force into an invisible point. With all the mental power he could muster, he shoved with all his might. As he did so, he felt something well up inside of him, something that lent his attack more power, something that suddenly made him…angry.

The chakra making up the illusion visibly shattered, blue fragments raining down as Masato shouted in triumph. At that very moment however, a great rush of water erupted from the breach in the illusion. Ushi understood what happened even as the water beat down at them from above, soaking every part of them except for their kunais. The illusion went beyond the one layer they had been seeing, Kakashi-sensei was a master, of course he would bury multiple layers and traps in his illusions for just this reason. Even Ushi, who’s entire being was devoted and attuned towards illusions, was but a talented hobbyist to the Jonin. Silence reigned for a moment as the three stunned Genin stared at their perfectly dry kunai, each other, their soaked clothes, their kunai, their perfectly manicured fingernails (Ushi only), and back at each other.

Then Ushi exploded, raining tiny Ushi pieces down on his former teammates.

[Bulbasaur4]

(I’m including theme music for each post… if you have the Naruto soundtracks, you can find them there. If not, you can download all Naruto soundtracks online if you find the right site. ^_^)




Saruwatari Kazuki
TEAM 12: Selekis, Retsun | Yagyu, Shiro | Iokawa, Hiro |

~**~**~**~**~**~**~
[ The 5ths Fight - Naruto Original Soundtrack III ]


Kazuki smirked as he stood on the branch, gazing down at Hiro as the boy kept yelling at his sensei. Narrowing his eyes, he swiftly made a mental note to never, ever forget half the things that Hiro said. He then silently wondered if the boy wanted to be killed… especially if this was going to be his tactic on the battle field.
“Nice try, kid” Kazuki said loudly, sensing Retsun and Shiro coming from two different directions as they tried to hit him. Smirking, Kazuki swiftly leapt up into the air and missed Retsun and Shiro’s moves to hit him, watching behind him as they knocked their attacks into the trees. Hiro threw a punch straight at Kazuki, however Hiro’s aim was quite off- Kazuki laughing mockingly as he landed on an extremely thin branch.
“H-how…” Hiro stammered, as Team 12 regrouped and stared up at their sensei. “That branch should break with those weights! Unless they’re only for show!” Hiro yelled loudly, his facing narrowing into a glare. Kazuki swiftly leapt down in front of the team, eyeing Hiro.
“Your exam is over.” Kazuki said, clapping his hands together as if to wipe away imaginary dust.
“We didn’t touch you.” Shiro said, looking about with a narrowed gaze as well. The only one not scowling was Retsun at this point, which only made Kazuki smirk.
“Exactly. The test was designed so that you would fail in that aspect.”
“What…?” Shiro said, seemingly confused. Kazuki nodded as the three seem dumbfounded, but Kazuki crossed his arms and gave a nod.
“However, despite your horrible display at tactics, speed and logic… you did pass. You showed some teamwork, which is the most important thing. Even above speed, strength and wisdom comes tactics, which goes with team work. If properly working together, even a weak team can take down an impressive opponent.”
Kazuki continued, his tone cold and strict as usual.
“You three are horrible Ninja… however, you do possess skill and some talent. I can work with that. You can become official Genin Ninja.”

Saruwatari then turned away from the three and began walking away, calling out over his shoulder.
“You have the rest of the day off, and most likely tomorrow as well. I will notify you when we have a mission.”

Saruwatari Kazuki then started to head towards the direction of the village, and it seemed as if the three would be free of their sensei for the day. However, after a few seconds suddenly Kazuki froze. (The three Genin had started talking amongst themselves.) Kazuki then slowly turned around, a fierce look of evil glinting in his eye. A grin formed upon his face as his needling gaze met Hiro’s.
“Wait a moment… I seem to remember a certain someone challenging my weights and wondering if they were for show.” Hiro seemed to pale slightly, as Kazuki grinned for a moment.
“Here… let me show you.”

Within a split of an instant, Kazuki seemed to simply disappear before their eyes. Hiro wildly looked about as his teammates seemed confused. The three were unable to see their Sensei as he took off the weights around his legs, his arms and even the hidden weights that were attached to his torso and belt. With rapid speed and precision, within an instant Saruwatari attached all of his weights to Hiro’s body. The attaching of the weights was almost instantaneous, and Kazuki was only visible after Hiro was covered in his weights. Hiro, suddenly feeling the weights upon his body, instantly fell into the earth which formed an extreme crater around him as dust billowed into the air- causing his teammates to cough and have to jump in order to avoid the crater.

“I want those weights back by the way.” Kazuki said, turning and finally walking away for the day. It was then clear to the three that Kazuki had not used his full speed even when he had the weights on.




HARU TAKUMI
TEAM 13: Onitoge | Yakusha, Inakamo | Okami Chiyoko
~***~***~***~***~***~
[ Fake – Naruto Original Soundtrack III ]

For Takumi, it had been a very pleasant day. Extremely pleasant for that matter… because not only did Takumi get to meet new pupils who he himself was going to train (he never really had considered training others, but he was grateful that he had accepted such a challenge), but he was able to perform three unique activities.
When speed was declared by Onitoge as his strength, Takumi could have almost grinned with delight. While the Sensei’s strength was not exactly speed as much as it was technique, the Sensei was still a Jounin and thus still very fast. It also didn’t help that his keen mind also was good at figuring out things a swift pace as well- allowing him to conjure up paths and jumps that would aid him in reaching the place first, so he did not purely rely on speed.
The two of them had raced like spirited rabbits- well, in Takumi’s case anyways. He was enjoying himself and he had a grin plastered upon his face, while as Onitoge dug deem and grimaced with determination. Secretly, Takumi liked seeing that in the kid- determination. He was worried that Onitoge would be too worried about trying his best, but he knew that showing off his speed shouldn’t worry the Genin much.
Ah yes… the cloak… Takumi had thought, as the Genin rapidly picked up pace and gained distance between them, believing to be narrowing the gap.
Too late… too distant… and of course… Takumi thought, bunching up his legs and giving a nice little added sprint to his speed. I have some surprises too. He grinned as he thought this, reaching the destination before Onitoge. The defeated look upon the kids face made Takumi think twice about sharing the secret of the test, but he held back.
A test was a test after all.

The next test was against Chiyoko and her cooking skill.
“Really… cooking? How is that going to help you become a great Ninja?” Takumi asked Chiyoko as they entered the restaurant.
“I-I.. don’t know. It just is something I do well. I have yet to figure out my true talent as a Ninja.” Chiyoko said, her bright voice a little unsure. Takumi only grinned, wondering if the girl was familiar with her own family line. Inakamo and Onitoge followed from behind, as they entered the massive restaurant. The inside seemed already perfectly prepared for a cook-off. One table held all the ingredients they would need, and three hungry villagers were seated at a table. Whirling about, Takumi gave a grin to Chiyoko.
“Here we go! A cook-off! We shall prepare something simplistic yet wildly delicious! CAKE! We may use any ingredients upon this table… and our lovely guests here will taste and decide! Are you ready?” Takumi said with a grin, as Chiyoko nodded. She took a band and swiftly wrapped her hair upwards into a tighter up-do to prevent her hair from getting in the way. Both of them put on aprons, as Onitgoe and Inakamo took seats next to the other three villagers.
“BEGIN!” Takumi roared over-enthusiastically.

What Takumi did with his ingredients did not matter to Chiyoko. She swiftly selected her ingredients for the cake, preparing to make a Supreme Chocolate Marbled Swirl Cake- her favorite. Mixing the ingredients diligently and precisely, Chiyoko did not cook like she normally would. Instead of being carefree and humming, she had her lips pursed and was concentrating fiercely on making the cake exactly according to the recipe in her head.
It was disheartening however, when she looked over her shoulder at Hara-sensei and saw that he was far beyond her, and was to the point of baking. Chiyoko was almost confused…. How did he do it so fast?
“I can’t give up now! Just because he’s faster doesn’t mean he’s better!” Chiyoko exclaimed to herself, biting her tongue. Time passed until she poured the batter into two cake pans and put them in the oven. More time passed… Takumi took out his cake and began working on the frosting part. Chiyoko soon followed, taking out her own cake. She had already prepared the gooey chocolate mixture to place on the inside, along with the outer frosting. Swiftly she worked, making the cake look neat and clean- and very presentable. She even decorated the rim of the cake with white flowered edging and blazing red strawberries.
“Done Chiyoko?” Takumi asked, leaning against a table to reveal a double-layered cake as well. However, compared to Chiyoko’s chocolate dominated cake, his was … blue. Chiyoko wasn’t even sure what type of cake it was, all she knew was that it had blue frosting and seemed to be crafted to look like Takumi’s face.
“That’s… strange…” Chiyoko thought, sweatdropping as she brought her cake over to his. Onitoge and Inakamo’s faces seemed distraught as well, both looking unsettled at the idea of eating their Sensei’s face cake.
“Now… for the true test!” Takumi exclaimed with a wild chuckle, taking ten plates out and placing five pieces of Chiyoko’s cake upon them and five pieces of his own cake upon them.

