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

[Sworkill87]

Ushi’s opportunity:


Raizen stood up, wobbled a bit, and looked around at his teammates. They seemed to be alright, they were still alive at least. But he wasn’t sure how long that might last. He needed to do something; he needed to find an opportunity.

Ganju played another quick note, it didn’t last long because of his damaged lungs, but the shrill sound still caused Raizen to cringe. He felt some more blood run from his ears and had to steady himself as his knees shook from lack of balance. Raizen stumbled backward and found a tree to lean against to keep himself upright. “This really isn’t good.” He thought to himself. “I can barely stand.”

Raizen tried to stand upright again but just then Ganju, who didn’t seem able to take a breath deep enough to play his flute at the moment, charged.

Ganju was fast, faster than he looked. “I can’t evade this.” Raizen muttered as a thought occurred to him. Deciding to go with his lack of balance, at the instance one would normally dodge a straight thrust, he just dropped. In one fluid motion Raizen fell hard to the ground and Ganju stabbed his piccolo into the tree. Taking this opportunity, Raizen took out a kunai and tried to stab Ganju’s other hand into the tree, temporarily immobilizing him. But Ganju saw this and moved enough so that only his sleeve was fastened to the trunk. “Excellent.” Raizen muttered as he got up and stumbled away.

“Hey!” Ganju yelled out. “Get back here!”

Raizen looked to where his friends were as he stumbled along. “Ushi’s closer, I’ll go that way.” Raizen tried to dash over to his teammate, only to find his balance was still terrible. He tripped, caught himself, and spun around. Now Masato’s battle crossed Raizen’s path. He tripped again, dodging a swinging fist, got upright, spun to the left, and missed a kick. With Raizen’s poor balance it actually looked like drunken fist.

Masato’s fight moved on. Raizen stumbled into Ushi’s. A swing, a trip, and punch a spin, Raizen missed both attacks. Ushi took a step back and that’s when Raizen noticed an opening in Rin. Raizen tripped again, but as he did he struck Rin in the chest with a double handed empty palm strike. Rin flew back into the air in an arc. It was then that Raizen noticed two things with his Byakugan. Ushi was gone, and Ganju was back. Ganju kicked Raizen in the face as he fell to the ground, causing him to fall on his back and breaking his nose at the same time.

“Gah!” Raizen held his face as blood flowed from his nose. “This just went from not good to even worse.” He thought as he tried to get up but simply fell back to the ground.

[*Duke*]

(Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, really really really late, no excuse I dropped the ball, you all can kunai me in the face later)

This post is three in one: After training with Yukiso and training with Kazuki, Leaving for the C-mission and the more recent C-mission encounter

After the Training with Yukiso and Kazuki

This part of the post is a little...dark...so move to the next post if needed

Masato’s dreams were restless as visions of Ushi exploding filled his head. Soon it was no longer the water held by Genjutsu that had washed over him but it was in fact Ushi’s blood that did and felt his head landing into Masato’s arms. The severed head suddenly became alert, speaking in a cheery sing song voice: “Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Masato! I’ve been waiting for you.”
Letting out a scream he dropped the head and watched as it landed on the ground and rolled away, “Goodbye Masatooooooooo, see you again real sooooooooonnnnnnnnnn,” as it faded away Masato was no longer in the forest but was now in a valley.

It was nearly impossible to see anything since a thick fog seemed to surround every which way, the only things visible for some reason were thick, black tendrils of thrones growing in every other direction. Off in the distance Masato thought that he saw movement and began to chase after it. Following the being through the encompassing fog for a few minutes, Masato came to a stop at the appearance of a recently arisen house. A familiar scent seemed to fill Masato’s nostrils as he realized that it was the scent of his mother’s cooking. As he opened the door, Masato felt a nibbling at his leg and found that it was Patches, staring up at him. As he kept walking he saw his father at the kitchen table reading a newspaper and his mother behind him chopping vegetables. It seemed like it always had been, when suddenly Masato’s mother turned around stabbed his father in the base of the neck. He fell on top of the table the blood from his wound spilling onto the newspaper underneath him as the blade his mother had used to kill him was now a kunai. His mother fell on top of him with a similar kunai through this one through her neck, as a ninja clad in haze like shadow appeared where she once stood. Masato couldn’t move, he seemed frozen as he looked down at Patches and saw him there lifeless. Masato wanted to scream but nothing came out of his mouth as he looked at his hands and realized that he was now holding the bloody kunai, as he realized this he knew he was standing over his parent’s remains. With that he let out a scream and woke in a cold sweat.

After heading to the bathroom and splashing some cold water on his face, Masato tried to fall back to sleep, to no avail he decided to catch up on his comics and pulled down the recent manga he had bought.

As the sun rose over the village of Konoha, Masato slept soundly with the manga book draped over his head with an anime style sleep bubble expanding and contracting from his nose. As the sun light began to seep into the room, a fly flew through the open window and began its routine of landing and flying all over the room. Soon it began to near the slumbering Masato first landing at his foot, causing him to twitch (not audibly because then that would just be silly), then his hand and then finally on his lip which caused him to take a deep breath in sucking in the fly. He soon awoke to find that he was choking on something and began to gasp wildly as he then coughed sending the fly flying out the window. Looking at the clock, Masato realized now was the time to start work on his training.

Knocking on Chiyoko’s door, Masato was confronted with the cheerful face of Chiyoko and in the background saw Naruto consuming a huge amount of ramen. He asked if she knew the whereabouts of Kazuki sensei. At first she gave him and as if sensing Naruto creeping towards Chiyoko’s defenseless bowel, Chiyoko sent a chopstick towards Naruto’s hand, causing him to stop.
“Um…I’m not sure, why don’t you try the forest.”
“Ok, thanks Chiyoko!” Masato said as he turned around.
“Oh, wait a second Masato!” Chiyoko called as she handed him some homemade Onigiri. “I thought I’d give you something to eat, since I know you only buy the stuff at the store and if you’re looking for Sensei there’s nothing really that quick to eat in the forest.”
“Well, thank you a lot, and I’ll see you later!” Masato yelled as he ran towards the forest.

It was almost near lunch time and Masato was about to call it quits and just have some of the onigiri that Chiyoko had given him when suddenly he saw Kazuki sensei by himself eating by the river side. After taking a deep breath and reminding himself of what he needed to do he walked straight to Kazuki sensei, then tripped on a root and fell flat on his face. Luckily Kazuki hadn’t noticed him yet and proceeded to walk straight up to him.
“Yukiso Sensei, good afternoon,” Masato said as Yukiso ignored his presence “I’m sorry to disturb you during your lunch, I was searching for you this morning and finally found you here and I was wondering…” He dropped to his knees and bowed low to the ground: “Would you please instruct me in the ways of Taijutsu!” Yukiso seemed to open his mouth as if to say something, but instead yawned and continued to eat his meal.

“What do you want?” Saruwatari had asked, giving Masato a glare that brought a shiver down his spine.
“Saruwatari-sensei… I heard that you were a Taijutsu specialist and was hoping that you could train me!” He said nervously.
This caused Kazuki sensei to blink for a moment before again returning to his lunch and ignoring Masato. “Now’s not the time, might as well go practice…” Masato thought as he gave a sigh and began to turn away. After a few steps away he suddenly heard a cough behind him. Just as he was about to turn, he felt as if someone was right behind him and turned quickly only to find nothing, and as he faced Kazuki he saw that the sensei had reached into the back of his back and removed the onigiri that Chiyoko had given him.
“You come to bother me and offer me only this?” He took a quick sniff and replied back with, “Hm, Chiyoko made this…well then this will have to do.” With that he took the onigiri and swallowed the whole thing in font of Masato.
“Fine, I’ll train you. Yukiso is talented, but as a Genjutsu master… he can’t help you greatly with Taijutsu like me.” With that, Kazuki gathered up his lunch and grabbed the piece of cloth that he had been resting on.

With that Kazuki presented Masato with the inconceivable feat of cutting down a tree down with the cloth Kazuki had been using, and after several attempts of trying to conceive how cloth could cut such a substance as wood, he merely used the cloth as a whip and watched as it fluttered slowly towards the tree. After what felt like hours Kazuki appeared in front of Masato giving him some insight into how exactly someone as clueless as Masato could use the object in his hand as a tool with it’s own potential to complete the task at hand. With that said Kazuki took the cloth from Masato and as if turning the cloth into a sword of blue aura, cut the three in half and watched as it fell backwards. With renewed confidence, Masato tried to mimic the sensei’s technique by focusing on the scarf itself, no longer seeing it as mere fabric but the object necessary. Focusing his chakra and he thought he could feel the cloth become a little more stiff as he tried to strike the tree, but watched as it effortlessly make a flapping noise against it. Again and again he tried, even after Kazuki left and continued to focus on the piece of cloth and finally as the sun began to sink into dusk…watched as a tiny piece of bark fell off the tree. “Probably got caught on the cloth…” Masato thought as he let out a sigh and resolved to try again later and returned home to get some dinner.
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Leaving for the mission

After Masato’s training with Kazuki he felt a little more worn out then usual the next day. Though after a few light work outs and a few D-rank missions he felt more prepared for the task at hand. Finally a C-rank mission, with that Masato packed what he needed and met his teammates at the described location. After a few minutes of Raizen and Ushi banter, Yukiso explained the extent of the mission. Transporting goods to the village hidden in the mist. With that they were underway, though taking the advice of Yukiso, Masato practiced focusing his chakra all the way down into his feet, much like he would if he were wearing weights, yet not having the cumbersome task of lugging them and accidentally giving himself a hernia.

The mood finally lightened up when Ushi decided to show everyone one of his new techniques and exploded into a thousand little Ushi’s. “Raizen’s worst nightmare…” Masato chuckled to himself, as two of them somehow got on top of his shoulders and started to pull at his cheeks, making a mock smile appear on his face. This seemed to cause the two Ushi to smile as well and cheer as they the decided to pull themselves back together into their original form.

“Well I would certainly call that an interesting technique…” Masato said to everyone as they took a rest for the night. Finding whatever time he could from his duties he would practice with the cloth Kazuki Sensei had given him…occasionally chanting in his head… “Be the cloth…be the cloth…now cut…” as it again fluttered fruitlessly against the tree.

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C-Rank mission

Despite Raizen’s confidence about following tracking the two enemy ninja, Raizen did have a point they were going through a lot of training and hard work to help those in need. As he thought back to the cloth he had left back at the camp.

After several minutes of moving silently they came upon two ninja who were exiting the village, possibly the ones described by the woman. For some odd reason they were carrying windpipe instruments. They couldn’t have been watching the suspicious ninja for a few minutes before suddenly Masato heard a twig snap from behind.

“Guys,” Masato said as the two ninja smiled even broader. “I think we’re surrounded.”

With that Raizen activated his Byakugan and confirmed Masato’s worries, they had reinforcements. They were then bombarded with kunai and were forced onto the main street were each ninja was paired with another in battle.

As Raizen charged to his left taking on the one called Ganju and Ushi stayed his ground against the ninja called Rin on the right, Masato took the center one, who didn’t really declare himself. This was mostly because with one punch he sent Masato flying ten feet away, sending him sprawling to the ground. Both of his comrades called out to see if he was still alive, which Masato was able to cough up, along with some blood, an “I’m still alive.” On shaky knees he slowly rose up and charged back at the center ninja, trying to deliver a round house kick, which he blocked with his one arm, sending Masato to the ground again. With that the ninja chuckled, looking at Masato on the ground.

“I’m Akira and I will be your opponent.” With that opportunity, Masato went for an uppercut, which Akira caught with his right hand, effortlessly lifting him off the ground and with his left attempted to punch Masato. Though with a quick movement Masato kicked off of Akira’s chest and skidded a few feet away from Akira. Brushing himself off, Akira charged this time. Masato blocked the first punch and watched as Akira then went for a left hook, which Masato tried to mimic, both fists crashing together, except Masto felt like he was punching steel and after a few seconds was pushed back by the forceful punch. “I can’t get any ground with this guy…” Masato thought.

[Outlaw JT]

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

This older shinobi was fast. He was upon Onitoge before he could even blink. Onitoge barely had time to slide to the side and jump back, let alone evaluate his technique or try to counter. This older ninja was much faster than anyone Onitoge had ever fought.

A series of blows came at him so quickly. Onitoge slid fluidly in motion, strictly on the defensive trying not to get hit. A leg sweeping over him as he ducked, a series of rabbit jabs to either side as he shifted his weight repeatedly, an uppercut he flipped backwards to avoid....... What had he been thinking to step in this man's path alone? This shinobi was a jounin level ninja. Onitoge knew he had no chance alone, possibly even with help should the others defeat the remaining three sound genin.

And then, as his mind raced through this with his body struggling with every ounce of speed to dodge, the first blow landed. It felt softer than he thought it would as an open palm connected with his shoulder. It took him a second to realize this was only a strike to throw him off balance so he would be unable to dodge the barrage of blows that now came flying at him. A flat handed jab to the other shoulder, backwards twisting sweep with the leg, and then it came. A full fisted full force punch straight to his gut. Onitoge looked down in shock to see the blow didn't even connect. It didn't need to. The jounin's fist stopped inches from his stomach and an almost visible surge of sound shot from the fist. It made a silent but awful cracking noise like thunder and the force of it sent Onitoge flying backwards until his back bounced off of a tree, depositing him in the dirt. It took him a moment to realize that the shreak of pain he had heard while he was airborn had come from himself.

Onitoge clutched his stomach, doubled over in pain. He couldn't restrain a cough and a few drops of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. That punch, the sound wave this jounin could generate with his gloves.... it was deadly. That was this shinobi's signature and Onitoge looked up just in time to see it in use again as the jounin sent Chiyoko flying. He winced as she collided with a tree and slumped unconscious on the ground. He had been down for only a few seconds and already this jounin had dropped another one of them. He had to get up. Had to fight.... none of them would be able to last long unless they were all fighting!

Onitoge struggled to his feet. The pain in his gut screamed and bellowed but he managed to suppress it just enough to find balance. He leapt back into the fight as Shiro, Inakamo, and Selekis all struggled to hold back this shinobi who seemed too powerful for all six of them.

The four of them dodged and feinted, kunai and shuriken flying in all directions as they tried to direct this superior ninja. He effortlessly dodged and countered every move they made, however. Selekis attempted using his demon genjutsu but barely had the beast summoned when the jutsu was disrupted by a kunai in his leg. Inakamo's carnival ball wildly and seemingly unpredictably circled around the Jounin but the man weaved and dodged with a grin until he struck it with his fist of sound and it flew back almost crushing Inakamo save for a last minute redirection with Inakamo's chakra strings. This shinobi was a monster and it seemed he wasn't even fighting them at full strength. To a small measure, he was toying with them.

One by one in rapid succession he struck them down. Selekis was caught by a sudden flying kick while he tried again to summon his beast. Inakamo was caught by an uppercut while almost grazing the shinobi with his carnival ball, almost. Onitoge and Shiro were struck down at the same time. They both moved in to attack and Shiro was caught by a sideways kick while the shinobi grabbed Onitoge's wrist. A swift twisting motion and Onitoge howled in pain to the reverberating cracking noise that came with his elbow being snapped backwards, broken, before being kneed in the chest and sent flying again.

"Thisss isss truly pathetic. Iss thissss all the Leaf Village hasss to offer for it'sss Genin?!" the Jounin laughed horribly as he looked to each of them in turn till his eyes caught on Hiro and Chiyoko. "Do not think I have forgotten about you!"

Onitoge's vision blurred and he struggled to lift his head up to see. His body was wracked with pain but he could barely make out the Jounin rushing towards Hiro and Chiyoko. Hiro hesitated for only a second before bravely stepping between their assailant and Chiyoko just as she seemed to be coming to. The resulting fight was quick and painful but Hiro had managed as much of an effort as Onitoge had before the others joined in. Still, Hiro was sent flying too which left Chiyoko alone as she struggled to her feet.

Onitoge's head pounded, his heart throbbed. He could feel something pulsing through him. What was this? He had never fought anyone like this. His blood burned at the thought of it as he watched the shinobi lift Chiyoko up by the hair. There was fear in him, yes, but there was something else too. He had never been pushed this far before and it exhilirated him. His mind and heart thought only of saving Chiyoko as he rose back to his feet but his body was chanting something else. His body wanted more!!

"NOO!!!!" Onitoge shouted at the top of his lungs as the shinobi drew back his fist.

Onitoge's heart began racing faster. His blood seemed to boil in his veins. His broken arm swung up and snapped back into place as he rotated it to test it. Chakra seemed to pour off of him sizzling the air around him. The shinobi looked upon him with confusion. As Onitoge stepped forward slowly horns grew out from above his eyes to eight inches in height. The back of his gi tore as thin sharp needles grew out from his spine. Three razor sharp claws protruded from between all of Onitoge's nuckles to over a foot in length. His teeth seemed sharp and his eyes burned a crimson red that could send a chill down most men's spines. This was Onitoge and yet it was not the Onitoge they all knew.

"what the hell.......?" one of his fellow Genin muttered but he did not know who.

"Let her go and fight ME" his voice seemed shrill and violent, like he was eager to battle.

"Now thissss iss sssssomething more interessting," The jounin said as he threw Chiyoko aside.

They were at each other before she hit the ground and everything else seemed to fade away to Onitoge. There was only this, only battle. It coursed through his veins and the more he tasted of true battle the more his body craved it.

This battle was not unlike the first one between this Jounin and Onitoge except that it was Onitoge on the offensive. The Jounin dodged and weaved inbetween his strikes, barely able to keep ahead of them. This was not the same Genin he had fought alone minutes before. Onitoge's assault was relentless as he struck at the enemy. His blows were swift and precise and getting closer and closer to their mark. The other Genin stared in awe and confusion at the monster they saw before them fighting their enemy. It was a specitcal that lasted only minutes, however, as Onitoge burnt through chakra at an alarming rate in this monstrous form.

Onitoge's strikes got closer and closer as chakra faded. He seemed oblivious to the drain on his energy as he furiously pursued his opponent. He could taste the Jounin's blood in the air as his bone formed claws scratched at the Jounin's arms and legs and it fueled him on even further until at last his chakra gave out and his body seemed to shut down all together. Almost in an instant all of the bone protrusions receded back into him and he collapsed to his knees before passing out. He managed a brief glimpse of the mildly sliced legs of the Jounin before his world went black.

As he passed out his heart prayed the others were safe now but he did not know as he had lost track of all else while he was fighting. His body, however, eerily chanted at the back of his mind 'more more more MORE' before he lost all sense of time.



ooc: Two guesses now why his adoptive guardian named him Onitoge.
Kalah should be posting sometime today (Thursday) so please hold off on posting on this mission until then. Thank you! ^_^

[Silencer]

Soen

~~~***~~~***~~~

A scream filled the cave. Soen let out a loud cry as copper nails were hammered into his body. Again and again the process repeated. A nail drove into Soens skin until a drop of blood was formed. When that happened a hammer with incredible force slammed the nail completely in his body. Again and again painful shots were delivered in Soens body until the nails were everywhere in his body.

“Don’t think you are out of it yet, boy.” The torturer said. “The fun is just starting.”

With a laugh, the maniacal person drove a steel bar, glowing red from the heat, onto every single nail. The heat was transmitted through the nails and burned Soen from the inside.

Another scream echoed through the cave, the loudest one so far.

“I can easily stop this you know, just tell us what we need to know.” the assaulter whispered as he withdrew the steel momentarily

“I …ah… don’t have a …ah… clue what …ah… you are talking about. I don’t …ah… know anything about it.”

“To bad then.”

Again the steel was pressed against the nails and the heat blazed inside Soens body.

“Hey Futago”, a female voice echoed through the door, “our students have picked up something interesting, come out of their for a moment.”

“Alright Tsuin I’ll come out. Guess you are lucky boy.”

The male broke the genjutsu but the pain still seemed to flow around in Soen. Kaito looked concerned at Soen who was hanging on to consciousness by sheer will.

“You should have just pretended to be knocked out.” Kaito commented.

“If I did that, they would have just preformed the genjutsu on you. It’s something I don’t wish upon any person if I have the chance for it.”

Strength seemed to return slowly as Soens chakra began to flow through his body normally again.

“Besides, it isn’t our clans style to play possum. We fight till our last breath and through pure will power we can overcome foes. Of course a lot of technique is needed too.” Soen slightly smiled.

“We aren’t really in a fighting situation at this moment.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong.”

Soen moved his foot over the dirt and revealed a metal object. One of the forks that went missing from his dinner plate a while ago. Although they were captured, Kaito and Soen received food, although just the minimum to keep them alive..

“Oh, how I suffered for this.”

Soen placed his foot on the fork and gathered chakra. The fork stuck to the bottom of his foot and with a kick he shot it in the air. The fork landed nicely in the palm off one of his hands. Soen looked up and focused. He scratched the back of the fork against the wall, sharpening it.

“What are you planning?” Kaito hopefully asked.

“I’m sharpening this fork, perhaps I can pick this lock with it. And from what I heard, it seems we have a bit off time till they return.”