Chiyoko felt like it was ages before everything was over. It happened in a blur in her mind. Takumi proclaimed that Onitoge and Inakamo were not allowed to comment on test, because they were her teammates. The other three villagers soon finished, and it wasn’t long until they proclaimed that the odd but delicious winner was Takumi. His cake apparently had been made out of berries and was mouth-wateringly sweet.
Chiyoko’s head tilted downwards, a frown upon her face as she felt her eyes water with tears.
“Well… you fail as well. But don’t worry… there is next year! Why don’t you take a seat next to Onitoge as Inakamo’s test starts.” Takumi suggested, smiling widely as Inakamo got out of his seat and Chiyoko took his.
“I… I failed… I can’t be a Ninja…” Chiyoko thought, but she forced sorrow from her face as she sat down next to Onitoge. She flashed him a smile and then looked to Inakamo, making an earnest and tried effort in forcing out the sorrow.
“Good luck Inakamo!”

“Now Inakamo… time for a fun test of wits! Pranking!” Takumi said, a wild chitter in his voice as his eyes seemed to erupt into excited flames.
~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
= Insert Heald’s Post of the Test here=
^_~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Well… that was positively fun!” Takumi said loudly, standing outside of the restaurant. The three Genin on Team 13 seemed absolutely depressed, as they stood before their Sensei. Takumi sensed this gloom, and immediately placed a firm hand on Chiyoko’s shoulder this time.
“Awww…. Why the gloom? You did lose, but at least you’re still a Genin!” He said with cheer, causing the three to do a double-take.
“But… Hara-sensei… we failed our tests. You said we failed…” Onitoge commented, with Chiyoko and Inakamo nodding in agreement.
“A true, I did say that, didn’t I?”
More nodding of agreement.
“Well… the truth is, your test wasn’t to defeat me. The true test was for you three to show me that you aren’t quitters- that you won’t give up. All of you succeeded in that true test, which means…”
Takumi suddenly gave a brilliant smile and thrust his fist into the air with a dramatic motion.
“… you PASS!”

The three seemed to almost fall over anime-style with relief and other emotions. Takumi grinned wildly, feeling proud and happy to have given the three such good news.
“THANK YOU HARA-SENSEI!!” Chiyoko practically yelled, leaping into the air and immediately tackling her Sensei with a big hug. Takumi’s eyes widened as he caught her, but obviously was caught a bit off guard by the outburst. He scratched behind his head, sweatdropping again but laughing.
“Umm… no problem!”

Soon Takumi bade his team farewell, informing them that they had the rest of the day off and that they probably didn’t have anything to do the following day until their team was officially inducted into the ranks.
“I’ll contact you for your first mission when we obtain one!” Takumi informed them, smiling gleefully.

Chiyoko paused, looking at Takumi as he once again disappeared- exploding into confetti. Blinking a few times, she grinned wildly as she looked at Onitoge and Inakamo.
“We did it! We passed and we’re real Ninja now!” Then she proceeded to hug the both of them… some how at the same time. “Team 13 is amazing!” She proclaimed.





Kuroda Miharu
TEAM 14: Shodou, Kukai | Kozue, Hara | Inuzuka, Hige |

~****~****~****~****~****~
[ Afternoon of Konoha – Naruto Original Soundtrack II ]

Sipping her tea, Miharu gazed at the clock in her room to see that a great deal of time had passed. Taking her last sip, Miharu slowly stood up and sat her tea down upon the table. She had periodically not gazed out the window, but gone on top of the roof and watched them for a while. She silently wondered why she was letting so much time passed… for her team obviously was passing the true meaning of the test in flying colors. It was rather cute to watch them, reminding her back in the days when she used to be on her old Sensei’s team.
She chuckled even more when she had seen Kukai’s leafy creations, watching as they tried several ideas and then used the most efficient one- slow chakra leakage into the plants. It took a great amount of concentration and know-how to make the plants bloom exactly how you wanted them to, but for their first time they were showing good chakra control.
Walking outside, the three gazed at Kuroda-sensei as she slowly walked towards them. The three of them stood up quickly, glancing at their misshapen garden. Miharu looked at it, sweatdropping slightly as she chuckled to herself- lifting a hand to her lips to soften it.
“Well… not the best looking garden…” She trailed off, the three Genin looking at their creation and realizing it looked like a runt compared to the beautiful gardens surrounding it.
“However… it does show promise.” She said with a smile, kneeling down by Kukai’s creation. “It just needs a little help, that’s all.” Kuroda-sensei then gently outreached her palm, a soft glow of chakra pulsating from her palm. She touched one of the leaves of the plant, and after a few seconds suddenly flowers began to sprout from beneath the leaves. They instantly bloomed, showing their brilliant pink color. The plant then grew, taking over the entire garden except for Hige and Hara’s creations, which only seemed to grow with Kukai’s plant in beauty and growth.
Standing back up after this act, Kuroda-sensei looked to the three and smiled.
“You pass. Not because you created the garden I asked you to, but because you passed the real test of teamwork. Had you not worked together, you would have failed. But you passed wonderfully!” She said, clapping her hands together with cheer.
“Now we can begin missions. However, you have the rest of today and tomorrow off. I will register our team officially and when our first mission occurs… I shall let all of you know!” She said with a grin. Bowing out, she then walked back towards her house.




KAKASHI YUKISO
TEAM 15: Hyuuga, Raizen | Kurama, Ushi | Kazuma, Masato |
~*****~*****~*****~*****~*****~
[ Survival Examination – Naruto Original Soundtrack II ]

Yukiso was having a great deal of fun with his Genjutsu illusion techniques. Of course, he was only using his basic abilities… instead of any major Genjutsu illusion, which would have required more concentration than Yukiso believed he needed. Instead, he idly leaned against one of the trees in the forest, reading one of the latest books he acquired from the Konoha Library. It was labeled, “Major Surgery! How to Perform Complex Procedures and not Kill Someone.” However, Yukiso was keeping an eye on the team… performing a few Genjutsu illusions every time they made a move to wash their Kunai. The stream was the best… especially when he watched in amusement as Masato seemed to try to trick it by blending it with bark. Idly, Yukiso wondered if any one on the team realized that the stream did not have sentience. Shrugging, he continued to read while hap-hazardly performing more jutsus… like Raizen’s fire, Ushi’s tongue and other various things that they tried to do.
“*sigh* I wonder when they’re going to figure out things…” Yukiso thought to himself, but chuckling slightly as Ushi licked Masato.
Finally however, Yukiso heard them talk amongst themselves and not only figure out the technique was Genjutsu, but also it impressed him that Raizen was the one to initiate teamwork. Yukiso then watched as Masato used his rapid movement to cause the water to move and dodge, while Raizen used his Byakugan to identify the chakra within the illusion. Yukiso decided to humor them a bit, and he watched as Ushi then proceeded to concentrate his own Genjutsu at the precise time ordered – to try to override Yukiso’s illusion.
“Hmm… that reminds me, the Ushi boy is a Kurama… but he doesn’t know how to dispel illusions… mental note to self: teach wonderfully crazy Kurama-boy my dispel techniques. Probably Raizen will want to learn too. Then Masato… heck, the whole team! That would be fun some time.”
Yukiso could sense Ushi’s rising Genjutsu power, and tweeking his own illusion a bit, Yukiso caused the water to rise upwards over their heads to form into a massive wave. Masato seemed to notice first, pausing in mid-kick-jump as Raizen took a few steps back. Ushi might have noticed, but Yukiso couldn’t tell… the kid seemed to be concentrating too hard to move.
“SPLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!”
The wave crashed into the three, dousing all of them in an immense wave of water, yet keeping their Kunai quite dry. Yukiso chuckled to himself, thinking that this little trick was quite funny. However, everyone’s expression wasn’t amusing enough… they just looked rather defeated, except Ushi who seemed only a tad bit less energetic than before- but only a smidge, barely noticeable to anyone other than perhaps Yukiso, who just seemed to pick up on those types of things.
“Well… they did pass… time to announce the end of the test.” Yukiso thought.
With that, Yukiso grinned as he concentrated on Ushi and before their very eyes, Masato and Raizen watched as Ushi seemed to simply explode into pieces.

Silence filled the air… as Raizen’s eyes seemed to bulge out of their socket, as he blinked a few minutes and was simply speechless. Masato started to mumble to himself in a frantic manner… “Oh crap oh crap oh crap… not good… not good…”

“That was amazing Sensei!!” Ushi’s voice rang out, as Yukiso looked upwards as Ushi sat on his shoulders. Yukiso smiled beneath his mask, the two of them still unseen by the other two- covered in yet another mask of illusion.
“I thought it was a nice touch… it means your exam is done.”
“WEEE! I exploded!!!”
Yukiso seemed to feed off of Ushi’s enthusiasm as he leapt off the tree and dispelled the illusion, causing the Ushi pieces to disappear and for him and Ushi to be visible in front of Masato and Raizen.
“I EXPLODED!” Ushi yelled happily, causing Masato to almost faint and Raizen looked as if something died a bit inside of him.
“Sorry about that… well… not really… the look on your faces was quite memorable.” Yukiso said, his eyes closing into a classic anime style. He reopened his eyes, lifting his arms upwards so that he lifted Ushi off of his shoulders. Ushi immediately scrambled on the ground towards Raizen, who once again, audibly (yes, audibly) twitched.
“Anyways, you all failed in washing your Kunai… “
Silence ensued, as Ushi smiled brightly and Masato seemed to feel defeated. Raizen just looked angry.
“… luckily for you, that wasn’t the real test anyway. The test was to see if you could form into a team and rely on each other for your tasks. One of the most important things in being a Ninja is relying on your teammates. They come first and you have to work with them if you want to get any mission done. So you pass. Good job!” Yukiso immediately gave them a thumbs up, as his eye gleamed. Yes, his eye gleamed right at that precise moment as the sun seemed to perfectly invade the trees and hit his gaze just right.