~~~***~~~***~~~

And with that I have named the 2 jounins.

and Outlaw, does it happen to be splinter demon?

[Dr.McNinja]

Ushi hissed in pain as Rin’s slash found its way over his guard, tracing a gash across his arm. Both shinobi were wounded by this point, blood dripping from several light and a few deep wounds, most of the latter on Ushi. Rin was just plain faster than Ushi, the benefit of experience and hard training. Even though Ushi could see many of his attacks in time for him to formulate a defense, his body simply couldn’t react fast enough to keep up. He was reacting purely on instinct, not able to use any aspect of his sword style beyond blocking and evading, his strikes thus far had just been lucky gambles on his part.

Raising his right blade up in a vertical block, Ushi caught Rin’s kunai. Ducking immediately, the young Genin barely escaped a jabbing flute aimed for his eyes. Shifting his weight as he approached the ground, Ushi turned himself into a spinning leg sweep, catching one of Rin’s legs only to have him push off with the second and land lightly past his attack. Crossing his sword, Ushi raised them up and caught Rin’s double armed slash from above. A swift kick to Rin’s shin made the older ninja back off a step, letting Ushi regain his feet and step back as well. The youth shook a lock of blood matter hair from his eyes just in time to leap away from Rin’s incoming foot. Ushi flipped in the air, spotting a tree rapidly heading his way. Twisting, he landed horizontally against the tree, using his chakra to briefly stabilize him as he prepared to leap off of the trunk back at Rin. Rin wasn’t where he left him however, Rin was flying into the air. Spotting Raizen with his outsretched arms, the hands still glimmering softly with released chakra, Ushi understood what had transpired. Cringing at Raizen’s subsequent pummeling by his opponent, Ushi turned his attention back to his. He only had another moment before his hold on the tree would give way, he needed to figure out what to do.

If I try it…I’ll be done for this fight

Grinning to himself, Ushi murmered as he rapidly sheathed his white blade and held his hand closely over it.

“Yeah, but if I don’t I already know how this is going to end.”

[J-E-N-O-V-A AC Version]

Ushi’s eyes locked onto Rin, narrowing in concentration and focus. In an instant, Ushi built up all the chakra he could find in himself and released it as he had trained so many times to do. Suddenly, like tiny fires bursting into life in midair, the scattered chakra field appeared between him and Rin. With a powerful push, Ushi launched himself form the tree, a flare of chakra erupting from where his feet left, blasting away a small circle of bark.

At the same moment as his leap, Ushi saw Rin’s eyes find him. The experienced shinobi began raising his arms, kunai and flute still in his hands. He coughed up some blood to clear his throat, seething at the emptiness inside of him where Raizen’s Empty Palm strike had blown away much of the chakra in his chest. The flow would restore itself quickly enough, but right now Rin had a different problem. Seeing Ushi launch himself from the tree, Rin twisted in midair to face him. He would have liked to blast the fool with his sound, but he couldn’t summon the chakra to do that for a few more seconds at least. Instead, he brought his arm back, preparing to chuck his Kunai into Ushi’s face. With the way Ushi was positioned, he wouldn’t be able to execute a block before he had a half foot of steel lodged in him. That’d wipe the stupid smile of his face. Rin allowed himself to imagine the look on the other two Leaf Ninja’s faces when their friend fell dead from the sky. Rin stopped his thought however as Ushi’s outline suddenly blurred, his edges flickering in and out of existence. Then the world distorted, a queasy chill running through Rin’s body. His eyes widened as the chakra field separating him and Ushi, something he had disregarded as unimportant due to Ushi’s impending demise, suddenly bloomed. The individual motes of chakra erupting as…something passed through them. Rin frantically searched for Ushi as the chakra cleared, but the young Leaf ninja was nowhere to be seen. Feeling a sudden coldness in his gut, Rin turned.


Ushi held still in the air, his drawn blade extending from his straight left hand, his eyes closed. Blood dripped slowly from Ushi's body, tiny droplets strung out behind him like rubies. Rin wondered how the Genin had moved quickly enough to take his back, and pondered why he wasn’t attacking. It was then that the cold feeling in Rin’s gut ignited, blood seeping from a horrific gash that was opening itself up. Rin gasped in pain, unbelieving. Ushi's sword trailed a streamer of blood that glimmered duly in the sun.

His eyes suddenly opening, Ushi turned and, with the blade from his flute still in his hand, sliced his right arm across Rin’s front. Kicking out, Ushi launched himself from the wounded shinobi and executed a smooth flip. The ground rushed up quickly and Ushi, with all the grace he possessed, slammed into it like a rock, his legs collapsing like twigs. Raising his head weakly, Ushi’s eyes found Rin’s just as the light left them. Ushi was watched Rin's face go limp, somewhat happy to see that even his angry enemy looked peaceful in death. Smiling happily, Ushi closed his eyes once again. His body wouldn't even move if he wanted it to, blood loss and the exertion it too him to drive all the chakra in him in one direction so fast left him with nothing.

“Sorry I can’t repay the favor Raizen…far too sleepy…”

Within moments a soft snore emerged from Ushi’s huddled figure, his bloodied and battered face as peaceful as Rin's except for the large snot bubble rising from his nose.



(To those watching, the Sukuchi looks as though Ushi simply vanishes a few seconds after he starts moving. An instant later, the chakra field blows apart like water does around a boat and Ushi reappears on the other side. The amount it drains him depends a lot on how quickly he executes it, though even if he takes his time he's wiped out afterwards, similar to Lee after using his Forward Lotus.)

[Bulbasaur4]

KAZUKI & TAKUMI

[ Ripple - Naruto OST III]

“I can sense it… not too far now.” Kazuki said gruffly as he and Takumi dashed through the trees.
“Yes… but I hope we’re not too late.” Takumi said nervously, as a bead of sweat dripped down the side of his face. He could sense a high amount of chakra being released from the area that the two had left their Genin Teams. Secretly Takumi feared for the life of the other Genin- worried that perhaps he had been pushed too far. Takumi was well aware of the ability, but he wasn’t too keen on the level that the boy had. At least… not with that.

“They’re fighting... I think that should be proof enough to the Hokage.” Kazuki continued bitterly, as Takumi sighed.
“The Hokage is wise, we should trust his judgement.”
“Hmph.” Kazuki retorted, just as the two broke the clearing…


“But the discovery of these two artifacts PROVE that he is on the move!” Kazuki bellowed, his eyes seeming to house a miniature flame as he looked to Takumi and the Hokage.
“What do you think Hara-san?” The Hokage asked, as Takumi crossed his arms and withdrew a deep breath.
“Saruwatari-san is right. It does prove that he is on the move… because the artifacts show that the type of destruction was intentional. However… this does not prove that he is planning anything against us.”
“WHAT?!” Kazuki bellowed, as the Hokage held up his hand.
“Saruwatari-san… please calm youself. I agree with Hara and believe it is too early to be on the alert. However, I will send others to investigate further. If you are afraid of the meaning of this discovery… then I suggest you go collect your Genin Team and return. Your mission is completed.”
The two nodded and vanished within a poof of smoke… and in Hara-sensei’s case, confetti.


The two sensei broke through the clearing, and their eyes both widened at the scene. A large Jounin clad in black stood in the center, with collapsed bodies around him. Other claded black nin were collapsed about him… but it was their Teams that both Kazuki and Takumi were concerned with. By position, it was obvious to Takumi that Onitoge had passed out due to his power- although it appeared the Jounin had taken some damage. However, Inakamo, Shiro, Hiro and Selekis were breathing heavily and were battle worn. Chiyoko’s body was the furthest and she looked like she could have been dead. However, Takumi could still sense chakra flowing through her body… even from his distance.

The Jounin was going straight at Hiro this time, laughing as the boy seemed to cringe. He withdrew his fist and aimed a punch straight at his head- a deadly accurate punch that was sure to knock the boy unconscious or with intent, crack his skull open.

[ Heavy Violence - Naruto OST III ]

His eyes widened in shock however as he found his fist meeting not a skull, but another fist. They collided on impact as Kazuki braced himself, glaring heatedly as the two Ninjas leapt back.
“Good… looks like I’ll have something to take my anger out on after all.” Kazuki spat, as the Jounin’s eyes widened in surprise. Takumi soon appeared next to Kazuki, arms crossed as his wild gold eyes changed from their usual carefree demeanor, to a chilling glare of menace.
“We don’t have time to play around Kazuki.” Takumi said, looking at Onitoge, Chiyoko and the state of the rest of the team. Kazuki sighed inwardly, but nodded. They had to end this quickly…
“Easy.” He said with a grin, as the black clothed Jounin grew angry.
“How dare you mock me! I’ll take care of you too!” With that, he charged straight at the two sensei. Takumi merely smirked, taking a wider stance as Kazuki seemed to disappear.
A sphere of sound seemed to ripple around the Jounin’s fist, as he brought it forth and aimed it at Takumi’s face. Takumi swiftly brought his hands together and formed a few seals, and then called out.
“Doton: Doryūheki!”
With that, Takumi opened his mouth and enhaled, and then exhaled a huge blast of mud in front of himself. The mud swiftly formed into a large wall, and in rage the mysterious Jounin smashed his fist into it. The ringing of sound exploded into the air as the wall began to crack slowly. At the stop of his momentum, suddenly Takumi appeared behind him and instantly seized his shoulders and turned him around. Swiftly the Jounin swung a fist at Takumi, but before he could lay a hit Takumi smirked.
“Boom.” He said plainly, just as the darkly clothed Jounin smashed his fist into “Takumi’s” jaw. However, instantly the clone of Takumi exploded upon impact- knocking the Jounin backwards back into the thick mud wall, causing it to collapse and the ninja to fall with the rubble.

Upon getting up, Saruwatari was already in action. He had released his leg weights, and swiftly had looked to Onitoge for a moment while Takumi had been distracting the Jounin- well, and doing some damage as well.
“I will be borrowing this…” He stated, picking up the cloak. It was indeed heavy, but now with the face of battle Kazuki was in his element. He began channeling his chakra into the useful heavy cloth, and went into action as the Jounin rose up from his round with Takumi.
“Don’t take a rest yet!” He roared, seemingly disappearing from his previous spot and reappearing a bit closer to the Jounin. He then swiftly flung the cloak straight at him with such force and speed that it was enough to even surprise Hara-sensei. The cloak glowed with blue chakra, spinning about rapidly so that it seemed to almost form a fuzzy disk. The Jounin went to leap out of the way, but it was too fast and he was too slow for Kazuki’s movements. Instinctively he brought up his fists to block, but it was a foolish move. The cloak-disc destroyed the gloves he wore on impact, shredding through them like paper as it tore into his right shoulder, cleanly through. The Jounin screamed in pain, completely losing not only half of his hands but his right arm now threatened to come off.

“Geez… he could have been a little less… bloody…” Hara-sensei thought, wincing for a second at the sight. Saruwatari in one sense was merciful however, for he instantly appeared behind the man once again. Withdrawing a punch before he could even turn around to see what was coming, Kazuki nailed him directly in the head. It was a fatal strike that killed him instantly, silencing his cries of pain.

Standing firmer up, Kazuki looked at the Genin Team and then to Hara-sensei who nodded.
“Mission is complete. We’re to return to Konoha now.” With that, Kazuki went to Onitoge’s body and picked him up, along with his cloak. Takumi went and picked up Chiyoko, looking to the other remaining Genin.
“Can you walk?” They nodded, and the Team soon headed out.





[ Alright… pretty much all of you will head to the hospital. Onitoge and Chiyoko will be hospitalized, Onitoge from pure exhaustion and Chiyoko more for the great physical injuries she received. Feel free to have a few days to do whatever you want though… as the other missioners won’t be arriving until two days after… (about).]

[Roy Karrde]

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ Something Dark is Coming… ~*~*~*~*~

[Something Dark is Coming ~ Lay Down Your Burdens Part 1]

Ever since I got back from the mission I have had this dream, I see it every time I close my eyes, every time I nap, which I have been doing a lot in the past day. Every time I fall asleep it is the same dream. I am jumping from roof top to roof top in Konoha, the streets are empty, behind me rises the smoke of a battle, far ahead even more smoke billows up. Several times I have to stop, worried about being spotted from some one, something.

A few blocks from home I have to move down to the street level as the rooftops are becoming too dangerous, too out in the open. I drop down to the streets and shed into a straight out run, putting everything I have in it, sweat dripping down my face as I run. I turn the corner onto my street and that is when I wake up, the same sweat dripping down my face now that I am awake, my limbs exhausted. After it happened this time I went out, standing out and letting the cool night air of Konoha wash over my body, Hikari asleep peacefully in the other room.

I keep thinking back to the dream, it begins to haunt my thoughts sometimes, such as tonight as I left the house to go running to try and think. My chest aches as I run, still bandaged from all the wounds. I stop at Chiyoko’s apartment, knowing she isn’t there; down below the normal night traffic of Konoha goes back and forth. In the dream, it was barren, not a single soul even during the daytime.

I take off once again, going deeper into Konoha, this time stopping in front of the hospital, gazing up into one of the windows that should be Chiyoko’s room. I should have been up there, not her. Yet right now all I wanted to do was talk to her about my dream, was it just a dream? An omen? Something more?

I turned, finding Sensei Kazuki standing at the gates, his arms crossed. Before our first battle, before the nightmares, this would have stunned me, maybe even shocked me, not now. “I’ve been having nightmares ever since I got back from that mission.” I said, completely deadpan, devoid of emotion as I stepped past him.

“Am I supposed to feel bad for you?” He replied.

I stopped for only a brief second and then took another step. “Something bad is coming, I can feel it, something horrible.” I replied. He didn’t turn, keeping his back to me as I kept mine to him while taking another step away from him.

“What do you plan to do about it?” He asked.

This time I didn’t stop, I just kept walking. “Hikari has a birthday in a few hours, I am going to celebrate it with her, and pretend that everything is fine and okay. With that I took off, leaping away in great jumps. Letting my words linger in the air..

[Mystic_clown]

Selekis
--------------------------
He sat out there in the halls of the hospital. Whenever he didn't have aything to do (and there was very little for him in the village), he spent them here. Afterall, the only friend he ever had was now hospitalised.

He felt terrible. He couldn't do anything to protect her. He wa helpless to do anything, and now he was helpless to help in her recovery.

The doctors had reassured everyone that she and Onitoge would be fine, but Selekis couldn't help but worry for her health.

He took a small bite of the crackers he had. It wasn't anything compared to her cooking, but he felt he should eat anyway, if not for her sake. She did want him to put on some weight afterall.

He looked over at the door to the room she was staying in. He wanted to see if she was ok, but was simply afraid of bothering her.

He looked at the pad in his hands. He had drawn a picture for her, sort of like a get well card for her. He had wanted to give it to her, but now he wasn't so sure.

I'm sure she'll appreciate it. She has complimented my work before.

He took a deep breath and reached for the door handle. If she was awake, he could give it to her. If she wasn't, he could just leave it there for her to find when she wakes up.

[Inferno_Dragon]

Yoshikuni Kaito

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I watched as my teammate suffer. If he only pretended to be knocked out, I couldn't stand watching him suffer. These investigations were pointless. We didn't know anything. We were just sent a standard mission when these jounins jumped us. But I doubt they would believe us. They probably thought that we were ordered never to reveal the truth. Soon the two jounin left. I turned towards my teammate who was recovering from the blows.

“You should have just pretended to be knocked out.” I commented.

“If I did that, they would have just preformed the genjutsu on you. It’s something I don’t wish upon any person if I have the chance for it.” Soen replied back.

That was true. I guess Soen rather sacrifice himself to spare me from the pain. But did he really think I was that weak? It did look painful but I would do anything to spare my teammate from this pain just like he would do the same for me. He pulled out a fork and explained that if he could sharpen it enough, he could free us.

"If there is anything you need me to do, just ask. I am here to help as best as I can." I said to Soen.

[Roy Karrde]

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke~*~*~*~*~

[All Along the Watchtower]

The afternoon soon pounded down upon the three of us as we made our way through the streets. Hikari at my side, whirling around in her new ninja outfit, something simple that was put together by a combination of Naruto and Chiyoko’s old outfits. Hikari didn’t mind though, especially since it smelled and felt like her two favorite ninjas. Not only that but I was able to find an old warn out pouch that could work as a weapon pouch for Hikari’s kunai.

Now the three of us were heading to the hospital. Three of us being myself, Hikari, and Naruto, my mom had left once again, not even spending the time for her adopted daughter’s birthday. Then again what else was new. “How much longer.” Hikari moaned walking down the street and eyeing the cake in my hands.

I frowned and continued to walk, dark circles under my eyes from such little sleep. “We are almost there, Chiyoko really wanted to see you today.” I explained thinking back to this morning. In reality we had spent most of the time talking about my dreams and how I couldn’t sleep.

“Could we just get a taste?” Naruto begged as I moved the cake as far away from him as my arms would allow. “With out Chiyoko I wasn’t able to eat breakfast.” He sighed as we reached the hospital entrance.

‘You’ve been through a lot, you almost died, that is going to effect you a bit.’ I could hear Chiyoko’s voice in the back of my head. The voice was so clear I could have sworn that she was right behind me. I turned, only to find the sliding glass door of the hospital behind me. ‘It could be a omen of the future…’ She added a few seconds later.

“I’ll race you to her room!” Hikari grinned, her and Naruto taking off, racing neck and neck up the stairs and disappearing around a corner.

‘If it is a omen, a sign that I am supposed to watch out for, I do not want it.’ I had replied. I shook my head, trying to shake the memories away. If this dream, this vision that I got every time I closed my eyes, this vision that seemed to only play half way through. If it was a vision of my future, my death, I didn’t want it, I didn’t want to know what was going to happen.

[Outlaw JT]

ooc: I am posting an official MATURE rating on this post for blood and graphic violence.

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

Onitoge clawed madly at the Jounin that had assaulted the two teams. One strike hit, then another, then another. The claws tore into the older shinobi mercilessly. They shredded his flesh repeatedly as a fine red mist sprayed Onitoge and the area around them. All the while sharp spiked protrusions began appearing all over Onitoge's body.

"Onitoge! Stop! It's over! You killed him!!" Chiyoko screamed in horror from somewhere behind him.

But it wasn't enough. His blood boiled with fury and hunger. His heart pounded so furiously the sound thumped through the entire area of the ruins. Onitoge turned to face his fellow Genin. The look in his eyes was not human and all of them drew back at the sight.

"MORE" his voice dripped with a feral savagery.

Before they could react Onitoge was upon them. His blood lust was beyond control and it could not be satiated. Selekis was sliced to pieces instantly. Shiro sprung to action to try and prevent it but was greeted with claws that pierced clear through his heart and out the back of his chest. Onitoge ripped his claws sideways spilling blood and organs everywhere as the corpse was sent flying at the others.

"Onitoge stop this!!" Chiyoko and Inakamo pleaded as they fell back with Hiro.

He could not hear their pleas, though. Onitoge heard only the call in his blood. The call for battle and slaughter! Inakamo tried to stand between the others and Onitoge, using his carnival ball as a shield. Onitoge sliced clean through it and Inakamo had no time to react to the demonic figure emerging from the middle of it. Two halves of him went flying in separate directions.

By now Hiro and Chiyoko were running but it made no difference. Everything was nothing more than prey now. And nothing he had met was faster than he was now. Hiro slumped and skidded forward as Onitoge's claws slammed into the back of his head. Chiyoko stumbled and fell, crawling backwards away from him.

"Onitoge..... no!" she cried.

His visage covered in blood portrayed no sign of anything human. He looked like a crimson demon covered from head to toe in spikes. His eyes were like a crazed beast focused on destruction. There was nothing left of Onitoge to hear her cries echo into the late afternoon sky.

Onitoge screamed as he sat bolt up in bed, covered in sweat and breathing like he had just run a marathon. His face was as pale as a ghost as the images of his nightmare flashed through his mind. What was that? How could he...... such horrible things.......