“Oh! Compliment time!” Yukiso grinned lightly as he whipped out his book again and began reading. “Raizen, you have fine leadership skills. Masato, your hard work and out-of-the-box thinking will come in handy. Ushi… you have unrivaled energy and enthusiasm, something that will be helpful to your teammates during long missions.”
Yukiso gave them a nod, “I will notify you when our team officially has received a mission. Until then, you have the rest of the day and tomorrow off.”
Masato slowly raised his hand, “Umm… but hasn’t like… weeks passed? Or was that an illusion too?”
Yukiso gave another thumbs up. “Yep, illusion. Really only a half an hour went by.” Masato groaned something about being ‘ridiculously tired’, along with Raizen who just seemed to groan in annoyance. Ushi giggled like a school girl, as if it were something quite hilarious.

“Well, until then.” Yukiso nodded, vanishing in a poof of smoke.






[Alright guys… all of your exams ended about late afternoon. You have the rest of the day/evening to do whatever you’d like… and then the following day to do the same. Remember, you can go interact with your characters or NPCs. Also, you can interact with any of the four sensei- even if they are not your own. You might want to get to know one of them or simply ask them questions or perhaps train… you pick. If you do interact with them, I’ll post right away in response to yours. *haunts the boards* Have fun with your day and a ½ of freedom! ]

[Heald]

Inakamo Yakusha

As Inakamo and Chiyoko raced towards the finish line, they wondered who had won, especially that discovering that Onitoge must be capable of superhuman speeds must have heavily stacked the odds in his favour. As they reached the finish, they saw that Onitoge looked down; you didn't have to be a genius to guess that he had lost. Inakamo pulled on his chakra strings, bringing his ball to a halt in between Haru-sensei and Onitoge. They both looked up to see Inakamo and Chiyoko leap down, Chiyoko beside Onitoge and Inakamo on top of his ball. Inakamo turned to his sensei and gave a huge grin, perfectly innocent but made all the more disturbing by the mask he wore over his face.

Haru-sensei chuckled and ruffled his hair.
"So this is the Carnival Ball I've been hearing about. An interesting and unique ninja tool; quite apt for an interesting and unique ninja!"
Inakamo backflipped off the ball and turned to Onitoge. He quickly performed the password handsign and hit the seal on the ball, opening it up and revealing Onitoge's cloak.
"We think you dropped this," Inakamo grinned. Onitoge briefly smiled, then picked up the cloak and put it on. Chiyoko asked,
"Haru-sensei, does being at this restaurant mean my challenge is next?"
Haru nodded and gave a thumbs-up.
"Yes Chiyoko, we'll head to the kitchen now. Boys," he began, turning to Onitoge and Inakamo, "Feel free to take a seat. This won't take too long."

As Haru-sensei led Chiyoko into the kitchen, Onitoge and Inakamo sat down at a table in the restaurant, near the window. Onitoge gazed out of the window. This had been pretty much the first time Onitoge and Inakamo had been alone together. Inakamo blurted out to break the silence,
"So how close was the race then? I bet you must have been superfast without that lead-weight around you!"
Onitoge turned to him and frowned; he was still sore about defeat. However, he was beginning to understand there was no possible way he could've beaten a Jonin-level ninja in a no holds barred race. Still, it was pretty close.
"Lets just say had the distance been a little longer, I'd have beaten him. However, Haru-sensei caused me to have a...setback."
Inakamo chuckled,
"Our sensei's sneaky huh? I can't wait to get a piece of him myself!"
Onitoge briefly smiled again. Being honest, he wanted to see how Inakamo would fair in his contest as well. This time Onitoge opened the conversation.
"Thanks...for returning my cloak."
Inakamo was taken aback; he was not used to being thanked.
"Well, if I dropped my Carnival Ball, you'd pick it up for me too...of course, I'd never drop it! My hold on it is virtually unbreakable!" he boasted.

After a while longer making smalltalk, the contest was over - Haru-sensei was the winner yet again. They walked outside into a small clearing with a wooded area next to it. Haru-sensei was eating a rice ball he had bought from the restaurant.
"Okay, Inakamo, you say your skill is pranking?"
Inakamo nodded excitedly. Haru-sensei continued,
"Pranks, while childish, are a good test of ninja skills, in particular, trap-setting, ambushing, espionage, infiltration, subtlety, and most important of all, timing."
Haru-sensei threw the rest of the rice ball on the ground.
"Okay Inakamo, a simple prank normally involves tripping someone up. The first one to trip the other up wins. Ready? Go!"
Inakamo quickly leapt into action, backflipping out of harm's way up a nearby tree. Haru-sensei remained perfectly still. Inakamo quickly thought up a plan, then smiled. He reached for a kunai and threw it at Haru-sensei, who stepped backward to avoid it. The kunai hit the ground at Haru-sensei's feet.
"Is that the best you have Inakamo?" he jibed. Inakamo smiled.
"I wasn't trying to hit you sensei!"
Haru-sensei looked down and noticed that in the shadow of the kunai, there was another kunai hidden with a smokebomb scroll attached to it. It was too late though, and the smokebomb exploded, enveloping Haru-sensei and the area immediately around him with smoke.

Inakamo leapt down from the tree and quickly ran behind Haru-sensei, ready to trip him up. He then pulled his Carnival Ball down from the tree with a chakra string, flying into the smoke and hitting Haru-sensei. As Inakamo thought he had victory, it turned out he had actually hit a log.
"A substitution jutsu?!" he thought to himself. He leapt out of the smoke, leaving his ball in the smoke and back up a tree. He had to find Haru-sensei, and quickly. A shuriken flew through the leaves and cut the branch Inakamo was on clean in half. He quickly pulled his ball out of the smoke and landed on it for balance, but as he fell backwards on the ball, two kunai came flying at him. He quickly acted and pulled the ball from underneath him to deflect the kunai, feeling safe that he had found a balance. However, as soon as he hit the ground, his foot landed on something soft and slippery. He felt a squish and then fell flat on his rear, losing the challenge.

Haru-sensei materialised in front of Inakamo, blowing away the smoke as he did. It was then that Inakamo saw that he had slipped on Haru-sensei's discarded rice ball. Haru-sensei chuckled.
"My, my, my, that was a fine effort, but as you can see, I am the clear winner!"
Inakamo began to feel how the other two felt - to be beaten at what you think you're best it does hurt your pride.

It soon materialised that they had all, in fact, passed the test due to their perseverance. Haru-sensei bade them farewell and then made a flashy departure. Chiyoko gave the boys a hearty embrace. They all stood together, thinking about what had just happened. Inakamo smiled and looked at his teammates.
"So guys, fancy a race back home?" he challenged.

[Mystic_clown]

Selekis
--------------------------
So, the test was about teamwork and determination, not speed or strength.

The white haired youth looked over at his teammate Hiro, who was struggling with the weights, and Shiro, who was laughing his ass off. He felt no more need ot be here and headed back into town.

His mind began to wander, mainly back to the bubbly little girl he couldn't get rid of. He wondered if she managed to pass her test. Despite her bubbly and overly freindly nature, she had potential.

The next thing he realised was that he was hungry. He had hardly eaten anything all day.

And the fact that there was a beautiful eroma in the air didn't help matters.

He couldn't put his finger on it, but was absolutely heavenly. If he was any less of a man, he'd be drooling. Seeing no harm in investigating the smell, Selekis began following his nose.


sorry for the shortness. What he's smelling is what was from the cooking contest between Chiyoko and Haru.

[Roy Karrde]

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ Pain ~*~*~*~*~

My mind remained hazy all the way back home, full of thoughts of how weak I truly was. My left arm was dead tired, I couldn’t even make a fist, and what did it get me? I couldn’t even knock over a tree and the attack came too slow. Then to top it off he strapped the weights onto me, and all I could do was lay there until Lee came along and unhooked me. ‘Some day you will be able to do it’ He told me with a smile. ‘Everyone has to start somewhere’

With every step I took up the steps to my house, those words rang in my head. Every step only increased my anger; I wanted to wipe that stupid smile off his face. I wanted to punch it off with every ounce of strength I had. My right hand clutched one of the weights, dragging it with me to the point that my right arm felt just as dead as my left arm. “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.” I kept replying, pushing into our home, dropping the weight on the floor of my room and collapsing on the mat.

“Hiro-nii?” Hikari poked her head into the room, waiting a second before softly pushing the door open and coming to kneel at my side. “Mom had to go out to a village for a few days.” She explained, I could only groan back a response.

She peered down at one of the weights, trying to lift it with both hands before returning to me. “Did you kill some one yet?” She asked. I lifted one arm and pointed toward the door, not even having the strength to tell her to leave. “Fine fine.” She huffed before leaving.

Okay get up… get up… I kept telling myself that, trying to will myself to get up and start working out with that one weight that I had kept from sensei. ‘Everyone has to start somewhere.’ Rock Lee’s words echoed through my head, and a new found rage bubbled up. “STUPID IDIOT!” I growled rising to my feet and grabbing the weight with both arms. “I will show him, and I will show that stupid sensei.” I roared, lifting the weight up, once, twice, three times.