"Inakamo, I need to have a word alone with Onitoge. Why don't you go check on Chiyoko," Takumi suggested as he saw the look of horror on Onitoge's face.

The clown ninja hesitated for a moment, obviously concerned for his teammate but nodded agreement. He walked to the door and stepped into the hallway, hesitating again.

"I'm glad you're finally up Onitoge. Get better, ok?" Inakamo said before leaving and closing the door behind him.

"Now that we're alone, we need to talk Onitoge. How much of the attack do you remember?" Takumi's voice was uncharacteristically quiet and concerned.

[Shadow Djinn]

Yagyu Shiro - Team 12 - Genin
-

Dear Shiro,

We have been doing fine since your departure. Itai is ecstatic that you have become Genin! And in such a short time! Please tell us if you ever are sent to the Land of the Waves; we know as a ninja it is important to focus on the mission at hand, but we would love to see you again...

You must have grown since you have left. While Itai never wanted to steer you upon the shinobi path, even he admits that it is one that suits your worn feet. To have no knowledge of your origin or history...it must be such a terrifying concept. Yet you have turned out so well!

While I am not your true mother, I would like to think that I am among the ones you hold dear to your heart. Oh dear, now I'm getting tears in my eyes...

Before I burst out in full fledged water works, Itai has enclosed a gift to you in this letter. I hope you like it very much.

With love,
Kitan

Shiro folded the parchment in two with a despondent sigh, rolling uneasily in his small, weathered bed. In his hands was a charm carved from abalone -- a common shellfish in the coastal area which Itai, his foster father, often was employed in as an architect. The irridescent bone was shaped in a leaf, similar to the symbol that Konoha shinobi proudly wore. A black strand of string was looped through a small hole.

Shiro smiled, donning the charm.

He unearthed a pen and weathered paper from his unkempt belongings, and began to write.

Dear Kitan...

[Prof. Jb Wolf]

Inuzuka Hige
~Reinforcement Rondo~

Team 14 flitted through the fog shrouded trees like birds from branch to branch. Hige and Ginmaru were in the lead, having picked up Team 15's trail a mile or two back. Now as they neared Gyra village, the sounds of battle reached their ears. An almost feral smile lit up Hige's features at the thought of finally seeing his first piece of action. There was a tiny voice somewhere in his head that was somewhat nervous, but was quickly quashed and replaced by an overwhelming excitement.

Arriving at the tree line the team quickly took stock of Team Fifteen's situation. Ushi lay unconscious on the ground, but wasn't in as bad a shape as his opponent who sported a large gash upon his chest. Both Masato and Raizen sported their fair share of injuries and were able to keep even with their opponents. Standing out in the open on the rooftops of some nearby buildings, three other nin bided their time as the two Konoha genin grew more and more tired.

"Yosh!" Hige veritably barked as he pulled off his hitai-ate from his shoulder and wrapped it about his brow. "Let's go Ginmaru!"

"ARF!"

The duo's leap into battle was stopped mid-leap as Kukai grabbed them by their respective collars. With a yelp and a thump they crashed to the ground kicking up a small cloud of dust. "As much zeal as you apparently have for a fight, Inuzuka Hige-san, you would do well not to leap so recklessly into battle. It is obvious that the opposition our comrades face is more than capable of defeating them, especially if we consider that those who have yet to join battle are of a higher level than any of us."

"So what do you suggest we do, just wait to let them get slaughtered?"

"Of course not, but rushing in headlong will not help anyone. Our priority is to render aid to Ushi and make a tactical retreat. Kakashi-sensei specifically told us NOT to engage the enemy remember?"

Pouting slightly, Hige nodded sourly as Kukai turned to her other teammate. "Haru-kun, do you think you can create a genjustu that will fool them long enough to retrieve Team 15?"

Nodding quietly the boy immediately flipped open his ever present journal and quietly murmured to himself as his pen danced along the page. Around the battlefield, the mists seemed to churn as it grew in size and thickness. Soon it obscured fighters entirely from the sight of the enemy nin. Nodding to Hige and Ginmaru, Kukai mouthed for them to contact Raizen and Masato while she retrieved Ushi. The pair nodded as the trio disappeared into the air.

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

Laying on the ground in pain, Raizen groaned to himself as Ganju stalked forward to finish him off. Suddenly, a silver blur flashed past Raizen to slam right into his opponent's gut. The blow sent the nin staggering backwards and the Hyuuga fighter quickly took advantage of it. Getting to his feet shakily, he rushed forward and slammed a pair of chakra-infused palms into Ganju's chest sending him crashing to the floor.

After assuring himself that his opponent was down for the count, Raizen looked quizzically at his unexpected helper. "Thanks for the help....ummm...well you look familiar."

Ginmaru wagged his tail happily, barking at him No problem. Now come on!

Scratching his head in confusion, Raizen said sheepishly. "Sorry, but I don't speak dog."

Rolling his eyes, the silver dog grabbed one of the genin's shorts leg and pulled him in the direction of the tree line. Finally getting the idea, Raizen followed after Ginmaru to rendezvous with Team 14.

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

Masato was fairing just as well as either of his comrades, so far having only barely been able to put a dent in his opponent's defense while his own body burned with pain and fatigue. Akira smirked confidently as swung a powerful left hook aimed at his head. Rolling beneath the blow and to his back, the Konoha genin delivered a punch to his opponent's back which was something akin to punching a solid rock. He retaliated with a rather painful kick to Masato's ribs that sent him skidding away a few feet.

"I'm impressed you've lasted so long, certainly longer than those other puny Leaves." He strode forward purposely. "But it ends now."

Masato braced for attack when suddenly a hand emerged from the ground. It immediately grabbed Akira by the ankle as a muffled voice rang out. "DOTON: SHINJU ZANSHU NO JUTSU!" (Earth Release: Inner Decapitation Technique)

"Wha-MMMPH!"

Masato blinked in surprise as Akira seemed to disappear into the very earth. The only part of him still visible was the upper half of his face as he struggled to free himself from the earth's embrace. Squatting in front of him was a grinning Inuzuka Hige. "He he, works every time."

"Thanks-"

"Your welcome, but we've gotta move before his teammates figure out how to break Haru's genjutsu."

A shrill piercing note cut through the air as the fog around them dispersed. What appeared to be a large bubble floated down from the sky to float quietly between the two Leaf ninjas. Eyeing it warily, Hige slowly circled around it towards the trees and Masato followed suit. Suddenly, a shuriken came skimming through the air and struck the bubble. It popped with an explosive force sending both of them flying back. Recovering quickly, Hige growled in his throat as the enemy came into view.

It was the younger female nin, standing balanced atop another bubble. Her fair features were marred by an evil sneer as she raised a hand to her lips and laughed haughtily. Brushing a lock of blue hair from her face she gave us a cold look. "Since those three idiots couldn't take care of a few genin, it looks like you will have the honor of being defeated by me, Shala the Piper." She twirled a blue glass pipe in her hand and brought it to her lips. "Now let me play for you a requiem!"

She played a shrill melody and smaller bubbles emitted themselves from the end of her pipe. They floated around her like a small cloud as she raised her pipe. "First Verse ~ Ripple Burst!" The bubbles began to swirl around her arm before pointing it at Masato and Hige unleashing them in a torrential blast. Throwing themselves out of the way, the attack left a large furrow in the earth upon impact. Hige immediately went on the offensive, leaping into the air and unleashing a volley of shuriken upon Shala. They hit only the bubble she was standing on as she leaps off of it. Playing her pipe once again, the Sound Nin encased herself within another chakra bubble just as Masato went on the offensive.

His blows landed ineffectually on her soapy barrier, the bubble seemingly absorbing every attack that he threw at it. Shala laughed again as she played another note on her pipe causing the bubble to explode outwards. Hige caught Masato as he was sent flying through the air for the third time that day. Holding him up as he landed, the Taijutsu user caught his breath. "I'm reallly starting to get sick of this you know that?"

Hige only gave him a grin in return as the two dodged another torrent of explosive chakra bubbles. "Hold st-ARGH!" A kunai flew through the air, slicing a thin line of blood along Shala's face. As she raised a hand to her face, Ginmaru came rushing along the ground towards her. With a quick leap he snagged her pipe and wrested it form her hands. "Return that to me at once!"

Kukai, appearing at Hige and Masato's side, smiled at Ginmaru as he trotted up to her depositing Shala's pipe into her hands. "Well done Ginmaru, remind me to treat you to some dango later." The argumentative genin placed the pipe in her pouch as she took Masato from Hige. "I believe it is time to showcase those fighting skills you pride yourself on Inuzuka Hige-san."

"With pleasure. Shikyaku no jutsu!" Putting his hands together, Hige called forth the chakra within his body. It flowed through his body and his mind, awakening the primal instincts within him. Falling to all fours as his nails lengthened to claws, he growled deep in his throat. "Let's go, Ginmaru!"

With an affirmative bark, the two rushed towards Shala who had already pulled a kunai from her pouch. A volley of shuriken from the retreating Kukai and Masato forced her attention away as Ginmaru leapt forth clamping down on to her arm with his sharp teeth. As her arm went wide, Hige curled himself into a spinning ball as he leapt forward. Kicking out with both legs he slammed them into her chest sending her flying as Ginmaru released her arm. Shala went crashing to the ground grasping at her bleeding and broken arm.

Before the two could move into finish her, a pair of kunai land in the dirt forcing them back. The twin Jounin appeared in a small whirlwind of mist in identical poses, fresh kunai in hand. Despite knowing he was outclassed by his foes, Hige knew that he had to buy some more time for his teammates. And there was a desire somewhere in his mind, to prove how strong he was. "Ginmaru!" His canine companion came immediately to his side as he concentrated his chakra. "JUJIN BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!"

As the smoke cleared from the transformation, the duo leapt forth toward their hopeless battle.

*Laughs maniacally before choking.* MWAHAHAHAHA-gah...sorry for taking so long. Lots and ltos of extenuating circumstances but here it tis!

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

AIRBAG.

Shodou Kukai/Team 14/F
93. "In an interstellar burst I am back to save the universe"
-----------------------------

This is how you tell you are in a deep, inescapable pit of excrement that is actually growing deeper and inescapable-r by the second; this is how you keep from falling into the middle...

This is how you don't die; this is how you stay alive...

Kukai was halfway certain that this wasn't how her first 'real' mission was supposed to go. There wouldn't be Jounin on her tail. Not Sound Jounin. Never mind that the Jounin (there were two, identical twins it seemed) weren't slitting Team 14's throats, not yet. And they had Team 15 with them, though at the moment Ushi, down for the count, was being attended to by Haru, as best as he could. Raizen was winded, and likewise being healed by Haru; Masato, his fight with the Genin Akira having been resolved with the emergence of her team and the subsequent help given, was still capable of holding his own, though visibly tired.

She had been Kawarimi'ing on a constant basis, so much so that her hands were now automatically performing the jutsu while her legs did the running and her brain did some extensive rewriting of plans - what scant plans she'd made in the first place. Evidently Inuzuka Hige's plans consisted of 'pummel them ALL into the ground, where possible', and nothing beyond that. The last time she'd had seconds to spare to look, he'd been as healthy as ever, making the bubble-pipe Genin significantly less healthy along the way. Oh the bugger was good at what he did, ie. attack and decimate the enemy. For them, it had been a good start.

Unfortunately for them, incapacitating the single female Genin so quickly had not been a good idea. (Ganging up three on one was possibly unfair, but she had it on good authority that it wasn't illegal.) Having two Jounin play policemen and thieves with them (okay, so maybe cats playing with mice was a better metaphor) was decidedly also not a good idea. The male twin took a much more physical approach than his sister, who had, in her hand, a sort of chakra blowpipe masquerading as an extremely long reed flute.

Okay... where did THAT come from?!

Perhaps (and with this thought her fledgling ego fluttered its miniscule wings) the male twin was being forced to take a more physical approach. Her confuse kanji had hit right on target; one of the better points about having a calligraphy-based jutsu was that anyone that hadn't seen it before wouldn't know what the hell you were doing, waving some kind of overgrown broom in the air. Ridiculously incongruous. It had muddled up the Jounin's chakra flow, at the expense of sacrificing a good part of her own. No pesky jutsu from one Sound Jounin now, at least...

The male Jounin had not been pleased. He had communicated his displeasure by lunging at Kukai before she had time to recover from her jutsu, and pinning her to a convenient tree trunk with his left hand, the right one toying with a kunai. The hand came hard and close about her throat, and the circle the fingers made contracted -

"Shall it be strangulation, or shall you bleed to death?"

- and Kukai felt her windpipe collapsing inside of itself, and for some reason all she could think was (walls closing in) -

"Strangulation, I think."

A whorling mess of dog and doglike human crashed point-blank into the blonde male, stopping him a few seconds short of cutting off Kukai's breathing processes. Reflexively her hand went to her throat; the next instant, she'd checked herself and picked up her brush from under the bush where it had rolled.

She caught the words "Masato" and "take this fella on for a bit, gotta help elsewhere" before the canine tornado was off again and she had to concentrate - on running.

So here she was, running, and Kawarimi'ing, for her life. Her neck throbbed with a dull ache; the breaths came in short, ragged gasps. No blood it was true but. The bruises were going to be there for weeks. Elsewhere, there were scratches. Painful ones. And at the rate she was going she wouldn't be able to walk after this, not without lots of wincing and a crutch.

Right now, Kukai wanted a good long bath and a lie-down. Neither option being available at the moment, she just had to settle with staying mobile and, importantly, not dying.

"You slippery brat, you and your blatant overuse of Kawarimi no Jutsu...!"

Oh. Complaining already? You have no idea just how much I can blatantly overuse Kawarimi no Jutsu...

Oh well. As long as he was on her track, Haru, Raizen and Ushi (hidden by one of Haru's illusions, of course, but the important fact was that while Haru was healing they had to remain stationary and that made them technically sitting ducks) were fifty-percent safe.

She didn't really want to know what the female Jounin was doing. Wait, she did. As long as it didn't involve incapacitation of teammates.

She didn't like taijutsu experts... as a whole, she didn't like anything experts, period.

A stray bolt of chakra nearly split her stomach open; she dodged just in time, and a tree branch splintered. So that was what the female Jounin was doing... sniping random Genin while keeping Masato, rather effortlessly, at arm's length. Bloody Jounin... they really were playing cat and mouse.

In her head, she could picture Hige, post-mission, whinging about her endless bout of running, running and running, and little to no help with attacking. (That was, provided they came back alive from this mission.)

She gritted her teeth. A vein twitched, somewhere.

She turned, to launch one of her word taijutsu combos, and the male Jounin twin that had been pursuing her did not strike in retaliation; instead, his eye fell upon a very odd rock, one that shifted shape so that no one ran into it, or ricocheted off against it, a rock that Kukai knew through long years of association was a product of Iki ta Monogatari no Jutsu.

Huh- Oh shi- oh excrement!

Brushing off her ichi-ni-san strokes, the blonde shinobi sneered (though, with sadistic pleasure, Kukai noted that his left arm was hanging stiffly at his side; she'd hit his bicep quite cleanly): "Thought you could fool me with such a worthless genjutsu, did you? Tsuin. Cover me while I finish this."

And then, as Kukai leapt forward, spare kunai in mouth, every conceivable muscle in her body aching with the effort but oh Haru-! and Hige spiraled into view from where he'd been clashing with the female twin (Tsuin?), surprisingly still able to maintain his Tsuuga despite the presence of much blood, Masato in the near distance having his hands quite full, the male Jounin both dispelled the illusion and made to strike -

He hit nothing, only thin air. And on his back, there was suddenly a weight that revealed itself to be Kakashi Yukiso. From the shrubbery to her side, Haru waved timidly to signify that everything was okay.

Kukai's kunai clattered to the floor as her jaw dropped open, registering the appearance of Kakashi-sensei, and their very own Miharu-sensei, who'd just opened up a massive groove in the ground leading all the way to the female Jounin twin, stopping her from slugging a very tired Masato into hurty, fainty oblivion.

"Sorry we're so late, my dears!" said Miharu-sensei, beaming at her stunned students. Her expression soon solidified into one of pure steel. "Now, those of you who can still walk, get the others back to the docks and wait for us there. We'll deal with these."
-----------------------
There would have been better BSing in this but halfway through - read drabble, brain melted. You can even sort of tell where I started getting distracted... -_-

[Bulbasaur4]

Kuroda Miharu Sensei & Kakashi Yukiso Sensei
~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Kuroda-chan!” Yukiso called, standing before a rather high building. He glanced upwards, seeing Miharu doing a delicate tight-rope dance as she hung various paper lamps and banners from the small string-like rope that she balanced on.

“Oh! Yukiso-kun!” She chimed, giving a bright smile upon her face as she finished hooking the last paper lamp on. She then leapt down gracefully and seemingly effortlessly, the height of her fall having no effect.

“You and your team have finally arrived! Did my pupils find you well?” She responded, clasping her hands together as she looked about- as if expecting to see them pop out of decorating crates.

“No… Kuroda-chan, we have a serious case on our hands.” Yukiso began, motioning to her with his hand. “Follow me. I’ll explain it on the way there!” With that, Yukiso almost seemed to vanish in a poof of smoke as instantly Miharu followed suit.

The two sensei dashed across the water as Yukiso explained the situation to Miharu. Her usual cheerful demeanor changed into a look of grave seriousness as she nodded to everything he said. The two continued to travel with utmost haste, darting into a forest and moving swiftly amongst the branches. It wasn’t long but it to them it seemed like ages before finally they were at the village. Stopping short, Kakashi motioned towards the western part of the village where they could hear the noises of battle taking place. Without hesitation the two leapt off into that direction, appearing before their two teams just in time to save them from what surely would have been a devastating strike.

“Go! Get out of here!” Miharu yelled, her demeanor changing as she leapt back to join Yukiso by his side. The two sensei could tell that it would take a while before the young Genin would get out of the area… and they knew they couldn’t afford a slip up.
“We should finish this as quickly as possible, Kuroda-chan.” Yukiso spoke, as Miharu nodded.
“What are you talking about?!” The male Jounin spat, glaring at the two as he joined up with his twin sister.
“yeah! You think you can finish us as you please? Give me a break!” She barked, as Yukiso and Miharu looked at each other. Yukiso gave a nod and stepped forward.
“Yes, as a matter of face I think that without hesitation.” With that, Yukiso swiftly stuck a hand in his pocket and simply placed the other hand nonchalantly upon his hip. He then stared at the two Sound Jounin, causing the both of them to be greatly agitated.
“What? Are you going to stare us to death?!” The woman roared, but Yukiso remained silent.

After just a mere few seconds, suddenly the two twins seemed to stagger back for a moment. Their eyes glazed over, and the two started talking not to each other but seemingly to someone who wasn’t there. Yukiso turned away, looking to Miharu as he walked to her.
“Set.” The two Ninjas still seemed to be talking to someone wasn’t there, occasionally making hand motions as if to touch or grab the person who was near them. However, for the most part they stayed where they were.
“Ready?” Yukiso then asked, turning around to face the two Ninja back at Miharu’s side.
“Go!” Miharu yelled, suddenly reaching into the pouch slung against her waist and pulling out two Kunai. She ran straight towards the two Jounin, as Yukiso once again shoved his hand into his pocket and narrowed his eyes at the two Sound-like Ninja. The two Ninja seemed to yelp in fright, as the Genjutsu about them released. The glaze over their eyes faded away, but by the time they realized where they were again it was too late. Miharu-sensei was between the two, her eyes having already scrutinized their entire body as she had charged at them. Now she knew the precise build and strengths of their individual bodies, and she did not need a second guess to know where to land her blows.
It was almost as if Miharu were partaking in a beautiful dance as she twirled about- her kimono billowing down by her legs as she moved.
Her arm twirled around her figure towards the female twin and with one elegant and delicate motion, she plunged the kunai into the ninja’s temple. It seemed so precise and so accurate that Kuroda showed little force in the movement, and the female twin dropped in an instant. Then with a spiraling second movement, Kuroda-sensei used her other hand and with another motion of deadly accuracy she implanted the kunai straight into the chest of the male twin. She had embedded the kunai into his heart, but had done it at such an angle that she had gone between the ribs in a diagonal motion so she had no need to break the sternum. He too gave out a gurgling cry, clutching his chest. Staggering for a moment, he then fell to the ground.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Are you okay?” Yukiso asked, he and Miharu-chan returning to their teams. They had vanished before their eyes for several minutes, before returning. This time however, they had two other Genin by their side. They seemed bloodied, beat-up and worn… obviously the two Genin left from the brutal assault.
“I’m so sorry my dearies that you had to go through this.” Miharu added, a look of worry and pain upon her face. “We sent word to Konoha as we headed this way, so they should be arriving any moment.”
Haru was still looking over Raizen and Ushi, but everyone looked rather worn. Miharu swiftly knelt down by Raizen and Ushi, placing her hands on both of their chests. After a few seconds, her hands both began to glow and the light blue color that spurred from them channeled into their bodies. After a half a minute, she closed her hands and the color faded away. This was repeated upon the two new Genin, Kukai, Hige and Masato (the only one not needing some healing being Haru) were all partially healed enough for travel.
“They should all be alright now.” Miharu said, looking to Ushi. “He’ll wake up sooner or later… his unconscious state was because of the strain of chakra. He’ll recuperate soon enough.” She said smiling. The two Genin soon introduced themselves to the rest of the group, however they for the most part remained silent.
“Don’t speak too much. You’ve endured a great deal and do not need to explain anything.” Yukiso said to them, a look of concern upon his face.