“See this weight isn’t…” The weight tumbled from my arms as pain shot threw both of them. My mouth fell open into a gasp of shock in pain as my knees buckled out from underneath me. My mouth moved for a few seconds before I let out a utter inhuman scream.

[Outlaw JT]

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

He had been so careful for so long. Through almost his entire time at the academy. One day as a Genin, however, and his secret was out. Onitoge was constantly holding himself back and now Chiyoko and Inakamo knew it. Worse yet, their sensei knew it. Hara-sensei was bound to expect much more of him than he felt safe to use.

"Thanks..... for returning my cloak," Onitoge offered weakly.

He reached for it like a child might for their security blanket. He quickly slid it back on and as always the weight washed over him like a familiar warmth. A warmth that assured him he would do no harm.

"Well, if I dropped my Carnival Ball, you'd pick it up for me too...of course, I'd never drop it! My hold on it is virtually unbreakable!" Inakamo smiled.

So there was a real person behind that mask, afterall. A pretty good one too to have lugged Onitoge's insanely heavy cloak all the way here. Even if it was with the aid of his jutsu.

"You'd be surprised what you might let go of when faced with the threat of failure. At letting down someone you want to make proud......" Onitoge spoke without thinking, which was extremely unusual for him.

"So, why do you wear that cloak anyway? If you go around with that thing on all day every day your strength and speed must be phenominal. No wonder you don't focus much on ninjutsu or genjutsu," Inakamo quickly changed the topic, sensing it was a sore subject. "I know. I bet you're just keeping it under wraps so opponents will underestimate you in battle."

"No, it's not that. It's just..... do you remember when I first started at the academy? When that..........." and then he hesitated. Why was he being so open with Inakamo? He had trouble being open with anyone! "It's just..... it's complicated. I'm glad we were on the same team for a bit Inakamo."

It felt good to just sit and talk with someone. Inakamo was the last person Onitoge figured he'd ever make friends with but he was glad for it. Sometimes it took the strangest pairings to make the best friends and teammates.

The afternoon passed quickly. As it turned out, their fauilure was part of the test. A test they all seemed to have passed. So Team Thirteen was a go. Chiyoko, Inakamo and Onitoge would be Hara-sensei's squad. And they only had a day and a half before they might be out on assignment together. If they were going to go on a mission as a team then maybe they should learn each other's strengths and weaknesses as a team. Onitoge knew that most people would want the time off to relax but he wanted them to be ready for anything.

"So guys, fancy a race back home?" Inakamo challenged with a grin.

"I was thinking that maybe......ummm..... there's this clearing where I train and, well. Maybe now that we're a team we should....ummmm.... train together? If you guys wanted to?" Onitoge said as he leapt to a branch, ready to show them the way.

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

Shodou Kukai/Team 14/F
30. Yesterday and Today
--------------------------

Shodou Kukai was a genin.

Shodou Kukai was a genin who didn't know whether to get angry at her sensei, at the ninja examination system, at herself for being so stupid not to have noticed it in the first place, or at the world in general for being a place full of deception in unlooked-for places.

Eventually, Shodou Kukai the genin decided to let the matter slide, and let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in.

She stretched. She'd been squatting for a long, long time. There were distinct pops as stiff bones slid into their proper places. Kuroda-sensei had waved goodbye a while back, but Kukai hadn't moved until now, stunned as the full realization set in that she was a real ninja now - an honest-to-goodness official ninja. Haru, beside her, didn't seem to be fully able to accept his newfound ninjahood, either.

Kukai being Kukai, she opened her mouth wide and said: "Aaaargh. After all that gardening I'm in bad need of a bath..."

Inuzuka Hige, who'd up till now been celebrating as best as he knew how (by working off his euphoria running up the trees in the garden, jumping from branch to branch to roof back to branch again, and the like), flinched. It was a very visible and audible flinch. When you flinch sprinting halfway up a treetrunk, you tend to land back onto the ground in a painful heap. Hige was good at what he did, though. He landed on his feet, and upright, too; but the sudden out-of-sync thump was enough to catch Kukai's half-drifting attention.

She remembered now. How could she have forgotten? It must have been all the stress of the day...

She said, louder this time, and deliberately: "I wonder if I should just bathe at home or use the public baths? Oh sure, the bathroom at home is old and a bit too small, but the public baths are gonna be crowded at this time of day, what with everyone going for a bath in the evening to wash off they day's sweat and grime."

She counted off the total of baths in her mind - Inuzuka Hige had twitched four times, and flinched twice more. Ginmaru, however, wagged his tail, cheerful as ever. The numbers tallied. Well of course they did. Kukai decided to push her luck.

"Hey, Inuzuka Hige, I might see Ayame-san in the bathhouse. Want me to say anything to her for you? While we're in the women's bath? Hmmm? A message from her Hiiiige-kun~"

"Oi, woman, now that's enough from you for today!" Involuntary grimacing of the face times two, duly noted...

"When was the last time you had a bath anyway, Inuzuka Hige?" Again... "I'm not going to have to bathe you myself again, am I?" ...And again...

A kind of strangled growling sound escaped the depths of the feral boy's throat. He opened his mouth to say something rude, evidently thought better of it after meeting the oil-slick black of Kukai's eyes, and closed it with a snap. He muttered something unintelligible and stomped off.

At this point Kukai started feeling sorry for him. She shouldn't have brought up the Washboard Incident. She herself had not acted too rationally on that occasion, though at the time (and even now) that insult had been too much for her. And it rankled more, that this particular person, Mr Inuzuka Hige, had been the one to say it. Because he, like her, generally meant the things he said, and she wasn't all sure if he had meant what he'd said - that day.

"Fine, I take that back!" she called to his retreating form, in a fashion uncharacteristic of her usual demeanour. He didn't turn around - he hadn't won, after all, and she hadn't lost - a stalemate was not worth celebrating over.

Kukai swallowed her anger, that had been lying there dormant and unnoticed and unwelcome, that had turned into uncalled-for cattiness earlier, and turned to Haru, apparently back to normal. "Oh, Haru-kun. D'you want me to walk you home? I've got to help out at the shop tomorrow, but I'm free for now... I'm sure you've got something new about cherry blossoms in that book of yours..."

*

The smell of sodden pulp permeates every inch of the Shodou house. The family still manufactures all their own paper. They have ceased to produce paper on a large scale, leaving that to other, more enterprising mnds with the drive to work machines; instead they ply their trade now mainly as calligraphers and engravers. Shodou clan penmanship adorns the signboards and banners of almost every building in Konohagakure; Kukai's deceased father wrote the kana on the curtains of Ichiraku Ramen, and Kukai's ancestors painted the imposing letters on the entrance gates of the village. The Shodou, the few that still refer to themselves as Shodou, are proud.

The smell of paper has been with Kukai since birth: she was born into it, and she will never leave it, she thinks. She doesn't mind if she has to manage the family business, all by herself, when her grandmother and mother are gone, and her brother who works in the Hokage's office now can keep his position and continue working in the Hokage's office. What worries her is what her grandmother, the matriarch, had told her the day she'd entered the ninja academy, drawing her into a corner and saying my dear grandchild, you are the only true heir of the Shodou family now, and you must make sure you are not the last, and many more things besides; that she forgets sometimes, but always remembers when she hears a certain word, or thinks of the shop.

The smell of paper haunts Kukai like the ghosts of all her ancestors, invisible legs round her neck hanging over her in unseen, portentous gloom.
----------------------------------
Insert misRPing/god-RPing Hige clause here and sorry in advance. My posting brain is not functioning as it should be >< however, the tense change in the last bit is wholly intentional despite me not really knowing what the heck I'm going on about.

[Heald]

Inakamo Yakusha

Inakamo was excited about training together as a team - normally he'd train on his own, but he loved an audience, plus the opportunity to practice some teamwork for a battle situation seemed like the perfect plan to get a headstart before their first mission, of which he could hardly contain his excitement to perform.

"I'm in," Inakamo said, jumping up onto the same branch as Onitoge. They both looked down at Chiyoko. "How about you?"
Chiyoko smiled and leapt up at them.
"I'd never miss a chance to be with my new teammates! Count me in!"
Inakamo grinned and turned to Onitoge.
"Lead the way, superfly."
Onitoge had a small smile on his face and then turned his face into the forest with a concentrated look.
"It's through this wooded area. Follow me," and with that he leapt off the branch and into the forest. Inakamo began following and Chiyoko was right behind.

Inakamo caught up with Onitoge easily and said,
"So you're not so fast with that weight around you, huh?"
Onitoge shook his head. Inakamo laughed.
"Man, I cannot wait until you surprise an opponent with that! He'd need a winch to pick his jaw off the ground."
Inakamo looked back to Chiyoko and grinned, who smiled and giggled back. However, as he looked back, Inakamo thought he spotted something. He stopped on a branch and his teammates stopped as well.
"Anything wrong?" Onitoge asked. Inakamo peered into the woods.
"I thought I could see someone...guess my mind is playing tricks on me."
"Okay then," Onitoge said and he continued the journey to the clearing.

Upon reaching the clearing, Inakamo had a good scout around, bouncing off the trees and having a good time. Onitoge mumbled only within earshot of Chiyoko,
"I've never brought anyone here before..."
Chiyoko turned to Onitoge and smiled.
"It's nice that you've shared this clearing with us. It can be our team's training spot from now on!"
Inakamo jumped back into the middle of the clearing with his teammates and with a grin said,
"Well are we going to start training? How about you take off that cloak and show us what you're really capable of?" he gestured at Onitoge enthusiastically. Onitoge gripped the shoulders of his cloak tightly upon hearing this.
"I'd...rather not."
Inakamo was slightly puzzled but he turned to Chiyoko.
"And how about you Chiyoko? I'm sure I've seen you use some water jutsu?"
Chiyoko looked a bit startled and said,
"Well, I can do one jutsu, but it's not perfect."
Inakamo gestured her to try it on the nearest tree. He and Onitoge watched intently as she performed the hand-signs.
"Water-style : Water Blast jutsu!" she said. A ball of water formed in her hands and then jetted towards the tree. However, it went slightly left, skinning some of the bark off with it and then exploding on another tree, knocking down some of the leaves and skinning some of the bark off that too.
"Woohoo! Chiyoko that was awesome!"
Chiyoko turned around and gave a 'thank-you' bow towards them both. Onitoge turned to Inakamo and said,
"So...your ball...we know you like using that as a ninja tool...would you like to give us a demonstration?"

"Would I?" Inakamo grinned and he quickly summoned his Carnival Ball. Chiyoko seemed excited to be getting a personal experience of Inakamo's bizarre techniques up front and in person. Inakamo already had a firm control over the ball with his chakra strings. He span the ball up and aimed it towards the same tree that Chiyoko had intended her water blast to hit and powered it forward.
"Hyah!" he yelled, and the ball blasted forward far faster than the water blast and made a huge dent in the tree, knocking much of the bark off and many of the leaves down. He then pulled it back and as he did, he pulled his right arm, the sleeved one, up to his mouth and pulled on his sleeve - in fact he was pulling on some fine carbon-steel wire, invisble to the naked eye, wrapped on a spindle hidden under his sleeve, and with a subtle touch, he attached the end of the wire to the Carnival Ball. He then kicked the ball back towards the tree and as it passed it, he used his chakra strings to bring the ball around the tree and with his right hand pulled the wire taut. As the ball came back, the wire cut cleanly through the tree, cutting it down in the process. He then caught the ball with his right hand and with his left hand removed the wire. He turned to his teammates.
"How about that then?"
Chiyoko seemed amazed; Onitoge smiled and said,
"Looks like you have some tricks up your sleeves then."
Inakamo fell down at this pun and Chiyoko giggled. There was beginning to be a feeling of bonding among the team.


(OOC : sorry if I got the name or effect of the Water Blast jutsu wrong, but B4 never gave a specific name or effect for it, but I'll change it if you tell me its real name!)

[Bulbasaur4]

Okami, Chiyoko

[I Said I’m Naruto – Original Soundtrack I ]

Chiyoko smiled at Inakamo, feeling a strange swelling in her chest- a great surge of happiness that she was getting along so well with her two teammates. It truly did feel great to belong on a team… to have some sort of family to rely on.
“This is great!” Chiyoko said, after the three of them had trained a little bit more after Inakamo’s fantastic showing of his chakra abilities with his ball. Onitoge had shown them a little bit of his taijutsu too, although Chiyoko and Inakamo had elaborate ideas in their mind of what he’d truly be like without his cloak. Watching her two teammates, it made Chiyoko wonder and slightly wish that she specialized in something… so far she had only gone to a few teachers and asked them for various training on many different types of Jutsus- none that she was fantastic at. She knew her water blast jutsu and her body freeze technique… and of course, she was trying her best to learn that other technique. However… that was something she had to do in private. Something she was teaching herself... yet not knowing exactly where it came from.

Shaking her head and snapping out of her thoughts, she watched as Onitoge returned to Inakamo and Chiyoko after another taijutsu move.
“I think we should be done for the day.” He commented, as the three of them looked up at the setting sun. Chiyoko nodded, as they began to walk back through the forest- occasionally leaping into the trees.
“You know… our team is like a big family!” Chiyoko said happily, offering the two of them a cheerful smile. Yeah… a family… The thought brought memories of the Hidden Cloud Village. She wondered what they were doing at this time... most likely preparing for the night. She then began to wonder if they missed her like she missed them... and their smiling faces.

The three of them reached the edge of the forest, easily allowing them to see the village. Lights were beginning to flicker on in homes… and then Chiyoko’s stomach suddenly growled.
“Ah geez… I didn’t eat lunch today.” She commented, looking at Inakamo and Onitoge.
“I know! Would you guys like to come over to my room for some dinner?! I’ll cook whatever the two of you want!” She said excitedly, but before either of them could answer she swiftly grabbed both of their hands and took off towards her house. She barely gave them anytime to respond. A grin was plastered upon her face as she ran, feeling her heart beat wildly- beating off how happy she really felt. It was good to have friends… and she couldn’t help but love making new friends. It was an addiction that she didn’t mind having.

Soon the three of them arrived at the complex she lived at, and she ushered them in. They walked up a flight of stairs and soon she had them entering her living area. Taking off her shoes in a hurry, she went into the kitchen and as if given new strength and energy she whipped out several cooking supplies.
“So, what’ll it be?” She asked with a smile, just in time to see Onitoge’s bewildered expression looking at the window, along with Inakamo who just had a silly grin on his face. Turning to look in their direction, she saw a familiar face poking through the window- like always.
“Naruto! I said you could use the stairs!” She laughed, as Naruto took that as an invitation and helped himself in.
“I heard a mentioning of food!!” Naruto said enthusiastically, ‘hehing’ a bit as he scratched the back of his head with a grin. Chiyoko nodded, looking to her two new teammates.
“Naruto lives in the same complex as me… he often stops by for food. Actually… now that I think of it…” Chiyoko put a finger to her lips as if thinking. “A lot of people have been stopping by my place at random meal times…” She trailed off, shrugging as she began to heat up the stove.
“So, yes… food, what will it be?” She asked, as Naruto yelled, “RAMEN!” Chiyoko sweatdropped, shaking her head for a moment. “No… my teammates are deciding tonight. I promise I’ll make you ramen another time.” Chiyoko said lightly, looking to Onitoge and Inakamo.

[Sworkill87]

Raizen’s time off:

Raizen stood there next to the stream, soaked to the bone save his kunai. “Well, this sure has been a weird day.” He thought to himself. “I passed a test that was actually about teamwork, and even weirder, I initiated the teamwork. I guess I’ll have to do that more often.” Masato groaned having just found out that the past three weeks had only been a half an hour, and Ushi was acting as over energetic as usual.

“Hey Raizen! Isn’t this great?! We passed! And I exploded!!” He yelled jumping forward in what looked like a motion to hug Raizen again.

“Yeah, that’s grea- ahh!” Raizen was cut off as he jumped out of the way of Ushi’s embrace. “Dude, please, no hugging. I’m tired and I’m going home.” He said before giving everyone a slight wave and starting to walk back to town. “I’ll see you guys later for our first mission.”

It took quite while to shake off Ushi who had insisted on going home with Raizen. In fact, it wasn’t until Raizen’s brother Neji closed the door in his face that Ushi decided to leave for his own home.

“Now that wasn’t very nice Neji.” Raizen’s mom said as she put a delicious smelling stew on the table. “He’s Raizen’s team mate, and we don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

“That child had no business here mother.” Neji said indifferently as he served himself a bowl of stew.

“Really, Mom, I don’t think you can hurt that kid’s feelings.” Raizen muttered now immersed in his own stew. “By the way Neji, you never told me about this test that we all have to take.”

“It’s supposed to be a secret Raizen.” Neji said, “Who’s your sensei anyway?”

“Kakashi Yukiso, and he gave us the weirdest test, we had to wash these genjutsud kunai, but it all turned out to be about teamwork anyway.”

“The other Kakashi? He should be an interesting sensei.” Neji said finishing his meal and getting up. “You have the day off tomorrow, correct?”

“Yeah, sensei said he’d contact us for our first mission.” Raizen said getting up as well. “Why?”

“Well, don’t expect any interesting missions for a while. Anyway, TenTen and I will be working on the Heavenly spin tomorrow, you should join us.”

“Nice, I do need some help with that one.” So with that Neji wandered off, most likely to train his byakugan. Raizen, however, was trapped by their mother who grilled him for details on his first day as a genin for the next couple hours.

[Dr.McNinja]

Frustrated by Neji's advanced Ninja door closing Jutsu, Ushi meandered around Konoha for the rest of the day, taking in the sights and sounds of his adopted home that he had grown to love so much. Shopkeepers, citizens, and even a few wandering Shinobi such as himself greeted him. Although every agreed that there was something truly different about that Kazuma boy, Ushi's perpetual happiness and energy won him more friends than it did enemies, even if those friends were apt to shake their head in exasperation every once and a while.