Soon a few ANBU members showed up, their masked faces looking at the group before they spoke briefly with Kuroda and Kakashi-sensei.
“Alright, we’re going to be heading back.” Yukiso said, grabbing Ushi’s body in his arms and nodding to the others. “We will arrive in Konoha before nightfall.” The group headed off, only stopping a few minutes for Miharu to do some more healing in increments upon the group so that none of them had to go to the hospital upon their Konoha arrival.
“It was so lucky that none of them sustained wounds other than flesh ones.” Miharu commented to Yukiso. “Other than Raizen, if they had sustained any bone or abnormal damages… I think they’d have to go to the hospital instead of happily heading home.” Miharu smiled, as Yukiso nodded with Ushi still unconscious in his arms.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chiyoko had been in the hospital for two days. She had been told by the medical nin from the beginning that she would only have to stay for a few days. However, upon their recent medical exam, they assessed that two more days would be needed. It appeared that her chakra flow was abnormal… which again, caused for more tests and the ending result of her knowing she would have to stay a few more days.
Still, it hadn’t been that bad. Chiyoko had visitors every so often, which cheered her up to no end. Inakamo had visited her and Onitoge, filling her in on anything they had missed as well as offering her a small bouncy ball as a gift. Chiyoko had giggled, thanking Inakamo and she had played with it until it had bounced so severely that it broke the vase with a flower that Takumi had given her and Inakamo had to retrieve it. Selekis had also visited, showing her a picture.
“It is beautiful!” Chiyoko had declared, brimming with a smile unlike any other. It was the first time anyone had drawn her a picture before and she had immediately asked Selekis to hang it on the wall. He had done so and his face seemed flush with pride at her response to his picture. He had then written down that he had been eating too, which Chiyoko happily praised him further. A few other visits had occurred a day earlier, but she had been unconscious all day. The second day was when all the interacting visits had occurred… ending with Hikari’s birthday.

Upon Hiro had come into her room with his little sister and Naruto to celebrate her birthday.
“Hiya Chiyoko!” Hikari had said happily, rushing to the side of her bed and giving her a slightly awkward hug.
“Greetings! Oh, and a very happy birthday to you Hikari.” Chiyoko responded with a smile, “You look so grown up for you age.” She added, causing Hikari to brim with a proud smile.
“I visited you yesterday… but man, it is great to see you awake!” Naruto said. “I really miss your cooking too!” He added, to which Chiyoko smiled again.
Soon Hiro opened the birthday cake and presents were given to Hikari. Naruto had given her a redeemable Ramen card while Hiro had given her more Ninja things. Chiyoko had followed suit with that, giving her a blue pouch to tie about her leg to carry various things in. Hiro seemed shocked at the surprise gift.
“how did you get that?” He asked, to which Chiyoko simply gave a proud grin.
“I asked Inakamo earlier today to get that for me.”
Hikari practically beamed with delight as all four of them ate cake and conversed. However, the party ended when Chiyoko brought her hand up to her forehead and lied back down.
“Are you okay?” Hiro asked, concerned. Chiyoko gave a nod but a medic nin stopped by and soon asked everyone to leave. Chiyoko soon fell asleep, the exertion of talking and being awake all day having a toll on her bandaged body.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


[ I will post for Takumi later. However, the next arc will be the Chuunin exams. But before that happens you guys get some down time. Chiyoko will be in the hospital for about 2 more days after the other two teams arrive. You guys get about three days before the announcement of the Chuunin exams. So have fun making posts just interacting and doing whatever you please. ]

[Dr.McNinja]

Ushi could feel himself moving in his dreams. The fluttering realm of his unconscious where the black was almost always striped with fluttering whisps of colors. In the distance he could feel the constant bounce of someone walking while they carried him, could feel a soft wind cooling his somewhat fevered body. Someone was carrying him somewhere, but Ushi didn’t have the strength to wake up and figure out who and where.

“What could have caused the seal to break?”

The voices were hushed yet clearly audible to Ushi who was so near to them. The first, a woman’s voice, was full of worry while the male voice that followed was more somber, though Ushi could still hear a tenseness in it.

“It could be anything…the seal could have just been performed wrong the first time.”

Ushi felt the bouncing change, they were walking uphill now. Smells filled Ushi’s unconscious, the smells of lilacs and air with a crispness not commonly found in the world. The first voice was speaking again, piercing Ushi’s enclosed world.

“It’s never failed before…the price of failure is too much for them to be careless…no one’s ever had to fight it so young either. There’s something different about…”

Ushi’s hearing faded before he could hear the last part of the woman’s thoughts, the blackness driving off the impeding conversation and filling him with blessed silence. When his dream faded enough for the soothing bouncing sensation of being carried to return, the voices were there too. The man was talking this time, still as tense though with a more nostalgic tone then before.

“Did you see what he made? It was incredible…he’ll be a marvelous shinobi when he get older.”

The woman’s voice was similarly nostalgic, with a hint of pride mixed in with the suddenly jumbled emotions.

“I can’t believe he is already so powerful…he would have made me proud no matter what but this…it’s almost overwhelming.”

“Once we sort this problem out…things should be alright from here on.”

Darkness claimed Ushi again, though this time he was suddenly saddened by the loss of the voice. When the finally came back, Ushi could feel a chill to his dream. The smell of lilacs had become ashy, the crisp air deadened. The voices were the same, but quiet, and reduced.

“D-don’t cry…you don’t need to cry…it’s alright.”

“You couldn’t help yourself Ushi…it wasn’t your fault.”

“You can control it…it is not stronger…it doesn’t even…exist.”

Ushi realized that he wasn’t being carried anymore, that the soft bounce that had lulled him before had been replaced by rough ground and scratchy growth. A wetness creeped under his body, and the smell of blood filled his nostrils. Ushi breathed deeply, the smell was soothing, and with arms suddenly full of strength he pushed himself to a seated position, a smile spreading across his face.

“Hey hey hey, not so fast. You’ve been out a long time.”

Looking up into Yukiso’s half-closed eyes, Ushi’s grin widened.

“I was? Well then it was a marvelous rest! I feel great!”

Yukiso’s eyes creased slightly, something Ushi had come to realize was an indication of a smile.

“Yes…Miharu is certainly talented when it comes to healing.”

Looking around, Ushi spotted the rest of Team 15 milling about, seemingly as unhurt as he was. Wondering vaguely to himself if Raizen was going to meander close enough for him to attempt a grab at his leg, Ushi answered.

“Then we won?”

Yukiso nodded, ruffling a hand through his perpetual spike of hair.

“Yeah, we were lucky to get there when we did…I wasn’t expecting to find you in that situation…there wasn’t supposed to be any danger at all much less a bunch of talented shinobi showing up. Someone’s going to have to answer for this but for now…you all did amazingly well…you’ve impressed me.”

Ushi nodded as he pushed himself to his feet, happily coming to realize that they were resting directly outside of Konoha. Home at last…Ushi wondered if the oatmeal he had left in Chiyoko’s house had gone bad yet, he was certainly hungry. Brushing the dirt of the back of his bright clothing, Ushi beamed back at Yukiso.

“Then we succeeded in our first mission! That’s stupendous! Raizen! We did it!”

As Ushi chased Raizen back into Kenoha, the young Hyuga making a beeline for his house, Heavenly Spinning an unfortunate elderly couple that got in his way, Yukiso stared after them. As a bird flew over head, softly chirping in the bright sun, Yukiso glanced up at it and spoke aloud to himself.


“What does this mean? Is he remembering or are they just scattered parts of his dream that can’t escape? He hasn’t shown any signs…I guess I have to trust the boy for now.”

[Silencer]