It was when Ushi had climbed the Hokage mountain to stand above their carved faces and watch the sun set over the village that Takumi found him. The young Jonin seemed to have climbed the mountain for much the same reason, sitting himself next to the young Genin comfortably and in silence. The two watched the sun set together, neither feeling the need to speak and break the content, peaceful silence that had decended around them. Konoha was beautiful in the sunet, the soft orange light making the stones seem on fire and the buildings as though made of amber. The town slowly became still and peaceful until the only lights and figures were those owned by the force of Shinobi that guarded the sleeping town from whatever evil the soft darkness might hold. It wasn't until night had truly fallen, the waxing moon shedding it's silver light over the two figures that Takumi spoke.

"I heard of your little adventure from Yukiso today."

Ushi's smile grew wider, when he spoke the usual excitement was muted by the soft voice he felt was neccesary at such a late hour.

"Yes! We failed our task but passed the test, you see the task wasn't the test at all! And I exploded!"

Takumi smiled softly at the youth's exuberance. Running a hand through his disheveled hair he leaned back on his arms. His open coat falling off his torso somewhat.

"That's one of my favorite tricks too..."

Ushi mirrored Takumi's pose, letting his hair spill over his supporting hands as he looked up at the pale stars above. The light made his hair shine an even brighter silver than normal, the red tips practically glowing in the lunar glow. Faint memories stirred at the edge of his conscious, memories of looking at the same stars from somewhere far closer than the hill above Konoha, somewhere where it felt that he could reach out an grab one of them, holding its subdued yet burning power in his hands. He remembered drawing shapes in those stars with his eyes, finding meaning in the twisting figures he created. He remembered the last time he played music to those stars...and a haunting harmony floated through his mind for a moment. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he opened them to just find the tiny twinkling light above him again, nothing more than dots in the blackness of the sky. Turning to the Jonin next to him, he spoke.

"You can do it whenever you want?"

Takumi's smile became crooked, taking the meaning of the young Genin's words for what they were. Turning to look back at the youth, he shrugged slightly.

"Of course...want to learn?"

Ushi's glimmering eyes were all the answer Takumi needed.
----------------


Raizen yawned. How late was it? The day had felt like weeks, but in the excitement of actually passing his test and becoming part of a true Shinobi team he had managed to shake off the exhaustion until now. At least he could sleep in tommorow. Meandering over to his closet he opened the doors, preparing to grab a more comfortable pair of clothes to sleep in. Instead, he peered down at the smiling form of Ushi, lying on a pallet of some sort and covered in a blanket though he still seemed to be wearing the exact same clothes he had during the entire test. Ushi grinned up at Raizen.

"Guess what I learned?!"

Raizen carefully removed the clothes he had been looking for and closed the door softly, silently wondering to himself how long Ushi had been residing in his closet and if there was any possible way to make him leave.

He doubted it.

[Sworkill87]

Brotherly Training:

Raizen went to bed pondering the fact that Ushi seemed to have taken up residence in his closet. “Whatever,” He thought. “I haven’t been able to get rid of him before… why would this be any different.”

Raizen slept like a rock. After a day that actually felt like a couple weeks, sleep was very, very welcome. He woke up a little later than usual, and in his rush to get dressed and meet Neji in the training ground; Raizen didn’t even register the fact that Ushi was now snoring slightly upon his desk.

Neji and TenTen were already waiting for him when Raizen arrived, and made sure to comment on his tardiness. “Did you sleep in again, Raizen?”

“Hey, I had a long day.” Raizen responded, as he began to warm up with some light aerobics. He watched Neji spar with TenTen for a bit before joining in himself. This time TenTen took a break as Neji and Raizen exploded in to a rapid taijutsu battle. Watching two gentle fist users fight was a rare occasion, not to mention two brothers who knew each other’s abilities better than anyone else. For about two minutes they were on even footing, fists flying and bodies spinning faster than any ordinary ninja could even comprehend. It was only when Raizen went in for a blow to Neji’s chest that the battle came to an end with Neji’s kunai at Raizen's throat.

“You’re improving brother,” Neji said, straitening up and catching his breath. “But you still have a problem leaving yourself unguarded every time you see an opening for a finishing move.”

“Yeah, I noticed.” Raizen said as he massaged his fingertips, which had taken quite a beating during his gentle fist sparring match. “Now, how about that heavenly spin?”

“Let’s get some lunch first guys.” TenTen said, “You’re both going to need your chakra for this, and from the looks of you,” Raizen and Neji both looked quite worn out. “You’re running low.”

So they all headed out to the local ramen shop, only to veer off course by the site of Raizen’s classmate Chiyoko cooking madly outside. There seemed to be no one else around, yet Chiyoko had already made quite a buffet. Deciding that they couldn’t let all that food go to waste; the three of them walked over to say hello.

“Hi Chiyoko!” TenTen called out.

“Oh, hey there.” Chiyoko said as she looked up from her cooking.

“Making a feast?” Raizen asked as he walked over.

“Hmm? Oh, this.” Chiyoko looked down with a surprised look on her face. Evidently she had been so caught up in her cooking that she didn’t realize just how much food she had made. “Wow… what am I going to do with all this?” She said staring at the mound of food on the table.

“Don’t worry about it.” TenTen said, “We’ve got three ninja here hungry from training.”

“Four actually!” A slightly muffled but high pitched voice called out. Raizen looked over and sighed as he saw that Ushi had already sat down and was halfway through one of the exquisitely cooked fish.

“Where did you get all these anyway?” Neji asked sitting down.

“Oh, I caught them.” Chiyoko replied nonchalantly.

It was an excellent lunch, and after some post meal conversation, Raizen, Neji, and TenTen went back to the training ground. To Raizen’s dismay, Ushi decided to tag along and tormented him all the way back with a lot of poking and a few thwarted hugging attempts.

Once they returned Raizen sat back as Neji and TenTen demonstrated the heavenly spin. Ushi could be found hanging upside down from a tree with a book, imitating Kakashi sensei and glancing up every once and a while to watch the training.

It was something of amazing beauty. TenTen leapt high into the air and using her scrolls summoned an uncountable amount of kunai and shuriken that then proceeded to attack Neji from every possible angle. But Neji was ready with his byakugan. Being able to detect every one of the weapons, he released chakra from various points on his body while spinning rapidly. A blue blur of a dome formed around Neji just as the kunai and shuriken hit, but were immediately deflected and sent flying in every direction.

Raizen was forced to block a few with his own kunai. Ushi however didn’t move, in fact he didn’t appear to notice the kunai at all and actually acquired an outline around himself.

“I suppose I should have warned you about that.” Neji said indifferently as he stepped out of the small crater his spinning had created.

Raizen wasn’t annoyed however, but looked up as he thought to himself. “Excellent, it looks like I’ll be sleeping well again tonight.”

[Outlaw JT]

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

Family......Onitoge thought to himself as the three of them proceeded to Chiyoko's place for dinner. Urukani-sensei was the closest thing he had ever had to family and he had been gone for many years now. He had never had a family before. Was this what it was like?

They made it to Chiyoko's in good time and were quickly joined by Naruto who promptly requested ramen. Chiyoko insisted the decision was up to Inakamo and Onitoge, however. Inakamo didn't hesitate to add his opinion to the subject of dinner. He never did seem to hesitate, something else that distinguished him from Onitoge.

"Ummm....... maybe fish?" he looked at Naruto. "Or ramen would be fine."

Once again his trademark habit reared itself. For a long time he had always felt compelled to go with the flow of things. Instead of thinking about the things he enjoyed he would readily take up the things people around him enjoyed. Like reading with Kakashi-sensei, or playing shogi with Shikamaru (although he actually did enjoy that a lot once he learned how to play well), or eating ramen with Naruto as it were. With his social issues it often seemed to him the only way to make friends.

Chiyoko ended up making a little bit of everything to make everyone happy. Onitoge enjoyed a pan seared river trout with a seasoned glaze and a small side of ramen. He couldn't identify whatever it was Inakamo consumed. Naruto of course had a huge bowl of ramen. Chiyoko had a sampling of everything she prepared.

After dinner the four of them sat there talking for a while about their days and their aspirations now that they were genin. Inakamo and Naruto did most of the talking actually. Onitoge wasn't sure how much time passed but they didn't depart until well after the sun had set. It felt really good to just spend time with friends. Onitoge believed he could call all of them that now. At least he hoped so.

Onitoge was the first to excuse himself. The building he was currently staying in was clear on the other side of the academy from Chiyoko's place. He took his time getting there, walking slowly along the street. It had been a great day and he was not eager to see it end. He arrived home to see that it hadn't yet.

"So I hear you almost bested Takumi in a race," a familiar voice said happily.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Onitoge's face brightened and he began to smile as he bowed respectfully.

"That's a neat trick while wearing that cloak of yours," Hatake Kakkashi said with a knowing tone.

"I.... I had to remove it to keep up. I should have failed his exam," the smile faded. "I would have won if I had taken the cloak off sooner."

"Not really. If the race was speed alone maybe but Takumi would've pulled a few more tricks out of his sleeve to win if he needed to. Besides, his exam was about getting you to remove the obstacles you have placed on your own path. You did that by removing the cloak. You should do it more often. I am sure Takumi and your teammates would like to see what you can do when you aren't holding yourself back," Hatake said evenly with a smile behind his mask. "In any case, I am proud of your performance today and I am sure Shenji would be too. I left you a new book on your bed as a way of congratulations. Enjoy."