Soen

~~~***~~~***~~~

CLACK!

The shackles that restrained Soen opened and his hands were freed. He rubbed his wrists so that the blood could flow through it easier again. Soen walked over to his partners side and gave him the sharpened fork. Soen was sure he could release himself in the same manner as he himself had done.

“I’m just going to rest a bit” Soen declared.

Kaito started picking his own shackles while Soen sat down next to him. While Kaito had studied Soen he was released far sooner then his companion.

Kaito looked at the tired Soen and walked to the door. He started picking the lock that separated them from their freedom. But before he could finish footsteps were heard. And when listening carefully, both boys could hear that there were two people outside.

Kaito hurried back to Soens side and with a nod both konoha genin prepared to fight. It might be futile but they would give it all.

The door opened slowly and two figures walked in. The light that shone through the now opened door revealed them to be fellow konoha ninja and not the abductors.

The first to walk in was the fabled Kakashi, or so the boys thought. When looking at him closer they saw his black hair and the two regular eyes.

Behind him was a girl dressed in a kimono. She wore her head protector around her neck.

“Here they are” the Kakashi look-alike said. “They look pretty injured so…”

At this the female shinobi stepped forward. Before she started to heal the two young boys, both jounin introduced themselves.

“Did you really think that no one would come for you boys?” Miharu comforted the two boys.

After a small healing the two sensei thought of the hurt boys as travel ready.

“Let’s get going, we should return to our own teams as soon as possible.” Yukiso said

“Please wait a moment, we have some things to pick up first.” Soen said

The sensei nodded in agreement and Kaito and Soen stepped out of their jail. They looked around under the watchful eye of the two older shinobi. They finally found what they were looking for. Their own belongings and those of their two deceased teammates.

Soen quickly tucked his Shikon Daggers under his jacket, where they belonged. He strapped both his head protector and pouch back on his belt. Kaito also fixed up his belongings. Afterwards, both boys held what was owned by Emi and Daku.

Their headbands, their clothes, their tools… The attackers must have held on to them and perhaps sell them.

“Do you have what you were looking for?” Yukiso asked

Kaito and Soen nodded.

“Let’s go then.”

Mihura and Yukiso supported the hurt genin and with amazing speed rushed back to their own teams.

*~*~*~*~*

Soen and Kaito came to a sight that shocked them. Apparently a heavy struggle had happened as the two genin teams seemed to be very hurt. The three enemy genin lay there, defeated as well as their two sensei.

Mihura-sensei made sure everyone was healed up. Soen and Kaito introduced themselves to the rest of the group. And the ones that were conscious introduced themselves to.

Soen had a slight twitch when Raizen introduced himself as part of the Hyuga clan. But he knew it wasn’t a lie. He saw the lavender eyes and the mark on his forehead.

Soon a couple of ANBU appeared and Yukiso declared that they would be in Konoha before nightfall. With that, the two teams, the two battered genin and the handful of ANBU traveled back. With a small stop in between they did make it to Konoha without much of delay. The night was coming and the genin scattered to their own living areas, but Yukiso and Miharu halted Soen and Kaito. The unconscious genin was left at the hospital, just to be sure.

Yukiso and Miharu accompanied what remained of last years team 2 to the Hokages office. They needed to report what happened.

When they finished their mission report, everyone looked down in respect for their lost allies. Yukiso signaled that the two genin could leave and should probably visit the hospital aswell. The GenJutsu torture might have had some effect on their bodies

Before Soen closed the door he could clearly hear Mihura-sensei say “Could it be…” . But he didn’t pay attention to this.

As instructed by Yukiso, the boys stopped at the hospital. They were offered a room to spend the night. In the morning they would have their check-up.

As soon as Soen lay down in bed his eyes closed and he finally could rest up.

[Inferno_Dragon]

Yoshikuni Kaito
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Soen's ingenuity and thanks to the teams that rescued us, we are free. We still had to recuperate from the blows that the enemies gave us but we would manage. After being introduced to our saviors, we gathered up our stuff and was escorted back to the Konoha. It was painfull to still not see our companions. It still begged the question why did this have to happen?

I looked at my companion. I didn't know if the same thoughts were going through his head or not but hopefully it wasn't that painful. I kept silent throughout the whole trip. I was too depressed to even talk to anybody. I couldn't be cheerful for a long time. I didn't know what to do. Hopefully, I would find a way to release my depression.

We arrived at Kohona and we were sent to the mission center. We explained everything to the Hokage even it was painful for me to speak of. The images of Emi and Daku being killed kept on flashing in my mind over and over. At one point, I broke down and couldn't stop crying. Soen comforted me and I looked at him. Soen was a true friend and companion. I knew that nothing would harm me if he was by my side. After being sent to hospital for rest, I thought I heard a conversation but with the awful images in my head, I didn't pay attention much. We were going to get a check-up in the morning but a check-up wasn't going to help the pain I was feeling. Hopefully, a good's nights rest would uncloud my mind.

[Sworkill87]

Back Home

Having escaped Ushi, for the time being, Raizen decided to go home and relax for a while. He definitely needed it after that mission. “Oh Raizen, you’re back!” Raizen’s mother said as she walked past his room to find him lying on his bed quite zoned out.

“Hmm, oh, hi Mom.”

“So,” She said propping Raizen up and sitting next to him on the bed. “How did your first C-rank mission go? Did everything go ok? Was it exciting?”

“Well, there was definitely some excitement…” Raizen said, thinking back to his opponent kicking him in the face. Looking at the worried expression on his mom’s face he added, “Don’t worry, it wasn’t anything big, we handled it.”

It was then that Neji walked by and stopped in the room. He looked at Raizen and squinted his eyes while saying nothing for a minute. “Byakugan!”

“What are you doing Neji?” His mom asked.

“Raizen,” He responded, “How did you break your nose?”

“… How could you tell?”

“Nothing can escape my eyes, you should know that Raizen.”

Raizen’s mom hit Raizen on the shoulder. “You said it was nothing serious!”

“Ok, so it got a little out of hand.” Raizen said before explaining everything that had happened during the mission, with his mother and wincing to every other sentence.

“I’m disappointed in you Raizen.” Neji said.

“Oh come on, how could I have known that he would damage my hearing? After that I could barely use any of my techniques.”

“You should never have found yourself in that situation.” Neji said as he got up to leave. “You need to train your byakugan further.”

“Fine then.” Raizen muttered. “Mom, I’m going out.”

“Where?”

“Training.” And with that Raizen got up and wandered off to one of the various training grounds around Konoha. “It wasn’t my byakugan that got me into the situation, it was misinformation.” He sat down of a stump and looked at his legs. “Byakugan!” Raizen then began to strike chakra points on his legs again, though not as many as before, so still allow some chakra to flow through. “I can’t believe you never thought of this Neji” Raizen said to himself as he stood up and smiled. “I’m going to be so fast, and you’ll never see it coming.” He then started a light jog around Konoha.

This light jog however turned first into a tough jog, then a strenuous jog, then Raizen dragging himself home earlier than expected and flopping down on his bead. So tired he was from the “light jog” that Raizen didn’t even notice the snores that announced Ushi had taken up residence in Raizen’s closet again.

[Roy Karrde]

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ There has to be a way out of here…~*~*~*~*~

[The Shape of Things to Come]

It was the same tonight as it had been for the last two nights, leaping from roof top to roof top, smoke billowing up behind me, sweat trickling down my brow as I ran. I always felt as if I was being watched, those eyes always there as I ran, as I hid, and as the dream ended, waking up breathing hard, my body covered in sweat. The clock on the wall read that I only had half an hour of sleep. Almost three full nights with out any sleep. Three nights of horrible dreams that shook me awake with less than an hour of sleep. Three nights of being shaken from my slumber, my body even more tired than it had been when I laid down.

A gentle wind blew across my face, betraying the man that sat at my window behind me. “I see you were not lying about having insomnia.” Sensei spoke up, sitting on my window ceil, his arms crossed in annoyance. “How long has it been? Two days? Three?” He asked.

“Three” I informed him, rising to my feet on shaky legs, every muscle in my body aching for sleep.

“Every muscle in your body must be aching by now?” He asked, I nodded in response as he rose, striding over to me. “Your mind is exhausted, tired, barely able to think?” He asked, poking my side, sending me to my knees. He walked around, facing me with his arms crossed.

“You are a one note Ninja, you have one technique, your mid range control of wind through your fist.” He remarked.

I rose up to my feet, trying to stand for as long as possible. “If you are such a teacher then teach me how to be better than that.” I exclaimed, and then quieted my voice, remembering that Hikari was asleep in the next room.

Sensei’s eyes narrowed, walking around, thinking for a moment. “You’re tired, exhausted, beaten… I can work with that, but only during the night, during the day you have your duties.” He leapt to the window, and then to the next building, not even looking behind him to see if I had followed him.

Summoning my strength I ran to the window, leaping from it. I was not going to be a one note ninja.

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

...NOT DEAD YET.

Shodou Kukai/Team 14/F
101.
--------------------------------

"So you see I didn't have to bring the yukata and the really long obi," said Kukai smugly. "I didn't have time to wear it, and anyway Miharu-sensei already mentioned that this mission was to be done professionally."

She tended to use less words at home. It was wiser to. Shodou family arguments could drag on for months.

Ryokan, who was sulking because his sister hadn't bought him the particular variant of Water Country shower gel that he'd asked for, remarked rather nastily: "I bet the Inuzuka was disappointed."

Later that night there was a horrible scream from Shodou Ryokan's bedroom. He had just found his entire collection of Sunagakure soaps speared to his door with shuriken, with crumbled-off bits left to languish on the floor, even the very valuable, very rare bars of Desert Rose that he'd had to beg off a colleague who had gone to Suna on a business trip.

*

The Interesting Courtship Rituals and Extremely Painful Retaliation of Kuroda Miharu, Prologue
Presented by: Hara Takumi
Produced & directed by: Genin Team 14

It was one of their rare days off, but in an entirely natural and unplanned way Kukai had run into Hige on her way to pay a courtesy visit to Team 13's Chiyoko and they'd started arguing and Haru was just done helping his parents in Konohagakure Hospital. And so, after leaving a basket of intricately folded paper cranes and a rubber bone (from Ginmaru, since Hige was giftless, not having intended to pay any courtesy visits but had instead been heading to the ramen bar before getting distracted) on Chiyoko's bed...

...Team 14 walked down the street.

Presently, they were ambushed by a certain Hara Takumi, who literally appeared in front of them in a hail of confetti.

Haru spoke first, while his teammates wound up their prolonged round of bickering: "H-Hara-sensei? W-what's the matter?"

Takumi rubbed his hands together, smiling nervously. The corners of his mouth twitched, as if he wasn't quite used to being nervous. "Ah, well. I've got a propositio- a mission for you three. An important one."

All three stares were focused on him now, like miniature searchlights. Takumi involuntarily took a step backward. If this had been some other occasion...

He thought: My Komoku-tennou, she's trained her little ones well...

Out loud, he said: "It's about A-rank, I'd say. Maybe even... yes, I'd definitely say S-rank."

Hige said, dangerously suspicious: "How come Miharu-sensei isn't the one who's giving it to us this time?"

Kukai, right on the tail of the last remark, added: "In any case S-rank missions aren't given to us Genin, they're allotted to Jounins who have years of experience under their belts."

Haru, gripping his book: "Y-you m-mentioned proposition...?"

Even Ginmaru barked something, Takumi noted sourly. He sighed inwardly. This was going to be an uphill climb all the way, and no mistake...

He beckoned them into the nearest alley. "Come on, let's go someplace more, eh, private, and I'll tell you the details..."
----------------------------------
Tag Kalah-senpai, or if she's not in the mood, I'll finish this myself later... eventually.

[Bulbasaur4]

The Chuunin Exams

Beginning Intro
[ Seishun Kyosokyoku – Naruto Opening (??)]

The Sensei: Special Collaboration Posty 2

[ Kakashi’s Theme – Naruto OST I ]

“So, the official exam begins in three days.” Yukiso mused, reading his latest, The Movement of the Earth and You. Takumi wasn’t paying much attention, but rather was scarfing down a rather large order of sushi that sat stacked upon a large plate. Miharu leaned her head into the palm of her hand, staring at Takumi with one of her more demeaning and ‘baka’ stares. All the while Kazuki quietly sipped tea, pretending to stare at a particularly interesting leaf upon the ground.

All four sensei’s were sitting at a table, eating. A rather odd sight indeed for most people to see- but if some knew their history, it wouldn’t have been odd at all. It would have been a blast from the past… back in the days when they used to have lunch together quite often. But those were back during the times of war, when lunches were not so often but more of a welcomed grace. Even back during the Kyuubi disaster…

“Well, I for one know that my team is ready!” Takumi boasted, pieces of rice upon his face as he grinned brightly. “They’ll shine to the top, no doubt!”
“Ano…” Yukiso began, raising a brow. “Did you even tell your team they’ve been entered? Last time I checked, they seem to think they’re going to some new mission.”
“Annoooo…” Takumi began, before Miharu spoke up.
“Tsk, Takumi… so irresponsible as always. Your team doesn’t even know what is about to hit them. As for my team… they’ll out think your team before they can lift a finger.”
“WHAT?!” Takumi roared, glaring at Miharu-chan only to receive an equally if not stronger glare from Miharu. “M-my t-team is m-made of rising stars!”
“Pffft…” Miharu scoffed, before suddenly a large cough interrupted their feud. Looking up, Yukiso included, Kazuki stood up and set down his cup of tea.
“If you excuse me, I am going to tell my team about the upcoming Chuunin exams. Last time I checked, none of us had informed our teams.”
Everyone sweatdropped.
“I of course, did this on purpose to prevent the information from exciting them.”
With that, Kazuki vanished. This in turn, left Takumi to stare back at Miharu and Yukiso who quickly made their exit as well.
“Why do they always pick on me!?” Takumi thought angrily, frowning quite severely before taking another piece of sushi.

Kakashi, Yukiso
[ Team 15 ]

[ Kakashi’s Theme – Naruto OST I ]

There were days that Kakashi-sensei looked at his three Genin and thought that they were ready for the Chuunin exams, and he did not regret entering them into it.

“Raiiiizeeeennn!! Try this delicious oatmeal with me!”
“No… leave me alone!”
“But Raiiizen!”
“GAH! You two stepped on my sandwich!”
“Ooh… sorry Masato-chaaan!”
“STOP IT USHI!”

But today, Kakashi-sensei looked at his team and questioned his team’s ability quite greatly. Ushi was now holding a large bowl of oatmeal in Raizen’s face, as Raizen desperately tried to pull Ushi away from him. Meanwhile, a very torn Masato looked down at his now squished sandwich that had its remains all over the bottoms of both Raizen and Ushi’s feet.

Coughing loudly to announce his presence, Yukiso stepped forward into the forest clearing where he had told his team to gather. They had been eating lunch when he arrived, and from the looks of it- getting along rather well.
“Ah, Kakashi-sensei!” Ushi said smiling, suddenly thrusting the bowl of oatmeal in his face, much to the dismay of Yukiso. “Won’t you try some of this delicious oatmeal I have made?!”
“No.” Yukiso said flatly, which caused Ushi to slink back and Raizen to slap his forehead in wonderment at how his sensei could disarm Ushi so easily.

“I have an announcement to make, so if you would all sit.” Yukiso continued, as his three Genin instantly sat down and stared at their sensei, who still held his book.
“How many of you are familiar with the Chuunin Exams, which are upcoming?”
Raizen instantly raised his hand, “My brother Neji’s team has been selected.” He commented, on which Masato also nodded. Ushi looked bewildered and Yukiso sighed.
“Raizen, I will leave it up to you to explain the full details of the purpose of the Chuunin exam to Ushi. However, I want to inform you that I have entered all three of you into the Chuunin exams as well.”
“WHAT!?” Raizen practically spat, looking startled but not in an unpleasant way. Yukiso nodded.
“In fact, the Chuunin exam itself will begin in three days. The first part of the exam is not for me to disclose to you, but the exam itself consists of three different tests. Teamwork is essential if you wish to pass, along with your own personal skills. So, in three days you are to meet in the exam building in room 205. Do not be late and be early, if at all possible.”
“But Kakashi sensei…” Masato began, but he shook his head.
“I’ve been training you these past few months in preparation for the exams so you would be ready. I believe you are qualified enough to participate. If you have further questions… I suggest you save them for the beginning of the exam itself.”

Kuroda, Miharu
[ Team 14 ]

[ Sakura’s Theme – Naruto OST I ]

“So… as you see, you will all be participating in the Chuunin Exams.” Kuroda-sensei finished, taking in a long sip of tea as she knelt upon a very soft blanket. She had invited her team out for a tea party in her backyard, where the flowers were blooming beautifully. There, after Hige and Kukai had finished their little discord about the flowers, she had officially given them the details of the Chuunin Exams and their entrance into them.
“But, Kuroda-sensei is that wise?” Kukai asked, raising a brow as she stole a glance at Hige who gave her a rather dirty look in return.
“Oh my…” Miharu thought, bringing a delicate hand to her lips. “Well, I guess it depends on one’s version of wise. But I do believe that it is a proper step for all three of you… and that you are able enough to be in the exams and goodness, who knows! Perhaps you all shall become lovely Chuunin! Imagine!” Her eyes almost seemed to look up in the sky with enchantment, before she shook herself of her self-created illusion.
“The exam is in three days, so please be in room 205 in the exam building upon the third day. There you will be given details about your first test! And my words of wisdom to you- team work!” She smiled and laughed lightly, taking in yet another calming sip of tea.

Hara, Takumi
[ Team 13 ]

[ Naruto’s Daily Life – Naruto OST I ]

Hara-sensei had wasted no time in appearing before his three students. He had taken it upon himself to invite Onitoge and Inakamo to Chiyoko’s house for a ‘secret meeting of utter importance.’ Indeed two months had passed and it had been a good two months. He had spoken to Onitoge, and while it had been a bit of a shock at first… he was pleased about how his special training sessions had allowed him to grasp a further understanding of his unique abilities. Surprisingly enough, Inakamo and Chiyoko had also improved greatly. Inakamo’s antics matched Takumi’s style so well that the two of them seemed to get along like siblings at times. Chiyoko had perhaps been the most surprising, for after she had finally been released at the hospital she had asked to train exclusively with Naruto for a while. Surprisingly enough, it seemed to toughen up Chiyoko immensely and she had a great deal of resolve to train harder.

But now… they were to meet at her house, under his own little surprise orders. Predicting Chiyoko, he couldn’t help but smile as he approached her apartment door and smelled the delicious flavors coming from within. Without knocking, he merely bashed down the door with his foot, sending it thudding the floor as he yelled with a great merry laugh, “SURPRISE!”
It was enough to cause Chiyoko to squeal, dropping her chopsticks to the floor as Onitoge turned around with utter shock. Inakamo however, merely clapped and laughed- applauding his sensei’s antics. (They had made a habit of encouraging each other in such things…)
“M-my door…” Chiyoko’s voice faded, but Hara-sensei didn’t seem to take in this bit of information.
“Greetings my students… what are we having today?” He looked upon the table to see melon bread, soup and a few other assortments of food. Despite having already eaten, Takumi knelt down and soon began helping himself to the food. All three looked at him in silence, before finally he began speaking.
“Mmm… well, you see… the reason I called this meeting…” He continued to eat as he spoke.
“It is because of the upcoming Chuunin Exams. You all know about them… I’m sure. Big rumors going about- lots of new teams from other places coming in and the like. Well, you see… I’ve entered you three in the Chuunin Exams. You’ll be going to room 205 in three days, in the morning and it is best not to be late and such… they’re sorta nasty about that particular thing.”
After it had settled in, all three practically yelped, “CHUUNIN EXAMS?”
“Well.. yes of course…” Takumi raised a brow, taking a large gulp of drink. “You three are more than qualified to enter…”
“Why did we not know this sooner?” Onitoge asked, as Hara-sensei shrugged.
“I had forgotten?” He questioned, not giving a real answer as he soon dug into his food again.



Saruwatari, Kazuki
[ Team 12 ]

[ Gai’s Theme – Naruto OST III ]

“What, are we tired already?” Saruwatari-sensei asked, crossing his arms as he looked at his three collapsed students. They had been running and climbing along the mountainside for hours and now the sun had begun to set. Saruwatari had also not let them eat lunch, and they had a few weights strapped to their backs as well.
“Hmm… I suppose that is enough for today.” He commented, sitting down upon a rock as he gazed at all three. “So, I shall tell you the news. The Chuunin exams begin in three days. I have entered all three of you in it, against my better judgement. So in the morning, upon the third day, go to room 205 of the exam room. There you will be entered in the Chuunin exams and they will begin. Keep in mind you will be going up against teams from all over the country… so you best keep your cool and not embarrass this village, and of course myself.”
The three stared dumbfoundedly at their sensei, as he sighed.
“Did I stutter? Did your little brains not comprehend what I said?”
“B-but… why would you enter us… you always say how you…”
“Think you’re not ready for anything? Well, I don’t like to give hope to people. It makes them end up like Hara-san.”

Ending Theme
[Parade – Naruto Ending]

(For those of you who wanted sideplots etc... I merely moved on to keep things going. Feel free to continue side plots through flashbacks, past-tense etc. Just let's keep things mov'n! Your next posts can include your reactions and what-not, but move forward so your next posts include arriving in room 205. Feel free to run into characters you know from the real Naruto show that are in the Chuunin exams too! Remember how full that room was! XD I will be inventing a Sound Ninja team to play an important role too (seperate from Dosu's team). Also, for the two members who do not belong to a team... I'm sorry but I'm still working on creating your Sensei. Your Sensei will be female and your third teammate will also be female. :3 I haven't gotten their names but when I do, I will post their information in the lounge. )

[Sworkill87]

Chuunin-ness

It had been months since the disaster of a first c-mission, and since then Raizen had completed another (real) c-mission with his team, trained with his brother Neji, and been tormented endlessly by Ushi. “Ok mom, I’m going out to-” It was at this moment that Raizen was tackled through the door by Ushi. “Gah! Why?!”

“Raaaaiiiiizeeen! Guess what!”

“What?” Raizen groaned as he kicked Ushi off of him.

“ Kakashi sensei told us to meet in the woods for lunch and a special announcement!” Ushi squealed hopping up and down.

***

They joined Masato on the way and acquired food for lunch. They had learned by now that when Yukiso invited them for lunch, he did not provide the food.

“He’s late again.” Masato muttered as he mourned the remnants of his sandwich.

“Actually, he’s been here for about 10 seconds.” Raizen sputtered through Ushi’s attempts to force feed him oatmeal.

"More like 10 minutes." Yukiso said calmly as Ushi instantly turned to offer his sensei oatmeal, only to be shut down by Yukiso’s uncanny ability to stop him. Raizen had been studying this for as long as he’d known the two, and still failed to understand it. Maybe the secret rested in Kakashi sensei's newest book, entitled "Wormhole Theory, and it's aplications to your everyday Ninja life."

“The chuunin exams?!” Raizen asked, his face lighting up. He looked around to see Masato looking apprehensive, and Ushi looking, well… blissfully ignorant.

“Raizen, I’ll leave it up to you to explain what this means to Ushi.” Kakashi sensei said before disappearing. “And remember, in three days, be in room 205.” With that he left the three genin to their thoughts.

***

Having explained the chunnin exams to Ushi, Raizen bid Masato farewell and headed home. “See you in three days then, and remember we’re going to try and get there about 20 minutes early.”

“So, your team has been chosen for the exams as well.” Neji said quietly at the dinner table. “Good, this will strengthen your resolve during our final two days of training.”

And so Raizen’s next two days were wrought with ridiculously intense training led by Neji. ( Insert montage full of blood, sweat, and tears ^_^ )

***
“Good we’re all here, and on time.” Masato said as Raizen walked up to the building’s entrance with Ushi bouncing around him. “Let’s get to this room 205.”

They entered to find what looked like dozens of other teams waiting, warming up, and giving intimidating glares to other teams. “Wow! Look at everyone!” Ushi exclaimed. “I wonder what we’ll have to do!”

“I don’t know, but why don’t we try to keep it down Ushi.” Raizen muttered as a few teams stood up glaring at them. “Let’s just find the room.”

They wandered around for a few minutes, climbed a few stairs, and eventually found a room labeled 205 with a few other teams waiting around it. Some people they recognized from their academy class. “Look, it’s the Uchiha. Ah, I see he’s met my brother’s team. That should be interesting. Anyway let’s keep looking.”

“What’s that?” Said a rough looking pair of ninja. “Can’t you read, this is 205.”

“I myself am quite literate.” Raizen said as he glanced at his teammates.

“You two on the other hand,” Masato said, “I’m not so sure about.” He glanced at Raizen who looked over to Ushi.

“Would you take care of this for us?”

“Hmm?” Ushi responded, “Oh you mean this feeble genjutsu? After training with Kakashi sensei I didn’t even notice it.” He twirled his flute once in his fingers and everyone else saw the sign saying 205 change to 305. “Right, let us find the real room friend Raizen.”

So with that team fifteen walked of in search of the real room 205, looking seriously badass, and the two ninja at the door re-genjutsued the sign to try to trick other teams.

[Mystic_clown]

Selekis
-----------------------
Selekis quietly contimplated the situation. The Chuunin Exams? The chance to advance from simple Genin? To test his skills of illusion against others from all around the country?

Conflicting emotions ran through him. An excitement he had never felt before. It almost seemed like a rare oppertunity for him.

Another was a feeling of dread. Such expectations were put on him. Kazuki sensei expected them to do well. He wasn't trully used to this.

As he slowly removed the weights and climbed ot his feet, another thought ran through his head.

Were any of the other teams entered? Was Chiyoko entering?

A small feeling of dread appeared in his stomach. He didn't want to have to fight her. He didn't want to hurt her.

He looked over towards the town.

There would be ninja from all over the country. And they will all be here.

It would be wise to study the competition, learn who his up against and devise and strategies

Taking his drawing pad with him, the white haired Genin slowly started towards the town.

It was time to get to know the enemy...

[Roy Karrde]

Iokawa, Hiro
~*~*~*~*~ Preparation for the Future~*~*~*~*~

I had to hand it to her, she picked the one outfit that blended into the forest, then again she also picked the transformation form of the one boy that I despised more than anything. Rock Lee. But as much as I hated the sight of that man, she had gotten better in the last month; her ability to mimic transformations had grown by leaps and bounds.

“There!” I shouted, throwing a kunai at the tree across from me.

A quick rustle in the bushes signaled that she had leapt away, just as I had taught her. This was the first night in my three-night preparation for the exams. I had taken Hikari up to the forest outside of the town and set up camp to prepare myself.

“Okay you can come out now..” I yelled out, my voice vibrating from the trees.

“You told me not too.” Rock Lee responded, or at least it sounded like Rock Lee, only with a slightly feminine touch.

I grasped a Kunai in between my second and third finger as I made a fist, pulling my arm back and aiming just below the tree her voice came from. “Mighty Spear of the Wind.” I exclaimed, punching my fist forward and sending the wind and chakara through it and into the Kunai, which funneled down to a curved point which leapt forward, striking the tree. The entire ability acted like a spear that could strike a wide length of the battlefield.

Rock Lee went flying in the air as he or should I say she was thrown from the branch, letting out a terrified scream as she fell. I dropped the Kunai and rushed forward catching him in my arms as he transformed back into my sister in a puff of smoke.

“I also told you not to give away your position.” I rubbed her head, allowing her to jump out of my arms.

“I wish I could win once, so that Na..” She shut her mouth immediately as we headed back to camp.

“So that Naruto will what?” I asked, raising a eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Naruto said that if I was able to make you give up in finding me in a exercise, that he would tell me what a Sexy no Jitsu was.” My hands balled into a fist in anger as the words left my sister’s mouth.

“He is not going to tell you that.” I gritted my teeth in frustration. Before she could answer why, I cut her off. “It’s a ninja move.”

“I am a ninja.” She protested, pointing to the headband that I had given to her on her birthday.

I knew I couldn’t tell her that it was an Adult Ninja thing, that would just drive her further away. All I could do is top Naruto’s deal, and then kill the blonde hair brat. “When you master Animal Transformations I will tell you what it is.”

“Okay!” She grinned, rushing off happily back to camp.

“I am going to kill you Naruto.” I muttered under my breath.

Three days later I arrived at the room, the one that would decide my future for the next few years. Of course Hikari was trailing behind me, having promised to stay in the back of the room as I took the test. Now it all came down to this, this one test.

[Dr.McNinja]

~~Ushi~~

Ushi happily played his flute as Team 15 finally discovered the real Room 205, though at a nudge from Masato he stopped as he realized a few of the nearby genin were slowly falling asleep. Tapping them lightly on the head with his flute to wake them up, he followed his teammates into the room. The place was full of noisily chatting genin, some of whom Ushi had never even met. Raizen chose a seat next to one of the windows lining one side of the room and, hearing a pleased (he thought) sigh from his friend, Ushi plopped down next to him, “Raizen! Look at everyone…why are they all here?”

Raizen blinked a few times before responding, “Um…they’re here for the exam too Ushi, it’s not just us.”

Bouncing excitedly, Ushi’s eyes widened in awe as he scanned the room, “That’s splendid! Look, all our friends are here too!”

Ushi waved at several of the teams, though only Shikamaru, who occasionally sat with Ushi as he looked at the stars at night (he was a great listener, even if he did snore sometimes) spotted the excitable genin and gave him a nod back. Everyone else, it seemed, was busy talking with their own teams. Suddenly though, Ushi face fell, “Raizen? Some of our friends are missing! Where’s Chiyoko? Or Hiro?”

Glancing around himself, Raizen shrugged, “We’re still early, maybe they’re just not here yet…I’d expect at least some of them to have qualified.”

Blessed quiet descended upon Raizen for three blissful seconds before Ushi’s voice rang in his ears again, “Oh! There’s Hiro! Oh look, Hikari is with him! Did she qualify too?! I didn’t know she was even in school yet!”

Raizen’s eyes widened as he snapped his head around to fixate on the young girl. He was silent for a moment before responding, “If she did then I don’t feel so honored anymore…”

Feeling a shifting to his right, Ushi turned to Masato who spoke in a low tone to his team, his face as serious as always, “I dunno, I think we could take her if we had to.”

Ushi and Raizen blinked incredulously at their teammate, sweatdrops forming prominently on their foreheads. Masato suddenly smiled and shook his head at his two friends, “Of course she wasn’t picked, she always follows around Hiro…you actually think I’d beat up a little girl?”

After a moment, Ushi and Raizen smiled too, soft laughs easing the tension of the oncoming examination. As the laughter died down and Raizen turned to look back out the window, Ushi turned back to look at Hiro and his sister, seeing the gleeful look on the little girl’s face at the experience of being around so many skilled shinobi who smiled and acknowledged her. The memory of dozens of older shinobi facing up at him, their headbands showing a simple design of three crosses, suddenly summoned the same remembered feeling of childish happiness in him. Their eyes weren’t on him however…they weren’t really looking at anything. Ushi smiled brightly as the little girl looked his way.

Masato was wrong; it would take all three of them if it came down to it.

[Silencer]

Soen

~~~***~~~***~~~

Soen was standing on top of his house as the wind blew past him.

Another year, another wasted chance. He thought to himself.

With his second year as a genin, he would be unable to compete in the Chuunin exams, again.

His goal seemed to be moving more slowly and slowly.

With his mind a bit wandering, he retreated into the forest. He made a visit to the memorial of Konoha shinobis who died while on a mission. Daku’s and Emi’s names were the latest additions to that.

“Hey guys,” Soen started mumble “seems me and Kaito won’t be able to compete in the next Chuunin exams because of you…”

“Why did you say it Daku? You promised that we would enter, promised that all three of us would become chuunin.”

A tear went down the right side of Soens face as his voice got louder.

“Fine, you and Emi can be that way. But I will not let it end here. I’m going to live out my dreams. And nothing will hold me down. You two just watch me.”

With that Soen rushed of. He had finally said goodbye to his former sensei and teammate.