Hatake Kakashi disappeared right in front of his eyes. It was an impressive trick because Onitoge's eyes were very fast. He ambled inside and picked up his new book as he collapsed on the bed. It had been a long and tiring day. Tomorrow was supposed to be free but he felt compelled to do many things. He wanted to train more with his teammates but didn't want them to feel like he was pushing them. He wanted to spend time reading with Kakashi-sensei but didn't want to interfere if he was spending time with his new team. He also wanted to speak with Hara-sensei about the test. If Kakashi-sensei was speaking directly about it then Hara-sensei must know about his past. Onitoge had to know why Takumi would push him knowing what he might do. What he had done....... Onitoge would decide in the morning what he would do tomorrow. For now, he fell quickly asleep after his thoughts ran their quick course.

[Shadow Djinn]

Shiro - Team 12 Genin
--

A scream pierced Shiro's ears as he trooped down the pathway to home. He paused in his merry stride, frowning as the scream died down. A thorough inspection of the street provided no results, though he noticed traces of light in a two story house.

Ears picking up ragged panting from the room, he easily clambered up to the window, propping it open and tumbling inside. A grin formed when he realized he was staring at Iokawa Hiro, sprawled on the ground, a weight in one of his distraught hands.

"Need a hand there?" The cheerful Genin queried.

Hiro growled, but weakly said, "Please."

Shiro attempted to lift the weight, only managing to slightly before letting it drop again, luckily away from Hiro's hands. His teammate rose, muttering a weak, "Thanks."

But when he looked up, Shiro was already gone.

-

Sunrise

"Training time," Shiro muttered aloud as he clambered out of his dismal lodgings. His sheathed dagger was strapped to his belt this time, and he intended to use it today.

He gazed about him, and he noted various Genin from the Ninja Academy that he had trained with. A desire to socialize rose, but he frowned and stifled it, one of his hands resting on the pommel of his dagger.

-

A jet black kunai thudded into the target, just sheer centimeters from the crimson bulls-eye.

"Ah, damn." Yagyu Shiro frowned. Several other kunai were already in the wooden target, none in the bullseye. He unsheathed his dagger -- a jagged, bladed tool that the Genin preferred to throw instead of melee fights. His eyes closed shut, and he felt the calm hissing of the wind...

And his eyes opened, with renewed confidence, the blade of his dagger now hissing with a coat of razor air. He hurtled it forward with a ha!, grinning as it neared the bullseye...

Then an ash black throwing knife slammed into the projectile, sending it twirling away and embedding itself in the ground. A figure emerged from the bushes -- someone Shiro wasn't too happy about seeing.

"You'll have to do better then that," he growled.

"Ah, Asuma-sensei..." Shiro greeted, attempting to banish his frown. "What a surprise, preacher of hard work."

This elicted a chuckle. "It seems my lecture did you good. A genin now, eh?"

Shiro glanced at his hitai-ate headband, strapped careless to a muscled arm.

"Indeed," he responded.

"But it seems you still have a ways to go," the black-haired sensei noted, indicating the bullseye board.

"That dagger would've hit the center if you hadn't interfered," Shiro complained.

"You sure about that?" Asuma raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," the Genin protested.

And suddenly Asuma was beside him, one of his own throwing knives in his hand. He shoved Shiro aside nonchalantly, imitating the position the Genin had adapted, and sent it hurtling forward.

It whistled through the air, and collided with the board, a thud reverberating throughout the air.

"So I was wrong," Shiro twitched.

"Keep practicing," Asuma chuckled.

And then he was gone.

-
Hope I got Hiro's personality right, he was said to be friendly, so...

[Heald]

Inakamo Yakusha

[ Naruto's Daily Life – Original Soundtrack I ]

The training went down well, but so did the food. While Inakamo was not as big a food fanatic as Naruto, he did enjoy Chiyoko's cooking especially. He helped himself to a big serving of rice with fish wrapped in seaweed. Naruto didn't seem too impressed with his choice of food, but Inakamo laughed at him.
"Uncultured brat...this is simple, tasty, healthy and gives me the energy I need to perform my tricks!"
Naruto humphed at him and carried on devouring his ramen. He then turned back to Inakamo and asked,
"Do you still keep that goofy mask on while you eat? Doesn't that make it hard?"
Inakamo stopped eating and looked at Naruto. The atmosphere became cold all of a sudden. While Naruto didn't realise it, Chiyoko and Onitoge noticed that nothing really stopped Inakamo so suddenly. Inakamo frowned and said,
"I never take this mask off. No questions."
Naruto blinked and continued eating, mumbling through his food to himself,
"I still think it's goofy."
Chiyoko attempted to lighten the atmosphere and offered to cook more food, although only Naruto took up this offer.

Inakamo finished off his food and stood up.
"It is getting pretty late and I've got plans tomorrow," he said. Chiyoko however stopped him by asking,
"Oh please stay Inakamo! Have some tea!"
Onitoge looked at Inakamo and Inakamo could see in his eyes that he wanted him to stay, if only to provide a counter to Naruto. Inakamo smiled and sat down.
"I guess one tea won't hurt."

It, of course, became more than one as Naruto continued to be obnoxious and Inakamo repeatedly gave comebacks, if only to annoy Naruto. It became quite late and Inakamo then decided it was time to go. Onitoge left before him and Naruto decided to leave, having suffered Inakamo's caustic attitude long enough. Inakamo turned to Chiyoko and smiled.
"Thanks for the food - it'll be nice to have a decent chef on those long missions away from home on the team."
She giggled and bowed her head. Inakamo gave a slight bow of his own and decided to leave through the window and straight into the trees.

[ Evening – Original Soundtrack I ]

He landed outside his home. Unlike the other students, he didn't live in the main hub of Konohagakure but with his foster father in the woods outside, as his father worked as a carpenter, and thus was able to cut down his own trees for the wood. His foster father, Rachi, was outside making a fire with the wood chippings from the day's work. He saw that Inakamo still had his headband around his belt and smiled.
"Looks like you're still a ninja then!"
Inakamo smiled.
"Yep! A true Genin!"
Rachi put his hand on Inakamo's head and laughed.
"That's my boy! So who is your sensei then?"
"Hara-Sensei! He seems very...crazy!"
Rachi laughed and commented,
"Sounds like your kind of sensei! Anyway, it's late son, and you look exhausted. Up to bed."
Inakamo nodded and headed upstairs as soon as he got into the house.

He changed into his sleeping clothes, although he kept his mask on. He looked at the kanji that has been imprinted on his right arm since he was an infant - it read Yakusha, which, apart from his birth mother's dying breath, was the only link he had to any sort of recognition. Only he and Rachi have any idea this mark is on his arm, and he keeps his sleeve covering his arm to protect this. He put his head on his pillow and fell into a deep sleep.

His dreams took him seven years into the past, when a travelling circus came to Konohagakure. He remembers the carnival that took place the last night that they were staying distinctly - it was for this reason he has a fixation with carnivals, noise, bright lights and why he began training to be a ninja in the first place. Many of the perfomers were ninja who retired from military action and now used their jutsu for show. There were ninja from every village, each displaying a fabulous display of seemingly magic powers. Inakamo's bright orange eyes sparkled at these sights. They were not classed as Missing-nin and thus were not tracked down by Hunter-nin as they only used simple jutsu that looked impressive but were in fact relatively harmless, plus they usually consisted of ninja who were of no value to their villages anyway. As such, they wore clay masks to hide their identities, so no one could tell what village they were from anyway.

There was one more reason why he remembered this event. In fact, the carnival was only half the reason why he was who he is today.

The morning after, Inakamo snuck out of the house early to grab a quick swim in the river in the woods outside his house. He was enjoying himself, splashing around trying to catch fish and scaring ducks when he heard a voice.
"Rats, I was hoping if I got here early enough I'd be able to sneak a quick bath, but some kid beat me to it."
Inakamo turned around and saw a man was standing there. He was no local, that was for sure. Inakamo swam up to him and saw he had a clown mask on his belt.
"Hey mister! I saw you in the carnival yesterday!"
The man smirked.
"My, you're perceptive for a little squirt!" he commented. He turned to go when Inakamo asked,
"Oh come on mister! Show me a trick!"
The man stopped.
"Trick? I perform feats, not tricks!" and with that he turned around and launched a carnival ball at Inakamo, forcing him to dive back into the water. The man laughed and when Inakamo surfaced, he commented,
"You've got pretty good eyes to perform such a quick dodge. You a ninja?"
Inakamo got out of the water and quickly got changed to cover his arm. He shook his head.
"I guess you're training to be though, right?"
Inakamo nodded.
"My foster father just got me into the academy, although I'm not any good yet."
The man recalled his carnival ball and began spinning it around his head with his chakra strings.
"So I bet you couldn't do that, huh?"
Inakamo didn't really hear him; he was too in awe at this fabulous toy. The man was clearly enjoying showing off.
"Here, let me show you how to control the carnival ball."
Inakamo's eyes lit up as he heard this tempting offer. He was, however, skeptical, especially as he didn't have great chakra control, let alone be able to perform a jutsu.
"I don't have the chakra control Mister. It won't work."
The man nodded.
"Listen - this is more than a toy; it's a great ninja weapon, and the Chakra Strings Jutsu needed to use it properly is a great test of chakra control. Practice everyday and you'll be a fantastic ninja in no time."
Inakamo was giddy with excitement.

The man taught him the hand signs and the basics of it and then handed over the scroll for the ball.
"Keep this one as a souvenir - I got plenty more."
Inakamo was holding onto the ball like his life depending on it - it was the best gift ever! He was having a hard time holding on it, seeing as it was pretty much as big as he was. The man chuckled and then said,
"Oh yeah, that ball can be modified. Some of my other balls have booby traps and explosives in them, but that's my practice ball - all it has is a secret compartment."
The man told him the password and then as Inakamo began to inspect the ball once more, he looked up and the man had simply vanished.

[ Nine Tail Demon Fox – Original Soundtrack I ]

Inakamo completely forgot about his swim and instead began practicing the Chakra Strings Jutsu. Soon, his chakra was depleted and he had barely managed to the basics of it. Finished for the day, he went to collect the carnival ball when he decided to try out the secret compartment to put his wet towel in. As he did open it, he found that there was half a clown mask inside. He picked it up and immediately put it over the right side of his face. It was then that his right eye began to burn violently, along with the mark on his right arm. He took his hand away but the mask was stuck to his face. He took off his shirt and submerged his body into the water. As he took his head out, the burning getting worse, he looked at his reflection and saw that not only was the kanji on his arm glowing red, but a new symbol on the mask, not visible before was now glowing red too, reading 'Inashi'. Although the pain was unbearable, he could feel his chakra reserves filling up afresh.

He grabbed the mask and began forcefully pulling it from his face, eventually having to tap into his new chakra to give him the strength to rip it away. As he did, a torrent of blood shot out from the area around his eye into the river, and as it did, it evaporated as it hit the water. He sat gasping at the side of the river, and saw that the same symbol 'Inashi' had now been burned onto his face. The pain quickly subsided and he put the mask back on to see what would happen - nothing. The symbol that had appeared on the mask had also gone. He decided to keep the mask on to hide his scar from others and he made a beeline for home.

Inakamo woke up - it was only three in the morning, but dreaming about the event had made his marks start burning again, although not as bad as the first time he first acquired the mark. He went to the bathroom and grabbed a drink of water. He looked in the mirror and took off the mask, revealing the mark. It was darker and fainter than it was when it was first burned onto his face. However, the same thing that happens whenever he takes off the mask began to occur - it began to glow and burn, his chakra began to feel energised and, most disturbingly of all, he could hear whispers and the screams of a woman and the maniacal laugh of a man in his head. He quickly replaced the mask, which seems to numb this effect. He sighed and went back to bed, hoping he had had enough nightmares for one night.

[Outlaw JT]

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

Onitoge had slept well. Many nights he tossed and turned in his sleep but last night had been unusually restful. It was a new day, his body felt refreshed, and for the first time in a long time there was absolutely nothing he had to do today. It'd been a while since he could just do whatever he wanted. Which, of course, was a problem for Onitoge because he didn't know what he wanted.

He started the days by snagging some leftover ramen from the fridge. He used a minor fire jutsu to heat it up and then plopped down on the small couch before consuming his food and three swift bites. It wasn't a very large portion and after Chiyoko's cooking wasn't very tasty either.

Next he had to decide what to do today. Obviously there would be training! It was really nice training with his team so he thought he might like to do that again. Besides, it would be beneficial to further get them ready for whatever missions lay in store for them. He didn't want to pressure them or interfere with whatever plans they had for today, though. Maybe save that for midafternoon or so then.

In a flash Onitoge was showered, dressed, and out the door. First order of business was inviting Chiyoko and Inakamo to train again. It was before dawn so he was fairly certain neither of them were up yet. He first went to Chiyoko's because it was closer. He hand wrote a little note 'I was thinking maybe we could train again as a team if ya know you wanted to or something at the same spot I showed you yesterday at around 3:30 maybe so i'll be there if maybe you wanted to join me. Have a pleasant day. -Onitoge' before closing his eyes and producing one of his ivory kunai from under his cloak. He tied the note around the kunai and launched it through her open window to stick quietly out from the tabletop they had eaten at last night. He was sure she'd see it before going anywhere.

It took him a short bit to get to Inakamo's. Once there the sun was just starting to rise on the horizon. He wrote another note identical to the one he did for Chiyoko and repeated the process of tieing it to a kunai and launching it through an open window. This one hit the fridge door because he wasn't sure where else he could put it that Inakamo would see.

His invitations having been sent, he had the daunting task of figuring out what else to do today. It was many, many hours before the time of his invitation. Ultimately he narrowed it down to three options. Speak with Hara-sensei about his concerns, train with Kakashi-sensei if he wasn't busy with his new team (Naruto was certainly a handful that might require a lot of his time), or play some shogi with Shikamaru. He couldn't really decide what he wanted to do more. His solution, randomly look for all three and whomever he found first would hopefully provide the answer.


ooc: yeah, yeah..... it's filler, I know. I just wanted to get him up and about on the next day too.

[*Duke*]

Before Masato could do anything the wall of water above them all came crashing down, drenching everything except for the kunai in their hands. Despair seemed to settle in the back of Masato’s mind as he came to the conclusion that perhaps the exercise itself was pointless. Just as he was about to see if there were any other great ideas from Raizen, Ushi suddenly exploded in front of them. At first Masato thought that this might have been an attempt at a substation jutsu but after realizing that it was now raining Ushi parts, it became frighteningly apartment that something was going terribly wrong. He just stared at Raizen who seemed to be flabbergasted at the moment, while stared at the scattered pieces of his former comrade he began to mumble a string of words un-becoming of a ninja.

After a few seconds Yukiso appeared with a very much alive Ushi on top of his shoulders. Masato felt a little weak at seeing the two together which in a few minutes was about to turn into blood filled rage but was calmed when Ushi spoke: “I EXPLODED.”
“Sorry about that…well not really…but the look on your faces….” Masato seemed to drift off as he realized that what he saw was an illusion again, Genjutsu had allowed him to be fooled again into believe a false reality. If he was ever going to hope to be a powerful enough ninja to avenge his parents he was going to have to learn to break free of such a powerful jutsu. He was brought back by hearing an audible twitch and saw Ushi move closer towards Raizen. “What is it with those two?” Masato asked as a wave of embarrassment seemed to hit him when looking at his two eccentric teammates.

“Anyways, you failed in washing your kunai, luckily for you that wasn’t the real test anyway The test was to see if you could form into a team and rely on each other for your tasks. One of the most important things in being a Ninja is relying on your teammates. They come first and you have to work with them if you want to get any mission done. So you pass.<Musical montage: Naruto OST: Victory> Good job!” Yukiso immediately gave them a thumb up, his eye seeming gleam as the sun hit it as his eye gleamed. A sigh of relief washed over Masato as Yukiso continued “…Masato your hard work and out-of-the-box thinking will come in handy…Until then, you have the rest of the day off.” With the large expanse of time during the entire mission Masato soon asked:
“Umm… but hasn’t like… weeks passed? Or was that an illusion too?” As if expecting the obvious to hit him from the sky, Yukiso gave another thumb up. “Yep, illusion. Really only a half an hour went by.” Masato groaned more out loud then he intended and as he watched Raizen groan as well, Ushi just seemed to become a giggle fest for some unknown reason, and with that their sensei disappeared into a cloud of thick smoke.

Looking around everyone seemed to be going their separate ways from the forest clearing, Ushi playfully trailing off with Raizen, giving an exhausted “Goodbye,” as they headed back into town. Masato decided to wait around in the forest for a little while, ringing out his clothes and then moving a little bit deeper into the other side of the forest, keeping as far away from the river as possible for the time being. <Musical montage: Naruto OST: Morning> There he found his usual spot for his after hour exercises. Considering that in reality his first mission had only been half an hour, he physically still had a little left in him to exercise a little bit into his program. He started out with a hundred push ups, seventy five sit ups and eighty jumping jacks. After chasing a nearby squirrel for his speed training, Masato started his agility training by leaping onto a nearby branch and then another as he tried practicing his in air catches. After a few minutes he stopped, feeling a little bit disorientated he started his last bit of training. With the silence of the woods around him Masato sat quietly, slowly trying to slow the steady rhythm of his heart. Feeling as one with the woods he could feel the sun on top of him, the wind blow through his hair and the ground stay steady beneath him. And that was when Masato’s stomach broke him from his meditation. Realizing that he had skipped lunch, he decided that training was over for now.

<Music: Afternoon of Konoha>

Walking into a nearby convince store Masato bought some Onigiri and tea and headed for the nearest rooftop and enjoyed watching the people move from building to building. He was almost scared there, afraid he might not have passed his mission, for everything about it seemed far out of his league, if it hadn’t been for Ushi and Raizen there would have been no way for Masato to find a way to break free of the Genjutsu and was glad that he was part of their team. As he took a final sip of his tea, Masato was struck on the head with a broom.

<Music: It’s the training!>

“You lousy no good ninja students and your constantly boinging from roof top to roof top! This isn’t a forest, I actually live underneath where you’ve been sitting, I was trying to take an afternoon nap when I heard something land on my roof, now stay off my roof!” and with that the old woman swung the broom at Masato again who ducked just in time as he quickly apologized and landed back onto the street below and began his walk back home.

“Well today was an interesting day, tomorrow since I have the day off I think I might want to ask Saruwatari sensei if he can help me hone my Taijutsu skills…” The moment he uttered that out loud Masato shivered…as if some unseen force was about to make him regret even thinking about that…