* * * * *

With his run, Soen ended up in town, close to the administrative building. He entered without much thought and headed to the Hokages office. He banged on the door and entered before a response was given. Luck was with Soen as no one was currently with the Hokage. This would seem an awful lot like a stupid assassination mission…

“I want to compete.” Soen barely brought out.

“Compete? Compete in what?” The old man asked.

“The chuunin exams, I want to compete.”

With his message delivered, Soen turned around and closed the door a bit harder then he intended to.

“It seems we have some interesting shinobi in our village again.” The Hokage spoke to someone outside.

“I hope you can work with this kind of person?”

“So that was one of my new students? You are right, they do seem interesting.”

~~~***~~~***~~~

I took the liberty of a bit of foreshadowing with the new sensei ^^; hope it's ok...

[Emotional Faun Chiko-sai]

I.. I have regained my long-lost BSing powers...!

Shodou Kukai/Team 14/F *
108. "You and I, Watson, we have done our part. Shall the world, then, be overrun by oysters? No, no; horrible!"
-----------------------------------------

The hallway was crowded, and our presence made but a ripple in the teeming masses of humanity that swamped the environs of prestigious Leaf Academy, one of the foremost institutions in the known world. By some strange concert, the three of us had come to join in this venture; with both clarity of mind and physical prowess at our disposal, there should have been no doubt that we should accomplish our object in the swiftest manner possible.

I say that there should have been no doubt, when indeed there was, and the following is a faithful facsimile of what contrived to place such a conundrum before us, with some slight changes pertaining to name and description, and mild paraphrasing of conversation, the former being to ensure that my windpipe remains unsevered that I may continue to pen my little anecdotes, and the latter so that I might preserve the legibility of this tale.

In previous installments, I have often taken the liberty to describe the members of our party in minute detail. Therefore, I may presume that readers are familiar with the names of both Miss Eliza Clarke and Mr Samuel Whiskers, alumni of Leaf both, and distinguished individuals in their own right. We were called upon this errand, along with a number of our acquaintances, all skilled in their respective occupations; and we were to meet in a room, numbered 205, to receive further instructions there. This concerned a test or examination of some sort, although I confess my ignorance of what events we were to be tested upon.

Upon reaching a portico, above which was displayed a placard proclaiming the numbers 2, 0, and 5, in that order, Miss Clarke immediately pronounced it an illusion, provoking the ire of Mr Whiskers, who, just as immediately, stated that it was not, and that it was as plain as the nose on his face that it was room 205 that they now fronted. The two guards lounging about the door first raised their eyebrows in mild surprise at Miss Clarke discovering their game; following this, their eyebrows stayed raised in apparent amusement at the argument that entailed.

Miss Clarke, the infamous soap-killer, stood her ground, remarking, "Your nose must be a poor one, for it evidently fails to detect such an overt thing as a simple illusion."

"Illusions smell of nothing, woman, this has nothing to do with the ability of my nose in the least!" Samuel responded heatedly. He is a man of utmost honour, hampered only by a choleric temper and the contrary habit of being deliberately obtuse when faced by the scintillating intellect of Eliza Clarke.

"Come now, sir, persons with more sense in the head, your dog for one, and friend Harold for another, would agree with me that this is not Room 205. Witness, even now, the actions of your Silversphere as he attempts to prevent you from continuing your foolish spiel." The argent-furred hound was indeed tugging at his master's sleeve, pulling him away from the room.

"Ah, Silver! What is this folly you speak of? Has that woman enchanted you, that you are not my ally in this matter, as you are in all others?"

"Pft. How could you doubt me, when you know that I make it my business to rid the world of disgusting, misling illusions, and that it is the one branch of mastery which I truly abhor."

"I also know that you make it your business to confuse and confound me at every opportunity that you get."

"Your suspicions are mislaid, sir. In this case I have every intention of leading you upon the right path."

They went on in this vein for a while, their debate punctuated by occasional whines from the good Silversphere

"Wow, kid," grinned the spike-haired half of the duo flanking Room 205, as he peered over Haru's shoulder, "that's some story you have there."

Haru took no apparent notice of the comment till he finished the sentence he was writing, then looked up tentatively at the older genin and nodded. "...Thank you."

"Plan on telling them to cut it out any time soon? It's entertaining, sure, but they're telling the world about our little genjutsu trick on the sign, or at least she is, and we don't want that."

At that moment Kukai, exasperated at last, mouthed "Kai", clapping her hands once, and the sign reverted to its original label of 305. It quickly resumed the guise of 205, as the other Genin guard reapplied the genjutsu, but there had been enough time for Hige to see the numbers change, and Kukai's finger to prod her point home on his chest. "Are you satisfied, Mr Inuzuka Hige?"

"Perfectly," grumbled Hige, scowling.

"Perfectly," replied Mr Samuel with bad grace, turning from the lady, and looking rather as if he had been made to take some very bitter and unpleasant medicine. wrote Haru, scribbling the last furiously as he trailed after the other two, now engaged in browbeating (Kukai) and being browbeaten (Hige) as they headed up the stairs on their way to the correct room.

*

The day had promised to be a hard one, judging from her brother's expression when he'd heard her announcement that she had been picked to try for Chuunin rank. He had not put her abilities down, as she had expected, but rather assumed a comical grimace, accompanied by some twitching of the eye. When questioned further Shodou Ryokan at first insisted that he was suffering from Tourette's syndrome. After seeing the look in his sister's eye he condescended to say that the Chuunin exam was something he would very much rather not go through again.

Genin Team 14 had initially been early for their appointment. As it was, by the time they reached genjutsu-free Room 205, moderately full of Chuunin-rank-seeking Genin, they were merely punctual. There were many oddballs among the people in the room, not least those from their own village but others as well: thoroughly disreputable Sound Genin with brutal kanji scattered liberally over their clothing; a small, deadly-looking boy with a gourd on his back and his retinue, a bunraku devotee and a blonde girl with a fan; surprisingly, as the room filled, Kukai saw that the entire class of recently-graduated Konoha Genin were candidates for the exam.

Notably, Iokawa Hiro was reprimanded by a fearsome-looking Jounin for bringing his sister in when she had not been nominated to take the test; the little girl refused to budge and, indeed, stuck her obstinate tongue out most impudently at Morino Ibiki, who visibly stiffened. Kukai's attention was distracted at the last moment, as she had been compelled to chastise one Inuzuka Kiba for an offhand remark he had made about her marital status.

Personally, Kukai had nothing against Team 8 as a unit. In Kukai's opinion Aburame Shino and Hyuuga Hinata were blameless human beings who had their own lot in life, who did what they could, although in the case of Hinata the girl had had an extreme lapse of judgment in choosing Naruto as an object of affections. (They said love was blind, and the euphemism conceivably applied even to Hyuuga with their white eyes and three-hundred-and-sixty degree vision.)

Inuzuka Kiba was the problem. Kukai had often wondered whether she had grievously wronged the Inuzuka family in one of her past lives, or at least the Inuzuka males. It had been a long time coming to an uneasy understanding with the specimen named Inuzuka Hige, and that was only because the boy had sufficient brains and/or natural defensive instincts to learn when not to go too far. Sadly for him, Kiba, a year younger and several significant clumps of grey fluff lesser, had no such inhibitions, and though usually civil, began their encounter today with an enthusiastic cry of "Yo, Hige! Yer wife and ya and Kozue got picked too, huh?"

There was a predictable "SHUT UP KIBA" from the afflicted cousin. Kukai merely smiled her most potent double-edged smile at Kiba, a smile that showed the barest hint of teeth and carried dangerous overtones of washboards, and said, "Should you not refrain from implying that there exists any relationship beyond that which is platonic between myself and your worthy cousin, I assure you, Kiba-san, there will be repercussions."

Kiba flinched involuntarily. He didn't get everything, but he got the drift.

* I tell a lie, a large portion of this post was made from Haru's POV, the characterization of whom I apologize for if overly contrived/disapproved of by Arnen.

[Shadow Djinn]

Shiro - Genin
-

Chuunin Exam?

Shiro sighed as he paced along the length of his cramped room, his eyes downcast, gazing at the worn floorboards, thoughts swirling about his mind. He was dressed shabbily, his gi still lined with sweat from previous training. Even throughout his normal workouts his mind was occupied with the thought of the chuunin exam, and the fact that Kazuki thought they could even work together enough...

I've hardly talked to my teammates, actually...despite the missions. How the hell are we going to be able to get through this?

Shiro exited his small, worn down house, not bothering to reprimand his shabby appearance. His eyes roved the length of the village from his tall vantage point, seeking out specifically....

He saw many people milling about the streets, passing over them all without a second glance, only pausing once or twice as he noticed a shinobi among them, sporting a forest green vest that usually signified a higher rank than genin, the thoughts of the Chuunin exam returning to him at such a time.

Eventually he scowled and leapt from his balcony, bounding across several roofs before he reached the denser parts of Konoha, the forest. He eyed his knuckles, noticing the skin near the point of cracking, but simply brushed the notion off, descending deeper and deeper. Finally he stopped at the stump of a large tree, the bark lined with many gashes. A cracked, wooden target board was nailed to it, aged from use, lined with cuts from where kunai and shuriken had punctured the form.

Three days...

A kunai thudded into the target, only a slight mark off the small, crimson bullseye.

Well dammit. Looks like these three days will go to use, eh?

-

Three days later...

"So this is the chuunin exam." Shiro said lightly as he entered the cramped room of 205, accompanied by his allies. He glanced at Selekis, who seemed occupied in staring at something in his pad, while Hiro seemed to have things on his mind, with a determined look displayed in his features.
"Well then," the genin muttered more to himself than anything, disappointed by his teammate's lack of enthusiasm. "Go team."

-

EDIT: Noticed that other teams advanced, so I'll follow that instead.

[Bulbasaur4]

Name: Saruwatari, Sai
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Appearance: See here for a crappy rough sketch. Did this for just main ‘get the concept’ appearance. Sai has flowing black hair that is tyed up into two pigtails. This is quite the contrast to her pale but vibrant skin and her dark honey-brown eyes. She’s quite short, being only 5’3 and while she does have a bust she looks quite young. She usually is found adorning a long sleeved, skin-tight black shirt with more loose and baggy deep crimson pants. Around her waist she wears a brown belt, fastened to it a blue scroll, a few kunai and a white pouch.
Personality: Sai is quite the contrast to her Uncle, Kazuki. She’s quite happy, loud and chipper. While not off the wall and clutzy like Hara, she is very talkative. She doesn’t have much of a temper but rather places all of her energy to be ‘gung-ho’ and “do your best!” She is extremely friendly and often loves to socialize with nearly anyone. She is only reserved about her own history, in which she’ll get deadly quiet. The only one who seems to bring out her anger is Kazuki.
History: Sai’s history is purposefully very mysterious and hard to get a hold of. Only Elite Jounin know of it, so naturally the four other Sensei do. She is the Niece of Saruwatari Kazuki, but shunned for several years and almost dismissed from the line. It is only until recently that they have accepted her, but still are quite distant. She used to be extremely close to Kazuki growing up. She did grow up in the Hidden Leaf Village and rose to the elite ranks extremely swiftly- almost unnaturally so. She trained heavily under Kazuki for a time, which inabled her to reach the rank of Jounin quite swiftly. She disappeared for 4 years and has, as of late, made a reappearance.
Main Jutsu: Taijutsu & Ninja-Related-Objects Specialist
Special Abilities: Sai is extremely adept at using her own special-made battle-ready objects. This means kunai and various throwing weapons, but most importantly and distinctively it means bombs. Combined with her Tsuande-esque Taijutsu power, Sai is one girl you do not want to get on the bad side of.
Hobbies: Sai loves tinkering with everyday objects to make them something either completely off the wall or incredibly useful. She also recently opened a Weapons Shop called, “High Infinity Power” AKA H.I.P. XD
Relations: Niece of Saruwatari, Kazuki.
Other: Has a very unique fondness of… ahem… Neji. XD XD XD Also, due to her age, she has many younger Genin doubting her real abilites as a Sensei.

The Misadventures of Saruwatari and Saruwatari
“A Meddlesome Kid and A Battle of Epic Proportions”

~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~

Almost everyone had filed into the classroom of 205 and were nervously awaiting what sinister test was about to begin for them. However, within the blink of an eye there was a very disgruntled cough followed by a murderous scream. Turning around, many saw the broad-shouldered and often mistakingly ‘bishie’ appearance of Saruwatari Kazuki. He had grabbed the small little girl by the shirt of her collar, pulling her back away from her brother Hiro, who was sending murderous glares at his sensei. There were yells of protest by him, angry calls from the girl… while Kazuki remained silent until the two settled down. (Quite a ruckus, causing many to give their own versions of death glares at the ‘baka’ who brought his little sister into a Chuunin Exam test.)
“This is simply the most idiotic thing I have ever seen in a Chuunin exam and it has even yet to barely start.” Kazuki stated, sending his trump card of a gaze down upon Hiro who fell silent.
“Did you honestly think it was alright to bring your little sister into an exam test? Did you really think that your peers would deem it fair or that the test takers would take the responsibility that ensured her safety? Did you even think of her safety, Hiro, when you brought her in here? What if the exam were to have traps and deadly unforeseen events? What then Hiro-kun?” Kazuki spat the last part of Hiro’s name additive, but he gave Hiro no time to answer as he turned away with his sister.
“After the Chunnin phase, you will see your sister.” He commented, slamming the door behind him.
Oh…how embarrassing.



“You’re a big meanie!” The girl known as Hikari proclaimed as she begrudgingly walked along Kazuki’s side. Kazuki rolled his eyes with a sigh, looking down at the young girl reminded him of his younger days with a certain ‘someone’.
“I am not mean.” He retorted.
“Yes you are! You always yell and pick on my brother!”
“If it were not for me, your brother would not be half the Ninja he is now.”
To this, Hikari stuck out her tongue to which Kazuki returned a glare. The typical conversation continued, until Kazuki had walked out of the exam building and stopped at a ramen shop. Normally he would not be caught dead upon such a place, but his mind told him that many kids liked these sort of places, and thus Hikari would eat here.
“Here…” Kazuki said, taking a hot bowl of Chicken Teriyaki Ramen and placing it in front of Hikari. “Eat.”
Hikari’s eyes widened as she saw the massive bowl in front of her – indeed, she had never been treated to such a massive bowl since she was young and Hiro considered that she shouldn’t eat that much food for her age. Kazuki however, was not familiar with things such as ‘age’ and ‘lack of eating’ and thus he ordered the same size for her that he did for himself. Perhaps this temporarily won over Hikari, who actually in return, said thank you. Kazuki merely nodded and the two sat in silence, slurping and eating their Ramen.

Time passed as they ate and Kazuki ordered tea and sipped it while Hikari continued to eat her Ramen. It wasn’t until she was done that Kazuki cringed when she opened her mouth and started to ask questions.
“Do you have a family here?”
“No.”
“Did you like your ramen? I loved mine!”
“No.”
“What kind of tea is that?”
“White.”
“Are we going to do something fun next?”
“no.”
“Are you grumpy?”
“No.”

“Well… making friends, are we Old Kiki?” A new, stronger, bolder voice rose into the air causing the hairs upon Kazuki’s neck to rise as he stiffly turned around to see what could have been mistaken as a ghost, if one were to look at his normally ‘expressionless’ face.
There before him, stood Saruwatari Sai. Her short stature did not seem to impede the strong, vibrant air that seemed to circle about her as she smiled her usual bright grin. Her raven black hair matched her chipper demeanor in its pigtailed updo and her trademark large blue scroll still hung by her belt along with other various things that seemed to be effortlessly kept around her waist.
“S-sai..” Kazuki stuttered, as Sai winked and snapped her fingers.
“You remember me! I’m so flattered….” She laughed, swiftly introducing herself as Kazuki’s niece to Hikari.
“So, new job?” She asked, pointing at Hikari.
“No. My baka student took her with him to the Chuunin exam.”
“Oh poor thing…” Sai said, looking at Hikari. “he’s really a big kitten, you just have to rub him the right way behind the ears and-”
“I will hear no more of this!” Kazuki said, standing up as he firmly took a large gulp of his tea. “I heard you were coming here but I did not get wind as to why.”
“heh… figures they wouldn’t tell you. They knew just as I that you’d fly off your bamboo seat if you heard it and nothing would have been done.”
“What are you talking about?” Kazuki peered, feeling a sense of dread was about to find him.
“The new sensei- the one to take over for a new Team 17. They hired me!” She practically sang, posing for an added effect.
It was ineffective against Kazuki.


An hour later…


“No!” Absolutely no!” Kazuki roared, and it would have been a surprise if those below in room 205 did not hear it. He was standing before the Hokage and several other sensei- Gai, Kakashi Hatake and Kakashi Yukiso being some of them. (Both Kakashi’s were sitting on window sills, reading their respective books with one eye peering.)
“We understand your concern, Saruwatari, but Sai has proven herself to be-“
“Be what?! A criminal!?” He roared, to which then Sai then took a step forward from Gai’s side.
“A criminal?! Is that the reason? Oh I see… so you hold grudges now? The family still got their conservative hold on you?” She growled.
“I just think it is too soon to give you such a position. Besides, you’re only 16 and completely unqualified! You need more missions! More training!”
“HEY hey hey! She sparred with me and matched me blow for blow!” Gai commented, giving a thumbs up. “No worries on her-“
“Silence Gai!” Kazuki roared, causing the green-suited man to frown.
“I have redeemed myself many times because of my past. I no longer am associated with them and never will be. You know I haven’t killed anyone either… not against our village! Besides, I have already spoken to the Genin of the team! MY team!”
“You’re too young!” Kazuki retorted.
“Ah, such youth!” Gai commented.
“SILENCE GAI” Both Saruwataris yelled.

“That is enough.” The Hokage finally spoke, sighing. “If this is such a problem… I think that I will allow Kazuki to demonstrate how Sai is not capable of being the Sensei for Team 17. The two of you will not be needed until the third part of the exam and neither will several Sensei. So a spar is in order between you two. If Sai can prove herself against her Uncle, then she will become the Sensei. Agreed?”
The two hesitated, glaring at each other but slowly nodded.
“I will gladly prove Old Kiki wrong.”
“I am pleased to be able to knock sense into my brat of a niece.”
More glares ensued.

“Then let us find a suitable spot.” The Hokage announced.


To Be Continued
A Battle of Epic Proportions: Part II




Name: Taio
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Appearance: See here!! Again, rough crappy sketch to give you the idea. Taio is quite tall for his age, fyi. Wears headband in hair to keep it tied up.
Personality: Taio is a smooth talker and often reminds most of a fox in the way he behaves. He is cunning, ingenious and has a very leader-like aura about him. He is very commanding of his two comrades and is the one who always talks “for the group”. He also shushes and has an iron-like grip around Daiko. He always seems to lead on that he knows more than what he actually says.
History: Unknown – Grew up in the Sound Village.
Main Jutsu: Unknown
Special Abilities: Unknown – believed to somehow incorporate long sleeve and hair.
Hobbies: Taio’s hobbies are hitting on women, ordering around his two comrades and being sneaky and behind the scenes. He really enjoys playing mind games.
Relations: Teammate of Nain and Daiko.
Other:



Name: Daiko
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Appearance: See crappy picture here!! YAY FOR ROUGH HURRIED SKETCHES. It is important to keep in mind that he always hunches over and when he stops walking, he always sits like in that picture or at least crouches. His arms are not proportionate with his legs and are longer than normal. He just gives the feeling that something is ‘wrong’ with his appearance to everyone who sees him. His upper body is completely ripped and unnatural for his age, adding to this oddity. Wears headband around torso.
Personality: Wild, unpredictable and dangerous. Daiko speaks out of turn, outbursts and is quite violent. He has an incredibly short temper and won’t hesitate to use his size and surprising speed to teach others a lesson. Not very bright in the least however when it comes to everyday things. This usually makes people under estimate his fighting smarts. Daiko only listens to Taio and tolerates Nain.
History: Daiko was a son born into a clan within the Sound Ninja Village. However, the clan was highly revered for its unnatural strength and maturity growth. Daiko was given as a gift to Orochimaru’s studies, since he was naturally curious with clans and their unique gifts. Daiko then became Orochimaru’s experiment, to the extent that Daiko’s body became completely ripped, rather oddly lengthening his arms. However, Daiko’s abilities rapidly rose. Daiko soon came to only listen to Orochimaru and then strangely, only listen to Taio. It is rumored that both Taio, Daiko and Nain once were specifically trained and housed by Orochimaru.
Main Jutsu: Ninjutsu/Taijutsu combo
Special Abilities: Chakra Claws – Daiko channels chakra into the claws upon his hands to give them extra power, however his claws also can dislodge and be flung at opponents and he can manipulate them like puppets are. They have deadlier side affects for his opponent however…
Hobbies: Eating, swearing, yelling, fighting, eating, fighting… etc…
Relations: Teammate of Taio and Nain.
Other:



Name: Nain
Gender: Female
Age: 12
Appearance: YAY FOR ANOTHER CRAPPY “GET THE PICTURE” SKETCH! Nain’s hair upon her right side never allows her eye to be seen unless she moves it. It seems she consciously channels chakra to the ride side of her hair to keep it in place. It also is important to note that the ninja fish-net armor does not reveal her chest, but her chest underneath that is taped as well. She also does not wear shoes and always carries a pink stuffed kitty with her that looks very worn. Wear headband around right leg’s thigh.
Personality: None? Nain seems to have no personality. She usually is quite blank and expressionless, looking quite sleepy at times. She barely talks…
History: Nain’s clan was not from the Sound Village. They long ago died out, due to themselves. Her clan was cursed with a bi-personality disorder, in which there was a completely different personality that lived within their dreams. At puberty most clans people would come of age and their other personality would surface. If they were lucky, they lived to age 20. Usually if they fell asleep, their other personality would take over and eventually kill its own body. The other personality is extremely powerful and difficult to control. Nain was born just as the rest of her clan seemed to die out, where she was found by Orochimaru. He took her and trained her... helping and teaching her to put her other personality to use. It seems to be connected to her right eye which must remained covered at all times… for it is rumored that something terrible would happen if it were uncovered.
Main Jutsu: Genjutsu/Ninjutsu
Special Abilities: “Dream of Eternity” – Traps opponent in dream world, where they fall victim to her other personality and are mercilessly tortured. Meanwhile, Nain – separate from her own personality, controls her conscious self to kill the vulnerable opponent.
Hobbies: None, likes “Kitty”
Relations: Teammate of Taio and Daiko
Other:




They walked into the Hidden Leaf Village with little sound or ruckus. However, even the townspeople sensed the foreboding aura that surrounded the three Sound Ninjas. They were like demons calmly walking through the land of angels and they stood out like a sore thumb.


None of them talked… at least, not until they ran into a very familiar group of three.
“Ah, so it seems the lovely Temari is walking with her siblings again.” Taio said smoothly, smiling to her ever so pleasantly as both groups ran into each other while walking to the exams. They had stayed in the leaf village for a few days, but mostly had kept to themselves and remained unnoticed.
“Be quiet Taio. I don’t think we should be acting like we know each other.” She spat. Kankuro made a pained expression as he stood uncomfortably close to Daiko, who decided that sniffing him was a good idea.
“Get away idiot.” Kankuro practically hissed, as Daiko then decided to growl and show his nice ivory canines.
“Kill. I want to kill him.” Daiko said, looking at Taio. Taio flashed a look at Daiko, who immediately responded by taking a few steps away from Kankuro. The message was clear.
“No need to be so worried, dearest Temari-chan. The elders don’t pay much attention to us Genin- we’re just merely Genin, correct?”
Silence.
It is notable to state during this conversation, both of Gaara’s eyes were staring intently and quite fixatedly upon Nain, who stared back with her expressionless left eye. The two had not turned their gazes or flinched in reaction to each other. Gaara sensed the power there and felt the need to destroy it. Nain perhaps simply stared because there was nothing else to do. She gave no return glare.
“Ignore them.” Gaara commented finally as both groups entered the exam building.


The exam was given, the rules were laid out and many young Genin were stressing over their tests that lay before them. Ibiki seemed to be having a grand time staring them down as they were being watched and heavily tested.
The three Sound Nins seemed to have no troubles. Nain was writing down the answers effortlessly, unflinching as she sat next to Neji and the one known as Ushi. Meanwhile, Daiko seemed to have his gaze set on Nain who was before him- but most importantly he was simply staring at the flexing movement of her arm and the intricate position of her fingers. Taking his own hand, he did not even glance at his paper as he mimicked her easily and quickly.
The examiners also did not notice the small four hairs that seemed to slide across the floor, down several rows and up to Nain’s hand. There they wrapped about her fingers, being so fine and so fair that they were virtually indetectable. Taio too, began writing down his answers.
And many, many Genin teams began to worry about this new Sound Ninja. Even Dosu, a fellow Sound Nin, seemed quite disgruntled.






Chiyoko

Chiyoko, Onitoge and Inakamo had shown up to the exam on time. Sitting down in their assigned seats, Chiyoko recalled the strange Genjutsu that they were tested upon first. It was Inakamo who noticed something was strange first, before both Onitoge and Chiyoko confirmed that it couldn’t possibly be the room. Upon entering the real 205 and then going into the exam room, Chiyoko met up with a few friends and nodded to them. Selekis, Ushi, Hiro, Naruto and the like. No conversations this time however- this was the Chuunin Exam and she had to be dedicated to only two other people – Onitoge and Inakamo.
But now they were being tested… and Chiyoko found the answers were extremely difficult. Slowly she began working through the problems… but the time limit was too stressing- there was no way she’d finish it in time even if she could work every single one out.
Time continued to dwindle… until Chiyoko realized that the room had a specific air to it. This wasn’t a simple testing room… and Chiyoko’s keen eye realized that there was something up. If this were a simple test to become a Chuunin, the test wouldn’t be set up the way it was. The problems were too difficult and such a test wouldn’t be modeled in the way it was if it truly were testing for a Chuunin.
Also, many of the Genin seemed distracted or as if they were semi-concentrating or thinking of other things. Their mind was off some where… and it wasn’t until Chiyoko noticed the lines that formed upon Neji Hyuuga’s face that she realized that everyone was cheating. There were some Genin in the room that were answering pretty swiftly, and it was then that Chiyoko finally fell to the epiphany – this was designed for everyone to cheat!
“I hope the others will do alright…” Chiyoko thought to herself, realizing that she had very little ability to cheat. Based off the calculations however, Chiyoko felt as if she could answer enough questions to pass the test without cheating. And with that in mind, she continued plugging away… hoping Onitoge and Inakamo would fair well.

[Heald]

Inakamo Yakusha

The questions on the exam that lay before Inakamo were ridiculous - he was a ninja, not some kind of geometrist. Questions that needed the exact trajectory of kunai if throwing at a team of Jonin-level ninja were not exactly the questions he had in mind to become a Chuunin - Inakamo doubted that even Hara-sensei could have even passed this exam; although he did continue to astound Inakamo when it came to surprise skills. Inakamo had always been the more practical ninja, never really paying attention in class, instead using his ninjutsu to prank his classmates. He looked around and saw his teammates were equally bamboozled by the problems that lay before them. In fact, now that he paid close attention, most of the other Genin were stumped for answers too. Only a handful of Genin were scribbling anything down. Surely this exam was not meant to weed out all but a few?

However, as the exam wore on, Inakamo's keen eyes began to notice that other examinees were displaying signs of using ninjutsu, although to what end he could not tell, only that they were using it. Sometimes the scratch of the invigilating Chuunins' pens would signal someone had been caught, but he noticed several occasions that a Genin would use a jutsu and then scribble down an answer, and no Chuunin had caught him. His masked eye surbeyed the flanks of the room to see if any Chuunin was watching him, and he carefully moved his hand under the desk. He had noticed an examinee in front of him had written answers for the first three, and as soon as he noticed that the examinee in front was about to write, he quickly cast a Chakra strings jutsu onto the arm of the examinee. He then mimicked the motions of the Genin's arm and copied down the answer, all the while checking to see if any of the invigilators had noticed. As luck would have it, it would seem that he had gotten away with it!

Inakamo had written answers for questions 3 to 6, and they seemed to make sense. He carefully scanned the room again and noticed that Chiyoko had answered the first question, but could not see Onitoge's paper. However, he had to ensure that both had a pass; Onitoge was a taijutsu specialist and had never particularly excelled in class, so Inakamo figured that he wouldn't be able to cheat as effectively as himself. Inakamo wrote down a couple of the answers he had on the back of his hand and then performed his Burrowing Hand jutsu, transferring it to the ground underneath Onitoge's desk. He tapped his ankle and Onitoge looked down, smiled and began scribbling the answers down. He did likewise to Chiyoko, who nearly turned around to beam at Inakamo, but at the last second turned back, realising that signalling at him would have probably given the game away.

As the time wore on, the examiner stood up and let out a little cough. It would appear that the time to answer the tenth question had come.

[Outlaw JT]

YAY!!!!! It returns!!!!!

Onitoge
~~~~~~~~~

"Do you understand now, Onitoge?" Hara-sensei spoke in a truly uncharacteristically calm and sensitive voice.

It all seemed so impossible but somehow it rang true. It explained so much. As he thought back on everything it seemed obvious. He had been deceiving even himself for so long but he no longer had such a luxury. What he was no longer remained secret. He understood at last why most of the villagers received him so poorly. He was an orphan of the Village Hidden in the Myst and heir to a frightening heritage.

"Yes sensei," Onitoge replied quietly.

He had been wrong to hold himself back all that time but his reasoning was eerily correct. Half of the Genin who had gone on the mission with him couldn't even look him in the eye for days. Only Chiyoko and Inakamo had been fully accepting of him after seeing what he kept locked inside. Rather than grow the strength not to rely on his 'gift' he had tried to avoid conflict entirely. Now Onitoge knew that to keep the monster at bay he had to be strong enough to control it.

"Good! Then we'll start training you tomorrow. Hatake, Kazuki, and myself will all take time to work with you. I believe by controlling your kekkei genkai you can avoid losing control. If you're strong enough you won't have to fall victim to your birth clan's curse. I'll see you in the morning Onitoge," Takumi said as he ruffled Onitoge's hair.

********two month's later********

It had been a long two month's since their first fateful mission. Somehow Hara-sensei had kept his word that the few Jounin he was familiar with would train him how to use his gift. Despite having several C-rank missions Onitoge managed to have time almost every day with one of the three sensei.His training had been diverse and intense but he was starting to learn how to use his gift. Onitoge found himself constantly working on new ways to apply it.

Of course, he had yet to come up with an application of his kekkei genkai that would help him with his current dilemma. How could he use it to cheat on a written test, after all?

Onitoge scanned the room carefully. After he determined he would only be able to answer two questions himself he quickly figured out the point of the test was to cheat. He had spotted three people who seemed to have no trouble with the questions but had no idea how to copy their answers. He was just about to decide that it was hopeless for him when he felt a tap at his ankle.

He glance down carefully and noticed Inakamo's hand waving at him from the floor with three answers sprawled delicately across it. Onitoge scanned the room again to make sure no one had observed Inakamo's jutsu before copying the answers to questions 3 through 6.

A few minutes passed and Inakamo's hand appeared again with two more answers sprawled on it. Question's 1 and 9 seemed to fit neatly and Onitoge felt a little embarassed he hadn't gotten 9 on his own. Then the thought occurred to him that he had answered 2 and 8 on his own and the others didn't have them yet so far as he knew.

In a flash Onitoge finally thought of how to use his gift to cheat on the exam without getting caught, much thanks to Inakamo's Burrowing Hand jutsu. He had been working on producing exploding kunai with his gift by scribing the rune for it on them in blood as he produced them. It just suddenly struck him that he could scribe the answers on one in the same way.

So, before Inakamo's hand disappeared again it felt a poke. Inakamo seemed to get the gesture as his hand grabbed the small flat piece of bone that had two answers scribbled messily across it. It wasn't perfect but it should be enough.

A few more minutes passed and then the hand returned one final time. It returned the bone shard which swiftly absorbed back into Onitoge's ankle. Onitoge glanced down briefly when he was certain it was safe and quickly let out a cough to cover up the laugh that almost escaped his mouth.

'Chiyoko - 2, Onitoge - 2, Inakamo - 4: Proving once again that I rock harder than all. Hail the mighty genius clown!'

The writing on the back of Inakamo's hand was fanciful with little artistic scribblies all over the place. It took every ounce of concentration not to laugh. Looking over he could see Chiyoko was recovering from no doubt the same message. Onitoge beamed at how they were doing. Somehow they had all provided some answers so with their teamwork now all had 8 out of 9 answers. It seemed they were all going to pass the first exam. Onitoge could barely contain his excitement but he was quickly brought back to reality as the proctor stood and cleared his throat.

[Mystic_clown]

Selekis
----------------------
From everyone elses point of view, one would assume Selekis had not looked up from his paper at all, quietly writing down the answers with no problem at all, only pausing occassionally to think about them.

One would never suspect he was looking over almost everyone's shoulders.

One the ceiling above, one of his clones melted through, only enough so his face was through nothing more. Silently, the clone's eyes scanned the papers of the others.

The beautiful thing about being able to create copies of yourself, you can look through their eyes. It was how you basically controlled them. They didn't really have thoughts of their own, you have to control them like puppets. Needless to say, it's not easy.

Occassionally he would cast a glance over at Chiyoko. He was curious as to what she would do, considering some of the juitsus at her disposal. He was at first surprised that she was attempting this without cheating, and made him a little ashamed that he had to do this. But then he was becoming worried for her. These tests were made to be cheated. He feared that Chiyoko might fail if she did otherwise.

Silently praying that Chiyoko would pass, he wrote down the answer to question 6.

[Sworkill87]

Cheating:

Team 15 split up as everyone sat down and received their copies of the test. After the signal to begin was given Raizen looked down at his test and felt a small weight drop in his stomach as he thought “Damn, I might be able to answer two of these, but just that alone would put me past the time limit, and that’s not nearly enough to pass.”

While keeping his head down, Raizen scanned the room with his byakugan. It was then that the noticed almost everyone was staring blankly at their own tests. Except for a few genin that seemed to be answering all the questions with ease. “I guess that makes sense,” He thought, “These questions are ridiculous. The only way we’d be able to answer all of them is to cheat.”

“I wonder how I can communicate my answers to Masato and Ushi.” Raizen thought as he began copying one of the “genin” who seemed to have all the answers. Raizen had gotten five answers down on his paper, when he felt something on his finger, and noticed that he now had a stack of three papers. “What the…?” He immediately byakuganed over to see Masato and Ushi. Masato was bent over his paper with one hand in his hair, apparently in deep concentration; and Ushi looked like he was doodling on his paper, and only because of his byakugan, Raizen noticed that Ushi had his flute twirling rapidly underneath his desk.

Raizen had finished his own test now and started on the other two copies, making sure to change his handwriting slightly for each one. “Clever guys,” He thought, “Masato must have transported our tests with strands of that scarf he’s been training with so much. They’re hidden in his hair. And judging by the hidden, twirling flute, Ushi is casting a powerful illusion to make it seem as though he and Masato still have their papers. Heh, talk about teamwork. And we didn’t even need to communicate w/ each other.”

Now keeping his byakugan concentrated on the shinobi trying to catch cheaters, Raizen finished the other two tests and began to wonder what this mysterious 10th question would be.

[Dr.McNinja]

EDIT: Double post.

[Dr.McNinja]

Ushi doodled absently, a stick figure Raizen with large empty circles for eyes throwing himself into the arms of a squiggly haired Ushi. His other hand twirled his flute under the desk, keeping the instrument as close to the underside of the surface as he could to avoid notice. The air flowing through the flute was just enough to make a soft, muted note he needed to weave his Genjutsu, though not being able to manipulate the tune forced him to devote more chakra to the task than normal. Looking up from his fake paper, Ushi scanned to room. He could see many groups who seemed lost or confused, but he also saw just as many who were working furiously on their test. Ushi wondered how many of them were cheating like they were. It was so exciting! He had never cheated before, but the instant he had seen the test he knew he couldn’t have done it on his own…even his wonderfully gorgeous Raizen would have had trouble.

He been pondering on how he could use his own skills to find the answers, something about mini-Ushis and covert black ops when, glancing at Raizen, he had seen the telltale veins that he knew as a teammate signaled Raizen's use of the Byakugan. He had carefully removed his flute from his waistband and began twirling it, summoning up the illusion that he was still maintaining. The large arrow he caused to appear on Masato’s now fake test had been enough to make the focused youth catch Raizen’s activities too and the skilled Taijutsu user had figured out how to get the tests to their teammate quite effectively. Manipulating Raizen and Masato's tests briefly to show a happily smiling Ushi giving them a thumbs up, Ushi returned the illusion to normal and had started doodling to contain his excitement. The entire experience was just exhilarating, even more so when the Chuunin stationed around the room began pouncing on those who were lax in their concealment. Some of failing groups had been leaking chakra so badly as they worked that Ushi had been able to see them but many of them had seemed perfectly normal to the genin. The proctors were skilled then, and weren't showing any mercy in their judgements. Ushi couldn’t see any flaws in his illusion, but obviously he wouldn't, he just hoped those trained to see them wouldn't either.

The young Genin looked over to Masato to see if he was as thrilled by the entire experience as he was. He tried to look bored…or frustrated…or something so he wouldn’t be suspicious but only ended up with an odd mixture of giddy eyes and a horribly scowling mouth. Masato was focused on his fake test however, he seemed to be actually trying to answer it. Ushi wondered if anyone was actually capable of finishing the whole test on their own, he certainly didn't think it was possib…

His eyes moved off Masato as he heard a pencil drop noisily to the desk next to him. The Sound Ninja girl who sat there was facing forward, her eyes as bored and as dreamy as when she had sat down. Her one hand sat loosely on the table next to the dropped writing utensil, her other hung at her side still gripping the stuffed kitten she had walked in with. The kitten seemed to be staring at Ushi so he gave it a smile before continuing his investigation. Had she given up? It made sense, Ushi thought, the test was extremely hard. He waited for a moment, the loud sound had drawn nearly every eye to their area of the room and he needed all the concentration he could muster to keep his illusion strong under such scrutiny. Eventually however the stares ended, people had more to worry about than a strange noise, and his eyes glanced downwards at her paper for an instant. He wondered how far she had gotten before she had finally given u...

The writing on the paper was so thick that with the brief glance he risked at the test Ushi couldn’t even find the questions in between the answers. Barely half the time allowed for the test had passed, and the mysterious Sound Ninja had already written more than Raizen would end up writing for all three of their tests combined…and he had not stopped writing since the moment the test had begun! Behind her, her partner was massaging his hand with a look of pain on his face, throwing disgruntled looks at the girl. Ushi almost stopped twirling his flute in suprise, he had been next to her the whole time and he hadn’t even felt the vaguest stirring of chakra around her, save that which had been constantly flowing through the lock of hair covering her eye. Had she done the entire test all by herself? Was that even possible? Or was she so good that whatever she had done had been totally undetectable, even this close? Ushi use all of his willpower to restrain himself from throwing himself off his seat and over to her ask her. That might make a few people suspicous he wisely concluded. Blinking a few more times, Ushi turned back to his fake paper, seeing Raizen working Masato’s test, the last of the three. If they finished early maybe they would be able to socialize and he could ask her. Stealing a look at the rather scary looking head proctor at the front of the room, Ushi doubted it. Then again, you never knew, people always thought he was a little crazy when they first met him, silly as that seemed.

The rest of the time passed uneventfully, though Ushi had managed to sketch much of the rest of his and Raizen's future happy lives together on his returned paper. Finally however, the head proctor stood and cleared his throat. Ushi suddenly remembered the tenth question and slumped a little, no social time for him. Glancing sideways at the still disspassionate Sound Ninja Ushi consoled himself thinking that maybe he would get a chance to ask her his question during the next part of the Test if they happened to meet up again.

[Shadow Djinn]

Shiro - Genin
-

It didn't take long for the messy-haired genin to catch on -- everyone was cheating. He could catch wandering eyes, watch as objects crept along the floor, obscured by the many feet of the seated. It was then that anxiety kicked in -- despite his physical capabilities he lacked any jutsu that could serve as a good cheating tool, no Byakugan or Sharingan or the like, unless being able to use wind, and even then, only very slightly, could pass a test for him. His gaze, though masked to prevent suspicion, eventually wandered to Selekis, and felt a twinge of annoyance as the youth scribbled away. He couldn't recall a single instance in which the mute boy showed a desire for teamwork, and was almost certain he'd do nothing to aid his teammates as well. The moment such thoughts flitted into his mind, he felt ashamed, knowing he had no capabilities to pass this test at all.

His eyes finally wandered back to the dull parchment, his mind dully probing the problems for a breakthrough.

...And it came as he eyed the third question, a grin breaking across his face. He could answer this one, thank god for the few days he'd actually paid attention.

Rapidly dashing out the answer (which actually took a while -- it was a difficult problem), he attempted to apply the momentary thrill to the remaining questions, only to frown as he found himself dumbfounded once more. He found himself gazing at Selekis again, Hiro escaping his mind for the moment. Mentally appealing to the mute, he could only hope, by some twisted luck, that his team would pull him through.

[Silencer]

Soen

~~~***~~~***~~~

It was the day before the chuunin exams. There still hadn’t been an answer from higher instances to Soens recent outburst.

Soen crawled up from his bed and walked out of his room. As he closed the door again, he noticed a kunai with a note.

Eying it strangely he unhooked the note.

Meet me at Training ground #12.

Don’t be late ;D

PS: Be there at 9:30 AM

Soen went downstairs and checked the watch. 7:12 AM. He still had a little time and decided to do some shuriken training after breakfast. The entire time, he was wondering who would write such a note.

~~~***~~~***~~~

It was almost half past ten when Soen arrived at the training ground. Just a low density forest where every year, jounin-sensei would test their new genin. Kaito had already arrived.

“I’m guessing the note didn’t come from you.” Soen said

Kaito shook his head, he still seemed a little troubled by their last mission. Sadly, that is the shinobi way. Not that it didn’t effect Soen, but it clearly had a bigger impact on the older genin.

“Any clue on who might have?” Kaito asked.

“Not one.”

“I send you guys those notes.” A feminine voice announced.

A rustle in a nearby tree gave away her position. Not that it mattered cause the girl jumped down immediately.

“My name is Saruwatari Sai and I shall be your new Jounin-sensei!” she joyfully announced.

Soen took a good look at her. Standing at around 5’3, having ponytails, a light skin tone and brown eyes, this person didn’t look quite intimidating. Her tight, black shirt was a bit in contrast with her baggy crimson pants. A brown belt was around her waist, supporting a blue scroll, several kunai and a white pouch.

“Are you serious? You don’t look much older then me. You sure you didn’t have to wait for our sensei here?” Kaito commented.

Soen agreed, it seemed more likely that Sai was a new team member then a sensei.

“Nah, I already met up with our third member. I just wanted to get to know you guys before I introduced you.”

“Let’s go, this is a waste of time.” Soen said

“Oh, I recognize that voice. You’re that Chishio kid right? Tell you what. If you can get a punch in against me, then I’ll guarantee I’ll get you guys into the chuunin exams.”

This caused a spark to rush through Soen. A chance to get into the chuunin exams?

“You better not be joking.”

“Of course I’m not, silly. I can’t lie to my students now, can I? But we do have a time limit, in about twenty minutes our last member will be here so fifteen minutes should be good enough.” Sai explained

“Ready? Go!”

At the moment she signalled the start, Soen rushed in. He didn’t know what type of fighter his opponent was, but if she specialized in Nin- or GenJutsu, he was a sitting duck at his range.

Soen threw a punch that was easily caught. Sai tossed him back. Soen tried a low kick but was blocked again. This time he wouldn’t let up and jumped forward, while thrusting his left fist forward. Sai ducked under this as Soen quickly made a summersault to secure his landing.

Now at her back, Soen continued his assault. Without even turning her head around, Sai blocked every attempt.

“Is this the best you got?” She asked as she grabbed Soens arm and threw him over her back.

“And that after all the good things I heard about you.”

Alright then Soen though to himself as he took out his Shikon daggers.

Sai almost squealed at the sight of them.

“Oh, the Shikon daggers, mind if I take a look at them afterwards?” Sai asked.

“Yes, I do mind. They are my clans secret, no way I’m letting you toy around with them. I will however, let you get a taste of how the feel.”

Armed with his favourite fighting tool, Soen started attacking again. But every strike he made with his daggers was dodged, while his kicks got blocked.

This isn’t working, but let’s see how she feels about this.

“Shikon Jutsu: Soukou Kiba!” Soen yelled out.

He made a small jump backwards and his arms were stretched behind his body. He launched his arms forward again and sliced the air in front of him. This caused a slicing wave to fly towards Sai.

The jounin simply jumped backwards and the wave cut a bit into the earth at her feet.

“Oh, so you are capable of something interesting?” Sai laughed

Soen sheeted his daggers, there was no point in continuing.

“What? Giving up?”

“This fight is over, I have no chance of winning.” Soen said disappointed

“During my entire assault, you didn’t move an inch from your starting position. The only time you moved was to dodge my Soukou Kiba.”

“Oh, nice insight. Anyway, I believe I have proven my point. So let’s all wait for our last team member.” Sai cheered.

Long post
Seems I don't have a lot of issues with a writes block XD

[Ultimate Charizard]

Name: Leaf (im not good with Japanese style names so ill have a mysterious Pseudonym lol)
Gender: Female
Age: 13
Appearance: Long red hair tied back in a ponytail with a couple of bangs hanging at the front. Brown eyes. Average build but fairly tall for her age.
Wears an outfit very similar to Sakura however it is a pale yellow/orange colour with an Orange silk Scarf that flows out behind her. A matching sash is tied around her waist with her Leaf Villiage 'headband'.
Wears brown taping/knuckleguards up her forearms and matching taping just up past her ankle.
Personality: Bit of a loner when not required to be with others. Doesnt mind getting invloved with teamwork and will do all she can to aid her team. She does have low confidence, not in her abilities but more herself in general. Ie she trusts her abilities in combat however is very shy to talk to people in a social sense. Convincing herself that 'if someone wanted to talk to her, then they would talk to her first'.
Does have a stubborn habit of convincing herself she cant do something, giving up in that area and trying something else. Whether it be a training technique or a route somewhere.
History: Not an orphan as such, more that she was shunned by her family for reasons she wont go into. This is the reason for her name as her clan forbade her from using their name and thought it fitting that she now wanders 'as a leaf on the breeze' in the Villiage hidden within the Leaves.
Attended the Accademy to better herself. Refusing to be a no good bum.

Main Jutsu: Taijutsu though is capable with Ninjutsu also.
Special Abilities:
The usual speed and agility increases that most Tai Jutsu specialists have however her special technique is the opposite of this.
Stoneskin Jutsu: Allows her to channel her Chakra in such a way that it stifens and hardens her body. While immobile in this form nothing can break her skin including Kunai, Shuriken or Swords. Nor can she take injury from physical attacks. Indded most attackers not prepared for this Technique risk injuring themselves, expecting their momentum to take them through their target for a safe landing and suddenly finding that momentum stopped dead.
She Is very good at focusing her Chakra in her feet (Kakashi's tree climbing training and Naruto's water walking etc) and so this allows her to plant herself in place so she cannot be lifted or pushed around while immobile. She literally becomes an Immovable object however it can be very draining and at the moment can only be done with her full body.
She is trying to learn to focus this technique to turn it on and off without draining her too much or focusing it on a specific body part so she can counter attack more effectively.
Hobbies: An avid reader. She seems to read for the enjoyment of taking in the authors ideas, regardless of the subject. Shes been known to even read some of Kakashi Sensei's favourite books from time to time.
Relations: none
Other: Has absolutely no ability in Genjutsu. She cannot use them, nor does she have a good time evading them. If she realises she is under a Genjutsu she usually closes her eyes and just tries to shut it out.
Also has absolutely no ability with throwing weapons. She hasnt once managed to make a Kunai land point first. Usually clattering into its target on its side edge. Though at least it does hit target which is more than can be said for her Shuriken. has occaisionally experimented using a Bow however found it cumbersome when engaged in hand to hand combat.

Leaf
----

The forest was peacefull in the morning.
Leaf walked slowly along the path that would bring her to the training grounds as her new Sensei had instructed looking around and taking in her surroundings. Everything seemed more real if that was possible. The colours seemed more vivid, the smells were pleasant, but more noticeable. As if the peace of the morning made her senses focus themselves. The exact opposite sensation as someone who could walk around lost in thought and not notice anything going on around them she thought to herself.
She sighed and continued on, wondering what it would be like to live in such ignorance. as she noticed the sunlight that was filtering through the trees growing brighter up ahead, signalling a clearning and most likely her destination.
As she approached she could make out the sounds of battle. The slapping of skin on skin as attacks were made and blocks were executed against them along with the grunts and groans of exertion.
She rounded a corner and noticed a number of people roughly her age though one seemed slightly older. She had met Saruwatari-sensei days before and had been instructed to come here at this time.
She was surprised that the girl infront of her could be a Jounin. It wasnt uncommon for Jounin to be young. Some had graduated as young as 13 which made Leaf frown that she had already reached that age and was only a Genin. Knowing that fact was very different to seeing it in the flesh though and it seemed impossible that such a girl was a highly trained and highly skilled shinobi.
Leaf didnt realise she had been staring untill she noticed the group looking back at her. The Jounin was smiling while the other Genin looked over curiously. Leaf took a few steps forward. That familiar nervousness that she may have got it wrong and this wasnt even her group.

"Excuse me?" she said softly as if trying to get someones attention without interupting some important conversation, despite the fact that she already had everyones attention.
"..is this team 17?"

Saruwatari cocked her head curiously. She had met Leaf already, the girl knew that she would be her new Sensei yet she still asked as if she might be wrong. Her confidence could become an issue that would need resolving.

"Indeed it is." beamed the older girl. "though you already know that dont you" she said softly trying not to sound patronising.
Leaf nodded slowly, and flashed a slightly embarrassed smile, letting out a breath she hadnt realised she'd been holding.

"My name is Leaf," she said to the Genin "I was told i would be joining this team." she said though the second part of the statement sounded more like a question and all 3 Genin looked towards Saruwatari. Leaf for assurance and the two boys had expressions that she would convince herself meant 'youve got to be joking right?'
Saruwatari sighed and stared at Leaf for a moment before stepping back.

"Right you are!" said Saruwatari. The smile back on her face.
"This is Kaito and Soen, your new team mates" she pointed at the two Genin behind her. "You can get to know each other later, for now we have things to discuss...." she stared at each of the Genin in turn "...namely the Chuunin exams"

[Bulbasaur4]

The Coming of the End of Exam 1

Chiyoko


Chiyoko couldn’t help but smile when she had felt the tap at her ankle and had gazed down to see Inakamo’s hand. She had been working away at the test for quite some time, but his answers helped greatly. She could compare two of her answers and begin skipping ahead. Working away… she withdrew a sigh of relief. Their test, for the most part, was filled up with answers. There was one other question they needed… the 10th and final question.

Although she was prepared for a harsh question- something downright scary, she was still jarred to sit up straight as Morino’s voice boomed, telling everyone they had to stop writing. He then spoke of the 10th question… saying that everyone had to get the 10th question correct.

We have to get it correct? That would mean… surely it has to be easier than the majority of the questions we have been answering. But if it isn’t…

There was a bigger risk than just failing the Chuunin exams however. Morino continued to state that if one were to stay and fail the 10th question, they would never be able to participate in the Chuunin exams again. Everyone gasped and Chiyoko’s eyes widened. Never? Wasn’t that sort of harsh?

“However… if you feel that you are simply unwilling to risk the question…” Morino continued. “or that you are not ready. You may choose to leave now. Of course, your entire team will have to leave… but you at least will be able to retake the Chuunin Exam.” He added, staring down the entire room with his cold, icy glare.

Chiyoko swallowed back her fear… she had to be ready to be a Chuunin, didn’t she? If she wasn’t now then…

Chiyoko turned her head to gaze at her teammates. Onitoge’s eyes were narrowed but his jaw was strained- he seemed determined or as if he had made up his mind. Inakamo’s face was similar as he purged the worry from his mind and also swallowed back his fears with determination. Chiyoko felt a soft smile creep upon her lips- her teammates’ own determination had calmed her down. She knew she couldn’t give up now… they were counting on her.

I have to learn to be as strong and resolute as them… Chiyoko said to herself, breathing in a deep calming breath.

A few chose to leave however. Their strength was not as sure as others. More teams might have left, however a sudden outburst from Naruto caused Chiyoko to jump from the silence. He spoke loudly and boisterously, declaring how he wouldn’t give up- not now that he’d come this far. Chiyoko slight smile grew into a grin, as she nodded to herself.

That’s right Naruto… how are we supposed to accomplish anything without faith in ourselves?

A few seconds that ticked away felt like dramatic minutes to Chiyoko as Morino waited a little bit more and then a smile spread across his face.
“Alright… you all pass.”

More shock rippled through out the exam room, until it was clarified that there really was no “tenth” question in the written sense. Instead, the last part of this first exam was a ‘test’ of character.

There perhaps would have been time for a firm self-analzying thought from Chiyoko, but any such time was canceled as the window erupted and shards of glass clattered onto the floor. Morino Ibiki did not seemed surprised however, as a strong, wild-eyed female Ninja landed in the classroom with a wicked grin upon her face.


“Greetings Maggots!” She said loudly, scanning everyone with intense vigor. “Enough of this sitting and wasting time… the true test of character is about to begin!” With that she leapt out of the window, beckoning everyone to “follow her.”



~*~ Skipping time, wavering signings and the like ~*~



“Wow… Forest of Death, THAT doesn’t sound ominous.” Inakamo sighed as he, Onitoge and Chiyoko stood right upon the outside of the forest. The task didn’t sound incredibly difficult, but as Onitoge pointed out- stealing a scroll from another team would be troublesome if they ran into the wrong team.

“I sense a lot of power… a lot of bad power…” Onitoge commented, as Chiyoko felt a little bit of fear claim her again before Inakamo laughed and placed a hand upon her shoulder, seeming to sense this.

“Bah, if anything happens… we’ll bash our way through!”

“…” Onitoge didn’t respond, but a small crack of a smile formed on his lips. Chiyoko matched it with a smile, giving a fist pump and nodding. “Teammates and friends!” She said cornily, laughing afterwards as she realized it.

“Still… three days seems like an awfully short time.” Onitoge commented, as the other two agreed.

“maybe the forest isn’t as… death-y as it sounds?” Inakamo offered.


Time was of the utmost importance however, and soon Anko had rushed the team of Chiyoko, Inakamo and Onitoge into the Forest of Death along with their scroll.

“I’ll take that!” Inakamo said, hiding the scroll within his ball. They had received the Heaven Scroll.

“Time to go kick some butt, take a scroll and head to that tower in the center…” Inakamo continued, as the three of them took off into the forest.

“We should be careful, there will be a lot of teams in the beginning and we’ll be more apt to run into them and they might attack us. I think we want the element of surprise to ourselves.” Chiyoko commented with an assuring smile.

The Misadventures of Saruwatari and Saruwatari
“The Battle of Epic Proportions: Part II”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sai glared at her Uncle Kazuki as the two of them faced off within the grassy clearing that was the Exam’s Stadium.

“Excuse me… but shouldn’t this be avoided since the Chuunin Exams will be taking place here very soon?” Hatake Kakashi asked, raising a brow at the Hokage who shrugged.

“BAH… those kids won’t be using it for a month anyway!” Hara quickly said loudly, as Yukiso chimed in.

“They’re merely testing it out. That’s all.”

This caused Hatake to sweatdrop along with a few more… less enthusiastic watchers. Gai, however, was not one of them.

“LET THE THRALL OF YOUTH LEAD YOU ONWARDS SAI!” He bellowed, causing Kazuki to twitch slightly.
Sai smirked.

“Come now uncle, show me how unqualified I am.” She taunted.
Kazuki remained unspoken, and the signal was given for them to begin.


Within a blink of an eye, the two vanished.

[A Crisis After Another - Naruto OST ]

Kazuki quickly went into a furry of basic Taijutsu moves – throwing daunting punches and a series of sweeping kicks that were meant to throw the tiny Sai off of her feet. However, Sai managed to avoid the attacks, dodging every single one without the need of blocking them. Kazuki smirked.

“So you have already realized your number one weakness.” He thought to himself before coming at her again. This time he lightened his assault- not giving so much power behind them but concentrating more on his speed. As seconds ticked by, his speed continued to increase until Sai was forced to block his moves- she was unable to evade them when she was so close. With each block however, her body shook slightly as the furry of Kazuki’s attacks caused her body to slide across the rocky ground beneath her feet. She winced as a wild pummeling of fists smashed into her forearms, and Sai quickly realized she could not match her Uncle’s raw power with her own basic defense. However…

“You’re… not the only one… with power!” She yelled, blocking his kick and using his own momentum to push herself backwards with a leap. Glaring, she concentrated upon her clenched fist and grimaced. Blue chakra began to form around her fist and with a blink of an eye she slammed it into the ground. The earth beneath Kazuki’s feet began to rumble and he quickly leapt out of the way as the earth gave way beneath him- causing jagged rocks and boulders to burst upwards from the ground. Sai watched as Kazuki landed to the right of the rubble, no surprise showing upon his face. He knew she had that capability… he had been waiting to see the extent of her power.

He knew now, though, that he had to use his specialty moves in order to have the upper hand- and with that, he wasted no time. Swiftly he leapt to the edge of the rubble and picked up one of the large stones. Placing it upon his fist, he began spinning it wildly about until chakra began to gather around the rock and spun with it- creating a wild, chakra-spinning sphere. He then charged at Sai, giving a large cry as he prepared to hurl the rock into her torso. Sai quickly leapt out of the way, causing the rock and Kazuki’s rock-armed fist to smash straight into the ground, causing a large cloud of explosion that shook the stadium. Sai’s eyes widened in shock however, as she caught a glimpse of a smile spread across Kazuki’s face. It was too late- the cloth of Kazuki’s belt had also been taken out. Sai barely had time to register what had happened as the cloth sliced into the side of her torso and the sting of chakra sent her spinning sideways and crashing to the ground.

Quickly Sai got to her feet however and leapt away as yet another spinning rock smashed below her feet, and this time she brought a glowing kunai upwards to block the cloth. Sai had channeled her chakra into the kunai…knowing full well Kazuki’s chakra-fused belt could slice through most metals. There was no time for words know. Sai knew Kazuki thought he had the upper hand with the painful blow to her side, and she did not want him to have time to think otherwise. The element of surprise still was her forte, not his.

Another rock, another cloth… but this time as his belt met her kunai, she took out a tag and slapped it onto his belt. Breaking away from their explosive close-ranged battle, Kazuki immediately leapt back and threw is belt away as it exploded.

[Ultimate Secrets - Naruto OST]

Time to show him what I can really do… Sai thought, touching her scroll and ripping it open, instantly unleashing a wide-ranged attack of kunai to spray out. Kazuki swiftly freed himself of his leg weights, allowing him to leap high into the air to avoid the painfully sharp kunai. With lightning fast reflexes however, Sai pushed her scroll’s paper another way and threw out more Kunai. Kazuki twisted into the air, avoiding the spray again and threw back his own kunai. Sai easily rolled to the side, and just as she was about to reopen her scroll, Kazuki appeared in front of her. Shock filled Sai’s face as Kazuki punched her in the gut, causing her to groan as she was sent flying backwards into a wall. In one fluid motion along with the punch, Kazuki ripped her own scroll away from her grasp.

Kazuki smirked as the dust cleared as Sai stood standing, in front of the large rocky indent she had made into the wall. Kazuki immediately was alarmed however, seeing the smile upon Sai’s sarcastic face. Her scroll was at her side.

Looking down, he saw the scroll glow beside him and immediately he leapt away just as the scroll exploded. Kunai, throwing stars and several more sharp objects were sent flying in every direction. The explosion was enough to put Kazuki off balance and while he managed to dodge most of the objects in his direction, his leg was sliced cleanly along with a gash across the side of his face.

Landing down upon the ground, Kazuki looked at Sai with a glare. What new trick was this?

“Now for my real speciality!” Sai said as she grabbed the corner of her scroll again but in a blink of an eye two Ninja appeared. Hara and Hatake.

“This is quite enough.” Hatake said, facing Kazuki.

“You did it Sai!” Hara said with a laugh, pointing at the Hokage who nodded and then walked away. “Man… I haven’t seen Kazuki work that hard in years!” Hara added, some how not feeling the laser-beam glare that was aimed at the back of his head. “This calls for lunch, my treat!” Hara added, smiling as he slapped Sai on the back.

“Umm… Hara-san, shouldn’t you be watching your team?”

“Naaah, they’re only in the Forest of Death. They’ll be fiiine..…” He trailed off with a laugh as Sai sweatdropped.




[ All teams have the Heaven Scroll, except for Team 17. Look in the Lounge topic for the "special event" your Team will encounter. ]